From 1870 to 1900, the Bertillion system or anthropometric system of identification based on measurements of height, head and other parts of body was accepted by the police department as a means of identification. But it so happened in 1903 that one Will West was arrested by the police and was identified by a police officer as having a previous conviction. But Will West denied the same. When his measurements were taken, it was found out that they were the same as that of one Mr. WEST who was serving a life sentence in a jail for murder. Further enquiries revealed that there was one Mr. WEST in prison having the same facial resemblance and also body measurements. In this case, there was a coincidence of the similarity of names and body measurements according to Bertillion system and similar photo features. It was the Finger prints Only that proved that that WEST in prison and suspect WEST were different individuals. The
Importance of fingerprints came to light from this notable case of WESTS who were Twin Brothers.
Sunday, December 16, 2007
Friday, November 23, 2007
HISTORY OF FINGER PRINTS
Ancient History of use of finger prints
1000 BCE; archaeological evidence of ancient Chinese and Babylonian civilisations using fingerprints to sign legal documents In ancient Babylon, fingerprints were used on clay tablets for business transactions. The earliest dated prints of the ridged skin on human hands and feet were made about 4,000 years ago during the pyramid building era in Egypt. In addition, one small portion of palm print, not known to be human, has been found impressed in hardened mud at a 10,000-year old site in Egypt.
Chinese fingerprinting
It was common practice for the Chinese to use inked fingerprints on official documents, land sales, contracts, loans and acknowledgments of debts. The oldest existing documents so endorsed date from the 3rd century BC, and it was still an effective practice until recent times. Even though it is recorded that the Chinese used their fingerprints to establish identity in courts in litigation over disputed business dealings, researchers fail to agree as to whether the Chinese were fully aware of the uniqueness of a fingerprint or whether the physical contact with documents had some spiritual significance.
In 14th century Persia, various official government papers had fingerprints (impressions), and one government official, a doctor, observed that no two fingerprints were exactly alike
Marcello Malpighi - 1686
In 1686, Marcello Malpighi, a professor of anatomy at the University of Bologna, noted in his treaties; ridges, spirals and loops in fingerprints. He made no mention of their value as a tool for individual identification. A layer of skin was named after him; "Malpighi" layer, which is approximately 1.8mm thick.
John Evangelist Purkinji - 1823
In 1823, John Evangelist Purkinji, a professor of anatomy at the University of Breslau, published his thesis discussing 9 fingerprint patterns, but he too made no mention of the value of fingerprints for personal identification.
Beginnings of finger print identification science
Sir-William Herschel-1856.
the English first began using finger prints in July 1958,when Sir William Hershel, Chief Magistrate of the Hoogly district in Jungipoor, India first used finger prints on native contracts. On a whim, and with no thought toward personal identification, Herschel and Rajyadhar Konai a Local businessman, impress his hand print on the back of a contract. and, later, thumb impressions of some members of the local population on contracts. These prints were used as a form of signature on the documents because of the high level of illiteracy in India and frequent attempts at forgery. Herschel also began fingerprinting all prisoners in jail. ".Herschel's main role as a fingerprint pioneer lies in the area of the immutability of ridged skin also mentioned by Faulds. Throughout his life, Herschel took his own fingerprints and noted that no change had occurred in them in over 50 years. He also had a small collection of about 20 sets of fingerprints and used his technique of hand printing to detect forgeries of legal documents. The fingerprints taken from prisoners were also of great interest to him, and he had the opportunity to see the same prisoners fingerprinted several times over a number of years with no change occurring in their fingerprints.
1880; Dr Henry Faulds, an English physician working in Tokyo, published a letter in the journal Nature suggesting the use of fingerprints for identification purposes. The greatest advances in fingerprint science in the late 19th and early 20th centuries were probably made by Dr Henry Faulds, a Scottish missionary doctor of the United Presbyterian Church. Faulds first became interested in fingerprints after 1874 while working at the hospital he established in Tsukiji, Tokyo, Japan. After careful experiment and observation, he became convinced that fingerprint patterns did not change, that the fingerprint patterns on the fingers where highly variable and that superficial injury did not alter them, they returned to their former design as the injury healed. In a letter written to Nature in October 1880, Faulds relates how he took many sets of fingerprints and palmprints and studied them, as Grew had done, with a botanical lens. He further described the pattern formations on the fingers, referred to "loops" and "whorls" and stating how good sets of fingerprints may be obtained by the use of "a common slate or smooth board of any kind, or a sheet of tin, spread over very thinly with printer's ink. This technique, still in use today, appears to be a botanical technique called nature-printing. Fauld's most important conclusion was that fingerprints do not change and that fingermarks (that is, latent prints) left on objects by bloody or greasy fingers "may lead to the scientific identification of criminals
Gilbert Thompson - 1882
In 1882, Gilbert Thompson of the U.S. Geological Survey in New Mexico, used his own fingerprints on a document to prevent forgery. This is the first known use of fingerprints in the United States
Juan Vucetich
In 1891, Juan Vucetich, and Argentine Police Official, began the first fingerprint files based on Galton pattern types. At first, Vucetich included the Bertillon system with the files.
In 1892, Juan Vucetich made the first criminal fingerprint identification. He was able to identify a woman by the name of Rojas, who had murdered her two sons, and cut her own throat in an attempt to place blame on another.
Her bloody print was left on a door post, proving her identity as the murderer
1892; After some years of research the English scientist Sir Francis Galton published a book entitled Finger Prints in which was laid out a method of classification of fingerprints. Sir Francis Galton, published an accurate and in-depth study of the fingerprinting science that included an attempt at a system of fingerprint classification to facilitate the handling of large collections of fingerprints. Although Galton's work proved to be sound and became the foundation of modern fingerprint science and technology, his approach to classification was inadequate, and it was to be others who were to successfully apply his work.
"
1897; Another Indian Police officer Sir Edward Henry proposed a modified classification system which was adopted by Scotland Yard in 1901 and is still the basis of the systems used in most English speaking countries. An Englishman, Sir Edward Henry, devised a workable classification system independently and implemented it in India in 1897. Henry published his book Classification and Uses of Fingerprints in 1900. In 1901, Henry was appointed Assistant Commissioner of Police at New Scotland Yard and began to introduce his fingerprint system into that institution. By the end of that year, the Fingerprint Office at New Scotland Yard was fully functional, the first British court conviction by fingerprints being obtained in 1902. Approximately 10 years after the publication of Henry's book, his classification system was being used by police forces and prison authorities throughout the English-speaking world
1901; First official use of fingerprints in the USA by the New York City Civil Service Commission.
1930 National fingerprint file set up in America by the FBI.
Present use of finger print identification.
Fingerprints are still the primary method of identification of criminals. Modern developments have included;
1
Improvements to the techniques used for the detection of prints, including the use of lasers and luminescence
2
Storage, searching, retrieval and matching of prints using computers (automated fingerprint identification systems; AFIS)
Richard Saferstein in his book Criminalistics describes the following fundamental principles of fingerprints;
1. A fingerprint is an individual characteristic
In the 90 years since fingerprinting was generally introduced, out of the millions of sets of prints that have been taken, no two individuals have been found to have the same fingerprints.
It is not the shape of the print that is individual, but rather the number, location and shape of specific ridge characteristics (also known as minutiae).
When comparing a print from a crime scene to a known print of a suspect the examiner is looking for minutiae in the same place on each print. This is complicated as it is rare to get a whole fingerprint at a crime scene so it is often only a section of a print that is being compared. It is also common for the print to be distorted as it is pressed or rolled onto a surface, so that two prints from the same finger of the same person don't look the same.
The greater the number of matches of minutiae the smaller the probability of a mistake being made. Australian courts in a similar fashion to British courts require at least 16 minutiae to be matched before the fingerprint be used as evidence of identification.
Article from The Print*: A Review of the Sixteen Point Fingerprint Standard in England and Wales
*The official publication of the South California Association of Fingerprint Officers
2. A fingerprint will remain unchanged during an individual's lifetime
The ridges on the grasping surfaces of hands and on the soles of feet are present at birth and remain unchanged for life except for size as growth occurs. They may be obscured by deep tissue damage that causes scarring, like burns for example. However these scars may also be useful as points of identification.
3. Fingerprints have general ridge patterns that permit them to be systematically classified
Sir Francis Galton in his book Finger Prints (1892) classified fingerprint patterns into three main kinds;
Arches; 5 % population
Loops; 60 - 65 %
Whorls; 30 - 35 %
This classification was extended by Sir Edward Henry in 1897 and it was this modified system that was adopted by Scotland Yard in 1901. This system of classification, with some variation, is still in use today in English speaking countries.
Classifying the general pattern of fingerprints allows them to be stored in a filing system and subsequently retrieved for comparison. Modern technology has allowed this process to transferred to computers with the advent of automated fingerprint identification systems
(When a fingerprint has been found at a scene of a crime it is first classified. On the basis of this classification a "short list" of similar fingerprints from the files are compared with the print from the crime scene to try and establish a match, and therefore a identify a possible suspect.
This process used to be done laboriously by hand, but since the introduction of computer technology it has been possible to automate this process using automated fingerprint identification systems (AFIS). )
The various law enforcement agencies around the world, such as the FBI and the Metropolitan Police in London (UK) have over the years built up vast collections of fingerprints.
When a fingerprint has been found at a scene of a crime it is first classified. On the basis of this classification a "short list" of similar fingerprints from the files are compared with the print from the crime scene to try and establish a match, and therefore a identify a possible suspect.
This process used to be done laboriously by hand, but since the introduction of computer technology it has been possible to automate this process using automated fingerprint identification systems (AFIS). A schematic of an AFIS is shown below;
A photograph of the print from the crime scene is scanned into a computer using image digitising software. Using sophisticated software the image of the fingerprint is compared with the computerised database of prints and a list of possible "hits" is produced. It is then up to the fingerprint expert to make the final decision as to whether there is match or not.
What is a fingerprint?
A fingerprint is an impression of the friction ridges found on the inner surface of a finger or a thumb.
The science of fingerprinting constitutes the only unchangeable and infallible means of positive identification known to man.
Why finger prints are used for identification?
The reasons why fingerprints are used for identification purposes are outlined below. These premises are supported by scientific research in areas such as biology, embryology, anatomy and histology to name a few.
1) Ridge patterns and the details in small areas of friction ridges are unique and never repeated.
2) Friction ridges develop on the fetus in their definitive form before birth.
3) Ridges are persistent throughout life except for permanent scarring.
4) Friction ridge patterns vary within limits which allow for classification.
What is finger print identification
fingerprint Identification is the method of identification using the impressions made by the minute ridge
formations or patterns found on the fingertips. No two persons have exactly the same arrangement of ridge
patterns, and the patterns of any one individual remain unchanged throughout life. Fingerprints offer an infallible
means of personal identification. Other personal characteristics may change, but fingerprints do not.
fingerprint record of suspected persons, officials can establish absolute proof of the presence or identity of a
person.
