MUHURTA 6

 

Common Janma Nakshatra. - This is a further extension of the principle of common Janma Rasi. The Janma Nakshatras of the bride and bridegroom, being one and the same, are approved in case of Rohini, Aridra, Makha, Hasta, Visakha, Sravana. Uttarabhadra and Revati. The effect would bef ordinary if the common Janma Nakshatras are Aswini, Krittika, Mrigasira, Punarvasu, Pushya, Pubba. Uttara. Chitta, Anuradha, Poorvashadha and Uttarashadha, Bharani, Aslesha. Swati, Jyeshta, Moola, Dhanishta, Satabhisha and Poorvabhadra happening to be common Janma Nakshatras are not recommended.

Here again certain ancient authors hold that even though the Janma Nakshatras are same, the evil becomes nullified if the Padas are different. If the Janma Nakshatra belongs to two signs (e.g., Krittika) the Pada of the bride should relate to the preceding sign. For example, if Krittika is the common Janma Nakshatra, the bride should have her Janma Rasi in Mesha and the bridegroom in Vrishabha. If, however, the common Janma Nakshatra belongs to two signs equally (e.g., Mrigasira, Chitta, etc.) the sign for the first two quarters should be that of the bridegroom.

The couple should not have the same Janma Rasi, same Janma Nakshatra and Pada. However, in regard to Satabhisha, Hasta, Swati. Aswini, Krittika, Poorvashadha, Mrigasira and Makha, the evil given rise to by virtue of common Janma Rasi, Nakshatra and Pada gets cancelled if the couple are born in the first quarter.

Destructive Constellations

There is a belief current amongst the public that girls born in certain constellations cause the death of certain relatives. For instance, a girl born in Visakha is said to bring about the destruction of her husband's younger brother so that parents generally try to find out a bridegroom who does not have a younger brother. Even when there are other merits in the horoscope, it is rejected on the simple ground that the girl is born in Visakha. This is entirely due to ignorance of the real astrological factors governing such considerations. Only certain Padas or quarters should be held inauspicious and not the entire constellation. Thus, in regard to Visakha, only the last quarter is evil and not the first three. Therefore a girl born in the first three quarters of Visakha should not be considered to bring misfortune to her husband's younger brother. Similarly, the boy or girl born in the first quarter of Moola is to be rejected as it is said to cause the death of the father-in-law. The last three quarters of Moola are beneficial. A girl born in Jyeshta is said to cause evil to her husband's elder brother. Almost all authors agree that (certain parts of) Moola, Astesha, Jyeshta and Visakha are destructive constellations - Moola (first quarter) for husband's father; Aslesha (first quarter) for husband's mother; Jyeshta (first quarter) for girl's husband's elder brother; and Visakha (last quarter) for husband's younger brother.*

*Mooladou swasuram hanti vyaladouca bhidhankanam
Jyeshtadou jyeshtajam hanti visakhantecha devaram

The So-called Kuja Dosha

The position of Venus and Mars is very important in judging marital relations. Mars whose element is fire rules marriage. Where he is badly situated or associated in the horoscope of a male or female, it follows that the sacerdotal fire gets extinguished soon. Such unfavourable situation goes under the name of Kuja Dosha.

It must be noted that in determining marriage adaptability between two parties, there are several elements of much more importance than Kuja Dosha. And the evil influences accuring from the bad position of Mars is only one of the several elements.

It is unfortunate that throughout South India especially in the Tamil areas, much is made of the so-called Kuja Dosham and this bugbear has been the means of destroying the happiness of many families by preventing marriages otherwise very eligible and anxiously wished for. So far as our humble experience goes it is only in the Kerala Sastra that mention is made of Kuja Dosha. The stanza runs thus: Dhana vyayecha pathale jamitre chashtame kuja; Strinam bharthru vinasamcha bharthunam strivinasanam. This means: - "If Mars is in the 2nd, 12th, 4th, 7th and 8th houses in the horoscope of the female, the death of the husband will occur; similar situation in the husband's horoscope causes the death of wife."

