589. Rays (of the planets) are an essential part of this Sastra according to Maniththa and others. Hence I am now going to state of these.
510. When in (deep) exaltation, the Sun attains 10 rays, the Moon 9, Mars 5, Mercury 5, Jupiter 7, Venus 8 and Saturn 5.
511. As per Vriddha Yavana (also), the rays for the planets from the Sun etc. when in (deep) exaltation are respectively: 10, 9, 5, 5, 7, 8 and 5.
592 – 593. The views reflected above (vide slokas 590 and 591) are held by Maniththa, Maya and Badarayana (Veda Vyasa).
However, there is another school of thought allotting 7 rays to each of the planet when in exaltation. Though both are authoritative lines of thinking, a majority of people lean towards “equal number of rays”. All agree that when in deep debilitation, a planet gets no rays.
594. Abhimukha & Paranmukha Rays: The rays of a planet proceeding from debility to exaltation are known as Abhimukha rays. Conversely, a planet’s rays are Paranmukha when it departs from exaltation to debility.
Notes: The rays of the planets are known by two different names. Abhimukha means having the face upwards. Such rays are auspicious. Paranmukha means facing downward and such rays are inauspicious.
595. Computation of Rays: Deduct the deep debility point of a planet from the actual horoscopic position of that very planet. If the remainder exceeds six signs, deduct it from 12. Multiply the resultant product by the number of rays allotted to that planet and the final product will represent the actual rays the planet obtained at birth.
596 – 598. Rectification of Basic Rays: The rays thus obtained should be rectified under the following conditions.
(a) If a planet is in a friendly Dvadasamsa, or own Dvadasamsa, or in its exaltation Dvadasamsa, double the rays originally obtained.
(b) The basic rays should be subjected to a six-fold increase if the planet is in its own sign. This view is held by some.
(c) One in enemy’s Dvadasamsa or debilitation Dvadasamsa, 11th of the basic rays should be cast off.
It should be known that rays are increased for position in own or exaltation Dvadasamsa, and rays are to be subjected to reduction when a planet occupies inimical or debilitation Dvadasamsa. (So comments Bala Bhadra.)
(d) Except Saturn and Venus, the others lose their rays in full if in combustion.
(e) A planet in retrogression acquires two-fold of the basic rays in all.
(f) A planet that has just emerged from retrogression loses one eighth of the basic rays.
Thus have the ancient preceptor’s spoke of computation of rays of the several planets.
