FUNCTIONAL MALEFIC PLANETS/ FUNCTIONAL BENEFIC PLANETS.

Do functional benefic planets ever cause harm?

The functional benefic planets do not cause harm to the other planets/houses. When weak and afflicted, they fail to fully protect/promote their general and particular significations. When weak and afflicted in the natal chart, their general and particular significations suffer during prolonged impact of transit of functional malefic planets.

Does the classical astrology rule that stipulates natural malefic planets in malefic houses are well placed and capable of producing good results ever apply in SA? 

No.  A natural malefic planet, if not placed in a malefic house in its own mooltrikona sign, becomes weak and afflicted for being placed in a malefic house. Its general and particular significations are vulnerable to losses or get harmed.

Couldn’t the lord of the twelfth house placed in the sixth house result in financial solvency (through loss of debts) during its operating period if well placed and aspected by transit? 

No. The planets placed in malefic houses are treated as badly placed in SA. If the lord of the twelfth house is placed in the sixth house, there are losses, worries, expenses, loss of comforts, loss of sleep, losses in foreign lands, losses through disputes and penal action from government.  To interpret it correctly, it means the positive significations of the twelfth house are lost and get involved in disputes and losses.

Does an affliction by a functional malefic planet infer a state of weakness to an otherwise strong planet, even though “affliction and weakness” are considered to be two different things?

An exact affliction or a special affliction within in orb of two degrees to a strong planet makes it weak. 

In cases where a functional benefic planet is badly placed and unafflicted, would the negative effects be more if it is on the most effective point or away from the most effective point of that bad house?  For example, the Sun for an Aries ascendant is placed in the twelfth house?

When away from the most effective point, it will mean that the person may have inclinations to move to a faraway place, have sensitive emotions and delay in progeny matters.  When on the most effective point, it may mean some benefits from foreign lands through intellectual pursuits.

If a functional benefic planet is badly placed and afflicted, then would the negative effects be more if it is on the most effective point or away from the most effective point of that bad house?  For example, the Sun for an Aries ascendant is placed in the twelfth house and afflicted at same time by, say Mercury.

The negative impact may be more if the planet is near the MEP as then besides the planet, the house may also be afflicted.

How powerful is the most benefic planet for counteracting negative aspects?  Say for example, we have Scorpio 19 degrees 53 minutes rising with Saturn and Mercury in Aquarius, both at 9 degrees.  Let us say this combination gets aspected by Ketu from the twelfth house at 5 degrees 58 minutes.  Assuming there are no other aspects to this conjunction, and neither Saturn nor Mercury are combust or debilitated in navamsa, is it likely that Saturn’s influence on Mercury will outweigh that of Ketu?

Yes.  Both Saturn and Mercury are strong. The impact of Saturn on Mercury is 100% and the impact of Ketu on both Saturn and Mercury is 40%.  The exact conjunction of Saturn and Mercury, both functional benefic planets, generate some additional strength for both of these planets.

How is it that the lord of the ascendant for Scorpio is Mars, as it also shares itself with Scorpio as its functional malefic?

Under SA we do not consider Mars as lord of the ascendant for Scorpio ascendant.

The functional nature of the planets is decided on the basis of the placement of their mooltrikona signs in good or bad houses.  As the mooltrikona sign of Mars is in the sixth house, Mars becomes a functional malefic planet since it represents the significations of the sixth house when forming close conjunctions/aspects in the chart. 

Would we consider one born under the sign of Scorpio as with unhealthy appearance, or prone to have enemies?  Would this even stress the sense of an ugly appearance?

No.  Not in general.  If Mars is not afflicting and Mars is strong, the person may be handsome/beautiful and enjoy good health.  In this case we also consider the influences of other planets on the ascendant and the second house.

Let us say that a functional malefic planet is placed in its own mooltrikona sign.  For example, the Moon in the twelfth house for a Leo ascendant.  Then should one conclude that the Moon is not weak due to bad placement, as it is in its own mooltrikona sign?

This is absolutely right. It can be weak on other accounts - being in infancy, old age, combustion, debilitated in navamsa and close affliction. Its placement in the twelfth house, which is its own mooltrikona sign, does not make it weak. 

Will a functional benefic planet in its own non-mooltrikona sign be treated as weak by being in the twelfth house?

Yes.  It will be treated not only as a weak planet but also as an afflicted planet, because whenever a planet is badly placed its general and particular significations get harmed.

Will a functional benefic planet in its own non-mooltrikona sign in the twelfth house be considered strong if placement is the only weakening factor?

No.

When a planet (either a functional benefic planet or a functional malefic planet, either strong or weak) aspects a house (either mooltrikona or non-mooltrikona) and its aspect is not near the most effective point, has this planet any influence/effect on this house when its main period and/or bhukti occurs or when it transits this house ?

There is no impact of the planet if the aspect is not close during the sub-period of the planet but there is impact when this planet transits the most effective point of a house as per its functional nature. The results of the house a planet rules are related to the house of placement of the planet.

If two planets A and B (either both functional malefic planets, or both functional benefic planets, or one functional malefic planet and one functional benefic planet) are either closely conjunct OR mutually aspect each other closely, can we expect the impact of planet B in the sub-periods of planet A, and the impact of planet B in the sub-periods of planet A?

Both planets influence each other, and in their mutual sub-periods, the impact of both the planets is felt.

What exactly do you mean by the level of impact?

The level of impact means the amount of influence.

Does a weak planet not have as much impact on a planet it aspects or is conjunct with as in the case of a strong planet?

There are two angles.  If the weak planet is a functional benefic planet, its impact will not be as effective as that of a strong planet.  If the weak planet is a functional malefic planet its weakness or its strength does not mean much as it will afflict in both the cases. The level of affliction is measured through the closeness of the impact.

(a) Is a functional malefic planet in its mooltrikona sign considered strong even if it is in the sixth, eighth or twelfth house?  (b) Will a strong functional malefic planet give good results or bad results?  For Scorpions, if Venus is strong, will it give good results in its sub-periods?

(a) Yes, if it is not otherwise weak.  (b) The strong functional malefic planets, if not involved in afflicting other planets/most effective points of the houses in the chart, will give good results pertaining to the significations ruled by them.  For Scorpion born persons a strong Venus will give good results of the twelfth house provided Venus is not closely afflicting any other planet/most effective point of a house. It will give good results of its general significations, as well.

When we analyze a chart for father we have to look the ninth house lord and the Sun (karaka).  In SA notes it is mentioned if the Sun is weak then it is not good for father.  How?

Please refer to prime determinants for father which can be found in Chapter 4 under the subtitle of “Significator Planets and Houses for Various Aspects of Life”. If the Sun as a significator is weak, then it causes concerns for the father.

If a strong functional malefic planet, when not afflicting other planets/houses, is better than a weak one, then why strengthening of a functional malefic planet is not recommended, as well?  The malefic nature of the planet is not reduced due to its weakness.  So why does this planet not be strengthened so that it can protect its own significations?

If a functional malefic is forming a natal affliction, strengthening it will seriously harm the other afflicted planet.  Strengthening, a functional malefic planet certainly puts problems to the native during transit afflictions.  Under special circumstances, if a functional malefic is weak and is in deep trouble and at the same time not causing any harm in the natal chart, it can be strengthened.  But its cost and benefit has to be fully analyzed or judged by the recommending astrologer.

For Virgos, as the Sun is a functional malefic planet - does this mean its transit to its own sign for Virgos even though being a dusthana house can still have good effects?

For the twelfth house significations, yes.

Say the Sun is a functional benefic planet.  When it is in a bad house (in transit or natal chart), can’t its significations be hurt?

When the FB Sun is in a malefic house, its positive results are obstructed, involved in conflicts or are put to losses.  It indicates short-lived problems connected with its significations when it transits any malefic house.  It indicates long run problems in its sub-periods when it is badly placed in a malefic house in the natal chart.  The real problem is there if it is afflicted in that situation both by transit or natal functional malefic planets.

The debilitated functional malefic planets are considered weak and therefore they cannot protect their significations.  Could you explain about exalted functional malefic planets? 

The functional malefic planets, when exalted and strong, protect and promote their general and particular significations.  Similarly, when weak, even though they are in their signs of exaltation, they fail to protect and promote their general and particular significations.  When they are conjunct with the most effective point of a house, they severely damage the significations of the houses occupied and aspected, except when the house contains their own mooltrikona sign.  If they are well placed and not closely conjunct with the most effective point of the house they are occupying, they create short-term duration problems pertaining to the house of their location when they are influenced by the functional malefic planets in transit. When they are conjunct with a planet, they severely damage the significations of the said planet.   For example, if the rising degree is ten in the Aries ascendant and exalted Mercury is at 20 degrees, then Mercury does not afflict the house aspected but can afflict the planets aspected by it closely.  Even if this Mercury is at 10 degrees, it will not afflict the sixth house as this house is its own house but it will afflict the significations of the twelfth house and all such other planets which are between five degrees to fifteen degrees in the sixth and twelfth houses.  During the sub-periods of weak exalted functional malefic planets and during the sub-periods of afflicted planets, the native will experience negative results of the houses where their mooltrikona signs are placed.

Are exalted functional malefic planets considered strong, and will they protect their significations?

The exalted functional malefic planets may be strong or may not be strong.  First one should ascertain their strength as per the principles given in Chapter 4 of the book regarding ‘Predictive Techniques’.  The strong functional malefic planets will protect their general significations and the significations of the house where their mooltrikona sign is placed.

Is the strength of the functional malefic planets better when exalted rather than being in their own mooltrikona sign?

The placement in its own mooltrikona sign is better.  In case of exaltation they are dependent upon the strength of their dispositor.

Are other main periods that are used in traditional astrology (like Narayani main period, etc.) used in SA?

No.  In SA, only Vimshottari main period system is used.  The results of Chara dasa, Narayani dasa, Kalchakara dasa, etc., have not been found dependable.

Will the exalted functional malefic planets when placed at the most effective point of a house other than their own mooltrikona house harm the significations of the house in which they reside?

