Sanjay Rath OM GURAVE NAMAH

May 31, 2004 Singapore SJC Conference

Bhat Parsara Hor stra: Ri
Ri
The derivation of the word Ri is doubtful but it means a heap or pile, and
indicates a quantity or number. In Vedic mathematics it means a sum or the
figure put down for an operation (such as multiplying, dividing etc). In Vedic
astrology it indicates a sign of the zodiac (as being a certain sum or quantity
of degrees) which is one-twelfth part of the ecliptic.
Nodal reference
This quantity (ri) is determined as the time period taken for two
conjunctions of the Sun and Moon as they revolve around the earth
(geocentric view) which is about 29.5 days and is rounded off to 30 days.
Since the Sun travels one degree every day, the spatial angular displacement
in 30 days is 30 degrees. This quantity of longitudinal motion of the Sun is
called a ri or sign. The bhcakra
1
(zodiac) is a complete 360 degrees circle
and is composed of 12 signs obtained by dividing its total span of 360 degrees
by one ri span of 30 degrees. It is evident that the number of signs has to be
twelve and cannot be increased or decreased. The period of 30 days is a msa
(month) and the twelve ri indicate the twelve solar months with the first
day of the month called sakrnti (solar ingress into the sign).
There are two ways to reckon the period as either (1) the conjunction of the
luminaries (Sun & Moon) which occurs at the end of the amvsy (new
moon) or (2) the opposition of the Sun and Moon which occurs at the end of
the prama (full moon). The months reckoned from the amvsy are called
amnta
2
msa while those reckoned from the end of the full moon are called
uklnta
3
msa.
The word pramsa is composed of pra meaning full or complete and
msa meaning month and refers to the last day or the end of the month where
a special ceremony called the Satya Nryaa vrata is performed. However,
many parts of India follow the amnta calendar introduced by Yavancrya
instead of the Vedic uklnta calendar which was advocated by Varhamihira
as well.

1
Ri-cakra: n. the zodiacal circle, zodiac
2
Amnta is derived from ama + anta where anta means end and the month begins with the end of the
amvsy.
3
uklnta is derived from ukla + anta where ukla refers to the bright fortnight and anta means end.
The months begins with the end of the prama (or the bright fortnight).
Sanjay Rath OM GURAVE NAMAH
May 31, 2004 Singapore SJC Conference
In any case, it was observed that the eclipses occur during the full moon
(lunar eclipse) or new moon (solar eclipse). Eclipses refer to the power of the
nodes to direct life as bhoga (fruits of the material world) indicated by Rhu
or moka indicated by ikhi (Ketu). The first letters of these names of the
nodes - r from Rhu and i from ikhi adds up to form ri.
Spiritual reference
By all means it is an
astrological house
capable of indicating
(and giving) all that
has ever been created
or that will ever be
created and
symbolised by a heap
of corn. Lakm (the
spouse of Viu) is
the goddess of corn and at a later date
she is identified as the goddess of
wealth and prosperity. Parsara
mentions that the Sun incarnation
(Srya avatra) of Viu is Rma when Lakm incarnated as Sit. Adding the
first letter of their names - r from Rma and si from Sit, we get ri.
Vedic nomenclature
Parsara
P9l 49 |P+- TT|B(TPl|Tl- 6l|5 ++4 Tl Pl+F66- 9P+ (+
meo vaca mithuna karkasihakumrik | tulli'ca dhanurnakre kumbho
mnastata param || 3||
Naming of signs can be on various criteria and even some borrowed names
(from Greek or other sources) have found their way into Vedic astrology. Of
these names, one particular name is used in worship
4
and the use of that
particular name is considered auspicious. These are marked in bold.
Aries mea (ram), aja (unborn or first born), viva (world/universe), kriya
(Greek origin), tumbura or dya (beginning);

4
Like the Aamagala prana or the navagraha puj where the signs and planets are worshipped.
data eka rma bhikri sari duniy
Translation: The giver is the one
Rma, the world is a beggar.
