DASHAS – A PRIMERBY ROHINIRANJAN

{NOTE: These tutorials written by Rohiniranjan (Crystal Pages) were first published in the EXPRESS STAR-TELLER Magazine, CHENNAI, INDIA as part of a continuing

series for students of astrology in EST’s student section

All copyrights retained by Rohiniranjan and Crystal Pages as ALL earlier sharings offered to Jyotish and its readers and aficionados }

The body of jyotish depends squarely on the epic texts known as Brihat Parasara Hora Sastra (BPHS) which are essentially a comprehensive transcript of the dialogues between Muni Parashara and his acolyte Maitryaya. In 100 chapters, Parashara has captured nearly all of what traditional Jyotish is. There have been embellishments and additions and in some cases subtractions and variant opinions that have been provided by other doyens and even a significant portion of Parashara’s teachings have been attributed to what is known as Jaimini System. Jaimini system builds upon and elaborates a portion of the discourse. Without entering the quagmire of who came first and who adopted whose writings and similar never-ending controversies, most jyotishis would serve themselves better by avoiding getting embroiled into such debates and gratefully gain what they can from the writings of all of these great former astrologers and many of them being saints.

Phalita Jyotish or predictive astrology (that which shall fructify, or in other words bear fruit) deals with the important factor of karma which creates our destinies and also allows us to reverse the wrong-doings of earlier times through charity, penance, worship etc. Essentially, through developing right actions and right mental attitude. While the horoscope itself is essentially a snapshot of the heavens as viewed from the birthplace at the epoch of birth and holds important attributions and signatures of the incarnating soul, the planets do not stay frozen for our entire lifetime. Thus we incorporate two types of movements of the planets. One type is the direct movement which is studied as transits or gochara. The other type is a projected or progressed movement. These essentially are what is termed in Jyotish as dasas. These have been interpreted both as Dasha (surrounding conditions and states) as well as Disha (directions; the optimum plan of action).

One or many: If one were to browse through BPHS one would see a few categories. There are dashas which are calculated based on the nakshatra such as Vimshottari, others are based on the rashis such as Chara dasha, while another popular dasha Kalachakra incorporates both the nakshatra and rashi. Aside from this classification, Parashara has indicated that some of the dashas can be utilized as general purpose and applicable to all, whereas other dashas are utilized when certain conditions are met with in a horoscope. For example, Panchottari dasa is utilized when someone is born in karka lagna and also has karka dwadashamsha rising in lagna.

Udu dasa: Udu means the ‘flying’ as in a bird. The term is also utilized for nakshatras. Puristically, all nakshatra dashas are udu dashas, however, generally speaking vimshottari

dasha is considered as the udu dasha. Vimshottari has been the primary staple dasa used by jyotishis in general. A minority of jyotishis have utilized other dasas too quite successfully and in recent times, Professor B. V. Raman, Mr. K.N. Rao, and more prolifically Sri Sanjay Rath and his disciples have been very instrumental in producing large bodies of work dealing with different dashas. In the case of many of the dashas, there are variant calculations prescribed and this then compounds with the other two uncertainties: which ayanamsha, which dasha year duration – and the situation becomes very complex. In astrology there is a major role played by what is known as the Law of Diminishing Returns. I have seen beginners and even more advanced jyotishis to use too many factors and techniques which make it very confusing for most. The illustrated cases are very impressive but when the same dasha or principles are applied to a few more randomly selected charts, the solid platform risks becoming a floating barge in the Jyotish Baitarini!

KISS: This stands for the ancient multicultural principle of Keep It Simple ‘Santon’! Since these articles are aimed at beginners, it would be more useful to learn a few dashas rather than a whole bag-full that would only cause mental indigestion. I have found two dashas, both belonging to the udu dasa group most useful. When the birth is in suklapaksha (bright half of moon, shukla prathama to poornima) vimshottari dasa must be used whereas if the birth is in krishnapaksha (Krishna prathama to amavasya) then ashtottari must be used. This is not to say that dashas such as chara, sthira, yogini, chakra, kalachakra and the rest of 32 dashas described in BPHS are to be ignored. But these must be taken up after gaining some confidence in vimshottari and astottari. Also, one must not rely on just articles in magazines or on the internet to consider themselves astrology literate. Internet articles in particular can be of the highest quality or questionable, therefore some prudent caution would not be out of place.

In subsequent articles we will go into more details about the methodology and other considerations and try to reduce if not eliminate the mystery around these very useful tools for timing of events.

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DASHAS – A PRIMER (2)BY ROHINIRANJAN

FUNDAMENTAL BASIS: The basic premise behind dashas is simple and straightforward. Life is segmented into sections or periods which are represented by planets in the horoscope (nakshatra dashas) or the signs (rashi dasas). The orientation point for the nakshatra dashas (udu) is the natal moon. If we visualize that starting at moment of birth, the moon is progressing through the rest of the zodiac (at a speed lot slower than in transit, i.e., 2.5 days per sign) and as it passes through the different nakshatra, the planetary rulership changes. The planetary ruler is then considered to be the primary planet indicator during that period. Some of the dashas such as vimshottari and ashtottari have very long total duration, 120 and 108 years respectively and most individuals do not complete the full cycle. Others dashas such as yogini are shorter and one can have more than one cycle during a typical lifetime.

VIMSHOTTARI AND NAKSHATRAS: 1Vimshottari is related to the quantity '120' and the entire dasha cycle spans over 120 years. The two luminaries, five planets and the two lunar nodes that are considered by vedic astrologers in delineations, rule over periods varying from 6 to 20 years each during the 120 years in this order: Ketu (S. node of Moon), Venus, Sun, Moon, Mars, Rahu (N. node of Moon), Jupiter, Saturn and Mercury. These rule for 7, 20, 6, 10, 7, 18, 16, 19 and 17 years respectively. Nowhere in ancient texts does one find the rationale behind the assignment of this order (other than saying that the order follows the order of nakshatras or lunar asterisms, on which the dasha system is based) nor are the individual durations rationalized. These 'periods' are different from the ones that are attributed to Ptolemy and Babylonian astrology, and therefore must be of a different origin and the product of a completely different line of thinking and derivation. Some experts have tried to group the different dasha periods by drawing the dividing line after the Moon (which being the satellite of earth is considered the nearest body to earth and the orienting point in the scheme) in the vimshottari dasha sequence, thus giving us two groups, constituted by:

a) Mars, Rahu, Jupiter and Saturn, their periods totaling to (7+18+16+19=) 60 years, and

b) Mercury, Ketu, Venus, Sun and Moon, their periods totaling to (17+7+20+6+10=) 60 years.

The above scheme places the 'outer' planets in the first group and the luminaries (sun and moon) and the "inner" planets in the second group, with each group containing one of the two lunar nodes. The vimshottari order is preserved, as well if the two groups are joined together (mars, rahu, Jupiter, Saturn, mercury, ketu, sun and moon being the order of vimshottari dasas!). The rationale behind the assignment of individual period durations in the vimshottari scheme is not known, but this sequence is interesting and intriguing, at the very least.

In vimshottari dasha the sidereal asterismal position of natal Moon determines the point at which one enters into or starts the 120 year cycle. The 360d zodiac is divided into 27 asterisms, each 13d 20m long. The first 13d 20m starting at sidereal Aries 0d, is ruled by Ketu with Venus, Sun, Moon, Mars, Rahu, Jupiter, Saturn, Mercury and Venus following in the same order as that followed in the rulership assignment in the vimshottari dasha.

Each vimshottari dasha period (mahadasha) is subdivided into nine sub-periods, also known as antardasha or bhuktis. The first bhukti in any dasha is ruled by the dasha lord itself and is followed by the bhuktis of other planets. The first bhukti in the dasha of Sun would be ruled by Sun, followed by the bhuktis of Moon, Mars, Rahu, Jupiter, Saturn, Mercury, Ketu and Venus. Each sub-period can be further divided proportionately into antaras, pratyantaras, sukshmas etc. However, given the controversies regarding the most 'accurate' values for ayanamshas (precessional corrections for converting tropical longitudes into sidereal longitudes) and inaccuracies in reported birth times, the practical usefulness of finer sub-periods may be questionable.

IS VIMSHOTTARI A PROGRESSION: Those who are familiar with western astrology would perhaps know that in that system the primary progression is based on a degree a year progression. Planets are considered as moving one degree ahead each year, thereby completing 120 degrees in 120 years. If you think for a moment, vimshottari is based on the moon moving through a set of nakshatras (120 degrees) in 120 years! However, in the finer Jyotish system of dasha, it is the moon that we consider as progressing at inequal rates through the zodiac. For example if at birth moon was at the beginning of ketu’s nakshatra, the nativity will experience 7 years of ketu followed by 20 years of Venus dasha (moon is moving through Venus star). So although in longitude (degrees) the star of ketu occupies the same segment in the zodiac (13d 20m or 800 minutes) as does the star ruled by Venus, the moon moves through the two at very different speeds, thus giving the different durations of the dashas. The following table will help clarify:

2Asterism beginning at the following sidereal longitudes of Moon:

Deg min Deg min Deg min Asterism ruled by000 00 120 00 240 00 Ketu013 20 133 20 253 20 Venus026 40 146 40 266 40 Sun040 00 160 00 280 00 Moon053 20 173 20 293 20 Mars066 40 186 40 306 40 Rahu080 00 200 00 320 00 Jupiter093 20 213 20 333 20 Saturn106 40 226 40 346 40 Mercury {end of segment 2)

DASHAS – A PRIMER (3)BY ROHINIRANJAN

DEC 2008UNDERSTANDING THE ALPHABET – NAKSHATRAS: 3Nakshatras are very useful in delving a bit deeper in the charts. Without understanding these, one’s handling of udu dashas would be shaky. There are many different ways in which these have been used, including, the presentation of effects experienced by those born with moon (and ascendant) in the different asterisms. Typically, the 360 degrees of zodiac can be divided into 27 segments which coincide pretty closely to the daily motion of the moon (or more accurately, the daily motion of the moon through a tithi. Each tithi is the time during which moon travels 12 degrees away from the sun, and since the sun is also moving through nearly a degree during the same period, the moon needs to move approximately 13degrees in order to maintain the 12 degree difference from sun.) The nakshatra is a segment that is 13d 20m long. There are 27 nakshatras in the zodiac. For muhurta (electional horoscopy) a sub-segment known as Abhijit is used by some jyotishis. Each nakshatra is associated with a fixed star (or two) and is listed in Dr. Raman's book for beginners. Each nakshatra has four divisions, each 3d 20m long. These are known as padas and these quarters are identical to the navamshas, and are 108 in number in the zodiac. 108 Is a very special number that appears in hindu practices in more than one way (for mantra repetitions and other rituals, etc.).

NAKSHATRAS AND DASHAS: Nakshatras also have a special connection with planets. Each nakshatra is ruled by one planet in the order of vimshottari dashas. The first nakshatra beginning at Aries 0, known as ashwini, is ruled by ketu. The next one, bharini, is ruled by venus (whose dasha follows that of ketu), next come krittika ruled by sun, rohini ruled by moon, mrigashirsha (mars), ardra (Rahu), punarvasu (jupiter), pushya (saturn) and ashlesha (mercury). The cycle then repeats in two sets, the next set of nine stars ruled by the planets ketu to mercury being: magha, purva phalguni, uttar phalguni, hasta, chitra, swati, vishakha, anuradha and jyeshta, and the third set comprising moola, purvashadha, uttarashadha, sravana, dhanishta, shatabhisha, purvabhadrapada, uttarabhadrapada and revati. Each set spans four signs, beginning with a fire, then earth, air and water sign. Each set of nakshatra, therefore, contains all four elements.

Nakshatra lordship and dispositorship is important and gives rise to a scheme whereby each planet is associated with another planet through a body or soul (essence) relationship. This sharira-jeeva relationship is described in details elsewhere in this manual. The intrinsic elemental nature or guna of a planet in a horoscope must be kept in mind as being associated with not only the sign but also the nakshatra it is in. The nakshatra rising in the east (lagna nakshatra) also adds a significant extent to the personality of an individual in addition to the sign rising and must be paid attention to. Similar considerations must be noted for the lunar asterism and the different nakshatras that the karakas or significators.

OTHER BUILDING BLOCKS: Combining nakshatra attributes with those of the signs that they are associated with (attributes such as, elements, malefic/benefic nature, chara-

sthira-dwiswabhav state, male-female nature, etc.) can help fine-tune many details and impart a richness and texture to the horoscope readings. According to some jyotishis, one can view the influences of the sign/rashi/constellation on a planet as its exterior, physical or coarse influence, while the influence of the asterism or nakshatra would determine the finer or mental nature of the planet. The navamsha sign in which the planet is placed would describe the intrinsic nature and motivations that act on the planet, in a sense the karmic signature. The three can also be described as the form, living essence and motive of the planet in a cosmic sense.

