Samhita Skanda by Sadananda

The Samhita Skanda by sage Sanandana from the Narada Purana is an ancient treatise dealing with the principles of Vedic astrology.

Sanandana said: 
1) The twelve limbs of Kälapuruça, the Cosmic Being viz. (1) head, (2) face, (3) arms, (4) heart, (5) breast, (6) entrails, (7) pelvis, (8) genital organ, (9) thighs, (10) knees, (11) shanks, (2) feet are (represented by) the twelve Signs of the Zodiac. Viz. Meña (Aries), Våñabha (Taurus), Mithuna (Gemini), Karkaöaka (Cancer), Simha (Leo), Kanyä (Virgo), Tulä (Libra), Våñcika (Scorpio), Dhanus (Sagittarius), Makara (Capricorn), Kumbha (Aquarius) and Ména (Pisces) respectively. 
Notes: In Sanskrit, the word Käla is used in many sense. It means time, the God of Death, the Cosmic Being, the Supreme Lord etc. The Bhägavata has the following to say: "Time is called Käla, because it controls the life and death of all living beings.; it does not leave even the minutest part of time. Käla it seizes or gathers together all beings; it drives beings; it invests all beings with weal and woe; it contracts their span of life; or it leads them to the abode of Death". 
2) The Lords of the twelve Signs (Räçis) beginning with Meña (Aries) are in order (1) Mars, (2) Venus, (3) Mercury, (4) Moon, (5) Sun, (6) Mercury, (7) Venus, (8) Mars, (9) Jupiter, (10) Saturn, (11) Saturn, (12) Jupiter. 
3) In the Odd Signs of the Zodiac, the first Horä i.e., 15 degree portion, is ruled by the Sun and the second by the Moon, next by the Sun. The lords of the three decanates i.e., 10 degree portions in each Räçi are those of the same Sign, the fifth one from the first and the ninth from the first respectively. 
Notes: There was a dispute about the origin of Horä. Burgess first thought that it was borrowed from the Greeks, but later he changed his view. However, the word Drekkäna or Dreñkäna is evidently a Greek word. In each Sign, there are two Horäs and three Decanates. In Meña, Mithuna, Siàha and other odd Räçis the first half or 15 degree portion is presided over by the Sun, while the next half by Moon. In even Signs, i.e., Våñabha, Karkaöaka, Kanyä etc., they are ruled by the Moon and the Sun respectively There are three decanates in each Sign, the dimension of each being 10 degrees. In each Räçi, the first part that is 5th from it; and the third by the Räçi and its lord; the second by the Räçi that is 5th from it; and the third by the Räçi that is 9th from the original. For example, take Sign Cancer, it is three decanates are called respectively Cancer, Scorpio and Pisces. Their lords too are in order the Moon, Mars and Jupiter. 
4) In the odd Signs of the lords of Triàsäàças (degree portions) are Mars who owns the first 5 degrees, saturn who owns the next 5 degrees, Jupiter who owns the next 8 degrees, Mercury who owns the next 7 degrees and Venus who owns the last 5 degrees. This order of ownership is reversed in the case of even Signs. 
Notes: Triàçäàça is 1/30 of a Räçi which consists of 30 degrees. So one Triàçäàça means one degree. But in Hindu astrology, each degree is not given a ruler. On the other hand, these 30 degrees are distributed among the non-luminaries. In the odd Signs, Meña, Mithuna etc., Mars, Saturn, Jupiter, Mercury and Venus own in order 5° , 5° , 8° , 7° and 5° . In the even Signs, Taurus, Cancer etc., the order is reversed. In other words, the first 5° are ruled by Venus, the next 7° by Mercury, the next 8° by Jupiter the next 5° by Saturn and the last 5° by Mars. 
5) The Naväàçäs (1/9 of a Sign or 3 degrees and 20 minutes) of Meña, Siàha and Dhanus begin with Meña itself; those of Våñabha, Kanyä and Makara begin with Makara; those of Mithuna, Tulä and Khumbha with Tulä; lastly those of Karkaöaka, Våçcika and Ména, with Karkaöaka. The Lords of the Dvädaàäàças (1/12 portions of a Räçi or 2 1/2 degree portions) are those of the 12 Signs beginning with the same Räçi. Thus the six sub-divisions of a sign are based upon the Signs of the zodiac. 
Notes: The Naväàças, 3° 20’ portions of a Rasi of each sign bear the names of nine Signs and are owned by their lords. The first Naväàça of Aries is owned by Aries itself and its lord is that of Aries viz. Mars; the second by Taurus whose lord is Venus; the third by Gemini ruled by Mercury; the fourth by Cancer and the Moon; the 5th by Leo and the Sun; the sixth by Virgo and Mercury; the 7th by Libra and Venus; the 8th by Scorpio and Mars; and lastly the 9th by Sagittarius and Jupiter. This method should be followed in the case of Leo and Sagittarius also. So it will be seen that for Meña and the last one Dhanus. Similarly, in the case of Våñabha, Kanyä and Makara the first Naväàça is Makara itself and the last one is Kanyä. In the case of Mithuna, Tulä and Kumbha the first and last ones are Tulä and Mithuna respectively. In respect of the last group of Karkaöaka, Våçcika and Ména, they are Karkaöaka and Ména respectively. Here it can be seen that every Räçi participates in the Naväàça scheme in one way or other. In every triad of Signs, the first owns the first Naväàça, the second the middle one and the third the last Naväàça. Thus Våñabha, Siàha, Våçcika and Kumbha own their middle or fifth Naväàças and Mithuna, Kanyä, Dhanus, and Ména own their last Naväàças. If a planet is posited in one and the same Räçi and Naväàça, it is said to be Vargotamämça. 6) Meña, Våñabha, Karkaöaka, Dhanus and Makara are termed as Nocturnal Signs, and these Signs rise with their hind parts first. The remaining Signs are called Diurnal, while Meña rises both ways. The Signs are called Cruel and Gentle in order. They are also named Male and Female respectively. 
