Article by GH. Visweswara

Introduction

Rashi sandhi and Gandantha: What literature on astrology says

Literature on Astrology says that planets positioned at the end of the all the signs cause health as well as relationship problem. The karakatwas related to those houses such as marriage, profession would not be stable. Whereas, planets at the beginning of a sign weak and helpless to deliver the expected results. Such planets cause delay in getting married or finding a job or getting children etc.

The gandantha portions of nakshatra form another class of sandhi which is considered inauspicious. The portions of the nakshatra are:

Last 3 deg 20 min of Ashlesha & first 3 deg 20 min of Makha.
Last 3 deg 20 min of Jyeshta & first 3 deg 20 min of Moola.
Last 3 deg 20 min of Revathi & first 3 deg 20 min of Ashvini.

These are the malefic junction regions in a chart. Among these Parasara considers the Jyeshta-Moola gandanta to be the worst afflicted and the Revati-Ashwini to be the least problematic.

Gandantha is considered particularly inopportune because it is a double sandhi, a juncture of both two rashis as well as two nakshatras.

Effect of planets placed in gandantha

Planets located in these degrees in the rashi are very weak irrespective of their placement status and indicate major problems in native’s life unless the planets involved are strengthened by appropriate remedies. The area of one degree on either side is considered as the area of malefic content. All astrological texts affirm that a planet in Rashi-sandhi destroys that Rashi. This has no relation to the karakatwa of the planet.

Naturally malefic planets such as Sun, Mars, Ketu, Rahu, Saturn, afflicted Mercury, waning and afflicted Moon are innately predisposed to cause disturbance in health. While out of these Sun, Mars, Rahu, Ketu, and Saturn are the usual suspects.

Saturn and Rahu are also the Karakas of disease and if they are linked in any manner with the disease ruling 6^th house.They are rendered especially potent to give ill-health according to the Sign, Planet, House or the Karaka they afflict.

Dasha of planets placed in the Rashi Sandhi/Gandanta are terrible to the house lorded by the planet and the natural significations of the planet.

Timing of inauspicious effects

Planets showcase an inauspicious effect when placed in these areas or transiting these highly sensitized zones while adverse Mahadasha (Major Periods: MD), Antardasha (Sub Periods: AD) or Pratyantardasha (Sub-Sub-Periods: PD) are running. During such periods, these planets could lead to adverse incidents such as accident, injury, serious health problem, break in relationship or some other distress, giving a lot of physical and mental pain. The dasha of a planet in Rashi-Sandhi (especially Gandanta) can bring sorrow and disease. If the planet in the last degree of the sign, it may even inflict death.. The trouble would pass by in a malefic’s antardasha and would be lesser during the benefic’s antardasha.

Remedies

A gandantha planet should never be ignored. Something serious is possible during the dasa of a planet placed in gandantha. If such a person comes to the astrologer, advice remedial measures like Mahamrityunjay Mantra, which can alleviate some suffering. During gandantha nakshatra dasha or maraka dashas perform Ayushya Homa to improve longevity. It is suggested that the deity of the nakshatra lord is to be propitiated for the solution to this predicament.

Combinations for accidents:

While analysing the results of gandantha placement, it may be useful to note the following signs of accidents:
Mars and Rahu are karaka for accidents; Rahu can cause sudden accidents;
Mars (natural owner of 8H) dasha if mars connects to 12H;
Mars-Jupiter combination in Lagna causes fractures and accidents;
Mars-Saturn in 12H; Saturn transit over Mars or at trinal positions to it at exact degree;
Venus-Rahu dasha can cause accidents, depending on placement etc.;
Rahu in 5^th from Moon—accident prone, danger from water;
Ketu– injuries from accidents and fire; Ketu in 6H with 6L—injuries by accidents;
Afflicted 10L in 12H;
3H when afflicted — accidents on road or when on the move;
6H and 8H;
Only malefics in Kendras;
Strong 8H is said to give protection from accidents.

CASE STUDIES

With the above background, a few case studies are presented to illustrate and verify the effects of planets in gandantha.

Conditions observed:

When an accident or operation or serious illness occurs in a horoscope with planet in gandantha, it is found that

The Mahadasha lord (MDL), Antardasha lord (ADL) and Pratyantar dasha lord (PDL) all are ‘associated’ with the gandantha planet in D-1 or D-9.
In transit, all three dasha lords and additionally the lagna lord (LL) and Moon come under the ‘influence’ of natal or transit gandantha planet. Influence can be by aspect, conjunction, exchange or by placement in the sign owned by the gandantha planet or influence on the dispositor of the concerned planet. The gandantha planet itself need not necessarily be influenced by natal gandantha planet.
The seriousness of the incident is dependent on the malefic degree of the ADL.