The Lagna represents body, the Moon, mind and Venus, sexual relations. Therefore, the houses have to be reckoned with reference to all the three, viz., Lagna, Moon and Venus. The dosha (evil) is considered weak when it exists from Lagna, a little stronger from the Moon and still more powerful from Venus.

The second house signifies family; the twelth represents comforts and pleasures of bed. The fourth rules sukha or happiness. The seventh indicates husband and eighth represents longevity of the wife or husband. Hence the position of Mars in these houses is supposed to produce this peculiar dosham or evil. If Kuja Dosham obtains in the horoscopes of both the bride and bridegroom, the dosham gets cancelled. There are, of course, many good combinations which assure marital felicity and much importance need not be given to Kuja Dosham.

Granting that Kuja Dosham is a factor whose occurrence should not be ignored, there are antidotes which are not generally known to the rank and file of Hindu astrologers. The exceptions are: Mars in the 2nd can be said to be bad provided such 2nd house is any other than Gemini and Virgo; in the 12th the dosha is produced when such 12th house is any other than Taurus and Libra in the 4th house Mars causes dosha provided the house falls in any sign other than Aries and Scorpio; when the 7th is other than Capricorn and Cancer, the dosha is given rise to; and Mars gives bad effects in the 8th, provided the 8th is any other than Sagittarius and Pisces. In Aquarius and Leo, Mars produces no dosha whatsoever. The dosha is counteracted by the conjunction of Mars and Jupiter or Mars and the Moon; or by the presence of Jupiter or Venus in the ascendant.

Thus, it will be seen that Kuja Dosha does not deserve that consideration which is now being paid to it. In the consideration of marriage adaptability there are various other factors which should be carefully examined.

We have dealt above fairly exhaustively with the question of marriage adaptability and have tried to avoid controversial issues as the book is intended for the common man who wishes to take advantage of the astrological rules to his benefit.

Electing a Time for Marriage

Ordinarily almost every Indian Panchanga gives important dates and times for celebrating marriages. The reader cannot rely on them as most of the dates given would not be free from important flaws. Moreover, the marriage dates selected would generally be in accordance with local usages. For instance, a Tamilian would not mind marriage being performed in lunar month of Ashadha (provided the Sun has not entered Cancer). But strong objection is taken to this by people living in Andhra and Karnataka. Apart from this, there is universal agreement all over India as regards the time, weekday, constellation and planetary positions to be obtained at the time of marriage.

I am giving below the most standard methods employed by scholars, warranted by experience and sanctioned by the ancient sages.

The lunar months of Magha, Phalguna, Vaisakha and Jyeshta are good. Kartika and Margasira are ordinary. The rest are not auspicious. Some sages opine that marriages can be celebrated in Pushya and Chaitra provided the Sun is in Capricorn and Aries respectively.

The following lunar days, viz., from the 11th day (dark half) to New Moon, Riktha Thithis, 8th, 12th and 6th should be rejected. The best lunar days are the 2nd, 3rd, 5th, 7th, 10th, 11th and 13th (of the bright half).

Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday are the best. Sunday and Saturday are middling. And Tuesday should be invariably rejected.

The best asterisms are Rohini, Mrigasira, Makha, Uttara, Hasta, Swati, Anuradha, Moola, Uttarashadha, Uttarabhadra and Revati. The first quarter of Makha and Moola and the last quarter of Revati are inauspicious and they should be rejected. Constellations not mentioned here are unsuitable and they should be avoided.

The following yogas should be rejected: Vyatipata, Dhruva, Mrityu, Ganda, Vajra, Soola, Vishkambha, Atiganda, Vyaghata and Parigha.

Vishtikarana must invariably be discarded.

Among the zodiacal signs Gemini, Virgo and Libra are the best. Taurus, Cancer, Leo, Sagittarius and Aquarius are middling. The rest are inauspicious.

In the election of a Muhurtha for marriage, as many of the 21 doshas (already mentioned) as possible should be avoided. The most important considerations however are (a) The 7th house must be unoccupied by any planet, (b) Mars should not be in the 8th, (c) Venus should not be in the 6th, {d) the Lagna should not be hemmed in between malefics, (e) malefics should not occupy Lagna. and (f) the Moon in the election chart should have no association with any other planet.