 Yes, they will harm.  They will also harm the significations of the aspected house(s).  

QUESTIONS ON PLANETS, HOUSES AND SIGNS

In SA we talk about the eleventh house being the house of gains, but not from career, or is it “not necessarily” from career?  Is there a hard and fast rule about that?  And gains from “what” in that case, fifth house things, for one, and whatever is in that house?

Gains mean financial gains from any source, including career.

Who would rule the seventh house significations if it does not contain a mooltrikona sign?

After the seventh house, we proceed to the second house for the purposes of seventh house matters.  In case, the second house, too, does not contain the mooltrikona sign then we proceed to the fourth house.  For further details on all aspects of married life, you may refer to the book, ‘How to Analyze Married Life'. 

Under SA what are the auspicious houses?

In SA all houses other than the dusthana houses are treated as auspicious houses.

Which is the house/planet to look for pets, such as a dog?

The fifth house and Venus.

Could you please explain how the tenth house is connected with the next birth?

A strong and unafflicted tenth house promises a comfortable next birth because of the good deeds in this life and it is further on the path of spirituality and moksha.

Will a planet ever harm a house containing its own non-mooltrikona sign?

 A planet would definitely harm its non-mooltrikona sign if the planet is a functional malefic planet and it is placed on the most effective point of its own non-mooltrikona sign, or aspects it. For example, in the Virgo ascendant, Saturn is a functional malefic planet. If it is placed on the most effective point of the fifth house, which is non-mooltrikona sign of Saturn, it will harm the significations of the fifth house.

Does the speed of planets have any significance in the natal chart as well?  In transit, of course, it would prolong the effect of the planet.  How would it influence the strength of the planet in the birth chart?

The speed of planets has significance in transit only.

PLANETARY COMBUSTION

If the Sun is a functional benefic planet, is the combust planet always considered weak?

When the Sun is a functional benefic planet its conjunction with other well placed functional benefic planets is good and indicates exponential growth for the significations of the planets in close conjunction with the Sun. The combust planets suffer under the triple transit influences of functional malefic planets. This can, however, be guarded by the application of the strengthening and propitiating astral remedies, to a large extent.

When the Sun is a functional malefic planet closely conjunct with other planets, or a functional malefic planet is closely and mutually influencing the Sun and any planets closely conjunct with it, the significations of all the planets involved suffer in their sub-periods as well as during transit impacts.

Can we call the combust planet “Weak”?

Yes.  The weakness due to combustion indicates high and low tides in life and need astral strength for the planets to enable them to fight natal and/or transit afflictions.

We understand that when combust, a planet will transfer its significations to the Sun.  Is this correct?  Does that mean that if, say, the lord of the sixth gets combust, the Sun will take on its qualities of dispute, conflict, and injury, even if their orb of conjunction is more than 6 degrees?

If a functional malefic planet closely influences any other planet or the Sun, a functional malefic planet will certainly color the significations of the planet under its influence, negatively.  The orb of application is restricted to five degrees only.

Is there ever a time when the transit influence continues for a longer duration?

Generally, the maximum limit of transit influences is around four months when Rahu/Ketu axis is stationary. Sometimes, it may be more and it can run for eight months to one year. If the natal planets in odd or even signs are at a mutual distance of about 9 degrees, the transit influence can be prolonged to longer durations.

As for the Sun, to what extent does the influence of the combust planet helps as the combust planet will be weak and not in a position to help the Sun?

When both the Sun and the combust planet are functional benefic planets and are closely conjunct, one should see their role as the lords of the two houses they rule.  The significations of both of these houses will flourish and will be connected to each other except the short run transit malefic influences which will stress the combust planet comparatively more than the Sun.

In a situation, where the dispositor of the Sun is combust, the Sun indirectly hurting itself by causing combustion to its own dispositor, would there be more weakness to both dispositor of the Sun and the Sun itself, if the Sun were a functional malefic planet for the ascendant in question?

Yes.

DIVISIONAL CHARTS

How do you interpret the transit effects with regards to the divisional charts?

The transit impacts are seen only in the rasi chart and not in the divisional charts.

Are the planetary aspects considered in the divisional charts?

Yes.

As per SA books, the ninth house, in general denotes father, preceptor and general fortune.  How would one define general fortune?  The fact that D-9 or navamsa is used for assessing marital significations (spouse) inter-alia other things, how come the ninth house and its lord do not have any say in assessing marital significations in the rasi chart?

Before marriage, fortune is linked with the parents (especially with father) and after marriage the spouse comes in.  That is why both general fortune and marriage is seen from the navamsa.  But in the rasi chart both have separate houses and the incidence of the spouse is seen from the second and fourth houses (besides the seventh house), which rule the houses of family and parents, respectively

Do we consider the navamsa chart even for questions other than marriage?  Is it correct?  Why not use the relevant divisional chart?

In the navamsa the strength of the planets is seen.  If some planet, which is strong in rasi chart and is in the sign of its debilitation in the navamsa, that planet becomes weak.

We study the main chart, then consider the strength of planets in the navamsa besides studying the navamsa for marital happiness and general fortune.  For other aspects of life, in addition to the main and navamsa charts, the concerned divisional chart is also studied.  For example, the panchamsa is used for analyzing the level of intelligence and learning while (D-XI) is examined for identifying the income.

How do you interpret the transit effects with regard to divisional charts?  Example – the Sun may be exalted in rasi, but debilitated in navamsa.  In this case will the rasi chart override navamsa chart effects?

No transit impacts are seen in the divisional charts.

The ascendant lord of a divisional chart (when containing a mooltrikona sign) should be looked at to see if it is badly placed or not, and in which house.  So if there is no mooltrikona sign in the divisional ascendant, then do you look to the Sun as in the rasi for the self?

You have to look for the strength of all the significators identified, as per the natal rasi chart, in the divisional chart.

Can you explain how to analyze divisional charts, in a nut-shell?

Divisional charts are examined for trying the strength of planets for a particular aspect of life.  For the birth of a child, for example, one has to see the D-7 (sapthamsa).  If the operating sub-period lord is in strength in D-1 (rasi chart), D-9 (navamsa) and D-7 (sapthamsa) it fulfils the desires of the person.  Similarly, you can see D-10 (dasamsa) for profession, D-9 for general fortune and marital affairs, etc.  The planets in strength/dignity bless the native while the planets in stress/weak state cause harm or are vulnerable to harm.

We have to see the following in the divisional chart:

        1.     The prime determinant of the particular aspect of the rasi chart.

        2.     The significator of the concerned aspect of life.

        3.     The lord of the ascendant of the D-chart if the ascendant contains a mooltrikona sign.

For general predictions the above will suffice. For analyzing current situations the sub-period lord’s position in the main chart, D-9 chart, concerned divisional charts and the triple transit in the main chart, will give you indications.

GENERAL

What are the significators of Karma?

The primary determinant(s) of profession, character (fourth house), initiatives and the lord of the ascendant (if the ascendant contains a mooltrikona sign) act as significators for Karma.  The impact of Rahu on these significators makes one over-ambitious, greedy, aggressive and manipulative in tendencies and obstructs the spiritual growth.  It requires long experience to decipher such things from the chart.

What is the difference between a weak planet and an afflicted planet as far as significations go? 

An afflicted planet is also a weak planet.  A weak planet is unable to fully protect or promote its significations.  The weak planet causes delays, may or may not bless the native with its significations and the level of results may be comparatively of a lower order.  If an afflicted planet is otherwise strong it indicates some tension as per the level of affliction and nature of the afflicting planet.  If an afflicted planet is weak the significations of such a weak planet are damaged and lost partially or fully.

Will an otherwise strong and afflicted planet cause less harm than a weak and afflicted one?

Certainly, yes as a strong planet would protect its general and particular significations to some extent.

Do functional malefic planets, when not causing afflictions in the chart, never cause any harm?

In their sub-periods they cause some tension to the person with the significations of the houses occupied and aspected.

How do we predict the end of a delay in bearing fruit of a weak transit planet?

When the said weak transit planet gains strength and the transit malefic impact ceases to exist.

When a functional benefic planet makes contact by transit or aspect, if it is weak, we don’t see results until it becomes strong in the transit house?

Result comes with strength.

Let’s say one’s natal Jupiter is debilitated at birth, then the benefits of transiting Jupiter, even when exalted in transit, will be somewhat marred by the natal weakness.

Correct.

When a functional benefic planet is in a dusthana house, (sixth, eighth, or twelfth house) either in transit or in the natal chart, are its significations harmed?

When a functional benefic planet is in a malefic house, its results are obstructed, are vulnerable to get harmed and it indicates (i) short lived problems connected with the house of placement in transit; (ii) it indicates long run problems during the sub-period of the badly placed planet.  Real problems are there if it is afflicted in that situation, both by transit or natal functional malefic planets.

It is agreed that the Sun is a relatively fast moving planet, but it stays in one house for a month.  So for that month, can it become afflicted?  Isn’t that sufficient enough slow speed to account for something?

If there is no affliction to the badly transiting Sun, the transit impact remains to some extent and the level may be just a tension or a short term damage and delay. This is obvious because of the weakness due to a bad placement. This short run bad placement affliction ceases to exist when the transit Sun comes out of the bad placement.

Does it matter if the afflicting planet is strong or weak?

The impact would be bad in both cases whether the aspecting/conjunct functional malefic is strong or weak.  It is difficult to quantify it.

If one’s natal Sun is quite ‘OK’ in the rasi chart, without being either particularly weak or strong, then will its being exalted in the navamsa certainly help?

As its strength has not deteriorated in the navamsa, it will help.

Are there various levels of weakness in planets?  For example: Planet A is well placed and is only weak because its dispositor is weak.  Planet B is also well placed but is weak because it is in the state of infancy and combust.  In the above case both planets are functional benefic planets and the Sun is also a functional benefic.  Is planet B regarded weaker than planet A? 

Yes. When a planet is weak on more than one account, its degree of weakness is higher.

Does the answer also apply to the strong planets?

