Written in the stars: The astrology behind Shivakumar’s rise

Bengaluru: Very few politicians in the state have embraced astrology as openly as Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president DK Shivakumar. For the Congress strongman, celestial calculations have long gone beyond personal belief; it has shaped political decisions and moments of confrontation.

From choosing auspicious dates to consulting spiritual gurus before major political moves, Shivakumar has repeatedly acknowledged that astrology has played a defining role in his political journey. “It is more science and mathematics,” Shivakumar once said in an interview.

While he has consulted over a dozen astrologers during his rise to the helm, at the centre of this coterie has been Bellur Dwarakanath, known better as Rajguru Dwarakanath Guruji. The Kanakapura strongman has often credited Dwarakanath, his long-time spiritual adviser, with accurately predicting several major turns in his career, including ministerial positions, electoral setbacks and his eventual rise as KPCC president.

Now, associates close to Shivakumar say Dwarakanath had predicted years ago that he would eventually become chief minister in mid-2026 — a forecast that has only strengthened Shivakumar’s faith in the ‘science’ of the stars.

While condoling the demise of former CM SM Krishna, his political mentor, during a speech in the assembly, Shivakumar dramatically revealed the extent of Dwarakanath’s influence on him. Recalling events of 1998, Shivakumar narrated how astrology intervened at a critical moment when he was denied a cabinet berth in Krishna’s govt.

“CM-designate Krishna and I prepared the list of ministers, which included several senior legislators and a few like me and TB Jayachandra,” Shivakumar had said. “But when the final list was approved by the party high command the night before the swearing-in, neither my name nor Jayachandra’s was there.”

Disturbed by the omission, he turned to Dwarakanath late that night for guidance. “He told me, ‘If you want to become minister, just kick the door’,” Shivakumar recalled.

What followed has since become part of political folklore. “I followed his advice and at around 2am, I went and kicked the doors of my mentor Krishna demanding my right to be inducted,” Shivakumar had said. “The list without my name had already gone to the governor, but I told Krishna he could not take oath as CM without me in the cabinet.”

Shivakumar revealed Krishna’s family attempted to calm him down. “Mrs Krishna and his daughter tried to convince me saying my stars were not aligned and I should wait for my turn. But I paid no heed. That is how I became a minister,” he had said.

That incident only embellished Shivakumar’s reliance on astrology. Associates say consultations with astrologers, temple visits, special rituals and homas have remained a constant feature of his career. Among the figures he reveres deeply is Kaivara Tatayya, also known as Yogi Narayana, the 18th century saint from Chikkaballapur district.

He has frequently visited the Kaivara Yogi Narayana Ashrama during politically significant phases and personal milestones, seeking blessings.