Next time we shall look at tara sambandhas and other factors influencing the planets that one would be examining while analyzing a vimshottari dasha. Only through an examination of a matrix of influences can one truly decipher the meaning of the astrosymbolizm of dashas and how they connect and work cooperatively with transits within the confines of the horoscope of the nativity.

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DASAS – A PRIMER (4)BY ROHINIRANJAN

DEC 2008 CONTDAfter dasas have been calculated using tables that are given in all ephemeris or with a program (since most people use computers these days), the next question that faces the astrologer is, how to translate all these periods and planets into a reading? 4Some basic considerations that may be followed are:

FIRST AND FOREMOST: The mahadasha period determines the primary jurisdiction of effects that one might experience during the dasha.

AFTER DASA COMES BHUKTI: The results during the bhukti period would depend on the interaction between dasha and bhukti lords, mutual relationship, placement, attributes and strengths, etc., but a bhukti generally cannot give or take away what falls outside the jurisdiction of the dasha. The dasha effect generally supervenes and forms the boundaries of what is achievable. The only thing to watch out for is the bhukti lord is a yogakaraka and very strong. This sometimes makes it the primary determinant even surpassing the dasha lord.

STRENGTH PREVAILS: The strength of the dasha and bhukti lords determine the extent to which the effects of these planets would materialize or be experienced by the nativity (jatak, one that is born).

YOGAS HAVE A SAY: Any special yogas or combinations formed by the dasha and bhukti lord in the natal horoscopes may materialize in their dasha and bhuktis or in the periods of the planets that are placed in the stars of the yoga-forming planets. For example, the mutual angular disposition of Jupiter and Moon results in gajakeshari yoga, a benefic combination for fame and success and gives a very steady level-headed mind set that is not swayed easily by sentiments. A person with stronger Jupiter and Moon would be more successful and higher-placed than another one with gajakeshari but with the two planets weak in the horoscope. Similarly, a person with gajakeshari in the 1st and 10th house is likely to experience a higher degree of success than one with the Jupiter and Moon in the 3rd and 6th signs from the ascendant (although the two planets are still in mutual angles). If the dasha and bhukti lords are mutually ill-disposed, such as in the 6th or 8th from the other, then their energies are not likely to be expressed in a harmonious manner. Somewhat similar to when the team members do not work in synch with each other! One factor to keep in mind though is what is known as rashi drishtis. The fixed (sthira) rashis aspect the movable (chara) rashis except the one next to them. So scorpio will aspect capricorn, Aries and cancer but would not aspect libra. Similarly, libra will aspect aquarius, Taurus and Leo but not scorpio. The mutable (dwiswabhav) rashis, Gemini, virgo, Sagittarius and pisces aspect each other. They are all in kendras from one another and in general references made in yogas and other astrological combinations which refer to Kendra sambandha producing such and such effect is more pronounced when the planets are in dwiswabhav rashi! Gajkeshari yoga that is formed by Jupiter and

moon being in dwiswabhava rashis is especially strongly expressed if the planets are benefic and strong otherwise.

NATURE OF INDICATORS: During a dasha (and to a lesser extent in a bhukti), influences of the planet/s are expressed according to the nature of the sign in which the planet is placed in the natal chart. Planets in cardinal (chara) signs generate restlessness, activity, outwardly directed expression, dynamism, the opposite effects are seen during periods of planets in fixed (sthira) signs. Mutable (dwiswabhav) signs generate ambiguity, bipolar responses and nervousness. The quadruplicity of the sign (all sidereal) must likewise be taken into account, particularly the way in which it interacts with the inherent nature of the planet. A fiery Mars in a fiery cardinal sign can express itself strongly and is very much in its own element. If it is not in a malefic house (6th, 8th or 12th from ascendant) or aspected by malefic planets, its periods signify a large amount of activity and personal growth and reshaping. Likewise, Moon in a watery sign would be able to express its effects more in the way it is supposed to. Moon in a fixed fiery sign would be very uncomfortable. This, incidentally, is perhaps the theme on which house ownerships, exaltation and debilitation are based.

JAN 2009KP AND ASTERISMAL CONSIDERATION: An important consideration to be kept in mind (the concept originating from Krishnamurthi Paddhati) is that the planet ruling over a period indicates the source of effect during its dasha or bhukti. If it is strong by rulership, position and association the effects during its period will be strongly felt and vice versa. The nature of the effect will be determined by the planet in whose star the dasha or bhukti lord is situated. The asterismal sub (which is the angular representation of the duration of bhukti in a dasha, considering the dasha duration to represent an arc of 13d 20m) indicates success or failure depending on its relationship (inherent and house-wise) with the asterism lord (indicating the effect during a dasha). The following example might make this more clear. In a horoscope, if Mercury is in Scorpio ascendant in the asterism of Mercury and sub of Venus. During the dasha of Mercury, the source of effects would be Mercury, the nature of effects experienced will be determined by the asterism lord, Mercury in this case and the houses ruled by it (8th and 11th) and occupied by it (1). Venus, the sub-lord is in the 2nd house and is in the 7th from the 8th house, 4th from 11th and 2nd from 1st house and Mercury. So, during the dasha of Mercury, the 8th and 11th house effects would flourish, while the 1st house will be moderately helped. This translates into numerous obstacles, gains from insurance or inheritances (8th), good earnings for one’s capabilities and a period of moderately good health and some personal growth (1). Mercury is an active planet but it is located in a fixed watery sign (Scorpio). It is strong in shadbal (strength determination), so the effects will be prominently felt. But since it is not in a very congenial sign, the native would have enormous restlessness without an opportunity for expressing it and things would move very slowly or not at all. There would be opportunities for spiritual and metaphysical experiences and growth. The intellectual as opposed to emotional faculties will be utilized more in these matters.

PLANETS ARE KNOWN BY THE COMPANY THEY KEEP: Associations and aspects from other planets to the planets ruling the dasha and bhukti modify and modulate

the effects of the period lords. As a general rule, friendly and benefic planets (natural benefics such as Jupiter, Venus, Mercury and waxing Moon, or benefic by disposition, such as planets ruling over angular and trinal houses from the ascendant) help move matters, malefics (natural such as Saturn, Mars or rulers of the 6th, 8th and 12th signs from the ascendant) exert the opposite effects. Sun and waning Moon and rulers of 2nd, 3rd and 11th signs from the ascendant have mixed effects, partly benefic and partly malefic. Some authorities consider the Sun as a cruel but benefic planet. Rahu and Ketu are shadow planets and assume the qualities of planets in whose sign they are placed in a horoscope. However, they generally tend to be malefic in nature. The nodes are in a class by themselves and different authorities have dealt with those in different ways. Some have assigned particular signs as owned by the nodes and signs in which they are exalted or debilitated, as is the case for other planets. Others have refrained to do so. My experience is that the nodes take on the attribute of their sign dispositor. Any planet which is in conjunction with the nodes loses its propensity to bring about effects and often expresses through the nodes in their dashas, bhuktis or transits. Nodes have a very significant influence on one’s life and nodal periods sensitize and expose one to influences beyond one’s immediate control. Perhaps these influences originate from actions in other time periods. They have been thought to signify karmic influences, Rahu signifying karma-generating actions (future karma) while Ketu signifies deeds already done and is more concerned with tying up of karmic loose ends.

ONE SWALLOW DOES NOT MAKE SUMMER: Dasha effects must not be studied in isolation. The reference to the natal chart is absolutely essential but they must be studied simultaneously with transits. The stars of the dasha and bhukti lords and of their asterismal dispositors represent sensitive zones during the dasha and bhukti. When these stars are transited by the Moon and/or Sun or other significant planets, the effect tends to fructify. The transit of the dasha and bhukti lords through different houses and stars should also be considered. There is some see-sawing that one can find in contemporary views, with some astrologers saying that the dasha supersedes transit influences, while there are a few who uphold the opposite view. The final vote is not in, obviously, but it would pay to closely study the transit of planets associated with the current dashas, vimshottari and chara. The latter dasha being not within the scope of this course may not be illustrated here or in future material pertaining to this course; however, the seed has been planted in your mind. Mastering vimshottari dasha, however, is definitely the first task one should perform. A very good compendium of rules and suggestions exists in a small booklet which includes both the Laghu and Madhya Parashari (companion booklets of Brihat Parashara Hora Shastra), translated by S.S. Sareen and published by Sagar Publications. The considerations take one a step beyond what is written in other classical texts.

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DASAS B (5)A PRIMER

BY ROHINIRANJAN

-2009 -4 < >EST Feb Primer begin

, , Although most Jyotish texts ancient and contemporary focus a lot on laying , , , out the attributes of signs planets nakshatras houses and the effects of

, combinations of these pointers the beginner in Jyotish is often left wondering about the sequence in which these must be tackled or what weightage must

. ,be given to each of those individually To complicate matters further .recommendations sometimes vary from one author to another

:THE FIVE PRINCIPLES Sage Satyacharya discussed the five principles ( ) . :pancha siddhanta of horoscopy in Satyajatakam These being

1. : ;GRAHA SHEELA Intrinsic attributes and behaviors of the planets

2. : , ;KARAKATTWA Intrinsic significances of the planets karakatwa

3. : NAKSHTRA OR ASTERISMAL POSITION Also known as tara sambandha whereby planets are considered from their asterismal placement from the natal

( ) 10lunar asterism the star in which moon is placed at birth or the th 19or th

. therefrom

5 2 Let us consider that the Moon is in Aries d and thus in the star of Ketu in a chart The - :sequence of star relationships in this specific example would be

RULER #STAR NAME EFFECT

Ketu #01Star Janma + moderately positive

Venus #02Star Sampat + moderately positive

Sun #03Star Vipat - negative results

Moon #04Star Kshema + moderately positive

Mars #05Star Pratyari - negative results

Rahu #06Star Sadhaka + moderately positive

Jupiter #07Star Vadha - negative results

Saturn #08Star Maitra + moderately positive

Mercury #09Star Param maitra ++ excellent

Ketu #10Star ’Janma + moderately positive

Venus #11Star ’Sampat + moderately positive

( ) The relative positions from sign rashi and in stars would be an important factor to . , - 3 -consider For instance a planet that is the bhukti lord and in the rd star from the dasha lord

. might find it difficult to facilitate positive results fully The effects are modulated by the intrinsic , or chart specific qualities of the planet such as strength beneficence and participation in a

(-) - ,particular yoga or arishta as well as mutual location of major and sub lords in the chart .etc

4. : PLANETARY STRENGTH This is based on the placement of the planets in , .a chart in signs and divisions as well as the planetary states or awasthas

5. : RULERSHIPS of specific houses in a chart This is very important in ( ) Jyotish and along with the dispositorship of signs and stars forms the crux

.of our system

, Essentially one must realize that the following building blocks are used in a .Jyotish analysis

) a Rising sign - which orients and aligns the zodiacal circle of signs ( ) ( ), impersonal with the circle of houses in a given chart personal bringing the

. two together There is a considerable lack of unanimity in what is understood . and utilized by jyotishis as a house or bhav In the experience of many a

house or bhav would be represented by the entire sign placed in a house with , reference to the first house or rising sign regardless of where in the sign the

( ) . , 28 rising degree ascendant might be placed For instance if the th degree of , Cancer is rising then the entire sign of Cancer would be in the first house or

, 2 ,tanu bhav the entire sign of Leo would be in the nd house or dhan bhav . . and so on This is known as the “whole sign as a house” system Other

: , ,house division systems in astrology include equal house Placidus , , , . Regiomontanus Zenith Campanus etc Most are used in western or tropical

astrology but Placidus is also used in Krishnamurthi Paddhati and some ( ).jyotishis utilize the equal house division Sripati Paddhati

) b : House groups ,The houses are next viewed in sets or groups

. : 1 , 5 9 i TRINES OR TRIKONAS The trines st th and th are the most important . 1 (benefic houses Some consider the st as a weak trine or a weak benefic the

1 , ). st is considered to be an angular house as well Since the first house ,represents the self and the ultimate decision maker in most things that we do

, as well as the primary perceiver of reality as one experiences it first hand this can be seen as the most important house in all considerations such as yogas . , , and associations with other planets I therefore vote for giving it a lot of

, . importance in all delineations for good and bad effects The trines essentially - . 9 form the tripod on which our life experience rests upon The th house

, , , indicates our past going beyond this lifetime our ancestral roots our karma that is ripe and ready and which brought us to the present station in the

