Phaladeepika

(Light on Apotelesmatics)
By Mantreswara
English Translation
By Panditabushana V. SUBRAHMANYA SASTRI B.A.,
Asst. Secretary to the Government of Mysore (Retd.)
and
Translator of “BRIHAT JATAKA”, “JATAKAPARIJATA”,
“UTTARAKALAMRUTAM” and “SRIPATIPADDHATI.”
NOTICE OF ATTRIBUTION AND DISCLAMER

The E-text typing and formatting is by Pandit S.P.Tata for astrojyoti.com. This text is in the public domain. This is a web based free library of Vedic astrology, just like any other public library. The material I have put here is from the translations of reputed authors and the copyrights belong to the authors. I am putting the material here so that those seeking to know and learn genuine Vedic astrology can find and read it all in one place. Copying, publishing or misusing it for any commercial purpose is strictly prohibited. Doing so without seeking the authors permission will be considered a violation of their copyright and may bring penal action against you. If you misuse what is provided here freely in good faith this site will not be responsible in any way.

------------

Phaladeepika by Mantreswar is one of the acknowledged great classics of Vedic astrology written in the 16th century.
Contents
1.Definitions
2.Planets and their varieties
3.Divisions of the zodiac
4.Determination of the Shadbalas of planets
5.Profession and livelihood
6.Yogas
7.Maha Rajayogas
8.The effects of the sun and other planets in the 12 hours from the lagna onwards
9.The effects of Mesha and other signs happening to be the lagna
10.Kalatrabhava or the seventh house
11.Horoscopes of women
12.Issues or children
13.Length of life
14.Diseases, death, past and future births
15.The method of studying the effects of the Bhavas
16.The general effects of the 12 Bhavas
17.Exit from the world
18.Conjunctions of two planets
19.Dashas and their effects
20.Dashas of the several bhava lords and their bhuktis
21.Sub divisions of the dashas, antardashas etc
22.Kalachakra dasah etc
23.Asthakavarga
24.The Asthakavarga effects as stated in Horasara
25.Upagrahas
26.The transits of planets
27.Ascetic yogas
28.Conclusion

ADHYAYA – I

Sloka 1 : May we be blessed with beatitude without end by that Supreme Reality -the one heavenly tight without a second (the Sun), which, when once above the horizon, remains on end in full view of the moon-dwelling manes, pole-dwelling celestials and the earth-dwelling mortals, for (i.e., which has for these beings a diurnal are measuring) half a synodic lunar month, half a solar year and the entire day time of a solar nycthemeron respectively, and which sometimes (to wit, with northern declination under north polar heaven) is dextral (i.e., moves on almucantars from left to right), and sometimes (to wit, with southern declination under south polar heaven), sinistral (i.e., moves on almucantars from right to left).

Sloka 2 : I, the astrologer Mantreswara, first make my reverent obeisance to Saraswati - the Muse of Learning, to my family-deity, to my parents and teachers, to the nine planets beginning with the Sun, which bestow omniscience (viz., knowledge of past, present and future) to Ganesha, the lord1 of Siva's cohorts of divinities, and, above all, to Siva, the Supreme, and then proceed to give out here for the delectation of astrologers a very limpid conspectus of the teaching of Arti, parasara and and the rest under the title "'Phaladeepika" ("Light on Apotelesmatics").

Sloka 3 : The exact time of, the birth, of a person with the actual number of Vighatikas elapsed as revealed by foot-measurement or by, the gnomonic shadow and other apparatus should first be specially ascertained. Then the positions of the planets coincident with observation should be set down with the help of mathematical (expedients) instruments. Then the Bhavas and the strength of planets should be investigated and through them the effect should be judged.

Sloka 4 : The parts of the body of the person Kala beginning with the Lagna are respectively (1) the head (2) the face (3) the breast (4) the heart (5) the belly (6) the hip (7) the groins (8) the private part (9) the two thighs (10) the two knees (11) the two calves and (12) the two feet. The concluding portion of the signs, Vrischika, Meena and Kataka is called Bhasandhi or Rikshasandhi. Others apply this term to the last portions of all the sings.

