Q & A 2

2/ Q & A

Q. Comparing Upapada and seventh bhava. I am not able to know when to refer to Upapada and when to refer to seventh house other than physical attributes.

R Upapada indicates the institution of marriage. The 7th may indicate many kinds of relationships, like business partners for example. Similarly 2nd from Upapada and 8th house, both indicate longevity of spouse. The 2nd from Upapada will rather indicate the longevity of the marriage. You may be divorced before her death.

Q. What role does Upapada in navamsa chart play. I think it is not relevant in other divisional charts.

R. It is.You can time marriage nicely from the D-9 Narayana Dasa. Marriage is possible in the signs containing or aspecting Upapada in D-9. Upapada here has the same role as in Rasi, but on a more subtle level. For example if Upapada is in 12^th from Arudha Lagna in Rasi, the spouse may abandon you. But if it's in 12^th from Arudha Lagna in Navamsha, she will not necessarily abandon you physically, but emotionally she may become disinterested.

Q. Can it be said in general that the fruits of the planet in retrogression may eventually be obtained? Or in general does it make us struggle in that particular area without eventual success, as a sort of punishment?

R. My understanding is that the fruits are delayed most of the time, which is in itself a kind of a punishment. This occurs because some duties were not properly performed in last life. This is better seen from the D-60 placement of the planet in question. But don't think that the fruits will be necessarily denied. I have seen a few charts with Atmakaraka retrograde. For example Hitler had this, and Osho as well. Of course the effects are somewhat different, but definitely make a twist in the spiritual development of the native.

Q. What of Tara Dasa ?

R. Tara Dasa is a variety of Vimsottari which is used when the Kendras from lagna have four or more planets. Interpretations and dasa lengths are similar to Vimsottari calculations.

Q. I am curious about the application of Narayana Dasa: From my Moon there are 4 planets in quadrants ( 5 including the Moon), and from lagna there is only one. Is there a specific rasi dasa to be used for a strong moon sign? Can I use Narayana Dasa starting from stronger of Moon sign or 7th from it, that would be Atmakaraka(Sun) sign, so Atmakaraka sign Virgo will initiate the Narayana Dasa.

R. The specific dasas for strong Moon are the Nakshatra based Dasas. You can rely on them. There are some conditional ones taught by Parasara, and Vimsottari/Ashtottari are general. Of course you can experiment with Narayana Dasa started from any house in Rasi chart, but it will indicate the progression and effects on that particular house (see Sanjay Rath’s new book on Narayana Dasa). Based on the nature of Narayana Dasa as a Rasi Dasa, it will indicate much more the external events or effects related to the particular house where your Moon is placed/or to the significations of the Moon in your chart.

Q. Regarding the aspects, I meant to ask if the malefic nature of Mars' aspects are increased or decreased due to its retrogression in my chart, since it has a direct influence on lagnesh.

R. Usually we take the aspect of Mars as malefic (he is called Krura-Drik as well, meaning one whose glance is inauspicious/cruel). But I think that especially Graha Dristi depends on the functionality of Mars. In your case it's quite mixed as we have seen in the previous mail. 12th lord in own house is not bad, and here retrogression will increase the strength of Graha Dristi. But 7th lord in dusthana is worse. The quality of Rasi Dristi is not changed significantly I think, although it may also become stronger.

In his translation and discussion of BPHS, Sharma states a few things:

