Q & A 4

4/ Q & A

Q. One thing which always wonders me is that how can worshipping gods or wearing stones or chanting mantras can ward of evil. If it all depends on the position of planets at the time of birth and the planets in transit, then how can stones, mantras or gods change the natal position of planets or alter the planets' positions in transit??? Astrology is based on gravitational law of physics and by no means our destiny can be changed IF one believes COMPLETELY in astrology. Probably the concept of vedic remedies was started by some astrologers to make money out here in India. Time is not the BEST but ONLY healer.

R: This is a very deterministic point that you represent. Please note the first chapters of BPHS where Paraçara explains that the Grahas are the incarnations of the Supreme Lord, representing the potencies of the different avataras. However, Kåñëa says in the Bhagavad-Gita that He does not take responsibility for the good or bad reactions of anyone. He merely bestows then according to the law of karma.

Now if the activities are performed not by His desire, then by whose desire? They are verily performed by our desire, which sprouts from our tiny independent freewill given by Him.

Therefore it is said in the Vedas, that a thorn may be used to relieve the pain caused by another thorn, if we use it to pull out the other one. So we have made bad decisions in the past, but now, having proper knowledge we are able to rectify them. Of course you are right that the position of the planets will not change. How then will the chart show the karma of the native altered by the application of an Upaya/Remedial Measure?
First of all you should understand that the indications of the different planets in the different signs and of all the other astrological parameters are not one-to-one indications, i.e., the same set of data may represent a set of different meanings. Thus a very important factor in giving correct predictions will be intuition, or guidance by the Supersoul.

After applying the remedy the astrologer will say different things than before it, although he sees the same chart. This is why computer programs will never become as accurate as a gifted astrologer, who is able to give correct predictions even from incorrect input data.

Another important factor in astrology is Prashna, because it is guided by God when you approach an astrologer to put a query, especially if there's a certain method for ascertaining the Prashna Lagna like in Prashna Marga. This will give an insight into the present state of affairs, which may differ from the indications of the birth chart if proper Upayas are applied properly. So one should not neglect the Prasna chart in assessing the results of the Upayas. Of course the birth chart is more or less intact with most people, because very few will seriously apply remedies or worship God to free themselves from karma. Most people reap the results of their past karma and prepare their karma for the next life.

Q.            I am wondering about remedies for Rahu in the first house of my chart. The rasi chart is:
                    ASC     29° Cancer
                    Mars 29° Cancer
                    Rahu 7° Cancer
                    Venus in Libra in 4^th
                    Sun 22° Scorpio
                    Mercury 29° Scorpio
                    Saturn and Ketu in close conjunction in Capricorn
                    Jupiter in Aquarius
                    Moon 7° Aries
                Birth data: 12-7-62, 9:48pm, Abington PA, USA

R. You’ve got a very interesting chart. Navamsha has 4 planets conjoining
the Lagna in Pisces, including Ketu and the Atmakaraka Mars. Atmakaraka conjoining Lagna in many divisional charts makes the chart very strong spiritually. Therefore no need to worry about the effect of Rahu. Rahu also represents your Ishta Devata, so after taking into consideration your D-20 as well I would think that for you the worship of Nrsimha-Varaha with Sudarshan would be very favourable. I think that in Ahovala/ksetra in South-India there’s an ancient Nåñimha-Varaha Deity, and you should either have a picture of Him or a Deity cast in the same fashion. Of course debilitated AK in Rasi is not the best, because it doesn’t allow you realise your ambitions on the physical plane. For this, chanting of the Nrsimha-kavaca Mantra is recommended. You will find it on the Internet if you search for the keyword. Wearing red coral may also be recommended, especially
because of the Parivartana between the Moon and Mars. Using or donating copper articles or red cloth etc. is also good. Heart problems is a possibility.

Q. I have a fundamental doubt that has risen on the timing of Saturn's transit to Gemini. If we input May 15th 2002 as the date in JHL, we get the longitude of Saturn as 21 Degress 23 Taurus. But if we input the dates of July 31st - 3rd Aug 2002, we see him in Gemini. The following questions arise,

1) How could Saturn transit, approximately 10 degrees in 3 months? This is because Saturn at this part of his track moves quite fast. If we use Lahiri Ayanamsha, the exact date when Saturn will enter Gemini is July 22, 2002.

2) Should we examine the effects of transit based on the position in Gemini or should we calculate its movement from 21 deg 23 Taurus to Gemini whereby the transit occurs in late Jan 2002? Simply put is the effects of Gochara only from Feb 2003.

R. I don't really understand what are you trying to say here. The effect of a planet's gochara through a sign are active till the planet is within the sign. If it makes a retrograde loop and leaves it for a short time and then returns, then still the effect of transit will extend from its entering the sign until it finally leaves it. However they may be halted while the planet is outside the sign.

