Medical Astrology

Medical Theory in Ayurveda

It is really impossible to delineate the precise origins of Ayurveda in Indian thought. Traces of it can be seen in the Atharva Veda and certain older texts like the Grihya Sutras refer to medical practices, but as in many Indian systems, actual documentation seems to be a problem.

Astrology and Ayurveda

The most important text in classical Vedic astrology is undoubtedly the Brihat Parasara Hora Sastra. Jaimini Sutram, and the Chandra Kali Nadi (also known as the Deva Keralam) are also important references. Virtually every Vedic astrology text discusses health issues and the causes of those health issues in a chart.

Parasara explains the qualities of the planets in Ayurvedic terms, or doshas, which are not dissimilar from Western terms for humors.

Vata: This is mostly the quality of air. Vata is fast, intellectually quick, dry, It also leads the other doshas. People who are primarily of a vata type have quick intellects, usually thin, are easily excitable, and learn things quickly. They also forget quickly.

Pitta: This component is fiery and dry. It moves aggressively and self-assuredly and does not think so much as act. It is quick to anger and to action, and is sure of its direction. People who predominantly possess this element are quick to act. They also tend to be aggressive and determined in action and have no difficulty in ordering others. They are of moderate weight, and usually have good digestion.

Kapha : This component is earthy and also wet. Those who show this dosha are slow, calm, not quick intellectually, but very thorough. They are slow to learn, but usually learn completely. They are also slow to anger, and are generally good natured in disposition, but they tend towards overweight.

The first clues towards the identification of planets by Ayurvedic type is in Chapter 3, Sloka 20m in which the planets are corresponded to the Panch Maha Bhutas, or five primordial compounds:

Mars is fire—or action and fire.
Mercury is Earth—or substance and change
Jupiter is Ether—Or thought
Venus is Water—or emotion
Saturn is air.—or excited thought (air moves quickly—it is interesting that Saturn is given this element given its traditionally “heavy” role, but air also produces worry or anxiety.

However, in Sections 23-31, the planets are given their doshas in this sequence, as well as the primary parts of the body they rule.

This summary gives the pertinent information about the grahas and the elements under their control.

The Sun’s eyes are honey-colored. He has a square body. He is of clean habits, bilious, intelligent and has limited hair on his head. Bilious is Pitta.

The Moon is very windy (Vata) and Phlegmatic (Kapha) . She is learned and has a round body. She has auspicious looks and sweet speech, is fickle-minded and very lustful.

Mars has blood-red eyes, is fickle-minded, liberal, bilious (pitta), given to anger, and has a thin waist and thin physique.

Mercury is endowed with an attractive physique and the capacity to use words with many meanings. He is fond of jokes. He has a mix of all the three humours (Vata, Pitta and Kapha).

Jupiter has a big body, tawny hair and tawny eyes, is Phlegmatic (Kapha) and learned in all the sastras.

Venus is charming, has a splendorous physique, is excellent or great in disposition, has charming eyes, is a poet, is phlegmatic (Kapha) and windy (Vata) and has curly hair.

Saturn has a long and emaciated physique, has tawny eyes, is windy (Vata) in temperament, has big teeth, is indolent and lame and has coarse hair.

Rahu has smoky appearance with a blue-mix physique. He resides in forests and is horrible. He is windy (Vata) in temperament and is intelligent. Ketu is akin to Rahu.
(Note: Rahu is usually considered to act like Saturn and Ketu like Mars. It is useful to remember that these were once part of the same being and will share traits.)

The primary elements that the seven planets rule:
Sun rules bones.
Moon rules blood.
Mars rules marrow.
Mercury rules skin.
Jupiter rules fat.
Venus rules semen; all reproductive fluids.
Saturn rules muscles.
Rahu and Ketu rule no elements.

If the planets in a chart are afflicted, the parts of the body ruled by these planets are afflicted as well.

There are other parts of the body the planets rule. These will be discussed next week. But the above is a good place to start to understand the basic rulerships that planets possess.

The Sun will, in principle, rule the parts of the body that provide the basic structure of the body. So bones are primary, then we go to organs like the heart and the eyes. These are foundational items that make us up and hold things together.

The Moon will rule blood, which brings nutrients to the body and which must flow and change perpetually. Other components would be lymph nodes, endocrine centers, and so forth—the chemical messengers in the body.

Mars will rule marrow, which is primarily responsible for strength and energy in the body. Similar elements would be adrenal glands.

Mercury rules skin, which is the largest organ of the body. It is also our intermediary with the outside world. The nervous system resides right under the skin and communicates our external world and stimulates the mind.

Jupiter rules fat. Although fat shields us from the cold (and Jupiter is a protective planet) it is also the sole element that makes up the human brain. So the substance of intelligence is seen from Jupiter. As well, it rules the “intelligent” organs like the liver.

Venus rules semen and reproductive materials—Given the fact that Venus is a refined planet, and can also provide us with immortality through a child, this specialized function is appropriate for Venus.

Saturn rules muscles as it does the work for the solar system. All of the grosser activities are under Saturn’s influence.

Since Rahu and Ketu have no bhutas that they rule, they can influence other planets, usually for ill. (see the end of this week for examples).

Certain signs are considered to possess the doshas as well.

The fire signs (Aries, Leo, Sagittarius) are Pitta
The water signs (Cancer, Scorpio and Pisces) are Kapha
The earth signs (Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn), according to Parasara, are Vata.
The air signs (Gemini, Libra, and Aquarius) are typically considered tri-doshic (all three). The lead dosha is Vata; air signs represent vata in this way, but the air signs change a great deal, giving rise to the idea that they possess all three doshas. In my experience as an astrologer I have found this to be accurate.

MEDICAL ASTROLOGY & THE HOUSES

First House: Body, physical appearance, condition at birth, early childhood, head, brain, longevity, diseases, stature of body

Second House: Face, mouth, teeth, dietary habits, throat, speech, right eye, pulse

Third House: Arms, hands, respiratory canal (trachea), right ear, thymus, shoulders, neck, upper chest, vitality, energy, ambition, desires leading to illness or health

Fourth House: Chest, lungs, heart, emotional state, contentment, Kapha nature

Fifth House: Stomach, gallbladder, spleen, (liver), pregnancy, childbirth, intellect (some sources include the heart in this house, but this is mot a common assignation)

Sixth House: Disease in general (enemies), small and part of large intestine, allergies, kidneys, digestion, constipation, ulcers, liver, injuries, eruptive diseases, communicable diseases, weaknesses of will leading to illness

Seventh House: Space between the intestines and the sexual organs, bladder, urinary problems, prostate gland; large intestine and rectum, ovaries, groin

Eight House: Death, longevity, sexual organs, ojas (vitality) diseases, chronic
Diseases, scrotum, piles, loss of limb, sexually transmitted diseases,
Hemorrhoids.

Ninth House: Hips, thighs, femoral arteries, nourishment,

Tenth House: Knees, patella, bones,

Eleventh House: Calves, ankles, disease (sixth from the sixth), left ear,

Twelfth House: Feet, sleep disorders, left eye, spiritual crisis, sleep disorders (insomnia, sleep apnea, narcolepsy, hallucinations), paralysis, coma, hospitalization.

Remember: Always analyze the ascendant and its ruler first. It is the most important factor in the chart in regards to health and general well-being. Its strength or weakness can override all else in the natal chart.

It is also important to view the chart with Moon and Sun as the Ascendant. The Navamsa and Drekkana charts must be utilized as well.

Astrology and Ayurveda

The timing of illnesses is usually seen from a combination of dasas and transits. Although the best known dasa system is the Vimshottri (or 120 year) mahadasa system. But there are at least 44 dasa systems in Vedic Astrology. And some of these are geared specifically to the prediction of disease. Two of these, the Shula and Sthira dasas, are Jaimini dasa systems which are sign based dasa systems. But there is another dasa system, which is a general dasa system, called the chara dasa, which is also exceptional at predicting illness. An article introducing Jaimini astrology is included in the supplemental reading, but you need not know all of the details of this system to understand how health issues are predicted using this system. The key to understanding how this system works is to see where the gnati karaka (the planet sixth highest in degree in the chart regardless of sign) is and pay careful attention to dasas in which this planet is either in the dasa sign or aspecting the dasa sign. This will give the advent of disease, and will also indicate the part of the body that illness will strike. For example, if the Sun is Gnati Karaka, the person will have problems with vitality and energy; if this planet is in the 12th house, these problems will connect with sleep or elimination, and the sign placement will depend on how severe it is. Exalted planets cause more acute problems, but can be addressed more quickly. Weak planets, by sign, will take longer to resolve, but will be far less intense.

The Vimshottri Dasa system is a bit more complicated, but not extraordinarily so.

Dasas of the sixth lord or planets in the sixth house, will cause acute problems, but these problems will be addressed relatively quickly. Dasas of the eighth house (either lords or occupants) will produce chronic, fairly permanent illnesses. They may not be fatal, but they last a long time and are difficult to treat. The dasas of the twelfth house lord or occupant will cause problems connected with sleep, sex or at times, intoxicants, although such periods are good for spiritual development.

Also dasas of afflicted planets, especially the first house, will cause health issues that have been present since birth to manifest strongly.

The Yogini dasa system is a shorter (36 year) dasa system which works the same as Vimshottri dasa and it never contradicts Vimshottri, from my experience. It can be used along with Vimshottri to get more details on health matters.

When analysing subperiods of planets, always look at the relationship between the dasa lord and the subperiod lord. If they are in the 6th, 8th, 12th from each other, the potential for illness is strong. Also, a weak planet's subperiod will cause suffering.

Finally transits of malefic planets over or aspecting the first house, its lord, or the Moon, or the dasa lord will produce opportunities for health problems, especially if any of these planets is aspecting the

This is a summary of the factors that are reviewed for the onset of disease. The relief of disease can come from change of dasas or antardasas (subperiods) or transit changes. Often aspects of Jupiter or Venus on a malefic will bring illness under control, while a malefic aspect will worsen the combination.

MEDICAL ASTROLOGY & FACTORS FOR HEALTH

There are several indicators that can be used to assess good health (or the overall state of health, in a Vedic chart.

The most commonly used are what can be called first house indicators, such as
1) the first house itself
2) the lord of the first house
3) the Sun (an indicator of overall vitality)
4) the Moon (an indicator of mental peace and ability to relax-it can also be an indicator of health in and of itself)
5) the Atma Karaka planet.A word of explanation here. The Sun is also referred to as the atma karaka planet in many texts, but this does not mean the Sun. Here the term refers to the planet which has attained the highest number of degrees, regardless of sign. This concept is mentioned in both Brihat Parasara Hora Sastra and Jaimini Sutram, and is used extensively in certain divinational techniques in Indian Astrology. Whether Rahu is used in this system or not is a major point of dispute in the Indian system, but when Rahu is used, the degrees it has attained are subtracted from 30 by many astrologers. Based upon my understanding of the classical texts and based upon experience and conversations with many astrologers in the United States and internationally, I choose not to use Rahu as part of the karaka scheme. This is a field for further research, as I have never seen a side by side comparison of karakas with or without Rahu. Still the important point here, is that if the atmakaraka planet is strong, it will be tough to bring the person’s health down.
6) Strength of the Arudha lagna (this is the rising sign’s manifestation—it is determined by counting signs to where the rising sign lord sits, then counting to the same number of houses from the house lord to another house. There is a great deal of controversy as to how this is calculated, so we will leave this technique for another course and focus upon less controversial techniques. See the attached article on “The Structure of Jaimini Astrology” in the course documents.

It is generally considered that a benefics in the angles of a chart—in the first,fourth, seven and tenth houses—generally protect the person, as they provide blessings to the chart. This is basically correct, although benefics like Jupiter or Venus can carry a certain downside to them that will be later.
There are several ways of assessing strength of any of these indicators. One of the simplest, especially from the perspective of health, is to look at the shadbala score of the graha. While shad bala as a measure of strength is a bit inconsistent for many areas in a chart, it is quite accurate in terms of measuring the overall strength of a planet connected with living things. Shad Bala scores of more than 1.5 are considered extremely strong; shad bala of 1 is considered strong; and shad bala of less than 1 is considered weak. It is important to not jump to any conclusions when assessing the strength of a planet. Some planets may be better for the chart in some circumstances.

Other assessments of strength that can be useful are Vimshopak (which is a summary of a planet’s strength based upon its strength in the varga charts—more on these in Week 9, and sarvastakavarga can be used to assess the strength of a house in the chart, particularly in terms of its ability to resist negative planetary transits and its ability to make use of positive planetary transits. You can find sarvastakavarga scores in most Vedic astrology programs. Generally Vimshopak of more than 13 is usually good; Sarvashtavarga of more than 22 points is generally good as well. So we have a rough standard for assessing whether the planets and the houses will be strong.

If the first house, the Sun, the Moon, and the Atma karaka planet are strong in shad bala and vimshopak and if the first house is strong (or the sign in which the other planets are located) , and these planets are in generally good houses, (houses 1, 4, 5, 9, 10, and 11) tends to promote good health.

There is one exception to these combination, called mrityubhaga points in the chart, that we will discuss towards the end of the course.

Medical conditions and diseases that afflict different parts of the body are shown below:
(These are repeated from an earlier week, but I want to keep reinforcing these.)

First House: Body, physical appearance, condition at birth, early childhood, head,

brain, longevity, diseases, stature of body

Second House: Face, mouth, teeth, dietary habits, throat, speech, right eye, pulse (The pulse is an important factor that is used to judge health in Ayurvedic medicine.)

Third House: Arms, hands, respiratory canal (trachea), right ear, thymus, shoulders, neck, upper chest, vitality, energy, ambition, desires leading to illness or health

Fourth House: Chest, lungs, heart, emotional state, contentment, Kapha nature

Fifth House: Stomach, gallbladder, spleen, (liver), pregnancy, childbirth, love affairs, intellect

Seventh House: Space between the intestines and the sexual organs, bladder, urinary problems, prostate gland; large intestine and rectum, ovaries, groin

Eighth House: Death, longevity, sexual organs, ojas (vitality) diseases, chronic
Diseases, scrotum, piles, loss of limb, sexually transmitted diseases,
Hemorrhoids.

Ninth House: Hips, thighs, femoral arteries, nourishment,

Tenth House: Knees, patella, bones,

Eleventh House: Calves, ankles, disease (sixth from the sixth), left ear.

Twelfth House: Feet, sleep disorders, left eye, spiritual crisis, sleep disorders (insomnia, sleep apnea, narcolepsy, hallucinations), paralysis, coma, hospitalization.

Remember: Always analyze the ascendant and it’s ruler first. It is the most important factor in the chart in regards to health and general well-being. It’s strength or weakness can override all else in the natal chart.

It is also important to view the chart with Moon and Sun as the Ascendant. The Navamsa and Drekkana charts must be utilized as well.

The most important factor concerning health is the ascendant (Usually the fire signs are the most healthy and vital and lead an active life).

Next, look to the ruler of the ascendant and determine its strength.

Locate Malefics (Saturn, Mars, Sun, Raha and Ketu) Also neecha planets.

Look at malefic aspects (separative effects).
Locate lords of 6th, 8th and 12th and planets located in those houses.

Look at the planets that rule the signs in which malefics are located.

The malefics lose half their strength in the 4th, 5th and 9th houses.
Benefics are weakened in the 3rd and 6th houses.

Planetary periods mark when a disease process may come to fruition.

Transits can also trigger illnesses usually of an acute nature.
A strong and unafflicted Sun, Moon and Ascendant are strong assets of health in a horoscope.

The lord of the first house placed in the sixth house can give acute diseases, often causing pain and requiring surgery, but these illnesses may be caused by poor digestion, poor dietary habits, or by too much stress, or even by personal attacks. The first lord in the eighth house can give chronic or difficult to treat illnesses, and any type of long term condition. Since the eighth house is also a house connected with the sexual organs and the anus, diseases connected with these areas are indicated. Finally, because the eighth house is connected with energy and regeneration, illnesses that have to do with energy levels (Epstein-Barr, lime disease) can also be seen from this house.

The twelfth house rules illnesses connected with sleep and rest, so you will often see conditions like insomnia, excessive sleep, sleep apnea, and even some addictions (the twelfth rules hidden pleasures, which can be illegal or legal, consumption of intoxicants. The twelfth house can also cause paralysis, both physical and psychological, and can make life full of loss, financial and personal debt.

These are extreme states and occur usually if
1) These houses are also afflicted in some way;
2) The lords of these houses are not in the houses; and
3) There are also similar afflictions to the other physical health indicators, like the Sun, Moon, and the atma karaka planet.

Shad bala strength plays a role here, as does the house's sarvastakavarga score--low totals will make the house more susceptible to the influence of negative planets life Saturn and Mars, making the transit of these planets more painful or difficult.

Some signs, like Scorpio, Virgo and Pisces, will also reflect their natural house positions as ascendants. David Frawley, in

ASTROLOGY OF THE SEERS indicated that Libra tends to be the strongest lagna and Virgo the weakest, because of certain combinations in the chart. Dennis Harness and other authorities seem to feel that fire signs are strongest. It is critical to understand that these combinations are subject to other factors.

Even Venus and Jupiter can cause problems despite their generally benefic status if they are in the first house but are unfavorable planets for the rising sign, like Venus for Sagittariusn rising or Jupiter for Libras--the planets will give some good results, but will produce some health issues.

