Defining the Time of Birth

The uniqueness of Vedic astrology is the importance given to the time of birth used to calculate the lagna or the ascendant. The natal horoscopy uses the time of birth of a native while other branches like mundane astrology, the query astrology etc., make use of time of epoch, time of query and so on. The more accurate is the time, the more accurate will be the ascendant and hence the more accurate will be the tool used for analysis - the chart. Finally one points at the accuracy of the chart for deciphering the accurate results of a reading / analysis. Usually too much of accuracy is not needed, unless something very minute is to be analysed from the chart, very precisely in terms of 'time of fructification'. Though there are very few astrologers who can go that deep in analyses, most of them do it for a research purpose and not while deciphering results of a chart analysis or a query. So in practice, at normal conditions, a few seconds or a minute or two that way - this way of the actual time of birth does not make much difference in astrological analyses. Yet, at times, a few seconds can change the fate of the native, which is obvious due to some major change in planetary or ascendant positions or special points. There has been a post already on the subject - rectification of birth time explaining how commercial astrologers exploit the ignorant. Here, let me explain about different timings which are taken as ToB (Time of Birth) in calculating the lagna. Let us study the ToB in the following categories:

ToB in natal horoscopy or jAtaka

ToB in mundane horoscopy or laukika

ToB in query or praSna

ToB in electional horoscopy or muhUrta ToB in natal horoscopy or jAtaka is the most disputed one! This may sound funny as there can be only one ToB for a native. But the problem is in defining what the BIRTH is! Well, in natal astrology, the birth is the actual birth of a native from the womb of the mother. Yes, but when is the actual birth? Is it the moment of fertilization? Is it the moment of placental breach? Is it when baby heads out of the womb at labour? Or is it the moment when umbilical cord is cut? What if the delivery is by Caesarean section? Ohhh..too much? Many astrologers are confused and do not know what to say! But the sages who brought down the Vedic astrology, are not confused; and they clearly said: kr.tetvAdhAna dvrApare lagnaM SIrShodayam tu syAt tretAyAm kalau puMsavanam bhUpatanam tathA smr.tam

The Vedas describe time as a perpetual repetition of yuga the unit of time span of significant changes. AmahAyuga is a measure of 4,320,000 years and consists of four yugas - namely kr.ta(1,728,000 years) ,tretA(1,296,000 years ), dvApara(864,000 years ) and kali(432,000 years). Now we are in kaliyuga which started in 3102 BC. In the above verse, the sages speak of these ERA or yugas as: The ascendant must be taken from AdhAna lagna (= the time of conception) in kr.ta, puMsavana (= the time of medicating the mother to get a male issue) in tretA, SIrShodaya (= the time of birth when the head comes out of womb) in dvApara and bhUpatana (= the first ground touch of the baby) in kali yuga! Of course there is another version stating that it is jalodaya(= placental breach) in tretA but for the present kaliyuga, it quotes the samebhUpatana. How wise were the sages! So, all the confusions are over now ; whatever may be the type of birth - caesarean, normal, head birth, back-birth, umbilical cord garlanded, twin, triplet or multiplet, the time of birth is the FIRST GROUND TOUCH! The ground here need not mean only the land, but the terrestrial material on the Earth like the bed, the cradle, the hands of a midwife - whatever it is - just out of the womb completely! More precisely, it is the moment of 'dropping out to touch a terrestrial entity' of the baby when the exact meaning of patanam(= drop, collapse) is considered! Mundane astrology deals with the epoch and events concerning a group of people like an organisation, a state, a nation or the world itself. The ToB in such a context may be the starting time, building time, executing time, swearing-in time and so on which differs from case to case. The most important in today's political scenario is the swearing - in time of the political leaders as the heads of the states. The most frequently asked one is the ToB of a business enterprise which is the time it starts working. Some argue that it is the time the owner enters into the office, like in a house-warming ceremony, which I differ from. Because in case of buildings, the time of signing the contract for rent / buying / selling is the time of birth of the ownership. An enterprise is born only with 'kick off' of the work. Yet, there are many complications in ToB of mundane events, which are learnt mostly by practice. Query astrology or praSna is the branch dealing with answering a query of a querist using the techinques ofjAtaka, tAjika, nADI, horA etc. The ToB here is simply the time at which the querist comes to an astrologer and puts a query. But with the enormous development in information technology, querists now a days call by telephone or e-mail or simply mail a letter requesting an answer. In these cases, it is again simple - the ToB is the time at which the query reaches the astrologer! So, it is not the time at which an e-mail is sent but the time at which the query is read! Again a problem with the call : what if the querist is in a totally different place at which the ascendant may be totally different one? No change! Wherever the querist is, wherever and whenever is the query born, the date and time of the query are taken w.r.t the locality of the astrologer. This is clear from the praSna principles which reveal that the query must take birth at the table of an astrologer. Even if somebody else puts a query on behalf of the other, the actual query takes birth at the time of revealing it to an astrologer. muhUrta or electional astrology deals with selection of auspicious time for different natal, mundane and day-to-day events. Here, the time selection is restricted and differs from case to case. While a house warming can be timed during the day or night, shaving can never be timed during the night! Well, that is a different branch and let me not go into its details. But the ToB for an event chart is elected by the astrologer to make the event an auspicious one! Many events which end in tragedy, may also be traced by their bad election chart! Thus, I have discussed briefly about the different kinds of time of birth in Vedic astrology, which may be of use to the students of jyotiSha and the interested readers. If this attempt makes one understand the importance of the time of birth, I am truly rewarded!

Planetary Ownership
For a student of Vedic astrology, there are a lot of unsolved puzzles in absorbing and digesting the concepts given by the sages. One of them is the assignment of OWNERS to the Zodiac signs. I have been teaching many of my students about the 'truth' behind the rulership pattern assigned by the sages. Here I present the 'reality' behind the ownership of zodiac houses in the form of questions and answers.

What is the reason behind assigning planets as rulers of the Zodiac houses in a random manner? A good question but the assignment of rulership is not random as it is thought to be. A simple observation would reveal that they have SYMMETRIC pattern around some axis - passing through the junction of Cancer-Leo and Capricorn-Aquarius. They are symmetrically ruled by the same planet Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn. The only exception is the first set of Cancer and Leo ruled by different planets - Moon and Sun. (refer to fig.1)

Meena Kumbha Makara

MeSha

Vr.Shabha Mithuna KaTaka Simha KanyA

Dhanus Vr.Scika tulA

That is great! But why should Sun and Moon be given a single house each? A valid question; but the answer is simple again - because they are in DIRECT contact with us, the observers on the earth! In other words, the Sun and the Moon revolve round the earth by geocentric observations and hence, never go retrograde! But how is it connected with the ownership? The direct planets are more powerful in influencing our earth, being on the same plane of revolution which intersect at the earth. So our sages must have found that it is enough to assign them single house each! After all, the ownership is nothing but the orbital strength as seen from the chart. The other planets do undergo RETROGRESSION and get COMBUST or SET displaying variation in their influence. So it is easily understood that the EARTH-SUNMOON form a group around which spread out the other planets forming a different group. Classically, SUN-MOON form the rAja grahas or the royal planets and the others - tArA grahas.Hence the assignment of rulership.

Thats seems fair; but why should it be Cancer and Leo for the Moon and the Sun? It could be any other house too. Yes, there lies the secret! To know that, we need to know two more things concluded below: The Vedic system of astrology is called so because its root lies in the Vedas. A good reference to Vedas would reveal that the Hindu astrology is nakshatra/constellation-based. So Zodiac signs were only secondary to them. To the astonishment of the most, the stars did not start from ASHWINI..! The stars were counted from KRITTIKA...! The nakshatra sukta from Yajurveda, proves this: agnirnaH. It starts pAtu praising note agne kR^ittikA sUnR^itA chAru dieties kr.ttikAh...... [Krishna of stars Yajurveda the TaittirIya creation) brAhmaNa to BharaNI(Yama Veda sham maghA the 4-4-4-10] death).

from KrittikA(Agni

Further, suhavam punarvasU

the nakshatra rohiNI puShyo

sukta from AtharvaNa chAstu bhAnur bhadraM AshleShA mR^igashiraH ayanaM

[19-7-2,3,4,5] ArdrA me / //2//

Again it starts from Kr.ttikA and ends in BharaNI! The above two verses from different Vedas were compiled by different sages at different times but still the order is the same! So it is not RANDOM but DEFINITE STARTING POINT. To support it strongly, we have another proof in the above verse "AYANAM MAGHA ME", which surely puts dakShiNAyana or Summer soltice point at maghA star! Yes! Not Punarvasu-4th quarter as it is taken now! So, the sage existed in the age when the southern traverse of Sun started at star MAGHAA. This puts Vedic astrology at 4000 BC approximately when calculated! When summer starts in maghA, the calculations obviously prove the Vernal equinox to be at kr.ttikA and not AshvinI as taken now! Absolutely, sages were right in counting stars from kr.ttikA! Thus we conclude : 1. Starting point as kr.ttikA and 2. maghA as the summer index ! So, the index maghA plays the role of separating North-South, Hot-Cool(season) and is also the rashi-sandhi star of Cancer-Leo junction, making them apt for rulership of Moon and Sun, the Cool-Hot, Female-Male, Mother-Father planets, DIRECTLY influencing the earth! Thus, the rulership revolves round the axis of maghA-shraviShThA(dhaniShThA) which were the poles of seasonal change, 5000-6000 years ago!