Apart from the above, the usual Tarabala, Panchaka. etc., should be looked into. Elsewhere are given certain special combinations which are supposed to neutralise adverse influeces. As far as possible, such combinations should be applied to secure a really propitious moment. Jupiter, Mercury or Venus in Lagna, malefics in the 3rd or 11th, would constitute a formidable force in rendering the Lagna strong. The following are some of the special combinations which are supposed to fortify the marriage election chart: -

(1) Jupiter in the ascendant, Venus in the 8th and the Sun in the 11th - Mahendra Yoga.

(2) Venus in Lagna. Jupiter in the 10th and the Sun and Mercury in the 11th-Vishnu Priya Yoga.

(3) Venus in the 2nd, Jupiter in the 12th, the Sun in the 8th and Saturn in the 6th - Sreenatha Yoga.

(4) Venus in Lagna, Jupiter in the 4th, Mercury in the 2nd and Saturn in the 11th - Samudra Yoga.

(5) Mercury, Jupiter and Venus in Lagna - Vijaya Yoga.

(6) Venus and Jupiter in Lagna elevated or otherwise strong - Jaya Yoga.

(7) Saturn in the 3rd, Jupiter in the 6th, the Sun in the 10th and Mars in the 11th - Pushya Yoga.

(8) Mars in the 3rd, Saturn in the 6th, Venus in the 9th, Jupiter in the 12th - Maharshi Yoga.

(9) Venus in Lagna, Jupiter in the 11th - Ardhama Yoga.

Thus, it will be seen that the Hindus have devised an astrological means of judging marriage compatibility whereby the relations between the couple may stand the strain of maladjustment. If astrological advices are properly heeded to. there will be fewer tragedies than at present and less marital infidelity. Modern sexologists and sociologists will do well to study the theory behind the astrological rules bearing on marriage casting off their prejudices instead of criticising and condemning the system.

CHAPTER X
Elections Concerning General Matters

In this chapter, I propose to deal with such elections as have a bearing on the personal life of an individual. For instance, one has to buy or sell shares, buy or wear new clothes, etc. Auspicious times could be fixed for all such important daily activities.

Wearing New Clothes. - Aswini. Rohini, Punarvasu, Pushyami, Uttara, Hasta, Chitta, Swati, Visakha, Dhanishta and Revati are the best. Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday are good. Sunday is middling. Tuesday and Saturday are inauspicious. The 4th, 9th, 14th lunar days and New Moon day should be avoided. The Moon should be as far as possible in good aspect to the Sun.

Forming a Library. - Mercury should be in exaltation or occupy the Lagna. Thursday is the best. Fortify Lagna by placing a malefic in the 11th.

Employ ing Servants. - Avoid Tuesdays and Saturdays. Look to the strength of the 11th house lord. Saturn must be in the 11th free from the aspect of Mars or Rahu.

Make the lord of the sixth occupy the 11th and as far as possible, choose a fixed sign. Afflictions to Mercury should also be avoided as they bring about theft in the house.

Shaving. - There are certain people who seem to be under the delusion that the ancients were a set of fools and that their observations of phenomena - in their various aspects - do not merit the attention of the modern man. Many of the modern scientific discoveries had been anticipated by the ancients. Possessing a splendid language which stands unrivalled even to this day in its powers of expression and brevity, they employed Sanskrit words which embodied their scientific discoveries unmistakably. Intellectual prejudices go a great deal to warp the judgement of even the greatest men and some so-called men of science have entirely fallen into this inviting snare. The hair-spltting philosophers of the East, says the intellectual upstart of the modern day, do not deserve the slightest consideration for their scientific knowledge. The means by which the ancient Maharshis pursued their intellectual studies are not well known to us, but the fragments of literary and scientific works left to us by the Rishis have their own intrinsic value.

