Laghu Parasari (Jataka Chandrika)

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Laghu Parasari occupies a place of pride in Hindu astrological literature. Its principles originate from the gospel book of astrology i.e., Brihat Parasara Hora Sastra. In this short treatise a peculiar and specific way and lucidity has been adopted in presenting the Parasara principles. This short work in a true perspective is the prime and foremost work for those who want to dive deep into the vast ocean of predictive astrology.

Vimsottari Dasa or Udu Dasa system, which this Laghu Parasari deals is logical and in vogue since the evolution of Maharishi Parasara's system in Hindu astrology. Truly it is in vogue because it has stood to the test of time.

Sanskrit is the language which has many different meanings for the same word. There are many commentaries on Laghu Parasari by illustrious commentators. Due to above peculiarity of the Sanskrit language, the work got corrupt with many discrepancies rather due to misinterpretations of the commentators. We have tried here to stick to the principles strictly rather than to deviate and viberate with various commentator's emphatic interpretations. Many points of contradictions have been dealt with logically and supporting authorities have been quoted for the sake of authenticity and reliability.

Commentaries and views of Pt. Vinayaka Sastri 'Betala', Pt Ram Yatna Ojha and Pt. Seeta Ram Jha have been given weightage as they are upto the mark in understanding Laghu Para sari. This trio is like Hindu trinity of gods as far as Laghu Parasari is concerned.

Parasari principles regarding the Dasa-Bhukti results have been condensed in this work in just 42 slokas. In South India these principles are studied as Jataka Chandrika consisting of around 80 slokas which were composed by Venkatesa Pandita. Initial 42 slokas of both the works are same. Laghu Parasari ends here after enunciating the principles. The remaining 38 slokas belong to Jataka Chandrika only, telling about the auspicious and inauspicious planets for 12 Lagnas and some general principles. Therefore we have adopted the name Laghu Parasari-Jataka Chandrika i.e., Moon light to nativity. Our this version contains all slokas. The compiler of Laghu Parasari which is studied exclusively in North India is anonymous.

We earnestly feel proud in presenting this work before our readers with enlightening commentary. This will open new vistas in the discriminating part of the brain of our esteemed readers, particularly new entrants in the field of astrology. Though we have done our foremost endeavour to make the work as worthy as possible but still some errors might have crept in which would not escape the critical eye of scholars and intelligent practitioners of the science of astrology. Healthy suggestions in this respect will be cordially accepted.

The publishers are worthy of appreciation for bringing the work in print in excellent fashion. We suppose the readers will appreciate this endeavour as they have done with other enlightening classics brought in print by M/s Ranjan Publications.

Man has been curious to know his future since the dawn of human civilization and will be keen for the same in future also. This is more due to his never satisfying nature with his present conditioning. His hopes lie in astrology and in a broader sense in the science of future which comprises of astrology, palmistry, forehead reading etc. Various methods are adopted in astrology for anticipating the coming events but primary factors like planets, houses and signs more or less remain the same with all of them.

This work is primarily concerned with the characteristics acquired by various planets due to their lordship of various houses. Most auspicious houses are the 1st, 5th and 9th houses which form the vertices of an equilateral triangle. Most inauspicious houses are the 8th, 11th, 6th and 3rd houses in the descending order.

Basically planets have inherent benefic and malefic nature. The words auspicious and inauspicious have been used in this commentary of this work instead of benefic and malefic. The former are specific here for good and bad characteristics of the planets due to their house lordships. A natural malefic can be auspicious or gives auspicious results during his Dasa or Bhukti for being the lord of an auspicious house. Like wise a natural benefic can be inauspicious during his Dasa-Bhukti simply by owning an inauspicious house. The results told for the planets in this text are different from the results of natal horoscopy. The results of natal horoscopy are of permanent nature and occur with more or less intensity throughout life. The results described here 'ire of temporary nature and are limited to Dasa-Bhukti periods only. Though results of Rajayoga combinations are sometimes evident throughout life in some measures.

The lords of Trikonas are of the same element and therefore are friendly to each other bestowing auspiciousness. Thus they are considered auspicious in Dasa context. The lords of Kendras form pairs of friendly and unfriendly planets. Though friends, still they are of opposite nature. Therefore they are said to suspend their inherent benefic or malefic nature in Dasa context and behave as neutrals to form Yogas with Trikona lords.

