Health Issues of Relatives - Astrological Clues

This was an article published in the JULY 2012 issue of the 'Modern Astrology'. I thank Mrs. Gayatridevi Vasudev, the editor, for allowing me to share the article in social media. I hope you will enjoy reading this........

Health Issues of

Relatives - Astrological Clues

Dr. K. Guru Rajesh

It is a well-known fact that a person's horoscope can show the diseases he is prone to suffer in future. It is also within my experience that the kind of health problems one's relatives would have suffered in the past or would suffer in the future can also be known to some extent from the horoscope. This paper is aimed at showing the potential of a horoscope in indicating serious health problems to the native's relatives. This may help in cases where the horoscopes of the concerned relative are not available or as a means to confirm the inference drawn from one's horoscope. Only conditions that are of a serious nature such as those causing great damage to the quality of life or even death are considered here. The expression close relative would mainly include the father, mother, siblings, wife and children.

Different houses of the horoscope represent various relatives. The 4^th house signifies mother while the 9^th shows father. The 3^rd stands for siblings in general and younger siblings in particular while the 11^th rules older siblings. The spouse is indicated by the 7^th while the 5^th governs children. The following approach is used in this context:

• ·         Judge the concerned Bhava, its lord and its Karaka.
• ·         Consider the concerned house as the Ascendant of the relative in question and judge the horoscope accordingly.
• ·         Consider the sign occupied by the Karaka as the Ascendant and proceed with the analysis.
• ·         The sign that hosts a particular Bhava representing a relative will denote the body part as in the Zodiac which will be the main seat of the disease. Additionally, the signs occupied by the concerned Bhava lord and the Karaka will also hold the key to predicting health problems to the relative. Also, the nature of the planets involved in these signs has a say in the disease.
• ·         Look out for the sign which has more influences (two or more) of natural malefics either by way of occupation or aspect. The part ruled by this sign indicated by the Zodiac or from the concerned Bhava or from the Karaka will be affected by disease.
• ·         Disease causing planetary combinations given in the classics when present in these signs cause the particular disease in that part.
• ·         When a concerned house and/or its Karaka are considerably blemished but its lord has joined strong natural benefics devoid of malefic influences, the concerned relative will suffer the disease but there may not be imminent death.
• ·         When the lord of a house is afflicted in the house itself this can be considered as double affliction, both to the house and to the lord. This results in serious consequences.
• ·         Regarding siblings and progeny, a general indication can be got about the nature of the health problem. However, further details like the particular brother, sister, son or daughter who is likely to suffer may be quite difficult to guage. This has to be confirmed by examining the individual horoscope.
• ·         The concept of Neechabhanga or cancellation of debilitation may be ignored in judging disease and longevity.

Mother

Chart1: Male: Born September 4, 1978 at 01h. 58m. at 16 N 18, 80 E 24.

The mother of the native of Chart 1 has suffered breast cancer and has undergone mastectomy and radiation therapy. The 4^th house is occupied by the 2^nd lord and Karaka Moon, the 6^th and 11^th lord Mars and Rahu. The 4^th lord Mercury is in inimical Cancer with the 7^th and 10^th lord exalted Jupiter. The Moon, the Karaka for mother, is in Virgo itself which is the 4^th house. The signs involved here are Virgo the 4^th house, and the sign occupied by Karaka Moon, and Cancer, the sign occupied by the 4^th lord Mercury. The Moon rules over the mammary glands and Mars and Rahu joining Moon indicate cancerous growth. Mercury, the 4^th lord, occupying Cancer denotes the chest region of the Zodiac which also confirms the disease. Though the 4^th house and the Karaka are afflicted severely by Mars and Rahu the saving grace is the association of Mercury with exalted Jupiter without any malefic influences. This has saved the native's mother from serious consequences.

Chart 2: Female: Born November 21, 1936 at 10h. 58m. at 41 N 51, 87 W 39. (6h.W).

The mother of the native of Chart 2 died on June 17, 1953 of a cancerous brain tumor and a sister underwent a mastectomy for cancer. Let us judge the 4^th house. Aries is the 4^th house aspected by Saturn and Mars, two first rate natural malefics and by Jupiter. The 4^th lord Mars is in inimical Virgo in the 9^th. The Karaka Moon joins Saturn in the 2^nd. When we consider the 4^th house Aries as the Ascendant, its lord Mars occupies the 6^th in an inimical sign while the Ascendant is aspected by Saturn, Mars and Jupiter. Judging the horoscope taking Aquarius, the sign occupied by the Karaka, as the Ascendant it can be seen that the 6^th lord Moon joins the Ascendant lord while the 8^th is occupied by malefic Mars. The signs involved are Aries, as the 4^th from the Ascendant, Virgo as the sign hosting the 4^th lord and Aquarius as the sign where the Karaka Moon is placed. Going by the Zodiac, Aries rules the head, Virgo the abdomen and Aquarius calves of the legs. The combined aspect of Saturn and Mars falls on Aries and hence, the native's mother a suffered brain tumor.

What about the sister's mastectomy? The 3^rd house which signifies sisters is Pisces aspected by the malefic Mars while the 3^rd lord Jupiter is in the 12^th though in own house, afflicted by Rahu and aspected by Mars. When we consider Virgo, the sign hosting the Karaka, as the Ascendant, the 4^th house and its lord are severely afflicted by Rahu and aspected by 3^rd and 8^th lord malefic Mars. The 4^th house stands for the chest region and hence the native's sister suffered breast cancer and had to undergo a mastectomy.

