Article: Hora Chakra, the D-2 Chart

There are a number of Hora charts (D2 charts) based on Parasara, Parivritti dwaya, Kasinatha and others. We discuss the principles at this stage.

(c) Sanjay Rath (Extracts from Varga Chakra published 2002)
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1.1        Meaning of Hora

There can be various meanings of the word hora and it is preposterous to conclude that this word was borrowed from the Greeks as we find this mentioned in the Vedic literature[1], which predates any other civilization in the world. Since the understanding of this holds a vital key to the entire subject matter of Jyotish, let us attempt to grasp its meanings and import as well as its usage in Vedic astrology.

1.2        Hora: Prognostication

ivxaÇa iliota ya=saE llaqe]rmailka,

dEv}Sta< pQe™´< haerainmRlc]u;a.1.

vidhäträ likhitäyä'sau laläöekñaramälikä

daivajïastäà paöhedvyaktaà horänirmalacakñuñä [Kalyan Verma (Saravali II.1)]

Translation: The creator has written the destiny of all beings as lines of letters on their forehead. With stainless eyes (sight/vision), the erudite astrologers decipher them and prognosticate.

The meanings of the word Hora has been spelt out by Raja Kalyan Verma in his monumental Classic ‘Saravali’ wherein the first meaning has been given as the ability of the astrologer to prognosticate or read the destiny of any being that is written on his forehead. The references to ‘eyes’ and ‘sight’ indicate that (a) Jyotish is a vedanga and specifically, is the ‘eye of the Vedas’ and (b) the ability to see (physical vision) is given by the Sun as it is the only original source of light that is bright enough to cause vision.

1.3        Hora: Half a day

Aa*Ntv[Rlaepa*aer isÏ(TyhaeraÇat!,

tTàitbÏíay< ¢hÉg[iíNTyte ySmat!.2.

ädyantavarëalopädyora siddhyatyahoräträt

tatpratibaddhaçcäyaà grahabhagaëaçcintyate yasmät [Kalyan Verma (Saravali II.2)]

Translation: The word ‘Hora’ is derived from the word ‘Ahoratra’ meaning day  (‘Aho’ meaning day or sunlight period) and night (‘Ratra’ meaning night) by removing the first (A) and last (tra) phoneme, and that is what it precisely means. This contains the zodiac and planets, which are being discussed (in subsequent chapters).

Thus, the word ‘Hora’ primarily implies the two fold division of a ‘Vara’ {which literally means (i) a day of 24 hours or (ii) the period between two consecutive sunrise} into the diurnal and nocturnal halves. This division of the day implies a geo-centric vision of the universe that is the primary definition of the ‘bha-chakra’ (zodiac). Furthermore, the apparent movement of the Sun (and other planets) is also implied in the cause of the day and night halves.

Since the Vara is defined from sunrise to sunrise, the Sun is the cause, and hence the overlord of the days. The Sun shines in the day and the stars hide their faces while in the darkness of the night all secrets of theirs can be known (Parasara, Rig Veda). Hence, the Sun is the lord of the diurnal half as well as it is the brightest source of light during the day. Among the lights at night, when the nakshatra are visible, the brightest is the Moon and hence, the Moon is the dual overlord of both the night as well as the nakshatra.

1.4        Hora: Fruits of Karma

kmR)llÉhetu< ctur> s<v[RyNTyNye,

karmaphalalabhahetuà caturaù saàvarëayantyanye | [Kalyan Verma (Saravali II.3½)]

Translation: The results of a persons karma[2] based on the varna-ashrama (four castes or varna) are known (by the knower of hora-shastra or Jyotish).

Hora came to mean the study of the quality of time starting with the primary division of the day into the two halves of day and night. The time of sunrise was most auspicious for the agni-hotri (fire sacrifice priests) and the astrologer played a prominent role in predicting the time of sunrise and beginning of auspicious functions and ceremonies. This study of the division of time and space into parts (amsa) and its impact on life is called Jyotish of which (1) Ganita (mathematics), (2) Gola (spherical geometry) and (3) Hora Shastra form the three parts with the latter dealing with the study of the quality of time for prognostication.

