An analogy for understanding Dashas

Think of life as sailing on a vast ocean, where the direction of the wind is represented by the Dashas in Vedic Astrology. Just as a sailor watches the wind to decide how to align the sails, I use Dashas to understand the prevailing winds influencing my journey to a certain goal. When a Dasha changes, it's like the wind changing direction in the sea. To make the most of this new direction, we need to adjust our sails accordingly, meaning, we need to restrategise, since what worked in a previous period may not work in the present period. This doesn't mean our destination changes, but rather the way we get there might change. By aligning ourselves with the current Dasha, we navigate more effectively, focusing on different areas of life, or even changing our strategies and mindset to be more in tune with the energies at play. Just as a skilled sailor can use any wind to reach their destination, understanding and adapting to the Dasha allows us to make the most of life circumstances, guiding us toward our goals with the universe's support.

The usual Dasha system used in Vedic Astrology is Vimshottari Dasha, but this requires knowledge of Nakshatras which is a fairly advanced topic for most beginners. However, Chara Dasha from the Jaimini system iss straightforward, elegant and simple Dasha system. Unlike Vimshottari Dasha, this uses the 12 zodiacal signs, which most people are already familiar with. Also, it considers the qualities of the Signs—cardinal, fixed and mutable—as well as their Elements - Fire, Earth, Air and Water - to interpret each period, making it more profound in its insights.

Mahatma Gandhi's chart analysis

Let's consider an example chart of Mahatma Gandhi.. it's a great way for understanding Chara Dasha. Think of his life as a series of chapters, each one marked by different challenges and milestones. From his early activism in South Africa to his leadership in India's freedom struggel, every major phase of his life can be clearly mapped to a specific Chara Dasha. It seems to almost work like a calendar, pointing out the nature of events that are likely to take placed. In Gandhi's case, this Dasha could map his life with amazing accuracy. For instance, during certain periods when Chara Dasha indicated a time of struggle or transformation, Gandhi was facing significant challenges, like confronting racial discrimination in South Africa or leading peaceful protests for India's independence. See the table below for instance.

Note, I'm taking 2 Oct 1869, 07:11 in Porbandar, India as Gandhi's birth details.

I'm not saying Astrology dictates everything that happens, but rather I'm seeing a synchronocity between the skies above and life on Earth. In Gandhi's life, it's fascinating to see how the major events lined up with his Chara Dashas - we have an example of how Vedic Astrology can offer insights on our lives, showing us when we might face challenges, undergo changes or have opportunities to make a big impact.

Oprah Winfrey's chart analysis

Let's see another example of Oprah Winfrey's chart. We again see a striking synchcronicity between the Chara Dasha and her major life events.

Chara Dasha as Ascendant

Different Dasha systems have different starting points. In Vimsottari Dasa, the periods are calculated from the standpoint of the Moon, and the interpretation builds on the position of Moon / mind. The Lords of the antar dashas, and their disposition from the Lord of the Maha Dasha will indicate the attitudes and outlook to life in those sub periods. For example, in the mahadasha of Saturn, the mind (since the Moon is the starting point) finds itself in situations where it is forced to learn the importance of humility, patience and hard work (signified by Saturn). However, since Chara Dasha is a Rasi based Dasa system, the interpretations of the Maha Dasha and the Antar Dasha are tied to the Ascendant, or the tangible reality that the person is attempting to manifest in this lifetime. You can read more about different starting points while analysing a birth chart in my other blog post, titled "Multi Ascendants"

Mapping Major Life Events with Chara Dasha

Try this out with your own life events. Determine the Chara Dasha based on your date, time and place of birth, and map the major events in your life to the respective periods. Any major Vedic Astrology software will give the Chara Dasha periods. However, if you would like to calculate it yourself, here are the rules. Note that the Savya Rashis are Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Libra, Scorpio and Sagittarius. All the others are known as Apasavya.

How is Chara Dasha calculated?

While counting, the Sign that you count from will be one, the next Sign is two and so on. Calculate the Chara Dasha duration of each Sign using the rules above. There are special rules for Scorpio and Aquarius though, as follows:

For individual horoscopy, Vedic Astrology uses Planets only till Saturn, and we don't consider Uranus, Neptune and Pluto. Hence, the rulers of Scorpio, Aquarius and Pisces are Mars, Saturn and Jupiter respectively (and not Pluto, Uranus and Neptune as in Western Astrology).

Once the major Chara Dasha periods are determined, the sub periods and minor periods can be determined as follows:

Think of Chara Dasha is more than just a Jamini Astrology technique.. it's a way to map your journey in life. It offers a clear, straightforward path to making sense of what has happened in our lives. Once you do that, use it as a compass to help you restrategize and align your sails to guide you to your destination.

See if you can map your life with Chara Dasha. You will need to know the basics of the Zodiac Signs and the Planets to help you with this. And I'll be happy to read your reflections in the comments section below.

Referances

Jaimini Sutram, Ch 1, Pada 1, Shlokas 25-29

https://www.scribd.com/document/135338333/Method-of-Calculation-of-Jaimini-Chara-Dasha

https://jothishi.com/jaimini-astrology-chara-dashas/

When I started writing this blog, almost a year ago, Mercury was about to debilitate in Pisces as per Vedic Sidereal Astrology. And this got me thinking what debilitation actually means? Does it mean the planet is at its lowest capacity to deliver results? Or that the planet is not at ease, and therefore unable to function? Or that the planet is in its opposing sign, and will give malefic results? Is the planet "bad" or just "weak"?

I usually take a month or two to research and write my blogs.. but this particular one has taken me well over a year.. Maybe that is what 'debilitation' does - stretches out things, make them take longer than expected, makes it heavy and like a burden, and pushes you to the breaking point. How all of this manifests depends on the planet that is debilitated, and where it is debilitating.

But first things first.

Signs of debilitation

In the course of its revolution around the Sun, different constellations appear behind the planet when viewed from Earth. These constellations appear as the backdrop for the Planet, and referred to as the Sign that the Planet is "placed in". According to one theory of Astrology, the planet acts as a filter for the energy emanating from the distant Stars. Some of these Stars complement the energies of the Planet, while some others do not. Each Planet is said to "exalt" in one of these Signs, and "debilitate" in the Sign directly opposite. In BPHS 3:49-50, Maharishi Parashara states

From here, we get the Signs that each planet debilitates in, namely Sun in Libra, Moon in Scorpio, Mars in Cancer, Mercury in Pisces, Jupiter in Capricorn, Venus in Virgo and Saturn in Aries. This is the same as Varahamihira's Brihat Jataka, and Matreshwara's Phaladeepika. The exaltation signs of the Nodes are mentioned in BPHS 47:34

Hence, we learn that Rahu exalts in Taurus, and Ketu in Scorpio, and therefore, they will debilitate in the Signs directly opposite, i.e. Rahu in Scorpio, and Ketu in Taurus. The reasons why a planet exalts or debilitates in a particular Sign has been a matter of speculation, as this is not found in any of the classical works. For now, let's focus more on how exaltation and debilitation are used in chart interpretation.

References in Brihat Parasha Hora Shastra

Maharishi Prashara refers to debilitated planets in 71 shlokas, as follows: Dasha effects (39 shlokas), Graha and Bhava characteristics (10 shlokas), Yogas (5 shlokas), curses from previous birth (4 shlokas), Shadbala (3 shlokas), Upapada (3 shlokas), Rays & Avasthas (3 shlokas), Elements, Longevity, Evils at Birth and Sudarshan Chakra (1 shloka each). More than half of all the shlokas mentioning debilitated planets are concerned with effects in different Dashas and Antar Dashas (primarily Vimshottari Dasha and Char Dasha). It is clear that the effects of Dashas are of primary focus while working with debilitated planets in a chart. This in turn stems from correctly delineating the Graha and Bhava effects of the debilitated planet.

General effects of debilitated planets

As the planets move around the Zodiac, their strength (Ucchha Bala) increases as they approach their point of exaltation, and decreases as they approach their debilitation point, along with their capacity to indicate any good effects. The elemental effects get more and more adverse, positive yogas get cancelled, and they contribute a lower length of life. The shlokas from BPHS, paraphrased, are as below.

House lords

Maharishi Parashara speaks 12 sutras on the lords of different houses getting debilitated, the effects being primarily negative and adverse in nature. 1L being debilitated leads to ill health, if 2L is debilitated, then family faces poverty. If 3L is debilitated, then one is the youngest in the family (or co-born will pass away sooner than the native), if 9L is debilitated then one's father passes away early or is is poor, if 10L is debilitated, then one does no good deed. If the 12L is debilitated in D9, one is generally unhappy in life (from BPHS, Ch 12:1, 18:35-39, 42:5, 14:7-11, 83:95-105, 20:4, 83:71-78,48:1, 21:16, 20:13-25 and 23:5-6)

The Maharishi also uses debilitated planets to throw light on one's "children" viz. A debilitated planet associated with Jupiter and/or 5H has a malefic impact on one's children. These are found in the 16th and 83rd chapter as follows

Debilitated Planets seen from Upa Pada

Debilitated planets also change the way Upapada is interpreted. Note that the Upa Pada is the arudha lagna of the 12H, which speaks about the spouse of the person. It is the Sign that is as many signs away from the 12L, as the 12L is from the 12H. In case the 12L is in the 12H itself, or 7 signs from the 12H, then Upa Pada will be 10 signs from the 12L (BPHS, 29:1-5). 

If the lord of the Upa Pada is debilitated, then the native is said to have higher social status than the spouse. And if 2H from Upa Pada has any debilitated planet either in D1 or in D9, then it indicates adverse effects for the spouse, especially in the periods of the said planets. These are found in BPHS Ch 30, paraphrased below

Results in Dasas and Antar Dashas

As shared earlier, more than half of all shlokas on debilitated planets on debilitated planets speak about the effects in the respective planetary periods. It must be noted that Dasha periods must be interpreted taking the age, culture and era of the client into account. A common point amongst most of these shlokas is that the debilitated planet is said to give similar results as a combust planet or a planet placed in the dushthanas (6H, 8H, 12H). Also, if the lord of the Dasha is debilitated, it indicates trouble to health, wealth and at times, to life itself. Results of specific debilitated Dasha lords are as follows:

• Debilitated Sun: anxieties, loss of wealth, punishment from Government, defamation, opposition by kinsmen, distress to father, inauspicious events at home, distress to paternal and maternal uncles, anxiety and inimical relations with other people for no reason whatsoever (47:12-15).

• Debilitated Jupiter: association with menials, great distress, slander by joint heirs, wrath of the employer, danger of premature death, separation from wife and children and loss of wealth and grains (56:4-5).

• Debilitated Saturn: effects of poison, injury from weapons, separation from father, distress to wife and children, disasters as a result of displeasure of Government, imprisonment etc. (47:57-60).