Sloka 5 : The abodes of the 12 signs from Mesha onwards are respectively (1) the forest (2) a field under water (meadow) (3) a bed room (4) a chasm wit1h water in it (5) a mountain (6) a land with water and corn (7) the house of a Vaisya (8) a hole or cavity (9) King's residence (10) water-abounding forest (11) the spot frequented by potters and (12) water.

Sloka 6 : Mars, Venus, Mercury, the Moon, the Sun, Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Saturn and Jupiter are respectively declared the lords of the signs from Mesha onwards. Mesha, Vrishabha, Makara, Kanya, Kataka, Meena and Tula are the exaltation signs of the seven planets respectively from the Sun onwards, their signs of 'fall' being the 7th from their exaltation ones. The highest exaltation and fall of the planets counting from the Sun are the 10th, the 3rd, the 28th, the 15th, the 5th, the 27th and the 20th degrees of the several signs.

Sloka 7 : Simha, Vrishabha, Mesha, Kanya, Dhanus, Tula and Kumbha are the Moolatrikona (first triangular) signs of planets from the Sun onwards. The first 20 degrees of Simha, the last 27 degrees of Vrishabha (27 degrees after the highest exaltation degree), the first 12 degrees of Mesha, the 5 degrees following the highest exaltation degree of Mercury in Kanya (i.e., 16° to 20°), the first 10 degrees in Dhanus, the first five degrees in Tula and the first 20 degrees of Kumbha form respectively the Moolatrikona portions of the 7 planets from the Sun onwards. The first half of Dhanus, Kanya, Mithuna, Kumbha and Tula are bipeds or human signs. Virschika is a Keeta = reptile or centiped sign; Karkataka, latter half of Makara and Meena are watery signs. The rest viz., Mesha-Vrishabha, Simha, Dhanus, (latter half) and Makara (first half) are quadruped signs.

Sloka 8 : The signs Vrishabha Karkataka, Dhanus, Mesha and Makara rise with their back (Prishtodaya). Mithuna and Meena come under Ubhayodaya. The rest appear with their faces and are termed Sirshodaya signs. The Prishtodaya signs and Mithuna belong to the Moon and are termed nocturnal Rasis. The other six belong to the Sun and are termed diurnal signs. The four signs counted from the Rasi last passed (left) by the Sun are in their order termed (1) Urdhava or tending upwards (2) Adhah-beneath or under (3) Sama-even or .level and (4) Vakrabent or crooked. The same order holds good in the case of the other 8 signs.

Sloka 9 : The signs from Mesha taken in order are (1) Chara-moveable or cardinal, Sthira fixed and Ubhaya-dual, mutable or common; (2) Dwara-entrance, Bahis-outside and Garbha-inside; (3) Dhatu or mineral, Mula, or Vegetable and Jeeva or animal; (4) Krura or fierce and Saumya or auspicious; (5) odd and even and (6) male and female. Mesha, Vrishabha, Mithuna and Karkataka with their Trikona or triangular signs represent the four quarters commencing from the East. The six houses from the 7th represent the left side limbs of Kalapurusha; while the other six houses i.e., reckoned from the Lagna represent the right-side ones.

Sloka 10 : Lagna, Hora, Kalya, Deha, Udaya, Rupa, Seersha, Vartamana (living) and Janma are the names of the Ascendant or the first house. Vittha, Vidya learning, Swa, Annapana (riches) food and drink, Bhukti (eating), the right eye (Dakhakshi), face (Asya), letter or document (Patrika), speech (Vak) and Kutumba are appellations for denoting the second house.

