The Best of Ancient Indian Astrology Classes Times by Saptarishis Astrology

Article by Saptarishis Astrology

Introduction

We proudly present a fantastic new magazine called AIAC Times which is a must read for every beginner and advanced student of this science. Though they are based out of Chicago they have the flavor of classical Indian astrology embedded within them. Following articles are some selections from the AIAC Times (now in its sixth volume).  “AIAC” stands for Ancient Indian Astrology Classes.  Published on Scribd the Full Moon each month since December 30, 2009, the subject matter of the e-zine is organized in nine columns (one for each graha).  Our writers are Ishana, Kavali, Surasa and Amarnath (pen names). It is also available for free download at the Saptarishis Astrology book store under the Astrology Magazines Section.

Contents

1. Jupiter’s Column (from Vol IV) –  Graha Sambandha
2. Suns Column (from Vol V) – Swearing In Charts
3. Moons Column (from Vol III) – Vowels and Planetary States
4. Venus’ column (from Volume I) – The seventh from Venus
5. Mercury’s column (from Volume IV) – The New Year [2010-2011]
6. Mars’ column (from Volume I) – Health Chakra
7. Saturn’s column (from Volume II) – Objections to Astrology

Jupiter’s Column

(From Volume IV)

Graha Sambandha

Friendship among planets has been a very popular subject in astrology. What is exactly the basis behind the relationship between planets and how do we derive it? Why certain planets are termed friends and some termed enemies to a planet? The Sanskrit word for relationship is termed – “Sambandha” and in this column we will look at the relationships between Grahas.

Graha Sambandha can be of two types –

• Naisargik Sambandha [Permanent/Default Relationship]

This is the relationship between Grahas as Nature/God has destined it to be. There is a verse in Brihat Parasara Hora Shastra which gives us a clue into this relationship.

त्रिकोणात् स्वात्-सुख-स्वान्त्यधीधर्मायुःस्वतुंगपाः।
सुहृदो रिपवश्चान्ये समाश्चोभयलक्षणाः॥५५॥
trikoNAt svAt-sukha-svAntyadhIdharmAyuHsvatuMgapAH|
suhR^ido ripavashcAnye samAshcobhayalakShaNAH||55||

The below explanation is found in Brihat Parasara Hora Shastra’s Translation by GC Sharma, Vol 1

Natural Relationships: The lords of the signs which are the 4^th, 2^nd, 12^th, 5^th, 9^th and the 8^th from the Moolatrikona sign of a planet and the Lords of the exalted sign of each planet are the friends of a particular planet. Lords of the signs other than these are his enemies. The planets which have got the features of both (of a friend and of an enemy) are neutral to the said planet. These should be taken as the natural relationships of the planets

Based on the above mentioned rules we arrive at the below table of planetary relationship.

This is what is accepted and all students of astrology accept this table as is. However, the motto of AIAC Times has always been to delve into the root of every dictum and extract out the principle of a dictum given by Parasara rishi.

Why did Parasara rishi select the Mooltrikona signs of the grahas to determine the relationships between the grahas?

Why are the 2, 4, 5, 9, 12 signs from the sign in question considered for friendship among their lord?

What is the underlying reason behind this dictum?

To understand this theory and go to its very root we have to understand the concept of “Upachaya” houses.

The houses 3,6,10 and 11 are called Upachaya houses. These are the houses where one’s own desire and will makes the maximum impact. Many astrologers call these houses the Houses of Free-will. However, why are Upachaya houses considered houses of Free will? Let us see each house with respect to the first house –

We see that in the natural order of the zodiac sign, the houses indicated by the lord of the signs which are Neutral in gender become Upachaya houses.

Mercury is too flexible to have a gender and Saturn is too old and rigid to have one. However, does this have a deeper significance? Courage and labor can be shown in area of life. Similarly, profession and gains are based on our decisions and require hard work and persistence.

Neutral genders of planets indicate that God [or Nature] has given us the ability to modify those areas of life based on our desire and will.

Thus, while determining “natural” friends, we should not look at the people who can be influenced. We should look at those grahas which are destined to be a graha’s friend.

This is the reason why all sign Lords with the exception of the Upachaya lords are considered friends while determining Naisargik Sambandha.

However, the question remains as to why one should select the Mooltrikona sign of the planet as the reference point for this relationship calculation.

Mooltrikona sign is like the office of the grahas. Exaltation is like a function where the graha is the chief guest. Own sign is like own house of the graha.

Now, someone is truly a friend who helps us when we need them. We need help most when we try to achieve something, when there is a question of proving oneself. In workplace, in our own respective karma we face real struggles of life and friends who stick with us then are truly our friends. This fulfils the condition – “A Friend in need is a friend in deed”.

Astrologically, grahas except Sun and Moon and the nodes, all rule two signs each and thus taking sign based on rulership only will lead to confusing results [as the sign which is left out may yield contradictory result compared to the one taken into account]. If we consider exaltation, we become biased towards the strength of the planet; in that case we should also consider the negation as debilitated state. Thus a neutral zone of Mooltrikona is selected for this purpose.