Sanjay Rath OM GURAVE NAMAH
May 31, 2004 Singapore SJC Conference
Taurus vabha (bull), va (male of any animal, semen virile, justice or
virtue personified as a bull, the chief of a class or the best in
anything), ukan (ox or bull that impregnates the flock), go (cow),
tvura or gokula (cowshed; family, lineage or social identification
based on the same)
Gemini mithuna (pair, couple, coapulation), yuga, dvadva, nyugma, jutuma
or jituma, yama
Cancer karkaa (crab), karkaaka, kulra,
Leo siha (lion), kahrava, mgendra, leya
Virgo kany (girl), pthona, rama, taru
Libra tul (balance), taul, vaik, jka, dhaa
Scorpio vcika (scorpion), ali, kaurpi, kta (insect),
Sagittarius dhanus (bow), chpa, arsana,
Capricorn makara (sea monster), mga, mgsya, nakra
Aquarius kubha (water pot), ghaa, toyadhara
Pisces mna (fish), antya (end, last), matsya (fish), pthuroma, jhaa
Significance of the sun signs
Since the signs are defined by the movement of the Sun, they are called
dvdaa ditya, literally twelve suns or twelve sun signs where dvdaa
means twelve and ditya means the sun.
The word ditya means belonging to or coming from Aditi i.e. son of Aditi
(and i Kayapa
5
). They are often referred to in groups of -
1. Twelve - as representing the sun in the twelve months of the year. The
names of the ditya and the i etc, accompanying him during the month
are given in tables 1 & 2.
2. Eight - as representing the eight soul types (called Cara tmakraka).
These eight ditya are seated in the eight petal lotus of the heart lotus.
They are Srya (east), Ravi (SE), Vivasvat (South), Bhaga (SW), Varua

5
Kayapa was an ancient sage, a descendant of Marci and author of several hymns of the ig Veda. He
was the husband of Aditi and twelve other daughters of Daka. By Aditi he was father of the ditya and
of Vivasvat and of Viu (Vmana avatra). By his other twelve wives he was father of demons, snakes,
reptiles, birds and all kinds of living beings. Since he plays a prominent role in creation he is also called
Prajpati. He is one of the sapta i (seven great i symbolized by the seven stars identified around the
great bear or pole star).
What do these
names and images
of the ri mean?
Explore.
Sanjay Rath OM GURAVE NAMAH
May 31, 2004 Singapore SJC Conference
(West), Mitra (NW), ditya (North) and Viu (NE). When reckoned as
nine forms, Bhskara (vertical direction) is added to the list.
3. Seven - as seven deities of the heavenly sphere that represent the seven
rays of the sun for all material creation. The chief of the seven ditya is
Varua and the name specially applies to Him. The others are Mitra,
Aryaman
6
, Bhaga
7
, Daka
8
, Ama and Savitur.
Table 1: Dvdaa msa
Sun Sign Aries Taurus Gemini Cancer Leo Virgo Libra Scorpio Sagittarius Capricorn Aquarius Pisces
ditya Aryama Mitra Aruna Indra Vivasvna Pu Parjanya Anuman Bhaga Tvastha Viu Dhata
Vedic
Name
Mea Vabha Mithuna Karkaa Siha Kany Tul Vcika Dhanus Makara Kumbha Mina
Table 2: Dvdaa ditya
Sun Sign ditya i Apsar Sarpa Yaka Rakasa Gandharva Msa
Aries Aryama Pulaha Punjikasthali Kacchanira Urja Praheti Narada Vaikha
Taurus Mitra Atri Menaka Takshak Rathasvan Paurusheya Haha Jyeth
Gemini Arun Vashistha Rambha Sahajanya Citraswan Suka Huhu Aaha
Cancer Indra Angiras Pramlocha Ealaputra Srota Sarya Viswavasu Srvana
Leo Vivaswan Brighu Anumlocha Sankhapal Aasaran Vyaghra Ugrasen Bhadrapada
Virgo Pusha Gautam Ghritachi Dhananjaya Sushena Dhata Suruchi Aswina
Libra Parjanya Bharadwaj Kraturvarcha Airavat Senajit Vishwa Varcha Kartika
Scorpio Anuman Kashyap Urvashi Mahasankh Tarkshya Vidyuchatru Ritasen Margaira
Sagittarius Bhaga Aristhnemi Prvachitti Karkotaka Aayu Sphurja Urna Pausa
Capricorn Tvastha Brahmarat Tillotama Kambala Shatajit Ruchik Dhritaratra Magh
Aquarius Viu Vivmitra Rambh Aswatar Satyajit Mahapreta Suryavarcha Phalgua
Pisces Dhata Pulastya Kritastali Vasuki Rathakrit Heti Tumburu Caitra
Satapatha brhmaa 14.6.9 (6)
T6P Hl|(t4l |6 l(H PlBl- B4tBF46 Hl|(t4l 96 (l( B4Pl((l+l 4|-6
6H|(( B4 Pl((l+l 4|-6 6FPl(l|(t4l |6+

6
Aryaman is the name of an ditya who is supposed to be the chief of the Manes and the Milky Way is
called his path (aryama panth).