Slokas 11-12 : Duschikya, Uras (breast), the right ear, army, courage, valour, prowess and brother are the designations, of the third house. House, land, maternal uncle, a sister's son, a relation a friend, vehicle, mother, kingdom, cow, buffalo, perfume, clothes, ornaments, the nadir, Hibuka, Sukha (happiness), water, bridge and river are the terms to. denote the 4th house.

Rajanka (Sovereign's mark), a minister Kara (tax, hand or toll), Athrnan (intelligence) (Dhi), knowledge of the future, Asu (life) son (Suta), belly (Jatara), Sruti (Vedic knowledge) and Smriti (traditional law) are the names of the 5th house.

Sloka 13 : Rina (deb), Astra (arms), Chora (thief), Kshata (wounds); Roga (disease), Satru (enemy), Jnati (paternal relation), Aji (battle), Dushkritya (a wicked act), Agha (sin), Bheeti (fear) and Avajna (humiliation) are the names of the 6th house. Jamitra, Chittottha (desire), Mada (passion), Asta (set), Kama (desire), Dyuna, Adhvan (way or road), Loka (people), Pati (husband), Marga (way) and Bharya (wife) are the designations of the 7th house.

Sloka 14 : Mangalya, Randhra, Malina, Adhi (mental pain), Parabhava (defeat or insult) Ayus Klesa (sorrow), Apavada (blame or scandal), Marana (death), Asuchi, (impurity), Vighna (obstacle or impediment) and Dasa (servant) are the terms to denote the 8th house. Acharya (preceptor), Daivata (deity). Pitru (father) Subha (anything auspicious), Purvabhagya (previous luck), Pooja (worship) Tapas (penance), Sukruta (virtue or religious merit; a good or virtuous act), Putra (grand son) Japa (prayer) and Aryavamsa (noble family) are the names for the 9th house.

Sloka 15 : The terms to indicate 10th house are Vyapara (commerce), Aspada (rank or position), Mana (honour), Karma (occupation), Jaya (success), Sat (good), Kirti (fame), Kratu (sacrifice), Jeevana (livelihood or profession), Vyoma (sky or zenith), Achara (good conduct), Guna (quality), Pravritti (inclination), Gamana (gait), Ajna (command) and Meshurana, Labha (gain), Aya (incom) Agamana (acquisition), Apthi (etting, gain), Siddhi (accomplishment, fulfilment), Vibhava (wealth or riches) Prapthi (profit), Bhava, Siaghyata (veneration, commendation), eldest brother or sister, left ear, Sarasa (anything juicy or succulent), and (hearing of some) pleasing or delightful news are the expressions- for the 11th house.

Sloka 16 : The designations used for the 12th house are Duhkha (misery), Anghri (leg), Vama Nayana. (left eye), Kshaya (loss, decline), Suchaka (Jale-bearer, spy), Anthya (last), Daridrya (poverty), Papa (sin), Sayana (bed), Vyaya, Ripha, and Bandha (imprisonment). Thus have been declared in their order the names of the -12 houses. The 3rd, the 6th, the 12th and the 8th houses are termed Leena Sthanas (concealed or hidden houses).

Sloka 17 : The 8th, the 6th and the 12th houses are known as Dussthanas or houses of evil. The rest are termed good houses and will be propitious to the native. The 1st, the 10th, the 7th and 4th houses are known by the terms Kendra, Kantaka, and Chatushtaya.

Sloka 18 : The houses next to the Kendras, i.e., the 2nd, the 5th, the 8th and the 11th are known as Panaphara. The 3rd, the 6th, the 9th and the 12th are Apoklima houses. The 4th and the 8th are designated Chaturasra houses. The 10th, the 3rd, the 6th and the 11th houses are called Upachaya; the 9th and the 5th are known as Trikona or triangular houses and these are auspicious. Thus ends the first Adhyaya on "Definitions" in the work Phaladeepika composed by Mantreswara.

ADHYAYA – II

Sloka 1 : It is through the Sun that a wise man out to ascertain about a person's copper, gold, ,father, anything auspicious, one's own self happiness prowess, courage, power, victory in war, service under the sovereign, glory any work relating to the God Siva, trip to forest or mountainous regions, taking an active part in Homas or Yajnas, temple, acuteness and enthusiasm.

