Osho's Horoscope: A Case for the Aquarius Ascendant

The birth chart of Shri Rajneesh (Osho) has been a subject of astrological debate. While his date of birth, December 11, 1931, is undisputed, his birth time remains a point of contention. The esteemed astrologer Mr. K. N. Rao supports a time of 17h 13m, which yields a Taurus ascendant. The birthplace is the small village of Kuchwara in Madhya Pradesh.

However, nearly twenty years ago, at the beginning of my astrological studies, I came across his horoscope in a Hindi magazine* with an Aquarius ascendant, corresponding to a birth time of 11h 40m. The article detailed an inquiry Osho's father made to an astrologer. Unfortunately, I no longer have that issue, but the logic of that chart has always seemed correct to me.

Here, I will compare both horoscopes against the known facts of Osho's life to demonstrate the correctness of the Aquarius ascendant. Both charts are cast using the Lahiri Ayanamsa.

The Two Proposed Horoscopes on December 11, 1931, at 23N09, 78E21

1.    December 11, 1931, 17h 13m at 78E30, 23N05

 

Gulika= 8s-13°17`, Tenth House=10s-08°23`, Eighth House=8s-17°26`, Third House=3s-12°55`

Dasa balance at birth: Venus 06y 06m 01days

2.    December 11, 1931, 11h 40m at 23N05, 78E21

 

Gulika= 8s-13°17`, Tenth House=7s-18°29`, Eighth House=5s-13°13`, Third House= 0s-15°51`

Dasa balance at birth: Venus 11y 02m 28days

A Point-by-Point Analysis: Why Aquarius Ascendant Prevails

1. The Phenomenon of Not Weeping at Birth

There is a classical rule regarding the nature of an infant's cry based on the rising sign. It is famously said that Osho did not weep at all at the time of his birth.

The learnt reader must have known about the combination related to the child’s birth, that the child having the Ascendant of 1,2,5,7, and 10 signs weeps more at the time of his birth, whereas birth in the sign 6 and 11 weeps comparatively less, while in the sign of 3,4,8,9, and 12 does not weep at all.

• Aquarius Ascendant: This is classified as a "less weeping" sign. This, supported by his Sagittarius Moon (a "non-weeping" sign), perfectly aligns with the account of a silent birth.
• Taurus Ascendant: This is classified as a "more weeping" sign. Even with a Sagittarius Moon, a child born with a Taurus ascendant ought to have wept at least somewhat.

2. Siblings

Osho was the eldest of eleven siblings.

• Aquarius Ascendant: This chart strongly supports the presence of many younger siblings. The 3rd lord and significator of siblings, Mars, is in the powerful 11th house with the ascendant lord Saturn and other benefics. The 11th lord (elder siblings), Jupiter, is in the 6th house (8th from the 11th), but in exchange with the 6th lord, Moon, and aspected by Rahu & Mars, a combination that supports being the eldest.
• Taurus Ascendant: This chart fails to explain his ten younger siblings. The 3rd lord (Moon) is in the 8th house, and the significator Mars is also in the 8th. This severe affliction prevents many younger siblings from attending school. While Rahu in the 11th can indicate being the eldest in the same sex, it is aspected by its exalted dispositor, suggesting at least one elder sister.

3. Longevity and Accidents

• Taurus Ascendant: This chart has multiple short-life combinations. The 3rd and 8th lords are in a sign exchange, and the ascendant lord Venus is in the 8th house with Gulika, Mars, and Saturn. The 8th house Moon can indicate a watery accident, and the accumulation of malefics there suggests the possibility of further accidents. Osho was famously fond of swimming for hours and driving cars very fast, yet he never had a significant accident.
• Aquarius Ascendant: This chart supports a medium-to-long lifespan. The ascendant lord, Saturn, and the 8th lord, Mercury, are together in the 11th house. This aligns with his actual lifespan of 58 years. The 1st and 8th lord, both in dual sign, and Saturn and Moon, also in dual sign, support his medium life span.

4. Fame and Fortune

The conjunction of multiple planets with the Moon creates a powerful Rajayoga.

• Aquarius Ascendant: This yoga occurs in the 11th house, the house of gains, luxury, and fulfilment of desires. This perfectly explains the immense "Yash and Aishvarya" he enjoyed, including a fleet of Rolls-Royce cars.
• Taurus Ascendant: The yoga occurs in the 8th house. A Rajayoga in the 8th house is notoriously unstable, often yielding results only briefly before bringing misfortune. This cannot explain the sustained, world-spanning fame and luxury that defined Osho's life.

5. Oratorical Skill

Osho was a mesmerizing and powerful orator.

