82. Strong Sign: The sign that is aspected or joined by its lord, or the’ one that is aspected by Jupiter or Mercury is ‘deemed to be strong, provided it is bereft of such association with others, so says Varaha Mihira.
83. Sage Badarayana states that a sign which is aspected by Jupiter or its own lord or Mercury gains strength provided it is unrelated to other planets. Should’ the association be mixed in nature, results will be mixed. The sign that is unaspected or unoccupied by any planet becomes weak.
84. Lord Surya’s Exception: The sign which has the aspect of its lord on it, or which coincides with a good (i.e. favourable) house is deemed to be strong, according to Lord Surya. The sign becomes strong, should its lord, or Jupiter Mercury or the Moon aspect it. In other cases, it is not strong.
85. Favourable Directions: Now stated are the “Plava” signs as per Kalyana Varma. The direction ruled by the lord of a sign is declared as favourable for that sign, as per the school of Yavanas. The king proceeding in that direction will be able to quickly destroy his foes. .
Bala Bhadra throws light on this aspect thus. Note the direction that comes under the rulership of a planet. That particular direction should be treated congenial for the sign in question. Mars rules Aries and Scorpio as an example and his direction is the south. Hence the south is favourable for Aries and Scorpio
Notes: “Plava” for our purpose means the constellation situated in the quarter ruled by its (i.e. the quarter’s) planetary regent. Such a sign if chosen as the ascendant in the matter of important travels, one will get success, if not literally destroying enemies as a king.
86. Laghu Jataka on Colours of Signs: Now described are the colours of the various’ signs commencing from Aries, as per Laghu Jataka Red, white, green, pale red (or pink), yellowish white, variegated, non-white (i.e. dark), golden, tawny, a mix of white and tawny, the colour of a mongoose (or Viverra lchneumon, cobra’s enemy) and
the colour of a fish (mixed with dirt) are the colours of Aries and other signs in order.
The author clarifies: “Aruna” is blood red; “Paatala” is colour of pale blood; “Pisanga” is golden; “Paandu” is white with a mix; “Pingala” is tawny; “Malinaruchayo” (for Pisces) is the colour of a fish; “Karbura” (for Capricorn) is the colour which has mix of white and brown, and “Babhru” is a mongoose (for Aquarius).
Notes: The author recommends use of colours for the various signs as stated by Varaha Mihira in his Laghu Jataka.
87. Kalyana Varina on Colours of Sips: Red, white, green, pale, red (or pink), grey, yellowish white, variegated, black, tawny, a mix of white and brown; and colour of a mongoose are the colours stated for Aries etc. by Kalyana Varma. But the colours mentioned for the signs from Virgo by Kalyana VaI1tla are to be rejected as they are not in conformity with standard views, says Bala Bhadra.
Notes : The colours for the six signs virgo to Pisces expressed in Saravali are against the views of Varaha Mihira, vide previous verse. The author suggests that one should follow Laghu Jataka’s views in this regard, ignoring Saravali’s views.
88 As Per Lord Surya: These are clearly stated by Lord Surya thus: Red, white, parrot-green, pink, grey, variegated, black, golden, tawny, a mix of white and brown, the colour of mongoose and the colour of a fish are attributed to Aries and other, signs in order. These details will be of help in deciding the colour of the robes and the wick in oil lamp in delivery chambers.
Notes: The suggestions made in this verse can be extended to describe physical complexion of the native. Kalyana Varma suggests that the image of a sign, which is likely to inflict harm in terms of Bhava effects, should be made in its colour and be worshipped. Upon this, evils will vanish and good will down.
89 – 91. Synonyms of Houses: From the ascendant onwards, the. 12 houses are respectively known with the following terms Tanu (physique), Dhana (wealth), Sahaja (co-born), Suhrut (friends), Suta (son or progeny), Ripu (enemy), Stri (wife), Mrityu (death), Dharma (religion or righteousness), Karma (acts or duty), Aaya (income) and
Vyaya (expenses). The 4th and 8th houses are known as “Chaturasra”. The 4th house has other such names as Paataala (nadir), Hibuka, Sukha (happiness), Vesma (abode) and Bandhu (relative). The 9th and 5th houses are known as Trikona or trines. The 9th house is particularly known as Tri-Tri-Kona (more effective trine). The 5th house is the house of intelligence. The 3rd house is called Duschikya. “Yamitra” (also “Jamitra”), “Dyuna” and “Astha” denote the 7th house. “Chidra” and “Rishpha” (pronounced as “Ri-sh¬pha”) are in order for the 8th and 12th houses.
