Astrological aspect (Hindu Astrology)

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Planetary aspects are interchange of energies at great distances; the respective mass of each planet generates and radiates its own specific energy-field. At times these planetary aspects take a lead over planetary conjunctions. [1] Planetary aspects play an important role in predicting future events. However, there are three great differences between Western astrology and Hindu astrology in computing these aspects - (1) in the former system the count is made from degree to degree, in the latter system the count is made from sign to sign, (2) in the former system the aspect will be mutually the same i.e. if Mars and Jupiter are in trine it can be expressed as either Mars Trine Jupiter or Jupiter Trine Mars, in the latter system if Jupiter is in Aries and Mars in Leo, Jupiter will have full aspect on Mars but Mars will have 50% aspect on Jupiter and, (3) in the former system certain aspects such as sextile are good whereas square and opposition are evil, the latter system does not have such classification in which system aspects by benefic planets and those owning trines i.e. the 5th and the 9th, are always good, and by malefic planets and those owning cadent houses i.e. the 6th, 8th or 12th, are always evil; moreover, the aspect of any planet on its own sign strengthens that house and causes no harm to its indications. [2]

Contents

Nature of aspects

Aspects of natural benefics, the full Moon, Mercury, Venus and Jupiter, are considered[ who? ] to be productive of good results and those by natural malefics, the Sun, Mars and Saturn, evil. Natural benefics owning evil bhavas, combust or in debilitation sign or defeated in planetary-war (graha-yuddha) become tainted and prove contra-productive. [3] Natural malefics owning auspicious bhavas, when they act as yogakarakas, tend to produce good results. These are the basic rules concerning planetary aspects.

An astrologer is required to make a careful note of all planetary positions, conjunctions and aspects which collectively form the fundamental basis for all predictions. Good results are produced by favourable planetary positions, and by benefic conjunctions and aspects, if not, unfavourable, mixed or evil results are produced.[ citation needed ]

In Hindu astrology, which is sidereal and takes cognisance of nine planets - the seven afore-mentioned and the two Lunar Nodes Rahu and Ketu, three systems are followed, namely, Parashari, Jaimini and Tajika. Indian astrologers[ who? ] favour the Parashari System.

Planetary aspects according to the Parashari System of prognostication

According to Parashara all planets cast their aspects on the 3rd and the 10th bhava or house (i.e., at a distance of 60 degrees and 270 degrees), on the 5th and the 9th (120 degrees and 240 degrees), the 4th and the 8th (90 degrees and 210 degrees) and the 7th (180 degrees) but the strength of their aspect varies at different points. Therefore the 7 planets cast it's aspects as follow:

  1. Saturn casts its aspect of 14 strength on the 5th and the 9th, aspect of 12 strength on the 4th and the 8th, 34 strength on the 7th and full on the 3rd and the 10th bhavas;
  2. Jupiter aspects the 4th and the 8th with 14 strength, the 7th with 12, the 3rd and the 10th with 34 and the 5th and the 9th with full strength whereas
  3. Mars’s aspect is 14 at the 7th, 12 at the 3rd and the 10th, 34 at the 5th and the 9th and full at the 4th and the 8th.

These three extraterrestrial planets possess special aspects.

The aspect of the Sun, the Moon, Venus and Mercury is 14 at the 3rd and the 10th, 12 at the 5th and the 9th, 34 at the 4th and the 8th and full at the 7th. In actual practice, astrologers seem to ignore partial aspects.

The full aspect of a planet on another planet with that aspect returned in full by the aspected planet is by itself deemed by the ancient texts to be a major kind of Sambadha or planetary association. The five major associations are:

  1. By mutual exchange of sign, e.g. the Sun in Aries and Mars in Leo,
  2. By mutual aspect of planets, e.g. Saturn in Aries and Mars in Capricorn,
  3. By occupying a particular sign other than its own, e.g. Jupiter in taurus sign owned by Venus,
  4. By occupying mutual square positions, e.g. Jupiter in Aries and Mars in Cancer or Libra or Capricorn, and
  5. By occupying mutual trinal positions, e.g. Jupiter in Aries and Mars in either Leo or in Sagittarius. [4]

In Hindu astrology according to the Parashari system an aspect is counted from sign to sign. Planets do not cast their aspect on signs that are the 2nd, the 6th, the 8th and the 12th from their sign of occupancy, and also planets situated in the same sign do not aspect each other. Planets cast their aspect on the entire sign. The two Chayagrahas, Rahu and Ketu, do not aspect nor are they aspected even though the aspect of Rahu to the 5th and the 9th stands mentioned in the texts. But if the sign occupied by Rahu is aspected by Jupiter then due to the quality of that sign it tends to behave well. Aspects of the lords of auspicious bhavas such as the 5th and the 9th are particularly beneficial, and the aspects of the lords of evil bhavas such as the 6th, the 8th and the 12th are particularly malefic. [5]

Geometry behind planetary aspects

A geometric pattern can be derived based on Mars, Jupiter and Saturn's special aspects which reflects a pattern of 6-orthoplex.
A Dodecagon is used here, to represent 12 zodiac signs.