• Debilitated Mercury: loss of wealth and cattle, antagonism with relations, diseases like stomach pain, piety in discharging duties as a government official (58:1-3).

• Debilitated Ketu: heart disease, defamation, destruction of wealth and cattle, distress to wife and children, instability of mind etc. (59:3-4).

The Maha Dasha results of the other planets being debilitated are not found in the present edition of BPHS. Either the Maharishi did not speak these sutras (unlikely) or, the sutras have been lost over time. He has, however, provided the antar dasha results of debilitated planets as follows:

• Sun-debilitated Mars: loss of wealth by government

• Sun-debilitated Saturn: separation from parents, wandering about

• debilitated Moon-debilitated Moon: loss of wealth and position, lethargy, agony, antagonistic towards the government, distress to mother, imprisonment and loss of relatives

• Moon-debilitated Jupiter: destruction of preceptor, father or children, loss of position, mental agony, quarrels, destruction of one’s house, conveyances and agricultural land

• Moon-debilitated Mercury: pains in the body, loss in agricultural ventures, imprisonment, distress to wife and children

• Moon-debilitated Venus: loss of land and property, children, wife and cattle and opposition from government

• Mars-debilitated Jupiter: danger from thieves, snakes, wrath of the government, bilious diseases, oppression by goblins, loss of servants and co-born

• Mars-debilitated Mercury: heart diseases, imprisonment, loss of kinsmen, distress to wife and children, destruction of wealth and cattle

• Mars-debilitated Moon: death, distress to wife and children, loss of land, wealth and cattle and danger of war etc.

• Rahu-debilitated Jupiter: loss of wealth, obstacles at work, defamation, distress to wife and children, heart disease, entrustment to governmental authority

• Rahu-debilitated Venus: diseases, quarrels, separation from one’s son, or father, distress to kinsmen, disputes with joint heirs, danger of death to oneself or one’s employer, unhappiness for one’s wife and children, pain in the stomach etc.

• Jupiter-debilitated Venus: quarrels, antagonism with kinsmen, distress to wife and children

• Jupiter-debilitated Mars: adverse events at the commencement of the Antar Dasha

• Saturn-debilitated Venus: distress to one’s wife, loss of position, mental agony, quarrels with close relations etc.

• Saturn-debilitated Moon: great distress, wrath, separation from one’s parents, ill health of children, losses in business and irregular meals. Good results at the commencement of the Antar Dasha

• Saturn-debilitated Jupiter: death of near relations, loss of wealth, antagonism with government officials, failure in projects, journeys to foreign lands, diseases like leprosy etc.

• Mercury-debilitated Moon: physical distress

• Mercury-debilitated Jupiter: discord with the government and relatives, danger from thieves, death of parents, disgrace, punishment from government, loss of wealth, danger from snakes and poison, fever, losses in agricultural production, loss of lands etc.

• Ketu-debilitated Moon: unhappiness and mental agony, obstacles in ventures, separation from parents, losses in business, destruction of cattle etc.

• Ketu-debilitated Jupiter: danger from thieves, snakes and wounds, destruction of wealth, separation from wife and children, physical distress etc.

• Venus-debilitated Sun: agony, wrath of the king, quarrels with joint heir, etc.

• Venus-debilitated Moon: loss of wealth, fears, physical distress, agony, wrath of the king, journeys to foreign lands or pilgrimage, distress to wife and children and separation from relative

• Venus-debilitated Saturn: lethargy and higher expenditure than income

• Venus-debilitated Jupiter: number of children will be limited

The above 'rules' need to be applied to the chart as a whole, after considering all other supporting, and non-supporting factors. Parashara has stated this in Ch 41:17 as follows:

For instance, Sun-debilitated Mars dasha period indicates a loss of wealth due to the government; but if, Venus lord of a Kendra, Trikona or the 11th house transits Taurus or Libra, then it could counter the effects of debilitated Mars. The chart will need to be studied as a whole taking the positions of all planets and the influences upon them.

A brief conclusion

Debilitated planets are an important component in chart delineation as they can greatly influence an individual's life. They represent the areas where we may experience challenges, difficulties, or obstacles, and work harder to achieve our goals. For instance, it is interesting to note that it has taken me over a year to complete a blog that I thought I would finish in 2 months. That is an indication of how debilitated planets work - they make one reach the depths of one's psyche, in order overcome challenges in life. They are not placements that give easy and quick success. They are not always negative in influence and offer valuable lessons and opportunities for growth. By understanding their placement and influence, we learn a lot of our strengths and weaknesses, areas of challenges and growth, that allow us to navigate life's currents with greater insight and wisdom.

P.S.

Exalted planets are a whole new ballgame, but understanding debilitated planets will give you the keys to understanding Exalted planets and vice versa. If there is an interest, I can take that up in another blog post. Let me know in the comments section below. If you enjoyed this post, consider subscribing to my mailing list, so you get these articles delivered to your email. You can subscribe by clicking here: https://www.allthingsvedic.in/blog.

I write occasionally on my learnings and experiences in Vedic Astrology, and my blog has been selected as the Top 15 Vedic Astrology Blogs on the web by Feedspot. You can also follow me on Instagram and Facebook which I update occasionally with my own artwork:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/allthingsvedic.in/

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But what are these remedies, and are there any general remedies that can be used by one and all? Let's start with an analogy.

The River

Imagine you are crossing a river. It's gushing down, making its way to the Ocean. You are in a certain spot because of the way you sailed in the past, and how you sail now will determine where you end up in the future.

So the question becomes, do you know how to sail? Do you know where you're going? Only then can you steer your boat - whether you need to stay still and let the River take you with it, or adjust your sails to go against the currents. There is no right or wrong destination - if you decide to go with the currents, you reach the Ocean, something much, much larger than the River. And if you decide to sail against the currents, then you go upstream, to the very source of the river itself. Either way, you're in for a ride.

The River in this analogy, represents Life, and the currents are the vasanas that we encounter in our lives. Some are strong, others weak, they are tendencies and possibilities that are pulling us in one direction or the other; the "destination" represents the goals and ambitions in life. In this context, Varahamihira (500 AD) said “There is no better boat than a horoscope to help a man cross over the sea of life.” Meaning, the horoscope helps us understand our River - the direction, depth, intensity of the currents and so on, and if the destination is clear, an understanding of the birth chart helps us find the strategies best suited to get us there.

But how do you choose your destination? Should you surrender to the currents in your life, or should you go against your nature for achieving your goals? Only you can answer that question. There are no right or wrong goals. We need to decide our destinations, as much by ourselves as possible, free from the views and opinions of others, who by the way, are also in the midst of crossing their own rivers.

Why am I sharing all this, when the topic is about remedies in Vedic Astrology?

It's because I believe that we cannot change how the River is flowing.

It is flowing in a certain direction and speed, because of actions that we've taken in the past. We cannot change this, but, we can learn how to sail. I liken remedies in Vedic Astrology to learning to sail, strengthening our boats, changing the sails, rather than to trying to change the way the River is flowing. Or stopping it from flowing altogether. The Master Sailor can sail to any part of the river. And if we can learn how to sail like Them, then, however strong the currents in Life may be, whichever direction Life may flow, we can reach the destination of our choosing.

All the remedies are designed to help you withstand the currents in life, and navigate those currents, rather than change the currents. For instance, several would recommend the Gayathri Mantra for finding a job. Rather than changing the external world, the regular chanting of this mantra in a sincere and diligent manner, enlightens the self, making it more self aware and productive in life, because of which one gets a job. In other words, the remedy works on oneself, and better prepares the self for facing the vicissitudes of life.

Also, remedies cannot / should not be delegated to someone else. If a doctor prescribed a medicine for your illness, would you ask someone else to take that medicine on your behalf? Same in Astrology. Remedies need to be performed by the individual, and if he/she is incapable of doing so (for instance, you may not know how to perform a homa), then it is the responsibility of the astrologer to find a suitable alternative. If you are allergic to a certain substance, then the doctor must prescribe an alternative, isn't it?

Navagraha Stotra

The kind of remedies that are available in Vedic Astrology, range from tantra, mantra, dana, japa, homa, and yagna, to yama, niyama, asana and pranayama. Several astrologers also prescribe numbers, colors and gemstones, as well as changing one's attitudes and ways of life as a means to achieving one's goals. In Brihat Parashara Hora Shastra, Maharishi Parashara has provided the following:

Remedies for planetary periods: Ch. 48-59

Remedies for curses from previous births: Ch. 85

Remedies for inauspicious births: Ch. 87, 90, 94, 95, 96

Remedies for Amavasya: Ch.88

Remedies for Krishna Chaturdashi: Ch.89

Remedies for Nakshatras: Ch.91

Remedies for Sankranthi: Ch.92

Remedies for Eclipses: Ch.93

Remedies for unusual deliveries: Ch.97, 98

While the above are for specific cases, in Ch. 86, he provides a general remedy for each Planet, and states

Vyasa has recommended alleviating the Grahas using the Navagraha Stotra, a method that can be followed by anyone. If you have the means, then this could be combined with Parashara's suggestion of making idols of each Graha in the respective material (Sun in copper, Moon in clear quartz, Mars in red sandal, Mercury and Jupiter in gold, Venus in silver, Rahu in lead and Ketu in brass), and then reciting the Stotra. A beautiful rendition below:

Source: https://youtu.be/ROnh4Zbdrgs

The Taittiriya Samhita gives 3 mantras for each Graha, as in this video below. Astrologers usually recommend these as a generic remedy to address all Grahas.

Source: https://youtu.be/2cs-PJCBHgk

Worshiping deities

Several believe that Hanuman and Ganesha can be propitiated to counteract the evil effects of any Graha. Hanuman is said to be the "slayer of demons, evils and negative energies", and is even proclaimed as being greater than Ram Himself (Tulsidas, Ramcharitmanas 7.120.14). According to the Shaivite tradition, Hanuman is an incarnation of Lord Shiva, and His powers – strength, courage, wisdom, celibacy, devotion and the many names by which He was known – are given in the Hanuman Chalisa, recited daily by millions today (Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hanuman_Chalisa).

Ganesha is said to be the remover of obstacles, and is worshipped at the start of any endeavor to help the devotee find success. The Vakratunda Mahakaya shloka from the Mudgala Purana is usually used:

This has been beautifully rendered by Pandit Ravishankar in Vandana Trayee (https://youtu.be/ru_FPMkDRlc), although the second line is different from the above version.

Reciting mantras in front of a statue is a common method of worshipping Hindu deities, but imbibing their qualities is what is actually called for. In the case of Hanuman, rather than worshipping the physical form of Hanuman, can we emulate the courage, dedication, devotion and selfless surrender to the Divine that He is known for? Can we bring those qualities into our day-to-day activities, rather than merely visiting a temple? The same goes for Ganesha - in addition to reciting a mantra and offering flowers, can we also look within ourselves to find the strength for overcoming external obstacles? That would go a far longer way in helping us adjust our sails in navigating the river.

