YOGAS FOR CURSES AND BLACK MAGIC IN BIRTH CHARTS

GAURANGA DAS, SJC 2003

ADaSTaaNa( Narl/aek-SYa YaavTaqYaaRTaNaadYa" )§-MaXa" SaMaNau§-MYa PauNar}aav]JaeC^uic" ))34))

adhastän nara-lokasya yävatér yätanädayaùkramaçaù samanukramya punar aträvrajec chuciù

“Having gone through all the miserable, hellish conditions and having passed in a regular order through the lowest forms of animal life prior to

human birth, and having thus been purged of his sins, one is reborn again as a human being on this earth.” (Çrémad-Bhägavatam 3.30.34.)

é[q>aGavaNa( ovack-MaR<aa dEvNae}ae<aJaNTaudeRhaePaPataYae )

iñYaa" Pa[iví= odr& Pa&uSaae reTa"k-<aaé[Ya" ))1))

çré-bhagavän uväcakarmaëä daiva-netreëajantur dehopapattaye

striyäù praviñöa udaraà puàso retaù-kaëäçrayaù

“The Personality of Godhead said: Under the supervision of the Supreme Lord and according to the result of his work, the living entity, the soul, is made to enter into the womb of a woman through the particle of male semen to assume a particular type of body.” (Çrémad-Bhägavatam 3.31.1.)The living entity’s birth is directed by his karma, or the reactions of his past sinful activities. Although the human form of life is distinguished from the animal and plant forms because of the higher intelligence which the jévätmä in a human body can turn towards self-realisation and reestablishing his relationship with the Supreme, the fact in itself that the soul achieves a material body, which is destined to suffer from the pains of birth, death, old age and disease, indicates that the living entity has committed sinful activities in the past and now he is reaping the bitter fruits of those actions. In essence, tha cause of karmic reactions is the soul’s own decisions, even if in some instances they are manifest through the medium of other living entities. The topic under discussion in the present paper is curses and black magic, which are closely linked to each other. If someone is cursed, then usually there is some reason for that. If there is no reason in the person’s own karma, then the curse will not take effect. So in essence we can accept that curses from past life or in this life are karmic reactions to the living entities own sins, although ascertaining the nature of the curse and the person cursing may help in identifying the misdeed committed by the native, and the remedial measure, which may alleviate the effect of the

curse. Also, if it is identified that someone in his past life indulged in tantric activities (black or white magic, as it is called in the West), then it might as well be expected that he could be involved in some cursing or counter-cursing. Also such combinations in the navämça chart can indicate that the native is practicing tantric rituals in this life, which may result in the same kind of curse and counter-curse in this life.

1. PARÄÇARA’S COMBINATIONS FOR CHILDLESSNESS

1.1. General Yogas for Childlessness

Gauæl/GaneXadareXaPau}aSQaaNaaiDaPaeNau c )SaveRZau bl/hqNaeZau v¢-VYaa TvNaPaTYaTaa ))7))

gurulagneçadäreçaputrasthänädhipeñu casarveñu balahéneñu vaktavyä tvanapatyatä

“If Jupiter, lords of the Ascendant, the 7th and the 5th houses are bereft of strength, it will cause a yoga for childlessness.” (BPHS 85.7)

rVYaarrahuXaNaYa" Sabl/a" Pau}a>aavGaa" )Tada_NaPaTYaTaa ceTSYaurbl/a" Pau}ak-ark-a" ))8))

ravyärarähuçanayaù sabaläù putrabhävagäùtadä’napatyatä cet syurabaläù putrakärakäù

“If the Sun, Mars, Rähu and Saturn duly strong are posited in the 5th house and Jupiter, the käraka1 for children is weak, it will give rise to a yoga for childlessness.” (BPHS 85.8)

There are countless combinations for childlessness, but the above two are listed by the Mahärñi in the chapter dealing with curses from the past life. So these specific combinations will indicate that the reason leading for childlessness is a curse from the native’s previous life. Jupiter is the natural käraka for children, in charts of both males and females. The implication of the lord of the 5th house is clear, as it denotes children and childbirth. The lagna lord will indicate the situation of the native both physically and karmically. The 7th lord on the other hand will indicate the situation of the wife, also in these two senses. This is important, because if there’s a curse in the spouse’s chart, then childbirth may also become impossible. In this regard Paräçara mentions the following three combinations in Chapter 18 of BPHS (çlokas 4-6), which indicate that the native’s wife will be käkabandhyä (i.e. the first child will die, and she will become sterile after the first pregnancy):

a) The 5th lord is in the 6th house, and the lagna lord is in conjunction with Mars;

1 Kärakas are planetary significators. Jupiter is the natural (naisargika) käraka of children.

b) The 5th lord is in debility, and is situated in the 12th, 6th or 8th house, while Mercury is in the 5th;

c) The 5th lord is in debility or does not aspect the 5th, while Saturn and Mercury are in the 5th.

Here we see that not only natural malefics in the 5th like Sun, Mars, Rähu and Saturn, but also napumsaka2 planets like Mercury are able to contribute to the case of childlessness. In this regard, another combination for childlessness is also worthy of note: If the trikoëas of the saptäàça (D-7) lagna are ocuppied only by Saturn, Mercury and Venus, then the native is barren. Saturn and Mercury are sterile planets while Venus tends to deny progeny because of his selfishness. In any case the above-mentioned combinations are specifically strong for denying children, and serious remedial measures should be undertaken, like the puàsavana vrata explained in section 6.1. of this article.

Once again the factors indicating curses resulting in childlessness are as follows:

a) Jupiter, the naisargika käraka for children is weak;b) The lords of 1st, 5th and 7th houses are weak;c) The 5th house is ocuppied or aspected by several natural malefics:

Sun, Rähu, Mars or Saturn..

1.2. Curse of the Snakes (Nägas)

Mahärñi Paräçara lists the following combinations, which will indicate curses by the snakes (BPHS 85.9-16.):

1. Rähu is in the 5th house, or in the sign of Mars and aspected by Mars.2. The lord of the 5th house conjoins Rähu, and Saturn conjoins or

aspects Moon in the 5th.3. Jupiter conjoins Rähu, 5th lord is weak, and lagna lord conjoins Mars.4. Jupiter conjoins Mars, Rähu in 1st, and 5th lord in 6th, 8th or 12th

house.5. 5th lord Mercury is in Martian naväàça conjoined with Mars, while

Rähu and Mandi are in lagna.6. 5th lord Mars conjoins Rähu while aspected or conjoined by Mercury.7. Sun, Saturn, Mars, Rähu, Mercury, Jupiter in 5th house, while lords of

lagna and 5th are weak.8. Lagna lord conjoins Rähu, while 5th lord conjoins Mars, or Jupiter

conjoins Rähu.

The snakes (nägas) are in the category of apädidevatas (minor demigods) who take care of the household affairs etc. The curse of the snakes is likely when someone lives in a building in which the Västu-puruña was not properly worshipped or if someone dissatisfies Bhümi-devé (the Deity of

2 Napuàsaka means infertile. Mercury and Saturn are mentioned as barren planets, and Venus also gives this effect sometimes.

the Earth). Therefore the upäya should consist of worshipping Çré Anantadeva and Prithivé-devé, and donating land, cows, sesame seeds and gold.

Mantras for worship of Çré Ananta:

p NaMaSTae bhuæPaaYa ivZ<ave ParMaaTMa<ae Svaha ))

oà namas te bahu-rüpäya viñëave paramätmaëe svähä

“Obeisances to Viñëu, the Supersoul, Who has many forms.”

One may also offer ärghya (conch filled with milk) to the Earth (Prithivé-devé) with the following mantra:

p A}a iTaïiNTa Yae NaaGaa >aUiMaï=a >aUiMaPaal/k-a" )APaSaPaRNTau Tae SaveR Ga*haNaagYaR& Dairi}a Mae ))

ihr<YaGa>aeR vSauDae XaeZaSYa PairZaaiYaNaq )vSaaMYah& Tav Païe= Ga*haNaagYaR& Dairi}a Mae ))

oà atra tiñöhanti ye nägä bhümiñöhä bhümi-pälakäùapasarpantu te sarve gåhänärghyaà dharitri me

hiraëyagarbhe vasudhe çeñasya pariñäyinévasämy ahaà tava påñöhe gåhänärghyaà dharitri me

“May all snakes leave this place. O Earth, please accept this ärghya resting on Çeña, O Hiraëyagarbha, I reside on Your back. O Earth, please accept this ärghya.”

1.3. Curse of the Forefathers (Pitåñ)

The curse of the forefathers appears usually when the native has not performed the last rites for his forefathers in his previous life, and thus failed to liberate them from the ghostly existence. Also not following the family tradition may be the reason for such a curse. The following combinations are given (BPHS 85.20-30.):

1. The Sun is debilitated in the 5th, in the naväàça of the Saturn, and both are hemmed in between malefics.

2. The Sun as 5th lord is in trikoëas, conjoined by a malefic, while also aspected or hemmed in between them.

3. Jupiter is in Leo, 5th lord conjoins the Sun, while lagna and 5th are occupied by malefics.

4. Weak lagna lord in 5th, 5th lord conjoins the Sun, while lagna and 5th

have malefics.5. Privartana between 5th and 10th houses, while lagna and 5th have

malefics.6. Mars as lord of 10th conjoins 5th lord, while lagna, 5th and 10th have

malefics.

7. 10th lord in 6th, 8th or 12th, Jupiter in evil sign, while lords of lagna and 5th are associated with malefics.

8. Sun, Mars and Saturn in lagna, while Rahu and Jupiter are in 8th and 12th.

9. The Sun is in the 8th, Saturn in 5ht, 5th lord with Rähu, and lagna has a malefic.

10. 12th lord in lagna, 8th lord in 5th, and 10th lord in 8th.11. 6th lord in 5th, 10th lord in 6th, and Jupiter conjoins Rähu.

Remedial measures for this curse are performance of the çräddha ceremony at Gayä; an unlimited or one thousand bräùmaëas should be fed, arranging for the marriage of a girl, and donation of a cow or Bhagavad-gétä to a suitable person. 1.4. Curse of the Mother

The curse of the mother usually appears when the native neglected his duties towards his mother in sense of obedience and protection in his previous life. The combinations are given as follows (BPHS 85.34-46.):

1. Moon as lord of 5th is in debility and hemmed in between malefics, while 4th and 5th also have malefics.

2. Saturn is in the 11th, the 4th has a malefic while Moon is debilitated.3. 5th lord is debilitated in 6th, 8th or 12th, and Moon conjoins a malefic.4. 5th lord is in 6th, 8th or 12th, Moon in malefic naväàça, and 5th and 10th

have malefics.5. Moon as lord of 5th is in the 5th or 9th with Saturn, Rähu and Mars.6. Mars as lord of 4th is connected to Saturn and Rähu, while Sun and

Moon are in lagna or 5th.7. Lord of lagna and 5th are in 6th, 4th lord in 8th, and 10th and 8th lords

are in lagna.8. 6th and 8th lords are in lagna, 4th lord in 10th, Moon and Jupiter are in

5ht with a malefic.9. Lagna is hemmed in between malefics, weak Moon in the 7th, Rähu in

4th and Saturn in 5th.10. Parivartana3 of 5th and 8th, while Moon and 4th lord are in 6th, 8th

or 12th.11. Mars or Rähu in Cancer lagna, while Moon or Saturn in 5th.12. Mars in lagna, Rähu in 5th, Sun in 8th and Saturn in 12th, while

lords of lagna and 4th are in 6th, 8th or 12th.13. Jupiter conjoins Mars and Rähu in the 8th, while Moon and

Saturn are in the 5th.

The remedy lies in: 1) taking bath at Rämeçvaram, or Setubandha, where Lord Räma

crossed the ocean to free Sétä-devé from Rävaëa’s custody. This also proves the fact that Rämacandra suffered a curse, which manifested through his stepmother. After the remedy He got back his wife and had children.

3 Parivartana yoga means that the lords of the two houses exchange signs.

2) Other remedies are to recite the Gäyatré mantra 100 000 times, regularly offer milk to the Deity of Lord Kåñëa, drink it and distribute it.

3) Feed the brähmaëas and circumambulate the pippala (banyan) tree 1008 times. Also circumambulation of Viñëu’s temple while chanting the Hare Kåñëa mahä-mantra is a suitable remedy.

