Saturday, July 12, 2014

Preferential methodology of divisional charts

Preferential methodology of divisional charts
!!Shree!!

The Preferential Methodology of Divisional Charts

In Vedic astrology, the intricate tapestry of a birth chart is further refined by numerous

divisions (Vargas) of ascendants and planets. These divisions serve to pinpoint predictions with greater precision, differentiating individual nativities even when celestial bodies linger in a sign for extended periods, or when the ascendant holds sway for approximately two hours, encompassing multiple births. Through the subtle nuances of these divisional charts, each unique life can be distinguished.

Most of these divisions are calculated through successive counting, wherein a sign is equally portioned to align with the desired division. This process typically commences from the sign Aries or the sign itself. However, a pervasive issue arises from the multiplicity of calculation methods in vogue, each yielding divergent conclusions.

Astrologers often favor the inherent scientific nature of their discipline. The entire astrological theme, its intricate mechanisms, and indeed, our boundless cosmos, all operate within a regular and systematic order. Consequently, the methods employed to calculate specific astrological figures must possess a foundation in logic and proper sequential order. According to the "preferential methodology," one simply multiplies the Rasi figure by the numerical digit corresponding to the desired division, ensuring the resultant figure remains within the range of the zodiac.

A divisional chart predominantly elucidates the results associated with the house it embodies. For instance, the Drekkana chart, being the third division of

a sign, inherently carries the significance of the 3rd house. Similarly, the Hora, as the second division, is intrinsically linked to wealth, reflecting the 2nd house's domain. The Saptamsa, the seventh division, pertains to conception, mirroring the 7th house's association with cohabitation. The Dasamsa, representing the tenth division, governs occupation, aligning with the 10th house. The Trimsamsa, the thirtieth division, is often associated with ill health or misfortune; when a single degree (the thirtieth division of a sign) is allotted to each house from the ascendant, it invariably falls within the 6th house, known for ailments. In like manner, the Shodashamsa governs vehicles, and other divisions operate by adhering to this fundamental, natural methodology.

Among these, the Hora, Drekkana, and Trimsamsa divisions hold paramount importance. Yet, ironically, they are often ensnared by the uncertainty stemming from a confluence of disparate calculation methods.

Herein, I wish to delve into the methodologies of the Hora, Drekkana, Dwadasamsa, and Trimsamsa divisions.

Hora: The Second Division

The Hora, the second division of a sign, comprises two segments, each spanning 15 degrees. It is widely recognized for its connection to wealth, reflecting the 2nd house's representation of financial matters in a horoscope. While numerous methods and approaches exist for calculating the Hora chart, we shall confine our discussion to the two prominent methods outlined in Parashara Hora. One of these, supported by Varaha Mihira, enjoys widespread contemporary usage. This "Varaha Hora" divides a sign into two parts, attributed to the Sun and the Moon respectively, entirely disregarding the specific sign itself. The rationale behind this approach is elucidated within the Parashara Hora text. The second method, also found within the same treatise, posits a "Hora of the sign," which is continuously reckoned from the sign Aries, with each sign repeating twice. This latter method is considered the traditional Vedic approach and demonstrates greater practical efficacy. Relevant verses supporting this claim are as follows:


The greatest authority of astrology is in confusion! This question does not stand before such a great sage. We find many old scriptures of Vedic culture contaminated, so we can say that astrological literature may also be a haphazard mixture of the Yavanas' view and others.

Textual Corruption

I believe this might be a case of textual corruption or tampering. Every refined writer has a distinct style, and as scholarly writers, we should not neglect this. I am not perfect in Sanskrit, but I request that learned masters of the language consider this matter with an open mind.

  • Sloka Structure: Generally, a Sloka (Sanskrit verse) is written in two lines, meaning two Slokas should have only four lines. Here, there are five lines.
  • Definition and Method Order: For all Slokas related to divisional charts, the said divisional chart should be defined first, then the method of calculating it. Here, it appears later as "rasherardham bhaveddhora" (meaning "half of a sign becomes Hora"). If we consider the last two lines of the verse, it is complete with the initial definition and the calculation method.
  • Deity Names: The owner's deity names are typically given in the last line for all remaining divisional charts, but here they are given first.

