From www.astrology-and-science.com         Click here to return to home page

Indian scientists on Vedic astrology
Thirty comments from Current Science

Abstract -- In 2001 the University Grants Commision (UGC) in India decided to provide funds for courses in astrology and palmistry at Indian universities. The decision provoked outrage and controversy in the pages of the prestigious Indian science journal Current Science. Of thirty comments, most of them from scientists in university departments or research institutes, about half dismissed astrology as a pseudo-science, about half of the rest felt decisive tests were needed, and the rest felt there was nothing wrong with funding something that the majority of Indian people believed in. In chronological order, the authors and their comments are briefly as follows, starting with editor P.Balaram:

In 2001 the University Grants Commision (UGC) in India decided to provide funds for courses in astrology and palmistry at Indian universities. Their circular said "There is urgent need to rejuvenate the science of Vedic Astrology in India ... and provide opportunities to get this important science exported to the world." To those Hindus who allow astrology to influence the course of their business and family lives (which is most of them including major political leaders), the UGC's decision might seem only sensible if overdue.

But the decision provoked outrage and controversy among India's modern intellectuals, especially in the pages of the prestigious Indian science journal Current Science, which in content and standard is similar to New Scientist. The journal was founded in Bangalore in 1932 in collaboration with the Indian Academy of Sciences and is published every two weeks. Back copies can be downloaded from http://www.ias.ac.in. Of thirty comments, most of them from scientists in university departments or research institutes, about half dismissed astrology as a pseudo-science, about half of the rest felt decisive tests were needed, and the rest felt there was nothing wrong with funding something that the majority of Indian people believed in. Of those who referred to tests, none seemed aware of the full extent of Western research findings. The comments from Current Science, condensed on average to one sixth of their original length, with their original headings, are as follows, starting with editor P.Balarum:

2000, Vol 79(9), 1139
Editorial -- Creationism, Astrology and Science
Last summer, the Kansas State Board of Education decided to remove references to evolution and cosmology from its curriculum. In India the University Grants Commission (UGC) has decided to promote courses in astrology and palmistry. Despite our inalienable right to profess any faith and subscribe to any belief, superstition is best practised by individuals in private. The government must not provide a licence for the formal teaching of a subject that only serves to mislead its believers. P.BALARAM

2001, Vol 80(6), 719
An unscientific way to bury astrology
The decision by the KSBE to remove evolution from the curriculum calls for an unambiguous condemnation by the scientific community. But the decision to introduce astrology and palmistry into the university curriculum in India cannot be equated with this. How many hours have been spent in assessing the truth or otherwise of these areas? I am not aware of strong data sets that reject their claims. There are several scientists in western universities (eg I.W. Kelly) working hard to evaluate the sense and nonsense of astrology. So why should Indian universities hesitate to study astrology? I think these ideas at least deserve a post mortem examination to assess how useless they are. K.N.GANESHAIAH, University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore.

2001, Vol 80(9), 1085
Editorial -- The astrology fallout
The generally placid academic science community in India has been stirred into unprecedented ferment by the UGC's decision to set up a few departments of Vedic astrology in Indian universities, which "would provide exclusive teaching and training in the subject leading to certificate, diploma, undergraduate, post-graduate and PhD degrees". The new departments will have Professors, Readers, Lecturers, Library Attendants and Computer Operators, with a possible "non-recurring" budget of Rs 6 lakhs for an "observatory" and Rs 5 lakhs for a "computer lab and horoscope bank". [About $US14,000 and $US12,000.] The UGC's assertion that Vedic astrology is a science has stirred a hornets' nest. Astrology has been here for centuries. Despite overwhelming scientific evidence that planets at the time of birth do not dictate the course of human affairs, astrology will be with us in the foreseeable future. The present battle is not between astrology and science but between the UGC (which is charged with the responsibility of fostering higher education) and the scientific community. The UGC's view that astrology needs to be promoted as a science in our universities is a pointless initiative that will further erode the credibility of our institutions. P.BALARAM

2001, Vol 80(9), 1087
UGC decides to set up departments of Vedic astrology in universities
The UGC has actually accepted that the study of time is best done through Vedic astrology. So forget science. If you want to know the age of the earth or the universe all you need to do is to consult the appropriate Vedic texts. I hope no self-respecting university would ask to start such a department. Y.PAL, All India Council for Technical Education, New Delhi.

