Equal house system (Hindu astrology)

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The Sign-wise Equal house division of the Zodiac or Rasi-chakra is a very old system of house division; in this system all houses are of equal length. Unlike the Western astrology that measures the longitude of a house from the exact ascendant-point in the sign rising in the east treated as its cusp, in Hindu astrology the entire sign is treated as a house irrespective of the ascendant-point in the sign rising in the east. [1] The standard Hindu convention is to treat the house and the sign of equal length. [2] It considers the twelve houses in the fixed Rasi-chakra (Zodiac), and is practically an "Equal-sign Equal house system". [3] Hindu astrology is sidereal astrology , in which system planetary movements are tracked against the fixed position of the stars or nakshatras ; it is believed to give a more accurate astronomical representation of the Sun’s position in relation to the skies i.e. the Zodiac, using the Ayanamsa (amount of precession), and incorporates star-signs based on the movement of the Moon. This can be proven, as in sidereal astrological system the 12 zodiac signs which are based on the constellations in the sky are equally divided by 30 degrees (rendering it mathematically and scientifically inaccurate) whereas the constellation zodiac (actual astronomical observations) consist of 13 zodiac signs of unequal sizes (Ex: In sidereal astrology Scorpio is considered 30 degrees but in the astronomical zodiac Scorpio is just a 6.5 degree constellation). [4]

Vedic concept

The Vedic Rishis were aware of the Zodiac (Rig Veda I.164.48) which awareness echoes in the Atharvaveda (Mantra X.viii.4) as :-

द्वादश् प्रधयश्चक्रमेकं व्रीणि नभ्यानि क उ तच्चिकेता |
तव्राहतास्व्रीणि शतानिशंकवः षष्टिश्चखिला अविचाचलायो ||

the Rishi speaks about the wheel of twelve spokes, which has three navels with three hundred sixty nails. The spokes are the twelve Solar months or twelve Zodiacal signs or rasis, the three hundred sixty nails are the three hundred sixty degrees of the Zodiac, and the three navels are the three sets of Chaturmasas (Four months x three) that make up a year. The horoscopic picture (birth-chart) is the superimposition of the Space-divisions over the Elliptical orbit; the four vertical and horizontal lines (in the South Indian chart) that intercept the orbit lead to a four-fold division of space in two dimensions leading to a periphery of twelve columns or houses and a near quandrular demarcation that depicts a two-fold division. This picture is evident from Parasara’s description of the Kala Chakra and Jaimini’s Rasi aspects. The mathematical features of the sequence of peripheral divisions through the three-fold, four-fold and five-fold divisions; the superimposition of these space-divisions onto a curvilinear path yields the divisions 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, 24, 28…., or 4(n-1) division of the periphery for an n-fold division of space – n=(1+3 I). The nakshatra-divisions of the Zodiac are only twenty-seven in number and the real mathematical process was a division of the ecliptic into one hundred eight parts of three degrees twenty minutes each (equal to one navamsa or 1/9th division of a sign) which fact is corroborated by Maitrayaniya Upanishad (VI.14) which tells us that – "Time beginning with the moment to the twelve-fold-natured-year is the form the Sun bears. Half of the year belongs to fire and half belongs to water. From the beginning of Makha (120 degrees) to the middle of Sravista (300 degrees) belongs to fire (Agni)(clockwise). Step by step from the end of Sarpa (120 degrees) to the middle of Sravista belongs to water (300 degrees – anticlockwise). Then by subtlety are the single parts of time, the navamsas , together with the moving ones (the planets), by this measure time (the year) is measured." [5]

Rasi-chakra or Zodiac

The Zodiac or the Bhachakra is composed of three hundred sixty degrees of the celestial space which is divided by twelve to mark the twelve equal Zodiacal signs or rasis. Rasi-sandhi is where two signs join. The longitudes of the houses (bhava sphutas), rasimanas (oblique ascensions or rising periods of the twelve signs) and other important calculations are all computed for Sayana rasis (tropical position), from these the Ayanamsa is subtracted and the Nirayana bhavas etc., are obtained. Rasi-chakra is simply a figure of the fixed zodiac with the limits and occupants of its twelve signs as well as the lagna clearly marked. Bhava-chakra is the division of the heaven into twelve houses with reference to time and space. According to Hindu astrology, a bhava means one-third of the arc of the ecliptic intercepted between any two adjacent angles, viz., the Udaya lagna (Eastern Horizon), the Patala lagna (Lower Meridian), the Asta lagna (Western Horizon), and the Madhya lagna (Upper Meridian). Bhava-sandhi is where two bhavas join. [6]