Conclusion

If the currents in your life are too strong to handle, show your chart to a Vedic Astrologer, and get his/her opinion. Think of "remedy" as a "strategy" to achieve your goals and ambitions in life. And just as a business strategy needs to be customized for each organization at different stages of its growth, astrological remedies also need to be customized for you, by considering the unique situation that you find yourself in, and these need to be adapted to the changing conditions of life viz. Planetary periods, eclipses, progressions and ongoing transits. Be careful not to take a one-size-fits-all approach, and instead each chart needs to be addressed using a case-by-case approach. Even the dictum "exercise is good for health" can prove to be quite the contrary for someone who has just fractured the spine. Here, it's bed rest that becomes the remedy.

P.S.

I haven't addressed the other kinds of remedies here (tantra, mantra, japa, homa, yagna and gemstones to name a few). If there is an interest, I can take that up in another blog post. Let me know in the comments section below. If you enjoyed this post, consider subscribing to my mailing list, so you get these articles delivered to your email. You can subscribe by clicking here: https://www.allthingsvedic.in/blog.

I write occasionally on my learnings and experiences in Vedic Astrology, and my blog has been selected as the Top 15 Vedic Astrology Blogs on the web by Feedspot. You can also follow me on Instagram and Facebook which I update occasionally with my own artwork:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/allthingsvedic.in/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/allthingsvedic

At the base level, Vedic Astrology has 9 bodies (known as the Navagrahas), 12 Zodiacal Signs (or Rasis), 27 Lunar Divisions (Nakshatras) and 12 Houses (Bhavas). Due to the revolution of the planets around the Sun, coupled with the rotation of the Earth, the Navagrahas can be placed in any Sign and in any House, making each moment in time, and therefore each natal chart absolutely unique.

While analyzing a horoscope, most Astrologers start with the Ascendant. The classical works of Vedic Astrology provide several other starting points, including Surya Kundali, Chandra Lagna, Arudha lagna, Hora Lagna, Ghati Lagna, Varnada, Bhava Lagna, Upapada and Karakamsha to name a few. Of all of these, the one's that I work with the most are Surya Kundali, Chandra Lagna, Lagna and Dasanatha, in that order. The way the chart is analyzed depends on the starting point, and the manner in which they are brought together. It is necessary that several starting points are considered in order to get a thorough understanding of the chart. Let's consider these one by one and then combine them into a single archetype.

Sun Sign

The Sun is the largest among the Navagrahas, and the center of our Solar System. All planets circumambulate the Sun, each taking their own time to make one complete revolution. The Sun is the giver of all light, life and energy in our Solar System. Hence, even in the natal chart, the Sun becomes the natural center holding all other planets accountable to their agendas, giving light and energy to everything in the person's life - the natural Atmakaraka or the significator of the Soul. A loose translation for the word "soul" is one's innermost drives and desires. So understanding how the Sun is placed in the horoscope can help us understand that which is at the core of our beings, the innermost drives and desires that gives light, life and energy to our world. If you decide to read the chart from the standpoint of the Sun, then the interpretation will speak to the innermost drives and desires of the person, that which is likely to be hidden from view to most others.

For instance, if the Sun is in Gemini, then the innermost self will find fulfillment in reading / writing / acquiring knowledge and engaging in a vast array of subjects. The 2nd from the Sun will denote the resources that support the growth and expression of this innermost self. The 3rd from the Sun will denote the activities that the innermost self wishes to engage with, and so on. All this is further enhanced if the functional Atmakaraka (the graha that has traversed the most in the Sign) also points to the same.

Moon Sign

The Moon is the smallest amongst all the grahas, but appears to be the same size as the largest graha, the Sun. It emits no light of its own; instead it reflects the light of the Sun, illuminating the night sky. In other words, something in our lives has become as significant as the Sun, and helps us understand the darker areas of material creation - in Vedic Astrology, the Moon represents the sensorial mind or manas, the mind that has become as significant as the Soul, and experiences and makes sense of the world around us. Reading the chart from the Moon enables us to understand mental attitudes, and how the individual experiences his/her world. As you can see, this is very different from the innermost drives and desires (a.k.a. The Sun).

For example, if the natal Moon is in Leo, then the individual will have a royal and a regal outlook to life, capable of managing/delegating work to others and overseeing projects - an attitude of ruling what they consider to be rightfully theirs. The 2nd from the Moon will indicate the resources that support the development of the mind; the 3rd will denote the attitude of the mind to activities that it engages with, and so on.

Taking the Moon as the starting point becomes a prerequisite if a nakshatra based dasha system is used, since the planetary periods are calculated from the Moon's longitude. Also, Mantrashwara states in Phaladeepika that Chandra Lagna (sign in which the Moon is placed), is most important for assessing the effects of gochhara (transits). Hence, studying the chart from the Sign occupied by the Moon becomes necessary before transits are studied.

Ascendant

As the Earth rotates, the whole sky rises in the East and sets in the West. The Ascendant, or Lagna is the Sign that was rising in the East at the time when the chart was made, viz. just coming above the horizon. This is the Sign that was coming into view, or coming into this world at the moment of birth. Hence, the Ascendant represents the tangible reality that the person attempts to manifest during their lives, that which can be seen and touched. Some astrologers opine that it represents what the person shows the world about themselves.

For example, if the Ascendant is Aquarius, then how others view the person will be as someone who serves society with something that is essential for life, working independently and frequently traveling, and not hesitating to go against established norms. The 2nd from the Ascendant will indicate the resources that support these activities; the 3rd denotes how the person will use his/her energy, hobbies and interests to manifest what the Ascendant represents, and so on.

In Chapter 20 Shloka 63 Mantreshwara states that, "There will not be much difference between the Prasna Lagna and the Janma Lagna in the matter of making predictions."

Hence, in the absence of accurate birth details, the date, time and place of question can also be used as the primary starting point.

Dasanatha

In Uttarakalamrita Section 6 Shloka 21.5-22.5, Kalidasa suggests using the Lord of the Planetary Period (Dasa) as the Ascendant.

Doing so helps in understanding the time period in question, and the interpretation depends on the Dasa system being used. If it is Vimsottari Dasa, since the periods are calculated from the standpoint of the Moon, and the interpretation builds on the position of Moon / mind. The Lords of the antar dashas, and their disposition from the Lord of the Maha Dasha will indicate the attitudes and outlook to life in those sub periods. For example, in the mahadasha of Saturn, the mind (since the Moon is the starting point) finds itself in situations where it is forced to learn the importance of humility, patience and hard work (signified by Saturn). If a Rasi based Dasa system is used, Chara Dasha for instance, then the interpretations of the Maha Dasha and the Antar Dasha will be tied to the Ascendant, or the tangible reality that the person is attempting to manifest in this lifetime.

Special Ascendants

Although I don't use these as starting points, I include them here for the sake of those who may. be interested in them. These are given by Maharishi Parashara, in Chapters 4, 5 and 29 of Brihat Parashara Hora Shastra.

Bhava Lagna - the personality in the etheric level (different from taking Bhava as Lagna)

Hora Lagna - for matters concerning the 2nd and 4th (financial and material prosperity for instance)

Ghati Lagna - for matters concerning the 5th and 10th (power, authority, success, influence)

Nishek Lagna - experiences and influences while in the womb of the mother

Arudha Lagna - how the world views the individual

Varnada - complements the Lagna and Hora Lagna

If you have experience in using any of the these, pl share your thoughts in the comments section below.

Bringing it all together

Think of the chart as a jigsaw puzzle with the Planets, Signs and Houses representing different pieces of that puzzle. Understanding the pieces individually, and then joining them all together is necessary for the overall picture to emerge, i.e. The findings from several different starting points need to be integrated in order to get a fuller understanding of the person/event.

Integrating the findings, and then communicating them in a manner that helps the client visualize/remember them can be challenging. One of the ways this can be accomplished is to "build" on the archetypes, taking the unique Sun-Moon-Ascendant-Dasanatha combination into account.

For instance, if we consider the examples given in this blog - Sun in Gemini, Moon in Leo, Ascendant in Aquarius and Saturn as the Dasanatha - then the archetype becomes the royal and princely (Leo) intellectual (Gemini) person, who challenges social conventions (Aquarius) learning patience, perseverance and hard work (Saturn) during the period in question. Another could be the youthful and carefree (Gemini) person, with an aptitude for managing large scale (Leo) social welfare projects (Aquarius) learning the importance of humility and service (Saturn). There can be several such interpretations, all depending on the individual keywords that is used to construct the archetype. Note that the significations of the planets and Signs get modified from chart to chart based on other accompanying factors, such as the Nakshatras, Graha Bala and Bhava Bala, placements in the Varga charts, Ashtakavarga bindus, gocchara positions, and so on.

An understanding of the Planets, Signs and Houses is thus a good starting point for learning how to interpret a natal chart. Any standard book on Astrology can be consulted for this purpose; I have also uploaded several videos, where I introduce these archetypes in a story telling format: https://www.allthingsvedic.in/learn.

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Fasting is prescribed across all major religions of the world. Hindus usually fast on ekadashi (the 11th day after a New Moon or Full Moon), Muslims fast on Ramadan, Christians fast during the season of Lent, Buddhist monks are asked to refrain from eating after noon, Jains fast on special days such as birthdays, anniversaries, and during festivals such as Paryushan in the monsoon season and so on. So it appears to be common among people of different of faiths.

In the Mahabharata (Book 13 Section 106), Vyasa provides a detailed account of the benefits of fasting, in the form of a dialogue between Bhishma and Yudhishtira. At one stage, he mentions that fasting for one meal every day during a lunar month acquires boons according to the month in which the fast is undertaken. For example, if fasting is done in the month of Margashirsha, then the person is said to "acquire great wealth and corn", while fasting the month of Kartikai bestows "heroism, many spouses, and great fame".

The Elements and fasting

The Zodiacal Signs can be characterized into the 4 elements - Fire, Earth, Air and Water. Spicy foods (chili, peppers, garlic, etc.) are ruled by the Fire Element, foods that are grown underground (carrots, beetroots, radishes, etc.) are ruled by Earth, foods from the tree (avocado, bananas, berries, nuts, etc.) are ruled by Air and foods grown in water or with a high water content (rice, celery, tomatoes, melons, etc.) come under the Water Element.

Generally, it is recommended to eat food of the Elements you lack, thereby making up for the deficiency. However, for fasting from food, it is better to start with the Element that you have an excess of. So for instance, if Fire is the predominant element in your chart, then you could start by refraining from chili, peppers, garlic, and so on. Since the Fire element is already quite strong in your chart, and that Element could be cut back a bit.