7) The three Signs beginning with Meña, taken at a time, represent in order Male, Female and Eunuch as well as Movable, Fixed and Dual Räçis. The four Signs, Aries, Taurus, Gemini and Cancer, represent the four quarters, East, South, West and North respectively. The 12 Signs have their respective haunts or abode. 
Notes: In this verse, the 12 Räçis are distinguished on the basis of their sex, nature, quarters they own and their habitats. For the first two 3 Räçis are taken at a time and the process repeated. Thus we get four signs under each: Meña, Karkaöaka, Tulä and Makara are Male and Movable; Våñabha, Siàha, Våçcika and Kumbha, female and Fixed; and lastly Mithuna, Kanyä, Dhanus and Ména, Eunuch and Dual. Next four Signs are taken together at a time to represent the four cardinal points. For showing eight quarters we have to consider Meña and Våñabha- as forming the East and Mithuna the South-East and so on. For knowing the habitats of the Signs one has to understand their forms. For example, Aries is represented by a Ram, Taurus by a Bull, Gemini by a human couple and so on. So the habitats of the 12 Signs are in order (1) Forest or Plateau (2) Field or Meadow (3) Bed Chamber or village (4) Pond (5) Mountain Cave (6) Land with water and vegetation (7) Market place (8) Hole (9) Battle-field (10) Forest with plenty water (11) Place of potters and (12) Water. 
8) The Exaltation Signs of the Seven Planets headed by the Sun are in order, Meña, Våñabha, Makara, Kanyä, Karkaöaka, Meña and Tulä. Their highest exaltation points are in order, the 2nd (?), 3rd, 28th, 15th, 5th, 27th and 20th degrees in their respective exaltation Signs. 
9) The Debilitation Räçis of the Seven Planets beginning with the Sun are the 7th ones from their respective Exaltation Signs. The Vargottama Naväàças of the three Signs Movable, Fixed and Dual, repeated four times are in order, the first, middle i.e., the 5th and the last one. The 12 Bhävas or Houses beginning with the Lagna or Body constitute the whole personality of an individual. 
Notes: The debilitation Signs of the planets are Libra, Scorpio, Cancer, Pisces, Capricorn, Virgo and Aries. 
10) The Mülatrikoìa Signs of the seven planets beginning with the Sun are in order Leo, Taurus, Aries, Virgo, Sagittarius, Libra and Aquarius. Caturasra or Square Houses are the 4th and 8th ones from a particular Sign, house (Bhäva) or a planet. The Trikoìa or Triangular houses are the 5th and 9th from the house of reference or the lagna. 
11) The triad houses (that are termed inauspicious) consists of the 6th, 8th and 12th from the lagna. The Kendras of angular houses are the ascendant (1st), 4th, 7th and 10th The Signs named Human, Watery (or Aquatic), Reptile and Quadruped are strong in the above four Kendras respectively. 
Notes: It is to be remembered that many of the words such as Kendra, Panapara, Äpoklima, Rippha etc., are of foreign origin. Kendra means right angle i.e., the four Kendras at a distance of 90 from one another. Mithuna, Kanyä, Tulä, the first half of Dhanus and Kumbha are termed Human Signs; Signs Karkaöaka, Våçcika, Makara and Ména, Watery; Karkaöaka, Våçcika, Reptile; and Meña, Våñabha, Siàha, the latter half of Dhanus and the first half of Makara Quadruped. Human Signs are strong when they occupy the ascendant (Lagna); Watery ones, the 4th House; Reptile ones, the 7th House and the Quadruped ones, the 10th House. 
12-13) The houses immediately following the Kendras are termed Pa¥aphara; and those following the latter, Äpoklima. 
The colours of the 12 Räçis beginning with Aries are in order (1) Red, (2) White, (3) Green, (4) Pink, (5) Brown, (6)Grey, (7) Variegated, (8) Black, (9) Yellow, (10) Saffron (11) Deep Brown, and (12) Bright. 
14) The seven planets beginning with the Sun represent the Soul of the Kälapuruça or Time, (2) His Mind, (3) His Prowess, (4) His Speech, (5) His Wisdom and Happiness (6) His Sexual Passion and (7) His Sorrow, in order. 
15) The Sun and the Moon are the Royal planets (King and Queen); Mars the Commander of the Army; Mercury, the Royal Prince; Jupiter and Venus, the Ministers; and Saturn, the Messenger. This is the opinion of the leading luminaries of astrology. 
16) The colours of the seven planets are in order (1) Copper colour (2) White, (3) deep Red (4) Green, (5) Yellow, (6) Variegated, (7) Jet Black. The presiding Deities are in order (1) Rudra, (2) Goddess Durgä, (3) Çeça, (4) Viñnu, (5) Indra, (6) Indra’s consort Çacé, and (7) Yama. 17) The lords of the 8 quarters are in order (1) the Sun, (2) Venus, (3) Mars, (4) Rähu (5) Saturn, (6) the Moon, (7) Mercury and (8) Jupiter. The following are termed Malefic Planets: The weak Moon, the Sun, saturn and Mercury in association with a malefic planet. 
18) Mercury and saturn are termed Eunuchs; the Moon and Venus, Female; and the rest, Male. The abodes of Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, Venus and
Saturn are in order, Fire, earth, Ether, Water and Air. 
19) Venus, Jupiter, Mars and Sun are the rulers of the Ågveda, Yajurveda, Sämaveda and Atharvaveda respectively. They also preside over the four classes viz. Brähmaìas, Kñatriyas, Vaiªyas and Çüdras in order. Saturn is said to be the leader of outcasts and Rähu, the lord of Mlecchas (barbarians). 
Notes: According to Varähamihira and others both Jupiter and Venus rule over the Brähmana class; the Sun and Mars over Kñatriyas. 
20) The Sun, Moon and Jupiter are Sattvika (pure) in nature; Mercury and Venus, Räjasa (active or passionate); and Mars and Saturn, Tämasa (dark, inert or ignorant). 
