Gifts of the 8th House: Transformation and Change By Vaughn Paul Manley, M.A. Copyright 2010. All Rights Reserved. Printer Friendly Version | Japanese Version | Email Author
This article appeared in The CVA Journal - Spring/Summer 2009 www.councilvedicastrology.org (Revised for publication from Aug 2005 online version)
The 8th house has earned the dubious reputation as the ugliest house in the Jyotish neighborhood. It’s the one capable of wrecking the most damage, even death, and it’s hard to get more morbid than that. It can be summed up as the house of change - sudden, dramatic and intense change. As a society we love the kind of drama that the 8th house provides, as long as it’s happening to somebody else! Just consider our obsession with sensational news, reality TV shows, and thriller movies, like The Dark Night, which recently broke all records at the box office. It’s just when change affects us personally that we fear and resist it. Nobody wants to lose anything they value: health, wealth, job, loved ones, etc. So when we do, it’s understandable to blame it on the 8th house, its lord, or its karaka, Saturn. But do we really need another scapegoat for our woes? I mean, in addition to the boss who fired us, or the husband who left us? This article explores different perspectives about the 8th house, and the gifts that can be discovered alongside its typical wreckage. It also discusses careers and events of the 8th house that are not merely ruinous. Change and The 8th House In Vedic astrology undesirable change is associated with influences of the malefic planets Saturn, Mars, Rahu, and Ketu (secondarily the Sun) and the dusthana houses, the 6th, 8th, and 12th (secondarily the 3rd). Of the dusthanas the 8th house is maligned as the most malefic because it’s the 12th house (loss) from the 9th house (fortune), which makes it the house of misfortunes - change, death (the ultimate change), obstacles, disappointments, upheavals, scandals, reversals, chronic illness, among other typically undesirable outcomes. The classic text, Laghu Parashari says, “The Lord of the 8th house by virtue of being the 12th from the 9th does not produce good results.(Ch 1 shloka 9)” For instance, M.S. Mehta quotes K.N. Rao in his book, Analyzing Horoscopes Through Modern Technique, as saying, "In the ending of any marriage the role of the 8th house or planet in the 8th is well known."
The malefic influences in our chart generally deliver to us our negative, undesirable karma during the times of their dashas and transits. They fall into the category of tamas or decay in terms of the three gunas: rajas (creation/Brahma), sattva (maintenance/Vishnu), and tamas (destruction/Shiva). Their role is to do the astrological dirty work by passing on the negative effects of our past actions. Therefore, during 8th house influenced time periods, such as the dasha of 8th lord or planet placed in the 8th house, a variety of difficulties are likely to occur: pursuits resulting in disappointment, losses of things you value, etc. You don’t need to be creating negative karma at the time. Bad things can happen to nice people, due to their past, unseen karma. Even though it’s valid, from an astrological standpoint, to define the effects of the 8th house as malefic, it's our attitude about change that's important. Our happiness is internally based, not externally. “People are disturbed not by things, but by the view they take of them,” writes Greek philosopher Epictetus in the 1st century B.C. Astrology reveals the likely outcome of our external situation but not our internal reaction to it. That is our choice, moment to moment. We either choose to be 'victims of our fate' or we rise above it. We either look for the 'silver lining', the 'blessing in disguise', the 'opportunity for growth,' or we continue to feel like our situation really, totally and justifiably 'sucks.' Blessings in Disguise If we don't look beyond our surface frustrations to the depths of our life lessons we're missing the greatest gift of the 8th house - spiritual transformation. The 8th house is not only a dusthana house, but a house of moksha or liberation along with the 4th and 12th houses. Isn't it interesting that the most malefic house is also a house of liberation? The 8th house takes us to our edge where transformation and rebirth are just on the other side of despair and death. It’s a house of transition from one state to the next. Its role is not just to create upheaval that leaves us in a sobbing heap on the floor, but to liberate us. The destructive principle of tamas paves the way for new creation (rajas), just as compost provides fertile soil for new seeds to grow. Just like compost takes time to transform from waste, the blessing that the 8th house invariably gives, may take time to be revealed. A rebirth is guaranteed following any kind of death, but there may be a gestation period. The Dalai Lama says, “Sometimes not getting what you want is a wonderful stroke of luck.” We all know of people who’ve lost their dream only to find that something better was around the corner, if not immediately, then eventually. A Course in Miracles says, “All things work together for good. There are no exceptions except in the ego’s judgment.” Often letting go of our judgments and learning to trust the process are the most important lessons of the 8th house. Slaying Demons The change of an external situation, like transitioning from a job or marriage, are obvious kinds of transformation but what about spiritual, inner transformation? The 8th house, like its karaka Saturn, often represent the hardest life lessons in the chart, yet also the most rewarding. It’s the house of intense transformation because it corresponds to the 8th sign of Scorpio, the most intense sign. The last moksha house, the 12th house, represents the ultimate dissolution of the ego, but the 8th house is often where the battle between the ego and the soul takes place. Mars, the planet of war, rules Scorpio. It’s where we face our demons and slay them. Our demons are our compulsions, obsessions, phobias, and fears, with death being the ultimate fear. This is our psychological baggage, which is why the 8th house is a house of psychology. The moksha houses correspond to the water signs, and the water element represents our past psychological conditioning, and the unconscious mind.
We slay our demons by facing them and making them conscious. The great psychologist Carl Jung said, “Whatever is not conscious will be experienced as fate.” Just like history tends to repeats itself, we’re doomed to repeat our personal history until we learn from our mistakes. Therefore, it's valuable to take the time for reflection during the transitional periods of the 8th house, so we can learn from our past. "Where the wound is, is also where the gift is," says Sobonfu Somé, author of The Spirit of Intimacy. When we take the time to dive for those pearls we are able to transform our lives the most. We may choose to make a resolve (vrata), like committing to a mantra practice for a specific length of time, that significantly changes our karma from that point forward.
Crisis Counseling and the 8th House A crisis is the most potent time for transformation, because it’s during a transition that new seeds are sown. Albert Einstein said, “In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity.” However, making a major shift, especially inner, is not easy. After all, we’re creatures of habit, and usually defend against changing them. Harville Hendrix, the author of the best selling book, Getting the Love You Want, talked about his experience of counseling couples for over 25 years in a TV interview. He said, “When it gets really bad that’s when it’s about to change. And most people leave when it’s really bad, so they never get to the change. I think that’s such a tragedy.” We frequently play the role of crisis counselors as astrologers, because clients often come for a reading while in a transition. This makes it a unique opportunity to facilitate positive change. This is the chart of a woman who tried for more than two years to heal her marriage but was unsuccessful.
Natal Chart She came for a reading during her three year Rahu-Venus dasha. Notice how Venus is placed in the 8th house, and retrograde. It’s also in a tight conjunction with the 8th house karaka, Saturn, which is debilitated in Aries. In the year since starting her Venus sub dasha she had separated from her husband, moved to another state, and had her second child. Needless to say, it had been a tumultuous time as a single mom. However, it had always been an unstable relationship with her husband. They had met and married while she was in her Rahu-Mercury dasha, with Mercury being closely aspected by Mars, the 8th lord from the lagna and the Moon. Mercury is also in the 8th house in the Navamsha chart, conjunct debilitated Saturn and Venus in Aries.
Navamsha Chart They had separated in her Rahu-Ketu dasha, but she was still determined to work things out. However, by the time Venus began it was clear he wasn’t willing. This made it necessary for her to make a major shift even though she was pregnant with their second child. In typical 8th house fashion, her sub dasha of Venus has been extremely difficult, yet has also led to very positive transformation. The reason she wanted a reading was to understand the karmic reasons why she married her husband, as well as to get clarity about how to avoid this situation in the future. She had been spending much time studying the psychology of relationships since Venus began. Venus is not only in the 8th house of psychology, but it’s the 9th lord and conjunct the 5th lord Saturn. This reveals that her Venus dasha was not only been a time of intense change due to its position in the 8th house, but also of acquiring knowledge and wisdom due to the influence of the trinal lords.
It’s important to assess the strength of the planets causing the malefic influences of the 8th house. In her case, Saturn and Venus are natural friends, and are both vargottama. In addition, Saturn’s debility is cancelled by its association with Venus, its exaltation lord. These factors soften the malefic influence during her Venus sub dasha. Here’s the chart of a woman who came for a reading shortly after starting her 1½ year MoonSaturn dasha.
Natal chart Notice how Saturn is the 8th lord from various lagnas in the chart: the ascendant, Moon, Sun and the dasha lord, also the Moon. Major areas of her life were in flux: job, home, and relationship. She was about to quit her job, and could either move to a foreign country she’d never been to with her boyfriend, or face being alone. What made it even more challenging was that she’d normally use her intellect to solve problems, but since starting her Moon dasha she’d been very emotional and withdrawn. Notice how Saturn is aspected by the 7th lord, Jupiter, and also aspects and rules the 7th house from the Moon. This combination of being in a Moon dasha and the sub dasha of the 8th lord, revealed that this was not just about the potential move with her boyfriend, but about past unresolved relationship issues that were preventing her from moving forward with clarity. Astrologers, Dur Yogas and the 8th House Since a major role of astrologers is to assist clients through transitions, it’s not surprising that the profession itself attracts people with 8th house connections in their own charts. Usually the 8th house or 8th lord will be connected with either the 10th house (career), the 1st house (self, identity), the Moon (mind, emotions), or the Sun (personality). The following chart is of astrologer Marc Boney.
Natal chart of professional Vedic astrologer Notice how Marc’s 10th lord, Mercury, is in the 8th house, and conjunct the 8th lord, Mars. His other profession is as a management consultant, where he assists high powered executives through transitions in the work place. This is shown by the 10th lord conjunct the exalted Sun in Aries. Both of Marc’s professions, astrology and management consulting, can be explained by the 10th lord’s placement in the 8th house, since they both assist client’s through transitions. However, this interpretation can be confusing because his 10th lord is involved in a Dur Yoga, which is defined by the 10th lord being placed in a dusthana house. “Dur” means difficult and a Dur Yoga is characterized as giving difficulty to one’s career. Is this always the case? No. The 8th house represents breaks and separations, as well as breaks from convention. An innocuous effect of a Dur Yoga involving the 8th house is having a profession with a work schedule with built in breaks. For instance, consultants who take time off once they’ve completed a contract, or a session with a client. They work independently and create their own hours, instead of having a conventional forty hour a week job. Astrologers fit into this category and often have Dur Yogas involving the 8th house, as in Marc’s case. Here’s the chart of a professional psychic, with a successful practice for over 30 years. Notice that he has a Dur Yoga formed by a Parivartana Yoga (exchange of signs) between the 8th and 10th lords, the Sun and Venus.
Natal chart of professional psychic It’s during 8th house influenced dashas that people often get interested in astrology and metaphysical subjects. The 8th house is a house of depth, seeing beyond the obvious to the causal level, to the hidden meaning. This is why astrology, psychology, metaphysics as well as research are all associated with the 8th house. It is the most mysterious and the least tangible house. When I first went to India in 1992 I studied with R. Santhanam, the translator of many classic Jyotish texts. After reviewing my chart he said, "I see you began studying astrology during the sub dasha of your 8th lord. This also happened to me. I took up astrology in the dasha of my 8th lord." Since beginning the sub dasha of my 8th lord, my life had changed radically. My mother died suddenly, I was in a career transition, and I began studying astrology intensively to find answers. After getting my first reading I became hooked, and began taking as many classes as I could. Within a year I was in India studying with R. Santhanam.
R. Santhanam and Vaughn Paul, Dec 1992 Research and the 8th House The 8th house is a house depth, seeing beyond the obvious to the hidden meaning at the causal level. This is why astrology, psychology, and metaphysics are all associated with the 8th house. However, any profession that explores hidden knowledge, like research, could have combinations involving the 8th house. Here’s the chart of a woman who has a conventional job doing research on public policy for a state legislature.
Natal chart of researcher in state legislature Notice how she has the 8th lord Moon placed in the 10th house. As the 8th lord, the Moon represents sleuthing into unexplored regions, while being placed in the sign of Virgo makes
her work very practical, analytical and detailed. The Moon is also aspected by Mars, the 12th lord, and Jupiter the 4th lord from the sign of Pisces. Any moksha house or water sign contributes to the field of research since they represent hidden, deep, and secret pursuits. Here’s another example of a researcher, but in the field of physics.
Natal chart of researcher in physics Notice how the ascendant lord, the Sun, is placed in the 8th house with Ketu. In addition, the Sun is a karaka of the 10th house, and it’s conjunction with the 12th house karaka, Ketu, in the 12th sign of Pisces further contribute to his skill in probing to profound depths of insight. Other People's Money and the 8th House A more tangible gift of the 8th house is receiving money from inheritances, grants, insurance policies, or simply snatching it from your wife’s purse! The 8th house is the 2nd house (gains) from the 7th house (relationships) and represents other people's money in general, especially one's spouse. The following chart is of a client who received a huge inheritance in her Venus-Moon dasha.
Natal Chart Her father had passed away and left her with a fortune that changed her life completely. She had been working as a therapist and suddenly didn't have to work another day in her life. Notice in her chart that Venus, a natural benefic and a temporal benefic for Libra rising, is in the 8th house in its own sign of Taurus. Venus is also in the 11th house (gains) from the Moon and in the 2nd house from the Sun. From many angles, Venus certainly represents the possibility of receiving a large sum of money in her Venus dasha. The 8th house, as previously mentioned, is the house of death and is also the 12th house (loss) from the 9th house (father). The inheritance came while Jupiter was transiting through her 2nd house of wealth and aspecting both her mahadasha planet, Venus, and her sub dasha planet, the Moon. This was, of course, a mixed blessing since she had the experience of grief and a new found financial freedom simultaneously. This demonstrates how our lives are complicated and why we can't just evaluate a dasha period in simplistic terms like 'good' or 'bad'. Here’s another example chart of a man who worked with other people’s money for over 35 years as a tax accountant.
Natal chart of tax accountant Notice how his 10th lord, Moon, combines with the 8th lord Venus, and Jupiter. The other important combination is his raja yoga in the 8th house between the 9th lord Mercury and the 4th lord Saturn. This powerful yoga was activated during his consecutive Saturn and Mercury dashas, which spanned the most successful years of his practice. Ultimate Lessons of the 8th House The 8th house represents many things, but it can’t be underestimated for its ability to create change during its dasha. When we're going though intense change it can be helpful to think of the wheel of samsara or illusion as being an actual wheel. The closer we get to the center or hub the less spinning actually takes place. This is why meditation and spiritual practices are so important because they pull us back into the peaceful center of our beings so we can stop spinning out with our minds. The way out is in. In Marianne Williamson's book, The Gift of Change, she says, "The most important thing to remember during times of great change is to fix our eyes anew on the things that don't change. Eternal things become our compass during times of rapid transition, binding us emotionally to a steady and firm course." The 8th house is where we face our extreme vulnerabilities and where we realize our invulnerable Self. In Paramahansa Yogananda's classic book, The Autobiography of a Yogi, he writes about his meeting with Anandamayi Ma in his chapter entitled, 'The Joy-Permeated Mother.' He asks her, "Please tell me something of your life." She replied, "Father, there is little to tell. My consciousness has never associated itself with this temporary body. Before I came on this earth, Father, I was the same. I grew into womanhood, but still I was the same. When the family in which I had been born made arrangements to have this body married, I was the
same. And Father, in front of you now, I am the same. Even afterwards, though the dance of creation changes around me in the hall of eternity, I shall be the same."
Anandamayi Ma This is one of my favorite quotes and something valuable to remember when we're going through major transitions in our lives, or counseling someone else who is. Conclusion It’s easy to jump to negative conclusions when analyzing malefic influences in a chart, especially involving the 8th house. However, it’s helpful to remember that no planetary combination in the chart is all malefic or benefic, and therefore can’t be summed up as simply good or bad. It’s always a mixed blessing, just like the material world is a mixture of the three gunas. As astrologers we can be of the most service when we help clients find the gifts amidst whatever challenges they’re facing, especially the gifts of the most malefic house, the 8th house.
Important Clues From the Previous Dasha By Vaughn Paul Manley, M.A. Copyright 2010. All Rights Reserved. Printer Friendly Version | Japanese Version | Email Author Post a Message on the Discussion Board
This article appeared in Express Star Teller - July 2007 www.starteller.com
A professional psychic friend of mine once told me, "The future foreshadows itself. If you want to know the future, look at the present and the past." In dasha analysis this concept is often neglected. We usually try to understand the upcoming dasha in isolation, without seeing it as a link in a developmental sequence, where one dasha builds upon the previous one. If you consider how we naturally develop this makes good sense. Our formative years of childhood, for instance, set the trend for our adult life. Likewise, the current dasha needs to be seen as a continuation from the previous dasha. The following chart of the spiritual leader, Elizabeth Clare Prophet, is a rather dramatic example of how wrong we can be in our interpretation if we don't consider the previous dasha. She's currently in the mahadasha of Rahu, which began on September 20, 2000. Rahu is in the 5th house, aspected by Jupiter, the 7th and 10th lord. This forms a raja yoga, or royal combination, between Rahu and Jupiter, because Rahu is in a trinal house aspected by an angular lord, which has been discussed in the article, Rahu and Ketu Giving Raja Yoga. You may be inclined to conclude that this is a good period for her career or marriage if you just look at Rahu in isolation. Jupiter rules the 7th house of marriage and 10th house of career. Or it may be logical to think that this is a creative period where she would be doing a lot of teaching. Rahu is in the 5th house of creativity, disposited by Venus the karaka of creativity, and Jupiter is a teacher by nature.
Elizabeth Clare Prophet's Natal Chart However, to get to her 18-year Rahu dasha she had to pass through her 7year Mars dasha. Her Mars dasha tells the real story of her Rahu dasha. Notice how Mars is involved in an arishta yoga, or combination of misfortune, because Mars is a malefic planet aspecting the ascendant, and the ascendant lord Mercury. Mars also aspects the Sun, the significator of health, and is in a mutual aspect with Saturn, the 8th lord. In addition, Mars rules the 6th house of illness and conflict from both the ascendant and the Moon. This was an extremely difficult 7-year period for her. She was involved in a number of lawsuits, the organization she led went through a major overhaul with many members leaving, and perhaps more significantly she developed Alzheimer's Disease. She was formally diagnosed in 1999, but had shown signs since the beginning of her Mars dasha in 1993. By the time her Rahu dasha began in September 2000 she had stepped down from her position as the leader of her organization. She was already at an advanced stage of Alzheimer's where she could hardly speak or recognize her own family members. Without looking at how debilitating her Mars dasha was you may not have been able to understand her Rahu dasha. The main clue for what she's currently experiencing, if we were to look only at the Rahu dasha, comes from the fact that Rahu is in the 12th house from the Moon, representing isolation and seclusion. She's now living with around the clock care in a nursing home. Needless to say this is not a career-oriented or a marriage-oriented period, nor a period of creativity or teaching. She has done all that in previous dashas. Her organization at one time had many thousands of members worldwide, she published more than 75 books, and had four marriages and five children. The Mars dasha represented the beginning of the end.
Astro-Profile: Dr. Masaru Emoto The Hidden Messages of Water Signs By Vaughn Paul Manley, M.A. Copyright 2010. All Rights Reserved. Printer Friendly Version | Email Author
This article appeared in The Mountain Astrologer - Feb/Mar 2006 www.mountainastrologer.com
Dr. Masaru Emoto Vedic astrology has become popular in the West as an impressive predictive system, but that’s where its usefulness ends — at least as far as many people are concerned. The signs, for instance, are rarely mentioned in Vedic chart analysis; that territory is left to Western astrology. Recently, however, I came across a chart that strikingly demonstrates the relevancy of the signs in the Vedic system, better than any chart I’ve seen. You may know of the Japanese scientist, Dr. Masaru Emoto, whose groundbreaking research with water has earned him worldwide recognition. In his New York Times best-selling book, The Hidden Messages of Water,1 Dr. Emoto presents his stunning photographs of water crystals, which demonstrate how our thoughts, and even symbols of our thoughts, actually affect the molecular structure of water. By taking high-speed photographs of water frozen below –13o F, he discovered that the water crystals that formed vary in shape according to the specific thoughts, music, written words or even pictures that the water is exposed to. Beautiful, symmetrical water crystals develop when the water was exposed to positive vibrations, while the opposite was the case when exposed to negative vibrations. In February 2005, I met Dr. Emoto during one of his lecture tours in Hawaii and got up the nerve to ask him for his birth data. I had to — I couldn’t miss the opportunity to see his chart. “Sure, I love astrology,” Dr. Emoto said, as he wrote out his birth information. I felt like a kid with a new toy. I couldn’t wait to go home, punch in the data, and start playing.
