Thread by @shrikanth_krish

One of the things that gives Religion in India a bad rep in my view is its close association with astrology

I dont see why this association *ought* to exist

It should be perfectly possible for someone to be deeply religious, yet dismissive of astrology

And the other way around

For instance, I do regard marriage as a "sacred" institution, not merely a secular contract

One can insist on the Vedic marriage with all the ceremony. Yet dismiss the need to pick auspicious dates, the practice of forbidding marriages on star-birthdays etc

I don't see why adherence to these astrological orthopraxies have to define a person's religiosity

Let me cite two hypothetical examples

Who is more Hindu?

Specimen A : Adheres to all astrological guidelines for every life event. But lives an extravagant, dissolute life with numerous sensual indulgences

Specimen B : Dismissive of astrology. Does not even consult astrologer for picking marriage date. But is deeply religious. temple goer. Leads a very austere, disciplined life

In modern Hindu society, somehow B will be labeled a rebel, while A will be regarded as more traditional

To me that's a bit of a shame

The counter to whatever I've written is -

Hey..Jyotish is one of the vedAngas. It is central to Vedic custom

Sure, but then vyAkaraNa, nirukta are also vedAngas.

Yet there is little-to-zero mass H-interest in them unlike jyotish