Thus all rasi lords except the Upachaya lords and the Lord of the 7^th rasi [Maraka] are considered friends to the rasi lord [Mooltrikona sign]. This is the basis of the Naisargik Sambandha.

• Tatkalin Sambandha [Temporary/Natal Relationship]. This kind of relationship is based on a particular natal chart. Grahas placed in a chart become friends or enemies based on their respective positions. There is a verse in Brihat Parasara Hora Shastra which gives us a clue into this relationship.

दशबन्ध्वाय सहज स्वान्त्यस्थास्ते परस्परम्।
तत्काले मित्रतां यान्ति रिपवोऽन्यत्र संस्थिताः॥५६॥
dashabandhvAya sahaja svAntyasthAste parasparam|
tatkAle mitratAM yAnti ripavo.anyatra saMsthitAH||56||

The below explanation is found in Brihat Parasara Hora Shastra’s Translation by GC Sharma, Vol 1

Planets Sun etc. situated in the 10^th, 4^th, 11^th, 3^rd, 2^nd or the 12^th from another are mutual friends (or friends to that planet). If they are situated in other than these places they act as his enemies.

Why did Parasara rishi mention that the planet placed in the 1^st house will be friends to the planets placed in the houses 2, 3, 4 and 10, 11, 12?

What is the underlying reason behind this dictum?

To understand Parasara’s dictum we need to understand the revolution of the Earth around the Sun. The day of the sidereal winter solstice is a very important date called “Uttarayan” in the Vedic times. It denotes the “upward” movement of the Sun with reference to the Earth. Similarly the sidereal summer solstice is called “Dakshinayan” or “downward” movement of the Sun with respect to the Earth. It is believed that during Uttarayan i.e. between Uttarayan to Dakshinayan, the Gods are awake and bestow their blessings on humanity. However during Dakshinayan i.e. between Dakshinayan to Uttarayan, Gods sleep and thus are inactive.

Since Lagna is dependent on time of birth on a day, which in turn is dependent on Earth’s movement, the arc between 10^th house to the 4^th house can be imagined as personal version of Uttarayan and Dakshinayan. Here, the 10^th house is equated to the position of winter solstice and 4^th house to the position of summer solstice.

Planets placed in the houses 10^th to the 4^th would thus act as temporary friends to planets in Lagna. Extending the same logic, this can be applied to all the houses.

The below figure shows the Tatkalin Sambandha between planet placed in the Lagna and the planets placed in the other houses.

Sun’s Column

(From Volume V)

Swearing-in charts

The original premise of this month’s Sun’s column was to examine the effect of the Sun’s position at the inauguration of U.S. Presidents on their presidential terms.  There are many factors in mundane astrology relating to the time for oath taking ceremonies.   Of particular importance is lagna, planets in lagna, Moon, planets in Kendra and trikona, panchang, and of course, the Sun, since it represents the country’s head of state, its soul and expression.  Below is a recommendation from Daivagya Acharya Shri Ram’s Muhurta Chintamani, translated by G.C. Sharma, Sagar Publications:

The auspicious Muhurta for the Coronation of a king is when the Sun is in Uttaryana (moving towards the North and is in the signs from Capricorn to Gemini), Jupiter, the Moon and Venus are not combust, Mars, the Sun, the Lord of the Natal Ascendant, the Lord of the Present Dasha of the would-be-king and the Lord of the Janma Rasi or sign are endowed with strength.

Also Chapter 18 of Time Tested Techniques of Mundane Astrology, M.S Mehta and A. Radhika, Vani Publications contains a thorough discussion of the various factors with examples.

Regarding U.S. presidents, there is a limitation regarding the day of the inauguration. Since 1789 until the passage of the 20th Amendment, presidential inaugurations were held on March 4 with some exceptions (i.e. March 4 falling on a Sunday (4 times) and the deaths of Harrison, Taylor, Lincoln (assassination), Garfield (assassination), McKinley (assassination) and Harding).  No time was legislated for taking the oath of office on March 4, however, it was traditionally done at noon or close to noon on inauguration day.

The 20th Amendment of 1933 set noon on January 20 (6 degrees Capricorn) as the beginning of the presidential term and the ending of the prior term, and changed the inauguration day from March 4 (19 degrees Aquarius), ostensibly to shorten the “lame duck” period between the outgoing and incoming administrations.  January 20 is five or six days after the Sun’s entry into Capricorn which is the beginning of Uttarayana or the upward movement of the Sun.  As cited above, Jyotish classics prescribe that coronations should take place during Uttarayana, when the Sun is in the rasis from Capricorn to Gemini (roughly from mid-January to mid-July).

The source of the noon inauguration tradition is likely English history which is based on even earlier tradition.  For example, the coronation of William the Conqueror took place on Christmas day in 1066 at noon in London.  About two and half centuries earlier, Charlemagne was crowned in 800 on Christmas day, also at noon, the time chosen by the court’s astrologer.  Interestingly, Christmas Day was about 9 degrees Capricorn in the tropical zodiac.

