As It Is and As You Like Him
Further Considerations on Prabhupada’s Birthchart
By Kailasa Candra dasa
“ . . . any gentleman, dhira, must be interested in jyotisa, astrology.”
This quotation is from Srimad Bhagavatam, 10.8.5. In October of 1978, I and a fellow devotional traveler landed in Bombay, having been sponsored by a married Hindu gentleman my friend knew in Berkeley. It was my second trip to Bharatavarsha, my close companion’s first. We stayed in the apartment of our sponsor and then departed the next day, by train (in third-class, i.e., the cattle car), for Mathura in what turned out to be a grueling ordeal. Of course, when I met this couple in what is now called Mumbai, they asked me about my interests. I had been in an intensive study of sidereal astrology over the summer, having only been first introduced to the science earlier in the year, so naturally I brought it up. I was surprised to find out that the wife of our sponsor had no faith in it.
It had been my impression that virtually all Hindus believed in and accepted the science of the fixed stars, but she went on to explain the chief reason for her profound skepticism. She opined that whatever the astrologer said to his client or inquirer, that person would immediately believe it; as a result, he or she would make it happen in his or her life. The demigods, laws, and principles of the universe work in such a way that, whatever you think is the reality, they tend to reinforce that belief (at least in most cases). This was her point, although she did not exactly explain it in that way.
That doubt is one of the reasons that we need to understand this science as it is, and the birthchart of Srila Prabhupada can be helpful in this connection. There are different branches of knowledge in the revealed scriptures of the East, the Vedas and their corollaries. Astrology is one of the important branches necessary even for even the common man. The intelligent men, generally known as vipras or brahmanas, are meant to study this branch of Vedic knowledge in order to guide society. As a matter of fact, His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada, has specifically said that “with other aspects of culture in human society, and specifically in civilized society, there must be knowledge of astrology.”
As alluded to earlier in this article, I had been studying sidereal astrology with great attention and diligence for much of 1978. However, I had become a bit frustrated in those studies, due to many apparent contradictions contained in literature explaining it. Without question, the biggest stumbling block was the ayanamsha controversy. In sidereal astrology, you need to place your planets as accurately as possible in their signs, because the subdivisions of each sign (hora, dreshkana, navamsha, dvadashamsha, and trimshamsha) are determined by accurate placement. The ayanamsha controversy was a bit maddening. You will generally get the sign right, including the rising sign (lagna or ascendant), but one ayanamsha will produce different subdivisional placements than another one. The two most prominent ayanamshas were Lahiri’s and Raman’s, but they did not always come up with the same navamsha placement.
As far as that goes, they rarely came up with identical dvadashamsha positions for the planets and point of lagna; not good. The planets were all specifically somewhere at the time of your birth. If you are a vipra, if you had been initiated by Prabhupada, you want to know just where each of them was. I was not doubting Prabhupada, of course, when I wondered why he did not give us this seemingly important knowledge.
Ironically and indirectly, it turns out that he did. Or, to be more specific, it turns out that his birthchart gives us this information—within close accuracy, at least—and that is one of the important points we are going to be explore in the second part of the series:
Let us first review the original installment. We have our occult books, one of which is entitled Advanced Primer of Sidereal Astrology, posted for purchase at kalapurusha.com. Other names for the Kala Purusha are, of course, the Virat Purusha or the Virat Rupa. There are two ways of calculating the lagna (ascendant) and the nine planets of the sidereal pantheon, but only one of them is really in use today in the West. The first way is very direct as per the complicated instructions of Surya-siddhanta. The second, popular way to calculate and place lagna and planet is by using the ayanamsha, which is a shortcut. Virtually all of the sidereal astrologers in America and the Western world employ the ayanamsha method of calculation. We have been indirectly given a very close approximation of the true ayanamsha due to Srila Prabhupada’s lunar placement in the sign of Gemini. Check out this letter:
Vrindaban, 6 December, 1975
Sriman Jaya Krishna Thakura B.Se., Ll.B
3 Locket Road
Wealdstone
Harrow, Middlesex,
HA 3 7 LY,
England
My Dear Jaya Krishna Thakura,
Please accept my blessings. I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated November 30, 1975.
Yes, I remember you were coming to see me daily at Bhaktivedanta Manor during my stay there in 1973. Regarding your question about my birth. I was born September 1, 1896, Tuesday at about 4:00 in the afternoon. My rasi is Mithuna.
I hope this letter finds you well.
