Prashna Hora (Horary Astrology and Cosmic Psyche in Classical and Nadi)

chapter - 1

Prashna

Grandeur of our Indian philosophy is Karma theory. Unless this is understood, it is impossible to know the purpose of birth on this earth. We have extensively discussed this subject in our earlier books Revelation from Naadi Jyotisha and Orbital Providence (both from Sagar publications). It is due to previous Karma which needs to be nullified or experienced by Jeeva, a life-force takes birth on this earth with reminisces (Vasanas) attached to soul. Based on the time and place, on the day of birth a heavenly chart is erected. This is the birth chart, which indicates the past influences, present actions and the course of life during this birth. Birth chart analysis is made based on classical approaches of various methods including Naadi.

The Karma effects and the free will are studied by the birth chart. The 12 zodiac signs are computed with a reference point of Lagna, which varies, based on the date, time, and place of birth. From Lagna the other 11 reference points are called houses. Each house will have certain set of significations relating to matters of life. These are space matters distributed in the 12 reference points in the zodiac. The planets are dynamic representation of these houses and influence with their natural attributes and time factors of such experiences in the present life of the individual born.

When there is such a structured approach to know the destiny why again a Prashna? The horoscope indicates the matters relating to Karma and free will to be experienced at certain intervals. The Prashna precisely differentiates the reasons for Karma and free will pointing out the methods to overcome adversities if any. This is also used to prepare birth charts in the cases of lost horoscopes or used for those who do not know exact date of birth. This is extensively used to know the effect of certain actions and their results, which could be experienced in short period. Almost all the matters related to life can be answered through Prashna. Especially, this is useful in finding out the reasons for diseases, its aggravation or cure and the time factor involved. It is used in tracing missing persons or articles. It is also used in travel & journey effects. Prashna Marga especially deals with possessed spirits, ill effects due to curse of deity, parents, relatives and society in general. If we look at the initial chapters of Prashna Marga, we will be surprised to know that the person coming to ask a question is generally pre-warned with the matters relating to question. When he approaches the astrologer, the astrologer is equipped with tools to study details of his limb expression, which relates to question. Even the answer to question is cognized by certain unusual audiovisual effects that take place on the spot. All these significations are attributed to the matter and out-come. I will discuss some of these from Prashna Marga and try to assess, what exactly these denote for our Prashna Hora theory.

Poorvajanmaarjitam karma shubham va yadi vaashubham Tasya paktim grahaassarve soochayanteeha janmani

PM-Sloka 37-Chapter 1

Good or bad effects to be experienced due to past karma are indicated by nine planets.

"Praagjanmaarjita punnyaagha prabalyodreka hetutah Prarabdha sanje maanushya jaatau jatakachintanam

PM-Sloka 39 Chapter 1

The pleasures and pains being experienced during this birth due to merits and demerits of previous karma can be distinguished by the analysis of planets.

Both dictums point out clearly that all the nine planets are representative factors of our own Karma effects. In other words, reasons for such pleasures and pain are the re-actions of our own doings. Therefore, no body, either the planets or any other super energy is dignified to bestow pleasures or pains to the person with their independent will.

Point- 1: We ourselves are responsible for all that, we are experiencing in this life.

When we say we are responsible for our experiences during this birth, it could be due to present actions or due to the effect of stored past deeds.

Point- 2: Effects of past both Karma and free-willed actions influence present life

"Kasya paktiriti jnatumidaaneem poorvakarmaannam Ihaarjitam cha vijnatum karma prashno vidheeyate

PM-Sloka 41 Chapter 1

Prashna Sastra is used to know whether a particular experience is due to past karma or free-willed past actions in this birth.

Point- 3 Whatever is being experienced is only because of our own actions.

Using birth chart and Prashna chart, astrologers will determine whether the pleasure or pain is due to merits and demerits of previous karma or is it due to free-willed actions.

This drives us to the point that it is essential to study Prashna chart even while studying birth chart. We are repeatedly stressing this point in all our works.

