86 Srimad-Bhagavatam [Canto 10, Ch. 8
Jyotisam ayanam saéksad
yat taj jfidnam atindriyam
pranitam bhavata yena
puman veda pardvaram

jyotisam—knowledge of astrology (along with other aspects of culture
in human society, and specifically in civilized society, there must be
knowledge of astrology); ayanam—the movements of the stars and
planets in relationship to human society; sdksdt—directly; yat tat
Jfiidnam—such knowledge; ati-indriyam—which an ordinary person
cannot understand because it is beyond his vision; pranitam bhavata—
you have prepared a perfect book of knowledge; yena—by which;
pumdén—any person; veda—can understand; para-avaram—the cause
and effect of destiny.

TRANSLATION

O great saintly person, you have compiled the astrological
knowledge by which one can understand past and present unseen
things. By the strength of this knowledge, any human being can
understand what he has done in his past life and how it affects his
present life. This is known to you.

PURPORT

The word “destiny” is now defined. Unintelligent persons who do not
understand the meaning of life are just like animals. Animals do not
know the past, present and future of life, nor are they able to understand
it. But a human being can understand this, if he is sober. Therefore, as
stated in Bhagavad-gita (2.13), dhiras tatra na muhyati: a sober person
is not bewildered. The simple truth is that although life is eternal, in this
material world one changes from one body to another. Foolish people, es-
pecially in this age, do not understand this simple truth. Krsna says:

dehino ’smin yatha dehe
kaum4aram yauvanam jara
tatha dehantara-praptir
dhiras tatra na muhyati
