My Experiences in Astrology — Modern Reader's Guide

B.V. Raman's autobiographical journey through 60 years of Vedic astrology practice.

Part 1 · Series: Foundational & Learning Topics

The Foundation of Astrological Learning

In his formative years, B.V. Raman received his formal initiation into the study of astrology from his grandfather, the renowned scholar Prof. B. Suryanarain Rao. This early education in the ancient science set the foundation for what would become a legendary career spanning over six decades of astrological practice and research.

"My first formal initiation into Astrology was in my 8th year, when on an auspicious day my grandfather taught me 2 slokas—achinthyavyaktarupaya and murtitwe parikalpitaha from Surya Siddhanta and Brihat Jataka respectively. Then there was practically a complete halt until 1924 or so when I was asked to commit to memory Jataka Chandrica which according to grandfather was the best book on the subject for learning Astrology."
Understanding the Sacred Texts: The three classical texts introduced to young Raman— Surya Siddhanta (astronomical calculations), Brihat Jataka (comprehensive horoscopy), and Jataka Chandrica (analytical principles)—form the triumvirate of traditional Vedic astrology. These weren't simply memorized; they were lived and understood through practical application over many years.

The Power of Mentorship and Family Bonds

Raman's relationship with his grandfather transcended that of a typical teacher-student dynamic. Prof. Rao became both a paternal figure and a guide, stepping in to raise young Raman after the loss of his mother at just 20 months old. This profound bond shaped not just his astrological understanding but his entire approach to life and learning.

"Prof. Rao was my father's father. I had lost my mother when I was hardly 20 months old and the responsibility of bringing me up was taken by my grand-parents who never made me feel that I was motherless. Whenever grandfather went on tours, I used to generally accompany him. This gave me an opportunity to study and understand human nature and gain valuable experience."
Life Lesson from Experience: Notice how Raman's education wasn't confined to textbooks. By traveling with his grandfather, he learned to observe human nature directly. He studied the marriages, conflicts, fortunes, and misfortunes of real people—invaluable case studies that no book could provide. This is the essence of experiential learning in astrology.

The Critical Mistake: Premature Interpretation Without Wisdom

As a young scholar, Raman's enthusiasm sometimes outpaced his wisdom. A memorable incident illustrates this perfectly. When his teacher presented a horoscope for interpretation, the young Raman made a bold but indiscreet pronouncement based on his textual knowledge of Kuja Dosha (Mars affliction).

"His chart Taurus was rising with Mars in the 7th from Lagna and in the 8th from the Moon. When he gave me the Rasi chart I quipped: 'Why do you want to know about the health of your wife. The horoscope has powerful Kuja Dosha which means, she must have died long back'. To fortify my interpretation I quoted the above slokas."
A Cautionary Tale: The teacher was "flabbergasted" by this tactless interpretation. What Raman had demonstrated was textbook knowledge without the wisdom to apply it sensitively or comprehensively. He had focused on one planetary combination while ignoring other protective factors, houses, and planetary strengths that might modify the reading.

The Correction: Learning from Elders

Raman's grandfather's response was stern but instructive. He scolded his grandson not for knowing the technique but for applying it without discretion, empathy, or deeper understanding.

"He brought the matter to the notice of grandfather who scolded me for my indiscreet interpretation and warned that giving such interpretations would land me in trouble and bring disgrace to Astrology. From then on, I was more careful in interpreting Kuja Dosha. I decided that I must get to know of this dosha in greater detail."

This became a turning point. Rather than dismissing the lesson, Raman committed to deeper study. He realized that Kuja Dosha required comprehensive understanding—not just the presence of Mars, but its strength, its yogas (configurations), its placement in the divisional charts, and its relationship to the 7th and 8th house lords.

The Bullocks Cart Conversation: Theory Versus Experience

Years later, as Raman matured in his studies, he found another opportunity to discuss deeper astrological principles with his grandfather. The setting was simple—a journey in a bullock cart to their village lands in Suggatta, but the conversation would crystallize a fundamental truth about astrological knowledge.

"One day as grandfather and I were going in a bullockcart to this village, I hesitantly put the question, 'What are the combinations for getting married to an aunt's daughter or an uncle's son?' He said: 'If the lord of the 7th or Venus, whichever is more powerful should be connected with the Sun or the Moon, then marriage will be with a cousin'."

But young Raman, now more sophisticated in his approach, wanted verification from the classical texts.

"Though not quite satisfied I could not show my dissatisfaction. I continued, 'In which book is this combination given, please give the sloka so that I can commit it to memory'. Grandfather did not like what he called 'my impertinence'. He became furious and answered that Astrology meant experience and not theory."
The Core Truth Revealed: This is the pivotal lesson of this entire narrative. The grandfather's response wasn't a rejection of learning or textual study. Rather, it was an insistence that astrology is ultimately a science of practical wisdom . The slokas (verses) and rules exist to guide, but experience—the observation of real charts, real lives, real outcomes—is the ultimate validator.

Personal Application: When Theory Meets Self

Raman's penetrating question—"If the lord of the 7th happens to be the Sun?"—revealed that he was searching for answers about his own destiny. His grandfather understood this immediately and responded with compassion rather than mere theoretical knowledge.

"'If the lord of the 7th happens to be the Sun ?' I quipped. He guessed what was in my mind and smilingly answered : 'You are referring to your own case. Do not worry. You will get a good wife. I have already decided...'"

Here we see the hallmark of true mastery: the ability to read not just the chart, but the person asking the question. The grandfather's prediction was made with the certainty of someone who had observed thousands of charts and understood the deeper principles beyond the surface rules.

The Generational Discipline: Respect and Formality in Learning

The narrative also captures the profound cultural context of early 20th century India, where the relationship between student and teacher—especially grandfather and grandson—carried deep reverence and strict protocol.

"I had been brought up with such strict discipline that there was no question of my taking any liberties with him. We youngsters could never think of even sitting in his presence. In fact, my father who was about 45 years old then dared not sit before grandfather. The code of conduct towards elders was very rigid in those days unlike now when the young, in the name of freedom, behave disrespectfully and rudely towards their elders, their own parents not excluded."
A Modern Reflection: While contemporary society values equality and informality, there was something precious in this old system: it created a receptive mind. The student's reverence for the teacher created space for deep learning. The discipline and formal respect weren't about suppression—they were about creating the psychological conditions for genuine transformation through knowledge transfer.

Key Takeaways: From Theory to Lived Wisdom

What This Part Teaches Us:

  • Knowledge requires humility: Raman's early mistake—premature interpretation—teaches that textual knowledge alone can be dangerous. Wisdom comes from recognizing our limitations.
  • Experience is the ultimate teacher: The grandfather's insistence that "Astrology meant experience and not theory" is the golden thread running through Raman's entire life work. Real charts, real people, real outcomes—these are the laboratory of astrology.
  • Mentorship matters: The presence of a living guide—someone who has walked the path—cannot be replaced by books. The grandfather's compassion, his willingness to correct, and his willingness to share his own experience shaped Raman into the master astrologer he became.
  • Deeper study follows from failure: When Raman was corrected about Kuja Dosha , he didn't become defensive. Instead, he committed to deeper study. This is the mark of a true scholar—the ability to learn from mistakes.
  • Application to self is powerful: When the grandfather recognized that Raman was asking about his own chart, he responded not with theory but with assurance. Personal relevance makes knowledge real.

This first part of Raman's experiences establishes the foundational principle that will echo throughout his entire body of work: astrology is not an academic exercise but a living, breathing wisdom that must be verified through countless observations and refined through decades of practice.