 

Deity Names and Hora Calculation

Secondly, I think the deity's names are given twice, perhaps with synonyms or options, according to some other view popular at the time of Parashar.

The first Hora is ruled by the Sun or Pitar, and the second Hora is ruled by the Moon or Deva. For odd signs and even signs, it is in reverse, without considering odd or even signs falling in the Hora chart. The word reverse ("same tadviparitakam", समे तद्विपरीतकम) is used only for owner deities and not for zodiac signs falling in the Hora. Therefore, the second and third lines of the above-cited Sloka relate only to the owner deity names, not to the method of calculating the Hora chart. The last two lines describe the method and are complete in themselves.

I follow this method, which is also supported by Sheshadri Ayer. Usually, we tend to connect all odd zodiac signs to the Sun and even signs to the Moon. Thus, the deity's name created confusion. If we replace the deity's name with Pitar and Deva, instead of the Sun and Moon, there would be no confusion or controversy.

The following table of the Hora division will clarify my intention.

If this is not the case, perhaps the other hidden meaning of this line is the same as the next sloka. First, observe the Hora table of signs of both views together. Brackets indicate the view of Varah as per the first Sloka.


Sign
degrees
Aries
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
0-15
1(5)
3(4)
5(5)
7(4)
9(5)
11(4)
1(5)
3(4)
5(5)
7(4)
9(5)
11(4)
15-30
2(4)
4(5)
6(4)
8(5)
10(4)
12(5)
2(4)
4(5)
6(4)
8(5)
10(4)
12(5)

Now, observe the signs involved in the Hora of the Vedic method in the Sun and Moon Hora, as per the Varaha method of Hora.

Moon Hora

Signs: Taurus, Gemini, Virgo, Libra, Capricorn, Aquarius

Owners: Venus, Mercury, and Saturn. These planets are mutual friends and become mutual Yogakaraka in the ascendant ruled by each other. All of them are either female or hermaphrodite planets.

Sun Hora

Signs: Aries, Cancer, Leo, Scorpio, Sagittarius, Pisces

Owners: Mars, the Sun, the Moon, and Jupiter. All are mutual friends. All of them are male planets except the Moon.

Perhaps Maharishi Parashar categorized these signs by a single name of Sun and Moon, creating two groups of planets in a literary way, but this was misunderstood later. Here, we must consider their signs and not planets, since divisions are only possible for signs, not for a planet.

There is another controversy that arises when we ignore Hora signs: the theory of obtaining 'Parijatadi Sanjya' in Shada Vargas (group of six divisions) or Dasa Vargas (group of ten divisions) becomes defunct because we have ignored an important division of Hora. This is also a strong argument against the popular division of Trimsamsa (D-30).

Now, observe some examples taken from a write-up, 'Decoding Parasara`s Hora' in the Modern Astrology of July 2013.

Here, we must keep in mind that we should ignore the idea of calculating Vimshottari Dasa based on the Moon's longitude in divisional charts. This would be too complex, as there are several divisional charts and so many Ayanamsas. Secondly, the interpretation of Dasa also depends upon the lordship of houses besides the placement of planets in particular houses. However, lordship of houses is not recommended in divisional charts except for the divisional ascendant. Methods of calculating houses are only possible in the Rasi chart. While we can take divisions of each house, like the ascendant, this method cannot include all twelve signs in a divisional chart. Adopting the equal house division method would render other methods of calculating houses and the concept of the Chalit chart obsolete. It also ignores the longitude of the mid-heaven, which is an important factor. Therefore, we cannot accept the idea of equal house division.

So, observe the impact of Dasa (based on Rasi Moon) of a planet in the Hora chart only through its placement in a particular house, within other influences.


