Staying near a temple, that too a popular one, brought a new sect of people to my notice, the Fortune Tellers. Numerologists, palmists, face-readers, naadi astrologers and so on..... One year ago, it was just 2 of them, but since last 6 months, the number has increased invariably. Their white or off-white khadi shirts, angavastram with attractive zari borders, gold colored bracelets, steel watches, big red tilaks and a book or two in hand; have become a familiar sight, especially on tuesdays and fridays when the temple is flooded with devotees. The look is not complete without their iPhones, Samsung smartphones or the Xperia with a leather sleeve.
They first observe the people, their dress, cars, body language and family members from a distance and select a target. Rich and effluent, who get down from expensive SUVs; or a lady with dull and depressed look, with an unmarried daughter walking behind or young men with fresh out-of-college but concerned look, are the primary target groups. They start off with a unique accent and a sloka or two (these same 1 or 2 are repeated to all the customers!!!). The so-called life-savers through predictions chase these people, pester them and go behind them until these prospective customers are duped by the words. Slowly, the customers are moved to a shade and the fortune telling kicks off. The good things spiced with upcoming threats are bombarded on to the prey, creating a sense of fear and the need for a savior (our hero of the story)!!!! Only a small percentage of the predictions are disclosed per session!!
The business is closed by 12pm at the temple and these people disappear. At around 6pm, you can find most of them at any addictive place (don't want to mention the names).
These forms of astrology are accorded high respect. Some of them are even recognised as science and seriously studied under graduate and post-graduate courses in some of the universities. It is painful to see these people reduce the gyan gathered by our saints and rishis through their multiple years of meditation, experimentation and practice to the street-side pestering levels. On top of everything, does the profession demand a false dress code?
They first observe the people, their dress, cars, body language and family members from a distance and select a target. Rich and effluent, who get down from expensive SUVs; or a lady with dull and depressed look, with an unmarried daughter walking behind or young men with fresh out-of-college but concerned look, are the primary target groups. They start off with a unique accent and a sloka or two (these same 1 or 2 are repeated to all the customers!!!). The so-called life-savers through predictions chase these people, pester them and go behind them until these prospective customers are duped by the words. Slowly, the customers are moved to a shade and the fortune telling kicks off. The good things spiced with upcoming threats are bombarded on to the prey, creating a sense of fear and the need for a savior (our hero of the story)!!!! Only a small percentage of the predictions are disclosed per session!!
The business is closed by 12pm at the temple and these people disappear. At around 6pm, you can find most of them at any addictive place (don't want to mention the names).
These forms of astrology are accorded high respect. Some of them are even recognised as science and seriously studied under graduate and post-graduate courses in some of the universities. It is painful to see these people reduce the gyan gathered by our saints and rishis through their multiple years of meditation, experimentation and practice to the street-side pestering levels. On top of everything, does the profession demand a false dress code?
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