The Brihadaranyaka Upanishad, Bhagavat Gita and other literature explain the theory of the transmigration of the soul and the process of rebirth based on the Karma of past incarnations. This theory of Karma is the root philosophy behind Jyotish and to that extent Hora-shastra, being a Vedanga, accepts and uses this theory in deciphering the past existence, the karma causing suffering or joy and even prescribing suitable remedial measures.

1.5        Hora: Half of the zodiac

1.5.1        Day & Night Half

Ödz c³< _g[STSyax! is<htae rivnaRw>,

kkRqkat! àitlaem<  zzI twaNye=ip tTSwanat!.9.

ÉanaerxeR ivhgE> zUraStejiSvní sahaiska>,

ziznae m&dv> saEMya> saEÉaGyyuta> àjayNte.10.

dvadaça cakraà bhgaëastsyäedh siàhato ravirnäthaù

karkaöakät pratilomaà  çaçé tathänye'pi tatsthänät

bhänorardhe vihagaiù çürästejasvinaçca sähäsikäù

çaçino mådavaù saumyäù saubhägyayutäù prajäyante [Kalyan Verma (Saravali III.9-10)]

Translation: The zodiac is divided into two halves with six signs each. The hora (half) comprising the six signs reckoned from Leo (i.e. Leo, Virgo, Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius & Capricorn) has the Sun as its lord. The hora (half) reckoned from Cancer in the reverse direction comprising six signs Cancer, Gemini, Taurus, Aries, Pisces & Aquarius, has the Moon as its lord. Planets in the half lorded by the Sun indicate courage whereas planets in the half lorded by the Moon indicate compassion, a pleasant disposition and good fortune.

Kalyan Verma stresses the division of the zodiac into two halves or hora’s. The day had been divided into the diurnal and nocturnal halves. As per these dicta, the two halves (hora) are mapped into the zodiac by an imaginary line passing through the zero degree of Leo and Aquarius.

This division of the zodiac is the basis for the distribution of the ownership of the signs by the planets. Excluding the luminaries who own the signs Leo (Sun) and Cancer (Moon), the five planets, based on their distance, own the adjoining signs in succession. Thus, among the six signs from Leo to Capricorn, Leo is owned by the Sun; Mercury the closest planet owns Virgo; Venus owns the next sign Libra; Mars owns Scorpio; Jupiter owns Sagittarius and Saturn owns Capricorn. Similarly, the ownership is reckoned in the reverse for the six signs from Cancer to Aquarius with Moon as the owner of Cancer, Mercury of Gemini, Venus of Taurus, Mars of Aries, Jupiter of Pisces and Saturn of Aquarius.

It is important to note that the southern half from Leo to Capricorn is lorded by the Sun whereas the northern half from Cancer to Aquarius (reckoned in the reverse) is lorded by the Moon. With the exception of the signs owned by Jupiter & Saturn, the signs lorded by the Sun are day strong signs and those lorded by the Moon are night strong signs. Thus, among the signs lorded by the Sun, the four from Leo to Scorpio are strong during the day whereas Sagittarius and Capricorn are strong at night. Similarly, the four signs, reckoned in the reverse from Cancer to Aries are strong at night with the exception of Pisces & Aquarius, which are strong in the day.

Figure 3: Hora – Day & Night half

1.5.2        Solstices & Equinoxes

The starting point of the zodiac as the zero degrees of Aries is based on the tropical zodiac (Vishnu Chakra) which encompasses the solar system (Bhu & Bhuva loka) and where the effects of the changes in the weather (tatwa predominance) due to the revolution of planets around the earth (geo-centric model) are felt. The changes in the seasons were observed to coincide with the latitudinal changes of the Sun. The two equinoxes (equal day and night) were marked as the turning points as they resulted in either increasing or decreasing length of sunlight time. The zero degree of Aries is one such point coinciding with the equinox and was taken as the beginning of the zodiac.

Similarly, the solstices were observed to coincide with the beginning of Capricorn (Sun’s southernmost point) and the beginning of Cancer (Sun’s northernmost point) A line drawn between these two points (zero degrees of Capricorn & Cancer) will divide the zodiac into two halves or hora. The signs in the northern course of the Sun (Capricorn, Aquarius, Pisces, Aries, Taurus & Gemini) were called Uttar-ayana (i.e. north seeking signs where the latitude of the Sun is increasing). The signs in the southern course of the Sun (Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Libra, Scorpio & Sagittarius) were called Dakshin-ayana (i.e. south seeking signs where the latitude of the Sun is decreasing). Such a division would be most suitable for delineating the seasons. Perhaps the seers found that this had a biological impact on the human being and extended the concept of seasons into the sidereal zodiac (Narayana Chakra) calling them ritu.

