Ashtakavarga System of Prediction Part – 41 by Dr.E.S.Neelakantan

We have discussed the charts of Mrs. Indra Gandhi and Steve Jobs to understand the intricacies of Ashtakavarga System especially with reference to Saturn. In this part we will continue our discussion on Saturn and its role in shaping the course of events. One query which students of Astrology raise in their interaction with me is with regard to the role of Saturn as a functional benefic in certain charts and how it should be interpreted. Since this is a doubt which all of us have, I thought in this writing-up, I will offer my thoughts on this subject. Sometimes great Scholars of Astrology venture to clear doubts and at the end of the session, a student who had three doubts would return home with thirty! Hope I don’t enter this “Elite Club” of Astrologers after this article gets published! Saturn in the Sixth is supposed to be highly favourable both in Natal charts as well as Gochara. This is true not only of Saturn but natural malefics in general ,meaning Mars, Ketu, Rahu and Sun in addition to Saturn. Since Rahu or Ketu have no ownership of houses- their presence in the Sixth is an unmixed blessing. Sun owns Leo and becomes extremely favourable for Pisces ascendant. Natives with Virgo rising are favored by Sun in the Sixth with the presence of a partial Vipareetha raja yoga. Let us understand how Saturn in Sixth behaves in a chart. Take the case of Taurus ascendant. When Saturn is in Sixth, it is case of a natural malefic in Sixth, which is favourable plus the fact Saturn is exalted. Saturn as lord of 9 in 6 will, in the process give rise to Nirbhagya Yoga (Phaladeepika, chapter 6, verse 66). Commenting on this yoga Mantreswara takes the view: “ The person with such a yoga is irreligious, despises his guru, wears worn-out clothes, is indigent, miserable and is bound to lose his paternal property”. This explains Saturn’s functional role. In contrast Saturn in the Sixth makes a person brave, good looking, gluttonous, lustful and a vanquisher of foes. Most authors opine that Saturn in Sixth makes a person rich, powerful, respected by enemies, victorious and ethical in conduct. This view is canvassed inter alia by Varahamihira, Maharishi Parasara, Vasishta and Vaidyanatha. The confusion arises on account of the fact that if we consider Saturn’s natural role, we have to predict good results. If we consider Saturn’s functional role, we have to predict negative results. Summing up, is Saturn a boon or a bane, when it is in Libra for a person born in Taurus ascendant? The confusion arises because we are tending to mix up Saturn’s role with three different houses 6, 9 and10. Let us understand the basics first. •

Saturn is the lord of 9 and 10.

• •

Saturn is the occupant of 6 Saturn is exalted in Libra. Let us now analyse the pros and cons of Saturn in this context.

Positives: Saturn as a natural malefic in 6 is good Saturn as an exalted planet is good Exaltation of a Yogakaraka planet is also desirable. Saturn is an Upachaya house is favourable. Negatives:

Saturn as a Yogakaraka in 6 is not favourable Nexus between an auspicious house (say 9 or 10) with an inauspicious house (6) is bad.

When we analyse charts from the point of view of predictive astrology, much more emphasis has to be laid on the functional role of a planet than its natural role. The natural role is common to all persons born in the world but the functional role is specific to a person born in a particular rising sign. As a general dictum, we need to understand that in Astrology, special rules override general rules. In my humble opinion, Saturn in Libra is an undesirable placement for a person born in Taurus ascendant. 2. For a person born in Virgo ascendant, Saturn in 6 is highly favourable. But Saturn as lord of 5 in 6 is unfavourable. Let us consider two examples A) Take the case of a person born in Virgo ascendant with Mars and Rahu in 5 and Saturn in 6. Two natural malefics in 5 spoil that house when the lord of 5 simultaneously afflicted. Thus the overall effect of Saturn is 6 is detrimental to the 5th house. B) If Saturn is in 6 and Mercury with Venus is in 5 for Virgo ascendant, the evil arising out of the 5th lord’s occupation 6 considerably reduced by two benefics occupying the 5th house. In this case the adverse effect of lord of 5 in 6 is considerably reduced. In this case Saturn as lord of 6 in 6 minimises the evil attributable to the 6th, while Mercury and Venus take care of the 5th house. This is a beneficial placement. 3. Take the case of Leo ascendant with Saturn in 6. This is desirable because Saturn is both a natural as well as functional malefic for Leo ascendant. In this case the drawback would be,

