MaanSagar By HARJI English Translation and Commentary with Exhaustive notes By P. K. Vasudev Volume-IPreface ' ‘It is my profound privilege to present before the esteemed feaders the English translation of the most inspiring and enlightening ancient classic Maansagari which was composed by Harji, the son of a head priest from Gujarat who was a devout scholar of Vedic Sastras and was known for his great virtues. This primeval Grantha secured a coveted position and created a distinct niche in the astrological do- main for its many remarkable and unique exposi- tions. The much evolved and original character of the features covered in this text are so creative and rare that great astrologers termed this extra ordi- hary treatise as "Maansagari Paddhiti" and its most of the principles and weighty dictums are believed to be based on both Parasari and Bhrigu schools of thought. Maansagari Paddhiti as the textual nomenclature suggests is the unique system of delineating horo- scopes. It is a complete text. explaining the use of many-Yogas, different Dasa systems, transits as such and various Chakras. There is no other text which deals with all these lesser known tools of astrologi- cal prognostication namely Vargas, Dasas and Chakras. In this transtation, all possible cross-refer- ences are cited to present the views of other writers as well as explanation Of principles through examples and horoscopes have been presented, for the use by the students and scholars.viii Preface Maansagari acquired a marked and definitive sta- tus amongst the distinctive classics of olden era. This Book handles the most intricate subjects in a com- prehensive and authoritative manner and encom- passes almost all the aspects of the human life. This highly acclaimed treatise has not omitted any thing from its purview. It is because of these refined and pronounced dispensations, this book is greatly ap- preciated and is famous even today as it used to be in the ancient time. In fact, the eminent scholars and other avid readers attach much credence for its ex- ceptional compositions. A chronicle description of the text in the form of synopsis is being brought in hereafter with a view to give a brief expose to the wide range of subjects having been condensed in five chapters. The first chapter begins with eulogy of deities and Devtas. This text is the one amongst a very few Jyotish Granthas which enlists the effects of Sam- vatsaras, Ayanas, seasons, lunar months, Tithis, Vaaras, Nakshatras, Yogas, Karanas etc. The other known treatises are Yavana Jataka of Yavanacharya and Dundi Raja's Jataka Bharnam. Samvatsaras are identical to lunar year. The application of an average movement of Jupiter forms the basis and its cover- age of a sign in a horoscope is reckoned as one year. The effects for to Samvatsaras enlisted by the author are found to be incredible and could be used in presaging the tenable results. In facts the results portended through Samvatsaras are more desirable for the ‘Mundane’ and terrestrial events. Keeping this very aspect in view, added material relating toMaansagari ix this field, has been involved in the note portion of each Shaloka of Samvatsara with the view to ac- cord wider spectrum of application. In order to provide a larger platform for the read- ers to dabble, an earnest attempt has been made to bring in the opinionated averments of the eminent scholars and savant of ancient astrologers. This would help facilitating a realistic and meaningful interpreta- tions. It may be marked that only useful inputs have been adduced to avoid repetition and ambiguity. The notified narrations denote the probable and plausible results and not to be applied literally as their applica- bility depends upon many other dominating factors available in a particular nativity. Apart from the an- cient astrological concepts, the contemporary views are also brought in to impart balanced interpreta- tions and plausible conclusions. Maansagari adopted certain critical features of specific character which the author depicted for the first time. For example, generally, almost all the old classical texts denoted the effects from the birth As- cendant, but the author also narrated these results from the Moon as well as from the Navamsa Ascen- dants. This is a much acclaimed endeavour to intro- duce additional tools for the emphatic study of a birth chart and to draw the weighted results. Vedic Astrology considers the Moon as an Ascendant and if any house from the Moon Ascendant receives favourable influences so also from the birth Ascen- dant, the effects will be certain and pronounced. For instance, a strong birth Ascendent bestaws opulence, dignity and a long cherished life and if the Moon As-x Preface cendant also corroborates, these results will become a matter of certainty. It is stated in Devakaralam that while considering a house from the birth Ascen- dant, similar number of house shall be accounted for from the Moon sign. It further states that if the birth Ascendant is a soul, the Moon Ascendant is a body and therefore, it enjoins upon the astrologer to make predictions only after combining the effects from both these Ascendants. A house is capable of delivering its comprehen- sive effects provided it is influenced by the benefics or by its own lord and provided it does not receive any adverse aspects etc. Keeping these elementary factors in view, the author described the significa- tions of the houses while initiating the Second Chap- ter. The author to begin with, appropriately stated the results of the planets in the houses. The houses of the nativity denote the intrinsic qualities while the planets relay the stellar energies. Each planet, in- cluding the Sun and the Moon, governs one portion of cosmic creative rays and imbibes these vibrations from the solar system. Therefore, the planets as the cosmic significators cover all the dimensions of life and evolution of consciousness, besides, the planets also acquire the qualities concerning the house they rule. The other factor that enhances or depreciates the value of the horoscope is the combination of planets in different houses which is known as plan- etary conjunction. When these planets are posited in one house or a sign, they radiate combined ener- gies. Depending upon harmonious or inharmoniousMaansagari xi relationship between the involved planets, the re- sultant effects are experienced by the native during their Dasa periods. The next topic taken up by the author is precisely relate to the effects of combina- tion of two or more planets. Should these planets get separated in ‘Vargas’, even though they may be closely related to each other in a particular nativity, the intensity of combined influence will decrease. Many notable ancient texts namely Garga Hora, Bri- hat Jataka, Saravali, Jataka Parijata etc. have re- stricted the effects to the combination of two, three or maximum four planets but this author has enu- merated the results right upto seven planets. How- ° ever, supplementary results from these valuable Vedic classics have been incorporated for a comprehen- sive study of each such combination. The last part of Chapter-2 deals with the most important aspect of Astrology. The author forebodes the effects caused by the placement of house lords in different houses. This particular feature is unique to Vedic Astrology and is not found being used in the Western Astrology. Its importance is evident from the fact that Sage Parasara, in Brihat Parasara Hora Sastra, learned Sphujidhwaja in Brihat Yavana Jataka and Sage Satyacharya dealt this subject rather em- phatically because the dispositions of the house lords transform the whole complexion of the horoscope which helps presaging the subtle results. Learned Ganesha Kavi, wha made a concise compilation of Jataka Alankara also touched upon this subject sig- nificantly but restricted the results to the placement of house lords in the Ascendant only. The significa- tion of this component could by judged from thexii Preface fact that the house lords are greatly responsible in controlling and discerning the effects of the house. If a house lord is adversely placed but the concerned house by itself having beneficial influences, one should not predict wholly unfavourable results but this situ- ation will certainly call for moderation. The initial part of Chapter-3 carries the effects of planets in accordance to their status in the nativity as their quality and profound signification are seen through their placement in the different houses. The status of a planet is adjudged by the placement in its own sign, in the sign of exaltation, debilitation or in friendly or inimical sign etc., and the planets where upon acquire distinct strengths. The notes parts ad- duced in this format brought in the rationale behind adopting a particular sign as an exaltation or debilita- tion etc, which will impart an interesting reading be- sides being highly informative. This is followed by 144 Shalokas showing the re- sults of twelve signs in twelve houses. Not many ancient texts have dealt with this imporant aspect. However, the author in order to encompass all the influencing factors on the nativity, thought it expedi- ent to include this module as well. The quality of a sign relates to the manner whereby an individual di- rects his or her energy in life which is often reflected in the nature and the character of the native. The radiations emitted by the celestial bodies are like positive, negative or neutral ones and each has its specific energy pattern which causes imbalances. These vibrations are harmonised through planetary