	1. He translates Parashara as saying that the Sun is auspicious in the first house but inauspicious elsewhere. This makes no sense to me for two reasons. First, as Karaka for the first house (self), my understanding is that Sun in the first house will produce an over-egotistical individual unless there are balancing influences such as aspects by benefics, exaltation, etc.. Second, the sun in rashi owned by friends or in its moolatrikona or exaltation in other houses should also produce good results.
	2. The Sudarshan Chakra consists of three concentric circles, where the lagna, Moon and Sun are placed on top of each other, the rest of the signs shifted conveniently. These three levels will represent the body, mind and soul of the individual. I think that Parasara intends to say that people with the Sun in Lagna are very spiritual, as the Sudarshan Chakra's lowest and highest levels are harmonised. Maybe if the Moon is there also, then all three are harmonised, which is not good for the lower two levels separately, but may be very good for spirituality. People having the Sun, Moon and Lagna in the same house are not always unsuccessful. Bear in mind that they will probably have their Hora and Ghati lagnas also there. Queen Victoria for example had such a chart.
	3. Sharma at one point says that in deciding the number of auspicious vargas in saptavarga chakra "more importance is given to the natural beneficence than to the criteria of friendly relationship" but when Sharma illustrates this point by an example he considers placement in a friendly varga to be auspicious. Parasara clears this up before that on page 607, slokas 15-16. If (natural) benefic planet has many inauspicious vargas, then it will deliver malefic results, and vice versa. So this is akin to Vimsopaka bala. For Rahu and Ketu, Sharma translates Parashara as indicating that whenever Ra and Ke are in a house the house is harmed. This seems to contradict the principle that a planet produces good effects when it has a pre-ponderence of auspicious vargas.
	4. I would say that benefic vargas play a stronger role in judging the results of Sudarshan Cakra dasas than in other Dasas, still they will not completely nullify the basic nature of the planets. I can imagine that Rahu or Ketu even while being in benefic vargas will produce mixed effects., i.e. Rahu's effects may seem to be beneficial, whereas in reality they will be harmful spiritually, and the opposite will be working for Ketu.
	5. In his analysis of the application of the principles (p. 611-612), Sharma seems only to be analysing the houses in terms of the lagna circle, neglecting the Sun and Moon circles. It's not clear to me why he does this: perhaps he intends for us to analyse each circle in turn but that seems to go against the comprehensive approach Parashara seems to intend for Sudarshan Chakra. The principles for interpretation listed by Parasara from Sloka 7 onwards refer to all three circles and we should see them together, that's why they are drawn in one column in the Sudarshan Chakra table. The interpretation given by Sharma is just an example, and it can be done in a more comprehensive manner.

Q. But why will the Sun, which spiritualises in the 1st house, house of self and attachment, not spiritualise elsewhere?

R. We usually consider the Sun as benefic for dharma and marriage, but as a malefic regarding all other significations. Hence influencing the areas other than the above two. He will act as a malefic. But if he influences the Upapada or the 9th house, that may be considered as benefic, and for other areas, as a malefic.

Q. Could anyone tell me if there is a combination to be seen for the house to catch fire. My friend's house caught fire this morning and they were out in the snow with small kids. She is a Leo asc and therefore now has Saturn in the 10th aspecting 4^th and Sun in the 4^{th .}Can Sun- [fire] in 4^th aspected by Saturn cause this? But then that is such a general reading, there are 1000's of Leo Lagnas around, AND she is now in her Rahu-Jupiter-Moon period. Any insights appreciated.

R. According to UPSJ, Sun and Rahu conjoining in Swamsa (Navamsha Lagna or Navamsha occupied by Atmakaraka) will indicate fire hazard, especially if aspected or conjoined by Mars. Venus aspecting this combination may extinguish the fire, while Jupiter

Q. About retrogression, does it imply that my retrograde Mars in the 12th house in own sign Aries will behave like it is in the 7^th from it? i.e., in the 6th in Libra? Does being in own sign and retrograde imply that it will behave as in an inimical sign?

R. Definitely retrogression changes a few things. Retrogression in own sign strengthens the planet's significations, but delays the results a little bit. from the other side of the street to come by and help you. So in this way the influence of the 7th from it may come in.

Q. How does retrogression influence the aspect of Mars? I am still having difficulty interpreting how malefic Mars is in my chart. Aspects do not change. I understand retrogression is going backwards, but not necessarily turning your face backwards. It's only Rahu who is always retrograde, therefore obviously his head is always backwards.

