Sanskrit translations (Attempt by a few - K.N.Rao does not know basics)

[Guest guest]

Namaste friends,

 

I don't know if the information below is correct or not.

 

However, one thing I can say is that the translations given by

Santhanam are not fully reliable. There are places in BPHS where a

line can be interpreted in multiple ways and Santhanam gave one

interpretation without outlining others for the benefit of readers. In

some cases, the interpretation he picked from multiple candidates is

questionable. In some other cases, the interpretation he gave is

simply impossible and based on an erroneous translation.

 

BPHS translation by Santhanam is definitely a useful work, but by no

means accurate or reliable.

 

Translating something like BPHS is not easy. A scholar of Sanskrit

without a deep understanding Jyotish and a scholar of Jyotish without

mastery over Sanskrit usage will both mess it up.

 

I am a Sanskrit scholar and have a very good comfort level in reading

Sanskrit poetry and prose. In the last 15 years, I have studied a

little bit of astrology too and have some understanding of the

subject. In my weekly Jyotish class in greater Boston, I independently

interpret verses from BPHS. When there is scope for multiple

interpretations, I outline them all. I then give my pick based on

experience when appropriate. Learned astrologers are welcome to take

advantage of the free mp3 audio recordings of my classes (see link below).

 

I see that a lot of youngsters waste their time in unnecessarily

bitter arguments (like I used to do a few years back). Truth is

in-corruptible. If 1000 people shout loud and teach wrong knowledge,

it may become popular but will not survive for long. Only Truth can

(and does) survive for ever. There is no death for True knowledge. It

is within each being and the being can access it when ready.

 

Before convincing others about the little we know, we should work on

improving our own knowledge. I know for a fact that what great

teachers teach today is only the tip of the iceberg and there is a lot

of knowledge waiting to be re-discovered.

 

Spend more time in meditation and introspection than in argument.

 

If my 2 cents of advice ruffles any feathers, my apologies.

 

Best regards,

Narasimha

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Homam manual and audio: http://www.VedicAstrologer.org/homam

Spirituality:

Free Jyotish lessons (MP3): http://vedicastro.home.comcast.net

Free Jyotish software (Windows): http://www.VedicAstrologer.org

Sri Jagannath Centre (SJC) website: http://www.SriJagannath.org

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> Dear all,

>

> Those of you who are enamoured by Late Shri Santhanam's

translations would be delighted to know that he never translated a

single book and got it translated through Pandits who knew Sanskrit by

paying a measely sum of Rs. 5/- or so per shloka. It is a common

knowledge in Delhi's astrological circle.

>

> regards,

>

> Manoj