Astrology and Your Life

gopalakrishnasharma.blogspot.in /
Introduction to Vedic Astrology
Indian (Vedic) Astrology has three branches: a) Ganitam (Mathematical calculations including Astronomy) This includes Gola (deals with
Astronomy) and Ganitam (calculations of planetary positions, movements etc.)
b) Hora (Interpretative/predictive Astrology) This includes Jatakam (Horoscopy), Prasnam (Horary
Astrology), Muhurta (Electional Astrology) and Nimitha (Omens).
c) Samhitha (Mundane astrology) This includes the prediction of mundane affairs like events related
to a country, rain, earthquake, flood, national calamities, variations in the prices of commodities etc.

Prediction in Vedic Astrology

Apart from Prasna, analysis of Horoscope (taking into consideration present planeraty positions and

Dasa / Antar Dasa of planets etc.) is most common method of predicting likely future. Current births
planetary position can be related to a balance sheet of natives good and bad karmas of his previous
births and this balance sheet shows how he receieves good and bad events in current life if and only if
one do not act upon it (by his good conduct, doing japa/meditation/parihaaram (remedial measures
etc.)
Brief about Prasnam (Horary Astrology)

What is Prasnam?
Prasnam is a Sanskrit word which means a question or query.
The astrologer answers that question with the help of planetary positions at the time of question and
Aaruda, which is obtained using Kavadi (sea shells).
Below are the combinations of different methods of answering a query by an Astrologer: Primarily, Aaruda which is obtained using Kavadi is the most important point of reference.
Tambula (Betel Leaves) A planet is obtained using a mathematical calculation method
(Pancheekarana Prakriya), i.e., No. of betel leaves x 2 x 5 + 1 then divided by 7, which will give
a reminder ranging from 1 to 7. Planets based on reminders 1=Sun, 2=Moon, 3=Kujan,
4=Budhan, 5=Guru, 6=Sukran and 0 or 7=Sani. The house where the planet is posited, that is
taken as the point of reference.
House occupied by Chandra (Moon) is another point of reference.
Udaya Lagnam (Ascendant) is yet another point of reference (time of question).

In Ashtamangala Prasnam, there are more additional points of references.

Ashtamangala Prasnam - Introduction
In this blog, I would only talk about Ashtamangala Prasnam.
In fact, the other prasnas like Vivaha Prasnam, Santana Prasnam, Chora Prasnam etc. are rated
below this (i.e., degree in which ascertaining a problem/root cause - just like difference between a CT
scan (normal Prasnam) and MRI scan (Ashtamangala Prasnam).
This is the ultimate sophisticated diagnosis methodology in Vedic Astrology that is being
practiced widely in Kerala (or elsewhere) for finding out the root cause of doshas (toughest problems)
in a family or in a temple.
Ashtamangalam means eight (Ashta) auspicious materials.
They are: -

Pramanam - 1 (Principle 1; widely acceptable and followed)

1. Kumkuma Cheppu (Small container used for keeping Kumkum)
2. Mirror (Vaal Kannadi)
3. Gold
4. Flower (Tulsi & Tumba)
5. Akshatam (mixture of rice and paddy grains)

6. Fruits
7. Taambulam (Betel leaves & Areca nuts)
8. Grandham / Palm Leaf Texts (Like Ramayanam/Bhagavat Gita etc.)
Pramanam 2 (Principle 2)

1. Taambulam (Betel leaves)

2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.

Akshatam (mixture of rice and paddy grains)

Kramukam (Areca nuts / Paakku)
Kumkuma Cheppu (Small container used for keeping Kumkum)
Vastram (White Dhoti/Clothe)
Mirror (Vaal Kannadi)
Grandham / Palm Leaf Texts (Like Ramayanam / Bhagavat Geeta etc.)
Oil Lamp (Vilakku)

Note: These are required for diagnosis purpose only. No items mentioned above will be taken by the
Astrologer after the Prasnam.
Why Ashtamangala Prasnam is to be conducted?
There are so many reasons as to why this is to be conducted. For example, after doing so many pujas
and parihaarams, desired results have not been achieved.
Why one did not receive the desired result? A normal Prasnam cannot answer this question. But an
Ashtamangala Prasnam can.
Another important reason is to find 'Kula Devata'. Finding out kula devata through Ashtamangala
Prasnam is 100% accurate.
Another reason is that the degree of some problems are so high and cannot be solved without being
diagnosed through Ashtamangala Prasnam.
Some of the other reasons are listed below: -

Family
(Considering past three generations and
immediate family branches)

Temple
(Called as Deva Prasnam)

1. Marriages are not happening for one or more

family members
2. One or more branch of family members are not
blessed with a baby
3. Always quarrel / absence of deep love /
differences of opinion / cold war between family
members etc.
4. Abortion or Premature deaths of new bornes in
the family
5. Incurable disease for one or more family
members
6. One or more divorce cases or separation in
the family
7. Family members had to marry more than ones
due to many reasons
8. One or entire family members are struggling
for finance/education
9. To find out kula devata (family devata/deity)
Etc.

