SJVC 2000 Raths Lectures Lesson#11 1

SJVC Jai Jagannath! For students only

RATHS LECTURES
LESSON # 11: TATWA AND GRAHA
WRITTEN AND EDITED BY: J. SARAT
CHANDER
The pictures, tables etc., are not to be copied or
distributed. The material given in the lesson is copyright
SJVC. www.sjvc.net

PANCHA TATWA
We had studied in lesson # 1 about creation and the importance/relevance of the three
Gunas Satwa, Rajas and Tamas in the process of creation. The three guna
comprise the five elements or the Panch Tatwa, which, together for the cosmic ego or
the intelligence, the disturbance of which causes them to combine, split and recombine
in various ways to create different levels of lives with different levels of intelligence, ego
and tatwa. This is the basis of creation.

The Paramatma or the supreme Lord, who possesses in him all the three guna, thus
possesses all the five tatwa too. However, Jeeva/life on Earth (Prithvi Loka) comprises
only 4 of the 5 tatwa in physical manifestation viz., the Prithvi, Jala, Vayu and Agni tatwa
while the 5th tatwa viz., Akash, is in the abstract form. It is this tatwa, which is the
supreme Satwa energy that not only encompasses all the other four tatwa, thus,
containing within itself the entire Brahmanda (Universe), but also is the supreme
protective force.

TABLE OF TATWAS
S.No. Tatwa Physical Planetary Lord Mahapurush Rasis/Signs
State (Tatwa rulership) Yoga owned
1. Akash Vacuum Jupiter/Brihaspati/ Hamsa Pervades all signs
Guru and hence
represents
Omnipresent God
(Vishnu)
2. Agni Fire/Energy Mars/Mangal/Kuja Ruchaka Aries, Leo and
Sagittarius
3. Prithvi Solid Mercury/Buddha Bhadra Taurus, Virgo and
Capricorn
4. Vayu Gaseous Saturn/Shani Sasa Gemini, Libra and
Aquarius.
5. Jala Liquid Venus/Sukra Malavya Cancer, Scorpio and
Pisces
 SJVC 2000 Raths Lectures Lesson#11 2

IMPORTANCE OF SUN & MOON

In the above table and paragraph, we have seen the Panch Tatwa and the five planets.
In that event, what will be the relevance of Sun and Moon? Sun and Moon are the
primary source of Agni and Jala tatwa respectively. No life form can ever be born
without these two elements Agni and Jala. In fact, all life forms are born in or with the
help of water (Moon) and the Atma, which gives the life or Prana, is Agni tatwa (Sun).
Therefore, Sun and Moon become very important planets in the life of a person. Hence
Sun and Moon are also said to represent father and mother. Surya (Atma) and Chandra
(Mana/mind) along with the Lagna (Deha/body) make an individual or a living being and,
they (Sun, Moon & Lagna), thus, form the tripod of life .

TATWAS AND RASIS

The first relativity of the tatwa to the Rasi or the zodiac is, thus, formed by the relativity of
Sun and Moon. Thus Surya and Chandra have the ownership of a sign each viz.,
Leo/Simha and Cancer/Karka in the hora chakra and their respective horas of rulership
are called the Surya Hora and Chandra Hora. The hora chakra will, besides Surya and
Chandra, be lorded by the rest of the planets ruling the Pancha Tatwa owning a rasi on
each side of the hora (Surya and Moon). Figure 2 in Lesson # 3 explains this clearly.

Thus, from the Sun and Moon is born the first relativity of the tatwa, which is:

Sun Leo/Simha Agni Tatwa

Moon Karka/Cancer Jala Tatwa

First Principle the Principle of Opposites:

From the above relativity of Surya and Chandra (Agni & Jala), we get the first principle
the principle of opposites (1st and 7th) i.e., the tatwa that sustains the other, which
balances the other for healthy living (see fig. 2 in Lesson # 3). Thus, we get the
following groups of opposite relativity:
Table of opposite or sustaining Tatwa
Rasi & Tatwa Opposite Rasi & Tatwa
Aries (Mesh) - Agni Libra (Thula) Vayu
Taurus (Vrishabh)- Prithvi Scorpio (Vrishchik) - Jala
Gemini (Mithun) - Vayu Sagittarius (Dhanu) - Agni
Cancer (Kark) - Jala Capricorn(Makar) Prithvi
Leo (Simha) - Agni Aquarius(Kumbha) - Vayu
Virgo (Kanya) - Prithvi Pisces (Meena) Jala
From the above we see that the Agni Tatwa is sustained by Vayu Tatwa (as fire needs
air/oxygen to burn) and the Jala Tatwa is sustained by Prithvi Tatwa (water/liquid has no
form or shape and needs hard objects (Prithvi Tatwa) to sustain it). Thus all Agni rasis
have Vayu rasis, while the Jala rasis have Prithvi rasis in their opposites to sustain them.
 SJVC 2000 Raths Lectures Lesson#11 3