Your ever well-wisher,
A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami
When he says “my rashi,” he is referring to the sign in which the Moon is positioned. When he says that it is Mithuna, that means the Moon was in Gemini. Now, if we apply either the Lahiri ayanamsha to Prabhupada’s birth data, or the Raman ayanamsha, both of them put the Moon in the previous sign, Taurus. Similarly, all the other somewhat popular ayanamshas out there—such as Yukteshvara’s, Krishnamurti’s, and Fagan’s—all also calculate the Moon to be in Vrishabha, Taurus. However, it was not in Taurus at the time of Prabhupada’s birth; it was in Gemini.
There is a great deal of unnecessary conflict concerning this, but the truth of the matter is both direct and clear (that is called mukhya-vritti interpretation, i.e., taking the statement directly as it is given). Prabhupada says to Jaya Krishna Thakur that his Moon was in Gemini. He had no reason to baffle this man; it is clear that Prabhupada was affectionate toward him. If Prabhupada’s Moon had been in Taurus at birth, he would have said so. The ramifications for not accepting this are profound and serious. Similarly, on the plane of society, friendship, and love, the negative ramifications of accepting what the guru said here are also profound.
This is because all of the Western siderealists agree—falsely agree–that Prabhupada’s Moon is in Taurus. This is because the ayanamshas that they all use (not necessarily all the same, although most use Lahiri’s) place Prabhupada’s Moon in Taurus via any software program out there. In what goes today by the name of corporate ISKCON, a number of astrologers can be found, sometimes on its fringes. They were initiated while Prabhupada was still physically manifest; they are supposed to be his disciples. Many if not most of them are making a living as astrological consultants, and some of them do quite nicely. However, if they are using an inaccurate ayanamsha—one that is not close enough to the reality of where the planets are situated—they are liable to be misleading those who take both their advice and direction. Just as the aforementioned Hindu lady mentioned, such advice will be neurolinguistically programmed into the client’s brain, hard-wiring his pranic and astral bodies with wrong data.
When I first revealed this knowledge well over a year ago, it drew a vitriolic reaction from the aforementioned section of astrologers. I experienced some relative setbacks as a result but did not allow these to either depress or oppress me. The fact of the matter is that I am very confident in the ayanamsha that I employ—and, yes, it is User Defined—because it places Prabhupada’s Moon in Gemini at 4:10 p.m. on September 1, 1896.
Now, I have no connection at all with any of these siderealists who run me through the grease, either privately by words or publicly via an article or two on the INTERNET. I used to know one or two of them, but those relationships (which were never strong) are ruptured now. This does not bother me whatsoever. If you want to be cheated, then cheaters will be provided to you. If you want to be bewildered by sophisticated explanations and propaganda, those will be sent to you.
However, if you want to know Prabhupada’s chart as it is—and, in the process, discover an accurate ayanamsha—that is also available. You are reading about it right now, here in this article. My goal is to make things clear. If you are interested to get into the finer weaves of the rug (where the blacks and whites no longer appear to be quite as grey), then consider purchasing Advanced Primer of Sidereal Astrology. I cover this issue in some detail there (in the Second Chapter).
If you think that Prabhupada did not know the astrological science at all and therefore innocently blundered in the letter to Jaya Krishna Thakura, that he simply repeated illusory facts based upon something he heard long before from some pundit–then you are a mental speculator. You do not understand the great personality, the shaktyavesh-avatar, you (falsely?) claim to be your spiritual master. Tri-kala-jna is one of the twenty-three mystic powers; it is actually one of the five minor ones. Prabhupada easily had it, as he had all of them in full. Anyone who is Paramatma realized has all of the mystic powers; Prabhupada was far beyond that status of realization. He knew where his Moon was, and he told Jaya Krishna straight where it was situated. He had no reason to mislead him, and he did not do so.
Having been raised in a brahminical and Vaishnava family that was full of Vedic knowledge and realization, Srila Prabhupada would have been, and was, well aware of his so-called horoscope. His birthchart was certainly prepared not long after his birth. Consulting it, he would have been fully aware of his lagna, lunar rasi, and naksatra; it is ludicrous to think otherwise. Actually, it is offensive to think otherwise, and such a relative view of Srila Prabhupada is indicative of weak faith in his exalted status.
