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Om
“Shree Durgaparameshwari Prasanna”

THE BHAVAS SIGNIFIED BY PARENTS

By

Acharya V.KUMAR
HONORARY FACULTY
AIFAS, BANGALORE CHAPTER –II

Introduction:
The personality of every human being evolves from infancy to old age
beginning from the birth. Astrology unravels the pattern of such an evolution through the
12 bhavas of the horoscope. Starting from Lagna , various aspects of one’s life unfold in
each of the twelve bhavas. For example, Lagna signifies birth of the physical body and all
its attributes like colour, stature, health, honour, etc . It is usually said that everything
about a person is signified by Lagna. The second house not only signifies food,
nourishment or the wealth that supports growth and sustenance of the body but also
speech and family of the native. Although third bhava indicates physical prowess and
courage ,etc connected to the bodily aspects, it also signifies one’s younger co-borns. The
fourth being ‘sukha sthana’ connected to general happiness of the native, it also signifies
the mother of the native and Gruha ,Vaahana soukya, and so on.

The word ‘Bhava’ means many things depending on the contextual use. Its generally
recognized connotations are feeling, emotion, innate property, the state of being,
inclination or disposition of mind, quality of existence, etc . As such , in Astrology , it
connotes the various states of being , rather the different portfolios of our life. In a
horoscope, Lagna marks the commencement of one’s life and succeeding Bhavas
sequentially signify all other aspects of life one by one as they unfold in one’s lifetime.
Not only that. Each house possesses a link to all other houses in a particular area of life.
Also, many new physical realms manifest in each of the succeeding houses based on the
preceding ones. Details of different portfolios of life allocated to each bhava are available
in almost all the classics on astrology. But, there are some differences in these allocations.

Here,it is pertinent to point out that there is no information available in any

extant literature on the subject to explain the rationale behind allotting a particular
karakatwa to a particular bhava except an appreciable effort made in this direction by Sri.
J. N. Bhasin in his book titled “ Astro Sutras” ( pages 57 to 62 , Sagar Publications,1996
edition). Even the explanation offered by Sri. Bhasin is incomplete as it dwells upon only a
specific significance of each bhava although there are multiple significations allotted to
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each of the 12 Bhavas. No doubt similar research , on the lines of the one by Sri. Bhasin, is
required as regards other significations as well.

However, it is generally observed that the allotment follows a natural pattern of

interlink acceptable to our day-to-day pattern of living. Almost all these rulerships (except
a few controversies) are time-tested , accepted and widely followed since thousands of
years across the globe . This article of mine is an effort to understand and sort out one
such exceptional controversy related to the bhavas ruled by our parents.

The 12 Bhavas and our Relationships :

As already hinted, there is a link between the various bhavas of a horoscope in each
and every area of our life .In so far as the domain of relationships is concerned , the link
is illustrated below:

The lagna bhava signifies the self. Second bhava signifies the family in which one is
born and also the one he would acquire after growing of age. Third bhava governs one’s
co-borns especially the younger ones and father-in –law ( being 9th to 7th ). The fourth
rules mother .The fifth rules one’s siblings and paternal grandfather ( being 9th to 9th ).
The sixth signifies one’s enemies and maternal uncle/aunt ( being 3rd to 4th ).The seventh
rules one’s spouse and also all partners in business. The eighth rules the family of spouse.
The ninth house signifies one’s father. The tenth signifies mother-in-law (being 4th to7th )
and the husband of mother ( being 7th to 4th ). Eleventh signifies neighbours and elder co-
borns The twelfth signifies paternal grand mother (being 4th to 9th ). Based on similar
analogies, other left out relationships can also be deduced from the various houses of the
horoscope.

But, as already stated ,out of the above , there exists a basic controversy regarding
the bhavas ruled by our parents. In Vedic Astrology, 4th house is ascribed to one’s mother
in a vast majority of Astrological classics . But , so far as the house of father is concerned
there is a wide variation. While some classics prefer 9th Bhava , some others prescribe 10th
as the house of father. Even in western Astrology , there is a difference of opinion on the
houses related to one’s parents. Let us examine the issue in greater detail.

