Yogi and Avayogi

The 'Yoga' happens to be one of the pillars of the Panchang and is used mainly to see the prosperity of a native. It is derived based on the addition of the degrees of the Sun and the Moon. There are a total of 27 Yogas with each spanning 13 degrees 20 minutes (360 degrees of zodiac divided by 13°20').

In essence, there are a total of 27 yogas split into 3 parts of 9 each which are ruled by a particular planet. It is computed based on the total longitude of the Sun and Moon with reference point as 360 which happens to be the total degrees of the zodiac. If the addition of Sun's degree and Moon's degree go beyond 360, then the extra portion above 360 needs to be considered. Each of the Yogas are ruled by a particular star and yogi planet ruler and to oppose the yogi there is an Avayogi which is also ruled by a particular star and contains an avayogi planet ruler.

Concept:
Coming to the concepts, what one needs to understand is that the Yogi ruling planet is said to promote prosperity and the Avayogi ruling planet is supposed to be an obstruction to the prosperity. There is also something called as 'Sahayogi' or Duplicate Yogi which is nothing but the ruler of the rasi in which the Yogi planet is placed. For eg, let's say your Yogi planet is Saturn and it is placed in Taurus. In this case Venus happens to be the Duplicate Yogi since he rules Taurus that happens to be the dispositor of the Yogi planet Saturn. In a nutshell;
Yogi = Planet promoting prosperity
Avayogi = Planet obstructing prosperity
Sahayogi = Planet for helping Yogi to achieve prosperity and lowering obstruction

Pattern:
The pattern is similar to that of the Vimshottari Dasa Nakshatra sequence of planets. Each of the Yogas are ruled by a star with the lord of the star being the same as per the Nakshatra sequence. The Avayogi star happens to be bang opposite to where the Yogi star is seated in the 7th sign and to be more precise it will always be the 15th star from the yogi star. For instance if one is born in 'Shobhana' yoga ruled by Uttara Phalguni star and yogi ruler Sun, the avayogi will be Uttara Bhadrapada star and avayogi ruler is Saturn. The Avayogi ruling planet will always be 6th (1+5=6) from the yogi ruling planet. Taking the same eg, Saturn will be 6th from the Sun in terms of Vimshottari Dasa progression (Sun-Moon-Mars-Rahu-Jupiter-Saturn).

Calculation:
Yoga Degree:
- Add the total longitude of the Sun and Moon.
- If total less than 360°, Yoga Degree is the cumulative total
- If total more than 360°, Yoga degree is the derived total exceeding 360° less 360°

Yogi Degree:
- Add the total longitude of the Sun and Moon plus another 93°20'.
- If total less than 360°, Yogi Degree is the cumulative total
- If total more than 360°, Yogi degree is the derived total exceeding 360° less 360°

Avayogi Degree:
- Add the total longitude of the Sun and Moon plus another 280°. (93°20'+186°40')
- If total less than 360°, Avayogi Degree is the cumulative total
- If total more than 360°, Avayogi degree is the derived total exceeding 360° less 360°

Illustration:
Native's Sun is in Taurus at 27 degrees and Moon in Gemini at 12 degrees. Total degrees of Sun as per 360 degree zodiac is 57 (30*1 sign Aries + 27 degrees in Taurus) and degrees of Moon is 72 (30*2 signs from Aries to Taurus plus 12 degrees in Gemini).

Yoga Degree:
Add the total longitude of the Sun and Moon: 57°+72°=129°
Total is less than 360 degrees, hence Yoga Degree is 129 which will give rise to Ganda Yoga ruled by Saturn.

Yogi Degree:
Add the total longitude of the Sun and Moon plus another 93°20' = 57°+72°+93°20' = 222°20'
Total is less than 360°, hence Yogi Degree is 222°20' which will be Anuradha star ruled by Saturn

Avayogi Degree:
Add the total longitude of the Sun and Moon plus another 280° = 57°+72°+280° = 409°
Total is more than 360°, hence Yogi Degree is 409° less 360°=49° which will be Rohini star ruled by Moon.

