This article explores key questions such as “Did Baba approve of astrology?” and “What should be the approach of a Sai devotee when seeking astrological guidance?” It also offers thoughtful insights into the concepts of Karma Sidhanta and Jyotishya Shastra.

In Sai Sacharitra, there is no explicit statement from Baba either endorsing or rejecting Astrology. Therefore, we must understand His stance by closely reflecting on His leelas.

1. Damu Anna: Damodar Savalram Rasane of Ahmednagar rose from a poor bangle seller to a wealthy man, but remained deeply unhappy due to childlessness, even after two marriages.
   
   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 stepped out, he noticed a snake and quickly withdrew. His assistant Lahanu tried to kill it with a stone, but Buti, remembering Baba, stopped him and asked for a stick instead. In the meantime, the snake climbed a wall, slipped through a hole, and disappeared unharmed, leaving Buti in awe of how Baba had silently averted danger while sparing both lives.
   
   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, ardent devotees of Shri Sai Baba, had a son, Babu Tendulkar, preparing for his medical examination. Though he had studied diligently, an astrologer, after consulting the Panchang, warned him that the planetary positions were unfavorable and that his chances would be better the following year. Concerned, Babu and Savitri Bai visited Shirdi, where Baba advised them to set aside the horoscope and asked Babu to appear for the exam with faith.
   
   Encouraged by Baba’s words, Babu took the written exam but, doubting his performance, decided to skip the oral test. Soon, he learned he had passed the written round and was eligible for the oral exam. Renewed with hope, he appeared 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.

However, in the instances that follow, Baba chose not to alter the destined course in the lives of these devotees.

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.

As demonstrated in the leelas above, there were instances where Baba acknowledged astrological predictions, and when they aligned with the devotee’s well-being, He, in His boundless grace, transcended their destined fate. However, if Baba saw that following the destined path was ultimately in the devotee’s best interest, He would not intervene. In such cases, Baba would bestow the devotee with the necessary strength and wisdom to navigate the situation with grace.

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. One can only speculate how the Mahabharata war might have unfolded had the Pandavas not surrendered to Sri Krishna. Notably, Sri Krishna did not take up arms or fight on their behalf.

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 _/\_