Samaagama -Part IA

The role of other planets in shaping human destiny also needs to examined before arriving at a conclusion on the validity of using the natal Moon for timing of events.

The Sun (Atma) infuses life into every animate being physically manifest in the universe. At the physical level, the Sun causes environmental changes (Rutu Kartha) which affect all living beings. But, the Sun by himself does not originate any activity in living beings. Instead, he works as the dormant spirit of the body (Jeeva Sakshi) and facilitates the completion of the physical activity initiated by the Moon. The Sun, being the Thanu Karaka, is responsible for the health of the body at a grosser level(Stoola Deha). As such, the Sun plays only an indirect role and hence cannot be considered to be governing all Karmic activities in one’s incarnation.

Mars signifies physical energy, prowess, courage etc., needed for execution of the thought generated by the influence of the Moon and is not a party to the decisions taken by the mind. Although Mars is a constituent factor in causing the conception of offspring in the female, he only works in unison with the Moon and not in isolation in procreative activity. Here also, it is the Moon that plays upon the mind and facilitates the fruitful completion of the activity. Thus, Mars is not related to the Karmic facets of physical manifestation.

Mercury, signifying the intellect, also partakes in the decision-making process of the individual but seldom creates a thought. He only induces the mind either to go ahead with the activity or not rather than providing the initial pulse which is provided by the Moon only owing to its Karmic link. Mercury rules intelligence and knowledge which handle the thoughts after their generation while the Moon rules the very source of generation of thought. Hence, the Moon takes precedence over Mercury in effecting one’s Karmic influence.

Jupiter signifies Divine Grace and metaphysical wisdom needed for the facilitation of the fruition of Karma. He does not play any causative role. It either boosts or retards the activity depending on the Karmic influences of the individual which is generally called as Luck or Providence. Thus, Jupiter is only a facilitator and indirectly influences the day to day activities of the individual. Hence, cannot be taken as a basic timer of events in life.

Venus, ruling sensual comforts, is connected to the material facet of the individual’s existence in as much as he activates the Pitru Rina through the realization of Artha and Kama Purushartas out of the Charurvida Purushartas or Four-fold objectives of human life. Its role is limited and any excess indulgence would only create Agami Karma which would work as the seed for future births. As such his role in activating past Karmic influence is limited and hence, cannot be taken as the timer of all events in one’s life.

Saturn is the Pay Master working purely for the fruition of the Prarabdha Karma of the individual the choice of which is made by the Moon at birth. Although Saturn describes the ways and means of fruition of the chosen Karma, by himself is in no way responsible for the choice made by the mind ruled by the Moon. Saturn is akin to the divine accountant Chitragupta who keeps an account of the quantum of Karmic effects either endured or added to in the present incarnation. Hence, he does not qualify to be considered as the timer of events in one’s life.

Rahu and Ketu are the sensitive points of intersection of the orbits of the Moon and the Sun (ecliptic). Due to this cosmic interlink between the soul (Sun) and its re-incarnation (Moon), the roles of Rahu and Ketu in everybody’s life are predetermined at the time of one’s birth itself. As there is a dynamic relationship of both the Sun and the Moon with the other planets in the solar system also, their shadows Rahu and Ketu work as the focal points of energy for the transfer of past Karmic influences into the present birth. Although, Rahu and Ketu have the potential for bringing in and distributing the past Karmic influences of an individual, they are not directly responsible for the manifestation of results. As such, they cannot substitute for the Moon being his shadows.

This analysis shows the Moon is the unique planet singularly governing the whole life span of a native. Hence, he has been assigned the special status which he rightly deserves. Next, the main question, is how to judge these special effects of the Moon? The Dasa systems like Vimshottari, Ashtottari, Kalachakra etc., which are based on the natal Moon and the method of reckoning transit results from the natal Moon have been defined and adopted in Vedic astrology only to meet this requirement. In addition, the following special influences of the Moon in a horoscope are also defined for assessing his contribution.

(a)Moon-sign at birth (Janma Rasi)

(b)Navamsa of Moon at birth

(c)Chandra Samagama

(d)Chandra Kriyas

(e)Chandra Avastas

(f)Chandra Velas

Out of these, the Moon-sign at birth provides a general picture of the nature of a native, the lord of the Navamsa of Moon at birth indicates the colour of the body etc. Chandra Kriyas, Chandra Avastas and Chandra Velas are said to give additional clues in prediction in natal horoscopy, horary astrology and Muhurta. Only the Samagama of planets with the Moon plays a key role in unfolding directly the actual results pertaining to different areas of life which are experienced during the whole lifetime in a particular birth as per the dictates of one’s destiny.

Courtesy: Modern Astrology (Dr Revathi Vee Kumar)  
Continued from: Samaagama – Part I