Sunday, January 17, 2021

Author: Sanjay Rath

Theory of Divisions

bhairava
Sri Bhairava

The divisions of the signs and the construction of Divisional charts from them are based on certain principles and bear certain characteristics.

Principle of equal span

The divisions of the signs are normally equal in size except for two very high divisions (Nāḍi and Ardha Nāḍi aṁśa i.e. the D-150 and D-300). For example, the Navāṁśa is the one-ninth division of a sign i.e. 1/9th portion of 30° = 3°20’. The span of every Navāṁśa is 3°20’ arc. This uniformity continues in all divisions except in the Nāḍi-aṁśa, which is based on the principle of Chandra Kala Nāḍi[1]. However, scholars are divided in this issue and a majority feels that the principle of equal span for all divisions is based on the mapping of time divisions with the divisions in geocentric zodiac and this will invariably produce uniformity in the size of the divisions. This issue has been discussed under Nāḍiāṁśa and the principle of equal span has been followed in all other divisions. The only Parāśara ṣoḍaśa varga that falls into the category of unequal divisions in the broad view is the trimśāṁśa (D30 Chart). Trimśāṁśa means 1° [1 rāśi ÷30 parts = 30°÷ 30= 1°] but the Parāśara trimśāṁśa works at the level of the tattva afflictions and has five spans of 5°+5°+7°+8°+5°. This is basically the ṣaṣṭāṁśa D6 chart of six equal 5° spans, converted into five unequal spans.

Regular and irregular ownership

The reckoning of the ownership of the divisions is normally regular in that the first division of a succeeding sign is in continuity with the last division ownership of the preceding sign. For example, the last Navāṁśa of Aries is Sagittarius and Taurus succeeds Aries. The first Navāṁśa of Taurus is Capricorn which is the sign following Sagittarius in the regular order of reckoning. Thus, the Navāṁśa is a regular division. However, the last Dasāṁśa of Aries is Capricorn and the first Dasāṁśa of Taurus is also Capricorn. Thus, the ownership of the Dasāṁśa divisions is not regular when proceeding from one sign to another. Hence, the Dasāṁśa is an irregular division. The exceptions have been explained in each of the subsequent chapters.

Kalyāṇavermā mathematical model

Kalyāṇavermā has given a simple mathematical model for determining the number of divisions advanced by any planet (or Lagna) in a sign. It maybe noted that this model merely helps to calculate the number of divisions advanced and the number arrived at finally is not the sign number (as has been erroneously used by some astrologers).

लिप्तानामष्टादशशतानि परिवर्तनैः स्वगृहात्॥
liptānāmaṣṭādaśaśatāni parivartanaiḥ svagṛhāt|| 3|17

Translation: …Each Rāśi has 1800 Kala[2] [since 30° x 60’ = 1800’].

लग्नादिनां लिप्ता ज्ञेयाः स्वगृहादिवर्गसंगरिपताः।
अष्टादशशतभक्ता लब्धः स्यादीषिसतो वर्गः॥ ३।१८
lagnādināṁ liptā jñeyāḥ svagṛhādivargasaṁgaripatāḥ|
aṣṭādaśaśatabhaktā labdhaḥ syādīṣisato vargaḥ|| 3|18

To calculate the number of divisions advanced by any planet/Lagna its longitude (irrespective of signs) is converted into minutes of arc, multiplied by the D-Chart number and divided by 1800 (the total longitude of a sign). The quotient is converted into the next higher integer (irrespective of whether the remainder is more or less than half).

Illustration: Calculate the Horā (D-2), Drekkāṇa (D-3), Navāṁśa (D-9) and Dasāṁśa (D-10) of Jupiter placed at 26007’ in Pisces.
Step-1: Ignoring the sign placement in Pisces, we have the longitude as 26007’ = (26 x 60) + 7 = 1567’
Step-2: Multiply the longitude (1567’) by the D-Chart Number and divide by 1800.
Step-3: Whatever be the remainder, convert it to the next higher integer. This gives the division it is placed in.

