Bhava KarakatvaParara, in his monumental work, the Bhat Parara Hor stra has identified two categories of celestial bodies, moving (cara) and non-moving (sthira). The moving bodies are the planets (grahas) comprising our solar system, namely, the Sun (Srya), Moon (Candra), Mercury (Budha), Mars (Magal), Venus (ukra), Jupiter (Bhaspati) and Saturn (ani). The sun is included in the category of grahas, despite the fact it actually does not move and is in fact a star. The sun and the moon are known as the luminaries in astrological parlance, although the moon does not have any light of its own, but reflects the suns light. The moon is a satellite of the earth and revolves around it and hence enjoys a special gravitational relationship with it. The two points where the moons orbit cuts across the ecliptic path of the sun are known as the nodes of the moon. Since these points are junctures of gravitation between the sun, moon and earth binding them in a special relationship, Parara has ascribed to them the status of planets, rather shadow planets known as Rhu (North Node) and Ketu (South Node). The outer planets of our solar system, Uranus, Neptune and Pluto were not discovered during Pararas time and are not included for astrological purposes, although western astrologers tend to incorporate them in their chart interpretations. There are also 11 moving Upagrahas (proto planets or satellites) which are quintessentially mathematical points.

The non-moving bodies are the stars or nakatras. There are 27 nakatras beginning with Awan, covering the ecliptic path, each nakatra measuring 1320 of this arc. This is further divided into four quarters or padas, of 3 each, adding to a total of 108 padas. These 27 constellations are also known as lunar mansions as the moon transiting through these constellations, completes a round of the ecliptic in a lunar month, spending approximately one day in each nakatra, known as tithis. Thirty tithis comprise a lunar month, which is further divided into two fortnights or pakas. The ukla paka is the waxing phase of the moon till it is full on prim, after which it begins to wane till it reaches the new moon or amavasya. The waning phase is known as ka paka. A new lunar month commences, when the sun and moon are conjunct at the same longitude. As the moon progresses, it shoots ahead of the sun and is longer in longitude by 12. As the moon finishes one cycle of the zodiac it catches up with the sun once again and a new lunar month commences. The name of the lunar month is determined by the rs in which the sun-moon conjunction takes place at the beginning of a new lunar month.

The nakatra chakra overlaps with the zodiac belt or the Ri Cakra. The zodiac is a broad belt extending to on 9 either side of the ecliptic path. As the planets do not veer much from the ecliptic, they more or less stay within this belt. The Bha Cakra is composed of 360. Each degree measuring 60 minutes (kla) and each minute, 60 seconds (vikla). An arbitrary point Aries is marked as the beginning of the zodiac. This is determined by the position of the star Spica in the middle of the zodiac at 180.

The Bha Cakra is divided into 12 sections or houses, known as signs or ris, extending to 30 each. These 12 rs are: Mea (Aries), Viabha (Taurus), Mithuna (Gemini), Karka (Cancer), Siha (Leo), Kany (Virgo), Tul (Libra), Vicika (Scorpio), Dhanu (Sagittarius), Makara (Capricorn), Kumbha (Aquarius) and Mna (Pisces). Each r is composed of 9 nakatra padas. For e.g., Aries consist of 4 padas of Awni, 4 padas of Bhara and 1 padas of Rohi and 2 padas of Mgar and so on, till it finishes with the 4 padas of Revat in Pisces. In this way, the 108 nakatra padas coincide with the 12 rs.

The Sun along with the other 8 grahas, the 27 nakatras and the 11 Upagrahas comprise the Jyotia Cakra. The measurement of time and the knowledge of destiny are eternally played out in the Jyotia Cakra, the study of which is the subject matter of Jyotia. The Jyotia cakra operates at three overlapping levels: the Nakatra Cakra, the R Cakra and the Bha Cakra. The grahas are moving bodies which traverse across these cakras and through the various nakatra padas.

The Sun, resplendent and glorious in his twelve forms, as the ruler of the day and the lord of the grahas, is the controller of Kla or Time. The three navels of his amazing one-wheeled chariot are the triptych of klas, bhta, bhaviya and vartamn (past, future and present) and the different kla sankhys or the measurements of time like ka, muhrta, divasa, rtri, paka, msa, savatsara, tu, anayna and yugas are the different parts of his chariot. The Sun determines another three-fold division of time, si, sthiti and pralaya and as Brahm, Viu and Mahevara, he governs the Wheel of Time or the Kla Cakra, within whose spokes, every living being is caught. Time as governed by the Sun in the Hindu philosophical tradition, is cyclical, unlike modern mathematical time that is linear.

