A Conversation with Ghanshyam Singh Birla
By Juliana Swanson
Interview Date: 11/12/2014
Juliana Swanson: Thank you so much for meeting with us for the Jyotish Star today! Can we begin by talking about where you grew up?
Ghanshyam Singh Birla: I was born in India and grew up in a small village near the ancient city of Meerut, which is about 60 miles northeast of the national capital, Delhi.
Juliana: What brought you to astrology and palmistry?
|  | Ghanshyam: My paternal grandfather�s kind and loving influence brought me to astrology and palmistry.
After he retired from working life, my grandfather dedicated himself to the Vedic arts. He was greatly respected as a Vedic practitioner and people traveled for miles seeking his advice and counsel. As a youngster, I spent hours at his side as he attended to the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of the many visitors to our home requesting a consultation. His ability to accurately diagnose the cause of their hardship, sickness or pain by examining their charts and hands fascinated me. So did the way he cured people with a dose of sage advice or an Ayurvedic remedy he�d personally prepare using healing spices, minerals and herbs. He never turned anyone |
away and never charged for his services. Grandfather�s passion and dedication infused me with a lifelong love of Vedic palmistry and astrology that has grown deeper with each passing decade.
Juliana: Has Vedic palmistry-astrology always been your profession or did you/do you have another vocation?
Ghanshyam: Well, yes and no. When I was born, our family astrologer predicted I would revolutionize the field of palmistry. This delighted my grandfather but distressed my father. Dad was a no-nonsense military man and expected me to follow in his footsteps. But my boyhood passion for palmistry could not be curbed; I read everything I could about palmistry and sometimes even slipped out of the house to read the palms of passing strangers, be they prostitutes or policemen. I was mesmerized as to how the lines and mounts of the hand consistently reflected an individual�s personality and lifestyle.
Juliana: So your father was not happy about this?
Ghanshyam: When my father got wind of my antics he packed me off to a militaristic boarding school. Ironically, the school�s library contained an extensive collection of Vedic texts, which I studied religiously. Throughout my teens I was torn between embracing palmistry as a vocation and honoring my father�s wishes to join the army. After much prayer and meditation, I realized I had to follow my heart and become a palmist. To keep peace in the family, I promised my father that I would first earn my Master�s degree and, to my great relief, he gave me his blessing.
Juliana: So� no army then?
Ghanshyam: Right, and as fate would have it, after college I received a government job teaching physical education in schools throughout India. However, I continued practicing palmistry, and during my eight years as a teacher honed my skills by reading the | | |
palms of thousands of students, administrators and government officials. My services were in such demand that I opened my first palmistry center. Since then I have never worked in any other profession.
Juliana: What is �Hast Jyotish�?
Ghanshyam: In the East, the sciences of astronomy, astrology, and palmistry are closely related and derive from the same Sanskrit root, Jyot, which means light. When applied to astronomy, Jyotish describes the study of the heavenly bodies (seen as points of light in the sky). When applied to astrology, Jyotish refers to the impact that planetary light has on our lives. The Sanskrit word for hand is Hast, so Vedic palmistry is known as Hast Jyotish�the study of the impact and influence planetary light has on our lives as revealed through the mounts and lines of our hands.
Juliana: What is the purpose of Hast Jyotish?
Ghanshyam: Hast Jyotish provides us with a diagnostic tool with which we can gauge the level of harmony within the trinity of body, mind, and heart. This valuable information helps us determine what steps to take to restore or create balance within this sacred trinity of consciousness. In short, Hast Jyotish embodies a vast source of ancient knowledge enabling us to behold the divinity within our souls.
Juliana: Could you tell us which teachers inspired you, mentored you, or were your strongest supporters along the way?
Ghanshyam: After my grandfather, my next great teacher was the extraordinary Vedic palmist named Shyamlal Jyotishi. When I learned that Shyamlalji shunned prediction and practiced a deeply spiritual form of palmistry, I knew I had to become his student. Shyamlalji was a highly evolved soul and could see a person�s entire life�past, present and future�with a brief glance at their palms. He had tutored only one other student in his life to avoid squandering his energy on anyone not entirely committed to palmistry. Once I�d convinced him of my dedication, Shyamlalji touched my forehead, instantly sending me into a semi-trance during which he transferred more knowledge to me about the Heart Line than 100 text books could have provided. And that was just the first lesson!
After that, he placed me on a stringent spiritual routine of fasting, meditation, and chanting special mantras to Panchanguli, the goddess of palmistry. Under his guidance, I discovered the critical role that self-analysis and self-knowledge play in the art of palmistry.
Juliana: What a wonderful experience and blessing to be with such a teacher! You are also a disciple of the Self-Realization Fellowship of Paramahansa Yoganandaji. How does this spiritual affiliation and path tie into your work as Hast Jyotishi?