Q. The Sanishwara temple in Southern India says its transit is due only in Mid 2003.Would appreciate your input and thanks in advance.

R. It may be that they are using a different ayanamsha, although such a big difference can hardly be justified by any ayanamsha.

Q. Generally "n" in any chart shows the perception of others (maya related to) on the n^th house matters. For judging the real boldness of a native, see the strength of his 3^rd house, 3^rd house owner & planets in 3^rd house. For seeing how others think about his boldness see A3, strength of lord of A3 and planets in A3.

R. There are three things here. One is the 3rd house. The second is A3, or Arudha of the 3rd house. And the 3rd thing is 3rd house from AL or, the Arudha Lagna.
The real houses indicate the truth connected with the house. So 3rd house will indicate boldess, brothers etc. Let's take brothers from the significations of the 3rd house for achieving more clarity. 3rd house indicates the real relationship with brothers. A3 will indicate what others think of your brothers or how others perceive them. AL indicates how others perceive yourself. Now houses from the AL will indicate how your different life areas will influence the perception of others about you. Say Saturn in 3rd house may indicate ugly or ill-behaved brothers. Saturn in A3 may indicate that others see them as ugly or ill-behaved (but you maybe not). But A3 will not necessarily influence how others perceive you. They may think bad of your brothers but not connect it to you. However, if 3rd from AL has Saturn, then others will perceive that you may be ridiculed because of ugly or ill-behaved brothers. Houses from AL indicate the Maya concentrated on you, whereas Arudhas of houses will indicate the Maya concentrated on the person or things indicated by those houses.

Q. If Ke is in 12th to Mo(AK) but in Rasi chart and not Navamsa will lead one to
Moksha Marga?

R. Ketu in 12th from Moon is always good for Moksha, as it makes it easy to give up mental attachment for things lost. Also Ketu in 12th from Lagna is good for the same. However, with Rahu, it should be in 12th or 7th from Arudha Lagna to give good results for spirituality.

Q. What is the effect of Ketu in 9^th house (Taurus sign) with respect to overall fortune of the native ? Especially when Ketu sub periods are running under Venus Maha dasha ? DOB: 22-09-1974 Madras 6:10 AM.

R. Ketu is in own sign and in natural exaltation in Scorpio. Own sign because Ketu is the higher note of Mars like infrared to red color). Natural exaltation because Scorpio is the 8^th house of natural horoscope, so is connected with life after death, of which Ketu may give knowledge. So this is exaltation for longevity. Thus Ketu becomes naturally debilitated in Taurus (for longevity and health matters). For other issues like dharma, the functional exaltation should be taken which is Sagittarius (9^th house of natural horoscope). Thus Ketu is functionally debilitated in Gemini. So functional exaltation-debilitation is for phalita, while natural is for ayus matters. For Rahu the opposite signs hold true.

Therefore in general Ketu is considered good in the 9^th house, and in this case he will still be good, although for ayus matters he is not the best.

So watch out for health problems in their lives during this period.

Q. As per learned members in this group It is D9 chart that is to be considered. However I do know some people take Karakamsa sign in D1 as a reference and do interpretations. It is like taking chandra as lagna. As per the D9 is a derivation of D1 and D9 is mainly related to Dharma which one has to follow.

Can you or other learned gurus throw some light on this.

R. You can take Moon or any other planet that becomes Atmakaraka and make it a reference point in Rasi chart and see how thing will affect the native’s spiritual growth. However, in Rasi it will give a little different meaning than in Navamsha, where the dharma-related desires are expressed. So Karakamsa as explained in Jaimini Sutram must definitely mean the sign ocuppied by AK in Navamsha, and it should be analysed in Navamsha. There's another point however, which, some will wrongly take the Karakamsa sign in the Rasi chart and interpret that. Meaning that, if say Moon is the AK and it is situated in Pisces Navamsa, they take the sign Pisces in Rasi as Karakamsa. This is completely wrong and should not be applied. There's no such relationship between Rasi and Navamsa. There is however, another kind called Rasi tulya navamsa, as explained by the Nadi astrologers. However I will not go into details regarding this right now.

Q. I have seen a chart where venus is exalted in 4^th house in rasi where as it is debilitated in 12^th house in navamsa. My question is does this significantly destroy the strength of the planet? As some people are of the opinion that this takes away the strength of the planet. Although still the shadbala is quite high.

R. Under such circumstances, Venus should be treated as weak for the matters to be scrutinised from Navamsa chart, say for marriage bliss, situation of such a Venus is undesirable. However, for 4^th house matters, it can do good provided its placement in D4 and D16 are ALSO strong. There is a lot more to be studied but not in isolation!

Q. Does this means that for studying any planet for any specific purpose we must first study it as per the rasi and then study the appropriate division for the same planet. Here if the planet is not well placed etc in rasi but if well placed etc in divisional chart then what would be the conclusion, and what if it is vice-versa?

