In this era where America, Europe, Russia, China, and Jihadi forces are locked in a frenzied dance, a single anxiety grips every mind: “The possibility of a Third World War.” No one is saying a world war will never happen again. Among those who understand the machinations of extremists and Deep-State powers, a feeling is taking root: “The world is being driven toward an intense global conflict; it wouldn’t be surprising if a world war breaks out within a few years.” Lending weight to this, some astrologers have also begun predicting that “the period between 2030 and 2036 is extremely critical. A global conflict will occur then.”
If we look back, astrologers in our country (though not all) have been predicting the possibility of a global war for decades. Certain astrologers and ‘Seers of the Future’ have been providing ‘probable dates’ regarding two subjects: one, the likely timing of the next World War; the other, “omens of the Great Deluge” (Pralaya)! While those who study the science of astrology seriously focus more on the probability of wars, those ignorant of the craft have often incited panic, claiming, “According to the seers of Kaalajnana, the end of the world is coming.”
There are instances where global powers have used these prophetic writings for their own ‘strategic’ purposes. There are those whose goal is to instill belief in others even if they don’t believe it themselves. Then there are the fools who have convinced themselves that their own lies are true. They are perpetually haunted by hallucinations of the ‘Apocalypse’, ‘End of the World’, and ‘Day of Judgment’. Whether it is an eclipse, earthquake, rain, flood, tsunami, war, or civil unrest—they use every occasion to tremble in fear and try to frighten others. Some missionaries even harbor a desire that ‘God’s Final Judgment’—the total destruction of the world—should happen within their own lifetime! It is a bizarre belief or hope: that because they follow a specific God, nothing will happen to them while their enemies are annihilated. There is another class of people who, observing all this, have developed a faint, lingering belief that ‘perhaps this might be true.’ Shops have been opened by those who shove this madness of the Great Deluge and the fear of wars and natural phenomena into people’s heads, convincing them that “surrender to us and you shall be saved.” There are morbid cults proclaiming, “The end of the world is here, join our religion quickly. Surrender to our God.” It is worth noting here that after the massive tsunami in the past, some missionaries in parts of Tamil Nadu—especially Nagapattinam—spread the fear of the apocalypse and used the lure of relief money to carry out conversions.
A serious astrological discussion regarding world wars took place before 1999. A famous English newspaper published articles by several astrologers on the topic: “Will there be a World War in 1999?” Most opined that “this is a turning point in history. Looking at planetary movements, a global-scale conflict will occur.” One senior astrologer predicted, “Starting from 1999, conflict will spread on a global dimension, leading to a global war in 2002.” That was the year America’s “War on Terror” intensified.
While this was a matter of serious ‘academic’ discussion, alongside it, the gymnastics of Kaalajnana (prophetic lore) were also in full swing. A retired IAS officer had made huge efforts to spread a rumor: “1999 is a magical number. That year, the Kali Yuga officially ends. The foundation for the Satya Yuga is being laid. This chaos and war are all for that purpose. A Third World War will occur, ending two-thirds of the world’s population, and a New Age will dawn.” In Western countries, some began arguing, “The year 2000 is no ordinary year; it is the end of a millennium. Therefore, it is the year Jesus returns to Earth.” On the night of December 31, 1999, many people in Jerusalem and elsewhere waited for ‘Jesus to arrive,’ and some even lost their lives in disappointment. In short, around 1999-2000, the ‘prophecy fever’ was at its peak, and many missionary cults came to the forefront. A frantic urgency prevailed: “This is the time to convert the world quickly; everyone must be branded with the cross before Jesus arrives.” Small extremist churches began competing with the larger ones. Massive international conversion projects like the ’10/40 Window’ and the ‘Joshua Project’ gained even more momentum.
Back then, the prominent name heard in these prophecies was Nostradamus. For many years prior, interesting books and videos about the 16th-century French prophetic writer Nostradamus were in circulation (the name ‘Baba Vanga’ wasn’t as popular then). Books were flourishing with the claim that “According to Nostradamus, the ‘Anti-Christ’ Satan will come. To face and defeat him, a World War is inevitable. Ultimately, Christianity will triumph. This is all Nostradamus’s prophecy.” In response, a writer from Bengaluru wrote articles and books stating, “It’s not just according to Nostradamus. According to all great seers, including him, India will become a Hindu-Rashtra. Great Hindu leaders will rule the country. A monk will lead the nation. During their reign, a World War will occur, and India will emerge ultimately victorious. India will then become the Vishwa-Guru (World Leader) in religious, spiritual, and political fields. But the world will pay a heavy price for all this to happen.” Intense discussions took place regarding the prophecies of Veerabrahmendra Swami and Kaivara Narayanappa. The period just before 1999 can be called the ‘era of heated prophecy debates.’ From then on, the focus of prophecy analysts shifted toward the Great Deluge, while astrologers focused more on the possibility of a World War.