7
Bhaga is the name of an ditya who bestows wealth and presides over love and marriage. He is the
brother of the Dawn. According to a legend his eyes were destroyed by Rudra, perhaps indicating the
loss of sight due to excessive sexuality while Rudra symbolized celibacy.
8
Daka is the name of an ditya as Prajpati the creator. He is said to be born from the right thumb of
Brahm (or the unborn Aja). He has 24 daughters by Prasti referring to the 24 hor while the
Mahabharata gives the total number at 60 (MB xii .61.36 RV iii.20.10) daughters indicating the aima.
Another source gives this at 64 daughters.
Daughters of Daka I II III IV
27 daughters marry the Moon and form the 27 nakatra (lunar asterisms) 27 27 27 27
Kayapa married 13 (or 17) who became the mothers of deva, demons, men and
animals and includes the sapta or aa mtrik.
13 13 17 17
Dharma married 10 (Mn Ix.128 MB. i, ix, xii) [alternatively 20 as 10 for adharma
vimma]
10 20 10 20
Total 50 60 54 64


Sanjay Rath OM GURAVE NAMAH
May 31, 2004 Singapore SJC Conference
katama dity iti.
dvdaa ms
savatsarasyaita
dity ete hda sarvamdadn yanti
tadyadida sarvamdadn yanti
tasmddity iti.
Translation: We speak of the ditya.
The twelve msa (months) that make a
savatsara (year) are the ditya. They
are the source of every material
creation causing desire, delight,
passion, intoxication, exhilaration and
stupor as well as the desire that causes
wars and fighting. They are the source
of everything that is ever received for
they alone are the givers of everything
and hence they are the ditya.
The twelve signs indicate the
various material objects that are found
in this universe. They indicate the
desires to obtain these objects or ones
obsession or passion about these objects. They are also the sources from
where these objects are obtained. For example, the sign Pisces indicates lakes
and seas. So if a person desires to go to the sea shore, then this desire stems
from Pisces and when he travels to the sea, he is moving under the directions
of the sign Pisces. The desire to visit the sea shore, ability to travel to it and
finally to be there are all given by the ditya named Dhta (table -1). It is
evident that the signs are the key to all knowledge of the non-living world,
understanding of the various events and desires as well as their fulfillment.
Drawing the chart
The sidereal zodiac is written in four different ways in different parts
of India. The diamond style chart (Venus) is popular in the North India
whereas the radial chart (Sun) is popular in East India. The square chart
(Jupiter) is used extensively in South India. Both the East & South Indian style
charts have the signs fixed while the North Indian chart has the houses in
fixed positions. Both the East & North Indian charts are reckoned in the
counter-clockwise direction while the South Indian chart is reckoned in the
clockwise direction.