Father

Chart 3: Male: Born April 18, 1987 at 12h. 10m. at 11 N 6, 77 E 21.

 

The father of the native of Chart 3 has been diagnosed with lung cancer which is in an advanced stage. As he has he already had three surgeries for his heart problem the doctors say they cannot treat him as his body may not tolerate chemotherapy and which could prove fatal. Currently he is being treated through homeopathy which does not seem to be working.

The 9th house Leo in Chart 3 is not occupied by any planet but is aspected by Saturn and Mars. The 9th lord Sun is exalted in the 5th but hemmed between malefics. Leo afflicted by the combined aspect of Saturn and Mars resulted in the heart problem to the native's father. Now considering Leo as the Ascendant, the most afflicted sign is Scorpio which is the 4^th house therefrom. Debilitated Moon joined by Saturn and aspected by Mars in the 4^th has given rise to lung cancer to the native's father. When judged from Aries, the sign hosting the KarakaSun, Leo is the 5^th ruling the heart while Scorpio is the 8^th hosting the Moon and Saturn and aspected by the 8^th lord Mars. This explains the terminal condition of the cancer in the chest area ruled by the Moon.

Case 4: Female: Born October 15, 1974 at 10h. 24m. at 30 N 22, 76 E 01.

The father of the native of Chart 4 has suffered from prolonged illness due to paralysis. The 9^th house is Cancer which is neither occupied nor aspected by any planet. The 9^th lord Moon is in Virgo in the 11^th joined by Mars and the Karaka Sun and debilitated Venus. The 9^th lord Moon and Karaka Sun do not receive any redeeming influence of strong benefics. When judged from the sign Virgo, it can be noted that all the four Kendras are afflicted by the influence of Mars and Saturn, while Mercury, the dispositor of the 9^th lord Moon and the Karaka Sun, is in the 2^nd hemmed between malefics. The Sun ruling vitality, Venus ruling veerya, Mars ruling the muscular system and the Moon, the 9^th lord, are closely associated and afflicting one another. This explains the father's paralytic condition and protracted suffering.

Chart 5: Male: Born on 16th August 1992 at 6h. 00m. at 20 N 14, 85 E 50.

The father of the native of Chart 5 has suffered from pancreatic cancer (pancreatitis) after which the pancreas was removed bysurgery. Later a lobe of the right lung was also removed as it was found that the cancer had spread to it. After a gap of about three years there was a relapse with the cancer affecting his liver and the alimentary canal to which the native's father succumbed.

The 9^th house is Virgo which is aspected by the 7^th lord Moon. The 9^th lord Mercury is in the 7^th house in an inimical sign aspected by Saturn and hemmed between malefics. Karaka Sun though in own sign Leo is weak owing to his occupying a junctional point. He is further aspected by Mars. It can be seen that the signs involved are Cancer - being the sign occupied by the 9^th lord, Leo - the sign occupied the Karaka Sun and Virgo, the 9^th house. These three signs rule the chest, stomach and lower abdominal regions respectively of the natural Zodiac. Though the Karaka Sun is associated with benefics Jupiter and Venus, the 9^th lord Mercury is weak and afflicted which resulted in the demise of the father. When judged from Virgo, the 9^th house, the 4^th is occupied by Rahu and aspected by Mars while the Ascendant lord Mercury is in an inimical sign, hemmed between malefics and aspected by the 5^th and 6^th lord Saturn. When judged from Leo, the sign occupied by the Karaka, the 5^th house is occupied by Rahu and aspected by Mars.

Chart 6: Female: Born 28, June 1987 at 3h.50m. at 15 N3 8, 77 E 17.

The father of the native of Chart 6 is suffering from leukaemia or blood cancer. The 9^th house is Capricorn which is aspected by the 9^th lord Saturn from Scorpio and by the debilitated Mars and the Moon from Cancer. Both the Moon and Mars are weak owing to their occupation of the junction point of the sign Cancer. The 9^th lord Saturn is in the 7^th house in a malefic sign; however, he is aspected by the Ascendant lord Venus from the Ascendant. The Karaka Sun is well placed in Gemini with Mercury. It is seen that mainly watery signs Scorpio and Cancer are involved here. This fact, coupled with the combination of the Moon and debilitated Mars indicates disease rooted in the body fluids, that is, mainly blood. However, the aspect of a strong Venus on the 9^th lord Saturn and the good position of the Karaka Sun indicates that the native's father would live for a few more years.

Younger Sister

Chart 7: Male: Born October 15, 1946 at 12h. 53m. at 41 N 18. 72 W 54, (5h.W)

The younger sister of the native of Chart 7 died on February 4, 1983 due to cardiac arrest suffering anorexia. The 3^rd house is occupiedby the Sun and aspected by Saturn from the Ascendant. The 3^rd lord Mercury is in the 4^th with Yogakaraka 10^th lord Mars and the 9^th lord Jupiter, hemmed between malefics. When judged from the 3^rd house, the Ascendant is occupied by the 12^th lord Sun aspected by the 6^th lord Saturn while the Ascendant lord Mercury is in the 2^nd with the 3^rd and 8^th lord Mars and the 4^th and 7^th lord Jupiter. The 5^th house ruling the heart is afflicted by the combined aspect of Mars and Saturn. The Sun placed in the 3^rd afflicted by Saturn and the 5^th from the 3^rd afflicted by the aspect of Saturn and Mars explains the death of the native's sister due to heart disease.

