!! Gulika/ Mandi and Rahu`s Astamsa!!

!! Gulika/ Mandi and Rahu`s Astamsa!!

Gulika / Mandi and Rahu’s Astamsa

There has been considerable debate among astrologers regarding the identities of Gulika and Mandi. Some consider these two names to represent the same sub-planet of Saturn, while others insist they are distinct entities. There is also disagreement concerning the correct method of calculation. Sage Parashara emphasizes the beginning of Saturn’s Astamsa, whereas Kalidasa supports the ending.

Logically, the starting time of any phenomenon carries more significance in astrology. We determine Muhurta based on the beginning of an activity, not its completion. Similarly, we cast a Prashna chart based on the arrival time of the querent, not on their departure. Therefore, Parashara’s view appears sounder and more reasonable.

Rahu’s Astamsa Must Be Accounted For

Interestingly, the ending portion of Saturn’s Astamsa coincides with the beginning of Rahu’s Astamsa. This segment deserves attention and should not be disregarded. All planets have their own Astamsas or sub-periods—why should Rahu be an exception? Perhaps because of Rahu’s shadowy nature, its portion is neglected. However, if we divide the day into eight equal parts, omitting one part undermines completeness. This unassigned portion—rising after Saturn’s part—must be recognized as Rahu’s Astamsa.

Gulika and Mandi may indeed be one and the same. I am not entangled in the semantics of names. I propose that we identify the beginning portion of Rahu’s Astamsa clearly and call it Rahu Kaal, avoiding further confusion. Calculating the ascendant at the starting moment of this period gives us the Rahu Kaal Lagna or the Rahu Kaal point.

Nature and Effects of Rahu Kaal

Rahu Kaal behaves much like Rahu itself. When it occupies the ascendant, it can produce a hypocritical, deceptive, and mischievous personality. It taints benefic planets or houses and worsens the impact of malefics it joins. Let us study some charts that support these observations:

Chart 1: Swami Nithyananda

Birth Details: January 1, 1978, 00:32 IST
Place: Tiruvannamalai, TN (79E05, 12N15)
Ayanamsa: Lahiri

• Sunrise: 06:34:12 IST
• Sunset: 17:59:09 IST (17.9858 hours)
• Next sunrise: 06:34:36 IST (6.576 hours)

The night in question is Saturday night, which corresponds to Wednesday in the weekday order for night Astamsas.

• Night duration:
  6.576+24−17.9858=12.59026.576 + 24 - 17.9858 = 12.5902 hours (i.e., 12 hours, 35 minutes, 24 seconds)
• One Astamsa:
  12.5902÷8=1.57412.5902 ÷ 8 = 1.574 hours (1 hour, 34 minutes, 27 seconds)

Now, the 4th part belongs to Saturn, and the 5th part to Rahu.

• Saturn’s part begins at 22.7068 hours of the previous day.
• Rahu’s part begins at 24.281 hours = 00:16:51 IST.

At this moment, the ascendant was Virgo 21°00′, so Rahu Kaal falls in Virgo.

Now see his birth chart-

Here, Rahu and Rahu Kaal are both placed in the ascendant, amplifying deceptive and scandalous tendencies. Rahu is also in the star of the Moon, afflicting the Manas or mind. His controversial and scandal-ridden life, including allegations of sexual misconduct, illustrates the influence of Rahu Kaal.

Chart 2: Asaram Bapu

Birth Details: April 17, 1941, 12:00 PM IST
Place: Hyderabad (Sindh), Pakistan (68E22, 25N22)
Ayanamsa: Lahiri

• Rahu Kaal: Gemini 18°30′

In this case, Rahu Kaal occupies the ascendant, contributing to a hypocritical and deviant personality. The Moon is under its influence in both the Rashi and Navamsa charts. His criminal conviction for sexual assault is widely known.

He is in jail on account of his sexual assault and misconduct. The Rahu Kaal in the ascendant at the sign of Gemini has made him a man of a hypocritical personality. The Moon is also within the aspect of it in both Vargas. So his mind becomes the seat of the devil.

Chart 3: F.M.

Birth Details: June 9, 2007, 22:30 IST
Place: Bhopal (77E28, 23N17)
Ayanamsa: Lahiri

• Rahu Kaal: Aquarius 19°20′

She met an early death due to a snakebite. Rahu Kaal is in the 2nd house with Rahu, indicating vulnerability to such events. My observations suggest that Rahu Kaal positioned in the 1st, 2nd, 5th, 7th, 8th, or 9th house from the ascendant or Navamsa can make the native sensitive to snake-related afflictions.

Conclusion and Clarification

Most predictive rules concerning Gulika or Mandi in classical texts refer only to Saturn’s portion. The Uttarakalamrita by Kalidasa appears to be a notable exception—his method yields the longitude of Rahu’s Astamsa, although he names it Mandi. Thus, the effects described in that text pertain more accurately to Rahu Kaal, not Saturn’s sub-planet.

Summary

• Gulika/Mandi may be the same.
• The Rahu Kaal, the beginning of Rahu’s Astamsa, must be given due importance.
• It behaves like Rahu and afflicts the houses and planets it touches.
• Its placement in certain houses may indicate snakebite sensitivity or deceptive tendencies.

Ignoring Rahu’s Astamsa leaves a gap in predictive astrology—a gap this method seeks to bridge with clarity and logic.

------------------------------------------------------------------------Raghvendra Khare

 1-      "Never think that God's delays are God's denials. Hold on; hold fast; hold out. Patience is genius."