Important Terminologies pertaining to Tamil Astrology

There are certain terminologies used in Tamil Astrology which are bit peculiar and considered to be of slight variation when compared with the traditional usage. A few of these do find favor in general horoscopic analysis but in the Tamil equivalent, they are used a bit more widely than usual. Let us look at some of the concepts that add an extra flavour while interpreting a horoscope.

⇒ Badhaka Sthana - The Obstacle Houses
These are the houses that can cause hurdles and be a barrier in a horoscope. It differs for each sign based on whether it is a Movable, Fixed or Dual rasi. This concept has found much footing in recent times and used a lot when interpreting horoscopes. Based on the Kala Purusha, the 11th house is the default Badhaka sign but it differs for each sign based on the type. The planets situated in Badhak can create impediments and the lord of the sign also needs to be analyzed. Contrary to popular opinion that Badhak Lord placed in a negative bhava like 6,8,12 yields good result, the actuality is that as stated in Pulipani Jothidam, Badhak Lord being placed in a Trikona especially 5,9 houses only ends up being favorable. To explain this theory, the Sage specifically explains that for a Fixed Sign Ascendant, the 9th house Badhak lord being seated in own 9th house itself ends up actually being favorable to negate the ill effects of Badhak Bhava.

The Badhaka Sthana for different signs are as follows:
Movable Sign - 11th House
Fixed Sign - 9th House
Dual Sign - 7th House

⇒ Maraka Sthana - The Killer Houses
Maragathipathi or Maraka refers to those houses that can cause a killing effect to the native. In general parlance and as advocated by most texts, the 2nd and 7th houses always end up being the Maraka houses. This is based on the Bhavat Bhavam principle of 8th house being the house of longevity. The 3rd being the 8th from the 8th extends this logic. The 12th house from any house is said to be a negater and hence the 12th from the 3rd and 8th house yields the 2nd and 7th house thus forming the concept of Maraka houses. However in Tamil Astrology, similar to Badhak the concept operates differently based on the type of sign depending on whether it is movable, fixed or dual.

The Maraka Sthana for different signs are as follows:
Movable Sign - 2nd & 7th House
Fixed Sign - 3rd & 8th House
Dual Sign - 7th & 11th House

⇒ Maraivu Sthana - The Hidden Houses
Maraivu Sthana are known as the hidden houses where planets are said to generally lose their power and become ineffective. The 3rd, 6th, 8th and 12th houses form the crux of the Maraivu houses. In this it's said that the 3rd is only about 1/4th hidden and the 12th about 1/2 hidden and only 6th and 8th being the combative hidden houses with 8th being the most malicious. However though the general hidden houses happen to be 3rd, 6th, 8th and 12th it happens to differ for the planets in question. Since the natural malefics are said to be effective in Upachaya Sthana which are the 3rd, 6th, 10th and 11th houses and two of these houses namely the 3rd and 6th also come under list of Maraivu Bhava these places get eliminated. For Venus the 6th and 12th houses are eliminated on account of it forming Lakshmi Yoga.

Hence the Maraivu Sthana for different planets are as follows:
Sun - 8th House, 12th House
Moon - 3rd House, 6th House, 8th House, 12th House
Mars - 8th House, 12th House
Mercury - 3rd House, 6th House, 8th House, 12th House
Jupiter - 3rd House, 6th House, 8th House, 12th House
Venus - 3rd House, 8th House
Saturn - 8th House, 12th House
Rahu - 8th House, 12th House
Ketu - 8th House, 12th House

⇒ Poojya Pada - Zero Point
There are selective Nakshatra Padas in each of the 12 rasis where planets are said to lose their potency and become ineffective when seated in that designated spot of 3°20'. This is said to be called as zero point and hence if any of the planets falls in this area, it can attract negative vibrations. Out of the 12 rasis, 4 of them happen to be on the 1st pada, another 4 happen on the 5th pada and other 4 happen on the last 9th pada of the rasi.

