Kota Chakra Introduction Vedic astrology has proved that transiting planets have profound impact on ever y individual

in their day to day life. Janma Nakshatra or Birth star has an imp ortant place in ones chart and often has been used as the starting point for pre dictions resulting from transiting planets. Kota Chakra is one such tool which can be used to predict the good & bad happeni ngs in ones life resulting from transiting planets at a particular moment of time . Kota ( ) is a Sanskrit word, means fort. Kota Chakra is fundamentally a diagram depi cting transit routes of planets through 28 Nakshatras, including Abhijit. Purpose of Kota Chakra In ancient times, Kota Chakra was erected for a designated time to predict the o utcome of war / battle and the result of fighting between two warlords. In todays context the chart provides information regarding professional setback, transfer , termination, failure and fall from the position, bodily discomfort, outcome of a dispute or lawsuit, destruction and death.

Construction of Kota Chakra Kota Chakra, also known as Durga Chakra ( ), is a quadrangle diagram comprising fou ions. Two small squares inside expands into a large square that forms three segm ents, while fourth segment is the outer boundary of large square. The figures are divided into two halves by a vertical straight line or a pair of straight lines :these are then further divided into two and thereby resulting i n four quarters by a horizontal straight line or a pair of straight lines. There after, two diagonal straight lines or two pairs of straight lines are used for m aking further divisions. Thus the chart is divided into 8 parts. Please see the figure below for better understanding. Kota Chakra The placement of 28 Nakshatra in Kota Chakra always begins with Janma Nakshatra, which is placed in the North Eastern corner of diagram. Kota Chakra is divided into four sections as follows: Stambha (Innermost Portion) Durgantara or Madhya (Inner-Middle Portion) Prakaara (Boundary Wall) Bahya (Exterior of the Fort) Stambha: Stambha literally means pillar that support a building. In Kota Chakra, it is th e central courtyard. This innermost portion of the Kota Chakra is indicated as g reen coloured box in above figure. Counting from Janma Nakshatra; 4th, 11th, 18t h and 25th constellation falls in this division. If a natives Janma Nakshatra is Rohini then Punarvasu, Chitra, Uttarashada, and Revati form the Stambha Bhaga of his Kota Chakra. Durgantara or Madhya: It lies in between inner and outer divisions of Kota Chakra. 3rd, 5th, 10th, 12t h, 17th, 19th, 24th, and 26th Nakshatra from Janma Nakshatra falls in this porti on. Following this distribution, if Rohini is the Janma Nakshatra then Ardra, Pu shya, Hasta, Swati, Purvashadha, Abhijit, Uttarabhadra and Aswini constitute Mad hya Bhaga or Durgantara. Prakaara: Prakaara is generally the outer boundary, edge or walls. This portion of Kota Ch akra is depicted here in pinkish red colour. Counting from Janma Nakshatra, 2nd , 6th, 9th, 13th, 16th, 20th, 23rd, and 27th Nakshatra is placed in this divisio n of Kota Chakra. If someone is born in Rohini Nakshatra then Mrigashira, Aslesh a, Uttaraphalguni, Visakha, Moola, Sravana, Purvabhadra, and Bharani form Prakaa ra Bhaga. Bahya

Bahya means outside boundary. This outermost division is the portion that surrou nds the rest of Kota. Bahya Bhaga comprises 1st, 7th, 8th, 14th, 15th, 21st, 22n d, and 28th lunar constellation from Janma Nakshatra. Following this if somebody is born with Rohini Janma Nakshatra, the Rohini, Magha, Purvaphalguni, Anuradha , Jyeshta, Dhanista, Satabhisha, and Krittika lie in this area. Nakshatra Placement

Terminologies Kota Swami: Kota Swami is also referred to as Durgapati. It literally means Lord of the Fort . Kota Swami is simply the Lord of the Rashi in which the natal Moon is posited. For example, if someone was born with Moon in Taurus then Venus should be his K ota Swami of Kota Chakra. Kota Paala Kota Paala literally means Guard of the Ford. Paala also signifies one who tends and cares. Finding Kota Paala is bit difficult and cumbersome. Kota Paala is th e lord of Pada of Janma Nakshatra as per Avakahada Chakra ( ) and is the planet rep ng the initial sound /first letter of the natives name. Entry Path If you look at the Kota Chakra and the order of placement of Nakshatra, it will appear as though the stars are entering through semi-cardinal points, namely, NE , SE, SW & NW and converging at Stambha. These four ingress routes are called Ent ry Path Exit Path Similarly the route of Nakshatra appears as though they are exiting from Stambha towards cardinal points, namely, E, S, W & N. These four egress routes are call ed Exit Path Exit - Enrty Paths Example Kota Chakra generated for Bangalore at 1800 hrs on 02 June 2011 for native born on 6th February 1985. His Moon was in Leo / Magha 3rd Pada and hence his Kota S wami is Sun. Kota Paala is Saturn.

Kota Chakra for Bangalore at 1800 hrs on 02 June 2011 for a native born 6th Feb 1985 Simple Thumb Rule to interpret Kota Chakra The Stambha and the Madhya regions constitute heart of the Kota Chakra. Natural a functional benefic planets in this area indicate strength and ability to face a dverse impacts; natural and functional malefic planets may do the reverse. The Prakaara and Bahya regions represent the circumstances and surroundings. Natu and functional malefic planets indicate adverse circumstances but natural and f unctional benefic planets indicate improved condition. If natural malefic planets transit through the Nakshatras that are placed on the course of Entry Path and at the same time, natural benefic planets transit on Exit Path forms Durga Bhanga ( ) yoga. This yoga indicates defeat. If natural benefic planets are on the Entry Path and natural malefic planets are o n the Exit Path then one wins the battle. Auspicious results accrue when Kota Swami transits Madhya Bhaga or Durgantara, a nd Kota Paala transits Bahya Bhaga. If fast moving planets like Moon, Mercury, or Venus becomes the Kota Swami or Ko ta Paala, and transits through adverse positions, they may not do much harm due to their fast movement. But if Saturn happens to be a Kota Swami or Kota Paala, and transits through these positions , then it is a matter for concern. Rahu & Ketu are always retrograde and therefore the entry becomes exit and vice v a. Similar is the case for Retrograde planets. Commencement of Retrogression of any planet is always bad. In case of natural male fic planets, it is indicative of accidental mishap, untoward happening, etc; and in case of natural benefic planets, it signifies withdrawal of support or prote

ction. Authors Note This is a vast subject and requires extensive reading and research. I have endea voured to give a glimpse of the same and serious students of astrology are advis ed to go through the following classics / books for a comprehensive understandin g of the subject. Brihat Parashara Hora Shastra Daivajna Vallabha by Varahamihira Uttrakalamrita by Kalidasa Astrological Applications of Kota Chakra by KK Joshi The mystery of Kota Chakra unraveled by KN Rao Caution Like any other method used for transit prediction, the result obtained from this method also has to be corroborated by the Dasha Bhukti currently running for th e native. Therefore do not be hasty in coming to conclusion using results of thi s method only. If Dasha Bhukti is good, many results may have to be moderated or some of them may not even happen. Avasthas Sanketanidhi