Second Principle The Principle of Trines or Trikona

Based on the above principle of opposites (1st and 7th), we get the second principle of
the TRIKON or TRINES (1st, 5th and 9th) also known as DREKKANA or
DRESHKANA in Sanskrit. The following diagram explains vividly the principle of
Trikona:
From the above, we get four trines i.e.,
Agni, Jala, Vayu and Prithvi. From the
principle of trines we derive the Trinity
Brahma (1st Self
Vartaman/Present), Shiv (5th Future)
and Vishnu (9th Past) wherein,
Brahma being Moveable or Chara in
nature he represents Rajas Guna with
high energy levels and he therefore
rules creation; Shiv being Fixed or
Sthir in nature he represents Tamas
Guna with least energy levels (inert) and
he therefore rules destruction or death;
while Vishnu being Dual or
Dwisabhava (Chara + Sthir) in nature
he represents Satwa Guna with mixed
energy levels (some times Chara and
some times Sthira) he rules sustenance
or preservation of life. [Note: 1st, 5th and 9th of the Navamsa reflect the nature of a
person.]
Third Principle The Principle of Kendra or Quadrants
From the above principle of trikona, we
derive the 3rd principle The Principle
of QUADRANTS or SQUARES OR
KENDRAS, which form the stable
structure of the chart. There are three
such Kedras. They are:

Kendra formed by Chara Rasis

Kendra formed by Sthira Rasis, and
Kendra formed by Dwiswabhava Rasis

Note: Chanakya, in his Chanakya Niti,

had equated these four quadrants as
four Ayana (1) Dharma (1st or Lagna);
(2) Moksha (4th house); (3) Kama (7th
house); and (4) Artha (10th house). And,
a person had to have at least one of the
four Ayana at any point of time of life,
without which this journey of life is meaningless.
 SJVC 2000 Raths Lectures Lesson#11 4

G R A H A S
Grahas, loosely translated in English as Planets, can be defined as heavenly objects or
points, which influence life on the Earth. Grahas are the variables as they keep moving
or changing constellations due to their rotation and revolution. As learnt in lesson # 3, we
have nine Grahas known as the Navagraha.
Nature of Graha
The following are the natures of the graha. Additional details can be gathered from
standard texts such as Brihat Parasara Hora Shastra, Saravali, Brihat Jataka,
Phaladeepika etc.
1. Sun:
Rules Simha Rasi, Satwik guna, Fiery (Agni tatwa), Significator of Atma, Father, King
of the Cabinet of planets, Evil or Kroora, Blood-red in colour, wheatish complexion,
Male, Luminary, honey coloured eyes, square body, clean habits, Bilious, Intelligent,
Courageous, scarce hair, Bones, Temple, rules the Ayana (for fructification of results
in dasha periods), Pungent, strong in South and during the day, lords over the East
direction, rules strong trees, red silken robes, Greeshma Ritu (along with Mars),
Moolas (roots and vegetables),
Deity: Agni. Higher form: Shiva; Dasavatar: Sri Ram
Rules the Nakshatras: Krittika, Uttara Phalguni and Uttarashadha.
Governs the 12 vowels/alphabets (a to au).
Exalted in 10 deg., Mesh and Debilitated in 10 deg., Thula. Moolatrikona from 0 20
deg., in Simha.
2. Moon:
Rules Kark, Female,
Satwa guna, Jala tatwa,
cold, significator of Mind,
Mother, blood, White
colour, Luminary, Queen
of the cabinet of planets,
Varsha ritu (monsoon),
white silken clothes,
rules milky trees (such
as rubber tree etc.),
North-West direction,
strong in the North,
Rivers, watery places,
Vaisya varna (others
attribute Brahmana
Varna), windy and
phlegmatic, learned,
round body, auspicious
looks, sweet speech,
fickle-minded,
determines Muhurtha,
Saline.
 SJVC 2000 Raths Lectures Lesson#11 5

Deity: Varuna; higher form: Parvati/Gauri; Dasavatar: Krishna

Rules the Nakshatras: Rohini, Hastha and Sravana,
Exalted in 3 deg., in Rishabha, Debilitated in 3 deg., in Vrischik and Moolatrikona in
Rishabha after 3 deg.
Moon is benefic from the 8th day (Ashtami) of waxing period Shukla Paksha to
the 8th day (Ashtami) of waning period Krishna Paksha, as explained in diagram.
3. Mars:
Rules Mesh and Vrischik, Fiery, cruel or kroor, red colour, Tamas guna, physical
strength, marrow, Commander-in-Chief, fickle-minded, liberal, bilious, given to anger,
guttural syllables (ka, kha, ga, gha, nga), thin waist, thin physique, reddish
complexion, place of fire, bitter taste, strong in the South, bitter trees (like lemon),
red cloth, burnt cloth, Greeshma ritu,
Deity: Agni; higher deity: Subrahmanya/Kartikeya; Dasavatar: Narasimha.
Rules the Nakshatras: Mrigasira, Chitra and Dhanishta.
Exalted in 28 deg., in Capricorn, Debilitated in 28 deg., Cancer and Mooltrikona in 12
deg., Aries.