The Poojya Pada for each rasi is as follows:
Mesha - Ashwini 1 - 0°0' - 3°20' - 1st Pada of 9 Padas
Rishaba - Krithika 2 - 0°0' - 3°20' - 1st Pada of 9 Padas
Mithuna - Arudra 3 - 13°20' - 16°40' - 5th Pada of 9 Padas 
Karka - Ashlesha 4 - 26°40' - 30°0' - 9th Pada of 9 Padas
Simha - Poorva Phalguni 1 - 13°20' - 16°40' - 5th Pada of 9 Padas
Kanya - Uttara Phalguni 2 - 0°0' - 3°20' - 1st Pada of 9 Padas
Thula - Swati 3 - 13°20' - 16°40' - 5th Pada of 9 Padas
Vrischika - Jyeshta 4 - 26°40' - 30°0' - 9th Pada of 9 Padas
Dhanu - Moola 1 -  0°0' - 3°20' - 1st Pada of 9 Padas
Makara - Dhanishta 2 - 26°40' - 30°0' - 9th Pada of 9 Padas
Kumbha - Satabisha 3 - 13°20' - 16°40' - 5th Pada of 9 Padas
Meena - 26°40' - 30°0' - 9th Pada of 9 Padas

⇒ Graha Natpu, Pagai and Samam - Planetary Friendship, Enmity and Neutrality
This concept works largely on the traditional Parashara methodology of finding out if a planet is friendly or not to another taking the Moola Trikona sign into question and evaluating the same. However additionally in most of the Panchangas, Rahu and Ketu are also assigned friendship levels with other planets. In Tamil astrological parlance, Rahu & Ketu do not own any sign of their own but they have their own treatment with respect to other planets,

The planetary relationship for the 9 planets work in the following manner:

Sun:
Friends - Moon, Mars, Jupiter
Enemies - Venus, Saturn, Rahu, Ketu
Neutral - Mercury

Moon:
Friends - Sun, Mercury
Enemies - Rahu, Ketu
Neutral - Mars, Jupiter, Venus, Saturn

Mars:
Friends - Sun, Moon, Jupiter
Enemies - Mercury, Rahu, Ketu,
Neutral - Venus, Saturn

Mercury:
Friends - Sun, Venus
Enemies - Moon
Neutral -  Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Rahu, Ketu

Jupiter:
Friends - Sun, Moon, Mars
Enemies - Mercury, Venus
Neutral - Saturn, Rahu, Ketu 

Venus:
Friends - Mercury, Saturn, Rahu, Ketu
Enemies - Sun, Moon,
Neutral - Mars, Jupiter

Saturn:
Friends - Mercury, Venus, Rahu, Ketu
Enemies - Sun, Moon, Mars
Neutral - Jupiter 

Rahu:
Friends - Venus, Saturn, Ketu
Enemies - Sun, Moon, Mars
Neutral - Mercury, Jupiter 

Ketu:
Friends - Venus, Saturn, Rahu
Enemies - Sun, Moon, Mars
Neutral - Mercury, Jupiter 

⇒ Graha Rasi Thanmai - Planetary Relationship in Different Rasis
This is with respect to according the different relationship assigned to planets when they are placed in different signs. With respect to Rahu & Ketu, here again there are plenty of confusions at play. There is no clear cut basis as to which of the signs they happen to be exalted. One of the most popular views is that Rahu gets exalted in Taurus and Ketu in Scorpio. However there are certain Tamil Panchangams which advocate that both Rahu & Ketu being one and the same get exalted in the sign in which Moon gets debilitated which is Scorpio and get debilitated in the exalted sign of Moon which happens to be Taurus. This has a validity as in effect the nodes are derived based on the Moons orbital path and is also said to maintain an inimical relationship with it. Rahu & Ketu are said to be friends with Venus & Saturn whereas maintain a neutral relationship with Mercury & Jupiter but strangely they are said to be friendly in both the signs of Mercury & Jupiter respectively. There is also a generic contrarian view which says that Rahu is favorable when placed in the signs of Aries, Taurus, Cancer, Virgo and Capricorn whereas Ketu is beneficial in the signs of Virgo, Scorpio and Aquarius. There is no real consensus at all whenever it comes to the nodes but however listed below is the most well known relationships that planets exhibit when placed in various rasis. 

The relationship exhibited by the 9 planets when placed in different rasis work in the following way:
                         

⇒ Pasagan, Bodhakan, Karakan, Vedhagan - Digestor, Informer, Doer, Obstructor
This concept is largely used when analyzing Dasha result. It is believed that the Antar Dasa Lord gives its result to the Dasha Lord based on any of the 4 portfolio that it obtains. The results of these are given in the Tamil texts "Jathaka Alankaram" and "Chandra Kaviyam". Explained below briefly is about the meaning of the 4 different terms.

