Four Step Theory Now it is well known fact that the best Astrological method for predicting timing of any event accurately is “Krishnamurthi Paddhati” or “KP” in short. It is a gross misunderstanding that this is a very difficult system to grasp. In fact, because of very simple rules which are easy to understand, many astrologers have opted to shift to this system. If someone has a basic knowledge to work out correct longitudes of planets and erect a cusp chart, this is the easiest method to understand. Now-a-days even this much skill is not necessary because many computer software are available to do these mathematical calculations. It is assumed that the readers are conversant with basic rules of KP. In KP, the measure deviation from Traditional Astrology is that the Planet gives the result of the house where its star lord is situated in the horoscope. That is why it is known as Stellar Astrology. However Prof. Krishnamurthi observed that predictions based on planet and its star lord were not so accurate. So he divided the arc of each star in nine parts in proportion to period allotted to each planet in Vimshottari Dasha. He called this as Sub. According to KP, this Sub has power to decide whether the planet shall give favorable or unfavorable results. Sometime during 1990, I read articles titled “The Sub lord speaks” written by Mr. K. M. Subramaniam. He suggested that the star lord of the sub should be given importance while predicting. I immediately recalled that Prof. Krishnamurthi had also taken the star lord of the sub into consideration in some articles in his Readers. So the thought appealed me and I started my research in that direction. Based on research and experience, I formulated a theory with specific rules using basic KP principles. To distinguish it from KP it was given a name “Four Step Theory”. I am glad to state that many KP Astrologers have welcomed this theory and are practicing it. Let me put forward the rules (and its interpretations wherever necessary) of “Four Step Theory” for the benefit of the readers.
Rule No. 1 a)
As per KP, a planet becomes a significator of the house where it is deposited. And also becomes the significator of the house(s) or cusp(s) owned by it. However if the Stars owned by such planet are, i) occupied by some planet(s), ii) not occupied by any planet or iii) occupied by the same planet its signification should be different. This is differentiated in Four Step Theory as Primary (or strong) signification and Secondary (or weak) signification as given below: a1) If there are no planet(s) tenanted in the star(s) of a planet, it is a Primary (or strong) significator of the house it is deposited (even if there are other planet(s) in that house). a2) If there are no planet(s) tenanted in the star(s) of a planet, it becomes the significator of house(s) owned by it. However, if there are no planet(s) tenanted in house(s) owned {except Uranus, Neptune and Pluto}, It becomes Primary (Strong) significator otherwise it becomes Secondary (weak) significator of the house(s) concerned. Interpretation: Please refer the chart attached on Page # 7. Let us consider Jupiter. There are no planets in the star of Jupiter. Jupiter owns house 2 and house 11. As per Rule a1), Jupiter is Primary (strong) significator of House 12 which is occupied by it. (Even though there is another planet Venus deposited in that house) As per Rule a2) Because of ownership, Jupiter is significator of houses 2 and 11. However it becomes Secondary (weak) significator of house 2 since Sun and Mercury are stationed
there. While there are no planets in house 11 so Jupiter becomes Primary (strong) significator for house 11. a3) If there are planet(s) {except Uranus, Neptune and Pluto} tenanted in the star(s) of a planet, then the said planet becomes weak significator of the house tenanted by it, as well as, house(s) owned by it. a4) When the planet is in its OWN star it becomes Primary (strong) significator of the house tenanted by it (even if there are other planet(s) in its stars). However it will be Primary (strong) significator of the house(s) owned by it only if there are no planet(s) {except Uranus, Neptune and Pluto} tenanted in that house. Otherwise it becomes Secondary (weak) significator. “Only Primary (strong) significators are powerful to give result” is most important rule of Four Step Theory. Secondary (weak) significators are like mirage, and do not give results. This is First Step. Let us move on to Second Step, now. Rule No. 2 Planet is supposed to give results of the house where its star lord is deposited. This is famous KP rule. In Four Step Theory also, the planet will give results of house where its star lord is deposited (even if there are other planet(s) in that house) i.e. it will be a Primary (strong) significator of that house. However it becomes Primary (strong) significator of house owned by its star lord only if there are no planets {except Uranus, Neptune and Pluto} in that house or else it will be a Secondary (weak) significator. Therefore signification of planet at Star level is Second Step. Interpretation:
i)
Since we are working out the signification of the planet at star level, here we need not consider the star lord (or the sub lord) of the star lord in this step because we are not working out signification of the star lord of the planet.