1.5. Curse of the Brother

Curses of the brother appear when the older brothers were not properly respected or followed, while the younger brothers were not protected or nourished by the native. In such cases dissension amongst brothers may also be expected in this life as the side effect of the curse. The combinations are as follows (BPHS 85.51-61.):

1. 3rd lord is in the 5th with Mars and Rähu, while lord of 5th and lagna are in the 8th.

2. Mars in lagna, Saturn in 5th, 3rd lord in 9th, and Saturn in 8th.3. Jupiter debilitated in 3rd, Saturn in 5th, Moon and Mars in 8th.4. Lagna lord in 12th, Mars in 5th, and 5th lord conjoin a malefic in the 8th.5. Lagna and 5th houses are in päpakartari yoga4, while their lords are

in 6th, 8th or 12th houses.6. 10th lord conjoins malefics in the 3rd, and a benefic conjoins Mars in

5th.7. 5th house in a Mercurial sign has Saturn and Rähu, while the 12 th has

Mercury and Mars.8. Lord of lagna in 3rd, lord of 3rd in 5th, and all three are occupied by

malefics.9. 3rd lord in 8th, Jupiter, Saturn and Rähu are in 5th or aspecting it.10. 8th and 3rd lords are in 5th, while Mars and Saturn are in 8th.

The remedies for this curse are: 1) listening to the Harivaàça Puräëa, 2) observing the cändräyaëa or ekädaçé fast, 3) planting a banyan tree, 4) worship of the Çalagräma Çilä on the bank of the Käveré river,

and5) worship of 10 cows are recommended. 6) Also bathing in any holy rivers like Gaìgä or Mahänadé is

recommended, and planting a Tulasé plant. 7) Also donation of a land having fruit trees and donation through

one’s wife are recommended.

1.6. Curse of the Maternal Uncle

4 See section 5.3.

The naisargika käraka for maternal uncles is Mercury. They are also signified by the cara jïäti käraka5. Therefore the maternal uncles and any senior male members of the family should be respected and their advice should be followed. If this is not done, then one may incur their curse, similarly to Duryodhana and his brothers who were disrespectful towards their uncle Vidura, and this in turn brought their destruction. The combinations are as follows (BPHS 85.65-68.):

1. Mercury, Jupiter, Mars and Rähu are in the 5th, and Saturn in lagna.2. Lagna and 5th lords are in 5th with Mercury, Mars and Saturn.3. 5th lord is combust in lagna, Saturn in 7th and lagna lord conjoins

Mercury.4. 4th and 12th lord are in lagna, while Moon, Mercury and Mars are in

5th.

The remedies for this kind of curse, which can reprieve someone of knowledge, wisdom and the sense of discrimination, are:

1) installation of Lord Viñëu’s Deity, 2) construction of a water pond, well or embankment.

1.7. Curse of the Brähmaëas

The curses of brähmaëas appear when the native was disrespectful to brähmaëas or his teachers, Gurus in his previous life or if he has committed any sins against them like criticising them, stealing from them, killing a brähmaëa or breaking his wows of purity. The brähmaëas are the topmost members of the society, and they are especially favoured by the Lord. Mahärñi Paräçara specifically mentions that this offensive mentality may develop if one becomes proud of his excessive power, property, physical strength, status, wealth etc. The combinations are the following (BPHS 85.71-78.):

1. Rähu is in Jupiter’s sign, and 5th house has Jupiter, Mars and Saturn, while the 9th lord is in the 8th.

2. 9th lord in 5th, 5th lord in 8th with Jupiter, Mars and Rähu or aspected by them.

3. 9th lord in debility, 12th lord in 5th conjoined or aspected by Rähu.4. Jupiter is debilitated, Rähu is in the lagna or 5th, and 5th lord is in 6th,

8th or 12th.5. Jupiter as 5th lord is in 8th conjoined with malefics.6. 5th lord is in 8th with Sun and Moon.7. Jupiter is in the naväàça of Saturn, while Saturn, Mars and 5th lord

are in the 12th.8. Jupiter and Saturn in lagna, while Rähu is in the 9th.9. Rähu and Jupiter are in the 12th house.

The remedies suggested are:

5 The cara kärakas are another class of significators, which indicate the native’s relationship with the indicated person (jïäti or uncles in this case) based on their karma.

1) observance of the cändräyaëa fast, 2) donation of a cow, money, païcaratna and gold to a brähmaëa. 3) Also feeding the brähmaëas is a good remedial measure.

1.8. Curse of the Wife

The wife should be protected and the husband should be faithful to her. If he divorces her, abandons or betrays her, especially after she has born children, then the effects of the curse may be expected in his next life. The following combinations will indicate this (BPHS 85.82-92.):

1. 7th lord is in the 5th, Saturn is in the naväàça of the 7th lord, while 5th

lord is in the 8th.2. 7th and 5th lords are in the 8th; Jupiter conjoins malefics.3. Venus is in the 5th, 7th lord in the 8th, and Jupiter conjoins malefics.4. 2nd and 5th houses have malefics, while 7th lord is in the 8th.5. Venus is in the 9th, 7th lord in 8th, while lagna and 5th have malefics.6. Venus is lord of 9th, 5th lord is in inimical sign, while Jupiter, lagna and

7th lords are in 6th, 8th or 12th houses.7. Moon and Rähu are in 5th lorded by Venus, and malefics are in 12th,

lagna and 2nd.8. Saturn and Venus in the 7th, 8th lord is in 5th, and Sun with Rähu in

lagna.9. Mars in 2nd, Jupiter in 12th, Venus in 5th, under the aspect of Saturn

and Rähu.10. 2nd and 7th lords are in the 8th, Mars and Saturn are in lagna,

while 5th and Jupiter conjoined by malefics.11. Rähu in lagna, Saturn in 5th, and Mars in 9th, while 5th and 7ht

lords are in the 8th.

Upäyas recommended for this curse are: 1) kanyädänam, i.e. performing the marriage of an

unmarried girl, 2) or donation of golden mürtis of Lakñmé-Näräyaëa, ten

cows, a bed, jewellery and garments to a brähmaëa. 3) Helping others to get married and settle down will also

be a favourable upäya.

1.9. Curse of the Spirits (Pretas)

These curses occur when the çräddha ceremony is not performed for different paternal or maternal relatives, while the pitå-çäpa mentioned in 1.3. concentrates on the father and his direct predecessors. The combinations for this curse are the following (BPHS 85.95-105.):

1. Saturn and Sun are in the 5th, weak Moon in the 7th, while Rähu in lagna and Jupiter in the 12th.

2. Saturn as 5th lord is in the 8th with Jupiter.3. Malefic in lagna, Sun in 12th, while Mars, Saturn and Mercury in 5th,

and 5th lord in 8th.

4. Rähu in lagna, Saturn in 5th, and Jupiter in 8th.5. Venus, Jupiter and Rähu in lagna, Saturn conjoins Moon, and lagna

lord in 8th.6. Jupiter and 5th lord are debilitated, and aspected by debilitated

planets.7. Saturn in lagna, Rähu in 5th, Sun in 8th and Mars in 12th.8. 7th lord is in 6th, 8th or 12th; Moon is in 5th, while Mars and Gulika in

lagna.9. 8th lord, Saturn and Venus in the 5th, and Jupiter in the 8th.

The propitiatory measures recommended for preta-doña are: 1) performance of çräddha at Gayä, abhiñeka of Rudra or

Kürmadeva, 2) donating the Deity of the same, or of a cow, silver and

blue sapphire or other items connected with Saturn should be performed.

3) The donation should be given to brähmaëas along with feeding them and offering dakñiëä.

1.10.Example Chart for Childlessness: Smt J. Jayalalitha

In this chart we see that the 5th house is afflicted by the presence of Ketu, which is 6th lord. This combination is mentioned a number of times by Paräçara as indicating a curse for childlessness. Also the aspects of the Sun and Mars on the 5th house add to the affliction. According to the general definition, the lords of the lagna, 5th and 7th should also be weak along with Jupiter, the käraka for children. Lagna lord Mercury is in the 9th

house, but is partially combust and also retrograde, which tends to decrease its strength to support childbirth. 7th lord is Jupiter (naisargika putrakäraka) is in own house, so he is not weak. 5th lord Venus is also exalted in the 10th, and none of them receive malefic aspects, aside from the Graha Dåñöi of retrograde Mars. Still, the real life events of the native confirm the fact of childlessness; therefore we should try to find the cause for this. In this chart the curses from the mother and father in previous life are most likely. The Moon is

conjoined by Mars and aspected by the nodes, while she aspects the 5 th

house. She is also in the 12th from the 4th house, while 4th lord Mercury conjoined by a malefic also aspects the 5th house. 4th lord is also a bädhakeça6 for the 5th lord Venus situated in Pisces, and it takes part in a päpakartaré yoga formed by Sun, Mercury and Rähu on Venus. Mercury is also bädhakeça from the käraka Jupiter. However the curse from the father or pitås looks to be stronger, because the Sun directly aspects the 5th house from the 9th, which is the strongest aspecting house because of the bhäväö bhäväëäm principle (9th is 5th from the 5th). Also the Sun receives the aspect of the nodes and the retrograde Saturn, which being the debilitated ätmäkäraka7, is able to cause a tremendous trouble in the chart. Aside from that the Sun is also disposited by Saturn, so the influence is very strong. We should also note that Venus is situated in the 10th house, again pointing to the curse of the father, and also the käraka Jupiter is the lord of the 10th house and despite being in own house, is situated as bädhaka from the lagna. Another factor is that the Sun is the bädhakeça of the 5th house while Mars and moon are situated in this same bädhaka house (Leo). Now to ascertain whether any remedial measures are able to uplift the effect of the curse from the chart, an analysis of the saptäàça (D-7) should be undertaken.

In the saptäàça the 9th house from lagna would be the käraka house for children, being that we are studying a female chart. It has retrograde Saturn situated in the sign of Mercury (both are eunuch planets), thereby the possibility to have children is almost nil. Though a Gajakeçaré yoga formed by the Moon and Jupiter aspects it giving some hope, but the aspect of the nodes placed in mülatrikoëa signs totally destroy this benefic influence. Saturn is in trines from saptäàça lagna and we find Venus and Mercury in a Saturnine sign, and as we have mentioned in section 1.1. this combination in the trikoëas from the D-7 lagna completely destroys the native’s ability to have children. The three retrograde planets in the chart are also another factor contributing to its karmic complexity.

6 See section 5.4.7 Significator of the self, within the category of cara kärakas.

2. GENERAL COMBINATIONS FOR CURSES

2.1. Derivation of General Combinations

The combinations mentioned in chapter 85 of BPHS were specifically indicating curses resulting in childlessness, and the sources of curses were also likewise indicated. Obviously a curse may afflict not only the area of childbirth but also practically any other areas indicated by the twelve houses. For this we should derive a general principle on the basis of which we can ascertain that a certain house of the birth chart is afflicted by a curse. This is delineated in the following:

1. If a house, its lord and its natural käraka are all afflicted by weak or malefic planets, then that life area is under a curse.

2. The person cursing can be ascertained from the strongest planet influencing.

3. The strength of the curse can be seen from the collective strength of the afflicting planets.

4. The timing of the effect should be done with the help of the Müla Daçä scheme.

For this let us draw up a list of the houses and their respective kärakas. As each house has several significations, different kärakas are to be used to analyse them.

House

Kärakas

1. Sun (body), Mars (intelligence, logic)2. Jupiter (wealth), Mercury (speech)3. Mars (younger siblings)4. Moon (mother), Mercury (education), Venus (vehicle), Mars

(property), Ketu (houses), Jupiter (comforts)5. Jupiter (children, knowledge), Venus (love), Sun, Mars (power)6. Saturn (servants, disease), Mars (enemies, accidents)7. Venus (wife), Jupiter (husband)8. Saturn (longevity), Rähu and Ketu (disease), Mars (debts)9. Sun (father, dharma), Jupiter (Guru, God), Ketu (spirituality),

Saturn (previous life), Rähu (karma)10. Jupiter (wealth), Sun (fame), Mercury (skills, career), Saturn

(work)11. Jupiter (friends, gains), Saturn (elder siblings)12. Saturn (losses, punishment), Venus (long journey, sex life),

Rähu (bad habits, misfortune, secret enemies), Ketu (meditation), Jupiter (charity)

If we apply the two combinations given in section 1.1. in a general way then the following principles will also ensue that:

b) If the käraka of the house, the house itself and the houses closely connected to them (like 1st and 7th are the native and his wife, which are sources of the child indicated by the 5th) are equally weak or afflicted, then the result of the house is destroyed by a curse.

c) If a house is occupied by four malefics and its käraka is weak, then the same result may be expected.

