Snake
Bites: An Astrological Investigation
Reproduced from Modern Astrology August 2014.
Unfortunately,
snakebites are not a rare phenomenon in my rural village area. However,
obtaining the birth details of the individuals concerned is often challenging.
I have collected some charts of snakebite victims and wish to discuss them
astrologically, drawing upon combinations found in various classical
astrological texts.
Let us
observe these combinations:
1.
Combinations Involving the 2nd House, Rahu, and Gulika
- Sarvartha Chintamani (Chapter 3,
Verse 150) states:
"If
Rahu is posited in the 2nd house and is conjoined with or aspected by Gulika,
snakebite is the result."
This
combination is also mentioned by Dr. B.V. Raman in "300 Important
Combinations" as ‘Sarpagandha Yoga’.
The 2nd
house represents the mouth of the Kaal Purusha (Cosmic Man). Therefore, the
presence of a poisonous planet like Rahu, especially when linked with the
malefic Gulika, in this house can indicate such unfortunate incidents. The 3rd
house, being the 2nd from the 2nd, can also become relevant if afflicted by
poisonous planets.
1-a The
2nd and 3rd houses are being simultaneously occupied by Gulika and Rahu, or
Gulika and Saturn.
- Prashna Marg (Chapter 15, Verse
36) offers a similar Sutra for judging snakebites in a Prashna (horary)
chart, which can also be applied to natal charts:
(1-b) This
is an important combination: Rahu positioned in the 1st, 2nd, 5th, 7th, 8th, or
9th house from Gulika, either in the Rasi or the Navamsa chart.
2.
Combinations Involving the 3rd Lord and Rahu
- Jataka Tatwam (Shashta Viveka,
Verse 158) states:
"If the
3rd lord is with Rahu in the ascendant, the native experiences great fear of
snakes (implying bite)."
- Sarvartha Chintamani (Chapter 4,
Verse 44) adds a condition:
"The
dispositor of Rahu should also join the 3rd lord and Rahu (in the ascendant or
3rd house) to cause fear from snakes."
The 3rd
house is significant as it is 2nd from the 2nd (mouth/face, a common bite
location) and 8th from the 8th (longevity, mode of death). Thus, the role of
the 3rd house is crucial in judging the nature of death. This combination
involving the 3rd lord and Rahu is very important and works effectively in
cases of snakebites.
- (2-a): The 3rd lord with
Rahu need not necessarily be in the ascendant; this combination can be
effective anywhere in the horoscope.
- (2-b): The Rasi chart's 3rd
lord conjoining Rahu in the Navamsa chart.
3.
Combinations Involving Saturn and Drekkanas
- Prashna Marg (Chapter 11, Verse
15) states:
"If
Saturn is posited in a Sarpa Drekkana (serpent decanate) and is conjoined with
or aspected by Gulika, snakebite is the result."
The popular
Sarpa Drekkanas, according to Parashara Hora, are the second and third
Drekkanas of Cancer, the first and second of Scorpio, and the third Drekkanas
of Pisces.
- (3-a): I have reservations about the popular division of Drekkana schemes (which involve jumping to trine signs). I believe in continuous reckoning from Aries for Drekkanas (see footnote on Drekkana calculation method at the end). In my experience, the specific Sarpa Drekkanas mentioned above do not consistently play a significant role in snakebites. However, the conjunction or association of Saturn with Gulika is indeed important in such incidents. Saturn's placement in certain signs (to be discussed later with Jaimini Sutras) is also critical.
- (3-b): Instead of specific
Sarpa Drekkanas, there are "poisonous Drekkanas" in every sign.
These are:
- 1st Drekkana of Aries, Cancer,
Leo, Virgo, Sagittarius, Capricorn.
- 2nd Drekkana of Taurus,
Gemini, Libra, Aquarius, Pisces.
- 3rd Drekkana of Scorpio.
- Whenever the ascendant or its
lord is posited in these specific Drekkana areas of a sign, death may
occur through poison, which could be from a snake. Saturn's position in
these poisonous Drekkanas is also harmful.
4.
Combination Involving Parivesha
"If the
longitude of Parivesha falls in the ascendant, snakebite is the result."
Parivesha is
a sub-planet (Upagraha) derived from the Sun's position (see footnote on
Parivesha calculation).
- : The Navamsa sign of
Parivesha often falls in trine signs from the natal ascendant or the Navamsa
ascendant. It can also aspect the ascendant from the 7th house (Navamsa
of Parivesha being 7th from Navamsa ascendant). Furthermore, a planet in
the 10th can exert a strong (75%) aspect on the ascendant. Therefore, in
cases of middle and long life spans, these placements of Parivesha's
Navamsa should be considered.