But "how do we determine the predominant element in a chart?" In Chapter 76 of Brihat Parashara Hora Shastra, Maharishi Parashara mentions the following:

In other words, the shadbala of the planets will help in determining the predominant element in the chart. Look for the planet with the highest shadbala, and that planet's Element will dominate your personality. Another frequently used approach, is to count the number of planets in each Element. The predominant Element will be the one with the most planets. If you need help in deciphering the above, reach out to me.

The role of the Planets

Fasting is often used as a remedy to strengthen planets that are weak in Shadbala. It is usually prescribed for days ruled by the planet concerned, i.e. Sunday for the Sun, Monday for the Moon, Tuesday for Mars, Wednesday for Mercury, Thursday for Jupiter, Friday for Venus and Saturday for Saturn. This is said to strengthen the planet and, thereby the areas of life that it governs. For instance, Jaimini astrologers prescribe fasting on the day of the Upapada for alleviating trouble in relationships. Fasting on the day connected with the Yoga Karaka (lord of a Kendra and a Kona) is another approach that is often used. Note that there is no weekday associated with Rahu and Ketu, though they both deserve a special mention in the case of addictions. As follows.

In the mythological story of the Churning of the Ocean (from the Srimad Bhagavatam), one of the asuras (a.k.a. Demon, dragon) tries to deceive Vishnu to get some of the Amrut (or the nectar of everlasting life). When Vishnu realizes this deception, He uses His Sudarshan Chakra to chop the head off. The head flies in one direction, and the body in the other.

The head represents Rahu (the Dragons Head), and the body represents Ketu (or the Dragons Tail). The head contains all the sense organs (the eyes, the ears, nose, tongue and skin), all of which want to experience life to the fullest. And whatever the senses take in (represented by Rahu), needs to be discarded as waste, else the body will suffer (represented by Ketu).

Rahu is the body-less head, that is flying in the sky and searching for his body down below, while Ketu is the headless-body, that is searching for the head above. Hence, Rahu represents the world of material and sensual pleasures, and the materialistic life, while Ketu represents the aspiration for something above, the act of letting go, or the spiritual life. Note that traits get modified from chart to chart, depending on the Signs and the Nakshatras they are placed in, as well as the positions of the their dispositors.

So our desire to eat, and our addictions to food can be associated with Rahu - the drives to taste different kinds of food, the addictions we have for certain food, the need to find security in food, along with all the illusions that conventional food appears to provide. I’m coming to believe that the source of all nutrition and energy for the body is Prana, and not really from food. We have been conditioned to believe that we need food to get energy, but this may only be an illusion created by Rahu.

Copy-pasting from my previous blog:

Remedy for Rahu

So to come out of the grips of Rahu, we need to remedy Rahu. There are a few remedies, including and not limited to pausing before we give in to the desires, and taking stock of what we already have. In the case of food and eating, many cultures value a few moments of silence before beginning a meal, and using this time to give thanks, or to say a short prayer, or to dedicate the food to the divine, and so on. All these small acts create a pause between the drive to eat, and the actual act of eating. Slowly, this pause can be extended, till such a time when we are not in the grips of the drive to eat.

Another remedy is Vishnu Himself, who in the story, uses the Sudarshan Chakra to chop the head off. So Vishnu can help destroy any illusions we may have about food, and help us see food for what it truly is a.k.a. A drug, that we have become addicted to. So connecting to Vishnu is any form or manner can help in alleviating the effects of Rahu. This can be chanting or listening to the Vishnu Sahasranama (the 1000 Names of Vishnu), visualizing the image of Vishnu and Lakshmi resting on Shesha Naga in the Ocean of Milk, and so on.

The process of detoxification

As you embark on fasting, viz. Withholding from feeding any sense organ, you will start the process of detoxification, of ridding yourself of poisons and toxins from the past. This detox will take place, simultaneously, at each Elemental level - at the physical (Earth), mental (Air), emotional (Water) and spiritual (Fire) level.

At the physical level, there can be pain and aches in the body, loss of weight, headaches, dizziness, weakness, dehydration and hunger pangs. At the emotional level, emotions will rise to the surface - including and limited to fear, anger, irritability, sadness and even joy - and these will need to be processed and addressed. At the mental level, doubts about this path will likely arise, and make you question whether this is the right way to go. You may also come across people, blogs, books and articles that will try to get you to give up. At the spiritual level, starting out with fasting will likely mess up your daily routine, and could also unsettle and unbalance you. You will need to find your rhythm again, and find new meditations, chants and affirmations that better suit you.

Conclusion

As you embark on this journey, or any other for that matter, there will surely be things that will try to prevent you from reaching your goal. There may be a 100 obstacles, or even 14 armies that stand in your way, but all that you need are 5 traits - righteousness, skill, strength, intelligence and wisdom - along with a surrender to the Voice within, in order to overcome these multiple hurdles and claim what is rightfully yours.

Don't hesitate to reach out. Vedic Astrology can help you identify your strengths and use them to reach your goals. And please be kind to yourself. We have been conditioned to eat from birth, so abstaining from food will need some getting-used-to. Know for a fact, that fasting in any measure or form is good for the body, mind and soul, and you will be rewarded in all fronts for any effort that you put in this direction.

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For me, it started as a 9-day juice detox, with a facilitator during the lockdown, which I extended to 21-days, and then eventually to 90-days. I broke the detox with solid food for a couple of months, and then I returned to it again in Feb this year, combining it with a dry fast (neither solids, liquids nor water) every now and then. This is more than mere fasting - it is combining it with a holistic lifestyle that includes a fair amount of exercise and meditation.

I have reduced solid food intake by around 75%, exercising 2-3 times a day, and meditating close to an hour a day on average. Weight has fallen from 62-63 kg to 54-55 kg in 6 months, sleep has decreased from 8 to 5-6 hours a night, and hunger has decreased, though not eliminated completely. But. Energy has shot through the roof.

The reason for this blog is to share my experiences on this journey, answer some of the FAQs I keep getting, and link it all back to Vedic Astrology.

The link to Yogic Philosophy

In the Yoga Sutras, Patanjali has laid out 8 limbs of Yoga - yama, niyama, asana, pranayama, pratyahara, dharana, dhyana and samadhi. These are referred to as "limbs" of yoga and not "stages" of yoga. That's a big difference, because what it implies is that we don't have to master one, before moving to the next. We need to work on all of them in parallel, and not omit any limb from our lives. Meaning, we should not do asana alone, and ignore the yamas, niyamas, pranayama, and so on. If we have to address all these limbs, then we need to have a fair understanding of what each limb is referring to.

The yamas and niyamas are a series of do's and don'ts to put it simply. The yamas are ahimsa (non violence), satya (truthfulness), asteya (not stealing), brahmacharya (sexual restraint) and aparagriha (non possessiveness). The niyamas are shauch (purity), santosh (contentment), tapas (perseverance), svadhyaya (self introspection) and Ishvarapranidhana (surrender to the Supreme).

In it's totality, yoga gives us access to such an incredible amount of energy, that it becomes necessary for the yamas and niyamas to be the foundation of our lives - else, the energy gets directed in unwholesome places. It will take lifetimes to master each of these yamas and niyamas. For me, these are states of being, which require us to be mindful from moment to moment, and not something that we "acquire" and check off, but constantly strive towards.

Asana is a set of physical postures or poses, designed to release blocks in the body, and get the body ready to "sit" in one position for extended periods of time. This is necessary for the practice of pranayama, which is the process of controlling, slowing, restraining and even stopping breath. While the yamas and niyamas address our lifestyles through action and inaction, the asanas address the physical body through poses and movements, and pranayama addresses the subtle and the subtle-physical bodies using breath as a tool.

The next limb is pratyahara, derived from 2 words, prati meaning "to withdraw", and ahara meaning food. So pratyahara implies withdrawal from food, and I believe (though I may be mistaken) that the food being referred to here, is food for the 5 senses, and not just the physical food. Let's keep it simple for now, and speak only of the physical food for the body.

This is when a whole set of questions arise in the mind - how can we withdraw from food? How will the body survive? Where will it get the nutrition it needs? Will it not just wither away and die from starvation? Is this what the scriptures are asking from us - to starve to death? We can't be further away from the truth with these questions. To answer these questions, let's ask ourselves why we eat.

Have you ever wondered why we eat? It may surprise you to learn that "nutrition" will actually be far down the list - the truth is that many of us eat for many other reasons, apart than "nutrition". It can be out of boredom, or to cope with stress, maybe because others are eating, or because food is available, because we are tired or because it is a special occasion. Sometimes, we eat because the clock says so, or because we don't wish to waste what's on our plate, or maybe because we are feeling unloved. The list could go on, and it would be an interesting exercise to just pause, and reflect on this question every time we eat - why do we eat. Having some answers will help with pratyahara.

How do we do this?

We have been conditioned to eat and drink since millennia, and if we are to switch from food-as-we-know-it to prana, it would take a different duration for each of us, depending on our association and relation with food. But it is possible. All the energy and nutrition that the body needs is given by the Sun, the sole creator, nourisher and protector in our Solar System. This energy is stored in different amounts in plants and animals, which the body extracts in the process of digestion.

But digestion itself is an energy intensive process - the body uses energy in order to extract energy! So if can we give the body what it actually needs, directly and in its purest form, straight from the Source (a.k.a. the Sun), that would be more energy efficient, as it will save the body the time and energy to chew, digest, extract energy and discard the food. The energy it saves in the process becomes available for use elsewhere, to make nutrients for instance, or to fight disease.

So is it possible to get energy directly from the Sun? It was initially difficult for me to accept this, but slowly I have been sensing this other form of food that supports, nurtures and nourishes the body. This is a journey on its own, and may take months, if not years to de-condition the body and mind, and re-learn a new way of living. We cannot ask/expect this to be the same for all of us, and we will have own experiences. But some commonalities in our journeys will be

1. a reduction in the intake of food

2. an increase in the daily duration and frequency of exercise

3. an increase in the daily duration and frequency of meditation

This is easier said than done, so let's take it one by one.

In order to reduce the intake of food, I went on a liquids-only diet for an extended period of time, and am now integrating dry fasts. By taking liquids, I am giving the body the nutrition it needs (in the conventional sense of the term), but making it easier on the digestive system. "Liquids" can be any liquids, such as waters, juices, soups, smoothies, etc. Slowly we can make the liquids more and more thin, by diluting them with water. This is the pratyahara part of the process.

For exercise, any and all exercises are good for the body, and we should exercise at least twice a day. There are days when I have been exercising thrice a day, and I have found that the meditative and reflective exercises such as walking, swimming, asana, tai chi and qigong are better suited for the breatharian lifestyle. A special mention for exercises done outdoors, barefoot and in nature, as we need to be absorbing all the prana possible. But let's not ignore the other exercises such as cardio and weights, as they are super for building muscle! This is where asana plays a role in the process.

