Spirituality in Jyotish

Overview

The heart lotus - basics of spirituality and astamangalam; Also Ista devata, Palana devata and Guru devata.

Spirituality in Jyotish

The heart lotus - basics of spirituality and astamangalam; Also Ista devata, Palana devata and Guru devata.

Not concerning ourselves with the inanimate world, let us focus on the living beings, and that too the human being and spirituality. The astadala padma (eight-petal lotus) is the foundation of Hindu philosophy. It is based on the Kälacakra or the wheel of time,

which is composed of eight spokes and has the 28 constellations distributed in these spokes. Each of these spokes is in one of the cardinal (kendra) or intermediate (kona) directions and is reckoned starting from the east and moving in the clockwise direction. Based on this we have the astamangalam kriyä which is the ritual of worshipping the deities and the planets inside the horoscope before conducting a Prashna (Horary chart) or studying a horoscope.

Determination of deity

The determination of the deity is to be done in two stages. First is to determine the guiding deities of the native. These are the three of Ishta Devata or the deity guiding the individual soul towards emancipation, the Pälana Devata or the deity guiding him in the present life to improve his life and surroundings and the spiritual master or Guru Devata. These three form the primary tripod of his life and are akin to the Sun (natural significator of soul), Moon (natural significator of mind and the well being in this life) and Jupiter (natural significator of päka lagna and Guru) respectively.

Second is to determine the immediate problem and offer a solution. The second would be a short-term remedy that is really not going to help much in spiritual development, but is vital to establishing faith in God. All Jyotisha are advised to tread very carefully in this region of remedial measures as in our anxiety to help we should not end up doing bad karma.

Ätma: Ishta & Dharma Devata

Mahärisi Jaimini advises us to examine the ninth & twelfth houses from Kärakamsa to determine the worship. The ninth house rules dharma whereas the twelfth house rules moksa or emancipation. As far as the Ätmakäraka is concerned, its main objective is to attain moksa and the Ishta Devata of a person is seen from the strongest planetary influence on the twelfth house from Kärakamsa. Similarly, the Dharma Devata is seen from strongest planetary influence on the ninth house from Kärakamsa. Unlike the Ishta devata, the Dharma Devata helps a person to attain the ideals and objectives that the soul aspires for in this life, to achieve the desires of the present incarnation.

Strongest planetary influence

Step 1: Planets placed in the sign: The strongest planetary influence on the twelfth house is seen from the placement of planets in it. If more than one planet is placed therein, then their placement in Exaltation/own house etc should be considered failing which, their longitude (in the rashi chart ignoring signs) is to be considered and the one with the highest longitude is to be declared the strongest, which shall determine the ishta devata.

Step 2: Planets aspecting the sign: If there are none in the twelfth house, then the planetary aspects on the second house should be determined. In this case, the aspects of the signs alone are to be used, as the deities do not exist in a “human body”. If more than one-planet aspects, then

the strongest amongst them should be considered. It maybe noted that planetary aspects indicate directions to the deity and not the deity itself.

Step 3: Lord of the sign: The lord of the house should be considered. If there are two lords, then the stronger of the two shall determine the ishta devata.

Footnotes

1. The sign occupied by lagna lord 2.Jaimini\'s Upadesha Sutra: 2-1-68
2. Sign occupied by the Ätmakäraka in the Navamsa

Every part of this creation is a Guru, a teacher and the soul is constantly learning new lessons and refining the knowledge of older lessons in its constant interaction with the other souls or the super soul. The Rig veda teaches that the penultimate objective of every jivätma (living being – having a soul) is the param padam of Visnu. The ishta devatä will finally be a Visnu avatära although various deities could be guiding the native during this search for the ultimate truth depending on the influences in the twelfth (moksa) and ninth house (dharma) from kärakamsa.

Visnu means ‘<em>sarva vyäpakeshvara devatä’</em> or He Who is everywhere, in every being - big & small, animate & inanimate, in every form or manner. He permeates every part of the creation and the creation is a part of Him. This is the essence of the äkäsha tatva that is present everywhere and has a tendency to bind or keep things (parts) together. This is of satva guna and is not differentiated. It is this äkäsha tatva that is present in all signs and makes them work together in harmony. It keeps the parts of the body together. It is the cause and controller of the buddhi. Parasara explains that a predominance of this tatva is present in people born in hamsa mahäpurusa yoga (Jupiter) and causes them to worship Visnu. Thus, the ishta devatä & dharma devatä is Visnu.