According to K. S. Charak, malefics in angles are also bad for health.

It is especially important to note that arishta yogas were paid a great deal of attention in India, because of the necessity of children for marriage, and the relatively high rate of infant morality in older civilizations.

The Brihat Parasara Hora Sastra Chapters 9-10 are critically important for determining evils in a chart.

These are relatively short chapters and can be read quickly, but some of the important points are contained here:

1) From ages 0-32, the rising sign is most important for assessing good or poor health in a chart
2) Ages 32-64, the Moon is of main importance
3) Ages 64 and beyond, the Sun is most important
4) No calculation of life span should be made until the age of 24
5) Chapter 9 contains an array of combinations for early death, mainly calculated from the Moon.
6) Malefic aspects of Mars and Saturn
and Rahu afflicting the Sun can cause early death.
7) All malefics in the oriental (eastern) side of the chart and benefics in the occidental (western side) will cause early loss of life.
8) Certain combinations (like hemming in of the ascendant) by malefics is a short life pattern.
All in all, 45 combinations are given in this chapter alone

Elimination of Evils

1) Benefics in angles eliminate evils in a chart.
2) Jupiter in the first house wards off evil.
3) The ascendant lord, placed in an angle is useful for warding off evils
4) A benefic aspecting the ascendant of a night born person, born in the bright half will destroy all evii. The same is true of a malefic aspecting the first house for a day birth, during the Moon's waning period.
5) Sun in the 12th confers a 100 year life sign on Libra ascendant.
6) Mother and child benefit if Mars is joined or aspected by Jupiter.
7) Malefics hemmed in by benefics protect the chart.

There is a simple system of logic here that is particularly in evidence in Chapter 10 in Parasara. Based upon these combinations we can develop a standard set of tools to determine when evil combinations are death inflicting, or just inconvenient in the chart. This week we will discuss both Chapters 9 and 10 to extract some logical interpretational strategies.

Use of the nakshatras and the drekkanas, navamsa and the Trimshamsa chart can predict and overcome illness. We will also focus on certain other related factors that play into these placements, such as the third house, the sign Gemini, and the third lord, the Bhatri Karara (the planet third highest in degree in the chart), the Atma Karaka (the planet highest in degree in the chart) and the Gnati Karaka (some dispute exists here, but we will examine its role as illness and sadhanas indicator, or the planet sixth highest in degree in the chart. We will also look at the roles of malefics (notably Mars, Saturn, Ketu and Rahu and Mandi and Gulika, Saturn’s difficult children) in predicting and examining disease. (There is one theory that 7 karakas apply to non-living things and 8 to living things, but I have seen no classical support for this theory. In Western medicine, the body is often treated as a thing, sometimes with great results—how do we differentiate?)

The use of the nakshatras for examination of illness is fairly transparent. Nakshatras correspond to states of existence (roughly one a day) and the Moon or the mind’s transit through these states of existence. The Moon is the predominant planet used in this form of analysis, but one usually needs to look at planetary placements to assess the state of the Bones (SUN); Blood (Moon), Bone Marrow (Mars), Skin (two Vedic astrologers I know with debilitated Mercury’s do in fact have significant –and in one case life threatening skin problems); Fat (Jupiter—the brain mostly consists of fat); Semen/ovaries (Venus-the essence of the person and the vehicle for “immortality”—the most refined substance created by the body and the vehicle for rebirth), muscles (Saturn—the muscles do the work), nerves and phobia, cancers (Rahu), exposure to bugs, infection, strokes (Ketu). These planets’ involvement with nakshatras will certainly affect physical felicity and you certainly want to look at the nakshatra dispositor (Under Vimshottri dasa) to see how the planets are further modified by that placement. So there is a wealth of data that can be viewed, in addition to looking at the symbology of the nakshatra, its nature—deva, manushya, or rishi/rakshasa.

The Navamsa
The Navamsa chart can be used in any of the following ways:

1) To assess the potential for luck in the chart;
2) To analyze relationship potential between two charts, in terms of marriage, business partnerships and even enemies
3) To see the nature of the person’s spouse
4) To analyze the person’s destiny, particularly after the late 30’s and early 40’s
5) To identify planets that are weak or strong in the birth chart, but show contrary significations in the navamsa. One
6) To assess combinations of planets using both navamsa and the birth chart as a way of analyzing good or poor dasa results
7) To see the potential for career in a chart
8) To see the potential for unusual encounters in a chart;
9) To determine the deity the person will worship and the person’s potential for moksha or liberation.

The navamsa and nakshatras are joined together in a basic way.
Basically, there are 108 navamsa in a vedic chart.
These correspond to the 27 nakshatras four padas or divisions.
Often you will hear astrologers refer to a planet passing over the 64th navamsa in a birth chart
This will be referred to as an inauspicious event.

Basically, what this means is that the planet is passing over the eighth house In the chart, as this is where the 64th navamsa is located (4 x 16 nakshatras). It is inauspicious because it is
A vulernarable point in a chart, much like an underbelly. Malefics passing over this placement are typically, injurious to health. But this also illustrates how the navamsa essentially divides the sky into more divisions and actually opens up the nakshatra to greater scrutiny, but not in an obvious way.

Vargottma planets are very important in navamsa analysis, as they will tend to underscore either the auspiciousness or inauspiciousness of the navamsa. For example, and exalted Saturn in Libra will increase the individual’s capacity for work, but a debilitated Jupiter in Capricorn in both charts will make Jupiter seem doubly unlucky. Usually, Vargottma planets are good; debilitated Vargottma planets (unless they own bad houses, like the 6th, 8th and 12) are not very helpful.
Vargottma planets (except debilitated) tend to be extremely strong for health, and increase the energy of the living things in the chart ruled by that planet.

To assess the potential for luck in the chart:
Next one needs to look at the navamsa chart as a natal chart:

1) What is the disposition of Jupiter, the disposition of the fifth, seventh and ninth houses in the chart?
2) Are the benefics placed well or poorly (in dusthana houses, for example)?
3) Are there positive or negative yogas in the chart?
4) What are planets in aspect to? Evaluate not only planet aspects but also look at sign to sign aspects.
5) All of these techniques will give you an idea as to whether the navamsa is strong or weak.
6) The natal charts can be placed on the navamsa chart this technique can let you know the overall strength of the chart.

Destiny in a chart.

The mid-late 30’s concurrent with Saturn’s planetary maturity, is usually when a person’s destiny starts to manifest. Also, the person’s spouse can be an indicator of a change in luck for a person, both positive and negative.

Let’s look at Rock Hudson’s chart: November 17, 1925
3 AM
Winetka, Illinois.

Rahu sits in the ninth from karakamsa in the Navamsa. The first lord in the Navamsa sits in the eighth house. Rahu’s placement in relation to the karakamsa gives fame. The first lord in the eighth house gives chronic health problems. As we all know, Mr. Hudson was a famous actor who died from AIDS.

Career and Property in the chart:

What about the drekkana? Well it corresponds to third house matters. So there are brothers, skills, artistry, writing—what does this have to do with health. Not much, but the karaka planet is Mars, which rules blood marrow, which rules energy, and can fuel ambition and desire. The third sign Gemini has one of the most stubborn and difficult nakshatras right in its middle –Ardra—also the tear drop.

The third house is also a house of longevity, because it gives the death of death, (second from second) through desire. This ambition is also courage, desperation. The sixth house lengthens life and fights off disease through struggle—because it has to; the eighth house goes into death like states then REBIRTH. The third house gives the death of death, (second from second) through desire. This ambition is also courage, desperation. The sixth house lengthens life and fights off disease through struggle—because it has to; the eighth house goes into death like states then resurrects itself—but the third consciously wants to live. It is a kama house, and a vehicle for reincarnation. The drekkana and the bhatri karaka share these traits, as does Gemini, and this sign in the natural horoscope, is also tied to Virgo, because both are ruled by Mercury. (Mercury, by the way, is a tri-doshic planet. Because the lead dosha is always Vatu, Mercury will show its vata side first., but Mercury usually shows a great deal of changeability. One of the things. Mercury also rules the skin, which is the primary shell of the body and the largest organ of the body. This planet naturally communicates with the outside world as it is the organ through which we first receive the world.

Look to confirm the fruits of the 1st house (the body) in the third divisional chart: D-3/Drekkana. Drekkana reveals fine detail of how the "results" of taking a particular class & composition of physical body will manifest in physical, emotional, and mental communication patterns. It is the penultimate chart of “working and playing well with others” a rating I received as a child and one which I am sure many of you in this room did.
The central outcome of having a coordinated level of skills is that the person enjoys good communications, good emotional feedback and good social contact. It also gives one a sense of belonging, that if one reaches out (a third house matter) there will be some reciprocity, some sense of belonging, which is important to mental health, and by extension, to physical, social and emotional health. The third house (and by implication the drekkana) is a house of brothers, of colleagues—when colleagues get competitive or aggressive, that is their desires against us turn too strong they become competitors, causing disease, or sixth house matters, If they improve over time (which they can) they become older brothers, mentors, guides and even friends as well as colleagues. Because desires and co-workers can sour, there is always the possibility that desires can lead to disease; there is also the possibility they can become 11th house friends!
Good and helpful planets in drekkana indicate successful spiritual work and help one develop one’s self and others. This gives strong colleagues and friend. You efforts are considered wise and you will experience rapid progress, both in this life and even in subsequent lives.
Planet that have conflict in drekkana can indicate unresolved issues, sometimes twisted desires working in the person’s unconscious level, which will manifest in creating difficulty in the native's life, through enemies or health issues and will give unsupportive colleagues.
The good thing is, an awareness of these patterns can help them surface and once in the open they can be addressed appropriately, through time.
The use of such subtle principles of Vedic astrology as the twenty-second Drekkana, the sixty-fourth Navamsha, the Sarpa Drekkana, and Gulika or Mandi, to decide on the onset and outcome of illness are valid . Classical combinations indicating some of the common ailments, and the scientific approach to application of these principles to actual horoscopic charts. When examining classical combinations, it is also important to mentally examine the combinations and reach new conclusions based on analytical thinking. This helps us develop our minds as astrologers.

This wraps back to the third house. Why? Because the part of the body ruled by the third house is the shoulders, arms, forearms and hands! These are the Gemini mercury communication points for the person. Speech is important, but how we act, how we consciously involve ourselves with others is always a diagnostic tool for health.

The trimshamsa chart or harmonic 30th chart is used to determine the person’s lack of luck or potential for misery. If malefics are powerfully placed in the trimshamsa chart, recovery will be difficult or painful if successful. Some trimshamsas also indicate total lack of recovery or sudden end.

We also look at the Moon, especially the nakshatra, because this is how we experience the world first through mother. The nakshatra at birth gives potential for health and illness, based on its innate traits, including whether it is tamasic, rajasic, or sattwic, Deva, Manushya or Rakshasa/Rishi, but also based, many have observed, through its ruling planet and its placement. Also, as Swami VishnuDevananda has said, mother is the first teacher, nowhere is this so graphically illustrated as through the birth nakshatra, which essentially establishes the life pattern through the Vimshottri mahadasa, but also established the person’s psychological predisposition through life. It is not everything in health, but it is an awful lot. One can also examine the individual’s nakshatras for other planets in order to see how those are manifesting their karma and the relationship to health.

FROM SRI JYOTHI SOFTWARE. Copyright Andrew Foss
Name Nadi Gana Devata
Ashwini Vata Divine Ashwins
Bharani Pitta Human Yama
Krittika Kapha Rakshasa Agni
Rohini Kapha Human Prajapati
MrigashirshaPitta Divine Soma
Ardra Vata Human Rudra
Punarvasu Vata Divine Aditi
Pushyami Pitta Divine Brihaspati
Aslesha Kapha Rakshasa Sarpa
Magha Kapha Rakshasa Pitris
PurvaPhalguni Pitta Human Bhaga
UttarPhalguni Vata Human Aryaman
Hasta Vata Divine Savitar
Chitra Pitta Rakshasa Twastar
Swati Kapha Divine Vayu
Vishaka Kapha Rakshasa Indra-Agni
Anuradha Pitta Divine Mitra
Jyestha Vata Rakshasa Indra
Mula Vata Rakshasa Niriti
Purvashada Pitta Human Apas
Uttarashada Kapha Human Vishvadevas
Sravana Kapha Divine Vishnu
Dhanistha Pitta Rakshasa Vasus
Satabhisha Vata Rakshasa Varuna
PurvaBhadra Vata Human Aja Ekapat
UttaraBhadra Pitta Human AhirBudhnya
Revati Kapha Divine Pushan

Name Quality Shakti
Ashwini Light Healing
Bharani Fierce Removing
Krittika Mixed Burning
Rohini Fixed Growing
Mrigashirsha Soft Enjoying
Ardra Sharp Achieving
Punarvasu Mutable Revitalising
Pushyami Light Sanctifying (creating spiritual energy)
Aslesha Sharp Destroying (obstructions to spiritual energy)
Magha Fierce Dying (spiritual rebirth)
PurvaPhalguni Fierce Procreating
UttarPhalguni Fixed Prospering
Hasta Light Gaining
Chitra Soft Creating (spiritual power)
Swati Mutable Transforming
Vishaka Mixed Harvesting
Anuradha Soft Abundance
Jyestha Sharp Heroism
Mula Sharp Clearing
Purvashada Fierce Invigorating
Uttarashada Fixed Victory
Sravana Mutable Connecting
Dhanistha Mutable Joining
Satabhisha Mutable Healing
PurvaBhadra Fierce Upraising
UttaraBhadra Fixed Stabilising
Revati Soft Nourishing

Ashwini: Natives of Ashwini are usually beautiful in appearance. They love to be adorned in good jewelry and clothes. They are sharp-witted, accomplished and unperturbed. Usually they have a calm temperament, they belong to Mesha rasi. Ruler: Ketu
Bharani: Natives of Bharani usually have an immense zest for life. They are intellectually inclined, and have a scientific bend of mind. They enjoy good health and prosperity. They have a steady mind, and they seldom tell lies. They belong to Mesha rasi. Ruler: Venus
Krittika: Natives of Krittika have a strong physique and they enjoy good health and long life; usually they have insatiable lust, and they are greedy in their eating habits. As a rule they are very cunning and deceitful. However they are inclined to enjoy fame and socially they move in high circles. Krittika Nakshatra 1st pada belongs to Mesha rasi and the rest 3 padas to Vrishabha rasi. Ruler: Sun
Rohini: Natives of Rohini usually have exceptionally large eyes. They are honest and truthful in their dealings, and generally they are generous and charitable. Talented conversationalists, they have an unperturbed mind. They belong to Vrishabha rasi. Ruler: Moon
Mrigasira: Natives of Mrigasira generally suffer from an inferiority complex. They are persevering in nature, but love an easy way of life. Money comes to them easily. The first two-Nakshatra padas are belonging to Vrishabha rasi and the next two belong to Mithuna rasi. Ruler: Mars
Ardra: natives of Ardra are very bold and contrary. They can be proud and self-centered. They are given to quick temper. These natives belong to Mithuna rasi. Ruler: Rahu
Punarvasu: Though this nakshatra is generally polite and tactful, when aroused, they may easily loose control over their tongues. In business dealings they are usually clever and cunning, if necessary. The first 3 padas belong to Mithuna rasi and the rest to Karka rasi. Ruler: Jupiter
Pushya: natives of Pushya casually have a calm mind; highly intellectual, they are usually dutiful, law abiding and righteous. They are noble in their outlook and they are philanthropic. They belong to Karka rasi. Ruler: Saturn
Ashlesha: natives of Ashlesha generally have a robust physique. They are of a cheerful temperament, and they have a great zest for life. However it is not unusual to find some of them insincere and cunning.. They belong to Karka rasi. Ruler: Mercury.
Magha: natives of Magha love an easy luxurious life. It is rare to find industrious people among them. They love to surround themselves with beautiful things, particularly flowers of color and fragrance. Prosperity comes to them rather easily. They belong to Simha rasi. Ruler: Ketu
Purva Phalguni: natives of Purva Phalguni are philanthropic minded and noble hearted. They are generally pleasant in their behavior, and tactful in their speech. They have the knack to see ahead and therefore they make very good businessman. At times they suffer from unsteady mind. They belong to Simha rasi. Ruler: Venus

Uttara Phalguni: natives of Uttara Phalguni usually suffer from poor appetite. They are intellectually inclined and healthy minded. Generally, they are sincere, truthful and noble hearted, though short-tempered. The first pada falls in Simha rasi and the rest three in Kanya rasi. Ruler: Sun
Hasta: Natives of Hasta are usually brave and chivalrous. Besides other noble qualities, they are grateful and charitable. However at times they can be merciless and stealthy. They are usually prosperous in the later part of life. they belong to Kanya rasi. Ruler: Moon
Chitra: Natives of are especially distinguished for their beautiful physique. They are noted for their shapely figure and attractive features, particularly eyes. They are fond of good clothes and ornaments. They can be considered good-natured in general. The first two padas belong to Kanya Rasi and the other two belongs to Thula rasi. Ruler: Mars
Swathi: Natives of Swathi are well known for dignified and polished manners. They are intelligent, scholarly and are able administrators. Tactful in their behavior, they have great self-control. Dutiful and generally law abiding, they make excellent citizens. They belong to Thula rasi. Ruler: Rahu
Vishakha: Natives of Vishakha are well known for their jealousy and stringiness. They are short tempered, but at the same time they are god fearing and honest. The first three padas belong to Thula rasi and the next one belongs to Vrischika rasi. Ruler: Jupiter.
Anuradha: Natives of Anuradha are distinguished for their beautiful hair and eyelashes. Dutiful and god fearing they have great attraction for the opposite sex. They will be prospers and honored by the great. However, natives of Anuradha will find themselves luckier in a foreign county. They belong to Vrischika rasi. Ruler: Saturn
Jyeshtha: Natives of Jyeshtha have very bad tempers, giving way to violent outbursts at times. Generally they are not very prosperous, though they are charitable. Their ruling deity is Indra, king of the gods. They belong to Vrischika rasi. Ruler: Mercury.
Moola: Natives of Moola are very proud people. They have bad tempers and not favorable disposed towards relatives. They have a constant, steady mind and they love discipline. (This is the root of spirituality in a vedic chart, as this nakshatra starts the ninth sign, Sagittarius). They belong to Dhanus rasi. Ruler: Ketu.
Purva Ashada: Natives of Purva Ashada stand out in a crowd because of their stature. Generally they are proud and noble minded. Kind to people, and generous to the poor and the needy, natives of Purva-Ashada are loyal friends, but dangerous enemies. They belong to Dhanus rasi. Ruler: Venus.