R. Well, definitely Mars is a problematic planet in your chart. Of course 2^nd lord in 12^th is not so bad. But in Navamsha he is retrograde and debilitated, although has 5 BAV points, Mars is in agaman avashta, which is good, but in medium strength. And is in Uttamamsha. So I would say that he gives rather mixed results, which may best be judged in my opinion in relation to the Dasa Rasi in Narayana Dasa. Whenever he becomes a functional benefic, he will give the favourable results, whenever malefic, he will cause troubles. For example between 1990 and October 2001 you are running Leo Dasa. Mars is yogakaraka for Leo and is 9^th lord in 9th. So he will give good results in the field of religiosity, isn't it? 2001-2002 is Pisces dasa, for which he is 9th lord but also Maraka in 2^nd , so may give some ill effects, but for religiosity, it is again good. Then 2002-2003 Libra. For Libra he is Maraka posited in 7th, and disposits Dasa Rasi lord Venus in 2^nd. may be really dangerous time. Then 2003-2009 Taurus, Lagna Rasi, so mixed results, but more of the negative ones. And so on

Q What are the factors to be considered for predicting space travel. Can the period for long journey, adventure, research be taken as space travel. Do we also consider "life threatening" period for space travel ?

R. Ketu and 12th house are the Karakas for space travel. For details please see the chart of Neil Armstrong as analysed by Sanjay Rath in Crux of Vedic Astrology.

Q. Can someone throw some light on how to visualize movement of Rahu and Ketu axis ? I tried to interpret after reading but I can't figure out how they really move in zodiac?!!

R. Please remember, that Rahu and Ketu are chaya-grahas, i.e. having no physical body, so their calculations do not necessarily rely upon actual astronomical movements of heavenly bodies. Usually they are identified as the North and South nodes of the Moon, i.e. taken as positioned on the intersection of the tracks followed by the Moon and the Sun as viewed from the Earth. Maharishi Parashara’s definition of the Nodes as being always Retrograde. So for the actual position of the nodes we take it that they will always move backwards with a constant angular speed. This is motion is called mean nodes and this is suggested for use in chart reading, as the Mean Nodes will actually be always retrograde and thus will be able to act as karmic control planets.

Q. Does the 12th from karakamsa indicate the deity we are naturally drawn to or does it show the deity we should be worshipping to guide the Atma? Say if the 12th from Karakasha indicates Durga as the Istha Debata, but naturally someone is exposed to Sri Vishnu's worship throught their parents etc.,

R. Deity worshipped by parents is seen from 2nd in D-20 lagna. The favourite deity is seen in D-20, 5th from lagna.

Q. Leaving aside a planet in the 12th from karakamsa, can a planet that aspects by Rasi Drishti the atmakaraka in both rasi and navamsa charts indicate a deity we are naturally drawn to?

R. No. The principle is as above.

Q. e.g. Mercury aspects Atmakaraka in Rasi and Navamsa, and is conjunct with 9th lord in Rasi and 12th lord in navamsa. Can this indicate being drawn to Shri Vishnu?

R. No, see 5th in in Rasi or D-20. Also the 6th from Amatyakaraka in D-9 indicates Palanakarta, or the Deity who protects the native. The 9th from Karakamsha is Dharma-devata, i.e. the Deity that one worships as a matter of duty. So Sri Vishnu should be indicated in one of these.

Q. Does Mercury’s association with the 9th lord in rasi and also 12th lord in navamsa make the case stronger for his influence on worship habits?

R. This is not specific. 9th in Rasi will be Guru rather than Deity, and 12th in Navamsha will more relate to meditation abilities.

Q. Regarding smooth spiritual growth and self realisation, is it more important for the Lagna and Atmakaraka to be in harmonious positions in Navamsa or is it better to consider from the Lagna lord and Atmakaraka in the Navamsa chart? I know that 2/12 and 6/8 positions are not harmonious. Which are most favourable; Trines? Quadrants as well? Is it very favourable to have the Lagna lord or Navamsa Lagna here and Atmakaraka aspecting each other in navamsa by Rasi Drishti? By Lagna lord I mean the Lord of Navamsa Lagna here.

R. I consider that Lagna , Atmakaraka and 9th house usually should be in some kind of a sambandha (conjunction, aspect etc.) for the native to join a religious tradition and make real spiritual advancement. If AK is not involved, then he may join some religion and practice it, but will not be serious enough to make spiritual advancement, so it will be rather superfluous. If 9th house is not involved, he may make advancement, but not in the form of following a traditional path. If Lagna is not involved, he will not accept the externalities connected to the specific religion. This can be also checked in D-9 and D-20.