Longitude × Division ÷ 1800 = Next Integer Jupiter is in the…

1567 × 2÷1800

1.741

2.000

2nd Horā

 of Pi

1567 × 3÷1800

2.612

3.000

3rd Drekkāṇa

 of Pi

1567 × 9÷1800

7.835

8.000

8th Navāṁśa

 of Pi

1567 × 10÷1800

8.706

9.000

9th Dasāṁśa

 of Pi

Illustration: Determine the ṣoḍaśavarga of the Lagna having a longitude of 15°31’23” in Cancer.

Step-1: Longitude = 15°31’ 23”
Converted to Minutes = 931.3833

Step-2

Step-3

Varga

D-Chart

Long x D

Integer

Lagna is in..

1800
Horā 2 1.03487

2

2

 Horā of Cancer
Drekkāṇa 3 1.552306

2

2

 Drekkāṇa of Cancer
Turyāṁśa 4 2.069741

3

3

 Turyāṁśa of Cancer
Saptāṁśa 7 3.622046

4

4

 Saptāṁśa of Cancer
Navāṁśa 9 4.656917

5

5

 Navāṁśa of Cancer
Dasāṁśa 10 5.174352

6

6

 Dasāṁśa of Cancer
Sūryāṁśa 12 6.209222

7

7

 Sūryāṁśa of Cancer
Ṣoḍaśāṁśa 16 8.278963

9

9

 Ṣoḍaśāṁśa of Cancer
Vimśāṁśa 20 10.3487

11

11

 Vimśāṁśa of Cancer
Siddhāṁśa 24 12.41844

13

13

 Siddhāṁśa of Cancer
Bhāṁśa 27 13.97075

14

14

 Bhāṁśa of Cancer
Trimśāṁśa 30 15.52306

16

16

 Trimśāṁśa of Cancer
Khavedāṁśa 40 20.6974

21

21

 Khavedāṁśa of Cancer
Akṣavedāṁśa 45 23.2845

24

24

 Akṣavedāṁśa of Cancer
ṣaṣṭiāṁśa 60 31.0461

32

32

 ṣaṣṭiāṁśa of Cancer

Microscopic view of specific house in Rāśi Chart

The Rāśi chart is the body of the native and shows how he shall view this world and shall react to the various inputs from the environment. Other divisional charts as like a microscopic magnification of one of the aspects dealt with one specific house (at least) in the Rāśi Chart. For example, the Dasāṁśa (D-10 Chart) shows the working environment of the individual and his career. In the Rāśi Chart, the same is examined from the tenth house. Thus, the tenth house in the Rāśi chart has expanded into another complete chart making the examination of events easier. Such a simultaneous examination of the Rāśi Chart and any individual D-Chart is called the microscopic examination and essentially reveals hidden attributes and ways in which the native shall react to the inputs coming from the specific environment.

Independent view

The Divisional charts are independent aspects of the environment and hence, can be examined independent of the Rāśi Chart as well. Such an independent examination reveals details of how the matters concerned exist, influence and change with time. It shows the changes in the environment itself. Whether a person is on leave or holiday, his office may continue to function and people may continue to do the things the do. Various changes like new regulations, orders, colleagues joining and leaving continue. These changes may affect the native directly or indirectly and the Dasāṁśa shall reveal all these changes.

Independent planetary dignity

The dignity of a planet like placement in exalted, own, friendly or debilitated sign in the D-chart has an independent say in the affairs related to the concerned chart. Say a planet is exalted in a quadrant in the kṣetra (rāśi chart) and debilitated or in a duṣthāna[3] in the siddhāṁśa (D24) and say that the daśā of the said planet were to function in childhood. Then we would have one naughty child in our hands who would have excellent health, running around all the time and refusing to study (siddhāṁśa the D-24 chart shows the education environment and its impact).

