ASHTAKAVARGA SYSTEM OF PREDICTION

PART 18

BY DR. E.S.NEELAKANTAN

In the previous article we saw the various points related to Jupiters
Ashtakavarga and their impact on predictive astrology. Now we will proceed to
discuss its intricacies in greater detail.

Everybody in todays world wants to lead a prestigious life. But what is the
meaning of prestige in todays life? False prestige. Before Indias independence,
fighting for Indias freedom from British rule was a sign of prestige. Gandhiji,
Nehruji and Subash Chandra Bose were icons. It was a matter of pride and prestige
to be associated with them. Todays prestige is nothing but watching the latest
movies in the world class malls which have come up, dining in luxury hotels and
beach resorts, watching IPL matches in stadium and driving latest cars. Before we
discuss astrological connotations of Prestige, I thought we should get the meaning
of True Prestige and False Prestige clarified.

When the sign dispositor of the 5
th
lord conjoins Jupiter a son who will
ennoble family prestige will be born provided the said plant obtains more than 4
bindus in the Ashtakavarga chart of Jupiter. If the said plant is in debilitation with
1 to 3 bindus, the son will prove treacherous to his father.

This verse once again highlights the role of bindus in predictive Astrology.
Take the above verse and interpret it without the application of bindus. The sign
dispositor of 5
th
lord in conjunction with Putrakaraka will give rise to birth of
children. But is there not a world of difference between a son who brings lasting
fame to ones own family and a worthless son? Actually the difference is equal to
the difference between heaven and hell.

This is why we need to reckon Ashtakavarga principles each time. .Without
the aid of Ashtakavarga,predictive Astrology is nothing short of a gamble. The
cutting edge of scientific Astrology will prove to be that of a blunt knife when
predictions are made, without consideration of Ashtakavarga principles. Astrology
as practised in India today, seldom takes into account the Ashtakavarga chart,
which is why the likelihood of a prediction going the wrong way is very high.

We now proceed to discuss the next rule. If the lord of 5
th
house is associated
with a malefic and Jupiter associated with 3 bindus is hemmed between malefics, a
son who is evil minded and also a disgrace to the family will be born. We need to
understand the significance of a planet hemmed between malefics. How do planets
give their effects? Through vibrations.

Take this example Saturn is in Aries, Jupiter is in Taurus and Mars is in
Gemini. This is a case of Jupiter getting hemmed between malefics. The benefic rays
of Jupiter have no exit route. The malefic vibrations of Mars and Saturn in adjacent
houses counteract the benefic influence of Jupiter and it gets choked. Such a planet
has no power to do any good.

I wish to cite one example here. There was a debate if there is a fight
between a crocodile and a rhinoceros, who would win? Prima facie, a rhinoceros is a
powerful animal and it should win. But a little bit of introspection would yield
newer and startling dimensions. Basically a rhinoceros is a mammal whereas a
crocodile is a reptile. The correct answer to this query would depend on where the
fight takes place? If it is on land, the rhinoceros would win. If it is in water, the
crocodile would win. Please note that a crocodile in water is far more powerful than
a crocodile in land.

Applying this to our own discussion, Jupiter is the most powerful of all
planets in warding off evil. When hemmed between malefics, it is comparable to a
crocodile on land utterly powerless. The three bindus of Jupiter is like rubbing
salt on wounds it aggravates its weakness. What is the result? Birth of a son, who
is evil-minded and a scourge to the family.

When Saturn passes through a sign, which in Jupiters Ashtakavarga, has
the least number of bindus, the person may meet with afflictions, provided that
house is not aspected by Jupiter in the natal chart.

This is a very interesting rule and would merit a protracted discussion on the
subject. Saturn is a dukka karaka. So it will adversely affect the fortunes of that
house it occupies in chart. The trines are the 5
th
and 9
th
. Usually there is an invisible
link between 1, 5 and 9. Lagna is the physical body as also the egoic self, 5
th
is
Poorvapunya or merits of good deeds performed earlier, 9
th
is good fortune. So
Saturn in a house in transit not only affects that particular house but also the trinal
houses of that house.

Now what is very important is the second limb of the rule which carries out
the exception to the rule. The house which is aspected by Jupiter is immune to the
adverse effects of Saturn in transit. Please note that a very important doctrine is
established here, which is the link between Natal chart and Gochara chart. There is
a link between a planet in a natal chart and another planet in Gochara. Let us say a
person is 40 years old, who has Jupiter in 2
nd
house in birth chart. Let us say,
Saturn is in the 8
th
in transit. What this rule says is that the effects of Saturn in 8
th
in
transit are effectively neutralized by the aspect of Jupiter on the 8
th
house in the
natal chart. No doubt, that was forty years back, whereas Saturn is in the 8
th
at
present. Never mind, the cancellation rule will apply.

Auspicious ceremonies are eagerly looked forward to in each and every house.
Transits of Sun over houses, where the least number of bindus are obtained in
Jupiters Ashtakavarga are not suitable for celebration of such functions. This is a
rule which has considerable value in todays set-up where we need to plan at least
six months in advance for functions such as marriage.

Take the lords of 9
th
and 10
th
houses and Jupiter. Let us say they are associated with
8 or bindus. Consider their sign dispositors. If all of them are powerful, then the
person will be exceptionally lucky and blessed with everything. In some cases the
father of a person is luckier. (The other way of putting it is the son is unlucky
compared to the father)
a) Lord of lagna is in the 2
nd
or 9
th
house.
b) Jupiter is in a quadrant from lagna with 5 bindus.

If both (a) and (b) are cumulatively satisfied the father of the child is luckier.

(a) Lord of the 9
th
house and Jupiter occupy quadrants or they are exalted or
they occupy their own house.
(b) Both the above mentioned planets are associated with 5 or more bindus in
Jupiters Ashtakavarga.

If both these conditions are cumulatively satisfied the person becomes either a king
or a judge. Please note that in ancient times the king also dispensed with justice. In
order to become a king one should have a very good knowledge of law and justice.
When we say either a king or a judge, obviously we are stating the rule as it would
appear in contemporary society.

With these comments, I bring this edition of Ashtakavarga to a close. Incidentally
this will be the final write-up on Jupiters Ashtakavarga. We have discussed rules
relating to Jupiter in Ashtakavarga in detail. In our next write-up, we will take-up
the Ashtakavarga of Venus for scrutiny.

THE END