MISCELLANEOUS FACTORS IN CHART INTERPRETATION
It is frequently seen that a Vakri (retrograde) Graha also gives its effects as if it were posited in the house prior to its actual natal location. This rule shall operate with effect in the said Graha’s Dasha period where it shall become activated to yield its ordained fruits. If this condition is accompanied by sensitive Gochar (transit) of the same Graha then this factum of its retrogression will be seen to yield its fruits visibly. Retrogression will make the Graha more potent to yield its natural and temporal results, in accord with the dicta laid down in various Jyotish classics. Vakri Grahas become heightened as to their intensity. If the Graha is otherwise auspiciously placed, in exaltation, Mooltrikona, own Rashi, is exalted or otherwise well-placed in Navamsha Kundli (Ninth Harmonic Chart), associated with benefics or other auspicious Grahas for the Kundli under scrutiny, it might give unusual results, inasmuch as the Jatak (native) could be involved in activities that may be trailblazing in nature, of a level where they can guide the masses at large or some such fortunate and deserved elitism. It is quite true that the Shakti (energy) the Graha rules at a Naisargik (natural) or Tatkalik (temporal) level will probably represent at a more elevated level than is otherwise the case with people generally. This is otherwise seen as difference in behaviour patterns in leaders or advanced personalities. Some may choose to view it as eccentricity or may label it according to their own real-life relative positioning as considered from the hypothetical native in question with some subtler and more charged energies coursing through his chart.
Retrogression is viewed in Hindu Jyotish (Vedic Astrology) texts as a phenomenon to be noted with care. It is said to be a factor contributing to the Neecha Bhang (cancellation of debility) of a Graha. Similarly, it is also said to be a factor taking away from the exaltation of a Graha (Planet). Experience teaches that Jyotish Classics ought not be taken at face value and these stray observations should be aligned with all other factors related to the Vakri Graha’s area in the Kundli (Chart) before an annulment or neutralizing, as the case may be, is accepted. Vakri Grahas are deemed to be Shakta (empowered) and their effects are more powerfully felt than when they are in Margi (Direct) mode of travel.
The unusualness touched upon could be conventionally disturbing in certain areas such as Kutumba (family), seen from the 2nd House (H) of the chart. If the Saptmesh (lord of the 7th H) is Vakri or the 2nd Lord (L) is Vakri or indeed if Vakri Grahas aspect these lords or houses, and the Karaka (significator) of spouse and setting up of a marital home, Shukra (Venus) or Brihaspati (Jupiter), depending upon whether the Kundli is that of a male or female, is afflicted, this can be safely taken to cause delay in this area of life. There may be some subtle links between the unusual patterns of life experienced and Vakri Grahas. Just as we should view these Grahas as being posited in the previous house, we should also supplement out study with judging their aspects also from these previous houses. They can throw light on some useful factors, just as Argala or planetary intervention does in the scheme of Jaimini Jyotish, that other great Maharshi (sage) of Hindu India.
An important area that should not be overlooked while reading a chart is the location of Grahas in Gandanta. These are malefic junctional regions in the chart and Grahas placed natally in these areas or transiting in these highly sensitized zones while adverse Mahadasha (Major Periods), Antardasha (Sub Periods) or Pratyantardasha (Sub-Sub- Periods) are running, could lead to adverse incidents such as accident, injury or some other distress. These zones are in the junctional regions of the Nakshatras (Lunar Mansions) of Ketu (South Node) and Budh (Mercury), and coincide with the connecting areas between Meena (Pisces)- Mesha (Aries), Karka (Cancer)- Simha (Leo) and Vrishchik (Scorpio)- Dhanu (Sagittarius). The area of one degree on either side is taken as the area of malefic content.
Both retrogression and Gandanta location of Grahas in the chart are seen to be involved in medical complications in nativities. Naturally malefic Grahas such as Surya (Sun), Mangal (Mars), Ketu, Rahu (North Node), Shani (Saturn), afflicted Budh, waning and afflicted Chandra (Moon) are innately predisposed to causation of disturbance in health while out of these Surya, Mangal, Rahu, Ketu and Shani are the usual suspects. Shani and Rahu are also the Karakas of disease and if they are linked in any manner or means with the disease ruling 6th H, the Roga (Disease) Sthana, they are rendered especially potent to give ill-health according to the Rashi (Sign), Graha (Planet), Bhava (House) or the Karaka they afflict. The reader should also learn about another set of dangerous degrees for each planet called the Mrityubhaga, which are of special relevance in judging matters linked to sickness of the body and mind.