With regards to meditation, I have found that what is actually needed is the ability to move the energy freely around the body, removing anything that blocks its flow. Hence, meditations that involve movement within the body system seem better suited for this lifestyle. So I have been resorting to pranayama and vipassana a lot more these days. I have also shared a micro-vipassana meditation inspired by legendary breatharian, Elitom El-Amin on the Meditations page of my website. It is known as the Microcosmic Orbit, and is an important energy cultivation technique in the Taoist tradition.

Other meditation techniques such as focusing on an object such as one's breath, or on a candle flame, etc. can help increase our focus and resolve on this path. These are collectively called as dharana in Patanjali's system of yoga. If all thought and distractions cease, and you are able to hold the object of meditation alone, then dharana becomes the 7th limb, dhyana. There will be times when you will oscillate between dharana and dhayana before being able to rest in dhyana at will. If you lose your self-awareness, and the object of meditation appears as the subject itself, then this is the state of samadhi.

Think of these three - reducing food, exercising daily and meditating more often - as the three legs of a tripod, and if any of them are missing from your practice, the tripod will not be stable. If you stick with this, then over a period of time, you will almost certainly experience a physical, mental and emotional detox, a decrease in weight and lightness of being, an increase in the amount of energy and a reduction in the amount of sleep, as well as an increase in health and overall wellbeing.

This is turning out to be a longer article than I thought. So I'll stop here for now, and make the "Link to Vedic Astrology" as a separate blog (available here), and in the meantime, here's a conclusion.

Conclusion

For a lifestyle to be truly holistic, we need to address all the limbs of yoga. If we do just the yamas and niyamas, then we're being simpletons. With asana alone, we become fitness freaks. With pranayama alone, the mind runs the risk of psychological imbalances. With dharana and dhyana alone, our bodies will stagnate and we get a pot belly! And with samadhi alone, we don't transform material nature.

Our lives are set up, and revolve around food - we come together with friends and family over a meal, and there are countless food stores and restaurants around us. So if you choose this path, it will demand courage, perseverance and dedication to break from the general flow, and make a new path for yourself. A poem by Robert Frost (1874-1963) seems to capture my thoughts rather well

"Two roads diverged in a yellow wood, And sorry I could not travel both And be one traveler, long I stood And looked down one as far as I could To where it bent in the undergrowth;

Then took the other, as just as fair, And having perhaps the better claim, Because it was grassy and wanted wear; Though as for that the passing there Had worn them really about the same,

And both that morning equally lay In leaves no step had trodden black. Oh, I kept the first for another day! Yet knowing how way leads on to way, I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh Somewhere ages and ages hence: Two roads diverged in a wood, and I— I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference."

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Now what if a meeting was taking place in Capricorn? What can we infer about the agenda of such a meeting? And what will each of the attendees bring to the table? Because that is exactly what has been scheduled for 10th and 11th Feb 2021. The planetary cabinet - the Sun, Moon, Mercury, Venus, Jupiter, Saturn and Pluto are scheduled to meet in sidereal Capricorn, with Saturn playing the role of the host.

As I write this on 31st Jan, 5 planets have already arrived in Capricorn. Mercury was moving full on in Aquarius, but decided to change directions, and is now heading back to Capricorn in retrograde motion. Meanwhile, the Moon is in Leo and knows she will meet the rest of the tribe, around Feb 10th. That is when the Moon and Pluto will be in Uttarashada, Jupiter, Venus and Saturn in Shravana, and the Sun and Mercury in Dhanishta. The following day Moon moves into Shravana, making it 4 planets in the same Nakshatra. The meeting is taking place on Krishnapaksha Amavasya, a new moon day, which marks the beginning of a new lunar cycle.

The basics

The analogy used to describe Capricorn is that of a wild mountain goat that flourishes on scrubby grass and is attempting to climb the vertical face of a mountain, skillfully jumping over rocks to reach the top. He doesn't mind butting anyone that comes in his way, and though the climb may seem risky and foolhardy for anyone watching, rest assured it has been well planned out to the smallest of details. Being the 10th sign of the Zodiac, Capricorn is considered as the natural significator for career and profession, and the projects that we take up in the external world. It also represents all forms of authority, such as the manager, regulatory authorities, the government, and so on.

Capricorn has 3 nakshatras - Uttarashada, Shravana and Dhanishta.

Uttarashada is described in Taittiriya Brahmana of the Krishna Yajurveda as "visheveshaam devaanaamuttaraah abhijayatparastaadabhijitamavastaaat", translated as "the victories of the Divine Lords is superiorly conquering from above, and complete victory from below". Hence, this nakshatra is associated with leadership, and the act of overcoming challenges in life.

The verse given for Shravana is "vishnoh shronnaa prcchamaanaah parastaatpanthaa avastaat", i.e. "The cripples of The All Pervasive Vishnu are inquiring ideas from above and the paths from below". Needless to say, the deity of Shravana is Vishnu, the One who permeates everything by being at the heart of everything.

Dhanishta is described as "vasuunaam shravishthaah bhutan parastaadbhuutiravastaat" translated as "The most famous of The Excellent Ones are the past from above and the thriving from below", meaning what we have accomplished in our past, plays a vital role in our future success.

The agenda

So how will this meeting turn out? What are these planets planning to do? Or are they coming together to make amends for the mess that was created in the past few weeks, if not months. At a broad sign-level, the planets are likely to emphasize the importance of planning, of being structured and disciplined, avoiding any risky endeavor, and focusing on perseverance and hard work. Rahu and Ketu sign-aspecting Capricorn can make it challenging to keep everything together.

The Sun, the mighty king and ruler of our Solar System, is the very source of life, and hence indicates the Soul or Consciousness of an individual, nation or event. He is concerned mainly about his pride and reputation, as well as his kingdom Leo, which is an inconvenient 8 zodiacal signs away. He is also in his arch enemy's sign, making him uncomfortable and prone to getting annoyed pretty fast. The Sun is in Dhanishta, emphasizing that our we need to work on recognizing our innate strengths and abilities, and use them to generate even greater levels of fame and prosperity (success).

Mercury is retrograde in Dhanishta and transits Shravana before turning direct again. It appears as though Mercury wants us to reflect on how we are communicating our strengths to others, especially at work. This could also apply to all our interactions with those in authority, or with those whom we look up to. Venus being in Shravana as well, can make the process of reflection and introspection a rewarding one, if we choose to make time for that. There is a possibility that there can be a lot of growth from this process, shown by the two great teachers, Jupiter and Saturn, in the same nakshatra. Pluto in Uttarashada is attempting to transform the way we lead, and could even mark a generational shift in matters of governance.

The host of this grand meeting is Saturn, the ascetic, monk and hermit who wants to teach the importance of finding one's path by oneself, the importance of staying humble and being of service to others. While Saturn could achieve that in the way we communicate (Mercury), by transmuting our preferences (Venus) and changing our outlook (Moon), will it be successful in making even the King (the Sun) bend his knees?

All of this needs to be applied to the individual, community or nation by checking the House that Capricorn rules in the natal chart. For instance, if Aries is the Ascendant, Sun Sign or Moon Sign, then Capricorn becomes the 10th house. In this case, the agenda of this meeting could be the need to start reflecting on our strengths in our career/profession, in order to firmly fix our hearts and minds on a clear and well defined goal, and then chart our way towards it, slowly and steadily, patiently and perseveringly, having full faith in the One who permeates all beings, to show us the Way.

But if the Ascendant, Sun Sign or Moon Sign happens to be Leo, then Capricorn becomes the 5th House. In the chart of an individual, the 5th rules children, romance, creative intelligence, wisdom and the good effects of past deeds. In the chart of a community or nation, the 5th governs emotional stability, speculative and entrepreneurial nature, morals and ethics of the residents, as well as a sense of communal harmony. In such a case, this meeting is highlighting the need to identify what we have achieved in these areas, and to use that to lead our teams forward.

Broadly, there are 2 camps of planets in Vedic Astrology, and this meeting will be attended by planets from both the camps. The Sun and Saturn are arch enemies, Mercury can't stand the Moon, and Venus and Jupiter don't see eye to eye! The saving grace here is that Mars, the fiery commander of the army, will not be present. We can only thank the heavens for this, for if he were also involved, then god only knows what would have happened. For if we look back in history, the last time such a meeting took place with Mars, was in 1961-62, also in Capricorn, which marked the start of the Indo-China war. Though that meeting was attended by a slightly different group, we cannot ignore the implications of such grand meetings.

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If we exchange ideas with others, then Mercury is associated with communication - reading, writing, learning, speaking, editing, researching, negotiating, etc. in all its forms. If we exchange goods and services for money, then it becomes trade and commerce, and hence, Mercury governs shops and establishments, businesses, agreements, contracts, leases, wills, deeds and so on. By logical extension to our present day and age, Mercury rules all technology, systems and processes that are used for the purpose of exchange, including and not limited to computers, software, the internet, etc. All these are the 'general significations" of Mercury.

The "functional significations" differ from chart to chart, depending on the Signs, Nakshatras and Houses that Mercury is placed in and rules over, in addition to it's charakaraka and placement in the 16 divisional charts. A Vedic astrologer can identify these functional significations, and help you make sense of it all.

Retrograde motion

Now a planet is said to be in retrograde motion when it appears to be moving backward in relation to the background stars. Imagine you were riding in a bus and another bus passed you by, then you would say it is going faster than you. But if it slowed down and you passed it, then it would appear as though that bus was moving backward. This is what happens during a retrograde period - the planet appears to have changed its course as viewed from Earth. Planets actually have different apparent motions, differentiated by Maharishi Parashara (in BPHS, Ch. 29, Verses 21-23) as follows:

• Char - planet is moving slightly faster than usual

• Sama - planet is moving at its usual speed

• Atichar - planet enters the next sign in direct motion

• Manda - planet is slowing down

• Mandotar - planet has the slowest motion

• Vikala - planet is stationary

• Vakra - planet appears to be moving back, i.e. Retrograde

• Anuvakra - the planet enters the previous sign while retrograde

All of these are considered while calculating the Shadbala (strength) of a planet. Note that the Sun and Moon will never retrograde while Rahu and Ketu are perpetually in retrograde motion (their movement is anti clockwise around the Zodiac). The planets that have direct and retrograde motions are the Inner (Mercury, Venus and Mars) and Outer planets (Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune and Pluto).

In the transit chart, we experience a retrograde motion, in 3 steps - the planet slows down, becomes stationary, and then it turns retrograde. When the retrograde motion ends, the planet again slows down, becomes stationary before turning direct again. Each of these different motions play out differently in our lives.