It is really amazing! But why do we still follow it now, when the summer soltice happens in Gemini? That is the puzzle! The astronomical seasonal phenomenon has changed but the astrological qualities remain the same! Because, the quality of maghA is not just the index to summer soltice but also to astrological facts separated around it. Let us see what astrological concepts support the ownership pattern in the following:

Sun

Jupiter Mars Venus Mercury Saturn Moon

1. The HORA or the hour of the day, is the essence of 'aHORAtra' as described by the ancestors. Let us fold the Zodiac(see fig.2) around the above said axis passing through maghA-dhaniShThA. It is easily observed that the houses of same planets overlap except for the Sun and the Moon.We also know that kR.ttikA is the starting point and is ruled by the Sun and is his most favoured place, being a HOT star ruled by the diety agni, the fire god. It also, as noted aboved, is the point of creation and the point of vernal equinox indicating the budding season or sriShTi. With all these qualifications, we can easily make out that it is the SEAT OF CREATOR, the Sun. In fact, mahAsaura quotes: "jyotiShkr.dasi sUrya"(Oh Sun! Thou art the creator of planets/light)[R.gveda 1-50-4].

sAyaNAcArya on its commentary clearly mentions that the Moon and planets are made of watery matter which reflect the Sun's rays. So now we have concluded that the Sun has something to do with kr.ttikA and the Moon with water, of course even with natural observation of full-Moon tides etc. So let us fix Sun at kr.ttikA i.e. at the junction of meSha and vr.Shabha in the folded Zodiac (fig. 2) and the Moon at ocean sign Cancer. Now start listing planets from the Sun. What do you get? Sun-Venus-Mercury-Moon--Saturn-Jupiter-Mars. Do you remember something from this? YES! It is the order of HORA CHAKRA! So ownership of planets is not illogical but has a definite horA order described by: "arka-Sukra-budhaS-candra-manda-jIva-dharAsutaH" 2. The tArAdevatA or the diety of the star gives some clue too. The star maghA is ruled by pitr.s or manes, again a perfect seat for the Sun the creator! The Leo having the shape of a lion, the king of animals, naturally must be a seat for the King of Planets. Perhaps the word simhAsana for the throne started from here! 3. The head of kAlapuruSha is at Aries and at Cancer and Leo he has breasts and stomach respectively. In between them, at maghA, is the HEART, proving the star's importance as the seat of continuous work.MahAsaura also says: "hr.drogam which mama sUrya, harimANam ca nASaya"(Oh! the Sun, cure Sun my heart disease, ruler and the of yellow tinge) the [RV 1-50-11] Leo!

definitely

makes

So, maghA is not only the separator of seasons but also of many astrological facts and hence arranges seats for the Moon at the Cancer and for the Sun at the Leo on its either side. And all other planets get seats around them. In ancient scriptures, this concept has been simply explained in the form of relationships in a palace as: Sun - the king ; Moon - the queen ; next to them comes the seat of 'the prince' Mercury! Next to them sits 'the minister' Venus! Next to him sits 'the commander in chief' Mars! Next comes 'the preceptor' Jupiter and the last at a distance sits 'the servant' Saturn!

Planetary aspects in retrogression

In my last post, I wrote about planets SEEING the terrestrials; but let us see how do they SEE astrologically. Let us also analyse the complex case of planetary aspect when they are in retrograde motion or vakra gati. INTRODUCTION: Each planet has a certain field where its presence or influence can be felt and this field is called ASPECT in astrology. Usually this is nothing but an angular difference in multiples and sub multiples of 60 degree which is quite common and understandable in a hexagesimal system. Imagine the Earth to be the centre of a clock and the hands as the planets. At any given time, you will see an angle between the hands, which keeps on changing with time. The twelve digits are similar to twelve signs of the Zodiac and they too subtend an angle with each hand. For eg., at 4:30 pm, the hour and minute hands have an acute angle between them - 45 degree. The angle between '4' and the hour hand is - 15 degree; with minute hand - 60 degree. Same is the case with the Heavens! When Jupiter is in Libra(190 degree) and Saturn is in Cancer(100 degree), they form a 'quadrant' aspect. Similarly we have sextile, opposite aspect etc. These are used mostly in Western astrology, and a part of jyotiSha too. But ancestors of jyotiSha or Vedic astrology gave special principles to mark aspects different from those above. Perhaps they had felt and recorded the influencing zone of each planet. In short, they formulated the angles where each planet would influence or SEE, in addition to multiples and submultiples of 60 degree! jyotiSha mainly considers these aspects or dr.ShTis. Although, there are a plenty of rules even for Zodiac signs or rASis to cast their aspect, let us consider the most popular and widely used graha dr.ShTi or Planetary Aspects, which can be simply deduced to the following: * In * * * MARS JUPITER SATURN SEES SEES SEES the 4th 5th 3th and and and Nodes 8th 9th 10th have house house house NO from from from himself himself himself ASPECT i.e. i.e. i.e. in 90 120 60 deg. deg. deg. and and and Vedic 210 240 270 All Planets SEE the 7th house from their position ie 180 degree from own position. addition, deg. deg. deg. astrology.

* rAhu and ketu,

classical

The above are the FULL ASPECT or CLEARLY SEEN, while there are half, one third, one fourth and three fourth aspects too which we can neglect for the present discussion. So, in all the following paragraphs, 'aspect' means FULL aspect. THE DOUBT:

While in retrogression or vakra gati, a planet seems to move backwards or heading backwards. That is, the planet seems to face back, but does it mean that it SEES BACK!? There are confusing debates of astrologers like: The The planet planet some argue LOOKS LOOKS that back front i.e. i.e. planet the the is angle angle to must is planet be measured as in in usual, reverse direction of rASi. in Zodiac.

measured positioned

irrespective sign /

retrogression. So we have:

Besides,

retrograde

similar

previous

Zodiac

The planet LOOKS front but aspect is measured from the previous rASi of its position i.e. usual angles minus 30 deg. in regular order of Zodiac. The planet LOOKS back and aspect is measured from the previous rASi of its position i.e. usual angles minus 30 deg. but in reverse order of Zodiac signs.

OBSERVATION: All these views have messed up classical astrology which mentions nothing about the aspect of planets when in retrogression. I too personally have wondered about graha dr.Shti while they are vakrI. During my studies about this subject, I have not come across any classical text clearly mentioning that 'retro aspects are reversely counted'. But I have seen clear dicta from many classical texts mentioning that planetary aspects are counted from the POSITION of planets. In Sanskrit there are dicta like * * * ".....Swaat "...sthaanat "Kujasya paSyanti vApyaShTakam...(For mars trikoNam..(Jupiter) dyUnam ", aspect)", aShTa(8))"....etc

(usual vApi(4),

which prove, bhAvas(houses) and rASis receive aspects from the very 'position' of a planet and NOT from its movement(gati). To be precise, a retrograde planet shows a 'tendency to be in previous rASi rather than its position'; so the aspects TEND to be in preceeding rASi or bhAva accordingly. For example, Saturn in direct motion in Gemini, aspects Leo, Saggitarius and Pisces fully. When he is retrograde in Gemini, his tendency is to be in TAURUS and hence, if at all his aspects TEND to change, then they must be in CANCER, SCORPIO and AQUARIUS! and NOT Pisces, saggitarius, virgo counting reversely!

So, 1. 2. 3.

A Those The

my retrograde aspects planet's are

planet's always counted whether

humble aspects in natural or

TEND ascending retrograde

to rASi has

conclusion move order NO from

backward the on its

is by of

a the

: house. planet. order.

POSITION(sthiti) aspects and

movement(gati)

direct

effect

counting

THE

REAL

PROBLEM:

What if the graha is always retrograde? Yes, we are speaking of rAhu - ketu the Nodes which move always in reverse direction of Zodiac houses. Let me keep aside the controversy of True - Mean Nodes to minimise confusion. The answer to this question is still un-answered. No classical dictum gives the Nodes the power to SEE or have an aspect. Not even modern astrologers agree that they can cast aspect on other rASis. There are many views in this debate, like: *The Nodes This has can cast no basis; their aspect on other signs but only at TRINES ie 120 deg apart on either direction. but is a simple GUESS WORK. This is not supported nor even hinted by any classical text.