1. To ascertain the divinity of the deity.

2. To ascertain the sanctity of a temple.
3. To know whether puja and festivals are done
as per Sastras/as prescribed
4. To know the income and expenditure of the
temple (i.e., to understand any misleads, theft
etc.)
5. To know about offerings
6. To why puja/rituals have been broken without
solid reason, or matter relating to rituals etc.
7. To know whether the idol is ideal to be
worshiped
There are many other reasons which required
Ashtamangala Prasnam to be conducted
(mandatory).

Points of References for Diagnosis in Ashtamangala Prasnam

There are six points of references through which diagnosis is done during Ashtamangala Prasnam.
1. Aarudam (Obtained using Gold Coin (Puthu panam) and Tambulam/Betel Leaves). Gold Coin
along with five things (representing five elements) namely, Sanctified water, sandal, flowers (Tulsi &
Thumba), paddy grains and rice together are given to the hands of a girl (should be kanya) or boy and
the Astrolger ask her/him to put those in anyone of the 12 houses after doing puja of Rasi Chakra.
Puja is offered to Guru, Ganapati, Dakshinamurty and Nine Planets. Gold here is Jeevaatma. This
symbolises a new baby is born during Prasnam.
2. Udaya Lagnam Mentioned above

3. Lagna Navamsakam - Navamsaka Rasi where Lagna is posited

4. Chatram A method of calclulating another point of reference considering Aarudam and Position of
Sun.
5. Sprishtaangam House related to part of the body to which native touches during Prasna kriya.
6. Chandran/Moon House which moon is posited.
Other Mathematical Calculations

Following are some of the mathematical calculations (supports diagnosis) done during Ashtamangala
Prasnam. In normal horoscope reading/Prasnam, these calculations are not done.
Ashtamangala Sankhya (Relating to Kavadi)
Trisphutam
Chatusphutam
Panchasphutam
Prana Sphutam
Deha Sphutam
Mrityu Sphutam
Gulika Sphutam

Jeeva Sutram
Roga Sutram
Mrityu Sutram
To understand the level of Vedic Astrological Diagnosis, I have formulated a small table with a
logical comparison with the present day Court (Legal Examination) and Hospitals (Medical
Examination) for better understanding

Level

Astrological Diagnosis

Hospitals (Medical
Examination)

Law / Court (Legal

Examination)

Clinic

Sessions Court

1.

Horoscope / Natal Chart / Birth Chart

Reading

2.

Prasnam (Kavadi/sea shells) +

Horoscopy (as required)

General Hospital

District Court

3.

Tambula Prasnam (includes Betel leaves,

Kavadi + horoscopy)

Medical College

High Court

4.

Ashtamangala Prasnam (includes all

of the above)

Super Specialty
Hospital

Supreme Court

Note: So it is indisputable that the remedial measures (parihaarams) decided after

Ashtamangala Prasnam is ultimate just like Supreme Court. There is no other method of
diagnosing the root cause of difficult problems (Doshas) in Vedic Astrology.
How is Ashtamangala Prasna conducted?

(a) It starts with inviting a learned Astrologer for Ashtamangala Prasnam. Invitation has to done with
due respect.
(b) A date for conducting Prasnam will be given by the Astrologer. This Prasna will take minimum two
days and it can extend to three or more days in proportion to the degree of problems/doshas (as the
case may be). The start date should be one of the 16 stars which are suitable for Annaprasanam
excluding the stars posited in 8th house from the Prichchakas Janma Rasi (the person who wants to
conduct the Prasna/making query).
(c) There has to be a minimum of two Astrologers for debate.

(d) On the Prasnam day, a priest would perform Rasi Chakra puja and during that time, main
Astrologer will ask a girl (should be kanya) or boy to keep the Gold coin (along with Rice, Paddy,
Flower, Sandal & Water) in one of the twelve houses without pre-conceived thought.
(e) Prasnam then continues. After full diagnosis, remedial measures will be finalized on the last day of
Prasnam.

