Bose tutorialP.1 VIMSHOTTARI DASHA SYSTEM OF TIMING / DASAS & BHUKTIS P.3 Dasas,Timing Events In Jyotish ,Unknown Birth Times P.4 TRANSITS, TIMING OF EVENTS IN HOUSES/SIGNS / & NAKSATRAS , VEDHAS , GOCARA, DASA P.11 VENUS MALEFIC! AND, WHAT IS THE ULTIMATE STRENGTH OF A PLANET P.12 How to use Harmonic Charts (Vargas) & birth rectification P.14 TRIPLICITIES AND QUADRUPLICITIES with planets & signs P.16 HOUSES;LINKING THE TRINES P.17 Graha And Bhava Balas & Ashtakavarga strengh P.19 PLANETARY STRENGTH & FRIENDS P.21 Prasna: The Birth Of A Question P.22 HORARY ASTROLOGY AND KRISHNAMURTHI PADDHATI (KP)& TAJIKA HORARY P.29 PERSONNAL PLANETS P.29 LUNAR NODES AND JYOTISH P.30 KARAKAS OR EXECUTOR PLANETS ,SOME ASPECTS OF VEDIC ASTERISMAL ASTROLOGY P.32 Basic Meanings Of Grahas And Bhavas / planet & houses / house to house P.33 BHAVATA BHAVAM & ELEVENTH HOUSE P.35 Drishti & conjunction / Reviving The Rules For Drishti By Gauranga Das P.39 2 CHARTS; ANALYSIS AND SYNTHESIS P.43 BADHAKAS: PLANETS OF FRUSTRATION P.45 Bhukti & UDUDASAS

VIMSHOTTARI DASHA SYSTEM OF TIMING / DASAS & BHUKTISThe dasha system for timing of events is an important technique in vedic astrology. Ancient masters had described numerous systems of dashas (planetary periods) in their works. Whether all of those were fullytested techniques is very hard to decipher. Most vedic texts are collections of sanskrit verses in which the old masters had inscribed in an ornate, poignant yet terse manner the various planetary effects, but only very rarely with accompanying illustrative examples. Over the years, more recent astrologers have attempted to test the validity of many of these dashas using approaches which varied tremendously in their degree of acuity and objectivity. Most contemporary experts in vedic astrology agree that, if the proof of the pudding is in the eating, vimshottari dasha (based on lunar progression) is the most valid and accurate system for timing of events not only in natal charts but also in annual, national (mundane) and horary horoscopes. Vimshottari means 120 and the entire dasha cycle spans over 120 years. The two luminaries, five planets and the two lunar nodes considered by vedic astrologers rule over periods varying from 6 to 20 years each during the 120 years in this order: Ketu (S. node of moon), venus, sun, moon, mars, rahu (N. node of moon), jupiter, saturn and mercury. These rule for 7, 20, 6, 10, 7, 18, 16, 19 and 17 years respectively. Nowhere can one find the rationale behind the assignment of this order or of the durations. The sidereal asterismal position of natal moon determines the point at which one enters or starts in the 120 year cycle. The 360d zodiac is divided into 27 asterisms, each 13d 20m long. The first 13d 20m starting at sidereal aries 0d, is ruled by ketu with venus, sun, moon, mars, rahu, jupiter, saturn, mercury and venus following in the same order as that followed in the rulership assignment in the vimshottari dasha. Each vimshottari dasha period is subdivided into nine periods or bhuktis. The first bhukti in any dasha is ruled by the dasha lord itself and is followed by the bhuktis of other planets. The first bhukti in the dasha of sun is ruled by sun, followed by the bhuktis of moon, mars, rahu, jupiter, saturn, mercury, ketu and venus. Each subperiod can be further divided proportionately into antaras, pratyantaras, sukshmas etc. However, given the controversies regarding the most 'accurate' values for ayanamshas (precessional corrections for converting tropical longitudes into sidereal longitudes) and inaccuracies in reported birth times, their practical importance is reduced. A TOUCH OF MATH: A simple way of calculating bhuktis follows: 1) Multiply the duration in years for the dashas of the dasha and bhukti lords. 2) Multiply the right most digit by 3 to get the days in the bhukti. 3) The remaining digits to the left represent the months in that bhukti. Example, Saturn bhukti in jupiter dasha.