. , , journey of soul Little wonder therefore that this is the house we look at for , , matters such as our luck fortune and destiny things over which we have little , . 5 , , , control in this lifetime The th on the other hand represents the future the

( ), ' ' next generation children it also signifies that which we have the capability . , of creating This has implications greater than simply our innate creativity but

, -- also includes the karma and actions that we create now deeds over which ' ' . , , 9 we have relatively greater if not full control So in a sense our th house

, , 5 indicates that which might be predestined whereas the th represents to

- . some extent that which is within our free will to create and accomplish The 5 3 3 ( , , ) th house is rd from the rd house of initiative actions purushartha and

' - ' 5 this again underscores the association of free will and the th house in a , . spiritual manner as opposed to the physical worldly things It must be realized

, , that karma exists in a timeless realm whereas we experience it within the temporal constraints of our existence which gives us the perception of time as

. 5 , - , a linear entity The th though forward looking and prospective in nature is ' - ', not entirely free from what is known as purva punya effects generated by

, earlier deeds which then appear as our current spiritual state and the Grace , , ( that we may receive through mantras remedies upaayes which literally

). , , means procedural solutions So paradoxically there is a timelessness link 5 9 .between the th and th houses in some ways

-- . The first house represents the present our current station Since our current horoscope is linked strongly to the moment of our birth and is indeed a route

, 1 map of this lifetime it makes a lot of sense to study the st house carefully to , , see which houses and signs it is connected with in order to acquire an

. understanding of the direction that we originally intended to follow It pays to remind ourselves from time to time that we as souls are the creators of our

horoscopes and the designers of our destiny and so some of us may indeed , . choose to alter our course in life at times Leaving the spiritually advanced

, aside most of us come to this lifetime to learn how to make spiritually correct decisions. The concept of being crushed and trapped forever in the concrete

' ' prison of fatalistic karma hastily interpreted from the old age and the , careless carefree abandon of the new age are both extremes and both .positions are perhaps illusory

) : ii ANGLES OR KENDRAS While the three trines represent our experiences ( , ), , 1 , 4 , 7 10 in time past present and future the angles st th th and th are

,connected with and represent our surroundings and the people close to us , 1 , , thus from the st we see the nature of the self the person closest to us and

. 4 our inner space From the th we study our mother and all the places which , ' , generally represent as our secure resting places our mother s womb the , , ancestral home the native surroundings we were raised in the sanctuary we

, .return to each day as well as our final resting place in this worldly journey

7 The th deals with all that which is truly a part of self but that we tend to . .project outside It is that part of ourself that we continue to seek outside of us

, , , The significant other the externalized half the other gender our interactions .with others outside of our circle are all covered by this angular house

, 10 Finally there is the th which describes our work and occupational

, ,surroundings and goes even beyond our daily mundane and worldly work , , and describes the purpose the major tasks that we bring to this lifetime with

, .us the quality of supportive influences and people that help us attain this According to Laghu Parashari Bhashya an accompanying text to Brihat , :1,Parashara Hora Shastra in the order of increasing strength the houses are

4, 7 10and th .the strongest

) : , iii TRIKAS OR CHALLENGES Our challenges impediments and our losses 6 , 8 12 . are indicated by the th th and th houses These govern among many

, : , : , other things VI sicknesses and enemies VIII hidden parts of our self our , -- , , : defects our chronic obstacles as well as our hidden strengths and XII our

, ( ) . ,losses separations detachments and confining situations In some senses , all of these houses have the ability to confine us to subject us to

regimentation and under controls that we are not naturally inclined towards , accepting and those things that help focus our awareness on specific issues

, . and problems in a worldly and also perhaps in a spiritual way These houses

, , bring us face to face with our vulnerabilities showing us the fragile human ' '.parts of our selves

One important basic principle of Jyotish involves treating any house that is . being examined as the first or orienting house The houses that are in trinal or

, angular relationship with the said house represent the helpful influences to . the matters ruled by the house that is being examined Those houses that lie

6 , 8 12 in the th th or th from the house under study would adversely interfere . 6 8 with the fructification of this house The th and th are particularly malefic in . this type of consideration This mode of studying a house is also applied when

. - ,examining dasha effects If the bhukti lord is well placed from the dasha lord , the two can work harmoniously and if these happen to be benefics and

, mutual friends in the horoscope under scrutiny can lead to very desirable and . positive results Experience indicates that the major period lord is the more

- important one and if the sub period lord makes connections with the major ( , ,period lord sign exchange or mutual reception occupancy of the same sign , .) - aspects etc then the sub period would show up the effects of major period

. , - lord If such an association is not there then the sub period lord would show , its independent effects within the general boundaries of what is promised or

.indicated by the major period lord

) : , 2 , 3 11 ,iv CONNECTING HOUSES The remaining three houses nd rd and th .deal primarily with our acquisitions and how we go about acquiring those

, , Through these houses we connect and communicate with others often in a . 6 materialistic and material sense It must be mentioned that the th house also

, qualifies to be considered as a part of this triad since it is also a upachaya or , house dealing with earnings growth and usually indicates acquisitions

. obtained while in service of others Sage Satyacharya does not consider it as

' ' - ( ). , an evil place for a house lord to be placed in see below However readers .are advised to test this position which must not be taken too literally

, ,So when viewing a chart we must first look at these four sets of houses , 1-5-9, 4-7-10, 6-8-12 2-3-11. namely and There are a few different ways of :looking at these

: STRENGTH The simplest way is to look at the strengths of the houses and - / . of their lords using the full scale bhav graha shadbal system From a practical

, 6-8-12 , point of view it is best not to have the set excessively strong as a . , 1-5-9, general rule It is best to have the trines strongest and balanced

( !) . , ,equally strong in the chart In Jyotish planets can be in strong or weak -- friendly or inimical signs this is based on their nature and temporal

placements and is taken into consideration as part of the classical strength .determination

: RELATIVE PLACEMENT OF RULER The next thing to look at is the . placement of the ruler from its own houses A ruler placed in a trine or angle

. from its house would be able to help matters governed by the house If placed 6 8 6 , 8 12 (1in th or th from its house or in the th th or th from the ascendant st

), .house in radix then the house under study is likely to suffer to some extent 12 Please note that a planet placed in the th sign from its own house is not

, , necessarily a weakening influence though it is so when placed in the vyaya . , bhav or house of loss from the ascendant In the same vein unless otherwise , 12weak or afflicted the mere presence of the lord of the ascendant in the th 1 . house is not necessarily detrimental for the indications of the st house This . could be treated as an exception that applies to the first house If lords of 12 ( ' 12other houses are placed in the th from ascendant the horoscope s th ), . house the indications of those houses may suffer Perhaps this is why when

( , !), 6the lord of dusthanas trikas bad places th, 8 12 th and th are placed in the 12 , th house these houses do not prosper and thus result in a net positive

. effect for the nativity in a worldly sense This forms part of what is known as ' ' - !a vipareet rajyoga or paradoxical regal combination

- : , TRI FOLD CONNECTIVITY The connectivity between the house the house . ruler and the dispositor must be reviewed The dispositor is the planet that . rules the sign in which a house ruler is placed If Aries is rising and Mars is in

, 1Capricorn then Saturn as the lord of Capricorn is the dispositor for the st ( 8 , , ).house and for the th Scorpio in that chart as well

: , EXECUTOR OR KARAKA Finally we should routinely look at the executor or . the significator for the house under review These planets may be considered . , as the secondary rulers for a house Although only a few significators are

, - listed in standard books many more house significations may be attributed to . each planet One can generate a list by associating the intrinsic attributes of

. , , the planets with areas and activities in life Sun for instance is the significator , , , , , , , , ,for father wood light energy government administration bones teeth eye

, , ( eyesight structure and much much more For more detailed discussion of -these and other material suitable for the beginner please study my on line :article at

:// . . / /00308.http www boloji com astro htm

, , One can examine these planetary significators in two ways firstly by studying their strength and disposition as viewed from the perspective of the house .they signify as well as the placement of the significators from the ascendant The second way is to treat the house that holds the significator as the

/ ,ascendant and viewing the relationship placement of other planets therefrom .considering their natural benefic and malefic natures and properties

: OTHER CONSIDERATIONS Other considerations and ways of examining the . planetary associations and relationships also exist These include their , . ., , placement in nakshatras i e the stellar division of the zodiac and the

' ' ( ) " " ( ) . considerations of the body sharira and spirit jeeva dispositors Divisional , -- , charts particularly the nonile or novile harmonic navamsha is examined in . several ways to judge the connectivity between planets and signs There are

many other esoteric and practical techniques that can be utilized to define and examine the ways in which planetary indicators associate with each other and

. connectively manifest their energies These are fairly advanced considerations .and techniques that lie ahead in your path as a jyotishi

: , SCORING SYSTEM According to Satyacharya a bhav or house would be :strengthened by the following

1. ( ) .When the lord of the bhav is placed between flanked by benefic planets ' ' .This is also called shubha kartari yoga

2. .When the lord of the bhav receives aspect from benefic planets

3. ,When the lord of the bhav is strong by virtue of being in exaltation , , . moolatrikona its own or friendly sign

4. . When the lord is placed in an Upachhaya sthana from lagna These are the 1 , 3 , 6 , 10 11 .st rd th th or th houses from lagna

5. ( ) - .When the lord of bhav is in an angle kendra from the lagna or lagna lord

6. (1, 5, 9) .When the lord of bhav is in a trine from lagna or lord of lagna

, 1 0. 5 For each of the above a planet can receive a score of or In item and 6, 0.5 , 0.5 scores of to be assigned for each of the considerations from lagna

0.5 .and from lord of lagna

, :On the other hand a house is weakened in the following situations

. 12 2 a Lord of bhav is flanked by malefics in the th and nd house from it ( ).papakartari yoga

. b Lord of bhav receives aspect of malefics

. , c The lord of bhav is weak in strength by being in debility or in inimical signs

. .d The lord of the house is combust

. ( e The dispositor of the lord of a bhav the lord of the sign that holds the lord ) , , .of bhav under scrutiny is weak debilitated or in inimical sign

. 8 12 f The lord of the bhav under study is in the th or th house from the lagna .or from the lord of lagna

-1 0. , For each of the above there can be a score of or In item f a score of -0.5 : .for each of the considerations lagna and lagna lord

, :Looking at the tenth house we see that

(0)The lord mercury is not flanked on both sides

(0)The lord does not receive aspects from benefics

(0)The lord is in the sign of a neutral

(0)The lord is not placed in an upachaya

(0)The lord is not placed in an angle from the lagna

(0)The lord is not placed in a trine from the lagna or its lord

= 0Total benefic points

,On the malefic side of the equation

10 (0)The lord of th bhav is not flanked

(0)The lord does not receive aspects

10 (0)The lord of the th bhav is neither weak nor strong

(0)The lord of the house is not combust

10The dispositor of the th ( ) (-1) lord mercury Moon is not strong

8 (-0.5)The lord of the bhav is in the th from lagna

(0)but not from the lord of lagna

= -1.5Total points

-6 +6. 6 The points a planet can obtain can range from to We can add to the scores obtained to convert the range into positive numbers and this would

0 12. result in a percentile range from to In our example the sum total that the :Sun in this chart gets is

0 + (-1.5) +6 = 4.5. 37.5% This corresponds to a percentage of indicative of 10difficulties in reaching full potentials insofar as the th .house is concerned

, While numerical measures such as these help one it must be noted that they . , , must not be taken as the final value For instance in this scheme we have

,not taken into full consideration things such as composite shadbal , . vimshopaka and nakshatra effects etc The numbers derived here serve as

.starting points and must be modulated with proper judgment

: THE PROOF OF THE PUDDING Without digressing too much from the , subject matter at hand this may be a good time to look into why we are putting so much effort into learning the dashas and their wonderful reminder to

! , , us that the Universe is indeed connected That I think is the most beautiful ! reassurance that astrology was meant to give to us It is unimaginable

otherwise why the distant planets going about their business of circling around , , the sun have such profound impact on concordance with and relevance to ( ) the billions at least on our planet of human lives through the language of

.astrology

This chart is of Benazir Bhutto and while there shall always remain the niggling doubt as to which one is the correct chart and so on in this chart that

- I provide an intriguing consonance between her ill fated career and , assassination and the signature of the Jyotish indicators is highlighted and

can be used as a somber and somewhat macabre illustration of the principles .that underlie the human experience

, 2In her case rahu is a strong maraka since it is placed in the nd house with . 7gulika Sun and mars too are indicative of the same being placed in the th,

the other maraka house which also happens to be the badhaka house in her . - 27chart On the ill fated day of th 2007 December when she faced her destiny