Q. I have a further question on finding one's Ishta Devata....

R. Istaha Devata is represented by the 12th from Karakamsha. So we look at alll the graha influences [in order] of planets situated there, Rasi Drishti and finally Bhavapati. Rasi Drishti's effect is more certain to manifest. Graha Dristi may only indicate a desire but not actual fructification. And especially, Graha Dristi is based on degrees, which are not present in vargas, as the planets fall into different vargas, so there will be no actual distance of degrees between them in D-charts like Navamsha. Therefore Graha Dristi will become meaningless in them, however, rasi Dristi can still be applied, as the inherent connection between the certain amsas named after certain Rasis remains.

Q. Does anyone know anything about this? Are there Western transits that equal this at the same time too? Please enlighten us.

R. I think that you are referring to the Kumbha Mela timing. As far as I know, Kumbha Mela is held every 12 years, when Jupiter is in Aquarius (Kumbha Rasi) and Sun is in Capricorn. It should be definitely linked with some Moon cycle as well, as usually things festival will be held in 2010 again.

Q. Argalas with malefics in the 3rd from the rasi in question, are said to be Shubha (auspicious) Argalas. Of course, you would be hard pressed to think that four malefics in 3rd from Cancer would be all that auspicious. Still, malefic Argala in the third from a sign is supposed to be benign, and not disposed toward evil effects. Any comments?

R. My understanding was that the Vipareeta Argala caused by malefics in the 3rd from a sign gives malefic influence. It is better formed in the following way:
Unobstructed Argala on any house promotes its results either by fair or foul means depending on the planets causing Argala being benefic or malefic. But as Argala from the 3rd house is called Vipareeta Argala, it may well be the opposite, i.e. malefics will promote the results of the house on which they cast Argala by fair means.

In Brihat Parasara Hora Sastra I quote the following:

Only 3 or more [natural] malefics form Vipareeta Argala, which is not obstructed in any way. Parasara also gives another general guideline that an Argala caused by more than two planets would give excellent results. So if we sum up the two definitions, then Argala from the 3rd should give excellent results. However there's still no direct reference to malefics here giving benefic results.

The following definitions are given in Jaimini [UPSJ 1.5.5]:
Malefic signs/planets in the 3rd house from a sign (or planet) also intervene in its affairs (or cause Argala). This would obviously mean that even less than three malefics will from Vipareeta Argala, or even an empty male sign will give some kind of an influence. Of course we may expect that the effect will be less powerful that in the case defined by Parasara. But he still does not specify whether the effect in this case is benefic or malefic.
Quoting from Sanjay Rath's COVA, page 26 as rule # VIII for Argala " an exception to the above rules" -- Malefics in the third from the Karya Bhava or Karaka cause subha argala", i.e. promote the significations for the house by fair means.
For judging diseases or the health of an organ or the person's body parts signified by a sign or planet, the application of Argalas are as follows:
Either benefic or malefic, the Argala will promote the affairs of the house it falls on. Therefore we should decide the health or illness of the concerned organ from other sources like malefic aspects/conjunctions or Badhak sign.
If health is indicated then benefic Argala will protect it, whilst a malefic Argala will give a possibility to heal it. [In Ayurvedic applications, malefic effects of poisons maybe used for healing].
For example Rahu's Argala on a house may indicate healing with medicine, argala by Ketu or Mars may indicate healing by surgery or other procedures, and Argala by Saturn may indicate healing by diet and regulation. On the other hand, benefic Argalas will keep the organ healthy and protect it from diseases, or alternatively they may indicate preventive measures like yoga, meditation, healthy lifestyle.
On the other hand, if the concerned sign itself is afflicted by malefics, the the Argala will tend to to promote the negative effects arising from the sign, i.e., the diseased condition.
In this case, it is neither benefic or malefic Argala will help. Rather, both will harm the organ concerned.
Benefic Argalas may indicate disease caused by over-indulgence or overload of a certain like poisoning (Rahu), smoking or drugs (Ketu), accidents and injuries (Mars) or work overload (Saturn). Vipareeta Argala may give similar effects to subhaargala in both cases.
So from my line of thought, it follows that Jupiter's Argala on a sign will not necessarily protect or heal it, rather, Jupiter's aspect would do. Therefore I think that no argala, be it malefic, benefic or Vipareeta can make any organ diseased, unless the concerned house itself is afflicted