Fingerprint Pattern Type
Plain Arch
Tented Arch
Ulnar Loop
Radial Loop
Plain Whorl
Central Pocket
Double Loop
Accidental
Loop
Whorl
Whorl
1000 BCE; archaeological evidence of ancient Chinese and Babylonian civilisations using fingerprints to sign legal documents In ancient Babylon, fingerprints were used on clay tablets for business transactions. The earliest dated prints of the ridged skin on human hands and feet were made about 4,000 years ago during the pyramid building era in Egypt. In addition, one small portion of palm print, not known to be human, has been found impressed in hardened mud at a 10,000-year old site in Egypt.
Chinese fingerprinting
It was common practice for the Chinese to use inked fingerprints on official documents, land sales, contracts, loans and acknowledgments of debts. The oldest existing documents so endorsed date from the 3rd century BC, and it was still an effective practice until recent times. Even though it is recorded that the Chinese used their fingerprints to establish identity in courts in litigation over disputed business dealings, researchers fail to agree as to whether the Chinese were fully aware of the uniqueness of a fingerprint or whether the physical contact with documents had some spiritual significance.
In 14th century Persia, various official government papers had fingerprints (impressions), and one government official, a doctor, observed that no two fingerprints were exactly alike
Marcello Malpighi - 1686
In 1686, Marcello Malpighi, a professor of anatomy at the University of Bologna, noted in his treaties; ridges, spirals and loops in fingerprints. He made no mention of their value as a tool for individual identification. A layer of skin was named after him; "Malpighi" layer, which is approximately 1.8mm thick.
John Evangelist Purkinji - 1823
In 1823, John Evangelist Purkinji, a professor of anatomy at the University of Breslau, published his thesis discussing 9 fingerprint patterns, but he too made no mention of the value of fingerprints for personal identification.
Beginnings of finger print identification science
Sir-William Herschel-1856.
the English first began using finger prints in July 1958,when Sir William Hershel, Chief Magistrate of the Hoogly district in Jungipoor, India first used finger prints on native contracts. On a whim, and with no thought toward personal identification, Herschel and Rajyadhar Konai a Local businessman, impress his hand print on the back of a contract. and, later, thumb impressions of some members of the local population on contracts. These prints were used as a form of signature on the documents because of the high level of illiteracy in India and frequent attempts at forgery. Herschel also began fingerprinting all prisoners in jail. ".Herschel's main role as a fingerprint pioneer lies in the area of the immutability of ridged skin also mentioned by Faulds. Throughout his life, Herschel took his own fingerprints and noted that no change had occurred in them in over 50 years. He also had a small collection of about 20 sets of fingerprints and used his technique of hand printing to detect forgeries of legal documents. The fingerprints taken from prisoners were also of great interest to him, and he had the opportunity to see the same prisoners fingerprinted several times over a number of years with no change occurring in their fingerprints.
1880; Dr Henry Faulds, an English physician working in Tokyo, published a letter in the journal Nature suggesting the use of fingerprints for identification purposes. The greatest advances in fingerprint science in the late 19th and early 20th centuries were probably made by Dr Henry Faulds, a Scottish missionary doctor of the United Presbyterian Church. Faulds first became interested in fingerprints after 1874 while working at the hospital he established in Tsukiji, Tokyo, Japan. After careful experiment and observation, he became convinced that fingerprint patterns did not change, that the fingerprint patterns on the fingers where highly variable and that superficial injury did not alter them, they returned to their former design as the injury healed. In a letter written to Nature in October 1880, Faulds relates how he took many sets of fingerprints and palmprints and studied them, as Grew had done, with a botanical lens. He further described the pattern formations on the fingers, referred to "loops" and "whorls" and stating how good sets of fingerprints may be obtained by the use of "a common slate or smooth board of any kind, or a sheet of tin, spread over very thinly with printer's ink. This technique, still in use today, appears to be a botanical technique called nature-printing. Fauld's most important conclusion was that fingerprints do not change and that fingermarks (that is, latent prints) left on objects by bloody or greasy fingers "may lead to the scientific identification of criminals
Gilbert Thompson - 1882
In 1882, Gilbert Thompson of the U.S. Geological Survey in New Mexico, used his own fingerprints on a document to prevent forgery. This is the first known use of fingerprints in the United States
Juan Vucetich
In 1891, Juan Vucetich, and Argentine Police Official, began the first fingerprint files based on Galton pattern types. At first, Vucetich included the Bertillon system with the files.
In 1892, Juan Vucetich made the first criminal fingerprint identification. He was able to identify a woman by the name of Rojas, who had murdered her two sons, and cut her own throat in an attempt to place blame on another.
Her bloody print was left on a door post, proving her identity as the murderer
1892; After some years of research the English scientist Sir Francis Galton published a book entitled Finger Prints in which was laid out a method of classification of fingerprints. Sir Francis Galton, published an accurate and in-depth study of the fingerprinting science that included an attempt at a system of fingerprint classification to facilitate the handling of large collections of fingerprints. Although Galton's work proved to be sound and became the foundation of modern fingerprint science and technology, his approach to classification was inadequate, and it was to be others who were to successfully apply his work.
"
1897; Another Indian Police officer Sir Edward Henry proposed a modified classification system which was adopted by Scotland Yard in 1901 and is still the basis of the systems used in most English speaking countries. An Englishman, Sir Edward Henry, devised a workable classification system independently and implemented it in India in 1897. Henry published his book Classification and Uses of Fingerprints in 1900. In 1901, Henry was appointed Assistant Commissioner of Police at New Scotland Yard and began to introduce his fingerprint system into that institution. By the end of that year, the Fingerprint Office at New Scotland Yard was fully functional, the first British court conviction by fingerprints being obtained in 1902. Approximately 10 years after the publication of Henry's book, his classification system was being used by police forces and prison authorities throughout the English-speaking world
1901; First official use of fingerprints in the USA by the New York City Civil Service Commission.
1930 National fingerprint file set up in America by the FBI.
Present use of finger print identification.
Fingerprints are still the primary method of identification of criminals. Modern developments have included;
1
Improvements to the techniques used for the detection of prints, including the use of lasers and luminescence
2
Storage, searching, retrieval and matching of prints using computers (automated fingerprint identification systems; AFIS)
Richard Saferstein in his book Criminalistics describes the following fundamental principles of fingerprints;
1. A fingerprint is an individual characteristic
In the 90 years since fingerprinting was generally introduced, out of the millions of sets of prints that have been taken, no two individuals have been found to have the same fingerprints.
It is not the shape of the print that is individual, but rather the number, location and shape of specific ridge characteristics (also known as minutiae).
When comparing a print from a crime scene to a known print of a suspect the examiner is looking for minutiae in the same place on each print. This is complicated as it is rare to get a whole fingerprint at a crime scene so it is often only a section of a print that is being compared. It is also common for the print to be distorted as it is pressed or rolled onto a surface, so that two prints from the same finger of the same person don't look the same.
The greater the number of matches of minutiae the smaller the probability of a mistake being made. Australian courts in a similar fashion to British courts require at least 16 minutiae to be matched before the fingerprint be used as evidence of identification.
Article from The Print*: A Review of the Sixteen Point Fingerprint Standard in England and Wales
*The official publication of the South California Association of Fingerprint Officers
2. A fingerprint will remain unchanged during an individual's lifetime
The ridges on the grasping surfaces of hands and on the soles of feet are present at birth and remain unchanged for life except for size as growth occurs. They may be obscured by deep tissue damage that causes scarring, like burns for example. However these scars may also be useful as points of identification.
3. Fingerprints have general ridge patterns that permit them to be systematically classified
Sir Francis Galton in his book Finger Prints (1892) classified fingerprint patterns into three main kinds;
Arches; 5 % population
Loops; 60 - 65 %
Whorls; 30 - 35 %
This classification was extended by Sir Edward Henry in 1897 and it was this modified system that was adopted by Scotland Yard in 1901. This system of classification, with some variation, is still in use today in English speaking countries.
Classifying the general pattern of fingerprints allows them to be stored in a filing system and subsequently retrieved for comparison. Modern technology has allowed this process to transferred to computers with the advent of automated fingerprint identification systems
(When a fingerprint has been found at a scene of a crime it is first classified. On the basis of this classification a "short list" of similar fingerprints from the files are compared with the print from the crime scene to try and establish a match, and therefore a identify a possible suspect.
This process used to be done laboriously by hand, but since the introduction of computer technology it has been possible to automate this process using automated fingerprint identification systems (AFIS). )
The various law enforcement agencies around the world, such as the FBI and the Metropolitan Police in London (UK) have over the years built up vast collections of fingerprints.
When a fingerprint has been found at a scene of a crime it is first classified. On the basis of this classification a "short list" of similar fingerprints from the files are compared with the print from the crime scene to try and establish a match, and therefore a identify a possible suspect.
This process used to be done laboriously by hand, but since the introduction of computer technology it has been possible to automate this process using automated fingerprint identification systems (AFIS). A schematic of an AFIS is shown below;
A photograph of the print from the crime scene is scanned into a computer using image digitising software. Using sophisticated software the image of the fingerprint is compared with the computerised database of prints and a list of possible "hits" is produced. It is then up to the fingerprint expert to make the final decision as to whether there is match or not.
What is a fingerprint?
A fingerprint is an impression of the friction ridges found on the inner surface of a finger or a thumb.
The science of fingerprinting constitutes the only unchangeable and infallible means of positive identification known to man.
Why finger prints are used for identification?
The reasons why fingerprints are used for identification purposes are outlined below. These premises are supported by scientific research in areas such as biology, embryology, anatomy and histology to name a few.
1) Ridge patterns and the details in small areas of friction ridges are unique and never repeated.
2) Friction ridges develop on the fetus in their definitive form before birth.
3) Ridges are persistent throughout life except for permanent scarring.
4) Friction ridge patterns vary within limits which allow for classification.
What is finger print identification
fingerprint Identification is the method of identification using the impressions made by the minute ridge
formations or patterns found on the fingertips. No two persons have exactly the same arrangement of ridge
patterns, and the patterns of any one individual remain unchanged throughout life. Fingerprints offer an infallible
means of personal identification. Other personal characteristics may change, but fingerprints do not.
fingerprint record of suspected persons, officials can establish absolute proof of the presence or identity of a
person.
Fingerprint Pattern Type
Plain Arch
Tented Arch
Ulnar Loop
Radial Loop
Plain Whorl
Central Pocket
Double Loop
Accidental
Loop
Whorl
Whorl
Sunday, November 11, 2007
Basics of Astrology
Practical aspects of Astrology
Vedas are the oldest, the most authentic and the most sacred scriptures to understand the mysteries of nature. According to Maxmuller, a renowned German scholar of the Vedas, 'Vedas are oldest books in the library of the world.' To understand the meaning of these Vedas, our Rishis, Maharathis have categorised the Vedas into six parts. Astrology is one of them and considered as the sixth sense which helps one to see all the unseen objects and the future events of the world.