21-22) Their clothes are in order (1) thick, (2) new, (3) singed by fire, (4) soft, (5) fine (strong?) (6) silken and (7) rags. Their metals are (1)Copper, (2) silver (3) Copper (4) lead (5) gold (6) bell-metal and (7)iron. These metals are to be deduced from the rulers of the decanates rising at the time. The six seasons viz. winter, spring, summer, monsoon, autumn and dewy season are ruled over by Saturn, Venus, Mars, Moon, Mercury, and Jupiter respectively. 
23) O Närada, Saturn aspects fully the 3rd and 10th houses, Jupiter the 5th and 9th, Mars the 4th and 8th houses counted from the one occupied by them and all the planets cast their full aspects on the 7th house. 
24) The periods allotted to the seven planets from the Sun onwards are in order: A solstice (six months), A Muhürata or moment, a day, two months, a months, a fortnight and a year. 
Their tastes are in order: pungent, salt, bitter, mixed, sweet, sour and astringent. 
25-26) The friends of a planet are the lords of the 2nd, 4th, 5th, 8th, 9th and 12th Räçis counted from the Mülatrikoìa Räçis of the planets concerned. Friends of the seven planets beginning with the Sun are : (1)Jupiter (2) Jupiter and Mercury (3) Venus and Mercury, (4)all planets except the Sun, (5) all except Mars, (6) all except the Sun and Moon, (7) all except the Sun, Moon and Mars. Planets that are posited in the 2nd, 12th, 11th,3rd, 4th and 10th from one are his temporary friends. 
Notes: According to the rule enunciated here, the Sun must have Jupiter who owns the 5th and 8th houses from his Mülatrikoìa, Mars owning 4th and 9th; and the Moon owning the 12th house, as his friends. However, the author gives only Jupiter. Similarly for the Moon, the Sun and Mercury become friends. For Mars, they are the Sun, Moon and Jupiter; for Mercury, the Sun and Mercury; for Jupiter, the Sun, Moon and Mars; for Venus, Mercury and Saturn; and for Saturn, Mercury and Venus. 
27) O sage, after ascertaining the natural friends, enemies and neutrals, the temporary friends also should be determined. A natural friend who happens to be a temporary friend also, becomes an Ädhimitra (an intimate friend). Similarly, a natural friend would become a neutral, if he has no temporary friendship. A natural enemy who is a temporary friend, would become a neutral. By the same argument, a natural enemy would become a bitter enemy too. 
Notes: Here the calculation is to be done from the planet’s Mülatrikoìa Räçi. The lords of the 3rd, 6th, 7th, 10th and 11th houses counted from the Mülatrikoìa of the planet concerned, are his natural enemy of another, according to this rule, becomes only a neutral, if his exaltation house is owned by that planet. For example, for Mars, Saturn becomes a natural enemy, since the latter owns 2 houses viz. 10th and 11th from his Mülatrikoìa, Meña. Still he is only a neutral, as the exaltation sign of Mars, Makara is owned by Saturn. 28) A planet attains positional strength (Sthäna-bala) by its occupation of its exaltation house, Mülatrikoìa, own house and Naväàças owned by itself. Mercury and Jupiter get directional strength (Digbala) when they are posited in the East; the Sun and Mars in the South; Saturn in the West and the Moon and Venus in the North. 
29) Planets are said to be strong in their respective seasons and in the Uttaräyana or Winter Solstice; while others get strength by retrograde motion. Planets in conjunction being to the north of others and possessed of brilliant rays are considered to be possessed of Ceçöabäla or Motional strength. 
Notes: Planets’ strength is measured in respect of six things viz. Käla, Ceñöä, Ucca, Dik, Ayana and Sthäna (i.e., time, motion, exaltation, direction, declination and position). The Summer Solstice or Dakñinäyana gives strength to Mercury, saturn and the Moon, while the rest get strength in the winter Solstice. The non-luminaries get strength when they are retrograde. 30) The Temporal strength (Kälabala) of planets is explained by scholars thus: The Moon, Mars, Venus and Saturn are strong at night; Mercury is strong always; while the rest are strong by day. Malefics are strong in the dark fortnight while benefics are strong in the bright one. 
31-32) Among the planets, Saturn, Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, Venus, the Moon and the Sun, each succeeding planet is stronger than its predecessor. When malefics are powerful and benefics are devoid of strength; when there a eunuch planets occupies or aspects a Kendra, the birth of a sub-human being (say, animal or bird) takes place. The birth will correspond to the nature of the Aàça of the Sun and moon (whichever is stronger). When malefics are in their own Aàças, and benefics in those of malefics, the birth of a sub-human being is to be predicted. 
33-34) Where the lagna is weak, in addition, scholars should predict the birth of an animal. In the case of quadrupeds the 12 Räçis beginning with Meìa represent their (1)Head, (2) Face and Neck, (3) Fore-legs and shoulders, (4) Back, (5) Chest, (6)Sides (7) Stomach, (8) Anus and Hind legs, (9) Genital Organ, (10) Testicles, (11) Haunches and (12) Tail. 
35)The colour of the animal will have to be predicted from the strongest of the Räçis represented by the Naväàça of the ascendant and those that are occupied by planets. The lines on the back of the animal will correspond to the number of planets in the 7th house or the number of planets aspecting that house. 
36) Birds are born when the lord of the ascendant is posited in a Bird Decanate and in the last Naväàça of a Räçi, in conjunction with another planet. Similar is the result when the ascendant is aspected by or is conjoined with Saturn or the Moon. The nature of bird, whether belonging to water or land, is to be deduced from that of the Naväàça of the ascendant. [Or it maybe thus:- If the decanate of the ascendant is connected with the Moon (by aspect or conjunction), the bird must be an aquatic one, while with Saturn, it is a land bird]. 
Notes: The last decanate of Taurus is called Vihaga or Bird. The first of Siàha and Kumbha and the middle of Tulä are called Gådhräsya or Vulture-faced. 
37) When the lagna, the Moon, Sun and Jupiter are devoid of strength, the birth of trees should be predicted. The distinction between water and land trees is to be made on the basis of the Naväàça of the ascendant as given previously. 
38) The number of trees that are born on land or water corresponds to the one denoted by the number of Räçis by which the lord of the Lagna is separated form the Lagna. 
