Natives, whose leaves are with us, are destined to come to us at the appropriate age specified on the leaves from any part of the world.

Nadi Astrology is a valuable gift handed over to us by our intellectual ancestors. However, it is quite unfortunate to note that no other form of astrology has been criticised or manipulated as much as Nadi Astrology. Due to the cloud of mystery surrounding Nadi Astrology, a number of quacks play havoc with the gullible public. They should be made aware of the fact that sincere, devoted Nadi Readers also exist who possess genuine palm leaves transcribed by our ancient Rishis. These sincere Nadi Readers are more than eager to wipe away the doubts in the minds of doubting Thomases. Our EST team visited

Mr. Durai Subburathinam of Kausika Agasthiya Nadi Jothida Nilayam in Tambaram, Chennai. Mr. Durai Subburathinam’s Nadi centre commands the faith and respect of thousands of people who have tested the authenticity of the leaves he holds. Mr. Subburathinam, in this eye-opening article, offers some pointers by which the common public can distinguish between genuine Nadi Readers and hoaxes.

Q : Sir, you seem to possess a good collection of old palm-leaves. Could you tell us the history of these palm-leaves?

A : Yes. The origin of these leaves can be traced back to approximately 2000 years ago. Later during the British rule, the British were very keen to acquire these types of ancient leaves which deal with herbal cure, alchemy, different types of rasayans, Kayakalpa to increase longevity, different branches of fortune-telling etc. In some, the basic rules of the modern scientific inventions are explained. The British were very keen to take all these but left some of the astrological leaves to their loyalists. Some were put on auction also. People belonging to a particular caste who specialised in astrology bought these leaves and they earned their livelihood through Nadi-reading. It is a hereditary profession for us. We belong to the place called Vaitheeswaran Koil, in South Tamil-Nadu. We got trained from our elders to do the Nadi-reading. The language is poetic and the script is also different. It is the same as in the ancient temples. We have only a certain amount of collection of leaves. Natives whose leaves are here will, somehow or other, come to us at the appropriate age specified on the leaves from any corner of the world. Leaves are there not only for Indians but for foreigners also belonging to other religions. Whoever is destined to look into the leaves will come to us on his own accord. The very word “Nadi” in Tamil means (destined) to come on own accord.”


Q : Do you mean to say that you don’t possess the leaves of those who are not destined to come to you.

A : Exactly. They may not even know that such a type of astrology exists. Even the very age when the native is destined to come to us is marked on the leaves. So, we do not advertise for our profession. Whoever is destined to come will come. Faith is the root of our system.


Q : What is the first step in Nadi Astrology?

A : We take the impression of the right thumb for males and the left thumb for females. There is no need to disclose your name, place or horoscope.

Q : How do you proceed further with the thumb impression? A : Lines on the thumb are classified into 1008 types. Palm leaves are arranged according to these types. We identify the particular type of lines on the thumb and the corresponding set of palm leaves are taken. For example, a particular type is called conch shell with a circle. Among this, there are many sub-divisions based on the number of dots on the thumb. Impressions with 5 or more dots are very rare.

Q : What is the significance of Nadi Astrology?

A : There are twelve chapters (parts). The first chapter contains the native’s name, parents’ names, present details of profession, brothers, sisters, children, spouse and a gist of future predictions for all the twelve bhavas. There is also a poetic description of the planetary positions in the native’s horoscope. The other chapters deal elaborately every aspect of your life. For example, the fifth chapter deals with children, their birth, death, reasons for not having children, adoption, future- -life of the children, remedial measures etc. The 7th chapter indicates the time of marriage, name, ascendant and the planetary positions of the horoscope of the spouse and life after marriage. Chapters 2 to 12 will give the future predictions upto the end of the life from the date of perusal of that chapter. There are four more chapters — Chapter 13 and 14 deal with the previous birth and the sins committed therein. Remedial measures are also given for getting rid of the effect of the sins of the past birth. Chapter15 prescribes the medicines and methods of consumption for chronic diseases. The 16th chapter gives predictions for the current dasa and bhukti periods in detail. In addition to these, there is also a special chapter for “Prasna” where any query is answered. All these were written hundreds of years ago by our Maharishis.


Q : Amazing. But how is it possible?

A : With divine grace, our Maharishis were able to foresee a lot. They have foreseen and predicted the type of name and the events of life for a person born at a particular moment with corresponding planetary positions. Nadi astrology is written by “Sapta Rishis” — Vasishta, Agasthya, Kaushika, Sukar and others. Sage Agasthya has written in Tamil. Other Sanskrit texts were translated into Tamil. Marata King Sarabhoji and Chola kings patronised this form of astrology and translations.


Q : Could you share some of your experiences with us?

A : I would like to tell the people that we are only “Nadi Readers”. What is written on the leaves is read and explained by us. We ourselves donot add anything. Some clients get irritated when some of the facts are unpleasant. We cannot help it. With utmost patience, we clear their doubts. Common people and VIPs from all walks of life have consulted us. We show them the particular leaf where the predictions for the native is given. Some of our customers are able to read the leaves on their own. Some even buy their leaves for preservation.


Q : Could you pick the leaf for one of us who have come from EST?

A : Yes. Of course. You can even take photographs of the names in the leaf. (Leaf was promptly picked up from the thumb impression. Name and other details of the native were verified by the EST team and photographs were taken.)

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