Prashna Shastra Volume 1 - Revised Enlarged EditionContents Volume 1 Preface Foreword 1. Introduction to Astrology Signs of the zodiac, Planets, Nakshatras, Houses, their significations, 2. Introduction to Prashna Why prashna, Astrology and prashna, Birth horoscope and prashna horoscope, Specific ust of prashna, The basis of prashna, The scope and limitations of prashna, Qualities of an astrologer, How t0 approach an astrologer, Sincere and insincere queries, Conducting the prashna, Importance of Lagna Arudha and Chatra, Determining Arudha, Ancient methods, Modern methods, Self prashna. 3. General Principles of Prashna Multiple queries, Fixing the Lagna, Present, past and future, The sdvasa or breath, Examination of Lagna, Relationship between Lapgna lord and faryesh, Success ot failure of prashna, Predicting troubles, Entry of a planet in a sign, Retrograde planets, Analysis from arya bhava, Tajik yoras, Close degrees of planets, Rahu and Ketu, Nokshatras. Jeews Mritya and Roga Sufras 634, Shatpanchasika in a Nutshell Hara adbayaya - General principles Gamagama adbayaye - ‘Travelling and rerurning, Jai-parajaya adhayaya ~ Success or defeat Shuddu-shubh lukshun adhayaya ~ Auspicious and inauspicious symptoms Pravas chinse adhayaya ~ ‘Vhe traveller or one who is abroad Nushta prapta adhayaya ~ Recovery of the lost, Mishra adbayaya - Miscellaneous Index of Shatpanchas 5. Tajik Yogas and Techniques of analysis ‘The sixteen tajik yogas, Sahams, Calculation and analy of prashna by tajik, Table of tajik yogas - names, how formed and their results, of sahams, General principles of analysis 6. Mook and MusAti Prashna “The classical and modem principles, Tlustration - 1, Musiti prashna, Nature shape and colour of article, 7. Sickness, Disease and Recovery of the Patient What to see from which house, Parts of the body, Illustration - 1, Basic principles of analysis, Benefic and malefic influences, Retrograde planets, Rahu and Ketu, Position of Moon, 6, 8 houses and lords, Duration of disease, Subtle principles of analysis, Early or delayed recovery, Death of the patient, ‘Timing of onset and cure of disease, Suéras, Discases indicated by different planets, Trideshas, Illustrations - 5. 106 120 136 1498. Traveller or Missing Person Whar to see from which house, Subject matter of query, General principles of analysis, No journey or no return, Safe return, Happiness, Difficulties, Illness, Captivity, Conditions during journey, Death, Timing of return, Ilustrations - 4. 9. Theft and Recovery of Missing Articles Nature of query, Dhatu, Mula, Jeewa, Stolen or misplaced, Chorgrabas, Time of theft, Nature of stolen article, Size, Colour, Mede of theft, Sex of thief, Appearance, Caste, Where is the stolen article, Direction, Distance, B: principles of analysis, Who is the thicf, Where is the thief, Clothes worn, Age, Recovery or non recovery of the stolen property, Subtle principles, Whether thief will be caught, Use of Navamsha, Accomplices, Family relations as thief, [ustrations - 4, Table of Ulustrations Index 191 211 244 246Contents Volume 2 10. Marriage Who should Appearance, Success of efforts, Early marriage: negotiate, Hinderances, Prosperity Complexion, Caste, Character of the bride, Union, Love affairs, Love between husband and wite, Delayed or no marriage, Direction of bride, Death of spouse, Widowhood, Death of couple, Disputes, Separation, Diverce, Murder or suicide due to marital discord, Ilustrations - 4. 11. Children Promise, Conception, Pregnancy, Sex of the Child, Early or delayed, twins, Number, Whether legitimate, Death of mother or father, Death of the child, Healthy long lived children, Number oF attendants, Made of delivery, Time of delivery, Sterility or infertility, no children, Adoption, Difficulties, Role of curses in denial of progeny, IIustrations = 5 12. Profession, Business, Employment ‘Types of professions, Getting employment, Favourable, Permanent or Temporary employment, Place, obstacles, Denial, Loss of employment, Susperision and reinstatement, Promotion, Transfer, Change of employment, Illustrations - 4. wa om ci 28713. Fights, Disputes, Litigations, Competitions Arrival, Timing, Non arrival, Death, Victory, Deteat, Return of enemy, Treaty of peace, Fortress, Armed conflict, Disputes and | tions, Intention of querist, Who will win, Next court hearing, Compromise, Prolonged dispute, Lawyer, Judgement, Elections, Matches, Debates, Competitions, Illustrations - 4. 