C AARRGGAALLAA,, RRAASSII DDRRIISSHHTTII,, GGRRAAHHAA DDRRIISSHHTTII C

Argala

¾ QUESTION BY MR.GAURANGA DAS

I have read the chapter on Argala in the BPHS, but I couldn't understand anything.
Could You please explain the principles of Argala to me?

9 ANSWER BY MR.SARAT CHANDER

Argala means intervention in the affairs of a sign (Rashi) or graha by another rashi or
graha.

Argala can be of two types viz., (i) Shubhargala (good intervention) caused by benefic
rasi/graha, and (ii) Papargala (bad intervention) caused by malefic rasi/graha.

However, such Argala is also obstructed by other rasi/graha.

The strength, effect and prevalence of the Argala or obstruction to the argala is
determined from the strength of the rasi/graha (determined by the standard methods)
causing the Argala and obstruction. The result of the stronger of the two causes it
(Argala/obstruction) to prevail.

The following rules explain the cause of Argala and the obstruction to it:

Cause of argala

RULE - I
The rasi or planet(s) in the 2nd, 4th and 11th houses from a rasi/graha intervene or
cause ‘Argala’ in the affairs of the latter. (UPSJ: 1.1.4)

RULE – II
Malefic rasi/planet(s) in the 3rd from a rasi/graha also cause ‘Argala’ on the said rasi.

(Note: A malefic/malefics in the 3rd not only cause obstruction of the Argala of the 11th
rasi/graha, but they themselves cause Argala simultaneously.
RULE – III
The rasi/graha in the 5th also cause secondary level ‘Argala’ on the said rasi.

Obstruction of argala

RULE – I
The rasi/graha in the 3rd, 10th and 12th from a rasi/graha obstruct the Argala.

RULE – II
The rasi/graha in the 9th obstructs the Argala caused by the rasi/graha in the 5th (Rule –
III above).

Exception regarding Ketu

In the case of a sign occupied by Ketu, the reckoning of both Argala and Obstruction
caused by the said rasi/Ketu is always done in the reverse direction (anti clockwise).

¾ FOLLOW-UP QUESTION BY MR.NARASIMHA RAO ON KETU

EXCEPTION

You said, "EXCEPTION REGARDING KETU In the case of a sign occupied by

Ketu, the reckoning of both Argala and Obstruction caused by the said rais/Ketu
is always done in the reverse direction (anti clockwise)."
Is it "caused by" or "caused on"?
I have so far been under the impression that the exception applies when we find
argala *on* the sign containing Ketu (not *by* the sign). Let us say Ketu is in
Libra. When we find argalas on Cancer, Libra and Ketu cause argala being in the
4th from Cancer. But, when we find argalas *on* Libra, they are caused by 2nd,
4th and 11th counted in reverse, i.e. by Vi, Cn and Sg. This is the way I
understood it and possibly it is wrong.

9 ANSWER BY PT.SANJAY RATH

Your understanding is correct. Argala means planetary or sign intervention and

they are caused on signs and planets alike. The primary ones the 2nd, 4th & 11th
and they are obstructed by the 12th, 10th and 3rd respectively. As regards Ketu,
the reckoning is always in the reverse. Thus, for example, my AL is Sagittarius
and has Ketu in it. Thus for Ketu the 2nd, 4th and 11th counted in the reverse is
Scorpio, Virgo and Aquarius that cause Argala. The planets in these signs also
cause Argala on Ketu.

However, the AL is Sagittarius and the Argala on the AL is reckoned in the

regular order i.e the 2nd, 4th and 11th from Sagittarius or Capricorn, Pisces and
Libra intervene in its affairs. Thus the presence of Saturn in the 2nd, Sun in the
8th and Ketu in AL causes Kemadruma (Poverty) Yoga which has resulted in
taking up a service which can never make the two ends meet!! I guess all honest
Govt. servants in India will be in such a predicament. Fortunately, the
Mokshkaraka Ketu has Subha Argala in the 11th in Aquarius and due to my Ketu
related activities I have received gifts and donations to improve my lot. Thus in
Leo Dasa Aquarius Antardasa my elder brother gifted me a Car!! (We should
also see the aspect of Aquarius on the A4 in Libra for this not ignoring its Argala
on the 4th house as well.) Moon aspected by Venus can be a Dhana Yoga.

