To understand Baba’s approach to astrology, let us consider few leelas mentioned in Sai Satcharitra:

1. Damu Anna: Damodar Savalram Rasane of Ahmednagar was a humble man who began his life as a poor bangle seller. Through honest dealings and good fortune, his business flourished, and he gradually became a wealthy man. Though he had all the comforts that could bring happiness, the absence of children weighed heavily on his heart. When his first wife could not conceive, he married a second time, but she too was unable to bear him a child. He consulted several astrologers, who, after examining his horoscope, informed him that the chances of having children were very slim. According to his kundali (horoscope), Ketu was positioned in the Putra Sthana (house of children), with no beneficial influence from plannet Guru (Jupiter).

   In 1895, he heard about Sai Baba and went for His darshan. Deeply moved, he began to serve Baba with devotion. Baba, in His divine grace, blessed him with children by giving him four mangoes. In due course, he was blessed with offspring, just as Baba had foretold. Baba not only predicted the exact number of children but also revealed the order in which sons and daughters would be born. He even gave names for the first two male children beforehand.

   Thus, in this instance, one can clearly see how Baba, in His boundless grace, transcended the astrological destiny and bestowed the devotee with what was deemed impossible.

2. Bapusaheb Buti: Bapusaheb Buti was a rich person from Nagpur and was an great devotee of Baba. Once, Nana Saheb Dengle, a renowned astrologer, told Bapusaheb Buti, “Today is extremely inauspicious for you. Be very careful and keep courage in your heart.” Hearing this, Buti became mentally disturbed and deeply anxious. The day felt unusually long and heavy with worry. As was his routine, Buti later went to the Dwarakamai with Nana Saheb and other devotees and sat before Baba.

   At once, Baba looked at Buti and asked with a knowing smile, “What did this Nana say to you? Did he tell you that today is unfavorable and that your life is in danger ?”

   That evening, as Buti went out for a nature call, a snake had slithered into the area. Noticing the snake, Buti quickly retreated. His assistant Lahanu, seeing the danger, instinctively picked up a stone to kill it. But Buti, recalling Baba’s presence in his life, stopped him calmly and said, “No, fetch a stick instead.”

   As the servant went to get the stick, the snake climbed a wall, lost balance, and slipped through a hole, disappearing without harm. Buti stood there reflecting on Baba’s divine words and was filled with awe at how Baba had quietly averted danger—preserving the lives of both the devotee and the creature.

   Once again, it becomes evident how Baba, in His infinite grace, nullified the danger foretold by an astrologer, shielding His devotee with divine protection.

3. Tendulkar family: Savitri Bai Tendulkar and Raghunath Tendulkar were ardent devotees of Shri Sai Baba. Their eldest son was Babu Tendulkar who was preparing for medical examination. He had studied diligently, burning the midnight oil, and one day, out of curiosity, casually asked an astrologer whether he would succeed in his upcoming examination. The astrologer, after carefully consulting the Panchang and studying the positions of the planets, stars, and zodiac signs, looked grave and said, “You may have worked hard, but the planetary positions this year are not favorable. Your chances are better next year, when the stars will be more aligned in your favor.”

   A few days later, Babu, accompanied by Savitri Bai, visited Shirdi to seek Baba’s darshan. She bowed reverently at Baba’s feet. Babu shared with Baba what the astrologer had predicted regarding his medical entrance examination. Baba gently advised them to set aside the horoscope and instead asked Babu to go ahead and appear for the exam with full faith.

   Inspired by Baba’s divine reassurance, Babu wrote the written examination. However, feeling he had not done well, he lost confidence and decided not to appear for the oral exam. Unexpectedly, a message came through another student informing him that he had cleared the written test and was now eligible for the oral examination.

   Filled with joy and renewed hope, Babu appeared for the oral exam and, by Baba’s grace, passed the medical examination with flying colors.

   Here too, we witness how Baba’s divine will gracefully transcended the limitations of astrological predictions.

1. Anna Chinchanikar: Anna Chinchanikar and his wife were ardent devotees of Baba and had served Him faithfully for many years. Despite their deep devotion, they remained childless. One day, moved by their longing, Shyama interceded on their behalf and humbly requested Baba to bless them with a son. Baba, with divine foresight, responded that even if He were to grant them a child, their lineage would not endure beyond a single generation. Instead, He assured that He would bestow upon them everlasting honor and family prestige — a blessing far more enduring than mere progeny.In this instance, Baba, in His infinite wisdom, knew what was truly best for Anna Chinchanikar and his wife.
2. Dasganu Maharaj: Dasganu Maharaj, a fervent devotee who rendered immense service to Baba, remained childless. In his case, Baba chose not to alter the course of destiny. 
3. Tatya Kote Patil: Tatya, one of Baba’s most beloved and intimate devotees, remained childless for many years. At one point, he even considered adopting the son of Ramachandra Dada Patil and went as far as preparing the legal documents. However, Baba did not give His consent to this course of action. In due time, through Baba’s grace, Tatya was blessed with a daughter. 

In my humble opinion, Baba did not reject astrology as a sacred discipline, but rather disapproved of our limited understanding and misapplication of it, much like He disapproved of practices such as fasting (upavasa) and initiation (updadesha) when they were misguided.

As devotees, we cannot know which karmas we must experience or which ones the Guru will transcend. Therefore, the only path for us is to “completely surrender to the Guru.” It is essential to cultivate this understanding and firm faith in the Guru. As we progress in our sadhana, we may come to better understand how the Guru works on our karmas.

The Guru takes charge of a devotee’s karma only when the devotee’s surrender is total and complete. At that point, the devotee’s karma is transformed, and astrological charts or readings lose there accuracy. Just as Arjuna entrusted the reins of his chariot to Sri Krishna and followed His guidance, we too must surrender to Baba and perform our duties as His service.

As a result, we Sai devotees need not seek guidance from astrologers but rely entirely on Baba for our well-being. This does not apply if we have a transactional relationship with Baba but when our surrender is complete.

This leads us to the core question: what does sharanagati — true surrender — really mean?

Refer to this page to know more about sharanagati (true surrender).

Since we’re on the topic of astrology, let’s take a moment to understand it briefly from a Vedic perspective.

Refer to this page to know more about Vedanga Jyotisha

Om Sairam _/\_