An explanation of Anukul/Pratikul

Dr. Shanker Adawal (Jyotishaacharya, PHD, MBA)

Anukul / Pratikul

Anukul means a planet that is either beneficially disposed either by being strong in
own sign, good house, ruler of houses which will bring positive results, or otherwise
not malefically disposed nor inclined to produce evil influence. A planet which is good
for the chart either naturally or by house ruler ship yet somewhat weakened by
placement may be strengthened through the gem, or a planet which already is
strong and giving benefic influence may be further strengthened for gains in
particular areas of life by wearing the gem.

Pratikul means a planet that causes evil influence or suffering to the native as seen
through the horoscope. This may be a debilitated planet who is in a dusthana and
enemy of the lord of the lagna, or otherwise disposed that the influence simply
causes suffering.

It is NOT possible to appease a planet which causes suffering by wearing the gem.
This is the heart of the pratikul philosophy and causes increased suffering for the
persons who are recommended by this method. Mantra, charity, etc. should be
advised in such cases solely.

For example if one had a Sag lagna and lord of the ascendant were in the 6th house
in Taurus yellow sapphire would be of help in strengthening Jupiter, regardless of the
house being a dusthana and an enemy's sign. For the same lagna, say Sun was in
the 8th house in Cancer along with Mars, and there was no correction of debilitation
in the horoscope for this. Ruby could be recommended with good results as benefic
lord of the 9th, adding that Sun is also a planet that does well in the 8th house.

On the other hand to recommend red coral for Mars would only increase the malefic
effects of Mars and cause increased suffering to the native. Were Saturn also
debilitated in the 5th, it would be especially foolhardy to recommend blue sapphire
as the terrible effects would be even more devastating to the person's life. Yet were
Saturn in Virgo in the 10th, blue sapphire may be worn for increased power in
matters of status and career, especially during the Saturn dasha or bhuktis.

An experienced jyotishi must examine the chart from many perspectives before
making pronouncements on how a person's prarabdha karma will manifest in this
lifetime and when the effects will be felt. It is not that we quickly see a planet's
position in the rasi chart and make a pronouncement. Careful consideration is always
the hallmark of an experienced practitioner of both jyotish and ayurveda in analysis
and making recommendations. The same must be true for recommending a
gemstone to increase particular influences in a chart. It is true that sometimes
increasing a benefic influence may help to overshadow a negative one coming from
another quarter, but a bad influence can never be lessened nor curtailed by using the
gem for the planet producing it.

It is not becoming to the persons who are learning, experiencing, and practicing this
brahminical science to be stubborn about increasing their knowledge in planetary
gemology nor any other facet of jyotish science. We are all students, regardless of
how many years, decades, or lifetimes we have practiced, and this is a spiritual
science meant to benefit and enlighten those that seek its counsel.
We are attempting to read the karma of those that seek our counsel and just as fire
will burn even an innocent child, who unwittingly places a hand into it, should we
create negative influence or greater suffering for those seeking relief through our
counsel, the karmic reactions will be upon our heads. There are many scriptural
injunctions about charlatan astrologers or physicians being born blind in the next life,
or taking birth in a hellish planetary system. Ignorance of the law will not excuse us
from such karmic reactions.

Therefore it behooves us to be diligent in our personal sadhana that we may gain the
blessings of Lord Vishnu, Lord Siva, Lord Ganesh and our eternal transcendental
preceptors Sri Parashara and those in the line of disciplic succession for their
blessings upon us. For a qualified jyotishi the practice is also part of the spiritual
progression towards liberation in that the service rendered is of the topmost quality
in giving knowledge to those who seek it.