‘Om Gurubyo Namaha‘
Drekkana / Dreshkana / Decante
In Vedic Astrology it is referred as Drekkana /Dreshkana (mostly Drekkana) and is 1/3 of a sign equal to 10 degrees: there are three Drekkana in each sign. Drekkana holds an important position in divisional charts. Various ancient and classical texts have mentioned different methods of calculating Drekkana. Generally known Drekkana (D3) are as follows:-
1. Parashara Drekkana
2. Jagannath Drekkana
3. Somanath Drekkana
4. Privritti-traya Drekkana
Parashara Drekkana: This is the most commonly used Drekkana in Vedic astrology. In fact when you read about Drekkana anywhere without specific reference then it is understood that it this Drekkana. Parashara Drekkana is used to know about the sibling of a person and analyzing all matters related to co-borns
Jagannath Drekkana: This Drekkana reflects karma of previous life of a person. D-60 must be analysed along with it.
Somnath Drekkana: Somnath Drekkana is used to know about the sexual drive of a person and describes the attitude of a person towards the sexual matters and his libido. This is generally used in Prashna Jyothisha
Privritti-traya Drekkana: This chart is used to see the drives and initiatives that the person apply to achieve his goals. This is generally used in Prashna Jyothisha
Parashara Drekkana
Generally the first Drekkana of any sign is ruled by the owning planet, second Drekkana by the 5th lord and the third Drekkana by the 9th lord. For example, the first Drekkana of Aries is ruled by Mars, the second Drekkana is owned by Sun and the third Drekkana is owned by Jupiter.
Sage Parashara named three sages as lords of three Drekkana of each sign as follows:-
For Movable Signs: Aries, Cancer, Libra & Capricorn – Narada, Aghastya and Durvaasa
For Fixed Signs: Taurus, Leo, Scorpio & Aquarius – Aghastya, Durvaasa and Narada
For Dual Signs: Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius & Pisces- Durvaasa, Narada & Aghastya
Significance of Lordship
Narada Muni was known for his ‘Bhakti’ (Devotion) to the Supreme Lord. Bhakti is the prime necessity of the soul; therefore Narada might represent the Atma, or the soul. Aghastya Muni is associated with mind in many places in the Vedas. Durvaasa Muni was famous for his efforts to control his senses, therefore he represents the Indriyas, or senses. So we might say that the three Drekkanas of the signs may refer to the soul, the mind and the senses.
Parashara states that the Drekkana Chart should be used to analyze relationship with siblings, or co-borns. We might conclude that the planets in the Drekkanas ruled by Narada would denote the spiritual/karmic relations to the native’s brothers. Those in the Drekkanas ruled by Aghastya would signify the mental/psychological effects from brothers, and those in the Drekkanas ruled by Durvaasa would refer to the sensual/physical comfort or discomfort caused by the brothers and sisters.
General use of Drekkana
Apart from its use to analyse the information related to the co-borns / siblings, Drekkana is also used for following purposes
- In the context of Lost Horoscopy when the time of birth or time of conception is unknown, through horary method the lost birth details can be traced. The effects of ten divisions (Dashavarga) will help to arrive at the natal Ascendant.
- Drekkana of your ascendant gives an insight into your personality, behaviour and other important attributes.
- Details of all 36 Drekkana covering 12 signs are available in Chapter 50 of Kalyana Varma’s ‘Saravali’
- 22nd Drekkana is called Khara and its lord is known as Kharesh.22nd Drekkana is considered one of the first-ranked malefic planet for the native and gives clue to his death.
- The effects / nature of death for each Drekkana for 12 signs are explained in Chapter 47 titled ‘Aphorisms of death ‘in Kalyana Varma’s ‘Saravali”
- Drekkanas have an important role in Prashna astrology, especially Medical Astrology.
- The classical work on Prashna astrology “Krishneeyam” gives details of methods of using Drekkana significations in horary astrology.
Method of calculating 22nd Drekkana
There are 36 Drekkanas; 3 for each of the 12 Rashis. From the Lagna Drekkana in your horoscope, count successively till the 22nd Drekkana. For example if your Lagna is in the first 10 degrees you are born in the first Drekkana. From that count the number of Drekkanas for each Rashi. So, in this case, the 22nd Drekkana will be the 1st Drekkana of the 8th house for your horoscope; if your birth in the second Drekkana i.e. between 10 and 20 deg. of a sign, the 22nd Drekkana will fall in the 2nd Drekkana of the 8th sign; if your birth is in the third Drekkana, the 22nd Drekkana will be in the 3rd Drekkana of the 8th sign from your Lagna. The 22nd Drekkana is also called the “Niryaana Drekkana”
There are various methods of counting 22nd Drekkana, but a short cut technique is to look for the lord of 8th house in D-3. That planet would be lord of 22nd Drekkana for your chart.
Notes on 22nd Drekkana
Brihat Parashara Hora Shastra states that in natal astrology, the nature of the 22nd Drekkana indicates the source/ manner of death. In general condition when Longevity is not at its end, it is concerned with bodily discomfort and health matters.
Some of the special effects are as follows:
- Occupation of natural malefic in 22nd Drekkana, in Rashi, reduces the potential of the chart up to a great extent.
- Ayudha Drekkana indicates injury with weapons as cause of death / accidents.
- Sarpa Drekkana mean danger from poisonous reptiles that could be life threatening.
- Dasha/Bhukti of lord of 22nd Drekkana generally afflicts native’s health and yield mental agony, when devoid of benefic aspects. If the concerned planet is also a natural malefic and posited in malefic Rashi then intensity of evil would definitely be higher than expected.