Chart 1: Bill Gate: Born October 28, 1955 at 21h 21m (8 hours West of GMT) at 47N36, 122W20, Lahiri Ayanamsa
Balance of Dasa is- Saturn 2 year 10 month 27 days









The peak of his wealth graph came during 1999-2002, when Microsoft stock was at its apex. He was under the influence of the period of Mercury and Ketu, within the major period of Venus.

According to the system of Varah, Venus is well-positioned with its sign depositor, the Moon, in the Hora ascendant. However, the sub-period lords, Mercury and Ketu, in the 2nd house are not well-placed due to affliction, creating a 2-12 relationship with the major Dasa lord, Venus. This placement is considered good, but not extraordinarily good.

According to the Vedic scheme of Hora, the Hora ascendant, Virgo, is under the aspect of its lord, Mercury, which is subject to Neecha Bhanga status (cancellation of debility). The major Dasa lord, Venus, is well-posited in the 9th house in its own sign. The lord of the sub-period, Mercury, is the Hora lord and is in the 7th house, and Ketu is in the 11th house. This configuration is significantly more powerful than the Hora of Varah.

The following second example further proves Vedic Hora's supremacy over Varah Hora.


Chart 2: Dhirubhai Ambani : Born December 28, 1932 at 6h.37m at Chorwad, India (21N01, 70E14), Ayanamsa-Lahiri

Balance of Dasa- Venus 8y 3m 28days







He rose from 1965 to 1981, under the influence of Rahu Dasa. His successful venture, Reliance Textiles, was founded in 1966 during the Rahu-Rahu sub-period.

According to Varah Hora, Rahu is posited in the 12th house, afflicted by Mars in debility, Saturn, and the waning Moon. This configuration would not typically indicate grand success.

According to the Vedic scheme, the Hora lord Sun is in the Hora ascendant, aspected by Jupiter, which is very auspicious. The Dasa lord Rahu is posited in the 6th house with a planet in exaltation, and is further aspected by a benefic. The 2nd, 6th, and 11th houses signify monetary gain in a horoscope. The 6th house also represents loans, and the selling of shares can be considered a modern form of this, where loans accrue interest and shares yield profit. Rahu in the 6th house of the Hora chart effectively explains these financial dynamics.

Try following these tips with the Vedic Hora chart using Lahiri Ayanamsa:

Calculate the Sign, Tithi, and Yoga for the Hora chart by simply multiplying the Rasi figure by two and ensuring the resultant figure falls within the range of the zodiac. The Moon star and Yoga falling in a benefic Tara from Hora Moon star and Yoga are favorable for financial gain. The Tithi of Mrita Vargas is to be avoided, while Yuva and Briddha Vargas are suitable.

Drekkana-  

This divisional chart is also a victim of uncertainty arising from a mixture of calculation methods. We will discuss only the two mentioned in Parashar Hora.



Sloka six suggests three parts of a sign, counting continuously from Aries and repeating every sign three times to complete the Drekkana table for all twelve signs. This is a valid Vedic method. However, the subsequent Sloka introduces a second method, suggesting three parts of a sign, counting from the sign itself, and then jumping to the fifth sign for the next part. This method is supported by Varah Mihir and has had a significant impact on Vedic astrology, overshadowing the Vedic method of Drekkana divisions.

Let us see the table of the Drekkana division-
According to Varah-

Serial/Sign

Aries

Taurus

Gemini

Cancer

Leo

Virgo

Libra

Scorpio

Sagittarius

Capricorn

Aquarius

Pisces

1

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

2

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

1

2

3

4

3

9

10

11

12

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8


According to the Vedic system-

Serial/Sign

Aries

Taurus

Gemini

Cancer

Leo

Virgo

Libra

Scorpio

Sagittarius

Capricorn

Aquarius

Pisces

1

1

4

7

10

1

4

7

10

1

4

7

10

2

2

5

8

11

2

5

8

11

2

5

8

11

3

3

6

9

12

3

6

9

12

3

6

9

12


In the second Sloka, Maharishi Parashar may be expressing the same concept as the previous Sloka, but in a literary manner. He needed to mention the owners of the Drekkanas, so he included this line along with the mention of the Drekkanas' owners.