2.2. Identifying the Cursing Person

Now, generalizing the yogas given in section 1, we can come up with the following conclusions:

1. If a house, its lord and its käraka are afflicted by Rähu together with Mars or Saturn, then the curse is by the nägas. This will result in gradual destruction of the results of the house, because the poison from the snakes (literally or allegorically) will spread in the house. The sarpa yoga and kälasarpa yoga also reflect similar effects (Refer to section 3.).

2. The forefathers and the father are represented by the Sun. Although the father is represented by the 9th house, the artha-trikoëa (2nd, 6th

and 10th houses) especially the 10th house indicates the transmission of karma or work from the father to the son. Therefore in the Vedic society most sons adopted the profession of their fathers. The 2nd

house also indicates the parentage of the native. Therefore, if the Sun and other malefics afflict a house, its lord and its käraka as well, then this indicates the curse of the father (or the king). Besides that, the position of the 10th lord, and malefics in artha-trikoëas may also indicate debts towards the forefathers.

3. If the Moon conjoins or aspects a house under the influence of malefics, while the lords of lagna and 4th are also afflicted, then the curse of the mother is expected. Besides that the afflicted house’s lord and käraka should also come under the affliction.

4. If Mars afflicts a house, the lord and käraka of which are also afflicted in trikoëas, then this indicates the curse of the younger siblings. If the 3rd lord is in parivartaëa with Mars, then also this curse is indicated. Similarly for Saturn and 11th house these combinations would indicate curses by elder siblings.

5. Mercury, the 6th house and its lord indicate maternal uncles. If these are afflicted and in turn influence any house, then they indicate the curse of the uncles.

6. If Saturn, Mars or Rähu afflicts Jupiter, then this indicates the curse of a brähmaëa from previous life. The houses lorded by Saturn would indicate the area where the curse will take effect. The curse will be fulfilled by another brähmaëa who is of very bad temper and nature.

7. Venus, the 7th house and its lord indicate the wife. If all of these are afflicted and they influence any other house, then they will indicate the curse of the wife from previous life.

8. The combination of Saturn-Moon or Saturn-Sun in any of the houses or their joint aspect will indicate curses from departed souls

connected to the family of the mother or father respectively. This may not only be relatives, but servants, pets, or any other dependants or friends. If Saturn afflicts a house together with other malefics, while the lord of that house is connected to the 8th, then the same curse is expected. If Saturn conjoins a node in a visible sign (7th through 12th houses), then the last rites of the father will not be performed by the native. If the same is in an invisible house (1st

through 6th) then the same holds true for the mother.

Now let us compile all this information in a reference table:

Cursing persons

Käraka planets Käraka Houses

Other combinations

Nägas Rähu (& Mars or Sat)

12 Sarpa yoga, Kälasarpa yoga

Forefathers Sun 10 Malefics in artha-trikoëaMother Moon 4 Lords of lagna and 4th afflictedBrothers Mars or Saturn 3 or

11Parivartana of Mars-3rd or Sat-11th

Maternal uncles

Mercury 6 Jupiter is käraka for paternal relations

Brähmaëas Jupiter 9 Jupiter afflicted by Sat, Mars, Rähu

Wife Venus 7 For curse of husband, Jupiter is k.

Spirits (Pretas)

Saturn (& Sun or Mo)

8 Saturn-Rähu or Saturn-Ketu

2.3. Example Chart for Curses: Stephen Hawking

In the above chart, Rähu in the 1st house indicates the most strongly afflicted area, the body. He has got progressively increasing paralysis from a relatively young age. The only planet aspecting the 1st house is the Moon

from the 9th. Therefore we can suspect a curse from the mother from previous life to affect his health. The Moon is aspected by Rähu and Ketu, and is also in parivartaëa with the debilitated Mars. Thus at least three malefics afflict the Moon, which is the natural käraka of mother. Also because of the parivartaëa we can assume that Moon acts also like she is in Cancer, and then she would receive the aspect of Saturn as well. Now for the curse to affect the area of body, it should also afflict the lord of the 1st house and its käraka, which is in this case the Sun. Interestingly, if the lord of the house is simultaneously its natural käraka as well, the käraka bhäva näçaya principle becomes applicable, so in this case any affliction to the Sun would strongly influence the physical health.

The Sun is conjoined by two benefics, and receives no evil aspects. However, Saturn and Mars form a päpakartaré yoga on it while considering the parivartaëa Moon (acting as Mars) and Rähu would form a bandhana yoga as well, so in this way three or four malefics afflict the Sun. Despite the excellent combination for intellectual powers in the 11th house, the above-mentioned evil yogas on the same house curtail its influence. Also Moon is in the bädhaka sthäna from lagna, forming a parivartaëa yoga with Mars the bädhakeça. Now for further information it is useful to check the triàçäàça (D-30) position of the planets, although the lagna was not rectified to that accuracy.

Five planets occupy the aàças lorded by Jupiter, which is the lord of the ethereal element, or äkäça-tattva. This could indicate the disorder of life airs leading to paralysis, which can’t be explained by mere neurophysiological reasons. We see that besides the nodes, which manifest the effect of the curse, the lords of the 6th Saturn and lord of the 8th Jupiter are also in aàças lorded by Jupiter. The lagna lord Sun is in the aàça of Mercury, thereby indicating problems manifesting in the earth element (priöhivé-tattva), thereby indicating degeneration of bones and other structural tissues of the body.

3. OTHER EVIL YOGAS IN THE BIRTH CHART

3.1. Sarpa Yoga and Kälasarpa yoga

Sarpa yoga is created when three or more malefics occupy the kendras from the lagna, while no benefics are present. According to BPHS (37.22.) the native born with this yoga will be crooked, cruel, poor, always remains miserable and will always depend on others for food and drinks. If there’s any benefics in the kendras then they will break the effect of this yoga, and upäyas should be applied to strengthen the influence of this benefic.Kälasarpa yoga is created when all the planets are situated between the nodes, while Rähu is in the front (zodiacally). The opposite situation, where Ketu is in the front is called Kälämåta yoga, and its effects although not so destructive, are still far from favourable. The effects of Kälasarpa yoga however are quite similar to the curse of the snakes, as the native will suffer general setbacks in his life during the first 45 years, and as a result he will turn a way from dharma and degrade himself especially in the area of the house occupied by Rähu. If there are any benefic planets conjoining the nodes or the 1st or 7th house, then the yoga will be broken. If the Moon breaks the yoga, then Mahäçaìkha yoga is created, so to strengthen its benefic effects fasting on Mondays and worship of Çiva and Saìkarçaëa is recommended. If Jupiter breaks the yoga, then fasting on Thursdays is recommended, along with worship of Lord Viñëu and Balaräma.

3.2. The Three Types of Gaëòänta

The gaëòänta yogas, although cannot be strictly considered yogas, but rather flaws in time, still find their place here because the effect is similar to curses from previous births, especially if all three gaëòänta doñas are present in a chart.

b) Tithi Gaëòänta occurs when the native is born in the last ghaöi of the pürëa tithis (païcamé or 5th, daçamé or 10th, amavasya or new moon and pürëima or full moon day) or in the first ghaöi of the nanda tithis (praöipata or 1st, çañöhé or 6th and ekädaçé or 11th).

c) Nakñatra Gaëòänta occurs when the native is born in the last to ghaöis of the Moon’s passing in Äçleñä, Jyeñöhä and Revaté Nakñatras or in the first two ghaöis after the Moon entered the Açviné, Mägha and Müla Nakñatras.

d) Lagna Gaëòänta occurs when the lagna is less then half ghaöis before or after crossing the junction point of the signs Pisces-Aries, Cancer-Leo and Scorpio-Sagittarius.

The junction points of these pairs of signs conjoin with the junction points of the three paryäyas of nakñatras. Here the fiery and watery signs meet, so obviously these points are disharmonic. If all three doñas are present in someone’s chart, then the child is almost sure to die shortly after birth, while if he remains alive, he will suffer a lot and he will always be subservient to poor and unfortunate persons. Lagna gaëòänta causes loss of intelligence, Nakñatra gaëòänta causes short life, while tiöhi gaëòänta causes loss of fortune. If someone is born in the last pada of Äçleñä or first

pada of Açviëé, then loss of father; in first pada of Mägha, loss of mother; in last pada of Revaté, many difficulties; in last pada of Jyeñöhä short life may be expected.The general effect in the case all three or at least two gaëòäntas are present is that the native may die right after birth, or during travel or auspicious ceremonies like wedding. However, if only nakñatra gaëòänta is present, and there are other beneficial yogas in the chart, the child may survive and become fortunate. One example of this is the chart of Mahätmä Gandhi, who was born in the end of Äçleñä Nakñatra, but had a relatively successful life.

3.3. Abhukta Müla and other evil Nakñatras

The lords of Jyeñöhä and Müla Nakñatras are Indra and Räkñasa respectively. Therefore the period of the last five ghaöis of Jyeñöhä and first eight ghaöis of Müla are called Abhukta Müla, and this period is very dangerous, especially if the birth happens in the Märgaçira, Phälguëa, Vaiçäkha or Jyaiñöha lunar months. According to Paräçara, such a child should be deserted, or else the whole family will suffer. Another solution to the problem is that the father should not see the child up to eight years from birth, or according to other sources for one lunar month. If a female is born in the Jyeñöhä Nakñatra, then she will cause the death of her husband’s elder brother, while if at the end of the Viçäkhä, then the death of her husband’s younger brother. At the marriage of such a female, a cow should be donated. If the child is born in the last three quarters of Äçleñä Nakñatra then the death of his mother-in-law, and if in the first three quarters of Müla then the death of his father-in-law should be expected. The kumbha-viväha remedy is suitable for removal of these blemishes. Another negative combination occurs if the child is born in the same Nakñatra as his or her elder siblings, or parents.

3.4. Other Inauspicious Timings

If the child is born during amavasya tithi, then both parents will become poor. This tithi is ruled by Rähu, so the effect is akin to näga doña. In the case of birth during kåñëa caturdaçé, the evil effects include loss of parents, uncles, children or short life. Venus rules this tiöhi, so remedies should be applied according to this. If the native is born during bhadra or viñöi karaëa or some evil upagraha rises in his lagna, then the effect is also negative. The saìkräntis (the days when the Sun changes signs) and the lunar and solar eclipses are also negative periods, so if the child is born during these times, then again suitable remedies should be performed in order to protect the child from the evil effects of the curse. The effects include poverty, suffering, disease and death.

3.5. Tritara and Abnormal births

Mahärñi Paräçara specifically mentions that if someone has three boys then they have received the blessings of the tridevas (Çiva, Viñëu and Brahmä respectively); and if they have three girls, then they receive the blessings of the tridevés (Pärvaté, Lakñmé and Sarasvaté). But if someone is dissatisfied with this and they want a fourth child that is of the opposite sex, then they will attract the curse of the tridevas or tridevés. Also, if an abnormal human child or animal is born, then this could bring ruin to the whole village or community. These include children born too early or too late, the child misses some limbs or has extra limbs, or has two genders, or looks like an animal, or are born as Siamese twins. In this case, the appropriate remedies are very important.

3.6. Example Chart for Inauspicious Birth Time: Khomeini Ayatollah

Apart from being born during viñöi karaëa, his Moon is in the 2nd pada of the Müla Nakñatra, which is lorded by Räkçasa, and especially during the month of Vaiçäkha when he was born, the residence of Müla Nakñatra is in hell (pätäla). This is also confirmed by his lagna being in a fixed sign. Besides that, the effect of Kälavela on the lagna is also there, as it is situated just about 2-3 degrees behind the lagna degree. The Guru-caëòäla yoga formed by the Jupiter and Rähu indicates the curse of a brähmaëa from previous life, which is most likely to afflict his mother as it is situated in the 4th while Moon is conjoined by the evil Saturn.