2001, Vol 80(9), 1088
Astrology and science
Indian scientists have once again shown our customary apathy in not coming forth to preempt the UGC's attempt to start courses in vaastushastra and astrology. Our occasional strong protests may be too late now. The UGC has actually passed a resolution giving legitimacy to such courses. We should read the excellent book by S. Balachandra Rao Astrology: Believe It or Not? [see review below], where he describes and then debunks this pseudo-science. A.SITARAM and 21 others all from the Indian Statistical Institute, Bangalore, and 8 others from variously the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, the Raman Research Institute, Bangalore, the Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research, Bangalore, the Indian Institute of Astrophysics, Bangalore, and the Institute of Mathematical Sciences, Chennai.

2001, Vol 80(9), 1088
Astrology and science -- in response
Funding agencies in India, in their unfortunate generous moments, have supported pseudo-scientific projects such as effect of music on plants, and geomagnetism on human health, with disastrous consequences. It is not lack of open mindedness or intolerance that prompts us to criticize allocation of resources, both manpower and monetary, for astrology or palmistry. The opposition is based on sane scientific sense. M.R.N.MURTHY, Molecular Biophysics Unit, Bangalore.

2001, Vol 80(9), 1088-1089
Astrology and science -- in response
Ganeshaiah pleads that astrology and palmistry should be allowed into university curricula. One would have thought, especially in Bangalore, that astrology was being seriously studied and believed by a worrisomely lot of people. Every newborn child in a family has its horoscope cast. The late founder editor of the astrology journal often used to lecture in the Department of Mathematics at the Madurai Kamaraj University, when the topologist M. Venkataraman was there. So what is Ganeshaiah talking about? Have not astrology and palmistry survived all these centuries and do they need to be defended in the pages of a mere science journal? M.K.CHANDRASHEKARAN, Evolutionary and Organismal Biology Unit, Bangalore.

2001, Vol 80(9), 1089
Astrology and science -- in response
I am disturbed that Indian scientists have not protested, in one voice, against efforts to accord this kind of respectability to astrology. Astrology claims to be a science. But its claims are belied because its premises are false, its approach is at variance with the tenets of the scientific method, and it does not grow like other sciences by the self-corrective method adopted by science. No hypothesis or theory has been proposed to explain the effects of planetary positions on human beings. It was not without good reason that the eminent mathematician David Hilbert said, "When you collect the ten wisest men of the world and ask them to find the most stupid thing in existence, they will not be able to find anything stupider than astrology". J.R.L.RAO, Mysore.

2001, Vol 80(10), 1250
Vedic astrology
In response to Ganeshaiah. The issue is whether or not Vedic astrology should be recognised as a valid branch of science by bringing it into the mainstream of education in the country. I believe that the UGC has a responsibility to verify the correctness of the information that it proposes to impart to students. In the absence of any proven scientific validity of Vedic astrology, belief in it is a matter of blind faith. So the day will not be far off when the present Indian Administrative Services will be replaced by Indian Astrological Services, the job of its officers being to advise the government in their decision making, based on planetary positions rather than on the merits and demerits of the issue in question. P.KHARE, Department of Physics, Bhubaneswar.

2001, Vol 80(10), 1250-1251
Vedic astrology
According to J.V. Narlikar (The Tribune, Chandigarh, 10 April 2001), "Astrology has been subject to scientific tests many times and each time it has failed. But this fact is not sufficiently publicized. Research journals have reported how controlled experiments were performed but failed to prove anything in favour of astrology or horoscopes". In a national seminar on History of Science in October 2000, some firebrand proponents of the Vedic science argued that even quantum ideas are borrowed from the Vedas! During the 15th century Guru Nanak, the prophet of Sikh religion, rejected Vedic astrology by his argument (in Ad Guru Granth, SGPC, Amritsar, pp.12,136): "Units of Indian time, and change of seasons, are related to the motion of our Sun. By God's grace, all days and months are beneficial for human kind". We are proud of our rich heritage but that does not mean we put the clock of Indian education in reverse gear. H.S.VIRK, Department of Physics, Amritsar.

