SUN

¾ A QUESTION FROM THE INTERVIEW PUBLISHED

IN THE EXPRESS STARTELLER

Please comment on combust planets?

9 ANSWER BY PT.SANJAY RATH

I define combustion as the placement of a planet within the given

orb for its combustion and also being placed behind the Sun.
Combustion of Venus and Mercury cannot occur if they are in
front of the Sun as their rays can reach the earth without obstruction. Thus, even if within
the orb of combustion, Mercury (and all planets) in retrograde motion and Venus in direct
motion (since the direction of rotation of Venus is the opposite as compared to other
planets) are not combust. Unless this astronomical fact is borne in mind, the readings
will be wrong.

Some astrologers opine that Mars cannot be combust because of its name “Vakra” as
used in the relevant sloka for exceptions. I have already explained the scientific facts
behind this sloka and they are found to be quite true. In quite a few charts when Venus
is quite close to the Sun, and is in direct motion, artistic talents have been seen. Budha-
Aditya yoga becomes meaningless if Mercury is close to the Sun and retrogrades and
then the combustion of Mercury occurs and all the creative energy of Mercury is wasted.

¾ VARIOUS QUESTIONS BY MR.KARU

9 VARIOUS ANSWERS BY PT.SANJAY RATH

¾ Question 1 : Whether Venus and Mercury are combust or not in the

following cases?

Case (a):
Sun - 20-08 libra
Venus - 18-13 libra
Mercury - 22-57 libra

9 Answer -Case (a): Venus being direct is not combust as it moves in the opposite
direction to all other planets. Mercury is combust.

Case(b):
Sun - 20-08 libra
Venus - 18-13 libra
 Mercury (R) - 18-13 libra

9 Answer -Case (b): Venus being direct is not combust as it moves in the opposite
direction to all other planets. Mercury is also not combust as it is retrograde.

Case(c):
Sun - 20-08 libra
Venus - 22-13 libra
Mercury (R) - 22-13 libra

9 Answer -Case (c) Yes, you are correct. Venus being direct is not combust as it
moves in the opposite direction to all other planets. Mercury is also not combust.

¾ ANOTHER REPLY QUESTION BY MR.KARU.

9 LINE BY LINE ANSWER BY PT.SANJAY RATH

Following must be the rules.

Combust planets=

Rule 1=The placement of the planets in a given orb

9 RATH: YES. THIS IS CORRECT.

Rule 2=Being placed behind the Sun

9 RATH: Behind here refers to its actual placement behind the sun if viewed from
the earth. Thus, you are partly correct. Please add this to the rule.

Exemptions;

1. Venus in front of the Sun: Not combust

9 RATH: no, this is incorrect. When venus is retrograde, it is behind the sun as
viewed from the earth, whereas in direct motion it tends to behave like an eclipse on the
sun by blocking its light to a very minor extent. Althought the phenomena of eclipse is
not visible. Thus venus is combust when retrograde only.

2, Venus in direct motion; Not combust.

9 RATH: NOW YOU KNOW WHY.

1. Mercury In front of the Sun; Not combust

9 RATH: None of the planets in front of the sun can be eclipsed as their rays are
not being blocked by the physical body of the sun.
2. Mercury Retrograde ;Not combust

All other planets retrograde; Not combust.

9 RATH: YES, all others excluding Venus are not combust when retrograde.

About Bhu-Mandala and combustion

9 BY PT.SANJAY RATH

The Bhu-mandala refers to a mandala or diagram drawn in space with Bhu-loka at its
epi-center and with the maximum distance of Saturn from the Earth as its radius. It is a
3-d drawing which is an ellipsoid in shape. The Movement of the planets around this epi-
center of the earth is measured in Two ways. (1) the angular distance from a fixed point
which coincides with The chitra star called chitra paksha or zero degree aries and (2) the
Vertical angle of the planet with the central plane of the bhu-mandala. This Is called
"ayana" or declination.

Whereas jaimini uses degrees and a set of rules for determining the Stronger or "victor"
in graha yuddha or among planets themselves, Varahamihira has used ayana or
declination for this purpose. Jaimini is more Correct and is relevant as in a prasna
kundali for war, it is possible that The planets may not be within a degree of each other
and then how do we Decipher the war scenario? Hence Varahamihira has to be studied
carefully and I feel that the present day translations of this are inadequate.

With a little bit of imagination you will realise that whether we take the center to be the
earth or the sun, the phenomena of eclipse or obstruction of the rays of the sun are not
going to be different. However, for a full understanding of combustion you will have to
make a very detailed study of the eclipse of the moon and will also have to determine
the longitude (degree) on the basis of duration divided by 24 hours & multiplied by 360
degree's.

Combustion vs retrograde

9 BY PT.SANJAY RATH

Combustion is a state of being and is another AVASTHA like retrogression. In

combustion the planet loses its own Rays whereas a planet in retrogression is full of
Rays (Venus being the exception). Thus the combustion of a planet indicates its lack of
influence on the chart by way of its natural nature and the planet shall be obliged to work
for the sun alone and its significations. It shows a person who is under the dominating
influence of a superior in the matters related to the signification of the planet. For
example if Venus is combust, the artistic side can be lacking whereas if Mercury is
combust the learning abilities are clouded or simply focused on the activities of the sun
(Dharma) and other learning is not present or not of much consequence.
In the converse if a planet is retrograde, then its influence is very strong as it tends to
initially give a strong desire and then abilities as well but not the results. The results are
very difficult to achieve as the person is over ambitious in matters related to it and has
very high GOALS. For example

Saturn is my AK and is retrograde. This shows traditional learning as well as a strong

desire and almost impossible goals to achieve in matters pertaining to the tradition. I
expect too much from everybody in terms of sincerity and dedication to Jyotish and
sometimes this can be very painful.

Now what happens in Graha Yuddha? Can a combust planet win? Yes it can. Take an
example. If four planets conjoin (as in the case of one of this list members), it shows
spirituality of a high order and if one of them is combust and also ahead of the Sun, then
it defeats the Sun and although due to the combustion the native shall be very spiritual
or interested in Dharma and such learning, Sanyasa Yoga cannot occur and
renunciation will not happen in this life. Thus combust planets cannot give Sanyasa as
the rays are not original and the desires pertaining to its significations are generally
suppressed or absent. suppression of desires is not the path to spirituality, getting over
them is true spirituality.

¾ QUESTION BY MR.YASOMATINANDANA DAS

If a planet is combust, then does this mean that it's influence in vargas will also
be negligible?

9 ANSWER BY PT.SANJAY RATH

No, The influence is not negligible. It is what it should be. The quality changes. A
combust Venus can remove artistic talents and give great anger. Thus, the quality
changes.

¾ QUESTION BY MR.YASOMATINANDANA DAS

Can combust be viewed in practical terms as the person's ego or some other
powerful authority eclipsing the significations of the planet in concern?

9 ANSWER BY PT.SANJAY RATH

The Sun is the Atma of the chart and when it combusts a planet, the significations of the
same suffer. This can be a blessing in disguise if too many planets conjoin the Sun.

¾ QUESTION BY MR.YASOMATINANDANA DAS

If the Sun is with Ketu then will it still cause combustion to the planets, especially
those who are in the sign next to it?
9 ANSWER BY PT.SANJAY RATH

The Atma is delighted in the presence of the Moksha Karaka, but that does not mean
that the combustion will not occur. It is my observation that the phenomena is over
emphasised by most of you. It is important to the extent that it indicates the suppression
of certain desires indicated by the Graha's.

OM TAT SAT