Even Astrology is divided into three parts or subdivision :THEORY (Siddhant). SAMHITA. JATAKA.
Siddhant helps us to understand the good and evil results (effects), with the help of minute arithmetic calculations related to rising and setting of the planets, Nakshatras, stars, Rashis, the combination of planets (grahayoga), grahayudha and the eclipse of the Moon and the Sun.
Samhita means the good and evil effects, which occur due to the combination of the planets, day and night transitions and seasonal transitions that affect the whole world.
Jataka means the good and evil effects which occur during the transmigration of a soul through 84 lakh yonis, and the effects which the Isht, Lagna, Graha (planets) Nakshatras, have on the joy, sorrow, gain-loss, destiny and age.
Our most revered sages imagined about the planetary orbits by doing penance and Yoga for a long time. They also observed the motion of these heavenly bodies through a distinct and well-marked path in the sky which contains twelve zodiac signs. These twelve zodiac signs of the solar system are established in the twelve parts of our body.
They are as follows:
Forehead - Aries (Mesh) Mouth - Taurus (Vrishabh) Chest area - Gemini (Mithun) Heart - Cancer (Karka) Stomach - Leo (Simha) Waist - Virgo (Kanya) Bladder - Libra (Tula) Sex organ - Scorpio (Vrishchik) Thighs - Sagittarius (Dhanu) Knees - Capricorn (Makara) Calf of leg - Aquarius (Kumbha) Feet - Pisces (Meena)
The planets traveling in twelve zodiac signs have affect on the following:
The Sun has effect on - Soul (Aatma) The Moon has effects on - Mind (Mana) The Mars has effects on - Patience (Dhairya) The Mercury has effects on - Voice (Vaani) The Jupiter has effects on - Reasoning (Viveka) The Venus has effect on - Sperms (Virya) The Saturn has effect on - Sensitivity (Samvedana) This implies that, the position of the seven planets and the twelve Zodiac signs are well established within our body.
The above mentioned organs and parts of the body are greatly influenced by the planets of the solar system and their movement.
Panchang
Although it is essential to have the knowledge of arithmetical calculations to understand Indian Astrology, but for the benefit of the common people, astrologers have devised a calendar (Panchang) with the help of which, and simple arithmetical calculations, one can have knowledge about planets, good or bad for him. It is not necessary for a common man to be an astrologer in order to understand the Panchang. But for a smooth and systematic running of life, one should know how to interpret 'Phalita'. Panchang means five organs to understand the Phalita. These five things are – Tithi (Date) Nakshatra (Group of stars) Yoga (an auspicious moment) Karan (Half of the part of Tithi) Vaar (days of the week) TITHI Tithi is considered as the first phase or portion (Kala) of the 16 phases of the Moon. The 15 days, commencing from Amavasya (the last day of the dark half of a lunar month) to Purnima (Full moon), are called the Tithis of the Shukla-Paksha (brighter phase) and the days commencing from Purnima to Amavasya are called Krishna Paksha (darker phase). In Indian Astrology, the calculation of the Tithis starts from Pratipada (The first day in each half of the lunar month) of the Shukla-Paksha. They are: Pratipada. Dwitiya. Tritiya. Chaturthi. Panchami. Shashthi. Saptami. Ashtami. Navami. Dashami. Ekadasi. Dwadashi. Trayodashi. Chaturdashi. Purnima. Similarly, in the Krishna-Paksha, starting from Pratipada till Chaturdashi, all the dates are same; the only difference being the fifteenth day which is Amavasya (Moonless night) These fifteen days have been given five names. NANDA(1st,6th,11th & Friday)BHADRA(2nd,7th,12th & Wednesday)JAYA(3rd,8th,13th & Tuesday)RIKTA(4th,9th,14th & Saturday)PURNA(5th,10th, 15th & Thursday)If the above mentioned days falls on the given Tithis it is considered as auspicious and the work taken in hand in successfully accomplished. For example (if, 1st, 6th 11th falls on Friday, 2nd, 7th, 12th falls on Wednesday etc.) INAUSPICIOUS DAYS:– The following days (Tithis) are considered to be inauspicious, and there is a fear of hurdles, obstructing the accomplishment of the work. The names of these auspicious days have been given as follows: The dates are considered to be inauspicious if it falls on the following days
SUN
MON
TUE
WED
THUR
FRI
SAT
DAGDHA
12
11
5
3
6
8
9
VISHA
4
6
7
2
8
9
7
HUTASHAN
12
6
7
8
9
10
11
If 12th day and 4th day of the months falls on Sunday and 11th & 6th falls on Monday and 5th & 7th falls on Tuesday respectively, they are considered as inauspicious. NAKSHATRA (CONSTELLATION) A group of stars is called Nakshatra. Just as the units used for measuring the distance is miles or kilometers in the same way the space (Akash Mandal) is measured in terms of Nakshatras (group of stars). The whole space has been divided into 27 parts and each part has been given the name of Nakshatra. They are as follows ASHWINI. BHARANI. KRITIKA. ROHINI. MRIGASHIRA. AARDRA. PUNARVASU. PUSHYA. AASLESHA. MAGHA. PURVA PHALGUNI. UTTARA PHALGUNI. HASTA. CHITRA. SWATI. VISHAKHA. ANURADHA. JYESHTHA. MOOLA. POORVAASHADHA. UTTARAASHADHA. SHRAVANI. DHANISTHA. SHATABHISHA. PURVA BHADRAPADA. UTTARA BHADRAPADA. REVATI. The Indian astrologers believe that the combination of the last 15 Ghati of 'Uttarashadha Nakshatra' and the first 4 Ghati of the Shravani Nakshatra i.e. 19 Ghatis in all, constitute the 'Abhijeet Nakshatra' and this particular Nakshatra is considered to be very auspicious to begin a good work.
(One Ghati is equal to 24 minutes) PANCHAKA NAKSHATRA The following group of five Nakshatras are considered as having five defects (Panchakadosha). They are Dhanistha, Shatabhisha, Purvabhadrapada, Uttarabhadrapada and Revati. MOOLA NAKSHATRA A child taking birth in this Nakshatra, which consists of Jyestha, Aashlesha, Revati, Mool, Magha and Ashwini Nakshatra are not considered as auspicious. Therefore, for the pacification of this 'Moola Nakshatra', some specific rites are performed 27th days after the birth when the same Nakshatra returns. Out of these six Nakshatras, which constitute Moola Nakshatra, Jyeshtha and Moola are called 'Gandant Moola' and Aashlesha is called as 'Sarpa Moola'. ADHOMUKHA NAKSHATRA As the name of this Nakshatra implies, works like digging a well, or lying a foundation is considered as auspicious. This particular Nakshatra is itself constituted by Nakshatras. They are: Moola, Aashlesha, Vishakha, Kritika, Purvaphalguni, Purvashadha, Purvabhadrapada, Bharani and Magha DAGDHA NAKSHATRA For commencement of any work, this Nakshatra is considered as inauspicious. Therefore, commencing any work in this Nakshatra is prohibited if the days on which, this Nakshatra falls are as under- Sunday - BharaniMonday - ChitraTuesday - UttarashadhaWednesday - DhanishthaThursday - UttaraphalguniFriday - JyeshthaSaturday - RevatiYOGA (COMBINATIONS)There are 27 Yogas in all. They are as under:
1) VISHAKUMBHA, 2) PREETI, 3) AAYUSHMAN,
4) SAUBHAGYA, 5) SHOBHANA, 6) ATIGANDA,
7) SUKARMA, 8) DHRITI, 9) SHOOLA, 10) GAND,
11) VRIDDHI, 12) DHRUVA, 13) VYAGHAATA,
14) HARSHANA, 15) VAJRA, 16) SIDDHI,
17) VYATIPAATA, 18) VARIYAANA, 19) PARIGHA,
20) SHIVA, 21) SIDDHA, 22) SADDHYA, 23) SHUBHA,
24) SHUKLA, 25) BRAHMA, 26) INDRA,
27) VAIDHRITI. KARANA Half of the part of a Tithi is called a Karana i.e. There are two Karanas in a Tithi. There are 11 Karanas altogether. They are:1) BALA, 2) BAALAVA, 3) KAULAVA, 4) TAITIL,
5) GARA, 6) VANIJA, 7) VISHTI, 8) SHAKUNI,
9) CHATUSHPADA, 10) NAAGA, 11) KINSTUGHNA The first 7 of these Karanas are movable (Chara) i.e. it cannot be predetermined as to on which dates, these are going to occur, but the last 4 Karanas are fixed (Sthira), and hence can be predetermined. VISHTIKARANA is also called 'Bhadra' and commencing any work during this time is prohibited. Bhadra is marked very clearly in every panchanga. VAAR (DAYS) There are 7 days i.e. Sunday (Ravivaar), Monday (Somavaar), Tuesday (Mangalvaar), Wednesday (Budhvaar), Thursday (Brihaspativaar), Friday (Shukravaar) and Saturday (Shanivaar). The counting of days begins from the sunrise of the first day to the sunrise of the second day. In astrology, this system is known as 'AHORATRA', which means day and night taken together. Omitting the first letter 'A' and the last three letters 'T','R','A', the word 'HORA' is coined from which, the English word 'HOUR' originated. There are 24 HORAS in all. Now the question arises, why is the day coming after Sunday is named Monday, Why not other day. To understand this, we will first have to understand the positions of the planets, in the space. In astrology, the respective position of the planets are given as under – Saturn, Jupiter, Mars, Sun, Venus, Mercury and Moon. Therefore, Saturn is the highest or the farthest planet. Below the Saturn is Jupiter, below Jupiter is Mars, below the Mars is Sun, below the Sun is Venus, below Venus is Mercury, and below Mercury is Moon. All the planets are revolving around the Sun in their respective orbits. Since there are 24 Horas in a day combined with night, therefore, each Hora consists of an hour. The ‘Lord’ of each Hora is a planet from the nearest lower orbit.The Lord of the first HORA is the Sun. In the beginning of the creation, the Sun was visible first of all and for that very reason, it has been considered as the lord of the first Hora and also the first day has been named after it. The next Hora is named after 'Shukra' (Venus, which is the lord of the second HORA, and whose orbit is just below the Sun. The lord of the third Hora is 'Budha' (Mercury) whose orbit is just below that of Shukra (Venus). The lord of the fourth Hora is the Moon (Chandrama), whose orbit is below that of Venus and so on. In this way, the lord of the 24th HORA is again Mercury and the Moon (Chandrama). The following chart clearly shows the positions of the planets (horizontally) in order, and the days of the week (vertically) in order. From the Hora chart, it is quite clear that the Moon is the lord of the first Hora (Hour) of the second day(Monday), hence the next day after Sunday is called Monday. Similarly, the lord of the first Hora of the third day is Mars (Tuesday), the lord of the first Hora of the fourth day is Mercury (Wednesday), the lord of the first Hora of the fifth day is Jupiter (Thursday), the lord of the first Hora of the sixth day is Venus (Friday) and the lord of the first Hora of the Seventh day is Saturn (Saturday). Therefore, the name of the days in order are Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday. GENTLE DAYS Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday are considered as the 'gentle' days. These days are considered auspicious for commencing any good work. CRUEL DAYSTuesday, Sunday and Saturday are considered as 'cruel' days. Saturday is considered an auspicious day for undergoing operation. Thursday is considered auspicious for starting education. Wednesday is considered auspicious to start any business.
