Archive | August, 2011

September Panchanga

30 Aug
                                       September 2011 – Monthly Panchanga
                                            Khara Samvatsara – Dakshinayana
                                                  Varsha Ritu – Bhadrapada Masa

 

Important events for the month of September is appended below for information and guidance
01 Sep 2011
  • Varasiddhi Vinayaka Vrata
02 Sep 2011
  • Rishi Panchami
04 Sep 2011
  • Mercury enters Leo. Mercury is good in 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 & 11 from natal Moon
09 Sep 2011
  • Mars enters Cancer. Mars is good in 3, 6 & 11 from natal Moon.
  • Maha Pradhosha
  • Onam Festival
10 Sep 2011
  • Venus enters Virgo. Venus is good in all places except 6 &10 from natal Moon
  • Ananta Padmanabha Vrata
11 Sep 2011
  • Satyanarayana Pooja
12 Sep 2011
  • Full Moon
  • Rahu Jayanthi
13 Sep 2011
  • Pitru / Mahalaya Paksha begins
16 Sep 2011
  • Sankasta Chaturthi
17 Sep 2011
  • Sun enters Virgo. Sun is good in 3,6,10 & 11 from natal Moon
22 Sep  2011
  • Mercury enters Virgo. Mercury is good in 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 & 11 from natal Moon
25 Sep 2011
  • Pradhosha
27 Sep 2011
  • New Moon
  • Mahalaya Amavasya
28 Sep 2011
  • Navaratri begins
Note: Jupiter continues to be Retrograde in Aries throughout this month.

 

Disclaimer: This Almanac is published as an advisory only. Individuals are requested to use their Free will / discretion and consequently the author  is not responsible for any damage / loss suffered by them.

Prashna Shastra

11 Aug

                                                         Om Gurubyo Namaha

Prashna Shastra

Prashna Shastra (Horary Astrology) is an important facet in Astrology. Prashna Shastra is more predominantly adopted for analyzing and giving prediction to a particular event of life or activity. One should venture into this branch of astrology only after thoroughly understanding all facts of astrological dictums. Otherwise one cannot succeed in this branch which requires an absolute professional analysis. Then the accuracy of prediction given by the astrologer of course varies not only with the expertise  of each astrologer but also with the character of the astrologer.
 
Prashna Marga lays down that an astrologer should have the following qualifications to be called Daivagna and about the results obtained thereafter:
  • Expert in Jyothish Shastra, proficient in Mathematics and lead a religious life.
  • Always tell the truth and well versed in Vedas / Mantras/ Tantras.
  • Have certain amount of Philosophical and Mythological knowledge for giving predictions with correct interpretation.
  • All predictions made by such a person will never be false, whether it is auspicious or inauspicious.
  • The prediction of one who has understood the ten kinds of planetary motions and one who has understood the astrological principles exhaustively will never be false.
Prashna Shastra demands certain disciplines from the querist also. The querist has to approach the astrologer with fruits, flowers, Tamboola and Dakshina and with a clear intention of asking the question in sincerity and not with a motto of testing the astrologer’s knowledge.
Many times we come across people without horoscopes and they can be tackled in this system of Prashna Shastra. This is called “Nasta Jataka” system and we can even construct a chart by getting information about their life events.
The astrologers can even before the question is asked, can indicate as what is the problem and purpose of the querist‘s visit. This is to a great extent possible by a shrewd astrologer who is well conversant with the surroundings and the eternal atmosphere connected to the question i.e. Kala, Desha and Varthamana.
Though there are a number of methods to answer questions, it is always better to answer only one question at a time for maximum accuracy, whatever the method the astrologer follows.

Procedure

  • The main principle of this Prashna Shastra is to first fix the raising sign of the ascendant and the position of planets on the day concerned.
  • The most important fact in horary astrology is the time at which the question is put by the querist. The querist many times may not be present in person due to various reasons.
  • If the querist is not present and the question has been put over the phone or through e-mail, note down the time of call or the time of e-mail message.
  • The Chart is to be erected for the place where the astrologer is situated.
  • Chart erected can be analysed as any other natal horoscope and results can be predicted.
  • The Prashna Chart can be correlated with the natal chart. If the natal chart has beneficial planetary configuration and Prashna chart malefic combination it is said to be spelt that the native is undergoing the results of evil karma done in this birth.
  • If the natal horoscope and Prashna chart are in similar configuration then the astrologer should predict that the native is experiencing the results of past karma only.
  • The astrologer who is practicing Prashna Shastra should be conversant with many methods of answering the questions. He may choose any method he feels at a given point of time.
Alternate Methods of fixing Lagna
  • Sharirika Shastra:  Ask the querist to touch any organ / part of his/her body. The sign representing the organ becomes the Prashna Lagna. The various  organs / parts  of the body is represented as  Mesha – Head, Vrishabha – Face, Mithuna-throat and shoulders, Kataka-Chest, Simha-Navel, Kanya -Stomach, Tula-Abdomen, Vrischika-Private parts, Dhanu -Thighs, Makara-Knees, Kumbha-Legs and Meena-Feet.
  • Calculate the Hora at the time of the question. The sign occupied by the Horadhipathi becomes the Ascendant and predication can be made.
  • Ask the querist to choose any number from 1 to 108. Note the number. Divide by 12. The reminder counted from Mesha gives the Ascendant. Example if the querist chooses number 45. Then divide 45 by 12. The reminder is 9. The ascendant is Dhanus counted from Aries and hence the Prashna Lagna falls in Sagittarius.
  • Thamboolaruda:  Ask the querist to bring some beetle leaves. Count the number of beetle leaves. Multiply this number by 2 and then by 5. Add 1. The total should be divided by 7. The reminder is the planet represented counted from Sun onwards. The occupancy of the concerned planet should be noted in the chart of the day of question. The sign where the concerned planet is posited represents the Ascendant of the Prashna chart.
For a definitive answer we can follow a simple method explained below:
  • Count the articles brought by the querist such as beetle leaves, beetle nut pieces, fruits etc. separately and add them.
  • Multiply this total by 3 and divide by 6.
  • If the reminder is 1 – Profits, 2 – Destruction, 3 – Happiness,                     4 – Tragedy, 5 – Concerning life and  0 – death may be the result

Predictions

All the classical books on this subject have codified results depending upon various permutation and combination of planets in the Prashna Chart under common headings such as the following:
  • Gains & losses
  • Travels, coming & going in general
  • The invasion & retreat of enemy
  • Queries about one who is abroad / return of traveler
  • Success and defeat
  • Recovery from disease
  • Lost articles
  • Queries  regarding objects in mind or fist (Mooka Prashna)
  • Marriage /Birth of children (Male / female)
  • Miscellaneous matters
Depending on the nature of the query, the results can be predicted as per combination provided in the books. The students are advised to consult the following classical texts for further research.
  • Daivajna Vallabha
  • Prashna Marga
  • Shatpanchashika
  • Chappanna
  • Krishneeyam
  • Prashna Gnaana
  • Pragnyaana Deepika
  • Prashna Vidya
  • Jinendra Maala

Author’s Note

 I do not advise budding astrologers to venture into this realm of astrology unless they have considerable experience in Natal horoscopy. This system also requires great degree of intuition which is not inherent in every individual. This has to be developed over the years by constant practice and diligence. So, tread with caution and be circumspect with your predictions.