The Sun takes approximately 360 days to traverse the zodiac. At intervals of 30 days the Sun and the Moon conjoin in a sign. This is the reason the zodiac is divided into 12 r with the Sun spending 30 days in one sign. These 30 days represent the Solar month. This is the beginning of the measurement of time. Without ditya,

there can be no kla or measurement of time and without kla there can be no order in the universe. The Suns basic measurement of time on earth is from sunrise to sunrise, as it traverses the complete round of the twelve rs, demarcating the period into day and night, aho and rtri, as the Sun is invisible for one half of the time period. Together it is known as ahortri, from which the word Hor has sprung to denote the study of jyotish as Hor stra. So the Suns movement around the dvdas ris is the fundamental unit of time the life of a living being. This is Time that is perfectly ordered and regular, and that which follows the parth of Brahma. This ordered Time is known as Yama. He is dharma personified and is a son of Srya. Yet there is another Time, another son of the same Srya, that is irregular, and that does not follow dharma. It functions from midnight to midnight and heralds all that is inauspicious and malevolent. This is Mahkla, and he is predominant is Kali Yuga, as dharmas presence is weak during this period. Yamas time includes destruction and death but as mere events, like the dance of iva which signifies pralya and is the culmination of all creation as per natures law. Mahklas destruction is demonic and evil. If Yama is death, then Kla is apamtyu.

There are two existing methods of defining bhvas. One is the universally accepted method of Parara and the other is the rpati Paddhati. The rpati Paddhati recognized the Midheaven or the tenth house as a very crucial point in a horoscope and one which cannot be ignored. He therefore charts his path from the lagna to the 10th house, or from Prajpati (the ruler of lagna) to Indra (the ruler of the 10th house), and divides the area into three parts. This comprises half the lagna, the 11th and the 12th houses and a half of the 10th house.

Pararas position on the other hand begins with his object of worship, namely Srya and Brahma. Srya the sun god, the source of all light, is but another name for jyotia. Brahm is the creator of this universe. Together, Brahm and Srya represent Prajpati or the lagna. To Parara, everything in the horoscope is based on the lagna, a point depicting the moment of creation. The horoscope is thus nothing but a map of the heavens at the time life began. Since the lagna is the entirety, it is but only natural that bhva should be based on the lagna and the lagna lord. Bhvas portray a persons perceptions regarding his own life. The self or the created being (which is lagna), once created, beings to perceive and bhvas represent his perceptions of the different aspects of his life, as characterized by separate houses. The rpati Paddhati therefore fails here as it cannot be applied to the created being, but only for the devas like Indra.

Bhva Alternate Names Kraka KrakatvaFirst Lagna, Tanu Sun Body, Health, Life, Form, Structure, Beauty, Fame,

Self-Respect, HonourSecond Dhana Jupiter Wealth, Treasure, Family, Clan, Face, Eyes, Mouth,

Food, Speech, Gold, Buying and SellingThird Bhrt, Sahaja Mars Siblings, Younger Siblings, Efforts, Exertions,

Overcoming by Strength, Courage, Mating, Sexuality, Communications, Writing, Hands, Arms, Shoulders, Cooking

Fourth Sukha, Bandhu, Mt, Turya

Moon Mother, Happiness, Friends, Education, Perfumes, Luxuries, Vehicles, House, Home, Land, Fame, Respect, the Heart, Faith, Loyalty, Chest, Healing and Cure

Fifth Putra, Suta Jupiter Children, Intelligence, Dh or Perception, Citta, Mana, Knowledge, Talent, Mantra, Yantra, Deities, Devotion, Love, Blessings from Past Life, Power, Position and Authority, Transition in Jobs, Stomach

Sixth Ari, Ripu, atru Saturn Enemies, Obstacles, Ability to Fight Diseases, Wounds, Suffering, the aripus, Uncles and Aunts, Relatives, Litigation, Servants, Pets, Service, Fighting Ability, Celibacy, Pelvis