Astrological Classics and Bhavas related to parents :

In all the widely followed Vedic Classics such as Brihat Parashara Hora, Brihat
Jataka, Jataka Parijatha, Phaladeepika, Shambu Hora Prakasha, Uttara Kalamruta,
Jatakabharanam, Hora Makarand, Bhavartha Ratnakara, Maansagari, etc 4th house is
unanimously allocated to one’s Mother. To signify mother , the words like janani, Amba,
ambu and Mathru have been used .In Saravali, the word ‘Bandhava’ has been used which
is a common term for all relatives and in Daivagna Vallabha, both Janitri and Janaka are
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used for 4 house , meaning both parents relate to the same house. In Brihat Jataka, 4th
th

house is called as ‘Bandhu’( meaning Relatives) and ‘Griha’(meaning house or residence).

As regards the bhava signified by one’s father , there is no such commonality.

Brihat Parashara Hora, Shambu Hora Prakasha, Jatakabharanam, Maansagari, Jatak
alankara, etc assign 10th bhava to father (Janaka, Pithru). Phaladeepika, Uttara Kalamruta,
Bhavartha Ratnakar, etc assign 9th Bhava to one’s father. Besides, almost all the
Astrological classics available in vernacular languages of South India including the Nadi
Texts in Tamil and a vast majority of modern day practitioners of the science even in
North India, consider 9th Bhava as the house signified by one’s father. But, Jatak Parijata
by Vaidhyanatha allots both 5th and 9th houses to father.

A perusal of some of the famous works in western Astrology ( both by a few

pioneers and modern authors ) reveals a complexity existing on the issue. The opinions of
some authors is tabulated in the chart given below, for easy reference :

Sl. Title of the Book Name of the Opinion on 4th House Opinion on 10th House
No Author
1 A to Z Horoscope Lewellyn Logically it would seem Capricorn the natural 10th sign
maker and delineator George that 4th should rule is termed feminine and it is
mother as it corresponds mainly the mother’s influence
to the domestic sign in early life which directs the
cancer , which is ruled by tendencies and aspirations that
Moon, both of which are afterwards determined the
termed ‘feminine” . on worldly outlook, the honour,
the other hand, home and the credit, esteem and position
domestic life is largely achieved.
influenced by the Father ,
his temperament , health
and general success.
2 Manual of Astrology Raphel It represents the parents It denotes mother : Wives of
of the native, especially father being 7th to 4th.
the father.
3 Astrology : Its C.AQ.Libra Indicates Father and our This house is supposed to
Technics and ethics relation to him . represent the native’s mother ,
as the 4th represents the father.
Many Astrologers however
reverse this order and take 4th
for mother and 10th for father,
considering that the father has
much to do with influencing
the choice of profession or
calling.
4 Astrology: A cosmic Isabel M Least prominent parent Rules father
Science Hickey in the life. Some say it
rules the mother , others
the father. Depends on
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which is the boss.
5 Astrology 1-2-3 Noel Tyl A parent, the home , the The other parent. Usually the
soul parent of the same sex.
6 A Student’s Text Vivian E It has also been 10th & 4th houses rule the
book of Astrology Robson suggested that 4th house parents, but it is not quite
represents that parent of certain which house a
opposite sex to the native particular parent is ruled.
or alternatively the parent
who has least influence
over the native.
7 My world of Sydney The Father The Mother
Astrology Omarr
8 New Illustrated Editor: Kim It represents the It is associated with … the
Astrology Farnell influence of our family of Mother
origin and a parental
figure. In modern
astrology, it is usually
held to represent father
( although some sources
give it to the mother). In
traditional Astrology it
always represents the
mother.
9 The Manual of Sepharial Mother in a man’s The father or mother according
Astrology horoscope and Father in a to sex of the horoscope.
woman’s horoscope.
10 Compendium of Rose Lineman Represents one’s mother Represents the father and
Astrology & Jan Popelka and describes the describes the parental authority
maternal relationships in in general.
particular, the paternal
relationships in general.
11 Dictionary of James Wilson Father Mother
Astrology
12 Astrology Louis Mac Parents The mother in a man’s chart
Neice and the Father in a woman’s .
13 How to judge a Alan Leo One of the parents, The other parent
Nativity usually the father
14 The Encyclopedia of Nicholas De To it is commonly Ordinarily, Mother
Astrology Vore assigned native’s Father
15 Relating Liz Greene The relationship with the The sign at the midheaven
father is seems to be ( the MC) generally suggests
reflected most clearly by the particular factors which
the north point of the predominate in one’s
chart ( the IC)and by any relationship to one’s
planets which fall in the Mother…..mirrors that facet of
fourth house. mother’s nature which affects
the child most strongly.