Dodecagon representing 12 Zodiac signs Dodecagon representing 12 Zodiac signs.png
Dodecagon representing 12 Zodiac signs

Special aspects of Mars, Saturn & Jupiter:
Mars' special aspects - 4 & 8
Saturn's special aspect - 3 & 10
Jupiter's special aspects - 5 & 9

Planetary aspects diagram
S. NoPlanet's aspectRepresentationAspect diagram
1Mars' 4th aspect3 squares (Projecting forward)
Mars-4th-Aspect forming 3 squares forward Mars-4th-Aspect.png
Mars-4th-Aspect forming 3 squares forward
2Mars' 8th aspectOne Dodecagram
Mars-8th-Aspect forming a star polygon Mars-8th-Aspect.png
Mars-8th-Aspect forming a star polygon
3Saturn's 3rd aspect2 hexagons
Saturn-3rd-Aspect forming 2 Hexagons Saturn-3rd-Aspect.png
Saturn-3rd-Aspect forming 2 Hexagons
4Saturn's 10th aspect3 squares (Projecting backward)
Saturn-10th-Aspect forming 3 squares backward Saturn-10th-Aspect.png
Saturn-10th-Aspect forming 3 squares backward
5Jupiter's 5th aspect4 Triangles (Projecting forward)
Jupiter's-5th-Aspect forming 4 triangles forward Jupiter's-5th-Aspect.png
Jupiter's-5th-Aspect forming 4 triangles forward
6Jupiter's 9th aspect4 Triangles (Projecting backward)
Jupiter's-9th-Aspect forming 4 triangles backward Jupiter's-9th-Aspect.png
Jupiter's-9th-Aspect forming 4 triangles backward
7Combined diagram after superimposing all 3 planets' aspectsSaturn's 3rd aspect - 2 hexagons drawn in black color

Mars' 4th aspect (forward projecting squares). Also, Saturn's 10th aspect (backward projecting squares) - 3 squares drawn in Red color
Mars' 8th aspect - One Dodecagram drawn in orange color
Jupiter's 5th aspect. Also, Jupiter's 9th aspect - 4 Triangles drawn in blue color

Combined-Diagram-of-Special-Aspects-of-Mars-Saturn-and-Jupiter Combined-Diagram-of-Special-Aspects-of-Mars-Saturn-and-Jupiter.png
Combined-Diagram-of-Special-Aspects-of-Mars-Saturn-and-Jupiter

Note:
1. Mars' 4th aspect forming 3 squares (projecting forward) superimposes Saturn's 10th aspect which forms another 3 squares (projecting backward) or vice versa (See Diagram No. 1 & 4)
2. Jupiter's 5th aspect forming 4 triangles(projecting forward) superimposes Jupiter's 9th aspect which forms another 4 triangles (projecting backward) or vice versa (See Diagram No. 5 & 6)

Reference:
There is no visible reference about who introduced planetary aspects to Hindu Astrology.

Planetary aspects according to the Tajika System of prognostication

According to the Tajika System, [6] that in practice is applied more to Varshaphal (Annual Chart) or a query-chart (Horary astrology), the planetary aspect on the 5th and the 9th houses from itself is very strong, openly friendly and helpful, e.g. if the Sun is in Aries and Jupiter is in Leo both will aspect each other producing very favourable results. The aspect on the 3rd and the 11th is secretly friendly but very helpful with the former being stronger, e.g. if the Sun is in Aries and Jupiter in Gemini with both though aspecting each other the aspect of Sun will produce more favourable results than Jupiter. The aspect on the 4th and the 10th is secretly inimical, when planets forming such an aspect tend to produce bad results and cause disappointments, and on the 7th openly inimical, these aspects are unhelpful and often destructive. Tajika aspects are deemed effective within 12 degrees either side of the aspected point. This principle is followed by Western astrology. Benefic aspects cast on the 2nd and the 12th give happiness but inimical aspect on 6th, 7th and 8th and on itself cause many hardships. Aspects of partial strength are not generally taken into account. [7]

The Tajika System also lays stress on the elevation gained by the aspecting planets. [8] It states that in the circle (of houses) the left aspect is said to be very strong even as that from the 10th to the 4th, which means a planet in the visible semi-circle is more elevated, and therefore, stronger than a planet in the invisible semi-circle. Of course, the opposition and square aspects are not always evil.