14. Karma and Evil Spirits Sanchit, Prarabdha and Kriyamaan, Kayik, Vachih and Manasth Rarmas, How to identity evil karmas from a horoscope, Whether evil karmas are dvidha or adridha, Good past karmas, Relation between birth horoscope and prashna, How to identify badba, Mandi, Remedies, Curse of parents, Hell or heaven after death, Illustration - 1 15. Use of Chakras in Prashna Sarvatobhaitra chakra, Surya kalanal chakra, Chandra Aalanal chakra, Sanghat rashi chakra, Sanghat naksbatra chakra, Kot chakra, Mlustration - 1, 16. Timing of Events Planetary combinations, Planet signifying the event, Reduced yimshottari dasha, Trisphuta dasha, Transit of planets, Tajik principles, Method of timing, Future areas of research, Illustrations - 3. 17, Miscellaneous techniques in Prashna Snapshot method based on Lagna Sun and Moon, Hora, Results of different horas, Table of horas during day time and night time, Illustration - 1, Omens in general, Illness, Marriage, Children, Travel, Money, Litigation, Fights and disputes, 369 386Kings and Kingdoms, Rains, Axga Jadshan, Omens as per Valmiki Ramayana, Omens as per Matsya Pura Unknown horoscopes from prashna, Inauspicious moments based on panchang and muburat, Tithi, Nakshatra, Var, Yora and Rarana, Sandb, Eclipses, Ekargala, Santranti, Ruling tara, Techniques involving Moon, Chandra friva, Chandra vela, Chandra avastha, their method of calculation and results, Rahu and Ketu, Illustration -1. 18. Dreshkon Swarup Results of 36 dreshkons under the headings - Male or female, Clothes and ornaments, Expertise or profession, Dreshkon type, Things doing or about to do, Appearance, Others, Present context, Illustration - 1, 19. Miscellaneous Prashnas Snapshet method. of seeing what from where, Important combinations, Deva prarhna, What different houses signify, Badéaé planets, Srhan dewata, Evil eye or black magic, Mlustration = 1, Travel, Combinations for success, Things to be avoided, Yogini, Venus and Ayana in travel, Success of a conference, Illustration - 1, Whether suspicion or rumour is correct, Imprisonment, Rain, What is my birth nakshatra and birth rashi, Methods to adopted to achieve the objective. Table of Illustrations Index 429 443Preface \ Farious experts have tried to convey the meaning and purpose ‘There seems clyan of astrology in very rich and diversified wa to be no purpose to know the future happenings in the outcome of events are related to the righteous thought and conduct. The effect of good or bad éarmas on our future life or lives ultimately has a bearing on our present day thoughe processes, which if understood and communicated properly to the consulting community, can make this world a happier place to live. This is possible hy not only understanding the very purpose of human sojourn but also by altering the way we conduct ourselves in society, For this, one has to understand that happiness in life depends not se much on material possessions and environment but human relations and conduet. Character, which may have a different meaning for different people, suffers on account of six enemies which overcome the ational discrimination of a man. These are jealousy, arrogance, Just, anger, desire and greed. The purpose of astrology, therefore can be summed up to provide counselling so that a person does not indulge in evil deeds and follows the righteous path of déarna. The suffering of any human being is due to the continnance of worldly journey which can be terminated by avoiding the path of evils called adbarma. Astrology serves the purpose of bringing out these virtues which are inherent in all human beings. k In this attempt, various authors of our ¢ cal texts of astrology in general and those relating to prashna in particular have chosen to withhold their names out of sheer humility and dedicated their works to the supreme lord. Take the case of Prashaa Marg written in 1649 AD by a namboodri brahmin e unlesswhose real name is nor known. Similarly Keishniy considered to have heen written earlier to Prashna Marg, as many teterences of krishneeyam have been quoted in Prashna Marg. The author of Krishineeyam is also not known Dashadhyayee the commentary on 10 chapters of Varaha Mihir's great classical work Britat fatak was probably written about 100 years earlier to Prashna Marg. These were the chapters which are relevant to Prashna. This work has been held in such high esteem thar it was published as Mawea ‘the boat’ without which ir is difficult to cross this vast ocean of astrology. Its last version was published by Shri Venkateshwara Press in 1912 and has been our of print thereafter, The author of Dashaddyayer also did not reveal his name due to.the humility and modesty which were the hallmarks Of those great men who contributed to this vase knowledge in such a grandiose measure. All these observations and wealth of knowledge got assimilated, tested and treasured in various forms. Then came the era of invasions in which this great wealth was devastated. Take the case of Nalanda, renowned for assimilation