Founder Dr.B.V.Raman - The Man and His Mission
Relentless Crusade for Jyotisha Dr. B.V.Raman ( August 8, 1912 - December 20, 1998), Founder of the Indian Council of Astrological Sciences (ICAS), may rightly be regarded as the Father of Modern Astrology. Dr.Raman spent his whole life in the study of relations between cosmic and terrestrial phenomena. He was able to demonstrate by his writings and predictions made through The Astrological Magazine and other media that the astrological theory of cosmic influences affecting human life is essentially correct.
Dr.Raman was a simple, unassuming man but he was a man of formidable energy, courage and conviction and took on the onslaughts of scientists and their attacks on astrology single-handedly for over sixty years. Dr.Raman worked relentlessly to highlight its scientific foundations, to remove the misconception it was superstition from the minds of the educated public and in the process succeeded in creating a wave of dignity and respect for Jyotisha in the intelligentsia the world over
Through a number of books, lectures and research papers, Dr.Raman influenced the educated public and made them astrology-conscious. His special fields of research and study were Hindu astronomy, astro-psychology, weather and political forecasts, disease diagnosis, natural calamities, management and other areas of human life in relation to celestial phenomena.
Early Life Dr.Raman was born in Hosur and grew up in a village Hunsamaranahalli near Bangalore and had his early education in the village school. He completed his collegiate studies in Science at Central College, Bangalore. During the period of his studies at the University, he also specialized in homeopathy and obtained a Diploma. Dr.Raman's introduction to and training in Astrology started in his early teens under the tutelage of his paternal grandfather Prof.B.Suryanarain Rao who pioneered astrology journalism in English in India through his periodical The Astrological Magazine which he founded in 1895. Prof. Suryanarain Rao was a scholar and historian of repute and known for his book History of Vijayanagar Empire - the Never to be Forgotten Empire and the History of Vijayanagar Empire - the Forgotten Empire. Dr. Raman continued his grandsire's work after the latter's passing away in 1935 by reviving The Astrological Magazine in 1936, taking it to new heights by providing a forum for the exchange of ideas in its pages.
World War II Forecasts Dr. Raman predicted the beginning and course of World War II in his book World Prospects in 1939 and 1940 in which he said that the year 1939 would be fatal to peace in Europe and see a setback to Britain. These forecasts earned for him the reputation of being the world's foremost astrologer who could anticipate political events much before they took place. Dr.Raman's next booklet carrying forecasts for the 5-year period from 1941 to 1945 was widely circulated and even smuggled to all European countries
Indian Independence Dr.Raman's footprints may be seen in the fixing of the Muhurta for Indian Independence at the request of the British resident through his Indian advisers within the constraints of those troubled times and the date could not be changed, when he advised the midnight of August 14 for the swearing-in ceremony of the Cabinet. And so we celebrate August 15 as our Independence day.
The Astrological Magazine, held to be the only journal of its kind in Asia, earned an international reputation as a great exponent of Indian culture in general and astrology in particular. Its views were held in esteem by the educated public. Dr.Raman made, through the columns of The Astrological Magazine and through his publications, several outstanding and brilliant predictions about world events such as the Second World War, its course and termination; fates of Hitler, Mussolini, Hirohito and other world celebrities; Indian Independence, the tragic assassination of Mahatma Gandhi and other notable events such as the Chinese Invasion of India, Pandit Nehru's death, Khruschev's fall, Johnson's election and fall, Indo-Pakistan conflicts, West Asian Wars, fall of the Shah of Iran, Vietnam War, the declaration of Emergency in India, the assassination of the Bangladesh President, death of the Soviet leader Brezhnev, the scams involving Narasimha Rao, the 1996 elections and the formation of the Indian government made up of representatives of almost all parties, not to speak of earthquakes and other natural disasters with amazing accuracy.
Invitations from Abroad Following the stunning predictions of Dr. Raman, many scholars and learned men from the United States of America and Europe wrote to him inviting him to their countries to give them insights into Jyothisha. In 1959, Dr Raman was invited to the USA for the International Congress of Astrology where he spoke on India's Contribution to Astrology detailing the rich Indian heritage of the knowledge of the ancient science of Jyothisha. Dr.Raman was elected Vice President of the International Congress of Astro- Scientists. He addressed Universities across the United States and Europe always making out a case for astrology as a science of great consequence.
Dr.Raman traveled around the world several times thereafter representing India at the Astrological Congress held in Cambridge, England and the International Astrology Conference at New York. He delivered innumerable lectures in Germany, England, France, Italy, Austria, Holland, Canada, Japan and the United States of America, addressing Universities, medical associations and educational and cultural institutions on different aspects of astrology, Hindu astronomy, philosophy and Indian culture. He also visited the Middle East countries and Japan to deliver lectures in Universities, medical associations and cultural institutes.
Address at United Nations Dr. Raman made history in the world of astrology when he addressed the United Nations in New York on - Relevance of Astrology in Modern Times - on October 9, 1970, and which evoked much interest in diplomatic circles putting the ancient Indian science of Jyotisha on the world astrology map.
Demystification of Astrology Dr.Raman has often been judged on his brilliant predictions covering a period of over 6 decades. But this is not a fair assessment and can even be deemed doing injustice to what he really achieved in a lifetime dedicated to the cause of astrology. The predictions were brilliant no doubt but the more important part of his work was the demystification of astrology by showing with great clarity and incisiveness its methodology, techniques of data preparation and models of prediction and presenting it as an academic subject that deserved a place in the comity of sciences.
