My Experiences in Astrology — Modern Reader's Guide

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

Part 2 · Series: Foundational & Learning Topics

A Child Without a Mother, Guided by Compassion

The loss of one's mother in infancy is a profound hardship that shapes the entire trajectory of a life. For B.V. Raman, this tragedy became the doorway to one of the most significant relationships of his life—an unbreakable bond with his grandfather, Prof. B. Suryanarain Rao.

"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."
The Ancient Tradition of Lineage: In traditional Hindu society, the role of the grandfather as guardian and teacher has deep roots. The grandfather represents both authority and wisdom—the keeper of ancestral knowledge and the elder charged with passing it on to the next generation. This wasn't merely a social arrangement but a sacred responsibility, reflected in the depth of mentorship that would define Raman's astrological journey.

From Classroom to Travel: Education Through Experience

While formal instruction in astrology was important, the grandfather understood that true mastery came through observation and immersion. He took his young grandson on travels throughout India, providing him with an education that no textbook could offer.

"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."

These journeys were Raman's true academy. As his grandfather moved through society—meeting with scholars, officials, common people, and seekers—young Raman witnessed the living laboratory of human destiny unfolding before his eyes. He saw marriages that flourished and marriages that failed. He observed people's fortunes rise and fall. He watched careers that prospered and lives marked by struggle. All of these became case studies that informed his later interpretations.

The Value of Mentorship in Practice: This is what separates a true astrologer from someone who has merely memorized rules. The grandfather wasn't just teaching his grandson facts; he was teaching him to see. To observe patterns. To understand that behind every birth chart is a unique human being with hopes, fears, relationships, and struggles.

The Incident of Indiscretion: Learning Through Correction

As mentioned in Part 1, a memorable incident taught Raman a vital lesson about the responsibility that comes with astrological knowledge. When he made an indelicate pronouncement about Kuja Dosha (Mars affliction) based on textual knowledge alone, his grandfather's correction cut to the heart of the matter.

"To fortify my interpretation I quoted the above slokas. The teacher was flabbergasted and took back the chart cursing me for what I had said. 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."

But the grandfather didn't simply punish his grandson. Instead, he redirected his energy toward deeper study. Raman committed himself to understanding Kuja Dosha in its full complexity—not just as a rule but as a nuanced principle that required wisdom in application.

Marriage Prediction and the 7th House Philosophy

Years later, Raman found himself asking his grandfather about the astrological combinations for marriage, particularly regarding cousin marriages. This wasn't merely academic interest—he was seeking to understand his own destiny.

"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'."

When the young Raman pressed for a verse reference from classical texts, his grandfather's response crystallized a fundamental truth: Astrology is gained through experience, not memorized from books. The combinations that work come from observing hundreds of charts, noting the patterns, and understanding the deeper principles beyond mechanical rules.

The 7th House and Venus: In Vedic astrology, the 7th house governs marriage and partnership, while Venus (Shukra) represents attraction, relationship, and the spouse. The strength and placement of these determine not just whether marriage will occur, but the nature of the partnership and the characteristics of the spouse. A true astrologer must see beyond surface rules to understand how these principles interact with the overall chart.

Personal Revelation: The Grandfather's Confidence

When Raman asked about his own case—"If the lord of the 7th happens to be the Sun?"—his grandfather recognized the deeper question beneath the astrological inquiry. He smiled knowingly and responded not with a rule but with a prophecy.

"'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 that you will have a successful life and marriage.'"

This moment reveals the essence of mentorship in astrology: it's not just about interpreting planets and houses. It's about understanding the person across from you, recognizing their hopes and fears, and offering guidance with wisdom and compassion.

The Marriage That Would Define His Life

The grandfather's prophecy manifested in Raman's marriage to Rajeswari on October 30, 1930—a union that would span sixty years and provide the stability and support necessary for his extraordinary contributions to astrology.

"My marriage was celebrated grandly at Mysore on 30-10-1930 and as I write these lines 60 years of married life have passed over which I have no regrets. Rajeswari has shared with me with equanimity and remarkable resignation my misfortunes, financial difficulties and all the troubles which were thrust upon me by Destiny."

The grandfather had not merely predicted a successful marriage; he had blessed it with his conviction. When Rajeswari's family initially objected to the match—fearing that a young astrologer with no formal employment would be unable to support her—it was the grandfather's reputation and prophecy that gave her father, Dr. M.C. Srikanta Pandit, the confidence to proceed.

The Power of a Mentor's Blessing: This is profound. The grandfather's prediction wasn't magical or supernatural—it was based on his reading of Raman's chart combined with his intimate knowledge of his grandson's character, intellect, and potential. In modern terms, he was recognizing potential and commitment that others couldn't yet see. This is what mentorship truly means: not just teaching techniques but believing in the student and creating the conditions for them to succeed.

The Foundation of All Achievement

As Raman reflects on his remarkable life—filled with pioneering research, international correspondence, groundbreaking publications, and the establishment of himself as one of the twentieth century's greatest astrological authorities—he returns always to this foundational truth:

"With humility I must acknowledge that if at all I have achieved anything in life which has made me what I am today — it is all due to the blessings of my grandfather who had implicit confidence in my capacity to justify his expectations."

This is not merely gratitude. This is recognition of the way mentorship works at the deepest level. The grandfather believed in Raman not despite his youth and inexperience, but because he could perceive something in his grandson's chart and character that suggested tremendous potential. That belief became a self-fulfilling prophecy, providing the psychological foundation upon which all of Raman's later achievements were built.

Key Takeaways: The Lineage of Knowledge

What This Part Teaches Us:

  • Mentorship transcends teaching: A true mentor doesn't just share information; they believe in their student's potential and create the psychological and emotional conditions for transformation.
  • Lineage matters in astrology: The transmission of astrological knowledge through generations—from teacher to student, from grandfather to grandson—carries power that goes beyond written instruction. It includes intuition, wisdom, and the lived experience of applying the science.
  • Family relationships are astrologically significant: The grandfather's correct reading of Raman's chart regarding marriage wasn't luck; it was mastery. A true astrologer can see into the future for those closest to them because they understand both the chart and the person.
  • Support systems enable greatness: Raman's sixty-year marriage provided the stability necessary for his contributions to astrology. The grandfather understood this and blessed the union accordingly.
  • Belief becomes destiny: When a wise mentor predicts success and the student believes in that prediction, it creates a self-fulfilling prophecy. The grandfather's confidence in Raman's future gave his grandson the courage to pursue a path that seemed uncertain to others.
  • Gratitude is essential: Raman's lifelong acknowledgment of his grandfather's role in his success demonstrates that true mastery includes recognizing those who made it possible.

The relationship between B.V. Raman and his grandfather epitomizes the traditional system of astrological learning—not in academies or universities, but in the intimate space between an elder who knows and a youth who seeks to understand. This lineage, this transmission from one generation to the next, is what keeps astrology alive not as mere intellectual knowledge but as a living wisdom applicable to real human lives.