Yes, please.

Does a planet need to fulfill all the requirements, which make a planet strong?  Example - If say a planet is in its mooltrikona sign in say the third house and has no afflictions and none of the attributes which would make it weak (example: bad dispositor or in infancy or in old age, debilitation in navamsa, etc.) does this automatically make it a strong planet?

Yes.

Suppose we have the extreme case of 30 degrees or 1 degree rising, then for a functional benefic planet to give full results is it necessary that the planet must be located at 30 degrees or at 1 degree?  However if the planet is actually at 30 degrees it has lost all strength due to old age.  As it moves away from 30 degrees it regains strength but loses impact.  What will be the position in such a case?

The significations of a house are influenced by the strength of its lord and the influence of a planet on its most effective point.  So, if the lord of the house is strong in the chart, the house will prosper and it is not necessary that some planet must influence its most effective point.

A functional malefic planet does not lose power to do harm if it is in the state of weakness due to infancy or old age (according to SA).  Is this correct?

Yes, this is correct.

Does SA recognize the fact that the debility is made up [100% to 0% range] if the debilitated planet is exalted or in own sign in navamsa?

No.

Is there any rule that can help interpreting the consequences of different kinds of weaknesses?

Generally, extreme infancy fails to generate results while the mritavastha (extreme old age) delays, inordinately.  Debilitation and debilitation in the navamsa shows deterioration.  Bad placement results in ill-health, conflicts, financial difficulties, obstructions, threat to life, damages and losses, depending upon the house of placement.  The weak results of a planet being weak due to the weakness of its dispositor depend upon the type of weakness of its dispositor.

To what extent does the dispositor's strength affect the individual planetary strength?

Hundred per cent. 

When a planet is otherwise strong (generally between 5 and 25 degrees, not combust nor debilitated or afflicted or placed in an afflicted house) even then do we need to consider the dispositor's strength? 

Yes.  No planet can exceed the power/strength enjoyed by its dispositor.  If the dispositor has 38% strength, the planet in question will also have the same strength, which is 38%.

Is it correct to say that we should always look at the dispositor to find the strength of the planet?

Yes.

If so then do we have to do the same for the navamsa?

1. We have to see if the planet is debilitated in navamsa.

2. In navamsa there is no dispositor to be seen.

If a planet is strong in the rasi but debilitated in the navamsa, does this result in different outcomes from what would be the case if the planet was debilitated in the rasi but strong in the navamsa?

Yes. Please refer to the quantitative weakness of various levels of planets in Predictive Techniques- Lesson 9.

Would weakness due to debilitation lead to different things being affected, as against weakness due to being placed in a bad house?

Yes.  Debilitation delays the progress and shows damages during unfavorable transit.  Bad placement indicates a bad impact for the concerned house.

Is it better to strengthen the weak dispositor or better to strengthen the weak planet?  Would it depend on whether the dispositor is a functional benefic or functional malefic?

If both are functional benefic, both should be strengthened.  Otherwise the functional benefic of the two should be strengthened.

It is understood that the strong functional malefic planets, while obstructing the activities of planets that they happen to be afflicting, are still good for their own significations.  Is this true only for their mooltrikona sign significations or also for their other sign and their place of residence, as is the case for other planets? 

It is true for mooltrikona house and general significations.

It is stated in the book that when a functional malefic planet is weak this does not affect the malefic nature of its aspects as this comes from the position of its mooltrikona sign in the natal chart.  Does this also apply to functional benefic planets?  In other words, if we have say functional benefic Jupiter aspecting another functional benefic, say Saturn, would the effect of the aspect be benefic irrespective of the strength of Jupiter?

Yes. The level of impact is different than the functional nature.  The level of impact depends upon the strength of the planet.

If a functional benefic planet and a functional malefic planet have an exact conjunction of less than 1 degree and both are weak - how will they affect each other?

The functional malefic planet benefits to some extent while the functional benefic planet suffers badly.

In the above conjunction, would there be any difference if they were say 3 degrees apart?

The impact of affliction would be comparatively less for the functional benefic planet.  Each degree’s influence is reckoned to the extent of 20%.  The functional malefic planet benefits comparatively more.

Is it correct to say if the two planets in conjunction are three degrees apart and the functional benefic planet is weak while the functional malefic planet is strong, (i) the general and particular significations for the functional benefic planet will be badly affected, while (ii) the significations for the functional malefic would not be benefited?

(i)Yes. (ii) The significations of the functional malefic planet   will be benefited to some extent.

Since the number of functional malefic planets varies from just two for Gemini to five for Taurus, Virgo and Pisces, does it mean that if we collect a large amount of  statistics regarding this principle, then people with Gemini rising would be generally happier and more fortunate?  Of course the effect of transits and weakness of planets etc. has to be accounted for, but if we assume a more or less fixed rate of birth of children in the world, then should statistics show that Gemini is a better sign to be born in?

The results of planets depend upon their strength, placement and conjunctions/aspects.  Gemini born are generally less troubled than the others because of a less number of functional malefic planets.  Similarly, the most troubled are Virgos followed by Pisces, Taurus and Cancer. The statistics will certainly show that Gemini is a better sign to be born in.

What are the places to look for one’s life purpose in a chart?  Is it the Moon?  Or is it Rahu?  Which houses to check if a non-mooltrikona sign is rising in the ascendant?

There can be various determinants of 'life purpose' in the descending order:

        1.     Strongest planet in the chart.

        2.     Other strong planets.

        3.     Close afflictions and bad placements causing obstructions.

        4.     Operating planetary periods and transits.

     5. One looks for the third or the second house if there is no mooltrikona sign in the ascendant.

Could you please tell where self-control and patience are located in a natal chart, besides generosity?

The self-control and patience is disturbed by the planets Sun and Mars, if weak, and the planets in the sixth house or the impact of sixth lord in the chart.  When it is so, a person needs to work hard.  Generosity is governed by a strong Jupiter and the Sun.

What signifies currency and its power?

The currency is the medium of exchange of goods and services in a particular country.  Of course, this is not the economic definition of the subject.  The Sun and Moon denote gold and silver.  It is the power of the state, which is shown through the strength of the currency.  The authority is first vested in the Sun and then in the Moon.  The good financial strength (wealth) of the nation is seen through the second house and the fourth house.  The regular flow of income is seen through the eleventh house or the tenth house.  Taken all these factors together they show the real strength of the currency of a particular country.  Say for example, in India’s chart the lord of the fourth house, the lord of the tenth house, the Sun as a significator and the Moon as a significator are well placed while the most effective point of the second house is afflicted and there is no mooltrikona sign in the eleventh house.  So here the currency has mixed results.  During the sub-periods of afflicting Mars the currency dips down in relation to strong currencies of the world.  The well-placed Sun and the Moon speak of rich natural resources of India, which have survived the afflicting periods, aggressions, foreign rule and swindling of finances by unscrupulous politicians. The incidence of unscrupulous politicians and scams is seen through the close impact of Rahu on the ascendant and the exact influence of Mars on the second house.

How do we narrow down the significant events?

While analyzing a chart the significant events are identified with the help of the following:

        1.     Exact conjunctions/aspects

        2.     Close conjunctions/aspects

        3.     Placements

        4.     Sub-periods

        5.     Prolonged Transits

First significator of the incident is the house containing the mooltrikona sign of the planet(s) involved.

In selecting the events we have to take up the exact conjunction/aspect first.  For example we will take up the exact conjunction/aspect before we take up the close conjunction/aspect with longitudinal difference of two degrees or three degrees and up to five degrees.  Similarly, the afflictions take precedence over the good and strong placements because an astrologer is, generally, approached in times of difficulties.  In the case of afflictions, the afflictions inflicted by the most malefic planet come first, followed by Ketu, the twelfth/sixth house lords and Rahu.

The narrowed down significations of the various houses are as under:

First house: Health and reputation.

Second house: Family (parents for unmarried and spouse for married persons), wealth and status (education in the case of children and profession and reputation for grown-ups).

Third House: New initiatives, communication, writing and short journeys.

Fourth House: Mother and education (in the case of children), mental peace and domestic happiness (in the case of married persons), properties and vehicles.

Fifth house: Progeny matters and emotional peace. Professional education, speculative gains or losses in the case of grownups.

Sixth house: Financial position, health and disputes.

Seventh house: Spouse for married persons, partnerships for those who are in partnership business and residence in distant places.

Eighth house: Obstructions, marital tie, death/life, health problems/accidents and easy gains.

Ninth house: Good fortune, spiritual pursuits and father.

Tenth house: Professional matters.

Eleventh house: Income, gains from friends and elder brother.

Twelfth house: Life in foreign lands, losses and expenses.

The weak planets cause delays and short run damages due to transit afflictions.  The weak and afflicted planets cause delays and damages.  The strong and afflicted planets cause mid-stream short-lived changes/setbacks.  The strong planets bless with easy and timely success.  The slow moving (prolonged) unfavorable stationary transit influences on strong planets cause short lived problems signified by the houses.  The malefic influences on weak planets cause long term problems starting from sub-periods of such planets and triggered by the transit.  The sub-periods of the badly placed planets elude success while that of the badly placed and afflicted planets causes tragic sufferings and losses.

Does SA attribute more importance to house placement over sign placement?

These are two different aspects. The house placement links the significations of the owned house with the significations of the occupied house, whereas the sign placement refers to the level of affluence.

In assessing dasa/bhukti effects, we consider the current transit position of the concerned planet, among other things.  How do we apply this procedure when analyzing the Moon’s dasa?

In the sub-period of the Moon, the position is volatile like the Moon.  If the Moon is very strong in the natal chart, then it is better.

Planets debilitated in the navamsa are considered weak.  Does exaltation in the navamsa constitute added strength?

Yes, if the planet is not debilitated and is strong in the main chart.

If a planet is conjunct with the most effective point of a dusthana house, is it worse off than if it were, say, ten degrees away from the most effective point? 

