Table Of ContentPREDICTIVE ASTROLOGY
OF THE HINDUS
Jyotish-Kalanidhi, Daivajna-Shiromani
PANDIT GOPESH KUMAR OJHA, M.A., LL.B.
Author of
Hasta-Rekha Vijnan, Anka-Vidya (Jyotish), Sugam Jyotish Praveshika
y
Bhavartha Bodhini Phala-Deepika, Triphala (Jyotish) Jatakadesh-Marg
a
Chandrika, Vyapar Ratna (Part 11), 1000 Aphorisms on Love and Marriag
PREFACE
There are in the market many books on Hindu astrology. I
have seen some of them. Still I have been prompted to place a
new one before the readers. That is because I feel I have been
able to present some new points of view which the readers would
not find in other works.
I do not claim to be original in the sense that I have evolved
any new theories. It is difficult to do so in a subject which has
been successfully dealt with by a host of savants and scholars
through the ages. I have been perusing Sanskrit works on astrology
since 1927 and have been practising astrology. I have had
occasion to go through ten Sanskrit commentaries on the same
work by eniment scholars who lived in the preceding centuries.
I have been charmed by their subtleties in exposition. Besides,
standard works on Hindu astrology deal with the same topics and
the number of such works is too large and their perusal is a
problem, particularly for the lay readers who do not know
Sanskrit. Even many who know Sanskrit will find it a thorny
path to follow fully the logic encompassed in difficult diction,
for erudition does not always go with straight and simple
expression. I have therefore picked and chosen what I have
considered best and only presented in cumulative form a few
drops of old wine in a new bottle. As such I do not claim
that I have evolved any new theories for I am only presenting
the quintessence from the works of old masters.
vi
While doing so, I have been conscious that I am writing a
book which is to initiate new readers into this sacred science
and if I pour into it all the wisdom of ancient seers it would add
to the learning but become so formidable that new entrants
will find it too difficult to follow, and it would defeat the very
purpose of making it a popular text-book for the masses. I am
fully conscious that I have not dealt with many intricate calcula-
tions and the readings based on them which can be useful
for advanced students and scholars, but that would have made the
book too voluminous and complex. All these matters I reserve
for subsequent volumes.
I have observed that a large number of people are fond of
astrology, but their interest in the subject becomes lukewarm as
soon as they have to cross the wall of calculations. Only a small
percentage has the patience and the perseverance to scale the
wall and enjoy the fruit beyond. So I have kept the calculations
at the minimum and diffused them in chapters 4, 7 and 12
so that they do not prove an obstacle at any place and present
an easy go over. Another feature of calculations is that in ancient
India time was reckoned in Ghatis and Palas. One day, twenty-
four hours, was divided into sixty Ghatis and each Ghati was
sub-divided into sixty Palas. All calculations in Hindu astrology
are on this basis. But now-a-days time is recorded including the
birth time, in hours and minutes. Many up-to-date ephemerides
also furnish time in hours and minutes. So instead of following
the complicated process of finding the sunrise time, calculating
the time elapsed since sunrise till birth and calculating the rising
sign and the ascending degree, I have introduced the modern
method of ascertaining the ascending degree by the trigono-
metrical method as given in Raphael's Table of Houses for the
tropical zodiac or Lahiri's Table of Houses for the sidereal
zodiac.
The duration of each ascendant varies with the latitude and
since the tables referred to above cover most of them, that not
only makes the calculation simple but more precise also.
Hindu astrology is sidereal. But in the West most of the
astrologers base their calculations and inferences on the tropical
zodiac. An increasing number of people in the West is, however,
taking interest in the predictions on the sidereal basis and they
want a text-book on Hindu astrology. To cater to their needs and
Preface vii
to enable them to convert a tropical chart into a sidereal one, I
have all through provided instructions so that the students and
scholars of the West may take full advantage of this text-book.
And with this view I have used the nomenclature Sun, Moon,
Mars etc. instead of Surya, Chandra, Mangal etc. and Aries,
Taurus, Gemini etc. instead of Mesha, Vrishabha, Mithuna and
so on. I must add here that Western astrologers use she for Moon
and Venus but in the Hindu texts the Moon and Venus are
referred to as he. There is a mythology that the Moon had a
liaison with Jupiter's wife Tara and thus Tara gave birth to
Mercury. Whatever be the import of the mythology, in view of the
above and similar statements I find it difficult to refer to the
Moon as she. According to Hindu texts Venus has a wife and
I have in view of all this stuck to the Hindu code of referring
to the Moon and Venus as he. While sticking mainly to the
Western terminology I have utilised essential Hindu terminology
where no single word in English could have conveyed the full
import of the technical term in Sanskrit. Instead of referring to
the term by circumlocution of English phraseology which would
have been ambiguous and created confusion rather than clarifica-
tion, I have preferred to use the technical Sanskrit terms which
have been fully explained in the appropriate contexts.