ii)
Planets conjoined with, aspecting/aspected by star lord within an orb of 3 degrees 20 minutes shall only be considered in this step. Please refer Rule No. 6
iii)
To explain clearly, suppose the star lord of the planet is Mercury. Then the planet(s) conjoined with Mercury (within the orb), aspected by Mercury (within the orb) and aspecting Mercury (within the orb) shall only be considered in this step. It is not necessary to include the star lord of Mercury.
iv)
In case of Rahu/Ketu appearing on this step please follow Rule No. 7
Rule No. 3 Now we come to this third step. That is signification of planet at the sub level. As per KP the Sub has the deciding power to declare whether the result will be favorable or unfavorable. This implies that this sub acts like a planet (though in fact it is not a planet but it is mere sub division of the star). Taking this clue from KP, the Rule No. 1 stated above is applied for the sub (in Four Step Theory). This signification of a planet at sub level is the Third Step. Rule No. 4 In KP we have accepted the fact that any planet gives the results of house deposited and owned by its star lord. And we have seen that the sub in Step No. 3 acts as a planet. Naturally this sub should also give the result based on its star lord. So, the Rule No. 2 applies here. This is signification of the planet based on star lord of its sub lord.
This is Fourth Step. I call this as a step of success. Step no. 3 and Step No. 4 are very important in Four Step Theory. In my experience many unsolved queries are solved by use of these steps. Rule No. 5 Prof. Krishnamurthi advocated use of Plaucidus System of house division. It gives importance to starting point of houses. During my studies, while forming this Theory it, was experienced that the planet(s) near the cusp (within the orb of 3 degrees 20 minutes) are capable of giving results of that cusp as a Primary (strong) significator. It is further observed that the orb can further be increased up to 5 degrees based on the experience of the Astrologer. However, such planet cannot act as Primary (strong) significator for the house(s) owned by it. In my opinion, there is a scope for research in this matter. Rule No. 6 In Four Step Theory, an orb of 3 degrees 20 minutes is considered for conjunction as well as aspects. When Planet is Primary (strong) significator, any planet conjoined with it, aspected by it or aspecting it (of course within the prescribed orb) will also become Primary (strong) significator of that house. Secondly, if any planet aspects any cusp (not the house) within prescribed orb, it will act as Primary (strong) significator for such aspected cusp. Rule No. 7 Rahu/Ketu have been given more importance in KP. Prof. Krishnamurthi has said that Rahu/Ketu will first give results of the planet(s) conjoined, secondly the planet(s) aspecting
them, next of their star lord and lastly that of the sign lord where they are stationed. In Four Step Theory, whenever Rahu/Ketu appear as star lord (i.e. on steps 2 and 4) similar results are experienced. If Rahu/Ketu are conjoined or aspected by any planet, the sign lord where Rahu/Ketu are deposited will not be effective in offering results. In fact, as per my experience, Rahu/Ketu give results in any of above order. At least till today I could not come to any conclusion about this order. Further research is necessary in this respect. Rule No. 8 Many times it is observed that a planet becomes Primary (strong) significator of favorable as well as unfavorable houses. Under such circumstances one gets confused whether such planet will give favorable or unfavorable results. In my studies, I observed that when a planet is significator of favorable and unfavorable houses, it gives favorable results. However if such planet, ON THIRD AND