4. COMBINATIONS FOR BLACK MAGIC FROM NAVÄÀÇA

4.1. Indications for Black Magic

k-ark-a&Xaaita[k-ae<aSQae PaaPa%e$=ÜYae iÜJa )MaaNavae MaN}aTaN}ajae JaaYaTae Naa_}a Sa&XaYa" ))75))

PaaPaeNa vqi+aTae Ta}a JaaTaae iNaGa]ahk-ae >aveTa( )Xau>aEiNaRrqi+aTae TaiSMaNa( Narae_NauGa]ahk-ae

>aveTa( ))76))

kärakäàçät trikoëasthe päpakheöadvaye dvijamänavo mantratantrajïo jäyate nä ’tra saàçayaù

päpena vékñite tatra jäto nigrähako bhavetçubhairnirékñite tasmin naro ’nugrähako bhavet

“O brähmaëa, if there are two malefic planets in a trikoëa from kärakäàça, the native will have knowledge of mantra (sacred spells) and tantra (mystical rituals). If they (the malefic planets) are aspected by a malefic planet, the native will use this knowledge for evil purposes (as black magic) but if they are aspected by a benefic planet he will use it for good purposes.” (BPHS 35.75-76.)

i}ak-ae<ae PaaPaÜYae MaaiN}ak-" ))83))PaaPadN$e= iNaGa]ahk-" ))84))

Xau>adN$e= ANauGa]ahk-" ))85))

trikoëe päpadvaye mäntrikaùpäpadåñöe nigrähakaù

çubhadåñöe anugrähakaù

“If two malefics are in trikoëas, the native gains expertise in spells (mantras) and occult knowledge. The malefic in trikoëas when aspected by other malefics gives expertise in black magic. The malefic in trikoëas when aspected by benefics gives expertise in white magic.” (Jaimini Sütram 1.2.83-85.)

The two authors have identical opinions on this, however a few finer points may be considered for a fuller understanding of this combination.

4.2. Kärakäàça and Sväàça

Kärakäàça is the sign in the naväàça chart, which is occupied by the ätmäkäraka planet. Lagnäàça is the sign occupied by the lagna in naväàça. The sväàça means both kärakäàça and lagnäàça. What is the difference between the two? If a combination in the naväàça chart is analysed from the vantage point of lagnäàça, then it refers more to the physical level, while it is reckoned from the kärakäàça, then the soul’s spiritual force is added to the strength of the combination. Paräçara does not distinguish between the two, however Jaimini does, and from the

above we can derive the following subtleties for the interpretation of the combination for mystic knowledge:

1. If the combination is in trikoëas only from lagnäàça, then the magic is not so strong, and the native learns it in this life and uses for commercial gains etc.

2. If the combination is in trikoëas from kärakäàça, then the native has been practicing tantra etc. in his previous life, and thus his mystic power in this life will grow very strong. We should also note that if the ätmäkäraka planet itself is a malefic, then the native has very strong will power.

3. The strength even increases if the malefics are in trikoëas to sväàça (i.e. both lagnäàça and kärakäàça), especially if the two conjoin. This combination enables the native to realise his ambitions in full.

4. At least one malefic gives knowledge of mantra (sacred incantations), two that of yantras (mystical diagrams) while three or more give knowledge of tantra (mystical rituals). The nature of these may be understood on the basis of the strongest malefic influencing.

5. If these planets are aspected by a malefic, the native uses it for nefarious purposes (black magic) while if aspected by benefics, he will use it for acceptable purposes (white magic). Mixed aspects indicate mixed results.

4.3. Example Chart for Black Magic: Aleister Crowley

The above chart is that of Aleister Crowley, a very famous English author and black magician. His ätmäkäraka is the retrograde Saturn, conjoined by a very strong exalted Mars, which is also vargottama. The malefic ätmäkäraka indicates will power, while its retrogression indicates a strong

unfulfilled desire harboured from last life, which becomes the cause of rebirth in this life. Mars is yogakäraka, being the lord of 5th and 10th, thus indicates a very good potential for success in this area. Also note that Mars is the dispositor of the ärudha lagna and ghaöika lagna (situated in Scorpio and Aries respectively), which adds to the strength of the combination.

The satanic motives of the native are also seen from Rähu being lord of the 8th house conjoining the Moon, lord of lagna in the 9th house of religion. This combination is also called Candra-caëòäla yoga and suits different kinds of sexual aberration, including paedophilia. A the same time this is a çakti yoga in which the Sun’s significations (dharma) also get destroyed. The native’s orientation towards sexual magic is also seen from the strong 7th house occupied by the exalted Mars and ätmäkäraka Saturn in own house, which is simultaneously the lord of the 8th house of mystical knowledge. Mars in the 7th house usually indicates a kind hearted person, but here the retrograde ätmäkäraka Saturn overpowers it, making him sacrifice kindness for the desire to acquire mystic powers and manipulate others. Now let’s see the combinations in the naväàça chart.

The naväàça lagna is in the 5th house from the räçi lagna, which is the house of power and knowledge. It contains Rähu, which is 8th lord in räçi. So analysing from lagnäàça we find only Rähu as a malefic, while 9th house has Moon in her own house, aspected by the three benefics Jupiter, Mercury and Venus. It may be derived that this combination helped him a lot in concealing his nefarious intentions and gave him a good ground to deceive people. However if we check the combination from the kärakäàça, we find that the Sun conjoins Saturn, while Mars is exalted in the 5 th, and Ketu is positioned in the 9th house. So there are three malefics in trikoëas to the kärakäàça, while the ätmäkäraka itself is a retrograde malefic planet. With this, there’s not many planets remaining to aspect the combination, though the strongest planet of the combination, Mars receives the aspect of Rähu and Ketu (Räçi Dåñöi), thereby gaining additional strength to do evil. Ketu is also aspected by Mars (this is the strongest aspect) and also by Moon and Venus, which however were unable to turn his will into a positive direction, they just served to conceal

the cruelty, as mentioned above in connection to Moon. Venus is also afflicted by a Päpakartaré yoga (see section 5 for details) from Rähu, Saturn and the Sun, and it again indicates that the main interest lies in sexual magic. Venus in the 2nd from kärakäàça indicates uncontrollable sexual passion, although the aspect of Ketu on it tends to control it. However this manifests in full only if Saturn also aspects, which is missing in this case, so the native has concealed sexual aberrations.

5. CURSES AND BLACK MAGIC IN THIS LIFE

5.1. Evil Effects of Saturn, Rähu and Ketu

The evil effects of these three planets are called Véra Bandha (Saturn), Näga Bandha (Rähu) and Ähi Bandha (Ketu). These can be caused by curses in the past or present life and result in some type of bondage or difficulties. Véra Bandha is caused by Saturn and its results are that the person is overpowered by enemies and made immobile either by enemies or disease or some other weakness like sex, alcohol etc. The best remedy for this affliction is any mantra of Kåñna like the Krñëa-täraka mantra or Gopäla-matra:

é[qk*-Z<a" Xar<a& MaMa ))

Çré-kåñëaù çaraëaà mama

GaaePaqJaNavç/>aaYa Svaha ))

Gopéjana-vallabhäya svähä

Näga Bandha is caused by Rähu and is seen when the person is cheated, falsely accused, possessed by spirits, witchcraft and black magic etc. The best remedy is the Räma-täraka mantra:

é[qraMa" Xar<a& MaMa ))

Çré-rämaù çaraëaà mama

The Äùi Bandha is attributed to Ketu, and its symptoms are sudden results like reversals, decline in health for no apparent reason, insomnia, mental disorders, in some cases evil eye or possession by spirits, cheating or being cheated, false hopes and self destruction may also occur. The best remedy is the Näräyaëa mantra, or the Näräyaëa kavaca given in section 6.

p NaMaae NaaraYa<aaYa ))

Oà namo näräyaëäya

5.2. The Effects of Kaëöaka Çani and Sade-saté

The doñas mentioned in the previous and this point are usually results of past karma, but often times they are manifest in the form of inimical action like curses or black magic on the native in this life. Kaëöaka means a thorn, so there are special transits for Saturn, when it gives great obstacles in life. This effect occurs when Saturn has a special aspect (his graha dåñöi on the 3rd and 10th house from him) on the 10th

house (reckoned from lagna, ärudha lagna and the Moon) or occupies it. This literally means the Saturn’s transit through the 1st, 10th and 8th houses from lagna, ärudha lagna and the Moon. The native may lose his job, business may face failures or other adverse career-related effects are indicated for this doña. The remedy lies in worshipping Çré Rudra or Çré Kåñëa. The transit of Saturn through the 12th, 1st and 2nd houses from the Moon comprise the 7.5-year period of Sade-saté. It is divided into three parts. When Saturn transits the 12th house from the Moon, problems occur in domestic affairs, tensions with spouse, parents and children are also possible. Change of residence may also occur.

1) Worship of Yogamäyä is recommended during this period. The transit of Saturn through the Moon sign may cause bad company, failure in undertakings, and many personal problems like loss of reputation, danger from accidents etc.

2) Worship of Çré Haëumän is recommended. The third part of Sade-saté results in many enemies and financial losses, loss of livelihood and danger from government action.

3) Worship of Çré Krñëa is recommended along with general remedies for Saturn during the whole period.

5.3. Päpakartaré Yogas and Bandhana Yogas

Päpakartaré yoga is formed when there are malefic planets in the 12th and 2nd from the lagna or any other house. If it is formed on the lagna, then the native becomes sensual, will do sinful acts and will usurp others’ wealth. If it forms in the other houses, then it will also harm the significations of those houses. On the other hand, benefic planets form çubhakartaré yoga, and they indicate blessings or help from other people regarding the affected life area in the native’s chart. A specific version of the kartaré yogas is the bandhana yoga, which usually causes bondage. This is formed when the native has an equal number of equally strong planets in either side of the lagna, ärudha lagna, Moon or any other house. They need not be only malefics, benefics or mixed planets may also form the yoga, and their nature will indicate the nature of bondage. If for example the bondage is caused by benefics, the native may be held in custody for the purposes of protection or healing etc. If malefics cause the bandhana yoga, then the bondage is painful and the native suffers a lot, plus his custodians are cruel people. If mixed planets cause the bandhana yoga, then the results are also mixed. Some points regarding the nature of bandhana yoga are listed below:

1. Equal number and equal strength of planets indicate that the native is unable to escape the bondage. If one side of the bandhana is weaker, he has chances to escape.

2. Planets in the following house pairs form the yoga: 2/12, 3/11, 4/10, 5/9 and 6/8. The nature of the houses and planets will indicate the persons and motives causing bondage.

3. The bandhana yoga formed on the lagna may give physical imprisonment, on the AL – ideological oppression; on the Moon – emotional constrictions; and on the lagna lord – physical inability due to diseases or accidents etc.

Similarly for other houses.

5.4. Combinations for Äbhicara, Dåñöi Bädha, Preta Bädha etc.

The combinations mentioned so far relate to the birth chart, and indicate general evils occurring in this lifetime of the native, because of past sins. The occurrences may often times be in the form of curses and evil eye or black magic performed on the native in this life. The following combinations are partially applicable to the birth chart, where they will show the tendency to be attacked by enemies, evil spirits etc., but for more exact determination of the native’s situation these rules should be applied on the ärudhas of the specific query charts also. These combinations come from the Prañëa Märga and another classic named Santana Dépikä. The first principle to understand is the bädhaka. Each house has a bädhaka (obstructive or harmful) sign, and its lord is called bädhakeça. For cardinal signs the bädhaka is the 11th house from them, for fixed signs the 9th from them and for dual signs the 7th from them is the bädhaka sign. The planets occupying the bädhaka house and its lord are also unfavourable to the significations of the house. The following principles may be applied to the janma lagna or the prañëa ärudha also.

1. If the bädhakeça aspects the lagneça, then there is dåñöi bädha (the native is attacked by evil spirits). Both räçi and graha dåñöi may be considered.

2. If the 7th lord is in the bädhaka sthäna or the bädhakeça and lagneça conjoin or mutually aspect, there is dåñöi bädha.

3. Lagna in a cardinal sign with a malefic, and Mars is in the 7th house.4. Lagna is occupied by malefics, Saturn is in the 7th, and Moon is

aspected by malefics.5. The diseases usually occur because of two reasons: one is the

disorder of the tridoñas (biological elements of the body) and the other is due to the mantric machinations of the enemies that we are studying here. The 6th and 8th houses indicate disease. If Mercury is stronger than the lagna, then the diseases are more likely to occur because of äbhicara. Also, if lord of the 6th house is stronger than the lord of the 8th, then again the diseases are more likely to occur because of the enemies. Otherwise it is due to the disorder of the tridoñas.