When on the most effective point in a dusthana house, a planet creates an impact on the house depending upon its nature.  A functional benefic planet in such a state helps the house occupied and aspected as per its strength.  A functional malefic planet owning the (being its own mooltrikona sign) house will protect the house occupied and harm the house(s) aspected.  A functional malefic planet not owning the house will harm the house occupied and the house(s) aspected.  If a planet is away from the most effective point in a malefic house, then any planet other than the mooltrikona sign lord of that particular house would become weak and suffer from the negative significations of the house of placement.

What is a blind analysis?

The blind analysis is to be taken up as an exercise for self-development.  It is like giving a reading for any unknown birth chart.

Does propitiation of weak functional malefic planets also increase their strength to some extent to give results of their significations?

No, the propitiation does not increase the strength of a weak functional malefic planet.  The propitiation makes the affliction mild.

If the ascendant is a non-mooltrikona sign, should the Moon be the first consideration for longevity?

For various ascendants containing the non mooltrikona sign, the prime determinants for longevity are as follows:

        Taurus    -       Jupiter

        Gemini    -       Saturn

        Scorpio   -       Venus

        Capricorn-     Sun

        Pisces      -       Venus

Can you give significators for perfectionists?

A strong Sun assisted by a strong Mercury, Mars and Jupiter signifies a perfectionist.  The perfectionist has to have a vision, the capability of planning, organizing, implementing and then controlling the outcome that everything is happening as per the vision and planning.  The planning is the role of the Sun.  Then the Sun has to be assisted by Jupiter for vision, objectivity and intellect.  The Sun has to be further assisted by Mercury for analytical faculties.  Then the role of Mars is very important which indicates courage and the spirit of venturing.  This is true for all branches of knowledge.  If a person attains the level of a perfectionist and leaves humility, his/her further learning is stopped.  So humility is to be always remembered for learning in life.  The weakness of these planets and placement of the second lord in the sixth house makes one a pseudo perfectionist.

ORBS AND TRANSITS

Is it correct to say if a planet is strong in the natal chart, but weak in transit (due to bad placement or infancy or old age, etc.), then the orb of affliction on the natal position of the planet is 1 degree, but the orb on the transit position of planet is 5 degrees?

No.  Being very weak in transit weakens the otherwise strong planet, so the orb of affliction expands to 5 degrees.  The orb of 1 degree should apply only in cases where the planet is simultaneously strong in transit.

Can transit strength exceed the natal strength of a planet?

No.  If a natal planet is weak the orb of transit affliction will remain 5 degrees even if the planet is strong in transit.

Does Varshphala have a place in S.A., and does it work for the learned members?  If so, please explain if it is to be used in conjunction with the natal chart, or separately?

No.  In SA we see the dynamic transit, while in Varshphala, only a one time transit is seen for the whole year.  So, Varshphala has no place in SA.

Is it correct to say that the orb of malefic influence of transit functional malefic planets on natal/transit planets for afflictions is 5 degrees if the planet under malefic affliction is weak and 1 degree if the natal/transit planet is strong?

Yes.

Under SA, do we reckon transits from the ascendant or from the Moon?

In SA we analyze transit only with reference to the ascendant.

Can transits give results which are not indicated by the sub-periods?

Yes, sometimes when there are prolonged transit influences.

Also, if a certain bad result is indicated during some sub-period can a good transit relieve some of the bad effects?

Of course, yes.

In transit does the planet bring with it all the connections it has in the natal chart?

In the concerned sub-periods, yes.

Is the aspect of transit Rahu or Ketu upon their own natal position considered an affliction?

Yes.

The transit of a functional malefic planet upon its own natal position - as long as that natal position is within the house containing its own mooltrikona sign, will not be afflicting.

Yes, it will not be afflicting.

The aspect of a transit functional malefic planet upon its own natal position - when that natal functional malefic is not in the house containing its own mooltrikona sign will be afflicting.

Yes.

Do the planets carry their natal functional nature and strength to the transit chart?

The planets carry their natal functional nature to the transit chart.  Transit strength is different.

RAHU AND KETU

What are the results if the nodes are returning to their exalted natal positions?  Does it still make them as malefic?

If the natal axis is not involved in close afflictions and is in the good houses, it may not hurt.  But it remains as a malefic influence.

Which nodes do we use, Mean or True?

Under System’s Approach we use True Nodes.

What will be the level of the affliction if a planet is caught up in the nodes as opposed to being afflicted by either Rahu or Ketu only?

The level of affliction is more when a planet is under the close affliction of the Rahu and Ketu axis.  That means the results of the sub-periods of the planet involved, Rahu and Ketu - all will be causing suffering.  In cases where only one of the Rahu or Ketu is afflicting then the sub-periods of the afflicted planet and the sub-period of the afflicting planet can cause suffering.

Does Rahu/Ketu always have the same strength or can they be weak or strong?

They generally cause harm, and they are even more harmful when badly placed or closely afflicted.  They are weak when badly placed, and/or debilitated in the rasi/navamsa charts, and/or in the mooltrikona sign of a weak planet, and/or afflicted by any other functional malefic planet, and/or if the most effective point of their houses of placement is afflicted.

Are the aspects of Rahu from the malefic houses more malefic than from other houses?

Yes, as the malefic nature of the concerned house is added.

Are Rahu and Ketu weak when debilitated?

Yes. Rahu and Ketu are more harmful.

Do Rahu and Ketu become weak when combust?

It is the Sun, who is harmed in the close conjunction.  Rahu and Ketu do not suffer from combustion.

How does the dispositor of Rahu/Ketu affect them?

If dispositor is strong, Rahu/Ketu are placed in benefic houses and do not cause any natal close affliction, then sometimes Rahu/Ketu give material success which is vulnerable to losses, later.

Are they affected by being in the dusthana (malefic) houses?

Yes, they become more harmful.

Would the tendency of Rahu and Ketu to afflict reduce if they are weak due to debilitation, or age?  Or do these also become more malefic when in a weak position.

The answer is no to both questions. Rahu and Ketu become more malefic when badly placed or under the malefic influence of other functional malefic planets in the natal chart or in transit.

For a weak Rahu and Ketu, what are their natural significations that they would not be able to protect as they do not own a house?

Manipulations will not be giving results. Acts of deception will be exposed. Over-ambitiousness will not be successful.  Greediness and encroachment tendencies will increase.

What is the extent to which Rahu is colored by the house it is in, or the planet it is with, whether in a five degrees conjunction or a wider one?

If Rahu is in a malefic house, the malefic impact is added to its general impact but when it is in a good house, malefic impact is less.

Does the malefic nature of Rahu and Ketu persist even in old age or infancy?

Yes.

Is Ketu supposed to be the liberator or moksha karaka?

That is one belief.  It is karaka for miseries, which ultimately turns the native to the path of faith, spirituality and God.

Would a person with a weak Ketu be stuck in this world of materialism?  Would that not be materially good for the person, while bad in the sense of what the sages meant for the ultimate destiny of a soul?

In Kaliyuga for liberation leaving materialism is not compulsory.  Those leading a life of honesty and doing their duty to their family, society and humanity as a whole do get mental peace leading to the ultimate liberation.  This is our belief based on our experience and our readings of ancient literature.

Can you explain the reasons why an individual never finds work to lead to desired results for the house, which is occupied by Ketu in the natal chart and why it always remains a void?

This is not correct.  The results of Ketu depend upon the strength of its dispositor if it is in a mooltrikona sign and the level of affliction being caused by Ketu.  For example, in one case Ketu is in the third house with the lord of the house having 80% strength and Ketu’s affliction to the most effective point of the house is 24%.  As the third house rules younger brothers (the native has three), courage (the native has a lot of courage), communicative skills and writing capabilities (the native has written number of successful books and number of articles for various magazines).

Does transit Rahu over natal Ketu and transit Ketu over natal Rahu cancel each other out, or add an extra malefic nature, especially when involving the twelfth and sixth houses most effective points?

This transit adds an extra malefic influence and it is a very difficult time.

What kind of credence do you give to the idea of the nodes being about the past and future of the soul’s growth?

We consider that the less the number of afflictions in the chart, the more advanced the person is on the soul’s journey.  This is true for the nodal afflictions in the chart, too.

Can you explain the aspects of Rahu to the ascendant lord for Aquarius (Saturn) and Libra (Venus) ascendants?

This will depend on the house occupied by Rahu and the strength of the dispositor of Rahu, if any, besides the strength of the ascendant lord and operational planetary period and transit influence.

PROGENY MATTERS

Could you share your experience on this point?  Let us suppose Venus is conjunct the lord of the fifth house or the most effective point of the fifth house.  Does this indicate the gender of the first child as a female child?

It indicates a female child but the operating sub-period lord and the sign occupied by Venus should also be seen.  If the lords of the fifth and second houses are strong, it can still give the first child as a male child.

How do we predict about the sex of the child?

First of all, see if the chart promises a male child.  If yes, then what is the planetary period in operation?  It is very tricky and involves so many things to be seen at one time.  It involves the sub-period lord and it involves the sign in which the operating sub-period lord is placed.

For deciding the promise of a male child in the chart, we should consider the strength of, and influences on, the second and/or fifth houses, whichever house contains a mooltrikona sign, besides the strength of, and influences on, the significators Jupiter and the Sun, and the operating sub-period.

How do we predict if a native will have children, and if so, how many and what sex?

See the strength of the second and the fifth house lords (those having mooltrikona signs), influences on these houses and the position of Jupiter and Sun for your reply.  See the position of the significator planets in the sapthamsa, as well.  As this is the age of family planning, the question of the number of children is really becoming redundant.

What do you mean when you write, “The strength of Mercury is also a very strong factor in the case of birth of children.” Could you enlighten about this point?

Since Mercury rules the level of confidence, it plays a significant role in a timely conception.

Classical astrology says Jupiter is not good for children in the fifth house?  Please explain what this means?

For Aries born persons, an unafflicted Jupiter placed in the fifth house is always good.  Similar is the situation when Jupiter is a functional benefic in the chart.  The classical belief that Jupiter in the fifth house causes harm/loss to child(ren) will only be correct in the following cases:

(i) the most effective point of the fifth house containing Jupiter is closely afflicted.