Hindu astrology is primarily based on constellations or nakshatras, the longitudes of constellations differ from place to place but for purposes of predictive astrology each constellation is treated as having a jurisdiction of thirteen degrees twenty minutes i.e. the zodiac divided by twenty-seven nakshatras or 360 degrees divided by 27; the word, sidereal, pertains to the zodiac of the constellations of the fixed stars. All signs are as in the fixed zodiac and the longitudes of planets also refer to their location on the fixed zodiac. According to older Hindu texts, the words signs and houses fall on each other, but the count of the signs is always made from Aries which is the first sign, and the count of the house begins from the lagna; the duration of a sign rising differs from latitude to latitude. [7]

Ashwini nakshatra marks the beginning of the Zodiac, Revati, placed exactly on the Ecliptic, identifies this constellation as zero degree Aries and marks the divergence of the point of the Vernal Equinox. Therefore, Chitra or 'Alpha Virgo', a far brighter star is taken to fix the position of Revati exactly one hundred eighty degrees away from Chitra. Surya Siddhanta position is the traditional basis of the Chitra Paksha Ayanamsa. This system was accurate 2000 years ago but is currently inaccurate and knowing this the Indian Calendar Reform Committee suggested that it is right for every Indian to consider the Tropical Zodiacs as the appropriate system to be followed. [8]

Significance

Hindu astrology is based on the whole sign equal to one house principle. The principle of dividing the zodiac into twelve equal parts relates to the original Whole sign houses system. The advantage of this system is that the houses (bhavas) are easier to calculate, and it is easier to read the planetary combinations and permutations i.e. the yoga-formations, planetary aspects and other harmonic divisional results. The lagna determines the entire field of action, through it are interpreted all the different aspects of life. [9] According to Hindu astrology the sign ascending is the first house and any planet placed therein is deemed to be in the first house; the sign next to the ascendant will constitute the second house and any planet placed therein is deemed to be in the second house. The sign and house are deemed synonymous. All yogas given in ancient Hindu astrological texts are based on this principle; Parasara, Jaimini, Mantreswara, all followed this method of house division. Therefore, Gopesh Kumar Ojha recommends this method, which is simpler and favoured by majority, should be followed. [10] In the Parashari system of Hindu astrology a sign is equal to a bhava or house. Planets involved in mutual exchange of signs or Parivartana yoga i.e. each occupy the other’s house, give rise to auspicious and inauspicious yogas. The mutual exchange of signs between lords of favourable bhavas viz the lords of the 2nd, the kendras, the trikonas and the 11th bhava, are said to produce twenty-eight auspicious yogas known as Maha yogas; those born with Maha yogas are most fortunate and wealthy. The mutual exchange of the lords of these bhavas with the lord of the 3rd give rise to eight inauspicious Khala yogas but the lords of the 6th, the 8th and the 12th, which are known as the Trika bhavas , as involved between themselves and all other bhava-lords give rise to thirty very inauspicious Dainya yogas. [11]

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Sidereal and tropical astrology Forms of Astrology

Sidereal and tropical are terms used to describe two different definitions of a year. In astrology, they refer to two different systems of ecliptic coordinates used to divide the ecliptic into twelve "signs". Each sign is divided into 30 degrees, making a total of 360 degrees.

Panchangam

A panchāngam is a Hindu calendar and almanac, which follows traditional units of Hindu timekeeping, and presents important dates and their calculations in a tabulated form. It is sometimes spelled Panchāngamu, Pancanga, Panchanga, Panchaanga, or Panchānga, and is often pronounced Panchāng. Panchangas are used in Jyotisha.

Dasha The dasha pattern shows which planets according to Jyotish will be ruling at particular times.

Varga (astrology)

The term Varga in Indian astrology (Jyotisha) refers to the division of a zodiacal sign (rāśi) into parts. Each such fractional part of a sign, known as an aṃśa, has a source of influence associated with it, so that these sources of influence come to be associated with collections of regions around the zodiac.

Yoga (Hindu astrology) Concept in Hindu astrology

In Hindu astrology, yoga is the relationship between one planet, sign, or house to another by placement, aspect, or conjunction. It is the consideration of the planetary dasha's directional effects, the most important factor which distinguishes Hindu astrology from Western astrology.

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. 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.

Raja yoga (Hindu astrology) Type of yogas

Raja yogas are Shubha ('auspicious') yogas that 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.

Planetary dispositors (Hindu astrology)

Planetary dispositors play an important role in Astrology. The dispositor is a planet in whose sign another planet is located in the natal chart and which resident planet gains strength when its dispositor is also strong.

Navamsa (astrology) 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.