Notes: For an easy grasp, have given the meanings as above along with the original terms relating to various houses. These house indicate relevant effects in a horoscope.
Hibuka, is a non-Sanskrit word adopted by many exponents and is not of Sanskrit origin. So also are the terms Duschikya (3rd house), Jamitra (7th house) and others.
This does not however mean that Indian’s astrology originated from Greece.
The term “Paataala” does not as such denote any effect in particular. The 4th house is known as Paataala, against the 10th – its opposite house – being zenith or meridian in a horoscope.
92. Angles & Others: Now narrated are the terms Kendra, Upachaya and others as per Varaha Mihira. The 1st, 4th, 7th and 10th houses are known as Kendra, Chatushtaya and Kantaka (the three terms mean angles). Panaphara (or succedent) houses are the next set of quadruples to angles, i.e. the 2nd, 5th, 8th and 11th house. The 3rd,
6th, 9th and 12th houses are designated as Apoklima (cadent) houses.
The 3rd, 6th, 11th and 10th are called Upachaya houses. Houses other than these are Apachaya or Anupachaya houses.
Notes: The various houses are called with certain specific common names as Kendra etc. which are enlisted below.
1. Keridras (angles) 1st, 4th, 7th and 10th;
2. Konas (trines) 5th and 9th.
3. Panapharas (succedents) 2nd, 5th, 8th and 11th.
4. Apoklimas (cadents) 3rd, 6th, 9th and 12th.
5. Upachayas 3rd, 6th, 10th and 11th.
6. Anupachayas 1st, 2nd, 4th, 5th, 7th, 8th, 9th and 12th.
7. Chaturasras 4th and 8th.
Some ancient writers like Varaha Mihira used the term “Chaturasra” to denote an angle.
93. Satya: The 10th, 11th, 6th and 3rd houses from the ascendant are called Upachaya houses: The other houses are known as Apachaya.
Bala Bhadra adds that in Satya’s quotation on Upachaya, the expression “from the natal ascendant” is made in a generic sense only. For, when we need to know of Upachaya places from that sign or planet, we count from that sign or planet (as many places as required).
94. For Yavanas say that the 6th, 3rd, 10th and 11th places from the natal ascendant, or from a specific house or from the Moon are called Upachaya houses. The others from these are Apachayas.
Notes: The quotation of Yavana’s view allows one to know of Upachaya places not only from the natal ascendant but also from the Moon and a specific house. Satya’s view has not specifically included these additional sources of counting as he made a generic expression.
There is nothing wrong in adopting this principle of Yavanacharya as we count angles, trines etc. from the Moon, other planets and houses.
95. Sage Garga’s Exceptions: Some say that the 3rd, 6th, 11th and 10th do not remain Upachaya house any more they are aspected by a malefic or by those who are inimical to their respective lords. As sage Garga states, the Upachaya houses are the 3rd, 11th, 6th and 10th but they lose such a status when aspected by malefics or
such planets who are the enemies of their respective lords. Thus end the views of Garga.
Notes: “Losing such status” needs a clarification. Upachaya houses have the power of repairing damages and causing improvement. Malefics in occupation of an Upachaya house do no doubt good to the person. But when, according to Garga, an Upachaya house is aspected by a natural malefic (Sun, Mars, Saturn, Rahu and Ketu) it no more enjoys the power of remedying some ills.
So also, when the aspect is from a planet that is inimical to the lord of that particular Upachaya house for example, the Sun is the lord of the 6th, an Upachaya. If the 6th is aspected, in this case, by Saturn (inimical to the Sun), the house loses its status as Upachaya and is like any other Anupachaya house.