Those who are beginners will find that in perusing this book
they can start from the scratch and ascend gradually to the high
pinnacles of delineations and judgment. Those who are already
acquainted with the subject will find many new rules and the
discussions enlightening and throwing back the horizon of
astrological knowledge. While bearing in mind that a large
number of readers might be new to the subject, I have at places
explained the various steps at length or clarified the obscure points
which may appear unnecessary to those who are already aware
of the technicalities or the import of particular configurations in
the birth chart. To them my only apology is that though it would
have been more convenient for me to skip over the familiar steps
it would have landed in difficulty those new readers who have
not the grasp of the subject. Their need has also to be kept in
mind.
In regard to the calculations and predictions, fairly good matter
has been provided. But as in medical sciences, so in astrology,
one cannot become proficient by the study of theory alone.
via Preface
A certain amount of practice is essential.
I look forward to the prospect of this text-book being received
with interest and approbation by the reading public. If my hopes
are fulfilled I shall feel amply rewarded.
93-Daryaganj, GOPESH KUMAR OJHA
Delhi-6
CONTENTS
PREFACE
CHAPTER 1 The Zodiac
A general idea of the heavens—the earth's path round the Sun—
the zodiac defined and explained—latitude of planets—Sun has
no latitude—intersections of the orbits of Moon and earth—nodes
of Moon—Rahu and Ketu—the tropical and sidereal zodiacs
distinguished—constellations—longitudes of constellations—their
geometrical patterns—constellations in each sidereal sign—declina-
tion of Sun—equinoxes—precession of equinoxes and nutation-
conversion of tropical longitudes into sidereal. 1— 12
CHAPTER 2 The Birth Chart
Birth chart a sketch of heavens—the rising degree at the hori-
zon—the ecliptic—obliquity of the ecliptic—time taken by each
sign to rise—difference in durations of rise due to geographical
latitude—what is a house—domain of houses—their order—op-
posite signs. 13 — 18
CHAPTER 3 Time
Cycles of time according to ancient Hindu texts—different calen-
dars—the 60 years cycle—name for each year—the twelve Hindu
months—tithi (the lunar date) determined on the basis of soli-
X Contents
lunar distance—names of lunar dates—half tithi called a karma—
the names of karanas—their order—the Hindu panchanga (ephe-
meris)—the yogas or time durations based on longitudes of the
Sun and Moon—their names and order—Hindu unit of time-
ghatis and palas—the modern units of time, hours, minutes and
seconds—modern ephemerides—some inauspicious tithis, Karanas
and yogas at birth time—some unfavourable constellations for
Moon to be in, at birth — their effects. 19 — 32
CHAP TER 4 Sign Rising (Ascendant)
Duration taken by each sign to rise at a particular geographical
latitude—table of houses—common errors in calculating the rising
degree—calculations based on sunrise—how to calculate the
rising sign—standard time and local mean time—conversion of
standard time into local mean time—sidereal time—example work-
ed out for calculating the ascending degree on a particular date, at
a particular time and place—how to find exact longitudes of
planets and make the birth chart—different patterns of birth chart,
in northern, north-western, southern and eastern India—the occiden-
tal pattern—effects for each of the twelve ascending signs—some
special effects for particular degrees rising. 33 — 50
CHAPTER 5 The Signs
Difference between the tropical and sidereal signs—correlation
between signs and parts of human body—correspondence of signs
with houses—effects thereof—the physi al appearance of signs—
their places, countries, castes, male and female—odd and even—
watery and waterless—movable, fixed and common signs—their
directions—blind and lame signs—diurnal and nocturnal—biped,
quadruped and snails—mineral, vegetable and animal signs—short
and long—sign rising with head or back—auspicious and inauspi-
cious degrees occupied by the Moon in signs—the three
sectors, 51 — 66
CHAPTER 6 The Planets
Only nine planets—Sun, Moon, Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, Venus,
Saturn and nodes of the Moon—Rahu and Ketu dealt with in
Contents xi
Hindu astrology—their signs—exaltation and debilitation signs—
highest degrees of exaltation and deepest degrees of debilitation—
the Sanskrit terms avaroha, aroha, uchchabhilashi, neechabhilashi
explained—friendship, neutrality and enmity among planets—
natural, temporal and resultant relationship—planetary aspects—
the characteristics and portfolio of planets—ingredients of the
human body—complexion, some physical characteristics—tempera-
ment—glance—flavour—humours of the body—aptitudes—colours
—age—jewels—seasons—places—sex—deities—the elements—di -
rection—caste—the type of cloth—biped, quadruped etc. rising
with front part, back portion or both ways—qualities pertaining to
metal, herb or animal—directional strength—auspicious and in-
auspicious planets—manner of winning over—geographical regions
in India—significance of each planet—planets as significators for
particular houses—the Sanskrit terms papa and papi explained.