6. If Gulika or Rähu occupies the 4th, 5th, 7th or 8th, then the disease is due to poison, and if the 6th lord conjoins, then the poison was administered by the enemies. If the lord of lagna is in connection with the 6th lord, then the object of giving poison is to harm the person. If it is connected with the 7th lord, then the object is to win over the person (like making him fall in love or come under the control of someone).

7. If bädhakeça occupies or aspects the 6th, or the 6th lord occupies or aspects the bädhaka (from lagna), or the bädhakeça and 6th lord are in parivartaëa, or conjoin, or are in mutual aspect, then the affliction is due to enemies.

8. If the bädhakeça is a benefic, then the affliction is called mahäbhicara (incantations calculated to cause death etc.), and if it is a malefic, then kñudräbhicara (burying enchanted substances underground to bring about the native’s ruin). In the second case further information on the tantric object can be found on the basis of Gulika’s position.

9. If Mars is in the bädhaka sthäna from lagna aspected by the 6th lord, then the native has sickness resorted to by an enemy.

10. Mars in lagna or its kendras while 6th lord in lagna.11. 6th lord in lagna, 7th or 10th while Mars is in lagna or aspects it.12. Ketu in the kendras excepting the 7th, while Mars is in lagna or

aspects it, or Mändi occupies a kendra.13. Recovery from the disease after performing suitable remedial

measures may be expected if the 9th lord is favourably disposed, or if the lagna lord is associated with or aspected by the Sun or Jupiter, but if they are afflicted, then recovery is unlikely. Also, if the lagna, 4th, 6th, 8th and 11th houses are free from malefics and benefics occupy the 4th, 7th and 10th houses, then recovery is possible. The above combinations should be examined both in the birth chart and in the query chart.

5.5. Example Chart for Black Magic: Attack with Poison

The effects of Véra Bandha (Saturn), Näga Bandha (Rähu) and Ähi Bandha (Ketu) are all present in this chart, as Rähu forms a Päpakartaré yoga with the Sun and Mars on the lagna, while Saturn is in the bädhaka sthäna from lagna, and Ketu is in the 6th house of enemies. Also Mercury is obviously stronger than the lagna, while the 6th lord Sun is again much stronger than the 8th lord Venus. The powerful combination in the 2nd house involving the exalted 6th lord Sun and the bädhakeça Mercury indicates numerous and powerful enemies. Also retrograde Mercury and Saturn are able to cause a lot of trouble because of past life karmic complications. Rähu in the 12 th on the other hand indicates secret enemies who are most likely to attack with poison.The combination in point 4. is partially applicable, as Saturn is in the 7th in bädhaka sthäna, while the Moon is aspected by Rähu and Ketu. However the relieving factors are Jupiter in own house in lagna and the conjunction of ätmäkäraka Mars with the Moon in Aries. Mars tends to give spiritual strength to overcome enemies and he also tends to protect the life of the native.Neither Gulika nor Rähu are in 4th, 5th, 7th or 8th house, but both aspect the lord of the 6th and the bädhakeça, so a secret enemy tried to administer poison to the native, but the native was miraculously saved from eating the poisoned foodstuff by God’s grace. Bädhakeça Mercury and 6th lord Sun conjoin, so this confirms attacks by enemies, while Mercury being a benefic, the attack would be mahäbhicära (incantations etc.).

What was the motive of the enemy attacking the native with poison? This should be ascertained from the Triàçäàça (D-30) chart. Here we see 7th

lord Jupiter that is also bädhakeça is in the lagna. The planets involving poisoning are Rähu and Gulika. Rähu is in the 10th conjoined by the Moon, Ketu and Sun, while Rähu is lord of the 6th house, so one reason could be envy in career. Also the only planet aspecting Gulika is Venus from the upapada, so the other motive could be jealousy in love. In other words the enemy wanted to enter into a love relationship with the native, while he declined it, and then the enemy resorted to attempt poisoning him.

However the close conjunction of Jupiter both in räçi and triàçäàça protected the native from the harmful effects.

6. ANTIDOTES FOR EVILS

6.1. Remedial Measures for Childlessness

Mahärñi Paräçara lists a lot of useful remedial measures for neutralising the effects of curses leading to childlessness. These remedies were listed in section 1, and the same can be applied if curses afflict the other areas of the native’s chart. However we should note that Paräçara specifically mentions the case of childlessness, which in most cases can be the most severely afflicted area. Also we should note that there are many other reasons leading to childlessness, like the infertility of one or two members of the couple etc. The combinations indicating these are appropriately listed in Jaimini Sütram. Therefore another grand remedial measure will be offered below from the great Mahäpuräëa Çrémad-Bhägavatam, which can be undertaken in the case of childlessness.

Puàsavana Vrata or Lakñmé-Näräyaëa Vrata(Çrémad-Bhägavatam Canto 6, Chapter 19)

Mahäräja Parékñit said: “My dear lord, you have already spoken about the puàsavana vow. Now I want to hear about it in detail, for I understand that by observing this vow one can please the Supreme Lord, Viñëu.”

Çukadeva Gosvämé said: “On the first day of the bright fortnight of the month of Agrahäyaëa [November–December], following the instructions of her husband, a woman should begin this regulative devotional service with a vow of penance, for it can fulfill all one’s desires. Before beginning the worship of Lord Viñëu, the woman should hear the story of how the Maruts were born. Under the instructions of qualified brähmaëas, in the morning she should wash her teeth, bathe, and dress herself with white cloth and ornaments, and before taking breakfast she should worship Lord Viñëu and Lakñmé.”

[She should then pray to the Lord as follows.]

Al/& Tae iNarPae+aaYaPaU<aRk-aMa NaMaae_STau Tae )Mahaiv>aUiTaPaTaYaeNaMa" Sak-l/iSaÖYae ))

YaQaa Tv& k*-PaYaa >aUTYaaTaeJaSaa MaihMaaEJaSaa )Jauí= wRXa Gau<aE" SavERSTaTaae_iSa >aGavaNa( Pa[>au" ))

alaà te nirapekñäya pürëa-käma namo ’stu temahävibhüti-pataye namaù sakala-siddhaye

yathä tvaà kåpayä bhütyä tejasä mahimaujasäjuñöa éça guëaiù sarvais tato ’si bhagavän prabhuù

“My dear Lord, You are full in all opulences, but I do not beg You for opulence. I simply offer my respectful obeisances unto You. You are the husband and master of Lakñmédevé, the goddess of fortune, who has all opulences. Therefore You are the master of all mystic yoga. I simply offer my obeisances unto You.”

“O my Lord, because You are endowed with causeless mercy, all opulences, all prowess and all glories, strength and transcendental qualities, You are the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the master of everyone.”

[After profusely offering obeisances unto Lord Viñëu, the devotee should offer respectful obeisances unto mother Lakñmé, the goddess of fortune, and pray as follows.]

ivZ<auPaiTan MahaMaaYaeMahaPauåzl/+a<ae )Pa[qYaeQaa Mae Maha>aaGael/aek-MaaTaNaRMaae_STau Tae ))

viñëu-patni mahä-mäye mahäpuruña-lakñaëepréyethä me mahä-bhäge loka-mätar namo ’stu te

“O wife of Lord Viñëu, O internal energy of Lord Viñëu, you are as good as Lord Viñëu Himself, for you have all of His qualities and opulences. O goddess of fortune, please be kind to me. O mother of the entire world, I offer my respectful obeisances unto you.”

p NaMaae >aGavTae MahaPauåzaYa MahaNau>aavaYa Mahaiv>aUiTaPaTaYae Sah Mahaiv>aUiTai>abRil/MauPahraiMa ))

oà namo bhagavate mahä-puruñäya mahänubhäväya mahävibhüti-pataye saha mahä-vibhütibhir balim upaharämi

“My Lord Viñëu, full in six opulences, You are the best of all enjoyers and the most powerful. O husband of mother Lakñmé, I offer my respectful obeisances unto You, who are accompanied by many associates, such as Viçvaksena. I offer all the paraphernalia for worshiping You.”

One should chant this mantra every day with great attention while worshiping Lord Viñëu with all paraphernalia, such as water for washing His feet, hands and mouth and water for His bath. One must offer Him various presentations for His worship, such as garments, a sacred thread, ornaments, scents, flowers, incense and lamps.

Çukadeva Gosvämé continued: After worshiping the Lord with all the paraphernalia mentioned above, one should chant the following mantra while offering twelve oblations of ghee on the sacred fire:

AaeA NaMaae >aGavTae MahaPauåzaYa Mahaiv>aUiTaPaTaYae Svaha ))

oà namo bhagavate mahä-puruñäya mahävibhüti-pataye svähä

If one desires all opulences, his duty is to daily worship Lord Viñëu with His wife, Lakñmé. With great devotion one should worship Him according to the above-mentioned process. Lord Viñëu and the goddess of fortune are an immensely powerful combination. They are the bestowers of all benedictions and the sources of all good fortune. Therefore the duty of everyone is to worship Lakñmé-Näräyaëa.

One should offer obeisances unto the Lord with a mind humbled through devotion. While offering daëòavats by falling on the ground like a rod, one should chant the above mantra ten times. Then one should chant the following prayer.

Yauva& Tau ivìSYa iv>aUJaGaTa" k-ar<a& ParMa( )wYaA ih Pa[k-iTa" SaU+MaaMaaYaaXai¢-duRrTYaYaa ))

TaSYaa ADaqìr" Saa+aatvMaev PauåZa" Par" )Tv& SavRYaj wJYaeYa& i§-YaeYa& f-l/>auG>avaNa( ))

Gau<aVYai¢-irYa& devqVYaÅak-ae Gau<a>auG>avaNa( )TvA ih SavRXarqYaaRTMaaé[qo XarqreiNd]YaaXaYaao ))

NaaMaæåPae >aGavTaqPa[TYaYaSTvMaPaaé[Ya" )

YaQaa Yauva& i}al/aek-SYavrdaE ParMaeií=NaaE )TaQaa Ma otaMaëaek-SaNTau SaTYaa MahaiXaz" ))

yuväà tu viçvasya vibhü jagataù käraëaà paramiyaà hi prakåtiù sükñmä mäyä-çaktir duratyayä

tasyä adhéçvaraù säkñät tvam eva puruñaù paraùtvaà sarva-yajïa ijyeyaà kriyeyaà phala-bhug bhavän

guëa-vyaktir iyaà devé vyaïjako guëa-bhug bhaväntvaà hi sarva-çaréry ätmä çréù çarérendriyäçayäù

näma-rüpe bhagavaté pratyayas tvam apäçrayaù

yathä yuväà tri-lokasyavaradau parameñöhinautathä ma uttamaçloka santu satyä mahäçiñaù

“My Lord Viñëu and mother Lakñmé, goddess of fortune, you are the proprietors of the entire creation. Indeed, you are the cause of the creation. Mother Lakñmé is extremely difficult to understand because she is so powerful that the jurisdiction of her power is difficult to overcome. Mother Lakñmé is represented in the material world as the external energy, but actually she is always the internal energy of the Lord.”

“My Lord, You are the master of energy, and therefore You are the Supreme Person. You are sacrifice [yajïa] personified. Lakñmé, the embodiment of spiritual activities, is the original form of worship offered unto You, whereas You are the enjoyer of all sacrifices.”

“Mother Lakñmé, who is here, is the reservoir of all spiritual qualities, whereas You manifest and enjoy all these qualities. Indeed, You are actually the enjoyer of everything. You live as the Supersoul of all living entities, aid the goddess of fortune is the form of their bodies, senses and minds. She also has a holy name and form, whereas You are the support of all such names and forms and the cause for their manifestation.”

“You are both the supreme rulers and benedictors of the three worlds. Therefore, my Lord, Uttamaçloka, may my ambitions be fulfilled by Your grace.”

Çré Çukadeva Gosvämé continued:”Thus one should worship Lord Viñëu, who is known as Çréniväsa, along with mother Lakñmé, the goddess of fortune, by offering prayers according to the process mentioned above. After removing all the paraphernalia of worship, one should offer them water to wash their hands and mouths, and then one should worship them again.