Coming back to the subject, the above dictums from Prashna Marga and philosophy of karma indicate that, planets are only representative factors of our actions both past and present.

When we address merits and demerits of previous life, it indicates some positive or negative energies that are influencing in the present birth. Similarly, the resultant effect of present actions will also be either a positive or a negative energy being experienced.

These energy levels are stored in the individual and they are identified by planetary configuration in the birth or Horary chart for past merits and demerits. Horary chart has methods to differentiate between effects of previous birth and past effects of present birth.

We are aware that everything beneath and above the sky are all represented by planets. Therefore, what is signified in the Prashna chart by planets will also be signified by many other audio-visual effects surrounding the person asking question at the time of thought process of a particular matter relating to either present or past effects of Karma. These audiovisual effects are to be attributed to planets. However, in Prashna Marga, instead of attributing the planets to these audiovisual phenomena, they are used for certain significations relating to the matter. We will examine some of them.

In the first chapter of Prashna Marga, Sloka 46 says that:

With divine guidance the person asking question himself having the problem when willfully goes to an astrologer seeking answer to his question, the question chart itself will be equal to birth chart.

That means the mode of assessing the chart should be similar to that of a birth chart.

This drives us to two points. That is Prashna is applicable to human beings to know their personal problems.

Secondly, unless a person approaches with his question, The Astrologer voluntarily should not give his consultation.

Gesture of the Person asking question:

If a person entering the place of an astrologer puts the left foot on the threshold, the matter will be favourable. If he puts the right foot, the matter will be unfavorable. If he is shaking his legs, there is some malefic effect to the matter. If he sits comfortably straight and occupy the seat in front of Astrologer without any hesitation then the matter will be favourable. If he is uncomfortable and occupy seat in wrong direction, the matter will be unfavorable.

Number of times frequently the person gets up and sits that many days the matter in question will be delayed.

While the question is on, if somebody goes out crossing between the Astrologer and the person questioning, it indicates the deprival of expected help from others to the matter in question.

If symptoms of unrest, confusion and struggles are seen in the person asking the question or if the person asks the question turning away his head, the answer to the question will be negative.

While questioning about health matters, if the person questioning get hurt by falling or if some articles fall on him, it indicates danger to life. Similarly, at that moment any audiovisual phenomenon relating to danger or struggle to life is observed by the Astrologer, it indicates undesired effects.

If the person put the question with sleepy eyes, rubbing eyes, tears in eyes, depressed moods, crossing his legs and arms and expressing no confidence in his life, the answer to the question will be negative.

During the question session, if articles of red, rope, sharp instruments, grass, empty rice barn, animal skin, horn, till, red flowers and any other article which normally disturbs the mind are visible the answer will be negative.

If the person questioning is expressing anger, haste, tired and distress, then also the answer will be negative.

The person while going to astrologer if he encounters a favourable audiovisual phenomenon relating to the matter, the matter will be positive.

If it is question of union, if somebody is joining two items, or two sets of cloth or any signification of unification will result in successful union of the persons involved in the question (Marriage, partnerships, person returning from other place etc).

Activities like drilling a hole, inserting thread in needle, hooking window or door latch, inserting fingers into vessels, bottle or an orifice etc., will indicate doubtful character of the woman involved in the question.

While questioning about the progeny, if ink, book, and ornaments to be worn below the belt and hands, or pregnant women, child etc., are seen, the questioner will be blessed with a child.

A question during a pregnancy being asked, if any incident that indicates purging or exit is observed, it indicates abortion.

Signification of articles and audiovisual effects are elaborately discussed in the Prashna Marga to indicate the matter and the results.

Drawing the information and arriving at conclusion from the audio-visual effects are also found in many other classical texts dealing with Prashna.

With the foregoing details, we can conclude that, the person who is approaching an Astrologer carry with him both the matter and the solution which are expressed in many perceivable eventualities. In other words, details of a question, results and the time of its fructification are all closely associated with the person and they are beyond the perception level of that person.