Most astronomical data in Bengal at that time was printed in the Gupta Press Directory Panjika, based on Surya-siddhanta. Its astronomical placements were considered authoritative by the pundits of that region, where astrology was particularly strong. This G. P. Directory Panjika is said to also be the source of Vaishnava calendar data, apparently used in connection to the Nabadvip Panjika. That particular Panjika was edited by Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati, who was the topmost sidereal astronomer and astrologer of his time. Even many of the Gaudiya Mutt branches still use that Directory, although the Gaudiya Mission has abandoned it (switching to the popular method of the modern era). The Gupta Press Directory Panjika for 1896 in all likelihood placed the Moon of His Divine Grace Srila Prabhupada in Gemini. Even if it didn’t (and that is almost certainly not the case), it doesn’t matter. Prabhupada said his Moon was in Gemini, and that should be good enough for all of us.
Now, in Part One of this series I made the following statement:
“Let me clarify this. Can I discuss Srila Prabhupada’s chart according to a detailed interpretation of the lagna, as well as the planetary placements in accordance with that (Capricorn) ascendant? Certainly . . . Also, when I eventually discuss, describe, and explain all of that, I shall, more than once, remind you that his planets functioned at all times according to their highest octaves, i.e., he was never under the laws of karma even for a moment.”
First, however, let us get into the ayanamsha a bit more. Western astrologers are tropical astrologers. They practice a system that assigns the first point of Aries in relation to the tropical year. Western astrology claims that the Sun enters Aries, its sign of exaltation, during the third week of March every calendar year. This we dispute. Sidereal astrologers say that the tropical or calendar year of the Sun has nothing whatsoever to do with where any planet is situated in the zodiac. Sidereal or Eastern astrologers maintain that the signs are cent-per-cent determined by the fixed zodiac of stars.
That annual difference now amounts to approximately fifty-four seconds of sidereal arc, or just short of one minute of sidereal arc. Sixty minutes equals one sidereal degree, of course.
This difference adds up each year, increasing the overall or total precession of the equinoxes. It is a complex topic, but we have to tackle it in order to ascertain one important piece of information: The ayanamsha.
Now, the point in the zodiac where the vernal equinox begins each year, according to some astronomical historians, matched the very beginning of Aries back in antiquity, circa 400 A.D. The difference between the lengths of the tropical and sidereal years–being so very small–for all practical purposes (back then) these years were virtually identical. However, like compound interest, a small amount eventually turns into something noticeable. At this time (2010), the precession is large.
The precession of the equinoxes has added up to such an extent that, when the vernal equinox begins in the third week of March each year, the Sun is still in the first third of sidereal Pisces—well over twenty degrees from the beginning of sidereal Aries.
Siderealists in the West (and many in the East, for that matter) also often use an Western emphemeris and Tables of Houses to initially calculate the tropical placements of the planets. From these calculations, they deduct the ayanamsha. Indeed, even with virtually all (if not all) the sidereal software programs available to the English-speaking world, an ayanamsha is inserted into the database in the sidereal program. The final sidereal positions are thus ascertained after the programmed ayanamsha does its thing. I employ a User Defined ayanamsha.
In India, all planets were originally calculated according to somewhat complicated formulas contained in the Vedic siddhantas. The primary such siddhanta was (and is still) known as the Surya-siddhanta. This comprehensive treatise contains computations such as the ahargana, the cycles of the planets, their epicycles, and the ayanamsha calculation. The ayanamsha in the Surya-siddhanta is not used to determine the sidereal positions of the planets.
It is employed in the calculation of lagna. Almost no one uses it now only for that purpose at this time, however. The ahargana and a planet’s major cycle determine the mean position of a planet. The ahargana, or total sum of days (since the beginning of the current negative age to any given date at this time), combined with the general or major cycle of the planet, places the graha somewhere in the zodiac. However, that’s not where the planet really is or, in other words, that is not its true position.
The planet’s epicycle has to be figured in order to adjust its mean location to its true position. Commentators on the Surya-siddhanta do not agree about the exact dimensions of these epicycles; there is a controversy in this area. The very great personality who perfectly delineated the epicycles (in his commentary on the Surya-siddhanta) was known as Bimal Prasad Datta. After his commentary was published and recognized by the learned men of his era, he then became known as Siddhanta Sarasvati. This is His Divine Grace Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Gosvami Maharaj Prabhupada, aforementioned. He was also the greatest spiritual master during the first half of the Twentieth Century, up to 1937 when he departed.