Thereafter, with devotion and humility, one should offer prayers to the Lord and mother Lakñmé. Then one should smell the remnants of the food offered and then again worship the Lord and Lakñméjé.

Accepting her husband as the representative of the Supreme Person, a wife should worship him with unalloyed devotion by offering him prasäda. The husband, being very pleased with his wife, should engage himself in the affairs of his family.

Between the husband and wife, one person is sufficient to execute this devotional service. Because of their good relationship, both of them will enjoy the result. Therefore if the wife is unable to execute this process, the husband should carefully do so, and the faithful wife will share the result.

One should accept this viñëu-vrata, which is a vow in devotional service, and should not deviate from its execution to engage in anything else. By offering the remnants of prasäda, flower garlands, sandalwood pulp and ornaments, one should daily worship the brähmaëas and worship women who peacefully live with their husbands and children. Every day the wife must continue following the regulative principles to worship Lord Viñëu with great devotion. Thereafter, Lord Viñëu should be laid in His bed, and then one should take prasäda. In this way, husband and wife will be purified and will have all their desires fulfilled.

The chaste wife must perform such devotional service continuously for one year. After one year passes, she should fast on the full-moon day in the month of Kärttika [October–November].

On the morning of the next day, one should wash oneself, and after worshiping Lord Kåñëa as before, one should cook as one cooks for festivals as stated in the Gåhya-sütras. Sweet rice should be cooked with ghee, and with this preparation the husband should offer oblations to the fire twelve times.

Thereafter, he should satisfy the brähmaëas. When the satisfied brähmaëas bestow their blessings, he should devotedly offer them respectful obeisances with his head, and with their permission he should take prasäda.

Before taking his meal, the husband must first seat the äcärya comfortably, and, along with his relatives and friends, should control his speech and offer prasäda to the guru. Then the wife should eat the remnants of the oblation of sweet rice cooked with ghee. Eating the remnants insures a learned, devoted son and all good fortune.

If this vow or ritualistic ceremony is observed according to the description of çästra, even in this life a man will be able to achieve all the benedictions he desires from the Lord. A wife who performs this ritualistic ceremony will surely receive good fortune, opulence, sons, a long-living husband, a good reputation and a good home.

If an unmarried girl observes this vrata, she will be able to get a very good husband. If a woman who is avérä—who has no husband or son—executes this ritualistic ceremony, she can be promoted to the spiritual world. A woman whose children have died after birth can get a child with a long duration of life and also become very fortunate in possessing wealth. If a woman is unfortunate she will become fortunate, and if ugly she will become beautiful. By observing this vrata, a diseased man can gain relief from his disease and have an able body with which to work. If one recites this narration while offering oblations to the pitäs and demigods, especially during the çräddha ceremony, the demigods and inhabitants of Pitåloka will be extremely pleased with him and bestow upon him the fulfillment of all desires. After one performs this ritualistic ceremony, Lord Viñëu and His wife, mother Lakñmé, the goddess of fortune, are very pleased with him. O King Parékñit, now I have completely described how Diti performed this ceremony and had good children—the Maruts—and a happy life. I have tried to explain this to you as elaborately as possible.

6.2. Remedial Measures for General Curses

In chapter 85 of Båhat-Paräçara-Hora-Çästra, the author delineates the most suitable remedial measures to ward off the curses connected to the different planets as follows:

TaQaa jXau§-Jae deZae Pau}aaáaE XaM>auPaUJaNaaTa( )JaqvcNd]k*-Tae ivPa[ MaN}aYaN}aaEZaDaaidTa" ))109))

rahuJae k-NYak-adaNaaTSaUYaRJae hirk-ITaRNaaTa( )

GaaedaNaaTke-TauJae deZae åd]JaaPaaTku-Jaa_ikRJae ))110))SavRdaezaivNaaXaaYaa Xau>aSaNTaaNal/BdaYae )

hirv&Xak-Qaa >aKTYaa é[aeTaVYaa iviDaNaa iÜJa ))111))

tathä jïaçukraje deñe puträptaù çambhupüjanätjévacandrakåte vipra mantrayantrauñadhäditaù

rähuje kanyakädänät süryaje harikértanätgodänät ketuje deñe rudrajäpät kujä ’rkijesarvadoñavinäçäyä çubhasantänalabdhaye

harivaàçakathä bhaktyä çrotavyä vidhinä dvija

“In order to get blessed with a son, propitiation of the concerned planets to mitigate the affliction should be performed. Worshipping Lord Çiva will alleviate the affliction and curse of Mercury and Venus. Adoption of mantras, yantras and administering medical herbs will ward off the curse of the Moon and Jupiter. Performing marriage of a girl will alleviate Rähu’s affliction. Recitation of hari-bhajana mitigates the affliction to the Sun. By giving a cow in charity Ketu’s curse is decreased. Rudra-japa will mellow down the affliction of the Mars and Saturn. All the afflictions will get extinguished by performing devotional service and listening to the Harivaàça Puräëa with earnest devotion and thus one will be blessed with a child.” (BPHS 85.109-111.)

Paräçara also lists the general method to make the Deities of the planets, install and worship them. A few items of these descriptions are included in the following table:

Planet Material of Deity

Color of Cloth

Direction

Number of Mantras

Firewood

Food (Rice with)

Donation

Sun Copper Red Lotus

E 7000 Arka Jaggery

Milking Cow

Moon Crystal Whitish

NW 11000 Paläça Milk Conch

Mars Red Sandal

Red S 10000 Khadira Haviñya

Bullock

Mercury

Gold Yellow N 9000 Apämärga

Paddy in Milk

Gold

Jupiter

Gold Yellow NE 19000 Pippala Curd Clothes

Venus Silver White SE 16000 Udambara

Ghé Horse

Saturn

Iron Blue W 23000 Çamé Sesame

Black Cow

Rähu Lead Black SW 18000 Durvä Lentils IronKetu Brass Smoke

yZ 17000 Kuçä Khicaò

éGoat

6.3. Planetary Mantras from Åg Veda

Sun (Åg Veda 1.35.2.):

Aak*-Z<aeNa rJaSaa vTaRMaaNaae iNaveZaYaàMa*Ta& MaTYaR& c )

ihr<YaYaeNa SaivTaa rQaeNaa_devae YaaiTa >auvNaaiNa PaXYaNa( ))2))

äkåñëena rajasä vartamäno niveñayannamåtaà martyaà cahiraëyayena savitä rathenä ’devo yäti bhuvanäni paçyan

“Throughout the dusky firmament advancing, laying to rest the immortal and the mortal, borne in His golden chariot comes, Savitr, the Sun God who looks on every creature.”

Moon

wMa& deva_SaPaÒ& SauvßMMahTae +a}aaYa )MahTae JYaEï=YaaYa MahTae JaaNaraJYaaYaeNd]SYaeiNd]YaaYa ))

wMaMaMauZYa Pau}aMaMauZYaE Pau}aMaSYaE ivZa WZa vaeMaq raJaa )SaaeMaae_SMaak-& b]aø<aaNaa& raJaa ))

imaà devä ’sapatnaà suvadhvammahate kñaträyamahate jyaiñöhayäya mahate jänaräjyäyendrasyendriyäya

imamamuñya putramamuñyai putramasyai viña eña vomé räjäsomo ’smäkaà brähmaëänäà räjä

Mars (Åg Veda 8.44.26.)

AiGanMaURDaR idv" k-ku-TPaiTa" Pa*iQaVYaa_YaMa ) AaPa& reTa& iSa iJaNviTa ))

agnirmürdhä divaù kakutpatiù påthivyä ’yam | äpaà retäà si jinvati

“Agni, to thee whose laws stand fast our resonant songs of praise speed forth,As rivers hasten to the sea.”

Mercury

oØuDYaSvaGane Pa[iTa JaaGa*hq TviMaZ$=aPauTae& Sa& Sa*JaeYaaMaYaÄ )

AiSMaNa( SaDaSQae_DYautariSMaNa( ivìedeva YaJaMaaNaé[ SaqdTa ))

udbudhyasvägne prati jägåhé tvamiñöäputeà saà såjeyämayaïcaasmin sadhasthe ’dhyuttarasmin viçvedevä yajamänaçra sédata

Jupiter (Åg Veda 2.23.15.):

b*hSPaTae AiTa YadYaaeR AhaRd( ÛuMaiÜ>aaiTa §-TauMaÂNaeZau )

Yad( dqdYaC^vSa ‰TaPa[JaaTa TadSMaaSau d]iv<a& deih ic}aMa( ))15))

båhaspate ati yadaryo arhäd dyumad vibhäti kratumajjaneñuyad dédayacchavasa åtaprajäta tadasmäsu draviëaà dehi citram

“Båhaspati, that which the foe deserves not which shines among the folk effectual, splendid, That, Son of Law which is with might refulgent-that treasure wonderful please bestow upon us.”

Venus (Çukla Yajur Veda 19.75)

AàaTPairóuTaae rSa& b]ø<aa VYaiPabT+a}a&PaYa" SaaeMa& Pa[JaaPaiTa" )

‰TaeNa SaTYaiMaiNd]Ya& ivPaaNa& Xau§-MaNDaSa"wNd]SYaeiNd]YaiMad& PaYaae_Ma*Ta& MaDau" ))75))

annät parisruto rasaà brahmaëä vyapibat kñatraàpayaù somaà prajäpatiù

åtena satyam indriyaà vipänaà çukram andhasaùindrasyendriyam idaà payo ’måtaà madhuù

“Lord Brahmä through the brahmä-priest drank the essence from the foaming food, the royal power of milk, soma juice. By law came truth and kingly power, the pure bright draining of the juice. The power of Indra was this sweet immortal milk.”

Saturn (Åg Veda 10.9.4.):

Xa& Naae devqri>aí=Ya AaPaae >avNTau PaqTaYae Xa&Yaaeri>aóvNTau Na" ))4))

çaà no devér abhiñöaya äpo bhavantu pétaye çaàyor abhisravantu naù

“O water, please purify us of our sins, be of use to us in our yajïa, be of use to our drink. Remove our diseases and prevent them from afflicting us. Sprinkle us and purify us.”

Rähu (Åg Veda 4.31.1.)

k-Yaa Naiê}a Aa >auv dUiTa SadavDa" Sa%a ) k-Yaa Xaicï=Yaa vTaa ))1))

kayä naçcitra ä bhuva düti sadävådhaù sakhä | kayä çaciñöhayä våtä

“With what help will he come to us, wonderful, ever-waxing Friend; With what most mighty company?”

Ketu (Åg Veda 1.6.3.):

ke-Tau& k*-<vàke-Tave PaeXaae MaYaaR ApaeXaSae ) SaMauZaiÙrJaaYaQaa" ))3))

ketuà kåëvanna ketave peço maryä apeçase | samuñadbhirajäyathäù

“You, making light where no light was, and form, where form was not,was born together with the Dawns.”

6.4. Remedial Measures for the Other Doñas

In many places of this paper suitable remedial measures were explained or the Deities to be worshiped were pointed out. Here additional information would be given on how to counteract the different flaws of the birth chart.

During amaväsya tithi the Sun and the Moon conjoin, so their Lords, Kåñëa and Räma should be worshiped, mainly by chanting the Hare Kåñëa mahä-mantra. Worship should be done specifically while facing the southeastern direction which is ruled by Rähu. Gold, silver and a black cow should be donated. The brähmaëas should be served and offered donations. The ruler of the amaväsya tithi is Kälé, who is worshiped by Vaisnavas in Her original form as Yogamäyä, the Lord’s spiritual energy. Rähu rules this tithi along with kåñëa añöamé. The ruling Deity of kåñëa añöamé is Lord Kåñëa. For birth during kåñëa-caturdaçé, Lord Çiva or Narasiàha Deva should be worshiped along with Varuëa or Gaìgä-devé. For birth during an inauspicious karaëa, Lord Viñëu should be worshiped. For birth during tithi kñaya, Lord Çiva or Narasiàha Deva should be worshiped with a lamp in the evening. In case of any upagrahas conjoining the lagna, one should circumambulate a banyan tree or a Viñëu temple 108 times, Lord Viñëu should be worshiped, Rudräbhiñeka should be performed and many brähmaëas should be fed.