This rare clue supplied by Bala Bhadra is bound to be of immense help to us in studying the role of Upachaya houses in given circumstances, particularly in respect of various good and bad Yogas.
Out of the 4 Upachaya houses, the value increases in a progressive order thus the 3rd is of low importance and the 11th of the highest importance.
96. Synonyms for Bhavas as per Saravali: Kalpa, Swa, Paurusha (manly spirit, courage), Griha (residence), Pratibha (intelligence), Vrana (injury), Kama Deva (god of sex, i.e. sexual life), Vivara, Guru (preceptor), Maana (honour), Bhava and Vyaya (expenditure) are the 12 different names for the 12 houses commencing from the ascendant.
Notes: Kalpa is a specific name for the 1st house, while “Sva” is so for the 2nd house. The term “Bhava” is used to denote the 11th as it is its specific name. Apart from this, Bhava means “eleven”, speaking of eleven Rudras or so many forms of Lord Siva. “Vivara” denotes 8th house and this term means a hole, a weak point. “Chidra” also means a hole denoting the 8th house. The 8th house is the hole through which life force leaves the mortal coil at the time of one’s death. The 8th relates to death, (and thus life-span).
Bala Bhadra Comments: These synonyms are useful in declaring the effects of the various houses. The ascendant is denoted by the word “Kalpa” which is indicative of strength and, hence the 1st house rules one’s physique and its well-being. From the 2nd house; family, wealth and race should be understood. Brothers (i.e. co-born
inclusive of sisters) and human effort or exertion (“Purushartha”) are indicated by the 3rd house. Kinsfolk and happiness are governed by the 4th house. From the 5th house one should seek to know of intelligence and progeny. The 6th house governs enemies and diseases. Wife (husband in case of a female native), sexual desires and
marriage are ruled by the 7th house. Death (life span), sins and fear are ruled by the 8th house. Religion (also righteousness), parents etc. (inclusive of parental kinsmen), preceptor and penance come under the 9th house. The term “Aaspada” denotes a place and position and, hence the 10th house indicates duties,’ profession and honour. Bhava is indicative of learning and other virtues and wealth, and hence advent of these should be studied from the 11th house. All kinds of expenses are to be seen from the 12th house.
Notes: “Mother and father” jointly coming under the 9th house is a violation of other standard auth6rities and actual practice. Mother and father are in order ruled
by the 4th and 9th houses. ¬
97-98. As per Para sara Jataka: The various houses from the ascendant through 12th yield effects according to the designations allotted to them. If these are aspected
or occupied by benefics, favourable results will emerge. Malefics so related will make the houses concerned produce effects that will not be auspicious. If a house is
aspected by a planet that is placed in its sign of debility or in that of an enemy, evil effects will follow. But this will not be so (i.e. only good effects will come
forth) in the case of a house that is aspected by a friendly or an exalted planet.
99. Strength of Houses: As per the school of sage Badarayana, the sign that is identical with an angle is strong. Panaphara (succedent) houses are of moderate strength
while Apoklima (cadent) houses are considered week.
Notes: The instructions given in this sloka should not be wrongly applied for all circumstances. It only draws a comparison among angles, succedents and cadents being
strong, less strong and weak. That is planets in such houses derive such status.
For example, take the Sun in the ascendant (angle), Mercury in the 2nd (succedent) and Venus in the 12th (cadent). Then weakest of them is Venus. Mercury gains more
strength than Venus. The Sun is the strongest of the three in question.
Such yardsticks will be useful in analysing the effects of houses and dasa periods.
Bala Bhadra Clarifies: Based on the statement of sage Badarayana, the author states that the terms “angle, succedent and cadent” apply only to houses and not to signs.
If at all the terms angle etc. are applicable to signs, then a fiery sign, which is the strongest of the signs for that matter, will burn its own self, or whichever
planet aspects it or is aspected by it. In this context this kind of a controversy can emerge. Hence, angles etc. apply only to houses as enlightened by Varaha Mihira
and what Sundara Misra (some contemporary author) stated allotting applicability of these to signs (Rasi and Bhava) is clearly an infertile and mean concept.
Thus ends the portion (in the 1st chapter) entitled Signs, Their Properties & Divisions.
