The Art of Synthesis in Jyotish
(Excerpt from the upcoming book on Lagna Bhava) Author: Varahamihira (aka Sarajit Poddar) What makes Jyotish incredibly difficult is the fact that one event in life is influenced by myriads of factors. For instance, each position of various grahas have some say on the nature of wealth in the native’s life. So, in order to decide the quantum of wealth, we can’t just see one bhava or graha and reach conclusion. Again, is wealth constant throughout the person’s life? Nothing is constant in life baring the fact that we are born in such and such mother and father and in a particular birth circumstances. Each of the Bhava results change with time, the health, wealth, valour, valour, happiness, comforts etc. So, while it is necessary to understand the overall theme pertaining to some aspect of life, the next thing is to check how things change in the person’s life with the passage of time, however, however, within the boundary conditions set by the disposition of the grahas in the natal chart. Lets analyse the Lagna Bhava for the standard nativity and see what’s in store from the Lagna perspective.
1. To start the analysi analysis, s, we need to be clear clear what what we are looking looking at. We We are looking at the Lagna Bhava and all the significations it governs. According to Maharishi, Lagna Bhava governs “body (deha! (deha !), appearance (r" (r " pa! pa !), knowledge, wisdom (jñ# (jñ #na! na !), complexion (var$ (var$a!) , strength and weakness (bal# (bal # balam), happiness (sukha! (sukha !), sadness (du% (du%kha! kha!) and nature (svabh# (svabh # va)”. Adding to this, the author 2
of Prasna Marga mentions “Excellence, superior goodness of beauty, skill, cleverness, self confidence (sauthavam), the state of being, existence, perseverance, standing, staying at a place (sthiti), selfdependence, sound state, health, ease, comfort, contentment, satisfaction (svasthya), welfare, wellbeing, yasha, fame (shreya), victory, success and achievement (jayo)”. 2. This means means that that the mentioned mentioned factors can can be influence influenced d by Grahas Grahas occupying or aspecting the Lagna. There is no graha occupying the lagna, but Lagna is aspected by Shani by Purna Drsti. Now we have to think critically regarding Shani’s aspect. (1) Shani can aspect the lagna by purna-drsti from 3 different places, from the 4th house, from the 7th house and from the 11th house. What will be the difference caused by Shani drsti from the different Bhavas. (2) Shani is occupying Mithuna here, but what if Shani had occupied Mesha, Tula or any other Rasi? (3) Shani is the lord of 2nd and 3rd house here. What if Shani was the the lord say Lagna, 8th, 10th, 10th, 4th or any other Bhava? 3. Before moving moving any further further,, lets judge the auspiciou auspiciousness sness of Shani. Shani. Shani is a natural krura graha and has the ability to cause great damage in a horoscope. But we need to know whether it is in a good or bad state. If it is a good state, it will bless and only if it is a bad state, it will curse. Thus the 1st step is to know whether Shani’s drsti is carrying blessings or curses. According to Brhat Jataka 20.11: Planets in exaltation, moolatrikona, svakshetra, mitra, shatru, neecha, and moodha has the ability to give auspicious results in 4 pada, 3 pada, 2 pada, 1 pada, 1/2 pada and 0 results respectively respectively.. 4. Shani is occupying Mithuna Rasi. What kind of sign it is for f or Shani? To know, we have to count from Shani’s mulatrionka Kumbha. Mithuna is the 5th sign from Shani’s Shani’s mulatrikona, hence, Shani is very fond of this sign. Shani is highly favourable to this sign, hence will promote the significations of the Rasi and Bhava. Now, how is the sign lord Budha towards Shani? From Budha’s mulatrikona Kanya, Shani owns 5th and 6th Rasi, hence Budha is neutral towards Shani. So Shani is expected to give some favourable results. Right? We need not be happy as the Graha is Shani, the Karaka of Sorrow, who gives that in ample even when occupying its Mitra-kshetra. According to Saravali, when Shani occupies its Mitra kshetra, the results are “it forces the native to depend on other for food and inclined to do unethical deeds”. Regarding Shani, it blesses only when it occupies its Sva-Uccha-Mula Rasi. In Uccha it blesses with royal assignment, leadership over villages and towns, gain of forest-born grains and company of mean ladies; in mula rasi, Shani 3