However like the Navāṁśa[4] (D-9 Chart) the dignities of the planets in other varga charts shall also affect the Rāśi Chart. Man is not divorced from his environment. The environment is the varga chakra and the D1 chart is the assimilation of all these various influences. These include:

  1. Nīcabhañga: A planet placed in debility (Nīca) in the Rāśi chart, if exalted in the Navāṁśa results in Nīcabhañga or cancellation (Bhaṅga) of debility. It indicates a sudden rise in fortune.
  2. Uccabhañga: A planet placed in exaltation (ucca) in the rāśi chart, if placed in debility in the Navāṁśa chart results in uccabhañga or cancellation of exaltation. It indicates a sudden reversal in fortune.
  3. Vargottama: A planet/lagna placed in the same sign in the Rāśi and Navāṁśa is said to have the privileged status of being Vargottama and shall generally give very beneficial results.
  4. More to be taught in the course

[1] Hence the name of one of the important Nāḍi texts is Chandrakalā nāḍi.

[2] minutes

[3] Duṣthāna are the evil 6,8 & 12 house.

[4] Navāṁśa is also called the Dharma-āṁśa. After a person dies, only Dharma follows him to the next life. It is for this reason the Navāṁśa has the power to alter, upset or strengthen the Rasi chart based on the dignities and placement of planets in it. It gives the blessings or curses we have carried forward from an unclosed Karmic account.

Welcome to PJC Year-2A

vyasa01Welcome to the second year of the Parāśara Jyotiṣa Course which is divided into two academic years – PJC Year-2A and PJC Year-2B, i.e. two academic years, which can translate into about 3 calendar years. Course fees are payable only for academic years, even if they take longer to complete.
Prārambha: Commencement: This is the introduction to the course and the concerned chapters of Bṛhat Parāśara Horā Śāstra. We intend to cover this from January to March.
PJC2: Varga Charts is the first group/academic year comprising of

Due to time constraints, those of you who register early will get some preliminary material to study and familiarize yourselves with the huge work load. Studying sixteen charts, as well as their variations is a big job indeed. However daunting, it is fun when learnt in the methods of the tradition.

Importance of Divisions

Vedic Astrology is known for its wide scope encompassing a multitude of systems each comprising of intricately worked paradigms that are synchronized with clockwork perfection.

भवनादिपैः समस्तं जातक विहितं विचिन्तयेन्मतिमान्।
एभिर्विना न शक्यं पदमपि गन्तुं महाशास्त्रे॥
bhavanādipaiḥ samastaṁ jātaka vihitaṁ vicintayenmatimān,
ebhirvinā na śakyaṁ padamapi gantuṁ mahāśāstre. [Kalyāṇavermā, Sārāvalī 3.12]

Kalyāṇavermā opines that Varga’s (divisions and divisional charts) are the lamps that provide enlightenment about the Bhava’s (houses) and without these (brilliant Jyotish tools) it would be impossible to venture a step into this great subject (of Vedic astrology). It is evident that the divisional charts hold the key to predictions and understanding the horoscopes.

The birth of twins provides the greatest challenge to all astrologers. The general concept that the Rāśi chart is the be all and end all of Jyotish takes a beating as the Birth Chart and sometimes even the Navāṁśa charts of twins are invariably the same, yet their fortunes, looks etc are totally different. It becomes amply clear that there is yet another chart that is far more important than the Rāśi & Navāṁśa Charts. This is the Shastyāṁśa Chart (D-60) as Parāśara gives the highest weightage to this chart under the Vimsopaka Bala scheme (20-Point strength based on divisional dignities). We must respect the teachings of the Maharishi’s for this knowledge to unfold and attempt to look beyond what our mind believes to be the final truth.