Thus, in western Astrology , the following five different opinions are seen :
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1) 4th house rules mother and 10th house rules father.

2) 4th house rules Father and 10th house rules Mother.
3) 4th house rules one of the parents , usually the parent of the
opposite sex as that of the native and 10th house rules the other
parent , usually the parent of the same sex as that of the native.
4) 4th house rules one of the parents , usually the one who has least
influence over the native and 10th house rules the other parent .
5) 4th house rules both the parents.

Here, it is significant to observe that 9th house is not considered at all either for father
or mother in western Astrology. And in Vedic Astrology , 4th house is never considered
exclusively for father although the house is assigned to both parents in a texts like
Daivajna Vallabha ( uses the words ‘Janitri Janaka’), etc.

The Bhava for Mother : 4th or 10th ?

As could be seen from the facts stated above , there exists a good conformity in
fixing the Bhava ruled by one’s Mother. Although there is some deviation, both the
systems Vedic and Western, broadly agree in assigning 4th House to the Mother. The basis
for assigning this lordship is again the rulership of planet Moon in the natural Zodiac. The
planet Moon signifies Mother and it is the lord of Cancer, the 4th house of the natural
Zodiac. The rulerships of planets are assigned based on their Geocentric placement in the
cosmos and any discussion on its validity is beyond the scope of this article. Here, it
should be noted that 4th house also signifies the living place and domestic environment. In
all parts of the globe, undoubtedly it is the Mother who influences the child first and
hence, mother signifies domesticity also, although in later years changes do occur
depending on the individual tendencies of the child and its parents. As the allotment of 4 th
house to mother and its related considerations like domesticity, etc abide by the basic
empirical rules adopted in Astrology, it is acceptable to us.

But, the opinions listed at Sl.2 to Sl. 5 above are at variance with the majority
opinion which do merit a closer examination. The claim that 4th house rules father is not
falling ‘in line’ with the general scheme of the empirical rules adopted in Astrology. That
is, Sun ,the planet signifying father, is the ruler of 5th house in natural Zodiac and is not
connected to 4th house. Hence, it is not acceptable. However, there is some substance in the
claim that the 4th house rules the parent of the opposite sex as that of the native. It is an
acceptable fact that generally children get more attracted towards the parent of the
opposite sex possibly due to the natural affinity among the sexes. But, it is always the
mother who wields a special domestic influence on the child and the father in most cases “
has much to do with influencing the choice of profession or calling” (Astrology : Its
Technics and ethics by C. AQ. Libra ) . More over, mother is the first family link to the
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child and through the mother only the child starts knowing the very world around it.
Hence, 4th house ruling domesticity also should be the domain of Mother only.

The contention that 4th house is ruled by both the parents seems apparently
acceptable because of the other associated significations of the house such as Comforts
(sukha ), Domesticity ( homeliness), etc over which both the parents are certainly
influential. As Sri Dane Rudhyar writes: “The mother may dominate the home (4th house) ,
but the father may form the Psychological home: the soul ”(The Astrological Houses) .But,
mother’s influence precedes that of the father in the present birth and hence, we must give
extra credit to the mother. For the same reason, the other claim that 4 th house rules the
least influential parent is unacceptable . Besides, it is an irrefutable truth that both parents
influence the child in its formative years in one way or the other and neither of them could
be weighed less. As such, in my opinion, assigning 4th house to the mother is quite logical
and convincing .