Seventh Kalatra, Jy Venus Spouse: Wife, Husband, Marriage, Married Life, Domesticity, Travel, Business, Partnerships, Reproductive Organs

Eighth Nidhana, Randhra Saturn Longevity, Cause of Death, Disease, Litigation, Victory and Defeat

Ninth Dharma, Bhgya Sun Dharma, Fortune, Religious Function, Penance, Pilgrimage, Guru, Father, Teacher, Temple, Ling Distance Travel, Higher Studies, Knowledge, Thighs

Tenth Karma Mercury Throne, Work, Profession, Esteem, Respect, Power and Position, Influence, Achievement, Success, Eyesight, Knees

Eleventh Lbha, ya Jupiter Income, Gains, Rewards, Friends, Social Circle, Elder Siblings, Jyotia, Shanks

Twelfth Vyya Saturn Expenditure, Investments, Loss, Moka, Imprisonment, Hospitalization, Meditation, Tapasy, Bed Pleasures, Dreams, Foreign Connections, Long Distance Travel and Immigration, Feet

Bhva Alternate Names Kraka KrakatvaFirst Lagna, Tanu Sun Body, Health, Life, Form, Structure, Beauty, Fame,

Self-Respect, HonourSecond Dhana Jupiter Wealth, Treasure, Family, Clan, Face, Eyes, Mouth,

Food, Speech, Gold, Buying and SellingThird Bhrt, Sahaja Mars Siblings, Younger Siblings, Efforts, Exertions,

Overcoming by Strength, Courage, Mating, Sexuality, Communications, Writing, Hands, Arms, Shoulders, Cooking

Fourth Sukha, Bandhu, Mt, Turya

Moon Mother, Happiness, Friends, Education, Perfumes, Luxuries, Vehicles, House, Home, Land, Fame, Respect, the Heart, Faith, Loyalty, Chest, Healing and Cure

Fifth Putra, Suta Jupiter Children, Intelligence, Dh or Perception, Citta, Mana, Knowledge, Talent, Mantra, Yantra, Deities, Devotion, Love, Blessings from Past Life, Power, Position and Authority, Transition in Jobs, Stomach

Sixth Ari, Ripu, atru Saturn Enemies, Obstacles, Ability to Fight Diseases, Wounds, Suffering, the aripus, Uncles and Aunts, Relatives, Litigation, Servants, Pets, Service, Fighting Ability, Celibacy, Pelvis

Seventh Kalatra, Jy Venus Spouse: Wife, Husband, Marriage, Married Life, Domesticity, Travel, Business, Partnerships, Reproductive Organs

Eighth Nidhana, Randhra Saturn Longevity, Cause of Death, Disease, Litigation, Victory and Defeat

Ninth Dharma, Bhgya Sun Dharma, Fortune, Religious Function, Penance, Pilgrimage, Guru, Father, Teacher, Temple, Ling Distance Travel, Higher Studies, Knowledge, Thighs

Tenth Karma Mercury Throne, Work, Profession, Esteem, Respect, Power and Position, Influence, Achievement, Success, Eyesight, Knees

Eleventh Lbha, ya Jupiter Income, Gains, Rewards, Friends, Social Circle, Elder Siblings, Jyotia, Shanks

Twelfth Vyya Saturn Expenditure, Investments, Loss, Moka, Imprisonment, Hospitalization, Meditation, Tapasy, Bed Pleasures, Dreams, Foreign Connections, Long Distance Travel and Immigration, Feet

Bhava and Rashi SandhiSandhi or the transition zone between one bhava and another and between two rashis, is a problematic field of study in jyotish. It is a nebulous area where astrologers have so far failed to throw light on the reasons behind the peculiar nature of planets in sandhi and their effects on peoples lives. Being transitional in nature, sandhis are fuzzy and grey areas and planets placed in them are extremely fragile. They not only provide troublesome lives to their natives, but continue to torment them throughout their lives by being unable to provide the results of their bhavas or their rashis. The asymmetrical juxtaposition of the rashi and bhava chakras complicates the situation further whereby bhavas and rashis overlap each other and planets caught in these points, affect both their rashi and bhava positions. Astrologers have tended to overlook this aspect entirely where planets in sandhi occupying different rashis and bhavas will not yield results of one or the other. It is therefore necessary to examine this phenomenon from closer quarters.

