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men who are trying to derive some anvantage from the credulity and superstition of the uneducated mass of people, every effort must be made to disclose their real nature to the public.
Before proceeding further I may mention here that the Telugu Brahmin astrologer alluded to in the article on "The Indian Sibylline Books" has not yet given me an opportunity of consulting his Bheemakavi's book or his Nadigranthams although I have made several attempts to obtain an interviews.
The other astrologer with whom I had an interview on the 16th day of May is known by the name of Auritavak Balakrishnagyosulu and is at present residing in the Mint Street in Black Town. He has been living here for the last four or five years deriving a very good income by means of his Nadigranthams and is reputed to be one of the most celebrated and learned astrologers of Southern India. Hearing of some of his predictions I expected to find out the real truth about these Nadigranthams by visiting him, and proposed to a well-known and respectable native gentleman here that we should both go to the astrologer in question on the date above-mentioned to consult his book. My friend sent an intimation to the astrologer that he would come and see him on the next day. We accordingly went to the astrologer's house and requested him to give us an opportunity of putting to him certain questions on payment of the fee usually charged. Not expecting me there with my friend, the astrologer immediately made some enquiries about me and made the necessary preparations for giving us a sitting. The walls of the room in which we sat were covered with pictures of gods and goddesses and a box full of Nadigranthams was placed on the left side of the astrologer. He began his discourse by complimenting us and pointing out the importance of his sacred Nadigranthams. He explained to us that an astrologer had to get by heart and retain in his memory thousands of signs and symbols and several thousands of Sanskrit verses before he could become a competent interpreter of these mysterious books. After favouring us with these remarks he