Father: 5th , 9th or 10th Bhava ?

Once the bhava ruled by mother is fixed as the 4th, 10th bhava being the 7th from 4th
(mother’s husband ) naturally becomes the house of father. This logic followed by some
scholars has an inherent flaw in it. Is it absolutely necessary that one’s mother’s husband
should always be one’s father ? The answer is an obvious ‘no’. Hence, 10th house for
father is unacceptable on this premise. There is another reason also adduced to assigning
10th house to father. In olden days sons invariably followed father’s profession . Those
days, it used to be a family tradition of following a particular profession. But, in modern
times , this is lo longer applicable. The availability of multiple avenues in modern society
has changed the age-old tradition of many a family and sons treading in the footsteps of
fathers is no longer universally applicable, although in some isolated families the old
tradition is still continued. Thus, assigning 10th house to father in today’s world is
unacceptable for it is not universal in its application.

Now, let us examine the next option of 5th house as the bhava ruled by father. The
planet Sun ruling the 5th house of the natural zodiac is taken as the Karaka for father and
Pitrus and hence, some assign 5th house itself to father. But, 5thhouse proper is widely
considered as the house of children by a vast majority of the practitioners of the Science .
5th house is also regarded as the house signifying one’s poorva punya. According to vedic
lore, we get either good or bad children based on our poorva punya only . If punya is more,
we get children worthy of the name and if our sins are more , we get such children who
would make us suffer and reap our karmaphala through them. However, there surely exists
a link between lagna as the self, 5th house as his child and 9th house ( being the 5th to 5th ) as
his father . Possibly, due to this link only, the custom of naming children after the names
of one’s parents / grand parents is still prevailing in our countryside. Hence, considering 5th
house as the house of children is more apt.
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Then, the 9th house is the final option . Prof. K.S. Krishnamurthy, the founder of ‘KP
System’ of Astrology, while discussing the significations of 9th Bhava in his book ‘The
fundamentals of Astrology’ writes thus : “ Hindus attribute the 9th house to father because
the 9th sign of the Zodiac Dhanus is ruled by Guru , the preceptor and spiritual teacher. In
ancient times, the father was invariably the spiritual preceptor or Guru of the children to
whom he did initiate ‘Brahma Upadesham’ and transmit his siddhis or psychic powers.
Counting the 9th as the 1st, we find that the 5th therefrom indicates the native. Some
persons advocate the 4th house and the 10th house for father. It is incorrect. Always take
the 9th house for father”. This argument, in my opinion , is totally irrefutable and
thoroughly convincing. Also, some of the other significations of 9th house such as Bhagya
(luck), Dharma , etc are inter-connected to the role of one’s father and Pitrus.

According to Hindu Shastras, our present birth in a particular family lineage is based
on the karmic results that operated at the end moments of our previous life.. Some factors
like our unfulfilled aspirations in that life , our eligibility to get them fulfilled in this life or
otherwise , etc are said to create an ambient suitable for the same in the present life as a
result of which we take birth to a particular parents . This , in other words , is called as
luck or Bhagya. In fact, our very life is under the control of our prarabda. 9th house
signifies the influence of this prarabda. Thus, 9th house is rightly called as ‘Dharma,
Pithru, Bhagya sthana’.

Conclusion :

It is evident from the foregoing discussion that 4th house is the house of Mother and
9th house is the house of father. Although 5th and 10th houses do have some links to the
parents in general, they cannot be considered for either father or mother . Both 5th and 10th
houses have other stronger significations i.e., Putra and Karma Sthanas respectively.

Shubamasthu !
**** *** **

Written by:

Acharya V. Kumar ,
Hon. Faculty , AIFAS BANGALORE CHAPTER II,
No.315/1, “Shree Meru”, 4th Main,
3rd Phase, Manjunatha Nagar, WCR Ist stage,
BANGALORE – 560 010
Phone: 080- 23382021. e- mail : revathiveekumar@gmail.com