¾ ANOTHER FOLLOW-UP QUESTION BY DINA-NATHA DAS

1.What does that mean that malefic(s) in 3rd cause Argala themselves
simultaneously? 2.What is the secondary level Argala? I couldn't find any
explanation about secondary level Argala in BPHS. What is the difference
between primary and secondary Argala?
Regarding Exception of Ketu, In BHPS ch. 31. Verses 2-9, Santhanam's
translation, it is said: "As the nodes have retrograde motions, the Argalas
and obstructions be also counted accordingly in a reverse manner."

Since Santhanam used plural for words node and motion, that would
indicate that wants to say that we should use reverse counting for
reckoning Argala for both nodes, Rahu and Ketu. Later in the notes on the
same verse he is giving an example where he is counting in reverse order
to reckon the Argala of Rahu which confirms the above verse from BPHS.

Also there is very important rule about Argala in the verse 10 of ch 31.: "
The Argala caused by placement of a planet in the first one fourth part of
the Rasi is countered by another placed in the 4th quarter of the respective
obstructive Rasi. Similarly 2nd quarter's Argala is eliminated by the 3rd
quarter placement."

Santhanam explains: "If the Argala causing planet is in the first quarter
(or first 7 degrees 30 minutes of the sign), while the obstructing planet is
in the 4th quarter (22degrees 30 minutes to 30 degrees), the obstruction
indeed will come to pass... Likewise while the Argala planet is in the 2nd
quarter of the sign (i.e. 7 degrees 30 minutes to 15 degrees), the
obstruction (planet in 15degrees to 22 degrees 30 minutes i.e. 3rd quarter)
will combat the Argala."

9 ANSWER BY PT.SANJAY RATH

Malefics in the third suo-moto cause Argala as they also simultaneously

obstruct the Argala of the 11th house. Since the 11th is the house of
Gains, the objective is not gained and the person has to use
PARAKRAMA BALA to achieve the objective. Thus, the gain is initially
denied and the native fights for it and gains it at a later stage.

As regards the Chaturthamsa usage for determining the efficacy of the

Argala and its obstruction, this is Bhagya (fortune/Destiny) and we shall
discuss this later. I have already explained earlier that the reverse
counting is for Ketu ONLY and not for Rahu as along with the other
 planets Rahu is the cause of rebirth and the fruits. Ketu is the ONLY
planet that is working like Ganapati (Tapasya) to take us to Narayana i.e.
Moksha. Hence Ketu's Argala is in the reverse as it indicates the planets
favouring or disfavouring the attaining of Moksha. For example, I have
Ketu in the AL in Sagittarius with the Moon in Aquarius and no planet in
Libra. Thus, the Moon in the 3rd from the AL shows the nature of death
and this is unobstructed.

Moon is also in the 11th from Ketu counted in the reverse direction and
helps in the gain of the objective of Moksha and this Argala is
unobstructed. Thus on the one hand the Moon gives death, and on the
other it aids Moksha which can be achieved, in the real sense after death.

I hope with this example it is amply clear that the reverse count is only for
Ketu because it is the Moksha karaka.

¾ ANOTHER FOLLOW-UP QUESTION BY

MR.NARASIMHA ON THE ABOVE EXAMPLE.

This is a convenient example with Ketu in the arudha lagna.

Because of Ketu is in AL, 3rd from AL and 11th from Ketu (in
reverse) coincide and you have nice logic. This is not always true.

If someone has Ketu is in Sg, Moon in Li and AL in Le, he can say:

"see - the 11th from Ketu (directly counted) has Moon and 3rd
from AL also has Moon. So Moon gives death and helps in the gain
of the objective of Moksha" and present a case for forward
counting for Ketu also.

No, I am not questioning "vipareetam ketoh" exception. I accepted

that argala caused *by* Ketu and his sign are counted in reverse,
because Jaimini maharshi and you taught so. However, I still
cannot see any logic behind this. I am referring to the concluding
remark quoted above. I still can't see the relation between reverse
counting for Ketu and Ketu being Moksha karaka.