(ii) the weak Sun or the lord of the fifth house is badly placed and/or closely afflicted.

(iii) When Jupiter is a functional malefic planet.

RESIDENCE

What should one look for in predicting the change of place and its direction?

For change of place one has to see the operating sub-period lord, its strength and its placement.  The direction’s suitability is checked through the direction ruled by the lord of ascendant, tenth house or fourth house whichever house contains a mooltrikona sign in this order first.

Suppose we want to go deep into the subject of short trips, then we need to see the strength of other planets related to movement or communication i.e. Mercury and Saturn?

The planets placed in the ninth and third houses should be considered for short trips. The lords of these houses placed in the fourth, seventh, twelfth and tenth houses also indicate long journeys.

Is the fourth lord moving into the ninth house also a factor for movement?

This generally shows a short-lived foreign stay.

What are the factors to be considered for relocation?

The natal chart and sub-periods are to be considered in the first place.  When both the natal and transit indications are good, the inquirer can be advised for relocation.

Can an astrologer guide the client on relocation considering the strength and placement of operating planets?

Certainly, yes.  The operating planets mean the sub-periods in operation and the forthcoming sub-period as per the natal chart and transit influences.

Can the place for relocation be advised, given that a client is able to supply a few locations for such a move?  For example, when presented with a few overseas postings to select from, in the case of a business executive?

When the sub-period of a planet placed in the sixth house is in operation, the person is to be warned against disputes, cheating and ill health in the place of relocation.  Selection of posting can be done on the basis of the strengths of the operative planets of the native and the demands of the postings offered.

Can you please explain if the fourth lord in the tenth house also indicates a move(s) to a foreign place for business?  If so, would this happen in the sub-period of the lord of the fourth house?

This happens sometimes, especially when the planet is Venus or Mars.  This happens in the sub-period of the fourth lord when it is strong in the chart.

What are the “strengths” of the chart of the native, in the context of relocation?

The term strength refers to the strength of the planet, significator and the house involved.

What about marriage, education, moving to relatives in distant lands, for example?  Do they have different “demands” as well?

The above aspects and relocation are different things altogether.  In all, aspects of the concerned planet, strength of the significator, and the house involved, are to be considered.  If the planet and significators are placed in the houses dealing with foreign/distant places, then long travel and stay are involved.

Is it correct to say that transits by planets to the seventh, ninth and twelfth houses create the impulses for relocation?  Is it also correct to assume that the operating planets have to be considered along with any natal triggers?

Yes.  The seventh and twelfth houses give settling or long lived residence in foreign lands, while ninth and tenth houses involve short lived stays.  The influence of the lords of these houses on other planets or location of other planets in these houses, do create the impact.  For example, the fourth lord in the seventh or twelfth house takes one to foreign lands.

What exactly would one look for when concerned about the unknown possibility of suddenly having to relocate to another state (where the buying and selling real estate is involved because of a career transfer)?

(1) The placement of the lord of the fourth in the seventh, ninth or twelfth house or the lords of the ninth, seventh and twelfth houses in the fourth house.

(2) Placement of the lord of the tenth in the seventh or twelfth houses.

(3) Placement of the lord of the seventh or twelfth houses in the ascendant or the tenth house. 

(4) Placement of the lord of the second house in the twelfth or seventh houses.

How do we guide those who are seeking advice for relocation?

Relocation is caused by opportunities and compulsions.  In a nut shell this is caused by the planets - the fourth lord moving to the twelfth or seventh house, the lord of the tenth moving to seventh, twelfth or ninth house, or even the lord of the second house moving to the seventh, twelfth or ninth house.

In cases where the participating planets are very weak the relocation does not favor much in terms of good results, while the strong planets or even the well placed planets bestow good results.  The planets placed in the twelfth house bring some amount of discomfort with it.

Certainly an astrologer can guide the client on relocation considering the strength and placement of operating planets.

GEMSTONES AND REMEDIAL MEASURES

When wearing a gemstone to heal an afflicted functional benefic planet, is it necessary that the gemstone touches the skin?

It is not necessary, but the gemstone is set in a ring in such a way that between the gemstone and the skin there is no metal.  Some of the stones may not suit if they touch the skin.

Can anyone tell me what neelam is?

Neelam is the Indian name for the gemstone blue sapphire.  This is the gemstone for strengthening a functional benefic weak Saturn.

Does the hole or other defects in gemstones make them unusable?

The gemstones have to be scratch-less and without any air valve.  These should be properly cut and should have proper color, weight, luster and clarity.  These should be worn during the auspiciously elected time.

Would wearing an appropriate gemstone for the planet compensate, to some extent, for the weakness? 

Yes.  It should be worn in an auspicious time.

If one decides to wear gemstones to strengthen the functional benefic planets, what should be the size of different gemstones?

To be effective the minimum weight of gemstones (except the diamond) should be between 4.6 to 4.7 carats.  The diamond can be 1 carat.

In SA books you mention that remedial measures should be started when no planet is in debilitation, or otherwise weakened due to old age or combustion.  Saturn has been debilitated for about 2 years now and even after it comes out of debilitation, it will be weak due to infancy until July, 2001.  Rahu and Ketu continue to be in old age/infancy for almost the whole year.  Is it better not to start any remedial measures for all this time?  If remedial measures need to be started during this time, what are the additional steps to be taken?

Every effort is to be made so that there is no planet in weakness. However, some situations cannot be helped; for example when slow moving planets, Saturn and Jupiter, are in their signs of debilitation or they are badly placed with reference to a particular ascendant.  We have to ensure that most of the planets are well placed and the sub-period of a fairly strong functional benefic planet in the auspicious time chart is in operation.

Can strengthening of functional malefic planets be done under special circumstances?

Strengthening the functional malefic planets is very tricky.  This can be attempted in special cases when absolutely necessary only for the fast moving planets like the Sun, the Moon, Mars, Mercury and Venus when it is for saving life and the functional malefic planets  are not, REPEAT, not causing any affliction in the natal chart.

Should the propitiatory measures for afflicting functional malefic planets be started only in auspicious times?

The propitiatory measures can be started straightaway if no auspicious time is in sight in the near future.

Can mantras be used to propitiate the functional malefic planets?

Yes.

Can mantras be used as an alternative to the charitable propitiatory remedies or should mantras be used in addition?

Mantras can be used as an alternative to the charitable propitiatory remedies if the latter are not possible. The propitiation is more effective through charitable propitiatory remedies.

Does one use gems to pacify the planets or does one use them to alter one’s karma?

The gemstone is used to strengthening the weak functional benefic planet. It is not used to pacify the functional malefic planet. By strengthening the weak functional benefic planet the gemstone alters the karma to some extent.

In Ayurveda gems are used to heal the astral impressions.  Is it so in astrological remedial measures, too?

The gemstones heal the weak functional benefic planets.  We should not use gems for functional malefic planets.  If it becomes necessary to strengthen the weak and afflicted functional malefic planet, the functional malefic planet should not be involved in severe afflictions in the natal chat.

Do you agree that the fine quality gems (which only a handful can afford) exude the best healing vibrations for both diseases and enhancing the qualities of strong planets?

Yes.

Can you explain the logic behind the propitiatory remedies?

There are some aspects which have been in prevalence based on ancient knowledge and experiences of the learned people.  To find and tell logic about everything is very difficult. Our experience of about 30 years shows that the propitiatory remedies do work.

Which week day is considered for propitiating the planets, Ketu and Rahu?

Tuesday is considered as day for Ketu and both Friday and Saturday are considered as the days for Rahu.

Why do we propitiate Rahu and Ketu?

Offerings for Rahu and Ketu are given to alleviate the pitra srapa - the curses of forefathers found in the chart in the form of close afflictions of Rahu and Ketu.

How do we propitiate Rahu and Ketu?

 Service to parents, old-age needy persons and poor people is recommended to propitiate Rahu.

For Rahu and Ketu the preferred propitiatory charities are for crows and street dogs, respectively.  Crows in mythological literature represent the forefathers.  Ketu represents spiritual persons.  In the days of sradhas (the lunar paksha dedicated to the forefathers) food is offered to crows, street dogs and cows, and it is believed to be offered for the departed souls of the forefathers.

What are the preferred propitiatory charities for the Sun and Moon?

For the Sun and Moon the preferred propitiatory charities are for the ox/cow and the cow, respectively.  The afflictions of the Sun and the Moon are believed to be attributed to the king/father and mother, respectively.

What are the preferred propitiatory charities for Mercury?

For Mercury the preferred propitiatory charities are recommended for the poor and needy children/students.  A close affliction of Mercury is believed to be attributed to the wrongs done to poor and needy children/students.

What are the preferred propitiatory charities for Mars?

For Mars the preferred propitiatory charities are morning prayers, help recommended for servants, younger brothers, etc. A close affliction of Mars is believed to be attributed to wrongs done to servants and younger brothers.

What are the preferred propitiatory charities for Jupiter?

For Jupiter the preferred propitiatory charities/services are recommended for guru, learned people and husband.  The close affliction of Jupiter in the natal chart is believed to be attributed to wrongs done to learned people, one's guru and one's husband in the case of females in previous lives.

What are the preferred propitiatory charities for Venus?

For Venus the preferred propitiatory charities are recommended for needy women, wife, etc.  A close affliction of Venus in the natal chart is believed to be attributed to the wrongs done to females or one's wife in previous lives.

What are the preferred propitiatory charities for Saturn?

For Saturn the preferred propitiatory charities are recommended for poor people.  The close affliction of Saturn in the natal chart is believed to be attributed to the wrongs done to servants or poor people in one's previous lives.

There are specific articles of food which are attributed to various planets and they are recommended for charities as propitiatory remedies.

MARRIAGE

What are the causes of delay in marriage?

The weak determinant/significator of marriage or the influence of the functional malefic planets on the houses governing marriage and/or weak significators of marriage delay the marriage while the influence of the most malefic planet delays the marriage inordinately and/or denies it.  The malefic influence of the most malefic planet cannot be mellowed down without persistent performance of the appropriate astral remedies.