Planets
SUN:-
The Sun god has two arms, he is seated on the pedestal of lotus; both of his hands are embellished with lotus flowers. There is a beautiful golden crown, on his head and a garland of gems around his neck. His radiance is just like the interior part of a lotus flower and he is mounted on the chariot pulled by seven horses.The Sun god is also known as ‘Savita’, which means - one who creates, ‘SAVITA SARVASYA PRASAVITA’ (Nirukta -10/31). According to the Rigveda the Sun god situated at the centre of the solar system is an inspirer of all, pervader of the internal parts and an embodiment of almighty god. According to the ‘Markandeya Puran’ Sun is the embodiment of Brahma, the world originates from the Sun and is established in it. The Sun is the appearance of all the matters and elements and is the eternal almighty. This very God ‘Bhaskar’ creates nurtures and annihilates the world respectively in the form of lord Brahma, Lord Vishnu & Lord Shiva. Sun is the supreme deity amongst all the nine-planets.When Brahma manifested himself by breaking the egg, then he pronounced ‘OM’. This Omkar itself is the supreme soul and the very physique of Sun god. The four Vedas emerged from all the four mouths of lord Brahma, which were glowing by their own radiance. The powerful radiance emanating from the ‘Omkar’ covered the radiance of the Vedas and ultimately all of them unified. This very Vedic appearance of ‘Omkar’ is the sun god. This radiant sun was the first manifested during the times of creation, hence it was called ‘Aditya’. Once the demons, the titans and the monsters unitedly fought with the deities and snatched their power and authority after defeating them. ‘Aditi’– the mother of the deities did worship of sun god to get protection from this calamity. Being pleased with her the sun god took incarnation as her son and established the eternal path of the Veda after defeating the enemies of the deities. He is called Aditya also for this reason.The complexion of Sun god is red. His vehicle is a chariot. There is only one wheel in his chariot which is called ‘Samvatsar’. The wheel of his chariot has 12 spokes, which symbolise the twelve months. The wheel has six circumferences, which symbolize the six seasons, and three ‘Naves’ which is symbolise of the three four-months.The sages (rishi) and all the celestial supernatural beings like ‘Gandharva’, ‘Apsara’, ‘Nag’ yaksha and the deities’ move along with him doing his worship. The wheel, power, a loop and a hook are the weapons of sun god. His great-phase (Mahadasha) last for six years. The Sun is considered as a high planet, till the tenth degree, in the zodiac of Aries. Lord Shiva is considered to be the deity of the Sun. To get his blessings and for his pacification, performance of ‘Arghya’ (pouring water facing the sun in the morning should be done and also the text of Harivansh purana should be listened to. Ruby should be worn on the body and donation of wheat, cow along with a calf, raw-sugar (gur), copper, gold and red-clothes should be made to the brahmins.
MOON:
The Moon god is of fair complexion. He is attired in white apparels. The colour of his chariot is white and so are the colours of horses pulling it. He is seated on the pedestal of lotus placed in a beautiful chariot pulled by seven horses. He possesses a golden crown on his head and a garland of pearls on his neck. He has a mace in one hand and the other one is raised in the posture of showering blessings.According to the ‘Srimad Bhagawat’ Moon-god is the son of Maharishi Atri and Anasuya. He is considered to be all pervading. He possesses all the sixteen phases (Kala). Lord Krishna was the descendant of moon god, combined with all the sixteen phases like him. He is the one from whom all the deities’ ancestors, yaksha, human being, animals-birds and trees get life. Lord Brahma made him the seed, medicine, water and the king of the Brahmins. He was married to the twenty-seven constellations i.e. ‘Ashwini’, ‘Bharani’, ‘Krittika’, ‘Rohini’ etc. These constellations were the daughters of ‘Daksha’. (Harivanshpuran) According to the Vanparva of Mahabharata all the wives of moon god are chaste and beautiful. While moving along with the constellations in their respective orbits. The moon god nurtures the living beings and classifies various festivals, combinations and the months.On the full moon day and during the rising of moon, offerings of the delicacies mined with honey in a copper-vessel is made to him then he gets satisfied. Being pleased he frees a man from all the pains and sorrows. By satisfying him one also satisfies the sun god, ‘Vishvedeva’ (ancestors), ‘Marudgana’ (deities controlling natural forces) and the wind god (Vayu).The vehicle of Moon god is chariot. There are three wheels in his chariot. His chariot is pulled by ten powerful horses. All the horses are divine, incomparable and are quick as the mind. The eyes and ears of the horses are white. According to the ‘Matasyapurana’ the horses are as white as a conch.Mercury is the son of Moon god who took birth from ‘Tara’. The presiding deity of Moon-god is goddess Uma. Moon-god is the lord of the zodiac sign Cancer and his ‘great-phase’ (Mahadasha) last for 10 years. He is also considered to be the lord of the constellations. He holds the second position among all the nine planets.The Moon is considered as a high planet, till the third degree in the zodiac of Taurus.Unfavourability of the moon god causes various kinds of physical pains and diseases like mental tensions and diseases of breath. He is pleased if one fasts on Monday, or if one eulogizes and worship lord Shiva. He is also pleased if a person wears pearls. Donations of Rice, grains, Camphor, White-cloth, silver, conch, white sandal, white flower, sugar, bullock, curd and pearls should be made to please him.
MARS:
The deity mars has four arms. He has a hairy body. The small hairs of the body are red in colour. In his hands are mace and Trident and rest of the two hands are raised in the postures of bestowing fearlessness and blessings. He has a golden crown on his head and his vehicle is a lamb. He is attired in red coloured apparels and had red garlands in his neck. In the ‘Kalpa’ of Varah’ when Hiranyaksha, the elder brother of Hiranyakshipu had abducted the earth Lord Vishnu had taken incarnation as a boar and had rescued the earth by killing Hiranyaksha. Mother earth became very pleased after seeing lord Vishnu and had a desire to have him as her husband. In his incarnation as a boar lord Vishnu’s radiance was as dazzling illuminating and unbearable as crores of Suns. Lord Vishnu transformed his appearance into his enchanting form to fulfill the wish of the presiding deity of the earth and lived with earth for one year in aloofness. This way the birth of Mars took place (Brahmavaivarta Puran 2/8/29 to 43)
Mars is pacified by the worship of Shiva. Wearing a coral also pacifies mars. Making donations of copper, gold, wheat, red clothes, jaggery (gur), red sandal, red flowers, saffron, musk, red-ox, lentil and land also, pacified the mars. Fast should be observed on Tuesday and the Hanuman Chalisa should be read.The great phase of mars lasts for seven years. Mars is the lord of two zodiacs, i.e., Aries and Scorpio. Lord Kartikeya is considered to be the deity of the Mars. The Mars is considered as a high Planet, till the twenty-eighth degree in a zodiac of Capricorn.
JUPITER: The preceptor of the Deities – Jupiter (Brihaspati) has yellow complexion. He is adorned with a golden crown on his head and a beautiful garland in his neck. He is attired in yellow apparels and is seated on the pedestal of lotus flower. He has four hands and holds a stick (dand), Rudraksha garland, receptacle in each of his three hands and his fourth hand is raised in the posture of giving boons and blessings. According to the Mahabharat (Adiparva), Jupiter is the son of great sage Angira and the priest of the deities. The demons wanted to starve the deities to death by obstructing the oblation (Yagya) performed by them. Jupiter by the help of his profound knowledge helped the deities to get their due shares of the oblation. Jupiter the preceptor of the deities protected them by using the Rakshoghna mantra and driving away the demons. In ‘Skandapuran’ there is a description how he became the preceptor of the deities. Jupiter did a severe and tremendous penance in ‘Dwarka’ (prabhas area) to please lord Shankar. Being pleased by his penance lord Shiva gave him a boon to become the preceptor of the deities. Jupiter remains in each zodiac for a year if he has a retrograded motion then this duration changes. (Shrimadbhagawat 5/22/15). According to the Rigveda Jupiter is very pleasing to watch. He himself has constructed his abode. He is worth worshipping for the whole world. If he becomes pleased with his devotees he blesses them with prosperity and intelligence. He helps his devotees to be on a virtuous paths and protect them in every calamity. Jupiter is very affectionate towards people who seek his refuge. His vehicle is a chariot, which is made up of gold and appears very pleasant. Eight horses pull his chariot, which have yellow complexions and which are as fast as the wind. His weapon is a stick made of gold. Jupiter has two wives - Shubha and Tara. Seven daughters were born to Shubha – Bhanumati, Raka, Archismati, Mahishrvati, Siniwali and Havishmati. Seven sons and a daughter were born to Tara. Jupiter also had a third wife whose name was Mamta and who gave birth to ‘Bhardwaja’ and ‘Kacha’. The presiding deity of Jupiter is ‘Bhrama’. Jupiter is the lord of the zodiac Sagittarius and Pisces. His ‘great phase lasts till sixteen years. The Jupiter is considered as a high planet, till the fifth degree, in the zodiac of Cancer. Fast should be observed on dark moon (Amavasya) and on Thursday for his pacification. He is also pacified if yellow topaz is worn. Making donations of yellow clothes, gold, turmeric, ghee, cereals of yellow colour, topaz, horse, book, honey, salt, sugar, land and umbrella to the brahmins pacifies the jupiter.