• Aquarius Ascendant: The 2nd house of speech contains Rahu, aspected by its exalted Rasi dispositor, Jupiter. This is a classic combination for a powerful, unconventional, and charismatic speaker. Rahu, when favourably placed and under a benefic influence, intensifies results unexpectedly.
• Some others, with good orators and philosophical skills, are Dr. B. V. Raman, Jiddu Krishnamurthi, Swami Ramtirth*, etc., all of whom have 2^nd Rahu within the aspect of Jupiter.
• Taurus Ascendant: The 2nd and 5th lord Mercury (speech) is in the 8th house, severely afflicted. This cannot explain his legendary oratorical skills.

6. Philosophy on Sex

Osho's controversial and central philosophy on sexuality serves as a critical test for the two charts.

• Taurus Ascendant: This chart offers a partial explanation. Venus, the ascendant lord, is debilitated in the Navamsa and under the influence of malefic planets, which could indicate unconventional views on relationships. However, the 7th house (sex relationships) is occupied by the Sun and aspected by a strong Jupiter. This configuration points towards more traditional or righteous partnerships and fails to explain the radical, Tantric nature of his teachings.
• Aquarius Ascendant: This chart provides a much more compelling and complete explanation.
• In the Navamsa chart, a debilitated Venus is conjoined with the Moon under the influence of other malefics. This is a classic astrological signature for a highly sensual nature and a mind deeply preoccupied with relational and aesthetic experiences.
• In the Rasi chart, the vast majority of planets are posited in the 11th house, a key house in the Kama Trikona, focusing the chart's entire energy on relationships and the fulfillment of desires.
• Crucially, this potent sensual combination in the Navamsa receives a strong, redeeming aspect from Jupiter. This indicates that he possessed the wisdom and spiritual drive to consciously channel and sublimate this powerful instinctual energy for a higher, philosophical purpose, turning sexuality into a path of meditation.

7. Mystic Nature

• Aquarius Ascendant: The 8th-house Ketu is a classic and sufficient indicator of deep mystical inclinations. The ascendant sign, Aquarius, is itself philosophical by nature.
• Taurus Ascendant: While planets in the 8th house can explain this, the Aquarius chart provides a more direct and potent combination.

8. Rebellious Nature

His rebellious and aggressive nature is well-explained by the fiery Sagittarius Moon combined with the unconventional, intellectual, and revolutionary nature of an Aquarius ascendant. The earthy, patient, and conventional sign of Taurus does not fit his personality.

9. Fondness for Water

Osho was highly fond of water, spending hours swimming and taking baths.

• Aquarius Ascendant: This is explained by two strong factors: his birth star, Purvashada, belongs to the watery group of stars, and his ascendant, Aquarius, is a watery sign*.

10. Evidence from the Classical Text "Garga Hora."

• Perhaps the most compelling textual evidence for Osho's correct ascendant comes from the classical astrological text Garga Hora. The book provides specific predictions for the five-planet conjunction of the Moon, Mars, Mercury, Venus, and Saturn. Let us compare the results it gives for this powerful stellium in the 8th house (Taurus ascendant) versus the 11th house (Aquarius ascendant).
• A. The Prediction for the 8th House Conjunction (Taurus Ascendant)
• According to Garga Hora, rule number 888, a person with this conjunction in the 8th house:
• “Will some time contemplate yet sometimes be detached (from that path)... will some time grow twisted (matted) hair, yet some time remains tonsured... and will have various (such) guises and will perform very cruel acts.”
• Verdict: This description is a poor fit for Osho's life and persona.
• He did not "sometimes" contemplate; he devoted his entire life to spiritual causes.
• The description of a traditional ascetic with matted or tonsured hair does not apply to Osho. This describes the guise of a traditional Sanyasi, not Osho's unique personality.
• The statement that he would "perform very cruel acts" is entirely objectionable and contrary to the facts of his life.
• B. The Prediction for the 11th House Conjunction (Aquarius Ascendant)
• Now, let us observe the prediction from rule number 1239 for the exact five-planet conjunction in the 11th house:
• “Will be endowed with Sastraic learning and wealth... will destroy his enemies... be a ruler... be highly skilful in Sastras.”
• Verdict: This is a stunningly accurate, one-hundred-per-cent true description of Osho.
• Sastraic Learning and Wealth: He was famously learned and maintained a vast library, which is still intact in his Pune commune. His wealth was also legendary, symbolized by his fleet of ninety Rolls-Royce cars and his jewelled caps, watches, and robes.
• "Destroy His Enemies" is a suitable statement for his intellectual style. He was famously aggressive toward his critics, often leaving them speechless with his powerful, incisive arguments.
• Be a Ruler: He was the undisputed ruler of his global commune, which comprised many thousands of disciples from all over the world.
• Highly Skilful in Sastras: This is a perfect fit. He possessed a profound and encyclopedic knowledge of the scriptures of all existing religions and philosophies, and he delivered countless lectures on them. He was also an admirer of astrology and lectured on its importance, later compiling his lectures into the book Jyotish: Adwait Ka Vigyan (Astrology: The Science of Non-duality).
• The predictions from Garga Hora for an 11th-house stellium align perfectly with Osho's life, while the predictions for the 8th-house placement bear no resemblance to him. This textual evidence provides powerful, independent corroboration for the Aquarius ascendant.