*There is a rule which attaches qualities of rAhu to Saturn and ketu to Mars. So aspects too follow the same rule. Yes, sensible rule but never mentions anything about aspects and ownership of rASis. If we can not assign ownership to the Nodes - same as those of Saturn and Mars how can we assign aspects? So this rule NEED NOT hold good here. Therefore, until any strong proof is given otherwise, the above research points remain theoretical only! Further, the fact that the Nodes are always retrograde, is never put to use here! At least in my experience, no practical usage of the Nodal aspect is found, like most others astrologers. And I still believe that the Nodes can not SEE like other grahas in the horoscope. But I must accept that these shadow planets, though can not SEE, can SENSE(may be sniff, taste, hear....) and those 'ASPECTS' may exist and may be of real practical help if researched upon! How thrilling it is for an astrologer to make rAhu and ketu SEE ! At the same time our commercial astrologer gets ready for suggesting solutions for the 'BAD LOOK' from the Nodes! That is what happening now in the name ofkAlasarpaYoga(KSY)!

Yes the planets can SEE ...

Well, Yes; the grahas(planets) can 'see'. That is how Indian astrologers speak of the 'aspect of the planets' in astrology. In fact, all works on jyotiSha describe the planetary aspects as the field of vision or graha dr.ShTi. And simply, 'vision' is more or less well understood rather than the word 'aspect'. Some always keep on criticizing this, saying that planets are personified or even made demi-gods and that is why they can SEE. Nothing wrong! They have been with us from the creation of the Solar System and are living with us! They do have a birth and a death and may be even a rebirth(?)! So there is nothing wrong in personifying them as long as it helps our perception. And that is why a planet in Sanskrit is called graha(= the one which can be perceived or captured)!

With this broad definition of a planet, all we capture on the mental screen - visible and invisible are grahas! All those we can 'sense' are grahas! Therefore, not only Mercury to Pluto but also Moon and Sun are grahas in jyotiSha. Additionally, the invisible and imaginary mathematical points or NODES of Moon are also grahas! This answers basic doubts of some rationalists seeking answers to some questions like: * Why - Becasue, does they astrology consider are perceived and the Sun, sensedvisibly! a star and They may not Moon, be a satellite planets, but as they PLANETS? are grahas!

* Why does Vedic astrology exclude planets outer to Saturn? - Because, they are not perceived even today, by naked eyes! Our ancestors could sense planets only upto Saturn and not beyond that! - Secondly, the movement of planets like Uranus, Neptune or Pluto beyond Saturn is so slow that any significant change could be observed only over centuries and not in a human life time! * Why does Vedic astrology include Nodes, the mere mathematical points as PLANETS? - Because, they can be perceived and sensed at eclipses and can visibly prove their existence! That is why the North and South nodes of Moon are included as rAhu and ketu respectively.

So, all those which are perceived and sensed, are grahas; then why only heavenly bodies? Why not a tree or a table is a graha? Yes! This is where one has to understand the real meaning of a graha. An old and famous Sanskrit dictionary defines graha as: graha = a planet, as seizing or influencing the destinies of men in a supernatural manner

So, here are two more points to be noted - one which can control humans independantly and - one which influences the destiny of human beings; yes, these are the facts which qualify a graha! Therefore, a tree, a table or any thing terrestrial, being dependant on other factors, can not be called grahas! YET, they can be agents of grahas! In total,grahas show their control, influence through these terrestrial agents. So I feel, the title of this post is correct and justified!

Birth time rectification !?

Birth Time Rectification is a peculiar concept in astrology and is a branch of LOST HOROSCOPY; in jYotiSha, it goes under the name - naShTa jAtaka. The name itself may be fascinating to some of us, as it deals with the horoscopes which are lost! In general, this means that this branch is reastrology or reverse astrology. It deals with calculating the planetary positions and ascendant from the available data about the native. The tool used in this process is usuallypraSna(query), sAmudrika(physiognomy) or any other divination technique. CONCEPT: Birth time rectification in most of the cases is necessary to determine the lagna or the ascendant - the index of the horoscope. Earlier, it was done using intuitive powers by highly experienced practioners; and now, to be frank, there are only single digit number of people who can do it perfectly. So personally, I do not believe in the concept of RECTIFYING the time of birth. Adding further, I have observed that whenever a person does not know too accurately about his birth date/ time/ place (s)he will be easily judged by general astro-dicta and gets results identical to those mentioned by the sages! Not a joke but it is the reality most of the times! Perhaps in such cases, it occurs to me that the person need not be judged through minute divisional charts and this termination at higher divisional charts, has SOMETHING to say about the native. If at all, one needs very accurate prediction, we have QUERY or praSna tool. One should realise that 'birth-datalessness' of a native is an attribute of the native himself. The person's date, time and place of birth are masked due to a reason which is of interest to astrologers! So an astrologer who uses any technique to find the natal ascendant, should always keep in mind that the resulting time of birth is just a TOOL to answer the present query and need not be the real! OPINIONS: Mr.Alok, one of the astro-students, who is research minded and studying much about the determining the lagna utilizing a special method uses THUMB PRINTS of the native. It is really nice to hear about his research. He wanted to explain and clarify that his new technique can be a solution in determining the lagna accurately. But this technique too, is a branch of naShTa-jAtaka, adopting principles from sAmudrika (physiognomy) which deals with determination of native chart by observing the physical appearance. There are very beautiful methods from ancient works mArkaNDeya sAmudrika, gaurI sAmudrika, prahlAda sAamudrika and so on., to determine the ascendant and planets of the natal chart. But according to most of the divinators, sAmudrika or simply hasta-sAmudrika (Palmistry) is less accurate in determining natal charts, when compared to astrological principles available. Yet, I would like to add that in KERALA, a South Indian State, there are many astro-palmists known for their skill of writing down natal chart accurately as soon as they see the native! This branch is mukha-sAmudrika or simply, the face reading technique. Astonished by their skill, many great astrologers agreed to call THIS BRANCH, 'Kerala system of astrology'. Coming to thumb prints, of course they speak of lagna, undoubtably; but as far as rectification of time of birth is concerned, I am not convinced that thumb prints can give lagna/birth time correct to degrees-minutes / ghati-vighati. I know there are rules given in sAmudrika to find them, but I am speaking of the practical result. If one could come out with such an accuracy to RECTIFY one's time of birth to seconds, it is really GREAT! In that case, one of my friends who is struggling to find out personal history from thumb prints of the dead, will be the happiest person! His medical college will reward him too! While I am eager to know if any such astro-tool exists, Mr.Alok understood the reality! Since there is no reply from him, I sense his method is not the one I am looking for! INTERCEPTION: While we were discussing about rectification, a senior friend and astrologer drew attention to nADI techniques in determining the natal chart. The person also quoted a few books from Mr. R. G.Rao as supplementary study material. Yes, Mr.R.G.Rao has come out with around 20 books on these subjects. But his famous bhr.gu-nandi nADI and other works on nADI principles do not consider 'LAGNA' at all! And that is a bit uncomfortable to Dr.B.V.Raman school. Around 6 years back, when I met both of them on common stage of World Convention On Vedic Astrology, I wondered how simpler are the nADI rules! When asked by Mr.B.V.Raman - about lagna and accuracy, Mr.R.G.Rao simply answered that planets speak of lagna in any chart! Well, this is TRUE and NOT TRUE at the same time! At this juncture, Mr.RNR from USA found me against nADI principles and wanted to know why do I doubt the nADIsystem. Well, I am not against nADI principles neither I am for them. Though, nADI system does not deal with LAGNA, which was cumbersome to calculate in those days when nADI got its birth, it certainly takes TIME factor into account using HORA at the query. Well, I too used HORA(=hour ruled by a certain planet) at praSna moment and got quite good results. The horA replaces lagna in indexing action and that is what Mr.Rao meant by " planets speak of lagna". Still, I believe that lagna is the most important and in no way be equivalent to horA, though satisfactory results can be arrived at using different techniques like nADI. And as far as rectification of ToB is concerned, it is not at all needed innADI, since lagna itself is discarded! (Of course, assuming that correction to ToB is in seconds and minutes, and is too small to change planetary positions or horA). Though I understand that nADI can deal with problems in its own manner, I am eager to know HOW it treats horoscopes of individuals born in same horA on same day, if lagna itself is discarded!

CONCLUSION: Now a days, it has been a fashion to get the time of birth rectified by some astrologer who boasts of accuracy. Believe me, it is the case even with the natives who know their time of birth already! All they want is the accuracy! Perhaps they are under the false idea that accurate time they get by rectification, gives them accurate predictions! Much to their dismay, that does not happen! Yes, even after the time is fine tuned by the famous astrologers! So, next time when looking at horoscopes, if you catch a time of birth which is accurate upto seconds or even doubtable figures in minutes, be sure to ask the native whether he/she got the time of birth 'rectified'; and for the sake of astrology, do not use the chart calculated from that 'rectified' time! I planned to add here the 'types of time of birth' but let me write about the time of birth and its discrepancies in detail in a later post separately.