Abhijit muhurta (8^th muhurta of the day) is consideration one of the best muhurtas for oaths and coronations of heads of state, the Sun’s particular province.  It begins about 1 ghati (24 minutes) before Local Noon Time (LNT) and ends 24 minutes thereafter (total 48 minutes) or approximately 11:25 am to 12:25 pm local time.  When the Sun first enters Capricorn, particularly if LNT is used, the Abhijit muhurta guarantees placement of the Sun in the 10^th house where it gets directional strength.

In addition to the above astrological criteria, the Sun’s relationship with Saturn (both are karakas of the 10^th house of royalty) is important.  The Sun rules the Kshatriya class (politicians and rulers).  For both dates, March 4 and January 20, the Sun’s dispositor is Saturn but for the March 4 dates, we have to also look at Rahu, the co-ruler of Aquarius, keeping in mind that that Saturn’s caste is Sudra (workers) and Rahu’s caste is Chandala (the opposition).           Unfortunately, I was unable to locate inauguration times for any presidents prior to Franklin Roosevelt except for George Washington.  (The inauguration times I have are courtesy of Astrologers Weekly.)  However, it turns out that these two presidents, Washington and Roosevelt, happen to be the most significant in regard to the length of their presidential terms.  George Washington is important because he was the first president (1789-1797), and served two four year terms, setting a precedent that was followed by all succeeding presidents until Franklin Roosevelt, the 32^nd president (1933-1945) who served the longest of any president (over three complete terms) causing passage of the 22^nd Amendment limiting presidents to two 8 year terms.  For a more modern comparison, the inaugurations of the most recent presidents, George W. Bush and Barak Obama are also discussed.

The question has been raised whether changing the U.S. inauguration day from March 4 to January 20 at noon changed the country’s destiny from the original purpose of the founding fathers.  An American astrologer and occultist, Dan Sewell Ward, lamented moving the swear-in day from March 4 to January 20.  He says “Originally the dating of major events of the Republic was based on: July 4 (Independence Day), approximately November 4 (Election Day), and March 4 for the presidential inauguration.  The November day was varied slightly in that Tuesday (ruled by Mars’ assertiveness) needed to be election day. The 4th day of these three months (exactly one-third of a year apart) represents a grand trine, one of the most delightful and beneficial aspects in astrology. It was good news for the nation as a whole….The change destroyed the grand trine…It is noteworthy that the powers that be deemed it important to change the inauguration date.  Apparently they had more respect for astrology than one might have thought.”

An opposing argument could be made that the January 20 date is far better suited to the world power that the U.S. would become.  Compare the Sun’s position on March 4 at noon (in Aquarius in the 9^th house where it is a karaka) to the Sun’s position on January 20 at noon (in Capricorn in the 10^th house where it gets dig bala).  The country grew from an isolationist agricultural-industrial power into the world’s greatest military power during Franklin Roosevelt’s administration.  Roosevelt’s first inauguration was on March 4, 1933.  His second inauguration was on January 20, 1937, when the 20th Amendment first went into effect.

George Washington Swearing the Presidential Oath on the Masonic Bible in 1789.

George Washington Inaugural Bible.

Although set for March 4, 1789 as prescribed by the Confederation Congress, George Washington’s first inauguration was delayed until Thursday, April 30, 1789 1:48:30 pm, New York City:

The chart has Leo rising, one of the recommended lagnas for oaths.  Lagna is ruled by exalted Sun in Aries which is with Venus and Mercury in the 9^th.  The Sun is very strong in the chart followed by exalted Jupiter (8^th house ruler).  This follows Mehta et al.’s recommendation that the 8^th house have benefic aspects and the lagna lord be stronger than the 8^th lord.  The Sun is in Uttarayana and the week day was Thursday, both positive.  Saturn in its own sign of Aquarius gets dig bala in the 7^th and provides ballast to the shining 1^st house that we think of from that time in history.  Mars in the 8^th in Pisces rules both the Sun and debilitated Rahu in the 4^th in Scorpio.  Rahu has graha drishti on both Mars and exalted Jupiter and the once-rebels must deal with the shock of letting go of England and forging their new country’s identity.  Saturn aspects the Sun by both rasi and graha drishti (3^rd aspect) and aspects Rahu by 10^th graha aspect indicating a dry but stable beginning for the new government and its relationship with its President.  Washington wanted to serve without payment but finally accepted payment to avoid making the presidency possible only for the wealthy.  He turned out to be a skilled and fair administrator and only reluctantly agreed to serve a second term.

