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January's "Star" of the Month |
A Conversation with Astrologer Nalini Kanta DasBy Editor Christina CollinsInterview Date: 01/07/11 Jyotish Star: Where did you get your start in Vedic Astrology?
Nalini: Dr. B.V. Raman's books were my beginning, but I started reading charts almost immediately, and I think the experience of reading charts is the best teacher, and feedback from clients is the greatest support. Sometimes we learn by our mistakes as well. After ten years of such practice, I contacted the Bhrigu-Samhita from Hoshiarpur, India. My guru Bhaktivedanta said that it is the "perfection of astrology," and I have learned so much accurate information from the readings of Bhrigu over the past 21 years, while continually doing hundreds of readings yearly. Jyotish Star: What Jyotish Books have you found most helpful for students of Vedic Astrology? Nalini: I use Saravali, Hora-Sastra, B.V. Raman, Chamatkara-Chintamani, Brhad-Jataka, etc. on a daily basis. Jyotish Star: Please tell us a little bit about your own Astrology book, and are there more in the planning? Nalini: I wrote one in 1986 which was more or less a collection of general information on the houses, signs and planets. I followed up with "Divine Path of Prediction" in 2000, which showed some interpretive techniques. Every eight or ten years of practice leads you to a more realized state of understanding Jyotisha, so I do hope to do at least one more book in the future----perhaps one which teaches the most essential considerations in a chart, graduating into details on a step-by-step basis so that students can see at least my way of reading charts without getting confused by so much information and varied techniques. Jyotish Star: That�s wonderful!! Be sure to let us know when it is available so that we can help spread the word! Do you have any conferences, retreats or events coming up? Nalini: We have a great gathering here at my place in Alachua, Florida, from Feb. 11-13, 2011. Chakrapaniji is coming and will speak on the Sun and Moon. Gudrun Schellenbeck, a leader of the Jyotisha community of Europe and one of the world's greatest PERSONS, is coming as well. And Maharishi Bhriguji will be present here in the subtle form of His book, along with the translator, Sneha Amritananda, also a great Astrologer herself. And to cap it off, Dr. Vasant Lad will be doing eight hours of presentation on Ayurveda and Astrology. Please let people know to contact me if you want to attend. Jyotish Star: What level does the student need to be in order to gain from attending? Nalini: I honestly think it will be useful for all levels. Chakrapaniji, Gudrun and I will be doing several hours of questions and answers along with our presentation. The spiritual atmosphere and the good people are a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, I think. Jyotish Star: Well, it certainly sounds wonderful! Not to mention enjoying the wonderful weather in Florida! What advice would you give to the beginner, just starting their studies in the astrological field? Nalini: Learn about the ascending signs, the lord or ruler of the Ascendant, and the placement of the rulers of the 1st, 5th, 9th and 10th houses for the blessings in a chart - and then look at the rulers of 6, 8 and 12 for immediate problems. Then, go to the Sun and Moon. These are the initial steps. Learn how to DEDUCE the interpretations and predictions from several considerations at once. For example, if Mars influences the chart strongly, and there is Aindra-yoga, and the Sun is prominent in a female chart, then you know it is a forceful woman whose husband shouldn't be a mild-mannered man. If the rulers of the 1st and 9th are together and Jupiter is strong, while no malefics aspect the Moon, then you know the person is perhaps spiritually advanced more than most. Intelligence and sincere spirituality, good source material, experience and devotion to doing good for the client are the most important factors in being a good astrologer. Jyotish Star: Thank you Nalini for such a perfect, in depth answer. And also thank you for the fine article on Yogas that you sent us to give our readers a greater understanding of yogas or unions of planets. Jyotish Star: Do you think that someone needs to be a Hindu, or needs to have lived in India to be a Vedic Astrologer? Nalini: I DO THINK THAT YOU HAVE TO PRACTICE THE DHARMA to interpret the dharma. I think all practitioners should read the Vedic literature, and not from a mythological or speculative point of view. It is compiled by Sri Vyasadeva, an incarnation who is completely God conscious and certainly didn't waste time with imagination. All Vedic knowledge is to help liberate us from the suffering of birth and death, and to help us achieve our original spiritual body in eternal life, in complete bliss and knowledge, in the service of God - so astrological practice to increase the sense gratification of a temporary, material body, is really a disservice to the conditioned soul. Jyotish Star: How long does it generally take to learn Jyotish? Nalini: You can get a good start in one year with the right guidance and if you do sadhana yourself. By myself, it took me about eight years before I was really confident in what I was saying. Now at 32 years, I realize what little I really understood when I was only at the 8-year level. Jyotish Star: Thank you for that, and most of us can readily identify with that answer. It truly is such a vast study. Tell us, are you a vegetarian, or do you follow an Ayurvedic diet as well as practicing spiritual sadhana? Nalini: Krishna devotees always offer their food to Him before eating, and He says in Bhagavad-gita that he accepts vegetarian offerings. Our whole bhakti or devotional path is to please Him......with that attitude (wish I really had it!), He helps you do a good reading for your client's benefit. Jyotish Star: Anyone who has met you, or has had the pleasure of working with you can assure you that your humility and kindness shine with bliss and devotion! Speaking of devotion, can you tell us a little bit about your family? Any more astrologers? Nalini: Everyone who knows me and my wife Ratnesvari , knows that she is the real Vedic devotee and that whatever luck I have materially or spiritually, has come through her company, and through the grace of my gurus. I leave no progeny as maraka Mars hits my fifth house and is conjunct the putra-karaka Jupiter. I have strong ashtakavarga points in the 11th house, which has contributed to my getting to know so many of you sadhus in the Vedic sciences, and to being able to learn from realized souls like Prabhupada and Bhriguji. Jyotish Star: Thank you Nalini for such a wonderful, informative, and candid interview, and for taking time out of your busy life to let us know about your path, and also about the great conference retreat with others of vedic knowledge you are hosting in February! Nalini: I would like to add... many thanks to all of my friends, teachers, and kind facilitators in the field of Jyotisha. May Krishna bless you all. Nalini Biography: Nalini Kanta Das was born Tom Hopke in New Jersey (and with his permission to state his data) on Jan. 20, 1951 (Capricorn Ascendant). Nalini actively became a searcher of knowledge and spiritual truth in the late 1960's, leading him to an investigation of all things India. He joined the Hare Krishna organization and the Bhakti path in 1971, spending seven years spiritually focused in the ashram. Nalini's Contact Information: Phone: 386-418-1147 Email: [email protected] Web Site: www.nalinikanta.com P.O. Box 2362 Alachua FL 32616 |
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| Jyotish Star Copyright 2011 C. C. Collins - All Rights Reserved |