With above synopsis from Prashna Marga we are driven to the fact that information relating past, present and future of a person is stored in the different conscious levels.

I have been studying various materials relating to neurological science on conscious and brain wave theory. Amazingly, I could relate many modern neurology scientific research findings with our ancient philosophy on Karma and Astrology.

Having touched the subject psychology in Astrology in my previous book Orbital providence, I have taken this opportunity to elaborate on the Conscious theory. The theory also can be co-related with many astronomical configurations. The next chapter is an effort to fit the neurological science into Astrology.

chapter - 2

Conscious Theory in Astrology

Mr. HERE, was sitting in his sales office, Mr. THERE, came and introduced himself and made enquires about the product X and returned leaving his contact details. Mr. HERE follows up his sales process, call up Mr. THERE for the first time taking data from his notepad. Next time he calls him up again with the help of notepad. For subsequent calls, he dials directly without the aid of notepad. He remembers his name, his contact number. The repeated information of digital audiovisual data being fired by neurons, the data gets hardwired in to different areas of brain. Once the sale is closed, over a period Mr. HERE may not be able to repeat the task without the help of notepad. Digital and visual data though hardwired is not active to trigger the thought wave with its information. On the contrary, Mr. HERE learnt car driving over a period of two months, and has experience of driving in heavy traffic for the last 5 years. He was off the road for 10 years due to some reason or the other. After 10 years, he was again driving the car without any re-learning. The experience of car driving has gone into permanent hardwiring.

With above synopsis we understand two different types of hardwiring that takes place in the functioning of brain. One that is temporary hardwiring which is erasable and the other type is permanent hardwiring. Some other energy must be taking these discriminative decisions of hardwiring in the brain cells. This is where the conscious comes into picture. Conscious is energy in its multifarious capacity uses the brain as an instrument and triggers the respective cells in different areas to generate thought waves. These thought waves are the mind. Conscious exists even without thought. Conscious is the source of thought and not by itself thought. It is like a computer server providing information from a remote unseen place. With all its excellent mechanism of sense, vision etc., the brain itself cannot emote any of these without linking the data from conscious. The brain simply functions as an apparatus and the conscious is the energy that triggers the brain to function. The brain functions in many ways as directed by conscious and one of the greatest functions is to generate thought waves, feelings etc. Either thought process may cease by failure of certain functional aspect of brain or it can be by volunteered by conscious.

Persons in coma do not respond to external stimuli but there is a life force keeping them alive. This force is conscious energy which is triggering voluntary functional areas of brain to maintain activities of breathing, heartbeats and blood circulations etc. In such cases, certain areas of brain responsible for generating thought waves are not activated to respond external world stimulus. Great seers in Himalayas spend months and years in meditative posture and do not respond to worldly matters. This is voluntary conscious decision deactivating the related area of brain not to respond.

With these fundamentals on conscious and thought theory, I will explain some points of neuroscience, which is relevant to Astrology in general, and Prashna Hora in particular.

Subjective and Objective conscious

Conscious is of two types, one is subjective conscious and another is objective conscious. The subjective conscious allow us to think, observe, behave, and perform activities in relation to self and the perceivable world around us. The other objective conscious with built-in intelligence, maintains the life and performs many activities without seeking the interference of subjective conscious. This objective conscious is the expression of universal intelligence in the body.

The subjective conscious expresses our unique character, quality and ability to remember, create, prefer, reject and represent the perceivable self. This conscious is in both the body and independent of the body. There is a process called out-of-body experience induced through deep meditation. During this period, the subjective conscious cognizes own body lying on the ground. This drives us to conclusion that conscious is not the body but it uses the body. Through the traits and activities directed by this conscious is identified as self.

On the other hand, the objective conscious or the super-conscious is awareness distinct from the subjective conscious. With its amazing intelligence operates through other parts of the brain processing millions of automatic functions in fraction of seconds, manages, and control biological activities including DNA structures. This awareness or sub-conscious mind has more information about the personality and self than that of subjective conscious. This awareness is basic and universal of every human being. This is the true intelligence as an energy operating at different situations and times. This is where the past information, trained activities, reflexive indexes are managed and processed for presenting at the functional conscious.