Chart 8: Male: Born April 25, 1978 at 17h. Om. At 16 N 10, 81 E 08.

The native of Chart 8 has three younger sisters. The youngest is mentally retarded since birth and she has to be taken care of byothers even for feeding, bathing etc. The third house that rules younger siblings is Scorpio occupied by the 11^th lord debilitated Moon and aspected by Venus from the 9^th house. The 3^rd lord Mars occupies his debilitation sign in the 11^th house. The 3^rd house itself is occupied by a debilitated planet while the 3^rd lord is in his debilitation. This indicates serious problems with the siblings while the involvement of debilitated Moon indicates some mental trouble. Judging from the 3^rd house, the 5^th house is occupied by 8^th lord debilitated Mercury who is afflicted by Ketu while the 5^th lord Jupiter occupies the 8^th house establishing an exchange of signs between the 5^th and 8^th lords. Involvement of afflicted and debilitated Mercury, Jupiter and the 5^th and 8^th houses explains the retarded mental growth of the sister.

Younger Brother

Chart 9. Female: Born July 25, 1986 at 14h. 10m. at 25 N 26, 81 E 50 (5.30 Hrs East).

The younger brother of the native of Chart 9 met with a serious accident in which his leg got severed from his body but which was later joined by surgery. This was in June 2011 and the brother is yet to recover fully. The 3^rd is aspected by 10^th lord Sun and the 8^th cum 11^th lord Mercury while the 3^rd lord Saturn is in the Ascendant in a Martian sign Scorpio hemmed between Mars and Ketu. The signs involved are Scorpio - hosting the 3^rd lord, Sagittarius - hosting the Karaka Mars and Capricorn - the 3^rd house. These signs rule the secret parts, thighs and knees respectively in the Zodiac. Serious affliction to the 3^rd lord involving Mars and Ketu (kujavad ketu) explains the grave leg injury of the native's brother.

Wife

Chart 10: Male: Born October 20, 1949 at 19h. OOm. at 29 N 24, 76 E 59.

The wife of the native of Chart 10 was diagnosed with uterine cancer. The 7^th house Libra is occupied by the 5^th lord debilitated Sun aspected by Saturn while the 7^th lord and Karaka Venus is in the 8^th aspected by Mars. This indicates serious problems to the wife. The signs involved are Libra and Scorpio which rule the lower abdomen and the reproductive parts of the natural Zodiac. The involvement of Venus, debilitated Sun and the affliction from Mars and Saturn explain the wife's uterine cancer. When reckoned from Scorpio, the sign hosting Karaka Venus, the 7^th lord Venus is in the Ascendant aspected by Mars while the 7^th is aspected by Saturn. This also confirms the earlier observation.

Chart 11: Male: Born November 12, 1973 at 7h. 13m. at 81 N 47, 16 E 59.

The wife of the native of Chart 11 was born deaf. She does not understand anything and she cannot even count currency notes. Her IQ is less than their son's who is in Class 1. The native got her ears operated and now she can hear though she cannot understand much. The native was cheated into marrying her by her parents.

The 7^th house is Taurus occupied by an exalted 9^th lord Moon and aspected by 2^nd and 5^th lord debilitated Jupiter. The 7^th lord and Karaka Venus is in the 2^nd house under heavy affliction from Saturn and the Rahu- Ketu axis involving Gemini and Sagittarius. Judged from the 7^th house, the 2^nd house is heavily afflicted while the 2^nd and 5^th lord Mercury goes into the 6^th. The aspect of debilitated Jupiter on the 7^th and the 5^th from the 7^th further complicate matters. These afflictions have caused impairment in the hearing and other faculties of the wife. Though there is benefic influence in the form of Jupiter's aspect, it is ineffective because of his debilitation.

Son

Case 12: Male: Born December 9, 1957 at 10h.OOm. at 15 N 19, 78 E 14.

The son of the native of Chart 12 died suddenly due to heart trouble. The 5^th house is Scorpio occupied by the 2^nd lord Sun and 7^th cum 8^th lord Saturn while the 5^th lord Mars is in the 4^th with the 6^th and 9^th lord Jupiter and Rahu. The Karaka Jupiter is severely afflicted by Mars and Rahu in an inimical sign in the 4^th. When judged from the 5^th house, the Ascendant is occupied by the Sun and Saturn who are in close conjunction. The Ascendant and 6^th lord Mars is relegated to the 12^th afflicted by Rahu and joined by Jupiter. If we judge from Libra, the sign occupied by the Karaka, the Ascendant is occupied by 3^rd and the 6^th lord Jupiter afflicted by Mars and Rahu while the Ascendant lord Venus is in the 4^th afflicted by the combined aspect of Saturn and Mars. All these planetary dispositions indicate severe health problems and short life to progeny. The close affliction to the Sun from Saturn in the 5^th from the Ascendant explains the seat of disease as in the heart ruled by the Sun.

Case 13. Male: Born May 7, 1954 at 12h. 20m. at 15 N 23, 77 E 14.

