Hindu Astrology: Decoding Myths, Symbols and Modern Relevance

Rajkumari Sharma Tankha

What is Hindu astrology? How does it work? When does it not work? How has it been developed? Is it similar to other astrological systems? All this and more is contained in recently published Hindu Astrology: Myths, Symbols, and Realities. The book, authored by Oxford mathematician, Dr A P Stone, was first published in 1981. It has now been brought to India by Pippa Rann Books and Media, UK.

Life & More spoke with publisher Prabhu Guptara, who has researched and published on Indian philosophy, spirituality, yoga, and religion etc since long. Excerpts:

So, what made you bring this book now in India?

The open official encouragement of astrology from the very top levels in our nation, as well as the exploding interest in it, not least among young people.

How much research on the author and the subject did you do before publishing this book?

The author I knew well – from years before he wrote the book; the subject is one that anyone, certainly of my generation, did not escape.

Why would an Indian, who has direct access to Vedas and Puranas quoted in this book, pick it up? I mean, why not connect to the source directly.

Sure one can. Many people do. But most people also find helpful works of commentary and works of scholarship. Every book has its own advantages and limitations, whether it is one of the sources, or a commentary, or a work or scholarship.

How has the book been received by readers, including astrologers?

I have come across only positive mentions.  Not a single critical note about the book anywhere in the 40 plus years.

Do you think there is a renewed interest in Indian Astrology and other sciences these days? Why

There are two principal reasons: Official encouragement and exploding interest. But I should also mention the unprecedented financial investment in astrology-related apps which have made it simple, convenient, and accessible at nearly all times and places to have immediate information regarding the main questions that have over the centuries been put to jyotshis.

What other books are you bringing about Indic sciences, Indian systems?

All the books in the Pippa Rann imprint are exclusively to do with India and Indians.

Of particular interest are Mantras for Positive Ageing. If you prefer a philosophical approach, you can read Beyond Religion. I must also mention two short fiction collections—The Village Maestro and East & West by Catherine Ann Jones. She was married to Raja Rao, the famous Vedantic novelist of the 1930s.

There is also a memoir by an American who came to India on his 20th birthday. Over the next 52 years, he spent at least four months here regularly. He travelled across almost every district in India. As he says, his life was Transformed by India.

How do you check the authenticity of what is written in these books? How do you verify the credibility of the author and the information?

I am a general publisher, not an academic one. So, I first check the information against my own knowledge. Then I verify facts, especially doubtful or debated points. I consult the most knowledgeable and authoritative experts in those fields. This is also the standard practice in scholarly publishing.

As a publisher, how often do you publish books on Indic sciences in a quarter?

I am a very small publisher. My yearly output is modest. It is far less than what Gita Press publishes in a single month. Still, I remain open to good manuscripts. I look for work written for general readers. It can be by a non-Indian on Indian subjects, or by an Indian on any subject.