Human perceivable personality is an awareness of subjective conscious where as the Objective conscious is super intelligent life force.

With this discussion, two levels of conscious were identified. For easy understanding, henceforth, let us term them as super-conscious (for objective) and conscious (for subjective).

The brain is an instrument with innumerable neurons and the level of intelligence is directly proportional to the quantity of neurons.

Neither the conscious nor the brain is called Mind. Conscious and super-conscious are the source, which uses the brain to trigger neurons to generate electrochemical impulses to send and receive information from different parts of brain and body. In this process, some impulses trigger certain information or respond to information generating waves of thought. These thought waves are called Mind.

In other words, without the triggering of conscious, the brain itself cannot create thought waves. When there is no thought wave, there is no mind. This no mind phenomena occur by either transition to higher conscious by meditation or any other process of as self-realization or by death of a person. A self-realized person is capable of operating from the higher conscious level. He crosses both level of conscious and super-conscious level, which we call higher conscious or God conscious. However not many could reach to this level. In the process of self-realization, many people experience the strange state of conscious shifting between super-conscious and conscious. This is a process of spirituality where the super-conscious will be transmitting the glimpses of spirit of self or Godliness. Several neuro-imaging experiments like functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and Quantitative electroencephalography(QEEG) etc on religious, spiritual and mystical experiences spot several regions in the brain involved in functions like emotions, self-conscious, body representation, spirituality perception, audio-visual feasts. It also confirms that the brain wave activity records more theta wave ranging between 4 to 7 Hz causing spatially extended neural circuits covering many regions of brain. We are concerned with the spatial extension of neural circuits. These circuits are triggered by spatial stimulus. This spatial stimulus we call it as super-conscious and at a perceivable external or internal level, it is conscious.

Fig. 1

The super-conscious being universal factor, it has all the information, be it of past or the present-trained activities which are influencing the conscious.

The effects of Karma are also energies either positive or negative represented in super-conscious. The learning, new experiences and the free-willed training etc are functional at conscious level.

The brain has attributed with different zones to handle these two levels of conscious. This can be explained with a picture more clearly.

Fig. 2

Front part

Day to day alert functions, reasoning, planning, emotions problem solving etc

Mid part

Motor and Sensory cortex involves in activities of limb movements and sensory effects etc.

Hind Part

Cerebellum is a region of the brain that plays an important role facilitating automatic hardwired memories and behavior. It is also involved in some cognitive functions like, attention and language, and emotional functions such as a secondary role in the fear response, and a regulatory role in pleasurable stimuli.

(Note: automatic hardwired memories can be due to encoded positive or negative energies by previous Karma, inherited DNA structures, and due to powerful impact from past incidents in the present life)

Lower Part

Thalamus Almost all sensory information enters this structure where neurons send that information to the overlying cortex.

Hypothalamus The structure is involved in functions including homeostasis, emotion, thirst, hunger, circadian rhythms, Blood sugar levels, hormone levels and emotional reactions are regulated with control of the autonomic nervous system.

Amygdala: is involved in memory, emotion, and fear from external perceptions and internal thoughts. It helps to experience emotional charges and signals of vital sensory information.

Hippocampus Formulates to experience emotional memories and encoding long-term memories. This part of the brain is important for learning and memory. Converting short term memory to permanent memory, and for recalling spatial relationships in the world around us.

Midbrain acts as chemical brain. It helps co-ordinate signal from external world with our internal world. It is also involved in functions such as vision, hearing, eye movement, and body movement

Pons It is involved in motor control and sensory analysis. It has parts that are important for the level of conscious and for sleep.

Medulla Oblongata It is responsible for maintaining vital body functions, such as breathing and heart rate

This gives a fair idea of parts of brain. We shall consider the major four division of brain with their non-technical names like Front, Middle, Hind and Lower parts.

The Front part of the brain and the Middle part of