The native of Chart 13 has two sons. His second son suffered from fits and high fever during his third month and his mental growth was arrested which has made him mentally retarded with unclear speech. The 5^th house is Scorpio aspected by 4^th and 11^th lord Venus from own house. The 5^th lord Mars occupies the 6^th afflicted by Rahu's and Saturn's aspect. Jupiter, the Moon and Ketu aspect Mars from the 12^th. The Karaka Jupiter occupies the 12^th joining the Moon and Ketu and is aspected by Mars and Rahu from the 6^th. All these dispositions indicate trouble with the native's progeny. The 5^th lord afflicted by the Nodes and Saturn and aspected further by the Moon, Ketu and Jupiter indicate trouble with the mind and speech. When judged from the 5^th house, the Ascendant is hemmed between malefics and its lord Mars occupies the 2^nd under severe affliction. The 2^nd and 5^th lord Jupiter is relegated to the 8^th, a Mercurial sign, under severe affliction. This explains the native's son's retarded mental growth and unclear speech.

The Bhagavad Gita -The Astrologer's Guide

This was an article published in the July 2010 issue of the 'Modern Astrology'. I thank Mrs. Gayatridevi Vasudev, the editor, for allowing me to share the article in social media. I hope you will enjoy reading this........

The Bhagavad Gita -The Astrologer's Guide

Dr. Kotekal Guru Rajesh

“You can learn anything or go anywhere. I don't mind all that. But, I will not let you.1earn astrology". This was my father's stem reaction when I expressed my intention to learn astrology as a teenager. He had his own reasons for it. My father's neighbour, while going through the belongings of his late grandfather, had found his horoscope amongst the old papers. The horoscope said he would die on a particular date. As a result, he was said to have started worrying and gone into deep depression. He died exactly on the date predicted. My father was of the view that the lives of astrologers would be miserable as they would come to know impending disasters beforehand. Further, one would lose self-confidence and faith in self-exertion if one knew astrology, is what he told me.

When I narrated this incident to my astrology Guru, he told me in a grave tone, "What your father said is quite true .... but there is a way out of it. If you want to be a good astrologer you should make a habit of reading the Srimad Bhagavad Gita regularly”. I felt surprised and thought, he had mentioned the wrong book. I asked him to repeat the name again and he said with a smile, "You heard me correctly. If you ever wish to become a competent and happy astrologer you must not only read the Gita but also should meditate on the meaning of each Sloka". From that day onwards the Bhagavad Gita has been my guide.

Ideal Student, Ideal Teacher

The Bhagavad Gita portrays the ideal student in the form of Arjuna and Lord Krishna as the ideal teacher. It shows several situations where Arjuna fearlessly questions the Lord even knowing that he is the Almighty. Arjuna complains to the Lord "You are confusing me with ambiguous and contradictory words; please tell me with definiteness, the one thing which is best for me" (Chapter Ill, Sloka 2). Such an attitude of the student should be encouraged by the teacher both for the benefit of the student and as well of the science.

Krishna displays the attributes of an ideal teacher and does not imposes his views on Arjuna, After quoting the views of great sages, he gives his own that holy deeds like yagna, charity and penance should not be given up but are to be performed without attachment to the results (Chapter XVIII, Slokas 2,3 and 6). The Lord further tells Arjuna: "I have imparted to you the secret divine knowledge; It is for you to reflect on it thoroughly and then do as you like" (ibid, Sloka 63). When the ideal teacher in like manner allows the disciple to think freely and independently he facilitates the natural blooming of the student's intellect.

Overcoming Envy

There can be occasions when one feels jealous of the successful predictions and the reputation of other astrologers. This creates an undesirable mental block and hinders one from grasping the subtle nuances of astrology. Wherever there is extraordinary greatness, power, beauty or success in this world, it is nothing but a spark of the Divine Effulgence (ChapterX, Sloka 41). One is merely the medium -nimittamatra- for such excellence to show up. There can be no place therefore for envy as excellence anywhere must proceed only from the Lord.

Attitude towards the Client

One comes across, in daily life, different kinds of people starting from the greatly evolved, educated and cultured to the criminal, thuggish and the brute kinds. The Lords's injunction to astrologers is to practise samabuddhi and not discriminate those consulting them on the basis of their diverse backgrounds. (Chapter V, Sloka 18 and Chapter VI, Sloka 9).

One may sometimes feel averse to or scornful of cases where the client may have committed some heinous act and justify one's feelings that he deserves to be looked down upon. Since there is no such thing as sin but only ignorance which disappears with the dawn of knowledge, one must not let such aversion possess one's heart. The Lord says that even if one is the most terrible of sinners one can easily cross the ocean of sin with the help of the boat of knowledge (Chapter VI, Sloka 36). Hence, everyone is a soul with spiritual potential, an Amsa of the Lord (ChapterXV, Sloka 7).

Some cases may necessitate unpleasant predictions for which Sloka 15 of Chapter XVII provides a solution through practise of verbal penance by choosing such words as do not disturb another's mind and which are true, pleasing and beneficial. Wording the prediction carefully can many a time take away its sting.