R. An important question is raised herewith in connection with the Rasi/Varg relationship in predictions. Generally it’s taken that the indications of the Rasi chart are predominant. However, because Rasi is connected with all life areas whereas a certain D-cahrt is connected to a specific life are, we can have more specific readings from the D-charts than from Rasi. Still, indications in D-charts may not override the indications in the Rasi, they can only modify them. For example, if Rasi does not indicate many children, Saptamsa will not give either however favourable indications may be there. Of course there are some exceptions, like if someone has Saturn, Mercury and Venus in trines to D-7 lagna, he will have no children, no matter what the Rasi says. But the general principle is as above. On the other hand, the D-charts may thoroughly enrich and deepen the readings that we make. For example Vimsopaka bala indicates how effectively does the planet perform in different life areas. In other words, it is multifunctional. Vaisesikamsas add a karmic depth to the planets' strength, and for example may strongly influence the Thus there are many ways to consider divisional placements, and it is a very important angle of astrology, however not many astrologers take advantage of it.

Q. I have read from some previous discussions that the Dasa of the Atmakaraka can be adverse if the Karakamsa and Lagnamsa are placed in the 6-8 positions. What literature or article is available which talks about the effect of other positions of Karakamsa+Lagnamsa? Specifically should we infer that the physical body as represented by the Lagnamsa in the 11^th house from the Karakamsa is engaged in activities beneficial to the Atmakaraka? I would be very grateful if you could point me in the right direction, to do some more reading in the same regard on the web.The dasa Dasa of AK is always adverse irrespective of its placement wrt Lagnamsa. This is because AK makes one to repent for all sins he has committed in the Past. If it is Malefic by nature, then the punishment is severe.

R. I would not state it so explicitly. Usually the AK’s Dasa will give some suffering to purify the life are which it influences strongly, but in spiritual sense the Dasa of the AK may be protective and even uplifting. Also in my experience the Ak protects the atma, so it will not destroy the native. Hence if a Maraka planet becomes the AK, it will not kill the native. Otherwise your remark about the beneficence is correct. Also placement in Lagna and Navamsha, its relation to Lagna, AL etc. in both charts is quites significant for predicting the results of the dasa. If it’s favourably placed from AL in Rasi and Lagnamsa, then more favourable events will occur. As for books, the only one I have read and meets with explaining Lagnamsa/Swamsa relation is Jaimini’s Upadesa Sutra. There are some general principles stated, from which you can derive more applications. Like Lagnamsa in 12^th from KA is highly favourable for spirituality, however AK in 12^th from Lagnamsa is the opposite, etc. If Karakamsa is in 6^th from lagnamsa, then the native will be opposed to spiritually beneficial activities in the dasa, and will receive punishment for this. However KA in 8^th from Lagnamsa may indicate wrath of the AK irrespective of the activities performed, meaning that it may be rooted in previously committed irreligious acts.

Q. I have been told that Lord Hanuman is the 13^th Rudra avatar. Is it true?

R. The theory of Avatars is a rather complicated one. If you analyse the teachings of the four Vaiçnava Acharyas, i.e. Madhva, Ramanuja, Viñëuswami and Nimbarka, you will find certain differences even amongst them. However according to my conviction, the explanation given by Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu is the most befitting. He says that there are countless avataras of Godhead, all stemming from Bhagavan Sri Krishna (ete camsa kalaa pumsah krsnas tu bhagavaan svayam). Some are avatars of the Lord (purusa), and some avatars of His energy (prakrti). The prakrti and purusa are simultaneously one and different. This is inconceivable, therefore Lord Caitanya’s teaching is called acintya-bhedaabheda-tattva. So Rama is one fo the expansions of the Supreme Godhead and Hanuman is His eternal devotee (sakti). But many times the eternal associates of the Lord comprise in themselves the incarnations of multiple personalities. So Hanuman also has in himsepf the Rudra principle, therefore in Lord Rama’s chart he is indicated by exalted Mars in the 7^th. Thus we also call Hanuman as Rudratmaka (having the mentality of Rudra), because he has the destructive power and fire of Rudra.
On the other hand, Rudra is an expansion of whom we call Sadaashiva in his eternal form. Siva is a peculiar expansion of Bhagavan. because he is in a middling category between Vishnu-tattva and Jeeva-tattva. He is the Avatar who comes into direct contact with the material energy and impregnates the womb of Mother nature (Mahamaya or Durga) with the jeevatmas who have given up their shelter in Vaikuntha, the spiritual realm. So Hanuman has the expansion of Rudra within himself, however techinically he is not one of the 11 Rudras who manifest at the time of the destruction of the material universe to burn it down and destroy it. This is not the only example of multile personalities. Krishna and Arjuna are said to be Nara and Narayana Rishis. You can’t tell whether one becomes the other or reverse, both are eternal persons, who are simutaneously one with and different from each other. If you want to understand these topics more deeply, I recommend Srimad Bhagavatam and Sri Caitanya Caritamrita translated and commented upon by Srila A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, available from BBT.