The overwhelming majority of Western astrologers who practice and employ sidereal astrology (for a myriad of purposes) do not–and could not for that matter–comprehend the formulas of the Surya-siddhanta. Neither would most of them understand the complications of the epicycles nor would they know of the true epicycles given by Siddhanta Sarasvati. His epicycles are a bit different from the “standard” epicycles accepted by most Hindu astrologers. Many of the astrologers of India still calculate planetary positions without using an ayanamsha, because they utilize the formulas (including their epicycles of choice) as contained in the siddhanta that they have firm faith in, usually the Surya Siddhanta.
In the early Eighties, I checked into Western formulas used by American astronomers, i.e., how they calculated the positions of the planets in the tropical zodiac. I did this at a major collegiate center on the East Coast, very near Washington, D.C. I discovered that they utilize Neugenbauer’s formulas. In analyzing his formulas, I was shocked to discover that they were mathematical calculations almost identical to those presented in Surya-siddhanta. In fact, the only difference I could find between the two systems was a variation based upon the Western presumption of parallax.
The point here is that planetary positions were not and are not determined by empirical efforts in observatories; they are determined by formulas. Mathematical formulas are used to compile an ephemeris, not empirical sightings. Those formulaic positions will accord with empirical evidence to a significant but not perfect extent. In other words, one empiricist at a given observatory will swear by his formula, based upon his observations. Another empiricist will place the planet in the same vicinity as his competitor, but not at the same exact degree, minute, and second of sidereal arc. His formula will be slightly different.
This discussion appears tangential, but it is relevant to the ayanamsha. The ayanamsha controversy cannot be resolved by telescopic or empirical observation. The ayanamsha is nothing more (or less) than a shortcut for determining the final, actual, or true position of any planet. It is also used now to determine the point of lagna, but in a different way than it was used in the ancient siddhantas. In using the ayanamsha, the Western ephemeris and Tables of Houses first provide the preliminary basis. Whatever ayanamsha is used, it cannot provide perfect results; this is because it is an approximate shortcut.
There is no one perfect ayanamsha, because there cannot ever be one. Here’s the secret that few know and even fewer share: The positions of the planets (via Western formulas) all individually have an inbuilt variance. Their formulas all have small imperfections, but just not the same imperfections. These variances are minute, of course. In order to have any planet determined exactly, only the formulas of the Surya-siddhanta, combined with the epicycles, will produce such a resultant.
The ayanamsha I employ for Srila Prabhupada’s chart is 20-32, i.e., twenty degrees and thirty-two minutes of sidereal arc. I have his birth taking place at 4:10 p.m. that Tuesday, in Calcutta as aforementioned. As such, I come up with the following placements of the planets and point of lagna:
Lagna: 12-16 Capricorn
Sun: 18-54 Leo
Moon: 00-03 Gemini
Mars: 18-50 Taurus
Mercury: 13-01 Virgo
Jupiter: 3-54 Leo
Venus: 3-41 Virgo
Saturn: 23-40 Libra
Rahu: 3-03 Aquarius
Ketu: 3-03 Leo
Only Mars, Jupiter, and Ketu are malefics. This is rather rare: To have six planets either exalted, yogakaraka, or benefic makes for a life that is extremely successful. Prabhupada had trouble from his leading secretaries (disciples), and that is indicated by Mars in the fifth. His sons, on the whole, were not that devoted to him either—certainly not in terms of being active in the Krishna consciousness movement he founded. The lord of the ascendant is exalted in the tenth; Prabhupada was arguably the most famous individual on the planet during his time. Yogakaraka Venus and Mercury form a great raja-yoga in the ninth, the house of philosophy and religion. The Sun is in Mula Trikona in the eighth, indicating a very advanced occultist.
No planets were retrograde in the chart; Prabhupada was never considered eccentric by anyone—he was always straightforward. Benefic Moon is in the sixth, indicating that he was protected from enemies. This position also indicates that his wife was inimical to him, and there is some evidence of that. Rahu is strong in his favorable sign of Aquarius; Prabhupada made and handled a great deal of money during his lifetime.
No planet is combust, although Jupiter is right on the edge of being so. It is a fantastic chart. When considered in the light of the Absolute Truth and highest octave of planetary considerations, this is certainly the chart of a jagat-guru—and that’s exactly who Prabhupada was. His planets did not work in a karmic way. He continues to be the most recent Acharya in our line. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
OM TAT SAT
Haribol
Dandvat Prabhu,
Prabhu would you be kind enough to dispel my confusion over the following issue. If the Arudha Lagna and Upapada Lagna are in the same house, is it recommended to fast on the day of the Lord of the sign to remove marriage related problems, such as delays in finding a spouse, etc? If the Arudh and Upapada Lagna are in the 3rd house in Sagittarius with Jupiter, Sun and Mercury in it then will fasting on Thursdays be beneficial for the native? I’ve been fasting on thursdays since the past few weeks but wanted to seek a perfect wise counsel to be reassured.