MERCURY:
Mercury is attired in yellow apparels and wears a garland of yellow flowers. The radiance and glow of his body is like that of an oleander flower. He has a sword, a shield a mace in each of his three hands respectively and his fourth hand is raised in the posture of giving blessings. He has a golden crown on his head and a beautiful garland in his neck. His vehicle is a lion. According to the ‘Atharavaveda’ Mercury’s father is the moon and his mother is Tara. He was given the name mercury by lord Brahma because of his intelligence. According to Shrimad bhagawat he is proficient in all the scriptures and is as radiant as the moon. According to the Shrimadbhagawat (5/22-13) mercury is situated about 2,00,000 yojans (2400 000 km above venus). Mercury is considered to be an auspicious planet but if by chance it transgresses, chance of natural calamities like draught storm and floods occur. According to the Matsyapuran the complexion of mercury is yellow like an oleander flower. His chariot is of white colour and illuminated by light, Horses, which are as fast as the wind, pull the chariot. The names of the horses are Shweta, Pisanga, Saranga, Neel, Peeta, Vilohita, Krishna, Hairta, Prisha and Prishni. The governing deity of the planet mercury is Lord Vishnu. Mercury is the lord of the zodiac Gemini, and Virgo. The great phase of mercury lasts for 17 years. The mercury is considered as a high planet, till the fifteenth degree,in the zodiac of Virgo.For the pacification of this planet fasts should be observed on every Amavasya (moonless night) and emerald should be worn on the body. Donations of ivory, green-clothes, Coral emerald, gold camphor, weapon, fruit and ghee to the brahmins also satisfies the mercury. VENUS:
Venus the preceptor of the demons is of white and fair complexion. He possesses a beautiful crown on his head and wears a garland in his neck. He is seated on the pedestal of white lotus. He has four hands. In each of his three hands. He holds a ‘dand’ (stick), a rudraksha garland & a receptacle. His fourth hand is raised in the posture of giving boons and blessings. Venus or ‘Shukracharya’ is the priest of the demons. He continuously showers his blessing on his disciples (demons). He is the supreme teacher of the ‘yoga’ After doing a tremendous penance he had pleased lord Shiva and received the ‘learning’ of ‘Mritasanjivani’ (bringing alive a dead person). By the help of this learning he used to bring back to life the demons that got killed in the battles with the deities. (Mahabharat, Adiparva 76/8) According to the Matsyapuran, Shukracharya performed such a severe austerity and penance for the benediction of the demons which was incomparable and which has not been performed by anybody till date. Lord Shiva became pleased and blessed him with a boon that he would defeat the deities in the battle and also that nobody would be able to kill him. Lord Shiva also made him the secretary of all the wealth as a result he became the lord of all the wealth of all the worlds. According to the Mahabharat (AdiParva (78/39) Shukracharya was not only the lord of wealth but he is also the master of the medicinal herbs, the mantras and all kinds of taste. His capabilities are wonderful. He had donated all his wealth to the demons and had accepted the life of a hermit. By the inspiration of lord Brahma he became a planet and started to protect the lives of all the living beings of all the three worlds. In his form of a planet he attends the assembly of lord Brahma. He is very favorable planet for the worlds because he pacifies such planets, which obstruct rain. His presiding deity is ‘Indra’. According to the Matsyapuran (94/5) the complexion of Shukracharya (Venus) is fair. Chariot is his vehicle, which is pulled by eight horses, which are like fire. Flags keep fluttering on top of the chariot. He has a dand (stick or mace) as his weapon. Venus is the lord of the zodiac of Taurus and Libra and his great phase lasts for twenty years. The Venus is considered as a high planet, till the twenty-seventh degree, in the zodiac of Pisces. For the pacification of Venus, the worship of cow should be done and a diamond should be worn. Venus is also pacified if donations of silver, gold, rice, ghee, white clothes, white-sandalwood, curd, sugar, cow and land are made to the brahmins.
SATURN:
The complexion and radiance of Saturn is as brilliant as a blue diamond. He has a golden crown on his head and wears a garland and blue coloured apparels. He is seated on the back of the vulture. He possesses a bow, an arrow and a trident in each of his three hands respectively and his fourth hand is raised in the posture of giving boons and blessings. Saturn is the son of Sun god and Chaya (Sanvarna). He is considered as a cruel planet. The cruelty, which he possesses in his sight, is due to the curse he received from his wife. The narration which has been mentioned in the Brahma Puran goes as follows: The deity Shani (Saturn) was a great devotee of lord Krishna right from his childhood. He used to be immersed in the love for lord Krishna. After he grew up, his father married him with the daughter of ‘Chitraratha’. His wife was a chaste woman full of radiance. One night she went to him after having a bath when her menstruation periods were over, with a desire of having a son, but her husband Shani (Saturn) was immersed in the meditation of lord Krishna, he was unconscious of his surroundings. She became tired of waiting and she became angry . She cursed him that from today onwards whoever gets seen by him would be destroyed. After he came out of his meditative trance ‘Shani’ (Saturn) tried to make up with her by cajoling her. His wife too felt sorry for her mistake but she was powerless in neutralizing the ill effects of her curse. From then onwards Shani has been keeping his gaze downwards because he did not want to cause harm to anybody. According to the astrology if the Saturn pierces and passes through the constellation of Rohini then it is considered to be very inauspicious and causes draughts for twelve years making even the survival of the living beings impossible. This combination was about to come during the time of Dasharatha. He was cautioned by his astrologers against its consequences. To protect his subject from ‘Shanis’ wrath Dasharatha went up in the constellation-zone. First of all he made salutations to the deity ‘Shani’ but when he refused he fought with him, using his most destructive weapon. ‘Shani’ became pleased by his sense of duty and asked him to demand any boon. Dasharatha requested him not to cross the Rohini-constellation’ till the sun and constellation exists. Shani agreed to his request. Lord Yama is the presiding deity of the Saturn. His complexion is dark, his vehicle is a vulture and his chariot is made up of iron. Saturn remains in each of the twelve zodiacs for thirty months. The Saturn is considered as a high planet, till the twentieth degree, in the zodiac of Libra.
RAHU:
The face of Dragon’s head is very ferocious and terrifying. He has a crown on his head, a garland in his neck and wears apparels of black colour. He holds a sword, a shield, a trident in each of his three hands respectively and his fourth hand is raised in the posture of giving boons and blessings. He is seated on a lion, which is his vehicle. ‘Rahu’s’ mother is ‘Sinhika’ who was the wife of ‘Viprachitti’ and was the daughter of Hiranyakashipu. Rahu is also known as ‘Sainhikeya’, which is based on his mother’s name. Rahu had one hundred brothers, but he was the most capable and powerful among all of them. (Shrimadbhagawat 6/6/36). During the time of churning of the sea, when lord Vishnu in his appearance of an enchanting woman (Mohini) was giving ambrosia to the deities for drinking, Rahu sat among the deities in disguise. Rahu also was able to drink the ambrosia but the moon and the sun made the secret open about with real identity. Lord Vishnu killed him with his Sudarshan Chakra’ by severing his head. The drinking of ambrosia had made him immortal and lord Brahma transformed him into a planet. (Srimadbhagawat 8/9/26) According to the Mahabharat (Bheeshma Parva 12/40) the shape of the dragon’s head is circular. He too sits in the assembly of lord Brahma along with the rest of the planets. According to the Matsyapuran (28/61) the shadow of the earth is circular and Rahu rotates around this very shadow. He is the presiding deity of this shadow (Chhaya). According to the rigveda (5/40/5) when Rahu – the son of Asuya or Sinhika covers the sun and the moon with his darkness, then it becomes so dark that the people became unable even to identify their places. Even after being transformed into a planet Rahu attacks the moon on full moon day and the sun on dark moon day out of his enmity towards them. This event is called an eclipse or Rahu Parag. According to the Matsyapuran the chariot of Rahu appears in the form of darkness. His chariot is pulled by eight horses, which are black in color. The presiding deity of Rahu is ‘Kaal’. It is symbolised by a black flag in north west direction among all the nine planets. The great phase of Dragon’s head lasts for 18 years. Barring few situations it is generally considered to be an inauspicious planet. According to the astrology if ‘Rahu’ is situated unfavorably in the horoscope then it causes many types of physical illness. It also causes obstacles in accomplishment of works and accidents. Chanting of the Mrityunjay mantra and wearing a turquoise pacifies the dragon’s head. Making donations of mica, iron, sesame, blue clothes, receptacles made of copper, horse-beans, oil onyx, blanket, horse and a sword, to the brahmins too pacifies the dragon’s head.
KETU:
The Dragon’s tail or Ketu has two arms. He possesses a crown on his head and is attired in black-clothes. The complexion of his body is smoke-like and he has a deformed face. In each of his two hands he holds a mace and the other hand is raised in the posture of giving boons and blessings. He is seated on a vulture which is also his vehicle. ‘Ketu’ is the headless trunk of the demon ‘Rahu’. After the killing of Rahu, when lord Vishnu severed his head by his sudarshan chakra. The head portion was called Rahu and his trunk was called Ketu. Both Rahu and Ketu became planets. According to the matsyapuran there are numerous Ketus out of which ‘Dhoomketu’ is the main. According to the Indian astrology dragon’s tail is a shadow planet. It has a tremendous impact on human lives and also the whole creation. It’s area of influence is considered to be in the north-west direction. According to some scholars Ketu is Somber and mild as compared to Rahu and is beneficial for a man. In some special circumstances it helps a man to achieve the zenith of fame. The shape of Ketu is considered to be of the shape of a fluttering flag. Its length is only six angul (six inches). Although both Rahu and Ketu originated from the same body but after being transformed into the planets and considering it as their rebirth, new names of lineages were given to them. Rahu was considered to be of ‘Paithinas’ clan or lineage and Ketu was considered to be of ‘Jainini’ lineage. The complexion of Ketu is like a colour of the smoke. In some places there are mentions of pigeon as his vehicle. The great phase of Dragon’s tail lasts for seven years. If there is a Ketu situated in an inauspicious house of a man’s horoscope then it causes inauspicious and misfortunes. The man gets inflicted with disease like leprosy itches and ringworm. Making donations of the following things pacifies the Ketu Lapis- Lazule (gem), oil, black sesame, blanket, weapon, musk and flower of blue colour. Wearing of a cat’s eye and chanting of ‘Mrityunjaya Japa also pacifies the Ketu.
Houses
There are 12 houses in a natal chart which are for observing following things.
House 1
: phyasical characteristics
House 2
: money
House 3
: Brother/sisters
House 4
: Mother/happiness
House 5
: Study/Childrens
House 6
: Enemies
House 7
: Spouse
House 8
: Disease/death
House 9
: Fortune
House 10
: Father/Work done
House 11
: Profit
House 12
: Losses
House 1 is also called LAGAN.
Rashi (sign)
THERE ARE twelve signs. A sign is called a Rashi in Sanskrit. The word Rashi literally means a heap, a cluster. As a sign in the zodiac was identified by the characteristic heap or cluster of the stars constituting it, it came to be known as a Rashi. This is a general term for a sign, but in Hindu astrology the sign in which the Moon is placed at the time of birth is commonly referred to as Rashi. When a brief question is put to a person, "what is your Rashi?" it means in which sign the Moon was at the time of your birth?The rising sign is referred to as Lagna-rashi or simply as Lagnam. The names of the twelve signs have been given before. However some attributes or characteristics of each sign are given below1 Aries - Head (top portion) 2 Taurus - Face (including the neck). 3 Gemini - Upper portion of chest and arms 4 Cancer - Heart, Breasts/Chest 5 Leo - Stomach, portion above the navel 6 Virgo - Portion below navel and above Basti 7 Libra - navel to genitals8 Scorpio - Genitals, anus 9 Sagittarius - Thighs, hips 10 Capricorn - The two knees, back 11 Aquarius - Calves of legs 12 Pisces - Feet
Vedas are the oldest, the most authentic and the most sacred scriptures to understand the mysteries of nature. According to Maxmuller, a renowned German scholar of the Vedas, 'Vedas are oldest books in the library of the world.' To understand the meaning of these Vedas, our Rishis, Maharathis have categorised the Vedas into six parts. Astrology is one of them and considered as the sixth sense which helps one to see all the unseen objects and the future events of the world.