According to the Tajika System, where unlike the Parashari System the good or bad nature of an aspect is not as per the relation between the aspecting and the aspected planet or sign but on the kind of the aspect itself, Yogas are formed on the basis of applying aspect, and by full and separating aspect as formed between relatively slow and fast moving planets. [9]

Planetary aspects according to the Jaimini System of prognostication

According to the Jaimini System, [10] which is deemed complicated, and therefore, difficult to understand and apply, the Zodiacal signs aspect each other in their front excepting the adjoining signs, and those planets which occupy such signs will also aspect the planets situated in such bhavas. All Chara rasis (moveable signs) aspect all Sthira rasis (fixed signs) and vice versa, and Dwiswabhava rasis (common signs) aspect each other. This system lays stress on various karakas whose determination differs from the Parasari system, e.g. Jaimini Sutra 1.11 which states that of the seven, or eight planets including Rahu, whichever is most advanced in its respective sign of occupation becomes the Atmakaraka that gives bad or good results by virtue of its inherent and acquired qualities; the succeeding sutra states that the planet who is next less advanced becomes the Amatyokaraka. [11] These karakas etc., along with planets in various sub-divisions of signs play a very important role in the matter of predictions. For example, vide Jaimini Sutra 1.3.24-27, if the 7th from the Upapada and its lord and the lord of the Kalatrakarakamsa and its lord, all four are aspected by Mercury, Saturn and Venus, the person will have no issue; if the 5th house from the 7th, from Upapada, its lord, the Kalatrakarakamsa and its lord have the aspects or conjunctions of the Sun, Rahu and Jupiter, the person will have many children, but if that house has only Moon's aspect or conjunction, the person will have only one son, or if these combinations for many issues and no issues are simultaneously found then predict birth of a child late in life.

Planets and rasis aspect other planets according to their dispositions which aspects' influences are affected for good or bad by their presence from an aspecting lord or sign which are the affecting or influencing agencies called Argalas. The 4th, the 2nd, 5th and the 11th from the aspecting body are Argalas, malefic in the 3rd give rise to evil Argala, planets in the 10th, 12th and 3rd from Argala cause obstruction to such Argala. If planets obstructing Argala are fewer or less powerful than those causing Argala, then the power of Argala cannot be affected, the houses or planets in the 5th and the 9th similarly influence the Argala but in case of Ketu the formation of Argala and obstruction to it must be calculated in the reverse order. B v Raman explains that the Argalas, generated by the disposition of planets as stated above gets cancelled by presence of planets in the 10th, 12th, 3rd or 9th from the aspecting planet. [12]

Argala means obstruction or impediment for the free flow of planetary influences. Argala can, depending upon the influences exercised by planets occupying certain signs, become modified to produce good or bad results.

Related Research Articles

Dasha The dasha pattern shows which planets according to Hindu astrology would be ruling at particular times.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Raja yoga (Hindu astrology)</span> Type of yogas

Raja yogas are Shubha ('auspicious') yogas in jyotish philosophy and tradition. They are believed to give success and a grand rise in career or business, and a greater degree of financial prosperity particularly during the dasha of the planets that give rise to Raja yogas. However, these results get adversely modified by the presence of other Ashubha ('inauspicious') Arista yogas. Basically, the Yoga or Raja yoga-causing planets during the course of their respective dashas confer their most auspicious results if they happen to own the lagna-bhava or the Suta-bhava or the Bhagyasthana ; the person remains healthy, wealthy, happy and successful enjoying yoga and Raja yoga results in case the lagna, the 3rd, the 6th, the 8th, the 9th and the 12th houses counted from the lagna are also not occupied by any planet, and the kendras (quadrants) are occupied only by benefic planets.