Water crystal photograph before and after healing prayer
What would the chart of someone devoted to researching water look like? When his chart coalesced on the screen, everything you might expect was there. To begin with, most of his planets are in the water signs Cancer and Pisces. Most of his planets are also in the 4th and 8th houses (see chart below). These are considered ‘water houses’ since they correspond to the water signs, Cancer and Scorpio respectively. Also, there is a tight trine between Jupiter and the Moon, two watery planets, and both are located in water signs! Furthermore, Neptune, another watery planet, is sitting close to his Midheaven. (However, the outer planets Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto are not recognized in classical Vedic astrology) And if this weren’t enough, Dr. Emoto has also been passing through a planetary period (dasha) of the Moon since about the time his first book on water was published. The Moon represents — you guessed it — the water element. My computer screen was fogging up from all the moisture! The truly mysterious characteristic of his chart, however, is the density of planets in the 8th house. Five planets are crowded there, including Pluto and Rahu (the North Lunar Node). At first glance, this might confuse even a seasoned astrologer, since the 8th house is known as the house of death, losses, obstacles, upheavals, chronic illness, and so on. You wouldn’t typically expect this in the chart of someone with widespread fame and profound influence, since the 8th house often represents challenges to career. In Vedic astrology, the 8th house is the most malefic of the three malefic houses (the 6th, 8th, and 12th), also known as the dusthana or trik houses. If I surprise you with the archaic word “malefic,” suffice it to say that the 8th house is generally not pretty. However, a deeper understanding of the 8th house, as we shall see, clearly explains Dr. Emoto’s transformational research with water, as it does his fascination with Hado, or the life force, and his spiritual mission to heal the Earth through “love and gratitude.” Natal Chart Analysis
Natal Chart of Dr. Masaru Emoto Sagittarius Rising Dr. Emoto’s Ascendant is at 5°27’ Sagittarius in his Vedic chart. Conveniently, his Ascendant remains in Sagittarius in his Western chart as well. This sign certainly describes his adventurous spirit and willingness to explore unknown territory through his research. Before Dr. Emoto’s pioneering work, no one had even ventured to photograph a water crystal even though our bodies and the Earth itself are comprised of approximately 70% water. He writes, “One day I casually opened a book to words that jumped off the page: ‘No two snow crystals are exactly the same.’ The next moment I thought, ‘If I freeze water and look at the crystals, each one will look totally unique.’ And that moment marked my first step on an adventure into a new and unexplored world.”2 He had just embarked on the proverbial “endless journey,” the ideal situation for any Sagittarian. Sagittarius is the sign of the visionary teacher. Anyone who has read one of Dr. Emoto’s books knows that it’s easy to come away inspired and uplifted, which is indicative of a Sagittarian job well done. He writes, “What you really know is possible in your heart is possible. We make it possible by our will. What we imagine in our minds becomes our world. That’s just one of the many things that I have learned from water.”3 Since Sagittarius is the mutable fire sign, Sagittarians are good at exercising their creativity and will, and they like to encourage others to do so, too. They help us to adapt and mold ourselves into better individuals. Of all the signs, Sagittarius is the least likely to become stuck. Jupiter, the ruler of Sagittarius, is a planet of expansive possibilities; it stretches us out of our ordinary mind-sets. Jupiter’s gift is to teach, inspire, and uplift. He is actually called guru in Sanskrit, the ancient language of India. Another of Jupiter’s names is jnana karaka, or significator of wisdom. With a Sagittarius Ascendant, and therefore ruled by Jupiter, Dr. Emoto certainly wears the hat of a visionary spiritual teacher as well as that of a scientist. Six Planets in Water Signs A striking feature of Dr. Emoto’s chart is that he has six planets in water
signs: the Moon, Jupiter, Mercury, the Sun, Rahu (the North Node of the Moon), and Pluto. This certainly explains his affinity with the water element — and I don’t just mean that he likes baths or jumping in the ocean. Dr. Emoto began researching water in 1989, ten years before his first book on water was even published.4 Think about it. For him to be able to sustain this kind of interest over an extended period of time, you would expect to see strong influences in water signs in his chart. The two luminaries, the Sun and Moon, are the primary personality indicators, along with the Ascendant. The fact that the Sun, Moon, and the Ascendant lord, Jupiter, are all in water signs (and water houses, as we shall see) explains Dr. Emoto’s enduring interest in water research. Mercury, who represents our intellectual interests, is also located in a water sign. In Dr. Emoto’s case, Mercury also represents career, since it is the ruler of his 10th house. The water signs are the subtlest and most intangible signs, opposite the physical and tangible earth signs in the zodiac. The water element takes us into the mysterious hidden realms of the imagination, intuition, feelings, and the unconscious. Just having the Sun and Moon in water signs would be enough to suggest someone with deep sensitivity, intuition, empathy, and receptivity. Adding Jupiter, Mercury, Rahu, and Pluto (as in Dr. Emoto’s case) means that these become exceptional character traits. Of these six planets, five are in the cardinal water sign of Cancer, which suggests Dr. Emoto’s ability to assert his sensitive Cancerian traits confidently in the world.
Dr. Emoto blessing water
Of all the water signs, Pisces is the most sensitive and intuitive. Dr. Emoto’s Pisces Moon helps him to take his research in surprising directions. He writes, “When your heart is open to possibilities, you start to notice small things that can lead to enormous discoveries.”5 He reveals that his intuition carried him through the early stages of his research: “There was nothing to assure us that our efforts would eventually pay off. Oddly enough, I never doubted that they would. I knew with certainty that my hypothesis was correct and that the experiments would go well — I just knew it.”6 I have since learned, from someone who worked with Dr. Emoto, that he relies on intuitive guidance much of the time, especially when making decisions regarding his work. His Pisces Moon, receiving a trine from Jupiter in Cancer, reflects this ability to trust his intuition. Six Planets in Water Houses These six planets are not only in water signs, they are also in water houses. This is because they fall in either the 4th, 8th, or 12th houses, corresponding to the water signs Cancer, Scorpio, and Pisces. If you thought Dr. Emoto’s watery qualities were already exceptional, they just got doubled — and then some. Every quality that can be ascribed to the water signs also applies to the water houses: subtle, intangible, hidden, mysterious, imaginative, intuitive, etc. This makes sense, because (as I pointed out earlier) the water houses are opposite the earth houses. I live in Hawaii, and each time I go snorkeling I’m amazed by another world that lies beneath the ocean — a world not seen from the surface. Likewise, the water houses are houses of depth, seeing beyond the obvious to a subtler level of profound insight. In Vedic astrology, these are also called moksha houses, or houses of liberation. They are the most mystical houses, and they relate to the transformation of consciousness. With six planets in moksha houses, this is definitely Dr. Emoto’s realm. Special Emphasis in the 8th House Of these six planets in moksha or water houses, five line up in Dr. Emoto’s 8th house. We’ve already mentioned that the 8th house is considered the house of death, losses, obstacles, upheavals, chronic illness, and so on. Although this is true, these indications have little relevance to this analysis of Dr. Emoto’s chart. Therefore, let’s look beyond the ordinary. Within the water house trinity, the 8th house represents the greatest depth of insight, corresponding to Scorpio, the most profound sign. It is the house of research because it is willing to explore the furthest beneath the surface, to seek out root causes. It’s bored with anything less. This is why the 8th house is associated with occult knowledge, metaphysics, and psychology. It also relates to the secrets of nature, some of which Dr. Emoto’s research reveals. The basic drive of the moksha, or water houses, is transformation; without this, there is no hope for liberation. The farther below the surface the water houses take you, the deeper the transformation. The job of the 8th house is to
take you the deepest. It is where we face our most profound fears and psychological issues like the fear of death or separation, and issues of power and control. It is preparation for the final stages of ego dissolution represented by the 12th house. The 8th is known as the house of change: intense, sudden, and dramatic change. But it doesn’t just create upheaval and leave us in a sobbing heap on the floor. Its purpose is to effect a deep shift of consciousness. The 8th house, therefore, relates to transformational healing of body and mind, such as vibrational medicine, that works on a subtle yet profound level. This is the level where Dr. Emoto operates.
Dr. Emoto leading experiment to cleanse Lake Biwa, Japan
Here’s another point: The 8th house is not only the house of death (mrityu bhava), it is also the house of life (ayu bhava). As long as there is life force, there is no death, which explains why the 8th house is known as the house of longevity. It is the house of subtle energy — chi, prana, and the life force. Quantum physics demonstrates that the highest concentration of energy lies at the subtlest level. Likewise, the most shakti, or energy, is associated with the subtlest house, the 8th house. Dr. Emoto’s water research, in typical 8th-house fashion, was fueled by his fascination with Hado (rhymes with “shadow”), an old Japanese word synonymous with chi, or life force. Dr. Emoto says, “Hado signifies the world of subtle energy related to consciousness.”7 His main interest in photographing water was to make the intangible tangible, or as he says, “to try to put Hado energy into a visible form by using water crystals as material and canvas.”8 If one could demonstrate that our thoughts actually affect the molecular structure of water, the implications would be vast. It would mean that we can literally transform ourselves and our world. This is exactly what Dr. Emoto’s work has proven. Multiple Raja Yogas in the 8th House If we seek an astrological explanation for Dr. Emoto’s success, we will find it in a very special union of planets in the 8th house. Jupiter, the Sun, and Mercury, (the rulers of the 1st, 4th, 9th, 7th and 10th houses, respectively) form several examples of what is called a raja yoga, or royal combination of planets. A raja yoga is formed when the ruler of a trinal house (1, 5, or 9) combines with the ruler of an angular house (1, 4, 7, or 10). Vedic astrology has hundreds of such yogas, or planetary combinations; each bestows different effects. Raja yogas increase the success and status of the individual by enhancing the positive indications of any house in which they’re located. In Dr. Emoto’s case, this indicates an exceptional ability to succeed in 8thhouse areas like research, psychology, occult studies, transformational healing, and vibrational medicine. It’s interesting that Dr. Emoto received his doctorate in alternative healing. His raja yogas in the 8th house would also indicate, on a personal level, that he has a strong life force, good longevity, and a profound sensitivity to subtle energy.
Dasha Analysis
The Phenomenal Success of His Moon Dasha If the raja yogas in the 8th house indicate Dr. Emoto’s overall success, then what accounts for the extraordinary heights of success he’s reached in just the past few years? Before the year 2000, he was virtually unknown, especially outside of Japan. Now, he’s an international phenomenon. How can this be explained astrologically? In Vedic astrology, the timing of events is indicated through the analysis of the dashas (planetary periods).9 The natal chart shows what is likely to happen in one’s life; the dashas reveal when. A dasha represents a segment of time that is ruled by a specific planet, like a chapter in the book of one’s life. Each major chapter or mahadasha (great dasha) ranges from 6 to 20 years in duration. These are then broken down into sub-dashas (bhuktis) and sub-sub-dashas, which allow us to progressively define narrow ranges of time. Although transits and other methods also play a role in the timing of events, the dashas, as a unique predictive system, have contributed the most to the popularity of Vedic astrology in the West. Dr. Emoto began his ten-year mahadasha of the Moon in March 2000, nine months after he published his first book on water research, Messages from Water. During this period, he has achieved phenomenal fame, wealth, and success. Think of the dasha planet as being turned on like a light switch. The planet’s general characteristics and what it represents in the chart become highly activated during this time. For instance, the Moon generally represents water, the mother, and the mind (manas) — our thoughts, feelings, and perceptions. The Moon is a sensitive, care-giving planet, and Moon dashas are often periods of service to others. These general qualities are represented in Dr. Emoto’s Moon dasha period. His work involves water, is serviceoriented, and focuses on healing the mind. The next step is to look at the Moon’s position in his chart and the aspects and yogas that it is involved in. The Moon is placed in the sensitive, intuitive, and spiritual sign of Pisces, in the 4th house of the mind and emotions. The Moon is the lord of the 8th house, receiving a tight trine by Jupiter, the planet of wisdom, from the 8th house. This brings in a strong influence from the 8th house during his Moon dasha, indicating a focus on research, psychology, spiritual transformation, and subtle vibrational healing. Jupiter’s influence also gives him abundant opportunities to travel and teach. Jupiter and the Moon’s aspect is a phenomenal connection between these two benefic, watery planets. Not only are they in a tight trine within one degree, but Jupiter is also located in the Moon’s sign, while the Moon is located in Jupiter’s sign. This is called a mutual reception, or parivartana yoga in Vedic astrology. It creates a much closer connection, like a wedding, between the two planets. This is an extremely spiritual, positive, and expansive combination.
Water crystal photograph "Love and Gratitude" But it gets even better. Jupiter is also in Cancer, the sign of its exaltation, which heightens Jupiter’s benefic qualities. Also, we can’t forget that Jupiter is in multiple raja yogas with Mercury and the Sun. Jupiter is a spiritual teacher or missionary, interested in the welfare of humanity. Dr. Emoto has been on a mission to share his message of love and gratitude during his Moon dasha. In a recent interview he was asked which water crystal photograph had the most profound effect on him. His answer was, “A water crystal after showing the word: "Love and Gratitude." I found this to be the most beautiful and it touched my heart immeasurably.”10 He writes, “Indeed, there is nothing more important than love and gratitude in this world. Just by expressing love and gratitude, the water around us and in our bodies changes so beautifully.”11 Dr. Emoto’s message is of transformational healing, both personal and planetary, which naturally comes about as we express love and gratitude toward everyone and everything, including ourselves. An important technique in Vedic astrology is to analyze the chart from various alternate Ascendants. By placing the Ascendant where the Moon, Sun, or mahadasha planet is located gives a more complete picture of the likely effects of a dasha period. In Dr. Emoto’s chart, when you look at his connection between Jupiter and the Moon from each of these alternate Ascendants, you’ll see that they form raja yogas in every case (but not from the original Ascendant). For instance, when you make the Moon in Pisces the Ascendant, Jupiter becomes the ruler of the 1st and 10th houses and is placed in the 5th house. The special connection between the Moon and Jupiter (discussed above) then becomes a combination of the rulers of the 1st, 5th and 10th houses, which forms a raja yoga. This indicates that Dr. Emoto’s dramatic rise in success and status is strongly reinforced during his Moon dasha. Seeing these repeated patterns helps us to build solid conclusions regarding the results of a dasha period. With this understanding of the Moon and Jupiter’s extraordinary connection in Dr. Emoto’s chart, is it any wonder that he was instantly catapulted into fame and fortune during the Jupiter bhukti of his Moon dasha? This 16-month period saw the release of the movie, What the Bleep Do We Know? which highlighted his water research. Shortly thereafter, his book, The Hidden Messages of Water, hit the New York Times best-seller list. When I met Dr.
Emoto, he had already passed from his Jupiter sub-dasha and was then in his sub-dasha of Saturn. He was on a world speaking tour; he mentioned that his health was suffering but that he felt guided intuitively to do the world tour anyway. Saturn is placed in his 6th house of illness, indicating the potential for health challenges during his Saturn sub-dasha. Dr. Emoto’s Moon mahadasha represents a time when he is able to reap the benefits of the research and writing that he accomplished in his Sun mahadasha. During that six-year mahadasha period, from 1994 to 2000, he wrote many books on Hado and conducted his ongoing experiments with water. In his chart, the Sun is within 5 degrees of Mercury, the planet of writing. As I mentioned, the Sun joins Mercury and Jupiter to form several raja yogas in the 8th house of research, transformation, and subtle energy. Dr. Emoto will remain in his Moon mahadasha until March 2010. January 2006 – June 2007 marks his sub-dasha of Mercury, which indicates an increasingly career-oriented time of writing, publishing, and public speaking.
Dr. Emoto and Vaughn Paul - Feb 2006, Maui, Hawaii Conclusion
By now, it should be abundantly obvious, from an astrological standpoint, why Dr. Emoto is engaged in water research of a transformational nature. He has many influences in water signs and water houses by watery planets, especially Jupiter and the Moon. We astrologers love to find repeating patterns like this. The more the merrier, since each one adds to a clearer interpretation. Vedic astrology is a powerful predictive system that typically has little to say about the signs in chart interpretation. It emphasizes the houses, which is quite the opposite of Western astrology. As James Coleman points out, “[Western] astrology is heavily weighted toward signs and only makes a cursory nod toward houses.”12 These imbalances are certainly optional — not eternal verities. The influences of the houses and the signs must certainly apply in both Vedic and Western systems, if there’s any validity to them, which there certainly is. I see them as untapped resources available to anyone who, like Dr. Emoto, cares to look beneath the surface, in typical 8thhouse fashion. Chart Data and Source Dr. Masaru Emoto, July 22, 1943; 4:50 p.m. JST; Yokohama, Japan (35°N26'; 139°E39'); A: Author quotes Dr. Emoto as giving him the time of 4:45 p.m. after a lecture in Maui, Hawaii. Dr. Emoto asked author to contact his older sister to confirm. She later quoted the time of 4:50 p.m. References and Notes 1. Masaru Emoto, The Hidden Messages of Water, Beyond Words Publishing, 2004. 2. Ibid., p. xx. 3. Ibid., p. xxii. 4. Masaru Emoto, Messages from Water, Hado Kyoikusha Co., Ltd. (Japan), 1999. 5. Emoto, Hidden Messages, p. xx. 6. Ibid., p. xxi. 7. Emoto, Messages from Water, p. 7. 8. Ibid., p. 115. 9. For further information about the dashas, see Linda Johnsen's article, "What's Your Dasha?" in The Mountain Astrologer, Oct./Nov. 2005. 10. “How Water reflects our Energy & Vibrational Frequency: The EDGE Interview with Dr. Masaru Emoto,” by Insiah Vawda Beckman, April 2004, http://www.edgenews.com/issues/2004/04/toc.html 11. Emoto, Messages from Water, p. 95. 12. James Coleman, “Introducing House Astrology,” in TMA, June/July 2005, p. 63.
Astro-Profile: Venus Williams's Big Comeback By Vaughn Paul Manley, M.A. Copyright 2010. All Rights Reserved. Printer Friendly Version | Japanese Version |Email Author "Excellent. Well done." - K.N. Rao
Venus Williams - Tennis Star Birth Data Birth Name: Venus Ebone Starr Williams Birth Date: June 17, 1980 Birth Time: 2:12 PM PDT (+7:00) Birth Place: Lynwood, California USA Latitude: 33 N 55; Longitude: 118 W 12 Lahiri Ayanamsha: -23:34:53 Planetary Positions Asc 19° 57' Virgo Sun 3° 12' Gemini Moon 4° 05' Leo
Merc 27° 22' Gemini Venus 29° 09'R Taurus Mars 24° 21' Leo Jup 10° 31' Leo Sat 27° 12' Leo Rahu 27° 59' Cancer Ketu 27° 59' Capricorn
Over the last two years Venus Williams had become a disappointment. The former #1 women's tennis player in the world was on her way out, or so everyone thought. She hadn't won any major championships, her ranking had tumbled to #16, and she was plagued with numerous injuries. Fashion and interior design became her thing, not tennis. That story recently changed. In May she won her first tournament in a year in Turkey, and then remarkably she went on to win the year's biggest tournament at Wimbledon on July 2nd! This was her 3rd Wimbledon singles championship, but this year she was hardly anyone's bet to win, being seeded a low #14. The year before she had lost in the 2nd round. This year, however, Venus was arguably the brightest planet in the sky again, practically overnight. How can this dramatic comeback be explained astrologically? In order to understand what's happening now we have to first understand her natal horoscope. The dashas and transits, the main tools for prediction in Vedic astrology, activate the promises inherent in the natal horoscope. Let's first take a look at what the stars and planets say from the moment of birth.
Natal Chart Analysis Bhadra Mahapurusha Yoga in the 10th house Venus Williams has Virgo rising with the ruler of Virgo, Mercury, in the 10th house in it's own sign in Gemini. This gives her a career orientation and a powerful career at that. How powerful? This is a Bhadra Mahapurusha Yoga ('yoga' here means planetary combination) because Mercury is on an angle in it's own or exalted sign. 'Maha' means great and 'purusha' means human being. This is a planetary combination that gives her exemplary qualities of Mercury. The classical texts praise this yoga with descriptions like, "The person is physically strong and healthy, with long arms, commanding stature, a gait with the majesty of an elephant, face like a lion, broad chest and shoulders, and proportionate limbs. The voice is sweet and impressive. The person is virtuous and learned, of a stable mind and very intelligent. Independent in all undertakings, judicious, extremely wealthy, blessed with comforts etc." This certainly describes her quite well. This yoga happens to fall in the 10th house elevating her career, status and bringing fame. And if this wasn't enough Mercury is also Vargottama, meaning it stays in Gemini in the Navamsha chart (9th divisional chart), which further strengthens Mercury. Gemini is an agile, versatile and quick sign, which describe her athletic ability. Mercury is also conjunct with the Sun, a royal planet, but not too closely so it does not combust (burn up) Mercury. The Sun gains directional strength or 'Dik Bala' in the 10th house, which further enhances the status, recognition, leadership, domination and career success. The Sun is also the 12th lord in the 10th house, which can indicate a number of things success in foreign countries, or a career that changes frequently, or goes in spurts. For Venus it looks like a combination of these. It can also indicate working for oneself because of the need for a flexible, independent work schedule. She's recently started her own interior design company. Malavya Mahapurusha Yoga in the 10th house from the Moon Overall she will become successful quite easily at whatever she does because of the strength of Mercury in her chart, which again is the 1st and 10th lord in the 10th house. Her success is reinforced by Venus being in it's own sign of Taurus in the 9th house, which
is also the 10th house from the Moon, an important alternate ascendant. This creates another Mahapurusha Yoga, Malavya Mahapurusha Yoga, from the Moon, which further enhances her potential for career success. This is significant because she has been in a Venus mahadasha or planetary period for most of her life, from age 5-25. She has been quite accustomed to being successful from an early age and became a professional tennis player at age 14. Venus in it's own sign in the 9th house gives her a strong sense of her dharma or life purpose, in her Venus mahadasha. The 9th house is a house of 'dharma' along with the 1st and 5th houses. Venus is also her 'Atmakaraka' or indicator of her soul since Venus is the planet with the highest degrees in any sign. For so many reasons is it any wonder that she's so interested in fashion and design and that her name is Venus?!