of knowledge, It is said that during invasions when the library of Nalanda University was burnt, the books kept on burning for over six months. That was the extent and enormity of loss of knowledge and our ancient scriptures, It was the knowledge accumulated and assimilated over a period of several hundred years and destroyed in a jitty, As far as the astrological knowledge is concerned, it is said that there was a time when fifty million ihlokas or sutras were available, which today are mere half a millon, From the times of advent of astrology emerged this very useful branch of specialisation called prashna. For all those whose birth details are not known and especially for the specific queries of immediate importance the chart cast for that moment show immense promise as if revealing the mysteries of the unknown furure through a magnifying glass. This naturally resulted in its widespread use and merit. Several generations have contributed in their own humble way to the present wealth of knowledge available to us today which our generation will pass on to the posterity after adding our bit. It has been a sacred tradition to distribute this knowledge andteach astrology to the one who is worthy of receiving ir, called a supatra. Any knowledge increases in its content and depth if itis shared freely. The contribution of our generation will become possible only if the newer knowledge is not kept confined to themselves by researchers and eminent astrologers, Research in prashna has been a difficult area for two reasons. Firstly mass testing of principles or hypotheses leading to principles is not as easy as in birth horoscopes for the lack of specific charts. Secondly the teed back from the consulting community is generally lacking due to secrecy as well as distance by which the querist is separated from the astrologer. Nowadays consultations do take place over phone, fax or e-mail also. Inspite of the above mentioned observations which at umes are depressing or eluting, it is satisfying to note that the renaissance of astrological awareness which this era is witnessing indicates that the promise of the growth of astrology is real and not an illusion. Deepak Kapoor | E-mail: deepeki@®]yotishGuru.com Ee we yrichGsar.cmn al2 Introduction to Prashna Why prashna he biggest reason for failed astrological predictions is undoubtedly the non-availability of an accurate birth horoscope. In the earlier times either the watches were not available or even where they were available, the botheration of noting down the correct time of birth was not taken. Majo of child births took place at home and the doctor or midwife obviously were too busy to save the life of the chikl and the mother rather than to ignore them for noting down the time of birth, Only atter they became free from other duties, they noted down the time, guessing it to be 10 or 15 minutes or tore earlier, Further, there are diflerent view points with regard to the time of birth also, which include the time of first cry, the time of first appearance of the head, the severing of the mbilical cord or the dhvespursh — the first touch of the body with the ground, All these reasons lead us to a situation where accuracy of birth time remains debatable. The present day itals also reveal a similar story. Tn some cases there is total confusion with regard to the ‘availability of birth details of day, month or even year of birth. We often hear that the only fact remembered by the elders,in the family is that it was too hot and rainy season was ab fo commence or the Moon was half or full or nearly so. Th again leads us to the majority of horoscopes which are based! ‘on approximations only. There have been various social evils hed to the marriage of a girl child like dowry and the role fF unscrupulous astrologers who would, for mere monetary gains, find faults in the girls horoscopes in matching and recommend64 costly pujas or propitiation of planets for successful culmination of marriage. Due to these factors in the past, many famili stopped noting down the birth details of the girl child, which itself led to the gap in knowledge of astrology beeause of absence of horoscopes, Even in cases where birth time is noted, its accuracy cannot be guaranteed for the reasons enumerated above, The existing methods of rectification of birth time are neither effective nor popular. On top of all this we have cases where the birth details are not known at all, Can such persons be denied the benefirs of astrology. There are situations of urgencies or emergencies when there is no time to either east the horoscope or to retrieve it due to lack of time. In all such cases prashaa fundalt gives amazingly accurate results. This book therefore deals with