George Washington’s second inauguration took place on the prescribed day, March 4, 1793, a Monday, this time in Philadelphia, and reportedly he took the oath precisely at noon:

Sun is with lagna lord Mercury in the 9^th in Aquarius and on the Rahu/Ketu axis.  The Sun’s lord is Saturn (karaka of the 8^th) debilitated in Aries and Saturn aspects the Sun by rasi drishti.  Washington limited himself to serving two four year terms.  The Sun’s co-lord Rahu (the opposition) opposes the Sun by graha drishti.  In 1794, Washington ably took up military command again to enforce a whisky tax (Sun rules Rahu in the 3^rd, Mars in 10^th in Pisces is aspected by Jupiter in Scorpio in the 6^th).  Moon and Jupiter are together in the 6^th house of service but Moon is debilitated.  By limiting himself to two terms, Washington set a precedent followed by every president until war-time President Franklin Roosevelt.  At the end of his last term, he was very happy to return to farming.

Jumping to the first inauguration of Franklin Roosevelt, the 32^nd president:

Franklin Roosevelt and Herbert Hoover on inauguration day, March 4 1933 during the procession to the Capitol.

The Sun (president) is in Aquarius in the 9^th house with Venus and its lord Rahu (the opposition) all of which are aspected by graha drishti by Jupiter (R) and Mars (R) in the 3^rd.  Saturn (karaka of the 8^th – longevity) is lord of the 8^th and in its own house and aspects Lagna lord Mercury in the 10^th.  The country was in the midst of the Great Depression, fighting for survival.  A lot of things are about to happen and bold steps will be taken (Sun is lord of the 3^rd, the house of courage).  Immediately upon taking office, Roosevelt worked on relief programs eventually creating the FDIC, initiating budget reform, and the first and second New Deals.  By the second half of his first term, due to the success of his programs, he gained much greater support from Congress.  Needless to say, he also had many enemies (6^th house ruler Mars (R) with Jupiter (R) in the 3^rd house) including the war veterans in a dispute over benefits and people opposed to the confiscation of privately owned gold.  Though he suffered from polio, he managed to keep his disability from public knowledge throughout his political career.

Franklin Roosevelt’s second inauguration, the first under the 22^nd Amendment, took place on Wednesday, January 20, 1937, 12:29 pm, U.S. Capitol, Washington DC:

The Sun is in Capricorn in the 10^th where it gets directional strength, one of the classical positions for oaths.  The Sun is aspected by Mars by 4^th graha drishti, its only aspect.  The challenges facing him included the growing threat of Hitler and the isolationist attitude of the nation (Moon in the 1^st in Aries, opposed by Mars in the 7^th and aspected by Rahu and Jupiter in the 9^th as well as Saturn in the 7^th).  He secretly developed the country’s military arsenal (8^th house Scorpio) and forged a close relationship with Winston Churchill (Mars in the 7^th).  Finally, in 1940 he openly opposed the Neutrality Acts by giving destroyers to Great Britain.  He ran for an unprecedented third term and won by appealing to popular isolationist sentiment promising to do everything he could to keep the country out of the war.  His third inauguration (not shown) took place on January 20, 1941, 12:03 EWT, U.S. Capitol, Washington, DC.  By December of that year, after the bombing of Pearl Harbor, the country was at war with Japan and Nazi Germany.

For Roosevelt’s fourth and final inauguration, I could not find a recorded time, so the chart below uses the “legal” time, January 20, 1945, noon, White House, Washington DC:

Sun’s ruler Saturn (R) is in the 3^rd with Rahu aspected by Mars, Mercury and Ketu by graha drishti 7^th aspect.  Mars is both lagna ruler and ruler of the 8^th (likely not recommended for oaths since you want the ruler of the chart to be stronger than the 8^th house ruler).  In addition, by shad bala, Mars is the weakest planet in the chart, and creates a lot of havoc.  The Sun in the 10^th in Capricorn only has 5^th graha drishti from Jupiter (R) and no other aspects.  Roosevelt died of a massive brain hemorrhage on April 12, 1945 during his natal Ketu/Rahu/Jupiter Vimsottari dasha, just shy of three months into his 4^th term.  Jupiter in this case provided the escape route afforded by death.

For application of these concepts to modern presidents, inauguration charts and short descriptions are provided below for George W. Bush and Obama.

Sun’s lord Saturn (R) is in the 2^nd with Jupiter (R) in Taurus and is aspected by Rahu (12^th aspect).  Ketu in the 9^th is only aspected by Rahu.  Defense is weak (i.e. events of 9-11).  Jupiter and Sun aspect the Sun by graha drishti indicating initial money and popular support.  4^th lord Moon in Scorpio in the 8^th is MKS and debilitated, not good for the happiness of the country.

Sun’s lord Saturn (R) in the 3^rd.  Communication mishaps, torture scandals hit the news.  Rahu (opposition) is strong in the 1^st and Ketu (the defender) is now much stronger in the 7^th.  Mars is ruler of the 1^st and 8^th and is in the 8^th in Scorpio.  Something is going to die – Hurricane Katrina in August 2005.  9^th lord Jupiter in the 6^th, religious fundamentalism and its enemies.

