Everyone wants to know or curious to know about their future. Astrology, is generally
known as Jyotisha Shastram which includes predictive astrology and also to know
about astronomical position. In olden days, a versatile astrologer is known as
an expert in exhibiting trikala-darshee, i.e. who can tell about the past, present
and the future. If he/she is able to study the movement of astronomical positions,
he/she can certainly the foresee the future correctly. As mentioned by you, once
such an impression is formed, astrology remains unattractive. There are many
male/female astrologers in the world today. If I am correct, Nalanda and Takshshila
had innumerable books on the above subject which can throw infinite wisdom. But
it is understood that all have been destroyed during Islamic rule. Some feel that predictions
made by astrologers often goes wrong, it is not cent percent correct.. Astrology is
nothing but based on mathematical calculations. If the data such as time of birth,
place of birth etc. are cent percent correct, then one can draw an accurate
horoscope. If this data is incorrect, the horoscope and the interpretation is bound
to be incorrect. Olden days, whatever nurse or midwife says, is the time noted down.
Some might not have had watches. They would go by birds cry or based on nature's
sounds, etc. If the planetary position at a given moment is accurate, then the
predictions and results will certainly be accurate. This can be challenged. If one
classifys as science, it can be divided into two parts i.e. known and the unknown.
Generally, what is believed that whatever is unknown to us today, will become
known tomorrow. That is, over a period of time, every thing will become known
one day or other. Suppose, if we take about the ancient days, the saints and
sages, etc have said many things. But some people do not believe them. But
the same sages have also mentioned that certain aspects of the existence in
the Universe is unknowable. Because, these things do not belong in the domain
of human knowledge. Similarly, certain aspects of future also belongs to the same
domain. If one takes as as aggregate, whatever mentioned by the Sages in the
yester years are becoming true. Like that astrology is also that one can predict
the correct, if the position of the planets are clearly judged by the astrologers.
For examples our ancient history/literatures have already predicted that man
will proceed towards moon and other planets. Hence should not conclude that
astrology is false.
Balasubramanian NR