39) When the lord of the ascendant happens to be the Sun, the trees born are those that are strong internally (i.e., whose pith is strong); if it is Saturn, they would be worthless trees; if it is Moon, they would be milky trees; If Mars, thorny ones; If Jupiter, fruit-bearing ones; and if Mercury, fruitless ones. 
40) If the lord of the Lagna is Venus, the trees will be flower-bearing trees; if it is Moon, glossy or juicy ones; if Mars, pungent ones. If the concerned planet be benefic posited in the Räçi owned by a malefic, the result would be a good tree growing on a bad soil. 
41) A retrograde planet will yield results similar to those posited in another’s (i.e., enemy’s) Aàça. In this world, the menstrual flow of women takes place every month owing to the interaction of Moon-Mars. 42) When the Moon in her transit comes to an Upacaya House (3, 6, 10 or 11 from the lagna) in the woman’s birth chart and is aspected by Jupiter, man unites with woman for impregnation. If the 7th house from the ascendant at the time of sexual union is occupied or aspected by malefics, the union takes place in a huff; if by benefics, with pleasure. 43) O foremost of Brahmins, men possessed of strong vitality (virility) would be able to beget issue, if, at the time of coitus, Venus, the Sun and Mercury be posited in their own Räçis or Aàças and Jupiter in a Trikoìa house from the Lagna. 
44) If mars and Saturn be posited in the 7th house from the Sun and Moon at the time of sexual union, the man and woman would fall ill. The couple would meet with their end, if the luminaries (the Sun in the case of man, and the Moon in the case of woman) should have Mars and Saturn in the 12th and 2nd places from them. Or be aspected by one of these malefics or conjoined with them. 
45) For day births, Venus and the Sun are considered mother and father respectively; and for night births, they are the Moon and Saturn respectively. When one pair acts as the parents, the other does as maternal aunt and paternal uncle respectively. If these planets occupy even and odd houses respectively, they confer auspicious results on the parents or aunt and uncle as the case may be. 
46) If a weak benefic is posited in the lagna and aspected by a malefic, or if Saturn in exaltation is posited in the Lagna, being aspected by the weak Moon and Mars, the woman will certainly meet with death ere long. 
47) If the Lagna and the Moon, either together or separately, are surrounded by malefics, then the pregnant woman will die. 
48) The same result will follow, if there are malefics in the 4th house counted form the lagna, the Moon and Mars in the 8th house; or if the New Moon, Mars and the Sun are in the 4th and 12th houses respectively. 
49) If Mars and Sun occupy the Lagna and the 7th house respectively, the woman’s death takes place as a result of surgical operation or a weapon. Abortion is likely to take place in the particular month of pregnancy whose lord is eclipsed. Notes: Pregnancy lasts for 10 months based on the sidereal calendar. Each of the months is ruled by a planet. The condition of the foetus will depend will depend on the strength etc. of the planet ruling the month. The following are the rulers of the 10 months in order: venus, Mars, Jupiter, the Sun, Moon, Saturn, Mercury, the planet that owns the Lagna at impregnation, the Moon and lastly the Sun. 
50) If the Lagna at Ädhäna (impregnation) or the Moon are conjoined with benefics, or if the benefics are posited in the 2nd, 4th, 5th, 7th, 9th and 10th houses counted from either, and if the malefics be in the 3rd, 6th and 11th houses, without aspecting the Lagna or moon, as the case maybe, the foetus will grow happily. 
51) It should be predicted that a boy will be born, if the Sun, Moon, Jupiter and lagna, being possessed of strength, occupy odd Räçi and the masculine Aàças (odd ones); or if Jupiter and the Sun at least are in odd places. 
Notes: The strength of Naväàças and their lords play and important role. The above rules can be applied to a nativity, query or impregnation chart. 
52) The wise should declare the birth of a female, when the above (the Sun, Moon, Jupiter and the Lagna) or Mars, the Moon and Venus, are posited in even Signs and even Naväàças. 
53) If the planets viz Mars, venus and the Moon are posited in dual signs and Aàças, and are aspected by Mercury, twins will be born. Similarly, Saturn occupying an odd house other than the Lagna makes for a male birth. 
54-56) The pregnant woman gives birth to a eunuch under the following yogas:- (1) The Sun and Moon should aspect each other; (2) Mercury and Saturn should aspect each other.; (3) Mars should aspect the Sun in an even Räçi; (4) Mars aspects the Lagna and the Moon that are in odd signs; (5) Mars aspects the Moon is an even sign and Mercury in an odd sign; (6) Mars should aspect the odd Aàça (of the Lagna?). If the Moon and Venus occupying even Räçis are aspected by a male planet, and if the Lagna, Mercury, Mars and Jupiter occupy odd Räçis, the result is the birth of the twins. The same result will follow, if both the Lagna and Moon occupy either even Signs or Dual ones. So too when Mercury situated in his own Aàça or Räçi aspects the Dual Aàça or Räçi occupied by planets and their ascendant. 
57-58) Triplets will have to be predicted on the basis of Mercury’s occupation of Even and Dual Vargas (Räçi and Aàça). When the lagna is the last Aàça of Dhanus and when strong planets occupying the Aàça of the Lagna are aspected by strong Saturn and Mercury, there would be many children in the foetus. The Lords of the 10 months of pregnancy are Venus, Mars, Jupiter, the Sun and Moon respectively. Notes: There is a difference between this work and others on astrology regarding the lordship of the last two months. 
59) The welfare of the child in the womb in the different months depends on the condition of the lords of the respective months. If Mercury is posited in the 5th or 9th house, and the others weak or eclipsed, the child will have two heads and four hands and feet. 
60) When the malefics, Sun, Moon Mars and Saturn are posited in the junctions of Räçis viz. the last parts of Karkaöaka, Våñcika and Ména, the child will be dumb and without feet. 
61) Should Mars and Saturn are occupy a Sign or Aàça owned by Jupiter, the child will have teeth at birth. Should the Moon occupying her own house in Karkaöaka, which is the Lagna at birth, be aspected by Mars and Saturn, it would be hunch-backed. If the lagna be the last portion of Ména and aspected by the Moon, Mars and Saturn, it would be lame. 