Exception:

In one case, where Ketu alone was in last degree of gandantha, it has not caused any mishaps/accidents/sickness under similar conditions.

Note: All accidents or sickness for such natives need not be related to this set of conditions. Some of them may be caused due to reasons other than the gandantha planet.

Note:

In every case discussed below exact date of the event was not available. Based on conditions observed in clear cases, assumption has been made in some cases about exact time, within the broad time that was given. Other astrologers can verify this on data with them and confirm if these set of conditions cause these incidents in majority of cases. This would increase the possibility of predicting the dates of such mishaps with a greater accuracy.

Part I: cases of accidents

Case 1: Pry

Further to the following factors that indicare the accident proneness, note the planet in last degree of gandantha:

Mercury is in the last degree in Gandantha & dispositor of Mars
Ketu is in gandantha with 6L Jup
Rahu is in 8H in the last degree
Jupiter as the Lord (3,6) aspecting Mars & Mercury
Mars aspecting 12H
3H afflicted due to Ketu in 3^rd Bhava, aspect of Mars and affliction to 3L Jupiter by Ketu.

Primarily, Mercury is in gandantha in the last degree becoming a harmful planet. Being placed in its own nakshatra, it has worsened the condition of Mercury (nakshatra lord also being in gandantha). By dispositing Mars, it afflicts Mars with the same harmfulness. Mars as Lord of second and seventh house has acquired maraka qualities also. Mars as the afflicted planet becomes responsible for accidents along with Rahu.

Dashas of planets which can cause accidents:

Venus is 8L (also Lagna Lord) and is dispositor of Rahu – is capable of causing accidents.
Saturn aspects Mercury and hence in its dasha triggers effects of Mercury.
Ketu itself is in gandantha & can cause accidents being conjunct with 6L. Ketuis also in nakshatra of Mercury worsening the potential for bad results.
Jupiter is malefic in its periods as Lord (3, 6) & is disposited by Mars. As 6L, it is capable of causing accidents. It aspects Mercury & hence can trigger the bad effects of Mercury in its dasha.
Hence Mercury, Mars, Sat, Rahu/Ketu & Venus indicate accidents in their periods & sub-periods.

The fact that Moon, Mars and Jupiter are in Pushkara Navamsa and that Saturn as Yogakaraka is exalted. This may mitigate the severity or consequence of accidents, but cannot avoid it.

Event 1:

1^st or 2^nd April 2000. Fracture on right knee after jumping into a waterfall and unexpectedly landed on a stone.Another person had jumped at the same point just before the native.

Dasha: Jup-Mars-Sat;

Jupiter aspects 10H and triggers Mercury; Mars’ dispositor Mercury in gandantha in 10H injured right knee; Saturn aspects Mercury and also signifies injury due to stone.
The ADL Mars is a malefic, but by virtue of being a Kendra lord & placement in the 9H, the bad effect is mitigated.

Transit: MDL Jup, ADL Mars and PDL Saturn are together in sign of Mars. Sat disposits Mercury. Both Moon & lagnalord Venus are with Mercury. Thus all are linked to the Mercury indirectly or directly in transit. Further, Mars, the ADL aspects 10H and is a malefic.

Event 2:

23rd July 2006: Accident resulting in fracture and injury to calf muscle.

Dasha: Sat-Mer-Mer;

Saturn aspects Mercury; Mercury being in 10H/11^th bhava caused injury to calf-muscle; Mercury has given the results of the bhava rather than rashi.
Mercury as ADL has become malefic due to conjunction with Sun and by being the gandantha planet.

Transit: Saturn with natal Mercury; Mercury in its own sign; Moon & Venus are with Mercury; Mars is in 11H.

Event 3:

17th May 2011- minor fracture on right ankle.

Dasha: Sat-Ven-Rahu;

Saturn aspects Mercury, Dispositor of Venus is with Mercury, Rahu aspects Mercury in D-9; Rahu indicates injury to feet; Venus indicates leg and disposits Rahu; Sat indicates fracture to limbs; combined effect is more on feet.
ADL Venus is a benefic reducing the effect of the accident.

Transit: Saturn in sign of Mercury, Lagna Lord Venus with Mercury in sign of Mars, Moon aspected by Mercury. Rahu is alone and its dispositor Jupiter is with Mercury& Mars; interestingly, Mercury & a Venus are exactly conjunct on that day.

