In the journey called life- Part II

Delhi safari

My visit to New Delhi was quite eventful. I went there to attend the international seminar on Jaimini astrology. What is Jaimini? It is a technique used for prediction about which a lot a research is going on at the Institute of Astrology at Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan. Very honestly, Jaimini was not the reason I travelled 1000 Kms. My main reason was to meet THE MAN, Shri. K.N. Rao. I had previously read his articles here and there and heard about him over and over again from various people who are familiar with the world of astrology. American, Russians, Ukrainians...he has followers from many countries. I was curious why  these people from all across the globe come to Delhi just to meet him. I watched his interviews and I was totally impressed by the way he communicated. But what better than to meet him in real flesh and blood.

There were at least 45 people from Russia alone (or Russian speaking countries) who attended this seminar. One of Russian ladies were kind enough to book a hotel room for me on the request of the organiser...the cheapest she could find ( with a Russian speaking receptionist!). But when I entered the area (Pahar Ganj) where the hotel was located..I had alarm bells ringing everywhere inside. If I have a choice..i will definitely not stay here for a week. I immediately executed my backup plan and was lucky to find an accommodation at the Working women's hostel, thanks to my cousin. Taking the Delhi Metro everyday was a unique experience . The mad mad rush at Rajiv Chowk station reminded me of my experience of taking the metro at Istanbul in Turkey, which has a population of 14 million against the 10 million in Delhi! But nevertheless it was fun.

Daily scene at Rajiv Chowk metro station in Delhi (The picture was taken from google search results)

The K. N. Rao phenomenon  

          

Shri. Kotamraju. Narayana Rao (Picture obtained from google search)

The first day of the seminar  actually fell on the 82nd birthday of Mr. Rao. I didn’t know this before. I went into the seminar room. There were barely 6-7 indians, the rest were from all other parts of the world..Well..of course it is an international seminar!Duh!..Then HE walked in, walking sticks in his hand and a long silver beard, with  two women on either sides escorting him. As he walked in people thronged towards him. Russians greeted him with their hands folded in a Namaste, gifted him with boxes of chocolates..There were Namaste s flying all over the place. Although there was too much fuss going around for my liking, I couldn’t help but stand and stare. He had this aura about him..Something enigmatic and charming, which somehow cannot be explained by mere words. Some Russian women who came there had tragic stories. They had travelled so many miles seeking some answers/some guidance. Some of them requested if they could get a private consultation from him. He agreed to do that later.

Finally the fuss calmed down and the inauguration began. I remember the organiser Mr. Deepak Bisaria saying to the audience that, all those who were sitting there in the seminar must be having a raj yoga* getting fructified, to be learning Jaimini from Mr. Rao himself!

Then it was time for him to start the course. The moment he started teaching, I realised why there was so much fuss before. What a teacher, what an orator. His way of teaching was so rational, so believable..most of all, so convincing. He always had incredibly interesting stories/real life incidences to narrate. It would keep the entire audience in rapt attention. When he taught, you were motivated to learn, you were inspired to pursue. The best part about him was how freely he spoke to all the people. For instance, in the first tea break I took a seat close by his circle, where he was narrating yet another story from his endless stock to the group sitting around him. I smiled at him as I took my seat. He looked at me and asked:

 ' I know you right? I think we have met somewhere'. I was taken aback by surprise.

 'No Sir. This is my first time here', I replied back ( But I was rejoicing inside!!).

'Ohh!?, Where are you from?', he asked.

 ' I am from Chennai', I replied smiling.

Later on after his session on the same day, I had to passed by him to get back to my seat and smiled as usual.

 ' You are from Chennai right? Was what I taught in the last session clear to you?', he asked

' Yes sir. It was clear.', I replied, still smiling and doing the 'Indian style'** nod of the head.

' What do you do?', he asked

' Sir, I just completed my PhD in biotechnology related field', I said.

' Oh..Are you familiar with the Jaimini technique?', he asked.

'  I have only been doing some self-learning for the past 6 months. I only know some basics. Not much otherwise', I replied. I was yet again rejoicing inside. With the kind of attention and open praise he got from all the people, he was still concerned  if the people in the class actually understood what he was teaching. The sign of a good guru!

But I went there hoping to find answers to my budding doubts, which I am sure would be many of your doubts are well. I am including some the questions which not just came to my mind, but also what many people repeatedly asked me.

• I don’t understand..How can the planets in the sky control our lives? Are you meaning to say that the planetary alignment in the sky during the moment we were born control our entire destiny?
• Why are there variations in predictions between different astrologers? That makes us think that they are bogus!
• I have always wondered how it is possible that two people say for instance twins, who were born in the same place, in the same hospital with only little difference in time of birth, sometimes have completely different lives!?
• If our life is predestined and is already written in the horoscope, then does it make sense at all to work hard and work towards our goals? What about determination and self-efforts, do they mean nothing if everything is pre-destined??
• These astrologers prescribe so many remedies which many follow out of fear. We are forced to wear gemstones, do special puja etc, apparently to reduce the ill-effects of planets or to pacify them. Do these remedies actually work? Does it even make any sense following them?

I had a good feeling that I had come to right place at the right time to get answers to these questions bursting in my head. Did I get them?Was Mr. Rao the man who had answers to these questions??.....Click here for the continuation...(http://i-believe-in-simplicity.blogspot.in/2013/11/in-journey-called-life-finale-rao.html)

* The astrological scriptures describes certain planetary combinations which during the planetary time periods will give some 'kingly' elevation in status. In simple words, fortune giving combination.

** We Indians just nod our heads in all the possible directions. Many European friends of mine have told me that they find this gesture of Indians hilarious. They don’t understand if it is a yes or a no. I personally think the Indian nod is a gesture of respect. We just don’t know where it originated!