Dealing with Death

Of all the professions, astrology deals with the issues of life and death the most, perhaps next only to medicine. One can imagine what Dr.Raman would have felt when he had to judge the longevity of his eldest son Suryaprakash who passed away in his twenties. Here too the Gita comes to one's rescue. The soul being indestructible, only the body suffers death. The embodied soul undergoes the stages of infancy, childhood, youth and old age in the body; likewise it undergoes the experience of death and one should not grieve over the inevitable (Chapter 11, Slokas 13 and 27). Meditating upon Chapter II will certainly give the strength and the required detachment and equanimity to deal with predictions of death.

Dealing with Arrogance

The astrology practitioner can sometimes become highly arrogant and egoistic (asura sampatti as described in Chapter XVI). A regular study of the chapter Daivasura Sampat Vibhaga Yoga can help the astrologer avoid such pitfalls and restore humility in one. Some astrologers claim having discovered new rules based on a few dozens of cases and even go to the extent of belittling the ancient masters. According to the Gita, (Chapter XVI,

Sloka 23) whoever, setting aside the injunctions of the Sastras, behaves according to one's whims, can attain neither perfection nor happiness. This does not mean that one should not experiment but that should be done within the confines of the broad rules laid down by the ancient masters.

Self-Exertion

There is a misconception that astrology is a fatalistic science and makes people indolent and stop exerting themselves. When one understands that the horoscope only points out that one's present situation in life is the result of one's own past deeds, one would strive to make the present better for a brighter future. Slokas 5 and 6 of Chapter VI exhort one to strive to improve oneself and stress that one is one's own best friend as well as one's own enemy and help in overcoming such misconceptions.

Remedial Measures

Remedial measures in the form of worshipping various planetary deities form an important part of Vedic astrology. Even one striving for spiritual evolution should not neglect worship as it constitutes one of the important panchayagnas - daivayagna which come under the Nitya Karmas or regular duties that a householder is bound to perform. In Chapter Ill, the Gita says that one must worship the deities through the medium of the yagna when they would be pleased and grant one's wishes. In this way both the worshipper and the worshipped would sustain each other and obtain great benefit (ChapterIll, Sloka 11). In the same way, remedial measures, in the form of yagna help in alleviating the results of past bad Karma. Yagna is any kind of worship done with sincerity and devotion.

Handling Success and Failure

No astrologer would deny the elation experienced with one's first correct prediction. This may even make one feel that one has become a great astrologer and also get carried away by the flattery of fellow astrologers and one's admirers. Sloka 22 of Chapter V reminds one of the fleeting nature of the world. And that objects of happiness are in fact the seeds of misery as they have a beginning and an end. Hence one should not be carried away by such successes or gloat over them.

Astrology is Karma Yoga

There are times when one feels disappointed with astrology and feels one would be better off pursuing some other activity. This may be because of the difficulty in understanding the subject or the failure of some astrological dictum which may have worked previously, or it may be because of the meagre financial returns and recognition that may not match the time and effort invested. At such times, one must understand astrology has not been forced on any of its practitioners. In my own case, it was my interest in it that made me burn the midnight oil over it. I always marvelled at this science and aspired to become an astrologer. Hence, it is swakarma and swadharma that is ingrained in one's personality that draws one to astrology and which is not induced by extraneous influences. When Arjuna wants to quit the battlefield, Lord Krishna says: "If you, however, resolve not to fight and want to leave the battlefield, your decision is futile because you are bound by your own nature to your duty as a warrior and will certainly fight the war even though wishing the contrary" (Chapter XVIII, Sloka 59 and 60). In the same way astrologers too are bound by their interest in astrology and cannot fight this natural tendency.. Further, according to Slokas 47 and 48, just as fire is always associated with smoke, every activity is associated with some defect. It is better to stick to one's own work though with defects, than to perform another's in a flawless manner. If one should feel that by discarding the pursuit of astrology one is actually performing an act of renunciation, then it is a fallacy. Giving up one's duty because it is difficult or involves physical discomfort, is not true renunciation (Sloka 8, ibid XVIII). However, if one performs one's duty considering it to be an act of worship, renouncing the attachment to results, then that is true renunciation (Sloka 9, ibid18). The best way to do any work is to work without desire for the results. This may sound impractical but by avoiding such attachment one can perform one's work without any distracting thoughts of success or failure. This gradually pacifies the mind and brings out the best from one. Yoga is skill in action (Chapter IV, Sloka 18 and Chapter II, Sloka 50). And this should be the guiding motto of the astrologer.

The beauty of Karma Yoga lies in the fact that there is no need to change anything externally in one's life. The change is only within the mind in one's approach towards work being done without attachment to the results and as an act of worship (Chapter Ill, Sloka 25). Then work becomes Yagna or Karma Yoga. With the sacred Bhagavad Gita as a guide, an astrologer can pursue his work with confidence and courage.

Poets, Musicians and Venus

This was an article published in the JAN & FEB 2006 issues of the Astrological Magazine. I thank Mrs. Gayatridevi Vasudev, the then editor of Astrological Magazine, for allowing me to share the article in social media. I hope you will enjoy reading this........

Poets, Musicians and Venus

Karaka for Art

THE SWEETNESS of music is known immediately through hearing whereas that of literature reveals itself slowly after progressive thinking. This is the opinion expressed by our ancient Maharishis about the two branches of learning and culture. Everyone has the right to enjoy the bliss of music and poetry. But only a few are blessed with the interest and talent in either music or poetry while it is rare to find one gifted in both. In this article I endeavour to bring forth the important role played by Venus in the horoscopes of poets and musicians in molding their personalities.