Vipareeta Raja Yoga You'll notice that she has 4 planets in the 12th house. At first glance you may be surprised to see this in the chart of a world class celebrity. The 12th house is a house of loss, expenditure, isolation, and planets placed there are generally considered weak. However, this is actually a special Raja Yoga or 'Royal' Yoga called Vipareeta Raja Yoga formed when the ruler of a dusthana house, the 6, 8, or 12th house, is placed in another dusthana house. The classical texts praise this yoga as well by saying, "This confers learning, longevity, fame and prosperity. The person will have illustrious friends, be successful in all ventures, a conqueror of foes, and a great celebrity." Again you could say that this describes Venus to a "T." Raja Yoga, Chandra-Mangala Yoga and Gajakesari Yoga This Vipareeta Raja Yoga is enhanced significantly because the Moon is one of the four planets in the 12th house. When you make the Moon the ascendant, several Raja Yogas are formed, by the combining of the lords of the 4th, 5th, 7th and 9th houses. Raja Yogas give career rise and overall success. This also forms a Chandra-Mangala Yoga because Mars and the Moon mutually aspect one another, being conjunct in the 12th house. This contributes to her ability to earn money easily and accumulate wealth even though it is in the 12th house of losses. Lastly, this also forms a Gajakesari Yoga because Jupiter is in an angular position from the
Moon, being conjunct in the 12th house. 'Gaja' means elephant and 'kesari' means lion - the two kings of the forest. This yoga gives strength and leadership. Jupiter, Mars and the Moon are also natural and temporal friends with the Sun, the ruler of Leo in the 10th house, so these yogas increase in strength by virtue of being placed in the sign of Leo. Leo, the Royal Sign of Leadership Another important point is that Leo is a sign of royalty, authority and leadership and is the best sign for competitors according to K.N. Rao. Often times you'll see athletes with strong planets in Leo. Venus's 4 planets placed here give her a tough competitive edge and ability to dominate. Interestingly, if you look at Venus's 3rd house of younger siblings (the sign of Scorpio) you'll see that the 4 planets in Leo are in the 10th house from the 3rd house. This shows that her younger sibling, Serena, also has a powerful career and is a tough competitor. Both Venus and her sister Serena have their Moon's placed in Leo in their natal charts. The Drekkana Chart (3rd Divisional Chart) Incidentally, I believe that Venus must be born at least 14 seconds after 2:12 pm because this would change her Drekkana chart (3rd divisional chart) ascendant from Capricorn to Taurus. This is the divisional chart that describes siblings. From Taurus rising Cancer is the 3rd house, which becomes the ascendant of Serena, her next younger sibling. From Cancer, Mars is in the 10th house in its own sign of Aries forming a Ruchaka Mahapurusha Yoga. Mars is also conjunct Saturn and aspected by Jupiter which is placed in its own fire sign of Sagittarius. These strong influences in fire signs describe Serena's fierce competitive drive very well. In one interview Venus said, "I want to become as tough a fighter as Serena." Below are the two Drekkana charts with before 2:12:13 pm on the left and after 2:12:13 pm on the right:
Drekkana Charts
Venus and Serena on the cover of Time Magazine - Sep. 3, 2001 Dasha and Transit Analysis By this natal chart analysis you'll see that it is because of the strength of these planetary positions that she has the confidence and inherent ability to dominate and be successful. In a recent interview she said, "I knew it was my destiny to be in the winner's circle. There were times along the way when I didn't make it there. But I felt my destiny was definitely to win big titles, win lots of titles." If this is the case then what happened over the last two years? Why the slump? What planetary indications represent this? First let's step back and see the big picture of her dasha scheme and then focus in on the last two years. Venus Mahadasha - Getting Established As a Leader 20 years: April 1985 to April 2005 Venus is a temporal benefic for Virgo rising because it rules the trinal 9th house. It is also in the 9th house in it's own sign of Taurus as mentioned. The 9th lord and/or the 9th house gives progress, growth, learning, travel, and fortune. From the Moon, Venus is in the 10th house giving Malavya Mahapurusha Yoga as previously discussed. Venus is also aspected closely by Saturn the 5th lord forming a Dana Yoga between the 2nd, 5th and 9th lords who are all wealth giving planets (the 5th and 9th houses are houses of Lakshmi, the Goddess of wealth). This gives her focus, discipline, perseverance, and helps her get established as a leader. Saturn aspecting Venus also reveals the tension with her father, her tennis coach, because Saturn is also the 6th lord representing conflict with the 9th lord, representing the father. Venus/Sat and Venus/Mer Sub Dashas - Achievements 6 yrs: Feb 1998 to Feb 2004 These have been her two most successful sub periods yet, resulting in wealth, fame and success. Why? Saturn and Mercury are both involved in beneficial yogas, as discussed, that
will become activated in their sub dashas within the Venus mahadasha. They are both natural friends of Venus when you consider the two families of planetary friendships: Venus, Saturn, Mercury as opposed to Jupiter, Mars, Sun and the Moon. Both Saturn and Mercury's ruler or dispositor is placed in the 10th house of career success. Saturn in Leo is ruled, or disposited by the Sun who is placed in the 10th house. Mercury is its own dispositor, since it's in its own sign of Gemini in the 10th house along with the Sun. Looking at the mahadasha lord as an alternate ascendant is an important method taught by my teacher, K.N. Rao. In this case, when you make Venus in Taurus an alternate ascendant, then Venus becomes the 1st lord in the 1st house, with both Mercury and Saturn ruling the 5th and 9th trinal houses respectively. This makes them both temporal benefics from Venus in Taurus and indicates that these sub dashas will be very beneficial. Saturn's aspect onto Venus from Leo then becomes the 9th and 10th lord aspect to the 1st lord. This forms a spectacular Raja Yoga between Venus and Saturn. Her Venus/Saturn dasha from Feb 1998 - April 2001 was her best period ever. In 2000 she had a 32 match winning streak and won both the singles and doubles (with her sister Serena) at Wimbledon, the US Open, and the Olympics! Venus summed up her 2000 triumphs well by saying, "I guess I've graduated to a different level where I can be like some of the greats." Transit of Saturn in Gemini - Injuries 34 months: July 2002 to May 2005 This transit of Saturn through Gemini conjunct the Sun and later Mercury represented facing her own limitations (Saturn) regarding her body which is represented by the Sun, significator of the 1st house and the ruler of the 1st house, Mercury. Injuries plagued her - her wrist, stomach and shoulder. Saturn from Gemini also aspects, with it's special 3rd aspect (sextile), to Leo and her 4 planets - Moon, Jupiter, Mars and Saturn. This aspect especially to Mars, the 8th lord, and Saturn, her 6th lord, represented accidents and injuries in addition to the challenges presented by Saturn's transit through Gemini over the Sun and Mercury. She went against the advice of her father and played with injuries and later regretted it because it only served to prolong her recovery. The sign of Gemini, her 10th house, receives 42 sarvashtakavarga points in the ashtakavarga system, which is phenomenally high. Below 20 points is considered weak, above 30 strong, and above 40 very strong. This generally strengthens her 10th house and indicates that transits will be very beneficial through her career house. Saturn's transit in Gemini contributes 6 of the 42 points, which is a very high number (8 is the highest possible which is very rare) and represents that overall this was not as detrimental a transit over the Sun and Mercury as it could have been. This is a clue that this time period during Saturn's transit in Gemini did not represent the end of her tennis career as many speculated.
Venus/Mer/Sat and Venus/Ketu Sub Dasha - Worst Slump September 13, 2003 to April 25 2005 These were the hardest sub dashas of all. The day after she started Venus/Mercury/Saturn her half-sister, who was her 3rd oldest sister, was shot and killed. The 7th house, the sign of Pisces, represents the 3rd oldest sister because the 11th is the next oldest, the 9th the 2nd oldest, and the 7th the 3rd oldest. From the 7th house Venus, the dasha lord rules the 8th house, the house of death. Mercury the sub dasha lord rules the 7th house, which is a maraka (killer) house. Saturn the sub sub dasha lord rules the 12th house, the house of loss and is conjunct Mars, the planet of violence in the 6th house of accidents. Venus/Mercury/Saturn could not be a good dasha for her 3rd oldest sister. This began a cycle for Venus of grief and disillusionment. Saturn represents grief and its transit in Gemini was approaching her Mercury in her 10th house causing her to evaluate and question herself (1st lord) and her career (10th lord). A few months later she began her 14-month sub dasha of Ketu, which began in February 2004. The press during this time speculated that she had lost her motivation, confidence and desire to win. She seriously contemplated retirement. These are typical traits of a Ketu dasha. We become disillusioned with the status quo and begin looking outside of our normal experience. She became attracted to other life directions like interior decorating and fashion while her injuries required her to convalesce.
Sun Mahadasha Sun Sub Dasha- The Big Comeback April 25 2005 to Aug 13 2005 The first sign of a significant astrological event that could indicate a comeback was simply the ending of the Venus/Ketu sub dasha at the end of April, 2005. Ketu is a reflective, contemplative planet. It is the moksha karaka or significator of spritual liberation and is not interested in worldy fame and success. Usually people's level of motivation and drive is at an all time low. Ketu dashas often lead people into simplifying their lives, convalescence, retreat, isolation, exploring in unusual directions etc. It is often a time of inner work or inner preparation for a creative phase that follows Ketu dashas. This is because Venus dashas (creativity) always follow Ketu dashas (unless it's a Venus/Ketu sub dasha which is followed by Sun mahadasha). The second indication of a comeback is that the 6-year Sun Dasha came next. The Sun, as we have seen in our natal interpretation, is conjunct the 10th lord Mercury in the 10th house where it gets directional strength. Because of this the focus shifts again to career success. The Sun benefits by association with such a strong Mercury as explained earlier. There are modifications to this because the Sun rules the 12th house but let's save that discussion for later. The third indication is that on May 27th Saturn left the sign of Gemini by transit. The influence of Saturn in the 10th house tightly conjunct Mercury her 1st and 10th lord and aspecting Mars and Saturn in the 12th house was heavy and burdensome especially in a reflective Ketu sub dasha. She felt the pressure to recover her health to 100% so she could return to her old form. This became a huge weight that was lifted at the end of May. In an interview after winning Wimbledon she said, "I have to thank God for letting me be healthy."
The fourth indication is that on June 5th Jupiter went direct by transit in her ascendant after being retrograde for 4 1/2 months. Jupiter was now approaching her ascendant degree, which is one indication for improved health, happiness, and overall success. Jupiter also receives an extremely high 7 ashtakavarga points in Virgo, which further enhances the positive qualities of this transit. The 5th indication is that the double transit of Jupiter and Saturn (click here to read my article on the subject) was now in her ascendant and 5th house, two dharma houses that fuel her to progress and move forward in her life purpose, because Jupiter and Saturn were both aspecting these houses by transit. This improves her health and self-confidence (1st house) and creative, dynamic self-expression (5th house). Having the dashas and major transits lining up to indicate a comeback allows us to now look more deeply at the other transits, particularly of the mahadasha lord, the Sun, or to the Sun by other planets. This is a subtler consideration that shouldn't be emphasized early in one's analysis because it doesn't carry the weight as do the dashas and major transits. Here's the 6th indication. Isn't it amazing that on the day of her Wimbledon final with Lindsey Davenport that the Sun was transiting in Gemini, her 10th house?! As mentioned earlier, her 10th house of Gemini gets an incredible 42 sarvashtakavarga points, the most of any of her houses. This strengthens transits through this house tremendously. The Sun contributes a very high 6 binnashtakavarga points making the Sun's transit between June 15th and July 16th in Gemini very powerful and helpful for her to win a major Grand Slam event. It's interesting to note that the Wimbledon tournament is always scheduled while the Sun is in Gemini, which is one reason she's had such a history of success there. She won it in 2000, 2001 and was runner up to her sister in 2002, 2003. 2004 was her Ketu sub dasha with a difficult transit of Saturn as we’ve discussed. And now she's won again in 2005. "You never know what life is going to throw at you, and each and every day I just expect the Sun to come up, that's all, these days," she said. I understand Venus! Spoken well by someone with the Sun overhead at birth in the 10th house! Now your Sun dasha is also up for the next 6 years!
Will the Big Comeback Really Last? Is Venus really back as the brightest star in the firmament? Or was this just the luck of a few good transits? No, the Sun dasha is significant. She will be more in the media. The Sun is with Mercury in the 3rd sign of Gemini. Did you know that her and Serena have started their own reality TV show and will have cameras following them off the court? They've also written their own book entitled 'Venus and Serena: Serving From the Hip: 10 Rules for Living, Loving, and Winning.' These are all Gemini and Mercurial activities. She will be more and more in the visible limelight again. What about being on the top of the tennis ranks again? What concerns me is that the Sun is the 12th lord and debilitated in the Navamsha chart. She is also in the beginning of a Sadhe Saati period (Saturn within 45 degrees° of the Moon). These are the modifications of the Sun dasha time period that I mentioned earlier. Sun as the 12th lord indicates that in her Sun dasha there would be a break in her career, and her public image would change. I don't see her completing her Sun dasha as a tennis pro. I think this is a short lived comeback actually. In her Sun Mars dasha after February 2006 she could revisit some old injuries. Why? Because the Sun is the 12th lord and debilitated in the Navamsa, as mentioned, which could generally indicate challenges with health in her 6 year Sun dasha. In addition, Mars is the planet of injury and accidents and is the 8th lord conjunct with the 6th lord Saturn. Looking at it from the dasha lord, the Sun, as the ascendant, Mars is the 6th and 11th lord, which are both houses of injury (the 11th house is the 6th house from the 6th house), and is conjunct Saturn the 8th lord. Saturn's transit at this time will also be aspecting her ascendant degree more closely from Cancer by transit which could indicate challenges with injuries. Saturn's transit is also in the 12th house from her Moon, which could represent being held up and frustrated. I don't think it's a major setback however, because Mars is involved in exceptional yogas in the sign of Leo, which is a strong sign for Mars as discussed earlier. If I were to make a prediction I'd say she will retire from tennis in her Sun Saturn dasha after March 2008. Saturn will be transiting through Leo, her 12th house of loss, where it receives a very weak 0 ashtakavarga points and will be aspecting her natal Moon, Jupiter, Mars and Saturn. She will be experiencing both her Saturn return and her Sadhe Saati period as previously mentioned. The Dashamsha Chart (10th Divisional Chart) This can also be seen in her Dashamsha chart (10th divisional chart), which is the divisional chart pertaining to one's career. In this chart, her current dasha lord, the Sun, happens to also be her 10th lord of career for Scorpio rising. This is in addition to the Sun being the significator of the 10th house (career) as well as the 1st house (body) in any chart. The Sun is placed in the benefic 9th house aspected by Jupiter, which indicates progress in her career in her Sun dasha. However, the Sun is also aspected by two malefics, Mars and Saturn. Mar's aspect, as the 1st and 6th lord in its own sign in the 6th house, could help her defeat her competitors in her Mars sub dasha. However, as the 6th lord it can also represent injuries. It's not extreme because Mars is strong on its own sign and creates a Raja Yoga with the Sun, being a combination of the 1st and 10th lord. Saturn's aspect is more challenging because it is a natural enemy of the Sun and is a temporal malefic for Scorpio ascendant, in addition to being a natural malefic in any chart. This again confirms that her Saturn sub dasha after March 2008 could represent a break or change in her career.
Dashamsha Chart I think she knows that tennis is rather short lived which is one reason why she's already exploring other businesses and career choices. In a recent interview she said, "Tennis is what I do, it's all-consuming. But at the same time I have to realize this is just one part of my life, this is only one stage of my life, and I'll move on from this one day." In any case, Venus' future is bright and she will gradually become more spiritually and metaphysically oriented which is indicated by 4 planets, especially the Moon (mind) and Jupiter (spirituality), placed in the 12 house of spiritual depth. She is now in the dasha of her 12th lord, the Sun, and will enter a Moon mahadasha in April 2011. Her Mother, Oracene Price, said during an interview on the Oprah Winfrey show, "Venus is very deep. She's always been that way. I remember when she was a baby—she would go off into space, and then she'd come back. I'd say, 'What in the world is this little girl thinking about?' Wherever Venus' orbit has taken her, it has led her to dizzying heights of success and fame in a span of a few short years. But isn't this just what we should expect from the brightest planet in the sky?
Interview with K.N. Rao: Conversations with one of the Eminent Vedic Astrologers of our Time reprinted with permission from K.N. Rao & interviewer Maalok originally published May 30, 2005 by sulekha.com Copyright 2010. All Rights Reserved. Printer Friendly Version
Sri K.N. Rao Sri K.N. Rao, is widely considered to be one of the foremost Vedic astrologers in the world today. He is the architect of a great astrological renaissance, and founder of the Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan school of astrology in New Delhi, India, the largest astrology school in the world with over 800 students and 25 teachers. He is also the editor of the quarterly magazine, Journal of Astrology, and author of more than twenty five books on Vedic astrology. Sri K.N. Rao's academic and research-based approach combines both classical and innovative methods like his PAC-DARES and Composite Approach, which are used by students worldwide. Over the past forty years his record of accurate predictions has earned him wide spread recognition. Question: Thank you so much for agreeing to do this interview. From your biography we know that your father Sri K. Rama Rao was an illustrious journalist and a freedom fighter. Your mother, Smt. K. Sarasvani Devi initiated you into astrology at the age of 12. Could you please give us some feel of your experience of being brought up in such an atmosphere? Could you share any notable anecdotes from your childhood or formative years? K.N. Rao (KNR): To help answer this question, let me recount to you an incident from my life. At the age of 23, when I was interviewed for the All-India Services, the first question put to me was - “What has been your reaction as a south Indian brought up in northern India? [1]” I replied - “I recently read a novel of a Polish pianist who was brought up in Russia. In Poland he was called a Russian and in Russia a Pole!” Humor aside, I was very fortunate to be away from the extreme “Brahminical” orthodoxy of south Indian society of those days. If I were a Brahmin living in South India, I might have found it very difficult to mix freely with people from different communities. On the other hand, living in Lucknow, I had the unique enriching opportunity of bringing home my Muslim friends
for dinner.[2] Furthermore, my father, with his Brahmo Samaj[3] background, never allowed any male member ever to take any dowry in marriage. For four generations no male in our family has taken any dowry. My father was a very courageous and patriotic person. He was jailed while working for India's freedom movement, leaving the eight of us - his wife and children – without a breadwinner in the family. How we survived those days is still a miracle! Since we survived, I experientially know, without any doubt, that there is a great God, with his scheme for all of us puny mortals. We cry and cringe - but for what? I am a very firm believer in karma and its results. I am more convinced in it because of my experiences with astrology, with my astrology Guru, late Yogi Bhaskaranandji, and my mantra Guru, Swami Paramanand Saraswati. Question: Given your father's association with India's freedom movement, did you have an opportunity to meet some of the leading political figures of that time? If so, how was that experience? KNR: I traveled quite a lot with my father, who was moving from one place to another due to his job. I was the personal volunteer of Mahatma Gandhi during my vacations in Wardha. I saw, from closest quarters, the future famous men of India. Fellow volunteers and I, who had come from different parts of India, got disenchanted with almost all of them, except Mahatma Gandhi and Khan Abdul Gaffar Khan.[4] In working for these famous leaders of India, we young volunteers had to be extra cautious. Many of these leaders were short tempered and it was not unusual for them to slap us! In this matter, Jawaharlal Nehru was the harshest, and due to this, all of us disliked him thoroughly. Fortunately, Khan Abdul Gaffar Khan was different from most other leaders. He always came to our defense and even said something pleasant and sweet to help offset the unpleasant work/living environment. We all knew him as a genuinely guileless man and revered him second only to Mahatma Gandhi. As regards Gandhiji – he had his own way of noticing things and giving instructions. For example, among all the young volunteers, two of us were recognized to be the brightest. Both of us meticulously remembered all the work instructions given to us, and carried these out diligently, and in a timely fashion. The result of this was that the two of us were always overburdened with work. Once Gandhiji looked at one of the leaders and said, “Will you not give opportunity to the other boys to be efficient also?” It was his diplomatic way of making sure that the workload was shared equitably and ensuring that all of us had an opportunity to improve ourselves. But the favorite person I worked for during this period was Acharya Bhansali who was a professor of mathematics at the Bombay University. He jumped into the freedom movement and remained a Brahmachari throughout his life, serving in Sevagram Ashram until his death. Even after India's freedom from the British, power politics never attracted him. I distinctly recall one encounter with him. He called the entire group of boy volunteers and gave us some neem leaves[5] to eat. Most of the boys in our group ate a leaf or two and slowly slipped away. I stood there and ate all the leaves he had given me. After that incident I became his favorite! To eat neem leaves and become someone's favorite is quite a hilarious memory for me. Prof. Bhansali was also adept at catching snakes with his bare hands. Even if the snake bit him, somehow, the poison never affected him – something that still remains a mystery to me. We also came in touch with other famous leaders– such as Dr. Zakir Hussain, Prof. Aryanagam[6], Sri J.C.Kumarappa[7], and Acharya Vinoba Bhave[8].
While these experiences with these leaders were enriching and educational, even at that point, I knew inside of me that the real seat of greatness lay elsewhere. As I struggled to find the truth, I got my answers from the sacred Hindu scriptures – the Bhagavad Gita and the Upanishads, and later, more directly, from spiritual masters. I have written about these spiritual masters in my book, Yogis, Destiny and the Wheel of Time. Question: Did the journalistic background of your father have any impact on your thinking and training? KNR: My father, as a journalist, subscribed to eighteen newspapers every day. I used to be his assistant and my job was to organize, by subject, the newspaper clippings into different envelopes. Looking back, I feel that this experience taught me a mental discipline and the ability to catalog material on a particular subject in an index-like fashion for any future reference. My father also had a rich collection of books, particularly biographies written by Englishmen. He asked me to read these along with the New Testament for their beautiful English style and writing.[9] From that age, until the age of almost forty, I was a voracious reader of books. This changed when I met the great Urdu poet, Firaq Gorakhpuri, during my work tenure in the city of Allahabad in North India. He advised me to read less, and think and analyze more. Question: Can you provide some details on the initiation by your mother into astrology? Also, can you please share some more details about your mother and her astrological abilities? KNR: At the age of eleven I had a terrible attack of typhoid, which was considered a deadly killer in those days. Convalescing and weak when I lay on my bed, my mother put a painting of Goddess Saraswati in front of me and initiated me into numerology, palmistry, graphology and astrology. I grew up seeing my mother make remarkable predictions to people when they came to her. In one case, a young boy had run away from his family. Everyone thought that since the boy wanted to become a film actor, he had, in all likelihood, run away to the city of Bombay[10]. Looking at the boy's horoscope, my mother predicted that the boy would be found in a place of pilgrimage in northern India. Later, the boy was seen and brought home from Haridwar. Having been a witness to many such accurate predictions, I was convinced, beyond doubt, of the greatness of astrology as a predictive science. Many may say that astrologers' predictions are often “wishy-washy” and imprecise with only anecdotal accuracy – so how can a skeptic be assured beyond doubt on the validity of astrology? My answer would be that each one of us has to come to one's own conclusion. While I cannot convince anybody on the validity of the science of Jyotish, my own conviction remains firm. I also know that when my predictions fail that it is due to my own faults and limitations, and does not, in any way, take away the greatness of the science of Jyotish itself. Question: Overall as a child and young adult, did you have some inkling that you had some specific purpose in life? Have you been an ambitious person? KNR: I had always found astrology immensely fascinating and spiritually enlightening, but had never ventured out in the open. Most people knew me as a high-ranking officer in the government of India and only a very few close friends knew that I practiced astrology.
Coming to your question - No, I never felt that I had any specific purpose or mission in my life until a great Mahatma, late Moorkhanandji (whose actual name was Sri Vidyaranya) told me in 1980 that astrology was getting “eclipsed” but luckily had not totally vanished from our world. He said that the world would witness a revival of Jyotish through my instrumentality. Now, twenty-four years later, I am realizing the truth of that great prophecy. Through the teamwork of many of us, and the blessings of my gurus and teachers, we have now produced thirty-six books offering insightful research in the field of Indian Astrology. We have also been running the largest school of astrology in the world at the Bhartiya Vidya Bhawan, New Delhi, where nine hundred students attend our weekend courses on a regular basis. All this happened not because of my individuality or ambition. I was simply a conduit to the divine plan as blessed by Moorkhanandji.
Yogi Moorkhanandji and Sri K.N. Rao in 1981 Question: Moorkhanandji's prediction was quite remarkable! Did he make any other predictions about you? KNR: Yes, in fact, Moorkhanandji did make another prophecy in 1980. He said that I would have to fight a big battle in my life for furthering the cause of astrology. As it turned out, in the year 2000, the Human Resources Ministry and the University Grants Commission in India introduced astrology as a subject in the universities. The scientist and left-wing communities in India vigorously challenged this proposed introduction of astrology into the curriculum. There were legal cases filled in various court systems in India. Of these, the legal cases in Andhra Pradesh and Madras got most attention. Both of these cases were however subsequently dismissed at the state level. But the Andhra Pradesh case made its way to the Supreme Court of India in the year 2001 where it was admitted for a hearing. I intervened[11] in this case as a “Petitioner-In-Person”, which is permissible under the Indian law. At that time, I was in the midst of a severe health crisis and could barely walk using a walker-support. Given my health condition, I asked the astrologers' community in India to help but unfortunately did not get any aid whatsoever. Anyway, despite being pitted against one of the most famous lawyers of India – Mr. Shanti Bhushan - I was quite successful in countering all the arguments he presented. Hearing my arguments, the Additional Solicitor General, Mr. Rawal, told me that I was very effective and thought that we would win the case. On May 5th 2004, the judgement came out and we did indeed win the case. That is what Moorkhanandji foresaw in the year 1980! Question: Going back to your education – where did you do your high school, undergraduate and graduate studies? What was your field of specialization? How was your academic performance? What about extra-curricular activities – did you have any talents in sports, writing, speaking, acting/drama?