I have seen Vedic astrologers interpret retrograde motions in natal charts in broadly one of 3 ways. The first interpretation - the planet is moving forward, but comes across an obstacle which it is not able to cross. So it starts to retreat/move back in order run and jump over that obstacle. The second interpretation - something in a previous lifetime was left unfinished, and we are being asked to focus on that in this lifetime. Both interpretations are saying the same thing - that there is something there that we need to address. What that something is, will depend on the planet that is retrograde, it's natural & functional significations, as well as the Sign, Nakshatra and House that it is placed in. Several astrologers hold the view that since a retrograde planet moves differently than normal, whatever it denotes, will work “differently” than usual while it is retrograde.

Here are the dates for Mercury Retrograde in 2024:

• 1st April to 25th April

• 5th to 29th August

• 26th November to 16th December

Dates are as per Indian Standard Time and hence, subtract one day if you are in the western hemisphere. Note that Mercury will be stationary just before it turns retrograde, and also when it completes its retrograde motion, usually on the same dates as those mentioned above. Some astrologers opine that the effects of Mercury retrograde will be felt 1-2 weeks before the retrograde period, and the clean up will continue for around 1-2 weeks after.

So what does all this imply?

When Mercury turns retrograde, it begs the question, which attribute is heading in a manner that is "different than usual? What is it that we are called to "retreat from", in order to reflect, reevaluate, reassess our approach, before we move forward again?

Most will generally suggest taking extra care in all forms of communication, as there will be a tendency to be misheard and misquoted. Try to be flexible, patient and understanding. There can be a tendency to jump to conclusions, or to have a sudden change of mind. People aren't thinking straight in these times, leading to confusion.

It will be necessary to check and double check our models and analyses, and re-read your posts and email before hitting the send button. Be careful who you have marked in the cc and bcc, make sure to take backups of your work and expect colleagues and family members to have a short temper. You may find that your scope of work, or the roles and responsibilities may change during the retrograde period, and change again once it ends.

Leaders would do well to avoid important decisions during the above periods. Rather, this time is better spent in reassessing and reevaluating a given situation. Similarly, launching any new idea, project or venture could be kept off for a time when Mercury is moving forward, as actions during this time will be fluid, and tend to reverse or change direction when the planet becomes direct again. Reassess your decision if you are making an important hire or planning a large purchase, especially if it is electronics and communication related.

You may also find that during the dates when Mercury is stationary, it's significations are in some ways "standing still" or "not budging", and maybe, it is ok to just let it be. Bear in mind that these are "general significations" for Mercury Retrograde, and will get modified from chart to chart. Mercury retrogrades in different signs, becomes stationary in different signs and reverses direction in different signs. If any of these happen to be your Sun Sign, Moon Sign or Ascendant, then you can expect the effects to be more pronounced than otherwise. The effects also get modified depending on the influences on Mercury from person to person. If you would like an in-depth look at your chart, we can schedule a session.

Remedies for Mercury Retrograde

I have teamed up with Stefanie Augustine from Satyam Yoga in Germany, to compose and record 3 guided meditations that may help us prepare and work through Mercury Retrograde.

The 1st guided meditation will focus on clearing out the blocks in the Throat chakra, in order to balance our thoughts, words and actions, so we can express ourselves easily and clearly. We hope that this will counteract the tendency for miscommunication as Mercury turns stationary and then retro. This meditation is around 10 minutes long, that you can consider doing daily, for a week or so before the retrograde.

The 2nd guided meditation is an offshoot of Tonglen from Tibetan Buddhism. We will focus on 'recognizing' and 'accepting' the hurt in us, and transforming that into pure, positive energy. This meditation is around 7 minutes long, and best if done daily during the period of the retrograde.

In the 3rd guided meditation, we will work on generating compassion for oneself and others. This is taken from the Buddhist practice of Metta Bhava, of silently repeating phrases of loving kindness. This is around 10 minutes long, and you can do this on the day the retrograde ends and for a few days after, though teachers usually recommend that this is done every day, whether or not there is a retrograde planet in the skies.

These are available on the Meditations page of my website. Try them out, and share your thoughts/comments/experiences with me.

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What this implies for an individual, or for a nation is a constant source of debate. There is a group of astrologers that don't give this combination any weight, since this is not mentioned in any of the classical works of Astrology, such as Brihat Parashara Hora Shastra, Brihat Jataka, Saravali and so on. At the same time, there is another group of astrologers that vouch for the impact of this Yoga, and cite effects related to health, wealth and longevity of the individual. Then there is a 'third' group of astrologers who claim that this Yoga affects only the mundane chart i.e. World affairs and events, and not the individual. Personally, I approach a chart with this combination with caution, checking and rechecking what I see, before sharing the results.

The reason for this blog at this time is because we are heading into a Kaalasarpa season. All planets will lie between the nodes of the Moon for a total of 6 weeks over the next 3 months. This includes the Sun, Moon, Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn. We usually don't consider Uranus, Neptune and Pluto in Vedic Astrology, but interestingly enough, even if we considered these outer planets, they too will be between Rahu and Ketu in this time. In addition, the nodes are in their signs of exaltation, making them quite strongly placed in the mundane chart. The Yoga will form repeatedly till the end of March 2021 when Mars transits Rahu (as per the Sidereal Zodiac with Lahiri Ayanamsha), as follows:

Monday, 11 Jan to Monday, 25 Jan 2021

Sunday, 7 Feb to Sunday, 21 Feb 2021

Saturday, 6 Mar to Sunday, 21 Mar 2021

On the remaining dates, the Moon breaks the Kaal Sarpa Yoga by moving to the other side of the Rahu-Ketu axis, but ends up being isolated with no planet in the 2nd or the 12th from itself i.e. it forms the Kemadruma Yoga.

So what does all this mean?

If we go back to the Vedic mythological story of the Churning of the Ocean, one of the asuras (a.k.a. Demon, dragon) tries to deceive Vishnu to get some of the Amrut (or the nectar of everlasting life). In some versions, this Asura is depicted as a serpent. When Vishnu realizes this deception, He uses His Sudarshan Chakra to chop the head off. The head flies in one direction, and the body in the other. The head represents Rahu (the Dragons Head), and the body represents Ketu (or the Dragons Tail).

Notice how the head contains all the sense organs (the eyes, the ears, nose, tongue and skin), all of which want to experience life to the fullest. And whatever the senses take in, needs to be released by the body as waste, else the body will suffer. Hence, Rahu generally represents the sensual pleasures and the materialistic life, while Ketu represents the act of letting go, of staying detached, or the spiritual life. These traits get modified from chart to chart, depending on the Signs and the Nakshatras they are placed in, as well as the positions of the other planets. I consider the serpent to represent the transformative forces of Life, and that is what is activated when Rahu and Ketu get involved. Now in Kaal Sarpa Yoga (some call it a Dosha) all the planets are hemmed between (or restricted by) Rahu and Ketu - between the head that is seeking to experience life, and the body that is seeking to 'let go'. What is it that the individual (or nation) is seeking to experience, and has difficulty in letting go? This will differ from chart to chart, and will need a case by case delineation.

One way to verify if this Yoga is worth considering or not, is to check for yourself what will happen in our lives, and in world affairs in particular, around the dates when the Yoga is in effect. Check how you feel, how you react, how Life takes a turn, and observe what happens around the world as well. And let me know. And in case you experience any difficulties, then read on.

Remedies

Going back to the story, it is Vishnu that chops off the head of the Asura and prevents him from attaining everlasting life. Hence, I consider Vishnu as the antidote to the misadventures of Rahu and Ketu, and remedies will inevitably involve Vishnu, or any of His attributes. One would be to chant the Vishnu Sahasranama (or the '1000 Names of Vishnu'). A great write-up on it's history and meaning can be found here, and a lovely rendition by MS Subbalakshmi is here.

Also, several astrologers claim that since Lord Shiva has tamed the serpent, and so propitiating Him, and imbibing His qualities in ourselves, will strengthen us to withstand the effects of this Yoga. The Maha Mrityunjay Mantra from the Rgveda (7.59.12) for healing and rejuvenation is used for this purpose. It goes like this:

om

tryambakam yajaamahe

sugandhim pushti vardhanam

urvaa rukamiva bandha naan

mrtyoor mukshiiya maamr ta-at

This has been translated by Sadhguru as “We worship the three-eyed One, who is fragrant and who nourishes all. Like the fruit falls off from the bondage of the stem, may we be liberated from death, from mortality” A beautiful rendition of the Maha Mrityunjay by Pandit Ravi Shankar is here.

The Yoga cuts the chart in half, with all planets on one side of the chart, implying an imbalance in life. Hence, we need to find ways to balance our lives, giving equal emphasis to all areas. You may find this especially the case in world affairs and politics. At the individual level, try to be as grounded and practical as possible, by checking and rechecking your plans before putting them into action. Pause before you start anything, and rethink before giving in to your impulses, i.e. try and manifest Vishnu in your day to day life. You can also reflect on what areas are no longer serving their purpose, and need to be changed to allow you to move on. Where do you need the energies of Shiva to transform and remake your Life? We don't want the head 'up in the clouds', or to be 'building castles in the air' which is what Rahu is known for. To address Kemadruma Yoga, we need to pay special attention on how we go about implementing our plans or manifesting our desires.

If you have a Kaal Sarp Yoga in your chart, mention it in the comments section below. How has this affected you? Is there a particular year in your life, when there was a complete reversal of fortune? Have you tried any remedial measures that I have cited above, and what was your experience with them? Or what did you experience around the dates mentioned above?

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Mars will move from Aries to Scorpio, and won’t retrograde in 2021. Venus will go around the whole zodiac, from Scorpio to Capricorn and then retrogrades back to Sagittarius in December. Mercury will retrograde thrice in 2021, in Aquarius/Carpicorn, next Taurus, and last in Virgo. Saturn stays in Capricorn the whole year and retrograde there as well, while Jupiter moves back and forth Aquarius and Capricorn. Rahu stays in Taurus, and Ketu in Scorpio... The Sun makes one complete revolution of the zodiac, and the Moon makes 12. This is a geocentric view using the sidereal zodiac with Lahiri Ayanamsha.

January 1st falls on a Friday with Vaidhrithi Yoga, Krishnapaksha Dwitiya, Gara Karana and Pushya Nakshatra. The chart is stressed to say the least. If I have to summarize the year with one word, just one, I would choose ‘resilience’.. This is what we’re being asked to master, the ability to become resilient, come what may. Let's count our blessings, and use our energy to nourish, grow and support each other, and plant the seeds that will give us fruit in the coming years.

We go into the details of how an astrologer interprets a chart - for me, the ideal way is to approach it as though it were a large jigsaw puzzle, and understand it piece-by-piece. And slowly we put the different pieces together to paint the larger picture.

So it's not as simple as just looking at the Sun Sign, which is one piece in this puzzle. Instead, we keep in view that our heart and mind, our likes and dislikes are other pieces that may be telling a different story. We look at the various planet-sign combinations in a chart, understand them separately, and then weave them all together to determine the person's character, as well as their strengths and weaknesses.