Every facet of life finds place in one of the twelve signs of the zodiac and the twelve houses of the horoscope. This results in the clubbing of many aspects in a particular house or sign thereby making the interpretation very subjective. Assigning natural lordships to planets over individual matters (Naisargika Karakatwa) supports this. For example, the fourth house rules over properties, mother, home, happiness, vehicles, formal education etc. While the examination of the Bhava may not be able to give a clear-cut picture and additional examination of the natural significator like Moon for mother, Venus for vehicles, Mars for properties, Ketu for home etc. will make the reading easier, but definitely not affirmative. This is where intuition steps in and the gifted astrologer is bailed out. If the invaluable tool of divisional chart were added, the reading would not only be accurate, but quite detailed. In fact, the ‘intuitive’ element can never be fully divorced from Vedic Astrology. But then such brilliant tools like the Varga’s work like a microscope showing the astrologer various hidden facets of the chart as well as many facts and details that would otherwise be invisible in the Rāśi Chart.

Scope of PJC Year-2

The popular ṣoḍasavarga (lit. sixteen divisions or divisional charts) is based on the hypothesis that Man (Rāśi Chart) is not divorced from his environment (Divisional charts). This primary model along with smaller schemes of Daśā Varga (ten chart model), Sapta Varga or Shad Varga has been dealt with in this course. The Vimsopaka scheme and other mathematical tools to estimate the strength of the planets, their dignities by placement in strong divisions etc, have been included in PJC Year-2A. There are various methods for drawing these Divisional charts and each of these has a different usage depending on the principle behind its construction. I have attempted to cover every possible deviant model (including the various suggestions of scholars on Jaimini) along with the primary model and have also attempted to bring out their usage.

Not Included

The Divisions and D-Charts, which are outside the standard 16-Chart paradigm of Parāśara, have not been fully dealt with in this course. For example, you will learn the five types of D2 Chart (Hora Chakra) but not all types of other DCharts. The Divisional charts used by the Tajaka Astrologers in preparing the Annual (Varsha Pravesh) Horoscopy [Tajaka Varga], the Kauluka’s, Shastāṁśa and Rudrāṁśa taught by Jaimini along with the special daśā’s the Maharishi proposed for these divisional charts [Jaimini Varga], the higher divisions used in the Nāḍi works [Nāḍi Varga] as well as many other divisional charts or just divisions like the Mrityu Bhaga that I have encountered in this endless journey into Vedic Astrology has not been included in this course. There is the Jaimini Scholar Program where all these advanced models have been taught in very great detail. Students would do well to find a Jaimini Scholar to learn from in the future.

Another kind of Varga is the Astakavarga system that uses dots and dashes from the natal placement of planets to determine the relative strength of signs and planets and goes into elaborate calculations to determine their good and bad results. This is another marvelous tool for examining transits as well as Vaastu Śāstra[1]. I have touched on the subject with the hope that this knowledge leads to happier homes and better lives. This will be taught in great detail in a later year of PJC.

[1] Vedic architecture.

Please Note

We have a new website for PJC Year-2. Please bookmark this page. It uses the stable wordpress software and by now most of you would have received login information.

If you have not joined this course and have received login information, please inform me or delete your account. I expect at least this much honesty from students I teach.

Please do not start writing a book by transcribing my teachings. If that is not theft of intellectual knowledge, then what is? In the past I have students who have done exactly that. Some even just took the images and put them in their books. I will not say a word – my words are precious for me, and perhaps for some of you. Therefore I do not waste them in cursing or abusing. I just turn away and leave everything to Śiva.

If you are a member of PJC Year-2 and have not received your login information, please visit the website and create an account. Thereafter, inform me to add you to the course.

The lessons from the old PJC-Y2 website have been added. If you find that a lesson is missing, please inform me. If you have downloaded the old lesson, please forward it to me so that I can add it easily instead of having to search 1.5 TB document folder in my computer.