Ghanshyam: Finding my beloved Gurudeva Paramahansa Yoganandaji (again in this lifetime) has been one of my greatest joys. I discovered Autobiography of a Yogi after arriving in Canada, and reading the first few sentences reduced me to tears of happiness�I had found my guru! I dedicated myself to Kriya Yoga and have been a devoted disciple ever since.
Paramahansa�s lessons and writings resonate perfectly with my approach to palmistry, particularly his Psychological Chart [The Psychological Chart by Paramhansa (Swami) Yogananda � 1925], which emphasizes the vital importance of self-awareness for spiritual development. His words��The secret of success is self-analysis��echo in my mind whenever I stare into a client�s palm.
Juliana: You moved to Canada from India in 1970. What prompted such a radical move?
Ghanshyam: Immigrating to Canada was such a crazy leap of faith that I am certain Mother Divine orchestrated the entire affair! By 1970 I had built a solid reputation as an effective Vedic palmist; was blessed with a wonderful wife, a beautiful young daughter and an infant son; I was securely employed as a college professor and had my own thriving palmistry center. I was even being consulted about designing a national palmistry program to be taught in every school in India. So, other than being broke (and what young father and teacher isn�t broke?), life was great! Of course, that�s when destiny stepped in.
One day I saw an advertisement in an Indian newspaper placed by a Canadian restaurateur who wanted to hire the �best palmist in India� to read the palms of patrons in his Montreal restaurant. I knew nothing about Montreal other than that it was in the West�yet somehow I knew it was where I was meant to be.
Juliana: Why was that?
| | Ghanshyam: You see, I�d become convinced my life mission was to help restore palmistry to its rightful place among the noble Vedic arts and sciences by rescuing it from its general reputation as a fortune telling tool.
I wanted to show the world that Vedic palmistry can help us prevent negative planetary influences from harming us while simultaneously revealing how we can enrich our lives by building upon the positive qualities and innate natural gifts. |
Juliana: Was this not possible to accomplish in India at the time?
Ghanshyam: From personal experience, I knew I would never accomplish my mission in India, where the centuries-old belief that one�s future is fixed and immutable was widespread. I was certain that the Eastern mindset was too fatalistic to accept my �revolutionary� ideas about palmistry, but I sensed those ideas would do well in the West, where freedom and freewill were held up as guiding principles.
Juliana: How courageous you were to uproot from home and family during an era when this was not so common�a leap of faith indeed!
Ghanshyam: Oh yes! And despite the protestations of my friends and family, and after much meditation and prayer to Mother Divine, I applied for the position in Montreal (along with nearly 600 other Indian palmists), and I got the job!
Today I can happily report that Mother Divine did not steer me wrong�I have been contently practicing my cherished profession of Vedic astro-palmistry along preventive guidelines for more than four decades at both the Birla Center for Hast Jyotish in Montreal, and at a lakeside wellness center we have built on a beautiful 500�acre forest preserve north of the city.
Juliana: Please tell us more about your palmistry program?
Ghanshyam: We have created a palmistry diploma program comprising 18 in-depth courses. The first two, Introduction to Hast Jyotish with Kathleen Keogh, Director of the Hast Jyotish Diploma Program, and Adventures in Consciousness with me, are available online. And because we live in Quebec, and thanks to the tireless efforts of Guylaine Vall�e, one of my most exalted students, the entire 18-course program is available online in French.
Juliana: I read that the Birla Center is recognized by the Quebec and federal governments as an educational establishment. This is quite impressive!
Ghanshyam: The fact that the federal and provincial governments have endorsed the program has given Vedic palmistry a huge boost in credibility, and for that I am proud and exceedingly grateful.
Juliana: Please tell us more about your books and other writings.
Ghanshyam: My first book, Love in the Palm of Your Hand, focuses on how palmistry can be used to develop successful, lasting relationships.
Magnet Therapy, my second book, co-authored with gemologist and palmist Colette Hemlin, reveals how magnet therapy gently and effectively restores balance to our body systems.
My third book, Destiny in The Palm of Your Hand, with a foreword by renowned Vedic scholar David Frawley, is a lively blueprint for designing the future we want by following the principles and practices of Vedic palmistry.
Juliana: And then there are also some text books you have written.
Ghanshyam: My two text books, Introduction to Hast Jyotish and Adventures in Consciousness, are invaluable comprehensive guides for anyone wanting to know more about themselves or interested in pursuing a career in palmistry.
Introduction to Hast Jyotish tackles the fundamentals of Vedic Palmistry and is prerequisite reading for advanced Hast Jyotish studies. The celebrated physician and author, Dr. Vasant Lad, blessed this book with an inspirational and uplifting foreword.