2001, Vol 80(11), 1363
Jyotir Vigyan
A news report says that Patna University plans to create a Vedic Astrology Department, but not in the science faculty, so any campaign by scientists against it is misplaced. Ganeshaiah has convincingly refuted Balaram's alarmist editorial. Today big science is suppressing new ideas. If the tyranny of the orthodox science establishment is not challenged, we are sure to enter the age of darkness. Narlikar and crusaders against Jyotir Vigyan would do well to address the problematic philosophy, methods and limitations of science rather than spreading misleading propaganda to divert public attention from its failures. S.C.TIWARI, Varanasi.

2001, Vol 80(11), 1366
Astrology and science
The UGC decision is a giant leap backwards for Indian science. Astrology is not a religion, it is a pseudo-science purporting to make definitive predictions of human affairs based on planetary conjunctions. Khushwant Singh, in his column "Sweet and Sour", mentions numerous examples of astrological predictions made by "eminent" astrologers which fell flat. Ganeshaiah says we should not discard astrology just because it is a pseudo-science, but give it time to kill itself if it does not have the strength to stand alongside science. But suppose he was giving a talk on say "Long-term strategies for bio-conservation", and a graduate in Jyotir Vigyan said it was futile because the world would end soon as we are in Kaliyuga, what would be his response? He would say, "My dear sir, keep your Jyotir Vigyan degree to yourself. We scientists will always plan for research in the long term. That's how we are trained to think, with logic and reasoning". V.R.SASHIDHAR, Department of Crop Physiology, Bangalore.

2001, Vol 81(1), 7
Science and Astrology
Astrology is as much a science as theories of genetics were in their early days, when critical observation was the key to progress. Our ancient rishis were intellectual giants who had reached conclusions on the basis of their observations. Today the conclusions may be regarded only as hypotheses; but believers would say there is enough material evidence in their favour, so solid proof can come later; just as proofs for several biological postulates are only now coming in. The three supreme postulates of Hindu philosophy (universal Atman, rebirth, and karma) have parallels in modern biological postulates (universal genetic material, heredity, and genes), which shows the astounding observational ability of the rishis. So let us recognise their postulates in various areas of human activity. Astrology is one of them. N.S.NARASIMHAN, Department of Chemistry, Pune.

2001, Vol 81(1), 8
Astrology, navratnas and gemmology
Hindu astrology assigns nine gems to the nine major planets (navratnas). Despite the progress in science and technology, there is a great demand for "stones that bring luck" or "stones that pacify a planet positioned unfavourably in one's horoscope". Such are the facts of the Indian gem market. Astrology is a part of gemmology, and gemmology is a part of mineralogy (science). R.V.KARANTH, Department of Geology, Vadodara.

2001, Vol 81(1), 8-9
Astrology -- Hype, hope and future
Almost 60% of the Indian population prefer to go to an astrologer for many events from birth to death. Astrology guides most of them in their distressed moments. This shows the belief Indian people have in the subject irrespective of caste, creed, race and region. Nowadays most of the dailies and magazines, irrespective of geographical area, publish astrology columns. Almost all ISPs on the internet offer astrology, tarot cards, numerology, etc. Most of the successful industrialists and politicians believe in astrology. Our epics tell us that most of the wars were won by astrology, and most of the temples are built according to vaasthu and astrological principles. It is our responsibility to praise the science of astrology for surviving over the centuries. The UGC proposal would result in developing quality astrologers to satisfy the masses and to get rid of quacks. If not successful, this would also die in due course. S.SESHADRI and K.KATHIRAVAN, Entomology Research Institute, Chennai.

2001, Vol 81(2), 138
Faith and rationality
Underlying the UGC proposal is belief that the achievements of modern science have their root in traditional Indian knowledge. This should inspire people at the helm of affairs to rejuvenate such knowledge. In the battle between faith and rationality, faith has the edge because science does not necessarily inculcate rationality in researchers. Which is why some people, working in premier research institutes of India, use gem-stones to ward off various personal problems; or they use special garlands to treat jaundice. It is unfair to blame common people for blind faith, since they draw inspiration from these research people. M.K.CHATTOPADHYAY, Institut Jacques Monod, Paris.

2001, Vol 81(2), 139
Admission test for astrology
Until the 17th century, all belief was good, but faith was better. Then came science, based on impersonal truths. Hence the overreaction of scientists towards astrology, palmistry, tantrik practices, etc. But faith is often needed to overcome fear, uncertainty, and natural disaster. C.SUBBARAO, Department of Geophysics, Visakhapatnam.