KNR: My father had a job that moved our family from one place to another. Due to this my education, too, was in different places, giving me a wide exposure to the diversity of India. My education started in Delhi, continued in Lucknow, and then to Nagpur where I did my matriculation. This was when I found myself in geographical proximity to Mahatma Gandhi. In Vijaywada I did my intermediate. Finally, my academic life completed a full circle, bringing me back to Lucknow, where I did my B.A. and M.A. in English. I was a good student throughout – never failing but at the same time rarely being at the top of the class. I did win essay-writing competitions and was successful in securing a few scholarships. I was also selected to participate in debating forums at an All-India level. That reminds me – in school days I almost always won the top-prize in the Hindi poetry recitation competition. The famous Hindi poet Jaya Shankar Prasad, whose work I used to recite, was unquestionably my hot favorite. I was very good at languages – Hindi, English and Sanskrit. Even in those days when grading was extremely stringent, and despite doing very poorly in science and mathematics, I used to get an aggregate score of around 75%. These high grades were primarily due to my excellence in the language subjects. Urdu was a required third language for us at middle level of schooling. The Maulvi Saheb, who taught us Urdu, was more interested in getting married for a fourth time than in teaching us! Consequently, Urdu became a hellish experience for my fellow students and me. Since Urdu and Hindu were aggregated together, I was lucky that my near “zero” grade in Urdu got compensated by my securing a high score of 80% in Hindi. I would be remiss if I did not bring up one more interesting point. All through my life, I suffered badly because of my bad handwriting. Perhaps hard to believe, but true nevertheless – in the nationwide competitive examination, twenty marks were deducted from my aggregate just for my bad handwriting! I never had any histrionic talent. Once during my service career I acted in a Sanskrit play as the famous character Ashwathama of Mahabharata. A drama critic, who must have been clearly irritated by my performance, wrote in his review that one had to learn from K.N. Rao how not to act! In sports, I somehow never got myself to focus enough. Even so, I played football, hockey, cricket, badminton, tennis, billiards, snooker and bridge. From my student days, I served as a sports reporter for newspapers, both in English and Hindi. Twice I won brilliancy prizes in Chess when, in different tournaments, I defeated India's fourth and fifth ranked players. In bridge, my teammates and I won the Uttar Pradesh and Delhi State Championships. But I lost all my interest in games (including bridge) when I had a paranormal experience in 1961. I had a forewarning about my father's death two days before he actually died. I clearly remember having the premonition on 7th March 1961, and subsequently my father died two days later on March 9th. This served as a turning point in my life and I decided that life was meant only for searching higher spiritual aims, and should not be wasted in frivolous activities. Question: How about your spiritual instruction and initiation – can you please provide some details on that? Have you interacted with any other mystics or spiritual gurus? KNR: I got initiated into my spiritual path in April 1962. In1966 I wanted to leave my service and become a Sanyasi. But my Guruji advised me otherwise. He said that I still had unfulfilled karmas (or actions) to be exhausted. He suggested that I fulfill my duties and by doing so I would better my spiritual life as well. He warned that Sanyasa could become an escape, in fact ruining my spiritual life instead of bettering it. I also interacted with a fakir who had supernatural powers. In 1963 he told me that I would have to move to Delhi and also would travel abroad several times, which as we now know, all came true.
In summary, I have benefited immensely from the instructions of my Guruji – in particular the one where he advised me not to become a renunciate. Even though I saw some genuine saints or Mahatmas, my lifetime experience has been that the world is overflowing with fake spiritual leaders who pretend to be Sanyasis. Having seen this rampant fraudulence first hand, I am saddened to say that, nowadays, Ashrams are hotbeds of intrigues and corruption which remains hidden from the public eye due to the glamour of the Guru who heads the organization. One consequence is that after the death of the founding Gurus, the disciples are involved in legal proceedings in courts of law for successor rights etc. In short there is no silver bullet that brings spiritual wisdom - my own spiritual learning has come from my own personal experiences and through the grace of my Guruji. It takes time, faith, perseverance and lots of grace. Question: Can you provide us some overview of your professional career? Were there any problems or crisis that you faced in the course of your career? Were you practicing astrology while you worked at your regular job? KNR: I started my career as a lecturer of English in a college at Lucknow. Subsequently, I was selected for the Indian Audit and Accounts Services through a competitive exam and interview. In this job I rose in rank and retired at the high level of Director General. Twice during my service career I was also sent on deputation to the division of Commercial Taxes in Patna, Bihar and the Delhi Municipal Corporation, Delhi. As destiny would have it, in these roles as the Chief Accountant, I was able to create surplus budgets four times – a feat that had never been achieved before. This became a famous case study leading me to lecture on financial controls of a civic body for the next six years at the Indian Institute of Public Administration. Despite these successes, I was not a distinguished bureaucrat. The life of a bureaucrat never suited my personality – I have strong, independent views on so many subjects that, more often than not, conflicted with the “straitjacket” approach of “going-with-the-grain” expected of me. While a bureaucrat, I did however make many notable/successful astrological predictions to famous politicians of India, and also failed miserably sometimes! During my service career I was better known as a journalist, a public speaker (both in Hindi and English), a top-class bridge player, and of course, as an astrologer who provided free consultation to a wide array of people – from the lower-middle class to top politicians of India. However, these astrological predictions got me into trouble on some occasions. For example, in December of 1988, in an interview I gave to a magazine, I stated that in the following year (1989) the central government of India (federal government) would undergo a big change. This statement got me into a really sticky situation with the ruling party. Luckily, I wriggled out of this mess by saying I was merely espousing untested academic research and that I had no political motivation whatsoever for making this statement. As events showed later, in 1989 the Congress government of Rajiv Gandhi lost the general elections and the central government did indeed change, proving my prediction accurate. Question: What about your personal life? Have you ever been married or come close to getting married? If not, were you not pressured by your parents to get married? KNR: I have never been married. In 1960 I did come close to getting married but it never materialized. Given my prestigious high-ranking position in the government, a stable job/salary, and the fact that I came from an Andhra Niyogi Brahmin[12] family, marriage proposals used to come in plenty especially from prosperous families. Among these were marriage proposals from the families of two former presidents of India, Sri S.Radhakrishnan and Sri V.V.Giri.
However, I was quite clear that I did not want to get married. I told my father that since I was very sure of not getting married, it was pointless for me to go to “see” prospective brides. My argument was that if I were forced to go to see the prospective brides, I would reject them anyway (as I was not interested in marrying) causing a feeling of hurt to the girls. Thankfully, my father understood the validity of my argument and did not pressurize me any further for getting married. As for my mother, she did say that as a mother she wanted me to get married but as an astrologer she saw it would be disastrous. When I started my spiritual life, I decided that marriage would be a big burden. I felt that I would be deceiving the girl I would marry, since I knew in my heart that I would not be able to devote attention to the demands of a conventional married life. So I felt quite certain of my decision. That reminds me of a strange incident. In 1993, when I visited USA for the first time in my life, a sixty-year old American woman (I may add that she was good looking and well-to-do) approached me to marry her. Amused, I explained to her that at this age we should be concentrating on a spiritual life rather than get distracted by marriage and worldly matters! Question: Did you feel lonely or lacked companionship at some times in your life? Saying this in another way, did you delve deeper into writing and astrology partly because you found these activities to be your companions? KNR: I never felt lonely and in fact relished the time to myself – exploring and writing about interests that captured me from within. All through my life, I have lived simply without too much attraction for material things. For thirty years I ate only once a day, eating three chappatis at night. However, I did indulge in one vice; I drank lots of tea. All this continued until, due to diabetes, I was forced to change my old habits and I switched to a two-lightmeals routine. Fundamentally, however, my attitude and living hasn't changed much at all. I have always enjoyed and relished the joy of living life simply and by myself.
K.N. Rao teaching at Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan Question: Coming back to your spiritual guru – Swami Paramananda Saraswati – Can you please tell more details on who he was and what he taught you? What is the spiritual path you practice? KNR: He was a Vaishnava guru and initiated me into Krishna mantra. On receiving the Shakti Paath (transmission of spiritual energy) and within six months of my initiation, I was blessed with numerous extraordinary experiences. For example, I got many clairvoyant dreams from April to September of 1962.
One such dream in April of 1962 showed me of a Chinese attack on the northeastern state of Assam where I was then posted. As we all now know, subsequently a war broke out between India and China on 20th October 1962. My guru started his spiritual journey initially on the path of Tantra[13] under the tutelage of an extraordinary Tantric guru. As you may know, Tantriks outnumber Vaishanavas in the states of Bengal and Assam. But during the course of his sadhana when he was in a very advanced state, he had to switch over to Vaishnavism. How this happened is an interesting story by itself. A famous Vaishnava saint, Prabhu Bejoy Krishna Goswami[14] was initiated in Gaya by a Nanak panthi[15] guru, Swami Brahmananda. This initiation took place by an astral vision of Swami Brahmananda to Prabhu Goswami. Similarly, Prabhu Bejoy Goswami appeared astrally to my Guruji, Swami Parmananda, and asked him to spread Krishna Bhakti (or devotion). Thereafter, my Guruji became a Vaishanava and always kept a photograph of Guru Nanak in his place of worship. Also, in our sadhana or practice, Sri Guru Nanak and Guru Grantha Saheb, Sikhism's sacred religious text, have a very high place of respect and veneration. Our spiritual tradition also traces our lineage to the Vaishnava tradition of Madhvacharya[16] of Karnataka. However, at the core, we strictly follow the Bhakti Marg (path of devotion) as taught by Chaitanya Mahaprabhu – the famous Bengali saint whose love and surrender to Lord Krishna is still considered as one of the most exemplary cases of liberation through the path of devotion. My Guruji had very extraordinary supernormal powers and I was a first-hand witness to many of his prophecies. He was known to say things that often startled all of us. Let me give you an example. Once, while coming down from the sacred Kamakhya[17] hill, he saw Sanjay Gandhi lead his Youth Congress Brigade. Guruji suddenly remarked - “This fellow does not have raja-lakshana (the signs of kingship) at all”. This statement came true, when five years after this prediction Sanjay Gandhi died in an unfortunate plane crash, without ever becoming even a minister in the government of India. Question: Your mother and Yogi Bhaskarandji were your astrological Gurus. Can you give us a glimpse into your interaction with them and the learning you derived? Also, can you share some details of their lives? KNR: Their method of teaching astrology was the classical ancient Hindu method. As they analyzed a horoscope, I was never allowed to keep the horoscope in front of me. I had to see it once and have a clear visual memory of it. Further when the analysis proceeded, I was trained to dynamically visualize the various planets, their aspects, positions etc. In fact as the training progressed, the verbal analysis would unfold itself as a visual dance-drama inside of me. Further I was required to do many of the intricate calculations mentally. I can unequivocally say that this method of training, more than any skill per se, has helped me immensely in practicing astrology. Based on this method of instruction, I later wrote the book, “Learn Hindu Astrology Easily”, in which I evolved a mnemonic memory tablet PACDARES. This is an eight-step analysis scheme that I recommend for every astrologer to follow before they get into the arena of making predictions. My mother, perhaps because of her feminine instincts, was simply superb in predicting about marriage and children. In these areas of marriage and progeny, even until today, I have not seen anyone make such remarkably accurate predictions as she did. Despite her success in working with these areas, she discouraged me from getting too involved in these two domains of astrology. She felt that if I got caught in the sphere of marriage and children, people would not leave me alone and I would have no time whatsoever to do original research in other areas of astrology. I found this advice very valuable. However, using her old papers and working notes on these topics, I did write the book “Planets and
Children”[18]. In this book I provide unique techniques for analysis and prediction that are tested with thousands of horoscopes from all over the world. My mother developed some supernormal powers in the last twelve years of her life from 1972 to 1984. Let me give you some examples. In 1972 my youngest brother and his wife were expecting a child. They were living in Baroda, a town in the western state of Gujarat. At that time, I was with my mother and my (late) eldest sister in Patna, Bihar. Due to an age-old Hindu household custom, my sister wanted to go to Baroda to be with the pregnant wife of our brother. Unfortunately her vacation from work was granted 2-3 days late. As soon as her vacation was sanctioned she showed up home with a railway ticket for her journey to Baroda. Seeing my sister's imminent travel plans, my mother announced that it was already too late. As we looked quizzically at her, she explained that a girl child had already been born. Being physically present with my mother all the time, I can personally testify that we had no communication with my brother via phone or telegram. Astonished at her statement, I asked her how she made this statement. She did not answer my question in the presence of my sister. But later when I was alone, she told me that she had a vision of her mother (my maternal grandmother) informing her that she was re-born as a daughter to my brother. My mother further predicted that this newborn girl would make a successful career with the government of India. Two days later, we got formal intimation that a daughter was indeed born to my brother and his wife. That daughter, who was later named as Vineeta, is now an engineer in the Indian Railways. Let me narrate another episode of my mother's paranormal powers. I, along with two of my friends, had gone to Vrindavan for our usual weekend visit to see the famous saint, Nagaridas Baba. We were late in returning from our trip. Given the late hour of our return, I thought that my mother would be already asleep. I expected the door to be opened by my youngest brother Subhas. But reaching home I found both my brother and mother standing outside the house waiting for me with obvious anxiety. On inquiring, Subhas told that mother had woken up suddenly and told him that my friends and I had met with an accident on the way. Her statement was absolutely correct! The three of us were indeed involved in a car accident but fortunately no one was hurt. My mother had also told me ten days before her death that she would go into samadhi or deep trance (which doctors called coma) and leave her body soon thereafter. She also said that she would die in the presence of my brother and that I would not be with her at the moment of her death. As it turned out, when she did go into the state of coma, my brother took her to a nursing home in an ambulance and I was following them in a car. By the time I reached, she was already pronounced dead and in the presence of her youngest son, as she had predicted. My jyotish guru, Yogi Bhaskarananda, who had a B.A. in English from Bombay University, had spent forty years in the Himalayas. A dedicated Brahmachari who devoted his life for service of others, Bhaskaranandaji developed supernormal powers towards the end of his life and did not need any horoscope to foretell people's future. In my opinion his discussion on the philosophy of Karma and Rebirth was par excellence in its intricacies, lucidity and rigor. The learning I derived from him on this topic inspired me to write the book, “Karma and Rebirth in Hindu Astrology.” Question: Just for the record I want to get a small but perhaps important clarification. The term Vedic Astrology is often used to refer to Jyotish. This term is more in usage now than ever before as far as I can recall. Are we correct in calling Indian Astrology as Vedic Astrology – in other words is Jyotish quoted in the Vedas directly?
KNR: That is a good question. Technically, Jyotish should not be called Vedic Astrology. For Yagnas[19] and Karmakanda[20] the Vedas are the authentic source. For the householders it is the Smritis[21]. But both the Vedas and Smritis are in the Puranas[22]. Just as the entire Creation has emerged from Him, so too the entire literature of the world is an offshoot of the Puranas. There is no iota of doubt about it. In the Vedas, there is no methodology provided to determine Tithi[23], Vaar[24], Nakshatra[25], or planetary Sanchara (transits). Even the methodology for determining timing of Parvas (festivals), or Eclipses is not mentioned in the Vedas. What is not in the Vedas is in the Smritis. And whatever is not found in these two is to be known from the Puranas. Through someone's fertile imagination it was decided to call Hindu astrology as Vedic astrology. I too fell into this trap and I never verified or clarified this with a competent Vedic scholar. But now I stand corrected. It is either Indian astrology or Hindu astrology. Vedic astrology does not exist at all. Having said that, the term “Vedic” is a great marketing tool especially in the new age movement. So whether it is true or not, I suspect Vedic astrology will continue to be the preferred name for Indian Astrology especially in the west. (Note - I asked K.N. Rao if I should stop using the term "Vedic astrology." He said, "It is all right in USA. Do as you have been doing." - - Vaughn Paul Manley 7/5/05) Question: Having practiced astrology for so many years and now teaching this subject successfully, in your opinion, how much of mathematical skills does one require to learn/practice astrology? In this context, what has been the impact of computers on the practice of astrology? KNR: Fundamentally, the calculations required to do most of the basic astrological predictions are of simple arithmetic nature. Most people in India are very good at simple arithmetic regardless of their level of education. This is generally enough to learn some of the basic calculations for casting a horoscope etc. In fact most students of astrology here in India can do these calculations mentally. A little bit of knowledge of basic astronomy is also helpful in practicing astrology, and more so if one wants to pursue advanced research in the subject. At Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan[26], we insist that every student should have hands-on experience of doing astrological calculations. I am a strong believer in the fact that manual/mental calculations help you better visualize and develop instincts for practicing astrology. I am generally wary of depending exclusively on Jyotish software programs in the market. A faulty component for an intricate calculation in a software program can have disastrous consequences on the correctness and quality of the prediction. These faults in the software are a common occurrence even to this date. The bottom line is that the responsibility for the prediction lies squarely on the shoulders of the astrologer and I feel every astrologer should take that duty very seriously. Further, a total dependency on computers is never advisable. Unfortunately, astrology software programs have helped mushroom a new breed of “half-baked” astrologers. Despite my reservations regarding use of astrology software programs, the availability of computers is very helpful and a great time-saver for a serious astrologer. If I have access to a Jyotish program that I have verified as dependable, I use it right away. If not, I do some manual calculations to check its accuracy repeatedly and on an ongoing basis. Mostly the basic horoscopes generated by these software programs are accurate, but the supplementary features, such as less-used Dasha[27] systems or Ashtakavargas etc., are often faulty or simply wrong. So we should keep these limitations always at the back of our mind when using Jyotish software programs. That is one of the reasons, as I said earlier, complete dependence on computers is very dangerous!
Question: Could you please give us some brief idea on how you go about making predictions from a horoscope? Also, there are two contrary viewpoints that you have presented in this interview – on the one hand you have said that Jyotish is a science, and on the other you have cited numerous examples of astrologers who made predictions intuitively without using a scientific/analytical approach. Could you also please provide some clarity on this conundrum? KNR: A horoscope analysis can be split into two types – (a) intra-horoscope, (b) interhoroscope. The first one involves looking at various dimensions within a particular horoscope such as Rasi, divisional charts, Ashtavarga etc. to synthesize a holistic view of the individual. Here we have to contend with opposing and supporting factors that need to be considered simultaneously. This requires experience and practice, obtained by looking at lots of horoscopes. Most importantly it needs constant learning from your own mistakes. Inter-horoscopes become necessary when for example a pregnant woman or parents of a newly born child come to you (as is very common in India), asking about the health, abnormalities or future of the child. In such a case looking at the horoscope of the father, mother and child simultaneously makes the picture much clearer. This type of analysis, as you would understand, requires a lot of work and takes time/patience. Well-prepared data is the womb from which prediction is born. One has to balance analysis with synthesis. Some charts are simpler than others; the difficulty comes when multidimensional analysis has to be followed by synthesis. The synthesis leads to inference from which emerges a conclusion. Science of astrology is, in many ways, similar to medical diagnosis where blood tests, urine test, x-rays, cardiograms etc. are all used to arrive at a proper diagnosis. In this part of astrology where multi-dimensional analysis is involved, deep familiarity and experience with vast array of predictive techniques is the key to success. As an astrologer advances, almost magically, more of intuition starts coming into play. Let me give you some examples. In 1973, a mother came to me to ask about her missing son. I looked at her face and something within told me that her son was coming home. I still made calculations and found that her son was safe and on his way back home, which is what happened. In another case, someone asked about his missing son. Before I even calculated, I got a strong intuition from within that the boy was killed. I made calculations and found some details that, later, turned out to be useful for police investigations. Through calculations, I also found that the dead body of the boy was in a water body and the killer was wearing red clothes. Later police investigations caught the criminal in red clothes and the dead body was recovered from under a stone in the Ganges River. Therefore, sometimes the prediction comes in a flash of intuition. A formal analysis-synthesis exercise is done later only to confirm the intuitive prediction. Patanjali's Yoga Sutras[28] tell us that there exists a Jyotishmati Nadi (or a predictive intuitive channel) within us, which when activated one can see past, present and future. Here one needs no horoscope or knowledge of astrology. I know of a person – Sivananda Murthy in Hyderabad. He did a lot of astrology in his youth. At present, he can tell you something about your future without a horoscope. Among the persons known to me, he is the only one alive with a fully activated Nadi (or channel) of this type. Even if the Nadi is not fully active, in the case of every honest astrologer, he experiences this channel of intuition in some spells inspired by divinity. These experiences border on the mystical and lead the astrologer into the higher realms of existence – to find out our real purpose in being here. Such experiences take an astrologer towards God making him stop practicing astrology and devoting his life to spiritual activities only.