(f) At the end, main Karmi/Vaidika/Tantric (who will head Parihaara Homam) will be finalized. This
done after being agreed by 'Guru (Jupiter)' and the process is called 'Ozhivu'. If Guru favours a
particular priest or vaidika or tantric, then he is allowed to do the parihaarams. Otherwise, NOT.
(g) Finally, a rasi will be taken to know whether all the desired results will happen after doing remedial

measures or not; or anything omitted/ignored etc.

Here ends Ashtamangala Prasnam - Part I.
Part - II
(a) Main Astrologer will prepare a report (in a notebook) mentioning all the relevant facts and parihaara
kriyas.
(b) Parihaara kriyas will be then arranged according to the availability of Karmi/Vaidika/Tantric,
Astrologer and the family members.
For more details, please don't hesitate to mail me - astrologersharmag@outlook.com

Love & Best Regards,

Gopalakrishna Sharma
Astrologer
www.gopalakrishnasharma.blogspot.com
www.gopalakrishnasharma.com

Steve Jobs said, Your time is limited, so dont waste it living someone elses life. What a powerful
saying!

The birth of any human is not meant to highlight fate. The fate is the result of ones past deeds - both
good and evil. Human birth actually emphasizes mans will to escape from the birth-death cycle. What
he has done (karma), he can undo it. He is the cause of his happiness/sorrows prevalent in his life.
He can overcome any limitation since he himself is the creator- all done by his own actions in the past.

The supreme truth is that in man, abides a spiritual resource which are not subject to any planetary
influence, which is generally unknown to man.

Everyone in this Universe is unique. They have different needs, thoughts and different ways of life.

You need to perform two types of actions to accomplish anything in the world (wealth, health, success,
career, goal, aim, mission etc.). One is visible action and another is invisible action. For example, for a
person aiming for success in exams, his visible action is the effort that goes into his studies and
invisible action is his connection with The Supreme or in other words Gods blessings (derived through
prayers, meditation, religious activities, remedies for previous karma etc.).

Examples for better understanding of above: -

Wish

Visible Actions

Invisible Actions

Success in
Business

Choose right business

Meditation

Hard and smart work

Prayer

Tap right opportunity

Perform Remedies, if needed after

thorough consultation with an Astrologer

Work with good

intention, attitude and
enthusiasm

All types of work that

promote business except
cheating, bad intention,
depriving people etc.

Education/Success
in Exams

And so on..

Choose line of
education which is
suitable/right

Plan study method

Learning &
Development

Wealth/Financial
Gains

Project Work

Guidance & Training

And so on

Wealth Planning

Prudent investment

Deposits/Shares

Property

Income from different

business activities

Commission

Income from ancestral

properties, friends, relatives,
others
Curing Diseases /
Health Gain

Proper Diagnosis

Medicines

Therapeutics

Adequate Rest

Adequate intake of
healthy food/supplements

Go Vegetarian

Auspicious time, wherever applicable

Reciting Vedas

Puja/Homam(Havan)

Visit temples

Tantric and Other Religious Rituals

Gems, Stones, Yantra, if needed

Helping others

Offerings

Charity/Social work

Positive Belief

These invisible actions will result in Divine

blessing which will result in long lasting
happiness and success by virtue of
objectives being achieved.

One can wear the gemstones of favorable planets to get the blessings of those planets and tide over
troubles. Look at the functional benefics in ones rasi chart and prescribe their gemstones. If a planets
dasa is running or if a planet is taking part in a favorable yoga, we may choose that planet. Wearing
the gemstone of a planet speeds up the fructification of the good results promised in a chart by that
planet.

If one wants good results in a particular area of life, we may strengthen favorable planets in the
relevant divisional chart. For example, suppose someone wants improvement in career. We can
prescribe the gemstone of a yogakaraka in D-10 then. If a functional benefic is badly placed or weak,
its gemstone can still be used.

For example, if one has lagna in Capricorn, Venus is a yogakaraka. Suppose Venus is in the 8 th house
(Leo). Then he may not give good results in his dasa despite being a yogakaraka. In such a case,
wearing diamond (gemstone of Venus) makes Venus powerful enough to give good results. On the
other hand, gemstones of functional malefics in a chart should be avoided as far as possible. In
addition, the gemstones of marakas should be avoided when one is running maraka dasas. A list of the
gemstones and metals of various planets are given below. A ring made of the suggested metal with the
suggested gemstone can be used for strengthening the planet.