Observe the word "Swa-Panch-Nav." This word describes the nature of the signs falling in the first, fifth, and ninth positions from the sign Aries. The first sign ("Swa") is a Movable sign, the fifth ("Panch") is a Fixed sign, and the ninth ("Nav") is a Dual sign. He also states in the same line, "Rashinam Krimshashch te," implying continuous counting.

Therefore, the First Drekkana for all signs should be in a Movable sign, the Second Drekkana in a Fixed sign, and the Third Drekkana in Dual signs. Adopting this meaning with continuous reckoning from Aries will produce the Drekkana table shown above the Vedic Drekkana table. Either this is the proper meaning of the underlined line, or it was added later by someone.

Controversies in Varah's System

There are some other controversies in the system of Varah. Let us observe them:

1.    The first Drekkana of every sign always becomes Vargottama.

2.    It always falls on a friendly sign. This is an anomaly. Neighbors and siblings, for whom the Drekkana chart is known, may also be unfavorable. It is also known for the 'fruit of action' (Karma Phal), which is not generally so auspicious.

3.    It always falls in trine houses, the most beneficial houses of a horoscope. The result of Drekkana is not always so auspicious. Secondly, we cannot examine a planet just like the Navamsa chart as equal to the eighth Navamsa from the ascendant or the planet itself.

4.    A male sign has all three Drekkanas in a male sign, and a female sign has all three Drekkanas in a female sign. So, what is the need to calculate the Drekkana sign to determine the sex of a concerned person?

Observe the following Sloka of Prashna Marg.


The author suggests taking trine signs (तत् सुत तपः 1st, 5th, 9th) from the Drekkana sign of the Sun or Moon. According to Varah's scheme, drawing Drekkana signs of the Sun or Moon is unnecessary because Drekkana signs are always trine. Taking a trine sign from there would result in signs of the same odd or even nature. It is inconceivable that the author of the Prashna Marg is unaware of this; therefore, they must be referring to the Drekkana of the Vedic view.

Most predictive tools are developed within the context of Varah Drekkana. However, some support only the Vedic scheme of Drekkana.

1.    Birth with a cord (Naal) like a snake:




When the Moon is in the Drekkana of Mars, and the ascendant belongs to a malefic while a benefic is in the second and eleventh houses, it results in birth with a cord ('Naal') like a snake. There is another Sloka with the same meaning in the 3rd chapter, verse 38 of Jatak Parijat.

I have some charts to discuss within this context of birth with a cord (Naal) like a snake.


Chart 1: Male: Born July 7, 1971 at 10h.30m at 78E09, 26N12 (Gwalior), with balance of Dasa- Ketu 4 year 2 month, and o days, Ayanamsa- Lahiri









The Moon is in the Drekkana of Mars in the Vedic Drekkana chart, while it attains the Drekkana of Jupiter under the scheme of Varah Drekkana. In both types of Drekkana charts, a malefic is in the 2nd house; however, a benefic in the 11th house is present only in the Vedic Drekkana chart. This combination is relevant only to the Vedic Drekkana chart.

I am examining only the position of the Moon in the next cases; otherwise, the write-up will exceed its scope.

Chart 2: Female

Born January 25, 1956, at approximately 17h.45m at 77E13, 28N36 (New Delhi). Ayanamsa: Lahiri.

Ascendant: Cancer (3s-10°14), Moon: Gemini (2s-11°41).

The Drekkana of the Moon, as per Varah, is Libra, but according to the Vedic scheme of Drekkana, it is Scorpio, as desired by the authors of Jatak Tatvam and Jatak Parijat.

Chart 3: Female

Born October 3, 2007, at 22h.15m at 78E43, 23N08 (Near Gadarwara, M.P.). Ayanamsa: Lahiri.

Ascendant: Taurus (1s-29°09), Moon: Gemini (2s-19°36).

The Drekkana of the Moon as per Varah is Libra, but according to the Vedic scheme of Drekkana, it is Scorpio. Here, neither the ascendant nor the Moon is in the Drekkana of Mars according to the scheme of Varah.