Sloka 2 : It is from the Moon that one ought to determine the welfare of the mother, mental tranquility, sea-path, white chowire, umbrella, good fan, fruits, tenderness, flowers, corn, agriculture, fame, acquisition of pearls, bell-metal, silver, sweet substances, milk, etc., cloth, water, cows, women, good meals, bodily health and beauty.

Sloka 3 : It is through Mars that a person should ascertain his strength, products derived from the Earth, the qualities of his brothers, cruelty, battle, daring act, odium, kitchen; fire, gold, kindred, weapon, thieves, enemies, energy, attachment to females not his own, uttering falsehood, prowess, mental dignity (loftiness of thought), sin, commanding an army, and wounds. .

Sloka 4 : It is Mercury that influences one’s learning, eloquence, skill in the fine arts, eulogy from the learned, maternal uncle, dexterity in speech, cleverness in religious meditation and the like, aptness for acquiring knowledge, intelligence, sacrifice, any religious rite relating to Vishnu, truth-speaking, oyster-shell, place of recreation, skill in, mechanical arts, relations, "the rank of an heir-apparent, friends and one's sister's son or daughter, etc.

Sloka 5 : It is through Jupiter that one ought to seek information about one's knowledge, good qualities, sons, minister, behaviour, teaching, magnanimity, knowledge of Vedas, Sastras and Smritis, prosperity in everything, beatitude, reverence to 'Gods and Brahmins, sacrifice, penance, religious faith, treasure-house, wisdom (learning), conquering of the senses, happiness of the husband, honour and compassion.

Sloka 6 : Information regarding one's wealth, vehicles, clothes, ornaments, hoarded goods, triple symphony (union of song, dance and instrumental music), wife, happiness, scents, flowers, sexual intercourse, couch, house, prosperity, pleasure in poetry, addiction to many women, sport, lasciviousness, ministership, charming speech, marriage and festivity should be sought for through Venus.

Sloka 7 : As regards one's longevity, death, fear, degradation, misery, humiliation, sickness, poverty, labourer, reproach, sin, impurity, censure, misfortune, constancy ,resorting to low people, buffalo, drowsiness, debts, iron, servitude, agricultural implements, Jail and captivity, one ought to guess through Saturn.

Sloka 8 : The Sun is of a bilious temperament and is strong in bones in the body. He has a limited quantity of hair, and possess a dark-red form. He has eyes of a reddish brown colour. He is clad in red and has a square-built body. He is valiant and wrathful, and has massive arms.

Sloka 9 : The Moon has a huge body, and is young as well as old; he is lean and white; has fine lovely eyes, black and thin hair. He governs blood. He is soft in speech, wears a white garment and is beautiful in complexion. He has wind and phlegm in his composition and is mild in temperament.

Sloka 10 : Mars has a slender waist, curled and shining hair. He has fierce eyes, he is bilious and cruel in nature. He wears a red garment, and is of a reddish hue. He is wrathful but exceedingly generous. He has a youthful appearance and governs marrow in the body.

Sloka 11 : Mercury is green as the blade of a Durva or panic grass. He is a mixture of the three humours (Vata - wind), (pittha - bile) and (Kapha-phlegm). His body is full of veins. He is pleasant in his speech. He has red and long eyes and is clad in green, He governs the skin, is fond of fun and possesses even limbs.

Sloka 12 : Jupiter has a body of yellowish hue. His eyes arid hair are brown. He has got a fat and elevated chest and possesses a big body. He is phlegmatic in temperament and is exceedingly intelligent. His voice is similar to that of a lion or the sound of the conch. He is always after wealth.

If be the reading, the translation will be “He governs fat.”

