The Role of Free Will in Hindu Astrology

“Fate and free will are equally powerful forces, but I consider free will to be more important as it is your free will that determines your fate,” said Vedavyasa, a revered Hindu Rishi from India.

The difference between fate and free will has always been the subject of much discussion and debate. It has been the foundation for numerous ideologies, concepts, and religions beliefs. Whether to take matters into our own hands or leave them to fate is something we humans battle with daily. What do the ancient religious Hindu texts have to propound on the issue?

Hindu Astrology is a fundamental and integral part of Indian tradition and culture. Known as Jyotish Shastra, we frequently consult the stars and planets when we need comfort or a glimpse into the future. Fundamentally, Hindu Astrology aims to reveal how cosmic forces, or fate, impact human lives.

What is Astrology?

Astrology is a Vedic discipline that studies the influence that the position of celestial beings at a person’s time of birth has over the fate of human events, fortunes and experience. A professional astrologer can accurately relate the past, present, and future events in a person’s life using the calculations outlined in the shastras. These are based on the precise positions of planets and stars under which the individual was born, as reflected in their birth chart.

Like ropes tugging a puppet, the position and interaction between various heavenly bodies have distinct effects on the following aspects of individuals’ lives: 

• birth family,
• education,
• marriage,
• life challenges,
• place and time of death,
• disposition and plans

These forces deliver the traits, experiences and proclivities in accordance with a person’s karma. The planets and stars indicate how karma affects a person. Understanding one’s place in the cycle of samsara and being able to navigate it to live a productive and meaningful life is the aim of this science.

Decoding Navagrahas

The Vedas, a collection of holy Hindu books, contain the roots of astrology, which is still widely practised today. Many Hindus visit an astrologer before embarking upon a major life endeavour, or during a particularly difficult time.

In addition to describing an individual’s overall personality and destiny, Vedic astrologers frequently suggest corrective actions that individuals can take to diminish the impact of predicted unfavourable events. These precautions typically involve, among other things, offering puja (worship) to a certain planet.

In his book ‘Astrology of the Seers,’ David Frawley writes: “Each planet in its orbit gathers in and gives out forces and thereby transmits a particular wavelength of energy necessary for maintaining the order of the solar system. The planets are perpetually flashing forth with energy in different patterns and cycles of transmission, weaving the web of life and creation.” 

According to Frawley, this energy dictates the nature of the eras in which we exist. In other words, the planets dictate the state of every single chapter of our lives. Planets earn the name grahas due to their ability to influence  and impact life.

The Vedas state that each graha is governed by a specific deity, symbolising a distinct facet of existence. There are personalities behind grahas that are distinctive for delivering and upholding the various conditions of a person’s life. 

Just as Jeff Bezos is the individual behind Amazon, as well as Elon Musk, is the personality behind Tesla — companies that are distinct for getting certain qualities and offering certain services.

The ultimate purpose of life is spiritual development. Karma, the Hindu notion that every thought and deed has a matching reaction, makes this progress possible. Good deeds raise a person’s consciousness to a more selfless level of existence through karma. In contrast, bad deeds bring a person’s consciousness down to a more self-centred plane.

Understanding Karma

The concept of karma, central to Hinduism, holds that deeds have consequences and that right actions lead to a good life. In contrast, wrong deeds lead to a life of suffering and pain. One of the central ideas of reincarnation is karma, which governs the samsara, or cycle of birth and death. 

Karma also refers to the moral chain of cause and effect and the results of one’s deeds in both this and past lifetimes. The sum of one’s good and bad deeds determines the quality of their subsequent births,

• Positive Karma: brings about a more favourable rebirth
• Negative Karma: results in a poorer reincarnation

Fig 1.1: Karmic Life Cycle, Noble Sapiens

Understanding Free Will

The idea of free will in Hinduism refers to an individual’s ability to act, behave, and make life decisions. But Hinduism also includes a moral framework, which is dharma, manifested in the form of gurus, sacred texts, and ethics. 

For instance, some Hindus hold that although they have free will, they must adhere to a set of values and ideals to live completely. Ahimsa, or non-violence, is one example; as a result, Hindus would exercise their free choice to be compassionate.

Hinduism holds that the Law of Karma, predicated on the intent or mindset behind an action, revolves around the mental capacity for free will. According to the Bhagavad Gita, a religious Hindu text, the body-mind complex, not the Atma, is the doer.

Role of Free Will

Fate and free will perform a contradictory dance at the centre of Hindu astrology. While astrology recognises the sovereignty of humanity, it simultaneously also reveals one’s cosmic biography written in the stars. 

The ancient sages said, “Prarabdham prakshyati phalam,” meaning, one’s deeds determine how their destiny plays out. This saying captures the heart of the Vedic wisdom, which holds that although some events are inevitable, we have free will to choose how we react to them. 

As a result, although a person’s birth chart may outline the major themes of their life, their decisions and deeds determine how the story ends. Accepting the tension between fate and free will allows people to actively co-create their futures. 

Developing self-awareness and introspection allows individuals to overcome astrological restrictions and align with their higher purpose. Hindu astrology prescribes remedial actions to balance planetary energies and lessen negative karmic consequences. 

These actions include reciting mantras, performing rituals, and wearing gemstones. Moreover, people can transcend the limitations of fate and attune to the eternal realm of pure awareness by engaging in spiritual activities such as meditation and self-inquiry.

Conclusion

Ultimately, Hindu astrology believes that humans have free will. This is the notion that people are free to act and behave however they like and choose their life paths. But Hinduism als has dharmas in the form of sacred texts, gurus, and fundamental ideas that need to be adhered to. 

One illustration of these rules is the idea of karma. Depending on the deed, an act brings good or bad karma. Hindus hold that to generate positive karma, people should make the most of their free will and act morally.

Hinduism urges Hindus to pursue artha, kama, moksha, and dharma—the four purposes of life. These goals assist in using free will to act morally and by Hinduism’s precepts.

Thus, these two ideas imply that while people are free to act, the consequences of their choices are shaped by their past karma. People can enhance their current and future life experiences by knowing their karmic impacts and making decisions that align with their positive karma.