Sthira Dasa – Exposition by Iranganti Rangacharya

 Article by Iranganti Rangacharya, India.

STHIRA DASA has been dealt by Dr.B.V.Raman in his studies in Jaimini Astrology. It is based on the method of the popular commentator, Neelakanta, who, we understand evinced more scholarship than practicable exposition throughout his commentary of the 1^st and 2^nd Adhyayas  of the Jaimini Sutras. In this article I would like to attempt a practicable exposition of Sthira Dasa which may differ a little in perceiving Brahma in the nativities . The readers may try both the methods and find good results, since Sthira Dasa is one of the most valid and authentic Ayurdasas though not applicable in all the nativities except where Brahma is present. I am convinced of both the methods to be used if necessary to increase the chances of Brahma’s presence in the nativities though Neelakanta’s method does not sound logical in the rejection of Saturn’s eligibility for Brahmahood despite his eligibility for being Rudra and Maheswara.

Reckoning of Sthira Dasa

ब्रह्मादिरेषा २-३-४

brahmādireṣā 2-3-4

Sthira Dasa begins from the sign occupied by Brahma. The Dasa signs run in the direct order from the sign occupied by  Brahma, whether it be odd or even.

Dasa Periods:

शशि (55/12 = 7) नन्द (80/12 =8) पावकः (141/12 =9) क्रमादब्दः स्थिर दशायां २-३-३

śaśi nanda pāvakaḥ kramādabdaḥ sthira daśāyāṁ 2-3-3

The cardinal (Chara), fixed (Sthira) and dual (Dwiswabhava) signs respectively carry 7,8,9 years. It means as follows:

• Mesha, Kataka, Thula and Makara get 7 years each.
• Vrishabha,Simha,Vrischika and Kumbha get 8 years each.
• Mithuna,Kanya,Dhanus and Meena get 9 years each.

This means that the Dasa periods are constant, unlike those of Chara,Trikona Dasas etc.

Brahma Graha:

The Neelakanta method of finding out Brahma Graha may be fairly understood in Studies in Jaimini Astrology, pages 43 and 44 . I give below a more practicable method of finding out Brahma Graha.

प्रभु भाव वैरीश प्राणि पितृलाभ प्राण्यनुचरो विषमस्थो ब्रह्मा

prabhu bhāva vairīśa prāṇi pitṛlābha prāṇyanucaro viṣamastho brahmā

Prabhu(42/12=6) Bhava (44/12=8) Vairee(24/12=12).

Pitru labha prani is the middle part of the entire sutra, with nine letters on both sides and acts a lamp on a threshold (Dehali deepika nyaya). From the sutra the following steps may be understood: –

Step 1: Find out the lords of the 6^th,the 8^th and the 12^th houses of Janma Lagna or its 7^th house whichever is stronger.

Step 2: How to know whether Janma Lagna or its 7^th house is stronger.

• The one which is occupied by a planet is stronger than that which is vacant.
• The one which is occupied by more number of planets is stronger than that which is occupied by less.
• If both are occupied by equal number of planets, judge the strength of the planets according as exaltation etc.
• If both are unoccupied by the planets, judge the strength of Lagna lord and 7^th lord by exaltation etc.
• If both are equally strong, the planet , which has covered more degrees, is stronger than the one which has less degrees.
• If the degrees are equals , judge by the praativesika strength which means thus: An odd sign is stronger if its lord is in an even sign than the odd sign whose lord is in an odd sign . An even sign is stronger if its lord is in an odd sign than an even sign whose lord is in an even sign .
• If praativesika strength is equal, judge by the natural strength of the planet. The Sun is strongest and Saturn is the weakest. The increasing order of strength is – Saturn, Mars, Mercury ,Jupiter , Venus , Moon and Sun.

Step 3: Ascertain the strongest of the 6^th,the 8^th and the 12^th lords of Janma Lagna or its 7^th house which ever is stronger. (a) Judge their strengths by exaltation etc. (b) If equally strong, judge by the degrees they possess. The planet getting the highest degrees is the strongest. (c) If by degrees they are equal in strength, ascertain by their natural strength, as mentioned above.

Step 4: Find out the placement of the strongest lord (the 6^th or the 8^th  or the 12^th ) so ascertained. If he is reckoned from Janma Lagna, and if he occupies Janma Lagna or the 3^rd or the 5^th, he becomes Brahma. If he is reckoned from the 7^th house, and if he occupies the 7^th or the 9^th or the 11^th ,he becomes Brahma.  According to Neelakanta, Mesha, Mithuna, Simha,Thula,Dhanus,Kumbha are referred to as Vishamastha(odd).

