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distrust in the mind of an honest enquirer. However, by a reason of a few exaggerated and incorrect accounts of successful predictions the belief in these books is gradually gaining ground. In an article written by Mr. Chidambaram Iyer, and published in the issue of the Theosophist for June 1883, it was stated that these Nadigranthams were of considerable scientific importance and that it would be possible by their help, to fix the first point of Aries from which the Aryanamsam is calculated. Nothing more has been heard since then regarding Mr. Chidambaram Iyer's investigations in this direction. These books have again been prominently brought to the notice of the public by an article on "Indian Sibylline Books," published in the May issue of the Theosophist, and some fresh reports of wonderful predictions that have been circulated. I therefore thought it necessary to examine carefully one or two of these astrologers and ascertain the real value of these books—a determination strengthened by the request of my friend, Col. Olcott. The result of my inquiries is given for what it is worth in the following paragraphs.
It will be unnecessary for me to say anything about astrology in general in this connection; and I do not intend to advance now any theoretical considerations to show that these Nadigranthams cannot be genuine and that such books can by no possible means be composed. No such theoretical reasoning, however sound and convincing from a scientific point of view, will produce any impression on an ordinary mind which believes the statements made regarding these books on the strength of the marvellous reports of their predictions. So long as such reports are believed on hearsay evidence, all such considerations will be set aside on the ground that nothing would be impossible for a divine being or a Rishi like Vyasa. The following account will, however, show that these Nadigranthams are not always trustworthy and that a strict investigation is absolutely necessary before they can be relied upon and recommended to the public as authentic sources of information. If these books are the spurious concoctions of