– - - . the vimshottari dasha of Saturn Jupiter sun was in effect Saturn is in the . star of mars and aspecting it fully Jupiter is the lord of first house but in the

8house of enemies and in the star of moon the lord of the th house and . longevity Without the falsely misplaced optimism and sense of purpose would

she have dared to go so unprotected amidst the very crowd that had earlier . made an attempt to kill her The anthara lord is sun who too is placed in the

7th 2and thus the maraka house and in the star of rahu who is placed in the nd

( ) . maraka house with gulika an extremely evil upagraha At the time of , ! 7assassination look at the transits Jupiter and sun are in the th house with

! the natal lord of lagna in the chart of the moment And Saturn is right across . from the strong maraka rahu as per the natal chart The death came by as (3she was travelling rd ) (house during a moment of extreme confusion ketu

). , placed with Saturn In this case the two dasha markers Jupiter and sun were 7also placed in the th . , which is a badhakasthana To top it all the weekday :was Thursday ruled by Jupiter and the hora at the moment belonged to

, Mercury which rules over maraka sthana and is the ruler of the rising moment - 8at the ill fated event and in natal chart is placed in the th in the rahu ketu

. axis Rahu as touched upon earlier is a strong maraka and with gulika placed 2in the nd . !house which signifies death Most intriguing

{end of segment 5)

DASAS B (6)A PRIMER

BY ROHINIRANJAN

:PLETHORA , When it comes to dashas Jyotish is resplendent with dashas that offer directions to the nativity as to the sign of times and to act

– appropriately not just for personal and materialistic benefits which is , . ! certainly possible but for lasting spiritual growth That too is possible Dashas

are available to the jyotishi that utilize the asterismal perspective and others . - , that utilize the rashis Vimshottari the commonest is asterism based as is

ashtottari and yogini which are very different from how they utilize the . nakshatras There are also rashi dashas such as chara and there are dashas

– like kala chakra which are based both on asterisms and rashis a bridging of .the two factors that have found many followers recently

, ! Truth be told no dasha is perfect Why else would the sages describe so ? , many Some jyotishis recommend using more than one or several dashas in

, tandem and while it has been accomplished successfully by a few the ( plethora generally has proven to be confusing for many beginners for whom

).this series is meant

Conditional dashas as described in Brihat Parashara Hora Shastra are really meant to be utilized by researchers since the few slokas in which each of the .dashas have been described do not do justice to any of those individually

:Vimshottari , has therefore remained the mainstay for many jyotishis certainly . at the beginning until they are ready to incorporate more I have found it

useful to work with Vimshottari and Ashtottari dashas for individuals based on . . a simple hint given by G C Sharma in his translation of Brihat Parashara

. Hora Shastra Vimshottari was recommended for those born during the Shukla paksha while Ashtottari was recommended for those born during the Krishna . .paksha Some have further teased it into night births and day births

:ASHTOTTARI ( :In my recently published article on actor Leo Dicaprio EST 2008 ) November issue I have demonstrated how Ashtottari dasha can be

. utilized The basic premise seems to be that one born in krishnapaksha has a 108 . slightly shorter lifespan hence utilizing a dasha of years This cannot be

taken too literally because lots of people born in shuklapaksha die young . , while those in krishnapaksha live longer And overall there are not too many

108 , 120! that live to be even years let alone It is even more interesting to , note that while ketu gets a period allocated to it Ashtottari only allocates

. periods to rahu and ketu is missing The utilization of nakshatras is different 3 from Vimshottari also and nakshatras are utilized in groups or clusters of or

4 , , stars alternately as opposed to the sequential cycles as in Vimshottari also , .the janma nakshatra of Sri Ram Abhijit is utilized in the ashtottari scheme

Vimshottari rulership (YY) Nakshatra Ashtottari rulerships (YY – MM)Ketu 07 Ashwini Rahu 03 – 00Venus 20 Bharini Rahu 03 - 00Surya 06 Krittika Venus 07 - 00Moon 10 Rohini Venus 07 - 00Mars 7 Mrigshirsha Venus 07 - 00Rahu 18 Ardra Surya 01 - 06Jupiter 16 Punarvasu Surya 01 - 06Saturn 19 Pushya Surya 01 - 06Mercury 17 Ashlesha Surya 01 - 06Ketu 07 Magha Moon 05 – 00Venus 20 Purvaphalguni Moon 05 – 00Surya 06 Uttarphalguni Moon 05 – 00Moon 10 Hasta Mars 02 – 00Mars 7 Chitra Mars 02 – 00Rahu 18 Swati Mars 02 – 00Jupiter 16 Vishakha Mars 02 – 00Saturn 19 Anuradha Mercury 05 – 08

Mercury 17 Jayestha Mercury 05 – 08Ketu 07 Moola Mercury 05 – 08Venus 20 Purvashadha Saturn 02 – 06Surya 06 Uttarashada Saturn 02 – 06--- Abhijita Saturn 02 – 06Moon 10 Shravana Saturn 02 – 06Mars 7 Dhanishta Jupiter06 – 04Rahu 18 Shatbisha Jupiter06 – 04Jupiter 16 Purvabhadra Jupiter06 – 04Saturn 19 Uttarbhadra Rahu 03 - 00Mercury 17 Revati Rahu 03 - 00

?:WHEN TO USE WHICH Other than the lunar paksha as the determinant for , choosing Vimshottari over ashtottari Parashara has also indicated that if Rahu , .occupies an angle or trine from the lagnesha then ashtottari may be utilized

. An exception would be if rahu is in the ascendant In addition to this BPHS - ( ) also indicates that for night births in shuklapaksha bright phase of moon and - ( ), .day births in Krishnapaksha dark phase of moon ashtottari can be used

‘ ’ These conditionalities are given in BPHS as suggestions as opposed to firm . directives The text indicates that it is what others have utilized and Parashara

. was merely including these for completeness sake Some jyotishis have taken this to mean that Parashara was not recommending that Ashtottari be used ( over vimshottari which has been clearly recommended as also a few other of

, .the many dasas described in BPHS thereby leaving room for experimentation ( The third directive Vimshottari for suklapaksha day births and krishnapaksha ) night births while Ashtottari for the converse situations has more merit as

. experimentation indicates Sometimes when both ashtottari and vimshottari , - .point in the same direction effect wise it represents a stronger likelihood

This young man sustained injuries and became paraplegic losing the . functionality in all limbs Scorpio rises with lagnesh mars with rahu and 11 . neechastha venus in the th house Venus does get cancellation of debility

. due to mercury being in kendra from moon and lagna Since the birth was in , ( Krishnapaksha this would be a candidate for using Ashtottari rahu in kendra

, ). from lagnesh Krishnapaksha birth during the daytime The seriousness of the 22 2007accident and consequences sustained on Wednesday the nd August

.are very unfortunate and grave

:Ashtottari , . Venus moon and mars hold sway over the day Venus represents 7 12 8 th and th house and is placed in the th from its nakshatra dispositor

. 6/8 moon Lagnesh mars is also in same nakshatra and the relationship is . . not a good omen Moon is involved in the dasa scheme From the ashtottari

( ), nakshatra scheme see Table both are in hasta nakshatra which is , . associated with mars and thus represents accidents injuries etc Notice too

, , that venus mars and rahu the latter signifying sudden events accidents are 9 . placed in the pada of th house The ninth is badhaksthana in Scorpio and

.therefore the pada of that house will have a negative connotation as well 9 Jupiter the great benefactor is actually placed in the th house

( ) 6/8 (badhaksthana and forming a relationship with its dispositor moon also represents a rashi sambandha with planets in chara and sthira signs ) , associating with each other and was not helpful other than perhaps not

’ . killing the individual by virtue of being a maraka and ketu s dispositor On the , , day of transit a wednesday ruled by gnatikaraka mercury retrograde venus , was transiting the badhaksthana Saturn was within few degrees of its natal

, ( ) position with sun and mercury few days after his birthday across from natal .moon and rahu right over the natal moon

:Vimshottari , 6 Major lord Jupiter in badhaksthana th from its dispositor in ' , . shani s nakshatra rahu and mercury too involved Atmakaraka Rahu and

gnatikaraka mercury are negative indicators and the sudden injuries and dire

, consequences show up in this dasa scheme too an indication of how destiny .shows up strongly in charts when something inevitable has to occur

:Transits As described both indicators of the dasas were transiting key . , positions Jupiter and moon in lagna the later in debility aspected by mars

, ,from the maraksthana rahu transiting the moon and Saturn its natal position , while venus transits the badhaksthana too many coincidences to be called .such

Recovery is likely to be very slow with signs of improvement during the period 2009 ( ) of mars after September Vimshottari and more sustained improvement

2010 . after February when mars rules the bhukti in Ashtottari The current ( ), transit of Jupiter in atichara gati acceleration neech rashi is not a good .period and hope will dwindle

: 18 1978 15:40 , , Birth August h New York NY USA

:Cautionary Note for Readers Since many beginners would be reading and , learning from this series I must reiterate to them the fact that while sages

, have indicated different dasas one must learn the dasa applications one by one and it is safest to first use Vimshottari ONLY which BPHS has

, recommended for all charts and when familiarity has been gained then to , move on to include or consider dasas such as Ashtottari Jaimini system , . . dasas yogini etc Otherwise there could arise confusion This portion of this series was just to introduce readers to the possibilities beyond Vimshottari and

- .illustrate how different dasas can co operate and indicate similar trends

{end of segment 6)

DASAS B (7)A PRIMER

BY ROHINIRANJAN

6The call for help came at night quoted here unedited (the individual was distraught, so please pardon his typos!)

“dear sir,

i am in great trouble. i have been changing jobs oddly for the passyear and feel so disturbed. i have had bad relationships at the sametime and i have lost most of my friends annd also i have people backbiting me. currently i am working in a company earning minimum wagesmuch lower compared to what i was earning. i am also doing law on apart tiime while working and i cant seem to concentrate on studying. ido not know if i am in the right field of studies and work. i m justso confused with my llife. does any one have any solutions to help me?i really hope someoone could guide me. please help me. thank you

d.o.b: 12th november 1984place of birth: kuala lumpur, malaysiatime of birth: 8.10 p.m”

Now here is the chart:

The question was asked towards the end of December 2008, so the troubles had been occurring in the period of Jupiter-sun in vimshottari and continuing and perhaps worsening during Jupiter-moon vimshottari, and in Mars-jupiter in Ashtottari.

From the Vimshottari perspective, Jupiter is in own house, slightly weak and a malefic for the Taurus lagna because it rules the 8th and 11th houses. Being an afflicted matrikaraka placed in the 8th with lagnesha it has the ability to give much mental anguish, lack of peace and support or care from others. It is placed in the nakshatra of venus and thus represents the effect of lagnesha in 8th

house. Sun is lord of 4th and atmakaraka in debility in 6th house, again a negative indicator although being placed in close proximity of exalted Saturn one would have expected cancellation of the debilitation. Here one must remember that Saturn and sun are stark enemies and so this state of cancellation must be approached with caution. The next bhukti of moon is even more sinister because moon is the lord of 3rd, malefic and placed in direct aspect of Jupiter and venus which while intrinsically benefic are functionally not so in this chart. This chart gives a good illustration of some obvious pit-falls in general superficial approaches seen in the field. Notice also that moon is in the asterism of rahu which is placed in lagna with gulika and therefore moon bhukti will give pain and difficulty to the nativity and through relationships, lack of family support and educational activities. A feeling of uncertainty which the nativity expressed in his original plea. It is of interest to note that during the past year, Jupiter was contacting its natal placement and now in acceleration is transiting the exalted lord of 12th and 7th and mars also happens to be darakaraka. Presence of mars who is lord of 7th and darakaraka being placed in badhaksthana does not bode well for marriage prospects and the nativity will experience challenges in that area as well. Two exalted planets makes new jyotishis jump with glee but a bit deeper consideration is required as in this case. Given the situation, Jupiter-mars vimshottari bhukti does not seem very promising either.

This nativity was born after sunset in krishnapaksha and according to Parashara ashtottari dasha system applies in this case. Mars though exalted is in badhaksthana and is placed in Uttarashadha. Although in this case it does not matter because both Saturn and sun are placed in the 6th, but in ashtottari system Uttarashadha would represent the domain of Saturn and not sun! This is because Ashtottari has a slightly different system of assignment of planets to stars. For someone with moon in uttarashadha, the birth dasha will be of Saturn and not of sun as would be the case for the individual in vimshottari system. This is important to remember. The Jupiter

bhukti in the mars ashtottari dasha is difficult because Jupiter is a malefic, placed in the 8th house (and other malefic factors discussed earlier) is placed in the 12th house from dasha lord. When bhukti lord is in 12th or 6th or 8th (trika) from mahadasha lord, it represents a difficult time. From a nakshatra point of view, Jupiter is placed in purvashadha which falls in Saturn’s sector as well, in the ashtottari scheme and is similarly afflicted as is mars. The transit of Jupiter and Saturn are not helpful either due to Saturn being in 8th from dashanath and affecting the fourth house of mental peace and Jupiter crossing the dashanath firstly in the 12th from it and then in debilitated accelerated state currently.