this wonderful field of astrology which popularly goes under the name of prashna or Horary astrology. Astrology and prashaa Astrology is one of the six parts called veaange. ‘These are shidsha, falpa, ukla, chhanda, vyakaran and jyatisha. Jyousha was further divided into three skandéar namely ganita, sambita and hora, Ganita, the first skandha, deals with astronomy and mathematical astrology. They are compiled into different sidhantas which were as many as eighteen in number in the ancient times, Samhita, the second skandha, deals with natural phenomenon like earthquakes, weather, famines, epidemics etc. Hora or jataka, the third skandha, deals with the natal predictive astrology: Subsequent developments in this field led to astrology being classified into six skandhas instead of the earlier three These were ganita, samhita, hora, shakun, muburat and praskna, Shakun or omens, the fourth skandha, deals with the effects of certain occurrences or phenomenon on future events. Muhurat, the fifth skandha, deals with finding out the auspicious moment for doing any work based on nakshatra, tithi, vaar etc. and related to the natal as well as transit position of planets. Prashna, the sixth skandha, deals with casting of horoscopes for the time of query, event or thought, and forms the subject matter of this book. No skandha can be dealt in isolation.65 Astrology is a complete blend of all the parts or skandhas stated above. Birth horoscope and prashna horoscape The impoztance of birth horoscope cannot be underestimated. Any eveat promised in the birth chart and repeated ptashna chart is sure to occur, The reverse however, | be true. The inter relationship of birth chart and prashna chart also reveals the status of past and present £armu:, The birth chart is the map of heavens at the time of birth and indicates the prarabdba of accumulated karmas allowed for this. life. Benefic influences on birth chart indicates good karmas of the past life whereas maletic influences indicate evil karmas. This aspect is explained in detail in the chapter on karma and evil ‘spirits. AL good dasha in the birth chart and a bad period in the prashna chart indicates evil karmas of present life which will _ predominate. A bad dasha in birth chart and good period in ‘Prishna chart indicates good karmas in present lite which again will predominate. A good or bad period in both the charts mill indicate the relevant good or bad dridha harmas of the __ As in the analysis of divisional charts, a: relevant divisional ut can only supplement the readings of the birth chart and never supplant it, A promise absent in birth chart and present he divisional chart may not fructify. This is so because in relative vimshopak strength of different charts given by tharishi Parashara, the birth chart is given the mac out of a total of 20 points whereas the other divisional have a comparatively much lesser strength. Similarly the a chart too can only supplement the birth chart. However innumerable areas in prediction which can best be } by prashna only. i whenever a birth chart is available, in addition to Ny a chart it is prudent to see the birth chart also. where birth chart is not available, the prashna not only reveals about the present query but it can e read as the birth chart giving amazingly accurate66 Specific use of prashna kundali Even where accurate birth chart is available, there are many areas of knowing immediate future or solving the immediate problems and anxieties of the querist which can be dealt only by @ prashna chart and the role of birth chart can at best be stated to be supplementary, For example, in case of theft the recovery of stolen property, the appearance of the thief ete. In case of missing persons whether he is alive or dead, his present state of well being, whether captivity or not, chances of his release. In case of illness the likelihood of recovery, whether the medicine is appropriate, whether the diagnosis is correct. In case of marriage whether the person will get the girl of his choice, the prospects and auspiciousness of marriage. In case of progeny whether the woman is pregnant, what wil be the sex of the child. In innumerable queries like his it is only the prashna chart which can be relied upon to give amazingly accurate results. The importance of this field of specialisation of astrology can be gauged from the fact that no astrologer can succeed in making predictions without deeply involving himself in prashna. In Hindu mythology the creator of the universe, Lord Brahma, once approached the preserver Lord Vishnu and expressed his desire ta learn prashna to solve the anxieties pertaining, to the immediate future. The origin of prashna shastra is hence as ancient The basis of