Uttara Ashada: Natives of Uttara Ashada are distinguished by their majestic appearance. Strong and muscular they usually have long nose and chiseled features. They have good discerning eyes and they are generally gentle and kind. Fond of good food and good company, they are of a pleasant disposition. The first pada belongs to Dhanus rasi and the rest three Makara rasi. Ruler: Sun.
Shravana: Natives of Shravana distinguish themselves for their high intellect and noble qualities. They are generally of polished manners and dignified behavior. They have great enthusiasm for life. They belong to Makara rasi. Ruler: Moon
Dhanishta: Natives of Dhanishta are known for their independent nature and liberal outlook. Highly esteemed for their courage and valor, natives of Dhanishta are also generally fond of music, but often have difficulty with women. The first and second pada belongs to Makara rasi, and the third and fourth belong to Kumbha rasi. Ruler: Mars
Satabishak: These natives possess high intellect and virtuous conduct. Always truthful and uncompromising, they are the beloveds of everyone. They can be very stubborn however. They belong to Kumbha rasi. Ruler: Rahu.
Purva Bhadra: Natives of Purva Bhadra are easily given to melancholy. They usually think lesser of themselves than they are actually worth. They are intelligent and are usually gifted speakers. They can, if not careful, easily give in to jealousy and greed. The first three padas belong to Kumbha rasi and the fourth one Meena rasi. Ruler: Jupiter.
Uttara Bhadra: Natives of Uttara Bhadra have a great aptitude for arts and science. Usually talkative they are argumentative, but tactful and diplomatic. They are generally charitable and kind. They belong to Meena rasi. Ruler: Saturn.
Revati: Natives of Revati possess a perfect build and a robust constitution. They are popular heroic and have a great attraction for the opposite sex. Tactful and diplomatic they have a wandering mind. They belong to Meena rasi. Ruler: Mercury.
Shaktis of the Nakshatras
This is a key article by David Frawley on the Nakshtras and how to use them, widely circulated and used, including as a predictive tool.
From: https://vedanet.com/2012/06/13/shaktis-of-the-nakshatras/
Each Nakshatra has its particular power or Shakti. These are also the powers of the Devatas or the deities ruling the Nakshatras. Each of these Shaktis has its effect above and its effect below, and the final result of these three factors. The imagery is of common factors of plants, healing, worship, marriage and death.
This is a teaching that derives from an ancient Vedic text called Taittiriya Brahmana I.5.1 and from the commentary of Bhattabhaskara Mishra. The first paragraph relates to the textual reference. The second paragraph consists of my own comments based upon it.
Ashwini

Ashwini is governed by the Ashwins, the twin horsemen. It has the power to quickly reach things (shidhra vyapani shakti). Its basis above are the creatures to be healed. Its basis below is the healing therapies. From these three the entire world becomes free of disease.
Ashwini Nakshatra brings about quick aid and energization. The healing power of Ashwini is evident from these comments, particularly their ability to bring about fast, radical or miraculous cures as well as rejuvenation. The Ashwins are forces of Prana or the life-force, which is quick in its action to stimulate, help, and initiate a new level of activity.
Bharani
Bharani is ruled by Yama, the God of Death. It has the power to take things away (apabharani shakti). Its basis above is the removal of life from the body. Its basis below is the carrying of the soul to the realm of the ancestors. By the combination of these three factors creatures move on to the next world.
Bharani Nakshatra takes away that which has reached its term of life to a new condition. It shows the movement of the soul away from the body. Yama guides the soul to the astral plane, where it can experience the result of its karma from the present life and prepare for the life to come. Yama is a figure of discipline and sacrifice.
Krittika
Krittika is ruled by Agni, the God of Fire. It has the power to burn (dahana shakti). Its basis above is heat and below is light. The result of these three is burning or purification.
Krittika Nakshatra burns up negativity, purifies what is mixed, and cooks or prepares that which is not yet ripe. Agni is mainly the God of the sacred fire, so purification is perhaps the dominant action, not destruction, though purification does involve the destruction of impurity. Agni is also the fire that cooks our food and so there is a nourishing side to its effects as well. This fire has a childlike nature.
Rohini
Rohini is ruled by Prajapati, the Creator. Its power is growth (rohana shakti). Its basis above is the plants and below is the waters. The result of these three is creation.

Rohini Nakshatra allows for growth and creation on all levels, bestowing great fertility. However it also evokes some degree of jealousy because others may resent that a person gains such abundance. More over it can increase desire. But these are only side effects to its great prosperity. Prajapati is the creator who can bestow everything so we should be careful what we want.
Mrigashirsha
Mrigashirsha is ruled by Soma, the God of the Moon or the immortal nectar. Its power is giving fulfillment (prinana shakti). Its basis above is extension. Its basis below weaving (producing clothing). These three together make the world enjoyable.
Mrigashirsha Nakshatra fills or covers with joy. It is like a beautiful cloth to make our life more attractive. Soma is a great enjoyment that is won, conquered, bought or stolen, so its procurement does not always come easily. However what does not require effort to gain is not always enjoyed either.
Ardra
Ardra is ruled by Rudra, the fierce form of Lord Shiva who represents thunder. Its power is effort (yatna shakti), particularly for making gains in life. Its basis above is hunting or searching. Its basis below is reaching the goal. These three bring about achievement.
Ardra Nakshatra arouses us to greater effort in life. This struggle can bring great rewards but not without persistence and a degree of luck. Rudra is the hunter and the wielder of the bow. The idea here also suggests placing of the arrow and hitting the target. For this one must have a good aim, as well as strength to shoot. Rudra is also the lord of wild animals.
Punarvasu
Punarvasu is ruled by Aditi, the Great Mother Goddess. Its power is the ability to gain wealth or substance (vasutva prapana shakti). Its basis above is the wind or air. Its basis below is wetness or rain. These three bring about the revitalization of the plants.
Punarvasu Nakshatra brings about the return of energy and vitality, like the return of the monsoon rains after the dry season. It causes our creative growths and inspirations to be renewed. Aditi is the Earth Goddess who grants all abundance and gives birth to all the Gods.
Pushya
Pushya is ruled by Brihaspati, the God of Divine wisdom. Its power is the ability to create spiritual energy (brahmavarchasa shakti). Its basis above is sacrificial worship. Its basis below is the worshipper. These three result in the creation of spiritual energy.
Pushya Nakshatra increases our good karma and good efforts. The value of this Nakshatra for religious and spiritual practices is emphasized. Brihaspati is the lord of speech, particularly prayer, and of all forms of worship, including meditation, so these indications are all in harmony with his functions.

Aslesha
Aslesha is ruled by the serpent God. It has the power to inflict with poison (visasleshana shakti). Its basis above is the approach of the serpent. Its basis below is trembling and agitation. These three together bring about destruction of the victim.
Aslesha Nakshatra paralyzes the enemy. This can be helpful if we have enemies but it can serve to give a person an inimical temperament as well. It all depends upon how the energy of this Nakshatra is used. Serpents also give wisdom, but a practical wisdom through which one can overcome enemies and obstacles.
Magha
Magha is ruled by the Ancestors. It gives the power of to leave the body (tyage kshepani shakti). Its basis above is mourning. Its basis below is leaving the body. These three together bring about death.
Magha Nakshatra causes a change of state or condition, a kind of death. Usually it shows that we are coming to the end of a cycle. Its condition is prior to that of Bharani which indicates the movement of the soul away from the body. Of course there are higher meanings of this Nakshatra relative to Ancestors including ancestral pride and power.
Purva Phalguni
Purva Phalguni in the Vedic order is ruled by Aryaman, the God of contracts and unions. It gives the power of procreation (prajanana shakti). Its basis above is the wife or female partner. Its basis below is the male or masculine partner. These three together bring about the creation of the fetus.
Purva Phalguni brings about union and procreation on all levels. Yet this follows some official agreement or marriage and is part of the creation of a new family or social order. Aryaman governs such productive alliances and also arranges the marriage festival.
Uttara Phalguni

Uttara Phalguni in the Vedic order is ruled by Bhaga, the God of happiness. Its power the giving of accumulation or prosperity (chayani shakti) through marriage or union. Its basis above is the wealth gained from ones own family. Its basis below is the wealth gained from ones partner and her family. These three together bring about the accumulation of wealth.
Uttara Phalguni brings the prosperity that results through union. It indicates both the need for union and for organizing the resources gained through it. Bhaga is also a God of wealth who brings about the right apportionment of resources. While the previous Nakshatra shows marriage this shows the setting up of the household for the newly married couple.
Hasta
Hasta is ruled by Savitar, the creative form of the Sun God. Its power is the ability to gain what we are seeking and place it in our own hands (hasta sthapaniya agama shakti). Its basis above is the seeking of gain. Its basis below is the process of gaining. These three together place what one wishes to gain in ones own hand.
Hasta gives the ability to achieve our goals in a complete and immediate manner. Such goals are usually creative in nature. Savitar is the creative will that builds up the universe with all of its beauty. His productions are most wonderful.
Chitra
Chitra is ruled by Twashtar, the Cosmic craftsman. Its power is ability to accumulate merit in life (punya cayani shakti). Its basis above is the law. Its basis below is the truth. Through these three the worker is able to gain honor in his work.
Chitra allows us to gain the fruit of our good karma that comes through righteousness. It has a highly spiritual energy and effect. Twashtar creates enduring forms, like a blacksmith, and also produces variety and abundance.
Swati
Swati is ruled by Vayu, the God of the Wind. It gives the power to scatter like the wind (pradhvamsa shakti). Its basis above is moving in various directions. Its basis below is change of form. The result of these three is transformation.
Swati Nakshatra causes things to move and scatter. This can be destructive unless we learn how to use it to remove negativity. All these indications are basically those of the Wind, which has both healing and destructive powers.
Vishakha
Vishakha is ruled by Indra and Agni, who represent the powers of heat and lightning in the Atmosphere. It gives the power to achieve many and various fruits in life (vyapana shakti). Its basis above is plowing or cultivation. Its basis below is the harvest. These three gives us the fruit of the harvest.

Vishakha provides the effort to achieve our goals abundantly through time, like a farmer plowing his field. It does not give immediate results but perhaps greater long term gains. Indra and Agni here are agriculture Gods showing the ripening effect of heat, rain and seasonal changes.
Anuradha
Anuradha is ruled by Mitra, the Divine Friend. It gives the power of worship (radhana shakti). Its basis above is ascension. Its basis below is descension. From these three honor and abundance is gained.
Anuradha Nakshatra gives balance in relationship, both honoring others and seeking ourselves to be honorable, through which we acquire fame and recognition. Mitra indicates compassion, devotion and right relationship.
Jyeshta
Jyeshta is ruled by Indra, the ruler of the Gods. It has the power to rise or conquer, and gain courage in battle (arohana shakti). Its basis above is attack and its basis below is defense. The result of these three is that one becomes a hero.
Jyeshta allows us to reach the summit of our personal powers but it requires great courage and effort. It shows karmic battles that require our complete energization in order to overcome. Indra is the king of the Gods who must eventually alone and single handed defeat the dragon, the most fearful of serpents. Though his position looks hopeless, he wins by courage and cunning, not by strength of arms.
Mula
Mula is ruled by Nirriti, the Goddess of destruction. It has the power to ruin or destroy. Its basis above is breaking things apart (barhana shakti). Its basis below is crushing things. Through these three one gains the power to destroy destruction.
In bringing afflictions Mula Nakshatra allows us to destroy their root, as long as they don’t overcome us. It shows the necessary destruction to proceed a new creation. Nirriti is Alakshmi or the denial of Lakshmi (abundance and prosperity). She is Kali or the negative effect of time that we must protect ourselves from or use to our advantage.
Purvashadha
Purvashadha is ruled by the Waters (Apas). Its power is that of invigoration (varchograhana shakti). Its basis above is strength. Its basis below is connection. Through these three one gains lustre.
Purvashadha brings about purification and regeneration, like the energy gained through taking a bath in water. It provides us additional energy for our efforts. These effects flow from the Waters, which in this instance are heavenly in nature and can provide inner purification.
Uttarashadha
Uttarashadha is ruled by the Universal Gods (Vishwe Deva). Its power is grant an unchallengeable victory (apradhrisya shakti). Its basis above is the strength to win. Its basis below is the goal that one can win. From these three one becomes the unchallenged winner.
Uttarashadha brings us to the summit of our power, support and recognition, not so much through our personal efforts (which is more the case in Jyeshta) but with the appropriate alliances and support of all the Gods. Our victory depends upon a righteous cause that is beneficial to all, which we are helping in. Here we fight more as the leader of an army.
Shravana
Shravana is ruled by Vishnu, the pervador. Its power is that of connection (samhanana shakti). Its basis above is seeking. Its basis below are the paths. The result of these three is the connection of all things together.
Shravana enables us to link people together by connecting them to their appropriate paths in life. This requires receptivity and listening, and results in understanding and aspiration. Vishnu with his three strides links together the three worlds of Earth, Atmosphere and Heaven, connecting all creatures with the Gods.
Dhanishta
Dhanishta is ruled by the Vasus, the Gods of abundance. Its power is to give abundance and fame (khyapayitri shakti). Its basis above is birth. Its basis below is prosperity. These three give the power to bring people together.
Dhanishta allows us to bring the resources of people together. In this way it builds upon the connections of Shravana and makes them more practical. The Vasus are the deities of the Earth that give abundance on the earthly plane. They are manifestations of Agni or the sacred fire and show the gifts that it can dispense.
Shatabhishak

Shatabhishak is ruled by Varuna, the God of the cosmic waters. It has the power of healing (bheshaja shakti). Its basis above is extension or pervasion over all. Its basis below is the support of all. These three make the world free of calamity.
Shatabhishak counters difficult karmas through Divine grace and repentance. These include not only diseases but difficulties of all kind, including sin. While Ashwini gives more immediate cures, Shatabhishak brings about a healing crisis leading to revitalization. Varuna is a God of sin, debts, injury and disease, who cannot only bring these calamities upon us but can remove them from us, if we propitiate him sincerely.
Purva Bhadra
Purva Bhadra is ruled by Aja Ekapad, the one-footed serpent. It gives the fire to raise a spiritual person up in life (yajamana udyamana shakti). What is good for all people is its basis above. What is good for the Gods is its basis below. These three cause the entire world to be supported.
Purva Bhadra grants a universal view through internal purification. This raises up our spiritual aspiration in life and takes us out of the domain of selfish behavior. Aja Ekapad is the cosmic or celestial form of Agni or the sacred fire. It raises up our spiritual aspiration in life.
Uttara Bhadra
Uttara Bhadra is ruled by Ahir Budhnya, the serpent of the depths of the Atmosphere. Its power is the bringing of the rain (varshodyamana shakti). Its basis above is the raining clouds. Its basis below growing of the plants. From these three factors the three worlds gain their stability.
Uttara Bhadra grants growth and prosperity in a broad way, benefiting the entire world. This makes it very auspicious. Ahir Budhnya is the benefic serpent who brings the rain, connecting us with the creative powers at the foundations of the world.
Revati
Revati is governed by Pushan, the nourishing form of the Sun God. It has the power of nourishment symbolized by milk (kshiradyapani shakti). Its basis above is the cows. Its basis below are the calves. These three bring about the nourishment of the entire world.
Revati creates abundance through providing proper nourishment. It helps all people in their efforts. Pushan is the lord of cattle and the lord of the paths. He leads, protects and gathers the herd in their movement, particularly to new pastures. In this way he also protects the soul in its journey to the next world.
Birth Nakshatra and Related Diseases