When significant effects are to be experienced, these tend to be prominently displayed through different lenses that Jyotish offers for studying.

<end of submission 7

DASAS B (8)A PRIMER

BY ROHINIRANJAN

A very important consideration, generally underutilized, is what is known as ‘awastha’ or state of the planets in our charts. There are five classifications which assign 3, 5, 6, 9 or 12 states or qualifications to planets based on certain factors. These are:

3 levels of Awasthas (Jagratadi…): Represented as level of awareness, the three states are Awake (own or exaltation sign), dreaming (friend’s or neutral planet’s sign using the panchadha aggregate friendship classification) and asleep (enemy’s or debilitation sign) states.

5 levels of Awasthas (Baladi…): Represented as the age of planet, the five states are – infant, child, young adult, aged, dead. In odd signs, the first six degrees represent the infant, then next six degrees the child and so on. In even signs the progression is inverse, the first six degrees represent a dead planet, the next six an aged planet etc.

6 levels of Awasthas (Lajjitadi…): Represents the feeling of self-esteem, self-worth, sense of accomplishment of the planet –Lajjita/humiliated – Planet in the 5th house in conjunction with rahu or ketu, Saturn or mars.Garvita/proud – Planet in exaltation sign or moolatrikona zone.Kshudita/coveting – Planet in enemy’s sign or conjoined with enemy or aspected by enemyTrashita/deprived/miserable – Planet in a watery sign, aspected by a malefic and not associated with a benefic.Mudita/sated/happy – Planet in a friend’s sign or aspected by a friend and conjoined with Jupiter Kshobhita/guilty/repentant – Planet in conjunction with sun and aspected by malefics and an enemy.Planets in lajjita, kshudita, kshobhita and trashita create miseries and lead to disruption of the house they are in. Lajjita being the best of these four states will give something and will not be totally destructive. The house occupied by these planets is more affected than if the house lord is in one of the four states. For example the lord of 3rd house in kshobhita state in the 7th house will represent worse effects for the 7th house and not the 3rd.The six states represent worldly benefit and losses, health and happiness.

9 levels of Awasthas (Deeptadi…): Represents the emotional state of spirit Deepta/Brilliant (exaltation), Swastha (own sign), Pramudita/Joyful (extreme friend’s sign), Shanta/Contented (friend’s sign), Deena/deficient-humble (neutral’s sign), Dukhita/sad (enemy’s sign), vikal/anxious panicky (with a malefic planet), Khala/malicious/wicked (inauspicious sign – debilitation), kopa/Infuriated (conjoined with sun). The effects of a planet are expressed fully in the first three states, medium in the next two and little or nothing in the remaining four.

12 levels of Awasthas (Shayanadi…): Represent the diurnal state of the planet as these represent the normal activities to some extent. The calculation etc are covered in texts such as Brihat Parashar Hora Shastra and can be consulted. The states are Shayana (recumbent), upaveshana (sitting), netrapani, prakashana (alert), gamana (leaving), agamana (arriving), sabhavastha (in society, at work), agama(returning home), bhojana (eating), nrityalipsa (entertainment), kautuka (pleased) and nidra (asleep). The next step involves the derivation of the sleeping and awakened states and are related to the degree of expression of a given planet. It must be noted that there are some variations of opinions regarding the calculations for this kind of awastha.

Parashara describes these states almost towards the middle of BrihatParashara Hora Shastra in Chapter 47 (Sharma-Sagar 1994 edition) after having described most of the basics and some advanced techniques and considerations to be used by Jyotishis.

Easing into Awasthas: For beginners the simpler consideration of the 3, 5 and 9 awasthas during their examination of a horoscope will be an easy way to become familiar to these factors particularly when they are wondering about dasha effects and how those will be experienced by the nativity. For those who are more of a mathematical-scientific inclination, each of these three divisions can be given a weighting of 1/3rd weight each. While doing so one must not lose sight of the fact that this kind of quantitation is just for simplifying conclusions or bottom lines and are not absolute measures or quantities. It is more practical to think of these as tools or aids that help us determine if a planet will be helpful or derogatory, strong or weak, expressive or ineffective in a global assessment of the different awasthas. One must also remember that awasthas are but a consideration and are not a black and white factor or absolute.

Let us look at a horoscope, the data taken from birth certificate:Date: August 4, 1961Time: 19:24 hrs (UT – 10 hrs zone)Place: Honolulu, Hawaii

Barack O'Bama was born in krishnapaksha and pretty close to sunset hence the chart would respond better to Ashtottari dasha. During the last few months of his campaign and election time, he was experiencing the combined period of mercury-jupiter and venus. Mercury is dreaming, old and deficient while jupiter is asleep, old and wicked. On the surface it would seem like the person was not slated for a win, if we only took the awasthas in consideration! However, note that the Deeptadi (9) awastha was based on the debilitation of jupiter and the inimical sign dispositor for mercury. This is where the 'human' wearing the thinking cap comes into play! Jupiter has cancellation of debility due to the presence of saturn (lord of makar) in kendra from Jupiter in own sign. Obviously Jupiter is not debilitated but much strengthened thus functionally faring a lot better than the Khala awastha assigned to it at first. An example of neecha-bhanga raj-yoga, one would say! Being the head of the State requires a lot of maturity and wisdom and thus the role is of an older and wiser individual which O'Bama has impressed people as being, despite his young age and youthful appearance. So the old age state of jupiter in baladi (5 levels) is appropriate. In the Jagratadi (3 levels) consideration too, Jupiter gains awastha strength due to the cancellation of debilitation. The state of sushupta (asleep) based on placement of jupiter in debility would be reversed due to cancellation. So, what appeared as a weak, ineffective period was indeed extremely strong!

Mercury, the bhukti lord comes out as dreaming (house of neutral), old (house of enemy) and deena or deficient (neutral's sign) and so overall mediocre as per standard awastha determination. One must not lose sight of the fact that moon, the dispositor of mercury is exalted, the strongest planet in this chart in shadbala and in awastha too and well placed in a trikona. This obviously boosts the state of the mercury and must be intelligently considered. Furthermore, mercury participates in a budh-aditya yoga with strong sun and imparts the high level of intelligence and breadth of knowledge to Obama, as also the gift of oratory.

The antara of venus was operating and it is dreaming, youthful and happy states. This fits very well with the charm and public appeal of Obama and placed in the 6th house also indicates victory over a female opponent in a touch and go primary selection against Mrs. Clinton.

As the historical drama was unfolding, Obama lost his grandmother who had a very formative role in his life and upbringing. Mercury is a matrikaraka and in a sense the grandmother was really a mother to him. The 7th house represents grandmother (4th from 4th) and is ruled by moon and houses mercury. Sun the maraka for this house is placed with the matrikaraka and is aspected by saturn the other maraka (being lord of 7th from the 7th) from the 1st house. Venus is placed in the 12th from the 7th and in the 2nd from moon and gulika. The pattern fits the event that occurred. The cloud that overhung Obama through his association with his earlier pastor and spiritual leader could be seen as an illustration of what some say about planets with cancelled debility. The effect while mostly reversed does leave a few personal challenges in the lives of such nativities.

I have utilized this somewhat difficult chart because it illustrates several principles, such as the verity of using Ashtottari dasha in krishnapaksha charts, and the importance of an intelligent consideration of awasthas, and not blindly applying those, using simple and obvious logical reasoning as described.

Rohiniranjan<<End of Segment-8>>

DASAS B (9)A PRIMER

BY ROHINIRANJAN

KARMA: Karma-phal or fruits of Karma is primarily what astrology is supposed to decipher and advise nativities with. Twelve rashis (in sixteen vargas starting with kshetra or Rashi kundali as it is popularly known as), nine planets, 27 /28 nakshatras (28 in the case of ashtottari) arrive in many different permutations and combinations to enact the Leela of Karma in individual charts. Astrologers are divided in their verdict as to all our experiences in this world, known as “human experience”, as being purely destined or mixed with some freedom of choice too. It would make it very confusing if destiny was the sole factor because then any further decline or ascension would not be our choice but of our destiny. Why even try then, if there is no room for personal choice, decisions, judgments and actions! And if such were the case then how was the original karma, the original sin that plunged us into millions of repetitions of births, mostly from one painful experience to another with moments of joy and bliss sprinkled here and there?

While it is conceivable that there are effects that are beyond our control and are to be experienced, like it or not, there are also opportunities that give us back some control in this never-ending (it seems!) Ferris wheel of rebirths! The Hindu concept of Karma is actually pretty complex and rich in details, presented here briefly. Without knowing a bit about it, astrology becomes confusing and futile!

‘KARMAN’ KI GAT NYAARI UUDHO: The great mystic Meerabai in few words captured a world of experiential reality that baffles all of us! There is some diversity of opinions amongst astrologers regarding which planet indicates one’s karma. Those that follow Shri M.C. Jain’s karmic control theory side with lunar nodes, particularly rahu, others maintain that Saturn is the kingpin, and still others perhaps also rightly indicate that since a horoscope at birth is the product of karma that went before, all planets and houses perhaps have a say in karma. However, as described in my primers freely available on web, many years ago I had described using Dr. Deepak Chopra’s chart that the planet or house from which Saturn is placed in the 10th house holds an important key to deciphering a primary karmic lesson that needs to be addressed during this lifetime and in a sense holds the promise and potential that the maya represented by that house shall be addressed and the veil removed from one’s eyes. In that sense, Saturn has an important karmic indicator role to play. By extension, should such a planet from which Saturn is in the 10th were to be placed in the 4th navamsha from Saturn, it becomes especially significant. This is because the said planet will be approximately 90 degrees away from Saturn and in close orb-contact. However, this is a finer point and not absolutely essential for the effect to be seen or experienced. By extension, the dashas of Saturn and the planet etc that it is in 10th from or the planet that are in the stars of Saturn and this said planet would bring on this kind of a karmic experience!

Krishnamurthy’s Theory: K.S. Krishnamurthy, from all accounts, was an uncannily accurate astrologer who developed an interesting system popularly known as Krishnamurthy Paddhati or

K.P. as is popularly known. He primarily used it for horary or prashna Jyotish but the principles work in natal or phalit Jyotish as well. Very briefly: His system utilized the planets ruling the weekday, the asterism that the Moon is in at the time of asking of the question and the ascendant rising at that instant. The system was claimed as capable of providing highly accurate readings and Krishnamurthy acknowledged having received the 'method' in the form of a divine inspiration from his Ishta Devta Uchchista Ganapathy. He chose to use the western placidian house divisions with these sidereal charts, a major divergence from classical vedic astrology; moreover, he placed the rising degree at the beginning of a house and not in the middle as is practiced by other jyotishis. His 'system' also had another interesting feature. Since the zodiac can be divided into 249 divisions, each ruled by a sign-lord (one per 30 deg), star-lord (one per 13 deg 20 min) and a star-sub-lord (variable dimensions, 40 min to 2 deg 13 min 20 sec), he often asked clients to provide a number between 1 and 249 which he used to determine the ascendant in a chart drawn for the moment of the query (planetary longitudes were calculated for the actual current moment). A client providing a number that was outside this range was told that the venture would not be a success!

Subdivisions: The KP subdivisions are essentially a way of viewing the vimshottari bhukti or antardasha in terms of nakshatra longitudes. We all know for example, that, if moon is just entering krittika, at birth, the child will begin life with sun’s dasha. If the moon has just entered krittika the child will have sun dasa and sun bhukti at the beginning of life. If the birth moon is a bit more advanced, the child will begin life with sun dasa and moon bhukti and thus depending on how advanced the moon is at birth in krittika, the first bhukti could belong to mars, rahu, Jupiter, etc. Now view these segments of krittika as subdivisions, with the first segment ruled by sun (sun bhukti), next one ruled by moon, the third by mars and so on. The dimensions of the segments would be proportional to the proportion of the bhukti to that of the dasa (nakshatra). Looked another way, Venus dasa rules for 20 years whereas moon dasa rules for 10 years. Both moon and Venus nakshatra would have nine segments each ruled by the nine planets, however, each segment in Venus dasa would be twice as large as the segment ruled by the same planet in moon dasa. According to Krishnamurthy the nakshatra dispositor of the dasa lord defined the nature of the result whereas the dasa lord was treated as the source of the effect. The ‘sub’ then determined the positive or negative outcomes, gain or loss of the effect. So, for illustration let us say a person is undergoing the dasa of the lord of 10th house which is in the nakshatra of the lord of 11th. This would be interpreted as the source (tenth = workplace) giving the effect of 11th

(raise or bonus) with the subdivision indicating a gain or a denial of a raise. The relationship between the dasa dispositor (effect) and the sub-lord would have a say in whether the effect will be positive or negative. So in our example if the sublord is placed in a trika sthan (6, 8 or 12) from lagna or from the dasa dispositor would indicate a loss but placement in 1, 5, 9 would indicate the individual getting a raise. In actual experience, the effect being defined by the dasa dispositor works out more reliably than the role of the sub-lord in birth charts. Some individual, on the other hand, have demonstrated very good results when using KP in a horary application, much better than in natal horoscopy, much in keeping with what Krishnamurthy originally proposed and utilized this very interesting technique.