In Chart below the ruler of the 10^th in the 5^th and the ruler of the 5^th in the 10^th shows a strong start for the incoming administration, harmonious relationship between 5^th house karma (splendor, intellect, creative energy) and the 10^th house (karma, authority, honor, government).  10^th house contains Sun, Jupiter (debilitated), Mercury (R) and Rahu.  Lagna lord Mars in the 9^th in Sagittarius is aspected by Rahu (12^th graha aspect), assassination attempts likely and have been reported.  Again, as in George W’s first inauguration, 4^th lord Moon is in Scorpio in the 8^th is MKS and debilitated.  This time Ketu is in the 4^th indicating a more detached attitude.  The country is still suffering from the housing and financial crises of 2007.

Moon’s Column

(From Volume III)

Vowels and Planetary States

Parasara rishi writes in Grahavasthadhyay about Baaladi avasthas (states of the planets) etc. and states:

क्रमाद् बालः कुमारोऽथ युवा वृद्धास्तथा मृतः।
षडंशैरसमे खेटः समे ज्ञेयो विपर्ययात्॥३॥
kramAd bAlaH kumAro.atha yuvA vR^iddhAstathA mR^itaH|
ShaDaMshairasame kheTaH same j.Nneyo viparyayAt||3||

Baala (infant), Kumara (adolescent), Yuva (youth), Vriddha (old) and Mrita (dead) are the five states of the planets.  Each zodiac sign is divided into 5 parts of 6 degrees each, and each part accorded a planetary state.  The states of the planets are assigned in the above-listed order for the odd signs and in reverse order for the even signs.

फलं पादमितं बाले फलार्धं च कुमारके।
यूनि पूर्णं फलं ज्ञेयं वृद्धे किंचित् मृते च खम्॥५॥
phalaM pAdamitaM bAle phalArdhaM ca kumArake|
yUni pUrNaM phalaM j.NneyaM vR^iddhe kiMcit mR^ite ca kham||5||
The strength of the planets is determined based on the state of the planets set forth in the table above.

However, the table below shows the points of maximum exaltation given by Parasara rishi:

The above strength analysis of planets based on Baaladi avasthas doesn’t seem correct and is rather contradictory based on the fact that the point of maximum exaltation for each planet should indicate the point of maximum power.

Now, we can surely assume that these rules should be applied excluding exaltation, mooltrikona, debilitation, and own house zones.  However, these rules then become confusing since we also have rules for friendly, neutral and enemy houses.

Thus, the question remains how we can use the Baaladi avasthas?  The connection is given with pancha swaras (five vowels).

Let us understand the application of Baaladi avasthas and Pancha Swaras with respect to real cases.

The vowel “U” seems to be most appropriate for the native in the profession of the director. However, the vowel “A” is also suitable for him as a film actor. The native, Allen Stewart Konigsberg, changed his name to Woody Allen.  The “oo” in Woody sounds like “u” and thus activates the Yuva avastha planets namely Sun and Jupiter.  For a Leo rising like Allen, it suits him perfectly.

In this case, it would seem that the vowel “E” would be the best choice for the native for the domains of happiness and wealth.  However as an actor and an international male sex-symbol, the vowel “O” is more appropriate. The native, a Bollywood actor, was born as Farhan Abraham but changed his name to John Abraham and success in the domain of films (Venus) as a macho image (Mars) was inevitable.

The vowel “A” alone would give this native utmost joy and happiness and “A” was certainly activated in his life with his Guru Sri Ramakrishna.  He wanted to be his Guru’s yogi messenger (Ketu), a celibate (Mars) and spread his Guru’s mission and words to foreign lands (Rahu) – the only vowel that can satisfy all these is “I”.  Born as Narendranath, his Guru named him Vivekananda and the world knew him as a celibate monk with a mission.  His speech in Chicago, the city where I live in, made history at the Parliament of World Religions of 1893. Parasara also wrote about a Dasa system based on the Pancha Swara.  One can also bring consonants into the equation to get even more insight into one’s life.  Perhaps in another issue of AIAC Times I will discuss that with you.

Venus’ Column

(From Volume I)

The Seventh From Venus

Parasara rishi writes the following in Brihatparasarahorashastra’s Vargavivekadhyaya

पुत्रस्य च गुरोः पुत्रे जायायाः सप्तमे भृगोः।
अष्टमस्य व्ययस्यापि मन्दान्मृत्यौ व्यये तथा॥४२॥
putrasya ca guroH putre jAyAyAH saptame bhR^igoH|
aShTamasya vyayasyApi mandAnmR^ityau vyaye tathA||42||

For matters of the fifth house, one should study the fifth from Jupiter, for matters of the seventh house one should study the seventh from Venus

For matters of the eighth house, one should study the eighth from Saturn, for matters of the twelfth house one should study the twelfth from Saturn.

This apparently simple verse has a very deep meaning. For this issue, I will focus only on the relevance of “seventh from Venus” in matters of the “seventh” house.

Before we go with this analysis, let us first visit the shloka that which Parasara gives us on the seventh house (Brihatparasarahorashastra, Bhavavivekadhyaya).