The ring must be worn for the first time on the weekday of the planet. The planetary strength should be
good at that time. The planet ruling the gemstone should be strong at that time.
We can combine two gemstones and wear them, if the corresponding planets are friends and
functional benefics. This is particularly recommended when the two planets form a yoga. Suppose
someone has lagna in Virgo. If 10th lord Mercury and 9 th lord Venus are together, they form dharmakarmadhipati yoga. A ring consisting of emerald and diamond may be advised. Similarly, if Sun and
Moon conjoin in the chart of a person with Aries lagna, they form a raja yoga and a ring with ruby and
pearl may be recommended.

Traditionally, astrologers assign the index finger to Jupiter, middle finger to Saturn, ring finger to Sun
and little finger to Mercury. Traditionally, gemstones of Mercury and Venus are worn on the little finger;
gemstone of Saturn is worn on the middle finger and so on. However, some astrologers suggest that
the ring finger, middle finger, little finger and index finger show the four purushaarthas dharma, artha,
kama and moksha (respectively). They suggest wearing a ring on the finger representing the
purushaartha of interest. One desiring marriage may wear the ring of his 7th lord on the little finger. One
desiring good results in career may wear the ring of a yogakaraka in his D-10 on the middle finger and
so on. Index finger represents moksha and it is usually left ring less.
However, it is always advised to consult a learned Astrologer before selecting and wearing a Gem.

Excerpts: PVR Narasimharao

Please refer www.ashtamangalaprasna.blogspot.com for knowing about the ultimate diagnosis
methodology in Vedic Astrology to finding out root cause of strong doshas (difficlut/complex problems)
and decide on parihaarams to be performed.
Besides the 10 th lord and house, the sign occupied by the 10 th lord, other planets and sign or signs
predominant in the chart as well as a fortified Lagna are some more factors that go to colour the
occupation or vocation of the native.

Aries: Natives born with Aries strong, farewell in careers that require enterprise, dynamism and
energy. They are suited Concerning the Tenth House for jobs requiring exploration and courage and do
well as soldiers, policemen, army workers, scientists, engineers, dentists, surgeons, mechanics and
metal and mineral technologists. Since Aries rules the head, as surgeons they exhibit skill in brain
surgery. Aries is the natural fighter. If Mercury and Jupiter be strongly disposed, the native emerges as
a powerful writer, journalist or lawyerfighting for a cause. Venus strong makes Aries-natives dashing
executives or salesmen. Mars strong gives industrial workers, hunters, explorers and officers of law. If
the Sun be strong, the native would be an industrialist, politician or owner of a timber-yard or lumberyard. Saturn and Aries strong would give trade-unionists.

Taurus: Natives with this sign strong are practical people with dogged determination and
perseverance. Since it is the second sign of the zodiac, bankers, cashiers, capitalists, financiers and
money-lenders are indicated. Cosmetics, jewellery, articles of fashion come under this sign. Taurus
strong natives make good advertising and publicity agents. They can be good throat specialists and
singers. Venus strong would make skilled instrumentalists and the Moon would give singers. MercuryMoon-Venus would give composers, acousticians and audition experts. Mars and the Moon refer to
agriculturists.

Gemini: Natives of Gemini make good workers in all areas of communication. They fare well as
language experts, interpreters, sales agents, translators, reporters, writers and researchers. If the Sun
be strong, they gain excellence in engineering branches and in analytical studies of law and education.
Since Mercury is the planet of trade also, they do well as auditors, accountants and similar jobs. It also
gives mathematicians and writers. If Mercury is predominant, fiction-writers and Jupiter strong would
give drama-writers. Venus and Gemini would give poetic abilities. If Mercury and Jupiter are involved,
there would be serious writinghistory, biographies, essays; Mercury, Mars and Jupiter with G-mini
give proficiency in feature-writing, news-reporting and editing.

Cancer: Cancer strong in a chart indicates biology, botany, zoology, marine life, zoo-keeping, dairyfarming, bee-keeping and trade in honey, fish, etc. Such natives make good house-keepers and can
therefore work as matrons, housewives, hotel-superintendents and similar jobs. They also make kind
nurses and gentle doctors. Since Cancer is a domestic sign, if the Moon, Venus and Mars are involved,
success is likely in hotel-running, snack-bars, bakery and confectionery business, ice-cream parlours,
etc. If Cancer is afflicted, then the native's vocation will be connected with wines and breweries. They
make good laundrymen and a sailor since Cancer is a watery sign. If Saturn, Mercury or Jupiter is
involved, the native tends to be good at archaeology, history, museum-work, and teaching. The Moon
and Jupiter would give teachers, social workers and institutional workers. The Sun and Cancer with
Moon and Jupiter give philanthropists.