Sanjay Rath OM GURAVE NAMAH
May 31, 2004 Singapore SJC Conference
Klapurua
Parsara
4(-4ltPTl |4!T- Tl69l =+l(+- 6F4l\l|+ |+4l t4 4Pl-P9l|(l74-+ -+
yadavyakttmako viu klarupo janrdana | tasygni nibodha tva
kramnmedirya || 2||
vyakta: caused to appear, manifested, apparent, visible
tmaka: belonging to or forming the nature of; having or consisting of the nature or character of
viu: The omnipresent (sarva vypakea); one of the principal Hindu deities regarded as the
preserver among the well-known Tri-mrti or triad; although Viu comes second in the triad he is
identified with the supreme deity; as distinguished from the other Vedic deities , he is a
personification of the light and of the sun , esp. in his striding over the heavens , which he is said to
do in three paces {trivikrama} and, Viu is accorded the foremost place among the ditya; in the
Brhmaa He is identified as a dwarf {Vmana} Who receives the offering; He is identified with
Nryaa, the personified purua or primeval living spirit described as moving on the waters,
reclining on ea the infinite serpent king as the god Brahm emerges from a lotus growing from His
navel; the wives of Viu is Lakm or r; His abode is called vaikuha; a tuft of chest hair formation
called rvatsa identifies Him. In the four armed form, He is depicted as holding a sakha (conch-
shell called pcajanya), cakra (discuss weapon called sudarana), gad (club called kaumodak) and a
padma (lotus). Sometimes He wields a bow called rga, and a sword called nandaka. His vhana
(vehicle) is Garua; He has a jewel on his wrist called symantaka mai and another pendant necklace
called kaustubha mai. The river Ganges issues from His foot. He has many incarnations 24
incarnations for the 24 hor; 12 incarnations for the 12 solar months; 10 incarnations for the
navagraha & lagna and so on.
klarupo: black or dark-blue colour, personification of time
jana: creature, beings, living beings, man,
rdhana: propitiating or propitiation, paying homage, worshipping, adoration
aga: body parts, limbs
niboddha: to know, wise
krama: a step, proceeding or going along,
medi-ri: mea and other signs
Translation: The omnipresent Viu has caused all creation to manifest
according to His nature [with the three akt r (satva), bh (rajas) and
nla (tamas)]. He is the one worshipped by all creatures and is time
personified [as the bha-cakra]. His body parts and limbs (when viewed as
the personification of time) are signified by the [twelve] signs reckoned [in
the zodiacal or counter clockwise order as viewed from the pole star] from
Aries.
Hl9l++ 6l 4l[ t4l7T|4F64- Gl64 =l+4P 4 ==T 6l+ v+
rnane tath bh htkroakaibastaya | guhyoruyugale jnuyugme vai
jaghake tath || 4||
Sanjay Rath OM GURAVE NAMAH
May 31, 2004 Singapore SJC Conference
+l l 6l P9l6 4l- Hl9l(4- 4Pl6
caranau dvau tath met jey rdaya kramt
Translation: [Kla means time and purua means person; Klapurua is the
personification of time in the zodiac.] The body parts of the Klapurua
reckoned from Aries are (1) head, (2) Face, mouth, (3) shoulders, arms, (4)
chest, breast, heart, (5) stomach, belly, (6) hip region, (7) groins, penis
(sexual organ), (8) hidden parts (procreative parts, anus), (9) thighs, (10)
knees, (11) shanks, ankles, and (12) feet. {sl.4 - 5 ]

For individual horoscopes, the body parts are also studied from the
bhva (twelve houses) reckoned from the lagna (ascendant). The body part
indicated by the houses from lagna corresponds to those reckoned from Aries
for the Klapurua.
Beneficial planets connected to the houses/signs indicate proper
growth and/or protection to the body part while malefic planets connected to
Sanjay Rath OM GURAVE NAMAH
May 31, 2004 Singapore SJC Conference
such houses/signs indicate improper growth and/or damage to the body
part. In general, damage to body parts from external agents or sources is
indicated by the ri (signs) of the Klapurua while damage or
malfunctioning of body parts caused by internal agents or sources is indicated
by the houses reckoned from the lagna.
Description of signs
Mea is symbolised by a ram. It indicates hills and places
having mineral wealth and precious stones.
Vabha is symbolised by the bull. It indicates plateaus,
plains, farms, cowshed, forests and such other
placed inhabited by quadrupeds.
Mithuna is symbolised by a couple. The woman is carrying a v (stringed
musical instrument carried by Sarasvat) while the man wields the
gad (mace or metal club). Gambling dens, pleasure haunts, bars,
and such places where people meet for entertainment.
Karkaa is symbolised by a crab. Rivers are indicated by the sign while others
opine ponds & lakes. Primarily, it is the cradle of all civilisations
and indicates sand banks as well where crabs dwell.
Siha is symbolised by a lion. Mountain caves and dense jungles is the abode
of the lion.
Kany is symbolised by a woman standing in a boat with a lamp and corn.