Timing of Fatality by Sthira Dasa:

For timing of fatality, death inflicting Dasa signs in Sthira Dasa should be ascertained. Apropos, it is first necessary to decide the term of life ,whether short, middle or long in the chart. If the term of life is short, judge the first four Dasa sings from the sign occupied by Brahma. If the term of life is middle, judge the 5^th,6^th,7^th and 8^th Dasa sings. If the term of life is long, judge the 9^th,10^th ,11^th and 12^th Dasa signs. Make use of the following principles to make out the probable death – inflicting Dasa or Bhukti signs, according to the term of life ascertained in the horoscopic chart :

1. Dasa sign aspected by a malefic.
2. Dasa sign occupied by a malefic.
3. Dasa sign whose 5^th and 9^th signs are occupied by malefics.
4. Paka and Bhoga Dasa sings occupied by malefics.
5. Dasa sign and its lord connected with one to two malefic whether by aspect or by association.
6. Dasa sign aspected by the waning Moon.
7. Dasa sign and its lord aspected by the waning Moon or by Venus.
8. Dasa sign aspected by Rahu, Ketu on one side and  Mars and Saturn on the other side.
9. Dasa sign aspected by Rahu, Ketu and Saturn and occupied or aspected by Mars
10. Dasa sign whose 8^th sign is occupied by the Moon.
11. Brahma, if associated with Saturn, Rahu , Ketu , the strongest of the lords of the 6^th,8^th and 12^th houses of Brahma will be the death-inflicting planet. It means the sign occupied by him will be death-inflicting (Sutra: Brahmani Sanau Patayorvatatah).
12. If Brahma is associated with more than two planets the 12^th sign of Atmakaraka becomes death- inflicting (Sutra: Bahunam yoge Swajateeyah Jateeya(169/12=12).
13. If Brahma is associated with Rah or Ketu, the 10^th Dasa sign closes the life(Sutra: Rahy Yoge Viparteetam -6214/12=10).
14. Brahma being the 8th lord of Atmakaraka, in the 8th house becomes death-inflicting (Sutra: Brahma Swabhavesa Bhavasthah)

The readers may refer to the sutras 30,31,32,33,34 in the 1^st pada of the 2^nd Adhyaya for a proper understanding of these principles.

Illustrations:

 Chart 1: Born 20–04–1872 (Birth Ghatikas=36–45)

The Birth Ascendant being Vrischika, the 7^th house is stronger than Janma Lagna because Venus, the lord of the 7thhouse is exalted, while Lagna lord, Mars , is in his Moola trikona house. The 6^th,8^th and 12^th lords from the 7^th house are respectively Venus, Jupiter and Mars. Jupiter is the strongest, because he is exalted and secures the highest degrees in the three. Jupiter is in the 3^rd odd sign reckoned from the 7^th house and hence Jupiter becomes Brahma. Sthira Dasa begins from Kataka occupied by Brahma and the Dasa signs are Kataka=7 ,Simha=8, Kanya=9 ,Thula=7,Vrischika=8,Dhanus=9,Makara=7,Kumbha=8,Meena=9. The native died  at the age of 63 in 1935 in the end of Kumbha sign. Kumbha is aspected by three malefics, Sun, Mars, Mercury . The 8^th of Kumbha is occupied by the Moon (Principles 1 & 10).

 Chart 2 : Born 5–10–1909 at 11.15p.m.

 Janma Lagna Mithuna is stronger than its 7^th house, because Janma Lagna is occupied by the Moon, while the 7^th  house is vacant. The lords of the 6^th,8^th and 12^th houses of Janma Lagna are respectively Mars, Saturn and Venus. Of these three, Venus is the strongest because he is placed in his Moolatrikona. Venus is in the 5^th odd sign, Thula, reckoned from Janma Lagna and hence Venus becomes Brahma. According to Neelakanta also Venus becomes Brahma, since he is placed in Thula, an odd sign.

 Sthira Dasa begins from Thula occupied by Brahma and the Dasa signs are Thula=7,Vrischika=8,Dhanus=9,Makara=7,Kumbha=8,Meena=9,Mesha=7,Vrishabha=8,Mithuna=9,Kataka=7. The native died on 11-4-1985 in Kataka Dasa sign. The 5^th and 9^th of Kataka are occupied by the malefics viz. Ketu and Mars-Saturn. Kataka is aspected by Ketu and its lord, the Moon , is aspected by Mars and Saturn. Kataka is aspected by Ketu and its lord, the Moon, is aspected by Mars and Saturn. Kataka is aspected by Rahu and Ketu (Principles 1,3,5).

Chart 3: Born 30–11–1911 (Birth Ghatikas=50–30).

The Janma Lagna is Scorpio. The 7^th house is stronger than Janma Lagna, since the 7^th is occupied by two planets , Mars and Rahu while Janma Lagna is occupied by one planet Ketu. The 6^th,8^th and 12^th lords from the 7^th house are Venus, Jupiter and Mars respectively . Jupiter is the strongest of the three. He is placed in the 11thhouse and hence he becomes Brahma. Sthira Dasa begins from Kanya occupied by Brahma. The Dasa signs are Kanya=9, Thula=7, Vrischika=8, Dhanus=9, Makara=7, Kumbha=8, Meena=9, Mesha=7 , Vrishabha=8. The native died in 1981 at the age of 70 in Vrishabha Dasa sign. Vrishabha is occupied by Mars and Rahu and aspected by Sun and Mercury. Pakadasa sign is Vrishabha occupied by malefics, Mars and Rahu and Bhoga Dasa sign, Makara , is occupied by malefics, Sun and Mercury .(Principles 1,2,4).

