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Tajik Yogas in Prasna Shastra

In Prasna Shastra, the yoga formation between the Lagnesha and the Karyesha (lord of Karya Bhava) is of paramount importance. The nature of the aspect here is not dependent on the nature (naisargika shubha or krura) of the aspecting graha, but their relative Bhava placement. The 5/9 aspect is the most auspicious and also strongest among all. This is followed by 3/11 aspect, which are secretly friendly, hence auspicious, but their strength is low. The 3rd aspect is only 40% strong, while 11th aspect is merely 10%.

The antithesis of the 5/9 aspect is the 4/10 aspect which is like the Kona aspect, 75% strong, but is an inimical aspect, hence inauspicious. The antithesis of 3/11 is the 1/7 aspect, which is 100% strong, but is secretly hostile.

The aspect formation happens when two grahas, say the Lagnesha and the Karyesha are within the orb of the grahas. The orbs are Surya 15, Chandra 12, Mangal 8, Budha 7, Guru 9, Shukra 7 and Shani 9.

For establishing connection, the relative speed of the grahas are important. The Grahas in the order of decreasing speed are Chandra → Budha → Shukra → Surya → Mangal → Guru → Shani. The nodes are not relevant in these yogas, since their Rasi ownership are not taken into consideration. But their conjunctions, placement etc. are considered inauspicious.

Prasna Tantra 4.49. The 5th and the 9th aspect is 75% strong. It is the strongest and the most beneficial of all aspects and is openly friendly.

Prasna Tantra 4.50–51. Of the 3rd and 11th aspect, the aspect on the 3rd is 40% strong; on the 11th it is 10%; the 3rd and 11th aspect is secretly friendly and is always favourable for fulfilment of the objective. The 4th and 10th aspect is also 75% strong. It is an unfavourable and unfriendly aspect. the 1st and 7th aspect is 100% strong. It is secretly hostile and unfavourable.

Prasna Tantra 4.52–53. Though the orb in respect of all aspects is normally 12 degrees, the results should be interpreted on the basis of specific orbs with reference to each Graha, viz., Surya 15, Chandra 12, Mangal 8, Budha 7, Guru 9, Shukra 7 and Shani 9.

Itthashala and Muthasila Yoga: The formative yoga

Prasna Tantra 4.54–55. If a faster graha with less longitude is backwards of a slower Graha with a greater longitude, Itthashala Yoga is caused. If the latter Graha is ahead of the former by a minute or 30”, it is a complete Itthashala. This Yoga becomes Muthashila.

Sanketa Nidhi 8.2. When a Graha with faster motion goes ahead of another with slower motion during transit, and throws a benefic aspect over it, and when planets are brilliant, the power of the faster Graha is transmitted to the slower planet. This disposition is called Itthashala yoga.

Sanketa Nidhi 8.3a. If the faster Graha is deficient by a minute in the sign in which it is placed, than the slower planet, Itthashala Yoga is complete. If however, the faster Graha has travelled more than this limit, or is behind this limit, Itthashala yoga is not formed.

Phalita Martanda 22.14 If the faster graha is in Neecha, Asta (combust), retrograde, shatru rasi (inimical sign) and engage in the yoga with the slow graha, it is not able to transfer its power to the slow graha. Thus, it becomes incapable in bearing the fruits of the prasna i.e., the object of the prasna suffers failure.