I am not satisfied by the explanation you gave and will wait for
more explanation later.

¾ RELATED QUESTION BY MR.DINAKARAN

Two malefic planets occupied in each two bhava 5th and 9th . 9th bhava obstructs the
argala. The same number of planets occupied in each house now is the obstruction
removed or not removed. How does it conclude? Does any remedy to remove the
obstruction? Please clarify with need example.

Have any rules to cancel " The Karaka bhava nasa" ?

9 ANSWER BY PT.SANJAY RATH

Nice question. If the Argala and its obstruction are equally strong, it constitutes a
bandhana Yoga (Bondage). If malefics alone are involved, and if this is in the 2-12 or 5-9
houses, then this can cause actual physical bondage like kidnapping or jail. Rahu and
Saturn involved gives being beaten with chains or other forms of torture while Gulika
afflicting shows the use of poisonous substances.
This world can be very evil for some people depending on their karma. That is why I
always look for natural benefics in these places.

¾ ANOTHER RELATED QUESTION ON ARGALA BY MR.SATISH

Appreciate if someone can answer the questions on argala. I don't think I understand
argala. i.e. What is a good argala and what is bad argala. Does it depend on the planet
causing the argala.

9 ANSWER BY MR.NARASIMHA RAO

Yes. Think of this question: What is a good aspect and what is a bad aspect?

Argalas by malefics are bad and argalas by benefics are good. Let me give an example.

Dr. Murli Manohar Joshi's D-10 has lagna and Venus in Gemini, Sun in Cancer and
Saturn and Mercury in Aries. Lagna in D-10 shows one's true nature when moving in
society (i.e. in career). Let us take the argalas on lagna. Sun casts an argala and so do
Mercury and Saturn. What are the results?

Mercury's argala shows that he may be intellectual in nature. Saturn's argala on lagna
can make him humble. Sun's argala may make him forceful and authoritative. How can
one be humble and authoritative? Well, you can see both these qualities in him
depending on dasa and transit influences. But the dominating influence will be Sun's,
because Saturn is debilitated and weak.

Why did I say Saturn's argala gives humility, which is a word with a positive spin on it?
Why not introvert nature, inhibition, servile behavior etc, which have a negative spin?
Similarly, why did I say Sun's argala on dasamsa lagna makes him forceful and
authoritative in his movement in the society (which is somewhat negative)? Why can't it
make him a charming and charismatic leader (which is positive)? The answer has to do
with benefic/malefic argalas.

Each planet's influence on each house can have a positive spin as well as negative spin.
A positive influence, consistent with the nature of the planet, can be exerted when it has
a benefic argala. A negative influence, consistent with the nature of the planet, can be
exerted when it has a malefic argala.
Here Saturn owns 8th and 9th from lagna and he is a functional benefic. So his argala
on lagna can give humble nature (positive) and not servile, introvert and inhibited nature
(negative). Sun, OTOH, is a functional malefic as he owns 3rd house and he gives a
forceful and authoritative nature (negative) and not a charismatic and charming
personality (positive).

[Note: To find functional benefics and malefics for a lagna, follow Parasara and not
modern day savants! What Parasara taught is perfect. If it doesn't make sense to you or
if it doesn't work for you, it must be that you misunderstood him! While on the topic of
strict adherence of Parasari principles of functional nature of planets, look for my article
on "Kendradhipati dosha" (the malice of a benefic's ownership of a quadrant) in Surya
Prakash memorial issue of "The Astrological Magazine" - Sept 1999.]

Another example: Madonna's D-10 has ghati lagna and Venus in Taurus and Saturn
causes argala on ghati lagna from Pisces. With Saturn being a yogakaraka (owner of 9th
and 10th) from Taurus, his argala is benefic. What does it give her? Humility?

In the previous example, we were dealing with lagna. Lagna shows true nature, arudha
lagna shows perceptions and ghati lagna shows power and authority. When we consider
planets and houses, we have to choose what they stand for based on the varga
(divisional chart) at hand and the reference point at hand (lagna, arudha lagna, ghati
lagna etc). This is why classics give many qualities for the same planet. In the case of
lagna, the positive quality Saturn gives is humility. In the case of ghati lagna (fame,
power and authority), Saturn signifies popularity among masses. So yogakaraka
Saturn's benefic argala on ghati lagna made her popular among masses.