Pasagan - The Pasagan is the one that instructs to give results in abundance and in a complete manner

Bodhakan - The Bodhakan is the one that intends to give results in a quick fashion and in proper way 

Karakan - The Karakan is the one that acts as helper and providing assistance in completing a task

Vedhagan - The Vedhagan is the one that acts as a hurdle and obstructs the path in giving the fulfilled results

Listed below are the Pasagan, Bodhakan, Karakan and Vedhagan for all the 9 planets
Sun : Pasagan - Saturn, Bodhakan - Mars, Karakan - Jupiter, Vedhagan - Venus
Moon : Pasagan - Venus, Bodhakan - Mars, Karakan - Saturn, Vedhagan - Sun
Mars : Pasagan - Sun, Bodhakan - Moon, Karakan - Saturn, Vedhagan - Mercury
Mercury : Pasagan - Moon, Bodhakan - Jupiter, Karakan - Venus, Vedhagan - Mars
Jupiter : Pasagan - Saturn, Bodhakan - Mars, Karakan - Moon, Vedhagan - Sun
Venus : Pasagan - Mercury, Bodhakan - Jupiter, Karakan - Sun, Vedhagan - Saturn
Saturn : Pasagan - Venus, Bodhakan - Moon, Karakan - Jupiter, Vedhagan - Mars
Rahu : Pasagan - Mercury, Bodhakan - Jupiter, Karakan - Mars, Vedhagan - Sun
Ketu : Pasagan - Venus, Bodhakan - Mercury, Karakan - Saturn, Vedhagan - Moon
                  
Notes: The classics largely advocate the results only for the 7 planets and not the nodes Rahu / Ketu. However in a few rare places they have been mentioned indirectly and hence been added in the list. Apart from Dasa results, these are sometimes also used as general placement results within a horoscope. For instance taking Sun, it's Pasagan is said to be Saturn which is said to be it's enemy but Sun sitting in the rasi of Saturn which could be Capricorn or Aquarius can enable Sun to get results in abundance on account of Saturn being it's Pasagan. Likewise Moon sitting in a rasi of Mars that could be Aries or Scorpio can help Moon to get it's desired results in quick time due to Mars being it's Bodhakan. Similar way Jupiter acts as the Karaka for Saturn. Hence Saturn being placed in a rasi of Jupiter which is either of Sagittarius or Pisces will help Saturn get the required assistance in completing it's work. Vedhagan on the other hand obstructs proceedings and as an illustration Jupiter sitting in the rasi of Sun which is Leo can act as a hurdle and prevent Jupiter from getting it's results fulfilled.

⇒ Kala Pagai Dasa - Planetary Time Periods based on Life
There are certain planetary Dasa's which are said to create problems when they come within a certain age. There are also some sub periods which are said to be troublesome portions when a Dasa is operating. Lets look at the Dasa's which create problems when they occur during a particular lifespan

0 years to 2 years - Saturn Dasa
2 years to 11 years - Rahu Dasa
11 years to 18 years - Sun Dasa
18 years to 34 years - Moon Dasa
34 years to 52 years - Venus Dasa
52 years to 68 years - Ketu Dasa
68 years to 100 years - Mercury Dasa

We will now see the Antar Dasa's which magnify the issues when a particular Dasa is operating. In general it is said that the first sub period is not expected to produce favorable results but there are also specific other periods within a Dasa causing unfavorable time span on account of Kala Pagai which is planetary enmity.

Sun Dasa - Venus Antar Dasa
Moon Dasa - Jupiter Antar Dasa
Mars Dasa - Saturn Antar Dasa
Mercury Dasa - Rahu Antar Dasa
Jupiter Dasa - Mercury Antar Dasa
Venus Dasa - Sun Antar Dasa
Saturn Dasa - Mars Antar Dasa
Rahu Dasa - Mercury Antar Dasa
Ketu Dasa - Saturn Antar Dasa

There is also a concept of Maraka Dasa which can cause a killing impact on the native based on the sequence of Dasa. Listed briefly are the Dasa planets causing this effect based on the sequence.
4th Dasa - Saturn
5th Dasa - Mars
6th Dasa - Jupiter
7th Dasa - Rahu

All these are supposed to create problematic effects to the native based on the operation and sequence. It's not specifically mentioned to which Dasa this applies but this should be taken into account only with respect to the Vimshottari Dasa scheme of things.