Astrology and Re-incarnation

There was an interesting discussion in one of the astrological groups about punarjanma or re-incarnation of life. To be frank, astrology has nothing to do with it directly but the bridge between jyotiSha and punarjanma is the same theory of karma. So they are related by the karma factor of any life. The curious thing is to know how astrology can help in understanding the concepts like punarjanma clearly, as astrology is the bridge between materialism and metaphysics. Mr.VGM: The subject of reincarnation has received some "scientific" scrutiny. One of the leading researchers in rebirth is at IISc[Indian Institute of Science]; her name is Satwant Pasricha. Here is a brief summary of her book: http://www.mumbai-central.com/nukkad/jul2001/msg00071.html Here is a paper that examines reports of rebirth from different parts of India. It documents a lot of interesting stuff.

http://www.scientificexploration.org/jse/articles/pdf/15.2_pasricha.pdf This person is the leading expert on rebirth research:

http://www.near-death.com/experiences/reincarnation01.html One disturbing piece of information from the research is that you tend to be inclined towards your habits from past life. So if you were an alcoholic in one life, you will be positively inclined to alcohol in the next. This is disturbing because it undermines the moral argument associated with rebirth that: if you do bad this life, you will suffer in the next one. But it looks like if you do bad in this life, you will probably start early in the next! In a related strain, there are reports of people who receive organ transplants, particularly heart transplants, remembering events and people from the donor's life, especially ones from his/her moment of death. I consider the issue of memory from past lives an open question,for a very simple reason: we don't really understand what memory is, and how it is related to consciousness. And after a hundred years of poking around in the human brain, we still do not know where our long-term memories are stored, and how. MYSELF: What is 'unknown to all' is always interesting, including the current topic of discussion - reincarnation! Some believe and some do not and the argument continues. All philosophies speculate on their own hypotheses and fail to PROVE whether there exists a process called 're-incarnation' of life. But when it comes to re-incarnation, there is something interesting to know:(based on ancient works) 1. The SOUL or Atma has no memory; the only state it has is KARMA and so a 're-born' can not 'remember' his/her past life! So, I do not believe that a re-born can guide one to his house where he/she lived in past life. 2. The SOUL has to travel a looooooooooong path to reach any heavenly abode or loka; and that is clear from ancient vedic works mentioning that an AtmA (soul) takes 13 days to slip off all its links with the Earth. So it takes thousands of Earthy years to reach the svarga(Heaven) or naraka(Hell). So, even if it is ONE DAY for an AtmA, the Earth would have experienced many centuries! Thus, a RE-BORN finding his contemporaries on the Earth is completely ABSURD! 3.Except for some process in tantra like parakAya pravesha (trans-migration of soul which I believe to be the most difficult tantra), there is no possiblity of a soul 'remembering' things and finding old mates with its new body. These facts from the ancient sources can be found in the SAGA OF PURI-JAGANNATHA, GaruDa PurANa and so on. 4.I do not know whether these findings from the ancient works are rational or scientific but enough for me NOT TO believe anybody 'remembering' his/her last birth details. BUT, there are some situations, which make one trikAla-jn~AnI or the knower of past-present-future, for a RIGHT PURPOSE. Even if such a person exists, I believe that those are the qualities of the present life of the native and have nothing to do with his memory of the past life.

Mr.X: Then

do

you

think

that

the

findings

of

the

scientist

worth

nothing?

MYSELF: When the 'science' is unable to 'understand' the concept of memory and conscience, scientists 'proving'(?) the tendencies of persons in re-birth is far from reality! Let alone re-birth, none has been successful in understanding the basic concepts like ' birth' and 'death' of any organism. Though, I do not say that all those reports are fake, simply they are prejudiced in nature and are just documentation of ' heard' and 'seen' or 'GUESSED' and 'FELT' most of the times. It is an accepted fact that all SENSES, conscience, memory etc., are the attributes of the 'living creature' or the body of jIva(one who lives). Once dead, all those disappear and the SOUL or vital force which makes a body 'live' is free from that body and its attributes. If soul can 'remember' or 'tend' to acquire qualities of previous birth, why does not it happen in every case? Why only Asian souls? Why not American souls? Why does this happen only in Hindu or Buddhist countries? That too out of 300 cases, why not much from south India?(Dr. Pasricha is not from IISc, but works at NIMHANS, Bangalore). To be simple, arguing that soul can 'remember' is like arguing that - a flame of a lamp lit up remembers the match stick, the wicked lamp, the oil, and the threads which it burns . Also, whenever it is puffed off and new lamp is lit up, it tries to burn like the previous one! Absolutely meaningless! Because the new flame glows, burns, dies down in its own way and remebers nothing about its last burn! Now, you may think what it has to do with astrology; the answer is very simple: Astrology guides the flame to burn in such a way that until the oil lasts, before the threads burn out and before the flame is puffed off, the lamp LIGHTS UP its surroundings! asato mA sadgamaya / tamaso mA jyotirgamaya / mr.tyormA amr.tam gamaya// (BrihadAraNyaka Lead me to the Reality from the non-Reality; lead me to the Light from the Dark; lead me to Immortality from the Death. Upanishat)

Rashi Chakra of Sri Rama

Venus Sun Mercury Kethu Lagna Moon Jupiter Mars

Rahu

Saturn

This is the Rashi Chakra or the Vedic Zodiac of Lord Sri Rama, the legendary incarnation of Hindu God Vishnu on the Earth. Let us analyse it to see what makes him maryAdA puruShottama (the best among the men). The Chart: Any astrologer recognizes this chart as a very rare occurence due to the wonderful positions of planets. The chart is based on its description in vAlmIki's RAmAyaNa. Just to understand how rare it is, let us consider the planetary positions. Jupiter takes 12 years to come to same place in Zodiac. Saturn takes 30 years. So if this Ju - Sa combination has to repeat, at least it takes 60 years! Furthur, Rahu-Ketu, the nodes take 18 years to come round the Zodiac. So for this set up of Jupiter - Saturn - Rahu/Ketu in same positions can occur at least once in 180 years! The other planets increase it by some more! So, what is so special about this particular set of Ju-Sa-Ra/Ke ? They are said to be ucca or exalted at those points, which give them the maximum strength! The Planets: According to Vedic astrology, the planets Sun, Mars, Jupiter, Venus and Saturn in this chart are exactly at the place of exaltation which means that they are at their most powerful points at the same time! Moon being in own house, is also equally strong, while Mercury occupies a friendly sign. Sun - occupies the medium coeli the 10th house of Aries from the ascendant or lagna. Sun gets the digbala or the directional strength there, making the 10th house very strong. This is a sure combination for a great fame, valour, strength making a powerful chakravarti yoga - a combination for becoming a great emperor. This is magnified as thekshatriya(warfare) planet Sun is the lord of 2nd house representing the wealth. Moon - occupies Lagna of Cancer, her own house. Being the queen of planets, bestows a strong-built physique and a curteous mind. This Moon makes the native lovable to all. The Lagna lord in Lagna itself is a great strength to the horoscope indicating a great personality of kind nature. But the same gives sensitiveness and sentimental quality. Mars - again exalted in Capricorn which undoubtedly makes the native the best of his kind in marshal arts. This red planet of war makes him win every battle he fights. At the same time, occupying the 7th(spouse) house, assured sorrows from his wife, whole of his life! [This of course is NOT ONLY DUE TO MARS IN 7TH - so please do not worry if you have this combination]. Mars being an aggressive malefic in troublesome opposition for Cancer Ascendant, can be mischievous in spouse relations. Mercury - The key planet of intelligence occupies a friendly sign of Taurus in 11th house. This gives a good grasp of the world; a great wit and capability in politics required for a king. This makes one take a quick and right decision at any time. Perhaps position of Mercury is the only difference in the charts of rAma and his demon opponent rAvaNa who had Mercury in Pisces, the weakest place or the nIca(debilitation). That made the demon lack the ability to judge the good and the bad. But in case of rAma, the incarnation of Lord ViShNu, this vaiShNava(pertaining to Lord ViShNu) planet was of great help, as it stays in 11th, the house of help and friends(SugrIva, HanumAn, VibhIShaNa). Again, this same benefic planet is the tricky one which brought disaster in his life! Mercury being an enemy of lagna lord Moon, stays in 11th, the bAdhaka(troublesome) place for the Cancer ascendant. He is the lord of loss(12th house) and brothers(3rd house) and so the native had to cede his kingdom to his brother Bharata. At the same time, he had to be in exile for 14 long years, during which his wife was kidnapped, he had to go through hard times in forest encountering demons. He even had to cross the Indian ocean to get his wife, killing rAvaNa the kidnapper. Thus the 90% of rAmAyaNa occured in these 14 years, when the great dashA(period) of Mercury was in progress for 17 years! Astonishingly, this planet which is not so strong in the chart moulded his life !!! That is a lesson a Vedic astrologer has to learn while deciphering results of a horoscope! Jupiter - The preceptor planet which rules all kinds of learning and knowledge is at his exaltation, giving the native a vast and deep knowledge in many branches. This is the planet which makes him known and adored for his virtues like keeping his promises, protecting the justice, monogamy, love towadrs all and destroying the bad. Again Jupiter is with Moon, the house lord, also making a classical Gaja-Kesari Yoga. This is a great combination for fame and wealth earned by one's good virtues and is also a strong cakravarti(Emperor) Yoga. The same planet gives him proficiency in Vedic knowledge and justice. Above all, this planet makes him simple but right in his behaviour, thus contributing to most of the 'right morals' or maryAdA of the native. Venus - Occupies 9th house, the place of fortune. The planet being exalted and connected to wealth, luxury, happiness, good fortune and pleasures, made him an Emperor! But, Venus being enemy of Lagna lord Moon, and a bAdhaka(troubler) for Cancer ascendant, played a trick with respect to his WIFE, sItA. His real problems started after his marriage and wife became the cause for his troubles when in exile. It is obvious that the native derived very less happiness from his wife. All these can be traced back to Venus - the kalatra kAraka (significator of spouse). Yet, Venus is in a good place and strong and so the native was strong at morals and sticked to monogamy. Since 9th house also represents father, he had to suffer early death of father too. Saturn - Is present in his exaltation sign of Libra, the 4th house. This is a powerful combination in making a king or the public representative. This