Duration of dashas, saturn=19 and jupiter=16 years 19x16=304 Think of this as 30months and 4x3=12 days or 2y6m12d. Ideally, one must use the 360 day savana year for dashas and in my experience, I have found best results with Lahiri's ayanamsha and 360 day year when delineating vimshottari dashas. Lahiri's ayanamsha can be calculated by the simple formula: PRECESSIONAL CORRECTION IN SECS.=(YEAR OF BIRTH-297)X50.28 Eg., For 1987 the correction is (1987-297)*50.28=84973 sec = 1416 min = 23d 36m. This quantity when subtracted from all tropical longitudes yields the sidereal longitudes. The following table would make it simple for one to know the natal lunar asterism (and the first dasha in one's life): Asterism beginning at the following sidereal longitudes of moon Deg min Deg min Deg min Star lord 000 00 120 00 240 00 Ketu 013 20 133 20 253 00 Venus 026 40 146 40 266 40 Sun 040 00 160 00 280 00 Moon 053 20 173 20 293 20 Mars 066 40 186 40 306 40 Rahu 080 00 200 00 320 00 Jupiter 093 20 213 20 333 20 Saturn 106 40 226 40 346 20 Mercury Using the good old rule of three, one can determine the balance of first dasha. If the natal sidereal moon is at 82d longitude, then it has another 11d20m to go in jupiter's asterism. The first dasha will be of jupiter and the duration will be 16y/13d20m x 11d20m. This can also be written as 192mo/800mx680m=163.2 months. WHAT NEXT: Once the dashas have been calculated, next comes the interpretation of dashas. Some basic rules which must be followed are: a) The dasha period determines the primary boundaries of effects that one might experience during the dasha. b) The results during the bhukti period would depend on the interaction between dasha and bhukti lords, but a bhukti cannot give or take away what falls outside the jurisdiction of the dasha. The dasha effect supervenes. c) The strength of the dasha and bhukti lords determine the extent to which the effects of these planets would materialize. d) Any special yogas or combinations formed by the dasha and bhukti lord in the natal horoscopes would materialize in their dasha and bhuktis or in those of the planets that are in the stars of the yoga-forming planets. Mutual angular disposition of jupiter and moon results in a gajakeshari yoga, a very benefic combination for fame, success and wealth. A person with stronger jupiter and moon would be more successful and higher-placed than another one with gajakeshari but with the two planets weak in the horoscope. Similarly, a person with gajakeshari in the 1st and 10th house is likely to experience a higher degree of success than one with the jupiter and moon in the 3rd and 6th signs from the ascendant (still in mutual angles). e) During a dasha (and to a lesser extent in a bhukti), influences of the planet/s are expressed according to the nature of the sign the planet is in the natal chart. Planets in cardinal signs generate restlessness, activity, outwardly expression, dynamism, the opposite effects are seen during periods of planets in fixed signs. Mutable signs generate ambiguity, bipolar responses and nervousness. The quadruplicity of the sign (all sidereal) must likewise be taken into account, particularly the way in which it interacts with the inherent nature of the planet. A fiery mars in a fiery cardinal sign can express itself strongly and is very much in its own element. If it is not in a malefic house (6th, 8th or 12th from ascendant) or aspected by malefic planets, its periods signify a large amount of activity and personal growth and reshaping. Likewise, moon in a watery sign would be able to express its effects more in the way it is supposed to. Moon in a fixed fiery sign would be very uncomfortable. This incidentally is related to the concept of house ownerships, exaltation and debilitation. f) A vital issue that must always be kept in mind is that the planet ruling over a period indicates the source of effect during its dasha or bhukti. If it is strong by rulership, position and association the the effects during its period will be strongly felt and vice versa. The nature of the effect will be determined by the planet in whose

star the dasha or bhukti lord is situated. The asterismal sub (which is the angular representation of the duration of bhukti in a dasha, considering the dasha duration to represent an arc of 13d20m) indicates success or failure depending on its relationship (inherent and house-wise) with the asterism lord (indicating the effect during a dasha). The following example might make this more clear. In a horoscope, mercury is in scorpio ascendant in the asterism of mercury and sub of venus. During the dasha of mercury, the source of effects would be mercury, the nature of effects experienced will be determined by the asterism lord, mercury in this case and the houses ruled by it (8th and 11th) and occupied by it (1). Venus, the sublord is in the 2nd house and is in the 7th from the 8th house, 3rd from 11th and 2nd from 1st house and mercury. So during the dasha of mercury, the 8th and 1st house effects would flourish, while the 11th house will be moderately helped. This translates into numerous obstacles, gains from insurance or inheritances (8th9, moderate earnings for one's capabilities and a period of good health and immense personal growth (1). Mercury is an active planet but it is located in a fixed watery sign (scorpio). It is strong in shadbala (strength determination, another future article!), so the effects will be prominently felt. But since it is not in a very congenial sign, the native would have enormous restlessness without a vent for expressing it and things would move very slowly or not at all. There would be opportunities for spiritual and metaphysical experiences and growth. The intellectual as opposed to emotional faculties will be utilized more in these matters. g) Associations and aspects from other planets to the planets ruling the dasha and bhukti modify and modulate the effects of the period lords. As a general rule, friendly and benefic planets (naturally benefic such as jupiter, venus, mercury and waxing moon) or benefic by disposition (planets ruling over angular and trinal houses from the ascendant) help move matters, malefics (natural such as saturn, mars or rulers of 6th, 8th and 12th signs from the ascendant) exert the opposite effects. Sun and waning moon and rulers of 2nd, 3rd and 11th signs from the ascendant have mixed effects, partly benefic and partly malefic. Some authorities consider the sun as a cruel but benefic planet. Rahu and ketu are shadow planets and assume the qualities of planets in whose sign they are placed. However, they tend to be generally malefic in nature. The nodes are in a class by themselves and different authorities have dealt with those in different ways. Some have assigned signs as their own and signs in which they are exalted or debilitated, as is the case for other planets. Others have refrained to do so. My personal view is that the nodes take on the attribute of their sign dispositor. Any planet which is in conjunction with the nodes loses its propensity to bring about effects and can only express through the nodes in their dashas, bhuktis or transits. Nodes have a very significant influence in one's life and nodal periods sensitize and expose one to influences beyond one's immediate control. Perhaps these influences originate from actions in other time periods. They have been thought to signify karmic influences, rahu signifying karma-generating actions (future karma) while ketu signifies deeds already done (akin to the concepts presented by Schulmann in his reincarnation astrology books). I shall attempt to elaborate on the effects of the nodes in a future article. h) Dasha effects must be studied simultaneously with transits. The stars of the dasha and bhukti lords and of their asterismal dispositors are sensitive zones during the dasha and bhukti. When these stars are transited by the moon and/or sun or other significant planets, the effect fructifies. The transit of the dasha and bhukti lords through different houses and stars are also considered. This article may not turn anyone into an expert dasha delineator but hopefully would provide an overview of this interesting method of lunar progression which constitutes and important method for timing of events and for determining planetary influences in a horoscope.

