StarTalk with Maaninee Mishra
“I do believe a lot on astrology but at the same time I would confess that I have always been objective and never believed it to the extent of being blind…..”
Do you believe in astrology?
Yes. I do believe a lot on astrology but at the same time I would confess that I have always been objective and never believed it to the extent of being blind, because I have never let my life run according to what my stars foretell. I do take clues from what astrology tells me but at the same time I do not depend on it completely. Astrology isn’t a support system but a science, which I ascribe to, but with objectivity that it is your personal karma that determines how things shape in your life. I believe a lot in destiny.
Have you ever visited an astrologer? What has the experience been like?
At different stages in my life, I have been to different astrologers, who have had different things to state about my life. There were quite a few astrologers who had told me that I would always give, not take. I am not exactly contradicting myself but I also believe that there is a plan of action for everybody. If you try hard, you can change your destiny. I am not completely fatalistic.
Do you think a person restricts his actions if predictions are made known before hand?
It does happen with a lot of people I have met. I would not lie that there was a phase when I too had started using the belief system as a pair of crutches, but eventually at the end of the day I realized that it was making me more of a diffident and dependent person and my faith in the Almighty was being undermined. Eventually I feel that it is a double edged sword and it is God alone who protects though astrology only tells you what is good for you and what is bad.
Did you ever get goose pimples when something happened as per prediction?
I am intuitive and hence I get to know when something is amiss in my life. Earlier I used to be discerning. Now I do not want anything to restrict my life unless and until my sixth sense tells me. Recently after watching Lage Raho Munnabhai, my husband asked me to take my daughter to the loo. Something told me not to go then and I proceeded to go to a restaurant nearby. A tray with glasses fell on my leg and blood started oozing out. My tarot card reader had told me that I’d lose blood that particular day but I didn’t want to believe him because I do not want to be scared.
To what extent do you attribute truth to the predictions?
I’d rather say that the less you give in to it, the better. You should be pragmatic enough to retain the good and weed out the rest from your system after you listen to various future predictions or else you would be affected not only mentally but also physically. Strangely not a single astrologer had warned me that my first marriage wouldn’t work at all. Even if you are very scientific and extremely objective, you are prone to retaining all the information that an astrologer gives you, especially about your children or your spouse and hence I would advocate that even though you believe in it, you should always take these predictions with a pinch of salt.
Has there been any particular incident that has strengthened your belief in this power?
I have immense trust and faith in my tarot card reader. In fact he had even predicted the kind of person I’d get married to for the second time after my first marriage broke up. He had even predicted that Mihir Mishra, who was my would- be- husband then, would be a Sagittarian. He also told me that he would be from the North and would be younger to me by two years. My tarot card reader calls me fireball because my energy level is very high. He had even warned me that I should not let myself be surrounded by negative people who may suck my energy and drain me of it.
Are there any myths broken?
You get to see different individuals at different stages of their evolution and truly started believing that God has a certain design. I now am aware of the fact that I should realize which hurdle I have got to cross by accepting my fault and work on certain areas by openly acknowledging my weaknesses in order to cross my hurdle. At the end of the day, life isn’t just all about the accolades that you win but the love, regard and respect that people have for you. Money and status go away and it is only your goodness and the way you are with people that matters ultimately.
Do you check out the daily newspapers to know what your stars have in store for you?
I do check out the daily newspapers for what the stars have in store for me every day. I am a Leo according to Hindu calendar. I believe in Buddhism. I may sound old fashioned but I am of the opinion that there is no substitute for hard work and good karma. I do not do anything with expectations in return because in that case you will be disappointed if things do not work out.
What kind of astro-advice would you give for your fans?
If you believe in goodness of thoughts and action, only good things will come your way. If there is a delay, then there must be a reason for it and hence you should not get unduly worried. A pencil becomes blunt. You sharpen it and then it writes better. Similarly God gives you pain initially and then helps you overcome your pain and make you feel better. Trust your instincts in life. There is nothing called unlucky or manglik. It is just the cumulative effect of your past deeds which need cleansing by way of paying off your karmic debts.
