ASHTAKAVARGA - PART 6 Dr. E.S.

Neelakantan PhD In our previous article we discussed about the salient features of Suns Ashtakavarga. In this article we will take a look at Moons Ashtakavarga chart and its implications. In Astronomy, Moon is just a satellite of the earth; In Astrology , Moon is a full-fledged planet. The Sun and Moon give rise to eclipses, which the other planets do not cause eclipses. So the Sun and Moon, even though they are treated as planets are in some ways different from the rest. One major difference between the luminaries is that Sun generates light on its own, whereas Moon shines on account of the light rays of sun falling on its surface and getting reflected. Moon is perhaps the only planet which exhibits dual qualities as a malefic as well as a benefic while waning it turns malefic and while waxing it is considered a benefic. Moon, according to Vedas governs the mind ( Chandrama Manaso Jayatha Purusha suktam Mind emerged from Moon). So, no study of an individual chart could be said to be complete , unless a comprehensive study of the Moons placement is undertaken. In this context, we need to form an opinion about Moon after considering its effects in its Bhinnashtakavarga chart. This we will study, in depth in this article. 1. Everyone wishes to have a decent status in society, wealth, comforts, peace of mind, happiness, good influence in society, good fortune and above all, a loving mother to look after household affairs. All these things are vouchsafed when Moon is well placed with 5 or more bindus. 2. Moon is the karaka of mind. A person endowed with intelligence can grasp what is said to him in no time. Such persons can solve any problem in no time through sheer presence of mind. These qualities are found in persons, in whose birth chart Moon is well placed with 6 or more bindus. 3. Ascertain the position of Jupiter. Find out in which house Moon is placed therefrom. If Moon is placed in 6,8 or 12 from Jupiter an inauspicious yoga termed as Sakata Yoga is given rise to. There is a saying, that for a person born with Sakata Yoga, Yogabanga or cancellation of other good yogas takes place from time to time (Sakta Yoga Jathasya yoga bhangam pade pade). Effects of Sakata Yoga are: a) Loss of fortune b) Poverty, Misery and difficulties c) Lack of support from ones own kith and kin When Sakata Yoga is present and the Moon in such a case is placed with 3 or less bindus, one will have debts, diseases and enemies.

4. If all the conditions mentioned infra are cumulatively present, one becomes highly prosperous: a) Moon is waxing b) Moon is placed in 9 or 11 c) Moon obtains 5 or more bindus. One must understand the essence of these conditions for judging a chart. As discussed earlier Moon in its waxing phase is a benefic. Secondly houses 9 and 11 are very auspicious as they represent luck and gains. Thirdly Moon with 5 or more bindus is certainly bound to yield favourable results. So, in a chart if all these factors are present, success and prosperity are guaranteed. 5) A weak moon can also lead to loss of mother. If Moon with no bindus occupies 7,8,or 12 early death of mother is possible. 6) Afflictions to mother is possible of Moon with 3 or less bindus occupies 7 or 8, while Rahu is in the 2nd house. 7) Danger through weapons is indicated when Moon occupies lagna with 3 or less bindus. 8) Generally astrologers look at the asterism occupied by the moon before fixing up an auspicious Muhurtha. Suppose in a persons chart, Moon has contributed 0 bindus to a rashi. That rashi needs to be avoided for all auspicious functions. In other words, we should perform all good things only on days when the Moon is transiting a rashi, which has received good number of bindus in the Moons Bhinnashtakavarga chart. 9) Today it is said that people in western countries have more wealth than the rest of the world. One would expect them to be happy on account of that. On the contrary, depression is found mostly in western countries. So the fact remains that mere possession of wealth cannot create happiness. Anxiety, mental depression and sickness are given rise to when Moon is placed with less than three bindus in the Bhinnastakavarga chart. 10) One becomes famous or even equivalent to a King if Moon obtains 8 bindus in its Bhinnashtakavarga chart. 11) Moon with 8 bindus in exaltation enables a person to become a King. His fame and prosperity also increase manifold.