62) When Siàha Lagna is occupied by the two luminaries and aspected by Mars and Saturn, the child will be blind. On the other hand, if the aspecting planets are both benefic and malefic, the child will be bleary-eyed. If under the above conditions the Sun and Moon be in the 12th house, its right and left eye respectively will be destroyed. 
63) If the lagna which is Siàha is occupied by the two luminaries and aspected by Mars and Saturn, the child will be blind. On the other hand, if the aspecting planets are both benefic and malefic, the child will be bleary-eyed. 
64) Inauspicious planetary combinations, though aspected by benefics, do not at all give up their maleficence. If at Niçeka (impregnation) Saturn occupies the 7th house and the ascending Naväàças belongs to Saturn, child-birth will take place after three years. 
65) It will be after twelve years if the planet concerned is the Moon. In this manner, the time of delivery should be considered. 
66-67) Note the Dvädaçaàça Räçi of the Moon at Ädhäna (impregnation). The delivery will take place when the Moon in transit passes through the Räçi that is removed by the number of Dvädaçamçäs from the Dvädaçämça Räçi. The distance in degrees travelled by the Moon in the particular Räçi at birth, being doubled, would give the time of birth in Ghatis from Sunrise. 
68) The child’s father will be away from home of the Moon at birth does not aspect the Rising Sign (Lagna) and if the Sun has fallen from the Zenith (i.e., the 10th house). The father must be in a foreign country at the time, if the Sun is also in a movable sign. Notes: Let us say that the Moon at conception occupies Våñabha and her longitude is 12-25° 46’. The Dvädaçäàça of the Moon is 11th counted from Våñabha. So the Moon’s Dvädaçäàça Räçi happens to be Ména. Now counting will have to be made from this Räçi, i.e., Ména. 11 Räçis should be counted from Ména which comes to Makara. So we must say that delivery is likely to occur when the Moon passes through Makara Räçi. 69) The same result should be declared by expert astrologers, if Saturn be in the lagna and Mars in the 7th or if Moon be between Mercury and Venus; or if the Moon be posited in the Lagna owned by a malefic and in the decanate owned by Våçcika and if benefics be in the 2nd and 11th houses or if the Sun be aspected by the benefics. 
70) If Mars and Saturn occupy Siàha lagna and an Aàça belonging to the Moon or Mercury, the child will have a cord around its limb signified by the Naväàça Räçi of the lagna. The above will happen if Jupiter does not aspect the Lagna, the Moon, or the Lagna along with the two luminaries. 
71-73) If the Sun or the Moon is conjoined with malefics in Våñabha, the child maybe illegitimate. If Mars and Saturn occupying Räçis owned by malefics (i.e., themselves) and conjoined with malefics, happen to be in the 5th or 9th from the Sun, the child’s father is imprisoned in his own country or in a foreign land, according to the Räçi occupied by the Sun is fixed or movable. 74-75) When the full Moon occupies her own Räçi; Mercury the lagna and a benefic the 4th house, birth takes place in a sailing boat. Similar is the result when the lagna is a watery sign and the Moon is posited in the 7th house. Undoubtedly, O Närada, birth takes place on water when the full Moon occupying Gemini or Virgo aspects the lagna or is posited in the Lagna, 2nd or 4th house. 
76) Delivery takes place clandestinely if Saturn occupying the 12th place from the lagna of the Moon is posited in the 7th. 
77) Delivery takes place in a pit or dungeon if saturn occupies the lagna identical with Karka (Cancer) or Våiçcika (Scorpio) or aspects the Lagna or the Moon, or is conjoined with the Moon or Lagna. If the Lagna of birth is aspected by Mercury, the Sun and Moon, the places of delivery, respectively would be a place of sport, a temple and a barren spot. 
78-79) Birth takes place in a burial ground if Mars should aspect the Lagna; in a rural place, if the Moon and Venus; in a sacrificial house if Jupiter; in a house of ornaments and decorations, if the Sun; and in a house of fine arts if Mercury, in all cases, the aspecting planets being strong. 
80) If the lord of the Lagna is posited in his own house or Aàça, which is a fixed Sign, the birth takes place in the father’s house; if it is a movable Sign, in transit (during a journey), the nature of the road being determined by that of the Räçi concerned. The child is abandoned by the mother if the Moon occupies the 7th house which is a trine (5th or 9th) to Mars and Saturn. 81) However, if the ascendant is aspected by Jupiter, the child will live long and be rescued by somebody. On the other hand, if the ascendant occupied by the Moon is aspected by malefics and if Mars occupies the 7th house, the abandoned child will die. 
82) If the trine (5th) from Mars and Saturn are aspected by a benefic, the child lives happily in the protection of a stranger. On the other hand, if the ascendant occupied by Moon is aspected by malefics and if Mars occupies the 7th house, the abandoned child will die. 
83) O Sage, the birth takes place in the house of the father or mother according as the planet owning the house is strong. If the ascendant is occupied by a debilitated benefic and the Moon does not tenant the ascendant nor aspected by any planet, the birth takes place in a lonely place. 
84-85) When the Moon is posited in the 4th house owned by Saturn or in an Aàça of Saturn, or aspected by Saturn, the birth takes place in darkness or in dim light and the woman lies down on the floor. Similarly, the direction of the house or the lying-in-chamber should be guessed from the nature of the Räçi, whether it is Sirçodaya (rising with its head) or Påçöhodaya (rising with its hind part) first. 
86-87) Trouble will have to be predicted for the mother, if there are malefics in the 4th and 7th houses from the Moon. When the strongest (or aspecting) planet in the chart happens to be Saturn, the house in which the child is born should be an old house that has been renovated; Mars, a burnt one; the Moon, a newly built one; the Sun, a wooden one house that is not very strong; Mercury, one with many architectural embellishments; Venus a new house adorned with paintings; or Jupiter, or a strong and attractive one as the case may be. 