Dainya yoga Inauspicious planetary combination

Dainya yogas, along with Khala yogas, Mantreswara in his Phaladeepika states, are inauspicious planetary combinations. Those born with Dainya yogas emerge as fools i.e. not intelligent, they insult and speak ill of others, they are bad in conduct and behaviour, suffer at the hands of their opponents or foes, are of unsteady mind whose own actions create hurdles and problems in all works commenced by them. Those born with Khala yogas exhibit good and bad traits in their conduct, speech and behaviour; and also experience good fortune and bad fortune, both. Dainya yogas and Khala yogas affect good fortune and prosperity; They harm people. In the event of these yogas occurring the evil bhavas flourish because of the lord of their lords occupying good houses but these inauspicious yogas prove detrimental to the affairs of the auspicious bhava the lords of evil bhavas occupy. Dainya yogas are worse than Khala yogas. By permutation and combination the lord of the 12th mutually exchanging sign with the lords of the 6th and the 8th causes eleven Dainya yogas, the lord of the 8th with the lords of the 6th and the 12th, ten Dainya yogas, and the lord of the 6th with the lords of the 8th and the 12th, nine Dainya yogas.

Muntha (astrology)

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.

Karmasthana (astrology)

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.

Trikonasthanas

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.

Sarvatobhadra Chakra

Sarvatobhadra Chakra in Hindu astrology is a unique technique for prediction based on the Nakshatras. It is an ancient system because it takes into account Abhijit nakshatra which is now not referred to in matters pertaining to methods that are generally employed for making astrological predictions. Janardan Harji in his Mansagari has described it as - संप्रवक्ष्यामि चक्रं त्रिलोक्यदीपिकम् - the trust-worthy quickly-revealing Trilokyadeepika Chakra.The term, Sarvatobhadra, derived from Sarva (सर्व) meaning – all, and Bhadra (भद्र)) meaning – good or auspicious, means overall auspiciousness. Abhijit nakshatra is located between Uttarashada and Sravana, it is the last quarter of Uttarashada and the first half of Sravana nakshatra.

Daridra yoga 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.

Maraka (Hindu astrology)

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.

Drekkana 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.

Preṣya yoga Malefic Hindu planetary combination

Preṣya yoga is a planetary combination in Hindu astrology. A person born with preshya yoga is poor, unhappy and uneducated. He hears harsh words from others and works in slavery throughout his life.

Dharma Karmadhipati yoga Planetary relation conferring good results

Dharma Karmadhipati yoga arises when the lords of the 9th and the 10th bhavas counted from the lagna or the Chandra-lagna, whichever is stronger, establish a sambandha preferably in a kendra or a trikonasthana; it is a shubha (auspicious) yoga . The 9th bhava (house) signifies Poorvapunya, Dharma and Bhagya, which are all auspicious significations. The 10th house, also known as Kirtisthana and the Rajyabhava, is the Karmabhava or the Karmasthana . In general terms the 10th house refers to occupation, profession or means of livelihood, temporal honours, foreign travels, self-respect, knowledge and dignity.

References

  1. ↑ James R. Lewis (2003). The Astrology Book: The Encyclopaedia of Heavenly Influences. Visible Ink Press. p. 222. ISBN   9781578591442.
  2. ↑ William R. Levacy (2007). Vedic Astrology simply Put. Hay House. p. xvi. ISBN   9781401907181.
  3. ↑ David Frawley (1992). The Astrology of Seers. Motilal Banarsidass. p. 140. ISBN   9788120810075.
  4. ↑ Gopal Sharma (15 September 2006). Teach Yourself Astrology. Lotus Press. p. 29. ISBN   9788183820400.
  5. ↑ K.Chandra Hari. "The Astrological Magazine vol. 87.1 – The Mathematical theory of the Vedic Zodiac": 117, 151.Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  6. ↑ B.V.Raman. A Manual of Hindu Astrology. Raman Publication. p. 121,53,93,100,150,151.
  7. ↑ Gopesh Kumar Ojha. Hindu Predictive Astrology. D.B.Taraporevala & Son. pp. 10–18.
  8. ↑ David Frawley. "The Astrological Magazine Vol. 87.1 - Question of Ayanamsa": 113–115.Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  9. ↑ David Frawley (1992). The Astrology of Seers. Motilal Banarsidass. p. 140,136. ISBN   9788120810075.
  10. ↑ Gopesh Kumar Ojha. Hindu Predictive Astrology. D.B.Taraporevala & Son. pp. 91, 94.
  11. ↑ Mahan Vir Tuli (January 1995). A-Z of Astrology. Sterling Publishers (P) Ltd. p. 230. ISBN   9788120716476.
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