12) Sometimes when two or more horoscopes are found to be in agreement and everything is found to be okay, we are at a dilemma about choosing the correct bride or groom. In such cases Ashtakavarga can come to our rescue. a) Mark the sign and navamsa occupied by the lagna lord as well as the 7th lord in the boys horoscope. (say A1, B1) b) The Janma Rasi of the girl could be - A sign which is trine to the above mentioned houses (A1, B1) - House of exaltation/debilitation of the lagna and 7th Lords as mentioned above. c) Now, there is a third clause which could also become applicable here. The janma rasi of the bride could be the sign which obtains the highest number of bindus in the grooms Bhinnashtakavarga chart (of the Moon) The above astrological principle is stated by Mantraswara in his treatise, Phaladeepika ( chapter 10, verse11) It would be advisable for all astrologers to take up the chart, whether it be that of a boy or girl and find out which Rashi has obtained the highest number of bindus in the Moons Bhinnashtakavarga chart. Select a suitable bride or groom whose Rashi is identical with that Rashi. This is one way in which greater harmony can be introduced in marriage life. 13) There is an interesting superstition in some parts of India. One meets with good fortune if one happens to see a fox as the first thing in the morning. Now certain truths in our country are expressed as superstitions. Fox is an animal which gets up by 3 a.m. in the morning. So a person who rises early in the morning can possibly sight a fox. There is a saying Early to bed and early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise .Usually people who get up early in the morning are hardworking.Hardwork is the surest way to attain success and good fortune.Correlating the two, the maxim goes, Seeing a fox in the morning brings good fortune This maxim is also subject to misuse. Sighting of foxes in order to become auspicious (as an omen) should be accidental,not pre- planned. Some people keep foxes in their houses and see them in the morning in order to make the day auspicious but that is against the spirit of the maxim. Now, ashtakavarga also gives us some advice on what we should see as the first thing in the morning. a) One should visit a person in whose chart Moon is present with 8 bindus. b) Gift of cloths or any presentation to such persons will usher in prosperity.

For success in life three things are needed. They are Wealth, Knowledge and above all, the grace of God. Hence the first thing we should do in the morning is to see both palms and say the prayer Karagre vasathe Lakshmi, Karamadhye Sarawathy, Karamoolethu Govindha Prabhathe Kara Dharshanam Worshiping the palm, Wherein Goddess of wealth ( Lakshmi) resides at the top, Goddess of learning ( Saraswathi) at the middle and the Supreme God Vishnu resides at the base. There is a tradition in Kerala to see Vishukkani as the first item when the Solar Year begins. Sometimes we used to sleep in the bedrooms and the Vishukkani would be in the hall. The real fun is to get up, close the eyes and walk up to the place where the Vishukkani is kept and see ones own face in the mirror, in the morning. Usually some elder member of the family would wake up and escort the junior members to see the vishukkani. Yellow pumpkin, cucumber, Jack fruit, Mango and a special flower which is yellow in colour called Kanipoo would be kept in front of the decorated mirror. All these traditions show that some of the principles we discuss in Astrology are also found in spiritual traditions in our Country. Now we take a look at few charts to see how these principles apply in practice. The First chart we will take up for discussion is the horoscope of Tony Blair, former Prime Minister of United Kingdom. He is the only person to have led the Labour Party to three consecutive General Election Victories. He was the Prime Minister of United Kingdom from 02.05.1997 to 27.06.2007. Moon is well placed in the 9th house aspected by Jupiter and also placed with 6 bindus. Chart 2 belongs to a person who lost his mother when he was just about 12 years old. Moon is placed in the 7th house with 3 bindus while Rahu occupies the 2nd house. Also in the bhava chart, Moon occupies 8th house. This chart illustrates the principle we discussed in rule 6, above. Chart 3 belongs to a retired official of Air India, who is now about 75 years old and residing at Mumbai. His mother who is aged about 95 years is also staying with him. In his horoscope, the Moon is exalted and in own navamsa aspected by Jupiter and obtains 6 bindus. Mercury as 4th lord is in the 5th house with 6 bindus. The 4th house has 31 bindus in the Samudaya Ashtakavarga chart. All these factors have supported the longevity of the natives mother. The End.