Adventures in Consciousness, an in-depth study of one of palmistry�s most essential components�the mounts in relation to human consciousness, will be published in early 2015.
I am also in the process of writing my autobiography that, God willing, will be published in 2015.
Juliana: After studying your online course, I discovered how valuable it is to use both palmistry and astrology together in consultations. I wonder why Hast Jyotish has not taken off as well in the West. Is it just too difficult to learn?
Ghanshyam: I often refer to Vedic palmistry as an orphan science. It originated from the Vedas along with astrology and yoga, but it has yet to find its true place in the world. It is my hope that our online courses will introduce this ancient and enlightening science to people across the globe. Many individuals who in the past have taken our entire course program at the center have opened their own successful palmistry offices. So no, Vedic palmistry is not too difficult to learn if you follow the systematic approach we have created in our diploma program.
Juliana: What advice would you give that could be helpful for students of Jyotish and Hast Jyotish?
Ghanshyam: The first thing a student should do is begin a daily spiritual practice, such as yoga, breathing, and meditation to calm the mind and become more receptive. This will help to both assimilate what is being taught and, eventually, to clearly convey that information to clients.
Please remember, developing the appropriate attitude is as important as developing solid technical skills. The Hast Jyotishi (palmist) must be positive and optimistic when analyzing a client�s handprints. Not that we should avoid discussing negative features that might distress the client, as we should always tell them what they need to hear, but we must emphasize their ability to change and grow and offer them helpful suggestions. And always be mindful not to project one�s own fears and weaknesses onto a client�that�s why self-awareness is so important in our field.
Juliana: What is the secret to having a successful and rewarding Jyotish practice?
Ghanshyam: The best advice I have is this: Work for God alone. The profession of Hast Jyotish offers great rewards, but it also carries great responsibility. Because the Universal Energy of God dwells within each of us, we must approach each individual with compassion, humility, goodwill, and respect. It is our duty to use our gifts and skills to guide clients toward a deeper understanding and knowledge of their true nature as sparks of the Divine. In this respect, the practice of Jyotish should not ever be considered a job�it is a vocation, a sacred calling.
Juliana: Thank you, dear Ghanshyam, for such a heartfelt and illuminating interview!
Ghanshyam Singh Birla Biography
Ghanshyam Singh Birla, Founder of the Birla Center and the Birla College of Vedic Palmistry
| | Renowned Vedic Palmist-Astrologer Ghanshyam Singh Birla has been pioneering the Vedic Arts in the West since emigrating from his native India more than four decades ago.
Ghanshyam opened the world famous Birla Center in Montreal at a time when palmistry was banned under archaic witchcraft laws, yet he went on to found the Birla College of Vedic Palmistry, which today offers a 540-hour Vedic Palmistry Diploma Program recognized by the Canadian Government. |
Ghanshyam began studying Vedic Palmistry and Astrology at the age of five under the tutelage of his grandfather, an accomplished practitioner of the Vedic Arts and Sciences. By the time he graduated university he had read more than 10,000 palms and charts and soon opened his first Palmistry Center in New Delhi. Since arriving in Canada in 1970, Ghanshyam has consulted, taught, and lectured throughout North America. He has also authored many scholarly articles on Jyotish and Hast Jyotish, and has published four widely-acclaimed books: Love In The Palm of Your Hand; Magnet Therapy; Destiny In the Palm of Your Hand; and Introduction to Hast Jyotish. His latest book, Adventures in Consciousness: The Mounts, will be released in early 2015.
Ghanshyam continues to teach and consult privately at both the Birla Center in Montreal and at his lakeside Wellness Center situated on a beautiful 500�acre forest preserve in Cheneville, Quebec. He is currently completing a series of 18 comprehensive text books on Hast Jyotish and writing his autobiography.
For more information about Ghanshyam, The Birla Center, enrolling in the Palmistry Diploma Program, or to book a consultation, please call 819 428 4298, or visit: http://birlacenter.com.
Juliana Swanson Biography
 | | Juliana Swanson is a registered nurse (RN), healer, astrologer, mother, and wife. She runs her astrological consulting and holistic healing practices, which combine polarity therapy and rebirthing-breathwork, from her home office on Hawaii's Big Island. In addition, she tutors Vedic astrology students both individually and as an online instructor for the American College of Vedic Astrology and the International Academy of Astrology.
Juliana qualifies as an ACVA and CVA Level II certified Vedic Astrologer, receiving two titles of excellence: the Jyotish Visharada, CVA and the Jyotish Kovid, CVA. |
Additionally, in 2012 she was awarded the Jyotish Kovid from the ICAS, Bangalore, India. Juliana may be reached by email at [email protected] or through her website www.AstralHarmony.com.
You may reach Juliana at her Hawaii office at 808-430-5989. |
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