11. Arrest: Osho was arrested in the U.S. on October 28, 1985, on immigration fraud charges related to his large commune, Rajneeshpuram, in Oregon. The arrest followed, involving charges against his followers for attempted murder and bioterrorism.

Vimsottari Dasa on October 28, 1985, as follows for both types of ascendants-

Taurus: Jupiter- Mercury- Jupiter

Aquarius: Jupiter- Jupiter- Moon

The allegations of attempted murder, bioterrorism, fraud, and police (Cop), etc, are all related to the 6^th house. The 12^th house stands for jail. But he was not jailed—only briefly arrested. The 6^th house is the 7^th from the 12^th and can carry some of the 12th's significance, along with its own.

As per the Taurus ascendant, Jupiter rules the 8^th and 11^th houses and is posited in the 3^rd house. Further, in the Navamsa, it is posited in the 9^th house at own sign Pisces, which belongs to the Rashi 11^th house. Nakshatra occupied by it is Ashlesha, ruled by Mercury. Mercury rules the 2^nd and 5^th houses and is posited in the 8^th house. In the Navamsa, it is in the 2^nd house at Leo, which belongs to the 4^th house of the Rashi chart. There is no significance of the 6^th house or even the 12^th, attained by the Dasa lord Jupiter and Mercury.

As per the Aquarius ascendant, Jupiter is posited in the 6^th house, and the Moon rules it, clearly signifying the matter of the 6^th house and justifying the Aquarius ascendant.

12. Death: He breathed his last on January 19, 1990, in the evening in Pune.

• With a Taurus ascendant, all the planets are killer. Jupiter, being the 8th lord, is in the 3rd house; the Sun is already Marak in the 7th house, Rahu, being in the 8th lord's sign and aspected by the 8th lord, also proves to be Marak, and all the remaining planets, being in the 8th house, are also fatal. The exchange of signs between the 3rd and 8th houses is certainly life-threatening. It is a wonder how he reached 58.
• According to the Aquarius ascendant, at that time, he was in the Mahadasha of Jupiter, the Antar Dasha of Mercury, and the Pratyantardasha of Rahu.
• Jupiter, being the Lord of the 2nd house and being in the 6th house, is somewhat Marak. Mercury, being the Lord of the 8th house, is already a killer, and Rahu, being aspected by the Maraka lord Jupiter in the 2nd house, is a complete killer and justifies the event.

Conclusion

Based on this comprehensive, point-by-point analysis of his personality, life events, and the stunningly accurate descriptions from the classical text Garga Hora, it is clear that the Aquarius ascendant is far more suitable and correct for the horoscope of Osho than the Taurus ascendant. However, a change in the Navamsa ascendant is possible. I find the Vargottama Aquarius ascendant more suitable.

-----------------------✍️Raghvendra Khare

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Footnote-

·        ‘Jyotish Yoga’ editor Mr. K. A. Dubey Padmesh, Kanpur, U.P.

·        Dr B. V. Raman: August 8, 1912, at 19h 42m 44s at 77E35, 12N55

·        Jiddu Krishnamurthi: May 12, 1895, at 00h 30m, at 13N33, 78E30

·        Swami Ramtirth: October 12, 1873, at about 16h 00m, at 31N32, 74E22

·        (I know another traditional South Indian Sanyasi with the same Aquarius ascendant and Purvashada Moon who lives on a boat-hut on the Narmada River and is also extremely fond of water).

In another issue of the same magazine, an article was written by Osho sannyasi Swami Gyanbhed of Kanpur. In it, he mentions Osho's father's request to an astrologer about Osho's horoscope. In it, he recorded his birth time as 11:00 a.m. I have a photo of this article. The related excerpt is presented here.

Perhaps Raja is Osho's childhood name, or Rajneesh's name got corrupted into Raja out of affection.

Swami Gyanbhed was not an astrologer; it is possible that he wrote this article at the editor's request. At around this time, the editor himself, K.A. Dubey Padmesh, had analyzed Osho's birth chart. In it, he had cited a birth time of 11h:40m I had noted it at the time, but unfortunately, that issue got lost.