His Book Review in “The Express Star teller” February 1999 from Chennai, India “How to read a horoscope” By Pemmaraju V.R.Rayudu, Pages 442, Price Rs.250-, Published by Motilal Banarsidass.41, U.A.Bungalow Road, Jawahar Nagar, Delhi-110007.
People generally approach the astrologers to know about their future regarding health, education, property, children, marriage, longevity, prosperity, etc. All these topics are vividly and easily explained in a unique book by the great scholar Sri P.V.R.Rayudu. Enabling even a beginner to refer to the particular topic and make the predictions himself. He has served as the Deputy Director of Defense Research and Development Laboratory of Government of India. A new methodology for predictive purpose has sprung from the author’s research oriented scientific bent of mind. A cursory look at the Rasi chart cannot result in any fruitful predictions. It is also not really quite easy to calculate through Vargas, shadbala strengths etc. The author has struck upon a via media solution by analyzing the benefic and malefic tendencies of each planet. These tendencies differ as per its placement in exaltation/debilitation rasi, own rasi/star, friendly/enemy rasi/star, different bhavas as per its own lordship and as per its associations and aspects by other friendly/enemy planets etc. In this book, a new methodology is delineated to find out the benefic and malefic percentage of planets and bhavas, giving suitable weightages for each type of influence over them. After analyzing the benefic and malefic percentages for each planet and bhava, the predictions can be given on all important aspects of life as per the concerned ruling main, sub and inter-period planets. Of course, the transit results of the planets may be subsequently coupled as given in any classical texts. This whole system of analysis for a particular horoscope has also been computerized.
Separate chapters are assigned for broad life predictions and yearly predictions and yearly predictions. The general characteristics of each ascendant with respect to appearance, health, temperament, personality traits and the benefic, malefic and moderate predictions of each bhava are given. In the chapter on ‘yearly predictions’, the author has clearly stated that the inter-period benefic and malefic percentage is to be worked out taking the average of the benefic and malefic percentages of the main period planet, sub-period planet and the inter-period planet.
The author again and again reiterates that the predictions should be picked up judiciously, diligently, cautiously and intelligently pertaining to one’s own social, environmental, economical and cultural circumstances. For ready reference, the fundamentals and weigtages for lordship benefic and malefic planets for different ascendants are clearly tabulated. there is another very useful ready-reckoner which explains the deities, jewels, colors and numbers which should be used to strengthen the benefic tendencies or to lessen the malefic tendencies of the planets during their periods. The sixth chapter ‘Model Horoscope’ will clarify all the doubts the readers may encounter. It gives a computer print-out of a model horoscope specially programmed for the benefic and malefic analysis of planets and bhavas along with predictions. The intention of the model horoscope is to give a clear idea of the application of this new theory and subsequent readings of the predictions accordingly. The book under review is a worthwhile presentation throwing valuable information on a new system of analysis of a horoscope.