What are Upagrahas
According to Sage Parashar, who is widely regarded as the father of Vedic astrology, there are a total of 11 Upagrahas that exist in the cosmos. These sub-planets do not seem to be connected to any human bodies like planets or stars, but they are instead based on several important mathematical points. These points are used to calculate the position and influence of these sub-planets on an individual's life.
Out of the 11 Upagrahas identified by Sage Parasar, five are dependent on the Sun, and they are known as the Sun-based Upagrahas. These Upagrahas are Dhuma, Vyatipaata, Parivesha, Indrachaapa, and Upaketu. Each of these sub-planets is believed to have a specific influence on an individual's personality, behavior, and life events.
Dhuma is associated with smoke and is believed to cause obstructions and delays in an individual's life. Vyatipaata is associated with sudden and unexpected events, while Parivesha is associated with imprisonment and confinement. Indrachaapa is associated with sudden changes in fortune, and Upaketu is associated with spiritual and philosophical pursuits.
Apart from the Sun-based Upagrahas, there are six more Upagrahas that are not dependent on the Sun. These Upagrahas are Kaala, Mrityu, Arthaprahara, Yamaghantaka, Gullika, and Maandi. Each of these sub-planets is believed to have a specific influence on an individual's life, and they are used to make accurate predictions about an individual's future.
Kaala is associated with time and is believed to cause delays and obstacles in an individual's life. Mrityu is associated with death and is believed to indicate the end of a particular phase in an individual's life. Arthaprahara is associated with financial losses and is believed to cause financial instability in an individual's life. Yamaghantaka is associated with accidents and is believed to cause sudden and unexpected events in an individual's life. Gullika is associated with misfortune and is believed to cause obstacles and delays in an individual's life. Finally, Maandi is associated with mental instability and is believed to cause psychological and emotional disturbances in an individual's life.
In Brihat Parasara Hora Sastra sage Parasara says:
त्र्यंशाढविश्वभागैश्च चतुर्भे: सहितो रविः ।
धूमो नाम महादोषः सर्वकर्मविनाशकः ॥६१॥
धूमो मण्डलतः शुद्धो व्यतीपातोऽत्र दोषदः ।
सषड्भोऽत्र व्यतीपात: परिवेषोऽतिदोषकृत् ॥६२॥
परिवेषश्च्युतश्चक्रादिन्द्रचापस्तु दोषदः
कियंशात्यष्टिभागाढयश्चापः केतुखगोऽशुभः ॥६३ ॥
एकराशियुत: केतुः सूर्यतुल्यः प्रजायते ।
अप्रकाशग्रहाश्चैते पापा दोषप्रदाः स्मृताः ॥६४॥
Meaning: The all-auspicious Dhooma is calculated by adding 4 Signs, 13 Degrees, and 20 Kalas (minutes) to the sun's longitude at the time of birth. We arrive at Vyatipata when Dhooma is reduced from 12 signs and is also unlucky. The exact location of Pariveshan, which is incredibly unlucky, can be determined by adding 6 signs to Vyatipata. Indra Chapa's exact location is determined by subtracting Parivesha from 12 signs. We get the direction of Ketu by adding 16 degrees 40 minutes to Indra Chapa, and we get the longitude of the sun at the time of birth by adding one sign to Ketu. These planets are all classified as planets without splendor because they are malefic and inflict the places where they are posited.
For example, let us consider that the position of the Sun is in the 3rd sign 21° 26'.
| Signs | Degree | Minutes | Upagrahas |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 21 | 26' | |
| +4 | 13 | 20 | |
| =8 | 4 | 46' | Dhooma |
| 12 | 0 | 0 | |
| -8 | 4 | 46' | |
| =3 | 25 | 14' | Vyatipata |
| +6 | 0 | 0 | |
| =9 | 25 | 14' | Parivesha |
| 12 | 0 | 0 | |
| -9 | 25 | 14' | |
| =2 | 4 | 46' | Indra Chapa |
| +0 | 16 | 40' | |
| 2 | 21 | 26' | Upaketu |
| 1 | 0 | 0 | |
| =3 | 21 | 26' | Sun's Longitude at birth |
सूर्येन्दुलग्नगेष्वेषु वंशायुर्ज्ञाननाशनम्।
इति धूमादिदोषाणं स्थितिः पद्मासनोदिता ॥६५॥
Meaning: When these 5 Upgrahas of Sun, Dhooma, and others merge with the Sun and Moon or are located in the Ascendant, they break the natives' dynasty, longevity, and wisdom. Lord Brahma, the Lotus-born, has specified their status in this manner.