• The Itthashala yoga occurs when two grahas will conjoin in terms of their longitudes in future. This happens between two grahas when the faster moving graha is behind of a slower moving graha and thus going to meet him in future.
• The faster graha who is behind the slower graha should not retrograde backward, else, it becomes a separative yoga, i.e., the two grahas are separating from each other.
• When the slower graha that is ahead of the faster graha, is retrograding, the yoga becomes even stronger, as they will meet each other quicker than normal circumstances.
• The Itthashala yoga happens only when the two grahas are within the orb of conjunction. If they are too far placed, the yoga will happen in future, but is not present at the moment. For instance, the orb of Budha is 7 and Guru 9. Both the grahas come under the influence of each other when Budha comes closer to Guru within 7 degrees or lesser. When Budha gets within 9 degree of Guru, Budha is influenced by Guru, but it is not able to influence Guru, thus its only one sided.
• When the Itthashala yoga happens within 30 vikala (minutes), it becomes Muthashila yoga, which is even more effective (in giving success).
• For the Itthashala and Muthashila yogas to happen, it is not necessary for the grahas to occupy the same Rasi. This can happen even when the faster graha is aspecting the slower graha in another Rasi. The Aspects mentioned in the Tajik granthas need to be evaluated here.
• The power of the slower Graha (i.e., energy and brilliance) is transferred to the faster Graha in the Itthashala yoga.
• The Itthashala yoga is complete when the faster moving graha is closer within a degree of the slower moving graha. The complete Itthashala yoga continues till the moment the longitude of the faster moving graha becomes equal to the slower moving graha. Beyond the limit, the Itthashala yoga ceases to exist, because that very moment, the separation of between the two grahas kicks off.
• If the two grahas involved in the Itthashala yoga have shatru drsti, or in dusthana from each other, the results are inauspicious (ref: Mukunda Vallabh Mishra in Phalita Martanda).

Easarapha and Musaripha Yoga: The separative yoga

Prasna Tantra 4.56. When a faster graha is ahead of a slower Graha by one degree, Easarapha is caused. It is also called Musaripha. This is an unfavourable combination.

Sanketa Nidhi 8.3b. If the faster Graha travels away a degree or more than the slower one, Musaripha yoga would be formed which does not give beneficial results.

• When the faster moving graha moves away from the slower moving graha by 1 degree or more, this yoga is formed. This is a separative aspect, i.e., the two grahas are separating away from each other with time.
• Musaripha is just another name for the Easarapha yoga. There is no distinction between them.

Nakta Yoga: Bridge formation by a faster graha

Prasna Tantra 4.57. When there is no mutual aspect between two grahas (say Lagnesha and Karaka) but a faster graha is in between in aspect with both then this faster graha transfers light from the other faster graha to the slower one. This is Nakta Yoga.

Sanketa Nidhi 8.4. If there is no aspect between the Lagnesha and the Karaka, but a graha located between them is receiving aspect from both the grahas, then this in-between Graha takes away the extra brilliance from the faster Graha and pass it on to one which is in front. This is called Nakta yoga and it is auspicious.

• When two Grahas, say the Lagnesha and the Karaka are not involved in a sambandha, then another graha which is of in-between speed of the said two grahas, can bridge the two grahas.
• The bridging Graha should be slower than the faster graha behind, but should be faster than the slower graha in front. Only then it is able to connect the two Grahas viz., the Lagnesha and the Karaka.
• For instance, we know that there is no 6th/8th aspect between the grahas in this system. Say, Chandra occupies 4 degrees of Mesha Rasi and Guru occupies 10 degrees of Vrschika. This implies that there is no aspect between them. However, if Surya occupies say 6 degree in Karka Rasi, then it get under 4/10 aspect with Chandra and 5/9 aspect with Guru. Since Chandra is of lower longitude than Surya, and within the orb, it will first transfer its power to Surya. Thereafter, since Surya is faster than Guru and is of lesser degrees than Guru, it will transfer Chandra’s power to Guru. Thus, Surya effectively connects Chandra and Guru.
• Thus whenever among the two grahas, Lagnesha and Karaka, the faster one is lagging in longitude than the slower one, even though the there is no aspect say (5/9) or (3/11), one should look for grahas occupying Bhavas falling in between them, and check if this bridging graha is able to transfer the power from the faster to the slower one.
• The author of Prasna Marga, Sri Neelakantha gives an example as follows:

Prasna Tantra 4.58–59. In regard to a question pertaining to getting a wife: the Lagna is Kanya and the lord Budha is in Simha. The 7th lord Guru occupies the 7th in Meena. There is no aspect between these two grahas being in 6/8 from each other. The faster-moving Graha (say Chandra in this case) is placed between Budha and Guru and in aspect with them transfers light from Budha to Guru. The bride will be secured through the assistance of another person (signified by Chandra).