Question: Can intuitive wisdom help further the field of astrology? KNR: Yes, that is exactly how most good research is done in any field. Research ideas are born in the stillness of intuition. Once the intuitive idea is born, you have to work extremely diligently with technical competence to show its validity and then present it in a systematic fashion for others to understand. This requires discipline, hard work and perseverance. My research in Jaimini Astrology, a field that remained dormant for almost 3000 years, is an example of that. Question: You have mentioned that astrology is very useful in facilitating our spiritual journey. Could you please elaborate on this more clearly? Can you please provide some examples of how astrology has helped people in their spiritual progress? KNR: An astrologer (and their clients) can be categorized via the four-tier system described in the Bhagavad Gita – (a) Arta, one in agony, has a disturbed mind and such an astrologer cannot predict properly; (b) Artharthi - greedy and he will dupe his clients and make money; this is generally what you see quite commonly among astrologers everywhere; (c) Jignasu who has a scientific curiosity and wants to know more deeply on how planets affect the universe and its life. This is what took me into astro-meteorology and occasional predictions about earthquakes – an area that still continues to be enigma for me; (d) Gyani - At one stage the astrologer feels that he has been wasting his time predicting for others. When there is a God controlling everything why not devote time only to realize HIM. If circumstances help him, he gives up astrology (or at least reduces it substantially) and contemplates on the higher Self alone. Let me now come back to your question on astrological advice for spiritual improvement. In my experience, mostly people from the west who are into the New Age Movement or those initiated by Indian, Sufi or Buddhist gurus, seek astrological advice on their spiritual life. Indians typically don't do that – they go to their spiritual gurus for spiritual guidance and come to the astrologer for guidance in their worldly matters. So the sample of people seeking astrological advice on spiritual matters is definitely biased towards westerners. Generally speaking, most people we come across in today's world, almost always, have their share of worldly distractions. These distractions can be discerned very clearly from their horoscope charts. This is known as Yoga Vighna or Antaraya[29] or you can also call it Maya[30]. We have to give advice based on these factors. But in the case of a person who is a full time devotee – with no job or worldly worries – you have to merely tell them not to worry when good periods are seen and caution when the Dasha (time) is not favorable. In the context of spirituality, the type of advice given depends on the question asked and the horoscope of the individual. Let me illustrate this via some examples of how I was able to help people in their spiritual path using astrology (in all these cases the advice was given after looking at the astrological charts of the people): Twenty years back, a German woman asked me about her meditation. I told her that there was a disturbance caused by some matter related to property/land, which was affecting her. As it turned out, she did indeed have a lot of trouble with her neighbor who was objecting to her building a temple somewhere in Germany. This bothered her repeatedly while she tried to meditate. I asked her to solve this land problem first and then concentrate on her meditative practice; A man from Australia asked me and I told him about his sexual torments and how to manage them so as to not have an effect on his meditation;
Another man asked me on how to get deeper into meditation. Looking at his horoscope, I could see that he had the inherent ability to sit long in Asanas (or Yogic postures). I told him that he should practice Yogic Asanas and it would accelerate his spiritual progress. He followed up on my advice and it did indeed helped him; In one case, I had to tell a man that he was faking and being untruthful which was a gross violation of the basic tenets of being a sadhaka or spiritual seeker. His question about spiritual life was simply fanciful and not sincere;Based on some extraordinary indicators I saw in a girl's chart, I told her that she would progress rapidly in her spiritual life. It was one of the most joyful experiences for me to see her fulfill the spiritual promise that was vividly “inscribed” in her horoscope; Question: Do you believe in Free Will for us “puny mortals” (as you describe all of us in an earlier part of the interview)? To what degree is everything pre-destined and what, if at all, is our own choice/free-will? KNR: Actually, my honest answer to this question is that God alone can answer this question fully and satisfactorily. When I see my prediction coming out correct, I clearly see the role of pre-determination. For example, in 1995, while teaching a course in the U.S., I predicted that Clinton would win a second term, but would get involved in land and sex scandals. That prediction came out to be true. However, I also predicted that Clinton would not be able to complete his second term – that prediction did not come true. This is how sometimes pre-determination and free-will interplay with each other to determine the final outcome. We all enjoy some amount of free will within the orbit of predetermination; not outside it. If free-will was non-existent, the great sage Parashara whose magnum opus on astrology, Brihat Parashara Hora Shastra, we depend on, would not have prescribed remedial measures like doing Vishnu Sahasranamam or doing charities etc. You have seen my own example. I could not walk in the years 2000-2001 without a support walker. No doctor could diagnose my disease and therefore no treatment was possible. I did Vishnu Sahasranamam regularly and with God's grace, I can now walk without the walker (even though I still use a walking stick for safety). There are three words in Hindi – Mitana, Ghatana and Uthana that provide a comprehensive picture of the fate of Karma itself. In very rare cases you will find Mitana or complete eradication of Karmas – generally speaking destiny does not spare us. Ghatana or reduction in intensity is what most of us hope and work for. This category covers most of us. Uthana or transcending is again rare. To give an analogy of this - there is blazing heat outside but one is sitting in an air-conditioned room unaffected by what is happening outside. This happens only to true seekers of God. He alone is a true Gyani who knows that Karmas need to be “worked-out”. As the Gita says “Gahano Karmana Gatih[31]” or as the great saint Surdas[32] says “Udho Karman Gi Gati Nyari Re” - Karma is itself mysterious. Astrology is linked to the theory of karma and the cycle of rebirths. Therefore an astrologer does see the role of predestination and also of free will. However, as the astrologer goes deeper, he sees a greater role of predetermination and less of free will. But what can an astrologer do? If he tells the truth bluntly, he disappoints his clients. If he does not, he bluffs them! Question: Besides your astrology Guru and your mother, are there any astrologers from the recent era (living or dead) who have impressed and influenced you? If so, how?
KNR: In my experience, (Late) Hardeo Sharma Trivedi, who was the editor of the Vishwa Vijay Panchanga[33] in Hindi was one of the best astrologers in the field of mundane Jyotish. He came from the Varahamihira[34] tradition of astrology known for its strength in the area of predictive mundane astrology. He was technically very sound, morally impeccable, and had an impressive prediction success rate of 80% in a career spanning 66 years (from 1933 to 1989). He did not know English so he was not well versed in international affairs. Despite this limitation, he made simply remarkable predictions on international matters. Using the concept of eclipses, Trivedi-ji predicted the impending catastrophe of the Second World War in a Hindi pamphlet in the year 1933 many years before the World War broke out. In 1963, based on the Hindu New Year horoscope, he predicted a “terrible tragedy to the head of state of USA” (which turned out to be the fatal attack on JFK). He also predicted the U.S. stock market crash of 1987 and also the severe communal tension of 1992 in India. You can gauge the consistency of his predictions from the fact that he made these predictions in February-March (before the beginning of the Hindu New Year in April) of every year when the Panchanga was released. Despite his obvious brilliant track-record he never attained international fame because (a) he wrote in Hindi, limiting the audience that read his work, and (b) he lived in Solan, Himachal Pradesh away from the power center of Delhi. I respected him so much that I used to visit him at least twice a year. The second person who impressed me greatly was (Late) Dr. B.V.Raman. As you know, Dr. Raman popularized Hindu Astrology to an English-speaking audience, like no one else did in twentieth century. It was he who created a platform on which good astrologers could communicate, discuss, share their findings and collaborate. He had his spells of brilliant predictions particularly from 1938 to 1960. His service to the field of Indian astrology has been truly remarkable and precious. Then there was Vemuri Ram Murthy Shastri in a village in Andhra Pradesh whom I never met personally. I read his predictions along with accompanying calculations and logic, brought to me by some friends. He was a true genius and I was his uninitiated disciple, much like Eklavya[35]. Even though I never met him, I have paid my tributes to him in my book “Predicting through Jaimini's Chara Dasha.” There may be a few others but, unfortunately, most of the so-called “famous” astrologers are people who have made one or two good predictions and then get catapulted to fame via inflated or unverifiable claims through their friends in the press. I don't care for all the hype and media attention. I personally value commitment, consistency, and the test of time. Very very few astrologers pass per this criterion in today's day and age. Question: That brings us to the question of the quality of today's astrologers. What is your opinion of the new and upcoming astrologers? KNR: The new young breed of rising astrologers is in a hurry to pluck stars and collect dollars. I had hoped that their work would help us address the deficiencies in many areas of predictive astrology. But, unfortunately, I found most of them greedy and boastful in the infancy of their careers and becoming gurus before even doing any original research of provable value. They are often in the habit of floating some wild theories without any empirical support. For example, one such astrologer claimed that he could trace the past life of a person from their horoscope. Another person claimed to predict the exact date of an event very successfully every single time. In my view these are nothing but fanciful exaggerations to fool the public that is clamoring for miraculous stuff. The New Age movement in USA has created a demand for such astrology gurus and opened opportunities for earning quick money. In these days of websites and email, it is easy to self-promote. I know I am not being polite but this is the truth in majority of cases.
Maybe a few of them have done some good research. But unless an astrologer has maintained a good record (sixty to eighty percent) of sound, clear, unambiguous and accurate predictions over a period of fifteen years, he cannot be categorized as good. But in these days of advertising and marketing, who cares for such a rigorous evaluation criterion? Question: That is a pretty negative “report card” on the upcoming astrologers! Like everybody, they too have to make money and survive. Can you blame them for trying to make a living? KNR: What you are saying is true. What you are suggesting is that there are reasons for the reality to be as it is. However, I am merely observing the situation as it exists. To understand this better, let me give you a categorization of people who are involved in astrology – (1) You will be surprised to see that many astrologers were in some petty job and through astrology, they found a way to get some recognition among colleagues and their bosses. Some may have taken astrology as a profession because they had trouble at work and were dismissed or forced to resign from their jobs. Then these people aggressively promote themselves as astrology-gurus capitalizing on the opportunity offered by the New Age movement. (2) There are many bright and intelligent, professional people who have been attracted to astrology. These people have very good educational career and have the intellect to pick up astrology rapidly. But how long can they continue practicing astrology when they have the twin burdens of a full-time job and families? In today's modern professions of medicine, engineering, chartered accountancy, law etc. equal attention to both profession and astrology is very difficult if not impossible. In their competitive professions these people have to keep updating their knowledge and skills for the sake of bettering their careers. I have seen scores of such people who started well but tapered off achieving nothing due to the demands of their professional and personal lives. (3) In the case of bureaucrats (like myself) who hold secure (but dull and routine) jobs, both the job and astrology can flourish without one affecting the other. I fall into this category. Therefore, the intention with which people get into and practice astrology is very important. Further, in learning any Vidya or knowledge, it is the attitude that matters. My observation is that after learning for some months or years, these young upcoming astrologers become argumentative, arrogant and conceited. As I said before, they would be well advised to concentrate on their predictions for a period of at least fifteen years to see their real grasp of knowledge. I have always felt that the best way to conduct astrology is via established research centers with regular/well-paying jobs for trained astrologers. If that happens there will be sound and dependable astrologers who have the environment to get engrossed in uncovering the deeper secrets of life. Another hope is that family traditions of astrology can be revived so that the young and bright in the family can preserve the oral/written traditions of ages without having to worry about earning wages. But remember one axiom of life – “Nature will never reveal its full secrets”. At any stage of the human race there will be some good astrologers and very very few excellent astrologers. Only one or two Tapasvi astrologer among them would reach levels of greatness. Fundamentally, true astrology begins only when one feels reasonably secure both inside and outside. Then only is one able to imbibe an attitude of service – which is the crucial key to unlocking the treasure of any Vidya such as astrology.
Question: Your practice involves Parashara's[36] system of astrology and also the Jaimini[37] system. Could you tell us a bit about these systems and the research work you have done? KNR: There can be four or more routes to reach a place in a city. So it is with the field of astrology. The Parashari system is the most popular, the best understood, and most widely practiced system. When I write books or discuss case studies, I invariably first explain a prediction or a technique through the Parashari system because of its wider acceptance and understanding. Parashara uses Nakshatra Dashas[38] for timing events and among them the Vimshottari Dasha[39] is regarded as the king of these Dasha systems. The Jaimini system is totally different; even the method of timing of events is different. In this system there are Rashi[40] and Navamsha[41] Dashas. According to Late Dr. Raman, in the Jaimini system, the Chara Dasha is the emperor of Rashi Dasha systems. In Parashara's Brihat Parashara Hora Shastra, three Dashas have been discussed elaborately – Vimshottari, Chara and Kalachakra[42] Dasha. This also is indicative of the importance of the Chara Dasha for predictive astrology. Then there is the Mandook Dasha in the Jaimini system – commentators of this system explained it only theoretically without giving any illustrative example. I saw in some examples of Vemuri Ramamurthy Shastri (he is discussed earlier in the interview) that he used Mandook Dasha differently. Empirical results showed that his understanding was correct. I first tested this method on my own horoscope where it worked well. Thereafter, on testing this method on many more horoscopes I became quite convinced of the validity of this Dasha system that even inspired me to write a book on this subject. I did a fair amount of original research on Kalachakra Dasha after getting some hints from a Pandit of Rewari (a town in the North Indian state of Haryana). Using this Dasha system, I predicted the death of Rajiv Gandhi in my published research in August 1990. As it turned out, Rajiv Gandhi was subsequently killed on 21st May 1991. However, this Dasha system is very sensitive to birth time and unless the moon position is absolutely accurate (to within seconds), the prediction of life event timings become very erratic. Therefore, given that birth times are rarely so accurate, I felt that it was waste of time to work on it any further. I also did a lot of work on the conditional Dashas of Parashara and other Dasha systems of Jaimini. I taught some of this work to my students who have written excellent books that are now available in the market. For instance, Yogini Dasha system has a short cycle of 36 years. As longevity of humans is increasing, this Dasha system needs to be now used in 2 or even 3 cycles of 72 and 108 years respectively. All this requires a new level of understanding that was not necessary in times when people did not live that long. In one of my advanced Astrology classes, I discussed the possibilities of new research areas and methods of investigation. Taking up some of these ideas, Mr. V.P.Goel (who is now a faculty member at the Institute of Astrology, Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan) wrote an excellent book that gives very promising predictive results. Many of the new faculty members at the Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan have done pioneering work in furthering the field of Indian Astrology – e.g., Mr Manoj Pathak on Dwisaptati Sama Dasha, Mr. Naval Singh on Chatursheeti Sama Dasha, Mr. V.P.Goel on Shodashottari Dasha, and Mrs. Akhila Kumar on Jaimini's Sthira Dasha. It is most gratifying for me to see my former students enhancing the understanding of Indian Astrology through their diligent and insightful research.
K.N. Rao teaching an advanced research class at Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan Scoffing at my enthusiasm for new research, some people argue against spending effort/time in developing newer or lesser-known systems. But one of my biggest realizations in the field of astrology has been that a Jyotishi (astrologer) has to learn to look at many different viewpoints (through the eyes of different systems) and then use them concurrently to reach a conclusion. This “Composite System of Astrological Predictions” is one of the fundamental cornerstones of Indian Astrology. The great Parashara Rishi taught us so many Dashas, Divisional Charts, and a myriad of techniques not merely for decorative display but for actually using them! Question: There are other parallel systems of Indian Astrology – such as the Nadi Jyotish. This particular Nadi system, as you know, takes a thumbprint and identifies a leaf, written centuries ago, that tells about your life to an amazing level of detail. If the correct leaf is identified, the past is so amazingly accurate including your name, date of birth, place of residence, job, family (including name of family members) etc. These Nadi Astrologers also use the leaf to tell about your future. However, many people question the accuracy of these future predictions. What is your opinion on this system of astrology? KNR: What is called Nadi system in south India is known as the Bhrigu system in north India. For both these systems, we don't know much about the underlying methods at all. Most of these readings are done from the books or palm leaves or palmyra leaves. As far as I know, the people doing these readings do not know astrology themselves. They have leaves in their possession and they read out from these after finding the correct leaf that pertains to you. These leaves are generally known to reveal some past facts that are substantially correct. But the future predictions tend to be spurious and far less reliable. People who tested this system have gone to the extent of saying that revealing the names of parents, wife, husband etc. is the result of Bhoota siddhi[43] and that nothing is really written on those leaves. It is my experience that a few Nadi readers sometimes do come out with startling readings which I have verified myself and I am truly amazed by their accuracy. But more often than not they flounder and come out with preposterous predictions too! It has convinced me that Nadi readings, sometimes quite remarkable, are mostly undependable especially for future predictions. Let me however give you an anecdote of an amazing prediction through Nadi reading that I have myself verified. A reading was given to a person (whom I know very well) when he had three children. The prediction said that he would have two more children and that the last one would be a male who would become a doctor. This doctor would marry a woman who would also be a doctor by profession. Then this (doctor) son would be arrested and sent to jail after a terrible quarrel with his wife. The reading further said that all this would happen because this (doctor) son was a medical man in his previous life and was aborting the children of pregnant women. In one case, a girl wanted to be born but she was killed in the womb of the mother. She laid a curse on him and promised to be born as his wife in his
present life and take revenge. As events unfolded, all the events predicted happened exactly per the reading. Please remember the reading was given in 1950, the doctor son was born in 1958 and he was arrested in the year 2000. All this is most fantastic and I know every detail of this and I have verified it completely. We “regular” astrologers can never give such amazing predictions. However, such cases of phenomenal predictions based on Nadi are few and there is a lot more fraud in the name of Nadi readings. I therefore prefer to use the more tested and systematic approach of Parashara and Jaimini methods. Question: What is your opinion of Western astrology especially vis-à-vis the Indian astrological system that you practice? Is a cross-pollination of ideas between the two systems possible? KNR: Let me begin by saying that I haven't delved into Western Astrology much at all. My knowledge therefore is very limited. Furthermore, I have been very satisfied at the immensity and depth of the Indian Astrological system that has kept me away from exploring other astrological systems. Therefore, it would be really unfair for me to pass any sort of judgement on Western Astrology. Having said that, I did find Western system of astrology limited by a lack of Dasha systems, absence of divisional charts and Yogas. Using extra-Saturnine planets like Pluto, Uranus and Neptune makes the astrological canvas too crowded without any great research on the effects of these newly discovered planets. If someone could establish and show their predictive uses (not mere post-mortem studies) it will be helpful. It is said that in mundane astrology these planets have great use. As far as I know, there are very few, if any, examples of confirmed predictions of notable events using these planets. In one's limited lifetime it is difficult to dabble in too many systems of astrology. It causes clutter, confusion and makes your judgement clouded. So I prefer to stick to the system I am familiar with and leave it to others to use the system they prefer. In my biased opinion, the Indian Astrological system is deep, comprehensive and capable of “delivering the goods” to whomsoever who chooses to dive into it. That is the only truth I can attest to without any hesitation. Question: What is the viewpoint you favor on the following issues – (a) Is there a particular Ayanamsha[44] that is the correct one? (b) Do Rahu and Ketu[45] have own sign, exaltation/debilitation signs, strengths, aspects etc.? (c) Do astrological principles apply in full for a planned C-section birth? KNR: (a) Yes I have delved on the topic of Ayanamsha in great detail and I have also shown in my books why Lahiri Ayanamsha (actually it should be called Chitrapaksha Ayanamsha) alone is the accurate one. To ascertain this fact, one has to look carefully at Vargas or divisional charts. Based on a scientific investigation, I have rejected all other Ayanamshas. Unfortunately, my work on Ayanamsha annoyed late Dr. B.V.Raman, who used his own Ayanamsha. Therefore, this controversy even affected my excellent friendship with Dr.Raman. As an historical note, readers should know that Chitrapaksha ayanamsha got its official seal from the Calendar Reforms Committee in 1956. It also got an official endorsement from the best astronomers of India and also from the notable scientist Meghnad Saha. (b) This is an old controversy. I do not use the exaltation/debilitation signs for Rahu/Ketu at all. On the other hand the condition of Rahu and Ketu and their dispositors[46] gives us good
results. My favorite case is that of John F. Kennedy, the ex-president of USA, who achieved all his political eminence and glories in the Mahadasha of Rahu in Dhanu (where it is supposed to be debilitated). In the next Dasha of Jupiter, he was killed. (c) Yes most definitely – 100%. I have given one instance in my book, “Karma and Rebirth in Hindu Astrology”, the case of a doctor who wanted me to give a birth time for the C-section delivery for his wife. I provided the time and made several predictions about the child before its birth. Twenty years later these predictions were shown to come true. Upcoming astrologers should do more research on this area by giving a time for C-Section, make predictions, watch the life of the child for fifteen or twenty years, and see whether the predicted events match up with reality or not. Let me give you another anecdote. More than sixteen years ago I provided a birth time to the wife (who is like my niece) of an army officer. She and her husband wanted me to give a birth time so that the child would be a male scientist. I gave the time per their wishes. But nature had the last say in this matter. She went into labor a little earlier than the chosen date. After the birth of a son, they asked me for prediction and I told them jocularly that the boy would study commerce and classical music. They came to me from Calcutta in 2003 with the grown-up boy. The boy is now doing graduate studies in commerce and has finished the fifth year in Hindustani classical music. Question: Being a well-known and highly reputed astrologer, does it not put an added burden on you for being scrutinized and repeatedly tested on the accuracy of your predictions? Does protecting your image and stature sometimes stand in the way of you practicing astrology in a free and unfettered fashion? KNR: One of the reasons why an astrologer often feels burdened is because of lack of practical understanding of astrology among the clients. That is a real problem. For example, there is no acceptance or understanding of (1) variability brought out by inherent uncontrollable uncertainties such as inaccurate birth times or (2) acceptable error limits. Everybody wants perfect answers every single time. That is never going to happen no matter how good the astrologer is! Does the world abandon the science of aeronautics and space exploration if the space shuttle crashes due to errors by the world's best scientists at NASA? The answer is no – they learn from their mistakes and improve. But astrology is thought to be something “out of the world” which is simply not true. Everybody is subject to laws of nature including the astrologer, and each of us works under the gamut of Maya. Why then forget the Will of God? As the great Tulsidas has said, “Haani-Laabh, Jeevan-Maran, YashApyash, Vidhi Haath” (Profit and loss, life and death, fame and infamy are in His hands). My experience is that, often times, it is the unnoticed and unquoted individual predictions which are truly inspired. They give great internal satisfaction to an astrologer. Sometimes such predictions get great publicity through informal channels and grapevine. After hearing about these predictions people come to the astrologer with great expectations. These expectations (or for that matter any expectations) create a preconditioned mind to “hear” a very highly favorable or certain type of predictions that would alter the course of people's lives. For instance, I predicted in one case that the boy would become an engineer, go to a foreign country, marry a foreigner but would remain afflicted with an incurable ailment. Fifteen years later when events took place exactly as I had predicted other people came running to me to hear a similar prediction. If you do not give them a similar prediction they feel disappointed and sore. Why should I put a strain on myself and try to live up to their expectations? From my personal experience I have learnt that being true and honest to myself is the only way to live one's life harmoniously. This brings you peace and a palpable proximity to God. Isn't that the true purpose of why Jyotish was revealed to us in the first place?