Dasas: Timing Events In JyotishThe Rasi, or birth chart, gives the basic indications for an individual or event. For example, Mars in the 3rd bhava (house) means success through one's own efforts. The question then arises as to when this will occur; in one's youth, middle-age, old-age, or in a mix of these timeframes? It may also happen that contradictory indications occur. How can these occurrences be reconciled? If Mars is indicating success, but Sun indicates obstructions, how do we integrate these opposing forces to arrive at a consistent picture of the birth chart? The answers to these questions can be found in the dasas, which are systems used for timing events in Jyotish. If two grahas show opposing indications, it may indicate that each will occur, but at different times. Part of ones life may show success and rise in career, while other parts may show obstructions and struggle. The dasas allow a determination of when these periods will express themselves, and to what degree. Both influences may also occur simultaneously (success, but with much effort). Vimshottari Dasa There are many dasa systems available in Jyotish (over 40). Each system has its own particular uses and rules for when they should be used based upon the birth chart. The most popular dasa system is Vimshottari. This belongs to a class of dasa systems that are nakshatrabased . Nakshatra-based systems use the nakshatras to calculate the start of the dasa cycle. In the vimshottari dasa, the nakshatra position of Moon determines the start of the dasa, and each graha

from Sun - Ketu has a dasa period associated with it. The length of each graha dasa period is given below. Vimshottari Dasa Periods | Graha | Length | | | (Years) | |---------|---------| | Sun | 6 | | Moon | 10 | | Mars | 7 | | Rahu | 18 | | Jupiter | 16 | | Saturn | 19 | | Mercury | 17 | | Ketu | 7 | | Venus | 20 | |---------|---------| The vimshottari dasas occur in the order shown. Summing the lengths of the dasas, we arrive at 120 years; this is taken as the "natural" lifespan of a person living in Kali Yuga, or current world cycle. Calculating The Vimshottari Dasa The vimshottari dasa is calculated based upon the nakshatra position of the Moon at birth. Suppose Moon is in Pisces at 16-10 (16 degrees, 10 minutes of arc). Since there are 27 nakshatras of extent 13-20, this corresponds to the 26th nakshatra, which is Uttara Bhadrapada, whose ruler is Saturn. Hence, this person was born into the Saturn vimshottari dasa period. Now, since Moon is very near the end of Uttara Bhadrapada, (which covers 3-20 to 16-40 Pisces) the birth time corresponds to the end of the Saturn dasa. To calculate the time left in the Saturn dasa we proceed as follows: Uttara Bhadrapada extends from 3-20 --> 16-40 of Pisces Each nakshatra is 13-20 = 800 minutes of arc wide Moon is 30 minutes of arc away from the end of Uttara Bhadrapada 30 / 800 = .0375 is the fraction of Uttara Bhadrapada left for Moon to traverse Length of Saturn Dasa = 19 years, so the amount of time left from birth to the end of the Saturn Dasa is .0375 x 19 = .7125 years = 260.2 days This means that 260.2 days after birth, the next dasa period will start, which is Mercury. If Saturn is afflicted, and Mercury is well-placed, this means that the ill effects of Saturn will be felt for most of the first year of life, while for the rest of the youth and adolescent life the influence will be that of a well-placed Mercury. In other words, a good start in life, except maybe for the very early infant period. Sub-Periods Life consists of cycles within cycles within cycles. This is reflected in the dasa scheme through the subdasas. Just as there are 9 major dasa periods, called mahadasas (maha means great, so mahadasa means great period), there are also sub-periods. There is no limit to the number of sub-periods that can be considered, but in most cases 2-4 are considered. Each sub-period consists of the 9 graha periods, in the same order as shown above, starting with the mahadasa period. For example, the Mercury dasa starts with the Mercury sub-dasa, followed by Venus, Ketu, Sun, Moon, Mars, Rahu, Jupiter, and ending with Saturn. After this the Ketu mahadasa begins, with the sub-periods being Ketu, Venus, Sun, Moon, Mars, Rahu, Jupiter, Saturn, and Mercury. The length of each sub-period maintains the same ratio as the length of the mahadasa period. For example,

