5a. Testimony to the Immense Value of Vedic Astrological Knowledge:

In all the ancient astrological texts of the Hindus, there has always been abundant testimony for the inestimable value of astrology, especially for kings, since the repercussions of their wrong decisions and the wrong ‘timing’ of their actions affected the entire kingdom adversely. Thus the renowned Hindu astronomer-astrologer Varahamihira of the 6th Century A.D., has put forth in his classical astrological work of Brihat Samhita, the following sutras, which give us a solid testimony to the prestige Jyotisha commanded in that age of Hindu society, on account of its capacity to guide kings and thus even shape the ‘destiny’ of kingdoms:[Ref. 9, Sutras 26, 28 & 29 Ch II, Vol I]:

“Just as the night devoid of lights or lamps is utterly blind, and the sky without the Sun dark, even so will a king grope in life in the dark like a blind man on the way, if he is not guided by a good astrologer.

“Hence a king who aspires for victory, fame, prosperity, enjoyments & spiritual progress ought to employ the best astrologer who is well versed in this Vidya.

“One who wishes for prosperity ought not to reside in a country which does not possess a good astrologer. For no sin can remain in the place where resides an astrologer who is the eye, as it were of society itself.”

The above insights of Varahamihira ought to bring home to us the importance of first of all learning the rudiments of this profound discipline of Jyotisha and then taking the necessary efforts to seek reliable Vedic astrological guidance.