R. K. Narayan's 'An Astrologer's Day'

 R. K. Narayan's 'An Astrologer's Day'

About the author, R. K. Narayan
Rasipuram Krishnaswami Narayan (1906 - 2002) is one of the best - known of Indian English writers. He was born and brought up in Madras. He began by contributing items to a city newspaper. When Punch accepted one of his pieces, he embarked in earnest on his career as a novelist and a short story writer. His writings portray the Indian ethos with remarkable simplicity and humor. He created the fictional world of Malgudi. A winner of the Sahitya Akademi Award (1960) and the Padma Vibhushan (2000), he was nominated for a term in the Rajya Sabha. His novel, The Guide (1958), has been made into a popular film. Narayan also wrote essays, both personal and general, an autobiography (My Days, 1974), a travelogue (My Dateless Diary, 1964) and retold Indian epics and myths (The Ramayana, the Mahabharata and Gods, Demons and Others). In addition to his fifteen novels, Narayan has written more than two hundred short stories. He is a prolific writer whose works usually culminate in an ironic twist. He declared, "Only the story matters that are all … if a story is in tune completely with the truth of life, truth as I perceive it, then it will be automatically significant." 

'An Astrologer's Day'

" An Astrologer's Day" is a story about a man who runs away from his home and pretends to be an astrologer after imagining that he has committed a murder. In a strange situation, an ironic twist of fate, he runs into the very man he thought he had killed.

 

Detailed Summary: An Astrologer's Day

R.K. Narayan’s “An Astrologer’s Day” is a short story that combines suspense, irony, and surprise, set against the vibrant backdrop of a small Indian town marketplace. The story focuses on a man who works as an astrologer but hides a dark secret from his past.

1. The Astrologer’s Life and Setting

The story begins by describing a busy marketplace where the astrologer sets up his makeshift stall under a tamarind tree. He wears a saffron turban, sacred ash, and carries religious symbols to look like a learned man. Though he has no real knowledge of astrology, he is clever and intuitive, using general truths and psychological tricks to impress his clients. The setting is noisy, colorful, and chaotic—a perfect place for someone who relies on the art of deception to earn a living.

2. His Method of Work

The astrologer relies on reading people’s expressions, guessing their worries, and making vague but believable predictions. His tools—cowrie shells, charts, and mystical talk—help create the illusion of deep wisdom. People come to him for advice on marriage, health, business, and destiny, and he plays the role convincingly.

3. The Unexpected Customer

One evening, as the astrologer is about to close shop, a stranger approaches and challenges him. This man, later introduced as Guru Nayak, wants a true answer and is willing to pay well. The astrologer is initially nervous but then looks at the stranger’s face under the lamplight and suddenly becomes confident. He recognizes the man but does not reveal his identity.

4. A Hidden Past Revealed

In the conversation that follows, the astrologer tells Guru Nayak things that shock him: that he had been attacked and left for dead in a drunken brawl years ago, that his attacker had fled thinking he was dead, and that the man (the astrologer himself) is no longer alive. He advises Guru Nayak not to return to his village, as danger still awaits him there.

Guru Nayak is amazed at the astrologer's knowledge and believes in his words. He leaves, satisfied and convinced.

5. The Twist and Irony

After the stranger leaves, the astrologer confesses to his wife at home that he had once stabbed a man and thought he had killed him. He fled his village in fear and changed his identity. The man he believed he had murdered was Guru Nayak, the very customer who had come to him that night.

He feels relieved to know that Guru Nayak is alive and that he is no longer a murderer. This revelation brings peace to his troubled heart. The story ends with a twist—though the astrologer lives by lying, his final lie ends up being the truth that saves him.

 Themes and Message in “An Astrologer’s Day”

R.K. Narayan’s short story “An Astrologer’s Day” masterfully blends suspense, irony, and deep psychological insight. Through the life of a fake astrologer with a hidden past, Narayan conveys profound themes related to fate, identity, guilt, and the human instinct for survival. Each theme adds depth to the story and reflects larger truths about human nature and society.

1. Irony and Fate

One of the most striking aspects of the story is its use of irony—particularly situational irony. The astrologer, who makes a living by pretending to tell others about their future and past, is himself unaware that fate will bring his own past back to him in such a dramatic way.