If this topic interests you, subscribe to Chaitanya's podcast on Spotify, called "Chai for the Day". She explores ancient wisdom and its relevance to our daily lives, bringing together different thought leaders, scholars and experts on a journey of self inquiry.

This may seem too good to be true, and it is. We are conditioned to think that our questions are complex, that they need a lot of processing and rationalizing, and planning and forethought. Maybe.. But there is this other way, of tapping into the energy of the moment to find our answers, and the guidance that we are looking or. And as everything else, this technique too can be improved with practice. Meaning, the more you use this method, the more you will get the hang of it and the more it will start to speak to you.

The method is simple, yet profound. Write down your question, be as specific as you can be, and play the video clip below. Take a few deep breaths, connect to your question, and when you feel ready, stop the video. And what you see, will be the answer you need at this moment.

Technically speaking, the answer you get is to be taken as Lagna (or Ascendant) in the horary chart. In the traditional method, the astrologer asks the querant for a number between 1 and 108 (being the nakshatra padas), and the number given becomes the starting point for interpreting the prasna chart. However, I feel the number the querant gives is biased (especially when we consult the second time)... But, if we resort to a neutral tool for picking the Lagna, like picking a card from a deck, or with a tool such as this one, it gets to be more authentic.

You will need to know what each symbol stands for, and the characteristics and peculiarities of each. Reach out to me if you need help with it. If you get a blank screen, ask yourself if the question is clear enough, and if you really need to know the answer.

Pic credits: Pawel Czerwinski on Unsplash

Audio credits: Eternal Garden by Dan Henig

P.S. Kinds of questions

Although any question can be asked, the scriptures state that certain kinds of questions are to be avoided. This includes questions that are not foremost on your mind, questions from those who doubt Vedic Astrology and/or the astrologer, questions from those who do not acknowledge the role of the astrologer, and so on. Also, repeatedly asking the same question in different ways, or asking more than one question at any given time is to be avoided. In order to get the best results, questions should be formulated clearly and truthfully, and as straightforward as possible. Close ended questions are better than open ended questions, and if/then, if/when, either/or kind of questions is to be avoided.

Speaking of Krsna, here is a story that is forever etched in my heart, that so beautifully illustrates the magnitude and opulence of the Creator, and shows what a small space we each occupy in this Infinite Universe.

This story is from the Chaitanya Caritmrata, written by Krishnadasa Kaviraja in 1557 AD. The full text can be accessed here.

If such questions are on your mind, then here's a podcast where I was interviewed on my views on this topic, and how I approach Vedic Astrology. I speak about Karma and Destiny, fate and free will, how Astrology fits in the grand scheme of things, its roots in ancient Astronomy, and how this is ultimately a tool that helps us reach our goals. Much of this is what I share with my clients in the first reading, as many are of the view that Astrology is all about "predicting the future". We can't be further from the truth. Astrology helps us understand ourselves first, which then helps us achieve whatever we want to.

If this topic interests you, subscribe to Chaitanya's podcast on Spotify, called "Chai for the Day". She explores ancient wisdom and its relevance to our daily lives, bringing together different thought leaders, scholars and experts on a journey of self inquiry.

If my approach to Vedic Astrology resonated with you, then read on.

I'm of the view that an astrology session should be approached in its own right. It should not be taken lightly, and must certainly not be treated as an entertainment activity. My sessions usually lasts 45-60 minutes each, and can take place in person (if you are in Auroville, India) or online (over Microsoft Teams). I have found that it usually takes 2-3 sessions to get a good understanding of a chart.

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On the day of the session, find some quiet time to gather yourself, and to be present for the reading. You may also choose to reflect on any questions you have, so I can try and meet your expectations. Find a space where you wont be disturbed, and make sure to put your cell phone on silent mode, so there are no distractions. During the session, you can take notes, and/or record the session, so you can revisit it at a later time. After the session, I recommend that you 'sit' with what came up during the session, and consider how you will implement what we spoke about in your day-to-day life. If you have booked more than one session, then you can start implementing the tips from the reading, and I can address any questions you have in the next session. Even though each reading will be for an hour only, please plan 90 minutes in total... 15 minutes before the session to gather yourself, and 15 minutes after the session for a reflection.

Make a note of the session date and time so you don't forget, and reconfirm it with me a day or two ahead of time. If you cannot attend for any reason, please inform me at least 2 days before, so I can offer that time slot to another client. Note that I am also a certified life coach, and I offer coaching sessions to help my clients integrate the learnings from Astrology in their everyday lives. My coaching website is www.choosingchange.in

I welcome you to the world of Vedic Astrology. I hope this will be as enriching for you, as it has been for me. To read how others have benefitted from these sessions, click here. Speak soon.

The framework I have used to analyze COVID-19, can be used for any other event in your life. Let me know if you're interested in learning more.

For instance, there is this concept of Badhaka in Vedic Astrology. It is said that it was originally expounded by Varahamihira, and the concept is not found in Brihat Parasara Hora Shastra. The actual meaning of the word in Sanskrit is "that which sublates or sets aside", while the meaning in Pali is "that which prevents, harasses and obstructs" (Source). Each sign of the Zodiac has a Badhaka sign (the sign that opposes it, harasses and obstructs), as well as a Badhaka planet (viz. The ruler of the Badhaka sign). So knowing which sign is influencing you at the moment, will allow you to determine the Badhaka influences on your life, viz. The influences that are obstructing you in achieving the qualities expounded by that sign. Note that Badhaka does not necessarily mean 'denial', but only 'obstruction'. Also, it obstructs the sign, and not the entire horoscope.

In order to determine the Badhaka sign and planet of each zodiacal sign, we need to know the qualities of the signs. You'll recall that there are 3 kinds viz. Cardinal, Fixed and Movable. The Cardinal signs are Aries, Cancer, Libra and Capricorn; the Fixed signs are Taurus, Leo, Scorpio and Aquarius; and the Movable signs are Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius and Pisces. The Cardinal signs are the ones that mark the start of each season (Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter). Hence, by nature, these signs are associated with initiating new action, and are active, motivated and ambitious. The Fixed signs occur in the middle of each season, and hence they represent a steady, consistent, and a persevering energy that maintains the status quo. Lastly, the Mutable signs mark the end of each season and the transition to the next. They represent the quality of change and transformation, and the ability to effortlessly adapt to new situations.

Now coming back to the concept of Badhaka. It is said that the ruler of the 11th sign is a Badaka for the Cardinal signs, the ruler of the 9th is the Badhaka for the Fixed signs and the ruler of the 7th is the Badhaka for the Mutable signs. Remember that counting is done in the clockwise direction (i.e. Aries, Taurus, Gemini and so on). The sign that you count from will be one, the next sign is two and so on. Applying the rule of 11-9-7 to each sign, we get the Badhaka signs for each sign of the Zodiac is given below. Note that for individual horoscopy, Vedic Astrology uses planets only up until Saturn, and does not consider Uranus, Neptune and Pluto. Hence, the rulers of Scorpio, Aquarius and Pisces are Mars, Saturn and Jupiter respectively (and not Pluto, Uranus and Neptune as in Western Astrology).

Aries - Aquarius (Mars - Saturn)

Taurus - Capricorn (Venus - Saturn)

Gemini - Sagittarius (Mercury - Jupiter)

Cancer - Taurus (Moon - Venus)

Leo - Aries (Sun - Mars)

Virgo - Pisces (Mercury - Jupiter)

Libra - Leo (Venus - Sun)

Scorpio - Cancer (Mars - Moon)

Sagittarius - Gemini (Jupiter - Mercury)

Capricorn - Scorpio (Saturn - Mars)

Aquarius - Libra (Saturn - Venus)

Pisces - Virgo (Jupiter - Mercury)

Examining the above listing reveals that for certain signs, the Badhaka sign and ruler tallies with the natural relationships. For instance, Mars and Saturn are naturally inimical to each other, and it seems to make sense that for Aries, the Badhaka is Aquarius. The same can be said for Mercury-Jupiter and Moon-Venus pairs.

However, the listing appears to defy logic when we see the Badhakasthana for the Fixed signs. The 9th is traditionally considered to be an auspicious house, as it is the trine and indicates wisdom, higher knowledge, the teacher, father, morals, ethics, religion and so on. The elements of these signs are also the same, viz. the element of the 9th of any sign is the same as itself, and yet they are said to be the Badhaka for the sign. The 9th also plays a role in determining the Yogakaraka for certain signs. For instance, the Yogakaraka for Leo is Mars as it becomes the 4th and 9th lords (lord of a Kendhra and a Trikona), and yet Mars is considered as Badhaka as per the above listing. The Venus Saturn pair (for Taurus, and for Aquarius) also goes against the natural relationships between the two planets. So out of the 12 pairs, we have 4 that cannot be explained using the natural friendship between the planets.

My friend used the rules of Badhaka for interpreting the planetary periods in my life, and that could be one instance where this applies. We found a high degree of correspondence between challenges and difficulties I have experienced in my life, and the Dashas and Bhuktis (periods and sub periods) of the Badhaka planet. It also applied to events in his life, viz. as Virgo ascendant, the sub periods of Jupiter have been the most trying. It may play a more defining role in some cases than others, especially if the Badhaka planet is inimical to the karakathwa being studied, due to natural and functional relationships, and if there are other malefic aspects and yogas. The effect is likely to be minimized if there are benefic influences on the Badhaka planet.

Every house, planet and sign in the natal chart has a Badhaka, and this Badhaka will obstruct only that particular house, sign and planet. "Badhaka" is a term given to a planet based on which house you start counting from, and it need not be from the Ascendant. So for instance, if the question pertains to career and profession, and if the Ascendant is Cancer, then the 10th falls in Aries (using the Whole Sign House system). The Badhaka for Aries is Aquarius (and Saturn). Hence, check to see if Saturn obstructs the career and professional growth of the individual, especially in Saturn's Dashas and Bhuktis, and provided there are no benefic influences on Saturn.

See if you can apply this to your chart, and leave your comments below

I wonder if there can be a way to address this issue after the workshop ends. Im currently trying out a different format in Auroville - a study group that meets for an hour once a week, every week. I started 2 months ago, and the plan is to introduce topics in the weekly one-hour sessions, which the group deepens with self study over the week. In one hour it is not possible to go deep into any single topic, so I only hope to set the sequence of topics, pace and direction, which the group can then take forward in their own time.

There is as much to learn in Astrology, as there is time available. To give you an idea - when I studied Astrology back in the day, my class met for 5-6 hours every week for 2 years, and attempted over 12 exams to qualify for certification. And all of this was for a basic understanding of the concepts involved, as well as the different tools and techniques used by a Vedic Astrologer. Much like many other disciplines, this may require a lifetime of study, if not several lives.