In judging charts, primacy ought to be accorded to the Lagna for judging both transits and natal propensities. Chandra Kundli or the Moon Rashi chart is seen to judge the psychological mapping of the individual’s character. However, it has another, equally important function. It is used to confirm the indications as they obtain in the Lagna or the Rashi chart. It is appreciated that almost all the classics advocate judgment of Gochar from the Chandra Lagna but it is being seen increasingly frequently that Gochar from Lagna reveals a far more accurate and personalized contemporary profile of the native. This is not to say that Chandra Lagna will not be used to glean crucial transit information to supplement findings as deciphered from Lagna. Indeed, Chandra Kundali is a sumptuous chart in itself and since Chandra is the Karaka of the Mother Goddess, the Divinity in Creation, all flow and all manifest things can be seen from the condition of the Moon in the chart and from the independent Chandra Kundli. Indeed, Sade-Sati, the Gochar of Shani on and around the natal Moon and the nodal transit is extremely relevant to the Moon and Shani’s Gochar has primary significance only from this Chandra Lagna, the actual areas of its life-altering Gochar then being understood with regard to lordship and placement as seen from the natal Lagna.
The other overwhelming feature that must not escape attention is the Kendradhipati Dosha (KDPD). This accrues to a Graha when it becomes the lord of the Kendra(s) (Quadrants) as seen from the Lagna. Only natural benefics are capable of acquiring this Dosha. Thus Guru (Jupiter), Shukra, unafflicted Budh, waxing and unafflicted Chandra are capable of being necessarily afflicted by lordship of the quadrants. This Dosha is cancelled or reduced in malefic intensity in certain cases but our primary focus in this paper shall be to cover the basics of this phenomenon. The Dosha applies with decreasing intensity to the Grahas, in the order they have been mentioned above. Guru, being the greatest benefic in the Brahmanda (Cosmos) is most aggrieved by this Dosha and gives malefic results in its Naisargik Karakattwas (natural significations) as too the temporal areas it rules by virtue of lordship in Lagnas ruled by Budh, namely Mithun (Gemini) and Kanya (Virgo). For the former, Guru rules the 7th and 10th H apart from being the Putrakaraka (PK) (Significator of Children). For the latter, it rules the 4th and 7th H. It ought to be mentioned here that KDPD afflicts living beings represented by the Graha and not the materiality that might be expected to result from the Graha, much like the fact of a Graha being Asta (combust) does! So, for Mithun Lagna, Guru’s Dosha will extend to spouse and the natural signification of progeny to the greatest degree since the 10th H is not seen to judge an inherently crucial relative in the first instance. (Mothers-in-Law will forgive the author, it is hoped, since they are the more significant of the relatives judged from this house!) For Kanya Lagna, again, the spouse and mother will be areas that shall be weakened and this will show up in the aforementioned cases if the Karakas of the relevant areas show affliction as well.