Event 4:

Native is not sure about the exact date of the event but remembers it as first week of February 2002. The accident resulted in bruises on his face, arms and back after the fall.

Dasha: Dasha: Jup-Rahu-Mer;

Jupiter aspects Mercury, Rahu aspects Mercury in D-9; the injuries were primarily 2H and 3H related as Jup & Rahu both afflict 2H & 3H; Mercury in 10H signifies back.
Rahu is a malefic ADL, but being in exaltation sign, mitigated the seriousness.

Transit: On 1^st and 2^nd February 2002 (Friday/Saturday), Moon was in Virgo, Rahu & Jup in Gemini, Venus with Mercury and aspected by natal Mercury and thus Mercury was influencing all concerned planets.

Event 5:

Native recollects, duringmiddle of February 2009; fell down while crossing road as a vehicle passed by and fell unconscious after hitting at the head.

The dasha and transits are considered for Feb 12/13^th, 2009.

Dasha: Sat-Ketu-Ven;

Saturn aspects Mercury, Ketu aspects Mercury and is with Mercury in D-9, dispositor of Venus is with Mercury; Venus being lagna lord and Saturn being in Lagna caused injury to head. Ketu makes the cause of accident unexplainable.
Ketu, though a malefic ADL is in the sign of exaltation with benefic Jupiter andhence the consequence was less serious.

Transit: Mars afflicted by Mercury aspects Saturn; Sat disposits lagna lord and aspects lagna; Mercury, Mars and Jupiter are aspected by natal Mercury; Jupiter is the dispositor of Venus; Moon is in the sign of Mercury; Ketu is with natal Mercury.

Event 6:

Summer 1991 – Fell off a tree and hurt back.

The date of the even has been assumed as May 19/20^th, 1991 .

Dasha: Jup-Sat-Rahu;

Jupiter & Saturn aspects Mercury, Rahu aspects Mercury in D-9; Saturn signifies injuries sustained by falling from trees & stones; 10H signifies back injury.
ADL Sat being an exalted Yogakaraka mitigated the seriousness of injury.

Transit: Jupiter, Mars & Moon are with natal Mercury; Jupiter in 10H, Saturn is aspected by natal Mercury and aspects 10H, Mars in10H in exchange with Mercury in 7H; Jupiter disposits Rahu; lagna lord is in the sign of Mercury.

Case 2: Sud

In the chart, Mars is in gandantha; Venus is in nakshatra of Mars; Sun is 6L and is conjunct Mars in the same nakshatra; Saturn is also in nakshatra of Mars. Rahu is aspected by Mars and is in 11H (6^th to 6H). Mars is aspecting 12H. Saturn afflicts the 3H.

Event 7:

On 3-12-2000, a major car accident occurred when travelling in a car resulting in fractures. The car fell off a hill, but more serious consequence was miraculously avoided.

Dasha: Mars-Venus-Sun;

Mars in gandantha, Venus is the 3^rd and 8^th lord and signifies vehicles and disposits Saturn in 3H its dispositor Mercury is with Mars; Mars is the dispositor of Venus in D-9; Sun is 6L with Mars & is aspected by malefic Saturnfrom 3H.
The ADL Venus is L (3,8) and hence is bad functional malefic but a natural benefic, aspected by Jup L (1,10) making the accident not very serious, though it could have been on.

Transit: Transit Mars aspects Venus; Sun is in the sign of Mars; Transit Mars is aspecting natal lagna and the lagna lord; Moon is aspected by natal Mars.

Case 3: Rvc

Moon is in gandantha, in 8^th house but in first degree. 3^rd house is aspected by Mars and 3^rd lord Moon is in R-K axis. Mars is in 12^th house aspected by Saturn. Rahu is with lagna lord and 6^th lord Venus.

Event 8:

Native blanked out for a few minutes while driving and had a car accident on 25^th Aug 2002. There were no serious injuries.

Dasha: Moon-Sat-Jup;

Moon is the planet in gandantha; Jupiter aspects and disposits Moon. Saturn aspects Cancer, the sign of Moon in D-9; Saturn aspects Mars in 12^th house; Jupiter as 8^th lord is with Mars & is aspected by Saturn. The aspect of Moon conjunct Ketu on lagna lord Venus conjunct Rahu would have caused the blanking out and the car accident.
The ADL Saturn is a Yogakaraka well placed and hence the severity was not much.

Transit: Moon is the gandantha planet; Saturn was in Gem aspected by natal Moon; Jupiter was in Cancer, influenced by Moon; Venus was in Virgo in Hasta nakshatra of Moon; Moon on 25th was in Pisces, but being the gandantha planet, its position does not matter; however, Moon’s dispositor Jupiter is placed in Cancer, the sign of Moon.