In the article entitled "Moon and Terrestrial Life, published in the April 1943 issue of The Astrological Magazine, Mr. M. V. Ramakrishnan has shown the periodicity existing between certain happenings on terrestrial life and the lunar movements. The following sentences which I am extracting from the article in question are significant. "Persons who wish their hair to grow dense and long should cut it in the first half of the Moon. Nails should be cut at the waxing period to give them a good chance of growing." Compare this with the principles given in Muhurtha works especially regarding the injunctions pertaining to shaving. People seem to laugh at the idea when astrologers tell them that they should have this operation on particular days at particular times.

The science of electricity was known to the ancients and it was the late Prof. B. Suryanarain Rao that was responsible for bringing into light this important fact. The human body is a bundle of electrical currents and the hairs and naits are channels through which this electricity is discharged. With a view to concentrate and preserve all good energies in man and to dissipate and get rid of all evil forces in the human body, the Maharshis have laid down certain rules, which when studied by themselves look quite arbitrary and meaningless, but which when carefully examined in the light of conservation of energy principle look most wonderful and striking with regard to the knowledge possessed by them in physical sciences.

According to Maharshi Vatsyayana, akshi (eyes), vaksha (chest), kukshi (stomach), sira (head), hridi (heart), hastam (hands), apatsu (feminine sexual organ), nabhi (navel), medhra (male sexual organ), adhobhaga nalayuha (lower intestines), buddisthana (seat of intelligence of brain) and brahmadanda (the seat of the ray of the-Brahma) are all seats of electricity. Hence the cutting of hair from the head means so much loss of vitality of the body. On certain lunar days owing to the nature of the electrical energies coming from the Moon-such loss of vitality from the body can be neutralised. Hence the injunction that shaving should be had recourse to at such times as would minimise or neutralise the flow of electric currents from these sources.

If a man shaves after food, he commits a great blunder as the electrical currents from his body, which are about to be discharged by the digestion of food, are harmfully interfered with, and as a natural consequence his health may be affected in course of time. Shaving means cutting off hair from some part of the head and face and this again means loss of electricity which is so very essential for the proper upkeep of the physical and mental faculties of an individual.

People inclined towards the practice of spiritual precepts generally grow beards. The idea is to avoid waste of energy. Eye defects, loss of memory, loss of sight, deafness and other injurious consequences are directly traceabie to promiscuous shaving without reference to day or time and many physical ills of man may be minimised by regulating "Shaving" in the light of astrological principles.

Shaving may be had in the constellation of Pushya, Punarvasu, Revat, Haste, Sravana, Dhanishta, Mrigasira, Aswini, Chitta, Jyeshta, Satabhisha and Swati. 4th, 6th and 14th lunar days as also New Moon and Full Moon days are not desirable. Similar considerations have held good in the matter of death and birth pollution and solar and lunar eclipses. The ancients studied sciences and laid down strict injunctions so that humanity may be benefited. They did not believe in simply cataloguing facts as we in modern times do. These may be sour grapes for those who are blinded by thick prejudices but they are sweet for those who have a clear mental vision and who wish to economise the waste of spiritual energy for their own ultimate good.

Cutting Nails. - Avoid Fridays and Saturdays - the 8th, 9th, 14th lunar days as well as New and Full Moon days. Cutting nails means discharge of electricity from the human body and one should be careful to see that the reaction on the human body is not adverse.

Buying Utensils, etc. - Place Jupiter in good aspect to the Moon while buying brass vessels; to Mars when buying vessels of copper; to Saturn if steel and iron; to ascendant if of silver. Avoid the asterisms of Aslesha. Moola and Jyeshta. For buying tools, similarly avoid the 8th and 9th lunar days and New Moon.

Buying Jewellery. - The Sun and the Moon should be well situated and aspected. As usual unfavourable lunar days and asterisms should be avoided.

Landing Money. - One should not lend money on days ruled by Krittika, Makha, Moola, Satabhisha, Uttara, Punarvasu or one's Janma Nakshatra day. One should try to receive money on these days. Tuesdays and Fridays are also inauspicious. Never lend money on a New Moon day happening to be Saturday. The lords of the ascendant and the 7th should be harmoniously disposed. The Moon's situation In Scorpio is bad for the lender.