Final example: Sanjay's D-24 (chart of knowledge) has a benefic argala of Saturn on
lagna and benefic argala of Sun on ghati lagna. In matters of knowledge, he is a humble
person because of Saturn's benefic argala on lagna (despite Saturn's debilitation). In
matters of knowledge, he is popular among politicians and powerful men, because of
Sun's argala on ghati lagna. As far as matters related to ghati lagna (fame and power)
are concerned, Saturn signifies mass following and Sun signifies following in the ruling
class.

As I keep trying to show you again and again, different divisional charts and different
lagnas cover different dimensions of human life. Attempting to cover all those with one
lagna and one chart results in ambiguity and eventually loss of confidence in classics.
Parasara wasn't fooling around when he defined special lagnas and divisional charts.
They have specific purposes. Also he did not mention argalas for fun. They too have a
purpose.

Hope you have learnt something from these freewheeling thoughts....

Rasi Drishti

¾ QUESTION BY MR.SARAJIT

Can You please tell me something about the rasi dristi?

9 ANSWER BY MR.SARAT CHANDER

I don't know if Narasimha has already replied to this as I have not followed the mails
closely. However, here it is. Rasi Drishti is called sign aspects.
The basic rule is
(1) All Chara (Moveable signs) Rasis aspect the Sthira (Fixed signs) except the one
adjacent. Example: Aries (Chara Rasi) aspects Leo, Scorpio and Aquarius - all the
three being Sthira Rasis and does not aspect Taurus (also a Sthira Rasi) as it is
adjacent to Aries.
(2) All Sthira Rasis aspect the Chara Rasis except the one adjacent to it. Example:
Taurus (Sthira Rasi) aspects Cancer, Libra and Capricorn - all the three being Chara
Rasis and does not aspect Aries (also a Chara Rasi) as it is adjacent to it.
(3) All the Dwiswabhava (Dual signs) Rasis aspect each other. Example: Gemini,
Virgo, Sagittarius and Pisces aspect each other.

Rasi dirshtis are more permanent in nature while the graha drishti indicates only the
desire for the significance. Good or bad aspects of a Rashi dirshti are bound to fructify
while those of graha drishti only indicate a possibility.

Rashi drishti can be said to be akin to two houses opposite each other (or even as
stated in points (1) (2) and (3) above) in the neighbourhood and the grahas in such rasis
can be compared with the people living in the houses. The positive and negative
influences of the people living in the opposite house is bound to influence the very living
of ours. Assume a very pious and dharmic person (say Jupiter) living in the opposite
house. His pious and peaceful disposition is certainly going to influence everybody in
the neighbourhood. Similarly, if a bad element (say Rahu) were to live in the opposite
house the negative influence is bound to take place disturbing the peace and harmony of
all.

Thus, the grahas occupying the rasis casting rasi drishti are bound to give the results
(good or bad) during their periods, while the grahas in graha drishti need not necessarily
give such results even though indicative of the same.

I hope you get the idea know.

¾ QUESTION BY Mr. NICHOLAY

When, at the analysis of a horoscope, apply Argala, when graha dristi, when rasi dristi?

9 ANSWER BY PT.SANYAY RATH

Argala is an intervention of outside influences on a house or significator. These are
normally inanimate like a beneficial Ketu argala on Jupiter can give assets like
aeroplanes! (This is an extreme position and experience is the best teacher in handling
argala). Graha's are animate or movable objects like men and Graha dristi indicates
desire of individuals or the native himself. Rasi dristi are permanent aspects of the signs.
Both Rasi and Graha dristi are to be applied simultaneously. Rasi dristi is a permanent
aspect while Graha dristi only moulds the desire of the object. For example, Saturn's
aspect brings sorrow. If Saturn aspects the second, this could be with regard to family
and so on. These are very qualitative as the sorrow always comes due to an incorrect
perception or desire.