There are a lot of confusing views of Astrologers as some view fasting on AL very harmful even if AL/UL are conjunct.
I look up to you knowing that you would guide me right and would be very grateful for your opinion.
Thanks in Advance
Hare Krishna
Dear Kailasa Candra Prabhu,
Please accept my humble obeisances.
From the outset let me say that reading your article was to me like taking a breath of fresh air. I do not know if you are aware of this, but there seems to be a revival of interest in Surya siddhanta at this moment in time. In particular, Vinay Jha seems to be a brilliant scholar and has pioneered some original research in this area. I became aware of the existence of this great composition approximately 19 years ago when I first started associating with devotees of Radha Krishna in Bristol, UK. Yes, I heard that Srila Prabhupadas Guru was a master of mathematics, astronomy and astrology and purchased the Burgess translation and tried in vain to understand his translation. I know now that its not just as simple as just buying a book and studying independently! Even though my understanding of the Surya siddhanta is miniscule, I have some appreciation this great body of work and believe that it is the authentic astronomical treatise. Surya siddhanta needs to be re-established in its rightful place at the helm of all things astronomical.
I also believe that Srila Prabhupada knew something of the science of astrology and was confident that his rashi was mithuna etc. It is ludicrous to suggest that the pandits of the day didnt understand how to correctly cast a natal chart according to God-given ancient formulae. The western mentality has superimposed its astronomical ideas on an ancient astrological system and thats where some of the confusion has arisen. After much deliberation on the matter, I can now see that much of the western vedic astrological community is using a hybrid, mix and match, set of astronomical and astrological concepts and ideas. There needs to be a wholesale acceptance of Surya siddhanta in its entirety. My understanding of the Surya siddhanta is that it calculates the subtle positions of the deities represented by the planets. Drik siddhanta, using a term borrowed from Vinay Jhas vocabulary, calculates the gross positions of the planets which can be verified by observation. Surya siddhanta is subtle Drik siddhanta is gross and its as simple as that. The astrological community is in a state of flux at the moment and I can see that there is already developing two distinct schools of thought. I, personally am only attached to finding out the truth of a matter so, for me, dropping a concept or two, here or there, is manageable and worth it just to establish the truth. To summarise: All those who profess to be vedic astrologers should accept Jyotisha teachings in its entirety and not adulterate the system with ideas originating from outside.
Hope you are in good health Prabhu. Hare Krishna
There is very strong astro-logic presented here, and, although we were aware of this in a general way–and that awareness buttressed Prabhupada’s direct statement about his lunar placement–the specifics provided by Srimati Draupadi are insightful and most helpful. KCd.
P.S: Prabhupada’s chart on Vic DiCara’s website has Moon in Vrishabha in the 5th House with rest of the planets placed unchanged, same as in the chart on this page. Thus, my interpretation.
Haribol!
Dandvats Prabhus,
I agree with Kailash Prabhu. JAI!
Even on very simple astrological grounds it is easy to infer that Prabhupada’s moon is rightly placed in an inmical rashi and in a dusthana (Moon in 6th house, Gemini rashi). Please note that Prabhupada’s wife was not very supportive (6th, house of enemies) of his spiritual nature and pursuits. Also, the marriage did end before either one of the couple left the planet. Had the Moon been placed in Vrishabh in House 5 i.e., the Lord of 7th would’ve been exalted in a trine. Hence, the marriage couldn’t possibly have manifested the way it did. The Moon was definitely in Gemini in the 6th House as Srila Prabhupada rightly stated.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
Aspiring humble servant of the servant
Yes, indeed. Srila Prabhupada was Capricorn without a doubt.
From the above configuration, it shows strongly that the native would have very inharmonious married life besides the weakness of both general and particular signification of health of the native and the spouse because of the 7L Moon in extreme infancy, placed in 6h under the close influence of Rahu.
The apparent intelligence displayed in the above-listed comment is just that: Apparent. It is not actual intelligence. It tries to pawn off the idea that my article is fanatical and lacks perspective. The actual fact is that this new comment of the so-called initiated disciple (so-called grand disciple of Prabhupada) displays covert fanaticism and is offensive to the personality and realization of His Divine Grace Srila Prabhupada. I shall, for the benefit of the esteemed readers who honor the mukhya-virtti of Prabhupada, take this new comment apart and deconstruct it.
