May 22, 2007

"The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars, but in ourselves, that we are underlings."  - William Shakespeare, 1564-1616 AD (Julius Caesar, I.1)

The movement of stars, constellations and heavenly bodies is believed to have a direct influence on the day-to-day human life. The belief is centuries-old.

In many countries, astrologers are consulted before embarking on any long-term enterprise, including marital, so that the chances of risks and hazards are obviated.

The marital enterprise being the commonest, one involving a majority of people - including those who would not even dream of getting into the business line - the astrologers' community happens to be the most in demand.

But there are our friends out here like Dr Narendra Nayak, Premananda and others who would call this practice unscientific, since, they say, Rahu and Ketu are only concepts and not real stars. Added to this are Uranus, Neptune, Pluto and many other recent entrants in the attendance register of the heavenly bodies being maintained by mankind. Astrology does not take into account the last mentioned, they say.

Many people say they feel having been caught in the crossfire of arguments. That leaves us confused. Thousands of girls around us are forced to remain spinsters for reason of non-matching of horoscopes, say many parents. No one knows the way out.

The experience of a childhood friend - we will call him 'A' - is worth the mention here. Hailing from a devout, traditional upper-class family, he was looking for a lifemate when he was just past 28, but was stuck with a stalemate.

Being the most eligible bachelor - a highly coveted one too - many nubile belles also had set their eyes on him.  At least half a dozen proposals came his way but all of them hit the same roadblock - the horoscopes did not match. Finally, there was this girl, literally a gem, and he was so smitten by her charm, good nature and character. But, alas, there again, the horoscopes did not match. It was said that their match was doomed and they would practically perish if they got married, so said the astrologer.

Our friend 'A' did not like to lose her and discussed the matter with 'B', a close confidant, also from an upper-class family.

'B' had a closed-door meeting with the astrologer, suggested some 'adjustments' and 'amendments' to the horoscope against some consideration and the matter was amicably resolved.

Today, twenty years since, 'A', being happily married to the same girl of his dreams, has two adorable children, all hale and hearty. The couple is indeed thankful to their stars, as well as to the friend in need - 'B', for that wonderful mission of being a smart manipulator.

Daijiworld exclusive cartoon by Harini

In this backdrop comes a report from the corner of our district, from Sullia taluk to be precise. An astrologer lives with his family in a remote village, says our man in Sullia. The story has been flashed by most of the newspapers.

In the middle of a night recently, some men landed in a jeep at his residence and cajoled him to come to their place to attend to a needy person. As the astrologer came out of his slumber, he suddenly realized that they were actually trying to kidnap him and had almost managed to cart him away in their jeep.

As he called for help, his wife came to his rescue with an immediately available, handy weapon of self-defence - a household sickle. Her shriek sent a shiver down the spines of the prospective abductors and they gave up their attempt and ran away for their lives.

As our man landed there the next morning, there was a long-drawn discussion among family members and neighbours, trying to figure out the possible motive of the abdu