Some dismiss this practice as a pseudoscience, but experts argue it is backed by science. Nagaraj Sharma, astrology teacher and general secretary of Bengaluru-based Bhartiya Jyotish Sansthan, says, “One cannot predict the movement of planets without the backing of science. In astrology, there are two important factors–destiny and free will. One always has the freedom to choose what he wants to do and his destiny is based on these choices. We can only predict major events and suggest corrective measures to minimise pain and maximise happiness.”
Das says astrological predictions are based on karma. “They cannot predict anything beyond karma. They are more or less like a road map. For instance, you have a road map and the GPRS guides you. But until and unless you drive, you cannot reach the destination,” he adds.
But human beings are not just satisfied with possibilities. We want to know what lies in these possibilities. On being asked what drives man to know the future, Das says happiness and security. “If there is one primary emotion that drives the world it is happiness. You ask people why they want security, the answer is obvious–to be happy,” he says.
If the desire to be happy is primarily the reason why we seek out the future, curiosity is yet another. Tarot card reader and numerologist Sheelaa M Bajaj says, man is intrigued by the future as it is ambiguous and unknown. The very thought of wanting to be in control and prepared drives him to know the tomorrow.
Another pertinent thought that emerges in this discussion is the power of choice. Our choices make or break us. Darth Vader’s ominous announcement in Star Wars puts this into perspective: “Your choices define your destiny.” To this, Das says, “Whatever is going to happen will happen whether you are aware of it or not. Why can’t we make better choices today so our tomorrows are better? For instance, when we take a flight, the take-off, landing and turbulence is not in our control. But what is in our control is how we spend our time on board. Similarly, life, death and turbulences (problems) are not in our control, but we can certainly change something in the journey of life. And those are our choices. We make them.”
Sheelaa believes in the power of choice too. “Basically, your choices create your reality. If you make powerful choices you can change your destiny. If everything was about fortune, you could sit at home and do nothing,” she says humouredly.
According to Das, “Destiny is the effect that has come due to a cause. This cause may not be from this life but from your previous life. Everybody says man is the maker of his destiny. We cannot change situations, but we certainly can change our response to these situations.”
Several schools of thought and their thoughts all seem to boil down to one conclusion. Your choices and actions are what matter. Destiny is dynamic and your choices decide it. Good times and bad are like joys and sorrows that dot the lives of human beings. Some days are perfect, while others are not. If something has to happen it will happen, no matter what. And if we want to know whether something will happen in future, well, it may or may not. But the future will remain the unthreaded, unconquered territory.