Music is above all languages and beyond any recognizable words. Music forms such as alapana, instrumental music etc., are devoid of words and are considered as pure music which can be enjoyed by anybody including an infant, a snake or an animal-all who do not know any language (httv&.er··r lIlv&Jer"ruen anl8Jx~ Tit£!). On the other hand, poetry requires language and one who does not know the language may not be able to enjoy it. But for those who know the language it gives indescribable happiness as they can contemplate it over and over again. Music when combined with lyrics of poetry becomes an irresistible medium to convey feelings and sentiments and to motivate the people to a noble cause. This is evident when one hears the patriotic songs brimming with sentiment, folklore music overflowing with innocent feelings and the Kritis of Vaggeyakaras filled with Bhakti Rasa.

According to the classical rules of music, composers can be classified into three types. A person who writes only lyrics (sahitya) for the songs is named as 'Matu-kara' while one who only sets to tune sahitya is named as 'Dhatu-kara'. A person who can both compose the lyric and set it to tune is called Vaggeyakara. India is blessed with innumerable Vaggeyakaras besides many Dhatu and Matu Karas. The trinity of Karnatic music- Shyama Sastri, Tyagaraja and Muthuswamy Deekshitar, are typical Vaggeyakaras besides many path setters like Purandaradasa, Annamayya and Ramadasa.

A person may follow established rules of Sastrakaras and develop a classical style or one can discard these rules and follow altogether a different path both in music and poetry. Also there are many shades between musicians and poets and lyricists. A poet who has fluent language at his command may be gifted with a melodious voice even though he has no training in music. By recognizing the sound pictures of different ragas, he can effortlessly sing his lyrics. Similarly, a bit of poetical rules will be known to the musicians also such as Prasa,Yathi, Matra etc. The unifying features between music and poetry seem to be the Laya or meter and the Bhava or Rasa. A comparative study of music and poetry is beyond the scope of the present article. Readers are urged to keep in mind the above points to appreciate the different proportions of music and poetry in both musicians and poets.

Among the planets, Venus is considered as the aesthetic planet ruling over sublime feelings and cultured taste. He is called as 'Kavi' a celestial poet. It is obvious to expect the powerful influence of Venus in the horoscopes of poets and musicians. In the classical text Bhavartha Ratnakara, the following verses can be noted regarding music and poetry.

Venus in the 4th house makes a person an excellent singer. If he is in th~ 2nd house he will be a poet adept in kavyas and alankara. These findings of our great sages hold good for most of the horoscopes in my experience. Besides Venus, the secondary influence of other planets is important in predicting the various sub-categories of art a person may follow. Musicians may be classified into singers, string instrumentalists, wind instrumentalists and percussionists. Similarly poets can be classical poets writing according to the rules of Chandas, lyricists writing lyrics of the songs following only broad principles of Laya and so-called modem poets without- any perceptible rules. Jupiter's influence is expected in vocalists while the influence of Mars and Mercury is needed for instrumentalists. Prominence of Saturn and Mercury makes one a percussionist. These influences will be modified according to the nature of sign in which the Ascendant, 10^th house and Venus are posited. In the horoscopes of poets and lyricists an inevitable influence of Mercury is expected, as he is the Karaka for writing and publishing. The influence of the Moon cannot be ignored in both musicians and poets as he is the Karaka for the mind, and a sensitive and responsive mind is needed for these fine arts.

Unconventional Deviations

The influence of Rahu and Ketu is necessary for an artiste to deviate from the classical path and create a revolution. The combinations of Mars-Rahu, Saturn-Rahu and Mars-Saturn are expected in such horoscopes, Venus, besides ruling the positive aspect of sensitivity and culture, also rules over the negative aspect of sensuality. If Venus is afflicted by in the above combinations, it may result in moral degradation and abuse of artistic talents manifesting in the form of addiction to alcohol, smoking and extra-marital and immoral contacts. The association of these traits is a well-known fact among many artistes. The influence of a powerful Jupiter coupled with unafflicted Ascendant and 10th lords should negate these malefic influences.

Of the twelve Rasis, Taurus and Libra ruled by Venus and Gemini and Virgo ruled by Mercury are the important signs inclined towards music or poetry. Leo, the 5th house of the Zodiac, has a tendency to these fine arts. Among the 12 houses, some houses have a greater say in these matters. The Ascendant and 10th house are the deciding factors for the general life of the native and his activity or Karma in this world. Further the Ascendant, Moon and the Sun that form the tripod of a horoscope should be considered in all matters of prognostication. The 2nd house ruling speech and education is important in the case of poetry and literature and also in vocal music. The 4th house indicating education and also being a Kendra directly opposing the 10^th house has a great influence in these matters, especially for music. The fifth house ruling over the mind and creative urge of the native is also important in these creative arts.

Talent and professional success also span a wide range of spectrum depending on the strength of Venus and the horoscope in general. If Venus is powerless, a mere interest or elementary knowledge can be predicted while a powerful Venus makes the native an expert in the art. Becoming an adept in the art is quite different from professional success and recognition in society, which depend upon the Raja Yogas and the strength of the 10th lord. A person may be an excellent musician or poet without much recognition and fame while another with average talent can be well known and famous. One may take the art as profession or be an amateur. All these different possibilities should be considered by studying the horoscope as a whole while analysing the potential for music and poetry in a native.