Even Astrology is divided into three parts or subdivision :THEORY (Siddhant). SAMHITA. JATAKA.
Siddhant helps us to understand the good and evil results (effects), with the help of minute arithmetic calculations related to rising and setting of the planets, Nakshatras, stars, Rashis, the combination of planets (grahayoga), grahayudha and the eclipse of the Moon and the Sun.
Samhita means the good and evil effects, which occur due to the combination of the planets, day and night transitions and seasonal transitions that affect the whole world.
Jataka means the good and evil effects which occur during the transmigration of a soul through 84 lakh yonis, and the effects which the Isht, Lagna, Graha (planets) Nakshatras, have on the joy, sorrow, gain-loss, destiny and age.
Our most revered sages imagined about the planetary orbits by doing penance and Yoga for a long time. They also observed the motion of these heavenly bodies through a distinct and well-marked path in the sky which contains twelve zodiac signs. These twelve zodiac signs of the solar system are established in the twelve parts of our body.
They are as follows:
Forehead - Aries (Mesh) Mouth - Taurus (Vrishabh) Chest area - Gemini (Mithun) Heart - Cancer (Karka) Stomach - Leo (Simha) Waist - Virgo (Kanya) Bladder - Libra (Tula) Sex organ - Scorpio (Vrishchik) Thighs - Sagittarius (Dhanu) Knees - Capricorn (Makara) Calf of leg - Aquarius (Kumbha) Feet - Pisces (Meena)
The planets traveling in twelve zodiac signs have affect on the following:
The Sun has effect on - Soul (Aatma) The Moon has effects on - Mind (Mana) The Mars has effects on - Patience (Dhairya) The Mercury has effects on - Voice (Vaani) The Jupiter has effects on - Reasoning (Viveka) The Venus has effect on - Sperms (Virya) The Saturn has effect on - Sensitivity (Samvedana) This implies that, the position of the seven planets and the twelve Zodiac signs are well established within our body.
The above mentioned organs and parts of the body are greatly influenced by the planets of the solar system and their movement.
Panchang
Although it is essential to have the knowledge of arithmetical calculations to understand Indian Astrology, but for the benefit of the common people, astrologers have devised a calendar (Panchang) with the help of which, and simple arithmetical calculations, one can have knowledge about planets, good or bad for him. It is not necessary for a common man to be an astrologer in order to understand the Panchang. But for a smooth and systematic running of life, one should know how to interpret 'Phalita'. Panchang means five organs to understand the Phalita. These five things are – Tithi (Date) Nakshatra (Group of stars) Yoga (an auspicious moment) Karan (Half of the part of Tithi) Vaar (days of the week) TITHI Tithi is considered as the first phase or portion (Kala) of the 16 phases of the Moon. The 15 days, commencing from Amavasya (the last day of the dark half of a lunar month) to Purnima (Full moon), are called the Tithis of the Shukla-Paksha (brighter phase) and the days commencing from Purnima to Amavasya are called Krishna Paksha (darker phase). In Indian Astrology, the calculation of the Tithis starts from Pratipada (The first day in each half of the lunar month) of the Shukla-Paksha. They are: Pratipada. Dwitiya. Tritiya. Chaturthi. Panchami. Shashthi. Saptami. Ashtami. Navami. Dashami. Ekadasi. Dwadashi. Trayodashi. Chaturdashi. Purnima. Similarly, in the Krishna-Paksha, starting from Pratipada till Chaturdashi, all the dates are same; the only difference being the fifteenth day which is Amavasya (Moonless night) These fifteen days have been given five names. NANDA(1st,6th,11th & Friday)BHADRA(2nd,7th,12th & Wednesday)JAYA(3rd,8th,13th & Tuesday)RIKTA(4th,9th,14th & Saturday)PURNA(5th,10th, 15th & Thursday)If the above mentioned days falls on the given Tithis it is considered as auspicious and the work taken in hand in successfully accomplished. For example (if, 1st, 6th 11th falls on Friday, 2nd, 7th, 12th falls on Wednesday etc.) INAUSPICIOUS DAYS:– The following days (Tithis) are considered to be inauspicious, and there is a fear of hurdles, obstructing the accomplishment of the work. The names of these auspicious days have been given as follows: The dates are considered to be inauspicious if it falls on the following days
SUN
MON
TUE
WED
THUR
FRI
SAT
DAGDHA
12
11
5
3
6
8
9
VISHA
4
6
7
2
8
9
7
HUTASHAN
12
6
7
8
9
10
11
If 12th day and 4th day of the months falls on Sunday and 11th & 6th falls on Monday and 5th & 7th falls on Tuesday respectively, they are considered as inauspicious. NAKSHATRA (CONSTELLATION) A group of stars is called Nakshatra. Just as the units used for measuring the distance is miles or kilometers in the same way the space (Akash Mandal) is measured in terms of Nakshatras (group of stars). The whole space has been divided into 27 parts and each part has been given the name of Nakshatra. They are as follows ASHWINI. BHARANI. KRITIKA. ROHINI. MRIGASHIRA. AARDRA. PUNARVASU. PUSHYA. AASLESHA. MAGHA. PURVA PHALGUNI. UTTARA PHALGUNI. HASTA. CHITRA. SWATI. VISHAKHA. ANURADHA. JYESHTHA. MOOLA. POORVAASHADHA. UTTARAASHADHA. SHRAVANI. DHANISTHA. SHATABHISHA. PURVA BHADRAPADA. UTTARA BHADRAPADA. REVATI. The Indian astrologers believe that the combination of the last 15 Ghati of 'Uttarashadha Nakshatra' and the first 4 Ghati of the Shravani Nakshatra i.e. 19 Ghatis in all, constitute the 'Abhijeet Nakshatra' and this particular Nakshatra is considered to be very auspicious to begin a good work.
(One Ghati is equal to 24 minutes) PANCHAKA NAKSHATRA The following group of five Nakshatras are considered as having five defects (Panchakadosha). They are Dhanistha, Shatabhisha, Purvabhadrapada, Uttarabhadrapada and Revati. MOOLA NAKSHATRA A child taking birth in this Nakshatra, which consists of Jyestha, Aashlesha, Revati, Mool, Magha and Ashwini Nakshatra are not considered as auspicious. Therefore, for the pacification of this 'Moola Nakshatra', some specific rites are performed 27th days after the birth when the same Nakshatra returns. Out of these six Nakshatras, which constitute Moola Nakshatra, Jyeshtha and Moola are called 'Gandant Moola' and Aashlesha is called as 'Sarpa Moola'. ADHOMUKHA NAKSHATRA As the name of this Nakshatra implies, works like digging a well, or lying a foundation is considered as auspicious. This particular Nakshatra is itself constituted by Nakshatras. They are: Moola, Aashlesha, Vishakha, Kritika, Purvaphalguni, Purvashadha, Purvabhadrapada, Bharani and Magha DAGDHA NAKSHATRA For commencement of any work, this Nakshatra is considered as inauspicious. Therefore, commencing any work in this Nakshatra is prohibited if the days on which, this Nakshatra falls are as under- Sunday - BharaniMonday - ChitraTuesday - UttarashadhaWednesday - DhanishthaThursday - UttaraphalguniFriday - JyeshthaSaturday - RevatiYOGA (COMBINATIONS)There are 27 Yogas in all. They are as under:
1) VISHAKUMBHA, 2) PREETI, 3) AAYUSHMAN,
4) SAUBHAGYA, 5) SHOBHANA, 6) ATIGANDA,
7) SUKARMA, 8) DHRITI, 9) SHOOLA, 10) GAND,
11) VRIDDHI, 12) DHRUVA, 13) VYAGHAATA,
14) HARSHANA, 15) VAJRA, 16) SIDDHI,
17) VYATIPAATA, 18) VARIYAANA, 19) PARIGHA,
20) SHIVA, 21) SIDDHA, 22) SADDHYA, 23) SHUBHA,
24) SHUKLA, 25) BRAHMA, 26) INDRA,
27) VAIDHRITI. KARANA Half of the part of a Tithi is called a Karana i.e. There are two Karanas in a Tithi. There are 11 Karanas altogether. They are:1) BALA, 2) BAALAVA, 3) KAULAVA, 4) TAITIL,
5) GARA, 6) VANIJA, 7) VISHTI, 8) SHAKUNI,
9) CHATUSHPADA, 10) NAAGA, 11) KINSTUGHNA The first 7 of these Karanas are movable (Chara) i.e. it cannot be predetermined as to on which dates, these are going to occur, but the last 4 Karanas are fixed (Sthira), and hence can be predetermined. VISHTIKARANA is also called 'Bhadra' and commencing any work during this time is prohibited. Bhadra is marked very clearly in every panchanga. VAAR (DAYS) There are 7 days i.e. Sunday (Ravivaar), Monday (Somavaar), Tuesday (Mangalvaar), Wednesday (Budhvaar), Thursday (Brihaspativaar), Friday (Shukravaar) and Saturday (Shanivaar). The counting of days begins from the sunrise of the first day to the sunrise of the second day. In astrology, this system is known as 'AHORATRA', which means day and night taken together. Omitting the first letter 'A' and the last three letters 'T','R','A', the word 'HORA' is coined from which, the English word 'HOUR' originated. There are 24 HORAS in all. Now the question arises, why is the day coming after Sunday is named Monday, Why not other day. To understand this, we will first have to understand the positions of the planets, in the space. In astrology, the respective position of the planets are given as under – Saturn, Jupiter, Mars, Sun, Venus, Mercury and Moon. Therefore, Saturn is the highest or the farthest planet. Below the Saturn is Jupiter, below Jupiter is Mars, below the Mars is Sun, below the Sun is Venus, below Venus is Mercury, and below Mercury is Moon. All the planets are revolving around the Sun in their respective orbits. Since there are 24 Horas in a day combined with night, therefore, each Hora consists of an hour. The ‘Lord’ of each Hora is a planet from the nearest lower orbit.The Lord of the first HORA is the Sun. In the beginning of the creation, the Sun was visible first of all and for that very reason, it has been considered as the lord of the first Hora and also the first day has been named after it. The next Hora is named after 'Shukra' (Venus, which is the lord of the second HORA, and whose orbit is just below the Sun. The lord of the third Hora is 'Budha' (Mercury) whose orbit is just below that of Shukra (Venus). The lord of the fourth Hora is the Moon (Chandrama), whose orbit is below that of Venus and so on. In this way, the lord of the 24th HORA is again Mercury and the Moon (Chandrama). The following chart clearly shows the positions of the planets (horizontally) in order, and the days of the week (vertically) in order. From the Hora chart, it is quite clear that the Moon is the lord of the first Hora (Hour) of the second day(Monday), hence the next day after Sunday is called Monday. Similarly, the lord of the first Hora of the third day is Mars (Tuesday), the lord of the first Hora of the fourth day is Mercury (Wednesday), the lord of the first Hora of the fifth day is Jupiter (Thursday), the lord of the first Hora of the sixth day is Venus (Friday) and the lord of the first Hora of the Seventh day is Saturn (Saturday). Therefore, the name of the days in order are Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday. GENTLE DAYS Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday are considered as the 'gentle' days. These days are considered auspicious for commencing any good work. CRUEL DAYSTuesday, Sunday and Saturday are considered as 'cruel' days. Saturday is considered an auspicious day for undergoing operation. Thursday is considered auspicious for starting education. Wednesday is considered auspicious to start any business.