Borrowing Money. - Do not borrow money on days ruled by Krittika, Moola, Punarvasu, Dhanishta and Janma Nakshatra. Moon's conjunction with Mars and Saturn shouid be avoided as otherwise there will be quarrels and litigation. If the money is intended for quick use on domestic or personal matters, the. Moon should be in good aspect to the ascendant. If the borrowed money is to be spent on business the Moon must be in a favourable situation with regard to Mercury and lord of Lagna. For any election, purity of lunar day, weekday, any constellation and Tarabala are essential and further considerations come in only later on.

Buying for Business. - Thursday, the 10th lunar day and the constellation of Pushyami are the best. Tuesday should be completely rejected. Saturday is passable. Mercury, the 2nd lord and the 2nd house should all be fortified. Avoid buying for trade when Mercury is afflicted by Mars as this will destroy stocks and cause discord and wrangling. Mercury and Jupiter in conjunction in Lagna or in mutual aspects would be highly propitious.

Buying Cattle. - Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday are good. The lord of the day in question should occupy the rising sign at the time of transaction. To buy sheep the propitoius time is that on a Thursday ruled by Pushya when Aries is rising.

Selling for Profit. - Let the Moon and Mercury be free from the conjunction or aspect of Mars. The Moon's situation in Taurus. Cancer or Pisces would greatly help the seller. Try to keep Mercury in a kendra from Lagna or at least in good aspect to Jupiter. Tuesday should be avoided. Monday, Wednesday and Thursday are the best. While Friday is unpropitious, Saturday is middling.

Shifting from Place to Place. More details are given in Chapter XIII. If one is to move urgently from one place to another. Janma Nakshatra should be avoided. Anuradha, Mrigasira and Hasta are the best. Journey on the 9th lunar day is prohibited. Yet in cases of urgency, one can move at a propitious moment. If you desire pecuniary gain conform to all the astrological requirements suggested in Chapter XIV. In any case, let there be Tarabala and Chandrabala and let the ascendant be fortified. The Moon and the ascendant should both be in fixed signs. Jupiter or Venus should be in an angle preferably in the ascendant or the 10th.

Recovering Money Dua. - The lord of Lagna should be strong and the election rising sign should not fall in the 8th or 9th from the radical rising sign. The lords of Lagna and the 2nd must also be well situated.

Pledging. - Articles pledged under Visakha, Krittika (Sadhana), Bharani, Makha, Pubba, Poorvashadha, Poorvabhadra (Vajra), Aridra, Aslesha, Jyeshta arid Moola (Theeshana) do not return. Jupiter and the Moon should be mutually well disposed. Tuesdays and Fridays are inauspicious as also lunar days declared generally evil.

Making a Will. - The Moon, the Lagna and the lord of the Lagna should all be in fixed signs. The constellation of Pushyami is the best as also Wednesday and Thursday - Tuesday and Friday should be avoided. For the benefit of the legatee, the rising sign should be one of Jupiter or Venus. Let Mars and Saturn be in the 3rd or 11th house. The 8th house must also be rendered strong as otherwise the testator will die.

CHAPTER XI
Elections Pertaining to Education

According to ancient sages Vidya or Education comprises the study of the Vedas, Vedangas, Mimamsa, Dharmasastras, Medicine, Music, Political Sciences and Economic subjects. Elaborate treatises exist on all these subjects. In order to get proficiency in the different branches of knowledge, education should be commenced under auspicious planetary influences. Each subject in which mastery is desired calls for concentration-to be applied in a particular form with a view to tapping the intellectual resources of the particular type-latent in the brain cells. Astrological consultation is held to facilitate such concentration as the moment selected for commencing the study of a particular subject is supposed to tune the mental currents to be in harmony with the natural forces.

The most beneficial constellations for commencing education are Mrigasira, Aridra, Punarvasu, Pushya, Hasta, Chitta, Swat}, Sravana, Dhanishta and Satabhisha. Aswini is held by some writers to be one of the best. Rohini, Uttara, Uttarashadha and Revati are neutral. The remaining ones are to be rejected.