Bhava sandhiThere are two existing methods of defining bhavas. One is the universally accepted method of Parasara and the other is the Sripati Paddhati. The Sripati Paddhati recognises the midheaven or the tenth house as a very crucial point in a horoscope and one, which cannot be ignored. He therefore charts his path from the lagna to the 10th house, or from Prajapati (the ruler of lagna) to Indra (the ruler of the 10th house), and divides the area into three parts. This comprises half the lagna, the 11th and the 12th houses and a half of the 10th house.

Parasaras position on the other hand begins with his object of worship, namely Surya and Brahma. Surya the sun god, the source of all light, is but another name for jyotisha, or the light of god. Brahma is the creator of this universe. Together, Brahma and Surya represent Prajapati or the lagna. To Parasara, everything in the horoscope is based on the lagna, a point depicting the moment of creation. The horoscope is thus nothing but a map of the heavens at the time life began. Since the lagna is the entirety, it is but only natural that bhava should be based on the lagna and the lagna lord. Bhavas portray a persons perceptions regarding his own life. The self or the created being (which is lagna), once created, begins to perceive and bhavas represent his perceptions of the different aspects of his life, as characterised by separate houses. The Sripati Paddhati therefore fails here as it cannot be applied to the created being, but only for the devas like Indra.

A bhava or a rashi may be defined as nine navamshas. Navamshas are fixed and comprise one fourth of a nakshatra. The last navamsha of a bhava which is 3 20 and the starting navamsha of the next bhava, which is again 3 20, comprise the areas delineated as bhava sandhi.

Rashi sandhiLagna being a sensitive point, any planet placed in rashi sandhi loses its power to do any good for its own house, and subsequently destroys the house. A planet in bhava sandhi on the other hand, will only be concerned about saving its own house and not be bothered about its environment. Bhava and rashi sandhis therefore act in opposite ways while meting out their negative results. The lagnadhipati when placed in the lagna, usually gives a person name and fame, but if placed in bhava sandhi, it will not do anything remarkable for him. Let us take the example of the native given below.

Chart 1 Male

The native in Chart 1 was born with an unrecorded but an approximate birth time. Upon his birth it was predicted that he would achieve great fame for himself. On this basis the placement of lagnadhipati Jupiter in Pisces lagna was ascertained outside the bhava sandhi boundary. For a lagnadhipati placed in bhava sandhi would not have made it possible for the native to have written several books and acquire a name for himself as he did internationally in astrology. The lagnadhipati in this case has not only protected the bhava, but being the lord of the lagna placed in its own house, reached the native to great heights of intellectual creativity and fame.

Chart 2 Female

The above chart is an example of rashi sandhi, whereby the planet placed in rashi sandhi has destroyed its own houses. Mars, lord of 2nd and 9th houses is placed at rashi sandhi at 05 Taurus, the transitional point between the rashis Aries and Taurus. Being lord of the 2nd and 9th houses, it has denied the native the fruits of these houses at a physical plane. As lord of 2nd house, Mars at bhava sandhi has prevented the native from creating and sustaining a home and family. While as lord of 9th house it has denied her pitrisukh, as she lost her father when she was 21 years. This is a clear example of how a planet placed in rashi sandhi destroys the houses it owns.

The worst forms of rashi sandhis are known as gandantas. Parasara has identified 3 gandantas, namely, Pisces-Aries, Cancer-Leo and Scorpio-Sagittarius overlapping their nakshatra gandantas at Revati-Ashwini, Ashlesa-Magha and Jyeshta-Moola. Of these he considers the Jyeshta-Moola gandanta to be the worst afflicted and the Revati-Ashwini to be the least problematic. The deity of the nakshatra lord is to be propitiated for the solution to this predicament.

One must note that a planet placed in rashi sandhi may or may not occupy the same bhava. If the planet is in rashi sandhi and in the same bhava, it will give the result of the bhava rather than the rashi. If it is placed in a different bhava, the results of the ownership of the house will prevail. In the case there are too many planets in one rashi, the native will be confused as to what he truly desires. In this instance the placement of the lords of the bhavas in the different houses becomes very important.

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