Planets
SUN:-
The Sun god has two arms, he is seated on the pedestal of lotus; both of his hands are embellished with lotus flowers. There is a beautiful golden crown, on his head and a garland of gems around his neck. His radiance is just like the interior part of a lotus flower and he is mounted on the chariot pulled by seven horses.The Sun god is also known as ‘Savita’, which means - one who creates, ‘SAVITA SARVASYA PRASAVITA’ (Nirukta -10/31). According to the Rigveda the Sun god situated at the centre of the solar system is an inspirer of all, pervader of the internal parts and an embodiment of almighty god. According to the ‘Markandeya Puran’ Sun is the embodiment of Brahma, the world originates from the Sun and is established in it. The Sun is the appearance of all the matters and elements and is the eternal almighty. This very God ‘Bhaskar’ creates nurtures and annihilates the world respectively in the form of lord Brahma, Lord Vishnu & Lord Shiva. Sun is the supreme deity amongst all the nine-planets.When Brahma manifested himself by breaking the egg, then he pronounced ‘OM’. This Omkar itself is the supreme soul and the very physique of Sun god. The four Vedas emerged from all the four mouths of lord Brahma, which were glowing by their own radiance. The powerful radiance emanating from the ‘Omkar’ covered the radiance of the Vedas and ultimately all of them unified. This very Vedic appearance of ‘Omkar’ is the sun god. This radiant sun was the first manifested during the times of creation, hence it was called ‘Aditya’. Once the demons, the titans and the monsters unitedly fought with the deities and snatched their power and authority after defeating them. ‘Aditi’– the mother of the deities did worship of sun god to get protection from this calamity. Being pleased with her the sun god took incarnation as her son and established the eternal path of the Veda after defeating the enemies of the deities. He is called Aditya also for this reason.The complexion of Sun god is red. His vehicle is a chariot. There is only one wheel in his chariot which is called ‘Samvatsar’. The wheel of his chariot has 12 spokes, which symbolise the twelve months. The wheel has six circumferences, which symbolize the six seasons, and three ‘Naves’ which is symbolise of the three four-months.The sages (rishi) and all the celestial supernatural beings like ‘Gandharva’, ‘Apsara’, ‘Nag’ yaksha and the deities’ move along with him doing his worship. The wheel, power, a loop and a hook are the weapons of sun god. His great-phase (Mahadasha) last for six years. The Sun is considered as a high planet, till the tenth degree, in the zodiac of Aries. Lord Shiva is considered to be the deity of the Sun. To get his blessings and for his pacification, performance of ‘Arghya’ (pouring water facing the sun in the morning should be done and also the text of Harivansh purana should be listened to. Ruby should be worn on the body and donation of wheat, cow along with a calf, raw-sugar (gur), copper, gold and red-clothes should be made to the brahmins.
MOON:
The Moon god is of fair complexion. He is attired in white apparels. The colour of his chariot is white and so are the colours of horses pulling it. He is seated on the pedestal of lotus placed in a beautiful chariot pulled by seven horses. He possesses a golden crown on his head and a garland of pearls on his neck. He has a mace in one hand and the other one is raised in the posture of showering blessings.According to the ‘Srimad Bhagawat’ Moon-god is the son of Maharishi Atri and Anasuya. He is considered to be all pervading. He possesses all the sixteen phases (Kala). Lord Krishna was the descendant of moon god, combined with all the sixteen phases like him. He is the one from whom all the deities’ ancestors, yaksha, human being, animals-birds and trees get life. Lord Brahma made him the seed, medicine, water and the king of the Brahmins. He was married to the twenty-seven constellations i.e. ‘Ashwini’, ‘Bharani’, ‘Krittika’, ‘Rohini’ etc. These constellations were the daughters of ‘Daksha’. (Harivanshpuran) According to the Vanparva of Mahabharata all the wives of moon god are chaste and beautiful. While moving along with the constellations in their respective orbits. The moon god nurtures the living beings and classifies various festivals, combinations and the months.On the full moon day and during the rising of moon, offerings of the delicacies mined with honey in a copper-vessel is made to him then he gets satisfied. Being pleased he frees a man from all the pains and sorrows. By satisfying him one also satisfies the sun god, ‘Vishvedeva’ (ancestors), ‘Marudgana’ (deities controlling natural forces) and the wind god (Vayu).The vehicle of Moon god is chariot. There are three wheels in his chariot. His chariot is pulled by ten powerful horses. All the horses are divine, incomparable and are quick as the mind. The eyes and ears of the horses are white. According to the ‘Matasyapurana’ the horses are as white as a conch.Mercury is the son of Moon god who took birth from ‘Tara’. The presiding deity of Moon-god is goddess Uma. Moon-god is the lord of the zodiac sign Cancer and his ‘great-phase’ (Mahadasha) last for 10 years. He is also considered to be the lord of the constellations. He holds the second position among all the nine planets.The Moon is considered as a high planet, till the third degree in the zodiac of Taurus.Unfavourability of the moon god causes various kinds of physical pains and diseases like mental tensions and diseases of breath. He is pleased if one fasts on Monday, or if one eulogizes and worship lord Shiva. He is also pleased if a person wears pearls. Donations of Rice, grains, Camphor, White-cloth, silver, conch, white sandal, white flower, sugar, bullock, curd and pearls should be made to please him.
MARS:
The deity mars has four arms. He has a hairy body. The small hairs of the body are red in colour. In his hands are mace and Trident and rest of the two hands are raised in the postures of bestowing fearlessness and blessings. He has a golden crown on his head and his vehicle is a lamb. He is attired in red coloured apparels and had red garlands in his neck. In the ‘Kalpa’ of Varah’ when Hiranyaksha, the elder brother of Hiranyakshipu had abducted the earth Lord Vishnu had taken incarnation as a boar and had rescued the earth by killing Hiranyaksha. Mother earth became very pleased after seeing lord Vishnu and had a desire to have him as her husband. In his incarnation as a boar lord Vishnu’s radiance was as dazzling illuminating and unbearable as crores of Suns. Lord Vishnu transformed his appearance into his enchanting form to fulfill the wish of the presiding deity of the earth and lived with earth for one year in aloofness. This way the birth of Mars took place (Brahmavaivarta Puran 2/8/29 to 43)
Mars is pacified by the worship of Shiva. Wearing a coral also pacifies mars. Making donations of copper, gold, wheat, red clothes, jaggery (gur), red sandal, red flowers, saffron, musk, red-ox, lentil and land also, pacified the mars. Fast should be observed on Tuesday and the Hanuman Chalisa should be read.The great phase of mars lasts for seven years. Mars is the lord of two zodiacs, i.e., Aries and Scorpio. Lord Kartikeya is considered to be the deity of the Mars. The Mars is considered as a high Planet, till the twenty-eighth degree in a zodiac of Capricorn.
JUPITER: The preceptor of the Deities – Jupiter (Brihaspati) has yellow complexion. He is adorned with a golden crown on his head and a beautiful garland in his neck. He is attired in yellow apparels and is seated on the pedestal of lotus flower. He has four hands and holds a stick (dand), Rudraksha garland, receptacle in each of his three hands and his fourth hand is raised in the posture of giving boons and blessings. According to the Mahabharat (Adiparva), Jupiter is the son of great sage Angira and the priest of the deities. The demons wanted to starve the deities to death by obstructing the oblation (Yagya) performed by them. Jupiter by the help of his profound knowledge helped the deities to get their due shares of the oblation. Jupiter the preceptor of the deities protected them by using the Rakshoghna mantra and driving away the demons. In ‘Skandapuran’ there is a description how he became the preceptor of the deities. Jupiter did a severe and tremendous penance in ‘Dwarka’ (prabhas area) to please lord Shankar. Being pleased by his penance lord Shiva gave him a boon to become the preceptor of the deities. Jupiter remains in each zodiac for a year if he has a retrograded motion then this duration changes. (Shrimadbhagawat 5/22/15). According to the Rigveda Jupiter is very pleasing to watch. He himself has constructed his abode. He is worth worshipping for the whole world. If he becomes pleased with his devotees he blesses them with prosperity and intelligence. He helps his devotees to be on a virtuous paths and protect them in every calamity. Jupiter is very affectionate towards people who seek his refuge. His vehicle is a chariot, which is made up of gold and appears very pleasant. Eight horses pull his chariot, which have yellow complexions and which are as fast as the wind. His weapon is a stick made of gold. Jupiter has two wives - Shubha and Tara. Seven daughters were born to Shubha – Bhanumati, Raka, Archismati, Mahishrvati, Siniwali and Havishmati. Seven sons and a daughter were born to Tara. Jupiter also had a third wife whose name was Mamta and who gave birth to ‘Bhardwaja’ and ‘Kacha’. The presiding deity of Jupiter is ‘Bhrama’. Jupiter is the lord of the zodiac Sagittarius and Pisces. His ‘great phase lasts till sixteen years. The Jupiter is considered as a high planet, till the fifth degree, in the zodiac of Cancer. Fast should be observed on dark moon (Amavasya) and on Thursday for his pacification. He is also pacified if yellow topaz is worn. Making donations of yellow clothes, gold, turmeric, ghee, cereals of yellow colour, topaz, horse, book, honey, salt, sugar, land and umbrella to the brahmins pacifies the jupiter.