Jaimini Sutras, also known as Upadesa Sutras is an ancient Sanskrit text on the predictive part of Hindu astrology, attributed to the sage Jaimini, the founder of the Purva Mimamsa branch of Hindu philosophy, a disciple of Vyasa and grandson of Parashara. It comprises nine hundred and thirty-six sutras or aphorisms arranged in four chapters, and though having several distinct features of its own, the Jaimini System, which is a unique system, appears as an offshoot of the Parashari System only; wherever it deviates, it is not found to be in conflict with the Parashari system, and gives due importance to Rahu and Ketu, the two Lunar Nodes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Planetary dispositors (Hindu astrology)</span>

Planetary dispositors play an important role in Astrology. A dispositor is a planet that rules the sign that another planet is located in. For example, if Venus is in Gemini, then Mercury is the dispositor of Venus.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Balarishta</span> Death of a child in Hindu astrology

Balarishta in Hindu astrology is one of the Arishtas. These Arishtas are indicated by certain specific planetary situations or combinations or associations present at the time of one's birth or at the time of query or at a particular muhurta or happening as are revealed by the Natal Chart or the Query Chart or the Muhurta Chart. It is a Dosha.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vakri grahas</span>

In Hindu astrology, Vakri grahas are those planets of the Solar System other than the Sun and the Moon that appear to move backwards, which apparent motion is due to earth’s orbit. Vakri in Sanskrit means twisted or crooked; it also means indirect, evasive and ambiguous. A Vakri graha is also known as the Saktha graha. Vakragati confers exceptional i.e. Cheshtabala, to Vakra grahas whose strong influence is expressed by the manner they affect the Natal Chart and by their transits. The two Lunar Nodes have perpetual retrograde motion.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sanyasa yoga</span> Peculiar planetary situations or combinations seen in certain horoscopes, in Hindu astrology

Sanyasa yoga in Hindu astrology are the peculiar planetary situations or combinations seen in certain horoscopes that indicate Sanyasa i.e. renunciation of worldly material life by persons born with those yogas. Sanyasa yogas are also known as Pravrajya yogas.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Navamsa (astrology)</span> One-ninth part of a Zodiac Sign in vedic astrology

In Vedic astrology a constant reference is made to the Navamsa occupied by planets and the Lagna-point. Both, the Rasi-chart and the Navamsa-chart are deemed equally important and therefore, consulted together. Whereas the Rasi-chart provides overall information regarding the location of planets and sensitive-points such as the Lagna, the latter provides vital information regarding their active quality and strength. A planet may be well-placed in the natal-chart Rasi-wise but its full effects may not materialise if its situation in the navamsa-chart is not supportive.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dhana yoga</span> Planetary benefit giving wealth

Dhana yogas are astrological combinations or yogas for wealth and prosperity which prove more fruitful if both the lagna and its lord are strong, and there are no Arista yogas present affecting the Dhana yoga - causing planets and the bhavas associated with earning, acquisition, and accumulation of wealth. Jupiter is one of the natural Dhana-karaka, a strong Jupiter gives lifelong prosperity and financial stability.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Avastha (Hindu astrology)</span> Condition of planets in Hindu astrology

Avastha (अवस्था) in Sanskrit means status, state or condition. Hindu astrology has evolved methods for ascertaining the avasthas (states) gained by planets at any given time. Parashara in his Bṛhat Parāśara Horāśāstra refers to six kinds of avasthas.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Muntha (astrology)</span>

In Hindu astrology, Varshaphala or the Progressed Horoscopes are cast according to the Tajika System propounded by Kesava and Neelakantha, which enables the astrologer to forecast events of immediate importance. The Lagna or ascendant of an annual horoscope is cast for the moment the Sun, after making a full round of twelve rasis or zodiacal signs, returns to the same position it occupied at the time of one’s birth. Muntha, which is an imaginary mathematical point, has an important role in this method of prognostication.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Karmasthana (astrology)</span>

Karmasthana, also known as the Kirtisthana and the Rajyasthana, is the 10th bhava or house counted from the Lagna or the Ascendant or from the Chandra-lagna i.e. the natal position of the Moon. It is the house of action and the house of profession.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Trikonasthanas</span>

Trikonasthanas or trikonas or trines are conventionally the Lagna or the Birth-ascendant, the fifth and the ninth bhava or house counted from the Lagna. They form the Dharma-trikona and are also known as the Lakshmisthanas, these bhavas and their lords signify luck and prosperity. The Lagna is both, a kendrasthana and a trikonasthana.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Upachayasthanas</span>

The term Upachayasthana is derived from the Sanskrit word उपचय which means increase, it also means the entire process of acquisition, assimilation and augmentation or proximate aggregation or increase or gain of nourishment or in growth or in body weight.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Daridra yoga</span> Planetary affliction conferring poverty

Daridra yogas or Nirdhanta yogas along with Kemadruma yoga and Shakat yoga, are certain exceptional ava-yogas or unfavourable planetary combinations that indicate poverty. The word, Daridra means poor, needy or deprived, and the word, Nirdhanta means poverty, poorness or indigence.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Yoga-karakas</span> Planets causing benefic results