I shall trash it as it fully deserves to be trashed. However, I am not giving this duty a priority at this time. Despite the deluding nature of the comment, we have decided to leave it posted unchanged. If you are desiring to be deluded, then it is there to fulfill your desire. If you want the Truth, then kindly read (or re-read) my article, and you will not be thrown into the astrological abyss by the praksepatmika-sakti present in this fellow’s envious comment.
If you allow yourself to be covered over by it (avaranatmika-sakti), you cannot pin that on me. I am herein giving you a preliminary explanation in an effort to save you, In due course, I shall make a far more detailed presentation and rebuttal. I am also giving you direction in order to become unbewildered if this fellow’s commentary has skewered your higher intelligence, viz., read my article (or read it again). Everything is there; all the important points have already been analyzed for clear understanding and true knowledge of Prabhupada’s chart.
This bewildered shisya’s explanation and commentary will be deconstructed to your complete satisfaction eventually. We are leaving the man’s commentary up for now; however, this does not mean that we shall continue to do that in relation to any further diatribes from him. We may or we may not. It will be our decision. KCd.
[from a recent article]
Srila Prabhupada was born in 1896 when accurate measurements were much more scarce, not just for the common man with a wind-up watch but also for the astrologer who would do every calculation by hand.
Prabhupada was not an astrologer himself, nor was he particularly interested it. But, he once wrote a letter to a disciple interested in astrology, saying, “I was born September 1, 1896, Tuesday at about 4:00 in the afternoon. My rasi is Mithuna.” Purists should note that by using the word about Prabhupada declares that his statement is approximate, and not a statement absolute exact knowledge.
Prabhupada said “My rasi is Mithuna.” This means, my Moon-sign is Gemini. However, the Moon simply was not in Gemini at any time near 4:00pm on September 1, 1896.
There are ultra-purist disciples of Srila Prabhupada who insist that Prabhupada cannot be wrong ever, about anything. They try to invent a new definition of the sidereal zodiac (ayanamsha) to save Prabhupada from reporting erroneous information about his birth Moon, not even realizing that their radical redefinition of the fundamentals of Indian Astrology would only make sense if the ayanamsha they invented today was the same one the astrologer who calculated Prabhupada’s horoscope in the 19th century used. A part of me admires their loyalty, but I personally wish to use my intelligence in the service of Srila Prabhupada (I too am his grand-disciple).
So let me point out a few things. Prabhupada did not calculate his own horoscope. An astrologer of unknown skill did so for his family in 1896 when accurate measurements were much more rare. That astrologer told the family that the boy had a Gemini Moon. The astrologer was wrong (off by about 2º). Prabhupada did not have much interest in astrology, so he never cared to double check or correct it.
This is a simple, honest and straightforward explanation of things. It is best to be simple and straightforward. Prabhupada himself identified his statement about his birth time and Moon as a casual statement, so we should accept it as such.
He says the approximate conditions of his birth are 4pm with the Moon in Gemini. In fact this is literally true. At about 4pm on September 1, 1896 the Moon was approximately in Gemini. It was 2º prior to entering Gemini. In this way, even in his relative statement there is no error, and this should put at ease the mind of even the most sensitive disciple.
In my opinion, Prabhupada must have been born slightly before 4pm, between about 3:40 and 3:55 pm. Because during this span of time his navamsha indicates the author of a fantastic amount of books, which is a very important trademark of his impact on the world. I use the time closest to 4pm, 3:55.
Dear Kailasa Candra Prabhu,
Please accept my most humble obeisances. All Glories to Srila Prabhupada!
This subject has plagued my mind for some time now and having read your article, my mind is now at ease. Everything I suspected was confirmed by your analysis and I no longer am struggling with the insinuations presented by some that Srila Prabhupada somehow gave an inaccurate birth time and that His Lagna is actually Sagittarius, because of the apparent stigma that the Capricorn chart is undesirable/unbefitting our Acarya, and therefore must be incorrect, which is to my mind plainly and offensively wrong. I say first produce a qualified astrologer and then come to the conclusion regarding the Capricorn or any placement – but please do not contradict the Statement of Srila Prabhupada.
Thank you for the analysis and if you are able to write additionally on this topic I would be greatly interested to learn more about the placements and configurations of our Exalted Spiritual Master Srila Prabhupada’s Natal Chart.
Your eternal servant,
Roupamanjari devi dasi