An Astrologer’s Day Summary
The story is about an astrologer who works in a busy town. He sets up his work under a big tamarind tree in the Town Hall Park. Every day at midday, he opens his bag and takes out his tools—cowrie shells, a piece of cloth with mysterious symbols, a notebook, and some writings on palm leaves. His forehead is decorated with sacred ash and vermilion, which makes his eyes look sharp and powerful. This appearance attracts many people, who believe that he has the power to predict their future.
The astrologer sits in a place where many different types of people pass by—medicine sellers, magicians, and even sellers of stolen goods. The place is crowded, noisy, and full of activity. The astrologer does not have his own light, so he works by the light of nearby shops and flares. This mix of lights and shadows helps him because he actually knows nothing about astrology. He just listens to people carefully, guesses what they want to hear, and says things that make them happy and surprised.
In truth, the astrologer did not plan to become an astrologer. He ran away from his village long ago because he thought he had killed a man during a fight. He left his home without telling anyone and traveled far away, never looking back. In the town, he learned how to read people’s faces and tell them things that sounded like predictions. He charged three pice for each question and always waited for the other person to talk first. This way, he could gather enough information to give good advice.
One evening, after the nut vendor turned off his light and went home, the astrologer was getting ready to leave too. Suddenly, a man appeared before him. The astrologer sensed that this man might become a customer, so he invited him to sit and talk. The man, however, was not very friendly. He challenged the astrologer to prove that he was not a fraud. The astrologer felt uneasy, but he decided to try and answer the man’s questions.
The astrologer advised Guru Nayak to go back to his village and never travel south again because his life would be in danger. Guru Nayak, satisfied with the astrologer’s answers, paid him and left.
Later that night, when the astrologer returned home, his wife was surprised by the extra money he brought. He then told her the truth: many years ago, he had tried to kill a man during a drunken fight. Thinking that he had committed murder, he ran away and started a new life as an astrologer. But now, he realized that the man he thought he had killed was still alive. This discovery lifted a heavy burden from his heart, and he felt relieved.
An Astrologer’s Day Themes
Fate and Destiny:
The story explores the idea that people believe in fate and rely on astrologers to guide them. Even though the astrologer in the story has no real knowledge, people trust him to reveal their future. This shows how powerful the belief in destiny is in shaping people’s lives.
Deception and Survival:
The astrologer uses lies and clever tricks to survive. He pretends to know astrology and reads people’s expressions to tell them what they want to hear. His deception is his way of earning a living, showing how people sometimes need to be resourceful and cunning to survive in difficult situations.
Guilt and Redemption:
The astrologer carries the guilt of having nearly killed a man in his past. When he meets the man unknowingly, he cleverly uses his “astrology” to convince the man that his attacker is dead. In doing so, he finds peace and feels like he has redeemed himself, even if he didn’t face direct consequences.
The Complexity of Human Nature:
The story shows different sides of human nature: fear, guilt, desire for revenge, and the need for survival. The characters are not simply good or bad; they have complex motivations and emotions, making them more realistic.
Irony and Twist of Fate:
The story is rich in irony. The astrologer, who is a fraud, ends up giving accurate advice that saves him. The twist is that the astrologer’s predictions come true in an unexpected way, which adds humor and depth to the story.
Appearance vs. Reality:
The astrologer appears wise and knowledgeable, but in reality, he is just pretending. This theme shows how appearances can be misleading, and how people often believe what they see without questioning it.
The Burden of the Past:
The astrologer’s past haunts him, showing how our past actions can affect our present. The story suggests that running away from guilt may not bring peace, but facing it in some way can help release the burden.