Through this method, Krishnamurthy revived a very important fundamental concept on the Indian astrological scene, that of the role of asterisms in chart analysis and particularly by refining the use and improving the usefulness of the vimshottari dasha system of timing. He

must be commended for that, even though his system remains a somewhat controversial approach for many main-stream jyotishis.

The system is essentially not very different from that used for delineating any other chart as per jyotish parlance. The chart is drawn by using either the numerical representative for the ascendant, or for the epoch of the query. The planets in both cases are calculated for the moment of making the query. A list of significant planets are drawn; the planet ruling over the weekday, the lords of the signs, stars and subs of the rising degree (ascendant) and the Moon. The ascendant is taken to represent the client while the seventh house represents the astrologer. When the astrologer also happens to be the querist (self-prashna), it is interesting that at times this is indicated in the chart itself in terms of 'connectivities' between the two representative houses. Next, the house/houses pertaining to the question are examined and these are checked to see if they agree with the significant planets. The success or failure of the undertaking then would be indicated by the mutual agreement or disagreement between the planets. Things such as friendship (or lack thereof) between the planets concerned, their association with each other by aspect, any beneficial combinations (yogas) between relevant planets and the strength of the planets are taken into account. An examination of the vimshottari dasha is then made and this is used, in addition to transits of the significant planets and stars for estimating the timing. Situations where the indicators are fewer and clear, the outcome can be expected to be better predictable. If too many conflicting influences exist, there is usually reason to believe that the issue is riddled with problems. In his writings, Krishnamurthy gave numerous examples of things such as long-distance phone calls that he tested his system on. This might amuse the modern reader who is used to dialing a number and expecting to get through right away. But in India of years ago, decades before direct dialing became available, one had to place a call by 'booking' it through an operator and then wait and wait and wait, often at the post-office because most people did not have personal phones. It was a big deal for most and Krishnamurthy used it to test his system. Perhaps we can emulate Krishnamurthy’s experiment with our postal-mail, these days!

Krishnamurthy enumerated in his 'Readers', houses that are involved in determining and examining different areas/issues in life. I am presenting a tiny sampling here which may be utilized in addition to the more extensive lists presented elsewhere in this manual, taken from standard mainstream jyotish texts, all of which can also be used for horary purposes:

Health issues - 1, 6, 8 housesIncome - 2, 11, 10Children - 5Love affairs - 5, 7spirituality - 9, 12Expenditure - 12Litigations/insurance matters - 8, 12Siblings - 3, 11Home, property etc. - 4, 8Education - 5, 9Communication, letters etc. - 3, 11

Business/interview - 7service/working for others - 6fame/profession - 10spouse - 7family, wealth - 2pets/animals - 5, VenusMystery/intrigue - 8, nodes of Moon

The KP Indicators: Once an indicator is decided upon, its placement in the horary horoscope is examined and basing on the positions and the mutual relationship between the star and sub-lords, success or failure is assessed. Generally, if the sub-lord is in an angle or trine from the houses ruled by the star-lord, success is indicated, whereas, if the sub-lord is in the 6th, 8th or 12th from the house under examination, then delays, obstacles and failure may be expected. Sometimes, the nature of the signs and planets involved gives a clue about the rapidity with which the issue would progress to a culmination. Fixed signs, earthy influences, retrograde planets and planets such as Jupiter (if malefic) and Saturn generally indicate delays, Sun, Venus, Mars (if benefic), Moon and Mercury represent speedy progress. The nodes (Rahu and Ketu) add unpredictability and suddenness, and generally result in uneven progress in the matters at hand.

How does it all come together?: When the question is posed, it is recommended that there should not be any distraction and the querist should meditate on the question for a while, examining all known aspects of it before verbalizing the question. Clarity, sincerity and seriousness of intent when posing the question is probably rewarded with answers that are of a kindred nature. The reasoning behind this is remarkably similar to that applicable to other kinds of divinatory procedures. The sincerity of the querist must first be examined in order to determine if the chart would hold well and represent the process adequately or not. If the two houses (1 and 7) are strong and well connected, then the communication could prove to be fruitful. A similar positive connection between the first house (querist) and the house representing the matter under query are strongly connected then the query was sincere and has a higher chance of being analyzed positively. This is important, because even if the query is about an important matter, the querist may not believe sufficiently in astrology or the astrologer and this would be reflected in the chart and could lead to a 'noisy' imprecise reading. The likelihood of this is much lower in a professional situation where a cost is involved and the idly curious are screened out to a large extent. It is not very useful to do an after the fact (post mortem) analysis of a horary epoch. This is because the transits under which the analysis would be carried out would be different from the original epoch and would influence the reading. Both the astrologer as well as the nativity must together be in the same astrological environment (horary epoch transits) for the horary phenomenon to work efficiently.

By Rohiniranjan<<End of Segment-9>>

DASAS B (10)A PRIMER

BY ROHINIRANJAN

Are planets Schizophrenic?: Scholars in Jyotish and many teachers have maintained for at least within the last 60-70 years of published Jyotish literature that there are two distinct systems in Jyotish, one following the teaching of Parashara Rishi and the other of Jaimini Rishi. It is of interest that neither of them refer to the other in their writings as far as I know, although mention of other sages and pioneers in Jyotish does exist in their works. This makes it difficult to wonder if they were contemporaries or figures that appeared in historical sequence. What is notable, though, is that Jaimini’s writings do not touch upon so called Parashari methodology at all, whereas a fair amount of what would constitute Jamini system appears prominently in Brihat Parashara Hora Shastra. People have expressed their discontentment at Jyotishis and particularly researchers using both methods simultaneously during the same reading or examination. While on the one hand, not doing so would simplify matters and arguably hone the acuity and focus of the method used, on the other hand, such discrimination would understandably lead to the incompleteness of such a delineation. Astrology is best dealt with a multifactorial, matrix type approach and as long as the jyotishi is not ‘picking and choosing’ in a hurry and mixing logic and intuition and all that exists between these two faculties, the result should be richer than using only one system in isolation. Completely aside from personal viewpoints, it is difficult to comprehend or even assume that the very same planet, such as mars that is the lord of 4th and 11th, for instance and also Jaimini putrakaraka plus many other inherent roles (karakatwas) would fulfil one role but not the other. This is where one must intelligently apply the ‘roles’ that planets play because in a given situation (desh, kal, paristhiti: locality, temporality, situational circumstances), they would express only one or a few sides of their portfolio and not everything at the same time. After all a mother who is also working outside her home does not entirely cease to be the ‘mother’ in office, or the boss at home!

Conditional Dashas: In addition to Vimshottari dasha which is used by nearly everyone by default, although in this series I have also shown situations where Ashtottari one of the many conditional dashas in BPHS might be more appropriate, scores of other possibilities exist. In recent years several reknowned jyotishis and their students and followers have done a lot of research and demonstrated how the different conditional dashas can be utilized in daily practice. The fact remains though that for most beginners, juggling more than one or two dashas can generally produce confusion due to multiplicity of overwhelming and often conflicting information generated by such an approach. It is to be noted that even those who use just one dasha are still dealing with the complexities of transit influences, combined with the annual horoscopic considerations and several vargas pointing in different directions and the tri-oriented sudarshana kundali (predictions based on the lunar, solar and lagna charts overlapping one another). The complexity is already substantial. My advice, therefore, would be to work with one or two dashas at a time and then proceed towards learning more.

Parashara has described certain dashas as being generally applicable, such as Vimshottari, Kalachakra, Yogini, whereas others are prescribed to apply when certain conditions are met in a

given horoscope (hence termed conditional dashas). For example, Dwadashottari to be applied when the navamsha lagna belongs to venus (Taurus or libra navamsha rising). Panchottari dasha to be applied when one is born in cancer ascendant and also having cancer dwadashamsha rising whereas shashtihayini dasha has been recommended for those who have sun rising in the first house in their charts. Most followers of Jaimini system also utilize Chara dasha and Sthira dasha to a lesser extent. Most dashas are relatively easy to calculate and many are already incorporated in readily available software some of which are simply labours of love and are offered freely. One popular software is JHora which started out essentially as a software created by a brilliant engineer, programmer and a jyotishi P.V.R. Narasimha Rao. Over the years he has refined the product and has been offering it free. It also contains some of the novel techniques that he is experimenting with and would be of great interest to researchers. This brings a key point which must be remembered. There have been ongoing discussions between jyotishis about the correct way of calculating and interpreting the dashas. While the calculation procedures for dashas such as Vimshottari, Ashtottari, Yogini are unambiguous, others such as Chara and Kalachakra and some others are not quite so. Different scholars have recommended different methods for calculating the same dasha and which you may see reflected in the software which gives different options for calculating the same dasha. Many of these differences arise from what is known as differences between Paramparas or schools (similar to Gharanas in the realm of classical music). This has been a major puzzling fact about Jyotish factors and does not remain isolated to the calculation of dashas alone. It extends to fundamental things such as ayanamsha, lordships of lunar nodes, distribution of rashis in certain vargas and several other factors. Delving in these uncertain terrains demands lot of time-consuming research since blind faith is not going to help for a long time. Having raised that cautionary note, we can move on. However, I must reiterate that once we throw ourselves into this smorgasbord (a Nordic term representing a collection of servings of different delicious food items like a Chinese dim-sum for those who are familiar with that term or a pot-luck food-fest or the native north American Pot Lach meal combos where each participant brings a different food item and the variety of food items then grows enormously varied!), the chances of indigestion exist too!

If something does not make sense directly or logically, then such a dasa system that requires one to go through contortions of mental gymnastics, then perhaps there is a serious flaw in such an approach. One should consciously avoid to mix too much esotericism into astrological techniques. Common sense must always remain the yardstick in much of astrological considerations and esoteria or mystical secrets perhaps better belong in the realm of other occult pursuits.

MATRIX approach: While too many different techniques applied at the same time can be confusing and produce the opposite effect than desired, one should try and develop the habit of utilizing a multi-pronged approach when analysing a chart. Unfortunately, when a delineation is written out, it gives the impression that a given factor is the ‘clincher’ in a given case. Be it a mahapurusha yoga or KSY or combustion or low ashtakvarga scores or transits etc, however, in truth it is the multiplicity of pointers that add to the weight of evidence as it is called. One should therefore factor in these and other pointers and when they add up, these often point to situations where a positive or negative effect may be anticipated. The only way to arrive at that level is to keep practicing with real chart. Reading yet another book, article or internet discussion is simply

not going to do it! Reading a chart properly may take at least 2 hours although a full-scale reading takes a lot longer. Now if one were to analyze two charts per day (assuming that they have to work to earn a living, eat, sleep, watch TV etc) they would probably be analyzing about 400 or so charts a year. Over a period of 10 years they would have sampled 4000 charts. It sounds like a large number, but there are about 6.8 billion individuals at a given instant. 4000 Represents only 0.00006% of the population! The experience and familiarity is simply not enough to avoid hit and miss analysis.

