CHAPTER 52
1. Whichever Decanate in a sign is in the ascendant (at the time of the query determines whether) Jupiter was in the ascendant, the fifth, or the ninth sign (at the time of the querist’s birth). (The querist) grows up with Jupiter’s course through the signs (at the rate of one sign a year); (therefore) the passage of his years is to be calculated from the sign which Jupiter has reached.
2. They say that the months (are known) from the sign whose navamsa is occupied by the Moon, the days from the degrees (within a sign) traversed by the Sun. Those who are experts in horoscopy (calculate) the muhurta from the ascendant; they say that (its number) is lie that of the degree (in the ascendant-sign) which is on the eastern horizon.
3. The strongest sign in the triplicity which includes the ascendant was the place of the Moon (at the time of the querist’s birth) ; (the degrees of the Moon within the sign equal the degrees) at the ascendant-point. (One should count) the Decan-degrees (i.e., arcs of 10º) from the ascendant (of the query) in three series (i.e., 0º – 120º, 120º – 240º; and 240º – 360º) and the number of “Decanates” in succession from the (nearest) “cardine” (to the Sun at the time of the query);
4. then (the number of the sign in the) ascendant (of the nativity equals the number of “Decanates”) from that occupied by the Sun to the (preceding) “cardine”. They say that the sign occupied by Mars (at the nativity) is this (ascendant) diminished by the square of (the number of) signs (given above); that the sign of Venus is (that number counted) in order from the degree of the Moon; that the sign of Mercury is (the distance) between the Sun and the Moon (counted from the Moon);
5. that the sign of the Sun is to be obtained by means of the series of years, months, and days (found from verse 2); and that the sign of Saturn is to be obtained in like manner. Properly understanding this rule, one should establish the calculation of the yogas pertaining to (this) nativity.
6. Now that we have considered this rule (for computing) the positions of the planets, we must describe (another) rule which is characteristic of horoscopy. Success at any particular time with regard to desired things is determined by the benefit planets which are strong at that time.
7. Everything possesses the qualities of a particular sign, but comes into existence with acquired peculiarities; in a rough rule which depends on the yogas I will describe how this is surely brought about by the planets.
8. Those who are successful (as astrologers) say that the thought (of the querist) depends on the natures of the planet or on the signs (occupied by the planets) or on the qualities of such things as their vargas and dvadasamsa; but that success (in carrying out his thought) has the quality of such things as the ascendant.
9. They say that the result of the thought which arises from the natures of the planets or from the signs is material; but that the result (which arises from) the number of navamsas which have risen in the course of time and from the indication of the yogas is immaterial.
10. That thought which is differentiated (from others) by means of yogas which are characterized by the dvadasamsas and navamsas is to be established as similar to that (which arises from) the signs occupied by the planets; its fruition, though described in accordance with its own characteristics, is to be determined from the sign, Hora, or Decanate in the ascendant.
In the Yavanajataka: the chapter on the horoscopy of queries is completed.
CHAPTER 53
1. Thus that which pertains to the thought of the querist is said to be of two sorts: material or imaginary. It is brought about by various combinations such as of the positions, aspects, and characteristics (of the signs and planets).
2 . Time, which is the inner soul of the moving and stationary triad of worlds, originates, they say, in a wink; the wise man, impelled by this (fact), approaches the foremost (astrologers at a time) when the results are assured.
3. Therefore, one should pay no heed to one’s desires for a long time; hut, when one understands properly that the (correct) time has come, one should act with time as it swiftly and constantly passes by and establish the result which is proper to it.
4. One should know whether the results are past, present, or future from the dvadasamsa of the ascendant-sign which is rising; this is the rule with regard to all the cardines, whose signilicances are fixed by the dvadasamsas as has been described.
5. If a malefic planet is in the sixth or eighth place, or in the birth-sign, or in the eighth place from its own house, or in an enemy’s house, or in its dejection, or in the house of a malefic, it remains a malefic planet with respect to what has been said even if it is aspected by a benefit or is in a cardine.
6. If a planet is in an upacaya of its own house or in its own house, it is strong; if it is also aspected by benefit and helpful planets, it is the best; but if it is lord of the (current) dasa as well, it is even better than that.
7. Thus, that which is appropriate to the results of time, whether it be good or bad, and which involves the determined significance of the already known dasa, birth-sign, ascendant, and astavarga, is to be described as favorable to one who is righteous (dharmatman).
8. The wise (astrologer), once he knows the diversity of the planets and the signs and their yogas and the things which are determined by the birth-horoscope, should tell the future good and evil events which will arise as the times of the dasas ripen;
9. and he should find out the strength of the navamsa in the ascendant; what (planet) is lord of and occupies its own navamsa with its own qualities; the lord of the (current) dasa; the navamsa in the hypogee; and (the planets which are) lords of the navamsas in the cardines and in (the planets’) exaltations.
10. Whatever influence is exercised by a benefit planet in the house of a benefit is good; if it is otherwise positioned, it has a contrary action and gives evil in conformity with its strength.
