Message #19082

[Jitendra Hydonus]

The contrast of Sri Yukteswar to Paramahansa Yogananda is quite dramatic outwardly speaking when it comes to astrology. We have Sri Yukteswar telling us that the kali yuga was so dark that "The intellectual power of man was so much diminished that it could no longer comprehend anything beyond the gross material of nature."

In a different breath Yogananda  said "Although there is a certain vibratory influence of stars upon all human lives, a man of infinite will power tuned in with God, uses his free will to change his circumstances."

It just shows that while the two avatars were in harmony they personally conveyed quite different personalities.

Astrology of Sri Yukteswar

The following quotes from the Autobiography show Sri Yukteswar's views on astrology and include the quote that mccoy was referring to in his last post on this subject (above)

Astrology as seen by the enlightened sage Sri Yukteswar. This was revealed by Paramahansa Yogananda in his book Autobiography of a Yogi (Chapter 16):

“Mukunda [Yogananda], why don''t you get an astrological armlet?”

“Should I, Master [Sri Yukteswar]? I don''t believe in astrology.”

“It is not a question of belief; the only scientific attitude one should take on any subject is whether it is true. The law of gravitation worked as efficiently before Newton as after him. The cosmos would be fairly chaotic if its laws could not operate without the sanction of human belief.”
“Charlatans have brought the stellar science to its present disrepute. Astrology is too vast, both mathematically and philosophically, to be rightly grasped except by men of profound understanding. If ignoramuses misread the heavens, and see there a scrawl instead of a script, that is to be expected in this imperfect world. One should not dismiss the wisdom with the ''wise.''”
“All parts of creation are linked together and interchange their influences. The balanced rhythm of the universe is rooted in reciprocity, ” my guru continued. “Man, in his human aspect, has to combat two sets of forces - first, the tumults within his being, caused by the admixture of earth, water, fire, air, and ethereal elements; second, the outer disintegrating powers of nature. So long as man struggles with his mortality, he is affected by the myriad mutations of heaven and earth.”

“Astrology is the study of man''s response to planetary stimuli. The stars have no conscious benevolence or animosity; they merely send forth positive and negative radiations. Of themselves, these do not help or harm humanity, but offer a lawful channel for the outward operation of cause-effect equilibriums which each man has set into motion in the past.”