From: https://astrobix.com/learn/264-birth-nakshatra-and-related-diseases.html
Nakshatra plays an important role in the predictive Astrology. A resultant of the planet placed in the particular zodiac sign is very much influenced after considering the Nakshatra in which the planet is placed. for example The characteristics of the Moon is taurus in Rohini Nakshatra are drastically different from the Moon in Kritika Nakshatra.
Astrologers and intellectuals have made an in-depth study of the planets, nakshatras and their effect on the individual. Janam Nakshatra can identify broadly the disease to which an individual can be prone to. Let us understand the 27 Nakshatra (is lord) and related injuries and diseases.
Ashwini (Ketu): Rules head and cerebral Hemisphere. They are prone to Migrane pain, Mental fever, Malaria, head injury, Epilepsy, faint, chicken pox, headache.
Bharani (Venus): Rules forehread, eyes, Organs within head. They are prone to eye infections, forehead injury, inflammation, defective eye sight, shivering fever. dissipating sexual habits, syphills
Kritika (The Sun): Rules face, neck, tonsillitis, lower jaw, Fire accidents, injuries related to back side of head.Natives of this nakshatra are prone to eye infections
Rohini(The Moon): Rules ace, Mouth, Tongue, Tonsils, Neck, Cerebellum, Cervical vertebrae. Natives are prone to breast pain, Sore throat, Cold, cough, Goiter, Throat Pain, irregular menses.
Mrigasira(Mars): Rules Face, cheeks, chin, Larynx, Tonsils, Vocal cord, Arms, Shoulders, Ears, Upper ribs. Natives are prone to inflamed tonsils, throat pain, Pimples, Constipation, Venereal Distemper, Adenoids. Scitica.
Ardra(Rahu): Rules Throat, Arms, Shoulders. Native are prone to Septic throat, Mumps, Asthma, Dry Cough, Diphtheria.
Punarvasu (Jupiter): Rules Ear, Throat, Shoulders, Lungs, Chest, Stomach, Diaphragm, Pancreas, Lobes of liver, Respirator System, Thoracic. Natives of Punarvasu develop the diseases such as Bronchitis, Pneumonia, Thoraces, upset stomach, corrupt blood, Beriberi, tuberculosis. liver trouble, dyspepsia.
Pushya ( Saturn): Rules Lungs, Stomach, Ribs, Lips, Mouth, Ears. Natives of Pushya are prone to Tuberculosis, GAll stone, Nausea, Cancer, Hiccups, Eczema, Jaundice, Ulceration in repiratory system.
Ashlesha ( Mercury): Rules Lungs, Stomach, Esophagus, Pancreas, Diaphragm, Liver tissue cells, Fibres.Related diseases are Cold Stomach, dropsy, windiness, knees and legf pains, nervousness, indigestion, phlegm, flatulence, breathing difficulty.
Magha ( Ketu): Rules Heart, Back , Spinal chord, Spleen, Dorsal, Region of Spine Aorta. Sudden heart shocks, poisoning, backache, cholera, fainting, Spinal meningitis, palpitation, gravel in kidneys, humours.
Purva phalguni ( Venus): Rules Heart, Spinal chord. Natives are prone to Spine curvature, anemia, leg pain, swelling of ankles, B.P. affected valves.

Uttara phalguni (The Sun): Rules Spinal chord, intestines, Bowels and Liver. Natives born in this Naklshatra are prone to Spotted fever, pains, B.P. fainting, madness, brain blood clotting, stomach disorders, sore throat, bowel tumours.
Hasta (The Moon): Rules Bowels, Intestines, Secreting glands, Enzymes. Natives are prone to Gas formation, loose bowels, short breath, worms, hysteria, typhoid, diarrhea, cholera, dysentery. fear complex, weakness of arms and shoulders,
Chitra (Mars): Rules Belly, Lower part kidneys, Loins Hernia, Lumber region, Vasomoter System. Natives are prone to Excess urine, renel stone, brain fever, lumbago, kidney hemorrhage, ulcers, sharp acute pains, choleric humour, itching irritation, worms, leg pain, dry gripping, appendicities, headache, sun stroke.
Swati ( Rahu): Rules Skin, Kidneys, Urethra, Bladder. Person born in this Nakshatra are prone to body gases, leprosy, urinary troubles, skin troubles, eczema, urethra ulcerated, polyuria trouble.
Vishakha (Jupiter): Rules Lower Abdomen, Bladder parts, kidneys, pancreatic glands, Genitals, Rectum, Prostate Gland, Descending colon. Natives are prone to Womb disease, nose bleeding, renel stone, dropsy, rupture, prostrate enlargement, fibroid, tumour, menstrual abnormal bleeding, urinary trouble.
Anuradha ( Saturn): Rules over Bladder, Genitals, rectum, Nasal Bones, Bones near Genitals. Natives of this nakshatra are prone to Suppression of menses, constipation, sterlitiy, piles, fracture of high bones, sore throat strictures.
Jyshtha ( Mercury): Rules Colon, anus, Genitals, Ovaries, Womb. Native are prone to Bleeding piles, bowel infection, tumours, fistula, distemper in secret parts, leucorrhoea, pain in arms and shoulders.
Moola (Ketu): Rules hips, Thighs, Femur, Ileum, Sciatica Nerve. Natives are prone to Rheumatism, hip disease, pulmunory troubles.

Purva Ashadha ( Venus): Rules Thighs, Hips, Filiac-Arteries, and Veins, Cocygeal and Sacral Regions of Spine. Natives are prone to diabetes, rheumatism, hip gout, rspiratory disease, lung cancer, purification of blood, superfeit cold.
Uttara Ashadha (The Sun): Rules Thighs, tumour, Arteries, Skin Knees, Patella.Natives are prone to eczema, Skin disease, leprocy, dull pain, digestive troubles, palpitation of heart, rheumatism cardiac, thrombosis, stomach trouble due to gas.
Shravan (The Moon): Rules Lymphatic vessels, Knees, skin. Natives are prone to Eczema, leprocy, pus formation, Tuberculosis, Rheumatism, Pleurisy, Filarial, poor digestion.
Dhanishtha (Mars): Rules Knee cap, bones, Ankle, Limbs, portion between knees and Ankle. Natives are prone to Malaria, Filarial, High fever, Boils, Elephantiasis, dry cough, hiccups.
Shatbhisha (Rahu): Rules over claf muscles and portion between knee and ankle. Natives are prone to Rheumatic heart, High B.P. Plapitration, insomnia, leprocy, amputation, constipation, fracture.
Purva bhadrapada (Jupiter): Rules Ankles, feet and toes. Natives are prone to irregular circulatory system, ulcered gums, swelling feet, enlarged liver, hernia, jaundice, abdominal tumour, corns in feet, intestine defect.
Uttara bhadrapada (Saturn): Rules over Feet. Natives are prone to hernia, dropsy, indigestion, cold feet, foot fracture, constipation, flatulence, tuberculosis, rheumatic pains,.
Revati ( Mercury): Rules Feet and Toes. Natives are prone to Intestinal ulcer, gout in feet, deafness, ear-pus, crams, foot deformities, abdominal disorders.
The details of the diseases are in general and cannot be directly implemented on an individual’s horoscope. One has to do an in-depth study to analysze the chart for perfect prediction.. The affliction and aspect has to be properly studied before making any prediction.
Pick a drekkana and lunar nakshatra placement and describe what health issues you think may arise from the placement. Use your imagination!
Longevity Calculation in Vedic Astrology

Before the discussion of the calculation of longevity begins, it might be useful to discuss certain ethical and cultural issues connected with such calculations.

First of all, should an astrologer even attempt to determine the time of death? Ethically, many astrologers are opposed to such calculations, because of the fear of self-fulfilling prophecy and because of a lack of desire to introduce morbidity into a reading. Many Westerners, in my experience, feel extremely uncomfortable facing their own mortality. The prediction can also introduce a great deal of fear and anxiety if not handled appropriately…and many astrologers know they can see difficult periods ahead…but death? That is very final. Several anecdotes in this area may prove valuable.

Indian clients often expect the astrologer to predict death; it is usually one of the things a traditional Indian astrologer would let you know about. He or she would also discuss the timing of death of all relatives if asked, and sometimes, if not asked. Many of the Indian clients I have who have had readings from Indian clients ask me to confirm or deny what the local astrologer told them about their death or the death of family members. It is considered a part of the reading and although I am often reluctant to discuss death as a final event—that is, I will not say to the client, you will die on this date—I will discuss the timing of health issues with them, and indicate which recoveries will be easy and which will be difficult. And obviously, as one grows older, the potential for death from a difficult health episode increases.

There are, of course, potent reasons to want to know about death—to make a will, to plan for one’s funeral or prepare for the care of one’s family. Also, parents are often anxious to know if a chronically ill child will survive, or when their own parents will pass—not out of morbid curiosity, but to try to prepare for the event.

Musings on predictions of death—when do they hold true?
A client recently contacted me about a chart I was doing for her and her only question was about death. A pandit in India told her she would die at age 59 and I had not. First of all, my years of dealing with American clients had persuaded me to not discuss this, but I could clearly see the cultural divide here. But based on her chart, I would not have predicted death that early any way.

R. Santhanam, one of the great Indian astrologers of the 20th century, was considering visiting the U.S. a few years ago. He was delaying making a commitment until a certain upcoming difficult transit had passed. He died during the transit in question.

The late Richard Houck, a beloved astrologer who lived in Virginia and wrote a book called THE ASTROLOGY OF DEATH, had forecast his own death in his 70’s. He died at the age of 53.

The point of all of these examples is that the calculation of death is not a sure thing, no matter how sure you are of your principles or principals. The need for extraordinary caution must be exercised here.

Factors that cause death
Longevity Calculations in the Vedic chart
Jaimini

Sage Jaimini advocates a set of principles based on the signs. Cardinal (Called movable in Vedic terminology) signs are general considered to have the greatest potential for long life (a possible explanation—these are considered Rajasic or desire-filled, and want to hang onto the experience of life the longest); the mutable signs (these are sattwic and are balanced between desire and lethargy) are generally the second longest lived, and finally. The fixed signs (these are generally considered tamasic, or stubborn and lazy) are the least long-lived.
According to Jaimini Sutram…”When the first and eighth lords are in movable or cardinal signs there is long life, When one is in a fixed sign and the other is in a common (mutable) sign, also there is long life.”
“When the first and the eighth lords are both in common (mutable) signs and when one is in a cardinal sign and the other is in a fixed sign, there is medium longevity.”

“If the lord s of the first and the eighth house are both in fixed signs and when one is in a cardinal sign and the other is in a fixed sign, there is a short life.” (Jaimini Sutram, pp. 150-151)

These calculations are also supposed to be applied to the Chandra lagna (Moon ascendant).

Longevity should also be ascertained from the Janma lagna (rising sign) and the hora lagna (this is a calculated rising sign which is contained in most Vedic astrology software)
If you get different results, the longevity should be derived from at least two of the three results.
If you get three different results, the result given by the Janma Lagna and Hora Lagna must be given.

When the Moon is in the seventh house from the rising sign, the longevity given by the lagna and the Moon lagna must be the final one or if the Moon is in the seventh house from the lagna, the longevity given by the Moon and Saturn is the final one.

The maximum longevity that can be found for life is 120 years—the lowest level is 32 years, but these can be increased or decreased by kakshyas. See pp. 154 and 155 of Jaimini Sutram for these adjustments.

In Brihat Parasara Hora Sastra, the combinations for long life are provided in the chapter describing the eight house.

Combinations for longevity are as follows:

--The lord of the eighth house in an angle produces long life
--The sixth lord in the twelfth house
--The sixth lord in the first house while the 12th lord is in the 8th house (the latter is called a Vipreet Raja Yoga)

Combinations for short life:
--The lord of the eighth house joining the ascendant or a malefic in the eighth itself will produce a short life
--The eighth lord in the eighth house along with a malefic/ascendant lord
--Saturn joins a malefic/ascendant lord in the eighth house
--The tenth lord in the eighth with a malefic planet/ascendant lord

Span of life:
Short life:
--The span of life will be between 20 and 32 years if the ascendant lord is weak while the 8th lord is in an angle
--The person will be short-lived if the eighth lord is in fall (debilitated) while the eighth has a malefic in it and if the ascendant lord is bereft of strength
--Death will be instant at birth if the eighth house, 8th lord and the 12th house are all conjunct malefics.
--Malefics in angles/trines and benefics in 6th, 8th, while the ascendant has in it the 8th lord in fall will produce immediate end
--If the 5th house, 8th house, and the 8th lord are all conjunct malefics, life span will be very brief.
--If the 8th lord is in the 8th itself while the Moon is with malefics, very short life will result

Long Life

--The ascendant lord in exaltation while the Moon is in the 11th and Jupiter is in the 8th from the ascendant will give a long life.
--If the ascendant lord is exceedingly strong, and is aspected by a benefic from an angle, the person will be wealthy, virtuous and long-lived.
From Chapter 12, The Effects of the First House
--If the ascendant lord, Mercury, Jupiter or Venus be in an angle or a trine, the native will be long-lived, wealthy, intelligent and liked by the king.

Chapter 43 of Parasara contains an elaborate sequence of calculations for longevity (which are a bit beyond the scope of this course) and a restatement of the Jaimini principles already discussed, and there are simple formulas for longevity. Some of these are:
· Cancer rising with Jupiter and Moon while Venus and Mercury are in angle and others are in 3rd, 6th and 11th will produce limitless longevity
· Supernatural longevity: benefics in angles with malefics in 3rd, 6th and 11th will obtain supernatural longevity
· If an angle contains a benefic while the ascendant lord is conjunct or in aspect to a benefic, or Jupiter in particular will give a full span of life
· If the ascendant lord is in an angle in conjunction with or aspect to Jupiter and Venus will result in a full life span
· If three planets at birth are exalted, including the ascendant and 8th house lords, and the eighth has no malefic, full life span results
· 3 planets in the 8th, in exaltation or in own friendly divisions, will give long life.
· Saturn or the ascendant lord, in conjunct with an exalted planet will give a long life
· If the 6th, 7th, and 8th are occupied by benefics while malefics are in the 3rd and 11th will give a full life.
· 8th lord friendly to the Sun while malefics are in the 6th and 12th, and the ascendant lord in an angle will give long life
· If a malefic is in the 8th and the 10th lord is exalted, one will be long-lived
· A few others follow.

Short life combinations include:
· If Mars and the 3rd lord, or Saturn and the eighth lord are combust, or if two of either pair are conjunct or aspected by malefics will give short life
· If the ascendant lord is in the 6th, 8th or 12th accompanied by malefics and lacking conjunction or aspect by a benefic will produce short life.
· Malefics in Angles devoid of conjunction or aspect of benefics without a strong ascendant lord will produce short life.
· If the 12th and 2nd houses are occupied by malefics and are devoid of benefic aspect or company will produce a short life
· If the ascendant lord and the 8th lord lack dignity and strength, short life comes to pass. Help of benefics increases duration of life to medium life

The following planetary locations are considered very poor and are called Mrityu Bhagas. These are inauspicious and “death-inflicting” planetary station. Planets in or near these locations are considered very poor for health and longevity:

Mrityu Bhaga Table
Signs- Aries Taur Gem Can Leo Vir Lib Sco Sag Cap Aqu Pis
Sun 20 9 12 6 8 24 16 17 22 2 3 23
Moon 26 12 13 25 24 11 26 14 13 25 5 12
Mars 19 28 25 23 29 28 14 21 2 15 11 6
Mercury 15 14 13 12 8 18 20 10 21 22 7 5
Jupiter 19 29 12 27 6 4 13 10 17 11 15 28
Venus 28 15 11 17 10 13 4 6 27 12 29 19
Saturn 10 4 7 9 12 16 3 18 28 14 13 15
Rahu 14 13 12 11 24 23 22 21 10 20 18 8
Ketu 8 18 20 10 21 22 23 24 11 12 13 14
Mandi 23 24 11 12 13 14 8 18 20 10 21 22
Lagna 1 9 22 22 25 2 4 23 18 20 24 10

The timing of death has to be approached from a few different perspectives.

First of all, one would want to analyze the potential for death from the planets and houses that are considered death dealing in the Vedic chart.
Classical planets that are connected with death are:
1. The lords of the seventh and second houses and planets located in these houses
2. Benefic planets located in the 12th house
3. Weak or debilitated planets located in the 3rd and 8th houses, or weak or debilitated lords of these houses.
4. Also, examine the condition of the 8th house for chronic diseases
5. Examine the mrityu bhaga planets (if any) in a chart and see the mahadasa during which they will be active. These planets will be active during many subperiods during a person's life.

Generally, one should look at transits of malefic planets over the appropriate dasa lords (most important) and the antardasa lord (this is the next level down); usually a malefic transit triggers the latent potential for life threatening illness in a vedic chart, although it is not unheard of for a benefic that meets one or more of the death inflicting criteria to cause death. Saturn and Rahu transits to the Moon, and especially to the 64th navamsa or 22 drekkana are particularly deadly.

Offsets or delays to death can occur if Jupiter is well placed by transit--Jupiter in the second, fifth, seventh, ninth and eleventh houses from the Moon is considered a salvation or at the very least, a delaying transit, but Jupiter in the sixth, eighth or twelfth will be of no assistance at all in medical problems. Transits of Venus (except in the seventh, fourth and tenth houses) are of use, but Venus transits change so quickly, the support is inconsistent.

When analyzing the potential for death, look at whether the chart seems to indicate the short, medium or long life potential in a chart; look to see whether it is really the appropriate age for death (if a person is 15 and enters a second house mahadasa, death will normally not occur unless a chart is horribly afflicted.)

Again, take extreme care when looking at death. These matters are, of course, very serious and difficult to view in a detached fashion. As in any other predictive technique, the more factors that merge at one point, the more likely the event would occur.