Question: On a final note, would you like to give any advice to aspiring astrologers? KNR: My advice to aspiring astrologers is to do their astrology quietly. They should not seek publicity or promote themselves, and let their good predictions earn them a good name. It is how so many, including me, started. It is only in 1983, after more than forty years of practicing astrology, that I was dragged into the limelight, much against my wishes. And if an astrologer can practice as a service without charging any money - it is the best. Or leave it to the client to donate what they wish. Never demand or put a price on your service. I know I am old-fashioned in this matter - but for a good reason. (Note - I asked K.N. Rao about charging money in the West for astrology services. He said, "It is all right in USA. Do as you have been doing." - Vaughn Paul Manley 7/5/05). Astrology is a revelatory science and it is revealed, not by aggression but by faith and surrender to the divine. Always remember the four “Mahavakyas”[47] of astrology – Have Faith; Be Diligent and Practice Patience; Humbly learn from your mistakes, and Live a Life of Service. Then the divine lotus of astrology will open within you. Footnotes 1 Mr. Rao's family is originally from South India but lived, for the most part, in Northern India 2 At that time this would have been, almost certainly, looked down upon in a traditional Brahmin household in south India 3 A Renaissance religious movement that, among other things, did not believe in the caste system. Many believe that this movement was one of the foundation stones of modern thinking in India 4 A Pashtun or Pathan, he was a participant in the freedom struggle against the British. He was a close associate of Mahatma Gandhi and came to be known as the “Frontier Gandhi” 5 Notorious for its bitter taste but considered a great medicinal herb 6 A world famous expert and scholar in the field of rural industries 7 Noted for his contributions in the field of Gandhian economics 8 A scholar-saint regarded by many as the spiritual successor of Mahatma Gandhi 9 In those times, it was very unusual, if not heretical, for a Brahmin kid to be asked by his father to study texts of other religions 10 India's film industry is located here. Also known nowadays as “Bollywood” 11 Mr. Rao had prior experience of appearing before the Supreme Court in the famous “Mandal” Case. The Mandal Commission's aim was to come up with criteria for determining social and educational backwardness that became very controversial. Mr. Rao also wrote a book on this entitled “Mandal Report X-Rayed” 12 Considered an elite family in South India partly because of their accomplishments. Historically members from this family held high-level positions in the courts of the kings from the days of the famous Golconda empire in south India 13 A spiritual path that aims to activate one's internal spiritual energy or Kundalini from the base of the spine to the top of the head via the 7 psychic centers 14 He is mentioned with reverence in the literature on Ramakrishna Paramhamsa (the famous saint and devotee of the mother goddess who lived in the state of Bengal) 15 A guru from the lineage of Guru Nanak (the first Guru of the Sikh religion) 16 A saint who lived in the 13th century and propounded the Dualistic school of worship 17 An extremely sacred hill in the state of Assam. It is revered as one of the most potent and powerful spiritual centers for the procreative goddess, Kamakhya 18 This book was translated into the Russian language in 2003 19 A Hindu ritual sacrificial external worship often accompanied by a fire ceremony 20 Dealing with work and actions 21 These are Hindu mythological texts like the epics Ramayana and Mahabharata 22 These contain mythological and allegorical stories of Gods and Goddesses. Scholars and mystics believe that these texts impart philosophy and knowledge at multiple levels
depending on the stage of development of the reader/student 23 Phases or days of a lunar month 24 Weekday 25 27 constellations which form an important pillar-stone of Jyotish 26 As mentioned earlier in the interview, one of the biggest astrology schools is housed at this institution. Mr. Rao is the founder and prime-mover of this astrology school 27 Planetary periods. There are 32 such systems expounded in the classical text Brihat Parashara Hora Shastra 28 A classic axiomatic text written in Sanskrit on the complete path of Yoga 29 Obstructive energies that take you away from finding your spiritual center 30 Maya is a Hindu term that is used to represent one's illusory perception to life. It is also the dynamic force or power that manifests physical and relative reality 31 It is impossible for one to know or analyze one's karmas (actions) and their impact 32 A blind saint known for his supreme devotion to Lord Krishna. He is very well known, especially in Northern India, for his devotional hymns and songs that are still sung commonly in festivals and religious gatherings 33 Panchanga is a Hindu/Indian calendar/almanac that provides a plethora of information on astrological factors, auspicious/inauspicious times etc. In other words it is a comprehensive planning information resource for Hindus 34 Indian philosopher, astronomer, and mathematician, author of the Pañca-siddhantika (“Five Treatises”), a compendium of Greek, Egyptian, Roman, and Indian astronomy 35 From the epic Mahabharata, where a young boy becomes an unrivaled archer by drawing inspiration from the statue of the great Guru, Dronacharya. Eklavya learnt archery by practicing in front of the Guru's statue without ever getting any initiation or direct instruction from the Guru 36 A system or tradition enunciated by the Rishi or seer, Parashara, mainly through his famous astrological treatise Brihat Parashara Hora Shastra. This work is one of the main foundations for Jyotish 37 Another seer who developed additional tools and techniques to complement the Jyotish knowledge base developed through Parashara 38 Timing system that distributes the time (not equally) to 9 Nakshatras within the 120 degree zodiac space 39 Has a cycle time of 120 years. This 120 year period is sub-divided into 9 unequal parts which are ruled by each of the nine planets 40 These are the 12 constellations – Aries etc. 41 Parashara developed 16 sub-charts of the main Rashi chart. Navamsha is the ninth division chart and one of the most important sub-charts to be studied in conjunction with the Rashi chart 42 Means the wheel of time. It is a timing system that, like Chara Dasha, is also a Rashibased system for timing of events 43 Possessing control of a ghost/spirit and using this spirit to get the requisite information 44 The distance between the starting points of the sidereal and tropical zodiacs at any given time 45 The two nodal planets. Also called as “Chaya Grahas” or shadowy planets 46 The lord of the Rashi in which these planets are placed 47 Great Sentences or axioms
By On October 21, 2008, I received an email from a Phillipines lady stating: "Dear Sir, this site www search Sometime in 2006, you said 2008 would be a fantastic year for me I would find my life-long partner, and the work I would choose to do would flourish. I am happy to report that both have become true. Rather than join another multinational, I set up the Asian office of a marketing consultancy. We are getting good clinets and assignments. I remain optimistic for the rest of the year and next. I have also re-connected with a former boss. I have known Fergus for 15 years, and have so many things in common. Our friendship, dreams and shared values have become the strong basis of our relationship such that we chose to marry civilly as of October 4. We are having a wedding party with family and friends in Bali on December 14. Thank you!" This lady belongs to a ruling family of the Phillipines and was the boss of my younger daughter in Bangkok. In September 2006 she asked me about her second marriage. I told her that her second marriage would be towards the end of 2008 and with an office colleague. Natal Chart and Navamsha First we confirm the promise of the natal chart.
Natal Chart In the birth chart, the 7th house is occupied by 8th lord Jupiter and aspected by Mars. The 7th lord Saturn is in the 6th house on the Rahu/Ketu axis. Navamsha Chart In the navamsha the 8th lord, Jupiter again, has come to the 7th house this time on the Rahu/Ketu axis. A break in marriage is confirmed. Her first marriaged ended in Jupiter sub period.
The second marriage is also seen as the 7th lord Saturn aspects the 7th house. Saturn is in the 10th house in the navamsha. At the time of the consultation the period running was Venus-Jupiter. Jupiter gave break in marriage. The next sub period is of Saturn. Saturn is 7th lord in both the natal chart and the navamsha. This Saturn period is capable of giving marriage. The pratyantar dasha of Ketu started on Aug 24, 2008. Ketu is placed in the 7th house in the navamsha. Saturn is in the 10th house with the 10th lord Venus in the navamsha. The running dasha of Venus-Saturn are connected in the 10th house and the partner will be related professionally. Jaimini Chara Dasha In Jaimini's chara dasha, the period was Aquarius/Aquarius. Darakaraka (planet with lowest degrees) Mars is in the 7th house from Aquarius in the natal chart. In the navamsha, Mars is in Aries and gives Jaimini aspect to Aquarius. The Aquarius chara dasha was from November 24 2007 to November 24, 2008.
The Rise of Teenage Sensation Justin Bieber November 30, 2010 Vedic Astrology Diary Archives By Vaughn Paul Manley, M.A. Over the last two years the Canadian born teenage pop singer, Justin Bieber, has become a global heart throb sensation, especially with teenage girls. How? Basically with a lot of talent, charisma, good looks and uploading videos on YouTube. The video below has nearly 200 million views, which ranks in YouTube's all time top 10. In 2008, when his videos were discovered by chance by promoter Scooter Braun, he was only 13 years old, which was too young to compete on American Idol. When he turned 16 in March this year, he then qualified but he'd bypassed the need to. He'd already become rich and famous on YouTube, combined with the success of the sales of his debut hit singles, albums, and concert apprearances, etc. He did appear on American Idol this year, but to perform, not as a contestent. Assuming that his 12:56 am birth time is correct, then he has Scorpio
ascendant in both Vedic and Western astrology. Since it comes from an unverified web source it could certainly be wrong. But let's just assume it's correct and analyze his chart.
Justin Bieber's Natal Chart First of all, notice that his lagna lord, Mars, combines with all the angular house lords, Saturn, Venus, and the Sun in the angular 4th house. Angular houses are places of power and strength, and because Mars as the lagna lord, is a trinal lord (and angular lord) it produces three raja yogas in this conjunction. However, this is only the beginning because 5th lord, Jupiter, also aspects this combination forming four more raja yogas. This is impressive, not only because there's a high quantity of raja yogas, but because the lagna lord is involved in four of them. In addition, they're strongly placed in an angular house. Of these planets, Saturn is the strongest by sign position, being in its mulatrikona sign of Aquarius, forming a shasha mahapurusha yoga. Notice that Rahu is in the lagna as well, aspected by this powerful Saturn. This forms another raja yoga due to Rahu being placed in a trinal house, aspected by an angular lord. See the article, Rahu and Ketu Giving Raja Yoga, that discusses this principle. This last point is important because Bieber is in his Rahu dasha, which started March 20, 1997. Rahu can give tremendous material success and widespread fame, during its dasha when it's well placed. Here's it's in a raja yoga in the lagna. Notice in his dashamsha chart (D10) that it's also in his lagna, repeating a pattern of forming raja yogas by being aspected by 5th and 9th lords, Jupiter and Mars. Understanding how to read the dashamsha chart is important for determining career success. Please see Marc Boney's astro-profile article, The Dashamsha Chart: The 10th Part of Glory, to read more. More details to come about Justin Bieber's chart... Justin Bieber's Dashamsha Chart (D10)
Bieber had a perfect debut at the American Music Awards (AMA) a couple weeks ago, winning all four awards he was nominated for: entertainer of the year, breakthrough artist of the year, favorite pop/rock male and favorite pop/rock album for "My World 2.0." His newest song Pray released on Friday November 12. Watch his performance here:
5th House Dilemma: Children or Education? August 11, 2010 Vedic Astrology Diary Archives By Deepak Bisaria, from the Journal of Astrology - Oct-Dec 2009 A Dilemma Delineated Often, on finding a strong 5th house, one faces the dilemma of whether to predict good education or happiness deriving from children or both. We felt a need to hunt for a methodology that could give pointed indications in these areas and immediate clarity from a horoscope. This drove us to the topic for a group research with my students at Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan. The conventional view goes that simply on the basis of the prime parameters - the strength of the 5th and the 9th house, their lords and Jupiter, one should not rush to conclusions to declare all good or all bad for either children or education. The thoughts that come on initial pondering can get you to the right prediction with so many techniques and dashas now available from discoveries through research. But what is it that differentiates a good education and suffering on account of children from a bad education but bliss from children, we need to establish statistically and scientifically, so that it leads to a methodology that is pinpointed. The parameters which could best answer this question needed to be explored and tested and hence this research project came into being. As per Brihat Parashara Hora Shastra, the 5th house governs amulets, scared spells, learning, knowledge, sons, royalty (or authority), fall of position, etc. For our research, the 5th house interpretations with respect to children and education were broadly classified as: 1) Good education and good children 2) Good education and no happiness from children 3) Good children but poor or average education 4) Poor education and unhappiness from children Objective: To empirically test the hypotheses that the listed parameters in a horoscope impact on children and education and to recommend the weightage that should be given to each parameter; with special
emphasis on the role of the Saptamsha (D7-children) and the Chaturvimshamsha (D24-education). Parameters: 1) The 5th house and the 5th lord from the lagna, Moon, and Jupiter as the primary source of influence. 2) Condition of Jupiter as the significator both for children and knowledge, in the natal chart and the divisional charts. 3) The condition of the planet that is putrakaraka (5th karaka) and the fifth house from it, both for children and education. 4) Analysis of the saptamsha for children and the chaturvimshamsha for education. 5) Analysis of the 9th house and the 9th lord both from the lagna and the Moon. 6) Analysis of the 7th house and the 7th lord both from the lagna and the Moon. 7) At least two dashas between the ages of 15 and 25 for education and between 25 and 35 for children: vimshottari and chara dashas. 8) Role of transit. 9) Role of Gulika. 10 Role of Mercury in education. Apart form these parameters, we are analyzing related variable and supplementary factors like the role of the Moon in education, applicability of conditional dashas, role of Beej Sphuta and Kshetra Sphuta, etc. These factors are being analyzed by researchers to develop a full fledged thesis at the individual level, in addition to the group project. Overview: Our biological instincts combine with societal beliefs on the continuity of human existence. The urge to procreate is at once a human weakness and a profound human strength. Even an atheist might pray when he is unable to parent a child. A child promises bliss before his arrival into the parent's fold and becomes the most precious possession soon after he is born. Man confronts balarishta (childhood illness and even death) to save and protect the child. In the modern context, the balarishta threat could come from disease, infection or abnormalities affecting the child. Earlier, when medical science was not as advanced, seven out of ten children tended not to survive, and therefore balarishta remained critical to astrological analysis of children.
Today, as a child grows, the concerns continue even though with modern medicine they may be less directed to the survival of the child. Education of the child has today become a critical concern of parents and astrological counseling is increasingly sought for relatively minor matters like the specialization streams to be opted for in schools and colleges. Parents are also concerned about the behavior of children and their attitude towards elders. The aspirations of a parent for the child tend to be limitless. The problem of hyperactive children with small attention spans becoming indecisive due to peer pressure in choosing specialized streams, are increasingly common, often compelling parents to seek psychiatric help. Some even have to face the gravest misery of all: loss of a child. Clearly, any parent can accept immense suffering to self but the pain multiplies if it is the child who suffers. Guidance on education is fast becoming crucial not only for children but for all those struggling for growth in career. There are mid career courses and training's which are fast getting more and more popular. So both Children and Education draw immediate attention. Methodology: Keeping in mind our target of getting at a short and crisp dependable method to predict and differentiate, we decided to work on only verified and authenticated horoscopes. Each horoscope presented in the class was first subjected to birth time rectification by application of various methods: i) Applying navamsha dasha as also chara dasha and vimshottari dasha for verification of events. ii) Applying the rule given in the book, The correct value of Ayanamsha by Swami Sadasiva Giri. As per the author the pratyantar dasha lord at the time of birth is linked to the lagna or the lagna lord. iii) Applying tested snapshot method to find the number of siblings, eldest or youngest, and number of children. It was only after the conviction that the horoscope was accurate that we proceeded. The strength of each parameter under test is being calibrated to determine its contribution in determining the fate of education and children. Event based cases involving childlessness, balarishta, behavioral problems, mishap and death are being taken up. Ten verified horoscopes with listed events like level of education, dashas during marriage, children and important events related to education, marriage and children with birth time rectification were discussed and analyzed in the class by the guide to demonstrate the method of recording the data under different parameter headings. Each researcher collected 4 to 6 horoscopes presented them and the data was recorded as demonstrated. A minimum of 200 sample horoscopes were proposed. The total
data would be tabulated and conclusions drawn. The goals, targets, and proposed presentation is put on the site www.trintrin.com. This has been organized by Shri Dinesh Jain, a member of our research team. Display of horoscopes with D1, D9, D7, and D24 charts on the a laptop screen has been arranged in the class room to save time. It is suggested along with digital records the researchers should paste the horoscopes discussed in a register with events, findings and observations for better concentration and analysis. Translation in Hindi has been done brilliantly by Ms. Kavita Raj, another member of our research team. Existing Research and Classics Bank Combinations related to the 5th house, children and education are being stored in the website which is being accessed by all researchers. Presently the website www.trintrin.com carries some yogas and we keep adding material. Time Frame 5 months. Mid July 2009 to Mid December 2009. Publication It is planned to present the findings in the Journal of Astrology JanMarch 2010 issue. This would be followed by a book on this comprehensive research. A Few Case Studies Case Study 1: This is a horoscope of a person intimately known to me. He is youngest of four co-borns and has done an M.A. in English literature. Keeping in with adherence to the strict guideline for picking only correct horoscopes, the first step followed by us is the birth time check which in this case was done by considering the static promise and relating the dashas with the events. For any research to give tangible results it is necessary to work only on authenticated horoscopes. We did exactly that. Each horoscope has has been included in the 200 sample horoscopes are of persons intimately know to at least one among the 37 researchers engaged in this group research project. This horoscope was categorized as having above average education and unhappiness from children. How do we differentiate good education from suffering from children is what this research is about.
Natal Chart The Birth Chart: Jupiter in the rasi of Mercury is good for education but not for children. This is one of the findings of this research and can be seen
in this horoscope. Mercury is an intellectual planet but a eunuch (castrated male) and so its rashis also have such elements. Jupiter is the 5th lord in this chart, and is the significator of children as well as the significator of knowledge. The 2nd house where Jupiter has gone is described as the house of death (maraka) by all classics. The 12th lord Moon is in the 5th house, which does not augur well for 5th house matters. This includes both children and education, but does indicate pursuit of history and literature of a foreign country. The 9th house has Ketu and the 9th lord Mars is aspected by the 6th and 7th lord Saturn, which is not a good indication for children. Saturn as the 6th and 7th lord in the 4th house in mutual aspect with Mars is certainly quite bad for 4th house matters, including happiness and mental peace. The 5th lord from Jupiter is Saturn, which cannot give positive results in matters of children as it is in mutual aspect with Mars, a malefic as well. From the Moon, the 5th house has Ketu and the 5th lord, Mars, has gone to the 6th house. It is also in mutual aspect with Saturn, which is the 2nd and 3rd lord from the Moon in the 12th house. The chara putrakaraka, Sun, is conjunct with gnatikaraka, Venus, in the 8th house. The sthira putrakaraka and the 5th lord Jupiter is also involved due to the mutual aspect. Navamsha Chart (D9) In the navamsha, Jupiter is debilitated and conjunct with Saturn. In the Saptamsha, Venus, the gnatikarka and the 9th lord is on the Rahu-Ketu axis and Jupiter is aspected by Saturn from the 8th house. Saptamsha Chart (D7) His son died most unexpectedly and tragically in May 1996 in the dasha of Rahu-Venus-Rahu and Pisces-Libra-Aquarius under chara dasha. Tragedy struck the family in May 1996. It left this person shattered. Rahu is in the 2nd house from Jupiter in the birth chart and Venus is the 2nd lord (both marakas from Jupiter). Hence, the lords of mahadasha, antardasha, and pratyantar dasha were all marakas. Jupiter is the 5th lord and significator of children and is debilitated in the navamsha. In the 2nd house from Jupiter, Rahu is there in the saptamsha. Pisces is the rasi that has the putrakaraka Sun and the gnatikaraka Venus. Libra is the 8th rasi from the putrakaraka and Aquarius is the 12th rasi. His son could not recover from the administration of anesthesia for a minor surgery. Case Study 2: This case would be categorized as excellent education but no happiness from children. The person with an enviable education and other good attributes has been denied the bliss of marriage and
children so far. The horoscope clearly recites its destiny and can put to rest the apprehensions of all critics about the applicability of astrological parameters based on which we are running the largest school of astrology in the world.
Natal Chart Birth chart: In this case also Jupiter, the significator of knowledge and children is in the intellectual house of Virgo, which has been giving good results so far as education is concerned but not for children. It aspects its own 5th house, which makes it strong. Inspite of having a medical degree (M.B.B.S.) and a government job, this person has MBA and LLB from reputed institutions. He has also done the two year course of astrology from our institute. For such results we have the mahapurusha in the lagna (ruchaka yoga), Mercury and Sun (buddhaditya yoga) in the 9th with aspect by the 9th lord on them and a strong 5th house. On the other hand, there is an afflicted 4th house and 7th house. Rahu is in the 4th house and Saturn, the 4th lord, is debilitated in the 6th house. Case Study 3: Dr Rajendra Prasad: The first president of India. He is categorized has having both excellence in education and happiness from children. One could not have asked for more in education and career. This is crystal clear in the horoscope.
Dr. Rajendra Prasad's Natal Chart Birth chart: For analyzing the psyche and the ideology from a horoscope, primarily the three trines, 1, 5, 9 houses, should be analyze with their lords. The trines compliment each other and the intermingling of their influences make the psyche. The thoughts and ideas are generated from the 5th house, but they are subject to scrutiny of the 9th house. The 9th house is the conscience keeper and the action is taken by the 1st house. A thought can be turned down by the conscience and even if passed by it, the type of action and the force of it is dependent on the 1st house. This is the working of the psyche through houses 5, 9, 1. Besides the psyche triangle of 1, 5, 9 houses, Jupiter, the karaka of virtues, righteousness, religion, spirituality should be assessed. It needs to be examined along with the 9th house and the 9th lord to see the level of respect that the person has to the norms of society, its traditions and conventions (parampara). The Moon should be seen for determining the state of mind and Mercury for the intellect. Jupiter: The Pivot of the Horoscope Jupiter is the lagna lord placed in the rasi of a friend, the royal Sun. Jupiter in Leo and Aquarius is considered as good as in its sign of
exaltation, Cancer. From its position in the 9th house it aspects the lagna and the 5th house, radiating its influence on all three trines. It also aspects the 5th lord, Mars. Jupiter is the strongest planet of this horoscope with Ishta Phal 40:60 and Kashta 17:80 and has rendered the lagna lord strongest with a strength of 9.7 rupas. It's exalted in the navamsha and occupies its mulatrikona rasi (Sagittarius) in many divisional charts. In the birth chart, Jupiter is the lord of the lagna and the 4th house. The 4th house represents 'raja simhasan' (throne). In the navamsha, Jupiter as the lord of the 4th and 7th houses goes to the 11th house of gains and in its sign of exaltation. Because the 7th house is the 10th from the 10th house, it is also seen for career, and is called the house of padaprapti (position giver). Dr. Rajendra Prasad's Navamshal Chart (D9) The division of the houses in the navamsha chart should not make the astrologer take major deviation from his line of thinking from the birth chart, as a difference of just a few minutes often changes the navamsha lagna. It is difficult to find an old horoscope with an accurately recorded time of birth. Nevertheless, we have a very strong Jupiter dominated horoscope and therefore the person should have all the positive features of Jupiter. A Jupiterian indeed. Mercury-Mars Conjunction: The combination of the 5th and 10th lords in the lagna forms an excellent raja yoga promising high elevation. This combination is aspected by the strong lagna lord, Jupiter, from the 9th house. The skills, dexterity and speed of Mercury combined with the energy and power of Mars has to make the person successful, enterprising and famous. The impact of Mars on the psyche in conferring a religious and upright disposition was positive as it worked like fire to purify the character by virtue of its lordship of the 5th house of dharma and the 12th house of moksha. Mercury, on the other hand, as the lord of the 7th (kama) and lord of 10th (artha) was responsible for bringing him to the world of comfort by making him the President of India. Mars, as the 5th and Mercury as the significator of vidya or education was responsible for his exceptional academic record. Mars as the 5th lord under the influence of Jupiter in the rasi of the Sun were responsible for his being blessed by two male children. The Rural Childhood (December 1884 to March 1894): In his autobiography, Rajen Babu gives a lucid account of the traditions and rituals followed in his village. Recitation of Bhagavad Gita and Ramayana, Ramlila, Melas, games and social engagements were perhaps looked forward to with a sense of gaiety by the villagers. Life began at sunrise and ended at sunset without even an apple of consumerism to disturb. At the age of 5-6 he started to learn alphabets in Persian from the Maulvi Saheb of his village. The teaching started ceremoniously with the customary chanting of 'Bismillah,' and followed by distribution of sweets in the traditional style and a token payment to the Maulvi Saheb.
He was brought to Chapra from his village Zeeradai and admitted directly to class VIII in the dasha of Rahu/Jupiter in April 1894. He stood first in the annual examination in 1895 and was given a double promotion. Six years later Rajen Babu topped in the matriculation exam. It was a big achievement by all standards for a boy from Chapra to emerge first in the matriculation exam, conducted by a University under whose jurisdiction were Calcutta, Orissa, Bihar, Assam and Burma. This was the first time that a boy from Bihar had topped. The vimshottari dasha was Rahu-ketu-Venus. Rahu in upachaya 10th house in the intellectual sign of Virgo combined with Venus which in the 11th house of gains and achievements, in its mulatrikona rasi had to give such results. Then again two years later he topped again in the FA exam. It was again a remarkable achievement. Besides the scholarships that he was getting, many more were awarded to him. He diverted himself to freedom struggle in college but eventually was awarded a Doctorate in law. A 68 page astro sketch of Dr. Rajendra Prasad has been published in Finer Techniques of Astrological Predictions, Vol. 1, edited by Sri K.N. Rao.