Himalaya Classes: The first day of the Himalaya Class with the Parāśara Mantra has been added to the website. You need to login and then a new menu will appear called “Members”. Look for Members > Initiation menu with an open lock icon. This contains three slide presentations titled AUṀ, Varga Concepts and Varga Viveka. It will take you a month to digest the knowledge contained in those slides. Take your time but do get these foundations right and you must practise. Try this on your chart and maybe a few more charts. After you have understood and digested all the knowledge in these lessons, then enter Varga > Rāśi etc.

With these words, we wish you the best in your studies.

śrī kṛṣṇa arpaṇamastu

Jyotisa Concepts

varga_eastBefore venturing into divisional charts we need to learn the terminology and concepts used by the sages of yore. The following varga concepts are included in these slide presentation.

  • Rāśi Pada: This is derived from the hymn of the Ṛk Veda which informs us how Viṣṇu upholds dharma. It includes “zodiac signs in the fingers” which is the based on the three tpes of movable, fixed and dual signs.
    त्रीणि पदा वि चक्रमे विष्णुर्गोपा अदाभ्यः। अतो धर्माणि धारयन्॥
    trīṇi padā vi cakrame viṣṇurgopā adābhyaḥ | ato dharmāṇi dhārayan ||
  • Kāryeśa includes the determination of primary and secondary kāryeśa for the varga chart. This is different from the kāraka.
  • Nitya Kāraka determination and usage
  • Anitya Kāraka determination and usage
  • Aṁśa Tūlya Rāśi (ATR) and Rāśi Tūlya Aṁśa (RTA): Understanding the difference between these two crucial concepts and their usage
  • Bhāva Sūcaka Aṁśa is same as Aṁśa Tūlya Rāśi (ATR)
  • Implications of Varga Lagna mapping into different houses of Rāśi Chart
  • Dual Ownership Yoga: Know why Aquarius and Scorpio are considered evil signs and the derivation of Śrāddha and Piśāca Yoga. Dural ownership of other signs and similar yoga derivations. Implications and usage.

AUM Initiation PDF
AUM Initiation Slides

  • Please be patient as the slides can take a little time to download
  • Make copious notes
  • Ask Questions at Forums

Initiation

vargaThe initiation of the Himalaya Class of PJC-Year 2 starts with teaching of two mantras – one for learning vedic astrology and the other for worshipping the parama-guru Muni Parāśara. Recall the first śloka of BPHS –

अथैकदा मुनिश्रेष्ठं त्रिकलज्ञं पराशरम्‌।
पप्रच्छोपेत्य मैत्रेयः प्रणिपत्य कृताञ्जलिः॥ १॥
athaikadā muniśreṣṭhaṁ trikalajñaṁ parāśaram |
papracchopetya maitreyaḥ praṇipatya kṛtāñjaliḥ || 1||

The first line holds the secret to the kṛta chandas (20 syllable) mantra for worshipping Parāśara. The kṛta chandas is mentioned in the word “kṛtāñjaliḥ”.

  1. अथैकदा (athaikadā) → translates to the monosyllable ॐ (om)
  2. The three words following are, in the order given, changed to the correct tense for address, in the mantra.
    मुनिश्रेष्ठं त्रिकलज्ञं पराशरम्‌ → मुनिश्रेष्ठाय त्रिकलज्ञाय पराशराय
    muniśreṣṭhaṁ trikalajñaṁ parāśaram → muniśreṣṭhāya trikalajñāya parāśarāya

For the remaining parts of the mantra, listen to the slides.

AUM Initiation PDF
AUM Initiation Slides
  • Please be patient as the slides can take a little time to download
  • Make copious notes
  • Ask Questions at Forums
Pt.Sanjay Rath
Sanjay Rath belongs to a traditional family of astrologers from Bira Balabhadrapur Sasan village of Puri, Orissa, which trace their lineage back to Shri Achyuta Das (Sri Achyutananda).
Students: sanjay.rath@...
Readings: sanjay@srath.in