The following combinations are observed in the horoscopes of poets and musicians in my humble experience.

Poets

1. Combination of Venus and Mercury in the 2nd house aspected by Jupiter.

2. Exchange of 1st and 5th lords and presence of Venus, Mercury and Sun in the 2nd house.

3. Influence of Sun over Venus may give a royal and patriotic touch to the native's creations.

4. Powerful Venus in the Ascendant and the 10th aspected or occupied by Jupiter while Mercury is in the 1st or 2nd house.

5. Combination or mutual aspect of Mercury and Jupiter in Kendras while Venus is powerful in a Kendra or 2nd or 5th house.

Musicians

1. A powerful Venus in the 4th house.

2. Venus in the 10th house.

3. Moon in the 10th aspected by Venus from the 4th.

4. Venus in the Ascendant and the Moon in a Kendra.

5. Venus in a Kendra and the Moon in the Ascendant.

6. Mutual exchange between 1^st and 5th lords and the presence of powerful Venus in Kendras.

7. Venusian influence on the Ascendant, Moon and Sun.

8. Aspect or presence of Jupiter in the 2^nd house in all the above combinations makes one a vocalist.

9. Influence of Mars and Mercury in the above combinations makes the native a string instrumentalist (Veena, violin, sitar etc.)

10. Influence of Saturn and Mercury may create a percussionist (mridangam, tabala, tavil etc.)

11. Presence or aspect of Jupiter on the 2^nd in a windy sign along with the prominent position of Saturn (windy planet) may bring forth a wind instrumentalist (flute, nadaswaram, shehnai etc.)

Let us study some horoscopes of poets and musicians to substantiate the influence of Venus in bestowing artistic talents and success on these natives.

Poets

Chart 1: Rabindranath Tagore: Born May 7, 1861 at 2h. 51m (LMT) at 22 N. 40, 88 E 30

The striking feature in Chart 1 is the powerful exchange of houses between the 1st and 5th lords Jupiter and Moon, Jupiter being exalted and Moon in a friendly sign aspected by his sign-dispositor exalted Jupiter. Note the important combination of Venus, Mercury and Sun in the 2nd house. No description is needed to explain the literary genius of this great son of India which can be attributed to the above two planetary associations. These same combinations are also effective in the musical talents of the native resulting in the creation of a separate branch of Indian music "Rabindra Sangeet". The predominance of Jupiter on the Ascendant and Moon made him the 'Gurudev'.

Chart 2: Swami Vivekananda: Born January 12, 1863 at 6h. 33m (LMT). at 22 N 40, 88 E 30.

Swami Vivekananda (Chart 2) the stormy monk of India, was also a poet with musical talents. His poetry in Sanskrit, Bangla and English are of a high calibre. He had indeed undergone training in classical music in his early youth. Note the presence of Venus, Sun and Mercury in the 2nd while the 2nd lord is in the 10th with the Moon. There is an exchange of houses between the 10th and 2nd lords. Also, note the mutual aspect of the Ascendant lord Jupiter and the 5th lord Mars. The 2nd house from the Moon is occupied by Jupiter while the 2nd lord Venus is in the 5th house. Nothing more is required to explain the musical, poetic and oratorical gifts the Swami enjoyed.

Chart 3: Sri Aurobindo Ghose: Born August 15, 1872 at 5h. 17m (LMT) at 22 N 30, 88 E 20.

Leo, the 5th house of the natural Zodiac, rises in the 2nd with Venus, Mercury and the Sun in Chart 3. The Ascendant Cancer lodges exalted Jupiter and debilitated Mars, while the Ascendant lord Moon is in the 6th along with 7th and 8th lord Saturn. The association of Jupiter, Mars and Saturn with the Ascendant and the Moon explains the patriotism and spiritual achievements of the native. The combination which we are interested is the position of Venus, Mercury and Sun in the 2nd resulting in the poetic talents of the native which are coloured by Jupitarian and Saturnine influences.

Chart 4: Sri Suddhananda Bharti: Born May 12, 1897 at 10h. 19m (LMT) at 9 N 51, 78 E 37.

Sri Suddhananda Bharati (Chart 4) was a patriotic poet composing soul stirring songs in Tamil which invoked patriotic fervour in the Tamil people of those days. Note the presence of Venus in the 10th aspected by the 9th lord Jupiter from the 2nd. The Ascendant lord Moon is in the 2nd house in Leo along with Jupiter aspected by Saturn from the 5th house while the Ascendant itself is occupied by the 5th lord Mars with Ketu. The 2nd lord Sun is in Taurus, a Venusian sign along with Mercury aspected by Saturn. These planetary associations explain

the life of the great Kaviyogi.

Chart 5: A.B.Vajpayee: Born December 25, 1924 at 2h. 45m (1ST) at 24 N 54, 74 E 55.

LIBRA, a Venusian sign, rises in the Ascendant with 5th lord' exalted Saturn aspected by the 2nd and 7th lord Mars in Chart 5. The Ascendant lord Venus is in the 2nd with the 10th lord debilitated Moon. The2nd from the Moon is occupied by Jupiter, Sun and Mercury. The influence of Venus on the Ascendant as its lord and on the Moon bestowed a sensitive and responsive mind on the native while the presence of 5th lord exalted Saturn in the Ascendant and Venus and Moon in the 2^nd house resulted in poetic talents.