MERCURY:
Mercury is attired in yellow apparels and wears a garland of yellow flowers. The radiance and glow of his body is like that of an oleander flower. He has a sword, a shield a mace in each of his three hands respectively and his fourth hand is raised in the posture of giving blessings. He has a golden crown on his head and a beautiful garland in his neck. His vehicle is a lion. According to the ‘Atharavaveda’ Mercury’s father is the moon and his mother is Tara. He was given the name mercury by lord Brahma because of his intelligence. According to Shrimad bhagawat he is proficient in all the scriptures and is as radiant as the moon. According to the Shrimadbhagawat (5/22-13) mercury is situated about 2,00,000 yojans (2400 000 km above venus). Mercury is considered to be an auspicious planet but if by chance it transgresses, chance of natural calamities like draught storm and floods occur. According to the Matsyapuran the complexion of mercury is yellow like an oleander flower. His chariot is of white colour and illuminated by light, Horses, which are as fast as the wind, pull the chariot. The names of the horses are Shweta, Pisanga, Saranga, Neel, Peeta, Vilohita, Krishna, Hairta, Prisha and Prishni. The governing deity of the planet mercury is Lord Vishnu. Mercury is the lord of the zodiac Gemini, and Virgo. The great phase of mercury lasts for 17 years. The mercury is considered as a high planet, till the fifteenth degree,in the zodiac of Virgo.For the pacification of this planet fasts should be observed on every Amavasya (moonless night) and emerald should be worn on the body. Donations of ivory, green-clothes, Coral emerald, gold camphor, weapon, fruit and ghee to the brahmins also satisfies the mercury. VENUS:
Venus the preceptor of the demons is of white and fair complexion. He possesses a beautiful crown on his head and wears a garland in his neck. He is seated on the pedestal of white lotus. He has four hands. In each of his three hands. He holds a ‘dand’ (stick), a rudraksha garland & a receptacle. His fourth hand is raised in the posture of giving boons and blessings. Venus or ‘Shukracharya’ is the priest of the demons. He continuously showers his blessing on his disciples (demons). He is the supreme teacher of the ‘yoga’ After doing a tremendous penance he had pleased lord Shiva and received the ‘learning’ of ‘Mritasanjivani’ (bringing alive a dead person). By the help of this learning he used to bring back to life the demons that got killed in the battles with the deities. (Mahabharat, Adiparva 76/8) According to the Matsyapuran, Shukracharya performed such a severe austerity and penance for the benediction of the demons which was incomparable and which has not been performed by anybody till date. Lord Shiva became pleased and blessed him with a boon that he would defeat the deities in the battle and also that nobody would be able to kill him. Lord Shiva also made him the secretary of all the wealth as a result he became the lord of all the wealth of all the worlds. According to the Mahabharat (AdiParva (78/39) Shukracharya was not only the lord of wealth but he is also the master of the medicinal herbs, the mantras and all kinds of taste. His capabilities are wonderful. He had donated all his wealth to the demons and had accepted the life of a hermit. By the inspiration of lord Brahma he became a planet and started to protect the lives of all the living beings of all the three worlds. In his form of a planet he attends the assembly of lord Brahma. He is very favorable planet for the worlds because he pacifies such planets, which obstruct rain. His presiding deity is ‘Indra’. According to the Matsyapuran (94/5) the complexion of Shukracharya (Venus) is fair. Chariot is his vehicle, which is pulled by eight horses, which are like fire. Flags keep fluttering on top of the chariot. He has a dand (stick or mace) as his weapon. Venus is the lord of the zodiac of Taurus and Libra and his great phase lasts for twenty years. The Venus is considered as a high planet, till the twenty-seventh degree, in the zodiac of Pisces. For the pacification of Venus, the worship of cow should be done and a diamond should be worn. Venus is also pacified if donations of silver, gold, rice, ghee, white clothes, white-sandalwood, curd, sugar, cow and land are made to the brahmins.
SATURN:
The complexion and radiance of Saturn is as brilliant as a blue diamond. He has a golden crown on his head and wears a garland and blue coloured apparels. He is seated on the back of the vulture. He possesses a bow, an arrow and a trident in each of his three hands respectively and his fourth hand is raised in the posture of giving boons and blessings. Saturn is the son of Sun god and Chaya (Sanvarna). He is considered as a cruel planet. The cruelty, which he possesses in his sight, is due to the curse he received from his wife. The narration which has been mentioned in the Brahma Puran goes as follows: The deity Shani (Saturn) was a great devotee of lord Krishna right from his childhood. He used to be immersed in the love for lord Krishna. After he grew up, his father married him with the daughter of ‘Chitraratha’. His wife was a chaste woman full of radiance. One night she went to him after having a bath when her menstruation periods were over, with a desire of having a son, but her husband Shani (Saturn) was immersed in the meditation of lord Krishna, he was unconscious of his surroundings. She became tired of waiting and she became angry . She cursed him that from today onwards whoever gets seen by him would be destroyed. After he came out of his meditative trance ‘Shani’ (Saturn) tried to make up with her by cajoling her. His wife too felt sorry for her mistake but she was powerless in neutralizing the ill effects of her curse. From then onwards Shani has been keeping his gaze downwards because he did not want to cause harm to anybody. According to the astrology if the Saturn pierces and passes through the constellation of Rohini then it is considered to be very inauspicious and causes draughts for twelve years making even the survival of the living beings impossible. This combination was about to come during the time of Dasharatha. He was cautioned by his astrologers against its consequences. To protect his subject from ‘Shanis’ wrath Dasharatha went up in the constellation-zone. First of all he made salutations to the deity ‘Shani’ but when he refused he fought with him, using his most destructive weapon. ‘Shani’ became pleased by his sense of duty and asked him to demand any boon. Dasharatha requested him not to cross the Rohini-constellation’ till the sun and constellation exists. Shani agreed to his request. Lord Yama is the presiding deity of the Saturn. His complexion is dark, his vehicle is a vulture and his chariot is made up of iron. Saturn remains in each of the twelve zodiacs for thirty months. The Saturn is considered as a high planet, till the twentieth degree, in the zodiac of Libra.
RAHU:
The face of Dragon’s head is very ferocious and terrifying. He has a crown on his head, a garland in his neck and wears apparels of black colour. He holds a sword, a shield, a trident in each of his three hands respectively and his fourth hand is raised in the posture of giving boons and blessings. He is seated on a lion, which is his vehicle. ‘Rahu’s’ mother is ‘Sinhika’ who was the wife of ‘Viprachitti’ and was the daughter of Hiranyakashipu. Rahu is also known as ‘Sainhikeya’, which is based on his mother’s name. Rahu had one hundred brothers, but he was the most capable and powerful among all of them. (Shrimadbhagawat 6/6/36). During the time of churning of the sea, when lord Vishnu in his appearance of an enchanting woman (Mohini) was giving ambrosia to the deities for drinking, Rahu sat among the deities in disguise. Rahu also was able to drink the ambrosia but the moon and the sun made the secret open about with real identity. Lord Vishnu killed him with his Sudarshan Chakra’ by severing his head. The drinking of ambrosia had made him immortal and lord Brahma transformed him into a planet. (Srimadbhagawat 8/9/26) According to the Mahabharat (Bheeshma Parva 12/40) the shape of the dragon’s head is circular. He too sits in the assembly of lord Brahma along with the rest of the planets. According to the Matsyapuran (28/61) the shadow of the earth is circular and Rahu rotates around this very shadow. He is the presiding deity of this shadow (Chhaya). According to the rigveda (5/40/5) when Rahu – the son of Asuya or Sinhika covers the sun and the moon with his darkness, then it becomes so dark that the people became unable even to identify their places. Even after being transformed into a planet Rahu attacks the moon on full moon day and the sun on dark moon day out of his enmity towards them. This event is called an eclipse or Rahu Parag. According to the Matsyapuran the chariot of Rahu appears in the form of darkness. His chariot is pulled by eight horses, which are black in color. The presiding deity of Rahu is ‘Kaal’. It is symbolised by a black flag in north west direction among all the nine planets. The great phase of Dragon’s head lasts for 18 years. Barring few situations it is generally considered to be an inauspicious planet. According to the astrology if ‘Rahu’ is situated unfavorably in the horoscope then it causes many types of physical illness. It also causes obstacles in accomplishment of works and accidents. Chanting of the Mrityunjay mantra and wearing a turquoise pacifies the dragon’s head. Making donations of mica, iron, sesame, blue clothes, receptacles made of copper, horse-beans, oil onyx, blanket, horse and a sword, to the brahmins too pacifies the dragon’s head.
KETU:
The Dragon’s tail or Ketu has two arms. He possesses a crown on his head and is attired in black-clothes. The complexion of his body is smoke-like and he has a deformed face. In each of his two hands he holds a mace and the other hand is raised in the posture of giving boons and blessings. He is seated on a vulture which is also his vehicle. ‘Ketu’ is the headless trunk of the demon ‘Rahu’. After the killing of Rahu, when lord Vishnu severed his head by his sudarshan chakra. The head portion was called Rahu and his trunk was called Ketu. Both Rahu and Ketu became planets. According to the matsyapuran there are numerous Ketus out of which ‘Dhoomketu’ is the main. According to the Indian astrology dragon’s tail is a shadow planet. It has a tremendous impact on human lives and also the whole creation. It’s area of influence is considered to be in the north-west direction. According to some scholars Ketu is Somber and mild as compared to Rahu and is beneficial for a man. In some special circumstances it helps a man to achieve the zenith of fame. The shape of Ketu is considered to be of the shape of a fluttering flag. Its length is only six angul (six inches). Although both Rahu and Ketu originated from the same body but after being transformed into the planets and considering it as their rebirth, new names of lineages were given to them. Rahu was considered to be of ‘Paithinas’ clan or lineage and Ketu was considered to be of ‘Jainini’ lineage. The complexion of Ketu is like a colour of the smoke. In some places there are mentions of pigeon as his vehicle. The great phase of Dragon’s tail lasts for seven years. If there is a Ketu situated in an inauspicious house of a man’s horoscope then it causes inauspicious and misfortunes. The man gets inflicted with disease like leprosy itches and ringworm. Making donations of the following things pacifies the Ketu Lapis- Lazule (gem), oil, black sesame, blanket, weapon, musk and flower of blue colour. Wearing of a cat’s eye and chanting of ‘Mrityunjaya Japa also pacifies the Ketu.
Houses
There are 12 houses in a natal chart which are for observing following things.
House 1
: phyasical characteristics
House 2
: money
House 3
: Brother/sisters
House 4
: Mother/happiness
House 5
: Study/Childrens
House 6
: Enemies
House 7
: Spouse
House 8
: Disease/death
House 9
: Fortune
House 10
: Father/Work done
House 11
: Profit
House 12
: Losses
House 1 is also called LAGAN.
Rashi (sign)
THERE ARE twelve signs. A sign is called a Rashi in Sanskrit. The word Rashi literally means a heap, a cluster. As a sign in the zodiac was identified by the characteristic heap or cluster of the stars constituting it, it came to be known as a Rashi. This is a general term for a sign, but in Hindu astrology the sign in which the Moon is placed at the time of birth is commonly referred to as Rashi. When a brief question is put to a person, "what is your Rashi?" it means in which sign the Moon was at the time of your birth?The rising sign is referred to as Lagna-rashi or simply as Lagnam. The names of the twelve signs have been given before. However some attributes or characteristics of each sign are given below1 Aries - Head (top portion) 2 Taurus - Face (including the neck). 3 Gemini - Upper portion of chest and arms 4 Cancer - Heart, Breasts/Chest 5 Leo - Stomach, portion above the navel 6 Virgo - Portion below navel and above Basti 7 Libra - navel to genitals8 Scorpio - Genitals, anus 9 Sagittarius - Thighs, hips 10 Capricorn - The two knees, back 11 Aquarius - Calves of legs 12 Pisces - Feet
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)