9 ANOTHER RELATED ANSWER BY PT.SANJAY RATH

Imagine two houses facing each other in the opposite sides of a street. Let us call one
Aries and the other Scorpio as these houses aspect each other. Now, the planets
stationed in these signs are like people staying in the houses. What happens if these
people are friendly to each other, like a priest Jupiter in Aries, the Mantras he says in the
morning is going to be beneficial for the house in front as well. As the house and its
occupants also benefit from the association with their front door neighbour.

What happens if someone tells you that a Criminal has come to live in the house
opposite yours? You have not met the criminal, yet there is going to be an apprehension.
This is the effect of Rasi Dristi. These are permanent aspects caused due to the signs.
They decide your reaction to information and other inputs from the Nature.

Application of Rasi Dristi is vital in Jyotish. For example, you will recall how I had
explained the Sarpa Yoga and the war in Yogoslavia. It ended as expected when Jupiter
entered Aries and broke the sarpa yoga. Now, when Mars moved into Scorpio, it has
dristi in its own house and the reconstruction of the place has begun as Mars favours its
sign.

Argala means intervention while Dristi means aspect. Argala may have dristi, while the
vice-versa is not assured.

¾ QUESTION BY Mr.GAURANGA DAS

I have read the chapter on planetary and sign aspects in BPHS. One surprising thing is
that Varaha Mihira mentions only the planetary aspects. And usually we consider
opposition and the special full aspects by Mars, Saturn, Jupiter and the nodes and on
other aspects. Does this mean that these are the most important or strong aspects?
Another thing is that Parasara not always gives a full aspect to a planet on the opposing
sign. He says that Mars aspects the 7th with one foot, Jupiter with two feet and Saturn
with three feet, while other planets give a full aspect on the 7th. (I deduct one foot
meaning 1/4 aspect, 2 feet as 1/2 aspect etc.) Please guide me, how should I use the
aspects, because I'm confused.

9 ANSWER BY PT.SANJAY RATH

A very valid point has been put forth by you. What comes first "the chicken or the egg".
The sign aspects are permanent aspects and do not change with time. They are to
understood as two buildings standing in front of each other. These are the inanimate
aspects indicating the fructification of the desires in the forms of physical or material
changes on the universe. Planetary aspects are like the desire of the planets/ people
they represent. Thus, if we say that the aspect of Jupiter is good, it is because the
DESIRES of Jupiter are good.
Your point about the quantum of aspect is very Vital. All planets aspect the seventh, but
the outer planets Mars, Saturn & Jupiter have special aspects. These special aspects
are FULL 4pada or 100%. The lower aspects show that the aspect/ desire is very low.

WHAT IS SEVENTH HOUSE ASPECT? This is the seventh or KAMA Iccha or the desire
for having union with the opposite sex etc. Mars is akin to Hanumanji the Brahmachari
who has very little desire (25%) for these things, Jupiter has slightly more (50%) desire
while Saturn has 75% desire. All the other planets have 100% desire. thus all planets
(representing people can be said to be perverts to some degree or the other. The only
exception is KETU, who does not have a head and hence cannot aspect the 7th house.
Thus Ketu becomes a perfect Brahmachari and strives for Moksha. Thus, Ketu is
always punishing people so they become perfect Brahmachari, renounce their wrong
desires and attain Jagannatha. Even Bill Clinton was punished during Jupiter dasa-Ketu
Antardasa for his affair with Monica Lewinsky.

¾ ANOTHER RELATED QUESTION BY MR.YASOMATINANDANA DAS

Could you explain the difference between Argala and Rashi-drishti?

9 ANSWER BY Mr.SARAT CHANDER

I will attempt the reply to rashi drishti. Imagine the two rasis as two opposite houses,
which look at each other and the planets, disposited in these rasis as people living in the
opposite house and yourself living in the other. Obviously, a good neigbour in the
opposite house will be most welcome to you, as will have good neighbourly relations and
the vibrations of such a relationship will have a good effect. Eg., imagine Jupiter living in
the opposite house. Obviously the pious qualities of the neighbour will spell good effects
on you too. On the other hand, if a dacoit or Rahu were to live there, you will live fearing
the worst constantly. But at the same time you cannot escape seeing or ignoring this
house or the people living in it as it happens to be just opposite in the immediate
neighbourhood. This is the effect of Rashi Drishti. Hope this explains.