makes the native truly popular for ever. Strong Saturn made him have a good knowledge of weapons and magic missiles. It is Saturn who gave the native a good endurance, saintly behaviour and non-materialistic austere mentality. But Saturn is inmical to Moon and rules Capricorn, the 7th house representing materialistic concept of SPOUSE. He also rules the8th house concerned with troubles. So, Saturn kept the native away from his wife for a long time and caused a lot of troubles before the re-union. Rahu-Kethu: Though these positions are not supported by many astrologers, these are the popular ones. Rahu in 6th, the Saggitarius causes what is known as KodanDa rAhuYoga, a combination which triggers success over enemy, but also worse difficulties. This also causes fear of serpents; if correlated, there is an event at war where the native suffers from sarpAstra or the Serpent missile used by Indrajit, a demon. Kethu the planet of mokSha is in 12th, the place of mokSha the salvation, assuring that the native was a divine being. Sri Rama entered River sarayU to attain salvation, after achieving his goals in this world. YOGAS: Though there are many planetary Yogas or combinations, it is astonishing to notice that 3 out of 5 great Yogas are present namely - Rucaka, Hamsa and Shashaka which are formed respectively by exalted Mars, Jupiter and Saturn in Kendra(quadrant) houses from Lagna. This speaks the greatness of the native as a puruShottamaorthe greatest of men. With this add up his virtues or maryAdA. Thus, the native is truly maryAdA puruShottama - the greatest of virtuous men.

A powerful Dhana Yoga

Money has always had its importance in human life since ages unknown to the historians. Though it is a materialistic entity, is a reality and a necessity for everyone on this Earth. The importance of wealth is so much that even in Vedic astrology, it takes the second place, next to the health. While Vedic texts speak of purushArtha(= human goals), the second place goes to artha, the wealth. It is natural for anybody to inquire about one's wealth through astrology. I am not elaborating the judgement of dhanabhAva(house of wealth) by jyotiSha, which standard books or classics have done already. Here I present only one simple dhana yoga(combination for wealth) which is rare but powerful in making the native rich. Basics: * The lagna or the ascendant of the natal horoscope is the key factor defining the rank of the native in general - in all fields. * The dhana or the second house from the lagna determines the financial strength. * The lAbha or the eleventh house from lagna determines the profits and gains. * The lords of these three vital houses or planets which own these places - 1, 2 and 11 have the key to the richness the destiny has in store for a native! A simple logic is that the degree of richness directly depends on the strengths of these planets. Simply, this may mean that a large community of the natives are excluded! Interesting!? The Combination: Check out this well-working combination for getting huge amountof money: lagneshe dhanarAshisthe, dhaneshe lAbharAshige, labheshe vA vilagnasthe bahudravyArjitam bhavet (SarvArthaCintAmaNi 2-2-1) When ascendant lord is in the 2nd, 2nd lord is in the 11th and 11th lord is in in the ascendant - the native earns heaps of money. This combination goes under the name Bahu dravyArjana yoga. This is very simple and logical but when keenly observed, this combination reveals the level up to which all lagnas aquire wealth. Though it is not the ONLY combination for wealth, this combination is certainly a simple and sounddhana yoga. According to the above rule, we have fixed combinations for each lagna. For eg: meSha or ARIES - Mars(1st Lord) in Taurus, Venus(2nd Lord) in Aquarius and Saturn(11th Lord) in Aries. Here, note that some lords are WEAK/STRONG, which definitely speaks of LESS/MORE powerful dhanayoga.

* * * In

In In In

case case a

of Aries, Saturn case of of Saggitarius, way, lagnas

is debilitated; in case of Libra, Sun Capricorn and Pisces, Mars Saturn is exalted while Jupiter is debilitated....and getting powerful dhana yoga are

is debilitated. is exalted. so on. pre-determined!?

There are some special combinations where same lord owns two houses among 1st, 2nd and 11th like in the case of Capricorn, Aquarius or Leo. Does the yoga ceases to exist then? Or does it become special case of the general rule, with only 2/3 rd of the rule being satisfied?

There is one more problem - some combinations involving Venus, Sun and Mercury become rarer(though possible) since they can not stretch from 11th to 2nd house i.e. 61 to 120 degree apart, being inner planets. For example, Taurians having this yoga must have Mercury in Pisces and Venus in Gemini! One can clearly note that the opportunity for each lagna is fixed and limited but not biased since each has 'some other' allowance. I feel - this limitation is the stepping stone for nADi system of jyotiSha, which just takes planets and houses with their kArakatwa (significations). Was sage SatyAcArya right enough in calling some lagnas 'incapable'? My ignorance amuses me !

Planetary Positional Strengths

The chart here depicts the positions of planets in which they have maximum and minimum strength by virtue of their position in the Zodiac or rAshicakra. The planets in red indicate their exaltation or ucca positions, while those in blue show their debilitation or nIca positions. They are 180 degree apart on the belt of Zodiac, for any given planet. The positions in between them are of intermediate strength proportional to their angular deviation from those points. The maximum or tun.ga point for each planet is as under, while the minimum or zero power point is just 180 degree opposite:

Sun Similarly, Mars Mercury Jupiter Venus Saturn

10

degree

20

mESha/Aries (Exalt) and 10 Moon deg in their respective rAshis

in

degree 28 15 5 27 of

in 3

tulA

Libra

exaltation

and

(Debil). deg deg deg deg deg debilitation.

An important thing to be noted is that the nodes - rAhu and ketu are not assigned any positions for exaltation and debilitation, according to any available classic authoritative works on jyotiSha. However there are opinions which allocate their max and min strengths arbitrarily to some sign they feel right; but they need not be considered as classical opinions. Let me continue later explaining why the positions were so accurately marked upto degrees.

