Dr. B. V. Raman : Dr. B. V. Raman
(1912-1998) Founder-Editor (1936-1998): The Astrological Magazine
Founder-President: Indian Council of Astrological Sciences
Dr. Raman spent his whole life in the study of relations between cosmic and
terrestrial phenomena. He was able to demonstrate by his writings and
predictions made through The Astrological Magazine and other media that the
astrological theory of cosmic influences affecting human life are
essentially correct. Through a number of books, lectures and research
papers, Dr. Raman influenced the educated public and made them
astrology-conscious. His special fields of research were Hindu astronomy,
astro - psychology, weather and political forecasts, disease diagnosis,
natural calamities, management and other areas in relation to celestial
phenomena.
Dr. Raman travelled round the world several times representing India at the
Astrological Congress held at Cambridge, England and the International
Astrology Conference at New York. He delivered innumerable lectures in
Germany, England, France, Italy, Austria, Holland, Canada, Japan and the
United States of America, addressing universities, medical associations and
educational and cultural institutions on different aspects of astrology,
Hindu astronomy, philosophy and Indian culture.
Dr. Raman was the first to deliver a lecture on "Relevance of
Astrology" in Modern Times in 1970 at the United Nations, New York,
which evoked much interest in diplomatic circles. He said that Astrology was
a science and not mere mumbo jumbo.
Dr. Raman presided over several important conferences at both national and
international levels. He delivered the keynote address at the First
International Symposium on Vedic Astrology in October 1994 at San Rafael,
California, U.S.A. when he was honored with the Life-time Achievement Award
for his services to the cause of astrology. He was conferred the Man of the
Year 1995 award by the Centenarian Trust, Madras, formed in the memory of
the Kanchi Paramacharya, in February 1996. He was the inaugural speaker and
chief guest at the National Conference on Disaster and Technology held at
Manipal on 25-9-1998.
Dr. Raman received an honorary Ph.D. from the Pythagorean University in
1947. In the same year, he was elected a Fellow of the Royal Astronomical
Society, London and a member of the Royal Asiatic Society. He was awarded
the degree of Doctor of Literature by the Akhila Bharateeya Samskrita
Sammelana in 1968 and the honorary degree of Doctor of Letters by the Kumaon
University (U.P.) in June 1976. Dr. Raman holds a string of titles such as
Abhinava Varahamihira, Jyotisha Bhanu, Jyotisha Vignana Marthanda, Jyotisha
Ratna, Abhinava Bhaskara, Jyotisha Bhooshana etc. conferred on him by
various organisations.
Dr. B.V. Raman was born in a village near Bangalore in 1912 and had his
early education in a village school. He completed his collegiate studies in
Science at Central College, Bangalore. During the period of his studies in
the University, he also specialized in homeopathy and obtained a Diploma.
Dr. Raman restarted The Astrological Magazine in 1936 and was its editor
for over 62 years. In fact, this is a unique case of one single individual
editing a monthly uninterruptedly for over 62 years and rightly merits a
place in the Guinness Book of Records.
The Astrological Magazine, held to be the only journal of its type in Asia,
has earned an international reputation as a great exponent of Indian culture
in general and astrology in particular. Its views are held in esteem by the
educated public. Dr. Raman made, through the columns of The Astrological
Magazine and through his publications, several outstanding predictions about
world events such as the Second World War, its course and termination; fates
of Hitler, Mussolini, Hirohito and other world celebrities; Indian
Independence, the tragic assassination of Mahatma Gandhi and other notable
events such as the Chinese Invasion of India, Pundit Nehru's death,
Khrushchev's fall, Johnsons election, Nixon's election and fall,
Indo-Pakistan conflicts, West Asian Wars, fall of the Shah of Iran, Vietnam
War, the declaration of Emergency in India, the assassination of the
Bangladesh President, death of the Soviet leader Brezhnev, assassination of
Indira Gandhi, the scams involving Narasimha Rao, the 1996 elections and the
formation of the Indian government made up of representatives of almost all
parties, not to speak of earthquakes and other natural disasters with
amazing accuracy.
Dr. Raman founded an all India body, the Indian Council of Astrological
Sciences (Regd.) in 1984 to regulate the study and practice of astrology in
the country with Chapters in Bangalore, Madras, Delhi, Kanpur, Trivandrum,
Patna and other cities. As Founder President, he enthused and inspired the
intelligentsia to take up the study of astrology as a serious pursuit.
Countless students dawn from different academic and professional backgrounds
are now being taught astrology according to a two-tier syllabus producing a
crop of enlightened and systematically trained astrology students. In 1992,
Dr. Raman, on a vist to the United States of America to deliver the keynote
address of the First International Symposium on Vedic Astrology held at San
Rafael, California, mooted the idea of a national body to organise the study
of Indian astrology in the States. The American Council of Vedic Astrology
was founded under Dr. Raman's blessings by a group of Americans and this has
led to countless people in that country taking to the study of Indian
astrology. Dr. Raman was the first to give a rational exposition of
astrology in his book Planetary Influences on Human Affairs defending his
claim by statistical data refuting the arguments of its critics.
Dr. Raman was never a professional astrologer but yet was consulted and his
guidance sought by scientists, political leaders, saints, medical doctors,
industrialists and heads of governments and people from all strata of life.
His visitors were drawn from all walks of life.
He was assisted in his activities by his devoted wife Mrs. Rajeswari Raman,
who takes keen interest not only in astrology but also in the study of Yoga,
especially in its application to women. Mrs. Rajeswari Raman is a practical
exponent of Hatha Yoga and is the Director of Sri Surya Prakash Institute of
Yoga for Women. She visited Europe and America, in 1970, in 1981 and 1992
and delivered talks on Yoga, Indian Womanhood etc., before various women's
associations and cultural organizations.
Dr. Raman's recreations included lawn tennis and gardening. A teetotaler of
the strictest order, his daily routine until the last day included
Sandhyavandana and Gayatri Japa both in the morning and the evening, Yoga
and Pranayama and a long walk in the evening. He followed the teachings of
Lord Krishna as given in the Srimad Bhagavad Gita and this was evident in
everything he said or did in his life. He was an institution unto himself. A
man of great simplicity and sincerity, he had a kind word for everyone he
came across, no matter whoever it was. He was a classic example of the ideal
of the Rishi (Sage) of ancient India in modern world, with his exemplary
life of simple living and high thinking. It would not be an exaggeration to
say there will not be another like him. His loss to the world of astrology
and ancient Indian ideals is irreparable.
Dr. Raman's efforts in propagating Indian astrology across the globe are
unrivalled. In his passing away, the world of astrology is plunged in
darkness. But we hope and pray the momentum Dr. Raman has given the wave of
Indian astrology will continue to gather greater and greater strength until
the world recognizes its relevance to modern times and acknowledges its
unique position in the hierarchy of sciences.