2001, Vol 81(2), 139
Astrological education
Astrology is not a science. Nevertheless it provides a psychological prop to many human beings all over the world. Weddings in many Hindu families, including those of some scientists, take place only if the associated zodiac signs and rasis match favourably. And of course, astrology is a life-line of hope for most of our politicians. If people are willing to pay, it makes a case for introducing astrology as a social science course. But not if the funds are diverted from other pressing social needs. Experience shows that protests from individuals outside the power circle have no effect. An organized group effort is needed. K.L.CHOPRA, New Delhi.

2001, Vol 81(2), 140
More on Vedic astrology
As correctly brought out by Vasant Sathe in his recent letter to the Times of India (19 May 2001) there is nothing in the Vedas about astrology, so the prefix Vedic is not justified. Nevertheless it is time the scientific community recognised Indian traditions and gave a scientific verdict after meticulous studies and avoided merely looking through the lens of the Western world. C.DEVAKUMAR, Delhi.

2001, Vol 81(2), 140-141
Astrology and the methodology of science
How to decide whether astrology could be treated as a science? The scientific method requires that the hypothesis be relevant to the phenomenon to be explained, be compatible with well-established observations, be testable and reproducible, be able to predict things yet unknown, and take Ockham's Razor into account (the simplest explanation is the most likely). Astrology does not conform to the first, where astrologers cannot explain why only a few among zillions of heavenly bodies should be relevant, nor why predictions by astrologers can contradict each other. So the other conditions become irrelevant. S.R.VALLURI, Indira Nagar, Bangalore.

2001, Vol 81(2), 141
Futile struggle against Vedic astrology
Most of us would consult an astrologer before we fix a date for the wedding of our children. So the struggle against Vedic astrology is probably futile. More objectionable is the emphasis on Vedic, and not (perhaps) Indian, astrology. What about, for example, Mughal astrology? N.GAUTHAM, Department of Crystallography and Biophysics, Chennai.

2001, Vol 81(2), 142
A time for demystification of astrology
The available scientific results neither confirm nor deny astrology. Where Gauquelin seemed to confirm, other studies seemed to deny. In the USA a survey showed that one-third of people believed in astrology while another one-third did not believe. Objections to astrology signed by 186 leading scientists was followed by another letter supporting astrology signed by 187 academicians. Such contradictions have prevailed since time immemorial. Thus Plato and Aristotle believed but Lucretius and Cicero did not. So why not subject astrology to scientific analysis and put the matter to rest? Let us hail the UGC decision as an official opportunity to demystify this field once and for all. C.BALASUNDARAM, Department of Animal Science, Tiruchirapalli.

2001, Vol 81(2), 142
A note on Jyotir Vigyan
Jyoti represents the primeval light of Brahma. Vigyan is transcendental knowledge that is beyond sensory experience. Thus the term Vedic astrology or Vedic science does not make sense. Instead Jyotir Vigyan is founded on recognition of the supreme conscious Brahma, unity of the universe encompassing sentient and non-living beings. The prevalent system of prescribing rituals to change a planet's effect appears to be a crude and vague form of exercising free will. S.C.TIWARI, Institute of Natural Philosophy, Varanasi.

2001, Vol 81(2), 143
Astrology -- a neo-science without utility
Whether Vedic astrology is a science, and whether it should form a university study, are two different questions. The main reason why predictions fail is insufficient knowledge of astrology, imprecise calculations and wrong interpretations. In all probability astrology may be a science or a neo-science, or at least a systematic knowledge similar to science, but much more difficult to understand and practise than physics or mathematics. It is a human weakness to want to know one's future. If astrology is made a part of the curriculum in universities, it lends respectability to the practice of knowing the future, but its study would not leave us any wiser and would lead to more confusion. Y.K.GUPTA, Hardwar.

2001, Vol 81(2), 144-145
Astrology or arrant trash
If we look around, we see that the mere chanting of mantras over the years could neither help mobilise food for half a billion population nor help in making a super highway. The fundamental axiom of astrology implies that divination is at the core of astrological knowledge. Planets moving with divine energy are analogous to the motion of divine creations including human beings. But if we are a direct creation of God, what happens to our objective investigation of evolution since the formation of protoplasm? Either we accept astrology and discard evolution, or we accept the reverse. R.K.MANDAL, Department of Metallurgical Engineering, Varanasi.