Tuesday and Saturday should invariably be avoided. Sunday can be considered permissible if other atrological conditions are satisfactory. The following lunar - days are auspicious: - 1st (of dark half), 2nd, 3rd, 5th, 6th, 10th and 11th. The 4th, 8th, 9th, 14th and New and Full Moon days should be avoided.

The Lagna should not be a fixed sign. Common signs are the best and the movable ones ordinary.

In commencing education - be it of any type - one should have regard to two important Yogas given below: -

Saraswati Yoga -

(a) Wednesday coinciding with Hasta, the rising sign at the time being Gemini or Virgo with the Sun, Moon and Mercery occupying the Amsa of Mercury.

(b) Wednesday at sunrise when Mercury is in deep exaltation.

(c) Wednesday, when Mercury is in Lagna and occupies the 3rd quarter of Hasta.

(d) Jupiter in deep exaltation in Lagna on days other than Saturday and Sunday.

Vidya Yoga -

(a) Friday when Pisces is rising and Venus occupies the 27th degree of the same sign.

(b) Jupiter in deep exaltation and Cancer rising on Thursday.

(c) The day and constellation being propitious, the Sun must be placed in his own Hora.

If education were to progress satisfactorily, one must have due regard to the following considerations also.

The forenoon and the noon are the best. Malefics should be disposed in die 3rd, 6th and 11th houses. The 8th house should be clean and unoccupied by benefic or malefic planets. For starting education, Wednesday morning would be the befit provided the election chart is otherwise well disposed and strong.

Learning Vedas and Sasrras. - Pushyami, Dhanishta and Sravana are auspicious ones. Let Jupiter be as strong as possible.

Learning Astrology and Astronomy. - Aswini, Punarvasu, Pushyami, Hasta, Swati, Moola and Revati are good.

Learning Grammar. Logic and Philosophy. - Rohini, Mrigasira, Punarvasu, Pushya, Hasta, Dhanishta and Revati are favourable constellations for learning Grammar while for the other subjects Sravana, Satabhisha, Hasta, Uttara, Moola and Revati are good. The intellectual planet Mercury should be fortified as usual.

Learning Medicine. - Dhanishta is the best constellation not only for beginning the study of medicine but also for learning the use of firearms. An affliction to Mars by Saturn should be avoided. Let the rising sign or Navamsa be that of Mars or the Sun.

To Learn Music and Dancing. - Let Venus be as strongly placed as possible avoiding affliction by Rahu or Saturn, as this is said to lead to an immoral career. Hasta, Pushyami, Dhanishta, Anuradha, Jyeshta, Revati, Satabhisha, Uttarashadha and Uttarabhadra are the best. Harmonious aspects should exist between Jupiter and Venus. Place the lord of Lagna in the 5th or 9th and see that these two houses are free from affliction. Mercury-Venus conjunction in Lagna would be highly propitious.

Learning any Science. - The Study of any science can be commenced either in a Saraswati Yoga or in a Vidya Yoga under any of the special combinations mentioned above.

Learning a Trade. - The planet ruling the avocation should be well disposed in regard to the ascendant and free from affliction. The following are the occupations governed by the different planets.

The SUN denotes kings, members of political department, ministers, magistrates, lawyers and civil servants. The Sun favourably situated in relation to the 10th house bestows professions of the above nature. The MOON rules over nurses, midwives, jewellers, dealers in pearls and precious metals, and also governmental activities. MARS produces soldiers, warriors, carpenters, mechanics, surveyors, chemists, bankers, commanders, insurance agents, and butchers. MERCURY gives rise to preceptors or school masters, mathematicians, authors, printers, secretaries, book-sellers, accountants and insurance agents. JUPITER makes one a priest, a lawyer, a councillor, judge, scholar and a public man. VENUS produces artistes, musicians, actors, perfumers, jewellers, winesellers and solicitors with a keen intellect. SATURN governs different kinds of professions involving responsibility and subordination, mill hands, compositors, hawkers, factory workers, scavengers and manual workers in general.

The planet in question may also occupy the 10th house aspected by benefics. Tuesday must be avoided for learning any trade.

 

MATERIAL FOR BA PART 3 PAPER 5