the Mercury mahadasa lasts 17 years, which is 17/120 of the entire vimshottari dasa cycle. The Mercury sub-period of the Mercury mahadasa is therefore 17 x 17/120 = 2.4 years. The Venus sub-period of Mercury lasts 17 (length of Mercury mahadasa) x 20 (length of Venus mahadasa)/120 = 2.83 years. In a similar way, the lengths of all the sub-periods, sub-sub-periods, and so on can be calculated. A Confusing Nomenclature India is a large place, and one result of this is an occasional conflict in notation. In one system, the dasas are called bhukti for the sub-period, antardasa for the sub-sub-period, and pryantardasa for the sub-sub-sub period. Another system calls the sub-period antardasa, the sub-sub period pryantardasa, and the sub-subsub period prasna. In order to avoid any confusion, we will use terms like sub-sub period or, equivalently, 2nd sub-period. Unknown Birth Times: Good News And Bad News Since the vimshottari dasa calculations depend on the position of Moon at birth, errors in the birth time can significantly shift the dasa periods. For example, lets assume a 1 minute error in the birth time. On the average, Moon moves 1 degree every 2 hours, which translates into 1/2 minute of arc for every minute of clock time. In the above case of a person born into Saturn dasa, a .5 minute of arc difference in the position of Moon translates into a timing error of .5/800 x length of dasa period in the dasa periods. For the Saturn mahadasa (of length 19 years), this translates into .5/800 x 19 = .011875 years, or 4.3 days. If the time was 1 minute early, then it would add to the time left in the Saturn dasa, and if 1 minute later, would subtract from it. A key point to remember is that this shift applies to all dasa equally. That is, each period and all sub-periods are shifted in unison by 4.3 days, so it corresponds to a simple offset in the dasa scheme. If the birth time were in error by 5 minutes, this would translate into a 5 x 4.3 = 21.5 day offset in the dasa periods. This means that the 2nd and lower sub-levels would be relatively useless, as at this level they only last for the order of weeks. In other words, the length of these sub-periods is comparable to the error caused by a 5 minute discrepancy in the birth time. This is the bad news. The good news is that you can use this to your advantage by changing the birth time to correspond to life events. This requires two things: 1. A good understanding of the birth chart 2. The time of important events. The degree to which you can rectify (or determine, if it is completely unknown) a birth time based upon the dasas depends on how well the above conditions are satisfied. To determine the birth time accurate to a few minutes requires using at least the first or second sub-dasas. For a person born in a long dasa period (such as Saturn), the third sub-dasa may be required. Going to deeper sub-dasa levels means that you need to integrate the effects of multiple grahas and all the subtle connections between them. For example, a Saturn/Mars/Sun/Jupiter (Saturn mahadasa, Mars sub-dasa, Sun sub-sub-dasa, Jupiter sub-sub-sub dasa) period requires knowledge of 4 grahas and their interactions (such as aspects and conjunctions). By contrast, the Saturn/Mars period involves only 2 grahas. Of course, the problem is complicated since other grahas can affect both Saturn and Mars, and this influences the interpretation of the dasa periods. The main point is that it requires a greater and greater skill of the jyotishi to analyze successively deeper dasa levels, and therefore to rectify the birth time very accurately. A Valuable Technique For Analyzing Dasa Periods A very valuable technique in analyzing dasa periods is to take the bhava occupied by the current mahadasa graha as the lagna (ascendant), and analyze the birth chart from this viewpoint. Suppose that a birth chart has a Taurus lagna and Mercury in the 5th in Virgo. To analyze the Mercury mahadasa, take Virgo as the lagna and re-interpret the chart from this viewpoint. This is a very useful technique that will easily reveal things that are not otherwise obvious. Summary Dasas are systems used for timing events in Jyotish. Many dasa systems exist, but the vimshottari is the most popular and widely used. It is a nakshatra-based system that uses the position of Moon at birth to fix the start of the dasa periods. There is one vimshottari dasa for each graha from Sun - Ketu, for a total of 9 mahadasas. The timespan of one complete vimshottari cycle is 120 years. The vimshottari cycle repeats itself, and can therefore be used in determining dasas of countries, assuming the birth chart is known.

Each mahadasa can be further divided into sub-periods. Each sub-period start with the dasa of the pervious levels' period and continues in the same order as the mahadasas. Errors in the birth time offset the dasa periods by an amount that depends on the error in the birth time and the birth dasa. Dasas with longer duration's give larger errors than shorter duration periods. This can be used to rectify the birth time given the times of important events, and a skilled jyotishi.