• He lies every day, claiming to know people's destinies.
• Ironically, the only time he tells the complete truth is when he is trying to save himself from being recognized by the man he once thought he had killed.
• The twist lies in the fact that his life is saved by the very lies he tells, and the stranger believes him because of the same false reputation he has created.

This meeting with Guru Nayak is not just coincidental—it feels like fate catching up with him. But instead of punishment, fate gives him relief and release from guilt. This ironic turn reveals Narayan’s subtle commentary: life is full of unexpected twists, and sometimes, truth comes out through deception.

2. Identity and Redemption

Another central theme is that of identity and redemption.

• The astrologer has abandoned his original identity after a violent act in his youth. He has created a new life in the city, disguising himself as a learned astrologer.
• His false identity protects him from his past, but also reflects how people often wear masks in society—sometimes out of guilt, sometimes for survival.
• The encounter with Guru Nayak gives him a chance at redemption. He finally learns that the man he thought he had killed is alive, and this knowledge lifts a heavy burden from his soul.

This redemption is quiet and personal—there is no public apology or punishment. Instead, it’s a moral victory, a moment of emotional closure that lets the astrologer move forward with a lighter heart.

3. Human Nature

R.K. Narayan explores human nature in a realistic and empathetic way. The story does not judge the astrologer harshly; instead, it shows how people are shaped by fear, guilt, hope, and the need to survive.

• The astrologer is not entirely a bad man—he lies, but he also works hard, helps people, and carries the emotional burden of a mistake from his past.
• Guru Nayak, too, is shown as a man driven by revenge and unresolved trauma. Both characters are flawed but human.
• The story also shows how adaptable people can be. The astrologer reinvents himself completely, proving the flexibility of human identity.

Through this, Narayan conveys a broader message: people are not always what they seem, and behind every face is a story shaped by circumstances and choices.

Conclusion: Message of the Story

The underlying message of “An Astrologer’s Day” is that truth and deception, fate and free will, guilt and forgiveness—all coexist in life. People are not purely good or evil; they are complex and capable of change. The story gently reminds us that:

• Everyone carries secrets.
• Life often gives second chances in unexpected ways.
• Forgiveness and peace sometimes come from within, not through punishment or confession.

Narayan uses a simple plot to explore deep philosophical ideas with subtlety, humor, and realism.

 

Character Sketch: The Astrologer

The Astrologer in R.K. Narayan’s "An Astrologer’s Day" is a fascinating character who lives a dual life—outwardly as a wise and mystical man, but inwardly as someone hiding a dark past. His character is both complex and symbolic, reflecting human nature, fate, and the power of self-transformation.

1. Appearance and Occupation:
The Astrologer is cleverly dressed to impress. He wears a saffron turban, carries sacred ash and vermilion, and sports a long beard and whiskers. His appearance gives him an air of wisdom and authenticity, which is essential to his profession. He sets up his stall under a tamarind tree in a busy marketplace, surrounded by the noise of vendors and traffic, where he offers astrological advice to curious and troubled customers.

2. Intelligent and Observant:
Although he has no formal knowledge of astrology, he is very sharp, observant, and good at reading people. He relies on general statements, cues from people's behavior, and their reactions to make convincing predictions. His intelligence allows him to survive and thrive in a profession built on perception more than truth.

3. A Man with a Past:
The most striking feature of the astrologer’s character is his hidden past. It is revealed that he had once committed a crime in his native village—believing he had killed a man in a brawl—and fled, fearing arrest. This secret haunts him, and he never returns home. His profession as an astrologer is partly a disguise to stay hidden.

4. Resourceful and Clever:
When he unexpectedly encounters Guru Nayak, the very man he believed he had killed, he uses his presence of mind to pretend that he knows Guru Nayak's past through astrology. He cleverly manipulates the conversation to advise him not to return to his village, thereby protecting his own secret. This shows the astrologer’s ability to think on his feet and handle difficult situations with calm and strategy.

5. Symbol of Irony and Fate:
The astrologer symbolizes the irony of life. He who deceives others is himself deceived by fate. The twist in the story—finding out that the man he thought he had killed is alive—brings both relief and irony. He is finally free of guilt, not through justice, but through an unexpected encounter.

Conclusion:

The Astrologer is a multi-dimensional character—cunning, perceptive, and morally ambiguous. He represents the blend of human weakness and adaptability. Through his character, R.K. Narayan masterfully shows how people often live with secrets, adapt to survive, and how fate plays a mysterious role in shaping lives.