88) The house of birth or the laying-in chamber is in the East, if the ascendant is Tulä, Meña, Karka, Våçcika, or Kumbha; It is in the North, if the Lagna is owned by Mercury or Jupiter; it is in the West, if it is Våñabha; and in the South, if it is Siṁha or Makara. 89) The directions of the house are represented by two houses beginning with Meña for each cardinal point and a dual house for an intermediate quarter. The legs of the cot are represented by the 3rd, 6th, 9th and 12th houses respectively, as in the case of a house. 
90) The number of women in attendance in the laying-in chamber corresponds to that of the planets that are situated between the lagna and the Moon. The persons inside and outside are read from the planet in visible and invisible halves of the Zodiac. 
Notes: In the Zodiac, one half is above the horizon and the other below it. So they are called Dåçyärdha (visible half) and Adåçyärdha (invisible half). The 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th and 12th and the portion of the Lagna that has risen come under the Visible Half. The 7th is called the Astaräçi or the Setting Sign. Even in this Sign, there are two parts as in the Lagna. 
91) The child’s body will correspond to the characteristics of the planet that occupies the Lagna, or of the one that is strongest in the chart. Its complexion will be like that of the Moon’s Navämça. The delineation of the native’s limbs from head to foot, should be done on the basis of the 12 Räçis commencing from the ascendant (as explained below). Notes: The colour or complexion corresponds to that of the Lord of the Moon’s Naväàça Räçi. 92-93) When any of the three decanates of a Räçi rises, the native’s limbs are allotted to the different houses in the following manner:- (1) When the first decanate rises, those of the 12 houses counted from the Lagna onwards represent the head, eye, ear, nostril, cheek, jaw and mouth on the right and left sides. Similarly, the second decanates of the houses represented in order are the neck, shoulder, side, heart, arm, chest and navel on two sides. The last ones likewise represent the pelvis, the genital organ, anus, thighs, knees, shanks and feet. Notes: Suppose the first decanate of Meña rises, then the first ones of the 12 houses will represent in order the head, the right eye, right ear, right nostril, right cheek, right jaw, mouth, left jaw, left cheek, left nostril, left ear and the left eye. 
94-95) Whichever decanate Räçi is occupied by malefics, will have a wound or ulcer in the corresponding limb of the native; if the planet is benefic, the particular limb will have a mole or mark. The mark will be natural or inborn when the conjoining planet is posited in its own Sign or Aàça that is a fixed Räçi; otherwise it will be an accidental one. If the planet concerned be Saturn, the wound would be one caused by wind or stone; if Mars, by poison, weapon or fire; if Mercury, by earth (i.e., mud) and the Sun, by wood, animals or horned animals of the class of goats. 
96) There will undoubtedly be a wound caused by malefics in the limb signified by the decanate which is occupied by three planets. A Decanate that is aspected which is occupied by three planets. A Decanate that is aspected by malefics will cause a mole in the corresponding limb, while one occupied by benefics, a good mark. 
97-100) The Sun has a square body, pink eyes, bilious constitution and sparse hair; the Moon has a round body, wind and phlegm in constitution, intelligence, measured or slow speech and attractive eyes; Mars is youthful, possessed of fierce eyes, fickle and bilious in constitution, intelligence; Mercury has all the three humours in his constitution, practical jokes, appreciates tastes and speaks cogently or with pun; Jupiter has pink hairs and eyes, a tall body, phlegmatic nature and great erudition and wisdom; Venus has a charming body, attractive eyes, black and curly hair and enjoys happiness; and Saturn has tawny eyes, a bluish or black complexion, coarse hair and indolent nature. 
101) Muscles are ruled by Saturn; bones are ruled by the Sun; blood is ruled by the Moon; skin is ruled by Mercury; semen is ruled by Venus; marrow is ruled by Jupiter and fat is ruled by Mars. 
102) When the ascendant, the Moon and malefics are all posited in the last portion of Räçis; when malefics occupy the kendras from the Moon; when malefics and benefics occupy the first half and second half respectively and when Scorpio is the rising sign, the child will die soon. 
103) If there be malefics both in the ascendant and in the 7th house, and if the Moon, conjoined with malefics and not be aspected by benefics, the child would certainly meet with its end. 
104) When the weak Moon occupies the 12th house, malefics the ascendant and the 8th house, and benefics are not in kendras; or when the Moon, not conjoined with benefics, occupies the Lagna, the 7th, 8th or 12th house, un-aspected by benefics posited in Kendra etc, the child perishes. 
105) If the Moon be posited in the 6th or 8th house and be aspected by malefics, the child will die soon after birth. On the other hand, if the Moon in the above yoga is aspected by benefics also, it will die in the 8 year, will follow, if the Moon is aspected both by malefics and benefics. 
106) If the weak Moon is in the lagna or is hemmed in between malefics, or when the malefics occupy the 8th house or kendras; or when the Moon is posited in the 4th, 7th or 8th house, or when the Lagna is surrounded by malefics, the child will die likewise. 
107-108) The child will die along with its mother, if malefics occupy the 7th from the Moon, provided there is no benefic aspect. The same prediction will have to be made when the Moon occupies the end of a R§ªi without any benefic aspect, and malefics, the 5th and 9th houses; or when the Moon occupies the Lagna and malefics in the 7th house. 
109-110) If the Moon is eclipsed at the time and malefics occupy the 8th house, both the mother and child will die soon. The death will be due to a surgical operation, if the Sun be in the Lagna and strong malefics in the 8th house. 
111) When Cancer (Karka) rises along with the Moon and Jupiter in it, Mercury and Venus occupy Kendras, and the rest the 3rd, 6th and 11th house, the child will indeed be blessed with an unlimited span of life. 
112) The maximum span of life is enjoyed by one, in whose birth, the sign Pisces rises with its own Naväàça, the Moon occupies Taurus (Våñabha) and the 25th degree, and all the planets their exaltations. 
Notes: The reader should bear in mind the fact that all 7 planets cannot be exalted at once, for, Sun if exalted in Meña, Mercury cannot be so. A planet is said to be Vargottama when it occupies the same Sign both in the Räçi and Aàçaka Chart. 