Figure 4: Hora – Ayana

1.5.3        Application of hora (Ayana)

1.5.3.1             After Life

Parasara BPHS: 8-6⅓

iptríNÔhaereza deva> sUyRSy kIitRta>,

pitaraçcandrahoreçä deväù süryasya kértitäù |

Translation: The Pitris (manes, forefathers, departed elders) are the deities of the Moon hora whereas the Deva (demi-gods) are the deities of the Sun hora.

This view of the Hora (Ayana-half zodiac) being governed by the manes and demi-gods respectively is also supported by the Maha-Narayana Upanishad.

Mahanarayana Upanishad: 80-1 (part)

svRveds< va @tTsÇ< yNmr[< tdvÉ&w @tÖE jramyRmi¶haeÇ< sÇ< y @v< ivÖanudgyne àmIyte devanamev mihman< gTvidTySy syuJy< g½Tyw yae di][e àmIyte ipt&[amev mhIman< gTv cNÔms>

sarvavedasaà vä etatsatraà yanmaraëaà tadavabhåtha etadvai jarämaryamagnihotraà satraà ya evaà vidvänudagayane praméyate devänämeva mahimänaà gatvadityasya sayujyaà gaccatyatha yo dakñiëe praméyate pitåëämeva mahémänaà gatva candramasaù

Translation: That person who comprehends the conduct of a sanyasi…and who dies during the Sun’s movement to the north attains a status like the that of the of demi-gods Indra etc, and becomes akin to the Sun or begets the companionship of the Sun. Whereas if he dies during the period when the Sun moves to the south, he gets the greatness akin to the manes and then attains a status akin to the Moon or its companionship. A brahmana who has the knowledge of the luminaries and also that of the hiranyagarbha (creation) attains the status of Brahma…

This great knowledge of the immediate whereabouts of the soul after death can be seen in detail if we add the knowledge of the gauna pada[3]. The predictions about the death can be deciphered. It is evident that astrologers should not attempt to predict the after death circumstances of the sanyasis who are knower of the hiranyagarbha etc, as this is clearly in the hands of Bhagavan.

Chart 10: Riddle – Past incarnation

Much before the birth of this child, a sadhu had come and had said that an ancestor (male) of the father was going to come as his son. Is this statement true?

1.5.3.2             Seasons in Nasta Jataka

Mukunda Daivagyna (Nasta Jataka Chapter-2 Shloka 1-6) quoting Amir Chand teaches the methodology of determining the month of birth.

a)       If the Sun is in the first hora of any sign, then the birth is in Uttar ayana (Solar transit from Capricorn to Gemini) whereas if the Sun is in the second hora of any sign, the birth was in Dakshin ayana (Southern transit from Cancer to Sagittarius).

b)       The Ritu (season of birth) is seen from the strongest planet in Lagna or the Lagna lord (Sun gives the results of Mars as grishma ritu or summer).

c)       Should there be a difference between the Ayana and Ritu, then the lords of the seasons are interchangeable: Moon & Venus; Mercury & Mars; Jupiter & Saturn.

d)       The first part of the rising Drekkana indicates the first month of the ritu and the second part indicates the second month.

Chart 11: Krishna Janma Prasna

Let us examine the Prasna chart to determine the birth details of Bhagavan Sri Krishna.

1.6        Hora: Half of a sign (Hour)

Kalyan Verma (Saravali II.3½)

haerazaô< s<}a l¶Sy twaxRrazeí.3.

horäçästraà saïjïä lagnasya tathärdharäçeçca

Translation: The knowledge of the hora shastra (predictive astrology) is in the division of the lagna and the sign into two halves (hora).

The first reference to Lagna is to the two-fold division of the horoscope based on drusya (visible) and adrusya (invisible) signs. An imaginary line passing through the lagna (ascendant & descendant) divides the horoscope into two halves (hora). These halves constitute the visible (portion from the 7th house cusp to the lagna covering the 10th house) and invisible (from the lagna to the 7th house cusp covering the 4th house) portions. The visible portion is the left side of the body and the invisible portion is the right side of the body. This is used along with the Drekkana to identify individual body parts in each half.