Jesus as Mrityun~jaya !
This is an interesting case to show how the belief works more than a mantra, the fact of kaliyuga(= simply, the age of destruction) which I keep on emphasizing always. Before I present the extract from a discussion group, here is the background: Mr.Das, a christian, greatly influenced by Vedic ways, took the path of Hinduism twenty years ago. He, being a great devotee of Lord shiva, chants mantras and has got good results from that. He being a scientist in a research organisation, is involved in spreading Hinduism through his great devotion. Good! Nothing is wrong. Once it so happened that his 80-old granny fell ill and Mr.Das made her chant a great mantra for a period and astonishingly, the old lady recovered! He was happy to share this news and started spreading the mantra more and more. He wrote to the group describing the greatness of the mantras; the rest in his and my words is as follows: Mr.Das: I give you a small example:>> Three years ago I could see in real life how this mantra saves lifes at my very own Grandmother. She was about to die being in hospital, experiencing her third lung-infection, at age of 80. Most people die at the first lung infection in this age, she had the third. When she saw death coming she asked her daughter, my aunt, to take me there to see my Grandma, she wanted to talk to me and ask me something. My aunt said that Grandma was very afraid of dying, and all the days she had been praying to Jesus to save her life, but the situation became worse and worse. My Grandma then told me that Jesus wouldn't hear her prayers anymore, as she requested Him to save her life. She then said 'maybe your Hindu-God is more merciful?' and save her life. If I knew a prayer for her. So I was in a desperate situation - what shall I do?! Tell her kr.ShN.a would save her life if she chanted hare kr.ShN.a mantra? That would have been a lie. So I decided to give her the mahA mr.tyun~jaya mantra, as in Vedas it is said it can save life - so I wouldn't lie at her. But honestly I didn't anymore believe she still had a chance. Not that I doubted in the mantra, but it was really late for her. Only a miracle could save her. If she had asked earlier... So I gave her a tape with the chants of the mantra and the printedmantra. My aunt learned how to chant the mantra, as she was all day with her mother and could teach her. This was on a Monday, and the doctors had suggested to prepare the funeral for the Sunday following. Everything was prepared. After three days my Grandmother left the hospital. And the doctor said, he doesn't understand, but she had a better blood than he does. On Sunday she visit the morning mess at church, and the priest was shocked to see her actually, as he had already taken the money for her very funeral. She lived a year more. Never before in her life she had heard about Lord shiva or believed in any other God than her Jesus and His MotherMary. But facing death she chanted with full heart, even being unconscious, she continued repeating the mantra. Even the doctors told me words of the mantra as they again and again heard it from her. One could tell us Hindus it is our belief, a placebo effect, but my Grandma never knew about shiva or the mantras praising Him. She only knew I was a 'Kr.ShN.a devotee'. And actually never liked the fact that I had turned away from Christianity 20 years ago . shivaindeed is merciful! The naive belief of there being critical number of spiritual practitioners somehow making a positive change in this world and its spiritual reason for being, and despite all this influx of freely available religious thought,mantras, tantras and all the rest has simply not worked. How do you know this? And what would have happened, if people on this planet wouldn't worship God and wouldn't praise Him with all these mantras? Maybe things would look even worse. I can assure you we would have much bigger hell on Earth, if there weren't pious people being naive enough to chant the mantras and prayers! Myself: Dear Mr.Das,Your conviction in Lord shiva shall protect you and I am happy to see that you are attracted to Vedic line of thought seriously. BUT, I feel your message, though not aimed at, indirectly points at Hindu gods and mantras being better in capacity and power, which is not true. Whatever god or demi-god of whichever religion one chooses to worship or pray to, the effect is all the same. I can show you a number of cases like your granny's case even in India and outside, where people got saved by their belief in JESUS or ALLAH or BUDDHA or whomever they believed to get help from and never knew mahA mr.tyun~jaya mantra(MMM). It is the REALIZATION of the self which brings about a change. mantra-yantra-tantra are all MATERIALISTIC in nature and are tools for the DHARMA-ARTHA-KAMA and are VEDIC in their course. While dhyAna or meditation is a vedAnta or YOGIC way and NON-MATERIALISTIC and is a tool for mokSha. Why do you think the Vedas which describe millions of mantras of millions of gods, end as vedAnta which says that there is only one UNIQUE and TRUE SUPREME? Perhaps your granny had mantra-siddhi yoga in her horoscope which led her to learn MMM through a casette and that is really fine! If I were in your place, I would have given her a casette with chantings of 'Parable of the Lost Sheep' from The Holy Bible (St. Luke Chap XV 1-19)to reassure that her 80 year old conviction of JESUS would still protect her. If anyone differs, it means that MMM is more powerful than prayers to Jesus, - which contradicts Vedantic theories supporting MMM! Mr.Das: Some cynics say that mantras (just like gems) are merely symbols, concrete forms that must be awakened, just as religious idols must or gem stones must before they come alive and can do what they are capable of. I can assure you that some mantras are non-different from God Himself. The name of Lord shiva is non-different from the Lord Himself. All energies are in this name, which also counts for other viShN.u-tattvas, shiva-tattvas, shaktitattvas and other expansions of God and His names. There may be many idiots and cynics that claim different, but the evidence will only be there for you, once you have tried it for yourself! Everybody gotta find out alone, nobody can do this for you. ! om namah sivaya! Chant this, and your life will become more auspicious! Myself: Dear Mr.Das,I am not appreciating or suggesting the worship of any God or Demigod but just saying that 80 year old belief of the old lady must have been supported on same lines of thought. When a person has taken pains to have a long journey in some path, and at some point feels somehow that path would not lead him/her to the destination, one must encourage that person to boost the hopes in the same path of journey. That makes him/her feel re-assured and confident that he/she was in a right path. It does not mean that the other paths should not be suggested; but all paths lead to the same destination with same speed while just techniques adopted differ. You know this! I do not know how you felt but that - even though your granny listened to MMM, she went to Church to thank Jesus very next day after recovery, as you mentioned in your message - makes me think that MMM boosted her belief in Jesus! Is it not?! Mr.Das: Dear friend, you are right! Yes, she went to thank Jesus after her recovery. What you say is really right - the mantraboosted her belief in Jesus! - how wonderful! Oh!I did not notice that. I had never thought about that! Thanks for making me realise and thanks for giving me 'parable of the lost sheep' I will go through it.

was

really

happy

that

he

understood

what

meant!

The 'lost

sheep' shall

be eva

found

by

the master!

yam prArthayante jagadIsitAram sa eka "Whom all worship(with different names), is the only one SUPREME, with none second to him"

prabhuradvitIyah.

Gotra and astrology of genetics

There was an interesting question from a curious person: Can anyone please explain what Gothram means and its significance/relevance ?I asked my Brahmin friend & she said that this basically signifies lineage of the 7 or 8 great sages, but could not explain in detail. Please clarify. Well, this was a really curious topic and let me try to answer him, before I jump into the vast ocean of astro-genetics. GOTRAM is derived from noun go + root verb trA of Sanskrit, which mean -> Cow + Protect. Earlier, 'gotram' used to be a place where cattle were protected and reared, usually in hermitage premises or Ashramas, since dairy products were much useful for yajn~a or fire sacrifice. In simple meaning, A GOTRA is a cattle rearing group, identified with the name of the head of the group, obviously a sage. Naturally, the same group had parents, brothers, sisters, blood relatives and were much similar in activities and culture or customs. Due to scarcity of pasture or climatic abnormalities, the GOTRAs went nomadic, spreading out to different river valleys and other fertile lands where they set up their own GOTRAs, of course named after their leader, a sage. For example, the first known GOTRA, kashyapa gotra, split into vasiShTha, atri, jamadagni, bharadvAja, vishvAmitra, gautama and so on. Since they were Vedic groups, they excelled in different fields of knowledge and maintained their 'specialization', which came to symbolize the respective GOTRA. On marriage, gotra of wife and cows she carried with her would change to gotra of the husband. Thus, GOTRA became a genetic inheritance of cows and knowledge. So, seeing the fraternity among same gotra, marriage between a pair of same GOTRA was BANNED, perhaps for genetic reasons. Of course, all religions prohibit marriage between brother and sister because of same reasons, whether they knew about DNA or not. So even now, Brahmin families follow the same rule of marrying from other gotras, except in special cases where, girl/ boy is adopted to other gotra even though born in same gotra. The vaishya families, in addition to this, do not even marry from maternal gotras. Now let us focus on the astrology of genetics. Though this subject is vast and forms a branch of Natal Astrology, let me brief about what it is. The astro-genetics comprises of judging and analysing the 'genetic' inheritence of a native, by studying the natal horoscopes of the native, of the parents and of ancestors simultaneously, using Vedic astrological principles. This branch of jyotiSha is much older than the scientific DNA theory of inheritence! Its uses are manifold like that of the DNA concept. For example: 1. The charts of the grand-father, the father and of the native have guru or Jupiter, the preceptor planet in kanyA rAshi or Virgo, the sign of mathematics and intelligence - in this case, all the three are good mathematicians as well as astrologers! 2. The charts of the mother, the father, the elder son and the younger son have shukra or Venus inKanyA(Virgo), vr.Shabha(Taurus), tulA(Libra) and mIna(Pisces) respectively. All four are musicians! But the point of interest is the traverse of shukra from father to younger son in the zodiac viz., vr.Shabha to mIna. In father's and elder son's case, shukra is in own houses and both are percussionists(inheritence from father)! In mother's case, shukra is weakest but gets strength by nIcabhan.ga(cancellation of debility) and in younger son's case, he is strongest both are vocalists(inheritence from mother)! The second son is also percussionist(father's inheritence)! The first son is also flutist( tulA is airy sign) and a composer(inheritence from mother)! How wonderful is the game of Venus in just four positions - in the same family! The traverse of Venus in the charts of same family has moulded musicians of different kinds, keeping the basic inheritence! The interesting point is that the sons never learnt from anyone outside the family! The father and mother do not play flute or key board; first son learnt flute on his own and keyboard from maternal grandmother(shukra was found to be in tulA in her case?)! While the second son learnt keyboard from his brother! There are a lot of examples available which make astrologer's work easy in analysing the inheritence factor, whether it is for ancestral property, abortions, longevity, diseases or skills! This common line of astro-genetic inheritence is a reflection of gotra or the ancestral line for it reveals - at least astrologically - the latent talents, skills, behaviours, succeptibility and so on, leaving a space for individuality represented by individual natal charts of the same gotra!