Chart 6: Male: Born February 8, 1959 at 7h.30m (1ST) at 14 N 42, 77 E 05.

The native of Chart 6 is a famous 'Sahasravadhani' completing the Herculean task of "Maha Dvi-Sahasravadhanam" successfully. He is bestowed with a musical voice and has received many honours and felicitations from the Government and different organizations. He is also an 'Asthana Vidwan' of a famous mutt. This highly celebrated poet has many Raja Yogas. The Ascendant is occupied by Yogakaraka Venus and Moon (actually, the Moon is in 12th Bhava) and the Ascendant lord Saturn is in the 11th aspecting the Ascendant and 5^th houses. The 10th house is occupied by 2nd and 11th lord Jupiter aspected by the 10th and 3^rd lord Mars. Considering the Bhava chart from the Moon, Venus occupies the 2nd house while the Sun and Mercury are in the Ascendant (with Moon). The powerful influence of Venus and Jupiter on the Ascendant and 10th explains the poetic and literary gifts of the native and his status.

Musicians

Chart 7: Female: Born July 3, 1928 at 5h. 30m (1ST) at 13 N 5, 80 E 15.

Chart 7 is from How to Judge a Horoscope-II by Dr. B. V. RAMAN and Gayatri Devi Vasudev. The native was a singer of classical traditional music with great popularity and charm. The Ascendant Gemini is occupied by its lord Mercury, 3rd lord Sun and Yogakaraka 5th and 12th lord Venus aspected by the 2nd lord Moon. The Moon is in turn aspected by the above three planets and Jupiter. The combination of the 1st and 5th lords in the Ascendant and 7th house can be noted from the Ascendant and Moon-sign respectively. Further, from Chandra Lagna, the 10th lord Mercury, 9th lord Sun and the planet for music, Venus, are combined in the 7th house, a Kendra.

Chart 8: Male: Born March 15, 1930 at 18h.30m (1ST) at 12 N 18, 76 E 37.

The native (Chart 8) is a veteran Vainika (veena player) and a great Vaggeyakara with equal proficiency in vocal music also. He has retired as a professor from the Music Department of Mysore University and is greatly respected in music circles. Note the position of exalted Venus aspecting the Ascendant and the Moon. Venus is also the 2nd lord. Jupiter is in the 9th house aspecting the Ascendant, Moon and the 5^th house. The powerful influence of Venus on all the three components or tripod of the horoscope, namely the Ascendant, Sun and Moon, explains his genius in music. The influence of Mars and Saturn on the Ascendant and 10th lord Mercury may be said to be responsible for his success in veena. Note Venus is not afflicted by Rahu, Ketu or Saturn.

Chart 9: Male: Born September 21, 1942 at 21h. 21m (1ST) at L 6 N 34 80 E 40.

The native (Chart 9) has retired as the Dean of the Music Department of a University in South India. He is a flutist well known for his proficiency in ·the art. Note the presence of Venus in the 4th in Leo aspecting the 10^th while the 10th lord Saturn occupies the Ascendant, a Venusian sign. Jupiter occupies the 2nd house in a windy sign aspecting 5^th lord Mercury and the 10th house. The influence of Venus made him a musician while that of Saturn and Jupiter made him a flutist and a teacher of music.

Chart 10: Male: Born April 13, 1963 at 20h.50m (1ST) at 14 N 30, 78 E 50.

The native (Chart 10) is a lecturer in mridangam in a Government music college in A.P. He is also a performing artiste with good concert experience. Note the presence of Venus in the 4th aspecting the 10th. There is an exchange of houses between Ascendant and 9^th lords, Mars and Moon, both being aspected by the 5th lord Jupiter powerfully from the 5th. The 10^th lord Sun is in the 6th exalted and with Mercury. The influence of the Moon and Venus on the Ascendant and the 10^th made him a musician while those of Mercury and Saturn, Rahu and Ketu on the 10^th and Ascendant lord made him a percussionist. The powerful position of Jupiter has given him teaching profession in his field of activity.

Chart 11. Female: Born January 25, 1976 at 9h. 40m L 16 N 36, 82 E 03.

Chart 11 is of a native, an upcoming classical singer, with good repertoire and recognition. Note the powerful presence of Jupiter in the Ascendant as its lord and the position of Venus in the 10th. The 5th is occupied by Saturn and aspected by Ascendant lord Jupiter while the Moon occupies a Venusian sign.

Chart 12: Female: Born January 22, 1981 at 10h. 36m (1ST) at 18 N 07, 83 E 25.

The native (Chart 12) is a playback singer in the .cinema field. She has also undergone some training in classical music but later shifted to light music and film songs. The Ascendant and 10th lord Jupiter is in the 7th, a Kendra, with Saturn. Venus is in the 10th. The Moon is the 5th lord occupying Leo aspected by Mars, the 2nd and 9th lord. From the Moon-sign, the 2nd is occupied by Jupiter and Saturn, while the 5th is occupied by the 10th lord Venus. Note the powerful Guru Chandala Yoga in the Navamsa which gets augmented as Jupiter is the Ist and 10th lord resu Iting in the native deviating from the traditional path.

The above illustrated horoscopes point out the importance of Venus in the lives of poets and musicians and also underline other astrologial conditions favorable for the nurturing of artistic talents in these natives.