Maharishi Parasara has said at length about various types of Dasas but the great Maharishi has himself concluded that Vimsottari Dasa system is the best among all of them. Though Astottari, Yogini and Kalachakra Dasas are also used by the rank and file of astrologers; but Vimsottari Dasa is widely accepted one. Maharishi Parasara says.

Vimsottari Dasa is supreme in Kaliyuga.

The zodiac is of 360° and every side of an equilateral triangle formed in it sweeps 120°. There are 27 Naksatras in the zodiac and 9 Naksatras fall within 120°. This 120° corresponds to 120 years of Vimsottari Dasa i.e., 6 years of the Sun; 10 years of the Moon; 7 years of Mars; 18 years of Rahu; 16 years of Jupiter; 19 years of Saturn; 17 years of Mercury; 7 years of Ketu and 20 years of Venus Dasa. 1° of zodiac stands for 1 year of Dasa. Some astrologers usually interpret 120 years as full longevity of human being but it is a wrong inference. 120 years is just the total of the Dasa years of nine planets. Of course in them also fall Maraka Dasas which usually end the life of an individual.

Vimsottari Dasa is one such scientific method to time good and bad periods which is based on the principle of trine or Trikona (Triangle). It was practice among ancient Hindu writers not to talk of the principles but more stress was laid on applicability considering what is said to be divine.

The Sun is the central star of our planetary system. If we start from the Sun, the orbits of various planets are as under: Sun, Mercury, Venus, Earth, Moon, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn.
If instead of the Sun, we keep earth as the pivotal entity then the orbital order will be :
Earth, Sun, Moon, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Mercury and Venus.

Rahu and Ketu are also considered as planets, though in reality they are simply the intersection points of the paths of earth and the Moon. These two nodes have their fixed place in the zodiac. Rahu is the point from where the Moon starts to her northern course and Ketu is the point from where the Moon starts to her southern course. Rahu and Ketu thus are the magnetic points which have retrograde motion and arrive at the same point after every 18 years. Solar and Lunar eclipses occur due to these two nodes and after every 18 years almost similar eclipses occur. Due to uniformity of their motion these are also the time rectifiers. Rahu-Ketu provide important clue to demarcate the exact path and location of the Moon. Due to this property, the ancients included Rahu-Ketu in the Dasa scheme. For being northern intersection point Rahu finds a place between Mars and Jupiter and being southern intersection point Ketu is placed between Mercury and Venus. The sequence of Dasas arrived at is :

Sun, Moon, Mars, Rahu, Jupiter, Saturn, Mercury, Ketu and Venus.

Rahu finds a place after first three planets and Ketu after next three planets i.e., Jupiter, Saturn and Mercury.

One interesting fact which supports Vimsottari Dasa system of 120 years is, that, after 120 years, the Sun and the Moon are again on the same Naksatra and the lunar date is again the same as it was 120 years back. In this way Vimsottari Dasa is Trikona (trine) Dasa of lunar mansions. Whatever may be Naksatra of birth 120 years of Dasa end at the 9th Naksatra from the birth Naksatra.

For calculation purposes we start from Aswini Naksatra and finish up at Aslesa covering 9 Naksatras. This is the first cycle involving 120 years. The 2nd cycle starts at Magha Naksatra and finishes at Jyesta Naksatra. Similarly the 3rd cycle starts at Moola Naksatra and finishes at Revati Naksatra.

The allotment of Dasa years to various planets is due to their practical visibility in the ecliptic. The planets are actually visible in the sky in the same Naksatra or in trine to it again at the expiry of their Dasa years. For example if Mars is visible now in Aswini Naksatra then after 7 years, he will be visible again in Moola i.e., exactly in trine to his basic position. Geometrically some of the planets are at the same longitude while others are in trine to it aiter the expiry of their alloted Dasa years. This is for their practical visibility. Thus we see that Dasa years are dependent on the practical visibility of the planet again at the same longitude or in trine to the same or trinal Naksatra. This also supports that Vimsottari Dasa system is a Trikona Naksatra Dasa system.