Key Note: It is to be noted that the yoga degree alone does not follow the standard Nakshatra order and in fact follows the order assigned to the yogas which begins from Saturn and ends with Jupiter. It can be easily figured out from the example above where the Yoga point falls at 129° which as per the natural zodiac will fall in Leo (Simha) and Magha Nakshatra ruled by Ketu but the Yoga ruler here happens to be Saturn. Thus, if you need to know the ruling planet of the Yoga, you just need to deduct 26°40' (Nakshatra span of 2 constellations) from the total longitude of the Sun and Moon which will be 102°20 falling in Cancer (Kataka) and Pushya Nakshatra ruled by Saturn. It is simply for this reason that we add 93°20' (Nakshatra span of 7 constellations) to the total longitude of the Sun and Moon to find the Yogi point and another further 186°40' (Nakshatra span of 14 constellations) to obtain the Avayogi point. Hence to summarise below:

Yoga Planet:
Yoga Degree obtained less 26°40' = 129°- 26°40' = 102°20 which will fall in Pushya ruled by Saturn (OR) subtract 3 (2+1) constellations from Yoga point star Ketu which will be Ketu - Mercury - Saturn.

Yogi Nakshatra and Yogi Planet:
Yoga Degree obtained plus 93°20' = 129° + 93°20' = 222°20' which will fall in Anuradha ruled by Saturn (OR) add 8 (7+1) constellations from Yoga point star Ketu which will be Ketu - Venus - Sun - Moon - Mars - Rahu - Jupiter - Saturn

Avayogi Nakshatra and Avayogi Planet:
Yoga Degree plus 93°20' plus 186°40' or simply Yogi Degree point plus 186°40' = 222°20' + 186°40' = 409° = 49° (409°-360°) which will fall in Rohini star ruled by Moon. You can also simply add 15 constellations from the Yogi Nakshatra Anuradha which will be end up being Rohini or add 6 planets from Yogi planet as per Nakshtara sequence to arrive at Avayogi planet. In this case 6 planets from Saturn happens to be Saturn - Mercury - Ketu - Venus - Sun - Moon.

Analysis:
This is in fact an area open to plenty of interpretations and the results need to be put forth after considering many factors judiciously. In essence, the yogi nakshatra and more importantly the Yogi ruler is said to be favorable in promoting prosperity. It would be even better if the Yogi planet also happens to be a natural benefic or functional benefic in the chart as it will only enhance the good proceedings. If yogi planet happens to be a natural malefic or functional malefic, it needs to be tread with care. One can still expect it to be beneficial in a certain way with regard to prosperity on account of it being a yogi but however cannot over rule the natural presence of it in a horoscope. Likewise Avayogi planetary ruler if sitting in a negative house or lets say in a Daghda rasi can be better than sitting in a favourable house as it can hamper proceedings. These results need to be looked at only from a holistic view after taking into account the various permutations and combinations.

Tithi Shoonya or Daghda Rasi

'Tithi' constitutes an important element of the Panchang and is calculated based on the angular distance in which the moon moves away from the Sun and every 12 degrees of movement marks a Tithi. There are a total of 30 tithis (360 degrees of zodiac divided by 12). The Tithis are split up into 2 parts of 15 each based on the brighter half (Sukla - Waxing) and darker half (Krishna - Waning) of the moon.

Let's assume the Sun and Moon are both at 0 degree point which is effectively the New Moon when the Moon's light is completely cudgeled by the Sun making the moon appear very small. From here on in, the moon being the faster planet slowly starts glowing brighter and reaches its peak point when it moves 180 degrees from the sun which is effectively the Full Moon. This movement of the moon from 0 to 180 degrees away from the Sun is known as the waxing phase. The moon now slowly starts fading away its light as it again goes back to meet the Sun. The light of the Moon starts diminishing and is completely blanked out when it reaches 360 degrees or in essence when it meets the Sun again at the 0 degree point. This movement of the moon from 180 to 360 degrees (Or back to 0 degree) away from the Sun is known as the waning phase.