By Out, out the brief candle, was the astrological verdict, I said to myself, when I saw the horoscope sometime in the last week of March 2010 of late Shri M.S. Mehta. Born in 1932, the bell was tolling, that bell which beckons us all sometime or the other to shuffle off the mortal coil. Life’s journey has to end someday, some people’s sooner and of others’, later. But, we know as astrologers when people come to consult us, that an average Indian living in urban areas accumulates enough tensions causing, apart from some physical ailments which the pollution of our cities give us without any warning, a number of diseases, blood pressure, diabetes, heart ailment, kidney or liver trouble, etc. The dasha of Venus, the second lord for the purpose of this case and the antardasha of Jupiter, the seventh lord and the pratyantara dasha of Venus again - was the message these dashas conveyed, clear? (Venus and Jupiter are both maraka lords for Virgo lagna). I examined this event from other angles also.
M.S. Mehta's Natal Chart Mehtaji did not meet me for a month nearly after the third week of March 2010, never talked on phone and only conveyed the message that in the absence of a servant at home, he could not leave his ailing wife alone in the house and come even to Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan to teach. Then came the message that he was ill, later that he was suffering from pneumonia and was in an intensive care unit. I lost hopes and told Col Gour who was with me on the stage on 11 April during our semi-annual astrology school convocation, that it was a very difficult period for Mehtaji. On 25 April, a Sunday when I was teaching a class in the Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, Shri R.C. Dadhwal and Shri Deepak Bisariaji conveyed the tragic message that Mehtaji was no more. We all left our classes and held a condolence. There ended an eighteen year old chapter of a sweet association with a gentleman teacher, Shri M.S.Mehta, who was my astrology student in 1992 and later, my
colleague in the Institute of Astrology, Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, New Delhi. His astrological career reads like a rare fiction. He started learning astrology after his retirement from the Indian Foreign Service in which he held some important posts as ambassador in different countries, including the US. He had the retentivity of a young man of twenty though he had crossed sixty years when he joined our classes. In the final results of our examination he stood third and even got bronze medal. His old contemporaries in the same age group did not do well in the examination and most of them forgot astrology soon after passing examination. But Mehtaji had the zest of a young man to do research in astrology. He read the series of my articles “Planets take them across the seas’ and another in a souvenir, in which I revealed my research on foreign travels. He expressed his desire to write a book on the subject since he had a large collection of the horoscopes of people who went abroad for various purposes, diplomatic assignments like members of I.F.S, for settling down, for medical treatment, for studies etc. He wrote what till day is the only and most brilliant book on this subject Travel Abroad. announcement in the world of astrologers that a new and brilliant researcher had arrived. Then he went on writing more books like Application, Analyzing Horoscope Through Modern Techniques (English & Hindi) His Spirituality Always impressive and heartening was his sense of gratitude towards those who taught him life’s beautiful lessons and also astrology, a surest sign of a spiritually sensitive and developed person, a samskara he was born with. Flickering in his eyes always but rarely expressed vociferously was his hatred for those who exhibited ingratitude towards their teachers or guru like persons or elders. Then there was that distinctly expressed opinion about the national scene of corruption and falsehoods which could not be ignored in spite of the sickening political vaporings of politicians. The unfolding national disasters like Naxalism, terrorism, unemployment seemed to remain focused in his mind. That took him astrologically into his keener interest in mundane astrology on which he wrote what till days is the best book on the subject, Mundane Astrology Because of his background of international politics and events, because of his service in foreign countries and academically, being a keen and good student of history, he looked into mundane events with historical insight always. He wrote many more books with his unquenchable thirst for more and more astrological exploration, knowledge and clear exposition of tested techniques, rejecting the opinions of shloka touting and sutra chopping astrologers failing to prove anything through research and
advance predictions, that dwindling crowd of dementedly pedantic pretender scholars. Such robust mental attitude is rarely visible in a seventy years old man. He belonged to that rare breed of intellectuals. He had his own strong convictions like saying that after the partition of the country, we had sleepwalked into the commission of same blunders which led to the partition of the country and that all over the world multiculturalism was dead as it bred only racism and terrorism. He hated pseudo secularism as he always thought that we had a divisive culture of separateness which was lethal for the country. He had his own strong convictions like saying that after the partition of the country, we had sleepwalked into the commission of same blunders which led to the partition of the country and that all over the world multiculturalism was dead as it bred only racism and terrorism. He hated pseudo secularism as he always thought that we had a divisive culture of separateness which was lethal for the country. The years he spent in west Asia during his service career gave him some understanding of those countries and often he said that Saddam Hussein had done a lot of good to Iraq inspite of his antiShia, anti-Kurd policies. In his own way, he did say, nearly fifteen years ago, that in future there will be the fear of clash between oil rich countries, the religiously fundamentalist west Asia and the west. He was anticipating in a way what the world later came to know as the famous theory of clash of civilizations of Samuel Huntington. Some years ago, his political analysis led him into an obsessive conclusion that Israel and USA will have to attack Iran which has not happened yet. Weaponization of space in which race USA is far ahead of other countries, makes an attack on Iran a distinct possibility now is what some analysts have already said. The space bomber is now a reality. I will miss Mehtaji’s insightful analysis of international situation with which he illumined many evenings of mine. In the last five or six years of his life he got immersed more and more in the Vishnu Sahasranam, Narayana Kavacham, the Bhagavad Gita, Gayatri mantra and taking pilgrimages. He was exploring peace within himself, having developed deep detachment, true vairagya. He helped five poor students with his money without telling anyone, as his charities were true in spirit and never exhibitionistic. He never talked ill of anyone - rarest of spiritual qualities, and had a boisterous, guileless and ringing laughter. I will miss all that and remember him as a true and honest friend, spiritual, intellectual, balanced and always truthful.
By By now most people are sick of all the media coverage the Tiger Woods sex scandal has received over the last couple months, since his infamous car crash on November 27th. With the shocking news of his multiple extra-marital affairs surfacing over the subsequent weeks, his 'clean cut' image took a meteoric dive to a depth that is rarely seen with a public figure. It was certainly one of the biggest news stories of 2009, if not the decade. It's no wonder he's not been seen publicly since. According to the 10:50 pm giving him Virgo ascendant. It is said to come from "birth certificate in hand," which gives it the highest rating of AA in Rodden's birth time rating system. However, this gives his ascendant less than 1 degrees, which brings to question whether he could actually be Leo ascendant. We talked about this in an earlier article by Marc Boney titled, recent scandalous events took place during his Sun-Venus dasha making it very clear that he indeed has Virgo ascendant. First see his chart:
Tiger Woods's Natal Chart With Virgo ascendant the dasha lord Sun is in the 4th house, aspected by the 8th lord Mars. The 8th house is a house of secrecy, sexuality, and scandals. We talked about this in the last article, Clinton and Shodashottari Dasha lust and becomes doubly so when it rules the 8th house. Notice that the Sun also goes to the 8th house in the navamsha chart conjunct Mars and Venus. Whenever Mars and Venus combine it intensifies sexual passion. The Sun dasha alone brings in this element of sexual lust. The Sun dasha began in June 2004, which is as far back as the earliest claims of infidelity by Tiger's mistresses go. Tiger Woods's Navamsha Chart When his Venus sub dasha began in June 2009, it put him in both a mahadasha and antardasha of a planet aspected by the 8th lord Mars. However, Venus is not only aspected by Mars, they exchange signs forming a parivartana yoga, which intensifies their connection and the quality of sexual passion they represent. Venus's placement
in the 8th sign of Scorpio, a notorious house of secrecy corresponding to the 8th house, and conjunct a debilitated Moon further increases the qualities of Scorpio and secret love affairs. The claims that Tiger is a sex addict certainly makes sense when you add all this up, and consider that Venus combines with the Sun, and Mars in the 8th house in the navamsha. It's in Sun-Venus that the sex scandal surfaced. This is all abundantly clear with Virgo ascendant and the 8th lord, Mars, aspecting both the Sun and Venus, and combining with them both in the navamsha. The transit of Saturn into Virgo in early September also confirms Tiger's Virgo lagna. Here's the chart of the transits on November 27, 2009.
Transits on November 27, 2009 When Saturn transits over the lagna it can be a time of personal reflection, evaluation, and re-organization. Saturn makes us look at the hardest lessons that we've been avoiding and learn to take responsibility for our actions. I like to call Saturn the 'great denial buster.' With Saturn transiting his lagna it aspects his 7th house, and 7th lord, Jupiter. It also aspects the karaka of the 7th house, Venus, his sub dasha lord. It's clear that it's time for him to look at his marriage and his extra-marital activity. This is also a huge personal change because it's his lagna, his self and identity. His image is going through a major revision. Incidentally, during this time the double transit of Jupiter and Saturn emphasizing his need to focus on himself. Lastly, to further confirm the Virgo lagna, it was during the SunVenus-Rahu dasha, that he had his minor car accident. Notice how Rahu was transiting his 4th house of vehicles at the time. His Rahu sub dasha lasted until December 16, 2009, and it was in early December that his wife, Elin Nordegren, reportedly moved out of their home. This upheaval to their domestic life is also indicated by the Rahu pratyantar dasha and Rahu's transit through the 4th house. Watch Sean Hannity discuss the mounting evidence of Tiger's sex addiction with SE Cupp and Kimberly Guilfoyle on his talk show December 11, 2009:
By The Westerner for many more decades. It has given to the West what it did not have, a vision, an understanding and a way which is what we call sadhana through Kriya Yoga. It is very impressive to see the influence of the S.R.F. in the USA even now, though, it has split into many rival organizations. Some of the followers have heart-winning sincerity. Yogananda’s mission has spread, got stabilized, wellorganized and, as happens in the USA, has strong monetary support. Some of the best Americans I have met belong to the SRF which is the abbreviation of Self-Realization Fellowship. I had with me the horoscope of Yogananda. I re-read the important dates in the life of Yogananda. Verification of the Horoscope The horoscope of Yogananda has not been disputed by anyone, all astrologers who have discussed it, have done so from Simha (Leo) lagna. The time of birth has been mentioned by some people while others have not referred to it at all but have only said that it was a correct horoscope (some sources gives 20:38pm as his birth time). The one I got in Calcutta during my posting there, in my service career, with degrees has been given earlier. The birth details thus seem to be: 5 January, 1893 at 08.14 PM, Gorakpur. It should have been local meantime is what can be guessed. Anyway, the best is to verify some broad events on the basis of the birth horoscope and the interconnected divisional horoscopes. Natal Chart of Paramahansa Yogananda Mother (1868-1904) In India of those times, becoming a mother of many children, spending life as a dutiful housewife and doing poojas and charities were an integral part of a Hindu woman’s life which it is even now, except when one has a working wife. The domestic life was peaceful. Once in a while there was some normal husband wife quarrel, the most serious one being when she fed the poor spending
a huge amount which could upset family budget. She threatened to leave the house if the husband (Yogananda’s father) made it a prestige issue. Just then the maternal uncle of Yogananda arrived and the matter was settled peacefully. Such quarrels between parents, are common sight for Indian children. There is nothing serious about them. In one such and similar family situation, I once found the father of six or seven children getting annoyed when he could not find a shaving blade at home. He shouted at his wife and children and said that he would move out of the house and take sannyas (renunciate vows). Working in the kitchen, the wife replied, anyone asks you for the reason, do not say that it was because of a shaving blade.” ended there. Similar scenes may have taken place because Yogananda was highly charitable. In the birth horoscope there is Venus in the 4th house both from the lagna and the Moon, while the 4th house of the dwadashamsha is excellent. But then, the 4th lord of the birth horoscope, Mars is in the 8th house, aspected by Saturn and with Jupiter, in this case, also the 8th lord. The year of the death of the mother of Yogananda given in the photo given in the book is 1904 when the dasha running was perhaps, Venus-Moon or Venus-Mars, one in the 4th house and the other the 4th lord from the lagna and the Moon. In the dwadashamsha (D12), Venus is the 2nd lord from the lagna and the Moon, while Venus and Mars are in the 12th house. Mars is also the 3rd lord of the longevity of parents and the 8th lord of mourning. Rahu was in Kanya (Virgo) in transit in the lagna, and Saturn in Makar (Capricorn) was aspecting the 7th house of dwadashamasha. Rahu/Ketu axis was on the 4th lord of the birth horoscope while Saturn was aspecting the 4th lord, Mars in Meena (Pisces).
Father (1853-1942) His father, a high ranking officer in Bengal Nagpur Railways, was posted to Gorakhpur when Yogananda was born, the 4th child, among eight brothers and sisters. In dwadashamsha the 9th lord is in the 12 house. Bhagbati Charan Ghosh, the father of Yogananda, spent sometime with Guru, Lahiri Mahashaya in his Varanasi ashram. It was typical Bengali habit till recently to say that a life without a Guru was a wasted life. In earlier centuries, it was not easy for a householder to get spiritually initiated, as great yogis and swamis did not visit cities. Ardent spiritual seekers had to go to far off places, to even the Himalayas in search of a guru, as Yogananda himself did many times, unsuccessfully. In the case of Bhagbati Charan, there was a divine manifestation when his Guru appeared before him. Cases of such cosmic manifestations are mentioned in Hindu scriptures, in the lives of Shankaracharya, Ramanuja and so many great spiritual figures of India. It may have been in the last century that gurus started to visit
cities to initiate householders who thirsted for spiritual life but could not have gone wandering in search of gurus, leaving their families. It seems to have happened more in Bengal which is why Bengal has so many books on saints and gurus of the last 150 years, now also compiled in a 12 volume collection called, sadhaks or saints of India), which is read widely with keen appreciation. The high position Bhagbati Charan held, the excellent houses he lived in and a life of dignity is well shown by Jupiter and Mercury in the dwadasamsha of Yogananda. He died in 1942, in the sub-period of Rahu in the major period of Rahu in the 9th house of father in the birth horoscope and, in the lagna in dwadashamsha. In the beginning of 1942, Saturn was in Mesha (Aries) with Mars, the 9th house from the birth lagna of Yogananda while Rahu was in Simha (Leo), in the 9th house from the Sun (father) in Dhanu (Sagittarius) in the birth horoscope. From the lagna, Rahu in Simha (Leo) was on the 9th lord while Saturn, later moved into Vrischika (Scorpio), the 9th house of the dwadashamsha. Note From these two events about the death of parents, the horoscope I have seems to be correct to me because both the dasha and transits seen in four ways, establishes the validity of the horoscope of Yogananda. Graduation: B.A.1915 Yogananda became a graduate, studying philosophy and literature in 1915 in Venus-Mercury. Venus the 10th lord gave him success in the sub period of Mercury in the 5th house of education. From Vrischika (in chara dasha he was in undergraduate years) aspects of Jupiter, Mars, Saturn, Mercury and Sun shows the struggles in his education and also success. In Chara Dasha it was Vrischika (Scorpio), with Mars in the 5th house with Jupiter (Jaimini aspects are also from Sun, Mercury, Saturn, as mentioned in last sentence, on the 5th house from Vrischika/Scorpio). Trip to America (August-October, 1920) The decision about the trip to the USA, where he had a mission to fulfill, must have been made in Sun-Rahu and actual travel undertaken in the antardasha of Jupiter. Rahu in the 9th house in a Chara Rashi is the surest indication of foreign trip. (See Rahu in Horoscope birth house in the 5th house of seminar or conference where educational, instructive and illuminating speeches are delivered. Rahu is in the 12th house both in the dashamsha (D10) and the chaturthamsha (D4) (see M.S. Mehta’s book on Abroad in the 10th house of the dashamsha (D10). In Chara dasha it was Makar (Capricorn) period with Saturn in the 9th house and Ketu in the 10th house, showing a change and work connected with foreigners.
Death (7 March, 1952) In speaking about his death, let me refer to two books of mine and two pieces of research. Let me first quote from and the Wheel of Time of the great saint, Moorkhanandji. say astrologically. I made no predictions about Mahatmas but I have noticed that they are inclined to leave their bodies in the antardasha of the 9th or 12th lords. So, I hazarded a guess and said MercuryRahu-Mercury.” When Yogananda died it was Rahu, the 9th lord’s mahadasha, Ketu’s antardasha, Moon, the 12th lord’s pratyantara dasha and the sookshma dasha of Jupiter (the 5th lord of heart, in the 8th house with Mars , receiving the aspect of Saturn. It must have been a sudden death. I learn from some SRF people that he died while reciting a poem. It is clear from a picture in the book, the Autobiography of a Yogi, that B.R.Sen, Indian Ambassador to the USA, was present as the guest of honor in Los Angeles, California.
By Over the past several years Angelina Jolie has been using her celebrity star power to raise awareness and funds for various refugee causes around the world. Her humanitarian work begain in 2001 when she was filming Tomb Raiders in Cambodia, and in August that year she was named a UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations. Her latest efforts were in Thailand to help Burmese children who have fled Burma and are living in refugee camps near the Burmese border. Not only has she helped various refugee groups in Africa, Pakistan, Thailand, Iraq etc. but she and husband Brad Pitt adopted three of their own children from Cambodia, Ethiopia, and Vietnam. And if this wasn't enough children, they decided to have three of their own children. So what shows all this involvement and humanitarian concern for children? In 2001, she was in her Venus-Moon dasha, and the Moon is not only the caregiver and mother, but it's conjunct the 5th lord Mars, and karaka of the 5th house, Jupiter. The Moon is also in the compassionate sign of Pisces, and its association with Jupiter enhances this quality of compassion and charity. In addition, this takes place in the 9th house representing one's ideals and beliefs, and Mars there means that she will fight to defend her beliefs and these are centered around human rights issues of children.
Angelina Jolie's Natal Chart Now see how the dasha sequence supports her involvement with children and human rights efforts. Following the Moon sub dasha was the Mars sub dasha, the 5th lord of children. This was followed by Rahu sub dasha, which happens to be in the 5th house. Then from November 2005 - July 2008 was her Venus-Jupiter dasha which was the time that she gave birth to all three of her children, and married Brad Pitt. Notice how Jupiter is in the 7th house in the Navamsha chart and mutual aspects Venus, clearly showing the potential for marriage in Venus-Jupiter. But it's more than that because Jupiter's also the 5th lord in the Navamsha, and is conjunct Venus in the lagna of the Saptamsha chart, the divisional chart for children.
By Typically the 12th house is the considered the house of residence in a foreign country. The 1st house represents the place of our birth, and the 12th house from any house represents the loss of the indications of that house. Therefore, the 12th house is the loss of one's birth place and therefore residence abroad. It can also simply mean travel to foreign places and not necessarily settling down. In addition, the 7th house is also sometimes listed in texts as a house of foreign travel or residence abroad. For instance, the Sarvarth Chintamani refers to the dashas of planets located in the 7th house as a time of travel or residence abroad. For instance, it says: "During the ruling period of Jupiter in the 7th house, the native gets wife, wealth, son, happiness, goes abroad, is victorious in battle." Likewise, it later says the same for a Rahu dasha: "During the ruling period of Rahu located in the 7th house, the native soon gets destruction of his wife, goes abroad, suffers losses in agriculture etc." Why is the 7th house a house of foreign residence? Usually it's just considered the house of relationship. The reason is because the 7th house is the farther house from the 1st house, being the opposite house. The placement in the sky of the 1st house is on the Eastern horizon, while the 7th house is on the Western horizon. Therefore, the 7th house is the furthest from one's birth place or a foreign location. This all makes logical sense, but there may still be some lingering doubt that the dasha of a planet in the 7th house could actually result in residence abroad. Therefore, here's a chart of a woman who was born in Hong Kong, and when she was 10 years old her family decided to move to the USA. This was during her MercuryRahu dasha.
Natal Chart
Notice that Rahu is placed in the 7th house, and Mercury is the 4th lord, and in the 4th house from the Moon. The 4th house is of course the house of home, indicating events related to home in her Mercury dasha. Notice how Rahu is also placed in the lagna of the chaturtamsha chart (D4) the divisional chart for home, indicating a significant event related to home in a Rahu dasha. At the time of the move, Rahu was transiting through her 12th house, Taurus. Furthermore, Rahu is the planet of foreign connections. All these factors show a repeated pattern indicating a major move to a foreign country in her Mercury-Rahu dasha.
Barack Obama's Natal Chart Analysis August 29, 2008 Vedic Astrology Diary Archives By Vaughn Paul Manley, M.A. Now that Barack Obama was formally and enthusiastically nominated as the democratic candidate yesterday in Denver, I wanted to shed some light on his natal chart. But first let's discuss the dispute going on about his birth time. In the first half of 2008 most astrologers were using a speculated birth time for Barack Obama of about 1:00 pm giving him a Libra ascendant. Then in July, Obama's own website released his certificate (click to view) with a birth time of 7:24 pm, giving him a 24 degrees Capricorn ascendant. In terms of birth time accuracy it doesn't get any better than a written document, especially a birth certificate. Of course, they can be created in photoshop, but my opinion is that we have to give them the benefit of the doubt. In Obama's case the state of hawaii itself has declared certificate is authentic. It's highly likely that this birth time of 7:24 pm is valid since it would discredit his entire campaign to tamper with the document, and for what purpose? However, the real test of an accurate birth time should be that it describes a person accurately, not only in terms of character traits, but key events. So let's have a look at his birth chart.
Barack Obama's Natal Chart What stands out in many people's minds is Obama's talented oratory skills. Notice how Mercury is powerful in a kendra, and also aspects important personality indicators - ascendant, ascendant lord Saturn, and the Sun. Its tight mutual aspect with Jupiter, the 3rd lord, further heightens his intelligence, wit, communication skills. This mutual aspect even improves in the navamsha where Mercury gets exalted and Jupiter is in its own sign of Pisces. Mercury's strength is also seen by the raja yoga it forms as the 9th lord in mutual aspect with Saturn, the 1st lord. Additionally, Jupiter is the karaka of the 9th house of law, while Mercury is 9th lord. This mutual aspect sure makes sense for a lawyer, and teacher of law, especially because they both aspect the ascendant, ascendant lord, and Sun. Barack Obama's Navamsha Chart
The other very notable feature is his shasha mahapurusha yoga formed by Saturn placed on an angle in its own sign. It's further strengthened by being vargottama. This gives him strong leadership abilities and exemplary Saturnian qualities like discipline and responsibility. So far so good. It all makes sense. But wait a minute. How about the perplexing placement of a debilitated Jupiter? There are several ways that Jupiter's debility is cancelled and forms a raja yoga. First, it's conjunct its debilitation lord, Saturn. Second, this forms a raja yoga as the "Great Parashara Exception," calls it, because Jupiter is the 12th lord debilitated, placed in the ascendant and the ascendant lord is in its own sign. A third factor of cancellation of debility is that Mars, the planet exalted in Capricorn, is on an angle from the Moon. When we first look at his Sun, we might wonder why someone with the Sun as the 8th lord would represent a politician since the Sun is the planet of politics. However, we have to remember that the Sun is gaining from its association with the other planets, Mercury, Jupiter, and Saturn forming the above mentioned yogas. When we look at his chart from chandra lagna, we see that the Sun's condition improves as the 4th lord conjunct the 5th lord Mercury, and opposite the 9th and 10th lord Saturn. This forms multiple raja yogas from the Moon. Another important feature is that his Moon, the 7th lord, is exalted in Taurus, and aspected by Jupiter. This is a combination for compassion and caring that has won him the trust of many supporters. This forms a rare Gauri Yoga text, Phala Deepika, and is due to the Moon being in its own or exalted sign in a kendra or trikona (5, 9) and aspected by Jupiter. Its effect is described as, "Will have a beautiful body and will be a friend of the king. He will possess good qualities and will be blessed with sons. He will belong to an illustrious family. His face will be like a lotus. He will be praised for his successes (over enemies)." certainly seems to be playing out in Obama's chart with all the dramatic and widespread support and praise he's received throughout his campaign. When we look at his dasha sequence we see that he's been in a Jupiter-Moon dasha since 11/24/07 which will continue until 3/25/09. This dasha activates his special Gauri Yoga and could win him the election in November. More about this in upcoming articles.