Yamaya Yoga: Bridge formation by a slower graha

Prasna Tantra 4.60. When there is no aspect between two lords and a slower Graha is in between these two lords involved in aspect to them, then this slower Graha will transfer light from the faster to the slower Graha. This is Yamaya yoga.

Sanketa Nidhi 8.5. In the case of three planets mentioned in previous verse (Ref: 8.4) if the in-between Graha is slower than both of the other two and is aspected by both of them, it becomes more brilliant in its rays, and by taking the extra brilliance of the quicker one gives the same to the slower one. This is called yamaya yoga.

• For instance, if the Lagna is Mithuna and the question asked is about Marriage, whose Karaka is Guru. Say, Guru occupies Karka and Surya occupies Dhanu. In this case, they being placed in 6/8 from each other, there is no aspect bewteen them.
• However, if Shani occupies Meena Rasi, then it establishes 4/10 aspect with Surya and 5/9 aspect with Guru. In this case, Shani will transfer the brightness of Surya to Guru. For this to happen Shani should be within the orb of both Surya and Guru.
• I am assuming here that the longitude of Shani is higher than both Surya and Guru. This means that Surya is having Itthashala with Shani, and then Guru is also having Itthashala with Shani.
• The transfer of brightness happens in 2 step. In step one, it is transferred from Surya to Shani, and in step two, it is transferred from Shani to Guru.

Kamboola Yoga: Chandra becoming a catalyst

Prasna Tantra 4.61. When there is Itthashala between two Grahas and Chandra is also involved in Itthashala with one of the planets, the resulting yoga is Kamboola. There are three varieties of this yoga, viz., exalted, mediocre and debilitated.

Sanketa Nidhi 8.6. When there is Itthashala yoga between the Lagnesha and the Karaka, if Chandra also forms Itthashala yoga with them, Kamboola yoga is formed. The learned are of the view that there are many kinds of Kamboola yoga due to varying influence of the rays of these planets.

• The Kamboola Yoga is formed when Chandra is also in Itthashala to the yogakaraka i.e., Lagnesha and the Karya Bhavesha.
• Chandra is the facilitator here and it indicates the quality of the event. It need not have a say on the success of falure, which will be determined by the Lagnesha and the Karaka. Chandra’s Kamboola yoga indicate love and affection.
• Three examples of application of this yoga is given in Prasna Tantra as follows. In all the cases, the Kamboola Yoga ensure good character of the person represented by the Bhava. It can also indicate positive outcome in certain matters such as war.
• In summary, when one of the grahas involved in a Itthashala also gets involved in a Kamboola yoga with Chandra, it can assure positive outcome of the event. The ultimate results however depends on the strength of Chandra depending on its exaltation, debility or other Rasi placements.

Prasna Tantra 2.59–60a. A query such as “will my interest be safe under the present master?”, should be answered thus: If the Lagnesha is in Kamboola yoga with Chandra, then the querent’s interests are safe under the present master. If the Kamboola yoga is between the Saptamesha and Chandra, it is better to serve under a new master.

Prasna Tantra 2.67. In regard to a query bearing on love affairs, say that there will be friendship and love if the Lagnesha is in Muthashila with the lord of the 7th. If these two lords are in hostile aspect, the couple will always quarrel. If either lord has Kamboola yoga with Chandra, the bride will be endowed with character.

Prasna Tantra 2.88. In a query on war, if the Lagnesha and the Saptamesha are in Musaripha (separating aspect) and one of the lords is combust, the war will drag on for a long time. If the Lagnesha being the slower graha (say Saturn) is in Kamboola yoga (with Chandra) and is ahead of the faster Graha (Itthashala), the querent will win.

Om Tat Sat