Four of the five Kalavelas, viz., Gulika, etc., have their own sign system in the respective signs governed by their fathers, with the exception of Kala (related to the Sun). Gulika, Saturn's son, has Aquarius as its own home, while Yamaghanta, Jupiter's son, has it in Sagittarius. If Mercury's son Ardhaprahara is in Gemini, he is in his own symbol. Mrityu, Mars's son, has Scorpio as his own home. It is unclear why Kala, the sun's son, has been moved to Capricorn, the sign of his brother Saturn, abandoning his father's sign of Leo. Saturn clearly gave his Moolatrikona to his son Gullika while giving Capricorn (a secondary sign) to his brother Kala.
Results of Mandi in different houses according to Sage Parasar
In his sixth chapter, Sage Parashara doesn't really give any relief. We encapsulate his perspective as below: First house: Ill, enthusiastic, scoundrel, evil, crooked character, sad. Second house: Sadness, cruelty, gambling or other vices, deprivation of children, vulnerability. Third house: Well-shaped, king or village chief, virtuous, fond of decent men, respected by rulers. Fourth house: Ill, wind affliction, bile affliction, evil. Fifth house: Loss of riches and fame, short life, eunuch, mean, atheist, and women's servile Sixth house: Defeats enemies, is well-known, brave, passionate, and adored by women. Seventh house: Women have dominated him, he is perverse or immoral, has loose morals, is emaciated, has lost his brothers, and lives on women's wealth.
Eighth house: Hungry, sad, mean, angry, hard-hearted, malnourished, deprived of positive values, takes the lives of others. Ninth house: Worried and disturbed, malnourished, partake in sinful behavior, stone-hearted, miserly.
Tenth house: The person has a wife and son, is a satisfied holy man who worships the gods and practices yoga and Dharma.
Eleventh house: Enjoys the company of good people, is the leader of a town, village, or department, is well-liked by relatives, is strong, and has poor limbs.
Twelfth house: Cruel or sinful acts, sinner, ill-shaped bones, unlucky, fond of the lowly.
Results of Mandi and Gulika took together in different houses according to Jataka Parijat and Phaldeepika
- with Ravi destroys father,
- with Chandra carries distress to mother;
- with Kuja loss of siblings; with Budha-franticness;
- with Guru-blasphemer;
- with Shukra-attached to low ladies;
- with Shani-short life and uncleanliness, debilitated;
- with Rahu-harmful infections; with Ketu-dread from fire.
| Upagraha & Gulika etc. | Exaltation | Debilitation | Own Sign |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dhooma | Leo | Aquarius | Capricorn |
| Vyatipata | Scorpio | Taurus | Gemini |
| Parivesha | Gemini | Sagittarius | Sagittarius |
| Indrachapa | Sagittarius | Gemini | Cancer |
| Upaketu | Aquarius | Leo | Cancer |
| Gulika | ... | ... | Aquarius |
| Yamaghantaka | ... | ... | Sagittarius |
| Ardhaprahara | ... | ... | Gemini |
| Kala | ... | ... | Capricorn |
| Mrityu | ... | ... | Scorpio |
Some Examples
- Dhuma rejects marriage in the seventh house.
- In the seventh, Kala causes the wife's death, and Parivesha causes her misbehavior.
- Upaketu makes her barren in the seventh.
- In the seventh, Kala expresses his disapproval of marriage.
- Birth with Gulika in the Lagna results in a deformed limb; birth with Yamaghantaka in the Lagna results in a cripple.
