The story of the astrologer's son

Well, yes, indeed all my posts are presently revolving around astrology, palmistry, tarot etc. With the wedding season which is coming to an end, when I look back at the month gone by, the weddings I have attended and the astrology and horoscope matching involved in the process, I am inspired to write about these topics.
Again, this story was told by one of my Sanskrit teachers (I am presently unable to recall which teacher told this story). Astrology is coming to be considered as a Science in itself and in my experience, I have come across some of the most learned and talented astrologers. Astrology is not about predicting the future, but it is the science which talks about the impact of the cosmic energy on man. Well, I am not a pro to talk about this point, so let me start with the story.

The story of the astrologer's son

Long time ago in India, there lived a great king. There were many learned men in his court. The king valued talent and knowledge and made sure that any person in the kingdom with knowledge was rewarded accordingly. The best men in various fields were rewarded with the King's friendship. One such person was Sumeru (I do not remember the name and Sumeru is the name I have given the character). Sumeru was well versed in Astrology and it was believed that his predictions never went wrong. 

Sumeru and the King were great friends. They were both married at about the same time. In a matter of months, the Queen and Sumeru's wife were pronounced pregnant by the chief medical practitioner in the court.

The King was overjoyed and arranged for a feast for all his subjects. Sumeru's happiness knew no bounds. Sumeru was happy for himself and for the king.

On a beautiful night when the moon and the stars seemed to compete with each other to throw light to illuminate the earth, the Queen gave birth to a beautiful child. It was a boy. The heir to the throne. The King hugged Sumeru and told him to announce that he would distribute clothes and jewelry to all the people in his kingdom. Sumeru got the job done by asking a few guards to announce the same.

Sumeru returned home happily. He saw a crowd in front of his house and rushed to see what was wrong. Everyone looked happy and an old lady came with a bundle tucked in her arms and gave it to Sumeru. "It is a boy" she said. Sumeru was overwhelmed with joy and could not stop looking at his son's face. After a few seconds, the expression on his face changed, he looked up at the old lady with his eyebrows pulled up and asked "When was he born?" The old lady told the precise time. A wide smile spread across Sumeru's face. It was the exact time when the King's son was born. 

Sumeru sat down for hours in the night under a tiny oil lamp and made several calculations and wrote down the Jataka/Kundali(birth chart) of the two children. It was exactly the same. He observed that the children were born with Gaja-Kesari yoga. People born with Gaja-Kesari yoga were believed to become rulers and were supposed to be very intelligent.

Sumeru had studied astrology from great masters across the world. He had experimented and researched and discovered many aspects too. But looking at the birth charts of the two children he was intrigued. He thought "If astrology is to be true, both my son and the King's son should have the same fate. They must enjoy the same royalties and suffer the same calamities. But is it really possible?" Sumeru did not share his thoughts with anyone including his wife and parents.

Eleven days after their birth, the naming ceremony was held and both the babies were given names. As time passed, the babies grew up to be very naughty little kids. They both were sent to study under the same Guru, to the same Gurukul. 

No other child in the Gurukul could match the two children's intellect, boldness and sharpness. When the two children were adequately trained, the Guru blessed the children and sent them back to their homes.

Both the King and the astrologer received their sons happily. The king checked with Sumeru and fixed a date for the Pattabhisheka (enthroning ceremony) for his son.

Sumeru thought "If the astrology that I have learned to this day is true, then the two children should have the same fate. If the prince is being enthroned on this day, then let me see what fate has in store for my son."

It was the day of the prince's Pattabhisheka/Enthronement. All people from the kingdom were present at the grand ceremony. The prince was enthroned and was made to sit on an elephant and go around the palace streets. All people gathered there sung praises of the prince.

Sumeru looked around and did not find his son. He rushed home to see if his predictions would come true. He saw a crowd at the end of the street on which his house was located. He ran towards the crowd to see what was happening there. As he approached, he saw his son surrounded by people. He was sitting on something and all people around were shouting his praises. He went forward to see his son dressed in his best clothes sitting on a baby elephant. Everyone around him was singing his praises and appreciating his valor. He had rescued the baby elephant which had fallen into a pit and also provided the required medical help. The baby elephant had thanked the boy in its own way and had let him ride him. The boys standing around the baby elephant proclaimed Sumeru's son as their leader and hero.

Sumeru smiled and thought "After all! Astrology that I have learned through the years did come true. My predictions for the boys came true too. The prince's destiny had him proclaim the throne and my son's destiny made him the local hero. It is the destiny of every person that decides how the astrological predictions work for each person."

He looked up towards the sky, as if thanking the Gods above for answering his questions.