जायामध्वप्रयाणं च वाणिज्यं नष्टवीक्षणम्।
मरणं च स्वदेहस्य जायाभावान्निरीक्षयेत्॥८॥
jAyAmadhvaprayANaM ca vANijyaM naShTavIkShaNam|
maraNaM ca svadehasya jAyAbhAvAnnirIkShayet||8||

From the seventh house one can judge spouse, travel, trade (perhaps business), vanishing from sight (or loss of sight) and death.

In the earlier verse, Parasara asks us to judge the seventh from Venus regarding matters of the seventh house. However, one might get confused as to which signification of the seventh house one should refer to when looking at the seventh from Venus. To get absolute clarity on this subject, one should refer to another very important shloka from Brihatparasarahorashastra, Karakadhyaya

कुजस्य तृतीयतो भ्राता बुधात् षष्ठे च मातुलः।
देवेज्यात् पंचमात् पुत्रो दाराः शुक्राच्च सप्तमे॥२३॥
kujasya tR^itIyato bhrAtA budhAt ShaShThe ca mAtulaH|
devejyAt paMcamAt putro dArAH shukrAcca saptame||23||

One should see third house from Mars for brothers, sixth from Mercury for maternal uncles, fifth from Jupiter for children and seventh from Venus for wife

This leaves without any doubt that Parasara rishi strictly asked one to analyze the seventh house from Venus for spouse.

A complete book can be written on the application of just the “seventh from Venus” part of the shloka given by Parasara rishi. However, due to lack of time and space, we will deal with some well-known cases and in a tabular study instead of clumsy and detailed charts.

Mercury’s Column

(From Volume IV)

The New Year [2010-2011]

On March 16, 2010 2:32:00 hrs IST New Delhi, India, the world entered into the new era for this year. This same time can be converted for different geographic locations around the world taking into consideration their time difference with respect to the Indian Standard Time. For example, On March 15, 2010 16:02:00 hrs CST Chicago, USA, the new year began.

In this article, I will attempt to answer the question – “Why Chaitra Shukla Pratipad is considered to the start of the New Year”?

For the western readers who are not familiar with the Hindu time-keeping system, Chaitra Shukla Pratipad is the first day after the new moon in Sidereal Pisces sign.

The oldest reference of start of the New Year is found in Yajur Veda. Yajur Veda states that New Year begins with the “Vasanta Ritu”. “Vasanta Ritu” is the spring season. Spring begins when Sun and Moon enters Pisces. The day after the New Moon clearly indicates the start of the Spring Season.

However, why the season spring was selected for this should be interesting to note. More often than not, during the new moon in Pisces, Venus would be exalted in Pisces and Mercury would be debilitated in Pisces. However, it is in this month in which we see the activity in human beings increasing after the cold winter is over. Leaves sprouting on trees and green starting to show up around brings in the message of a new beginning in our lives.

Let us now see how to predict the major world events this year. Considering Pisces to be the first house, we should judge the world events by a progression scheme of a month a sign.

In this way, one can predict the events for a year in general for the world. I had mentioned in AIAC Times Volume III that I will write on how to predict on events from the Shukla Chaitra Pratipad chart. The above method can used to predict on global events. I will discuss finer methods on this in subsequent issues of AIAC Times.

Mars’ Column

(From Volume I)

Health Chakra

In the article “Indian Planetary Images and The Tradition of Astral Magic”, David Pingree writes –

I am providing the images of the manuscript for the reader’s reference below –

Pingree has actually ridiculed these manuscript pages of Kasinath’s Lagnachandrika as utter gibberish and the method of casting the nakshatras as a misinterpretation of the manuscripts and equated it with superstitious magical rituals.

He [Pingree] also mentioned that Graha-chakra is referred to by Narapati in his work Narapatijayacryasvarodayah.

However, I do have a curious mind and wanted to dig a little deeper into the understanding of the graham chakras.

First with the limited collection of texts I have in my personal library here in Chicago, I wanted to find a reference to this kind of chakras. Fortunately I did find one. Before I proceed with the details of the reference, I thought I should mention again the probable dates of the authors of various texts that refer to these graham chakras.

A great classic called Jataka Bharanam written by Pandit Dhundiraj and has a similar and very interesting shlokas on Graha-chakras, in this case Shani-chakra (the circle of Saturn).