TRANSITS, MORE ON TIMING OF EVENTSEven the most uncanny prediction about someone's future loses much of its impact if the time of its occurrence cannot be accurately estimated. Timing of events is a vitally important aspect of astrology. In vedic astrology, a form of lunar progression (and other related methods) and transits have been described for that very purpose. The vimshottari lunar dasha is an extremely useful technique for ascertaining the planetary periods prevailing in one's life. Any given moment is under the effect of planets which rule over the major, minor, sub- or inter-periods. However, given the typical inaccuracies in stated birth times and a variety of recommended values for the precession of equinoxes (necessary for arriving at the sidereal longitudes), one should approach anything smaller than the minor period with caution. The shortest period in the entire vimshottari cycle of 120 years is the minor period of sun in the major period of sun (3 months and 18 days), while the longest is the minor period of venus in its own major period (3 years and 4 months). One therefore utilizes planetary transits to further narrow down the period of occurence of an event. Transits of slow-moving planets such as jupiter, saturn and the lunar nodes are considered very significant. The vedic astrologer must always keep the natal horoscope in mind while examining transit effects of planets. Effects of planets as indicated in the natal horoscope would always supervene the effects promised by planets in transit. Several methods for delineating transit influences have been described, a few important yet easy ones are dealt briefly: 1) Planets in certain houses from the natal lunar sign indicate good results, being generally bad in the remaining signs. Merely being in a 'good' sign is not enough as one must consider the presence of another planet in the 'vedha' or blocking sign. There are blocking signs for each good sign. While a planet is transiting through a benefic sign, if another planet enters the 'vedha' sign, then the good effects of the former are either nullified or not expressed. Table 1 indicates the pairs of such houses for each planet. As per vedic dictum, the entire sign must be considered as a house, this greatly simplifies matters. For example, if the natal moon was in pisces, this would be considered as the first house in the 'transit horoscope'. The sun transiting through capricorn (11th sign from pisces) would be beneficial as long as cancer (5th from pisces) is unoccupied. If during the solar transit, another planet transits cancer, then the good results due to sun's transit through the 11th house will be blocked. There is no vedha (mutual blockade) between sun and saturn or between moon and mercury. 2) One must also consider what is known as 'murthi' (image, idol). For this, one determines the sign in which the transiting moon is at the time of sun's entry into sidereal capricorn in our example. The position of the transiting moon in relation to the natal moon signifies one of the four states which, in turn, determine the effect of the planet (sun) during its stay in the sign (capricorn). - If the transiting moon is in the 1st, 6th or 11th sign from natal moon (pisces, leo or capricorn in our example) then the state would be 'gold'. - If the transiting moon is in the 2nd, 5th or 9th sign from natal moon (aries, cancer or scorpio in our example) then the state would be 'silver'. - If the transiting moon is in the 3rd, 7th or 10th sign from natal moon (taurus, virgo or sagittarius in our example) then the state would be 'copper'. - If the transiting moon is in the 4th, 8th or 12th sign from natal moon (gemini, libra or aquarius in our example) then the state would be 'iron'. If a planet is in a benefic or good sign (Table 1) it will give excellent results if in gold state, will be good when in silver, but would give weak or mixed effects in copper and would be ineffective when in iron state. If the transiting planet is in a 'bad' sign, then it will be extremely bad in iron, bad in copper, mildly evil in silver and minimally bad or ineffective in gold state. 3) A third consideration involves the transit of planets in the asterism with reference to the natal lunar asterism. The zodiac is divided into 27 stars, each set of 9 stars being ruled by ketu (starting at aries 0, leo 0 and sagittarius 0), venus, sun, moon, mars, rahu, jupiter, saturn and mercury. Incidentally, this same order of rulership is employed in the vimshottari dasha system. If in our example the natal moon (in pisces) was in jupiter's asterism then a planet transiting the 1st (10th & 19th), 3rd (12th & 21st), 5th (14th & 23rd) and 7th (16th & 25th) stars therefrom, (ruled by jupiter, mercury, venus and moon) would indicate bad effects. Planets transiting through the other stars would signify good results. 4) Lastly, we find out the star (not sign) in which a new moon occurs (signifying the beginning of a new lunar month). We next count this star from the natal lunar star which is considered as 1. This would give indications of the general effects during that month. The results are described under:

NO. FROM BIRTH STARLORD IN RESULTS STAR OUR EXAMPLE 1 Jupiter Travels 2 Saturn Feasting, good food 3 Mercury Sorrow 4 Ketu Strength 5 Venus Education 6 Sun Good clothes 7 Moon Sorrow 8 Mars Righteousness 9 Rahu Extremely auspicious 5) During any dasha period, the transits of the moon and the sun (being luminaries) and of the planets ruling over the current major and minor vimshottari dasha periods are important. The effects of the major and minor dasha period are likely to be activated when the above four indicators would transit through the stars of the planets in whose stars the major and minor dasha lords are placed in the natal horoscope. If during the dasa of jupiter, which is in the star of mercury in the natal horoscope, sun, moon or jupiter transits through one of the three stars belonging to mercury, jupiter's effects would fructify. 6) Saturn's transits have been attributed with special importance in vedic astrology. Saturn stays for almost 30 months in a sign and is considered a major indicator of the ravages of 'time'. When saturn transits the 12th, 1st and 2nd sign from the natal moon and to a marginally lesser extent when it transits the 8th or 4th sign from the natal moon, its influence is extremely significant in one's life. These have often been dreaded as 'evil' years but usually indicate a period of learning. These represent phases in life when one is forced to take stock of events leading to the present state and to reevaluate the progress in life and to redesign strategies for future actions. There might be materialistic setbacks or other occurrences which bring on the state of mind necessary for such an objective, distant introspection. From the perspective of one's soul and spiritual growth, these periods of saturn can indeed be highly beneficial. As is true for astrology in general, a judicious analysis and synthesis of various techniques should be carried out when examining transit effects. Specifically, combining methods 1-3 and giving a 1/3rd weighting to each would result in a fairly accurate estimate of the effects of a transiting planet. More advanced considerations of transit effects would include ashtakavarga which is a highly involved method that takes into account the contribution of all planets and sensitive points in a horoscope, in order to highlight houses which are especially sensitive to transit influences. Ashtakavarga is also used for other predictive purposes such as determination of longevity. Obviously, all these techniques should be used in concert with the vimshottari dasha system of timing and sidereal longitudes. Table I: Benefic and vedha houses (in brackets next to the benefic house) of transiting planets, both with reference to natal sidereal moon using the whole sign house system. PLANET BENEFIC HOUSE [BLOCKING OR VEDHA HOUSE] Sun 11[5], 3[9], 10[4], 6[12] Moon 7[2], 1[5], 6[12], 11[8], 10[4], 3[9] Mars 3[12], 11[5], 6[9] Mercury 2[5], 4[3], 6[9], 8[1], 10[7], 11[12] Jupiter 2[12], 11[8], 9[10], 5[4], 7[3] Venus 1[8], 2[7], 3[1], 4[10], 5[9], 11[6], 12[3] Saturn 3[12], 11[5], 9[9] Note: No vedha exists between sun and saturn or moon and mercury.

TRANSITS ,VEDHA, GOCARA, DASA You have come across the terms such as Astakavarga, Gocara (or transit) etc. I should like to tell you something about this Gocara before proceeding further. The word Gocara simply means movement of planets along the circle of the zodiac. Though the word Go means cow, ray etc. here it stands for planets that are possessed of rays or lustre. You have already seen how a planet produces effects, good or bad, during its Dasa. This Dasa-methodology is based upon the natal chart as a whole. The Gocara-system, however, is based upon the transit or movement of planets from time to time through the various Signs of the zodiac starting, of course, from a fixed point viz. the position of the natal Moon. No doubt there are

important factors in a horoscope viz. the Ascendant, the Moon's Sign and the one occupied by the Sun. So the effects of transit must be considered with reference to all these three factors. Still the ancients have given greater weight and consideration to the Moon's position at birth. The reason for this is not far to seek. For, the Moon is the Cosmic Mind or the one born of the mind of the Supreme. Historically too her importance cannot be minimized, as her phases were observed by men in the dim past and were connected by them with their vicissitudes and changes in weather etc. Again, it is the mind that is responsible for the happiness and misery of man. When the mind is content, even a beggar does not fear a king. When such is the case, it is but right that the. Moon should be considered as the pivot for the changing fortunes of all beings. Moreover, in the case of this Gocara system generally the planets as such are considered and not as owners of Bhavas. So if you want to apply this system with the Sun or Lagna as the starting point, you should not say that this or that planet is good or bad in such and such houses counted from the Sun or Lagna. But you have to consider the planets as lords of houses (counted of course from either the Sun or Lagna) transiting the various Bhavas from either. Now I shall give the details of the usual Gocara system. Taking the natal Moon as the starting point you have to proceed to consider which planets are- : good or bad and in which houses. In this case too you must be exact and scientific in your method. For this purpose you . must make a new Bhava chart with the longitude of the Moon at | birth as the Lagna. If this is done properly, you can say whether a planet in transit is in one or an other house from the Moon. For example, let us suppose that the M oon is in the 29th degree \ of Mesa. If the Sun in transit comes to the 4th degree of Vrsabha, you should not think that the Sun is in the 2nd house from the Moon. He should be considered to be in the first house itself. The Sun produces good effects when he passes in transit through the 3rd, 6th, 10th and 11th houses from the Moon. So the effects of his transit through the other house are to b& understood to be bad. Similarly Mars, Saturn, Rahu and Ketu produce good effects only in the 3rd, 6th and llth houses from the Moon. The Moon is beneficial in 1, 3, 6, 7, 10 and 11 places. from herself. Mercury is auspicious in 2, 4, , 8, 10 and 11 places from the Moon. Jupiter is good in 2, 5, 7, 9 and 11 places. Venus is favourable in 1, -2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 9, 11 and 12 places. Generally the nine planets beginning with the Sun take respectively the following periods to pass through a Rasi : (1) 1 month; (2) 2.1/4days; (3) 2 months; (4) 1 month; (5) 1 year; (6) 1 month; (7) 2.1/2 years; (8) and (9) 1.1/2 years. Though a planet is expected to produce its effects, good or bad, throughout the period of its passage over a house, still it has a particular part of that period which is considered most potent. They are respectively for the planets beginning with the Sun (1) the first 5 days; (2) the last 3 Ghatis; (3) the first 8 days; (4) throughout the period of 1 month; (5) 2 months in the middle; I (6) 7 days in the middle; (7) the last six months; (8) & (9) | the last 3 months. The same idea may be put in another form } as follows : The Sun and Mars produce effects when they pass through the initial 10 degrees of a Rasi, Jupiter and Venus in the | middle 10 degrees, the Moon and Saturn in the last 10 degrees, | and Mercury and Rahu throughout their passage. | It is true that there are varieties of good and bad effects which | I am going to explain shortly. But before I take up that task | I should like to tell you some other detail about this. It isj what is called VEDHA, which means piercing in literal parlance! but here "undoing" or "cancellation". For every place producingj good or bad effects there is a place called Vedha which when occupied by some other planet nullifies the previous effects. For example, the Sun is good in transit when he passes through the 3rd house, but its Vedha is the 9th house. The idea is that although the Sun transiting the 3rd house from the natal Moon should yield very good results, still there would be nothing good coming out of this position if at that time some planet (other than Saturn) transits the 9th house from the Moon. In the same manner bad effects too are nullified by their Vedha positions being tenanted by some other planets at the same time. The following table gives the Vedha positions of all the planets : Table of Vedha Planets Sun Moon Mars Mercury Jupiter Venus I II III IV V VI VII VIII houses 3 6 4 7 4 9 12 12 2 9 6 9 6 6 3 12 2 7 7 7 1 7 5 8 10 8 8 10 11 IX 10 4 10 10 9 4 X 4 8 5 12 8 3 XI 5 11 11 11 11 6 XII 11