The second reference is to the division of the signs into two halves called hora. The hora spans 15 degrees of arc and is from the beginning of the sign to its middle or from the middle to the end. Since there are 12 signs with each having two hora, the total number of hora in the zodiac is twenty-four (24). Thus, the time equivalent of each hora is one hour (24 hours / 24 hora = 1 hour / hora). Very often, the word hora is confused with the hour. The hour is only a time measure whereas the hora is both a measure of time and space which is supported by Parasara.

Parasara BPHS 8-6⅓

razerÏ¡ ÉveÏaera taítuiv¡zit> Sm&ta,

räçerarddhaà bhaveddhorä täçcaturviàçatiù småtä |

Translation: Half a Rasi (i.e. a space measure of 150) is a hora (with two hora in each sign) and thus, there are 24 horas in the zodiac.

1.7        Hora (Time rulership)

1.7.1        Saturn – Lord of Time

Saturn (Sani[4]) is said to be the dual personification of time as the destroyer (Yama) as well as the fourth dimension commonly called time (Kaala). As Yama, he is Dharma-raja or one who shows exemplary ability in following the laws of Dharma represented by Surya (Sun-god & father) while as Mahakaal, he is the one who totally rejects Dharma and refuses to follow the Sun.

Thus, time has a dual concept –

a)       Yama: Follows the Sun and determines time based on sunrise, sunset and other astronomical phenomena. The day is defined as starting from sunrise and its length is from one sunrise to another. The diurnal duration is from sunrise to sunset while the nocturnal duration is from sunset to sunrise[5]. In another method of reckoning hora, the diurnal duration is ignored and a hora is taken as one hour.

b)       Mahakaal: Does not follow the Sun and determines time arbitrarily from any seemingly rational starting point, but definitely not sunrise. The day is defined as a linear time measure equal to the time between successive sunrise (i.e. 24 hours – equality of day duration with Yama is maintained as he is a part of the body of Yama, although without a body, and hence does not follow the planets having bodies). The day duration and night durations are equal and of 12 hours each. The basis is the local time assuming sunrise at local 6:00’ AM.

1.7.2        Defining Hora (hour)

Based on the two definitions of time, there can be two definitions of hora, as one shall follow the Sun while the other shall follow a simple linear time concept.

1.7.2.1             Yama Hora: Since there are 24 hora in a day to be distributed equally, the diurnal duration is divided into 12 equal parts and the nocturnal duration is divided into 12 equal parts. Each part is a hora, which is ruled by a planet. The order of the planets is based on their average speed. The time of sunrise is taken as the visibility of the upper limb of the Sun (Varahamihira). The other method is to consider one hour per hora from sunrise.

The order of the planets based on speed (slowest to fastest – starts with Saturn the slowest) is Saturn, Jupiter, Mars, Sun, Venus, Mercury and Moon. Taking the first hora of Sunday to coincide with that of the Sun (Yama’s philosophy of blindly following the Sun/Dharma), the order of lords of the 24 horas of seven days is given in table.

It is noteworthy that the order of the weekdays is determined based on the lord of the first hora of each succeeding day. This order is also taken as the ‘standard order of planets’ in Jyotish bringing out the real import of the name ‘Hora-Shastra’.

Table 4: Order of Horas and weekday determination

Example 7: Determine the Hora of birth

Chart 12: Mahatma Gandhi

Data: Mahatma Gandhi, Date: October 2, 1869; Time: 7:20:00; Time Zone: 4:39:00 (East of GMT)

Longitude:    69 E 49' 00", Latitude: 21 N 37' 00"; Weekday: Sunday, Sunrise: 5:51:10, Sunset: 17:45:40

Janma Ghati: 3.7016

Method 1:

Method 2:

1.7.2.2             Kala hora: The periods are of equal lengths but there are two methods of reckoning the hora – (a) Using standard time as this is used by al the people of the area and they are influenced by it, or (b) using local time.

Local time – Birth time is 7: 20’ LMT; taking the average sunrise time equivalent to 6:00’ AM, the time passed since 6:00 AM is 1h 20’ indicating the birth in second (2) hora. This is ruled by Venus as the second Hora of Sunday.

