Text 12]
Birth of Emperor Parīkṣit
621
PURPORT
Astronomical calculations of stellar influences upon a living being are not suppositions but are factual, as confirmed in  Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam . Every living being is controlled by the laws of nature at every minute, just as a citizen is controlled by the influence of the state. The state laws are grossly observed, but the laws of material nature, being subtle to our gross understanding, cannot be experienced grossly. As stated in the  Bhagavad-gītā  (Bg. 3.9), every action of life produces another reaction, which is binding upon us, and only those who are acting on behalf of Yajña (Viṣṇu) are not bound by reactions. Our actions are judged by the higher authorities, the agents of the Lord, and thus we are awarded bodies according to our activities. The law of nature is so subtle that every part of our body is influenced by the respective stars, and a living being obtains his working body to fulfill his terms of imprisonment by the manipulation of such astronomical influence. A man's destiny is therefore ascertained by the birthtime constellation of stars, and a factual horoscope is made by a learned astrologer. It is a great science, and misuse of a science does not make it useless. Mahārāja Parīkṣit or even the Personality of Godhead appear in certain constellations of good stars, and thus the influence is exerted upon the body thus born at an auspicious moment. The most auspicious constellation of stars takes place during the appearance of the Lord on this material world, and it is specifically called  jayanti  and is not to be abused for any other purposes. Mahārāja Parīkṣit was not only a great  kṣatriya  emperor, but also a great devotee of the Lord. Thus he cannot take his birth at any inauspicious moment. As a proper place and time is selected to receive a respectable personage, so also to receive a personality like Mahārāja Parīkṣit, who is especially cared for by the Supreme Lord, a suitable moment is chosen when all good stars assembled together to exert their influence upon the King. Thus he took his birth just to be known as the great hero of  Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam . This suitable arrangement of astral influences is never a creation of man's will, but is the arrangement of the superior management of the agency of the Supreme Lord. Of course, the arrangement is made according to the good or bad deeds of the living being. Herein lies the importance of pious acts performed by the living being. By pious acts only can one be allowed to get good wealth, good education and beautiful features. The  saṁskāras  of the school of  saṅātana-dharma  (man's eternal engagement) are highly suitable for creating an atmosphere for taking advantage of good stellar influences,