Mantra and menstruation!!

Can I continue doing mantra japa during my menstrual periods? One of the lady members of an astrological forum wanted to know this very badly since she was doing the mantra japacontinuously for a month. A member immediately replied in positive while I questioned him. The following is an interesting extract of arguments and counters we had on the forum. Curious? read on: NCB: It is only natural to have menses for ladies. One does not become impure or inauspicious during the menses. You can recite the mantra during this period too. ME: Dear friend, ARE YOU SURE ABOUT WHAT YOU ARE ADVISING? If so, can you please tell me WHICH VEDIC AUTHORITATIVE WORK supports your view? If you are 'just feeling like that' by your own logic, never advise it to anybody; mantra recital is not a game nor a play! Do you think Vedic scriptures are garbage in making rules for reciting mantras? You can refer to old messages in forum archive about the arguments on same topic. Do you think a mere chemical EQUATION gives you the product? It needs RIGHT chemicals, RIGHT process, RIGHT catalyst, RIGHT moderator, RIGHT temperature and pressure and so on. How can you expect result otherwise? Or do you know WHAT is the outcome, if anything is wrong? IF YOU DO NOT KNOW, DO NOT ADVISE OTHERS. That is a request and a caution! A mantra is an empirical formula. It ensures results only when right elements(dhyAna, dhyAtr., dhyeya) are rightly processed(japa, homa, dAna, bhojana) in right methods or rules(yama, niyama etc) described by the inventor(r.Shi) and under the strict observation(guru), with the aid of catalysts(trikaraNa s'uddhi) and moderators(sankalpa, chandas, devatA, viniyoga, nyAsa etc). The result obtained is stored and protected in proper way(kavaca, argala, kIlaka, maNDala bandha etc). NOW tell me - you dare change any rules/regulations? If so, do you know what is the final effect? Know well about what you say, do and think with great responsibility while you advise others! ARN: The mantras of the Rig-Veda (Mrityunjaya mantra of VasishthaMaharishi is one of them) are above any defect of time and space. There are no restrictions imposed on chanting these mantras in the Rig-Veda. DRV: Can

you

tell

me

where

in

the

Rig

Veda

is

it

said

that

women

can

chant

during

mensus? reply)

ARN: (no

ME: Well, MMM(MahA Mr.tyun~jaya Mantra) is not vasiShTha r.Shi's invention/discovery but is unauthored and was first discovered in kr.ShNayajurveda in the famous chapters of rudra prashna in 10 th anuvAka of namaka. The verymantra ".... YAJAAMAHE..." proves that it is from yajurveda. The rules for mantra japa are certainly available in Vedic scriptures - not only in r.gveda, but also in yajus-sAma-atharva. The duty of a mantra-vetta is definite and is available in vedangas and upanishad too. In addition, the inventor's notes or description of mantra and its parts with rules and regulations for japa, homa, dAna are also available. Besides, the right time to start the japa with accuratetithi, vAra, nakShatra, yoga, karana, lagna, graha yoga, muhUrta is available in atharvaNa veda and in kalpa - a vedanga like jyotiSha. So there are RULES and regulations for a mantra-japa for correct fruits. Any dilution would dilute the result and sometimes may result in unexpected tastes. Though I may be mistaken for promale attitude, I am actually not; especially when I say that Vedic scriptures do not advise teaching powerful mantra to female EXCEPT for very special purpose; we know examples of kunti, lopAmudrA, anasUyA who were known for their mantra siddhi. A kind of most powerful ShodashAksharI(16 syllabled mantra) is named after lopAmudrA! SO the objection in the present case is not wrt women but the purpose, need and rules regarding mantra-japa; if all are well-achieved, there is no problem at all ! NCB: The MMM is for Lord Shiva and in essence the one who knows its meaning discovers Moksha. Moksha isn't something to be> achieved but it is an already achieved but a forgotten Truth. It is a matter to be discovered. In doing so, a clear mind is needed for consciousness to shine through it. The mantra japa rules as prescribed in our holy texts are to focus the mind from its diluted vision to a more concentrated vision. In Vedic times, this method was used through Upasana as given in Taitterya Upanishad. However, as centuries went by simple rules and instructions were made a reason for fear, that chanting the name of the Lord in an improper BUT DEVOTIONAL way shall lead to wrong consequences. This fear does not help in either a clear mind or for discovering Moksha. Therefore, by implying non existent fears, you are promoting the vikshepa(wrong understanding). Sadly, you are doing so by quoting the very Vedas that our Rishis have written through Knowing the Truth and helping us to discover it too. Your prescription of rules are correct for those who have no Devotion and want to do mantra only to gain certain siddhis that the certain mantras can bestow. Not for those, especially for this lady who had ample devotion to chant it for her parents' long and healthy life. Papa and Punya are two opposites that is called the pair of opposites in almost every Upanishad and Bhagavad Gita. These are the pairs that mind involves in and therefore, has sorrows and joys, success and failures and starts to judge oneself accordingly. By promoting the thinking of Papa-punya when Isa Upanishad says... Isa Vasya idam sarvam, .....shows how wrong it would to promote such ideas and involve people's mind in the pairs of opposites. To you, you are doing service. In my view, as suggested above, you have destroyed a very loving mind by putting fear in it. You have strengthened the vikshepa and weakened the viveka... and above all commited the worst "sin" possible ...i.e ... creating sin when there was none. You can show my reasoning to the foremost Saints of Vedanta and Upanishad in our country and see what they have to comment. Please read Vivekachoodamani, Aporkshaanubhuti, Bhagawad GitaChapter> 2, Isavasya Upanishad, Mahavakyas, and I can give atleast 100 other references which do not promote your kind of thinking. I apologize to every person who has been hurt by my comments. I do not wish to disrespect anyone as each of you is contained in the Lord. ME: Dear friend, I pity your mis-interpretation of my message. I never frightened anybody of doing mantra-japa. I just want to avoid it from diluting to maintain the SANCTITY, which certainly requires rules and regulations to be followed. I have already explained why and how a mantra resembles a chemical equation. Our friend querist or anybody for that matter can chant any mantra if got from an authoritative Guru but maintaining the sanctity. No work mentioned by you quote any exception to this. MantramArga is materialistic but vedAnta is metaphysical and non-materialistic. While in periods, a woman is called RAJASWALAA - who certainly gets RAJO - GUNA bodily and mentally, which is not so good for SATWIK Vedic mantra japa. Perhaps you have understood now what I exactly meant. If still you are confused, please refer to classical Vedic texts. If one is interested in Vedantic way, there is no need of any mantra, tantra or yantra and just meditation would guide him/her because there is KARMA-

PHALA-TYAAGA(non

-expectation

of

results)

in

vedantic

way

unlike

usual mantras!

NCB: Karma Phala Tyaga is not Tyaaga for Karma Phala but understanding the results are in the hands of the Lord and not in Mine....This is the meaning of "Karmane Vaadika...." ME: You yourself are confused and write give self - contradictory statements! I hope your quote " Karmane Vaadika.." isvikShepa of "karmaNyevAdhikaraste...." NCB:(sarcastic) Now Gods and their mantras can be diluted! Wow! You mean Gods and their mantras change their purity as per yourrules and regulations? ME: None of my messages reveal this; It is YOUR OWN IMAGINATION! I have not given ANY RULES for PURITY; Rules are given to us by ancestors in written and sometimes non-written forms. NCB: By being under Rajo Guna, does not mean you can not chant a Mantra. By chanting a mantra under influence of Rajo Guna also changes it to Sattwa. ME: Now tell me which classical text says this? If at all it exists, quote the chapter and verse please.(specifically about rajaswalA) I never created all these rules; if there is an objection, ask the person who did it for EXACT reason. Ask Indian farmers why they do not sow the seed or plough when bhUmi, the Earth gets rajotpatti(menstruation) for three days. DID I CREATE THIS RULE TOO? NCB: However, Mahamritunjya Mantra is a moksha dayee mantra and not a "Sattwic Mantra" and it is certainly not "diluted" by not following " your" rules and regulations. In your mind, there are more divisions than anyone can deal with. ME: There is no MY rule mentioned anywhere! MRITYUNJAYA MANTRA is used to get rid of MRITYU the death. Now it has diluted and changed its real objective!! Some say it is for good health and some say it is for wealth and some say it is for peace of mind! What works actually in most of the cases is FAITH and belief but not mantra! Now you added that it is for mokSha! Getting rid of mr.tyu is to LIVE LONGER, and to remain here on MARTYA(where all die)LOKA; where is the moksha? In that way it IS materialistic ambition! NCB: Your

incorrect

understanding

of

Vedanta

and

mantra

shastra

shows

how

superficially

you

are

looking

at

things.