The concept of Tithi Shoonya or Daghda Rasi deals with certain rasis getting affected when an individual is born under a certain tithi. The rasis are devoid of light and said to be cursed or burnt and hence believed to be inauspicious for the native. Off the 15 tithis irrespective of whether it is under waxing or waning phase, 2 rasis in each tithi come within the ambit of shoonya rasis. For the 14th Rasi namely Chaturdashi Tithi, 4 of the rasis are said to be burnt and for Ammavasya/Purnima the burnt rasis are excluded from the list. You need to know the running 'tithi' at the time of your birth and check those rasis which are impacted. Sharing below the roster of shoonya rasis for those born in specific Tithis.

Observations:
1) All Rasis affected:
Not a single rasi is spared. All the rasi's come under the scanner of burnt rasis depending on the tithi one is born in right from Mesha to Meena. Simha, the natural 5th house of the Kala Purusha is the one which is most impacted being shoonya in 5 tithis followed by Dhanus the natural 9th house being the shoonya rasi in 4 tithis.

2) Rasi Ratio:
From the above list, you would figure that the Daghda Rasis for each Tithi are mostly in 4-10 axis from each other. For instance those born in Pratipada Tithi (Pratamai), Thula (7th sign) and Makara (10th sign) happen to be the shoonya rasis. From Thula, Makara happens to be the 4th rasi and from Makara, Thula happens to be the 10th rasi. This is in similar lines for most of the Tithis except Tritiya & Saptami which follow a 6-8 axis and Shasti which follows a 5-9 axis with the 1st and 5th signs of the kalapurusha being in daghda. For Chaturdashi Tithi alone, all the dual signs (3-6-9-12) get affected and it is blank for Amma Vasya and Purnima.

3) Similar patterns of Tithi Shoonya / Rasi combination:
Also you will figure out that different combinations of tithis have similar burnt rasis
1st and 12th Tithi - Thula & Makara
2nd, 11th and 14th Tithi - Dhanus & Meena
5th, 8th and 14th Tithi - Mithuna & Kanya
9th and 10th Tithi - Simha & Vrischika

Notes of Information:
1) Out of  the 15 Tithis in the waxing and waning half, 14 Tithi's are supposed to cause shoonya in at least 2 of the rasis. The only exception being the last Tithis of brighter and darker half viz Pournima and Amma Vasya. There is however one view that even these two Tithis have shoonya rasis in Cancer (Karka) and Sagittarius (Dhanus). However this view isn't supported much and just being documented for information purpose.
2) As we know a minimum of 2 Rasis get affected for those born in 14 out of the 15 tithis. There is however a view that the impact of Tithi Shoonya works largely on whether a person was born in Shukla Paksha or Krishna Paksha. If waxing born, the first rasi is said to be mainly Daghda and if birth in waning, then the second rasi is said to be primary Daghda based upon the order of Kalapurusha. For eg. if someone were born in Shukla Paksha in Dasami Tithi, then Simha and it's ruler Sun is the main cause of shoonya whereas if birth was in Krishna Paksha then Vrischika and its ruler Mars is the main planet responsible for shoonya. For Chaturdashi Tithi native born in bright half, Mithuna & Kanya are shoonya rasis and Mercury is the shoonya lord whereas darker half born implies Dhanus & Meena are shoonya rasis and Jupiter becomes the shoonya Lord.

Analysis:
General Rasi Results:

It is generally preferred if the Daghda Rasis end up falling in the 6th, 8th or 12th houses from Ascendant since these houses in general are said to confer negative results. If the Daghda rasis fall in these places it is said to be better than opposed to the kendra or kona houses where you expect beneficial results. Also it is preferable if the Lord of the Shoonya Rasis ends up becoming weak such as being debilitated or in an ill placed sign.