prashna The birth chart is constructed for the precise moment of birth of a child. Similarly the prashna chart is constructed for the moment when the quenst approaches the astrologer for knowing his furure. There are many decisions which require careful aitalysis of pros and cons, Even people with the best of judgment may find difficulty in taking these decisions and thus they are tempted to approach the astrologer for guidance and counselling, The main purpose of astrology is in the area of future planning, counselling and channelising of energies or efforts in the right direction, We see so many misfits around us who keep on putting their efforts in one direction and end up a mediocres in a totally different field. If only appropriate counselling had been given at a suitable time, the entire fabric of the existence of any person may be different, Here wouldOF come the question whether a person can change his destiny. Ye by right action, effort or karmas. Destiny is never deterministic. Our present karmas can change our destiny within the scope of adridba karna phate, The scope and limitations of prashna The scope of prashna kundali extends to the events pertaining to near past or future and inay extend upto a maximum of onc year, There are several other limitations like fixing of Lagna which are dealt in detail in the following pages. Qualities of an Astrologer Vraha Mihira in Brita? Saméeea has given the characteristics of an astrologer which among others include the deep knowledge of mathematical and predictive astrology, a religious and nghteous disposition, truthful, humble, disciplined, austere and having faith in God. Maharishi Vyas in Mahabharata has stated that every one takes birth as a shure. It is his subsequent karmas which make him cither a dyahmin, bdhatriya, vaishya or he remains a sdudra. In our Hindu society even malechhas or pavanas having immense knowledge of religious scriptures or jyotisha have beer held in high esteem as brahmins, One born as a brahmin and having the qualities narrated above is sure to command the respect of public as an astrologe| The above narrated qualities include humility, austerity and faith in God, This faith in God imparts the divine grace to an astrologer. Association or aspect of Jupiter on 2H or 2L in a horoscope is a gift of God to any astrologer. 211 is the vaeistave or the house of speech, Withour the divine prace of vaaksiaddéy through Jupiter's association or aspect, no astrologer can correctly predict even though he may be well versed in astrology. An astrologer should be a follower of austere living and thinking, nor having any intention ro cheat, and be well versed in veda, mantra and tantra. The entire conduct of prashna and * its outcame depends upon the divine grace, which is a gift of God to the astrologer. For this he must have an unstinted faith in God and must follow a religious life. Any word spoken by such an astrologer can mot go wrong. “The central theme of qualities described for an astrologer are devotion and humilityPrashna Saree Volume 2 Revised Enlarged Edition17 Miscellaneous Techniques in Prashna | Ese techniques are used in prashna which are either the outcome of continuous observations and research ot the family secrets handed down by generations. ‘To accumulate and condense all such techniques is difficult as many of these are not available even in classical texts. However an attempt 15 made to explain various techniques which are used extensively in prashna analysis. These include + 1. Snapshot method based on Lagna, Sun and Moen 2, Hora 5 Omens 4, Unknown heroscopes called nashta jatalea 5, Inauspicious moments based on Panchang and muhurat 6. ‘Techniques involving Moon 7. Rahu and Ketu. Some of these techniques are ignored by astrologers though they are accepted as having promise The main reason for this weakness is the fact that prashna is considered as a quick method. Finer ane however requires a lot of hard work, time and involvement. These techniques, therefore, require @ serious application and usage SNAPSHOT METHOD BASED ON LAGNA, SUN AND MOON AA fast method of predicting good or bad results is employed by merely seeing the placement of Lagna, Sun and Moon in Movable, Fixed or Dual signs in the prashna chart. Movable, Fixed and Dual have been abbreviated as M, F and D respectively. Iysis of a ch387 SM0 Lage Sus Moon Resists LM MM Fulfillment of desires, zs M M I Failure of underrakings and Loss, 2M _—M_—D_— Material. tass, mental turmail 4 MFM Monetary gains and recovery of fast property, 5M oF F Disagreements, loss of employment, business and happiness, & M F D Fultillmenr of desites, prosperity, happiness, birth af children, 7 MDM Fear of sickness, suffering and imprisonment 8 M DF Anviety and agony, failure of undertalcings MDD Mental worries, failure of undertakings, troubtes and trepidation, 0” FF M Fulfillment of desires, conquests, but lost of happiness, oF oF F Material pains and spiritual accomplishments, 12 F F D Gains from persons of authority, religious and auspicious celebrations, BF MM Happiness, gains and fulfttment of desines, but mental distress, MOF MF Dissatisfaction with wile, unhappiness, loss of friend or a dear ane, 5. FMD Ailments and arn, loss of bipeds and quadrupeds. 