ME: I have always believed that 'KNOWN IS LIMITED AND UNKNOWN IS UNLIMITED'. Until 'deep' thinkers like you show the depth of the shAstras with correct pramANa and prameya, my experience will be the GURU for me, unchallenged! NCB:(unable to say anything else!) Before having pity on me, have pity on your vakra buddhi. I wish no longer to discuss this issue with you or anyone else as there is no learning for anyone. ME: My dear great Vedantin and Philosopher :-), I am a humble creature sharing whatever I know. Why should it make you get annoyed? Your envy and impatience are shown up in your words! It is for the readers and silent observers to decide whether mine is a vakra buddhi (!?) in revealing the truth and sharing a piece of knowledge. I have an objective in mind - to protect the sanctity and values of Vedic principles, never subduing to prejudice or supersition or to ultra-modernism. Until then I do not retire from the battle field! dharmo rakShati rakShitah. (The Dharma protects being protected - Manu Smr.ti 8-15)

Mantra and women; do they match?

Simple answer to this question is a never ending debate! And some of the female fraternity of readers may get upset with the question itself. But what remains is the fact, for ever! The basic idea in discussing this topic is not proving any thing, but to uncover rather discover the truth hidden behind the practises in Vedic community without harming anyone's feelings or beliefs. Why not women? THIS is the question from modern society when it comes to teaching Vedic mantra to be used as a remedy. Many astrologers give convincing answers and many can not! Though reasons differ with regions, time and situations, dis-satisfied women folk may cry for EQUALITY in right to chant mantras. And some do not care for anybody and start learning, chanting and even teaching mantras to other women. I am not against teaching mantras to women; but I am not for it! Because, I still believe that our ancestors who were more perfect than us in quality and quantity, at least in mantras, would not foolishly keep women away from mantras without any reason. The then socio-economic conditions may give some answers but not the exact one. There are instances from Vedic history where women excelled in Vedic sciences and lived a comfortable life. But it is also known that women were more comfortable in singing prayers and worshipping with classical music, which is a division of mantra shastra by itself. Amantra is a tool of invoking a diety in the SELF through vibrations of sound which impart a great power of certain form to the human body. The bIjAkSharas of a mantra as they mean, are the syllables of the seed of power and are installed (during nyAsa) in the testicles of a male sAdhaka(=worshipper) before chanting the mantra, creating thedevatA(=diety) in mantra-sharIra(=diety personfied in the SELF). If anybody would have learnt a mantra properly, he will certainly know it. This process CAN NOT be done in females, obviously. When it is tried to forcibly create mantra devatA in a female, naturally the power seed syllables affect the garbha-kosha, the uterus! A FEW powerful mantras are found to have tremondous effect on the uterus of females and irregularise the menstrual cycle! BUT for a creation, along with bIja, the kShetra(=the land) in which power seed is sown, is also required! And THAT can not be a male body! This female counterpart capable of 'motherhood' in most of the cases is prithivI(=the Earth). Perhaps some readers might be knowing the commonest 'prithivI yonih.' nyAsaused with gAyatrI mantra. SO, it is a positive energy or positive charges accumulated in a MALE, with the EARTH acting as ground for a special creation. Yes, exactly like an electronic circuit, where male is the positive potential and the Earth is the ground. Can you change the design and give an opposite polarity in a circuit? Yes you can but ONLY IF YOU CAN MEDDLE WITH THE CIRCUIT DESIGN! Otherwise, the circuit never works, however you try! Here, circuit is the mantra structure and it needs correct polarity for a correct result. Since bIja can not be installed in females, there is no devatA creation(not kunDalini but mantra devata). This does not mean that females can not get mantra siddhi! For that, one has to meddle with mantra design, which NOW, NONE of us can do with easy chair methods. One who breaks that circuit secret is a r.Shi(=sage) known as mantra draShTAra. In the epicmahAbhArata, it is interesting to know how kunti, the mother of pANDavas got them, same like she did before marriage and got karNa using a mantra. That special mantra was given to her by the sage dUrvAsa. That circuit was his design where kunti was the ground and devatA was the positive potential! So, unless one is capable of meddling with the design of a mantra, it is better to keep away from teaching mantras to women without proper judgement. Still, if anybody feels there must be equality of right to chant mantra, welcome! I do not oppose. But I keep suggesting all to follow the devotional way of prayers and meditation. When one 'realises', he/she laughs at mantras, for then the SELF can create thousands of them, like in a word scramble game! My humble suggestion for my dearest sister folks is to go for prayers, songs, bhajanas and meditation to find out what is the NEXT!

Which lagna(ascendant) do planets favour more?

A curious student looking at the table showing benefic and malefiic planets for each lagna, ended up in this question!This is something analogous to someone asking which human race on the Earth is good at skills? The striking fact is that the answer is not as simple as one thinks; nor difficult too! The human races are all different in their level of civilization but it does not mean that primitive tribes are less skilled nor that the metropolitan society is highly skilled. Each group has its own UNIQUE behaviour, ability, knowledge and genetics; simply they are superb in their own way. Africans many be black in colour but they are the strongest! The East Asians may have small eyes, but they are the swiftest! Every race has its own speciality supported by geography and history. The inter-racial trade and cultural exchange always balance the mankind and are developed through civilizations. So is the case with astrological rAshi cakra or zodiac! Aries or meSha may produce brave persons who are poor; Capricorn or makara may produce lazy ones who are wise and witty. Pisces or mIna may give rise to great artists who are unlucky w.r.t marriage! Taurus or vriShabha may produce very obedient and virtuous person but always subject to criticism and humiliation! So, planets do favour all the 12 rAshi with their own unique benefits, while cutting down something else somewhere! That is the balance in planetary interaction with the rAshi-chakra. The table which shows a ready reference of the number of malefics and benefics for each ascendant, is just ONE of the dicta of vedic astrology. A good further study would reveal that all signs are like the human races on the Earth. Then what about Kendradhipatya dosha? It is not at all a big deal! The translation of the term means: the blemish due to Angular Lordship. This blemish is said to be obtained by a NATURAL BENEFIC planet(budha, guru, shukraand waxing candra) when it owns an angular house or kendra(1,4,7,10) from lagna. It just means that the natural'benefic' nature of the planet gets reduced by some amount; but it is not considered in any of the planetary strength calculations. The 'doSha' here is not for the lagna, but for the planet and this blemish is unable to cause any harm to the native, by itself. It may be very light filter in giving results, but not a denial. So, there is no point in arguing that some signs get less favourable results of the benefic planets, since they always get other unique benefic results from the other planets!

Which is the luckiest rAshi (zodiac sign)?

Many ask this question innocently, while many students of vedic astrology ask with curiosity. It is not a new question but has been a puzzle from times immemorial. There are written documents found stressing certain rAshis as the most benefic or auspicious for a person to be born in. Naturally, one is very curious to know which rAshi is the best as well as the worst w.r.t. luck and happiness! As the name suggests, rAshi is the GROUP of constellations or nakShatra maNDala. There are 27nakShatra(asterism)s identified according to jyotiSha and are equally distributed over 12 rAshis. So, after knowing which is the LUCKIEST rAshi, one would like to know WHICH is the luckiest asterism! Since each asterism is divided into 4 quarters, the next question is ready - WHICH quarter is the luckiest?! The more one plunges into the details, the more is the curiosity! Does an answer exist that can satisfy the curious minds? The answer is YES and NO! It is YES because, with the knowledge of jyotiSha, a wise person can always find out which is the luckiest rAshi, star or its quarter! And, the answer is NO, because such a sign found out will NOT be LUCKY or HAPPY always in all aspects! For example, if one finds certain rAshi to be the happiest w.r.t wealth, the family life may suffer! Or if one finds a sign to be the worst w.r.t marital happiness, the same can make the person the most famous! So, there is always a balance between the HAPPINESS and the SORROW a rAshi must have! So is the case with inner details of asterism and its quarters! There are some who argue on the basis of satyAcArya's statement that kumbha is the sad sign; and some argue that 4 great stars(mrigashiras, maghA, svAti & anurAdhA) are superior to others. But in practical experience and from other classical works, they have no proof. The bhacakra(zodiac) is analogous to human body, the rAshis being its parts, with stars being internal organs and their quarters -- much finer tissues! So trying to know which is the luckiest rAshi or nakShatra is same as knowing which is the luckiest part in human body! There is a balance and the co-ordination between the signs and stars within the zodiac, like a human body! So, next time when a person boasts at you of being born in some rAshi or mahAnakShatra(great stars), do not feel inferior, but give a wise smile!