Pasture lands, green fields ready for harvest are indicated by
Kany in addition to living rooms of women.
Tul is symbolised by a person carrying a balance. All markets, bazaar, stock
market and areas where traders sell their valuable merchandise are
indicated by Tul.
Vcika is symbolised by a scorpion. The lair of the scorpion is near filthy
places, noxious reptiles prefer swampy and dirty areas and
poisonous snakes live in underground holes in secluded places.
Deep wells and such places where the water is very stationery
(Scorpio is a fixed sign) and can become poisonous are also
indicated.
Dhanus means a bow and is symbolised by a man who having a horse body
below the torso and carrying a bow. This symbol divides the sign
into two parts where one half is human and the other is animal
(horse). Horse stables or barracks for war elephants and chariots
Sanjay Rath OM GURAVE NAMAH
May 31, 2004 Singapore SJC Conference
are indicated by Dhanus. In the modern context it is the garage,
parking lots and the battle field.
Makara is a kind of sea-monster with the body of a
crocodile (other views - shark, dolphin)
and the head of a deer. It is regarded as
the emblem of Kma deva, the love god
and the vehicle of Varua. It indicates
rivers, shallows and marshy places.
Kumbha is symbolised by a man carrying a water pot. Places where vessels
are kept like the kitchen or store rooms, warehouses and other
storage places are indicated by Kumbha in addition to toilets and
latrines where water has to be carried for cleansing.
Mna consists of two fishes in an inverted position with their tails conjoined to
the head of the other indicating revival after a fall or the power of
rejuvenation. The sea, large rivers are indicated by this sign as well
as places of rejuvenation and cure like hospitals.
Mobility & sex
Parsara
|F|F4l4l- 4l4l +|N4l+ -+
carasthiradvisvabhv krrkrrau narastriyau || 5||
Translation: The [twelve] signs reckoned from Aries are successively
movable, fixed or dual in nature. Alternate signs reckoned from Aries are
male or female signs which by nature are harsh or gentle respectively.
The word cara means movable and implies excessive energy,
acceleration and the power of creation that goes along with excess energy.
The word sthira means fixed and implies low energy, deceleration to the stage
of stopping and the power of destruction. The word dvisvabhva means
having a dual nature and indicates balanced energy level. In an ideal state
this can mean a body in perpetual motion. Some astrologers use the word
mutable or changeable for the dual signs and this is definitely not correct
from the Jyotia viewpoint. In fact, cara ri are more mutable as they are
movable signs. Perhaps this notion of mutability of dual signs has crept in
because Mercury, the lord of two of the dual signs (Gemini & Virgo) signifies
mutability.
All motion is relative to another and in the context of horoscopy, it is
relative to the observer on earth. Compare two runners who run a cross
Sanjay Rath OM GURAVE NAMAH
May 31, 2004 Singapore SJC Conference
country race and a 100 metre race. The cross country runner wins if he is able
to maintain his pace at a uniform balanced level throughout the long run
while the 100 metre
race is won if the
runner can pump in a
huge burst of energy.
The cross country
runner should have
stronger dual signs
indicating his running
style while the 100
metre runner should
have movable signs
indicating his style.
At another level
of comparison, examine
the spatial bodies the
stars and the planets.
The stars are relatively fixed as compared to the planets when viewed in a
time frame of a year. Most of the planets would have run around the zodiac
while the more outer planets would have moved by a sign. On the other
hand, the stars would have shifted by barely 50 of arc. The stars are fixed
(sthira) compared to the planets which are moving (cara). Now compare the
revolution of the planets to that of other bodies we see around us. The planets
have been moving around the sun for many millenniums and to the best of
our knowledge will continue to do so for many more millenniums. From the
human perspective, the planets posses a perfect balance of energy
(dvisvabhva) that makes them perpetual motion objects. This ability to
remain alive (motion is akin to life while fixity is akin to death) for an
indefinite period of time causes them to represent the avatar or incarnations
of Viu (Parsara chapter-1).