113-114) A strong planet posited in the ascendant or a kendra, aspected by benefics confers on the native both long life and wealth. One lives for 60 years, if the Moon is in her own or exaltation house, benefics in their own houses and Lord of the Lagna, possessed with strength, in the lagna itself. The longevity is of 70 years, when benefics are in the Kendras and the 8th house devoid of planets, and when Jupiter is strong. The native lives for 80 years, if benefics occupy their Mülatriko£a houses, Jupiter his exaltation, and the lord of the ascendant is strong. One lives for 30 years only, when strong malefics occupy Kendras and the 8th house is free from planets. 
115) When the lord of the 8th occupies the 9th and Jupiter occupying the 8th is aspected by malefics, the native lives for 24 years. The longevity is of 27 years (or 12 years) if the lords of both the lagna and the 8th house occupy the 8th. 
116) When the lagna is occupied by a malefic and Jupiter, aspected by the Moon, and the 8th house is tenanted by some planet, the child will live for 20 years. The same age is to be predicted, when Saturn is in the lagna or the 9th house, Venus in a kendra and the Moon in the 9th or 12th. 
117) The span of life is 100 years when Jupiter occupies Cancer (Karka) or when Venus and Jupiter are in Kendras. It is 40 years, when the lord of the 12th house occupies the lagna and the 8th is devoid of benefics. 
118) If the lords of the lagna and the 8th house exchange their positions, the child will live for five years only. When Jupiter and Venus are combined in the lagna and Mercury and the Moon in the 8th house, it is 50 years. 
119) The above mentioned spans of life are called those caused by Yoga or planetary dispositions. Now I shall explain the one called Spañöa or one based on planetary strength or longitudes. When the Sun is the most powerful in the chart, the Span is called Pindaja, whereas when the Moon is strong, it is called Nisargaja; and when the ascendant is very strong, it is Aàçäyuù. Now listen to their delineation. 
120-122) The years contributed by the seven planets headed by the Sun, when they are in their highest exaltation, are in order: 
In the Pindäyurdäya system, they are 19, 25, 15, 12, 15, 21 and 20 years. In the Nisargaja system, they are: 20, 1, 2, 9, 18, 20 and 50 years, respectively. Subtract a planet’s longitude from its highest exaltation figures. If the result is less than six Signs (Räçis), it should be subtracted from 12 Räçis and its Aàças be taken towards its contribution. Notes: After subtracting the planet’s longitude from its highest exaltation, see if the result is less than 6 Räçis. If so, subtract it from 12 Räçis and reduce the result to minutes and multiply it by the planet’s years. Then divide the product by 21,600. The quotient represent years etc., contributed by that planet. 123) A planet posited in an inimical house loses 1/3 part of its contribution except when it is retrograde. Similarly, one that is combust will lose half its contribution. However, Venus and Saturn do not lose anything on the score of eclipse. 
124) When there is a possibility of reduction on two counts for a planet’s contribution, only the bigger one should be resorted to. When there is a malefic in the Lagna, the contribution of the Lagna should be reduced thus: (1) Leave off the number representing the Signs in the Longitude of the ascendant and reduce the degrees etc. to minutes and multiply the result by the rectified contribution of that planet. 
(2) Divide the product by the number of minutes in Bhagaṇa (which is 360° = 21,600’). Now subtract the quotient from the rectified Äyus of that planet. The result will give the final rectified contribution of that malefic. 125-127)The contribution of a malefic (aspected by a benefic) is completely left out while that of the benefic is halved. These contributions of the several planets and the Lagna thus rectified should be multiplied by their respective multipliers (Gu£akas) and divided by 360. The quotient will give the Äyus in years and the remainder being multiplied by 12 and divided by the above divisor will give the months. The remainder should be multiplied by 30 and divided as before by 360. The result will be days and the remainder being multiplied by 60 and divided as before will yield Ghaṭés etc. 128) The rectified contribution of the Lagna is got by leaving off the Räçis in its figure and converting the degrees etc. into minutes and dividing the result by 200. The quotient gives years, and the remainder being multiplied by 12 and divided by 200 gives months etc. 
129) In the Aàçäyurdäya system, the longitudes of the planets and the ascendant should be converted into minutes and divided by 40. The result will give the years etc contributed by the planets etc. I shall now explain the rectification of the contributions. 
130-131)Subtract the longitude of a planet from the figures for the ascendant. If the result is less than six Signs, there should be rectification and not otherwise. Convert the balance thus got into degrees and divide it by 30. The reduce the quotient by 1. The result in degrees is to be divided by 30. This result again reduced by 1 will be the multiplier. 
132) The contribution of a benefic should be reduced to a half and that of a malefic to nil, without doubt. The contribution of planets when multiplied by the Gunaka give their nett Äyus. This is what is meant by rectification. 
133) The degrees etc. in the Äyus of a planet should be divided by 200. The quotient will give years and the remainder multiplied by 12 and divided by 200 will yield months, days etc. 
134) The contribution of the lagna multiplied by 3 and divided by 10 gives its Äyus in years. The remainder should be multiplied by 12 and divided by 10. The result will give months and days. 
135) When the lagna is very strong, its nett contribution would be the above result increased by so many years as there are Räçis in the Lagna. The degrees etc., multiplied by two and divided by 12 would give months and the remainder being multiplied by 30 and divided as before, days etc. This is not done in the case of Piëòa and Nisarga systems. 
136-137) The Mahadaçä (major period) of that planet which is the strongest among the three viz. Ascendant, the Sun and Moon, will operate in the beginning. Then will come the Daçäs of those that are in the Kendras. In case there are many planets posited in Kendras, then the strongest of them will have precedence over others. If two planets are equally strong, then that which contributes a greater number of years of Äyus, will operate first. In the case of planets that are associated with the Sun, the faster moving one will come first (i.e., the one which becomes visible first). 