Titles and Awards Dr.Raman presided over several important conferences at both national and international levels. He delivered the Keynote Address at the First International Symposium on Vedic Astrology in October 1992 at San Rafael, California, U.S.A. when he was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award for his services to the cause of astrology. He was conferred the Man of the Year - 1995 Award by the Centenarian Trust, Madras, formed in memory of the Kanchi Paramacharya, in February 1996. He was the inaugural speaker and chief guest at the National Conference on Disaster and Technology held at Manipal on 25-9-1998.
Dr Raman received an honorary Ph.D from Pythagorean University in 1947. In the same year, he was elected a Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society, London and a member of the Royal Asiatic Society. He was awarded the degree of Doctor of Literature by the Akhila Bharateeya Samskrita Sammelana in 1968 and the honorary degree of Doctor of Letters by the Kumaon University (U.P) in June 1976. Dr.Raman held a string of titles such as Abhinava Varahamihira, Jyotisha Bhanu, Jyotisha Vignana Marthanda, Jyotisha Ratna, Abhinava Bhaskara, Jyothsha Bhooshan, Jyotisha Sudharnava etc., conferred on him by various prestigious organizations.
Dr.Raman was never a professional astrologer but yet was consulted and his guidance sought by Presidents, Prime ministers, scientists, political leaders, Mathadhipatis, saints, medical doctors, industrialists and heads of governments and people from all strata of life. His visitors were drawn from all walks of life. His recreations included lawn tennis and gardening. In fact, a close friend of the family even remarked: It's unbelievable - Jyotirvignani playing tennis - two worlds apart - that is what Dr.Raman was, blending the best in the East and the West.
Dr.Raman edited The Astrological Magazine (1936 - 1998) for over 62 years which is a unique case of one single individual editing a monthly uninterruptedly for over six decades and rightly merits a place in the Guinness Book of Records. He provided a forum for high-level discussion and exchange of ideas on astrology in its pages. And in the process, he fostered and encouraged at least 3 generations of astrologers drawn from every nook and corner of the country. But for Dr.Raman's encouragement and moral support, many of them would have gone unnoticed. He was assisted by his daughter Gayatri Devi Vasudev from 1969 onwards in his work until his passing away in December 1998. She had the unique privilege of training under Dr.Raman and had been writing many of the editorials in The Astrological Magazine from even as early as 1982. She took charge of the Editorship of The Astrological Magazine thereafter, as per Dr.Raman's Will, and until June 2007 when she resigned from the Editorship after which the magazine ceased publication under the new dispensation.
Dr.Raman authored more than 20 books on various techniques and branches of astrology many of which were translated into German and other foreign languages. Dr.Raman was the first to give a rational exposition of astrology in his book Planetary Influences on Human Affairs defending his claims by statistical data refuting the arguments of its critics. His books are a must for anyone who wishes to study astrology.
Best Astrological Body Globally Dr.Raman was the first to take the initiative in founding the astrological body Indian Council of Astrological Sciences ( Regd.) at the national level in 1984 to organize the study of astrology initially and at a later stage, also the practice of astrology. Under his leadership, dedicated astrologers began to team up throughout the country when he played architect to the ICAS --the best astrological national body in the world which, today, has a team of the world's best astrology researchers and teaching faculty with over 55 Chapters across the country. As Founder and President, he enthused and inspired the intelligentsia to take up the study of astrology as a serious pursuit.
Countless students, drawn from different academic and professional backgrounds, are now being taught astrology according to a two-tier syllabus producing a crop of enlightened and systematically trained astrology students under dedicated faculty.
Takes Jyotisha to the USA In 1992, Dr. Raman, on a visit to the United States of America to deliver the Keynote address of the First International Symposium on Vedic Astrology held at San Rafael, California, mooted the idea of a national body to organize the study of Indian astrology in the United States. The American Council of Vedic Astrology was founded under Dr.Raman's blessings by a group of Americans (not NRIs) and this has led to countless people in that country and in the rest of the Western hemisphere taking to the study of Indian astrology.
A teetotaler of the strictest order, Dr.Raman's daily routine until the last day included Sandhyavandana and Gayatri Japa both in the morning and evening, Yogasanas and Pranayama and a long walk in the evening. He followed the teachings of Lord Krishna as given in the Srimad Bhagavad Gita and this was evident in everything he said or did in his life. He was an institution unto himself. A man of great simplicity and sincerity, he had a kind word for everyone he came across, no matter whoever it was. He was a classic example of the idea of the Rishi of ancient India, with his exemplary life of simple living and high thinking. He was a perfect example of the dictum Manasyekam Vachasyekam Karmanyekam Mahatmanah. There was perfect concurrence in whatever he said, thought or did. He was indeed a Mahan Atma.
Dr.Raman's efforts in propagating Indian astrology across the globe are unrivalled. We hope and pray the momentum Dr.Raman has given the wave of Indian astrology will continue to gather greater and greater strength until the world recognizes its relevance to modern times and acknowledges its unique position in the hierarchy of sciences.
Mission Astrology Continues On 20th December 1998, Dr.Raman who had day and night dedicated his life to the study of Time, left his mortal frame to merge with the Timeless. But his work continues to draw countless students across the globe to the study of astrology and through the ICAS which has grown from strength to strength under Dr.Raman's successor Justice S.N.Kapoor ( 1998- 2008 ) and now under the dynamic intellectual Mr.A.B.Shukla.
Testimonials
"In India Raman was a byword for accurate predictions. He foretold major events like India's disastrous war with China over disputed territory in 1962, its prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru's death two years later..."
- The Independent, United Kingdom, 16th January 1999
"From his home in Bangalore, a city that is one of the centers of Indian science and computer technology, Mr. Raman often challenged the Western scientific view of astrology as a pseudoscience whose methodology was distinctly opposed to its own findings and theories..."
- The Newyork Times, USA, 23rd December 1998