 Chart 4: Born 20–9–1933 at 9 a.m.

 Janma Lagna Thula is stronger than its 7^th house , because Thula is occupied by two planets while the 7^th house is vacant. The 6^th,8^th ,12^th lords from Janma Lagna are respectively Jupiter, Venus and Mercury. Venus only is in Janma Lagna, while Jupiter and Mercury being on the other side, 12^th, are not considered. Venus becomes Brahma. According to Neelakanta, Venus also becomes Brahma because of placement in Thula, an odd sign. Sthira Dasa begins from Thula and the Dasa signs are Thula=7, Vrischika=8,Dhanus=9,Makara=7,Kumbha=8, Meena=9,Mesha=7,Vrishabha=8.

The female native of Chart 4 died on 30- 11 – 1989 in Vrishabha Dasa sign . The 5^th and 9^th of Vrishabha are occupied by malefics. Vrishabha is aspected by the malefics Mars and Saturn. Vrishabha Dasa is aspected by Mars and Saturn, while Venus, the Dasa sign lord, is associated with Mars (Principles- 1,3,5). Death happened in Vrishabha – Vrishabha.

 Chart 5: Indira Gandhi – Born 19–11–1917 at 11.12 p.m.

 Janma Lagna is Kataka occupied by Saturn, while its 7^th house is occupied by the Moon. Saturn is placed in his inimical house, while the Moon occupies his neutral house. Hence the 7^th house is stronger than Janma Lagna. The 6^th,8^th and 12^th lords from the 7th house are  respectively Mercury, the Sun and Jupiter. Jupiter is in the 5^th odd sign from the 7^th house of Janma Lagna. Hence Jupiter becomes Brahma. According to Neelakanta, Brahma is absent since Jupiter occupies Vrishabha, an even sign. Sthira Dasa begins from Vrishabha occupied by Brahma and Dasa signs are Vrishabha=8, Mithuna=9, Kataka=7, Simha=8, Kanya=9, Thula=7, Vrischika=8, Dhanus=9, Makara=7.

Mrs. Gandhi was assassinated on 31-10-1984 in Makara Dasa sign. Makara is aspected by three malefics, Mars, Sun and Mercury (Principle 1). Makara and its lord, Saturn are connected by the aspects of Sun, Mercury and Mars(Principle 5). Actually her death happened in Makara- Mesha, since Mesha is aspected by three malefics, Mars, Sun and Mercury.

Chart 6: Pandit Nehru : Born 14–11–1889 at 11:03 p.m.

Janma Lagna is Kataka. The 6^th,8^th and 12^th lords from Janma Lagna are Jupiter, Saturn and Mercury are Jupiter, Saturn and Mercury respectively. Jupiter is the strongest of the three and is placed in the 6^th  sign from Janma Lagna, which is Dhanus , an odd sign. According to Neelakanta, Jupiter becomes Brahma. Sthira Dasa begins from Dhanus occupied by Brahma and the Dasa signs are   Dhanus=9, Makara=7, Kumbha=8, Meena=9, Mesha=7, Vrishabha=8, Mithuna=9, Kataka=7, Simha=8, Kanya=9 . Nehru died on 27-5-1964 in Kanya-Dhanus . Kanya is occupied by Mars and aspected by Rahu and Ketu(Principles 1,2) Kanya is the 10^th sign from Brahma. (Principle 13). Dhanus is occupied by Brahma (Jupiter) and Ketu and aspected by Mars and Rahu(Principles 1,2).

Chart 7 : Born 12–8–1952 and died 25–6–1988.

Janma Lagna is Mithuna . Both Janma Lagna and its 7^th house are vacant Mercury, the lord of Janma Lagna , occupies Kataka, an inimical sign. Jupiter , the 7^th lord , occupies Mesha, a friendly sign.  Hence the 7^th house is strong than Janma Lagna. The 6^th,8^th and 12^th lords from the 7^th house are respectively Venus, Moon, Mars. Hence the Moon becomes Brahma, since he occupies Mesha, the 11^th sign. Sthira Dasa begins from Mesha and the Dasa signs are Mesha=7,Vrishabha=8,Mithuna=9,Kataka=7,Simha=8. Death  happened in Simha Dasa according to the Principles 5,8. The native died on 25-6-1988 in Simha-Meena. Meena is aspected by Saturn.

About Author : Iranganti Rangacharya is one of the oldest authorities on Jaimini alive today, born in 1927, he started astrology at the age of 25 in 1952. Later in 1960 he started meticulous study of Jaimini astrology & thus has 48 rich years of experience in Jaimini at this age of 81. Author of numerous articles since 4 decades, 9 books & an extremely humble soul who inspite of weak health contributes to the cause of Jaimini. His work Jaimini Sutramritam published by Sagar Publications, New Delhi is considered a classic by the serious student of Jaimini Astrology.