2001, Vol 81(2), 145-146
Whipping astrology -- a science crime
Most responses to my earlier letter on astrology have misunderstood it. The others suggested that astrology is not appropriate as science but fine as arts. But for me there is only sensible information and nonsense, and it is immaterial whether the sensible knowledge is arts or science. K.N.GANESHAIAH, Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding, Bangalore.

2001, Vol 81(2), 158-159
Astronomy and astrology
Based on an article published in Society and Science, a journal of the Nehru Centre, 1982, 5, 16-24, by K.D.ABHYANKAR

When I tell people that I am an astronomer, they ask me immediately whether I can predict their future from their horoscopes. On receiving a negative reply, they look down upon me as a man of no consequence and wonder what kind of astronomer I am. It is not their fault, because most persons, including the well-educated ones, do not know the difference between astronomy and astrology.

Astronomy studies the physics and chemistry of heavenly bodies. It is an observational rather than an experimental science. Nevertheless astronomers follow the same logical process known as the scientific method that is used in the experimental sciences.

Astrology is not a science. The ancients believed that the planets and Nakshatras could produce good or evil effects, which led to the notions of astrology. Today, from the laws of physics, it is clear that the planets cannot have the effects claimed by astrologers. Even astrologers know this, but they go on fooling innocent people in order not to lose face. Further, there is no astrology in the Vedas, so the term Vedic astrology is a misnomer.

Many people will agree with me but will still consult astrologers, even though most forecasts are wrong. One can look up the forecasts published in various newspapers to verify this. People visit astrologers in the same way that they visit many doctors and get partially cured just by talking with them or by taking their fake medicines. So astrologers are more like psychiatrists than anything else. Once we realize this, we would rather face our problems rationally and courageously than consult an astrologer. So the UGC proposal to introduce astrology as a subject in science faculty is a step in the wrong direction. It amounts to replacing truth by untruth and light by darkness.

2001, Vol 81(2), 215
Book Reviews
Indian Mathematics and Astronomy: Some Landmarks. Jnana Deep Publications, Bangalore, 261 pp. Indian Astronomy, An Introduction. Universities Press, 3-5-819 Hyderguda, Hyderabad 500 029, 207 pp. Astrology: Believe it or not? Navakarnataka, 101 Crescent Road, Kumara Park, Bangalore 560 001, 153 pp.

All three books are by Balachandra Rao, Principal and Professor of Mathematics at the well known National College, Bangalore. The first one tells us about the development of astronomy and mathematics from Vedic to colonial times. The second goes into technical details, re-deriving the mathematical results obtained by the ancients. Here knowledge of geometry, trigonometry, and algebra will be required.

The last book is aimed at general readership and describes the subject of astrology while pointing out why it is not a science. If you were restricted to buying only one of these three books I would recommend the last. In the ongoing controversy of whether astrology is a science, the astrologers often criticize the scientists for dismissing their subject without understanding it. So here BR presents the essentials of astrology in as systematic a way as possible.

BR emphasizes the shakiness of various predictions especially in the context of Indian politics of recent decades. He has reproduced predictions from well established astrologers side by side with what actually happened. The lack of predictive power evident from such cases would alone disprove any case that astrology might have for being called a science. There are also discussions of sociological and psychological aspects of belief in astrology.

The author could have given some more examples of western tests of astrological predictions which have proved to be negative. Since Indian astrologers are quite capable of saying that western astrology is all wrong, there is need for controlled experiments to test the veracity of predictions of Indian astrologers. J.V.NARLIKAR, Inter-University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics, Pune.

2001, Vol 81(3), 231
The Vedic astrology controversy
Does Vedic astrology hurt science? No. Does it hurt society? It could by misuse. Does it hurt students? No. Does it hurt teachers and teaching? No. Do universities care? Very few do. True science can be rash and breathtaking. It does not require government pronouncements or elite support, and and will not be threatened by Vedic astrology or any other. V.SITARAMAM, Department of Biotechnology, Pune.

Editors' note: Correspondence on this subject is now closed.

2004, Vol 87(8), 1030
Astrology and science awareness
The present government has no desire to drop the proposal to introduce astrology into the university curriculum. Unfortunately scientists who were against the proposal last time have mostly chosen to keep silent. M.K.CHATTOPADHYAY, Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology, Hyderabad.

From www.astrology-and-science.com         Click here to return to home page