5. Insights
from Jaimini Sutram
Jaimini
Sutram also contains Sutras related to snakebites and poisonous deaths:
- "If the Karakamsa (Navamsa sign
of Atmakaraka) ascendant is with either the Sun or Rahu, or both, it can
result in snakebite."
- (5-a): The Sun or Rahu
occupying signs in Kendra (square) houses from either the Karakamsa Rasi
position or the Swamsa (Lagna in Navamsa chart if Karakamsa itself is
Lagna, or the Karakamsa sign itself), under malefic influence, may cause
death by such means.
- "If the Karakamsa ascendant is
with Gulika, the native either meets their end by poison or takes others'
lives by poison."
- "The native may meet a
poisonous end if the 8th house from the Atmakaraka (in Rasi or Navamsa) is
occupied by Saturn."
- "The sign Gemini can also
cause poisonous death (though not necessarily by snakebite, the context of
poison is relevant). So, we should also consider this sign."
* The
signs Gemini, Cancer, Leo, Scorpio, and Aquarius are sensitive to snakebites or
poisoning. The 3rd or 8th house is symbolic, denoting life and its end. The
term "Pada" can also signify any ascendant (Karakamsa, Arudha Pada
itself, natal ascendant, etc.). Therefore, whenever any house or planet
representing life is posited in these sensitive signs, snakebite may be
possible. Saturn, as a natural significator of longevity and mode of death, and
often related to chronic issues or difficult ends, its placement in these signs
in the Rasi, Navamsa, or Drekkana chart can increase the possibility of
snakebite.
6.
Navamsa/Drekkana of 3rd/8th House Cusps
Application
of the Rules: Case Studies
Case 1:
Elder of Twin Brothers (Expired due to snakebite)
- Birth Details: August 13, 2005,
11:46 AM, Udaipura, Raisen, M.P. (23N05, 78E30). Lahiri Ayanamsa.
- Event: Bitten by a snake on June
28, 2012, and expired. Dasa: Saturn/Saturn/Venus.
- Younger brother (born 10-12 mins
later) survived, different Navamsa ascendant (Pisces).
- Elder Brother's Chart Data
(Libra Ascendant):
- 3rd House Cusp: Scorpio 17°21'.
Navamsa of 3rd Cusp: Virgo. Drekkana of 3rd Cusp: Taurus.
- 8th House Cusp: Aries 16°48'.
Navamsa of 8th Cusp: Gemini. Drekkana of 8th Cusp: Leo.
- Parivesha: Capricorn 19°59'.
Navamsa of Parivesha: Gemini.
- Atmakaraka (AK): Moon.
Karakamsa Rasi: Gemini.
Now, let us examine this horoscope considering the rules:
1.
Rahu is placed in the 9th house from Gulika in the Rāśi chart, fulfilling Rule
1-b.
2.
The
3rd lord Jupiter is conjunct Ketu and under the aspect of Rahu in the Rāśi,
Navāṃśa, and Drekkāṇa charts, as prescribed in Rule 2.
3.
Saturn is conjoined with Gulika in the Rāśi chart, corresponding to Rule 3-a.
Additionally, the Ascendant lord Venus is positioned in the first
Drekkāṇa of Virgo, classified as a poisonous Drekkāṇa. Saturn,
likewise, occupies another poisonous Drekkāṇa—the first Drekkāṇa of
Cancer—as per Rule 3-b.
4.
The
Navāṃśa sign of Pariveṣa is Gemini, forming a trine from the Navāṃśa
Ascendant, thus aligning with Rule 4.
5.
The
Kārakāṃśa sign is Gemini. The Sun forms a square (kendra) aspect to
it in the Navāṃśa chart, and Rahu also squares it in the Rāśi chart,
meeting the criteria of Rule 5-a.
The Ātmakāraka Moon is under the aspect of Saturn in the Navāṃśa chart,
satisfying Rule 5-b.
The 8th house from the Ātmakāraka is occupied by Rahu in the Navāṃśa
chart, as indicated in Rule 5-c.
6.
According
to Rule 5-e, the poisonous signs are Gemini, Cancer, Leo,
Scorpio, and Aquarius.
o The Navāṃśa of the Ascendant is
Aquarius, and the Drekkāṇa is Scorpio—both poisonous signs.
o The Navāṃśa of the 8th house is
Gemini, and the Drekkāṇa is Leo—again, both poisonous.
o The ruler of the Navāṃśa sign,
Mercury, is situated in a poisonous sign across the Rāśi, Navāṃśa, and
Drekkāṇa charts, aligning with Rule 6.
Moreover:
·
The
3rd lord Jupiter is in Cancer Navāṃśa,
·
The
8th lord Venus is in Cancer Drekkāṇa,
·
And
Saturn is in Cancer in the Rāśi chart, all reaffirming Rule 5-e.
