Dr. B.V. Raman’s elucidation of his “My Experiences in Astrology”, as he calls them, is a fascinating chronology of his exceedingly interesting experiences in a sphere in which he commenced to function with remarkable spontaneity at an amazingly early stage. His vast erudition and superior scholarship in the science of astrology have elevated him to the pinnacle of fame evoking the esteem and regard of eminent thinkers of international fame.

The dazzling astrological convention at Bangalore in December 1983 portrayed the singular adulation which Dr. Raman had earned for himself through undaunted resolution, power of performance and unabated dedication to study, research and dissemination through a multitude of titles.

The Saga discloses Dr. Rarnan’s proud inheritance of distinction and we-eminence from an ancient and noble family which shone in the blaze and braved the vicissitudes of tempestuous times in the history of our country.

The tutelage of the benevolent aristocrat, the renowned Prof. B. Suryanarain Rao was the most glorious dispensation of Providence which endowed Dr. Raman with abundant wisdom, robust common- sense, capacity for accurate ratiocination and logical deduction. The grandson’s firm faith in the efficacy of the mahamantram emanated from the same source.

My association with Dr. Raman, during a long tract of more than four decades, generated a rapport of inestimable value flowing from a manifestation of a plurality of rare attributes including those of intellect and intellects, which have projected him as one of our respected representative men aided at all times, in his pursuits by coordination from Mrs. Rajeswari Raman in the riches measure.

And that is what has persuaded this Foreword.

This combined volume, of the first part (18 chapters) published earlier and the second part, consisting of an additional sixteen chapters now added as “My Experiences in Astrology”, should have two-fold value;, one for the trained and academic professional, savant or the student of Astrology in general; and the other, for the non-professional who is interested in understanding a branch of knowledge, unique and profound and the experiences of one, dedicated to its exposition for six decades, to make the educated public astrology-conscious.

For the latter, the book will prove a reference volume and provide information on practical astrology.

There, is a further value in the study of astrology by the layman and that is the appreciation of the insights provided by Astrology to understand human psychology and human life in general.

“My Experiences in Astrology” covers a period of immense significance in my early life because of my successful forecasts on the outbreak and progress of the second world war and other historical developments. Several interesting experiences gained by way of examining innumerable horoscopes of people belonging to different temperaments, sections and strata of society who sought my astrological guidance will no doubt evoke the admiration of lovers of Astrology.

This book can also be called an auto-biographical sketch as it takes the reader back 60 years when I first began the study of astrology, a subject I have loved so much. Anecdotes of human interest also dot the narrative. The book written in simple language is liberally interspersed with my astrological discussions with pandits, scholars and savants and the lessons I learnt from them.

The book is a compilation of “My Early Experiences in Astrology” earlier serialised in The Astrological Magazine. It is thoroughly revised and re-written at several places. Chapters 16, 17 and 18 detail my first professional visits to Bombay and Madras, the predictions I gave and my first performance as a public speaker and my first encounter with Nadi astrologers.

The book embodying important astrological principles, methods and their practical application — in brief an astrological text and a human story rolled into one — will no doubt be of great interest and practical use as much to an average educated man as to a student, scholar or connoisseur of astrology.

I take this opportunity of expressing my thanks to Justice A.R. Somnath Iyer — guide, friend and well-wisher, for nearly four decades, for his Foreword; to my wife Rajeswari Raman who gave appropriate suggestions as the book was being written; to my daughter Gayatri Devi, Associate Editor, ‘The Astrological Magazine, who assisted me in revising the manuscript; to my sons B. Niranjan Babu and B. Sachidananda Babu for their personal attention to details of typing; and to K. Gopinath for the nice job he has done in typing the manuscript.

I must also record my sincere thanks to UBS Publishers’ Distributors Ltd. for having brought out this book in an attractive manner.