Sloka 13 : Venus is clad in a garment of variegated colour. He has black curled hair. His limbs and body are huge. He has much wind and phlegm in his composition. His body has the colour of the Durva sprout. He is very lovely and has broad eyes. He has treasured his virile power.

Sloka 14 : Saturn is dark in form, lame, and has wind in his composition. He has got deep eyes, and a lean and tall body full of arteries and veins. He is idle, and is exceedingly calumniating. He governs the muscle in the body. He is cruel and has no pity. He is dull-headed. He has got large nails; teeth, stiff hair and limbs. He is dirty and is of sinful disposition. He is fierce and is a personification of anger. He is ripe with old age and wears a black garment.

Sloka 15 : The following are places frequented by the Sun: A temple belonging to Siva, an open area, an open place where there is light, a region destitute of water and the Eastern quarter. The Moon's abodes are place where Goddess Parvati is kept, the spot occupied by a female, a place where there is water, a herb or plant a spot where honey or liquor is kept and the North-west quarter. The places resorted to by thieves, or occupied by low people, one where there is fire, a battle-field and the Southern quarter are declared to Delong to Mars. Mercury governs the places frequented by learned men, the spot where God Vishnu is kept, an assembly a recreation ground, a mathematical hall and the Northern quarter.

Sloka 16 : The places belonging to Jupiter are: Treasury, the Aswattha (Pipul) tree, the dwelling of Gods and Brahmins, and the North-east quarter. The places of Venus are: courtesan's quarters, the harem, the dancing hall, the bed room, and the south -east quarter. Saturn's abodes are the lines where low people (out-casts) live, dirty places, Western quarter and the temple of the deity (Sasta-generally known as aiyanarkoil in Tamil and analogous to in Kannada). The places of Rahu and Ketu are: an ant-hill, the dark holes occupied by serpents and the south-western direction.

Sloka 17 : A worshipper of Siva, a physician, a king, a performer of a sacrifice, a minister, tiger, deer, and the ruddy goose, are signified by the Sun. One who worship Sasta deity, a female, a washer man, a cultivator, an aquatic animal, a hare, an antelope crane and the Greek partridge - are denoted by the Moon.

Sloka 18 : Matters relating to the cook (in the kitchen), an arms bearer, a goldsmith, a ram, a cock, a jackal, a monkey, a vulture and a thief belong to Mars. A cowherd, a learned man, an artisan, a clever accountant, a Vishnu bhakta (worshipper of Vishnu), Garuda, a chataka bird, a parrot and a cat are represented by Mercury.

Sloka 19 : An astrologer, a minister, a preceptor, a Brahmin, a Sanyasi-chief, an important personage, a pigeon, a horse and a swan relate to Jupiter. About a musician, a wealthy man a sensualist, a merchant, a dancer, a weaver, a courtezan, a peacock, a buffalo, a parrot and a cow, one ought to ascertain through Venus.

Sloka 20 : An oil monger, a servant, a vile person, a hunter, a blacksmith, an elephant, a crow, and the cuckoo-these have to be assigned to Saturn. A Buddhist, a snake-catcher, an ass, a ram, a wolf, a camel, a serpent, a place enveloped in darkness and the like, a mosquito, a bug, an insect and an owl-all these should be declared to belong to Rahu and Ketu.

Sloka 21 : Mercury is the Sun’s neutral; Saturn and Venus are his enemies. The Moon's friends are the Sun and Mercury; the rest are all neutrals to him. Mars' neutrals are Venus and Saturn, and Mercury is his enemy. The Moon is Mercury's enemy; Venus and the Sun are his friends.

Sloka 22 : Venus and Mercury are the enemies of Jupiter; Saturn is neutral to him. Jupiter and Mars arc neutral towards Venus. Saturn and Mercury are his friends. Jupiter is neutral towards Saturn. Venus and Mercury are his friends. In cases where certain planets have been omitted, they must be considered to fulfill the relationship that has not been mentioned.

Notes

It will be appropriate here to furnish the reader in a simplified manner the general rule to find out the natural friends of planets. This has been put in a neat form by Satyacharya.