Various theories are being suggested as to cancellation and reduction in intensity of the said Dosha. In the author’s view, none of these are deserving of automatic and complete acceptance. It will be most prudent to judge the associations and condition of the Graha in Varga (Divisional) charts and other means to judge the power of the Graha. There is indeed one rider to this rule. In the Rashi chart itself, it is found that the less afflicted the Graha is the more unfettered it feels to bring forth the results of KDPD in respect of the human being concerned. It has been observed, that the linkage of a Graha with the malefic stations of the 64th Navamsha, which is the 4th H, 4th L and the Graha posited therein, from the Moon in the Navamsha chart, and the 22nd Drekkana, the 8th L, 8th H and the Graha posited therein prove to be detrimental to the affairs indicated by a Graha. This applies to the Graha carrying KDPD. It is a rule to ascertain deep-seated malefic potential of an otherwise malefic Graha, say, a Badhak (Obstructing) agent, or some other malefic. Some say, placement of a KDPD Graha in a Trikona (Trine) takes away its malefic power. Others say this is the case with an Upachaya (House of Growth). Still others say it is both of these. But will a KDPD Guru for instance in the 5thH not cause increased apprehensions of a Karakobhavanashaya type situation, namely, the significator of a given house is detrimental to the affairs of that house! Hence, it is far better to attribute KDPD to a Graha that actually carries it and then judge it in the light of ancient and modern theories to see which will apply. As it might appear at the outset, this is not always a very easy task. It is up to us, Brahmins of the Kaliyug, delving into this sacred, occult heart of Existence to come up with reliable applications of the wisdom of the Rishis. By Brahmin it is not meant to refer only to that caste of India but to all metaphysical researchers, in tune with the overwhelming reality of such disciplines
Vrishabh (Taurus) and Kumbha (Aquarius) Lagnas are not susceptible to KDPD since Shukra for the latter Lagna is a Yogakaraka (YK) (owning both a Trikona & Kendra), KDPD not applying to a YK Graha; Vrishabh has no natural benefics as lord of Kendras. For Mesha (Aries) and Vrishchik (Scorpio) Lagnas, Shukra becomes afflicted with this Dosha as 7th L and becomes capable of testing the native with reference to events primarily related to spouse and sexual partner. For Karka Lagna, too, Shukra acquires the lordship of a Kendra though not of the 7th H. Nevertheless, this hasn’t stopped Shukra from precipitating tests in marital life for these natives since it is the karaka of conjugal bliss and domestic harmony apart from ruling the mother in particular. Similarly, KDPD ought to be worked out for the other benefics, like Budh acquiring it for Lagnas ruled by Guru, Dhanu and Meena. Chandra acquires it for Tula (Libra) and Mesha Lagnas. Apart from exempting the YK Grahas from the Dosha, the Lagnesh will also be exempt since the Lagna is both a Kendra as well as a Trikona. Hence, though Budh is the lord of two quadrants for Mithun and Kanya and Guru for Dhanu and Meena, they will be exempt from the affliction due to Lagna lordship. Chandra does not carry the Dosha for Karka, being Lagnesh. For Simha (Leo) Lagna, the affliction to Shukra is not that intense in actual practice. A rather revolutionary theory is being offered currently that despite the benefic Lagna lordship of Shukra for Tula Lagna, it acts as a KDPD Graha. It is felt by the author that the malefic results of Shukra for this Lagna do not lead from any such Dosha but just from the potentially most adverse lordship of the 8th H.
The central point is that some of these features can offer valuable inputs to chart analysis. Factors such as exact degree combustion of Grahas due to placement at the exact degrees as the Sun might be valuable pointers as to the future prospects regarding living beings represented by such Grahas. Degree combustion ought to be viewed differently from being merely in the various ranges of combustion assigned for different Grahas. There is something more exact, starker about exact degree combustion. Just as combustion is sometimes seen to actually add to the non-living manifestations of a Graha, this degree combustion could heighten it even more. Likewise, apart from Gandanta location, the more general indication of weakening, or being loaded with both houses attributes, or being neither here not there, ought to be judged from the Rashi Sandhi (junctional regions of signs) status of Grahas.
In this manner, attendant rules of this sort can lead to acuity of perception regarding a chart. Possibilities in this direction are endless and can furnish grounds for deep research in Jyotish. Doubtful areas that crop up for Jyotishis (Vedic Astrologers) in actual practice, like equating malefic Grahas in two charts for the purposes of matchmaking for instance, might be fraught with extreme danger before it can be actually established that a Graha like Shani can actually neutralize a bitter enemy like Mangal is a potential spouse’s chart. Some say that location of Shani in Kendras from Mangal takes care of the Kuja Dosha while it seems to others that a mutual aspect between these two most cruel planets will only add to their virulence. In doubtful situations it might be better to adopt a somewhat conservative approach rather than pay the price later. In this example where there may be doubt, one may play safe by not only considering cancellation of a Dosha caused by one Graha by only that Graha in the other chart, or one like it, e.g., Ketu for Mangal, but also looking for cancellation in exactly the same house. This is so since it can hardly be argued that the 12th H Dosha is equally malefic as the 8th H Dosha. They rule entirely different areas and cannot leap across the chart, as it were, into the other house just to oblige the astrologer.
Great scope exists for fine-tuning interpretative techniques of chart analyses by evolving new rules and ideas as too discovering the validity of old and concealed ones.
ANURAG SHARMA
DEHRADUN.INDIA.