For Tritara births the tridevas (Brahmä, Viñëu, Çiva) should be worshiped if a girl is born after three boys, or the tridevés (Sarasvaté, Lakñmé and Pärvaté) if a boy is born after three girls. If one was born in their relative’s nakñatra, then Paräçara recommends the worship of the nakñatra devata, similarly in case of gaëòänta doña, or eclipses. During eclipse the Sun, the Moon and Rähu should be worshiped with mantras from the Åg Veda. For birth in saìkränti the following mantra should be chanted (Åg Veda 1.35.8.):

ihr<Yaa+a" SaivTaa dev AaGaadDad]Tana daXauZae vaYaaRi<a ))8))

hiraëyäkñaù savitä deva ägäd dadhadratnä däçuñe väryäëi

“God Savitr the golden-eyed has come here, giving choice treasures unto him who worships.”

6.5. Remedies for Abhicära

If ghosts or other creatures or minor devatäs haunts a person, he may perform the following remedies for protection:

One should make two mäçabhaktävalé balls from turmeric, puffed rice, yogurt, fried chickpea powder and urad däl powder. The first one should be offered to the apädidevatäs with the following mantra:

p AiGan>Yaae_PYaQa SaPaeR>Yaae Yae caNYae TaTSaMaaié[Taa" )

Tae>Yaae bil/MPa[YaC^aiMa Pau<YaMaaedNaMautaMaMa( ))

oà agnibhyo ’py atha sarpebhyo ye cänye tat-samäçritäùtebhyo balim prayacchämi puëyam odanam uttamam

“ I give this excellent offering to the fire deities, to the snakes and to all others who take shelter of this building.”

Then one should scatter mustard seeds in all the ten directions of the building where the disturbance is felt with the following mantra:

p APaGaC^NTau Tae >aUTaa Yae >aUTaa >auivSa&iSQaTaa" ))Yae >aUTaa ivgank-TaaRrSTae GaC^NTYaajaYaa hre" ))

oà apagacchantu te bhütä ye bhütä bhuvi-saàsthitäùye bhütä vighna-kartäras te gacchanty äjïayä hareù

“May all inauspicious subtle beings that may obstruct our service be gone by the order of the Lord.”

Then the next mäçabhaktävalé ball should be offered to the ghosts with the following mantra:

p >aUTaaiNa ra+aSaa vaiPa Yae_iPa iTaï=iNTa ke-cNa ) Tae GahNTau bil/MSaveR vaSTau&Ga*õaMYah& PauNa" ))

oà bhütäni räkñasä väpi ye ’pi tiñöhanti kecanate gåhantu balim sarve västuà gåhëämy ahaà punaù

“Those ghosts, räkñasas and others who are here, please accept this offering.”

The two balls should be taken out of the building and thrown away. The place where they were offered should be purified by sprinkling with païcagavya (mixture of milk, yogurt, ghee, cowdung and cow-urine). The following Balabhadra-kavaca-mantra is also very effective against evil eye and black magic.

Çré Balabhadra-stotra Kavaca

Duryodhana said: “O great sage, please give me the transcendental Balaräma-kavaca, which wise Garga Muni gave to the gopés, and which gives all protection.”

Çré Präòvipäka Muni said: “After bathing and dressing in clean cotton garments, a person should sit on a kuça-grass mat, purify his hands with mantras, bow down, and with fixed intelligence meditate on Lord Kåñëa's elder brother, Lord Balaräma.”

goloka-dhämädhipatiù pareçvaraù     pareñu mäà pätu pavitra-kértanaùbhü-maëòalaà sarñapavad vilakñyate

     yan-mürdhni mäà pätu sa bhümi-maëòale

senäsu mäà rakñatu séra-päëir     yuddhe sadä rakñatu mäà halé ca

durgeñu cävyän musalé sadä mäà     vaneñu saìkarñaëa ädi-devaù

kalindajä-vega-haro jaleñu     nélämbaro rakñatu mäà sadägnau

väyau ca rämo 'vatu khe balaç ca     mahärëave 'nanta-vapuù sadä mäm

çré-väsudevo 'vatu parvateñu     sahasra-çérñä ca mahä-viväde

rogeñu mäà rakñatu rauhiëeyo     mäà käma-pälo 'vatu va vipatsu

kämät sadä rakñatu dhenukäriù     krodhät sadä mäà dvivida-prahäré

lobhät sadä rakñatu balvalärir     mohät sadä mäà kila mägadhäriù

prätaù sadä rakñatu våñëi-dhuryaù     prähne sadä mäà mathurä-purendraù

madhyandine gopa-sakhaù prapätu     svarät parähne 'vatu mäà sadaiva

säyaà phaëéndro 'vatu mäà sadaiva     parät paro rakñatu mäà pradoñe

pürëe niçéthe ca duranta-véryaù     pratyüña-käle 'vatu mäà sadaiva

vidikñu mäà rakñatu revaté-patir     dékñu pralambärir adho yadüdvahaù

ürdhvaà sadä mäà balabhadra ärät     tathä samantäd baladeva eva hi

antaù sadävyät puruñottamo bahir     nägendra-lélo 'vatu mäà mahä-balaù

sadäntarätmä ca vasan hariù svayaà     prapätu pürëaù parameçvaro mahän

deväsuräëäà bhaya-näçanaà ca     hutäçanaà päpa-cayendhanänämvinäçanaà vighna-ghatasya viddhi

     siddhäsanaà varma-varaà balasya

“May Lord Balaräma, who is the master of Goloka, who is the supreme controller of all controllers, and whose fame is spotless, protect me. May Lord Balaräma, who on His head holds the earth as if it were a single mustard seed, protect me in this world.”

“May Lord Balaräma protect me when I am surrounded by many armies. May Lord Balaräma, who holds a plow, always protect me in battle. May Lord Balaräma, who holds a club, always protect me in many fortresses. May Lord Balaräma, the Supreme Personality of Godhead protect me in the forest.”

“May Lord Balaräma, who wears blue garments and who stopped the Yamunä, always protect me in fire. May Lord Balaräma protect me in the wind. May Lord Balaräma protect me in the sky. May Lord Balaräma, who is Lord Ananta Himself, always protect me in the great ocean.”

“May Lord Balaräma, who is Vasudeva's son, protect me on mountains. May Lord Balaräma, who has a thousand heads, protect me in great disputes. May Lord Balaräma, who is Rohiëé's son, protect me from diseases. May Lord Balaräma, who fulfills desires, protect me from catastrophes.”

”May Lord Balaräma, who is the enemy of Dhenukäsura, always protect me from lust. May Lord Balaräma, who killed Dvivida, always protect me from anger. May Lord Balaräma, who is the enemy of Balvala, always protect me from greed. May Lord Balaräma, who is the enemy of Jaräsandha, always protect me from illusion.”

”May Lord Balaräma, who is the best of the Våñëis, always protect me at sunrise. May Lord Balaräma, who is the king of Mathura' City, always

protect me in the morning. May Lord Balaräma, who is the friend of the

gopas, always protect me at midday. May Lord Balaräma, who is supremely independent, always protect me in the afternoon.”

“May Lord Balaräma, who is the king of serpents, always protect me at sunset. May Lord Balaräma, who is greater than the greatest, always protect me in the evening. May Lord Balaräma, whose power is invicible, always protect me in the middle of the night. May Lord Balaräma always protect me at every sunrise.”

”May Lord Balaräma, who is the master of Revaté, protect me from every direction. May Lord Balaräma, who is the enemy of Pralamba, protect me from every direction. May Lord Balaräma, who is the best of the Yädavas, protect me from below. May Lord Balaräma always protect me from above. May Lord Balaräma protect me from near and far. May Lord Balaräma protect me everywhere.”

“May Lord Balaräma, who is the Supreme Personality of Godhead, always protect me from within. May powerful Lord Balaräma, who enjoys pastimes as the king of serpents, protect me from without. May Lord Balaräma, who is the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the Supersoul residing in everyone's heart, always protect me.”

“Please know that this kavaca of Lord Balaräma is the best of armours. It destroys the fears of the demigods and demons. It is a blazing fire that burns up the fuel of a host of sins. It is the death of a host of obstacles. It is the abode of spiritual perfection.”

6.6. The Näräyaëa-kavaca Shield

The above-mentioned different levels of curses and flaws in the chart may all be effectively remedied by the daily chanting of the Näräyaëa-kavaca given in the Çrémad-Bhägavatam (6.8.4-42.). The procedure is the following:

Viçvarüpa said: “If some form of fear arrives, one should first wash his hands and legs clean and then perform äcamana by chanting this mantra:

p APaiv}a" Paiv}aae va SavaRvSQaa& GaTaae_iPa va )YaSSMareTPau<@rqk-a+a&-Sa baùa>YaNTar" Xauic" ))

é[qivZ<au é[qivZ<au é[qivZ<au )

oà apavitraù pavitro vä sarvävasthäà gato ’pi väyaù smaret puëòarékäkñaà sa bähyäbhyantaraù çuciù

çré-viñëu çré-viñëu çré-viñëu

Then one should touch kuça grass and sit gravely and silently, facing north. When completely purified, one should touch the mantra composed of eight syllables to the eight parts of his body and touch the mantra composed of twelve syllables to his hands. Thus, in the following manner,

he should bind himself with the Näräyaëa coat of armor. First, while chanting the mantra composed of eight syllables [p NaMaae NaaraYa<aaYa - oà namo näräyaëäya], beginning with the praëava, the syllable oà, one should touch his hands to eight parts of his body, starting with the two feet and progressing systematically to the knees, thighs, abdomen, heart, chest, mouth and head. Then one should chant the mantra in reverse, beginning from the last syllable [ya], while touching the parts of his body in the reverse order. These two processes are known as utpatti-nyäsa and saàhära-nyäsa respectively.”

“Then one should chant the mantra composed of twelve syllables [p NaMaae >aGavTae vaSaudevaYa - oà namo bhagavate väsudeväya]. Preceding each syllable by the oàkära, one should place the syllables of the mantra on the tips of his fingers, beginning with the index finger of the right hand and concluding with the index finger of the left. The four remaining syllables should be placed on the joints of the thumbs.”

“One must then chant the mantra of six syllables [p ivZ<ave NaMa" - oà viñëave namaù]. One should place the syllable “oà” on his heart, the syllable “vi” on the top of his head, the syllable “ña” between his eyebrows, the syllable “ëa” on his tuft of hair [çikhä], and the syllable “ve” between his eyes. The chanter of the mantra should then place the syllable “na” on all the joints of his body and meditate on the syllable “ma” as being a weapon. He should thus become the perfect personification of the mantra. Thereafter, adding visarga to the final syllable “ma,” he should chant the mantra “Ma" AñaYa f-$( - maù asträya phaö” in all directions, beginning from the east. In this way, all directions will be bound by the protective armor of the mantra.”