On such Chakra is mentioned as Shani Chakra. The Sanskrit shlokas are given below

शुभाशुभज्ञानार्थं शनिचक्रं विलिख्यते-
नराकारं लिखेच्चक्रं शनिचक्रं तदुच्यते।
वेदितव्यं फलं तस्मान्मानवानां शुभाशुभम्॥१॥
shubhAshubhaj.NnAnArthaM shanicakraM vilikhyate-
narAkAraM likheccakraM shanicakraM taducyate|
veditavyaM phalaM tasmAnmAnavAnAM shubhAshubham||1||

जन्मर्क्षतो यत्र च कुत्र संस्थं मित्रस्य पुत्रं प्रथमं विदित्वा।
चक्रे नराख्ये खलु जन्मधिष्ण्याद्विन्यस्य भानि प्रवदेत्फलानि॥२॥
janmarkShato yatra ca kutra saMsthaM mitrasya putraM prathamaM viditvA|
cakre narAkhye khalu janmadhiShNyAdvinyasya bhAni pravadetphalAni||2||

Draw a figure of a man. This form would be called Saturn’s (Shani) Chakra. The auspicious and inauspicious results faced by the native will be judged by this chakra.

In the human figure drawn put all nakshatras from the birth nakshatra as detailed in the following verses. The effect of transit Saturn should be predicted according to corresponding meaning associated with the human body organ which transit Saturn occupies.

नराकारशनिचक्रे नक्षत्रन्यासमाह-
नक्षत्रमेकं च शिरोविभागे मुखे लिखेत्त्रीणि युगं च गुह्ये।
नेत्रे च नक्षत्रयुगं हृदिस्थं भपंचकं वामकरे चतुष्कम्॥३॥
narAkArashanicakre nakShatranyAsamAha-
nakShatramekaM ca shirovibhAge mukhe likhettrINi yugaM ca guhye|
netre ca nakShatrayugaM hR^idisthaM bhapaMcakaM vAmakare catuShkam||3||

The birth nakshatra should be put at the head of the figure, next three nakshatras would comprise of the mouth and the next two in the genitals

Next two nakshatras would comprise of the eyes, five nakshatras in the heart region and four nakshatras in the left hand.

वामे च पादे त्रितयं हि भानां भानां त्रयं दक्षिणपादसंस्थम्।
चत्वारि ऋक्षाणि च दक्षिणाख्ये पाणौ प्रणीतं मुनिनारदेन॥४॥

vAme ca pAde tritayaM hi bhAnAM bhAnAM trayaM dakShiNapAdasaMstham|
catvAri R^ikShANi ca dakShiNAkhye pANau praNItaM muninAradena||4||

Three nakshatras in the left foot, three nakshatras in the right foot and four nakshatras in the right hand

This has been mentioned by Devarshi Narada.

क्रमान्नक्षत्रन्यासेन शनिनक्षत्रफलम्-
रोगो लाभो हानिराप्तिश्च सौख्यं बन्धः पीडा संप्रयाणं च लाभः।
मन्दे चक्रे मार्गगे कल्पनीयं तद्वैलोम्याच्छीघ्रगे स्युः फलानि॥५॥
kramAnnakShatranyAsena shaninakShatraphalam-
rogo lAbho hAnirAptishca saukhyaM bandhaH pIDA saMprayANaM ca lAbhaH|
mande cakre mArgage kalpanIyaM tadvailomyAcchIghrage syuH phalAni||5||

The Nakshatra of Saturn (at birth and also in transit) when placed in various organs of the human body (also called Shani Chakra) will cause the effects in the following ways –

The above mentioned rather insignificant five verses are from a humungous classic called Jataka Bharanam by Pandit Dhundiraja which has been neglected by most jyotish scholars. Is this human figure called Saturn’s chakra (Shanichakra) mentioned by Pandit Dhundiraja and earlier by Narapati and later by Kasinath a ridiculous misinterpretation of the manuscripts as David Pingree suggests?If so, then why is the description of the human body so precise in relation to the nakshatras? Also, why use nakshatras at all for this?

If the Saturn chakra knowledge is relevant, then can such chakras exist for other planets as well?

These questions will be answered in subsequent issues of AIAC Times that is a promise.

Saturn’s Column

(From Volume II)

Objections to Astrology

Harold Washington Public Library’s astrology rack [6^th floor, BF series] is one of my favorite places in the city of Chicago.  Not only do the astrology books hold my interest but I find the books against astrology equally exciting.  One such book which I found particularly interesting is entitled “Objections to Astrology” [1975, Impact Series, Prometheus Books] by Bart J Bok.  The book contains signatures of 192 leading scientists including 19 Nobel Prize winners who unequivocally disavow astrology.  Reading this book was a real treat.

One of the very first things I was taught in jyotish [astrology] is to understand the three principles of Sthana, Kala and Patra [place, time and individual background] when dealing with any issue in jyotish [astrology].  Many astrologers reading a book containing scientific arguments against astrology might become very angry or disappointed.  Such a reaction demonstrates a biased attachment to astrology proving that astrologers, like practitioners of any profession on this planet, are human beings.  However, the best astrologers have their practice grounded in the three primary principles [place, time and individual background].  This gives them the ability to analyze the problem with clarity because they can get into the shoes of the other person and see things from that person’s perspective.

Below is an excerpt from “Objections to Astrology” discussing one of the key arguments the scientific community poses against astrology.

