Sadhus, Palm leaves, Kutirs, and Jyotish

[Guest guest]

Dear Group,

 

Recently a post by Mr. Ravindramani pointed to the great jyotishi

sadhu in a kutir with no computers or internet, casting horoscopes on

palm leaves. He pointed to their style of simply stating predictions

and advice with no explanation.

 

Allow me to direct your attention to the most important thing of

all... the dictum state:

 

***** " Adau Shraddha " ****

 

In the beginning there MUST be shraddha.

 

Shraddha means " appreciation and confidence in the heart. " If the

sishya or the person approaching the astrologer does not have

shraddha, the whatever the guru or jyotish says will not enter their

heart, it will instead be like a seed falling upon concrete.

 

A jyotishi living in a bhajan kutir outside the villiage, writing on

palm leaves, having worked successfully for the villiage for the last

60 years, etc. already has the shraddha of the entire village.

Therefore there is very little need for explanations. He can just make

his proclamations, and what he or she says entered deep into the heart

of his listener.

 

Similarly as respected author like BV Raman, etc. may also adopt this

style of delivering proclamations and being very reluctant to explain

himself. The reasoning is the same. When you already have the shraddha

of your audience, then to much explanation can actually damage that

shradda.

 

However, if we are not a kutir jyotishi or a BV Raman we should not

act as such. Furthermore even if we are, we should be " Acharya " and

perform our activities in a way that is exemplary for others, knowing

that otherwise will imitate us.

 

We all can use various methods to develop shraddha in the person

approaching us. One essential and indispensible method is to quote

shastra and sadha and to explain ourselves clearly.

 

I've found that I did a few readings where I did not explain much of

the reasoning behind my statements, and the people walked away

moderately happy but not deeply benefitted. I changed my approach and

began giving brief but careful explanations of at least something

related to what I was saying, and now people's eyes open wide and they

walk away deeply affected and eager to improve their lives.

 

Respectfully,

Vic