Yoga-karakas are those planets which, according to Hindu astrology, confer fame, honour, dignity, financial prosperity, political success, and reputation. The lords of the kendras and trikonas associating with each other, or the lords of the 9th and 10th interchanging signs or fully aspecting each other, give rise to Raja yoga.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Maraka (Hindu astrology)</span>

Maraka in Hindu astrology refers to the planet or planets that cause death at the end of a particular life-span; if the assessed life-span is not over they cause accident, ill-health, poverty and misery during the course of their dasha or antra-dasha or in the period of the planet associating/influenced by them. Each lagna has a fixed maraka or marakas. The two luminaries, the Sun and the Moon, and the lord of the 9th house generally do not become marakas. The lords of the 2nd and the 7th house, or the malefic planets occupying anyone of these named houses and associated with their lords are the Primary determinants of death. The Secondary determinants of death are the benefic planets in association with lords of 2nd and 7th house or the lords of the 3rd and 8th house, or the lord of the 3rd or the 8th associating with the lord of the 2nd or the 7th house. The Tertiary determinants of death are Saturn associating with any of the afore stated marakas, the lord of the 6th or the 8th associated with a maraka, and the least powerful planet in the horoscope. The transit influences of the Sun, Mars and Jupiter are taken into account for determining the time of death.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Parajata yoga</span> Hindu Planetary combinations for paternity

Parajāta yogas are special planetary combinations or yogas that indicate birth of children who are not genetically related to their father or non-marital children or born out of illicit connections of their married mothers. Illegitimate children are stigmatized for no fault of theirs; some, like T.E.Lawrence, are made to seek redemption of their mother’s status but most accept their fate like Satyakama Jabala did. In India, illegitimate children of a Hindu father do not inherit from him on intestacy but they do inherit from their mother at par with her legitimate children.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Drekkana</span> Equal to ⅓ of a sign in Hindu astrology

Drekkana is one of the sixteen main vargas described by Parasara to Maitreya who wanted to be explained about the different kinds of houses (Brihat Parasara Hora Sastra. Parasara states that relationship with co-borns is to be judged from the drekkanas occupied by planets. All standard ancient texts on Hindu astrology describe these vargas. The actual disposition of a planet is properly known from its occupation of these sixteen vargas. These sixteen sub-divisional charts which are one of the four dimensions of astrology are a basic ingredient of Hindu astrology, and each sub-divisional chart is firstly required to be studied independently and then collectively as one. M. Ramakrishna Bhat is of the opinion that drekkana is not a Sanskrit word but borrowed from the Greek.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shashtiamsa</span> Star sign division in Hindu astrology

Shashtiamsa - meaning the 60th division, in Hindu astrology refers to the 60th division or varga of a Rasi or Sign equally divided or half-degree each. It is one of the sixteen shodasvargas that are considered important and relevant to important aspects of life. Virupas, a measure of planetary or bhava strength, are also known as Shashtiamsas.

References

  1. Jyotishtatwam 1927 edition published by S.Ganesan, Madras. p. 65
  2. Hindu Predictive Astrology, a text book written by Gopesh Kumar Ojha. Published by D.B.Taraporevala Sons & Co. P. Ltd., Mumbai. p.75
  3. Prasana Tantra of Neelakantha with commentary by B v raman. Published by Raman Publications, Bangalore. Ch. II St. 9 p. 21
  4. Jataka Tattva Ch.1.63 Published by Ranjan Publications, New Delhi. p.25
  5. Hindu Predictive Astrology by Gopesh Kumar Ojha Published by D.B.Taraporevala Sons (P) Ltd. Ch. VI p. 74
  6. Tajika Neelakanthi Ch.II St. 9 and 10 p.
  7. Varshaphal or The Hindu Progressed Horoscope, a text book by B v raman. Published by Raman Publications, Bangalore. Ch. I p.15
  8. Tajika Neelakanthi Ch. II St. 13
  9. Varshaphal or The Hindu Progressed Horoscope, a text book by B v raman. Published by Raman Publications, Bangalore. Ch. VII p.49
  10. Jaimini Sutras with commentary by B v raman. Published by IBH Prakashana, Bangalore. Ch. I Sutras 2 to 4 and 5 to 10 p. 6 and 7
  11. Jaimini Sutras with commentary by B v raman. Published by IBH Prakashana, Bangalore. Ch. I Sutras 11-13 p. 13-19
  12. Studies in Jaimini Astrology, a text book by B v raman. Published by IBH Prakashana, Bangalore. Ch. III p.26 and 27