Bangalore Venkata Raman

Dr. B.V. Raman (8 August 1912 - 20 December 1998) was a world renowned astrologer & author. He was a Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society, London, and a Member of the Royal Asiatic Society. He also held 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. 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 spent his whole life in the study of relations between cosmic and terrestrial phenomena. He attempted 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 is essentially correct. Through a number of books, lectures, and research papers, Dr. Raman influenced the educated public and made them astrology-conscious.

Career

Dr. Raman restarted The Astrological Magazine in 1936, which was earlier ran by his grandfather, and remained its editor for over 62 years. After his death, the magazine was run till December 2007 by his son, Niranjan Babu Bangalore and his daughter, Gayatri Devi Vasudev, when it was shut down citing no reasons. It is now relaunched as The Astrological eMagazine by his son Niranjan Babu.[2]

The Astrological Magazine, held to be the only journal of its type in Asia, earned an international reputation as a great exponent of Indian culture in general and astrology in particular. Its views were held in esteem by the educated public.

Dr. Raman also gave 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. He also wrote 300 important combinations which describes different planetary combinations along with the yogas formed out of it.

Personal life and background

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 specialised in homeopathy and obtained a diploma. His grandfather B. Suryanarain Rao was a key influence in his early life who was learned in the subject of astrology himself. It was under his inspirational guidance that he picked up the rudiments of astrology and started making predictions of his own.

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.