Planets are friendly to any given planet when they happen to own the 5th, 12th, 2nd, 4th, 8th and 9th houses counted from the planet's Moolatrikona Rasi or when they happen to own the planet's exaltation Rasi. The rest are his enemies.

Place the particular planet in his Moolatrikona Rasi. Mark the lords of the 2nd, 4th, 5th, 8th, 9th and 12th houses and also of the exaltation Rasi of the said planet. Planets reckoned twice are friends; those reckoned once are neutrals; the rest are enemies. But the Luminaries if invited once are considered friends.

Example : Take the case of Mars. His Moolatrikona Mesha. The lords of 2nd, 4th, 5th, 8th, 9th and 12th and of his exaltation Rasi are respectively, Venus, the Moon, the Sun, Mars, Jupiter, Jupiter and Saturn.

So the Luminaries and Jupiter are friends of Mars. Venus and Saturn are neutrals. Mercury is his enemy. The reader is advised to work for himself the friends of other planets on similar lines.

Sloka 23 : Planets are mutually friendly for the time being when they occupy the 3rd, the 4th, the 2nd, the 10th, the 12th and the 11th from one another. Ascertain what planets are naturally friendly, what are naturally neutral and what are inimical and then deduce from these two kinds of friendship those that are very friendly and those that are very inimical.

Saturn casts a full glance at the 3rd and 10th houses; Jupiter at the 5th and 9th; Mars at the 4th and 8th. All planets cast a quarter glance at the 3rd and 10th houses, half a glance at the 5th and 9th; three-quarters of a glance at the 4th and 8th; and a full eye at the 7th.

Sloka 24 : The planets from the Sun onwards sway over periods of half a year, a Muhurta (2 ghatikas), a day, two months, one month, 15 days and a year respectively.

Venus and Jupiter are Brahmins; the Sun and Mars are Kshatriyas. The Moon is a Vaisya; Mercury is the lord of the Sudra community. Saturn is the leader of the outcastes. The Moon, Jupiter and the Sun are planets typifying Satva. Venus and Mercury are essentially the planets of Rajas or passion. Mars and Saturn own Tamas or darkness as their distinguishing characteristic.

The lords of the six seasons reckoning from Greeshma are (1) The Sun and Mars, (2) The Moon, (3) Mercury, (4) Jupiter, (5) Saturn and (6) Venus.

Sloka 25 : The Sun and Venus are termed father and mother respectively of the child born in the day; Saturn and the Moon, during the night. Failing to play the role of parents, each of these pairs of planets gets the designation of paternal uncle and maternal aunt.

The Moon represents the left eye, while the Sun the right one. Mars represents the younger brother and Jupiter, the eldest one. Mercury denotes the adopted son.

Notes

The fact that the Luminaries represent the two eyes is supported by Sloka No. 19 of Adhyaya XI of Shrimad Bhagwadgeeta.

Sloka 26 : The Moon represents the body and the Sun, the soul. Mars and the other planets denote the five senses. The enemies of the Sun, viz. Rahu Gulika and Ketu will cause trouble to the body and the soul.

Mercury governs smell (nose); Venus and the Moon, taste; the Sun and Mars, govern sight; Jupiter, sound. The rest, viz., Saturn, Rahu and Ketu govern touch.

Sloka 27-The waning Moon, the Sun, Mars; Rahu, Ketu and Saturn are known as malefic planets. Mercury too in conjunction with any of them is malignant.

Ketu, Mercury, and Saturn are eunuchs. Venus, Rahu, and the Moon are females. The rest, viz., the Sun, Mars and Jupiter are males. Rudra (Siva, Amba (Parvati), Guha (Kumara), Vishnu, Brahman, Lakshmi, Kala (Yama), the serpent Adisesha and Brahman are the presiding deities of the planets from 'the Sun in their order.