1.7.2.3             Use of Hora (Karakatwa):

Vaidyanatha Dikshita (JP: IX-127) states that the effect of birth in a particular Kala hora of a plan et shall show certain results which would appear during the dasa or antardasa etc of such planets.

• Sun – pain and fatigue

• Moon – prosperity

• Mars – sorrow and sickness

• Mercury – learning and wealth

• upiter – possession of every kind of blessing

• Venus – conjugal bliss

• Saturn – loss of property

These results are based on the natural signification of the planet. The results will show to some extent depending on other factors influencing such houses connected.

1.7.2.4           Use of Hora (Lordship):

• The best time to initiate activity related to any house is the hora or weekday ruled by the lord of the house.

For example, a person is born in Aries Lagna and wants the best day or time to visit astrologer, then this pertains to life and the lagna is ruled by Mars. The best day would be Tuesday and the best hora, on any day would be Mars hora.

A person born in Leo lagna wants the best day or time to join a job. The matter pertains to the tenth house which is Taurus ruled by Venus. The best day would be Friday and the best hora, on any day would be that ruled by Venus.

• Extending this principle to birth chart, the houses that would flourish or the activity that would flourish would be indicated by houses ruled by the lord of the hora and weekday of birth.

Chart 13: Mahatma Gandhi

Mahatma Gandhi was born on a Sunday (Sun ruler) and in the hora of Venus. According to the natural signification, this will indicate conjugal bliss but this is modified by the placement of the seventh lord in lagna with the lagna lord and ninth lord showing something more like a life partner who would play a supportive role in all activity. Further, Venus is the lord of the Lagna and eighth houses and is placed in Lagna promising fame, idealism and generating Malavya Mahapurush Yoga. Birth in Venus hora considerably strengthen these indications and confirm that the probability of the Yoga fructifying would be high.

1.8       Hora (Space rulership)

1.8.1        Hora: 15 degrees of a sign

As mentioned at Para 3.1.5, the hora is both a measure of time and space. Having determined the time rulership, let us look at the space rulership.

Parasara BPHS 7-5½

sUyeRNÖaeivR;me razaE sme tiÖprItkm!. 5.

süryendvorviñame räçau same tadviparétakam || 5||

Translation: The first half of odd signs (00-150) and the second half (150-300) of even signs are hora ruled by the Sun and the second half (150-300) of odd signs and first half (00-150) of even signs are the hora ruled by the Moon.

The ruler ship of the hora by the Sun and Moon results in a Hora Chart, popularly called ‘Parasara Hora Chakra’ where the planets placed in the first half of odd signs (00-150) and the second half (150-300) of even signs which are ruled by the Sun, are mapped into Leo. Similarly, the planets placed in the second half (150-300) of odd signs and first half (00-150) of even signs which are ruled by the Moon, are placed in Cancer.

Example 8: Construct Parasara Hora Chakra

Chart 14: The Author – Rasi

The lagna is in Pisces 14-12’ and the first hora of Pisces is from 0 to 15 degrees. The lagna is clearly in the first hora and since this is an even sign, the hora is ruled by the Moon who in turn rules the sign Cancer. Thus, the Lagna of the chart is in the hora of the Moon. In this manner all the other planets can be placed in either Cancer or Leo and the Parasara Hora Chart can be drawn.

Chart 15: The Author – Parasara Hora Chart

1.8.2        Commentary & views

We have already seen that the time ownership is clearly defined by assigning the same to planets from the Sun to Saturn (seven only) [Para 3.2]. These are the lords of the days and are the seven Sthira karaka (fixed significator). It is evident that in any scheme where only Sthira karaka are used, the same must have a profound influence on the body as the Sthira karaka govern the body and its existence. Since the construction of the body is seen from the Lagna and related planets, the hora, which is ‘twice’ the zodiac, must refer to the matters of the second house. This is confirmed by Parasara vide BPHS 8-1½.

l¶e dehSy iv}an< haeraya< sMpdaidkm!. 1.

lagne dehasya vijïänaà horäyäà sampadädikam || 1||

Translation: All knowledge about the body is learnt from the Lagna (Rasi) or D-1 Chart while the hora divulges all knowledge of ‘sampada’ etc.

