"Computer Says No": Examining the intervention of GPTs on South Asian astrology

The golden age of jyotiḥśāstra (astronomical treatises) spanned the third to ninth centuries CE, with select texts surviving into modernity. Jyotiś (astronomy) remains integral to South Asian culture, determining auspicious times for lifecourse events and guiding personal decisions. Traditionally, these Sanskrit texts required astrologers as intermediaries for calculation and interpretation. Recently, AI applications like KundaliGPT and VedicAstroGPT have emerged, offering astrological guidance through generative pre-trained transformer technology. This paper examines these AI systems' functioning and explores their broader implications on the relationship between Sanskrit śāstra, expert knowledge, and society. The analysis considers potential benefits and challenges as astrological practice transitions from human intermediaries to technological interfaces. By examining this intersection of ancient knowledge systems and modern AI, this study contributes to understanding how traditional practices adapt in technology-driven environments and questions what may be gained or lost when ritual practices become increasingly automated.