REMEDIAL MEASURES

•   Basis of Remedial Measures
•
o   Charaka Samhita indicates that the cause of illness is the loss of spiritual faith
o   A chart is a reflection of past lives, according to eastern belief
o   Books like Parasara indicate that some chart combinations can be the result of curses
Origins
•   Weak planets or poorly placed planets can cause trouble. Malefics cause suffering. Weak benefics give poor luck.
•   Some charts actually show poor luck with remedies and even in getting good advice
•   There are several standard sets of remedies
•   Some are built right into one’s chart—such as benefics in angles
Origins
•   Weak planets or poorly placed planets can cause trouble. Malefics cause suffering. Weak benefics give poor luck.
•   Some charts actually show poor luck with remedies and even in getting good advice
•   There are several standard sets of remedies
•   Some are built right into one’s chart—such as benefics in angles
Indian Astrology Texts
•   Parasara (Brihat Parasara Hora Sastra) discusses a variety of rituals that are available through mantra, reading sacred texts, worship, and performance of rituals, gifts and installation of statues of deities.
•   Parasara assigns gem stones to planets, but does not specifically recommend the wearing of gemstones
•   Other books—Prasna Marga, for example—discusses the wearing of gemstones for certain transits.
Gemstones
•   Recommended in later astrology texts and have also formed the basis of some astrology folk medicines. Mentioned in the Puranas and in certain Tantric practices. (see Johari, Harish) The Healing Power of Gemstones.
•   Gemstone combinations are mentioned in books by N.N. Saha and also in Yogananda’s Autobiography of a Yogi
Gemstones
•   Care should be taken in the recommendation of gemstones. If poorly applied, they can, at the very least, be a significant cash drain. “Gemstones are the game of kings”-Hart DeFouw
•   Keep in mind that application of gems are generally tricky. Tremendous care should be taken in recommending gemstones for malefic planets, as all gemstones are considered to be are magnifiers of the planet’s qualities. They do not discriminate as to a planet’s good or bad qualities.

Yagnas
•   Yagnas are rituals geared to the planets or specific deities that oversee the planets
•   These are usually performed by hereditary priests (Brahmins) but laymen (and even Westerners!) can be trained to perform these
•   Some can take a few hours, and be performed in a Hindu Temple
•   Some can last for weeks and can involve many priests
•   Some of the rituals involves elephants, gemstones, gifts of animals like cows
•   One ritual known in the West, is the horse sacrifice, but this is never practiced anymore, and was designed to consolidate kingly power
Upayes-Simple remedies
•   Simpler rituals:
•   The Lal Kitab is a 13th century Arabic Indian text which is commonly used because of its remedies for planetary afflictions
•   There are a variety of folk remedies which exist outside of the Lal Kitab, such as a Rahu remedy I have provided for the class.
•   Many times, in cultures, you will see the development of remedies that are elaborate and expensive (For example, Derek Walters in his Feng Shui text, derides some of the more popular Feng Shui remedies as being nontraditional. The traditional remedies involve establishing your home in a desirable area, moving earth, construction, and so forth. What does one do if one can’t afford this?)
•   Folk remedies appear to be improvised around principles that seem to correspond to planetary qualities.
Yoga and Preventives
•   Agamic Activities
•   Agamic activities are activities to prevent things from happening before they happen. These lessen anticipated bad effects.
•   Early prescription of gems or yagnas (of all kinds) fit here
•   So do practices like Yoga or spiritual activity or charity
•   Yoga is NOT mentioned in traditional texts as a remedy, but strictly speaking, it is not a remedy.
•   Yoga is an attempt to merge with God to avoid future incarnations. Supernatural powers (siddhis) are said to be a byproduct of the path to God. Siddhis are not the goal.
•   But siddhis or self-control can override negatives in a chart.
Mantras
•   Mantras are a tricky remedial, mainly because various authorities have placed so much emphasis on proper pronunciation and on the need for special initiation into mantras.
•   Spiritual mantras do require a spiritual initiation; Planetary mantras do not.
•   Yantras are also often used. These are geometric shapes or number squares.
•   There are Tantric and Puranic planetary mantras. Dr. David Frawley and Harish Johari provide simple Tantric mantras. James Braha and others have provided a list of Puranic Mantras.
•   Two mantras are considered useful for most purposes: One is the Gayatri Mantra ( to the Sun), which is fairly well-known and is a good mantra for astrologers. The other, for healing purposes, is the MahaMrityunjaya mantra (dedicated to Shiva).
Timing
•   Mantras, administration of medicine, yagnas, yantras, rituals, are all supposed to be started at the right time for maximum effectiveness.
•   24 minute divisions, called nadikas, are the most powerful.
Do they work?
•   There have been informal studies in India on the efficacy of remedies.
•   To the best of my knowledge, nobody has even catalogued all the remedies in existence, never mind even tried to analyze their effectiveness.

PULSE DIAGNOSIS

At this point we can turn back to our original contact with Ayurveda, but with a fast review of the concept of pulse diagnosis as a disease detector and predictor.

The three pulses have certain characters too them as well, The vata pulse is supposed to be quick and darting, like a snake, the middle pulse, is supposed to be strong and lively, like a frog (it jumps), the third pulse is supposed to be smooth and flowing like a swan. (If you do not feel these exactly, don’t worry; the pulses sometimes change based upon what dasa you are in, even the time of say, as the doshas change. This has something to do with the natural cycles of the day, but also with items like planetary hours and nadikas (the division of the day into 60 24 minute segments—which can be used very successfully in muhurtha or electional astrology, by the way.) But the snake, frog, swan also corresponds to different planets----snake corresponds to the Vata planets, like Rahu, Saturn, sometimes Mercury; frog corresponds to Sun, Mars, and Ketu, sometimes Mercury—an interesting side note, some astrology texts also give frog as Venus’ animal, perhaps because Venus is a passionate planet; finally, swan alludes to the kapha planets, usually Jupiter (Hamsa yoga means “Swan”; sometimes duck!), Venus or Moon.

There are deeper levels of pulse diagnosis than the above, (there are four points that you can feel with any of the pulse taking fingers that can let you know what part of the body is afflicted) and often Ayurvedic diagnosticians will take a pulse diagnosis to not only determine what type of body type you are, but to analyze what is or is not out of balance, but also isolate the body part of afflicted body part. In my humble opinion, like the discipline of palmistry it is also possible to tell future disease, and even determine future events by using pulse diagnosis. Some ayurvedic physicians are sufficiently good at this that they can actually diagnose patients from a distance, using their own pulse as a diagnostic tool.

The pulse diagnosis system also has a distinct link to astrology through palmistry. On a male, pulse diagnosis is taken on the right wrist with the left hand; for females, it is taken on the left wrist with the right hand.

Fingers have planetary correspondences according to palmistry. The thumb is Venus; Index finger is Jupiter; middle finger is Saturn; ring finger is Sun and Mars; little finger is Mercury. It is interesting to note that the Jupiter (a kapha planet) finger takes the vata pulse; the Saturn (vata) finger takes the pitta pulse) and the Sun/Mars (pitta) finger takes the kapha pulse.

These kapha finger calms down the vata pulse, so Jupiter is guiding Saturn, toning down its worry and guiding its hard work to good purpose; the Vata finger is giving thought to the action of the pitta pulse, so Saturn is calming down and controlling aggression, and the pitta finger is helping the Sun guide kapha to motivate itself. Regular pulse diagnosis analysis can also provide you with a form of biofeedback; by letting the fingers stay on the pulse and remaining calm, over time you can meditate and get the pulses flowing the way they are supposed to be and this will minimize health issues and even other problems in life. This is a remedial measure directly related to ayurvedic diagnosis. There will be more discussion of remedial measures next week.

Using the pulse diagnosis technique sufficiently, and you can start to ascertain which of the four lines within each pulse are spiking. In addition to analyzing which parts of the body are going to be afflicted, it can also let you know if a second house (money), fourth house (home), 7th house (relationship) or 10th house (career matter) will be affected, as the four divisions in each pulse can enjoy a rough correspondence to each house in the chart. So the Vata pulse corresponds to houses 1-4; Pitta to houses 5-8 and kapha to houses 9-12. You can experiment with this technique and see the results it gives you.

CLASSICAL REMEDIES IN THE VEDIC CHART

The use of remedial measures in Jyotish is actually a point of controversy among many individuals who practice astrology. I know of quite a few Jyotishis who believe that an individual who engages in any form of remedial measure is interfering with their karma and attempting to thwart the will of God. I have listened to these arguments many times, and while I have respect for those who take this position, I disagree rather strenuously with such a perspective.

My personal viewpoint is that first of all, an awareness of a problem can lead to one of two possible courses of action. The first is we do nothing. We leave the problem alone and, sometimes, the problem gets corrected by time. The second possible course is to take action and address the problem. This can consist of actual direct action in the world, or action through occult or spiritual means. Direct action can mean things like taking out a loan to pay a debt; seeking marriage counseling to correct a communications problem on the job; or seeking the use of a diplomatic intermediary in order to quell a dispute. What most people do not realize is that, when people engage in these activities, they are engaging the energy of specific planets. For example, when one is seeking the help of the government through aggressive action or authority, they are seeking the help of the Sun; when they are seeking guidance or calls to good will, they are requesting the help of Jupiter and Venus; when they are using diplomacy; Saturn and Mercury come into play, or the help of radiation to cure an illness, Rahu; or nontraditional or metaphysical cures, Ketu. The planets and the Gods surround us at all time; they are present everywhere and they are, in my opinion, active intelligences that are ready to help those who sincerely request such assistance.

From my perspective, one of Vedic Astrology's most powerful attributes is the ability to change karma. Karma is action. It is not that you have upset somebody and they will make you pay. If I take a knife out and cut you, you bleed, regardless of whether you need surgery or I am a Mafia hit man. If I spend a lot of money, I must pay it back. Some of have cut and spent a lot in previous lifetimes; the luck or lack of luck depends on the benefic attributes of our action. The use of remedial measures is, in essence, asking for help in correcting our previous imbalances. Most remedial measures need some intellectual or physical effort. Nobody gets a free ride!

Natural remedies in a chart.
When looking at the charts of individuals, do not panic if you see an adverse planetary combination. The presence of Jupiter in an angle is said to remove all problems; likewise, Venus is considered a planet that, under most circumstances, gives a resiliency to the chart. Moon and finally Mercury in an angle are natural remedies that help a person regain optimism and endurance even during the worst times
Finally, one element I have noticed in my year’s of reading charts (and which was first brought to my attention by my friend, the late George Roman) is that the presence of benefic planets in the twelfth, especially Jupiter and Venus, helps a person get luck at the last minute! So look for a good first, fifth, ninth house for general luck; look at the 12th house for good luck just when everything seems like it will go wrong.
Speed and Efficacy of Remedial Measures
The dispute about remedial measures often overlooks one of the less well-propagated aspects of UPAYES in the Vedic system, and that is the level of blessings that are shown in the chart. Basically, we need to look at the basic level of luck in the chart to determine how much effort will be needed for remedial measures, and also which techniques will be most efficacious for remedial measures. So, basically, individuals who have extremely strong fifth and ninth houses usually have the best luck in getting remedial measures to work for them! Those with weaker ninth houses usually have to sweat and struggle in order to get the most basic remedial measures to work. I once knew a man who had Venus in its own sign in the ninth house. By a conservative estimate, he had the wealth and resources to spend nearly $70,000 on Vedic Yagnas. The placement of Venus in the ninth would actually steer him into that direction. From my conversations with him, the yagnas worked extremely well, as one would expect from such a placement.
Most of us who seek the assistance of Upayes are not quite so blessed. Our lives are in a bit of disarray when we seek this assistance. Many of the individuals you see as clients will also probably have limited financial resources, but will still need help. What factors should you look at in charts which will make these individuals less likely to be able to afford gemstones or expensive yagnas, and also more likely to benefit from less elaborate remedial measures.
First of all, look for the influence of Saturn, Mars or Rahu on the ninth house or its ruler. Saturn will delay the effects of any remedial measures. Rahu will generate an extreme interest in "occult" or Tantric remedial measures...and success from these. Mars influence on the ninth indicates personal effort and karma yoga (penance through work) as a way of getting relief from difficult periods. These are also the planets which cause the most damaging difficulties.
Gemstones The use of gemstones is a rather touchy issue; some astrologers feel that because there is no mention of gems in Parasara there is no precedent for using them as a remedial measure. I also disagree with this position. Gem stones can be very expensive however, and affordability is an important issue to me. Prasna Margas states that gems are only to be worn to nullify bad transits or increase the energy of good transits—remedies for an adverse Saturn transit or dasa include the wearing of blue sapphire, amethyst, or an iron ring; for Jupiter—yellow sapphire or yellow semi-precious stone like citrine; Venus—Diamond, white sapphire, zircon, clear quartz and according to some, tourquoise; Mars—Red Coral, Carnelian, Red Jasper; Moon—Pearl, Moonstone; Sun—Ruby; Garnet; Mercury—Emerald; peridot; jade; green tourmaline; sometimes moldavite; Rahu—Hessonite Garnet or Hessonite Zircon; Ketu—Cat’s Eye, tiger eye, alexandrite. It is generally considered safer to strengthen a natural benefic than a natural malefic; it is also considered almost always acceptable to strengthen the ruler of the first house. From here, viewpoints start to deviate wildly. Stones for malefic planets should always be subscribed or used with extreme caution. They are, after all, malefics, and do carry some malefic energy with them. Also, make sure the gemstones are, at the very least, as visually flawless as possible. It is better to get a flawless substitute than a flawed precious gem.
If one is uncertain about which gemstones to wear, there are a few alternatives, if the individual feels the need for this support. First, if you know the chart of someone who is in trouble and you know they would benefit from a certain stone, providing them with a gift of the gem in question; secondly, you can purchase a navratna pendant or ring, which is considered an overall balancer for the chart.
Mantras
This is another touchy issue. Issues of the right of a person to bestow a mantra, pronunciation and suitability abound here. Bija Mantras (short single syllable mantras) are very powerful, but these are shrouded in a great deal of controversy. Certain bija mantras (like Gam for Ganesha and Aim for Saraswati) are very well known; other are considered a bit more hidden:
Here is a list of proposed seed mantras and Tantric mantras for the grahas. There are differences among these:
Sun :OM HRANG HREENG HRONG SA SURYA YA NAMAHA
Moon: OM SHARANG SHAREENG SHARONG SA CHANDRA MASAY YA NAMAHA
Mars: OM KARAN KAREEN KARON SA BHOOMA YA NAMA HA
Mercury: OM BARAN BAREEN BARON SA BUDHA YA NAMAH
Jupiter: OM GARANG GAREENG GARONG SA GURU AYA NAMA HA
Venus: OM DARAND DAREENG DARONG SA SHUKRAYA NAMAHA
Saturn: OM PRAM PREEM PROUM SA SHANI YA NAMA HA
Rahu: OM BARAN BAREEN BARONG SA RAHU VAY NAMAHA
Ketu: OM TARAN TAREEN TARONG SA KETU VAY NAMAHA
GAYATRI MANTRAS THAT CAN BE USED FOR THE GRAHAS
For Help with the Sun, use standard Gayatri
Om Bhur Bhuva Swaha Tat Savitur Varenyam Bhargo Devasya Dhimahi Dhiyo Yo Nah Prachodayat or Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra: Treyambakam Yajamahee Shugandim Pushti Vardana-am Oordvar Ukamiva Bandana am Mrityor Mukshi Amritat
For Help with the Moon, use Varuna Gayatri (Varuna is the Moon’s deity, according to Parasara)
Om Jalbimbayay Vidmahay Nil Purusha Yay Dhimahi Tanno Varuna Prachodayat
For help with Mars, use Krishna Gayatri *
Om Devkinandanayay vidmahay Vasudeva Yay Tanno Vishnu Prachodayat
For help with Mercury, use Saraswati Gayatri
Om Saraswati Yay Vidmahay Brahma Putri yay Dhimahi Tanno Saraswatiyay Prachodayat
For help with Jupiter, use Ganesha Gayatri
Om Eckadantyay Vidmahay vakratundayay Dhimahi Tanno Budddhi Prachodayat
For help with Venus, use Laskshmi mantra:
Om Mahalalshmiyay Vidmahay Vishnu Priyayayi Dhimahi Tanno Lakshmi Prachodayat
For help with Saturn, use MahaMrityunjaya mantra for Shiva
Treyambakam Yajamahee Shugandim Pushti Vardana-am Oordvar Ukamiva Bandana am Mrityor Mukshi Amritat
For help with Rahu, use Durga Gayatri (can also be used for Mercury)
Om Girjayay Vidmahay Shiv Priyayay Dhimahi Tanno Durga Prachodayat
For help with Ketu, use Ganesha mantra or meditate:
Om Eckadantyay Vidmahay vakratundayay dhimahi tanno Buddhi Prachodayat
There are also Hanuman and Narasimha gayatris that can be used.
According to Parasara, remedies for an adverse Sun periods include:
1) Sun- Sun: Use of MahaMrityunjaya mantra (see above) and worship of the Sun
2) Sun-Moon: Giving in charity of a white cow or female buffalo
3) Sun-Mars: Recitation of Vedas
4) Sun-Rahu: Worship of Durga; Japa; giving in charity; giving a black cow in charity
5) Sun-Jupiter: Giving in charity gold; giving a tawny cow in charity; worship of ishta devata
6) Sun-Saturn: Giving in charity black cow, buffalo, goat, and Mrityunjaya mantra
7) Sun-Mercury: Recitation of Vishnu Sahasranam; giving in charity grains; and a god made of siler
8) Sun-Ketu: Mantras of Goddess Durga and giving a goat in charity
9) Sun-Venus: Mahamrrityunjaya mantra, Rudra Japa, giving away a tawny cow or female buffalo
For adverse Moon periods:
1) Moon-Moon: Giving in charity a female cow or buffalo
2) Moon-Mars, no remedies are provided
3) Moon-Rahu: Rahu Japam and giving of a goat in charity
4) Moon-Jupiter: Recitation of Shiva Sahasranam
5) Moon-Saturn: Mahamrityunjaya mantra
6) Moon-Mercury: Recitation of Vishnu Sahasranam; giving of a goat in charity
7) Moon-Ketu: Recitation of Mahamrityunjaya mantra
8) Moon-Venus: Rudra japam and giving in charity a white cow and silver
9) Moon-Sun: Worship of Lord Shiva is recommended as the remedial measure to obtain relief from these ill effects.
For adverse Mars periods:
1) Mars-Mars: Lord Shiva will give relief, if the person concerned performs Rudra Japa and gives a red colored bull in charity
2) Mars-Rahu: Naga Puja; offering foods to Brahmins, and Mahamrityunjaya Japa
3) Mars-Jupiter: Recitation of Shiva Sahasranam
4) Mars- Saturn: Relief will be obtained if the Mahamrityunjaya mantra is performed in the prescribed manner
5) Mars-Mercury: Recitation of Vishnu-Sahasranam and giving a horse in charity.
6) Mars-Ketu: No remedial measure is advised here. Perhaps recitation of Vishnu Sahasranam and giving a goat in charity will give relief.
7) Mars-Venus: Giving a cow or female buffalo in charity
8) Mars-Sun: Perform worship of the Sun in the prescribed manner
9) Mars-Moon: Recitation of mantras of the Goddess Durga and Goddess Lakshmi
For adverse Rahu periods:
1) Rahu-Rahu:To obtain relief from the above evil effects, Rahu should be worshipped by recitation of his mantras and by giving in charity things connected with or ruled by Rahu.
2) Rahu-Jupiter:The person will get relief from evil effects and enjoy good health through the beneficence of Lord Shiva if he worships His (Shiva’s) statue made of gold
3) Rahu-Saturn: Remedial measures to obtain relief is giving a black cow or she-buffalo in charity
4) Rahu-Mercury: Recitation of Vishnu Sahasranam
5) Rahu-Ketu: Giving a goat in charity
6) Rahu-Venus: Remedial measures are worship of Goddess Durga and Goddess Lakshmi
7) Rahu-Sun: Worship of the Sun
8) Rahu-Moon: Give in charity a white cow or female buffalo
9) Rahu-Mars: Giving a cow or bull in charity
For adverse Jupiter periods:
1) Jupiter-Jupiter: Recitation of Rudra Japam and Shiva Sahasranam
2) Jupiter-Saturn: Reciting of Vishnu Sahasranam and giving in charity a black cow or female buffalo
3) Jupiter-Mercury: To obtain relief from other evil effects is recitation of Vishnu Sahasranam
4) Jupiter-Ketu: Performance of Mrityunjaya Japa in the prescribed manner
5) Jupiter-Venus: Giving a tawny-colored cow or female buffalo in charity
6) Jupiter-Sun: Recitation of Aditya Hridaya Path
7) Jupiter-Moon: The remedial measure to obtain relief is the Durga Saptashati Patha
8) Jupiter-Mars: Give a bull in charity
9) Jupiter-Rahu: Mrityunjaya Mantra and giving a goat in charity
For adverse Saturn periods:
1) Saturn-Saturn: Lord Shiva will afford protection and render relief, if Mrityunjaya mantra is performed in the prescribed manner.
2) Saturn-Mercury: Recitation of Vishnu Sahasranam and giving grains in charity
3) Saturn-Ketu: Giving a goat in charity
4) Saturn-Venus: Performance of Durga Saptashati Patha and giving a cow or female buffalo in charity
5) Saturn-Sun: Worship of the Sun
6) Saturn-Moon: Havana and giving jaggery, ghee, rice mixed with curd; give a female buffalo in charity
7) Saturn-Mars: Havana and giving a bull in charity
8) Saturn-Rahu: Mrityunjaya mantra and giving a goat in charity
9) Saturn-Jupiter: Recite Shiva Sahasranaham and giving gold in charity
For adverse Mercury periods:
1) Mercury-Mercury: Recitation of Vishnu Sahasranam
2) Mercury-Ketu: Giving a goat in charity
3) Mercury-Venus: Recitation of mantras of Goddess Durga
4) Mercury-Sun: Worship of the Sun
5) Mercury-Moon: Mantras of the Goddess Durga chanted and clothes are given in charity
6) Mercury-Mars: Mrityunjaya Japa and giving a cow in charity
7) Mercury-Rahu: Recitation of mantras for Goddess Durga and Goddess Lakshmi in the prescribed manner
8) Mercury-Jupiter: Recitation of Shiva Sahasranam and giving a cow or gold in charity
9) Mercury-Saturn: Performance of Mrityunjaya Japa and giving a black cow and female buffalo in charity
For adverse Ketu periods
1. Ketu-Ketu: Performance of Durga Saotashati Japa and Mrityunjaya mantra
2. Ketu-Venus: Recitation of Durga Patha and giving a tawny colored cow or female buffalo in charity.
3. Ketu-Sun: Give a cow and god in charity
4. Ketu-Moon: Recitation of mantras of the Moon and give in charity things connected with the Moon
5. Ketu-Mars: A bull should be given in charity
6. Ketu-Rahu: Durga Saptashati Patha
7. Ketu-Jupiter: Mrityunjaya mantra; recitation of Shiva Sahasranam
8. Ketu-Saturn: Perform Havana with Sesame seeds and giving a black cow or female buffalo in charity
9. Ketu-Mercury: Recitation of Vishnu Sahasranam
For adverse Venus periods:
1. Venus-Venus: Durga Patha and giving a cow in charity
2. Venus-Sun: Worship of the Sun
3. Venus-Moon: No remedies listed
4. Venus-Mars: Remedial measure not mentioned: Giving a bull in charity is recommended.
5. Venus-Rahu: Recitation of Mrityunjaya mantra
6. Venus-Jupiter: Recitation of Mrityunjaya Mantra
7. Venus-Saturn: Havana with sesame seeds, mrityunjaya japa, Durga Saptashati Patha (by self or through Brahmin)
8. Venus-Mercury: Recitation of Vishnu Sahasranam
9. Venus-Ketu: Mahamrityunjaya mantra and giving a goat in charity

