Can Stars and Planets Actually Control Us and Influence Our Destiny?

Question: It has recently been told, in regard to the eclipse, that people born under the influence of certain stars will be affected. May I know what they should do and should not do to get rid of the problems that may arise to them?

Answer: Everything in the world affects all of us. But some major events affect some of us more than the others. In this respect, during eclipses, owing to the positions of the stars and planets, certain people in their "pathways" and "aspects" are bound to get more affected than others.

Prayers at the Temple

During such unsuitable and inauspicious periods, the people born under the influence of certain  nakshatra (stars) should do more sadhana. People who are not given to sadhana, ought to propitiate the planets and the devatas in charge of them by offering them prayers in the temple.

Easier than Prayers

Mahatmas like Sivananda maharaj, Yogananda Paramahansa, Anandamayi Ma, Swami Rama, Lahiri Mahasaya and all rishies have strongly recommend that we intensify our sadhana, engage in bhajan and Kirtan during such bad periods. That is, in fact, the best way to escape, not only the problems caused by eclipses, planets and stars, but also all problems in general in life.

Can Stars and Planets Control Us?

If we actually examine all these problems caused by planets, stars and aspects, we will realise that actually the cause of our troubles is not the planets, curses, enemies, stars ---- it is our own bad or good karmas that are actually coming back to us in their forms. The planets and stars on their own have no means and powers to control us in any way. It is our karma in their forms.

So, the solution to solve our karma is to cry for His mercy. When Guru's grace is cast on us, all planets, samskaras, vasanas, stars and evil become completely powerless. 

Sources: 

1. pg. 247, Science of Yoga, Vol. 7 by Swami Sivananda

2. pg. 162, Autobiography of a Yogi by Swami Yogananda Paramahansa

4. pg.343-344, Meditation and Spiritual Life by Swami Yatiswarananda

5. pg. 238, Journey to Self-Realisation by Swami Yogananda Paramahansa