It is frequently seen that a Vakri (retrograde) Graha also gives its effects as if it were posited in the house prior to its actual natal location. This rule shall operate with effect in the said Graha’s Dasha period where it shall become activated to yield its ordained fruits. If this condition is accompanied by sensitive Gochar (transit) of the same Graha then this factum of its retrogression will be seen to yield its fruits visibly. Retrogression will make the Graha more potent to yield its natural and temporal results, in accord with the dicta laid down in various Jyotish classics. Vakri Grahas become heightened as to their intensity. If the Graha is otherwise auspiciously placed, in exaltation, Mooltrikona, own Rashi, is exalted or otherwise well-placed in Navamsha Kundli (Ninth Harmonic Chart), associated with benefics or other auspicious Grahas for the Kundli under scrutiny, it might give unusual results, inasmuch as the Jatak (native) could be involved in activities that may be trailblazing in nature, of a level where they can guide the masses at large or some such fortunate and deserved elitism. It is quite true that the Shakti (energy) the Graha rules at a Naisargik (natural) or Tatkalik (temporal) level will probably represent at a more elevated level than is otherwise the case with people generally. This is otherwise seen as difference in behaviour patterns in leaders or advanced personalities. Some may choose to view it as eccentricity or may label it according to their own real-life relative positioning as considered from the hypothetical native in question with some subtler and more charged energies coursing through his chart.
Retrogression is viewed in Hindu Jyotish (Vedic Astrology) texts as a phenomenon to be noted with care. It is said to be a factor contributing to the Neecha Bhang (cancellation of debility) of a Graha. Similarly, it is also said to be a factor taking away from the exaltation of a Graha (Planet). Experience teaches that Jyotish Classics ought not be taken at face value and these stray observations should be aligned with all other factors related to the Vakri Graha’s area in the Kundli (Chart) before an annulment or neutralizing, as the case may be, is accepted. Vakri Grahas are deemed to be Shakta (empowered) and their effects are more powerfully felt than when they are in Margi (Direct) mode of travel.
The unusualness touched upon could be conventionally disturbing in certain areas such as Kutumba (family), seen from the 2nd House (H) of the chart. If the Saptmesh (lord of the 7th H) is Vakri or the 2nd Lord (L) is Vakri or indeed if Vakri Grahas aspect these lords or houses, and the Karaka (significator) of spouse and setting up of a marital home, Shukra (Venus) or Brihaspati (Jupiter), depending upon whether the Kundli is that of a male or female, is afflicted, this can be safely taken to cause delay in this area of life. There may be some subtle links between the unusual patterns of life experienced and Vakri Grahas. Just as we should view these Grahas as being posited in the previous house, we should also supplement out study with judging their aspects also from these previous houses. They can throw light on some useful factors, just as Argala or planetary intervention does in the scheme of Jaimini Jyotish, that other great Maharshi (sage) of Hindu India.
An important area that should not be overlooked while reading a chart is the location of Grahas in Gandanta. These are malefic junctional regions in the chart and Grahas placed natally in these areas or transiting in these highly sensitized zones while adverse Mahadasha (Major Periods), Antardasha (Sub Periods) or Pratyantardasha (Sub-Sub- Periods) are running, could lead to adverse incidents such as accident, injury or some other distress. These zones are in the junctional regions of the Nakshatras (Lunar Mansions) of Ketu (South Node) and Budh (Mercury), and coincide with the connecting areas between Meena (Pisces)- Mesha (Aries), Karka (Cancer)- Simha (Leo) and Vrishchik (Scorpio)- Dhanu (Sagittarius). The area of one degree on either side is taken as the area of malefic content.
Both retrogression and Gandanta location of Grahas in the chart are seen to be involved in medical complications in nativities. Naturally malefic Grahas such as Surya (Sun), Mangal (Mars), Ketu, Rahu (North Node), Shani (Saturn), afflicted Budh, waning and afflicted Chandra (Moon) are innately predisposed to causation of disturbance in health while out of these Surya, Mangal, Rahu, Ketu and Shani are the usual suspects. Shani and Rahu are also the Karakas of disease and if they are linked in any manner or means with the disease ruling 6th H, the Roga (Disease) Sthana, they are rendered especially potent to give ill-health according to the Rashi (Sign), Graha (Planet), Bhava (House) or the Karaka they afflict. The reader should also learn about another set of dangerous degrees for each planet called the Mrityubhaga, which are of special relevance in judging matters linked to sickness of the body and mind.