Now, let me mention that the astrological community should understand and appreciate the fact that these arguments are coming from the scientific community.   Thus, any response to this gravity argument must be in language that the scientists can understand.  In communication between two such diverse groups as astrologers and scientists, it makes sense that if the astrologers want to respond to the scientists’ arguments, it is up to the astrologers to address the scientific principles involved.

The question of “how” planets influence us is an extremely relevant and scientifically well-founded question. According to the “Theory of Universal Gravitation” formulated by Sir Issac Newton in 1687, all objects are attracted toward other objects, due to a force called gravitation. This includes everything from subatomic particles to massive stars and planets. The formula given for the gravitational force between two objects is F = GMm/R² where F is the force between the two objects, M is the mass of one object, m is mass of the other object, R is the distance between the centers of the two objects and G is an universal constant.

The scientists argue that such a force between Earth and other planets is too miniscule to affect people and things on earth.  Mentioned below are some issues regarding the arguments posed by the scientific community.

• Neither the astrological community nor any known astrological text has laid claim to the fact that the gravitational forces between the planets govern human life.
• The quality of the gravitational forces between Mars and Earth and Jupiter and Earth (according to accepted norms of physics) is the same, irrespective of the planets involved. However, in astrology these planets and the energies associated with them are given completely diverse domains.  Therefore, how can the force or forces be gravity?
• To make a bold statement, the scientific community has ignored a few scientific facts. The Universe doesn’t collapse on itself due to the presence of dark matter [and dark energy], a principle which is still not completely understood by scientists.  Dark matter plays a very significant role in the theory of gravitational forces.
• It is not entirely true that physical planetary forces have no effect at all on life on Earth.

On the last point let me elaborate a little.  In all astrological texts, Jupiter is has the status of a King or God. In Vedic Astrology, Jupiter is called “Dev Guru”, the Guru of the Devas and is considered a natural benefic planet.  In the example below, modern science reinforces the astrological belief regarding Jupiter’s status as a benefic planet without causing any contradiction.

This image above, taken on January 4 and 5, 2001, by the ion and neutral mass spectrometer instrument on the Cassini spacecraft, makes the huge magnetosphere surrounding Jupiter visible in a way no instrument on any previous spacecraft has been able to do.

Jupiter’s magnetosphere is very special.  It is the biggest thing in the entire solar system.  Not only is it big enough to hold all of Jupiter’s moons, but the sun itself could fit inside. It goes all the way to Saturn.  More importantly, we humans owe our existence to Jupiter and its magnetosphere.  The gravitational force combined with its magnetosphere deflects the inflicting meteors towards the Earth [from Saturn’s belts] and the harmful radiations to the Earth.  No wonder, this failed star [Jupiter] is physically like a God standing there and protecting Earth and its life forms.

The point is how did the scientists “assume” that the principles of astrology are based on planetary “forces”?  Could it be because an astrologer uses a chart based on planetary positions to interpret a person’s destiny?  In that case, any scientist uses a watch to see time.  Would a scientist deduce that the hands of the clock govern the principles of time?  Probably not.

To elaborate, in 1998, I was troubled a lot by a question pertaining to astrology as we know it today.  What if in a few thousand years from now, something happened to the planet Mercury and it just blasted into pieces?

In 2002, I watched a Hollywood movie called “Total Recall” and another question sprang up in my mind.  What would a horoscope of a Martian [or even a human born on Mars] look like?

I encourage my students to ask such questions.  Such questions are not stupid, and if properly analyzed, would shake the very foundation of jyotish as we know it today.

If something happens to the physical planet Mercury one day and it is shattered into pieces in space, all humans will not cease to communicate.  People on Earth will not suffer from memory losses nor cease to learn new things.  Borders and Barnes & Noble for sure will not stop selling books.

All things indicated by Mercury in classical astrology will not undergo any change. The question then is “why” so?  The answer is extremely simple.  If the second hand in my wrist watch breaks, time is not affected at all.

We should not be surprised at all by this reasoning.  After all, we use latitude and longitude to denote any place on Earth based on “imaginary” lines.  All systems of astrology that use the lunar nodes utilize “imaginary” points in space.  Similarly, if the planet Mercury no longer existed, an “imaginary” Mercury could still be plotted and charts with Mercury could still be drawn.

The point I am making is that it isn’t the physical planet Mercury that is influences us; it is the predominant presence of “Mercurial” elements in us that influences us.  The physical planet merely plays the role of a hand of a 9-hand astrological clock [7 planets from Sun to Saturn and 2 nodes].

I will not answer the question as to how the element of Mercury is measured in us [humans] in this article but will surely do so in subsequent articles in the e-zine series.

Now, if someone is born on Mars, what would be their horoscope and how could you predict from it?  For sure, the planet Mars would not be shown in their horoscopes, the factors of Sthana, Kala and Patra [place, time and individual background] would change completely, and a blue-green planet called “Earth” would be seen in the horoscopes of Martians.

Tabulated below are some “objections” raised in the book “Objections to Astrology” and my responses to them.

Much more explanation is necessary on this topic and this issue will be dealt with subsequent issues.