Parijaata

Astrological Principles for Spirituality Part – 1

Hari-yoga, Hara-yoga, Brahma-yoga: Yogas relegated to Visnu, Siva and Brahma

Naturally, devotees of the three principle deities behind creation (Brahma), sustenance (Visnu) and destruction (Siva) are going to be found frequently in the charts of spiritual aspirants. These are defined as follows:

Hari-yoga: Benefics are in the 2^nd and 12^th, or in 8^th from the lord of the 2^nd. Since the 2^nd house, like the 6^th, is in a trinal location from the 10^th, it is very closely linked to Laksmi-devi (Sri) in Jyotish. The 10^th, although the seat of Indra or svarga-loka, is the most important house of Visnu, as it is through the 10^th house that all of creation is maintained and protected. Later in this article, how the 6^th house (seva) connects one to spiritual path is discussed as well. Anyway, Hari-yoga indicates the connection of Hari (another name for Visnu, which means “one who protects the devotee from all calamities”) to the 2^nd house, which is ruled by Sri, the goddess of fortune.

Hara-yoga: Benefics are in the 4^th, 8^th or 9^th from the lord of the 7^th. Hara is another name for Lord Siva. The 7^th house is the seat of Lord Siva, given that he presides over the functions of destruction or annihilation. Thus reinforcement of auspicious houses relative to the 7^th lord brings the support and blessings of Lord Siva.

Brahma-yoga: There are two ways in which Brahma-yoga can be formed:

a)      Benefics are positioned in the 4^th, 10^th and 11^th from the lord of the lagna; or

b)      Jupiter is in kendra from the 9^th lord, Venus is in kendra from the 11^th lord and Mercury is in kendra from the 1^st or 10^th lords.

Particularly, the first definition of the Brahma-yoga applies in this discussion, as Brahma, the demi-god in charge of creation, rules the lagna or the 1^st house. By way of positioning benefics in the 4^th, 10^th and 11^th houses, the lagna is reinforced and strengthened, thus bringing the blessings of Brahma in horoscopic symbolism.

Yogas involving Jupiter and Venus (sura and asura guru respectively)

These, in essence, are yogas for great learning:

Jupiter and Venus are respectively Brhaspati and Sukra among the planetary pantheon of demi-gods. They are thus the gurus of the suras (godly entities or demi-gods), as well as asuras (demonic entities) respectfully. Their functions are great perceptors or gurus, with respect to para and apara vidya. Yogas involving these two gurus are significant in the charts of spiritualists, and in fact are found in a variety of cases. The most important of such yogas involving Jupiter and Venus are as follows:

Sarasvati-yoga: Jupiter, Venus and Mercury are in kendras, as well as the 2^nd, 4^th, 5^th, 9^th or 11^th houses. The result is that the native becomes a learned scholar in a variety of subjects and is recognized as such. This yoga is especially poignant when found in the Navamsa as well as Vimsamsa charts.

Bheri-yoga: Jupiter and Venus are in kendra from the lagna lord, while the 9^th lord is strong. The result is a virtuous, religious and saintly individual who possess many auspicious qualities.

Amsavatara-yoga: Jupiter and Venus are in a kendra from Saturn, who is either a strong yogakaraka or is in exaltation. This gives great learning, renunciation and a spotless reputation. Note that this yoga forms verbatim in the Navamsa (D-9) chart of Srila Ramanujacarya.

Kalanidhi-yoga: Jupiter in the 2^nd or 5^th house conjoined or aspected by Venus and Mercury. This indicates exceptional character, learning, respect and a widespread reputation.

Bharati-yoga: This is an important yoga for spiritual learning and forms in two ways:

a)      The Navamsa dispositor of the 2^nd lord joins (in the Rasi chart) the 9^th lord; and

b)      The Navamsa dispositor of the 5^th lord joins (in the Rasi chart) the 9^th lord.

Again, in these instances, the 2^nd and 5^th lords and their connections to the 9^th lord are important to note when evaluating the levels of spiritual knowledge which may be attained by the native. Bharati-yoga gives the native intelligence, learning, a spotless character and a far-reaching reputation.

Yogas involving Dusthanas: 6^th, 8^th and 12^th houses

Although dusthanas are inauspicious materially speaking, they are important houses in consideration of specific spiritual inclinations in the charts of spiritualists. Natural or functional benefics in strength in these houses elevate the nature of the related areas of life for the spiritualists. Thus, some important yogas relegated to dusthanas are as following:

Harsha-yoga: The lord of the 6^th house occupies the 6^th itself. Briefly, the 6^th house is the house of sad-ripus, and thus brings sufferings to the native if the 6^th house or lord have multiple afflictions by malefics. If benefics occupy the 6^th house in strength, however, if the 6^th lord occupies the 6^th and is aspected by natural and functional benefics, then the soul advancing on the spiritual path is interested in seva or service, and thus has little if any inclination to develop strategies by which he can achieve material success. This service either directly or indirectly promotes the cause of dharma. Note in this connection, that the 6^th, like the 2^nd, are the trinal houses from the 10^th, and thus important within the context of dharma. Finally, Harsha-yoga is even more powerful if Sankha-yoga forms simultaneously.

Sarala-yoga: The 8^th lord occupies the 8^th house itself. The 8^th is the house of asta-siddhis or the eight-fold mystic perfections that result from the practice of the yoga system of astanga-yoga. Perfections attained in this connection refers to extra-human powers, which, if used to exploit or abuse others, result in serious afflictions to the longevity, happiness and general well-being of the native in future lifetimes. Malefic aspects or associations to this house show that the native experiences sure and certain mental and physical afflictions throughout the course of lifetime.

If however, the lord of the 8^th occupies the 8^th, and especially if it is reinforced by the association or aspects of benefics, then the individual advances in consciousness through the exercise of various forms of sadhana conncted to the yoga system.

Vimala-yoga: If lord of the 12^th occupies the 12^th house. Naturally, interest in pursuit of moksa is encouraged and reinforced by this yoga, especially if it falls in the 12^th from Lagnamsa or Karakamsa Lagna. For such to occur, the 12^th lord is strengthened by way of conjunction-aspect-exchange with lords of trinal houses. If the 10^th lord is involved, then the native promotes the cause of dharma through ashrams or monasteries and-or may live the life of an ascetic as well.

If, on the other hand, the 12^th lord is afflicted by natural and functional malefics, then suffering due to sins acruing through prior lifetimes befalls the native. The interesting fact to note about the 12^th house, however, is that whether it is afflicted or reinforced by benefics, the result is still the same: the native purges the results of prior inauspicious actions (vikarmas). In the former instance, it comes as a result of suffering, whereas in the latter instance, it occurs as a result of serving dharma. In the final analysis, however, the generation of auspicious karmas is the only way that the native can attain moksa, and not by simply suffering.