In judging charts, primacy ought to be accorded to the Lagna for judging both transits and natal propensities. Chandra Kundli or the Moon Rashi chart is seen to judge the psychological mapping of the individual’s character. However, it has another, equally important function. It is used to confirm the indications as they obtain in the Lagna or the Rashi chart. It is appreciated that almost all the classics advocate judgment of Gochar from the Chandra Lagna but it is being seen increasingly frequently that Gochar from Lagna reveals a far more accurate and personalized contemporary profile of the native. This is not to say that Chandra Lagna will not be used to glean crucial transit information to supplement findings as deciphered from Lagna. Indeed, Chandra Kundali is a sumptuous chart in itself and since Chandra is the Karaka of the Mother Goddess, the Divinity in Creation, all flow and all manifest things can be seen from the condition of the Moon in the chart and from the independent Chandra Kundli. Indeed, Sade-Sati, the Gochar of Shani on and around the natal Moon and the nodal transit is extremely relevant to the Moon and Shani’s Gochar has primary significance only from this Chandra Lagna, the actual areas of its life-altering Gochar then being understood with regard to lordship and placement as seen from the natal Lagna.
The other overwhelming feature that must not escape attention is the Kendradhipati Dosha (KDPD). This accrues to a Graha when it becomes the lord of the Kendra(s) (Quadrants) as seen from the Lagna. Only natural benefics are capable of acquiring this Dosha. Thus Guru (Jupiter), Shukra, unafflicted Budh, waxing and unafflicted Chandra are capable of being necessarily afflicted by lordship of the quadrants. This Dosha is cancelled or reduced in malefic intensity in certain cases but our primary focus in this paper shall be to cover the basics of this phenomenon. The Dosha applies with decreasing intensity to the Grahas, in the order they have been mentioned above. Guru, being the greatest benefic in the Brahmanda (Cosmos) is most aggrieved by this Dosha and gives malefic results in its Naisargik Karakattwas (natural significations) as too the temporal areas it rules by virtue of lordship in Lagnas ruled by Budh, namely Mithun (Gemini) and Kanya (Virgo). For the former, Guru rules the 7th and 10th H apart from being the Putrakaraka (PK) (Significator of Children). For the latter, it rules the 4th and 7th H. It ought to be mentioned here that KDPD afflicts living beings represented by the Graha and not the materiality that might be expected to result from the Graha, much like the fact of a Graha being Asta (combust) does! So, for Mithun Lagna, Guru’s Dosha will extend to spouse and the natural signification of progeny to the greatest degree since the 10th H is not seen to judge an inherently crucial relative in the first instance. (Mothers-in-Law will forgive the author, it is hoped, since they are the more significant of the relatives judged from this house!) For Kanya Lagna, again, the spouse and mother will be areas that shall be weakened and this will show up in the aforementioned cases if the Karakas of the relevant areas show affliction as well.
