But one thing plaques our ``real'' sadhus, aura masters, astrologers and swamis there are too many ``dubious ones floating around''. And as part of their first annual conference, the institute decided to eradicate ``irrational beliefs and protect people from dishonest charlatans''.

Explaining the aim of the meet, president of the institute B Arya says: ``The important thing is to beware of cheats and thugs. The science is often misused and innocent people are taken for a ride. A true jyotish also has psychological abilities and uses it in his or her predictions.'' According to the members, it is basic instinct that will warn you whether the jyotish reading your hand knows what he is talking about or not. ``There are noqualifications of degrees you can check,'' says Savita Kakkar, vice-president of the institute. ``Our endeavour is to try and get people to place their trust in real astrologers and not be taken for a ride by frauds.''

All through the conference, the members reiterated that occult science existed, adding in the same breath that it was often misused. According to Raj Tilak Sharma, a staunch believer in the science of astrology, people go to tantriks and ojhas only as a last resort to redress their problems. He spoke about the benefits of occult science in great detail, adding that ``its misuse can be hazardous''.

Going one step further, aura master Ashok Sachdev adds that a visit to an astrologer is not really required. ``You are God,'' Sachdeva's voice boomed. ``Bad influences affect you because you don't believe you are God. The solution to all your problems are with you.'' At the end of his ``soul talk'' Sachdev adds that an aura photograph is the mirror into your future.

Humans are on the ``49thharmonic of the colour frequency'' and each of the seven colours depicts a particular state of health, he says. An aura photograph ``looks into your soul'' and tells you about diseases that are likely to affect you and your general state of health. The X-ray vision of aura masters is apparently more piercing than its medical counterpart.

Arya then got down to doing what he does best, predicting the future. ``In the second week of May next year the world will fight the third world war,'' Arya proclaims. ``China and the Muslim countries will form the Yavan lobby and India will join hands with USA and Russia to fight them. The war will be waged for a year and at the end of it, India will be the superpower.'' Arya, who has studied the charts of all countries involved, intoned.