Mentor

  • Nitin Bhanap

    nbhanap@gmail.com +19195392537 Nitin Bhanap is an IT professional turned Vedic astrologer by the grace of Guruji (Pt. Sanjay Rath). Nitin is originally from Bombay, Maharashtra and now based in Raleigh USA. Nitin comes from a family of astrologers and Jyotiṣa was part of his early life because of his father and grandfather who had a career in corporate world, however practiced Jyotisa to help and guide people. Nitin pursued his interest in Jyotisa by reading many books, however after meeting Guruji (Pt Sanjay Rath), at the Someshwara Shiva temple prāṇa pratiṣṭhā in Ashveille NC, USA, Nitin found his Jyotiṣa Guru (Pt. Sanjay Rath). Nitin’s early life was spent in boarding school and then in Mumbai, where he completed his Master’s in Mathematics and then left for USA at the age of 23 to pursue career in IT and is still living in USA with his wife and one daughter. Nitin worked for many large corporations in USA and now has taken up Jyotisa seriously by volunteering to leave his professional career at Verizon to pursue Jyotisa studies further under guidance of Guruji (Pt. Sanjay Rath). Nitin joined Parāśara 5-year course under tutelage of Pt. Sanjay Rath in 2012 and completed his Jyotisa Paṇḍita certification in 2016 and now in the 3rd year of Jaimini Jyotisa under Pt. Sanjay Rath. Nitin has also currently enrolled Mantra Shastra course and continuing pursuing his Jaimini studies. Nitin continues to practice Jyotisa by guiding many young and middle-aged adults about their careers, marriage, children and many other areas of life. Nitin does the Jyotiṣa practice as an offering to Mahadev as Shiva is Parameṣṭhi Guru and the ocean of all knowledge Nitin is also learning Advaita Vedanta from Chinmaya mission and is currently serving as President of Chinmaya mission Raleigh Durham. As a part of Chinmaya mission, Nitin teaches Vedanta to young high school children on Sunday’s and organizes many spiritual discourses on Vedanta by inviting Chinmaya mission Swamiji’s from different US centers as a part of his seva to the Raleigh Durham community

  • Kaartik Gor

    kaartik@kaartikgor.com +971555532511 www.kaartikgor.com Kaartik Gor is a professional Vedic Astrologer, originally from Somnath, Gujarat and now based in Dubai. Kaartik comes from a family of priests and Jyotiṣa was part of his life since early days though he got interested after meeting his Gurudev. His early life was spent in Gujarat and later Mumbai where he completed his Engineering and later worked with corporate giants in their Sales and later as a Project Manager in Mumbai & Dubai. He later migrated to Dubai in 2002 and is now based there, though he consults and teaches globally via his webinar, conferences and personal contact classes. He also writes for leading publications and was instrumental in many positive changes related to Vedic scriptures in the GCC region. Kaartik Gor considers himself to be very fortunate and takes pride to be amongst the first direct students of his Gurudev (as he like to address him) Pt. Sanjay Rath. He strongly feels “Knowledge is Shiva” and takes pride in being associated with a tradition which dates back to 2500 years! He strongly feels that Jyotiṣa is his road to attain moksha since it gives him an opportunity to heal souls and make his life worthwhile. Teaching Jyotiṣa is something he enjoys a lot and being a young Turk likes to make it easy for Beginners to understand and implement the knowledge in their day to day life. He is a firm believer that knowledge should be applicable else its waste of time! Kaartik has been part of all major programs conducted by his Gurudev and has been associated with him for approx. 2 decades during which he is now a Jaimini Scholar, Jyotiṣa Pandita (Brihat Parashara Hora Shastra), Mantra Shastra among others. He still likes to call himself a Beginner and strongly advocates what his Gurudev told him “Knowledge is an Ocean, Start Swimming”. He truly believes that best Gurus are those who make best friends and likes to be grounded and approachable. His mission is to spread this brilliant Vedic knowledge globally and work tirelessly to achieve it, no mood to rest On a personal note he loves taking care of Cows and does his bit for them. He also loves music, singing, watching movies and playing squash!