- Whenever lord of Lagna transits the 22nd Drekkana, loss, bodily discomfort, grief and quarrel will result.
- Similarly, transit of lord of 22nd Drekkana in ascendant produces trouble regarding significance of 1st house.
- Like ascendant, obtain 22nd Drekkanas of other planets specially Moon and Sun. Transit of that planet into respective 22nd Drekkana always mar the significance of planet transited.
- Avoid starting any new task when your luminaries are transiting their 22nd Drekkana or/and Kharesh moving over Sun or Moon.
General points
- If the Lagna Drekkana is Pasha Drekkana, then the native may experience bondage/ incarceration.
- If the birth is in Chatushpada Drekkana (quadruped Drekkana) or if
the 7th lord is in the Chatushpada Drekkana, then the sexual activity of
the native will resemble that of a quadruped.
- This has been explained in detail in various classics including Brihat Parashara Hora Shastra, Sarvartha Chintamani and Saravali.
- Details about Sarpa, Ayudha, Pakshi, Pasha, Nigala and Chatushpada Drekkanas can be found in Chapter XII, ’Concerning Eight House’ in ‘How to Judge a Horoscope – Volume Two’ by Sri BV Raman
Western Connection
Western astrology uses Decante technically identical to Jagannath Drekkana, in order to assess native’s character. Among Sun, Moon and Ascendant if all three or two fall into Decante of malefic planets then the native would be evil minded, sinner and wrathful. If trend is mixed then native will be lazy, back biter and ill-behaved. But if all three (among Sun, Moon and Ascendant) rises in benefic Decante (and their lord of Decante are also powerful) then native would be blessed, intelligent, soft spoken and successful.
Author’s Note
I generally use Parashara Drekkana only and therefore have not elaborated on the other three Drekkanas. Those interested in Jagannath Drekkana, Somnath Drekkana and Privritti-traya Drekkana may do their own research.
Jyothishi 
thanku shubhavagali
Nice indeed.
Thx for womderful brief on this topic………….
beautifully explained one
Just Excellent and very very clear
very useful. explained clearly.
Beautifully explained.
Dear Sir, The Jagannath Drekkana mentioned by you is actually Rishi Praneet chakra which I have seen in some ancient granthas. It was actually shared by Ramyatna Ojha and was used by him on many charts. According to him and Sri Devkinandana, the present drekkana is actually been used by Yavanas.
I do not why it is called Jagannath drekkana but it is the same chakra which I have seen in Books like Jyotish Ratnakar.
Dear Alok,
I follow Dr Rath and his father’s teachings. They refer to this Drekkanna as Jaganatha Drekkana.
What is in a Name? As long as we understand the principle and apply them for the good of mankind,
we have done our job.
I really do not want to go to the roots as to who changed the name.
Lets get on with the job of spreading the wonderful subject of astrology amongst people.
God bless
Take Care
Jyothishi
Nice and knowledgeable information about khar drakkan
Very well explained
Do we need Somanatha Drekkana or Parashara Drekkana to suggest Gemstone. I find an Article from Visti Larsen About Gemstone recommendation through Somanatha Drekkana, please suggest the Phrase is below
Somanatha Drekkana
Having ascertained the gemstone as per the Rashi chart it is worthwhile to check the Somanātha Drekkana. Herein graha lording the second house is a māraka to the ojas in the body and will curtail health and sexuality. This gemstone is therefore not advised, and neither is the lord of the twelfth as this is the sixth lord from the seventh house causing celibacy to the partner. Similarly the sixth and eighth lords affect the partner in a similar fashion and those gemstones should preferably also be avoided. Advising the third lord’s gem can increase the person’s libido significantly and advising this gemstone should be done thoughtfully. The gem of the lagna lord is the best and ensures good health and fame. Apply this advice intelligently.
Jagannath Drekkana reflects karma of previous life of a person and also given in D-60
Somnath Drekkana is used to know about the sexual drive of a person and describes the attitude of a person towards the sexual matters and his libido. This is generally used in Prashna Jyothisha.
It is apparent that the statement you have attached is made in context of ascertaining recommendation for gems pertaining to 8th / 12th house and boosting Venus or 6th / 8th Lords.
This extrapolating to extreme length and is not necessary. If we follow this dictum, for example when I am boosting 5th Lord I have to check D-7, if I am boosting 7th Lord, I have to check D-9 etc.
In any case please exercise caution while recommending gemstones if not done properly it may do more harm than benefit.
Jyothishi
Dear Sir
I am trying to find some reference or possible readings on
1. the Kharesh being placed in the Khara drekkna, (for 8th house lord being placed in the 0- 10 deg of the 8th house itself)
2. the Kharesh and Lagnesh being the same planet, (for Aries and libra ascendants, if Lagna is in the 1st drekkana)
I would really appreciate it if you can share some information on this.
thanks in advance
Sheetal
Sheetal,
In the first case, 8th Lord is Kahresh, his power as Malefic increases two fold and accordingly his actions will be harmful both in Dasha and Gochara.
In the second case, Lagna Lord becoming Kharesh, yes the Lagna Lord’s influence gets reduced. For example, Parashara says Lagna Lord’s Dasha will always be good irrespective of he being a benefic or Malefic., like Makara and Kumbha Lagna, the Lord Saturn.
Jyothishi
Do we have multiple 22nd drekkana? One calculated from the moon and other one from the ascendant?
No, to be reckoned from Lagna only.
Jyothishi
Thank you for clarifying. I’ve read from some website that you can calculate it from both ascendant and moon so I was wondering…
May be so…but not in any classics
Jyothishi