Saturn as lord of 7 is in the 6th. If the 7th house is otherwise compensated by benefic influences, Saturn’s presence in the 6th would operate favourably. 4. For Gemini Ascendant, when Saturn occupies 6th, three main points arise: a) Saturn is afflicted in Scorpio while being in enemy’s house. b) Saturn occupies the house of malefic. c) Saturn is not only lord of 8 but also the karaka planet of 8th house. If all these factors are considered in toto, the minus points far outweigh the plus points. “Without a wall, there cannot be a portrait” – so goes the adage ; Without longevity what is the merit in discussing a chart? I was once present when a client was discussing a horoscope with my Guru.The chartholder was sick and the query was whether there would be recovery and if longevity was there.The issue boiled down to Jupiter whose period was in operation.The Chartholder was born in Libra Ascendant with Jupiter in 6.We all know that lord of 6 in Sixth generates a favourable Yoga termed Harsha Yoga.Further Sixth lord in 6 is favourable as the general rule is that Bhava lord in Bhava favours that bhava.My Guru predicted that not only there was no chance of recovery but also the chartholder’s days were numbered.How could he make such a prediction which defied all canons of logic?The Astrologer relied on certain fundamental principles of Astrology.We know Jupiter is karaka of divine grace.How do we make that out? The answer is simple: Jupiter is karaka of 9th house and divine grace( Daivanukoola) is one of the matters signified by Jupiter.Since Jupiter was in the Sixth ,the Astrologer concluded that the chartholder would succumb to the disease,as God was not going to save him.One more factor which he relied upon was the view of the scriptures which say that diseases arise out of sins committed in previous births.Hence Jupiter in 6 could be a causative factor in sickness notwithstanding his ownership of that house.As predicted the chartholder,who was an eminent advocate in Chennai,passed away a few months after this episode.It was reliably learnt that some psychic had said that the chartholder had demolished a temple of Goddess Annapoorneshwari in his earlier birth which resulted in his getting some ailment related to the gastro intestinal tract in this birth leading to his death.The Astrologer who saw the chart had no idea about this prophecy but still came to the right conclusion about the existence of divine wrath by reading the position of Jupiter. My only aim in narrating this event is to enable students of Astrology to understand how Jupiter behaves in 6 compared to Saturn. Here is another interesting anecdote.A person went to consult an astrologer. The astrologer after studying the horoscope proceeded to give his analysis. The client asked “Is my present time good or bad? The astrologer replied: “Sir, because you are running Jupiter dasha your time is good. Because you are running Sade-sathi your time is bad”. The client said “That is precisely why I

have come to consult you. If you wish I can repeat my question. Is my present time good or bad?” Why I am narrating this anecdote here is to emphasis the fact that one’s period can either be good or bad – but not both. All astrological rules must be applied and only the resultant effort should be pronounced. A judge can either acquit a criminal or pronounce death penalty. But he cannot pronounce both simultaneously. To arrive at the judgment, the judge has to assess all facts both favourable and unfavourable. Likewise the astrologer must look at a chart from all possible angles and pronounce judgment. The confusion arises mainly because there are several rules in astrology which contradict each other. In this article I have taken up one such case for a theoretical discussion. The next time you come across a chart with Saturn in the 6th, please apply all rules connected to that and see if the resultant effect is favourable or unfavourable . I hope this writeup clarifies many of the doubts and misgivings,students of astrology have with reference to the functional rule of malefics in a horoscope. (To be continued)