How do we proceed with the matching of horoscopes for marriage?

The proposed charts are analyzed for health, longevity, harmoniousness in relationship, longevity of the marital tie, prosperity and happiness from children.  If the charts are having severe afflictions to the houses/planets ruling marital happiness, then the inquirer is straightway advised that the charts do not match for marriage.  In case the relationship already exists then the astral remedies are suggested.  The impact of the lord of the sixth house on the planets/houses signifying marital happiness and the impact of the planets in the sixth house are also studied for gauging the level of disturbance in relationships.  Those with the lords of ascendant, second, third, fourth, fifth, seventh, tenth, eighth or twelfth houses in the sixth house or under the affliction of the sixth lord should be specially warned for the problems anticipated in the relationship.  If at the same time the houses signifying marriage are strong, then the other afflictions cause only short-lived problems.

For ensuring successful relationships not only in the case of marriage but also in the case of friendships, business partnerships and employees, the compatibility analysis is very useful and in fact is very valuable.

Do we disregard the transit impact of Jupiter for giving results of a house?

No, there are two conditions.  If Jupiter is a functional benefic planet and the significator planet is well placed in the chart, then the transit of Jupiter is likely to help.  The transit impact of a weak Jupiter with weak natal Jupiter cannot bless the native with the desired result.

Which transiting planets do we look at?  The slow ones (nodes, Saturn, Jupiter), whatever fields they signify in the natal chart?

Yes.  We primarily consider the impact of slow moving planets or prolonged transit influences.  Sometimes, even fast moving planets Venus or Mars may stay in a sign for a couple of months or more. If these planets are placed in the malefic houses in a birth chart, their prolonged transit can cause problems for the significations of their mooltrikona sign houses. Say, for example Mars ruling the ascendant, transits for a few months in the sixth house. In such a case, the native will have prolonged concerns in the matter of health or conflicts. 

For the Sagittarius ascendant, the prime determinant for the marriage is the Moon, lord of the eighth house and the same is the most malefic planet.  To be benefic for marriage and not harm it, should we consider that the Moon must be strong, well placed, unafflicted and the most effective point of the eighth house free of any close afflictions?

You are right.  At the same time this Moon should also not afflict any other planet or the most effective point of a house ruling marital happiness.  It is better if there is no affliction to the other houses dealing with marriage.

Say the significator for marriage is found through the second house and it contains a planet.  Does that planet give any weight then?

Each and every planet is given consideration by examining the impact the planet is making to a particular house, depending upon its functional nature, strength, and its nearness to the most effective point of the house.

What would be the indications for a second marriage for both male and female nativities?

These are basically the same houses which are connected with the marital affairs.  At the time of the second marriage, however, the sub-periods and the transits would have changed.  The change of the sub-period, if well placed/strong, brings the second marriage.

Would you comment on the significance of the Moon on marriage?

As the Moon is the significator for mind and mental peace it has a role in the marriage aspect of life.  The strong and unafflicted Moon becomes helpful in solving the marital problems, if any.

Can you explain why the natives born in even signs are not found compatible with those also having even signs as their ascendants?

Both of the charts are studied individually.  For example, if Virgo is being considered to be compatible to a Taurus or Pisces born native.  Both will have five planets as functional malefic planets.  Both of them will have problems most of the time telling upon over the relationship.  Except for Capricorn, all even sign ascendants have a mooltrikona sign in the sixth house.  The influence of the lord of this mooltrikona sign sixth house on other planets and the planets in the sixth house is the source of strains in relationships.  That is why the compatibility analysis under the Systems’ Approach is not based on signs.

What if a chart shows problems in marriage and ultimately separation, and the native goes out and gets married, later runs into problems, and finally gets divorced?  What are the preventive safeguards?

One can perform preventive astral remedies to manage the relationship.  There is no alternative to it.

How can one see indications of a second marriage in the chart?

Another well-placed planet in its sub-period can give marriage again.  Even weak and afflicted planets in houses concerning marriage can give marriage, with immediate problems thereafter.

How can one ensure success in married life?

Analyze the houses and lords of those houses, which have mooltrikona signs and relate to marriage.  If the concerned houses or significator planets are weak and afflictions exist, then use preventive astrological remedial measures, both strengthening through an appropriate Kavach or special power Kavach or Special Purpose Kavach and continuous performance of propitiatory remedies.

PRASNA AND MUHURTA

How do we determine the location and time for prasna (Horary question)?

If the prasna is in person, then it is when the prasna is made.  If the prasna is made over the telephone or e mail, then use the date, time and place of the inquirer.

Suppose the life time of an intended event is a short period, say a few months, then should we consider only the short period for muhurta calculations or should we do something else?  That is, should we ensure that the planets are at their strongest and that there are least afflictions for the intended time period?

We have to see that the muhurta planets are strong to the extent possible and the operating sub-period is that of a strong functional benefic planet.

For example, let us say a student has an important examination coming up in the next six months and she/he would like to know an auspicious time to start preparation for the examination.  Here one can see that the life time of the activity is only six months and so one may have to ensure that the concerned planets are strongest for the next six months without any afflictions?

We can only elect the best auspicious time out of the planetary influences.

But, another activity would be marriage, which is assumed to be a lifetime activity.  So, the muhurta calculations would get modified accordingly?

Yes.

Should we give preference to ascendants like Gemini, Aries, Leo, Libra and Sagittarius?  Or can we choose Cancer, Scorpio etc.?

It would be better to use Gemini, Aries, Leo, Libra and Sagittarius as the ascending signs for muhurta.

Is a muhurta acceptable if all other planets are strong?  The current, as well as commencing sub-periods are good.  The ascendant lord of the muhurta is exalted and well placed but is debilitated in Navamsa.

It can be used.

For example, take May 5, 2000.  Around 1:00 PM, Zone 8:00; DST 0, 122W03, 37N54?

This is not very strong.

Is it correct that whether or not the inquirer specifies a time and place for the question in the case of an e-mail, the prasna chart should always be set up by the answering person for the time the answering person focuses on the question at that person’s location?

The prasna should be for the date and time the e-mail is being sent by the inquirer, and for the location of the inquirer.

If the inquirer had already set up his own prasna chart for the question before asking the other person to answer, should this chart be provided to and be the one used by the person or persons answering.

The answer to earlier question answered above covers this.  The prasna chart should be made for the prasna time and not for the self-prasna chart.  However, if one astrologer has set up a prasna for someone else and the astrologer seeks help of another astrologer, then the prasna chart prepared by the first astrologer will be valid.

Does the muhurta elected bear any relevance to the ascendant of the native for whom remedial measures are being sought?

Auspicious time for starting the strengthening remedial measures is not related to the natal ascendant.  However, the transits should be checked in the natal chart.

Is the muhurta for marriage important or should the time they first cohabited together be considered when the couple is living in man-woman relationship before a formal marriage?

Muhurta (auspicious time) is important for the continued happiness of any important aspect of life.

I have heard that in India some people are favoring caesarian birth on astrological rather than medical grounds.  Also the caesarians are usually performed in the morning giving a preponderance of certain houses for the Sun.  How valid is using a birth chart for a caesarian birth?

The birth time for a caesarian birth is as valid as the birth time for the normal delivery.  The belief is that the birth will take place at the destined time, whether normal or caesarian.

Can we elect a muhurta for air travel?

Muhurta can be elected for the circumstances, which are under control.  In the case of a chartered flight, yes we can.  In the case of a scheduled flight, we have to study the transit influences in the chart of the person undertaking travel.

HEALTH

How does one determine health factors in a chart?

The prime determinants of health are the mooltrikona lord of first and/or sixth house(s), mooltrikona sign lord of D-6, position of the Sun and Mars.

(i) How do we rectify a chart where the birth time is completely lost?  (ii) What combinations would indicate 1) Rheumatic fever, 2) High blood pressure, 3) Diabetes?

(i) This is a long process.  For details refer to the book, "A complete book on Triple Transit Influences".  (ii) Rheumatic fever and high blood pressure are generally caused due to close afflictions to the mooltrikona sign lord of the ascendant, lord of the fourth house and Mars by the most malefic planet or Rahu/Ketu.  Diabetes would, in general, be caused due to the weakness and afflictions of the prime determinants of health, the lord of the fifth house, Jupiter and/or Venus.

What causes a child’s sexual abuse?

The close affliction of Rahu or the most malefic planet to Venus or the lord of the seventh house makes one vulnerable to sexual abuse especially during the sub-periods of afflicting or afflicted planets.

What planetary influences cause a rape?

The close affliction of Rahu or the most malefic planet to Venus or the lord of the seventh house makes one vulnerable to rape during the operation of the sub-periods of afflicting or afflicted planets. Difficult transit also has a say during these sub-periods.

Would the twelfth lord/house necessarily be connected to the fourth house/fourth lord/Moon if the person’s mother had been institutionalized for mental instability?

Besides the twelfth lord, the most malefic planet, Ketu and/or Rahu’s close affliction also can result in that.

What would one look for in a chart for the onset of illness?

Be sure to watch the sub-period lord ruling health, when it transits the sixth, eighth or twelfth house— especially if it is additionally afflicted by one of the functional malefic planets.

What are the specifics in a chart for suffering rape, violence or other such kinds of sufferings?

The influence of Rahu and the lord of the twelfth house on a weak lord of the seventh or eighth house or their lords results in sexual victimization.

Are signs used in SA for any other purpose than body types and if so, when are they normally used?

The mooltrikona signs are used for deciding lordship, functional nature, deciding dispositor and they are used in all analysis.  The use of a sign for identifying the type of body or structure of a native is just a part of their use.

The body description is indicated by various planets and would come into consideration when we are trying to fix up the ascendant of a person in the absence of availability of the birth time.  Or it may be helpful in deciding this or that ascendant, in case the ascendant is changing in a couple of minutes.

What would be the basic SA indications of a killer?  And what events should be taken into consideration?