“After finishing this chanting, one should think himself qualitatively one with the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is full in six opulences and is worthy to be meditated upon. Then one should chant the following protective prayer to Lord Näräyaëa, the Näräyaëa-kavaca.”

oà harir vidadhyän mama sarva-rakñäànyastäìghri-padmaù patagendra-påñöhe

daräri-carmäsi-gadeñu-cäpa-päçän dadhäno ’ñöa-guëo ’ñöa-bähuù

jaleñu mäà rakñatu matsya-mürtiryädo-gaëebhyo varuëasya päçät

sthaleñu mäyävaöu-vämano ’vyättrivikramaù khe ’vatu viçvarüpaù

durgeñv aöavy-äji-mukhädiñu prabhuùpäyän nåsiàho ’sura-yüthapäriùvimuïcato yasya mahäööa-häsaà

diço vinedur nyapataàç ca garbhäùrakñatv asau mädhvani yajïa-kalpaùsva-daàñörayonnéta-dharo varähaù

rämo ’dri-küöeñv atha vipraväsesalakñmaëo ’vyäd bharatägrajo ’smän

mäm ugra-dharmäd akhilät pramädännäräyaëaù pätu naraç ca häsät

dattas tv ayogäd atha yoga-näthaùpäyäd guëeçaù kapilaù karma-bandhät

sanat-kumäro ’vatu kämadeväddhayaçérñä mäà pathi deva-helanätdevarñi-varyaù puruñärcanäntarätkürmo harir mäà nirayäd açeñät

dhanvantarir bhagavän pätv apathyäddvandväd bhayäd åñabho nirjitätmä

yajïaç ca lokäd avatäj janäntädbalo gaëät krodha-vaçäd ahéndraùdvaipäyano bhagavän aprabodhäd

buddhas tu päñaëòa-gaëa-pramädätkalkiù kaleù käla-malät prapätudharmävanäyoru-kåtävatäraù

mäà keçavo gadayä prätar avyädgovinda äsaìgavam ätta-veëuùnäräyaëaù prähëa udätta-çaktir

madhyan-dine viñëur aréndra-päëiùdevo ’parähëe madhu-hogradhanväsäyaà tri-dhämävatu mädhavo mäm

doñe håñékeça utärdha-rätreniçétha eko ’vatu padmanäbhaùçrévatsa-dhämäpara-rätra éçaù

pratyüña éço ’si-dharo janärdanaùdämodaro ’vyäd anusandhyaà prabhäte

viçveçvaro bhagavän käla-mürtiùcakraà yugäntänala-tigma-nemi

bhramat samantäd bhagavat-prayuktamdandagdhi dandagdhy ari-sainyam äçu

kakñaà yathä väta-sakho hutäçaùgade ’çani-sparçana-visphuliìgeniñpiëòhi niñpiëòhy ajita-priyäsi

kuñmäëòa-vainäyaka-yakña-rakño-bhüta-grahäàç cürëaya cürëayärén

tvaà yätudhäna-pramatha-preta-mätå-piçäca-vipragraha-ghora-dåñöéndarendra vidrävaya kåñëa-pürito

bhéma-svano ’rer hådayäni kampayantvaà tigma-dhäräsi-varäri-sainyam

éça-prayukto mama chindhi chindhicakñüàñi carmaï chata-candra chädayadviñäm aghonäà hara päpa-cakñuñäm

yan no bhayaà grahebhyo ’bhüt ketubhyo nåbhya eva casarésåpebhyo daàñöribhyo bhütebhyo ’àhobhya eva ca

sarväëy etäni bhagavan-näma-rüpänukértanätprayäntu saìkñayaà sadyo ye naù çreyaù-pratépakäù

garuòo bhagavän stotra-stobhaç chandomayaù prabhuù

rakñatv açeña-kåcchrebhyo viñvaksenaù sva-nämabhiùsarväpadbhyo harer näma-rüpa-yänäyudhäni naù

buddhéndriya-manaù-präëän päntu pärñada-bhüñaëäùyathä hi bhagavän eva vastutaù sad asac ca yatsatyenänena naù sarve yäntu näçam upadraväù

yathaikätmyänubhävänäà vikalpa-rahitaù svayambhüñaëäyudha-liìgäkhyä dhatte çaktéù sva-mäyayä

tenaiva satya-mänena sarva-jïo bhagavän hariùpätu sarvaiù svarüpair naù sadä sarvatra sarva-gaù

vidikñu dikñürdhvam adhaù samantädantar bahir bhagavän närasiàhaùprahäpayaû loka-bhayaà svanenasva-tejasä grasta-samasta-tejäù

TRANSLATION“The Supreme Lord, who sits on the back of the bird Garuòa, touching him with His lotus feet, holds eight weapons—the conchshell, disc, shield, sword, club, arrows, bow and ropes. May that Supreme Personality of Godhead protect me at all times with His eight arms. He is all-powerful because He fully possesses the eight mystic powers [aëimä, laghimä, etc.].May the Lord, who assumes the body of a great fish, protect me in the water from the fierce animals that are associates of the demigod Varuëa. By expanding His illusory energy, the Lord assumed the form of the dwarf Vämana. May Vämana protect me on the land. Since the gigantic form of the Lord, Viçvarüpa, conquers the three worlds, may He protect me in the sky.May Lord Nåsiàhadeva, who appeared as the enemy of Hiraëyakaçipu, protect me in all directions. His loud laughing vibrated in all directions and caused the pregnant wives of the asuras to have miscarriages. May that Lord be kind enough to protect me in difficult places like the forest and battlefront.The Supreme indestructible Lord is ascertained through the performance of ritualistic sacrifices and is therefore known as Yajïeçvara. In His incarnation as Lord Boar, He raised the planet earth from the water at the bottom of the universe and kept it on His pointed tusks. May that Lord protect me from rogues on the street. May Paraçuräma protect me on the tops of mountains, and may the elder brother of Bharata, Lord Rämacandra, along with His brother Lakñmaëa, protect me in foreign countries.May Lord Näräyaëa protect me from unnecessarily following false religious systems and falling from my duties due to madness. May the Lord in His appearance as Nara protect me from unnecessary pride. May Lord Dattätreya, the master of all mystic power, protect me from falling while performing bhakti-yoga, and may Lord Kapila, the master of all good qualities, protect me from the material bondage of fruitive activities.May Sanat-kumära protect me from lusty desires. As I begin some auspicious activity, may Lord Hayagréva protect me from being an offender by neglecting to offer respectful obeisances to the Supreme Lord.

May Devarñi Närada protect me from committing offenses in worshiping the Deity, and may Lord Kürma, the tortoise, protect me from falling to the unlimited hellish planets.May the Supreme Personality of Godhead in His incarnation as Dhanvantari relieve me from undesirable eatables and protect me from physical illness. May Lord Åñabhadeva, who conquered His inner and outer senses, protect me from fear produced by the duality of heat and cold. May Yajïa protect me from defamation and harm from the populace, and may Lord Balaräma as Çeña protect me from envious serpents.May the Personality of Godhead in His incarnation as Vyäsadeva protect me from all kinds of ignorance resulting from the absence of Vedic knowledge. May Lord Buddhadeva protect me from activities opposed to Vedic principles and from laziness that causes one to madly forget the Vedic principles of knowledge and ritualistic action. May Kalkideva, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who appeared as an incarnation to protect religious principles, protect me from the dirt of the age of Kali.May Lord Keçava protect me with His club in the first portion of the day, and may Govinda, who is always engaged in playing His flute, protect me in the second portion of the day. May Lord Näräyaëa, who is equipped with all potencies, protect me in the third part of the day, and may Lord Viñëu, who carries a disc to kill His enemies, protect me in the fourth part of the day.May Lord Madhusüdana, who carries a bow very fearful for the demons, protect me during the fifth part of the day. In the evening, may Lord Mädhava, appearing as Brahmä, Viñëu and Maheçvara, protect me, and in the beginning of night may Lord Håñékeça protect me. At the dead of night [in the second and third parts of night] may Lord Padmanäbha alone protect me.May the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who bears the Çrévatsa on His chest, protect me after midnight until the sky becomes pinkish. May Lord Janärdana, who carries a sword in His hand, protect me at the end of night [during the last four ghaöikäs of night]. May Lord Dämodara protect me in the early morning, and may Lord Viçveçvara protect me during the junctions of day and night.Set into motion by the Supreme Personality of Godhead and wandering in all the four directions, the disc of the Supreme Lord has sharp edges as destructive as the fire of devastation at the end of the millennium. As a blazing fire burns dry grass to ashes with the assistance of the breeze, may that Sudarçana cakra burn our enemies to ashes.O club in the hand of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, you produce sparks of fire as powerful as thunderbolts, and you are extremely dear to the Lord. I am also His servant. Therefore kindly help me pound to pieces the evil living beings known as kuñmäëòas, vainäyakas, yakñas, räkñasas, bhütas and grahas. Please pulverize them.O best of conchshells, O Päïcajanya in the hands of the Lord, you are always filled with the breath of Lord Kåñëa. Therefore you create a fearful sound vibration that causes trembling in the hearts of enemies like the räkñasas, pramatha ghosts, pretas, mätäs, piçäcas and brähmaëa ghosts with fearful eyes.

O king of sharp-edged swords, you are engaged by the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Please cut the soldiers of my enemies to pieces. Please cut them to pieces! O shield marked with a hundred brilliant moonlike circles, please cover the eyes of the sinful enemies. Pluck out their sinful eyes.May the glorification of the transcendental name, form, qualities and paraphernalia of the Supreme Personality of Godhead protect us from the influence of bad planets, meteors, envious human beings, serpents, scorpions, and animals like tigers and wolves. May it protect us from ghosts and the material elements like earth, water, fire and air, and may it also protect us from lightning and our past sins. We are always afraid of these hindrances to our auspicious life. Therefore, may they all be completely destroyed by the chanting of the Hare Kåñëa mahä-mantra.Lord Garuòa, the carrier of Lord Viñëu, is the most worshipable lord, for he is as powerful as the Supreme Lord Himself. He is the personified Vedas and is worshiped by selected verses. May he protect us from all dangerous conditions, and may Lord Viñvaksena, the Personality of Godhead, also protect us from all dangers by His holy names.May the Supreme Personality of Godhead’s holy names, His transcendental forms, His carriers and all the weapons decorating Him as personal associates protect our intelligence, senses, mind and life air from all dangers.The subtle and gross cosmic manifestation is material, but nevertheless it is non-different from the Supreme Personality of Godhead because He is ultimately the cause of all causes. Cause and effect are factually one because the cause is present in the effect. Therefore the Absolute Truth, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, can destroy all our dangers by any of His potent parts.The Supreme Personality of Godhead, the living entities, the material energy, the spiritual energy and the entire creation are all individual substances. In the ultimate analysis, however, together they constitute the supreme one, the Personality of Godhead. Therefore those who are advanced in spiritual knowledge see unity in diversity. For such advanced persons, the Lord’s bodily decorations, His name, His fame, His attributes and forms and the weapons in His hand are manifestations of the strength of His potency. According to their elevated spiritual understanding, the omniscient Lord, who manifests various forms, is present everywhere. May He always protect us everywhere from all calamities.Prahläda Mahäräja loudly chanted the holy name of Lord Nåsiàhadeva. May Lord Nåsiàhadeva, roaring for His devotee Prahläda Mahäräja, protect us from all fear of dangers created by stalwart leaders in all directions through poison, weapons, water, fire, air and so on. May the Lord cover their influence by His own transcendental influence. May Nåsiàhadeva protect us in all directions and in all corners, above, below, within and without.”

Viçvarüpa continued: “O Indra, this mystic armor related to Lord Näräyaëa has been described by me to you. By putting on this protective covering, you will certainly be able to conquer the leaders of the demons.

If one employs this armor, whomever he sees with his eyes or touches with his feet is immediately freed from all the above-mentioned dangers.This prayer, Näräyaëa-kavaca, constitutes subtle knowledge transcendentally connected with Näräyaëa. One who employs this prayer is never disturbed or put in danger by the government, by plunderers, by evil demons or by any type of disease.O King of heaven, a brähmaëa named Kauçika formerly used this armor when he purposely gave up his body in the desert by mystic power.Surrounded by many beautiful women, Citraratha, the King of Gandharvaloka, was once passing in his airplane over the brähmaëa’s body at the spot where the brähmaëa had died.Suddenly Citraratha was forced to fall from the sky headfirst with his airplane. Struck with wonder, he was ordered by the great sages named the Välikhilyas to throw the brähmaëa’s bones in the nearby River Sarasvaté. He had to do this and bathe in the river before returning to his own abode.”Çré Çukadeva Gosvämé said: “My dear Mahäräja Parékñit, one who employs this armor or hears about it with faith and veneration when afraid because of any conditions in the material world is immediately freed from all dangers and is worshiped by all living entities.King Indra, who performed one hundred sacrifices, received this prayer of protection from Viçvarüpa. After conquering the demons, he enjoyed all the opulences of the three worlds.”

Bibliography

B.V.Raman: Three Hundred Important Combinations. Gopäla Bhaöta Gosvämé: Sat-kriyä-sära-dépikä, translation and commentary by H.H. Bhänu Svämé.Mahärñi Jaimini: Upadeça Sütram, translation and commentary by Pt. Sanjay Rath.Mahärñi Paräçara: Båhat Paräçara Hora Çästra, translation and commentary by Girish Chand Sharma.Mahärñi Vedavyäsa: Åg Veda Saàhitä, translated by Ralph T.H. Griffith.Mahärñi Vedavyäsa: Çrémad-Bhägavatam Cantos III and VI, translated and purport by His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Svämé Prabhupäda.Paëòit Harihara: Praçëa Märga, translation and commentary by Dr. B.V.Raman.Pt. Sanjay Rath: Vedic Remedies in Astrology. Pratiñöhä Vidhiù, compiled by Çré Rüpänuga Paramärthika Vidyäpéöha, Mäyäpura.