67 — 90
CHAPTER 7 Houses
What are houses—various systems of house division—older
Hindu system—equal house division—example worked out—cusp
of each house—domain of each house—house lords—placing a
planet in house—what to judge from each house—house lords
signifying matters pertaining to houses they are lords of—one and
the same matter judged from different houses—subtle distinctions
therein—some difference in southern and northern Indian schools
of Hindu astrology—parts of human body assigned to each house —
matters and affairs judged from first, second, third, fourth, fifth,
sixth, seventh, eighth, ninth, tenth, eleventh and twelfth houses—
details based on old Sanskrit texts—reference to these—a summary
of matters governed by each house. 91 —115
CHAPTER 8 Planets in Signs
Correspondence between signs and houses—Sun in twelve signs
Aries to Pisces—the influence exerted by Moon according to his
location in a sign—effects of Mars in the various signs of the
zodiac—location of Mercury in the twelve signs—position of Jupiter
in each sign—effects of Venus occupying any sign Aries to Pisces—
an analysis of Saturn's influence on the native according to his
xi Contents
position in various signs—effects of Rahu and Ketu analysed
signwise—detailed delineation of each planet's effects by location
in a sign of exaltation, debilitation or own sign—particularly
favourable or unfavourable degrees for each planet occupying a
particular sign. 116 -- 148
CHAPTER 9 Planets in Houses
Sun in twelve houses—first to twelfth—delineation of Moon's
influence according to his location in one house or the other—
how Mars affects the birth chart and matters connected with the
house he occupies—Mercury's location in any of the twelve houses
and the results thereof—Jupiter in twelve houses first to twelfth
and the effects produced by him due to occupying a particular
house—influence of Venus in each of the twelve houses of the birth
chart—Satums location in a house and the effects arising
therefrom -Rahu and Ketu's position in any of the twelve houses
analysed housewise. 149 —
17 6
CHARTER 10 General Principles of Judgment
Malefic tenanting his own house—aspect of a benefic or malefic
planet in own house conjoined with or aspected by a benefic—a
retrograde planet—planet in angle—natural and temporal friend-
ships compared—evil places—occupation of a house by lord of
an evil house—consideration of karaka (significator) along with
house lord—effect of good or evil combinations—house hemmed
in between benefics or malefics—lord of the house similarly placed
—a combust house lord—placement of karaka and various consi-
derations to determine his effects—evaluation of aspect of a planet
according to his strength—owner of two houses one good and the
other evil—lord of two houses occupying one of his houses—lord of
ascendant—some astrological terms in Sanskrit explained
apachaya-asta (combust)—dosha—dusthana—karaka—maraka-ra-
jayoga sambandha, upachaya, yoga, yogakaraka. 177 — 192
CHAPTER 11 Yogas—Combinations of Planets
Importance of yogas-18 yogas based on ascendant as a factor-
9 yogas connected with the lord of the ascendants-6 yogas per-
Contents xiii
taining to the Sim-20 yogas with Moon as one of the factors-6
yogas connected with births during day or night and concomitant
factors-8 yogas based on sign positions of planets-24 yogas
based on placement of planets in their own signs or their signs of
exaltation-26 yogas formed in birth charts according to positions
of planets in houses-66 yogas according to mutual exchange of
house lords-24 yogas according to the houses being tenanted by
benefics or malefics and their lords occupying good or evil houses
—9 yogas connected with lords of houses-2 yogas based on
directional strength-5 yogas connected with placement of planets
in their signs of debilitation-1 yoga based on retrogression-
kendra—trikona yogas fully discussed and guide lines for evalua-
tion of their effects. 193 — 219
CHAPTER 12 Judgment of the Twelve Houses
General principles—comparative assessment of one matter from
several connected houses—^instructions for judging yogas—conjunc-
tions—counting of houses—first house—second-third-fourth-fifth-
sixth-seventh-eighth-ninth-tenth-eleventh and the twelfth house—
detailed guide lines for judging each house and some special factors
for each house augmenting the good effects or enhancing the evil
effects pertaining to health, wealth, eyes, brothers and sisters,
valour, mother, land, immovable property, conveyance—intelli-
gence, education, stomach, sons, enemies, illness, wife or husband —
partnership legacy duration of life, longevity, death, legacy,
religion, general prosperity and good fortune—power—position-
income — expenditure, losses etc. 220 — 249
CHAPTER 13 Calculation of Mahadashas and Antardashas
Their importance in a birth chart, the major periods of each
planet—their order—Moon's position in the constellation the basis
for mahadasha—ready reckoner table to find the balance of ma-
hadasha at birth—proportionate parts for mahadasha according to
one or more minutes of arc of Moon—example how to erect table
of mahadasha—the duration of each antardasha in each maha-
dasha—their order—to find the balance of antardasha in a maha-
dasha at birth—example—how to erect tables of antardashas in
mahadashas. 250 — 259