¾ FOLLOW UP QUESTION BY Mr.YASOMATINANDANA DAS

You were discussing about 7th graha aspects with Sanjay Prabhu. Recently while
rereading BPHS bumped against a seeming contradiction. At the end of the Rashi
Dristi chapter Parasara does discuss the 1, 2, and 3 pada 7th aspects for Mars,
Jupiter and Saturn respectively. But in the beginning of the Graha Dristi chapter
Parasara says that it is a well-known fact that all planets have full 7th aspect.
Can you help understand in which circumstances are those statements should be
applied to avoid seeming contradiction.

9 ANSWER BY PT.SANJAY RATH

 I have mentioned this thing about desires earlier. This applies to the second part
of the quote i.e. about the pada's of dristi while the first part applies to the ability
to see things or "have knowledge of". Thus all planets aspect the seventh or they
have the knowledge of the happenings of the house in the seventh from their
station. To what extent they desire these things in the seventh house is seen
from the "Dristi Pada". Maharshi Jaimini has also expressed a similar opinion
when he assigns the seventh from Lagna and the Moon for Hridaya (Not physical
heart, but emotional desires).

Let us say you have Saturn in the ninth house. So, Saturn aspects the 11th
(income), third and sixth houses. Since Saturn can give very strong desires due
to depriving the person from the items it aspects, these houses will also show the
strong desires the person will have and that these desires will be the cause of
sorrow (Saturn's aspect). the aspect on the 3rd house is full in the sense that
Saturn knows all that happens out there and that it can fully influence the third
house, but this is not the priority of Saturn. Its aspect on the sixth gives rise to
enemies and desires to win in conflicts (10th aspect-Upachaya aspect is top
priority with Saturn the Labourer). Its aspect on the gains (third aspect -another
Upachaya and desire to show Parakrama is next priority with saturn) reduces
gains and brings misfortunes...etc. Thus, in the ninth Sani is bad both by
placement and graha dristi as well.

Argala

¾ QUESTION BY MS.LAKSHMI DEVI

Someone please answer this question. I saw the posts regarding rashi dristi.However this
is a little different.This is probably basic/ stuff that I missed somewhere but please
answer My question is- can the SIGN in question be influenced by the SIGNS on either
side of it ?

For example- my lagna is Gemini- so do the qualities of cancer , and taurus help make
up/influence the Gemini lagnas nature? Mithuna is supposed to have weakness for
romance.Is this not only because Venus rules house of romance 5th,12thbed pleasures-
but also because TAURUS itself, is on one SIDE.Cancer is on the other?

So really regardless of where Gemini is,-is its very nature influenced by the signs on
either side of it namely cancer/taurus. So to understand Libra we see they are influenced
by scorpio/virgo influence in general-of course to be modified by house placement and
planets,etc

ANSWER BY PT.SANJAY RATH

"NO BODY, WHETHER PLANET OR SIGN, CAN ASPECT THE SIGNS NEXT TO IT,
EXCEPT THE GREAT CAUSE OF REBIRTH I.E. RAHU". Rahu represents the Various
desires and other evils which have eclipsed our Dharma (Sun) from the very time our
Atma had an independant existance from the Paramatma. This causes rebirth
again and again as RAHU HAS A SPECIAL ASPECT ON THE 12TH HOUSE
RECKONED IN THE REVERSE AS RAHU IS RETROGRADE. thus counted directly this
is the 2nd house. The 12th house has to do with Moksha and the ONLY real obstruction
to all of us getting Moksha is Rahu.

The influence on the 2nd/12th is by way of ARGALA and this is planetary/sign

intervention. If a Car is standing right in front of your Car, almost touching it (like the
signs next to each other touch each other), it is difficult to go ahead by ignoring its
intervention. If there is another Car Behind, then you cannot back out also. In this
manner try to visualise the influence of the argala in real life. When you try to visualise,
then the PARAMJYOTI awakens and you shall have the power to see the past present
and future or to see Bhagavan whereever He wishes to reveal Himself.