5 I 2 1 8

1 2 9 1 9 3 2 12 3 5 4 3 12 2 5 7 1 10

Explanation :Under I against the Sun you see the number 1 for Vedha. What does it mean ? It means that when the Sun passes through the natal Moon at any time if there is some other planet transiting the same Rasi i.e. there is some other planet with the Sun, at the time, the effects (here, bad) are cancelled. Similarly in the case of the second house.

The Vedha positions of Saturn and Ketu are the same as those of Mars. An important exception to the Vedha-rule is that it does not operate in the case of planets that are related as father and son. For example, there is no Vedha between the Sun and Saturn as they are respectively father and son. So too there is no Vedha between the Moon and Mercury. The idea is that in the case pf the Sun even if a Vedha position be occupied by Saturn, there would not be any cancellation of the previous effects. Now I intend telling you in detail the effects of Gocara or transit of the several planets through the twelve houses counted ^ from the Sign occupied by the Moon at birth. When the Sun ; passes through the First house (the Sign tenanted by the natal I Moon), the following bad effects will be experienced : Fatigue, loss of money, irritability, illness and wearisome journeys. When he transits the Second house, there will be loss of wealth, unhappiness, chance of being deceived and avarice. When he passes through the Third house, there will be acquisition of i a good position, very handsome income, happiness, good '. health and destruction of enemies. When he passes through the Fourth house, the native will suffer from ailments, will be unhappy and be deprived of the company of his wife and kinsmen. When the same planet transits the Fifth house, there will be mental agitation, frequent illness, delusion etc. When he transits the Sixth house, there will be an end of ailments, enemies, grief and delusion. When he passes through the Seventh house, the subject will undertake wearisome journeys; he will have illness caused by stomach and anus troubles; he will also be subjected to humiliation. When he transits the Eighth house, there will be illness, fear, quarrels, troubles from the King or .government and excessive heat. When he passes through the Ninth house, there will be danger, humiliation, separations from one's relatives and mental agony. His passage through the Tenth house will enable the subject to accomplish a mighty undertaking. His passage through the Eleventh house will help the native to acquire a good position, honour, wealth ard cure of diseases. His transit through the Twelfth house will produce great strain, loss of wealth, quarrel with friends and fever. The Moon will produce the following effects when she passes through the 12 houses counted from her natal position : (1) Rise of fortune, (2) loss of money, (3) success, (4) fear, (5) ^ sorrow, (6) sound health, (7) all kinds of happiness, (8) untoward ' events, (9) sickness, (10) attainment of desired objects, (11) joy, and (12) expenditure. Mars will give the following effects when he passes through the 12 houses :(!) mental grief, separation from one's kith and kin and diseases caused by the vitiation of blood and bile as well as those caused by excessive heat. (2) When he passes through the Second house, there will be fear, indiscreet words or verbal warfare and loss of wealth. (3) In the Third he will give rise to victory, acquisition of gold ornaments and great joy. (4) In the Fourth he causes loss of position, illness of the stomach and sorrow on account of kinsmen. (5) In the Fifth house he will create fever, improper desire or thoughts, sorrow on account of children and quarrels with one's relatives. (6) When he passes through the Sixth house, there will be cessation of enmities and quarrels, recovery from sickness, victory, financial gain and success in all undertakings. (7) In the Seventh house he causes misunderstandings with one's wife, eye-disease and stomach-trouble. (8) In the Eighth house there will be fever, bleeding and loss of wealth and honour. (9) In the Ninth there will be humiliation caused by loss of wealth etc., and retarded gait through physical weakness and loss of vitality. (10) In the Tenth house he causes wicked activities, obstacles to one's projects, and physical strain. (11) In the Eleventh house he produces wealth, health and addition to landed property. (12) Lastly in the Twelfth house he engenders loss of wealth, excessive heat, fever etc. Mercury brings about the following effects in order when he passes through the 12 houses beginning with the Janma Rasi : (1) Loss of money, (2) wealth, (3) fear of enemies, (4) acquisition of wealth (5) quarrel with one's wife and children, (6) victory, ed ^33 < Magha