Various theories are being suggested as to cancellation and reduction in intensity of the said Dosha. In the author’s view, none of these are deserving of automatic and complete acceptance. It will be most prudent to judge the associations and condition of the Graha in Varga (Divisional) charts and other means to judge the power of the Graha. There is indeed one rider to this rule. In the Rashi chart itself, it is found that the less afflicted the Graha is the more unfettered it feels to bring forth the results of KDPD in respect of the human being concerned. It has been observed, that the linkage of a Graha with the malefic stations of the 64th Navamsha, which is the 4th H, 4th L and the Graha posited therein, from the Moon in the Navamsha chart, and the 22nd Drekkana, the 8th L, 8th H and the Graha posited therein prove to be detrimental to the affairs indicated by a Graha. This applies to the Graha carrying KDPD. It is a rule to ascertain deep-seated malefic potential of an otherwise malefic Graha, say, a Badhak (Obstructing) agent, or some other malefic. Some say, placement of a KDPD Graha in a Trikona (Trine) takes away its malefic power. Others say this is the case with an Upachaya (House of Growth). Still others say it is both of these. But will a KDPD Guru for instance in the 5thH not cause increased apprehensions of a Karakobhavanashaya type situation, namely, the significator of a given house is detrimental to the affairs of that house! Hence, it is far better to attribute KDPD to a Graha that actually carries it and then judge it in the light of ancient and modern theories to see which will apply. As it might appear at the outset, this is not always a very easy task. It is up to us, Brahmins of the Kaliyug, delving into this sacred, occult heart of Existence to come up with reliable applications of the wisdom of the Rishis. By Brahmin it is not meant to refer only to that caste of India but to all metaphysical researchers, in tune with the overwhelming reality of such disciplines
Vrishabh (Taurus) and Kumbha (Aquarius) Lagnas are not susceptible to KDPD since Shukra for the latter Lagna is a Yogakaraka (YK) (owning both a Trikona & Kendra), KDPD not applying to a YK Graha; Vrishabh has no natural benefics as lord of Kendras. For Mesha (Aries) and Vrishchik (Scorpio) Lagnas, Shukra becomes afflicted with this Dosha as 7th L and becomes capable of testing the native with reference to events primarily related to spouse and sexual partner. For Karka Lagna, too, Shukra acquires the lordship of a Kendra though not of the 7th H. Nevertheless, this hasn’t stopped Shukra from precipitating tests in marital life for these natives since it is the karaka of conjugal bliss and domestic harmony apart from ruling the mother in particular. Similarly, KDPD ought to be worked out for the other benefics, like Budh acquiring it for Lagnas ruled by Guru, Dhanu and Meena. Chandra acquires it for Tula (Libra) and Mesha Lagnas. Apart from exempting the YK Grahas from the Dosha, the Lagnesh will also be exempt since the Lagna is both a Kendra as well as a Trikona. Hence, though Budh is the lord of two quadrants for Mithun and Kanya and Guru for Dhanu and Meena, they will be exempt from the affliction due to Lagna lordship. Chandra does not carry the Dosha for Karka, being Lagnesh. For Simha (Leo) Lagna, the affliction to Shukra is not that intense in actual practice. A rather revolutionary theory is being offered currently that despite the benefic Lagna lordship of Shukra for Tula Lagna, it acts as a KDPD Graha. It is felt by the author that the malefic results of Shukra for this Lagna do not lead from any such Dosha but just from the potentially most adverse lordship of the 8th H.
The central point is that some of these features can offer valuable inputs to chart analysis. Factors such as exact degree combustion of Grahas due to placement at the exact degrees as the Sun might be valuable pointers as to the future prospects regarding living beings represented by such Grahas. Degree combustion ought to be viewed differently from being merely in the various ranges of combustion assigned for different Grahas. There is something more exact, starker about exact degree combustion. Just as combustion is sometimes seen to actually add to the non-living manifestations of a Graha, this degree combustion could heighten it even more. Likewise, apart from Gandanta location, the more general indication of weakening, or being loaded with both houses attributes, or being neither here not there, ought to be judged from the Rashi Sandhi (junctional regions of signs) status of Grahas.
In this manner, attendant rules of this sort can lead to acuity of perception regarding a chart. Possibilities in this direction are endless and can furnish grounds for deep research in Jyotish. Doubtful areas that crop up for Jyotishis (Vedic Astrologers) in actual practice, like equating malefic Grahas in two charts for the purposes of matchmaking for instance, might be fraught with extreme danger before it can be actually established that a Graha like Shani can actually neutralize a bitter enemy like Mangal is a potential spouse’s chart. Some say that location of Shani in Kendras from Mangal takes care of the Kuja Dosha while it seems to others that a mutual aspect between these two most cruel planets will only add to their virulence. In doubtful situations it might be better to adopt a somewhat conservative approach rather than pay the price later. In this example where there may be doubt, one may play safe by not only considering cancellation of a Dosha caused by one Graha by only that Graha in the other chart, or one like it, e.g., Ketu for Mangal, but also looking for cancellation in exactly the same house. This is so since it can hardly be argued that the 12th H Dosha is equally malefic as the 8th H Dosha. They rule entirely different areas and cannot leap across the chart, as it were, into the other house just to oblige the astrologer.
Great scope exists for fine-tuning interpretative techniques of chart analyses by evolving new rules and ideas as too discovering the validity of old and concealed ones.
ANURAG SHARMA
DEHRADUN.INDIA.
Comments
Post a Comment