Fire, water, fire, earth, ether, Water and air are the constituents respectively of the Sun and other planets taken in their order.

Sloka 28 : The Sun's grain is wheat; the Moon’s rice; the grain belonging to Saturn is sesamum; that of Jupiter, Bengal gram; that of Ketu, horsegarm: The grain signified by Mars is Dhal. Mercury re-presents green gram; Dolichos lablab or cowgram is denoted by Venus, and black gram by Rahu.

The countries signified by the nine planets, Rahu, the Sun, Saturn, Mars, Jupiter, Mercury, the Moon, Ketu and Venus are respectively: (1) Ambara, (2) Kalinga, (3) Saurashtra, (4) Avanti (5) Sindhu (6) Magadha, (7) Yavana, (8) Parvata and (9) Keekata.

Sloka 29 : The ruby is the Sun s precious stone; the pure spotless pearl which is fit to be beautifully worn belongs to the Moon. Coral belongs to Mars. Mercury's precious stone is the emerald shaped like the bird Garuda. Topaz belongs to Jupiter. Venus owns diamond. Saturn's gem is the stainless sapphire. Agate and the Lapis lazuli or Turquoise are said to belong to the remaining planets Rahu and Ketu respectively.

Sloka 30 : The substances ascribed to the planets from the Sun onwards are copper, bell-metal, copper ore lead, gold, silver and iron.

The articles of apparel for the several planets will be such clothes as bear their respective colours. But the one belonging to Saturn is a rag while the one appropriate to Mars will be a cloth singed by fire.

Sloka 31 : Pungent bitter, salty, mixed, sweet sour (acid) and astringent are the flavours respectively of the Sun, Mars, the Moon Mercury, Jupiter, Venus and Saturn.

Sloka 32 : The Sun, Jupiter, Mercury and Mars have their characteristics mark or token on the right side. The rest have their marks on the other side. The planets from the Sun onwards have marks on the hip, on the head, on the back, on the arm-pit, on the shoulder, on the face, and on the leg.

The Sun is a person of 50 years. The Moon is one of 70 years. Mars is 16 years old. Mercury is lad of 20 years. Jupiter is a person 30 years old. Venus is a child of 7 years. Saturn and Rahu are each 100 years old.

Sloka 33 : Rahu is black in colour, tall in stature and of a low caste; he has got skin-disease; he is a heretic; he has got hic-cough; he speaks falsehood; he is cunning; he suffers from leprosy; he reviles others and is devoid of intelligence.

Sloka 34 : Ketu has a red and fierce look a venomous tongue, and an elevated body; he is armed; he is an outcast of a smoky colour, and is inhaling smoke always; he has bruised limbs; he is lean and is malicious.

Sloka 35 : Lead and an old garment belong to Rahu while a mud vessel and a mixed cloth of variegated colour have been allotted to Ketu.

Mercury, Saturn and Venus are the friends of Rahu as well as Ketu. Mars is natural to them. The rest are enemies.

Sloka 36 : Planets are said to be badly-placed when they are eclipsed, debilitated (occupy a depression sign or Amsa), when they are posited .in the house of an enemy, or when they occupy the 8th, the 6th or the 12th house. In other positions, they are said to be well-placed.

If the Moon be in the 12th, 11th, 1st, 6th, 5th, or the 7th house at the time of a query about water in a big irrigation project, increase of water can safely be predicted.

Sloka 37 : The Sun represents trees that are inwardly strong and at the same time tall. The Moog and Venus indicate creeping plants. Ketu and Rahu signify a clump of tree or a bush. Mars and Saturn indicate thorny trees. Jupiter and 'Mercury signify respectively fruit-bearing and fruitless trees. Venus and the Moon represent those that are sappy and blossoming. The Moon represents herbs; all sapless and week trees are signified by Saturn. Rahu indicates (Shorea Robusta) trees.

Thus ends the 2nd Adhyaya on "Planets and their varieties" in the work Phaladeepika composed by Mantreswara.

Next >