• Sampad: m. a form of Vishnu as the giver; ~prada m. bestowing fortune sampaad m. success, accomplishment, fulfillment, perfection, attainment, acquisition, possession, enjoyment, advantage, blessing, benefit, MBh. Excellence, glory, beauty, splendor, excess, abundance of a high degree, fate, destiny, good fortune, prosperity, riches, wealth (personified Lakshmi).

• aadikam means ‘et cetera’ and covers the entire lot of matters governed by the second house.

It is evident that the Hora is analogous to the second house, which is a form of Vishnu the sustainer and provides food, wealth and all other means of sustenance for the chart. The second house deals with various matters and for a proper examination of the specific matters, it would be necessary to differentiate them.

For control of the second house, there is the second lord as the final authority who is a form of Vishnu technically named ‘Hari’ after the ‘Hari-Hara-Brahma Yoga’ (Jataka Parijatha VII.162-163). The yoga is in three parts and either all three or any one part can occur by the placement of certain planets. If the lord of the second house (vittesha) has a subha kartari yoga (benefic planets in the 2nd & 12th houses) and another benefic planet in the eighth house from it, then Hari Yoga results.

Sustenance is examined from the second house for which Vishnu (the sustainer) takes the form of ‘Rishikesa’. This task of feeding all created beings is delegated to Lakshmi[6], his consort & spouse, Who takes one of the eight forms (asta-lakshmi) based on the predominant planetary influence on the second house. She worships ‘Rishikesa (Kaamadeva)’ with the mantra mentioned by Veda Vyasa in the Bhagavatam (SB 5.18.18).

` ÿa< ÿI— ÿƒ< ` nmae Égvte \;Ikezay svRgu[ivze;Erœ ivli]taTmne AakªtIna< icÄIna< cetsa< ivze;a[a< caixptye ;aefzklay ½NdaemyayaÚmyayam&tmyay svRmyay shse Aaejse blay kaNtay kamay nms! te %ÉyÇ ÉUyat!,

om hräà hréà hrüà om namo bhagavate åñékeçäya sarvaguëaviçeñair vilakñitätmane äküténäà citténäà cetasäà viçeñäëäà cädhipataye ñoòaçakaläya ccandomayäyännamayäyämåtamayäya sarvamayäya sahase ojase baläya käntäya kämäya namas te ubhayatra bhüyät|

The second house shows the food that the native consumes and this is seen from the Parasara Hora Chart. It is noteworthy that the Parasara Hora chart maps all planets into the signs of the two luminaries, the natural life givers – Sun & Moon representing father & mother respectively. Compare this to the Trimsamsa chart (D-30) where all evils are seen and none of the Trimsamsa is owned by the luminaries (Sun & Moon). It is evident that if all evils bring death or like suffering are seen from the Parasara Trimsamsa, then the Parasara Hora shall show the sustenance ability of the same planet. Thus, there must be another chart where the wealth or surplus generated is seen, as well as other matters concerning the second house.

Parasara BPHS 8-6⅓

me;aid tasa< haera[a< pirv&iÄÖy< Évet!. 6.

meñädi täsäà horäëäà parivåttidvayaà bhavet || 6||

Translation: In the Parivrittidwaya reckoning of the hora, the (twelve) signs from Aries onwards are counted twice i.e. these signs shall occur twice.

We shall not get into the examination of this Parivrittidwaya Hora in this article and will restrict ourselves to the use of the Parasara Hora Chart to examine the sustenance and other matters.

1.8.3        Planetary strength & indications

Parasara BPHS 8:13-15½

sUyRhaera)l< d*ujIRvakRvsuxaTmja>,

cNÔaS)…ijdkRpuÇaíNÔhaera)làda>. 13.

)lÖy< buxae d*at! sme caNÔ< tdNyke,

rve> )l< SvhaeradaE )lhIn< ivramke. 14.

mXye=nupatat! svRÇ Ôe:ka[e=ip ivicNtyet!,

süryahoräphalaà dadyurjévärkavasudhätmajäù |

candräsphujidarkaputräçcandrahoräphalapradäù || 13||

phaladvayaà budho dadyät same cändraà tadanyake |

raveù phalaà svahorädau phalahénaà virämake || 14||

madhye'nupätät sarvatra dreñkäëe'pi vicintayet |

Translation: The Sun, Jupiter and Mars (being male planets) give good results when placed in the hora of the Sun (Leo in Hora Chart). The Moon, Venus and Saturn (being female planets) give good results when placed in the hora of the Moon (Cancer in Hora Chart). Mercury (being a eunuch planet) gives good results in both the hora of the Sun and Moon (i.e. both Leo & Cancer in hora chart).