The Ishta devatä mantra given below are based on my present level of understanding of the Bhagavatam and others should consult their Diksha Guru for their mantra. The Dharma mantras should be learnt from bonafide Diksha Guru’s. I am qualified to give the Gayatri mantra only and not the Yuga mantras. The latter are the foundation (four legs of Dharma). These mantra are known as (a) Mahämantra for kali yuga Rasi (b) Gopäla mantra for dvapara yuga rasi (c) Räma täraka mantra for treta yuga rasi, and (d) Naräyana mantra for satya yuga rasi.

<em>Table 5: Visnu avatära (Paräsara) for Ishta devatä</em> Graha Visnu avatära Japa (dvädasäksari) mantra Sun Räma om namo bhagavate mahäräjäya

Moon Krisna om namo bhagavate väsudeväya Mars Nrisimha om namo bhagavate narasimhäya MercuryBuddha om namo bhagavate

Jupiter Vämana om namo bhagavate trivikramäya Venus Parashuräma om namo bhagavate risikeshäya Saturn Kßrma om namo bhagavate akßpäräya Rahu Varäha om namo bhagavate shrisßkaräya Ketu Matsya om namo bhagavate mahämatsyäya

Jaimini adds that if Ketu the moksa käraka is in the ninth or twelfth houses from kärakamsa, then the native aspires for final emancipation. Further, if these signs are Pisces or Cancer (the natural moksa trines), the indications of spirituality are a strong influence.

Thus, the ninth house from the AK is the most vital deity who guides him in achieving the objectives of his nature - this is the dharma devatä. Yet, the real achievement is to lose the “self” identity of the soul so that in can merge in the consciousness of godhead. This is self-undoing and is seen from the twelfth house. From the Kärakamsa, the deity seen in the twelfth house becomes the Ishta devatä as it guides the soul towards the high spiritual ideal. This deity should be favorable; else, the entire voyage of this life could become meaningless.

Footnotes

1. Jaimini\'s Upadesha Sutra shloka: 2-1-69
2. Jaimini uses the terms "kriyä" and " cäpa" to refer to the signs, which by the katapayädi varga are Pisces and Cancer. Some translators have preferred "Aries" and "Sagittarius" as the direct translation of the terms instead. (Stanza 2-1-70)

“Trikone päpa dvaye mäntrika ” implies that if two malefic planets are in trines to kärakamsa the person is a mäntrika implying knowledge of mantra shastra and/or powers of invoking the supernatural by magical formulae.

The maximum number of malefic planets influencing the trines can be four and give this 100% strength. This will decrease to 75% for three, 50% for two and so on. The knowledge grades can be täntrika, yäntrika and Mantrika respectively. Täntrika is derived from the word “tan” or Body and “trai” to control. Thus, a täntrika can control the bodies of others or influence then in a positive or negative manner. Yäntrika is one who uses implements and drawings (yantra).

Mantrika is one who uses Mantra alone. These are also grades of knowledge of the occult. The point to be noted is that this only gives the extent of occult and spiritual knowledge. How is this knowledge going to be used is the next question.

1. “Päpadriste nigrahaka”: if malefic planets also aspect these malefic planets in trines (or if at least three malefic planets are in trines), then the native has the powers to summon spirits, grahas etc by using magical formulae.
2. “Subha driste anugrahakaù”: if benefic planets aspect, then this knowledge shall be used for the welfare of all. It should be carefully noted that the benefic in question is not in direct conflict

with a malefic involved in the yoga. Jaimini explains this point with some examples. If Jupiter and Rahu conjoin/ aspect the trine, then the native indulges in black magic or maybe subject to the same. Dental problems show up in the latter case as a symptom. If Saturn and Jupiter conjoin/aspect the trine, then both the native and the enemy are destroyed i.e. the native could die fighting for another person or self.

The noteworthy point is that whatever planets are in trines to the kärakamsa, they will take the native towards spirituality. Natural malefic planets are normally inclined to take the native away from the higher spiritual truths, but if they are in trines to the kärakamsa, they will follow the diktat of the ätmakäraka and steer life towards realization of the spiritual self. Consider Mars in a situation of extreme anger – if such a Mars is in trines to kärakamsa, the native will never use violent methods, and will instead look for magical formulae or other means like a coral ring to counter the negative influences. If a natural benefic planet aspects the ätmakäraka, the native uses this knowledge for the welfare of others as well.

While giving the list of deities for planets from the Sun to Ketu, Jaimini adds that if Saturn is ill placed in a malefic sign in the ninth or twelfth house from the kärakamsa, the native worships devils and indulges in other forbidden acts like black magic. Venus similarly placed also makes the native indulge in black magic involving the act of sexual intercourse etc.