You will note that the most commonly used mantra is the Mahamrityunjaya Mantra, which is a healing mantra dedicated to Shiva. From this prescription, it is seen that the most often utilized mantra is one connected with health issues. The mantra is a relatively well known and commonly used mantra. This is the mantra and a translation:
Mahamrityunjaya Mantra (maha-mrityun-jaya) is one of the more potent of the ancient Sanskrit mantras. Maha mrityunjaya is a call for enlightenment and is a practice of purifying the karmas of the soul at a deep level. It is also said to be quite beneficial for mental, emotional, and physical health.

Om Tryambakam Yajamahe
Sugandhim Pushtivardhanam
Urvarukamiva Bandhanan
Mrityor Mukshiya Maamritat

We Meditate on the Three-eyed reality
Which permeates and nourishes all like a fragrance.
May we be liberated from death for the sake of immortality,
Even as the cucumber is severed from bondage to the creeper.
Readings:
Elections:
Panchanga The five limbs of the panchanga are:
1. Vara (solar day) 2. Tithi (lunar day) 3. Nakshatra (lunar asterism) 4. Yoga (conjunction of planets) 5. Karana (half of a lunar day) Vara (solar day), literally means a weekday. This is the time from one sunrise to the next. For official purposes, one day is reckoned from midnight to midnight. The solar day of the Hindus is divided into four parts: divas (day), ratri (night), sandhya (morning twilight), sandhyansha (evening twilight). One solar day is made of 60 ghatikas and also of 15 muhurtas. The Hindus follow a seven-day week system and each day of the week is a vara.
The seven varas of a week are Ravivara (Sunday), Somvara (Monday), Mangalavara (Tuesday), Budhvara (Wednesday), Brihaspativara (Thursday), Shukravara (Friday), and Shanivara (Saturday).
Each vara is special to a particular presiding deity. The seven varas are also associated with the seven planets of the Hindus.
Tithi (lunar day) is defined as the time taken by the moon to gain 12 degrees on the sun. The moon takes about 30 days (one lunar month) to go around the earth's ecliptic. In each tithi, the moon travels 12 degrees ahead of the sun (i.e. if the sun and the moon are present in a specific position relating to the earth, after one tithi, the moon would be ahead of the sun by 12 degrees) hence completing 360 (12 degrees x 30 days) degrees in a terrestrial month. In one month, there are 28 tithis, one poornima or full moon and one amavasya or new moon. The first tithi begins after the amavasya. There are 14 tithis in the shukla paksha (light half) and 14 in the Krishna paksha (dark half) of a month.The names of the 14 tithis are Prathma (first), Dvitiya (second), Tritiya (third), Chaturthi (fourth), Panchami (fifth), Shashti (sixth), Saptami (seventh), Ashtami (eight), Navami (ninth), Dashmi (tenth), Ekadashi (eleventh), Dvadashi (twelfth), Triodashi (thirteenth), and Chaturdashi (fourteenth). Because the movement of the moon is irregular, a tithi ranges from 54 to 65 ghatikas. Hence when a tithi begins at sunrise and stretches to 60 ghatikas, it is equal to a solar day. But at times there are two or sometimes three tithis in one day and conversely one tithi might extend to three days. The former case is considered to be auspicious while the latter is not good for occasions like marriages or marching on an invasion. This concept of an auspicious tithi for all occasions is about 3000 years old, while the word tithi itself first came into use around 300 BC.
A full moon night of any month is considered especially auspicious. Various fasts and ceremonies are hence performed on this day. Amavasya on the other hand is not particularly beneficial, though both the new moon and the full moon are favoured motifs in classical poetry and the lives of saints.
Nakshatra (lunar asterism) is a cluster of stars lying in the path of the moon. Just as the ecliptic is divided into 12 solar mansions (zodiacs), so is it divided into 27 'lunar mansions or asterisms', called nakshatras. The moon travels through all of these clusters in about a month. It takes a little more than a lunar day to travel into each nakshatra and so it becomes full in a different nakshatra every month. The sun travels in about two and a quarter nakshatras every month. The nakshatras have been named according to which nakshatra the moon was full in, in the month and year the present luni-solar calendar was instituted. The first 14 are called Devanakshatra and the next 14 are Yamanakshatra. They too have presiding deities, and the Vedas say that these nakshatras are the heavenly abodes of pious people and great devotees.
Yoga is defined as the time taken by the sun and moon together to accomplish 13 degrees 20 minutes of space. It is calculated from the sum of the longitudes of the sun and the moon and has no astronomical backing.
The first yoga occurs at 13 degrees 20 minutes, the second at 26 degrees 40 minutes and so on. There are 27 yogas in all, in a month (making a total of 360 degrees). These are called the nityayoga (ever occurring) and yield good or bad results according to their names. They too have deities presiding over them. Besides the 27 nitya yogas, there are special conjunctions of week days (vara) with certain tithis, nakshatras or planets, and rashis (see Janmapatri), which are also termed yoga and are auspicious or inauspicious according to various factors.
Karana is half of a lunar day or tithi. Therefore there are two karanas in one tithi and 60 in a lunar month. There are 11 names for karanas, of which seven are termed as moving or chara and four are stationary or sthira. The seven moving karanas occur eight times a month here as the four stationary ones occur only once a month. Both karanas of a tithi are not shown in a panchanga, only that one whose end does not coincide with the end of the tithi. Like the other limbs, the karanas are also presided over by the various deities and are good or bad accordingly. Karana is half a tithi. So a lunar month will have 60 karanas. There are only 11 names available for the karanas-
- seven chara (movable) karanas, viz., Bava, Baalava, Kaulava, Taitila, Gara, Vanija and Vishti
- four sthira (immovable) karanas, viz., Sakuni, Chatushpada, Naaga and Kimstughna.
These karanas occur in a particular order every month. The first half of the sukla paksha prathama (the first tithi of the Sukla paksha) is Kimstughna and the second half is the bava. The next karanas are the chara karanas, namely, baalava, kaulava etc. upto Vishti. These sets of seven Karanas repeat 8 times. So we have covered 1 +(7*8)=57 karanas. The 58th karana, corresponding to the 29th tithi of the month, is named sakuni. The next karana is the chatuspada (1st half of amavasya) and the last karana of any lunar month is the naaga.
Yoga:
Yoga is yet another term present in Panchangas. The number of yogas completed at any time is calculated as the sum of the Nirayana longitudes of the Sun and the moon. If this sum exceeds 360, then subtract 360. This value is divided by 13? 20' (which is 1/27 th of a full revolution). The current yoga is given by adding 1 to the completed number of yogas. There are 27 yogas and they are:
1.Viskumbha 2.Preeti 3.Aayusman 4.Sowbaghya 5.Sobhana 6.Atiganda 7.Sukarma 8.Dhruti 9.Sula 10.Ganda 11.Vriddhi 12.Dhruva 13.Vyaghatta 14.Harshana 15.Vajra 16.Siddhi 17.Vyatipatta 18.Variyan 19.Parigha 20.Siva 21.Siddha 22.Sadhya 23.Subha 24.Sukla 25.Brahma 26.Indra 27.Vadhriti
These values are there in the Panchanga because, it is very essential to have an accurate knowledge of the longitude of the sun and the moon to determine the beginning and ending moments of a solar month, lunar month, tithi, karana, nakshatra and yoga. Looking at it the other way, knowing these values gives the position of various celestial objects. Its enough for now to know that many such ingenious and simple methods were evolved in Indian astronomy to calculate the longitudes of the sun, the moon and the planets and that these procedures were improvised from time to time.
Apart from all these values the Panchanga also contains Lagnas (alternative for time) and Muhurtas. Let us see what they are.
Lagna: (or the ascendant)
We've seen about the twelve Rasis, which correspond to the division of the Zodiac into 12 zones. Lagna is closely related to Rasis. At any instant of time, the Lagna is given by the Rasi, which is just above the horizon. Let us make it a bit clearer. In a particular day, suppose a particular star rises in the eastern sky at 6:00. Find out the Zodiacal division or Rasi corresponding to that star. The Lagna at that time, corresponds to the Rasi of that star. In the panchangas, the beginning moment of each lagna (Mesha, Vrishabha,...) on any particular day is given. The durations of the different lagnas are different because of the inclination of the ecliptic to the equator. Again the instant corresponding to the beginning of each lagna would be different for places with different latitudes.
Muhurtha and Ghatika:
Each solar day consists of 30 muhurtas or 60 ghatikas. So the duration of a muhurta comes to 48 minutes, and that of a Ghatika is 24 minutes.
Literally 'five limbs' (pancha, 'five' and anga, 'limb'). The almanac of the Hindus, so named because it deals with the five Hindu divisions of time An 'auspicious' moment is considered very important, for starting a ceremony, a journey, a new venture or the commencement of studies. The panchanga is used to find such 'auspicious' moments when the various permutations and combinations of the five units of time are found congenial. When performing a ceremony, the time must harmonise with the horoscope of the person it is being performed for. Such calculations are therefore highly individual.
The panchanga is also useful in predicting the dates of various fasts and festivals like Janmashtami, Diwali and Holi. This is so because the Hindus follow a luni-solar, not solar calendar . Therefore festivals do not fall on the same date every year and have to be calculated.
The positions of the stars in each area is taken into consideration while making these panchangas. However, if religious accuracy has to be preserved, there must be separate panchangas for every 10 to 15 miles because the position of the stars and the other relevant details change. The concept of different units of time dates back to the Veda. Prataha (morning), Sayam (evening), Madhayadina (midday) and other words for the times of the day are found in the Rig Vedas (see Veda). There have been many astronomers in India, who has tried to explain time concepts, of which Aryabhatta (5th century AD) is the foremost.
Panchanga Shuddhi
According to texts such as "Muhurtha Chinthamai "and "Chackra Sangraha" There are a few very auspicious days (Periods) in each year. Those are called the dates with "Panchanga Suddhi" meaning that Day, Nakshtra, Thithi, Yoga and Karana are all auspicious at that time.
Suba Muhurtha