138-140)The order of the Daçäs is the following: A planet whose Þadvargabala is a half (of its maximum), one whose Bala is 1/3, a planet which is situated in a trine, one in the 7th therefrom, one in the 7th itself, one in the 4th house and one in the 4th or 8th from the previous Äyurdäya, here too the rules regarding the precedence of Daçä with regard to the planets posited in quadrants, their order in case of a tie, are the same as noted already. The Gunakas (multipliers) for the various types of planets are the following: for the Daçänätha (i.e., the planet whose Daçä comes first) it is 84 (or does it mean 4 or 8 according to its strength?); for one in conjunction with another, it is 4; for one posited in a line, it is 28; for one posited in the 7th house, it is 12; and for one posited in the 4th or 8th house, it is 21. 
141) O Närada, the Daçä period being multiplied by these Gunakas and divided by the Gunaikya (the combined Guna or product of the Gunakas) yields the nett result in years. When the remainder is multiplied by 12 and divided by the above divisor, months, etc., are got. 
142 The sub-divisions or minor periods of a Daçä are Vidaçäs and Upadaçäs. When the lord of the sub period happens to be Adhimitra (fast friend) or is posited in the former house, exaltation or in the lagna, the period should be increased in order by 1, 4, 1 or 7 years. 
143) A benefic occupying a house increases its prospects, provided he is aspected by another occupying a contributory house. On the other hand, if he is posited in any other house, he will destroy it. 
144) Whatever substances are allotted to a planet, all that should be mentioned as occurring in the Daçä of that planet by it occupation, aspect and conjunction, to the person concerned in his profession, life etc. 
145-146) If the lord of the sub period – Vidaçä or Upadaçä – is aspected by an inimical planet, he will cause only disasters. On the other hand, one who is aspected by a benefic, or a friend and is posited in benefic or friendly Vargas and is strong at the time (of the sub-period) is declared to be a destroyer of all troubles. This applies also to one whose Añöakavarga results are excellent. 147-148)A planet that is posited in its exaltation house identical with an auspicious house counted from the lagna, Moon or Sun, will yield the best results, while one posited in its own house, Mülatrikona or friendly house, moderately good effects. The effect, good or bad, will be intense or otherwise, according as the planet is strong or otherwise. 
149) In a Movable Lagna, the effects of the three decanates, first, second and third are good, middling and bad respectively; in a Fixed one, they are in order, bad, good and middling; In a Dual one, middling, bad and good. 
150) The Lagna being aspected or joined by its own lord, Mercury or Jupiter confers excellent results on the native, while being hemmed in between malefics or being aspected by or joined by malefics, it leads to its ruin. 
151-152) In the Sun’s Añöakavarga chart he produces beneficent influences on houses 1, 2, 4, 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11 counted from his own position. He is good in these houses counted from the positions of Mars and Saturn also. He is good in 6, 7 and 12 from Venus; He is good in 5, 6, 9 and 11 places from Jupiter; He is good in 3, 6, 10 and 11 from the Moon; He is good in 3, 5, 6, 9, 10, 11 and 12 places counted from Mercury and lastly, he is good in 3, 4, 6, 10, 11 and 12 places from the Ascendant. 153-154)The Moon is beneficial in places 1, 3, 6, 7, 10 and 11 from himself; 
In 3, 6, 7, 8, 10 and 11 places from the Sun; 
In places 2, 3, 5, 6, 9, 10 and 11 from Mars; 
In 1, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 10 and 11 from Mercury; 
In 1, 2, 4, 7, 8, 10 and 11 places from Jupiter; 
In 3, 4, 5, 7, 9, 10 and 11 places from Venus; 
In 3, 5, 6 and 11 places from Saturn and 
In 3, 6, 10 and 11 places from the Ascendant. 
155-156)Mars is good in 1, 2, 4, 7, 8, 10 and 11 from himself; 
In 3, 5, 6,10 and 11 places from the Sun; 
In 3, 6 and 11 places from the Moon; 
In 3, 5, 6 and 11 places from Mercury; 
In 6, 10, 11 and 12 places from Jupiter; 
In 6, 8, 11 and 12 places from Venus; 
In 1, 4, 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11 places from Saturn; Lastly, 
In 3, 6, 10 and 11 places from the Ascendant. 
157-158) Mercury is beneficial in 1, 3, 5, 6, 9, 10, 11 and 12 from himself; 
In 5, 6, 9, 11 and 12 places from the Sun; 
In 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 and 11 places from the Moon; 
In 1, 2, 4, 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11 places from Mars and Saturn; 
In 6, 8, 11 and 12 places from Jupiter; 
In 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 9 and 11 places from Venus; and 
In 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 and 11 places from the Lagna. 
159-160)Jupiter is beneficial in 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 8, 10 and 11 places from himself; 
In 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11 places from the Sun; 
In 2, 5, 7, 9 and 11 places from the Moon; 
In 1, 2, 4, 7, 8, 10 and 11 places from Mars; 
In 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 9, 10 and 11 places from Mercury; 
In 3, 5, 6, and 12 places from Saturn; 
In 2, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10 and 11 places from Venus; and finally, 
In 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10 and 11 places from the Lagna. 
161-162)Venus is beneficial in 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 9 10 and 11 places from himself. 
In 8, 11 and 12 places from the Sun. 
In 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 9, 11 and 12 places from the Moon. 
In 3, 5, 6, 9, 11 and 12 from Mars; 
In 3, 5, 6, 9 and 11 places from Mercury; 
In 5, 8, 9 10 and 11 places from Jupiter; 
In 3, 4, 5, 8, 9, 10 and 11 places from Saturn; and finally, 
In 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 9, 11 and 12 places from the Lagna. 
163-164) Saturn is auspicious in 3, 5, 6 and 11 places from himself; 
In 1, 2, 4, 7, 8, 10 and 11 places from the Sun; 
In 3, 6 and 11 places from the Moon; 
In 3, 5, 6, 10, 11 and 12 places from Mars; 
In 6, 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12 places from Mercury; 
In 5, 6, 11 and 12 places from Jupiter; 
In 6, 11 and 12 places from Venus; finally, 
In 1, 3, 4, 6, 10 and 11 places from the Lagna.