Do you remember the story that “according to the Mayan prophecy, the world will end in 2012”? There is even a Hollywood movie titled ‘2012’. Using examples of Mayan calendars and citing certain astronomical events, it was argued haphazardly that “the Great Deluge is definitely happening.” Media publicity created widespread fear. Thus, every 4-5 years, a hue and cry is raised—either that ‘the world is ending,’ ‘an attack is coming,’ or ‘it’s all over.’ Whether this is madness, stupidity, or some divine play, one does not know. Looking at all this, it’s natural to feel: “Are these people waiting for the end more eagerly than they are feeling relieved that the world still exists?” The intensity of these doomsday-sayers’ arguments is such that if the ‘Deluge’ doesn’t happen on the day they predicted, they simply announce a new date for it!
For centuries, major churches have spread stories of the ‘Apocalypse.’ Muslim-majority countries still believe in the concept of ‘Qayamat’ (Judgement Day). Among Hindus, while there are mentions of ‘Pralaya‘, the belief is that it occurs at the end of a Manvantara—meaning, after millions of years. In the Christian and Islamic worlds, there is no clarity on when the ‘Final Day’ of the world will be. Using all these sentiments, it’s natural to wonder if some people are out to drive the masses into a frenzy for ‘some’ hidden purpose of their own. This is no ordinary matter. There are suspicions that some foreign countries are shaping their policies, preparing for war, or trying to create war based on these notions.
Now, the name of Nostradamus has moved slightly to the side, and the name of an old woman, ‘Baba Vanga,’ has been cleverly brought to the forefront. The reason for this might be that Nostradamus’s 500-year-old book of prophecies is physically available. One might misinterpret the quatrains in his book, but it is difficult to completely fabricate them because the old copies are still in museums. In the case of Baba Vanga’s prophecies, there are no such ‘certain’ records. Thus, ‘prophecies’ are being spread in her name as one pleases. A ‘prophecy’ claiming that “According to Baba Vanga, most of the world will come under Islamic rule in the 21st century” has been floated on the internet.
If the 1990s saw the chanting of Nostradamus’s prophecies everywhere, it is now the turn of the Baba Vanga fever. Among the prophecies circulated in her name over the last few years, none have come true. During the rise of ISIS terrorists, there was a loud campaign for a ‘prophecy’ stating: “In 2016, Europe will be taken over by Islamists. Within 40 years, 80% of the world will be under Muslim rule.” Seeing the increasing Islamist disturbances in Europe, ‘someone’ had laid a foundation for it with a prophecy!
Baba Vanga (1911-1996) is the name of a blind old woman from Bulgaria. Her full name was Vangeliya Pandeva Dimitrova. ‘Baba’ means grandmother. Her neighbors called her ‘Baba Vanga’ (Grandmother Vanga). It is said that having lost her sight at a young age, she would occasionally predict the ‘future.’ She was also reportedly a member of the Communist Party and would tell the futures of Communist leaders! It is even said she provided information to Communist spies. Many such stories surround her. The publicity surrounding her claims: “After losing her eyes, she gained special prophetic powers. She predicted the future of the entire world, and 80% of it has come true. Studies have been conducted on this.” Today, countless websites are active in her name, and YouTube analyses are being conducted.
There is a record of Nostradamus’s prophecies. Whether you understand what he said or not, or whether you believe it or not, is a different matter—but the manuscript he wrote is available. But that is not the case with Baba Vanga. What we find are hearsay statements and a few snippets of video-audio interviews. All the prophecies currently in circulation cannot be found in the video records. She is said to have called an airplane a ‘flying metal bird.’ Nostradamus lived 500 years ago; it wouldn’t be surprising if he wrote that. But Baba Vanga lived in the age of airplanes. Did she not know the word ‘aeroplane’? This raises the suspicion that prophecies are being fabricated in her name. Previously, a prophecy was circulated in her name stating, “A Third World War will begin in 2010 and end in 2014.” Later, it was pushed forward to 2016. There was no mention of 2016 in the earlier reports. An article published in The New Yorker Times in 1995 criticized her, saying, “Vanga’s prophecies that don’t come true are quickly forgotten.” An analysis was conducted regarding her ‘unfulfilled prophecies.’ In the list of her prophecies considered in that report, many of the ‘prophecies’ popular today are nowhere to be found!
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