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Education in a Foreign Country June 28, 2008
edic Astrology Diary Archives K.N. Rao, from the appendix in Planets and Travel Abroad
ur friend Chander Gupta gave up the horoscope of Anant Gupta whose parents roscopes have been in our records for more than eight years now. The specific estions were:
The chances existed for the boy to get into a University in the U.S.A. Would it aterialize?
Being the only son, the parents were torn between two emotions, going abroad uld create the void that separation creates, such emotional vacuity as becomes bearable when the bond of love and affection is so deep, so real.
When the boy's admission was assured, there were objections from the U.S.A. mbassy in India. Would this last minute hitch be overcome?
tal Chart
shamsha Chart
s dashas were Venus-Mercury from July 2, 1988-May 5, 1991.
e first question could be answered at once in the affirmative because:
The 5th lord (education) with the 12th lord (foreign country) in the 10th house areer) with other planets showed the promise of education in a foreign country.
The dasha was of Venus and the antardasha is Mercury, the 12th lord.
e second question was easier to answer without astrology. The parents were so rich d kept visiting foreign countries so often and there would be telephone contact, ich would fill the emotional void. It was not like ancient times, when news about ed ones after he departed never or rarely reached you. The romance of separation a fiction in our age of fast communication.
e third question about the objection by the U.S. Embassy was easy to answer. The oon, in transit (at the time of the question), was in the 3rd house of the boy showing vel, being in Virgo, which is also the 12th house in the Dashamsha.
n December 31st, 1988 he left India when the Moon was again in Virgo in the 3rd use of the birth lagna, and the 12th house of the dashamsha.
e following features are prominent in the Dashamsha:
the 5th lord is in the 12th house. The 7th, 9th, and 12th houses or their lords, must ve some connection with the 10th lord for work outside the country and in this case, h the 5th lord for education or alternatively the 9th house (which represents higher ucation).
Mercury, the antardasha lord, is again the 12th lord promising a foreign trip.
w a question may arise as to why we have chosen the 5th lord for education.
e will give two reasons for choosing the 5th house and the 5th lord for education ough some other relevant factors too will have to be taken into account.
The first reason is that Maharishi Parashara refers to e knowledge of yantras and mantras) when he discusses the 5th house.
It is our experience that the north Indian astrological practice of treating the 5th use for education is sound and has the authoritative backing of Parashara.
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edic Astrology Diary Archives Vaughn Paul Manley, M.A.
Vedic astrology Ketu is called the eration. Being the polar opposite of it's worldy ambitious counter rt, Rahu, Ketu's nature is that of a detached, simple renunciate. tu is motivated toward quiet and solitude, not materialistic gains. tu dashas, therefore, often result in breaks in employment, which ay simply manifest as a time for an extended vacation, or a bbatical. However, Ketu dashas can also be a time of unexpected aterial losses, where circumstances force us to take time for lection and introspection.
e lesson that Ketu teaches is to return to what is most important r internal peace of mind. The breaks in our life that Ketu dashas ng, often result in the integration of a more balanced lifestyle, ere unnecessary complications and attachments fall away. wever, it can also be a confusing process to get there. Ketu shas can bring disillusionment with the material world and a lack motivation. At the same time, Ketu can increase our spiritual nging, which can lead to addictions for someone without a spiritual cipline. So, while Ketu is the moksha karaka and Ketu dashas can present a big step toward spiritual liberation, it can also be a nfusing time that requires introspection to sort it all out.
tal Chart
is chart is of a man who recently lost his job at the beginning of Ketu sub dasha within his Sun dasha. He had worked as a lege art professor for the last couple years and was suddenly ed, for no apparent reason. Ketu is in the 11th house representing ganizations and institutions, and unaspected by any planets. cause Rahu and Ketu do not rule any houses the placement and ndition of its ruler becomes even more important for derstanding the effects of their dasha. Ketu is ruled by the Sun o is the 11th lord in the 10th house with the 10th lord, the Moon. e Sun's position is strongly placed in the 10th house, which rtainly helped him secure his job as a professor during the Sun sha. However, the Sun and Ketu are bitter enemies which dicates the tension that Ketu's sub dasha represents.
ansits May 25 2007
the transit chart of the day he was fired, May 25, 2007, you'll tice that he is in the middle of his sadi saati period, or Saturn's nsit over the Moon. In fact, Saturn is exactly conjunct the Moon, e 10th lord. This may appear to be the primary cause of his loss of e job. However, it is a common mistake to make transits the mary cause of events. In Vedic astrology they are secondary to e dashas. If it had been a Saturn or Moon dasha then this would extremely significant. I interpret Saturn's transit (and in fact the uble transit of Jupiter and Saturn) as indicating the focus and allenges in the area of career, but not the primary cause of the s of his job. This is because it's the transit e transits to mary contributing influences by transit. He was in the Sun-Ketun dasha, with the Sun transiting through the 8th house of sudden ange, and Ketu transiting throught the 11th house. These are the mary causes for the break in connection with the institution in my inion. The Sun being the 11th lord, and Ketu in the 11th house th natally and by transit, indicates that an institution is involved. In dition, the Sun is the significator of organizations and institutions.
is sudden loss of his job began a period of introspection that he pected would be a major theme of his summer. His Ketu sub sha lasts through August 29th.
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By (Written on November 26, 2006) Human life has enough tragedies, enigmatic turns and twists which come in most unexpected and unanticipated ways. When someone goes to an astrologer he is already 'half dead' and wants to know if some relief is promised. Instead, if he is frightened and asked to spend a huge amount on shantis (remedial measures) of various types, to prevent the ill effects of kala sarpa yoga (all planets positioned between Rahu and Ketu) what is you opinion of the moral character of the astrologer? Or if the astrologer is pretending to be a religious man and prescribes worship find out how much money he is making through astrology in devious ways. He is again less of a JYOTISHACHARYA (teacher of Jyotish) and more of an UPAYACHARYA (teacher of remedial measures). Some years before my retirement, a rich Marwari woman, to whom I had given a good prediction about her daughter in Calcutta, came to meet me in Delhi where she had moved with her husband. She took me one day to her house to meet a ninety six years old astrologer and introduced me to him as an astrologer. This aroused the ire of the very old man because he called astrologers “thugs” and asked me why had I decided to become one! The lady explained to him that I did astrology academically and gave consultations for free. The old man quietened down. He had some very novel methods of predicting and appeared outdated to me, not in tune with the changed times in which we live. But the word “thug” rang in my ears for many years and still a feeble echo of it is left in my memory. The Thuggery of Astrologers The thuggery of astrologers can be seen in the upayas or remedies they prescribe - upayas for anything and everything, even for cancer patients in the terminal stages, for AIDS patients, for most unscrupulous men and for totally unscrupulous purposes involving sex, money and crime. Reading of sage Varahamihira convinces us that this tendency to become a thug among astrologers must have existed earlier also. One fellow who has made a fortune from kala sarpa yoga (I came to know later) asked me why was I depriving some poor Brahmins of their livelihood! These fellows who were frightening people and making money through fraudulent means had no iota of Brahmanism in them. (There is no basis for kala sarpa yoga in the classic texts).
They were no better than muggers of US streets or the goondas who show knives and deprive you of your money in Indian streets or buses. He kept quiet but he continues to make money from kala sarpa yoga. Astrologers are Backward Classes Astrologers as a backward class should be seen against the historical background of the British rule during which the Indian literacy had dropped to less than ten percent for males and half percent for females in 1901. Brahmins who lost patronage forgot their traditional knowledge and had no paramparas (traditional lineage) in any branch. Some families had a smattering of astrology and karmakanda (ceremonial acts) left. They were almost illiterates and no wonder even after independence, in two backward classes reports of 1955 and 1980, astrologers were classified as a backward class!! But vain Brahmins gloriously regarded themselves as heaven's ordained class!! The old controversy got revived--karmas? As the society grew prosperous men became more and more immoral, with marriages breaking down, sexual morality becoming an outdated concept for some rich and some prosperous upper and even lower middle class men and women, even girls now. Then there is job tension and there is the worry of a traditional Hindu mother to seek a right husband for her daughter within her caste! The tensions are enormous and people are in search for quick solutions to their problems. Here the astrologer, ever ready with a remedy, is in demand. This astrologer must first create fright in the minds of his clients and it is done most easily by pointing out kala sarpa yoga or even 'half' kala sarpa yoga. Here he promises to perform a yagna at a cost of some thousands of rupees for shantis. Brahmins. of income for Brahmins which is pitiable. the beacon lights of dharma and spirituality if they themselves reached higher stages of sadhana. But so many of them have become kala sarpa yogis! need kala sarpa yoga to survive!! They would keep kala sarpa yoga alive somehow. Here is an instance. A fraudulent astrologer runs his paid advertisements on a religious TV channel and advertises himself aggressively to earn fabulously through kala sarpa yoga. He gets yagyas (fire ceremony) done at his house for those people with horoscopes which have the fraudulent kala sarpa yoga. He gets Brahmin priests and has it done at the cost of twenty five thousand rupees per person. In a rich city like Delhi, the richest city of India, he is never short of clientele. One girl had come to Delhi from Jabalpur, shown her horoscope to him and since he was getting kala sarpa yoga shanti done at his
house, he asked her also to pay for it as her horoscope too suffered from this “defect”! She fell into the trap. Natal chart of a girl with no kala sarpa yoga Later, she came to me and narrated the story. I asked her to go to other astrologers and ask them if her horoscope had this kala sarpa yoga. She told me that she was assured that her horoscope had none. But then she had already been a victim of a double fraud. Is that what Brahmins are supposed to do for our society? Remember, I am a Brahmin myself (by birth). Ignore Kala Sarpa Yoga If someone tells you that a particular horoscope suffers from kala sarpa yoga, do not be carried away by it. It is for you to examine the motives and knowledge of the astrologer pointing it out. In these days of commercialism invading all fields and astrology in a very big way do not fall into the traps of these astrologers. And the flood you see on the internet to which most are getting addicted can be further danger of spreading wrong astrology as has been happening for more than a decade now. What must be done is to examine the horoscope on its merits and demerits which means the achievements shown on the positive side and the obstacles coming because every horoscope has it.
Ariel Sharon's natal chart with 'kala sarpa yoga' Those who still argue, and those frauds who would not budge an inch on this subject because their earnings will drop, cannot answer a question of mine when I show this horoscope among many (of Ariel Sharon), and without disclosing his identity ask them to tell about his life. These frauds reel off many gloomy predictions. (But they can not explain how he attained such a high position, as the former prime minister of Israel, even with the so-called kala sarpa yoga in his chart.) Letter from a Reader to K.N. Rao From: R P Subject: Kala Sarpa Yoga Date: Sat, 25 Nov 2006 12:33:59 IST Dear respected Sir, What a great piece of writing! You are indeed a social reformer for the betterment of the society. The sad thing is even in Sri Lanka 99.999% of the astrologers make kala sarpa yoga a living for themselves. I wish I could get your articles published in a local newspaper!
You have written on fraudulent astrologers and Brahmins. Let me tell you sir, that even Lord Buddha once said, become a Brahmin only by his action and not by his birth. live long to make more and more people understand and love the divine subject of Astrology, which you make look absolutely scientific without destroying its spirituality. Blessings, R. P.
Swami Beyondananda Wit and Humor January 20, 2007 Vedic Astrology Diary Archives By Vaughn Paul Manley, M.A. Mercury is the notorious planet of wit and is invariably prominent in the chart of comedians. The sage Parashara describes Mercury as possessing "the ability to make pun or to speak words having double meaning, sense of humor." - Brihat Parashara Hora Shastra ch. 3 v. 26. (translated by Girish Chand Sharma). When Jupiter combines with Mercury it increases Mercury's intelligence, wittiness and ability to see the humorous and brighter side to life. Jupiter is the planet of optimism, positive outlook, and expansion. The following is the chart of Swami Beyondananda (Steve Bhaerman) the popular 'new age' comedian and master of pun. Notice how Jupiter and Mercury are conjunct to the exact degree in the angular 7th house, in the air sign Libra. He epitomizes this quality of wit. Jupiter as the 9th lord combining with Mercury, along with the 1st lord Mars, shows why he facetiously calls himself a 'Swami' - he uses humor to not only to lighten people's moods, but to raise consciousness. This pattern repeats from chandra lagna, or the Moon ascendant, as Mercury again combines with the 9th lord, Mars, and the 1st and 10th lord Jupiter. You may also notice that Mercury and Jupiter are technically engaged in a 'planetary war', due to the fact that they are within one degree of one another. This is a controversial principle in Jyotish (see Conflicting Views on Planetary War). The most common opinion is that the planet with the lowest degrees wins the war, and that the loser is bereft of its qualities. However, it's examples like this, and the charts others, like Joseph Campbell (see Joseph Campbell and Universal Pisces), that reveal that the effects can be different than this. Beyondananda's Jupiter is at lower degrees, while Campbell's Mercury is at lower degrees. In my opinion, it doesn't make sense, that either Jupiter or Mercury's significations are "annihilated" in either case. It is much more likely that they both are enhanced by the conjunction. I like what Marc Boney said in the article Serena Williams's Jaimini Raja Yogas, "I am of the opinion that if you just research charts, you will be guided to see how the interpretive principles given in the classics work, versus going on the basis of conflicting translations and commentaries."
Swami Beyondananda's Natal Chart Witty Quotes by Swami Beyondananda (Steve Bhaerman) Be a fundamentalist, make sure fun always comes before the mental. Have a good laughsitive twice a day and that will insure regularhilarity.
Realize that life is a situation comedy that will never be cancelled. As we go through life thinking heavy thoughts, thought particles tend to get caught between our ears, causing a condition called truth decay. So be sure to use your truth brush and mental floss twice a day. If we want world peace, we must let go of our attachments and truly live like nomads. That's where I no mad at you, you no mad at me. That way, there will surely be nomadness on the planet. When you're tempted to practice tantrum yoga, remember what we teach in the Absurdiveness Training Class: "Don't get even, get odd." If you're looking to find the key to the universe, I have some bad news and some good news. The bad news is - there is no key to the Universe. The good news is - it was never locked.
Yogi Bhakarananda's Horoscope November 28, 2006 Vedic Astrology Diary Archives By K.N. Rao, from www.journalofastrology.com Dr. B.V. Raman had given him (Yogi Bhakarananda - my Jyotish Guru) a span of life of 90 years according to his astrological calculation, perhaps because his atmakaraka, Moon, was in the 9th house with Jupiter. But he himself had said, "I will take samadhi (a yogi's conscious death) as soon as the mahadasha of Mercury begins." "B.V. Raman's analysis is wrong," he said and proceeded to explain it astrologically thus: 1. The lagna and the 8th lord, Mars, is debilitated. 2. The 10th lord is not in kendra. 3. The 3rd lord, Mercury is in the 8th house and retrograde. 4. Mercury is a maraka for Mesha lagna (at an advanced age). 5. Mercury is the 7th lord (maraka lord) from the Moon, and is placed in the 12th from it. 6. After the dashas of Sun, Moon, Mars, Rahu, Jupiter and Saturn, the dasha of Mercury will be the 7th.
Natal Chart of Yogi Bhaskarananda Navamsha Chart of Yogi Bhaskarananda Vimshamsha In the Vimshamsha (20th divisional chart), Mercury is the 12th lord, time for samadhi and sadhe saati (Saturn's transit over the Moon) will be on. Vimshamsha Chart of Yogi Bhaskarananda He was a yogi and used to say, "Do bhajans (devotional singing). Bhajan is the medicine for all ailments and suffering." His hints about my horoscope: 1. He used to say, "Yours is Tula (Libra) lagna and Mesha (Aries) navamsha and mine is Mesha lagna and Tula navamsha.' 2. My 9th lord (Jupiter) which represents the Guru is on your 5th lord (Saturn) both in Dhanu (Sagittarius). 3. Your Moon is in the 11th from my Moon, which shows the possibilities of your fulfilling my incomplete work.
Natal Chart of K.N. Rao
Navamsha Chart of K.N. Rao Gajakesari Yoga If human life is a half-told story of stifled sobs, the company of a Yogi is the perfume in it of a flower. In this horoscope (of Yogi Bhaskarananda) that flower is the Gajakesari yoga in the 9th house. Both Jupiter and the Moon are in a blemishless condition here. There is no aspect of any planet on it nor any conjunction. The 4th lord in the 9th is the ashram and there is Jupiter here. But what is the ashram of a guru? A scholar has explained, "AaSamantaat Shramah" - the place where all types of labour is to be done. Is there any place fulfilling such condition? Mars in the 4th Sick of the politics of the ashram he had come back to Ahmedabad. His Guru had assured him that he would appear after his samadhi (death). Such divine hope assumes the shape of life's effulgence. Perhaps this had happened in Jupiter-Mars (1966-67), which he wanted to erase from his memory. But subtle hurts are unbearable, particularly if they come from a person whom you venerate. Jupiter and Mars are 6/8 here. In the crematorium like silence of his house, in Jupiter-Rahu (1967-69) he, as though, wanted to live down that memory. Two currents flowed in his life side by side, to stop that interminable flow of his sobs and the unbroken spells of meditation which was like the flow of oil. Saturnine detachment became strong as soon as the mahadasha of Saturn started. Deep thinking in his cloistered life was very natural now because in the Vimshamsha both Saturn and the Moon are in the 9th house. As his sadhana (spiritual practice) deepened he started getting disinterested in astrology. When he did the discussion of any horoscope, he paid attention to two aspects invariably. When and how will Life-Force flow and the spiritual side. This is the essence of Jyotisha which is a truth-based preaching. Blessings Were someone to ask me if I have seen anyone's blessings give fruits a hundred percent I will say, without a moment's hesitation, "Yes, my Jyotish guru's." The aspect of Jupiter on his Ketu in the 5th house had given him such supernatural power that he did not need astrology anymore. Who came to him why and with concealed motive--he knew all that. I must have taken at least one hundred astrologers to him. He blessed only a young girl that jyotisha will be a divine eye for her, which came out correct. Others are the shopkeepers in a bazaar minting money like street ruffians. Last Darshan In 1988, he once rang me up from Neetibag and said, "Will you not come to meet me? We will not meet after this." When I met him last, he was passing through the antardasha of Jupiter in the mahadasha of Saturn. He had faraway looks, the past had disappeared from his life and it was only the Luminescent Present that remained. His eyes were, as though, inebriated, it was that, it was that God-intoxicated condition which Meerabai described: Friends drink and dance, I, without drinking, dance. Quaffed have I God's Love,
Incessant is inebriation now Dyed I am, in God's splendor. On 12 April 1991, while singing a bhajan in his Ahmedabad ashram, he fell into the immortal slumber of ultimate Samadhi. (It was his Mer-Mer-Sat dasha).
What is Guru Chandala Yoga? September 19, 2006
Vedic Astrology Diary Archives By K.N. Rao from Tried Techniques of Predictions - ch. 5 What is Guru Chandala Yoga is worth exploring. First see some parameters I have evolved after seeing Guru Chandala Yoga and watching behaviors of persons who have it in their horoscopes. Parameters 1. Guru (Jupiter) must be afflicted by Rahu. 2. Or, Jupiter conjoined with Ketu is aspected by a malefic. 3. The 9th house and Jupiter are afflicted. 4. If there is a connection between the 6th and 9th lords, one of them a malefic or retrograde, and both of them forming some sort of relationship there is an element of Guru Chandala Yoga. 5. The results of Guru Chandala Yoga should be manifest most in the mahadashas or the antaradashas of Rahu and Jupiter. Though operative in the whole of life, its virulence seems to be felt most in the dashas of Jupiter and Rahu, in their mahadashas and antardashas.
9th House and Afflicted Jupiter Jupiter, representing idealism, if not retrograde and aspected by a malefic, or if weak or ill placed, must diminish or even mar one's idealism. A good, well-placed and unafflicted Jupiter is seen in the lives of those of those who stick to idealism even if their enemies increase and, also their difficulties. Jupiter represents tradition which includes respect for all gurus starting with mother, father, and mantra guru and shikshakas (teachers). It will be seen that, in all cases, afflicted Jupiter and Rahu are the central points of Guru Chandala Yoga. But afflicted 9th or 5th lords must be there to ruin the finer tradition of families, societies and even nations. The 5th and 9th houses are the houses of spiritual merit of this and the past life.
The Use of Divisional Charts in Dasha Analysis August 14, 2006 Vedic Astrology Diary Archives By Vaughn Paul Manley, M.A. When the birth time is accurate the divisional charts, or vargas, can be relied upon to give deeper insights into the nature of a dasha period. This is a chart of a woman who began her 20 year mahadasha of Venus in 2002. Since that time she has become very interested in healing work, particularly hands-on energy healing. Notice how Venus is the 8th lord, the house of subtle life force, prana, and transformation, and conjunct Rahu a planet of subtle energy. This interest in healing is reinforeced in both the navamsha chart, the most important divisional chart (9th division), and the dashamsha chart, related to career (10th division). In the navamsha chart, Venus is again the 8th lord, conjunct the Sun, the significator of the body, and 6th lord of healing, while also being aspected by the 10th lord of career, Jupiter. This pattern repeats in the dashamsha chart with Venus, the 8th lord again, in the 6th house with Jupiter, the 10th lord, who exchanges signs with the 6th lord Sun. By consulting the divisional charts we are able to gain more confidence in our initial interpretation of the natal chart. For this reason, it is always recommended that no predictions should be made without consulting at least the Navamsha chart, and preferably other divisional charts relevant to the queries at hand, as well. For instance, for career questions, the dashamsha chart is consulted in addition to the Navamsha and Rasi charts, as shown in this example. Natal Chart Navamsha Chart Dashamsha Chart
Swami Vivekananda and Detachment August 11, 2006
Vedic Astrology Diary Archives By K.N. Rao, from Dips into Divinity, Astrology, & History The combination of Saturn and the Moon in the 10th house made Swami Vivekananda very sensitive, and very sad sometimes. It is a combination for detachment (vairagya) also. It had to come through an agonizing search because Saturn is with the 8th lord Moon, the planet of emotions and is aspecting Rahu in the 12th house, which is the house of salvation. This Rahu is aspected by Mars, the 5th lord of mantras. This concentration of three influences on the 12th house makes Saturn, the planet of detachment, a significant factor in spiritual development. So Rahu-Saturn period in the life of Naren (Vivekananda) is important for his spiritual development, is what must be noted here.
Natal Chart of Swami Vivekananda