If the functional malefic lords of the sixth and eighth house together with Rahu/Ketu are exercising their influence on the weak lord of the ascendant/third house/tenth house, the person may possess killing instincts.  Afflictions to the twelfth lord, besides the above, may actually make the person a killer.

What aspects should one look for in signs of abortion or depression, and which divisional charts should one focus on?  Should one focus on argalas for the above aspects?  Does SA use argalas?

The fifth house represents both depression and progeny matters/abortions.  The divisional charts are the panchamsa (D-5) and sapthamsa (D-7), respectively.  Argalas are not considered under SA.

For chronic diseases, which one of the nodes exerts a stronger malefic effect?

Regarding chronic diseases Rahu’s impact is milder than the Ketu’s impact.  Rahu’s impact induces more consumption of drugs in comparison to the impact of Ketu or the impact of the eighth or twelfth lords.  Serious illness is governed by:

        (i)    The sub-periods of weak and afflicted planets   

        (ii)   The sub-period of the planet, whose mooltrikona sign falls in the sixth house and if such a sixth lord forms a close conjunction/aspect with another natal planet or the most effective point of a particular house.

The illness is triggered by prolonged transit malefic influence on the weak planetary configuration or during the sub-period of a severely afflicted/afflicting planet.

This original concept of the Systems’ Approach is somewhat different.  Usually in Jyotish, the ruler of the ninth house stands as the best planet.  This basic principle is easy enough to understand since the ninth rules general fortune, luck, favors or easy contact with a teacher or Guru, etc.  Can you explain the reasons?

There are various aspects of understanding.  The most benefic planet means the first among the functional benefic planets. Ranking has been given to the planets while describing the most benefic planet.

Good fortune includes a well-settled life in terms of freedom from material worries to enable a person for one’s spiritual development through the guidance of a teacher.  The results depend upon the strength of the concerned planet.

Under SA the ruler of fourth house is considered as the most benefic planet and the title passes on to the lord of the second house, ninth house and then to the third house whichever house contains a mooltrikona sign in the first place.  In light of our views regarding good fortune, the ranking has been done.  It is difficult to be free from material worries without the contribution of the fourth, second, third and the ninth houses.

Didn’t you feel that the other practitioners would disagree from your reasoning for the most benefic planet?  For instance for Scorpio ascendant Saturn gets the status of the most benefic planet, ahead of the Moon.

The truth always prevails.  While formulating the rules for Systems’ Approach we have never thought of what other practitioners would think of our views.  In our view to enable one to concentrate on goodness and for one’s spiritual development in today’s life, the most benefic planet graded has to be strong and rewarding.  If it is not so, then the person concerned, generally, hardly gets time to concentrate on spiritual development.  For spiritual development the planets, especially the Sun and Jupiter, should be free from the influence of Rahu.  The ninth house and the planets involved in the ninth house do take one to religious/spiritual studies/pursuits but success depends on the strength of the lord of the ninth house if it contains a mooltrikona sign.  In case the ninth house does not contain a mooltrikona sign, then the planets Jupiter and Sun take that role.

DISPOSITOR

While your books, which I have read, are not very elaborative on the matter of dispositor, it seems that you agree with the general Vedic Astrology principle that a dispositor projects the effect of the planets which are sitting in its house.  I suppose the SA modification to this rule would be that the house must be a mooltrikona sign.  Is our understanding correct?

Yes, you are right.  Each planet's strength is limited to the strength of the ultimate dispositor or its own strength, whichever is less.  ​This ​means that if the strength of the ultimate dispositor is more than the strength of the planet, then the planet’s own strength will prevail. Read chapter 4 about this.

If a functional benefic planet is the dispositor of a functional malefic planet, then the former would be tainted by the influence of the latter and the aspects and transits of the former would also include the malefic aspect of the planet resident in its mooltrikona sign.  Is this supposition correct?

If the functional malefic planet is close to the most effective point, certainly this supposition is correct.

Similarly, would the functional malefic planets dispositing the functional benefic planets also convey the benefic effects?

While the impact of the functional benefic planet close to the most effective point of the house of its placement would be felt in the sub-period of the functional malefic planet to some extent, the transit impact of the functional malefic planet would always be malefic.

If there is no mooltrikona sign in the fifth house or the Sun is a functional malefic planet what should the natives do to enhance their insight?

The insight can surely be attributed to the Sun in the first place followed by:

(i) the lord of the fifth house;

(ii) Jupiter; and then

(iii) to the lord of the tenth house.

Of course, with astral remedies, everybody can be helped to enhance the potential seen in the God given ability to some extent.

Does the functional nature of the Sun or Jupiter affect their ability to offer the native insight?

No.

PLANETARY YOGAS

Can you please share information on yogas?

Yoga means a combined planetary confluence of two or more planets through placement, conjunction or aspect.  The traditional yogas mentioned in the classics rarely give satisfactory results.  Briefly, the basis of yogas are as under:

Raja yogas:  They are caused when both of the planets involved are functional benefic planets, strong and well-placed.  They cause affluence, name, fame and wealth.  Participative planets are the lords of the ninth, second and tenth houses and the planets especially the Sun and Mars for State authority.

Dhana yogas (combinations for financial affluence):  Here the participative planets are the rulers of the second, fifth, ninth, eleventh and third houses having a connection with earning.  The significator planets are Jupiter, Venus and the Moon. Dhana yogas are caused when the planets involved are functional benefic planets, strong and well-placed.

Arishtha yogas (combinations for misfortunes):  Here at least one of the participative planets would be a functional malefic planet i.e. the ruler of any malefic mooltrikona house, Rahu or Ketu.

Exchange of houses:  If the lord of a mooltrikona sign (x) is placed in the house containing the mooltrikona sign of another planet (y) and the lord of the mooltrikona sign (y) is placed in the mooltrikona sign of (x), it is called an exchange of house.  If both these planets are functional benefic planets, it is good.  If one of the planets is a functional malefic and its location is near the most effective point, it causes damage.

What is the SA view on yogas like Harsha, Sarala and Vimala (lord of the sixth in the sixth, lord of the eighth in the eighth, etc.)?  In other words, does the particular planet involved suffer any weakness as a result of being in a dusthana, even though in its own sign?

SA views planets through strength, placements, conjunctions and aspects and not through yogas, which are meaningless, most of the time.  You may refer to our book, “Predictive Techniques and the Application of Astrological Remedial Measures”, where this subject has been discussed.

MUHURTA

Can you please explain muhurta and its dimensions?

Muhurta is an elected time spell where all or the most of the planets are strong.  Muhurta can be elected out of the available planetary configurations.  There are numerous dimensions, which have to be balanced for electing a muhurta in the face of the limitations of available planetary configurations.

Each and every future ascendant (degree-wise) is to be seen and then decided from which muhurta in the near future or distant future would be suitable.  The first requirement for electing the muhurta is that the elector should be fully knowledgeable on the principles of SA.

Can you explain how to elect an auspicious time?

Mr. Brian Conrad’s commercial software Jyotish Tools has made things quite easy.  Set Gemini ascendant for any given place and date.  Then go on editing the chart with the next date within the Gemini ascendant and stop where you get all the balanced parameters.  Balancing parameters are quite simple.

        1.     Try to avoid planets in the malefic houses.

        2.     Try to avoid planets in extreme infancy/old age.

        3.     Try to avoid close afflictions to planets.

        4.     See that Rahu and Ketu are away from the most effective point.

        5.     See that the operating sub-period is that of a strong functional benefic planet.

        6.     To the extent possible one should avoid the main period of Rahu and/or Ketu.  But, sometimes when the main period of these planets is going to end in a few months, the auspicious time can be selected even with that.

For further details, read Chapter 23 in this book.

PREDICTIVE METHODOLOGY

Can you explain in a nutshell the analytical and predictive methodology?

The analysis should be done through conjunctions, aspects, placements, transits and the operating sub-periods.

The more close the conjunctions/aspects are, the higher is the priority for pronouncing the results.

We use the following methodology:

        1.     Identify close afflictions by conjunctions/aspects after                            identifying the functional nature and planetary strengths.

        2.     See the bad placements.

        3.     See the sub-period lord and its current location in the transit.          

   4. See the current triple transit triggering influence. 

This simple technique leads us to the desired results.  When you indicate the areas which are agitating the mind of the person seeking consultation, the person who is seeking the consultation confirms your finding, and seeks remedial measures to come out of the situation.

The case studies in the books are given for practice.  The students have to understand the case studies or planetary configurations.  They just have to understand the system and they will acquire confidence.

Suppose, the most malefic planet is influencing a particular planet or a particular house and its sub-period is running.  You can straightaway say that there are obstructions in the significations of the particular planet/house without any hesitation.  If the sub-period is not there, even then say in these matters there are difficulties in life.

After narrating the results/indications of afflictions and bad placements, you can proceed with explaining the good placements and strong functional benefic planets.  Then concentrate on the transits of the immediate past and or the preceding sub-period.  This will give you a good start, and the confidence level will start getting higher with each and every case study handled.  The future is to be explained on the basis of the strength of the forthcoming sub-period lords and/or triple transit influences. Make astral remedies suggestions.

What is a prime determinant?

The lord of the mooltrikona house, which rules a particular aspect of life, becomes the prime determinant for that aspect of life.  If the concerned house does not contain a mooltrikona sign then the lord of such a house, which also rules the same aspect and contains a mooltrikona sign, becomes the prime determinant.  If no house ruling the particular aspect of life contains a mooltrikona sign, then the significator for that aspect becomes the prime determinant. This has been explained in this book.

Whenever there is a mooltrikona sign in the ascendant of the concerned divisional chart then its lord acts as an additional prime determinant.

POWER OF KAVACH

Is the power of a Kavach cumulative?  In other words, would there be any significant benefits to wearing 2 or 3 Kavachs at the same time?

The Kavach also has a main period and after a couple of years, sometimes, it is advised to change the Kavach or to wear another Kavach.  It is always better to keep record of the wearing time to know the strength and impact of the Kavach at a particular time.  Wearing another Kavach significantly adds to the benefit of the Kavach.