Let us observe the planetary situation for a birth with a cord, according to my experience with the Vedic view of Drekkana:

a. The Moon is generally found in the Drekkana of Mars, but not necessarily.

b. The Ascendant is not necessarily of a malefic, but its Drekkana must belong to Saturn, Mercury, or Mars. Mercury is well-known for defective birth defects. Many combinations like 'birth with teeth' and 'birth with extra hands' are formed with the help of Mercury or its sign. Observe a verse of Jatak Parijat that requires the Drekkana ascendant to be under the influence of these planets for birth with a cord-like snake. In my view, the sign of the mentioned planet should be involved in the Drekkana ascendant.



This situation holds only with the Drekkana of the Vedic scheme.

c. The 2nd house of the Drekkana chart should be posited by Rahu or Saturn, and the 11th or 12th house posited by any planet.

d. Generally, at least one luminary falls in the square houses from the Vedic Drekkana chart.

Therefore, we must accept the Vedic scheme of Drekkana without hesitation.

Rajyoga and Drekkana

Whenever all three ascendants, namely Rasi, Navamsa, and Drekkana, are posited in or under the aspect of the same planet, it results in a great kind of Rajyoga.



The greatest example of Rajyoga in the modern age is that of Indira Gandhi, but the above-cited combination is fulfilled in both types of Drekkana charts. Therefore, I am not discussing it. Let us consider the example of George W. Bush, who became President of the USA two times. His horoscope is undisputed, so I will discuss it.

Chart 4: George W Bush: Born July 6, 1946, at 7h.26m. at 72W56, 41N18 (New Haven, CT, Connecticut, USA), Time Zone- west 5h 00m, No DST in 1946,










Saturn occupies the Ascendant; the Navamsa ascendant is within the aspect of Saturn, and the Vedic Drekkana ascendant is also within the 3rd aspect of Saturn, while Varah Drekkana is not in the aspect of Saturn. So, the Vedic Drekkana scheme is valid only. We must discard the scheme of Varah.

  
Dwadasamsa (D-12)-  Dwadasamsa can be derived using two methods: counting from the sign itself or counting from the sign Aries. While it seems logical to count continuously from Aries, this can lead to a controversy where the very first division for all zodiac signs will fall at Aries. For certain conclusions, one method yields correct results, while for other findings, the other method proves accurate.
According to a Sloka from Parashar Hora, this is the 12th division of a sign, and the counting must begin from the sign itself. Observe the Sloka:


The word 'TESHAM' (तेषाम्), which suggests the sign itself for counting Dwadasamsa, could potentially be 'MESHAM' (मेषम्), referring to the sign Aries. However, this is merely a personal hypothesis. There are other arguments supporting counting from Aries:

a. The first Dwadasamsa for all signs invariably becomes Vargottama, thus making it strong. This presents a controversy. While not entirely avoidable, efforts should be made to reduce such probabilities. This might be acceptable for some signs, but not for all twelve.

b. The Prashna Marg, a text focused on practical results, supports counting from the sign Aries to determine the Dwadasamsa sign. Dwadasamsa is extensively utilized by various authorities for pre-natal horoscopy, but Prashna Marg employs it correctly. Observe the Sloka:




           The author suggests counting the number of Dwadasamsa and then counting again an equal number from the sign Aries to determine the probable birth sign of a baby.

_ _ _ _ _
-         * - The Sun and Moon occasionally become male or female as per Krishneeyam.


If the Sun and Moon are posited in a trine or quadrant, and if that sign happens to be a feminine sign, then the subject of the query will be female. On the other hand, if they occupy a male sign, the subject of the query will be a male person.

** If the ascendant falls in a male Drekkana and male Navamsa and male sign....


Translated by N.E.Muthuswami

-         *** - I have taken this horoscope as it is in the book ‘Select Horoscope’ by editor Rajeshwari Shankar. I have no definite knowledge of the Daylight Saving scheme in the area of his birth during July 1946. I have also seen this horoscope in some other magazines as it is. Please verify before publishing it.


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

No comments:

Post a Comment