Argala (Blocking or Intervention)

In addition to the influence caused by planets with graha drishti and rasi drishti, there is another influence called “Argala”. Argala is a very important
concept in Vedic astrology. Argala on a house shows the influences that intervene in its affairs, decide some parts of it and close the bolt on it, so to
speak. Planet having rasi drishti have a small influence. Planets having graha drishti have a more concrete influence. Planets with argala simply decide
some parts of the matter signified by the house. The influence caused by argala is decisive.
A planet or house in the 2nd, 4th and 11th houses from a planet or house causes primary argala on the latter. Argala by a benefic planet is called a
“subhaargala” (benefic intervention) and argala by a malefic planet is called a “paapaargala” (malefic intervention). This simple concept can be better
appreciated if some examples are given.
The 4th house stands for education. The 2nd, 4th and 11th from the 4th house are 5th, 7th and 2nd houses respectively. One’s intelligence (5th),
interaction with others (7th) and and overall character and samskara (2nd) make or break one education. If Jupiter is in 5th house, he will give
intelligence and his subhargala (benefic intervention) on 4th will help one’s education. If Rahu is in 5th house, his papargala (malefic intervention) on 4th
will cause obstacles in one’s education by way of poor intelligence. Similarly, benefics and malefics in the houses causing argala cause good and bad
intervention. Basically, the point is that intelligence, interaction and samskara are the things that decide one’s education. They have a decisive role.
Let us take another example. Short journeys are seen from the 3rd house. What are the things necessary for a journey? One needs a vehicle (4th). One
may need someone to serve one by driving the vehicle. Servants are seen from 6th. So, no wonder the 4th and 6th houses cause argala on the 3rd
house, being the 2nd and 4th from it respectively! If one has papargala on 3rd from 4th, it may show trouble to the journey because of the vehicle. If one
has papargala on 3rd from 6th, it may show trouble to the journey because of the driver.
Let us take another example. Domestic harmony, comfort, well-being and happiness are seen from the 4th house. What are the things that can make or
Virodhargala (Obstruction)

Virodhargala shows the obstruction of argala. Planets and houses in the 12th, 10th, 3rd and 9th houses from a house or planet cause virodhargala and
obstruct the argala on it from the 2nd, 4th, 11th and 5th houses from it (respectively). For example, let us say Mercury, Jupiter, Venus and Saturn are in
Ge, Pi, Ar and Vi respectively. Saturn is in the 4th from Mercury and Ge and he causes argala on them. With Saturn being a malefic, this is a paapaargala
(malefic intervention). But Jupiter is in the 10th from Mercury and Ge. So he obstructs Saturn’s argala and averts the troubles. Venus is in the 11th from
Mercury and Ge and so he causes argala on them. With Venus being a benefic, it is a subhaargala (benefic intervention). If Le (3rd from Ge) is empty,
this argala is unobstructed.
NOTE: If a sign contains Ketu, argalas and virodhargalas on it are counted anti-zodiacally. For example, let us say Ketu is in Vi. Then Le, Ge, Sc and Ta
are the 2nd, 4th, 11th and 5th from Vi (counted anti-zodiacally) and planets in those signs cause argala on Vi and on the planets in Vi. Virodhargala is
also counted similarly.
Use of Argala
Depending on the matter of interest, take the relevant house or the relevant karaka. Find argalas and virodhargalas on it. If there are both, see if more
planets cause argala or virodhargala. If they are caused by the same number of planets, compare the strengths and decide whether argala dominates or
virodhargala. Based on the signs, houses and planets involved, guess the meaning of the argala or virodhargala.
Argala from the 2nd house shows the basic ingredient for the sustenance of a matter. For example, the 2nd house shows food and it is a basic ingredient
for the sustenance of self (1st). The 5th house shows intelligence and it is a basic ingredient for the sustenance of learning (4th).
Argala from the 4th house shows the basic factor that drives the mood, state and progress of a matter. For example, the 4th house shows comfort and it
drives the mood and state of self (1st). The 7th house shows interaction and that drives one’s learning (4th).
Argala from the 11th house shows the catalyst that can result in gains for a matter. For example, the 2nd house shows character, grooming and
samskara and it is a catalyst in the process of learning (4th).
Secondary argala from the 5th house shows the additional contributing factors. For example, the 5th house shows emotional situation and that
contributes to the state of self (1st). The 8th house shows hard work and that contributes to one’s learning (4th).
Using the above guidelines, we can understand the meaning of argalas on houses and karakas
break domestic harmony? Of course, wife, children and other family members! Each of them can intervene in one’s domestic harmony. No wonder the
5th, 7th and 2nd houses have an argala on the 4th house (being the 2nd, 4th and 11th respectively from the 4th house)! If a malefic in 5th has
papargala on 4th, it may show domestic clashes and lack of sukha (comfort/happiness) on account of a child. If a benefic in 7th has subhargala on on
4th, it may show domestic happiness due to a caring partner.
Apart from the 2nd, 4th and 11th houses from a house, the 5th house from a house has a secondary argala on it. In the case of learning, argala of 8th
house on 4th (8th is the 5th from 4th) shows the influence of hard work in learning. Hard work is another decider. In the case of journey, argala of 7th
house on 3rd house (7th is the 5th from 3rd) shows the influence of partners in a journey.