So far the study group seems to be going well! And though I haven't managed to get the group to dedicate 5-6 hours of self study each week, it's a work in progress. I will be updating this blog as we go along, and also posting the topics that we cover each week on my FaceBook page (http://www.facebook.com/allthingsvedic). So in case you want to study along, use these posts as a guide.

And if you happen to be in Auroville, you are most welcome to join.

The Basics

Each Nakshatra has 4 Padas, and there are 27 Nakshatras; hence, there are a total of 108 Padas. The Moon in the natal chart of the girl can reside in any of these 108 Padas. Similarly, the Moon in the boy’s natal chart can reside in any of the same 108 Padas. Hence, a total of 108^2 = 11664 possibilities exist. The NCT gives the Koota score of each Nakshatra Pada with every other Nakshatra Pada. Koota scores are arrived at by 12 factors, each contributing some points to the overall tally. The total amount of points to be gained is 36. The 12 factors are Dina, Gana, Nadi, Rashi, Graha Maitram, Vasyu, Varna, Yoni, Rajju, Sthree Deergah, Vedha and Mahendra. For a relationship to be compatible, a minimum of 21 points is required.

It is seen that the lowest match between any two Nakshatra Padas is 2 (e.g. between Uttarabhadra 1 and Chitra 3), the highest is 35 (Mrigashira 1 and Rohini 1), and the average Koota score is 20.13. This average is not calculated as (min+max)/2, which would yield 18.5. Instead, this average is calculated as the sum of all the Koota scores divided by the total number of possibilities. Since there are 108 Nakshatra Padas, and all 108 can be matched against any of the same 108 Padas, a total of 108^2 = 11664 possibilities exist. If we were to sum the Koota scores of all these possibilities, i.e. Ashwini 1st Pada with Ashwini 1st Pada + Ashwini 1st Pada with Ashwini 2nd Pada + Ashwini 1st Pada with Ashwini 3rd Pada and so on, and then divide this sum by 11664, we get 20.13 as the average. A total of 6027 (approx. 52%) pairs of Nakshatras have a Koota score less than 20.13 and the remaining 5637 pairs have a Koota score greater than 20.13.

The Nakshatra in which the girl’s Moon is located is compared with the Nakshatra in which the boy’s Moon is located, and the corresponding Koota score is noted. Most astrologers recommend a score of 21 Kootas to deem two Nakshatras as compatible (i.e. more than the average). If the minimum of 21 points is not obtained, then it is likely that the astrologer will advise against the relationship.

The Issue

There is more to a relationship that mere “happiness”. Also there are many factors that should be considered in the matching of charts (such as kuja dosha, longevity, mutual disposition, Navamsha analysis and presence of yogas to name a few) and not just the Koota score. There is much that contributes to a relationship breaking down, and a low Koota score could be only one of them.

However, for the purpose of our discussion, let us consider “simple” fulfillment as the aim of a relationship, and also the Koota analysis as the only means of matching charts.

This would then raise the question whether 21 is indeed a valid minimum to conclude to charts to be compatible. As mentioned before, this number seems to have been determined by the overall average, but needs to be reconsidered.

Almost 44% of all pairs of Nakshatras (5144 pairs) have a Koota score of more than 21. This would mean that nearly half of the worlds population is compatible with an individual (as per the Koota score). But is that true? It could be debated, because if that were the case, we would not be having so many relationship breakdowns, divorces, separations and heartbreaks in our society today. When I study the charts that have come to me, I see that although the Koota scores is above 21, couples have not been fulfilled in the relationship.

The question that is usually posed to an astrologer is whether an individual is compatible with another individual. The answer is usually based on which horoscope matches better with that of the individual. This seems to presuppose that the individual HAS TO enter into a relationship with another individual, and the question whether or not the individual must be in a relationship at all, seems to be bypassed. People usually don’t ask whether it is in their best interest to be in a relationship; rather they presuppose that they HAVE to be in a relationship, and then ask the astrologer whether they are compatible with this person or that. I am hardly, if not ever, asked whether what would be in the individual’s best interests, whether to be single or to be with another.

I believe that we need to increase the minimum Koota score that determines whether the charts match. We need to examine whether the individual would be fulfilled in a relationship, and pronounce that none of the charts presented will fulfill an individual if that is so the case. We do not need to succumb to the pressures of the client and deem a chart to be matching with another, if that will not bring an increased sense of contentment and wellbeing than if the individual were to be alone. The decision that is to be made during the reading, should be whether the individual is better off being single, or in a relationship with another person, rather than whether the individual should enter into a relationship with one person or the other viz. whether a relationship is beneficial for the long-term growth of the individual, or whether he/she is better off treading the life’s path alone.

But what is the minimum Koota score that must be considered?

The Alternative Approach

A closer observation of the NCT reveals that any Nakshatra when matched with itself yields 28 Kootas. i.e. when we match one Nakshatra Pada with itself. If there existed another individual who was born on the exact same date, time and place of birth as oneself, and if we were to test compatibility between these two persons, then the Koota score will be 28.

Looked at differently, this could also imply matching self to oneself. It is an indicator of the default level that a person operates at, when he/she is by himself/herself. This is the bar, which could used to compare all other relationships with. It does not mean that everyone operates at exactly the same level. Rather, it will help answer the question whether being with another person, will yield a higher level of fulfillment than being with oneself. And for this to happen, the Koota score needs to be higher than 28. If on the other hand, the number of Kootas is less than 28, then it can be argued that the person is better off being by himself/herself.

The number of combinations where the Kootas score is greater than 28 is far lesser than the number of combinations with 21 Kootas or more. Only 5.34% of matches are more than 28 (i.e. 623 combinations), a drop from 5637 pairs of Nakshatras with 21 Kootas or more. This means that the chances of finding a match with >28 Kootas reduces from 48% to a mere 5-6%. Examples of some combinations with >28 Kootas include: Ashwini 1-4 with Bharani 1-4, Ashwini 1-4 with Pushya 1-4 and Punarvasu 4 with Pushya 1-4 among others.

The number of Nakshatra Padas that any given Nakshatra matches with varies from Nakshatra to Nakshatra viz. not all Nakshatra Padas have the same number of matches. For some Nakshatras there are fewer matching Padas, than for others. And this varies for girls and boys. A detailed statistical analysis for each nakshatra is given as an appendix. It will be seen that for some Nakshatra Padas have no possibility of obtaining more than 28 Kootas. For example, if the boy’s Nakshatra is Krittika 1, Chitra 1-2 or Mula 1-4, then there is no Nakshatra Pada of the girl that can yield a Koota score of more than 28. Similarly for the girl, Krittika 1, Ashlesha 1-4, Chitra 1-2, Swathi 1-4 and Mula 1-4 have no matching Nakshatra Pada that gives more than 28 Kootas. It can be debated whether these individuals are better off being single, since any relationship can be said to reduce their level of wellbeing than what they would have by staying single.

The point I am trying to make is that Astrologers need to reconsider the minimum Koota score they prescribe. 21 Koota points is a very low minimum. Many couples have been experiencing relationship issues, and Astrologers need to raise the bar and ensure that individuals have a higher chance of a fulfilling relationship. One way of doing so, is to take 28 points as the minimum Koota score, since that is the score obtained when any Nakshatra Pada is matched with itself. On case this is not obtained, then it is perfectly ok for an individual to be single and tread life’s path alone.

The Next Steps

At the time of this writing, I don’t know what relationships with a score of greater than 28 look like. What the level of harmony in these couples would be, the kind of relationship that will manifest. It could be a relationship where the couple nurtures each other by their presence, rather than deplete and drain each other. It could be one where the relationship stands the test of time, but in a positive and wholehearted way, rather than force one to be in the relationship against all odds. It could imply that the couples are harmonious with each other in all matters of the relationship. The nature of such relationships is what needs to be studied further.

Relationships form the backbone in Indian society today. Marriage seems to be the single most sought after event that all parents wish for their children. At the same time, India is experiencing a changing landscape where relationships are concerned, with many couples exploring different forms of relationships, and many also calling off a relationship if they don’t feel fulfilled. Finding astrological solutions to ease the pain of relationships will go a long way.

Annex A: Chances of finding a match with 28+ Kootas for the girl

Annex B: Chances of finding a match with 28+ Kootas for the boy

Annex C: Graph of finding >28 Kootas for a girl

An Astrology reading can give you a wealth of information on your character and personality, as well as those of your loved ones. It can reveal deep seated tendencies, and your usual modes of behavior. In the case of a Horary Chart, the Reading can throw light on the matter in question. But what does one do with all this information?

A client asked me today what is to be done with information obtained from an Astrology Reading. I thought this was a very pertinent question - consulting the Natal chart, or the Horary Chart, can give very valuable information about an issue or matter in question. But then, what is one supposed to do with that? Is it all Fate, and we are predestined as indicated by the stars? Or do we have any Free Will to choose our own course of action? And if we indeed have free will, then what is the purpose of consulting the stars in the first place?

These are questions that keep coming up in my Readings, and over the past few years, I have made it a point to start my sessions by explaining that it is always a mix of Fate and Free Will. There are matters that have been preordained, which cannot be changed no-matter-what, and at the same time there are a vast majority of events that are within our control, which we can change. The amount of Fate & Free Will in our lives, depends on ourselves, on how much we have evolved on our Paths, how disciplined and resolved we are to change our deep rooted tendencies. Astrology helps in revealing these tendencies to us, and it is up to us, to either change these tendencies, or to submit to them.

But still, the question remains - what is a client supposed to do with information gained from a Reading? There are three things that pop up as a reply to this question.

One, I believe that the very fact of knowing something, of knowing our tendencies, of knowing our strengths and weaknesses can have a tremendous impact on the course of our lives. The fact that we are aware of something means that we can make decisions more consciously, and navigate our lives in a more conscious manner. For instance, if I become aware that I have a tendency to erupt when speaking with my mother, and I know from our respective charts that it is the same for her as well, then I can be more conscious of this urge in me when I do speak with her. And find ways to deal with the 'tendency to erupt', rather than to let it to happen as always.

Two, this knowledge makes me take responsibility for my actions, rather than lay the blame on factors external to myself. For example, if I know that the Fire element is strong in me, and Mars has a full aspect on my Ascendant, I can take responsibility for the strong drives and aggression in me, rather than blame my mother for being slow. As you learn to take responsibility for your tendencies, you will learn how to work with them, and in the process grow as an individual.

Three, by becoming more aware of my tendencies, I can explore a wide range of remedies that Astrology provides for healing a planetary combination, strengthening a planet, or fortifying a House. The remedies that would be best for a Client will change from person t person, and can be identified by an Astrologer from the chart in question.

It is necessary for us to reflect on ourselves, and become aware of our natures, in order to improve our interpersonal relationships. Astrology provides a wealth of information that we can either choose to consider, or choose to ignore. It is best if the information so gained is used in the best interests of all.

Thoughts, comments? Use the comments section below.

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