By Rohiniranjan<<End of Segment-10>>

DASAS B (11)A PRIMER

BY ROHINIRANJAN

Technology can make life easier for Jyotishis (and confusing!): Many beginners these days must be getting very confused when they read messages and readings on the Internet where the same chart that is being read by a variety of jyotishis (often with different backgrounds and levels of experience) to address the same question or issue and even seasoned astrologers come up with different explanations and even outcomes. One justifiably becomes discouraged, sceptical and cynical when encountering such variations. Often the ‘tone’ of confidence in what one jyotishi writes, as opposed to another is also interesting to observe. Some would tend to give the impression that astrology is a black or white pronouncement. That if you get the right ayanamsha, the right zodiac in some instances, the right dasha, then everything should work uniformly and perfectly! While a comforting thought, realistically, such is not the case. To the research-minded astrologer, such variability and variations on the theme indicate a fertile potential for search, research and exploration, for others it can be unsettling and some even get defensive about it all. This is the biggest mystery within Jyotish! In each horoscope there are so many hints which are differently revealed or touched upon when different minds (of jyotishis) apply themselves to a given chart. It is also interesting to observe that while some individuals tend to be rather terse and give a yes/no kind of answer, others elaborately try to weave a sequence of happenings or descriptions of a process. The personality, background, and other individual qualities of the astrologer perhaps enter into the process and define the output. Jyotishis like other human beings can be good communicators, or poor communicators, brilliant and clear or not. All of these and more factors lead to the colourful variegated flavours that show up when different astrologers read the same chart. In the past this was revealed or observed infrequently and rather locally, in study groups where astrologers met and discussed or through the slow sequence offered by magazines which came out once a month or even less frequently. Internet has made that obsolete and with the Jyotish lists and fora and discussion groups, a lot of such interaction happens more rapidly and makes it that much more interesting and intriguing. Unfortunately, it has its negative aspects too and honest discussions often do not take place. Back in the very early 80s when I was a young man, not quite 30 and arrived in North America, telecommunications was in its infancy, as was personal computer usage. I was fortunate to very quickly guess the potential of both on astrology and astrologers and even though livelihood and other mundane considerations were critically important, I set aside chunks of time a few times each week to explore these computer-clubs. My first reward was in being able to put together for myself a software using BASIC which allowed me to create a chart within a minute as opposed to 60-90 times the TIME it took me to draw a detailed chart using proportional log tables and so on. What a wonderful boon it was! Of course later on commercial software became available and made it on the one hand easier but on the other hand a bit of a headache due to errors in programming and erroneous techniques that got incorporated in most software in the early nineties and ongoing! The Bulletin Board Systems and their successors, like Compuserve for a and Delphi and Genie etc brought opportunities to discuss, collect and share charts with others interested in astrology and it really enhanced my experience and boosted my confidence. Of course, one must be very careful and critical of what the currently flooded internet represents, as has been touched upon in my articles in EST and elsewhere.

Software comes to the aid of rectification:Dashas have always had a very important function: in rectification of birth times! The technique is simple. Armed with a series of significant events and their dates/times, the astrologer checks those against the prevailing dasa periods and by moving the stated birth time ahead or behind the first one stated tries to find one where most or ideally ALL events match up. The process sounds a lot simpler than it is and can be quite nerve racking! It may seem easier to do this if one is determined to use rigid factors such as ONE ayanamsha, ONE type of ‘year’ (solar, lunar, synodic, savanmana), and one or two types of dashas! If you are toying with different ayanamshas and other variables, imagine how complicated the process can become! Even if you are using software like Parashara’s Light that allows one to line up dashas (different kinds, pick one!) with the events against birth time intervals that can be changed (fig 1).

FIG 1

The birth time intervals ranging from 1 second to one hour can be changed by zooming in or out, the dashas can be changed as well to get a different ‘perspective’. The choice is limited to three dashas for the rectification screen but wisely chosen by Geovision. There is something special about these three dashas: Vimshottari, Ashtottari and Yogini and if used wisely, most of the field of possibilities can be covered by most jyotishis.

In fact having such capabilities in software can make one, who is motivated to do so, to be able to experiment with different ayanamshas and dasha durations etc and tune into what gets one closer to reality.

An example: For a demonstration let us look at a nativity who was born on September 4, 1968 at 8 AM in New Delhi. The ayanamsha that I use is -22:27:31. The birth time was stated as being approximate but within 10 minutes or so of the exact time.

Some considerations: Usually, it is best to select events which are significant and somewhat destined. For instance the following types of events can be utilized for rectification:Beginning of a significant educational pursuitFirst JobJoblossMarriageBirths (children, siblings, grandchildren)Acquisition of automobile, house, landsLoss of relatives (parents, siblings, spouse, children etc)Gaining substantial sums of money (large raises, lottery)Loss of significant amounts of money or precious objects

For the current example, two significant events chosen for illustration were the first travel abroad and the birth of daughter. Both are fairly significant events as all would agree. Neither was a planned event in a sense, at least not in the timing of it and both represented important desires and milestones for the nativity,

The procedure: Being a shuklapaksha daytime birth, vimshottari will be dominant in this chart. In it, for birth times around 8 AM, Rahu, mars, and Venus will operate for a significant time. Rahu is placed in the 7th and is generally speaking a representative of foreign places, cultures etc. Seventh rules over journeys. Mars is atmakaraka placed in cancelled debility in the house of gains and in the nakshatra of lagnesha and hence again represents gains to self which was so in this instance. Venus, the antara lord holding sway from 7:53 AM to beyond 8:10 AM is the lord of the 9th another indicator of long journeys and placed in the star of the lord of 12th (immigration). Venus makes contact with rahu ketu axis and becomes relevant to the matter of travel abroad even more. Then for the 4th level we have Venus, sun, moon. mars, rahu, guru and Saturn ruling for short periods. Subperiods generally do not give effects in their own sub-sub periods, so we can rule out Venus itself. sun, Jupiter, rahu are more directly related to the journey abroad, while mars, moon are less directly related. Rahu is less relevant than Jupiter and sun and sun while in moolatrikona is weaker in shadbal to Jupiter. Moreover, Jupiter being the lord of 7th placed in the 12th describes the effect (journey to countries abroad) more directly. Saturn which rules after 8:08 AM is less relevant and can be dismissed. The birth time therefore can be between 8:05 and 8:08. Rather than Jupiter itself, the 5th level subperiod of Venus would make sense though sun ruling the 5th level at 8:07 works well too.

The second event: The next event we have is the birth of a daughter. Building up on earlier analysis, if we focus first on the 3-4 minute window we see that Saturn’s period begins around 8:07. One may argue that 8:06 could work because the finest level is ruled by moon which is placed in the 5th house, however it is aspected by mars and Saturn and hence may be less conducive to an auspicious matter like as a birth. Also the antara lord Jupiter would not be helpful because it is placed in the 12th house of the chart indicating loss and in the 8th from the 5th house so again less likely to be of benefit. Saturn, although placed in the 8th gains strength due to retrogression and also mild cancellation of its debility by being in kendra to moon and mars. Moreover its relevance to matter of childbirth increases because it is the lord of 5th house, aspects the 5th house and is placed on the pada of 5th house (as well as 4 and 11, happiness and gains). It is of interest to note that on Sept 4, 1998 when the daughter was born, sun, moon, mars and Saturn were transiting in their natal signs. Going to a finer time resolution (Fig 2)the slice between 8:07:10 AM to 8:07:54 has mercury as the ruler. Mercury is the putrakaraka in this chart and although in 6/8 relationship with Saturn, is well-placed (in lagna, in trikona from the 5th house). It is also associated with ketu in whose nakshatra Saturn is placed in this chart. The following 5th level period of ketu from 8:07:54 also works.

Finer adjustments: Here, we must remember that the window can only extend up to 8:08:05 because that is when the 5th level of Saturn would start for the journey abroad event and that would not fit as described earlier! So now we re-examine the potential birth time window from 8:07:10 to 8:08:05 to see if the earlier event matches up within this window which describes the childbirth event.

Even though sun as the 5th level period would suit for the journey abroad as described earlier, it would make the childbirth falling into a period when Saturn would rule the last three levels of the dasha, which is generally stated to be not possible. So if the birth were to have taken place after 8:07:10, then we would have for the childbirth mercury as the 5th level period lord which is fine but then for the journey abroad we would have as the 5th level period:Moon from 8:07:09 to 8:07:25Mars from 8:07:25 to 8:07:36Rahu from 8:07:36 onwards

For the journey abroad, rahu would be the most relevant by its placement in the 7th and other reasons described earlier.

So the possible window now extends from 8:07:36 to 8:08:05. Without splitting further hair, we can consider the mid-point 8:07:50 as the birth time. Ideally, one should use more than just 2 events to rectify birth times but for ease of understanding only 2 were utilized in this case. Even so, some may find it pretty complex and doing so without software can be really confusing as one can realize. To make it even more of a matrix approach, one would utilize more than one dasha to cross check that everything lines up. It is easy to see how much more difficult the process can be if the birth time is really off, by a couple of hours as opposed to a few minutes as in this case.

By Rohiniranjan<<End of Segment-11>>

DASAS B (12)A PRIMER

BY ROHINIRANJAN

In this segment, I will present a pot-pourri of a couple of short examples that touch upon the role that some of the fundamental astrological factors play when we consider dasas.

Case #1: Male suffering from Multiple SclerosisDOB: May 6th, 1964 5:52 EDTPlace: Reading, PA, USA 75W56 40N20Ayanamsha: -22d 23m 37secAfter the Vimshottari saturn dasa started in March of 1992 the first symptoms appeared. The native had recently been divorced and was working very heavily, very irregular in diet, eating lots of fatty junk food and enormous quantities of coffee to remain alert. Over the next decade, symptoms of a vague nature arose and subsided as often is the case with multiple sclerosis. In 1999 the lightheadedness worsened and around that time he had a series of sinus infections and severe allergies. Around mid-2003 numbness of feet appeared. Then hands and arms. MRI was repeated and revealed MS lesions in the spinal cord and brain. Then followed a phase of depression and finally in 2004 the nativity began to make lifestyle changes (low fat diet, yoga, meditation) and ayurvedic treatment and remains stable so far. Venus is darakaraka and is lord of the 7th. Its placement with rahu in a mercurian sign and placement of gulika in the 7th house gave malefic results for marriage which dissolved. Jupiter is in nakshatra of venus and became the executor of the effect. The bhukti was of rahu which as we have seen is afflicting venus. Rahu is in own nakshatra and brought on the negative influence. Saturn dasa brought on the self-destructive life style but also enormous work-related success. All of these coincided with his sadesati that started in 1990 and ended in 1998. Once saturn entered the lagna in debility (late 1998) his symptoms worsened coinciding with the joint period of saturn and venus. When saturn crossed venus and rahu (Saturn-moon) the lesions were detected and diagnosis established. This coincided with the depressed phase thereafter which is often seen when saturn and moon are conjoined. Repeated sinus infections and allergies are also seen when saturn and moon are joined. In this case both are in rahu's nakshatra and also placed in the 11th house which is badhaksthana in this chart. Superficially, saturn should not cause so much problems because it is in moolatrikona and strong lord of 10th and 11th. its association with rahu (nakshatra dispositor) and rahu being associated with saturn and moon in navamsha and again in shastamsha (where saturn rules the 6th and 7th houses) resulted in it giving mixed effects - good for work and earnings and hard work and a devastating disease. The coincidental adverse transit influences (sade sati, then transit through mesha lagna then crossing venus and rahu triggered all the changes. During Saturn-mars the nativity came to terms with reality and made the necessary changes. mars as lagnesha placed in lagna (moolatrikona) began in July 2004 and situation stabilized.

Case #2: DOB 16 January 1972 23:05 ISTPlace: Mumbai, IndiaAyanamsha: -22d 30m 38secEvent-examination: The way we learn astrology, a posteriori

14/feb/1996 first marriage in court: Vimshottari: RA-Me-SuOther than mercury which is placed with Jupiter lord of 7th and darakaraka, rahu and surya do not make any direct association with any of the marriage-related factors. Rahu is in moon's nakshatra, mercury is in saturn's and sun is in saturn's star.

Ashtottari: JU ME SA - In ashtottari the mahadasa is of Jupiter who is directly related with marriage (being lord of 7th and darakaraka. Mercury is associated with Jupiter in rashi in 10th from 7th and is placed in the 7th house in navamsha chart. Saturn the antaranath is in the 9th and placed in pisces in navamsha and fits in the navamsha tulya rashi situation because Pisces is the 7th house in the rashi chart. 2nd house deals with family and so there is indirect connection because saturn is in the 2nd house of the marriage-specific navamsha chart. In terms of nakshatra dispositions, ashtottari uses a different nakshatra zone rulership and in this chart Jupiter is in moola which is in the zone of mercury (in 7th house of D9 and associated with darakaraka and lord of 7th, namely jupiter in D1), mercury is in poorvashadha which is in saturn's zone and saturn the antara lord is in Krittika which is in the zone of Venus, the natural significator of marriage and spouse and placed in dhanu in D9, the tulya sign which in rashi chart holds the saptamesh and darakaraka Jupiter. A stronger connection is seen when Ashtottari is utilized in other words.On Wednesday, Feb 14, 1996 when the marriage was consummated, a day ruled by mercury, Jupiter was in dhanu, mercury was in makar and shani was in pisces with venus and ketu.