There are eleven Rudra-avatars, called Ekadasa Rudra. Their names are: Kapali, Pingala, Bhima, Virupaksha, Vilohita, Shashta, Ajapada, Ahirbidhanya, Sambhu, Chanda and Bhava. Their respective mantras are found in Vedic Remedies by Pt. Sanjay Rath on pp. 219-222. Use of Ekadasa Rudras:

The eighth from any sign is Rudra. Thus, there can be twelve Rudras in the Zodiac. However, the eighth lord from Atmakaraka qualifies as Maheçvara, hence the sign ocuppied by the Atmakaraka will not harm the native because of the protective nature of the Atmakaraka. So if any signs are causing harm to the native, he should chant the Rudra Mantra of the 8^th from it for protection. Now how to assign the mantras to the houses? If you have troubles in 2^nd from AK, then chant the mantra for Kapali, if in the 3^rd, then for Pingala, etc.

Q.         I have the same four planets in the 8^th house in Libra and I am settled abroad from my place of birth). Do these four planets somehow signify foreign travel or residency? Also, which of these four planets emerges as the strongest? Venus and Mars are combust with the Sun at around 15deg. Mercury (retrograde) is at 1°00’ escaping combustion. Jupiter (retrograde) is in the 12^th aspecting the 8^th. Jupiter and Mercury are both vargottama in the 5^th and 1^st house respectively. From the above I infer that Mercury is the strongest planet seconded by Jupiter.
Is my assessment fairly accurate?
                                      Mon Taurus 3^rd house
                                      Sat Gemini 4^th house
                                      Rah Scorpio (ret + deb) 9^th house ...this is another
                                                                                      conundrum :-)
                                      Ket Taurus 3^rd house

R. Yes, looks like Mercury is the strongest. But for being sure, we would need the chart itself. Now for the 8^th house to influence residence, it should be somehow in a strong connection with the 4^th house, its lord or Arudha. Also a strong influence on 9^th or 12^th house would explain it as these are the houses for foreign stay or residence. The final word would be given by the Caturthamsa (D-4) and either Narayana or Kalacakra Dasa is best for timing it both in Rasi and D-4. If you give the chart, we may be able to say more.

Q. I have a natural benefic Ju which is a functional malefic for my ascendant (Ta Asc), is in 8^th from Al , aspected by another natural malefic Su, Me from Sg, and FM moon from Gemini, and another malefic Ma from Pi. 8^th from AL is in my 5^th house which is Virgo. How would you interpret this?

R. The 8^th from AL, if stronger than the 3^rd from AL, indicates the place, cause
and circumstances of death. Jupiter gives natural death from a Kapha-related disease, and it will not be very painful, plus the native will get to know about time of death prior to it. It may also indicate that the native will be in a conscious state at the time of death. At the same time Jupiter being in the 12^th from Lagna is a good sign for next birth, which may be in a pious Brahmin family or in higher planets. It also indicates inclinations for charity. Malefic aspects may indicate that there are other unfavourable circumstances which would urge you not to give charity, but if Jupiter is somehow associated with the Atmakaraka, you will still give.

Q. I have a question regarding Vargottama and its significance. In my Rasi, Jupiter is in Aries in eighth house. Jupiter is in Aries in all the Divisional charts also. I understand that this is Vargottama. What I want to know is just what is the effect of Jupiter as Vargottama, and what is the effect of Jupiter being in the eighth house.

R. Yes, technically if a planet is in the same sign in Rasi and Navamsa, it is called Vargottama. But benefic effectS may only be expected if the planet is well disposed in the sign, i.e. not debilitated or in inimical sign. Otherwise the effect will be negative. This is precisely taken into consideration while calculating Amsa Bala and Vimsopaka Bala where only the benefic divisions are taken into consideration while judging the Divisions, which is another peculiarity about the junction of Aries and Pisces. Because these are respectively fiery and watery sign, their junction point is a source of disturbance in the chart. This is called Gandanta. Judging by your statement, Jupiter is likely to be very close to 0°00’ Aries. So if the Lagna or the Moon happens to be there, they produce Gandanta Dosa, and although this is not explicitly stated in the classics, I tend to think that any other planet situated there gets disturbed. Jupiter is especially peaceful in his own sign Pisces, so the heat of Aries is a bit too much for him, and he gets disturbed. So I think some remedies like mantras, etc. should be applied to alleviate the possible disturbances of Jupiter in your case. Also because in rasi these signs become the 7^th and 8^th house, this would improve your health and longevity.