Leo: Leo being an utopian royal sign, Leo-strong natives fare well in jobs of authority and power. They
make good executives, administrators and generally do well as the boss. They are fitted for jobs in
administrative cadres and work well in the stock-exchange, investment business, jewellery and gold,
circus-training, as forest officers, film and drama directors, foremen. Leo has a special propensity for
the doctoring line, drugs and chemicals. The Sun and Mars predominant give political leaders and
workers while the Sun and Venus give ambassadors, diplomats and Foreign Service jobs requiring
polish and sophistication.

Virgo: Virgo natives have an eye for detail. They make good teachers, manicurists, retail shopkeepers, clerks, receptionists, secretaries, postal employees, bus drivers and conductors, bookbinders, stenographers, interpreters, translators, librarians, radio and television announcers, paperdealers, handwriting and fingerprint experts, notaries public, computer operators, writers, editors,
reporters, psychologists and psychiatrists, healers, doctors, explorers, detectives. They do well in jobs
requiring intelligence and efficiency. Mercury and Virgo give book-keepers, statisticians, cashiers,
bank-clerks. Saturn related to Virgo indicates typists, museum-curators and book-keepers while the
Sun has to do with auditors, tax-officers and chartered accountants. Venus governs filing-clerks, sales
girls or salesmen and librarians.

Libra: Libra being the sign of the balance, natives with this sign strong makes good management
consultants, lawyers, judges, solicitors, logicians and officers of the law, diplomats and public relations
officers. Since it is ruled by Venus, it gives singers, actors, beauticians, haber-dashers, fashionmodels, interior decorators and furniture-makers, perfume-manufacturers, social workers,
photographers, tea-shop and coffee-bar owners, snack and restaurant keepers and all similar trades
Venus powerful with Rahu and the Moon would give artists, sculptors, cinema artistes and models. If
Libra and Saturn and Venus figure in strength cartoonists, cameramen, tailors, dress-designers and
make-up assistants would be the result. Mars, Rahu, Venus make the native work in cabaret shows,
gambling casinos and similar haunts of sin and pleasure.

Scorpio: Being a mystic sign, Scorpio produces mystics, philosophers, astrologers and occultists.
Being secretive, detectives and clever criminals also come under this sign. Nurses, chemists, doctors,
explorers, geographers, barbers, dentists, mechanics, men of the armed and police-forces, navigators,
coffin-makers, undertakers, life-insurance agents and business and embalmers come under this sign.
If Mars is strong, then railway and tram workers, police and army personnel, home guards, telephone
operators and telegraphers are indicated. The Moon and Scorpio would give pearl-divers, dealers in
sea-foods, corals, poisons, drugs and chemicals. The Sun strong would indicate an executive job in
these callings.

Sagittarius: Sagittarius natives are bold and practical. They do well in sports, horse-training, as

jockeys, stewards, preachers, freedom fighters, advocates for any cause, organisers, financiers,
gamblers, leather-dealers and experts, shoe and footwear makers or dealers. Jupiter and Mercury
strong would give rise to teachers, religious reformers, theologians. Saturn, Mercury and Jupiter would
indicate lawyers, judges, magistrates and philosophers.

Capricorn: This sign makes the native hard-working and able. Agriculture, mining, forest products,
farming, horti-culture, mineralogy and geology, suit such natives well. They have great organising
capacities and make good conveners and secretaries. Executive and political posts requiring patience
and plodding on come under Capricorn. Saturn strong makes for bankers, merchants and
agriculturists. Mars makes mineralogists, geologists and forest officers.

Aquarius: Natives with Aquarius strong in the chart are usually advisers of some sort technical, legal,
social or just friendly. All innovative and unusual callings come under this sign. Workers in electricity,
atomic power, computer technology, automobile and aeroplane mechanics and television technology
come under Aquarius. Such natives are ingenious and become inventors if Mercury is strong. They
make good astrologers, telepathists and hypnotists. Neurologists, X-ray workers and dealers in
medical appliance come under this sign. They can also succeed in nature-cure therapy. Saturn strong
makes engineers and scientists. Aquarius strong produces great philosophers also.

Pisces: Doctors, surgeons, nurses, monks, jailors and prison-workers, sanatorium workers, conventrunners come under this sign. Work requiring imagination suits such natives. Film-making, scriptwriting, composing, choreography, social work, work in orphanages, museum, library, club and similar
bodies and group activity comes easily to natives with strong Pisces. They make good musicians,
inspired poets and occult writers, travel agents, petrol and oil-dealers, sea-produce dealers, owners of
amusement centres, anesthetists, coast guards, private investigators and spirit mediums. Venus strong
produces painters and actors.
Excerpts - BV Raman