6 OF D M_ Monetary losses, unhappiness from every quarter, WF DF Happiness, gains, vietory and success in ventures BOF DD Ordinary geuins and happiness, Do DM All types of gsins and happiness, MD DF Loss of happiness and well being, Ue DDD _ Gain of property, tiriends and relatives arrives 2 DM —M_—Unhappiniess, mental turmoil, Tnauspieious events. BD MF Lat of happiness snd gyear pains 4D MD Gain of intawledge, money, peace of mid, gain’) of children. % DF M Happiness, sucess iat journey % DF F All ypes of gains and happiness %. F D Bb “Troubles from children end fiends,388 HORA As per Hindu astrology a day starts from sunrise and ends at the next sunrise. This period of one day is called adaratvi, The word /fora is derived from the combination of two words ahas + ratri, After expunging the letters outside the brackets a(hora)tri, we get the term hora or £aa/ bora which roughly signifies an hour. The exact duration of a hora depends upon the duration of the day called dinmaan or duration of the night called rafrimaan. If duration of both these is equal to 12 hours or 30 ghatis each, which is possible only on the days of vernal and autumnal equinox, the duration of each hora will be equal to one hour. On other days the duration of a hora during the day is calculated by dividing the duration of dinmaan by 12. This gives us 12 horas whose duration may be, as explai d above, equal to, less than or more. than one hour each, depending upon the duration of dinmaan on a particular day, Similarly for calculating the horas of night, ratrimaan is divided by 12, to give us 12 horas, A dinmaan of exactly 12 hours gives each hora of one hour starting from the time of local sunrise, A hora is further divided into three parts and each part ts analysed to give us finer predictive results. Similarly, dinmaan of 13:00 hours gives 13 + 12 = Ihr 05m 00s as duration of each hora, In fact this specialised field of prashna called Horary also derives its name from Hora, ‘There is a definite scheme of naming d depending upon planets in such a way that the first hora is always of the day of the week itself. To understand this scheme, draw a circle and write the names of planets, anti clockwise, in decreasing order of their sidereal period. In other words in the order of their motion in their respective orbits starting from slowest planet Saturn and ending with Moon, of the week Moon Sha Mercury \ | Venus hee \ J Mur Sun389 The first hora on a Sunday is of Sun, and counting anti dockwise the second of Venus, third of Mercury and so on. On a Sunday the order of 24 horas is as follows. Horas on Sunday Hoult 2 3 4 5 & F 8 9 18 tL Lod| Sun Ven Mer Mon Sat Jup Mars Sua Ven Mer Mon Sar Woi4 1s 16 17 If 29 2 2b 22 2s 24 2s Jug Mare Sun Ven Mer Mon Sat Jup Mars Sun Ven Mer Men Hence the 25th hora or first hora of next day ic, Monday will be of Moon. If we count all the horas in this cyclic onder, we get the first hora of each day of week from Sunday to Saturday of the respective lord of the day itself. Incidentally this order of horas can also be arrived by skipping one week day backwards. ‘The first hora on Sunday is of Sun. Then count backwards skipping one day. The next hora on Sunday is of Venus (skipping Saturday), the third hora is of Mercury (skipping Thursday) and so on. In the order of 24 horas, as shown above, the duration of first 12 horas will depend upon the duration of dinmaan whereas the duration of horas marked 13 to 24 will depend on the duration of ratrimaan. Coming back to the discussion on horas with regard to prashna analysis, the hora which is running at the moment of prashna has immense predictive value depending upon whether it is benefic or malefic. It also indicates the anxiety which a querist is undergoing. Position, aspects and conjunction of the gid hora lord should also be analysed. At the end of this narration, tables of horas during day time and night tiga are given for easy reference. Generally different horas givty following types of results which have to be moderated according to the overall indications of prashna chart. The results, as enumerated below are general bur may give favourable or unfavourable results depending upon the significations of its hora