⇒ Graha Bala - Planetary Strength
As per this concept, Ketu is said to be the strongest planet of all followed by its opposite nodal point Rahu. Then follows the luminaries Sun, Moon followed by the 5 planets Venus, Jupiter, Mercury, Mars and Saturn

The planetary strength for the 9 planets work in the following order:
Ketu -> Rahu -> Sun -> Moon -> Venus -> Jupiter -> Mercury -> Mars -> Saturn

⇒ Graha Paarvai - Planetary Aspect
In common parlance, the outer planets Mars, Jupiter and Saturn are said to possess extra aspects apart from the default 7th aspect whereas the inner planets namely Venus, Mercury, Moon and Sun are said to obtain only the 7th aspect. With regard to Rahu & Ketu however there is a major consensual debate with Tamil Astrology alone adopting 3rd & 11th aspect whereas significant mention of aspects for the nodes have been said that they either possess no aspect or hold aspect similar to Jupiter in the sense of owning the 5th and 9th view. There is also a mention in an old Tamil classic called "Jothida Arichuvadai" translated as System of Jyotish that exhibits a sloka interpreting Grahas to have special (Vichitra) aspects for certain planets apart from the default 7th aspect. Here even Mandi the son of Saturn is said to be possessing a forward and backward sight viz 2nd and 12th aspect.

The planetary aspects for the 9 planets work in the following way:

Sun - 3rd, 7th and 10th Aspect
Moon - 7th Aspect
Mars - 4th, 7th and 8th Aspect
Mercury - 7th Aspect
Jupiter - 5th, 7th and 9th Aspect
Venus - 6th, 7th and 8th Aspect
Saturn - 3rd, 7th and 10th Aspect
Rahu - 3rd, 7th and 11th Aspect
Ketu - 3rd, 7th and 11th Aspect

Edhiridai Nakshatra - Planets causing Obstruction

There is an interesting and rare concept called 'Edhiridai' Nakshatra within the parlance of Vedic Astrology. 'Edhiridai' can be translated as opposite/coming in the way/obstruction. One may have heard of 'Stambhana' or 'Vara Chakra' where a planet is said to freeze another planet. For eg. Venus is said to freeze Sun based on the weekday order. Similarly there is also a concept of Vedhaka where one planet is said to obstruct another planet and it's all the more strong when placed in a particular house from the planet concerned. For instance Venus is said to cause Vedhaka or obstruction to Sun and more so when it is said to be placed in the 11th from the Sun. 

Planetary obstruction is quite common but Nakshatra obstruction is an unusual method of analysis where each planet when seated in a Nakshatra, if another planet is seated in a particular Nakshatra from the said planet then it is said to cause an impediment. Let's look at the Planets and list of Nakshatra causing hurdles to understand this concept better.

Sun - Nakshatras 5,7,8,10,12,14,15,18,21,22,23,27 - Total Count 12
Moon - Nakshatras 3,5,7,8,12,18,24 - Total Count 7
Mars - Nakshatras 3,7,10,15,21 - Total Count 5
Mercury - Nakshatras 5,11,21,22 - Total Count 4
Jupiter - Nakshatras 6,7,9 - Total Count 3
Venus - Nakshatras 20,22,24 - Total Count 3
Saturn - Nakshatras 5,6,8,10,11,20,26 - Total Count 7
Rahu - Nakshatras 20,22 - Total Count 2
Ketu - Nakshatras 20,22 - Total Count 2

Illustrating to get a grip on the understanding behind this concept. For instance let's say Sun is placed in the Nakshatra of Vishakha. If any other planet is placed in Nakshatras 5,7,8,10,12,14,15,18,21,22,23,27 from Vishakha, then that planet will cause bottleneck to the Sun. For eg. if Jupiter is placed in Revathi, it happens to be the 12th Nakshatra from Vishakha and hence becomes an obstruction to the Sun. Similarly if Saturn is placed in Shravana which is the 7th Nakshatra from Vishakha then it causes trouble to the Sun. To explain the concept for another planet Venus, if any planet placed in Nakshatras 20,22,24 from the Nakshatra in which Venus is placed, then those planets cause a barrier to Venus. It is important to note that the Nakshatra count is based on the Nakshatra in which a particular planet is placed from the listed planet's Nakshatra and not the regular order such as 1 is for Ashwini, 2 for Bharani, 27 for Revathi etc.