To calculate "Panchanga Shuddhi" Manually , there are Panchanga Shuddhi Chakaras (Tables)
1 Day/Nakshtra Table (only the Siddhi, Subha, and Amurtha conditions are auspicious)
Ex. If Asvini Nakshtra Falls on a Sunday then it is called Siddhi which is Auspicious but if the same Nakshtra on a Monday is not good (Ava)
In pseudo code it will be something like this:
If Day = Sunday (1) and Nakshtra = Asvida (1) Then Sidhi (Auspicious ) Condition = True go to check the => Day/Thithi Table )
Else if Day = Sunday (1) and Nak. = Berena(2) Then Dagdha (Not Auspicious - or the condition failed => Go to check the Next Day)
2. Day /Thithi Table (Here also Shubha, Amurtha and Siddhi conditions are good others bad)
Ex. If Krishna or Shuka Thithi 1 (Partipat) falls on a Sunday then the condition is called Amurtha (Good)
If Day = Sunday (1) and Nakshtra = Asvida (1) Then Sidhi (Auspicious ) Condition = True go to check the => Day/Thithi Table ) If Thithi = Krishana Paksha Thithi 1 Then Condition = True (Amurtha) Go to check the yoga
3. YogaFollowing are Bad yogas :
Vishkamba, Athiganda, Shula, Druma, Ganda, Viyagatha, Vajra Viyathipatha, Parogha, Vidruthi
IF Day = Sunday (1) and Nakshtra = Asvida (1) THEN Sidhi (Auspicious ) Condition = True go to check the => Day/Thithi Table ) If Thithi = Krishana Paksha Thithi 1 Then Condition = True (Amurtha) Go to check the yoga => If Yoga is NOT EQUAL TO Vishkamba, Athiganda, Shula, Druma, Ganda, Viyagatha, Vajra Viyathipatha, Parogha, Vidruthi THEN Condition = True GO TO => Check the Karana
4. Karana
Vishti , Shakuna, Chatuspada , Nagha, and Kistunga are Bad
IF Day = Sunday (1) and Nakshtra = Asvida (1) THEN Sidhi (Auspicious ) Condition = True go to check the => Day/Thithi Table ) If Thithi = Krishana Paksha Thithi 1 Then Condition = True (Amurtha) Go to check the yoga => If Yoga is NOT EQUAL TO Vishkamba, Athiganda, Shula, Druma, Ganda, Viyagatha, Vajra Viyathipatha, Parogha, Vidruthi THEN Condition = True GO TO => Check the Karana, IF Karana is NOT EQUAL TO Vishti , Shakuna, Chatuspada , Nagha, and Kistunga Then Condition = True (Amurtha) Go to check the Exceptions => 5. Exceptions
Sunday and Hasta Nakshtra with the Fifth thithi (Punchmi) is bad
Tuesday and Rohini Nakshtra with 15th Tithi (Full Moon or No Moon) is Bad
Thursday and Anuradha Nakshtra with 13th tithi are bad
Tithi 11th With Rohini Nakshtra Bad
12th with Aslesha bad
3rd with Uttaraphalguni (12th Nak.)Bad
7th with Moola bad
tht with Hasta Bad
13th with Chitra Bad
2nd with Anuradha Bad
1st with Uttarashada (21 Nak) Bad
3rd with Uthrashada Bad
8th tithi with 25th Nakshtra Bad
EXCEPTIONS
DAGDHA TITHIS TO AVOID ACCORDING TO THE SUN'S POSITION IN CONSTELLATIONS
1. When Sun is in Mesha (Aries) avoid 6th Tithi (Dagdha) - Usually Sun is in Aries (Mesha) from 14th April to 14th May and in between there are 26th Tithis. One is waxing and other is waning, even if the Panchanga Shuddhi occurs , those are invalid as it was cancelled due to Sun's position.

Nadika
According to the late R. Santhanam, in the books Essentials of Predictive Astrology, divisions of time grow more powerful the smaller they are. He quotes Sage Bhrigu (Sukracharya), “Samvatsara (Year), Ayana (half year), Ritu (Season or 2 solar months), Masa (half a Ritu or one solar month), Paksa (fortnight), Dina (weekday), muhurtha (48 minutes) are stronger in ascending order and assume more and more importance…Nadika is the strongest of all the measurements of time and hence the most important.”
Abhijit (between Shravana and Dhanishta) is supposed to be a flawless nakshatra for electional purposes, yet an inauspicious nadika (ghatika) will over ride even the best nakshatra; likewise, a good nadika/ghatika will override all planetary difficulties (although, as Ernst Wilhelm has observed, the difficulties will be in play).
According to Bhrigu, “these Nadikas ware several in order (60 in all) and are calculated from Sun rise on all weekdays and are named after 27 nakshatras from Visakha to Swati and Jyotsna, Sandhya and Maitri-repeating twice till the next sun rise. These are rather sixty avasthas (states) of the transiting Moon.”
Here is a list of the Nadikas (24 minute segments) for each day of the week:
Sunday
1. Good for celebration of functions like marriage and signing partnership deeds
2. For gainful ventures
3. Loss through quarrels and disputes
4. Auspicious for income-oriented acts
5. Acquisition of money through commercial activities
6. To obtain articles which are not otherwise easily obtainable
7. Auspicious for affairs related to females
8. Work related to food grains
9. Good for travel
10. Good for eating and hosting’
11. For achievement in hatha yoga, physical exercise, etc.
12. To defeat enemies, filing legal suits, etc.
13. Matters related to quadrupeds (animals)
14. Coronation, authoritative work, etc.
15. Bad for entering a new house
16. Good for jobs related to construction of a town, village, house, etc.
17. Bad for travels
18. Good to commence a journey to see highly placed people, politicians, royal family members, etc.
19. Good for installation of a deity
20. Good to acquire army, bodyguards, etc.
21. Loss of money if deal is commenced
22. Defeat and negligence in litigations, fight, battle, etc.
23. Auspicious for making friends
24. Success in disputes, fights, etc.
25. Good for friendly and merry conversations
26. Gains in trading
27. Fruitful coition when progeny is desired
28. Good for auspicious functions
29. Obstructions to any work undertaken and huge losses
30. Good for long term and philanthropic jobs
Monday
1. Good for auspicious jobs
2. Meant for travels of short and long distances
3. Success in undertakings
4. Gains through undertakings
5. For bathing after illness (so that one does not fall ill again)
6. Success in any job undertaken
7. Good for agricultural work
8. Advent of money in gambling, bet, races, etc.
9. Good for attainment of position and kingdom
10. Good for eating, entertaining guests
11. Friendship with females
12. Success
13. Good for legal suits, fight, battle, etc.
14. Meant for acts of disrepute and those acts that are questionable in nature
15. Good to undertake acts in which success is an issue
16. Auspicious for medical treatment
17. Meant for jobs related to quadrupeds
18. Good to undertake acts in which success is an issue (see 15. above)
19. Good for entering in new premises
20. “Even poison consumed becomes nectar” (That is, all evils can be negated.)
21. Good for festive functions
22. Good for activities related to relating to organizational well-being
23. Good for activities related to sports, games, etc.
24. Good for marital negotiations and celebrations
25. Meant for entering new premises
26. Any work undertaken attains fruition
27. Good for planting, gardening, sapling, seeding, etc.
28. For serving guests
29. Leads to enmity and arguments
30. For any auspicious work
Tuesday
1. Grief from any work undertaken
2. Easy attainment of success
3. Good to establish one’s strength (like a physical duel)
4. To confine others
5. Gains
6. Good for developing friendship w+ith other people
7. Good for jobs related to steed (vehicles)
8. Auspicious for jobs related to cows and bulls
9. Loss in travels
10. Good to propose for, or seek, a bride
11. For gains in marital proposals
12. For trading
13. Success in travels
14. If travel is commenced in this Nadika, there will be fear from animals, thieves, etc.
15. Loss through fire, weapons
16. Undertaking will result in poverty
17. Not good for ritual related to bringing rains; will bring in wholesale drought
18. Travels undertaken will bring loss of friendship
19. Auspicious effects will follow if relief measures are undertaken
20. Enjoyment of melodies
21. Increase of worries
22. Destructive results in legal disputes and the like
23. Effortless money
24. Win over enemies
25. Will lead to severance of ties
26. Loneliness will result
27. Bad for sexual acts
28. Happiness in any work undertaken
29. Success in auspicious jobs
30. Dissatisfaction on sexual union
Wednesday
1. Possibilities of hearing bad news and unpalatable words
2. Loss in undertaking
3. Sexual acts will lead to loss of love
4. Skill in artistic work
5. Efforts will be futile to secure employment
6. Carelessness will result in undertakings and there will be subsequent physical troubles
7. Quarrels in work
8. Removal of obstructions
9. Effortless honor in an undertaking
10. Destruction of enemies
11. Acquisition of money
12. Increase of wealth
13. Success
14. Success
15. Good for work related to kings
16. Good for romances
17. Effortless gain of position
18. Good for combating wicked people
19. Success
20. Cab get even the most unavailable thing
21. For destruction of enemies
22. Good for sexual union with a view to beget an offspring
23. To visit higher ups and destroy enemies
24. Cultivation of friendship
25. Positional strength (gaining advantage over others)
26. Favorable for friendship
27. Gains
28. Friendship
29. Gains (same as 27 above)
30. Negative results in any work started
Thursday
1. Success in financial undertakings
2. Recovery of lost articles/ wealth
3. Physical strain in undertakings
4. Good for acquisition of scented articles
5. Favorable for oratory skills
6. Grief
7. Success
8. Destruction of enemies
9. Success in attracting others
10. Gains
11. Acquisition of food grains
12. Good for journeys connected with gaining a superior position
13. Happiness in activities related to festivals, functions, etc.
14. Commencement of any work will end in inflicting a disease
15. Work undertaken will lead to fortunes
16. Loss of work
17. Hurt by weapons
18. Success
19. Loss of courage
20. Travel undertaken will end with total destruction of vehicle
21. Huge wealth in travel undertaken
22. Positional strength
23. Death of a relative will be the result of work undertaken
24. Courage
25. Enmity
26. Friendship
27. Success
28. Death or such evil results will follow the travel commenced in this nadika
29. Removal of fear
30. Success
Friday
1. Good for gains from females
2. Success
3. Effortless money
4. Unexpected friendship
5. If prayers to Varuna are recited in this Nadika, heavy rains will follow
6. Increase in agricultural output
7. Medical treatment commenced in this Nadika will lead to death
8. Good to become the head of an army
9. Loss
10. Gain
11. Removal of worries in litigation
12. Success in questionable and unusual acts
13. Good to commence education
14. Success in medical treatment received or given
15. Any work done in this nadika will have serious repercussions like danger, death, etc.
16. Huge gains through enemies
17. Loss of undertaking
18. Educational success
19. Consumption of food will lead to ill health
20. Wounds to relatives will occur
21. Good to acquire conveyances
22. Happiness in dialogues
23. Success
24. Happiness in travel
25. Loss of wealth
26. Grief
27. Odds
28. Comforts
29. Good for auspicious deeds
30. Loss of fortunes
Saturday
1. Good for legal matters
2. Huge gains through higher-ups
3. Increase of enemies
4. Good to deal with friends
5. Success in disputes
6. Good to acquire horses, etc.
7. Dissatisfaction in travel
8. Success
9. Removal of dissatisfaction
10. To combat evils
11. Good for sexual union
12. Danger to one’s child through work undertaken
13. Failure in matters related to disputes with relatives
14. Good for stupefying others
15. Good for efforts related to advancement
16. Acquisition of wealth
17. Auspicious for travels
18. Loss of undertaking
19. Need to put in more effort
20. Acquisition of various food grains
21. Increase of wealth
22. Good for sexual union
23. Penury
24. Courageous acts
25. Physical comforts
26. Worries
27. Success over enemies
28. Death will result an undertaking
29. Pacifying anger
30. Good for digging tanks, wells, etc.