General Planetary Results:
Natural malefics are best suited to be in Daghda rasis whereas natural benefics aren't supposed to be well represented in these burnt rasis. However few fundamental rules should be kept in mind before conferring which planets are good or bad in these shoonya rasis. A tithi is formed based on the interplay between Sun & Moon and rightfully they are termed as luminaries being the sources of light. We must not forget that Shoonya Rasis are those which are devoid of light and basically a dark spot in a chart. A few basic details to keep in mind is that Planets strong in the day include Sun, Venus and Jupiter whereas planets strong in the night include Moon, Mars and Saturn. Mercury is said to be adaptable both in day and night. Likewise Sattvik planets are Sun, Moon and Jupiter, Rajasic planets are Venus & Mercury and Tamasic planets are Mars, Saturn, Rahu & Ketu. With these concepts in the back of the mind let us go delineating about the deliverance of the planets in these shoonya rasis.

1) Sun : Though a natural malefic, it is a luminary known to emit light and said to be Sattvik by nature. Being one of the proponents causing a Tithi, it's said to very unfavorable when placed in a daghda rasi.

2) Moon : Moon is considered both as a natural benefic as well as a natural malefic based on it's waxing or waning state. Moon is the partner to Sun in formation of Tithi and is also a Sattvik graha known to be feminine by nature. Though it is said to be a planet strong in the night, it is also a luminary and hence is very uncomfortable in a shoonya rasi. However it is better off if a natural malefic moon is placed in a shoonya rasi as opposed to a natural benefic moon.

3) Mars : It is a natural malefic, a planet strong in the night and said to be Tamasic by nature. Mars being a natural aggressor when placed in rasis devoid of light end up being well placed.

4) Mercury : Similar to Moon it can be both a natural benefic or malefic based on it's association. It is a planet known for mental processing & intellect and when placed in a shoonya rasi it isn't supposed to be of much benefit. However a natural malefic Mercury is far better than a natural benefic Mercury when placed in a shoonya rasi.

5) Jupiter : It is a natural benefic which is said to be sattvik and strong in the day. Jupiter is known for imparting wisdom and when placed in Daghda rasis isn't expected to shower good results.

6) Venus : It is a full natural benefic like Jupiter and also said to be a day time strong planet. It is known for all propitious offerings in general. Its signification's tend to get affected when placed in burnt rasis.

7) Saturn : It is a full fledged malefic planet, known to be strong in the night and also Tamasic by nature. It is karmic driven and well suited in Daghda rasis.

8) Rahu : It is a natural malefic and Tamasic. It is supposed to be desire oriented known to grow things exponentially and said to be very well placed in the dark rasis.

9) Ketu : It is also a natural malefic and Tamasic. It is also a node like Rahu but said to be little detached and separatist by nature. This enables it to be powerful in these lack of light rasis.

Key Note: The above results are based on normal motion for the 7 main planets and reverse motion for the nodes Rahu and Ketu. If there is a role reversal with regard to the 5 planets - Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, Venus and Saturn where they happen to be retro grade, the results can go topsy turvy. For instance Jupiter retrograde acts against its usual nature and said to perform admirably in Daghda rasis. Sun and Moon are always in forward motion and the interpretations don't change with respect to them.

Functional Results of Rasis and Planets:
For any ascendant, it's the 3rd, 6th and 11th lords that are supposed to be most malefic and if they sit in Daghda rasis it will be better off. Eg for Thula Lagna, Jupiter happens to be highly malefic as he owns 3rd and 6th house and if it happens to be placed in a Shoonya Rasi, it can actually be a boon. In some ascendants, planets own both good and bad houses. In such a case, results need to be tweaked considering various factors in to account. For instance Virgo Lagna - Saturn owns both benefic 5th and malefic 6th house. However on account of being a natural malefic it's presence in Daghda rasi will still be helpful but whereas if it is a naturally benefic planet owning good and bad houses, results can be otherwise.

Conclusion:
This is a broad overview on Tithi Shoonya or Daghda Rasis. Results need to be factored judiciously and interpretation has to be arrived carefully after considering the nature of different rasis and planets. It is always a good pointer to check this concept additionally when viewing a horoscope as it gives important clues with regard to performance of specific houses.