Kendra concept
Parsara introduces the concept of Kendra (quadrants) where every
fourth sign is in the same energy level or mobility. The signs Aries, Cancer,
Libra and Capricorn are movable signs and have a high energy level; the
signs Taurus, Leo, Scorpio and Aquarius are fixed signs and have a low
energy level; the signs Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius and Pisces are dual signs
and have balanced energy. Imagine a three-lane highway with cars at various
speeds traveling in it. It is natural that the fast cars will fall into the right
Sanjay Rath OM GURAVE NAMAH
May 31, 2004 Singapore SJC Conference
express lane while the slow cars will stick to the safe left lane. The cars
traveling at middling speeds will stick to the middle lane. Accidents are
prevented if these cars stick to their lanes. In a sense, the cars in the different
lanes are cooperating with each other or working mutually to maintain their
relative speeds at high, middling or low levels respectively. If they cooperate
and drive at a uniform fast, middling or slow speed respectively, they will
reach their destination (analogous
to achieving their objective)
without an accident.
Planets placed in signs
tend to acquire their nature just
as a slow driver will have to
speed up in the express way or
get a ticket for holding traffic.
These planets in signs that are in
Kendra are also in quadrants to
each other. They cooperate with
each other by maintaining their
relative lane speed. Such
cooperation is called paraspara kraka. Now if the drivers are also friendly to
each other or are going to a similar destination then they not only cooperate
in maintaining their lane speed and goading each other towards the
destination but also reach their destination {achieve similar objective(s)}. Then
they are called paraspara yoga kraka.
Two types: male & female.
Parsara introduces the concept of odd and even signs by classifying
the odd numbered signs (counted from Aries
=1) as male and the even numbered signs as
female.
Count the signs from Aries and the
odd signs are said to be male in their inner
nature and harsh in their behaviour. They
are go-getters and can be very pushing to
achieve their objectives. These are Aries, Gemini, Leo, Libra, Sagittarius and
Aquarius. These are the fire and air signs of which the fire signs can be more
harsh and burning whereas the air signs can be slower to react but very
harsh in their continued aggression.
Male & female is an inner
attribute of being harsh
and pushing or mild and
passive. The rising sign
leaves this imprint on the
inner nature and attitude.
Sanjay Rath OM GURAVE NAMAH
May 31, 2004 Singapore SJC Conference
The even numbered signs are female in their inner nature and are not
harsh. They are passive in their attitudes and behavior. These are the water
signs Cancer, Scorpio and Pisces and the earth signs Capricorn, Taurus
and Virgo, with the water signs being more passive.
Physical Constitution
Parsara
|9l|+|lt4l 14
V|!PTl
|44l(4-
pittnilatridhtva
ukyalemikca
kriydaya |
Translation: pitta
(bilious, fire
constitution),
vta (anila, air
constitution), tri-
doa (mixed
constitution) and
kapha (lema,
phlegm or water
constitution) are
the four constitution types for the signs reckoned from Aries in zodiacal
order.
Parsara develops the concept of trines in the four body types.
Pitta is a medium frame, well developed muscles, with angular facial
features and reddish tinted skin. The three signs Aries, Leo and Sagittarius
have a pitta or fire constitution. These are the fire trines.
Vta is a thin frame usually with veins visible, small and thin facial
features and cool and dry skin. The three signs Taurus, Virgo and Capricorn
have a vta or air constitution. These are the earth trines.
Kapha is wide frame body with large bones, tending towards carrying
excess weight, rounded facial features and cool and sometimes oily skin. The
three signs Cancer, Scorpio and Pisces have a kapha or water constitution.
These are the water trines.
Sanjay Rath OM GURAVE NAMAH
May 31, 2004 Singapore SJC Conference
Tri-doa is a mix of the three doa (pitta, vta & kapha) and they are
more changeable with the seasons and da. The three signs Gemini, Libra
and Aquarius have a tri-doa or mixed constitution. These are the air trines.
Direction of signs and tattva
Continuing the concept
of trines and harmony,
Parsara speaks of the
directions of the signs
when he describes them
under loka 6-24. In the
same lines Parsara also
speaks of the prevailing
tattva.
Tattva as used in the
Skhya philosophy
means a true principle.
There are 25 such tattva
9

including (1) avyakta, (2)
buddhi, (3) ahakra, (4-
8) five tanmtr named
pthvi, jala, agni, vyu & ka, (9-13) five mahbhta named pthvi, jala,
agni, vyu & ka, (14-18) five organs of knowledge called jnendrya
(jna - knowledge + indrya - organ), (19-23) five organs of action called
karmendrya (karma - action + indrya - organ), (24) the mind in all its planes
of consciousness called mana and (25) purua.