blesses one with “birth in a good family, be wealthy and valorous”; and in Sva Rasi, Shani blesses one with “honour and happiness.” 5. Lets have have a detailed detailed look look into quality quality of Shani Shani when when occupying occupying the the Mithuna Bhava. According to Saravali, this position makes one contract debts, imprisonments, toil, be conceited, cunning, wicked, bereft of virtues, always in hide-out and has strong libido. But its not all negative. On the positive side, the native is fond of travelling and sports, and is consecrated by hymns, prayers etc. These are base qualities of Shani when it occupies Mithuna, however, however, it undergoes modification when aspected by other Grahas. 6. When Shani Shani occupies occupies Budha’ Budha’ss Rasi and is aspected aspected by Jupiter Jupiter,, then it undergoes huge transformation. One becomes trustworthy in the king’s circle, possesses many good qualities, liked by the nobles, and earn wealth through his virtues. virtues. 7. So, it is not enough enough to see see the base base qualities qualities of of Graha due due to its occupation of a Rasi, we also need to note the conjunctions and aspects. According to Parashara1, when Shani is aspected by a Shubha graha, it offers freedom from diseases. 8. Having Having established established that that Shani Shani is going going to bless the the native native with good good health, influence, good qualities and virtues, lets see what it is going to give to the various houses it is aspecting. 9. Shani’ Shani’s aspect on on the Lagna Lagna is in Dhanu Dhanu Rasi which which has a specific specific impact. Its aspect on the Lagna in other signs say Tula, Mesha, Makara, Kumbha, Simha etc. will have different results as Shani is differently disposed towards different signs. Shani’s aspect on its Svoccha-MulaMitra will always be auspicious and on Neecha-Shatru sign will be inauspicious. Howe about Dhanu? Shani’s influence is closely intertwined with that of Guru, because Guru occupies Shani’s Rasi and Shani is aspecting Guru’s Rasi, being aspected by Guru. This will cause Shani to give auspicious results. Shani in a Kendra is considered inauspicious, like any other papa-grahas in a Kendra, but Shani’s blemishes are removed by Guru’s Guru’s aspect. In this horoscope, we will consider Shani as auspicious Shani, who is intended to bless the native. 10.Since Shani is under influence of Guru, Shani can’t be negative to the sign owned by Guru. Hence, Shani’s drsti on the Lagna will bring auspiciousness. However, the question is, can Shani shed its natural
1
Pt. Harihara Majumdar edition of BPHS
4
propensities, it being the karaka of Dukha (miseries)? No, any transformation due to conjunctions or aspects, can’t completely remove the natural instincts of the graha. There will always be some traces that will remain. 11.Now lets see, what are base qualities of the results when Shani aspects the Lagna. According to Saravali, when Shani aspects the Lagna, the person is troubled by heavy loads, travels, diseases, become irritated fast, fond of company of old women, sorrowful, remain dirty and be foolish. However, the base qualities are modified when Shani is auspicious by it being placed in svoccha 2. Such Shani blesses the native with kingdom (leadership qualities). In other places Shani gives misery in childhood, dirty disposition, indolence. 12.Shani did give mixed results in this case. The native is not bothered about the dressing sense and can be very inaptly or shabbily dressed for various occasions. But this changed after marriage, as, because Shani is occupying marriage can bring transformation to the Shani. The native suffered very heavily in childhood due to Asthma (Shani=Vayu, Mithuna=Vayu Rasi, Mithuna=Chest region), thanks to the promise of Shani. But miraculously started recovering after his 16th year (16= rising age of Guru). 13.Now, thanks to the blessings of Shani, the native has a matured thinking, philosophical bent of mind, inquisitive attitude, at titude, willingness to work very hard, not daunted by physical ailments, and willingness to help the needy. The same Shani will only make the native a leader, no doubt. Because when Shani lifts someone, who can dare to oppose him? 14.Lets move ahead with the other matters governed by the Lagna. Guru being the Lagnesha occupies occupies Kumbha Rasi, 3rd House House and its dispositor occupies a Kendra. What is the significance of Lagnesha Guru occupying Kumbha Rasi and aspected by Surya, Mangal, Budha? Also, whose aspect will be the strongest. For that, we need to see the degree of Guru in Kumbha Rasi, and also the degrees of the aspecting Grahas Surya, Mangal and Budha. 15.Guru occupies the 21st degree, Surya 9th degree, Budha 17th degree and Kuja 25th degree. Evidently Mangal is very close to Guru’s degree followed by Budha and Surya.