FOURTH STEP, becomes Primary (strong) significator of unfavorable houses only it will not give result of that house. If such planet is one of the DBA lords, it will not give result in its period. This I call as Adversity of Sub. Rule No. 9 In connection with any query, as in KP, we analyze main house and two supporting houses. But in Four Step Theory, the event will fructify only when chain of all such house signification is completed by DBAS lords. Sometimes additional supporting houses need to be considered viz. 5 and 8 for marriage, 7 and 5 for going abroad etc. Rule No. 10
After fixing the DBAS for an event, transit of planets must also be favorable. In KP the transit of luminaries are given more importance. But in Four Step Theory, transits of DBAS lords along with luminaries are considered. For checking transit, we have divided the planets in two parts. 1) Slow moving planets such as Jupiter, Saturn, Rahu and Ketu. In case of these planets we have to check the sub they are transiting. 2) Fast moving planets such as Sun, Mars, Mercury and Venus. For these planets we have to check the star they are transiting. In case of Moon when it appears as one of the DBAS lords, we have to check Karaka planet for the query. For example, in case of marriage if Moon appears as one of DBAS lords we should consider transit of Jupiter and Venus. In case of Job one should study transit of Sun and Saturn. In case of sell or purchase of house we have to consider transit of Mars. These Subs for slow moving planet(s) and Star lords for fast moving planet(s) must be Primary (strong) significator of favorable house(s) on First and Second Steps only for the event to materialize. (It does not matter even such planet signifies unfavorable house(s) along with favorable house(s)) If such Sub or Star lord is Primary (strong) significator of only unfavorable houses on first two steps, then event cannot happen in this period. In such case we have to examine next period. Rules of retrograde planets are experienced while checking transits. For example, assume that one is running Dasha, Bhukti or Antara of Saturn. And if Transit Saturn is retrograde it will give the result. However if the transit Saturn is in the star of a retrograde planet it cannot give the result in its period.
Planet D Sign Deg Min Sec Star StarLord Sun Pisces 22 ° 30 ' 23 '' Revati (2) Mercury Moon Scorpio 05 ° 44 ' 39 '' Anuradha (1) Saturn Mars R Virgo 03 ° 50 ' 48 '' Uttar-Phal (3) Sun Mercury Aries 01 ° 53 ' 46 '' Ashwini (1) Ketu Jupiter Aquarius 05 ° 07 ' 53 '' Dhanishtha (4) Mars Venus Aquarius 06 ° 17 ' 07 '' Dhanishtha (4) Mars Saturn R Leo 20 ° 47 ' 54 '' Purva-Phal (3) Venus Rahu Pisces 14 ° 01 ' 11 '' Uttarbhadra (4) Saturn Ketu Virgo 14 ° 01 ' 11 '' Hasta (2) Moon Uranus Gemini 08 ° 11 ' 55 '' Ardra (1) Rahu Neptune R Virgo 22 ° 56 ' 18 '' Hasta (4) Moon Pluto R Cancer 22 ° 49 ' 03 '' Aslesha (2) Mercury Fortuna Virgo 27 ° 07 ' 30 '' Chitra (2) Mars
Sub Moon Mercury Saturn Venus Sun Moon Jupiter Rahu Jupiter Rahu Sun Moon Jupiter
SubSub Rahu Ketu Venus Rahu Jupiter Mercury Mercury Mercury Jupiter Venus Jupiter Saturn Venus
Cusps 1 2 3 4 5 6
Sub Mercury Sun Saturn Ketu Ketu Moon
SubSub Rahu Sun Rahu Mercury Mercury Mercury
Sign Aquarius Pisces Aries Taurus Gemini Cancer
Deg Min Sec 13 ° 53 ' 15 '' 21 ° 34 ' 30 '' 23 ° 35 ' 45 '' 20 ° 22 ' 27 '' 15 ° 11 ' 19 '' 11 ° 42 ' 10 ''
H.Lord Saturn Jupiter Mars Venus Mercury Moon
StarLord Rahu Mercury Venus Moon Rahu Saturn
7 8 9 10 11 12
Leo Virgo Libra Scorpio Sagittarius Capricorn
13 ° 53 ' 15 '' 21 ° 34 ' 30 '' 23 ° 35 ' 45 '' 20 ° 22 ' 27 '' 15 ° 11 ' 19 '' 11 ° 42 ' 10 ''
Sun Mercury Venus Mars Jupiter Saturn
Venus Moon Jupiter Mercury Venus Moon
Venus Venus Saturn Venus Venus Mars
Moon Jupiter Rahu Rahu Mercury Venus
GOOD LUCK Sunil Gondhalekar