4. Mercury:
Rules Mithun and Kanya, Neutral gender (Male with female characters), cruel or
kroor with like company, benefic with like company, child, Prince, Speech, skin, dark
colour, cerebral letters (ta, tha, da, dha, na), Rajasik guna, attractive physique,
jocular, mix of all humours, sports grounds, mixed taste, strong in the East, rules
North, governs fruitless trees, dark silken cloth, Sharad ritu.
Deity: Krishna; higher form: Vishnu; Dasavatar: Buddha.
Rules the Nakshatras: Aslesha, Jyeshta and Revati,
Exalted in 15 deg., Kanya and Debilitated in 15 deg., Meen and Mooltrikona in 15
20 deg., in Kanya Rasi.

5. Jupiter:
Rules Dhanur and Meen, Male, Satwa guna, Brahmin, benefic, Ethereal (Aakash),
Hemanta ritu, Saffron cloth, fruitful trees, North Eastern direction, strong in East,
strong during the day, sweet, treasure house, fat in the body, big body, phlegmatic,
learned in all sastras, intelligent, governs dental syllables (tha, thha, dha, dhha and
na), fair complexioned,
Deity: Indra/Brahma; higher form: Maha Vishnu; Dasavatar: Vaman.
Rules the Nakshatras: Punarvasu, Visakha and Poorvabhadra.
Exalted in 5 deg., Cancer, Debilitated in 5 deg., Capricorn and Mooltrikona in 0 to 30
deg., in Dhanur.

6. Venus:
Rules Rishabha and Thula, female, benefic, Rajasik guna, Jala tatwa, semen
(seeds), Brahmin, normal complexion, Vasanta ritu, rules South-East, strong in
North, aciduous, strong during the day, rules bed-rooms, charming and splendorous
physique, poetic, silken cloth, phlegmatic and windy, curly hair, karaka of wife.
 SJVC 2000 Raths Lectures Lesson#11 6

Deity: Sachi; higher form: Lakshmi; Dasavatar: Parasuram.

Rules the Nakshatras: Bharani, Poorva Phalguni and Poorvashadha.
Exalted in 27 deg., Meena, Debilitated in 27 deg., Kanya and Mooltrikona in 0 to 15
deg., in Thula.

7.Saturn:
Rules Makar and Kumbh, Tamo guna, Vayu tatwa, cruel or kroor, neutral gender
(female with male characteristics), very dark complexioned, multi-coloured cloth,
barren, Sisira ritu, governs useless trees, grief and death, astringent taste, filthy
grounds, muscles, emaciated and long body, windy temperament, big teeth, lame,
coarse hair, strong in West, rules West, strong during day and night,
Deity: Brahma/Narayana; also represents Kali; Dasavatar: Kurma.
Rules the Nakshatras: Pushyami, Anuradha and Uttarabhadra.
Exalted in 20 deg., in Thula, Debilitated in 20 deg., in Mesh and Mooltrikona in 0 to
20 deg., in Kumbh.

8. Rahu:
Rules Kumbh, male, cruel or kroor, multi-coloured clothes, aparaksha planet, takes
the role of the company of planets, rules South-West direction, Chandala, denotes 8
months, smoky appearance, windy temperament, intelligent,
Deity: Chinnamastha; Higher form: Durga; Dasavatar: Varaha.
Rules the Nakshatras: Arudra, Swati and Satabhishak.
Exalted in Rishabha (for Ayur matters) and Mithun (for Phalita matters) and similarly
debility in Scorpio and Sagittarius, respectively. Moolatrikona-Virgo & Swakshetra-
Aquarius.

9. Ketu:
Rules Vrischik, female, cruel or kroor, akin to Rahu in nature, torn cloth (rags),
denotes 3 months, benefic for Moksha matters, benefic in Narayana dasa
significations, malefic otherwise, malefic in Saptamsa as Ketu is Mukti karaka.
Deity: Dhoomavati; Higher form: Ganapati; Dasavatar: Matsya.
Rules the Nakshatras: Aswini, Makha and Moola.
Exalted in Sagittarius and debilitated in Gemini; Mooltrikona-Pisces & Swakshetra-
Scorpio.

ASSIGNMENT
Q1: Determine the predominating Tatwa in the Lagna of your chart.
Q2: What is implied by the exaltation and debility of Rahu in Taurus & Scorpio
respectively? Why is Ketu not exalted for matters of Longevity?
Q3: What do you understand by the terms Moolatrikona and Swakhetra of each of the
planets? Explain with illustrations.

OM TAT SAT