TITHIS - Properties of the Lunar (phases) tithis.
1st Lunar Day - pratipat
The presiding deity of the first lunar day in Brahma and is good for all types of auspicious and religious ceremonies.
2nd Lunar Day - dvitiya
Vidhatr rules this lunar day and is good for the laying of foundations for buildings and other things of a permanent nature.
3rd Lunar Day - tritiya
Visnu is the lord of this day and is good for the cuttings of one's hair and nails and shaving.
4th Lunar Day - chaturthi
Yama is lord of the 4th lunar day, which is good for the destruction of one's enemies, the removal of obstacles, and acts of combat.
5th Lunar Day - panchami
The Moon rules this day, which is favourable for administering medicine, the purging of poisons, and surgery.
6th Lunar Day - sasthi
Karttikeya presides over this day and is favourable for coronations, meeting new friends, festivities, and enjoyment.
7th Lunar Day - saptami
The 7th lunar day is ruled by Indra; one may begin a journey, buy conveyances, and deal with other such things as a movable nature.
8th Lunar Day - astami
The Vasus rule this day, which is good for taking up arms, building of one's defenses, and fortification.
9th Lunar Day - navami
The Serpent rules this day, with is suitable for killing enemies, acts of destruction, and violence.
10th Lunar Day - dasami
The day is ruled by Dharma and is auspicious for acts of virtue, religious functions, spiritual practices, and other pious activities.
11th Lunar Day - ekadasi
Rudra rules this day; fasting, devotional activities, and remembrance of the Supreme Lord are very favourable.
12th Lunar Day - dvadasi
The Sun rules this day, which is auspicious for religious ceremonies the lighting of the sacred fire, and the performance of one's duties.
13th Lunar Day - trayodasi
The day is ruled by Cupid and is good for forming friendships, sensual pleasures, and festivities.
14th Lunar Day - chaturdasi
Kali rules this day suitable for administering poison and calling of elementals and spirits.
15th Lunar Day - amavasya and purnima
The Vasve-devas rule the New Moon suitable for the propitiation of the Manes and performance of austerities.
Benefic nakshatras for different activities (source: Muhurtha by B.V. Raman, Nakshatras by Dr. Dennis Harness; Brihat Samhita, Kalaprasideepika and Ernst Wilhelm)
Marriage
Rohini, Mrigisira, Magha (except first pada/quarter), Uttaraphalguni, Hasta, Swati, Anuradha, Mula (except last part), Uttarashadha, Uttarashadrapada and Revati.
Medical Treatment: Asvini, Mrigasira, Punavasu, Pushya, Hasta, Chitra, Swati, Anuradha, Sravana, Dhanishta, Satabisha; Revati
Politics (Swearing in): Asvini, Rohini, Mrigisira, Pushya, Uttaraphalguni, Hasta, Anuradha, Uttarashadha, Sravana, Uttarabhadrapada, Revati
Real Estate Purchases: Aswini, Rohini, Mrigasira, Punarvasu, Pushya, Uttaraphalguni, Hasta, Chitra, Svati, Uttarashadha, Sravana, Dhanishta, Satabishak, Uttarabhadrapada, Revati
House Building: Rohini, Mrigasira, Uttaraphalguni, Anuradha; Uttarashadha; Uttarabhadrapada, Revati
Learning a Mantra: Rohini, Ardra, Punarvasu, Pushya, Magha, Uttaraphalguni, Hasta, Chitra, Swati, Anuradha, Jyeshta, Mula, Uttarashadha
Agriculture: Rohini, Mrgasira, Punarvasu, Uttaraphalguni, Chitra, Swati, Anuradha, Uttarashadha, Shravana, Dhanishta, Satabishak, Uttrabhadrapada, and Revati
Business Opening—Ashvini, Rohini, Mrigisara, Pushya, Uttaphalguni, Hasta, Chitra, Anuradha, Uttarashadha
Travel: Asvini, Mrigasira, Pushya, Hasta, Anuradha, Shravana, Dhanishta, Revati
Writing—Beginning: Mrigasira, Ardra, Punarvasu, Hasta, Chitra, Swati, Mula, Shravana, Dhanishta, Satabishak
Remedies
The bove remedies are only a partial listing of the remedies found in Parasara and these are only those listed for dasas—there are other remedies for, for example, the installation of statues, rituals, etc. for certain malefically places planets or yogas at birth. There are additional remedies found in other texts, such as Brihat Samhita, Phaladeepika, Uttara Kalamrita, and so forth. Also, although Parasara lists specific remedies in this book, the feasibility of some for a western (donating goats) may be a bit impractical. Donations to temples, to the poor, or to religious institutions, and homam (even Archana, a much shorter and more inexpensive ritual) can help.
There are various places that provide yagna services, like Pandit Namboodiri, and the right ritual can produce extraordinarily good results. The grahas are instructed to do good to those who worship them, do individual prayers, rituals, and good acts that benefit the things the grahas rule all help. And sometimes the results are surprising!
Examples: Health and Sanity from Lakshmi Puja
It is also said that the planets are always favorable to one who never lies, who always pays his or her bills, does his job and is a trustworthy being. Since these areas are things within our control, it behooves us to act honorably and ethically at all times. Also practicing yoga and seva can also aid in controlling the negative planetary influences. For instance, those with an afflicted Sun will benefit from studying Raj Yoga; those with an afflicted Moon or Venus can cultivate Bhakti Yoga; those with afflicted Mercury can study hatha yoga or jyotish; those with difficult Ketu’s and Rahu’s can study Tantra and Kundalini Yoga; and those with afflicted Mars or Saturn can perform hatha or karma yoga; finally individuals with difficult Jupiters should study Vedanta. All of these practices will help the individual deal with these planetary problems in this world.
SANI DOSA
SADE SATI
The effect of Sani in a Vedic Chart produces a great deal of fear and anxiety in life. I have come to wonder over the past ten years of Saturn's influence makes us give up easily, making it easy to succumb to the pressure that Saturn often exerts on us. The effect of Saturn in a chart hurts us by taking things away, by causing delays, and even by destroying things in our life, by causing poverty, confinement, injury, debility, shame, humiliating circumstances, and illness. Saturn mahadasas are not necessarily damaging throughout, and Saturn transits can cause rises in status as well as problems.
The most feared transit of Saturn is called "Sade Sati" or the seven and one half years of Saturn, which can destroy and reconfigure our lives most dramatically. This occurs when other Saturn is in the sign behind the natal moon, passes over the natal moon itself and passes over the second house form the natal moon. According to other sources, however, Saturn can cause damage when it passes over the fourth house from the natal Moon, especially in matters connected with home life, mother, and domestic happiness. There is another damaging transit of Saturn-- the transit through the eighth house, called the Ashtami Sani. (there are only three Saturn Transits which could be called benefic). Naturally, these transits are less damaging when the ashtakavarga points are high.
Often, Saturn transits must be endured, but there are a few remedial measures that seem to work very well for Saturn.
The first of these is the repetition of a specific mantra contained in K.T. Shubhakaran's text Nakshatras.
VAKRATUNDA MAHAKAYA SURYA KOTI SAMA PRABHA NIRVIGHNAM KURU ME DEVA SARVA KARKEYSHU SARVADA (say this once--this is a mantra to Ganesh)
CHATURBHUJO BHANACHAPA KHADGA HASTHO VARAPRADAHA GRUDHARVAHANO GATHO NITHYAM SANKOROTHU SANAISCHARAHA. Say this eleven times.
Do this EVERY DAY during difficult Saturn transits.
Another good remedial measure for Saturn is to obtain the following:
5 lb. of black dahl (lentils)
1 pint of mustard seed oil (mustard seed flavored oil is acceptable)
Some new black cloth
Some iron nails
Mix these in a bag with a Saturn mantra written on paper 108 times, such as OM PRAM PREEM PROUM SA SHANI YA NAMAHA -- it is not necessary that the mantra be written in Devanagari script.
The best time to prepare the package is on a Saturday afternoon an hour before sunset during a waxing moon phase. Put the materials into a plastic bag and put into a river about an hour before sunset. This is a do-it-yourself sacrifice to Saturn, and is a form of worship for getting Saturn on your side.
To fight Saturn directly and to win, mantras for Hanuman are recommended. (please see Robert Svoboda's THE GREATNESS OF SATURN for an accounting of Sani's contact with Hanuman. An excellent mantra for Hanuman is:
Om Hoom Hanumate Rudratamakaye Hoom Phut Swaha.
Two other remedial measures for Saturn, contained in several texts I have reviewed on Saturn give very simple measures for offsetting the negative effects of Saturn. The first is VERY simple. Just put a horseshoe over your door. It works very well. Another technique (thanks to Dr. Dinesh Sharma) used in some poor villages in India is the wearing of a peacock feather. I believe the reason for the effectiveness of this technique is the fact that the peacock is the mount of Subramanya, Shiva's son. Subramanya, like Hanuman, is virtually invisible, and like Hanuman, is also used as a deity for Mars.
For some people, taking Saturn on directly in not to their taste. However, I have seen yagnas for Hanuman produce marvelously extraordinary results during adverse Saturn transits, and keeping Hanuman pictures around or saying Hanuman mantras will only help people during adverse Saturn transits.
RAHU Problems
Many individuals are quire unaware about how damaging Rahu periods or transits have the potential to be. Rahu can cause intense dissatisfaction with life, and in its transit over any angle, can cause intense dissatisfaction or unhappiness. Rahu or Ketu can cause susceptibility to gossip, black magic, sudden bursts of anger, jealousy, poisons and disease. It can also generate affliction from psychic forces and ghosts. Happily, although Rahu can cause intense problems, it is also quite amenable to relatively simple solutions.
Any kind of protective items, such as Feng Shui mirrors, witches balls (these are blown glass spheres which are supposed to capture negative energy in them); Drishti yantras and other "protective items" are extremely effective against the afflictions caused by the nodes.
I will share one extremely effective technique which I was taught by a South Indian Priest (Sathashivam Sivacharya) for dealing with back luck, which is usually the domain of Rahu:
Take some brandy (no particular quality is recommended. Place it in a glass bottle with uncooked rice (something like a relish jar is appropriate.). Bring the jar to a four corners at mid night on a new moon evening. Smash the jar and turn around and walk away. DO NOT LOOK BEHIND YOU WHEN YOU WALK AWAY. This dissipates bad luck and keeps malicious gossip away. The brandy will and rice being broken attracts demonic energies when they are most powerful, but the broken glass damages them for a full month. Keep in mind that when the Moon is at its darkest is the time when these energies are most present. Smashing the bottle leaves the bad patterns behind and damaged. Looking back just encourages them to return to your life. This technique works very well.
Here is a special mantra for Rahu from Shiv Raja Sharma's text, The Mystery of Rahu in a Horoscope (p. 3, 1995, Sagar Publications), which I have found very powerful in encouraging Rahu's more positive qualities:
Rahurdnava Mantri Cha Simhikachittananda
Ardhakaya Sada Krodhi Chandradity Vimardana
Giver of happiness to Simika (his mother), minister of demons,
half-bodied, Rahu is the tormenter of the Sun and the Moon
Roudro Rudrapriyo Daitya Swarbhanurbhanur Bheetidah
Graharajah Sudhapayi Rakatishyabhilashuka
Terrible looking, devotee of Lord Shiva, king among planets, immortal because he has drunk nectar, Rahu who frightens the Sun feels happy when he is worshipped at night.
Kaaldrishti Kaalroopa Shri Kantha Hriyadasraayah
Vidhuntudah Saimhikayo Ghorarupo Mahabalah
His sight is death inflicting; his looks are Death-like; he resides in the heart of Lord Neelakantha: has made the Moon lusterless. The son of Simhika is powerful.
Grahapeedikaro Dranshtri Rakta netro madodarah
Panchavimsati Namaani Smritava Rahum Sadanarah
He who torments planets has blood red eyes, big bellied (hard to satisfy): these are the twenty five names of Rahu.
Yah Pathet Mahati Peeda Tasya Nashyati Kevalam
Arogyam Putramtulam Shriyam Dhanyam Pashumtata
He who recites these names overcomes his troubles by a mere recitation of these names, gets sons, good health, prosperity, agriculture and cattle wealth.
Dadati Rahustasmai Yah Pathet Stotram Utttamam
Satatam Pathet Yastu Jeevat Varsham Shatam Narah
He who recites this stotra constantly gets his wishes fulfilled and lives up to the age of one hundred years. That is the fruit of reciting this hymn.
Remedial Measures for softening of Mars Affliction
Mars affliction in a chart often causes a wide range of problems because of anger, frustration and animosity caused by the placement of Mars in certain houses It is particularly emphasized in South India, but the eminent astrologer, the late B.V. Raman, in his text Muhurtha felt it was overemphasized. However, there are a couple of procedures which can be done in order to avert the negative afflictions of Mars.
One Vedic astrologer of whom I know had a chart which indicated that his first marriage would result in the destruction of his wife. (I do not have his direct permission to use this story, so I will not name the individual). On his marriage day, he arranged for two marriages --on the first marriage of the day he married a rock! He then arranged for the rock to be disposed of, and wed his human spouse.
Mars affliction, it is said, can sometimes be softened by getting a piece of copper blessed by a priest, then throwing the piece of copper in running water or burying it. Other acts involve offering red dahl (lentils) to images of Kartikeya, Skanda, Subramanya, and Mars. A very effective approach for minimizing the negative effects of Mars is also to engage in yoga, martial arts, aggressive exercise, or even meditation on a regular basis. Any activity in which aggressive energy can be softened somewhat through discipline activity is a positive manifestation of Mangala's energy.
Mars is the planet which seems to respond least to occult practices, possibly because Mars, as the planet of logic, argument and war, is resistant to persuasion. Activity is important to Mars and the planet responds well to energetic disciplines.
Specific Remedial Measures for Planetary Afflictions according to Systems Approach
Mr. V. K. Choudhry, an Indan Astrologer who developed the "Systems Approach" school of astrology in India, has developed an entire set of remedial measures based on aspects and afflictions to planets. Mr. Choudhry prescribes remedial measures based upon whether a planet is afflicted according to this particular system of astrology. The major recommendation indicate different sets of malefic planets than under traditional Parasara astrology, but these seem to work very well in terms of the application of remedial measures.
The following is a listing of functional malefics for each rising sign is:
Aries Mercury
Taurus Mars, Venus and Jupiter
Gemini None
Cancer Jupiter and Saturn
Leo The Moon
Virgo The Sun, Saturn and Mars
Libra Mercury
Scorpio Venus and Mars
Sagittarius The Moon
Capricorn The Sun and Jupiter
Aquarius The Moon and Mercury
Pisces The Sun, Venus and Saturn
I am not necessarily advocating that Jyotish students learn yet another system of astrology, but I have found that it is wise to pay attention to the dasas of these planets for these rising signs as giving potentially negative effects. Afflictions to other planets can be seen when other planets are in conjunction with or aspected by these planets.
Remedial measures recommended by SA include the following for each planet:
The Sun Give a handful of wet wheat with 15-20 grams of jaggery
(gur) to a cow, or serving one's father, or helping old age
needy persons
The Moon Give dough to a cow, or serve one's mother or older
women
Mars Morning prayers for ten minutes and being considerate to
one's younger brother/servant
Mercury Offer green fodder (about 2 kg) to a cow or helping poor
and needy children
Jupiter Offering one bundi laddu (a yellow colored sweet) to the
birds or offering service to one's preceptor or teacher
Venus Offering white colored sweets to the birds or helping
ladies in distress
Saturn Offering simple salty food to the birds or helping the poor
Rahu Giving away brown colored sweets to the birds or helping
old age needy persons or lepers
Ketu Offering some food to a stray dog or serving/helping
persons working for spiritualism
These measures are to be performed daily in the morning after bath and before breakfast.
Mr. Choudhry also recommends the use of Kavachas (yantras or talismans) for rising signs based upon his system of astrology. The designs are relatively straightforward, being basically numerical squares. They can be procured from him in India at 135/8M, Model Town, Gurgaon, 122001 or can be made by a jeweler here in the United States. Individuals desirous of contacting astrologers who are versed in SA techniques can contact ACVA member David Hawthorne (David is in the ACVA directory under Iowa).
The Lal Kitab
The Lal Kitab is an Urdu text which is primarily devoted to palmistry, but has an unusual pattern of planetary interpretation which might almost be considered a different system of astrology. In the Lal Kitab, afflicted planets do not affect themselves, but hurt other planets. It also has a system of "artificial planets" or conjunctions of two planets which produce an effect like another planet. For example, when Mercury and Venus are together in a chart, they act like the Sun, when Sun and Jupiter conjoin, they act like the Moon. I have never seen anyone do any research on the reading techniques enumerated in the Lal Kitab. Looking at these combinations in my chart, I can honestly say that they do seem to hold true, but this is only the scantiest analysis possible.
Another important point about the Lal Kitab, however, is that it gives extremely detailed instructions on which items are sacred to planets and even to combinations of planets. The following are the significations of planets and remedial measures:
The Sun Wheat, Red Copper (Worship of Vishnu)
The Moon Rice, Milk, Silver (Worship of Shiva; personal god)
Mars Masoor (Red) Dahl (Hanuman worship)
Mercury Moong (not pulse) (Worship of Durga)
Jupiter Pulse gram; Gold (Worship of Vishnu)
Venus Butter curd, camphor, Pearls ( feeding people)
Saturn Urad (Black dahl); Blacksmith (Worship the King)
Rahu Mustard; Sapphire (arranging marriage of girls)
Ketu Give a virgin cow in charity;
The remedial measures in the Lal Kitab are also very specific in terms of recommendations for adverse effects if a planet is afflicted in one of twelve houses. These are too detailed to list here, but general remedies for each planets are listed as follows:
For Jupiter:

1) Fasting on Thursdays
2) Worshipping Lord Hari (Vishnu) or watering (Peepal) tree
3) Wearing topaz or tying a haldi piece in a yellow thread around the right arm.
4) Service of Brahman, family priest, or a Sadhu.
5) Reciting the Garuda Purana.
6) Planting yellow flower plants
7) If Jupiter is debilitated, give in charity the commodities belonging to Jupiter.
For Sun:
1) Fasting on Sundays
2) Reciting or listening to Harivamsha Purana.
3) Wheat, jaggery or copper to be given in charity.
4) Maintaining good moral character.
5) Wearing Ruby or in place of Ruby copper can be used.
6) Throwing copper coin into flowing water.
7) Keep main entrance from east.
8) Keep away from black marketing and black marketers.
9) Service of government officials.
10) Do NOT give in alms the article pertaining to the Sun if the Sun is exalted.
For Moon:
1) Keep fast on Monday.
2) Worship Lord Shiva or go on pilgrimage to Amarnath.
3) Milk, rice or silver to be given in alms.
4) Wear a white milky pearl, or silver can be worn.
5) Blessing of mother or any ancestral female relative.
6) Silver nails in the feet of the bed.
7) Silver or rice to be dropped in the Crematorium
8) Taking bath in Ganges or running water.
9) No water pump or well under the roof.
10) Give things pertaining to the Moon in charity when it is in debility, but not when in exaltation.
For Venus:
1) Fast on Friday.
2) Ghee, curd, camphor to be given in places of worship.
3) Wear diamond or pearl.
4) Perfume clothes using cream and face powder.
5) Clothes should be clean and ironed.
6) Worn out clothes or burnt clothes should never be warn.
For Mars:
1) Fast on Tuesday.
2) Worship of Lord Hanuman.
3) Throw masoor (red dahl) into water.
4) Work in the service of brother.
5) Sleeping on deer skin.
6) Use pure silver.
For Mercury
1) Fast on Wednesdays
2) Give green things in alms or drop these in running water.
3) Copper coin with a hole to be dropped in running water.
4) Service of or domesticating goat and parrot.
5) Bangles and clothes of green color to be given to Eunuchs (in the modern day, this would have to be people with low sex drives or impotent or frigid individuals).
6) If Mercury is in debility, give away in alms the things of Mercury, but never when Mercury is in exaltation.
7) Blessing s of daughter, sister, father's sister, and wife's sister. These individuals should also be helped to the maximum extent possible.
For Saturn:
1) Fasting on Saturdays.
2) Bhairon (Bairava, the awful form of Lord Shiva), and giving wine to him in the Bhairon temple.
3) Milk for the serpents (give someone's iguana or pet snake some milk)
4) Distribute oil and wine free of charge.
5) Loaf of bread with mustard oil to be given to dogs and crows.
For Rahu:
1) Use remedies involving silver when mental peace is disturbed.
2) Red colored grains may be given to cleaners, or sweepers, or those who perform that work may be helped in other ways
3) Barley or wheat equal to the weight of the sick person should be dropped in running water.
4) Barley should be kept under the bead on the side of the head in the night and be distributed in the morning to the poor.
5) To solve problems or business or trade with the government, charcoal equal to the weight of the native should be dropped in running water.
6. Worship Saraswati.
7. Never accept electrical items, steel vessels or blue clothes.
8. Wear black onyx.
9. Live in a joint family.
10. Never use tobacco
For Ketu:
1) When Ketu is giving bad results the native should not let out his secrets or bemoan his ill luck before any body because then the effects will be manifold.
2) When progeny is affected by a badly placed Ketu, one should give a blanket to a temple.
3) Lime and bananas should be given in charity.
4) White and black pet dog in the house or feeding such a dog daily.
5) Sour things to be given to female children below the age of nine years.
6) Black and white items (til) to be dropped in water.
Further recommendations:
Investigate other cultures in order to give an idea of other deities in other cultures which correspond to Vedic deities, and investigate the things sacred to those deities. For example, for the graces oif the Goddess in Buddhist belief, one can chant the mantra Om Taray Tutaray Turay Namaha. This is considered a mantra to grant miracles and is very effective for the individual seeking divine compassion.
Also, I would strongly recommend investigating some of the texts I have discussed with you on your own. The literature on remedial measures is vast and, in this country at least, relatively under explored.

Some other remedies which are suggested include:

Yoga Asanas
For the Sun
Surya Namaskar
(Sun Salutation)
For the Moon
Chandra Namaskar
(Moon Salutation)
Mars
Simha Asana
(Lion Pose)
Mercury
(Any meditation posture)
Jupiter
Hamsa Asana
(Swan Posture)
Venus
Mahavira Asana
(Great hero Asana)
Saturn
Turtle asana
Rahu
Any act of devotion--any kind of aggressive or athletic yoga
Ketu
Meditation-any kind of spiritual devotion

There are an incredible array of postures in yoga that can accomplish planetary propitiation.

Certain herbs are considered good for planetary propitiation and for strengthening the body.

To increase vitality and calm the mind, ashwagandha can be used. This can be used to increase the energy of the Sun and Mars.
To increase the energy of the Moon and Venus, aloe vera can be used.
To calm the mind and regulate the nervousness of an unbalanced Mercury, Gotu Kola can be used.
To balance the energy of Jupiter, sandalwood can be used.
To balance the energy of Saturn and to a lesser extent Rahu, Tri Phala (a three fruit mix) and other purgatives are often used. Mustard seed oil is also used, as is Abhayanga, a type of purgative treatment, is used.
To balance the energy of Ketu, which is ethereal, grounding herbs like turmeric are often used.

It must be remembered that Ayurveda is a relatively complicated medical system and herbal remedies of this sort must be applied by someone who has been trained in this system of medicine.

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