Let's now understand how to use this analysis in a horoscope. This works both from the stand point of Natal horoscope and also on transits/dasas. It also applies both from a Karaka Graha stand point as well as from a Bhava Adipathi view. For eg. lets say for a Gemini Lagna, 10th house Lord is Jupiter and if there is a planet in a Nakshatra placed in Edhiridai to Jupiter ie the 6th, 7th, 9th Nakshatra from where Jupiter is placed in a horoscope it can hamper work prospects for the native. This may hold good in transit as well especially when a functional malefic planet transits the 6th, 7th, 9th Nakshatra from Jupiter's placement, it can cause problems in work environment. Similarly in Dasa Analysis, if the Antar Dasa planet happens to be in Edhiridai to the Maha Dasa planet, it can cause some inconvenience. As another example we know the Karaka for mind is Moon. If any planet is placed in Nakshatras 3,5,7,8,12,18,24 from where Moon is placed, it can cause tension to the mind. Please note this is not to be confused with Tara Bala where generally Nakshatras like 8th, 24th etc are said to be favorable on account of being Mitra, Sadhak Tara respectively.

Also to be noted is that important house lords when obstructed, they get impacted more as opposed to house lords lording negative houses. For instance if the 7th Lord planet is placed in a Nakshatra that obstructs the Lagna Lord, then it can be construed that there can be problems in marital relationship as the 7th Lord of spouse opposes the Native (Lagna Lord). However if the Lagna Lord obstructs the 7th Lord then we can say that the Native is not having interest in marriage related matters. However if a planet is lording the 6th house say, it may not be such a bad thing if opposed as majority of 6th house significations already ends up becoming negative. One more thing of interest is that Sun is the most impacted planet having 12 Nakshatras as Edhiridai, incidentally even in Tithi Shoonya concept Sun owned rasi Leo or Simha is the one bearing the brunt on 5 occasions for Tithi Shoonya.

This in brief is about the concept of Edhiridai Nakshatra. If a planet is placed in specific Nakshatras from where another planet is placed, it will cause obstruction. For eg. say Mercury is placed in Arudra, the 5th star from it is Magha and if there is another planet placed in this Nakshatra will cause trouble to Mercury. Ideally, no planet should be placed in the respective star positions from the specific planet mentioned. For eg if Jupiter is placed in Ashwini, no planet should fall in the 6th, 7th or 9th star from it which is Arudra, Punarvasu & Ashlesha. This technique can be pretty helpful when scrutinizing different facets in horoscope analysis.

                                          P.S: Picture of Nakshatras taken from internet

IR Experiments - Concept Oriented and Technical Wizardry!

With respect to Ilaiyaraaja compositions, it's not just about the aural listening experience which is always a delight but also on the detailing and technical mastery woven around a number which makes the experience so very special especially if you're a lover of music. As there is an IR composition for every mood and feeling, there is also an IR song touching upon virtually every musical concept in existence. That is an extreme speciality and a hallmark with respect to his music. You invariable learn so many new things through his musical embellishments.

Apart from the core of the song, it's always been breathtaking to see the intricacies swirled around his masterful compositions and is always a joy to experience his experiments, techniques and concepts. Sharing a few of the ideas that the Maestro has deployed through his music

1) Counterpoints
2) Trills
3) Tremolos
4) Fugue
5) Fusion
6) Bass Guitar
7) Graha Bedham
8) Ragamalika
9) Alien Notes pattern
10) Remix/Inspirations
11) Chromatics
12) Vivadhi Ragas
13) Tala Patterns
14) Arpegios/Broken Chords
15) Scale Changes
16) Genres/Styles
17) Capella
18) Choir/Chorus
19) Harmony/SATB
20) Call and Response

The above are just a few techniques I can think of and in no way is closed ended and exhaustive. If you know how a particular musical form works and when you infer the same in IR's music, it's a pleasure and finding of another level. Whether it's western classical or Indian classical, the man has mastered the art of producing stunning layers of pieces ensuing that it's within the boundary of musical definition.

If you want to experience music at it's deepest, it makes best sense to jump into the sea and explore the ocean that is Ilaiyaraaja!