Please note that while there was a good consonance between jupiter and mercury, the dasha and bhuktinaths, retrograde saturn was the third level indicator and is placed in the 6th from jupiter and mercury. Also notice that the pada of first house (Arudha) was where jupiter and mercury were placed whereas saturn was placed on the shatrupada. The clear indication of there being problems arising in the marriage were evident. Of course no jyotish consultation was carried out before the court marriage.

20/jan/1997 break up:

Vimshottari: RA Me JuAshtottari: JU ME RA

Barely months passed before troubles arose and the marriage became unsustainable. The date of breakup of marriage coincided in vimshottari scheme with rahu, mercury and jupiter. The period as per ashtottari, interestingly was ruled by the same planets but in the reverse order! Rahu the amatyakarka becomes the third level planet whereas in vimshottari jupiter the darakaraka is the antharanath! As we move from the general to specific in the dasha hierarchy, while the major lord rightly indicates the general setting and ambience, the finer period lord indicates the specific nature of the effect. One may argue that it was the debilitated jupiter (darakaraka and saptamesh) in transit over natal moon that blew up the marriage, but rahu was transiting with mars in the ascendant and right across from saturn that was transiting the 7th house. I think this is stronger as explanations go because of there being not just one factor into which one need fit the entire occurrence. Rahu is in Shravana which falls in the zone of saturn as per ashtottari. Once again, I submit, that ashtottari is giving more direct indications and consonant with the event.

21/jan/1997 tried to commit suicide: Vimshottari: RA Me JuAshtottari: JU ME RAThe very next day obviously very upset and in mental pain, the individual tried to commit suicide. The day was Tuesday the day of mars and mars was transiting the lagna under watch from saturn moving through the marak sthan. Mars is placed in the 7th house in the natal chart and by virtue of that has maraka propensity. It is also the lord of 8th house. Being the strongest planet, atmakaraka, and essentially a malefic (lord of 8th and 3rd houses), it brought her to the brink of self-imposed death but did not actually make her complete the act. There were other lessons remaining to be learned yet! Mars is very powerful in this chart and also is placed in Revati which is ashtottari scheme is Rahu's nakshatra. This indicates that mars will produce the effects of rahu! It is a volatile combination when the fire of mars is enveloped in the smoke of rahu! Rahu also stands for poison and mental aberrations and so mars during that period impulsively tried to kill herself by taking poison. Rahu and mars were conjoined in virgo (lagna) at that time with Saturn placed in badhaksthana casting its malefic glance on lagna and lagnesha (mercury) while the transit moon was in sixth from its natal position as well. All of these factors upset the mind and interfered with calm thinking creating the near disaster.

25/june/1997 annulment came through:Vimshottari: RA ME SAAshtottari: JU ME veWhile annulment of this marriage may seem like a negative event, in reality it was not! It was the moment of legal freedom, the marriage now could be put behind oneself.

Certainly saturn would represent the ultimate termination as per the vimshottari scheme and being in Krittika, the cutting becomes symbolically convincing! However, Venus being pitrikaraka and lord of 9th also symbolically indicates that the daughter returned back to her father's home (away from her husband's home)! That poetic symbolism aside, what concerns me is that if vimshottari is utilized, saturn would produce roadblocks which it did not. Venus, on the other hand is placed in shatabisha (Jupiter's zone) in the 6th and represents a positive outcome over enemies, although in a marital breakup, enmity even amongst estranged people sounds inappropriate. When lovers become inimical it fits with the symbolism of venus the icon of love placed in shatrusthan, though. However, both dashas seem to work for this specific event.

27/aug/1997 first travel abroad: Vimshottari: RA ME SAAshtottari: JU ME ve

While the same antharas were operating in the two dasha schemes, the native travelled abroad. Ju and mercury are placed in the 4th house (homeland) while saturn is placed in the 9th house, the house of foreign journeys. Saturn could also have represented pilgrimages and higher education or something associated with father, of course. However, if we look from the ashtottari angle, venus becomes the anthara lord. Venus, quite interestingly is the lord of the 9th house in rashi and navamsha and also pitrikarka so thereby becomes a secondary indicator for the 9th house, just as jupiter was for 7th house (lord and darakaraka). But please note that venus being in natal 6th house is aspecting the 12th house which indicates foreign residence and it is kendra from saturn in 9 and in kendra from 3rd house (moves and travels again), so once again it has a stronger signature and association with the event. The move was to a more comfortable and luxurious surroundings and thus again is described better by venus than saturn. Shatabhisha the ashtottari zone in which venus is placed is ruled by jupiter and transit jupiter was transiting the 5th house whereas venus was transiting the 1st under the aspect of jupiter. Though debilitated, the transit jupiter was retrograde and thus strengthened. The mutual kendra disposition of mars which is the exaltation lord and aspecting jupiter from Libra further helped reduce the debility.

WHY THIS ONE?: The reason why this example was chosen was because it highlights the conditional factor that is in Brihat Parashara Hora Shastra. While the segment on BPHS on Ashtottari opens with the condition which implies a certain placement of rahu being the condition used for selecting ashtottari, further down there is also the conditionality given that Vimshottari applies better to individuals born during daytime of Shuklapaksha and night-time of Krishnapaksha whereas Ashtottari applies best to those born during daytime of Krishnapaksha or night-time of Shuklapaksha. I have been finding that this is true in nearly all cases I have examined and some examples were given in this series earlier as well. When the birth is very close to amavasya or poornima,

thought, a caution must be sounded. If the sun and moon are within a few degrees of each other or the 180 degree (in cases of poornima), it is safe to test using both the dashas. Of course it would depend a lot on other parameters used such as dasha durations and ayanamsha etc. Like Shri Raman ji used to say, test things for yourself and taste the pudding!

For Chart #2

By Rohiniranjan<<End of Segment-12>>

DASAS B (13)A PRIMER

BY ROHINIRANJAN

FUNDAMENTAL CONSIDERATIONS: Jyotish is a complex weave of rules and assumptions and axioms and many of these may seem to the casual observer as confusing, or to the cynical types as ‘confused’! At the simplest level is the role of house rulers and one simplistically assumes things such as: childbirth during the dasha, bhukti of the lord of 5th, marriage during the period of the planet ruling the 7th and finding earning and a raise during the period when the lord of the 10th and/or 11th becomes effective. And then one receives the cold splash of reality! Predictions based on such simplistic premises fail! If Jyotish were that simple, there would not be the need for so many books and articles written, from ancient times to now.

Often people see exalted planets and assume that their dasha, once it rolls around, will fix all the problems and life will become blissful or at least happy. Even after the swabhukti (subperiod of a planet in its dasha period, the first subperiod in Vimshottari system, generally believed to not provide results right away) passes, the drudgery continues unabated and then one begins looking for astrological excuses! It must be the ayanamsha, or it must be the dasha duration or sometimes maybe it is the wrong dasha we are using or the birthtime needs rectification or one must use Suryasiddhanta calculations as opposed to NASA/JPL routines! The confusion continues and much useless agony is sustained during the process.

EXALTATION: Exaltation has always struck me as being similar to pakshabala of moon. The moon grows from the point of darkness (amavasya) towards the most reflective position (Poornima) and between the new-moon and full-moon we witness the half cycle during which the light grows and then diminishes in the 2nd half of the lunar cycle. A planet starts at the point of debility and 180 degrees later, just like the moon, finds its acme in the point of exaltation and then declines from there on until it arrives at its point of debility again. Individuals often confuse strength with quality! The two are not synonymous! A planet can be strong (shadbala) but malefic, while another planet can be weak (shadbala) and yet be benefic. The poornima moon is of benevolent nature, qualitatively strong and at peace. So is the exalted planet. Now obviously the intrinsic nature would remain! An exalted Jupiter will behave in a different manner than an equally exalted Saturn, but a debilitated Jupiter will be different from an exalted Jupiter or even an exalted Saturn and definitely from debilitated Saturn!

MOUNTING ON THE HOROSCOPIC HORSE: Long ago, when I studied in Brihat Parashar Hora Shastra (and following that, Jaimini sutra) about the Arudha concept, a mental image arose in me which pictured a rider who is trying to mount on a horse, before setting off on a trot. Over the years through observation, this imagery began to

make sense. In order for one to successfully perform all this mounting and seating, one would need a horse (horoscope), a rider (lagna bhava), who would need to put his feet (pada) in the stirrup and hoist oneself to mount the horse. Obviously this cannot be accomplished without having the hands (argala) hold on to the seat and the reins as one hoists oneself and gets seated on the horse. So in order to study the effective execution and unfoldment of any house in the horoscope, one must consider not just the house (and its lord obviously!) but also its pada (feet) as well as any argalas that form the hand-hold. When the rider (house) is strong, and the pada as well as argala (bolt) are strong and mutually supportive, that house will flourish. All three are essential for successfully mounting before setting out on the horse-ride (life; path of human experience).

Obviously, the above ‘algorithm’ applies not just to the lagna bhava (1st house), but to all houses while considering their padas/arudhas, the argalas and mutual disposition of the three factors vis-à-vis the house and its lord.

The fundamental theme in Jyotish is really simple and deals with networking, the modern buzzword, which was in jyotish texts represented as relationship or ‘sambandha’. The term has been described in many different ways and perspectives but deals with the concept of being supported, and symbolizes my favourite thought, expressed earlier oft-times: In astrology, one swallow does not declare summer! Or, one firework does not herald Deepawali!

In order to ride a horse, effectively, the rider (house and lord) must first be seated and firmly so, with feet (pada) placed securely in the stirrups and the hands holding the reins (argala).

FUNDAMENTAL CONSIDERATIONS FOR BEGINNERS: So what are these terms pada and argala that you may have heard of but have since forgotten? Simply stated padas or arudhas are a means of finding a secondary house in the rashi chart, the kshetra varga as it is called. This is basically the standard rashi based chart that we all know about and consult. Each house represents 30 degrees of the zodiac and goes under the names: Aries, Taurus, Gemini … ending with Pisces, or in Sanskrit: Mesha, Vrishabh, Mithun … ending with Meena. All based in the sidereal or nirayana zodiac, of course (so not the same as the western tropical sunsign you read about in the daily newspaper most of which continue to follow the tropical zodiac, more for convenience than accuracy.

Pada – Deals with the distance in a chart by which a ruler is removed from its house. For Aries with mars placed in Taurus (2nd house), the pada of Aries would lie in the 2nd from the 2nd house, i.e., Gemini! Now if mars were placed in Gemini (third from Aries) in the chart, then the pada would be in the 3rd from 3rd or Leo which is the 3rd from Gemini. So, if mars were in Leo in this case (5th from Aries), the pada would be in Sagittarius (5th from Leo). The ruler of a given house then falls right between the house it owns and its pada, in a sense.

Two exceptions must be noted. If the pada happens to fall in the same house (Mars in Aries in above example), it would then be delegated to the 10th house there from and so the pada of mars in Aries would fall in Capricorn!. The same would be the case if mars were to be in Libra (Mars ins seventh, so pada falls in seventh which is the first house, which would get shifted into Capricorn also.

The other exception is when pada falls in the seventh house. Any planet in the 4th

from its house will have its pada fall in the 7th house and will be delegated to the 10th there from resulting in the situation where Aries has mars in cancer (4th) but the pada will not be in Libra (4th there from) but considered to be in cancer itself (10th

from 7th). So if planet is in its house or in 7th there from, the pada falls in the 10th

house from the house of placement. And if planet is in 4th house from its sign, then the pada falls in the same sign, i.e. the 4th sign from the house under consideration!

Argala – When a planet is in the 2nd, 4th or 11th from a house (or planet), it signifies an argala or hands firmly placed on the reins in my analogy. Now if a planet is also placed in the 12th or 10th or 3rd, respectively then the argala becomes ineffective . So if there is a planet in the 2nd house as well as another in the 12th, the argala is ineffective. In other words, symmetry is not helpful in this consideration! If the argala is broken from the house and its lord, such a cancellation of argala will be very significant, and represent unbalance and negative.

BOTTOM LINE: In order for a positive unfoldment of a given house, you would want the house and its pada strong and balanced and an argala to be present and not nullified for that house and its lord! If all three argalas are nullified, the results and outcomes must cause concern if not entirely dire, and going through the spectrum of possibilities, if all argalas form and remain unobstructed, then the result will be the strongest – provided that the pada or arudha also holds firm! In order to mount the ‘horse’ one must have strong hold on the reins (Argala) as well as surely and firmly placed feet (pada/arudha) in the stirrup! I hope it sounds logical and obvious!

<abhi aur hai…>

More will follow in the next segment! But please read and absorb this segment carefully and with full attention!

By Rohiniranjan<<End of Segment-13>>