Footnotes

1. Jaimini\'s Upadesha Sutra shloka: 2-1-83
2. A person adapt at Mantra shastra.
3. Jaimini\'s Upadesha Sutra: 2-1-80

Famous täntrika (Kärakamsa)

Lagnämsa is Scorpio, the secret sign showing abilities for occult studies with Venus & Ketu in trines indicating the tapasvi (penance) yoga. However, the absence of the aspect of Saturn on lagnämsa shows the lack of renunciation and the tapasvi yoga is to that incomplete, but will give the ability of Venus for penance and of Ketu for the occult studies.

With these abilities confirmed, examine the kärakamsa, which is Virgo (Mercury is the ätmakäraka placed in vargottama in Virgo navamsha). Two malefic planets Rahu & Sun (eclipse combination) are in trines to the kärakamsa indicating that the native is a mäntrika. Jupiter is placed in debility (vargottama) in Capricorn afflicted by these malefic planets. The Guru- candäla yoga indicates that the knowledge could be used for evil purposes like killing enemies (human beings). The aspect of Venus (natural benefic) on the kärakamsa tends to mollify and make him use the knowledge for good purposes.

Not getting into the misuse of the knowledge, when in jail the native announced that Ganesha would drink milk at all temples and urged people to offer milk. A strange phenomenon occurred when on the 21 September 1995 millions of people all over the world reported that they offered milk to various Ganesha idols and that all of them drank the milk. There was some controversy, but it is noteworthy that the native was under Saturn dasha, Ketu antardashas, Venus pratyantara dasha, Rahu sßksma dasha and Jupiter präna dasha. The involvement of the first three planets Saturn, Venus & Ketu in the tapasvi yoga shows that the native would have done some sort of a penance to achieve this miracle of sorts, and the involvement of the Rahu & Jupiter combination shows the use of his powers as a mäntrika.

Pälana Devatä

The Pälana Devatä is signified by the Moon and is responsible for guiding the activities of the members of the family in their material life. He looks after the individual during the present birth. Jaimini spells out the method of locating the deity in the sixth from the Amatya Karaka (in the Navamsa) in the same basis as the twelfth from the AK. It is for this reason that the profession of the parent was advised to the natives in days of yore. However, in modern day charts, this feature may not be present and the Pälana devatä will have to be determined for each chart. This deity should be favorable for good livelihood and financial success.

Footnotes

1. Amatya Karaka is the second among the Chara Karaka in the eight planet scheme. Jaimini teaches ‘amatya däse caivam’.

Table 6: Planets & deities

<strong>Planet Paräsara Jaimini Harihara et.al.</strong> Sun Agni Shiva All signs shiva Dual sign: 1st dreskäna Ganapati

Dual sign: 2nd dreskäna Skanda

Moon Jala Gauri Strong Gauri Weak Käli

Weak in Mars sign/amsa Camundä

Mars Skanda Skanda Male signs Skanda & Bhairava Female signs Camundä, Bhadrakäli etc.

Mercury Visnu Visnu Movable & dual signs Visnu avatära Fixed sign: 1st dreskäna Räma

Fixed sign: 2nd & 3rd dreskäna Krisna

Jupiter Indra Sambashiva All signs Mahävisnu, Jagannath Venus Saci Laksmi Satva signs Annapßrna

Rajas signs Laksmi Tamas signs Yaksi

Saturn Brahma Visnu All signs shästa & krita Rahu Durgä All signs Sarpa (snake deity)

Ketu Ganapati All signs Ganapati

Footnotes

1. Skanda is Kartikeya, the warrior son of Shiva.
2. The Satwik planets are the Sun (Leo), Moon (Cancer) and Jupiter (Pisces & Sagittarius). The Rajas Planets are Mercury (Virgo & Gemini) and Venus (Taurus & Libra). The Tamas Planets are Mars (Aries & Scorpio) and Saturn (Capricorn & Aquarius). This should not be mistaken with the natural nature of the signs on the basis of Movable (Rajas), Fixed (Tamas) and Dual (Satwik).

Guru Devatä

The navamsha sign of the bhrätrikäraka itself is seen for the Guru devatä or spiritual guide & teacher of the chart. The Guru(s) are indicated by the bhrätrikäraka as well as the planets conjoining and aspecting it in the navamsha. These Guru(s) would be teaching dharma, jyotisha and/or such subjects related to spirituality (Sun) or vedäÏga (Jupiter). Guru(s) in other areas are to be seen in other divisional charts. The strength of planetary influence on the concerned house should be seen on the basis or rules given above.