In even signs, the hora of the Moon and in odd signs, the hora of the Sun has a more pronounced result. The impact of the hora placement of a planet is a maximum at the beginning of the hora and nil towards the end of the hora. In the middle (of the hora), the effect of the planet would be proportionately diminished.

Sun, Jupiter and Mars give better results in the hora of the Sun and the best if these hora are also in odd signs as they are male planets and the male factor would be strengthened when the sign and hora are all male. Similarly, the Moon, Venus and Saturn give better results in the hora of the Moon and the best if the Moon hora is also in an even sign as they are female planets and the female factor is strongest when the sign and hora are both feminine. Mercury is a eunuch planet and gives good results in all hora, but it should give the best results if both male and female factors are present i.e. the hora is that of the Sun (male) in an even sign (female) or the hora is that of the Moon (female) in an odd sign (male).

Rahu and Ketu are male and female respectively but do not have bodies and represent the state of death when the body is destroyed. They represent the widower (Rahu) and widow (Ketu), who although capable may not procreate due to age or absence of partner. Rahu being a male planet shall give good results in the hora of the Sun, but in even signs (eunuch factor) and Ketu being a female planet shall give good results in a hora of the Moon, but in odd signs (eunuch factor).

What is good and bad shall depend on the ‘yoni’ of the creature. Manushya yoni refers to all human beings and this is ruled by the Moon, as the real strength of the human being species is its mind and mental faculty. It is for this reason that in all horoscopes of human beings the Pranapada has to be in trines or seventh house from the Moon in the navamsa confirming the human birth. The best foods would be those ruled by the Moon and worst would be those ruled by the enemies of the Moon. In this manner, what is good and bad for each creature can be determined.

The tastes of the planets and their preferred foods can be learnt from standard texts. In general, the malefic planets like non-vegetarian food – Rahu likes to eat up Ketu (fish) and vice-versa as Ketu relished killing and eating up Rahu (red meat, especially pork). Mars likes bird meat (Sun) that’s heats its body. The Sun indicates big birds and large carnivores that relish eating up Saturn (small creatures). The naturally malefic planets love non-vegetarian food and are busy killing and eating each other. Mercury indicates the green vegetables and Jupiter indicates fatty foods although he likes sweet foods that increase his intelligence (Dhi shakti). Venus rules all foods that increase the procreative ability or are aphrodisiacs like the betel nut. Moon rules the best foods like the mothers milk and being naturally very compassionate does not believe in killing any creature for its survival. The Guna imbibed by any creature shall depend on the food it eats and this is turn is seen from the strength of the planets. The Satwa Guna planets Sun, Moon and Jupiter should be strong for a person to be vegetarian. Recitation of the mantra ‘Hare Rama Krishna’ increases the Satwa guna in the person resulting in the change in food habits.

The effect of placement of planets in Rasi and Hora is complimentary – when the effect of the planet is weak in the Rasi, it is strong in the Hora and vice-versa. For example, consider Sun placed in the beginning of Aries in the 1st degree. The Sun is placed in Rasi sandhi and Gandanta as well and shall be very weak to give the effects of the sign placement, as the effect of its exaltation and Rajyoga caused by lord of natural fifth house in exaltation shall not be felt. However, such a Sun shall be in a male sign and solar hora and that too at the beginning of the hora thereby being very strong to indicate the results of the Hora. Such a complimentary relationship is like that of Bhagavan Vishnu and His consort Lakshmi. The intelligent astrologers will understand as to why the strength of the hora is reversed for the second hora in any sign since the rasi sandhi occurs at the end of the sign. This gives us a clue as to which planet to worship as Vishnu avatar and which would better represent one of the asta-Lakshmi.

1.9       Hora Guna

Kalyan Verma gives specific details about the different Hora rising at the time of the birth i.e. occupied by the lagna in different signs and refers to the results as ‘horaguna’ or the attributes/results due to birth in a particular hora of a sign (Saravali Chapter 49).