U. Bhadra

Hasta

P. Bhadra

Citra |

Satabhisak Dhanistha

Svati Visakha .aj 1

a 1 W

1

3 . ;= as i3 - S 4: &,

^. ^* ^

West be fear. Similarly if the star tenanted by the Sun happens to be Vedha for Karma-star i.e. 10th from the natal one, there will be loss of money. In addition to the above if the Sun is also conjoined with a malefic, death will be the result. In the same manner see also if other malefics, (i.e. other than the Sun) occupy in transit stars which are Vedha for the three stars viz. the natal one, the 10th and the 19th. In such a case too the result will be death. If both malefics and benefics transit such stars, there will be no danger to life. There is yet another way of finding out bad effects of transit : If malefics should transit the natal star, the 3rd from it, the 5th, the 7th, 10th, 19th or the 23rd (all counted from the natal star), then too there will be danger to life. If these positions are occupied by benefics in transit, then there will be only failure of undertakings. Now you see that this is another kind of Vedha different from the one indicated by the Saptasaiaka figure. Remember also that this is different from the Rasi-procedure and its Vedha which have been already explained. The 10th and 19th stars counted from the natal asterism are also called respectively Anujanma and Trijanma. This means that the 10th is the natal star in the second round and the 19th in the third round. See also if the natal star in any round synchronizes with the Sun's entry into another Sign of the zodiac. If it does, then the effect is very bad. It may be death or great danger to life. The same effect will take place, if the same natal star in any round happens to synchronize with the change of sign of any other planet, or with an eclipse, planetary war, falling of meteors or with any other extra-ordinary event. There are some more points to be remembered in this connection : You have understood now as to which planets give unfavourable results and in which stars and signs. This is not all. Even if a planet is found to be capable of yielding unfavourable results on account of its transit, the bad effects will be nullified by the aspect of a benefic on that planet. The same argument holds good in the case of a planet supposed to produce excellent results but aspected by a malefic. Similar is the effect in the case of one aspected by its enemy. So while pronouncing judgment on Gocara effects you should be extremely cautious. It is not enough if you simply note the basic rule regarding good and bad houses for the planets in transit. Even if a planet occupies a very bad house according to the rules of transit, it cannot give bad effects in case it occupies at the time its own house or its exaltation. On the other hand, it will yield most excellent results when it transits a good house which is its own house or its exaltation. You have also to note if a planet in transit is in its debilitation, inimical house or combustion. In such a condition even the good effects that are expected would not materialize, and the bad effects would be greatly aggravated. There is yet another method of finding out the Gocara effects from the limbs of the native occupied by the planets. Certain stars counted from the natal one are assigned to different limbs of the person. For example, in the case of the Sun's transit the natal star is called the Face. So if the Sun transits the natalstar of a person, he is supposed to be seated on the face of the native. The effect of this is not at all happy. I am tabulating below for your convenience the stars constituting ,the limbs and their effects in the case of the Sun and other planets separately.

Sun Stars (a) First star or the natal star (b) 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th (c) 6th, 7th, 8th and 9th. (d) 10th, llth, 12th and 13th (e) 14th, to 19th (six stars) (f) 20th to 23rd (four stars) (g) 24th and 25th (h) 26th and 27th Note that here the counting star, and not from Asvini. Stars (a) 1st and 2nd (b) 3rd to 6th (four) (c) 7th and 8th (d) 9th and 10th (e) llth to 15th (five) (f) 16fh, 17th and 18th (g) 19th to 24th (six) (h) 25th, 26th and 27th Stars (a) 1st and 2nd (b) 3rd to 8th (six) (c) 9th, 10th, llth (d) 12th to 15th (four) (e) 16th and 17th (f) 18th to 21st (four) (g) 22nd to 25th (four) (h) 26th and 27th Limbs Face Head Chest Right hand The feet Left hand The eyes Genital organ is done always Effects Destruction Great prosperity Victory Wealth Poverty Physical ailments Gain Danger to life from one's natal Moon Limbs Face Head Back Eyes Heart Left hand Feet Right hand Mars Limbs Face Feet Chest Left hand Head Face Right hand Eyes Effects Death Fighting Success Indigence Gain Excessive fear Happiness' , Going away .., from home Effects Great fear Happiness Victory over foes Financial gain Happiness Hatred Going abroad Financial gain

Mercury, Jupiter and Venus Stars