Are seed mantras, or any special homa ceremonies, used during the creation of a Kavach?

One preparing the Kavach has to have a continuous practice of divine conduct, to the extent possible, which includes daily prayers, mantras and occasional Pujas, as well.

Is there a way to reinforce the power of a Kavach with regular use of the seed mantras of one’s functional benefic planets?  For instance, would the weekly practice of doing 108 repetitions of the Venus seed mantra every Friday morning at sunrise while holding the Kavach between one’s folded hands be considered a good way to maintain, or even enhance, the Kavach’s protective power?

The Kavach power surely is kept intact with the use as advised.  At the same time recitation of mantras with any schedule help the person further as a whole in addition to the help from the Kavach.

Would wearing a Kavach enhance (in a significant way) the effects of one’s daily seed mantra chanting?

Wherever the chanting of mantras has been prescribed, it helps a lot.

Would there be any benefit to simultaneously wearing of a gem and the numeric Yantra (Kavach) of the same planet?   Would they mutually reinforce each other’s power? 

        When the afflictions are grave, simultaneous wearing of gemstones and Kavach is advised.  The special power Kavach cum gem pendants (Special Purpose Kavach) has shown good results for the wearers during the last twelve years.

Is the time one first wears one’s Kavach as important as the time when the Kavach was created?

Yes.  Both the creation time and wearing time are important.

As the ideal auspicious moments are so rare do you create a few Kavachs for specific ascendants in advance, when the conditions are ideal for these ascendants, and then store them in a sacred place until they are offered to wearers, or do you only create them at the most auspicious moment available when they are ordered, even though it might not necessarily offer the most ideal/perfect astrological conditions?

The Kavachs and Special Power Kavachs are created in a most suitable time and are stored for future use.

Would some Kavachs be more powerful or effective than others simply because of their date of creation and/or first wear?

All Kavachs are created in an auspicious time.  But still, there can be a difference in power.

Would it be possible to select an auspicious time for the first wearing of the Kavachs while Saturn or for that matter any other planet is in its sign of debilitation?

A person who needs a Kavach cannot wait for long.  So the time next to best is selected for wearing, even with Saturn in Aries, which is its sign of debilitation.

Can wearing a Kavach reduce the power of functional malefic natal triggers and increase the power of functional benefic ones?

Feedback from people indicates that afflictions can be taken care of to a fairly large extent with the help of astral remedies, such as the wearing of a Kavach, in addition to performing charities and remedial measures.  The Kavach is a matter of experience and there is no way able to tell how much it has benefited a user.  There is no way to measure the impact.

What energizes the Kavach?

(a) The auspicious time in which the Kavach is created should have strong planetary influences.

(b) The Kavach creator (provider) should follow the principles of divine teaching as explained in the Preface of the book.

(c)  The power of the Kavach is in commensuration to the spiritual power of the Kavach provider. Therefore, the Kavach provider should have any one of the following:

(i) a strong or fairly strong, well-placed and unafflicted Jupiter in his/her own natal chart.

(ii) a strong fourth or first lord in the ninth house or a strong lord of

the ninth house in the fourth or first house with an unafflicted Sun.

Can you explain how you developed the Kavach?

The Kavach, also called an amulet, is a protecting shield in the form of a yantra which is made of mostly silver containing the mystical numbers of the functional benefic planets energized in an auspiciously elected time to strengthen the planets and provide protection to the natal and transit afflictions of the planets which are the functional benefic planets in a nativity and are weak/afflicted.

The individual set of mystical numbers and the use of gem stones do come from classical literature.  The books written in the fifth century, too, find mention and benefits of these.  In 1991 we were using the mystical numbers of individual planets for raising the strength of the concerned planets for removing obstructions for the natives, for dealing with the health problems, for cutting down the delay in marriage, etc. etc.  While the current problem of the native used to be tackled this way, in subsequent sub-periods the natives encountered some other problems.  Our team members experimenting the utility of these included (i) Mr. R K Chadha, who is an engineer and an MBA by profession and had been interested in astrology since the mid-sixties and had attended a regular course in astrology in Bhartiaya Vidya Bhavan, New Delhi, in the year 1968; (ii) Dr. (Mrs.) K Batra, a gynecologist, who was monitoring the impacts on patients suffering from chronic health problems and on prime sterility cases and (iii) Mr. Kumar Jhuraney, a businessman deeply interested in the remedial measures.  The present form of the Kavach was then thought up in 1992 so that anybody who is taking help of the astral remedies could be given protection on a long-term basis.  The Kavachs were made only for the functional benefic planets for a native.  Dr. (Mrs.) Suman Chadha, wife of Mr. R. K. Chadha is a leading gynecologist obstetrician and had been rendering treatment for the prime sterility cases and even with artificial insemination, etc.  The Kavach was applied to the couples having prime sterility with encouraging results/feedback.  Overall, the experience with the use of the Kavach, Special Power Kavach and Special Purpose Kavach has been found to be highly satisfactory by us.  But certainly, there is an extent to which the Kavach or for that matter any other remedy can work.  Mantras and charities are helpful for the functional malefic planets and that is why the application of astral remedies is a two-pronged approach.  The Kavach as advised under SA in the present form is the creation of SA and does not come from classical literature.  I hope this gives to you a background for understanding the utility and evolution of the Kavach over time.

The Kavach is a matter of experience and there is no way to demonstrate its impact in scientific terms as to how much it benefits a user.  There is no way one can measure the impact. But in some cases the results are demonstratable; 1. when it is used in the case of a delayed marriage; and 2. when it is used for the birth of a child.  The only way to find out its utility is through the feedback of users and the fulfillment of their desires from the Kavach. A number of such feedback messages have been given on our website.

The technique to measure the effectiveness of the Kavach was adopted as under:

        1.     Identified prolonged problem

        2.     Application of an appropriate Kavach or a Special Power Kavach or a Special Purpose Kavach.

        3.     Results

A few examples:

        1.     More than 50 prime sterility cases with no child after 8-10 years of marriage.  The success rate was more than 90%.

        2.     Chronic patients of blood pressure, arthritis, backaches, etc. etc.  - Success known through feedbacks is excellent except for some inflammations in future transit influences. 

        3.     Accidents - Recovery.  A person who had fractures of the spine and was declared that she would not be able to move the lower portion of the body in 1994, responded to treatment after wearing the Kavach; she came out of a paralytic situation and now on seeing her nobody can imagine if she ever had such a problem.  

        4.     Heart by-pass surgery advised by a top medical institution of India - the person was able to come out without surgery and did not require the surgery in the next 20 years. 

        5.     Patient admitted for kidney transplant.  Discharged on the day of the operation and survived without a transplant.

        6.     A young boy had to leave his engineering course in the second year due to severe persistent pain in his body, which he continued to suffer for about 3 years.  When after this condition was operating for more than a year the Kavach was applied and with continuous remedies not only he is all right but also he is married and enjoying good health.

        7.     Averting profession setbacks - The list is so long.

        8.     Psychological problems - The people could be brought back to normalcy without any relapse.

        9.     Preventive use - The clear planetary indications did not fructify in the sub-periods of the indicating planets.

The experiences/feedbacks are so many that it is a material of more than 10 books.

When used as a preventive therapy it helps in deriving the following benefits:-

-Success in studies

-Success in professional career/business

-Develops leadership skills

-Improves memory and analytical skills

-Protects health

-Minimizing delay in marriage

-Indicates success in relationships

-Blesses with children

        -Blesses with achievements and recognition in life and so on and so forth the list is very long.

How do we strengthen the weak planets?

The Kavach is one part of the remedies to strengthen the weak planets.  The planets can be strengthened by gemstones, as well.

What is (are) the other part(s) of strengthening measures?

Color therapy and Gems therapy are the other forms of strengthening measures.

The Kavach helps whenever we perform simultaneously the charities for the functional malefic planets and it helps in performance of propitiatory remedies, as well.

How do we work out the auspicious time?

Please refer to Lesson 14 A on the website.

Are there any references to the Kavach in Vedic literature?

The individual set of mystical numbers and the use of gemstones do come from the classical literature.  The books written in fifth century, too, find mention and benefits of these.

Is the Kavach always worn by itself or can extra effects occur if it is worn with a Yantra such as the Sri Yantra?

It is worn by itself and it does not require the Sri Yantra for support.

Is the impact of the Kavach enhanced if it is worn with a Kavach that has a wearer specific mantra on it?

No.  The mystical number-set in itself works as a specific mantra for the planet concerned.

Would you say that the Kavach is capable of preventing or deferring an untimely death?  If so, are there any conditions like type (accident, health) of death etc. for such a deferment?

In our experience of over 22 years with the Kavach, two persons for which a middle life span was seen, were warned and given Kavachs.  These two gentlemen did meet with the death date but had removed the Kavachs before their death by sudden heart attacks.  With this experience, our inference is that the Kavach does protect from untimely death but when the ultimate date comes, the person removes the Kavach.  Now to say whether this has deferred the death or not, is really difficult.

Do you know of any cases where someone who was seen with a short life, began wearing a Kavach continually, and then exceeded his/her expected death projection?

        Yes, there is such a case as well.  This person was born on the Ninth Feb 1965 at 2334 hrs in New Delhi, Time Zone 5.30 hours.  Rahu from the eighth house afflicts his natal Sun almost exactly on the same degree.  Danger up to even to his death was seen during the Rahu/Sun period and this person was informed about the threat to life while suggesting the astral remedies both propitiatory and strengthening.  During the Rahu main period and the Sun sub-period, he felt uncomfortable with his blood pressure and was apprehensive of a heart attack.  During the Moon/Rahu period he had lost his father at a young age of four years.  During the course of discussions, he once brought up the issue of danger to his longevity in the Rahu/Moon period.  Solely, on the basis of the performance of the astral remedies he was given the prediction that there is no danger to his longevity during the sub-period of Moon in the main period of Rahu.  The person is still alive.