Case 4: Willy Shoemaker

Venus is in gandantha, though not in last degree. Rahu in the 8^th house and aspected by Mars and Rahu in 5^th from Moon. Thismakes the native accident prone. Ketu-Rahu in 2-8 axis with Mars also indicates accident. Venus as 3^rd lord signifies accidents on road or while in movement.

Event 9:

The native met with an non-fatal accident on 30 April 1969. It was a riding injury that resulted in broken pelvis and other injuries.

Dasha: Ketu-Rahu-Jup;

Ketu’s dispositor is Venus in D-9; Rahu aspects Venus and Rahu’s dispositor is with Venus; Jupiter is conjunct Venus. Ketu is aspected by 6^th lord Saturn; Jupiter as 8^th lord of accidents is in 12 houseof hospitalisation with gandantha Venus and is aspecting 6^th; 6^th house can be considered to signify pelvic region.
The ADL Rahu being a malefic the accident was serious.

Transit: Ketu, Rahu, Jupiter, and Moon are all in the same axis with gandantha Venus. Lagna lord Sun was in Aries in Bharani nakshatra of Venus.

Event 10:

The native met with an non-fatal accident on 26^th January 1968 while riding and broke the thigh bone.

Dasha: Ketu-Moon-Moon;

Ketu’s dispositor is Venus in D-9; Venus is in the sign of Moon. Ketu is aspected by 6^th lord Saturn; Rahu aspects Venus; Moon is 12^th lord debilitated in 4^th Dispositor of Moon is Mars in R-K axis who is lord of 9^th house representing thighs. Venus is in the sign of Moon.
ADL Moon is debilitated and hence weak and its dispositor is in R-K axis.

Transit:

Ketu’s dispositor Mercury & lagna lord Sun in transit are aspected by natal Venus; Moon in transit is with transit Venus.

Case 5: Brennan Eileen

Mercury is in gandantha in last degree. Lagna lord & 8^th lord Venusus is conjunct with it. Mars in 9H aspects 12H & is disposited by Mars. 6L Jupiter is afflicted with Ketu. 3^rd lord Jupiter is afflicted with Ketu. 3^rd house is aspected by Mars & afflicted Jupiter.

Event 11:

The native had a non-fatal automobile accident on 28^th October 1982 and broken legs, jaw and skull.

Dasha: Sat-Moon-Moon;

Saturn aspects natal Mercury; Moon’s dispositor is Mercury, Moon in 12^th house is aspected by Mars, also disposited by Mercury. Saturn aspects lagna and lagna lord and Mars who is 2^nd lord (jaw & skull) is retrograde as well as Moon is retrograde. Further Saturn signifies injuries to teeth and legs. Venus is the karaka for vehicles and is conjunct Mercury and aspected by Saturn.
The ADL Moon is malefic by being close to Sun and aspected by Mars causing more serious injuries.

Transit: Dispositor of Sat is Venus and dispositor of Moon is Saturn, both of which are aspected by natal Mercury. Transit Mercury is placed with the natal Moon. Venus is lagna lord.

Case 6: McDonald Sheena

Mars is in gandantha in Sagittarius. It is aspected by Sat, though exalted. Mars aspects 12^th house. Rahu afflicts Mars. 3^rd house is not afflicted but 3^rd lord Mercury is with Ketu and aspected by afflicted Mars. From Moon – lagna, Rahu and Mars are in 8^th house.

Event 12:

The native met with a non-fatal accident on 27 February 1999 at 00:15 AM in Islington, England (Auto accident, head trauma). Despite severe head injuries and memory loss, Sheena has responded well to rehabilitation from what she calls a “life-changing experience.”

Dasha: Jup-Ven-Mars;

Jupiter is 6^th lord aspecting Mars; Venus aspects Mars in D-9; Mars is the gandantha planet; Mars aspects lagna and lagna lord in retro and left with a injury to the head.;
ADL Venus though a benefic is a functional malefic.

Transit:

Jupiter, Venus and lagna lord Moon are aspected by natal Mars.

Case 7: Ernest Hemingway

Mercury is in gandantha in Leo. In Kala software (SA), it shows at 0 Deg instead of 3 Deg shown in JHora. Mercury is conjunct with Mars and is aspected by the 6^th lord Saturn.

3^rd lord Venus is placed in R-K axis in the sign of gandantha planet and 8L Jupiter is in the 3^rd house.