- Case 2: 11-Year-Old Boy (Expired
due to snakebite)
- Birth Details: October 11, 1992,
6:20 AM, Gorakhpur (Deori), Raisen, M.P. (23N08, 78E43). Lahiri Ayanamsa.
- Event: Bitten by a snake in
sleep, died on the night of June 24th/25th, 2003.
- 3rd House Cusp: Scorpio 25°40'.
Navamsa of 3rd Cusp: Aquarius. Drekkana of 3rd Cusp: Pisces.
- 8th House Cusp: Aries 25°37'.
Navamsa of 8th Cusp: Scorpio. Drekkana of 8th Cusp: Gemini.
- Parivesha: Scorpio 22°28'.
Navamsa of Parivesha: Capricorn.
Now, let us
examine how the rules outlined above manifest in this horoscope:
·
Rahu is positioned in the 8th house from Gulika in the Navāṃśa chart, following Rule 1-b.
·
The
3rd lord Mars is conjunct Rahu in the Navāṃśa chart, fulfilling Rule
2-b.
·
Saturn is conjoined with Gulika in the Rāśi chart, satisfying Rule 3-a.
Additionally, the Ascendant lord Mercury is placed in the second
Drekkāṇa of Libra, classified as a poisonous Drekkāṇa as per Rule
3-b.
·
The
Navāṃśa sign of Pariveṣa is Capricorn, which occupies the 5th house
from the Ascendant, thereby conforming to Rule 4.
·
The
Kārakāṃśa sign is Taurus, and the Sun is in Kendra from it,
situated in the sign Leo in the Navāṃśa chart, aligning with Rule
5-a.
·
The
Ātmakāraka Venus receives the 10th aspect of Saturn in the Rāśi chart,
under Rule 5-b.
·
The
8th house from the Ātmakāraka is under the aspect of Rahu in the Navāṃśa
chart, satisfying Rule 5-c.
·
In
the Navāṃśa chart, Gulika occupies the 2nd house, and Ketu is
seated in the 3rd house, in line with Rule 5-d.
·
Regarding
Rule 5-e:
o The Ascendant lord Mercury, a
significator of life, is placed in Scorpio in the Drekkāṇa chart,
a poisonous sign.
o The 3rd and 8th lord, Mars, is
located in Gemini in the Rāśi chart, and Saturn occupies Gemini
in the Navāṃśa chart and Leo in the Drekkāṇa chart—Gemini
and Leo being poisonous signs.
·
The
Navāṃśa sign of the 8th house is Scorpio, and the Drekkāṇa sign is
Gemini—both classified as poisonous.
o The Navāṃśa lord of the 8th house,
Mars, is conjunct Rahu in the Navāṃśa chart.
o The Drekkāṇa lord of the 8th house,
Mercury, is seated in Scorpio in the Drekkāṇa chart, further affirming the
rule.
·
The
Navāṃśa of the 3rd house is Aquarius, and the Drekkāṇa sign is Pisces.
o Aquarius, being a poisonous sign, is
significant here.
o The Navāṃśa lord of the 3rd house,
Saturn, is placed in Gemini in the Navāṃśa chart—a poisonous sign.
Footnotes:
- Parivesha Calculation: Parivesha
is a sub-planet (Upagraha). Its longitude can be calculated by deducting
the Sun's tropical longitude (as per Lahiri Ayanamsa, which is sidereal,
so this part might need clarification or implies a specific method for
deriving a point related to the Sun) from 1 Sign, 16 degrees, and 40
minutes (i.e., 46°40'). If the Sun's longitude is greater, add 360° before
subtracting.
- "The longitudes of the Sun
must be according to the Lahiri ephemeris. Don`t rely on any software
without proper examination. Different software gives varying longitude.
Any error, even in the minutes, can change Navamsa's position of
Parivesha."
- Drekkana Calculation Method: I
have considered the Drekkana of continuous reckoning (the first Drekkana
of a sign is the sign itself, the second is the next sign, the third is
the sign after that, cycling through the zodiac), not the Parashari method,
which jumps to the 5th and 9th signs.
Additional Birth Details for Study (Snakebite Cases):
- Born
August 22, 1974, at 21h 55m at Jabalpur (23N10, 79E57). (Bitten three
times, survived each time).
- Born
April 13, 1990, at 23h 40m at Gorakhpur (Deori), Raisen, M.P. (23N08,
78E43). (Met with death, exact date unavailable).
- Female
born June 9, 2007, at 22h 30m at Bhopal (23N17, 77E28). (Death was the
result).
- Female
born May 18, 2001, at about 17h 00m at Baretha, Narsinghpur, M.P. (23N00,
79E20). (Bitten on 10/08/2005 in her 5th year, death resulted).
- Male
born July 22, 1969, about 6h 00m at Jaithari, Raisen, M.P. (23N14, 78E37).
---------------------------------------------------------Raghvendra Khare
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