Paca tattva refers to the five principles governing the existence of all
material creation in the form of (1) pthvi or solid state, (2) jala or liquid state,
(3) vyu or gaseous state, (4) agni or energy and (5) ka or vacuum state
(occupied by ethereal substance that binds). All signs have ka tattva in
them that keeps them together and makes them work in harmony. Jupiter is
the greatest natural benefic and represents God in all signs simply for the
fact that it is the governor of the ka tattva that makes all the other signs
and planets work in harmony for all purposes. All signs have the paca tattva
in them with a dominance of one of the other four tattva (excluding ka).
The fire signs Aries, Leo and Sagittarius have agni in predominance;
the water signs Cancer, Scorpio and Pisces have a predominance of jala; the

9
MBh. xii, 11840
Sanjay Rath OM GURAVE NAMAH
May 31, 2004 Singapore SJC Conference
air signs Libra, Aquarius and Gemini have a predominance of vyu while the
earth signs Capricorn, Taurus and Virgo have a predominance of pthvi.
Nieka lagna
Nieka refers to seminal infusion or impregnation and connected
ceremony. It is the moment when the garbhdhna (or impregnation) occurs.
The ceremony connected with this is normally performed before the coitus
and sometimes astrologers have used the moment of coitus to indicate
impregnation itself. However there can be some time gap between the two
events a few hours to a day. The principle used by Parsara to determine the
nieka is translated below.
Parsara
4|FP+ l4 |F6l P-(F6F4 Pl-(4(-6P
Pl4l-6 4l 74 4 l74l|( =l46 + -+
yasmin bhve sthito mandastasya
mnderyadantaram |
lagnabhgyntara yojya yacca rydi
jyate || 27||
PlBl|( 6|-P6 4 =-P6- 9T |+9T=P
4H74(\HF6(-(ll4T+ -<+
msdi tanmita jeya janmata prak niekajam |
yadyadyadalegeastadendorbhuktabhgayuk || 28||
6tTl Bl4P Hl46 944+P
6FPl7lH 4l4 FF4 |4H96-+ -+
tatkle sdhayellagna odhayet prvavattanum |
tasmcchubhubha vcya garbhasthasya vieata || 29||
HlH 4(6 |9l=l4+ PT 6l
94 |+9TP+ B4 4 F4T-9+l6+ (+
ubhubha vadet pitrorjvana maraa tath |
eva niekalagnena samyag jeya svakalpant || 30||
Translation: The longitudinal difference between Saturn and Mandi
[irrespective of signs] is added to the longitudinal difference between the
Various other attributes
of the signs have been
taught by Parsara and
elaborated by subsequent
authors. Make a list of
these attributes and try to
grasp their underlying
principles like that of
harmony (trines, trikoa)
or support (kendra).
Sanjay Rath OM GURAVE NAMAH
May 31, 2004 Singapore SJC Conference
lagna and the ninth house. The sum represents the time in months, days,
ghi and vighi (or pala) elapsed between the nieka (conception) and
janma (birth). Lunar correction is to be applied if the lagna lord is in the
invisible half of the zodiac. This entails addition of the longitude of the
Moon (irrespective of signs) to the sum arrived at in the previous
calculation. Calculate the chart for the nieka time finally arrived at by the
above computations. All the good/evil effects, especially during the
pregnancy period can be ascertained from this chart. The good/evil or
health and longevity for father [and paternal relatives] can be ascertained
from this chart. In this manner [wise astrologers] ascertain various other
results that one can think of about the native.
This is called the dhna cakra or conception chart and plays a crucial
role in matters of health and longevity.
O M T A T S A T
This material is the copyright of Sanjay
Rath (http://srath.com) and is free for
distribution provided the contents are not
changed in any form or manner including
this paragraph. If you have liked it,
consider taking the JAGANNTH
FOUNDATION COURSE IN JYOTIA.
The course will be available from the
winter of 2004. For course details, please
write to Sarbani Sarkar
sarbani@srijagannath.org or Freedom
Cole freedom@srijagannath.org after
September, 2004.