2
Svoccha is sva (own sign), uccha (exaltation)
5
16.When Guru occupies Shani’s Kshetra and aspected by Kuja, the person is valorous, attains a position of army chief with the king, splendorous, well-dressed, famous, honoured. This is extremely important; around this the world life of the native will revolve, as this is none other than the Lagnesha. Guru being the Lagnesha occupies the sign of Valour Valour,, hence it endorses the above traits of aspect of Kuja on Guru occupying Shani Kshetra. 17.On the other hand, when Guru occupies Shani-kshetra and aspected by Budha, the person has a strong libido; he is important among his folk, endowed with conveyances, wealth, many friends and is famous. The aspect of Surya will bless the native with learning, kinghood, wealth from birth, many comforts and luxuries, and high courage. 18.What’s mentioned above are the key personality traits in various proportions depending on the strength of aspect. The native however had to suffer in childhood due to health and finances, that is promised by Shani’s Shani’s aspect. Remember Guru is not not free from Shani’s Shani’s clutch as it is occupying Shani’s sign. Hence suffering in childhood was guaranteed. Health wise, the native recovered from childhood Asthma, but he is constantly suffering from some or other health troubles. That is promised by Lagnesha in Shani kshetra, Shani aspecting the Lagna, Chandra neecha in a Dusthana conjoined with another neecha papagraha. But the blessings to overcome them came from Guru’s drsti on Shani, Kuja Drsti on Guru and Chandra and Chandra Vargottama. 19.Now what is the impact of Lagnesha Guru occupying the 3rd house. There are two components to it, (1) Guru occupying 3rd house and (3) Lagnesha Guru occupying 3rd house. Lets analyse them one by one. 20.When Guru occupies the Sahaja Bhava, it can be placed in different signs for different Lagnas. We need to understand (1) The base results of Guru in Sahaja Bhava (2) Modification caused by Guru in Kumbha (3) Modification caused by Kuja-Budha-Surya aspecting it. Guru’s position in Sahaja is not a auspicious position as the Bhava is governed by Kuja, in natural zodiac owned by Budha, is the Natural Uccha Kshetra of Rahu and Neecha Kshetra of Ketu. According to Phaladeepika, with this position, the native becomes sinful, wicked, miserly, miserly, suffer humiliation, however one of the brothers attain a position of honour and is renowned. Now, will the results be the same in all the signs or they will be transformed in different signs? According to Brhat Jataka, Guru’s position in Kumbha is akin to its exaltation, hence the Guru is Shubha in Kumbha. Saravali mentions that Guru in exaltation
6
blesses the native with wealth, scholarship, honour and talent. The same can be expected. 21.However, we can’t ignore the words of Kalyanavarma who says, Guru in Kumbha give inauspicious results i.e., it makes the native a tale bearer, bearer, irritable, interested in evil jobs, fond of company of base men, malicious, miserly, suffer from diseases, lose wealth on account his own words, devoid of intelligence, virtues and violate elder’s elder’s beds. However the person is chief among his race men. So, there is a potential of all these results happening. If Guru was not aspected by the 3 grahas mentioned above, I would have taken the base results of Guru’s occupation in Kumbha. However, since Guru has undergone transformation under the aspect of the 3 grahas, I will take the transformed results which gives leadership qualities, qualities, virtues and honour. honour. 22.How about Lagnesha occupying the 3rd house? According to Maharishi Parashara, this position of Lagnesha grants qualities such as equal to a lion in valour (simha-tulya-parakrami), endowed with every kinds of wealth (sarva-sampada-yuta), honourable (maani), two wives (dvi-bharya), intelligent (matimaan), comfortable (sukhi). The results are never the same for different Lagnas as the Lagnesha will vary, and the Rasi position of the Lagnesha will also vary. vary. For instance, for Simha Lagna when Surya occupies Neecha in the 3rd house, what results can it give? Can it give happiness, comforts and wealth? No. Even in courage, the native will attack under the belt, hence not real gallant and valorous person. If Guru was not under the influence of the grahas aspecting from the 9th house, I would have said more negative results of than positive. However, However, since we have established that Guru is a Shubha Guru, all the positive results due to Lagnesha’s placement in the 3rd house will manifest. In the next part, we will see how the various results are manifested differently in the course of different Dasas and Transits. Transits.
7
