The nature and the life of a person is usually predicted based on the
ascendant in a horoscope, subject to changes by the combinations and
other aspects in the chart. However, often the jyotish pundits base
their readings on other lagnas also such as Arudha Lagna, Sri Lagna,
Paka Lagna , chandra Lagna and Surya Lagna.

Chandra lagna , amongst these forms an important basis for
divination, as it is believed that the sign in which Moon resides
called Janma rasi determines the basis character and fortune of a
person. Even classics such as BHPS insist that one's chart should be
read with respect to either lagna or chandra lagna, which ever is
stronger.

Sudarshana chakra is a tool through which you can read three lagnas-
Bhava, chandra and surya at once, indicating the importance that
have to be given to surya lagna.

Yet others prefer to base their readings on the bhavath bhava
system.

If you are reading the second Bhava ie money aspects in a chart, you
will temporarily make the second house as the lagna and read the
chart. Thus, the `longevity' of the dhana is told by 8th to 2nd
house ie 9th House (fortune), service' (as to be told by 6th house)
with money will be seen by 6th house to 2nd house ie 7th house
(business) and the money relationships are seen by 7th to 2nd ie 8th
house, which often determines your bank loans. Maraca to second
house is 3rd house which determines your debts. The profession of
money is nothing but what you will do with your money. Ie investments
this can be seen from 11th house. The 11th to 2nd ie 12th house
determines your success with money.

Similarly, if you make the 7th house as the lagna, the problems in
relationships can be seen ie attacks in relationships by 6th to 7th
ie 12th house.

This system gives quite good results if you really understand not
only the bhavas but also, the underlying nature of all the 12
bhavas so that how they behave in relation to other bhavas

There are other systems of reading the chart also, say, by making a
certain planet as the starting point. For eg., there are people who
believe that Mercury behaves malefic or benefic and depending upon
the position of Mercury, the other planets behave.

Similarly, some point out that the nodal points in the zodiac are
more powerful than the real planets and hence, the nodal points
should be given priority in readings than the real planets
themselves. This is so, because they dominate the magnetic
influences around earth , preceding the cosmic energies of the other
planets.

Actually, there are several important zodiac points which throw more
light on the life of the native. These include such things as sphuta
and beeja and also several mini planets(including gulika and mandi)
which are listed in BHPS. Also, the nodal points were not taken into
account in many classics such as Saravali

However, with time, atleast in some areas originally , Rahu and ketu
are considered very malefic and highly important. For eg., the
concepts like Rahu kalam and Sarpa dosa find their origins in
Tamilnadu and the state is famous for the rahu poojas. So,
gradually, Rahu and ketu found their way into the annals of
astrology readings.

There are books written extensively on the nodes by such people as
Manik Chand Jain.

In this book, the most interesting part that attracted my attention
is discussion of your purva janma depending upon the position of the
Rahu.

Interestingly, Rahu and Ketu have their own karakatwas, their own
asterisms (and hence, dasas) and in time, the astrologers tried to
identify the houses owned by the nodes as well as their exaltation
and debilitation. The Rahu and ketu are said to be at their malefic
best, when all the planets are hemmed in between these two nodes.
Again, there are several controversies are seen in this theory.

One school argues that hemming by Rahu and Ketu is a dosha, no
matter which way they are hemmed. Whereas another school argues that
the dosha is turned to yoga (kalamrita yoga) depending upon who is
heading the `snake' of the nodal axis.

Similarly, you are finding nowadays the concept of partial kala
sarpa doshas, which literally makes every chart afflicted with this
dosha.

Secondly, you are also finding several natives afflicted by
KSDosham, who are happily married and settled. Not to be undone in
such cases, the astrologers have put in the concept of variant KSY.
Ie If you are afflicted by KS dosha, you will find difficulty in
various areas of your life, not necessarily limited to conjugal life,
depending upon the house occupied by Rahu.

So, the validity of Rahu centric theory, which makes the reading the
chart revolve around Rahu-by examining the house occupied by Rahu,
nature of the dispositor, the nature of the asterism in which Rahu is
placed, Rahu's navamsa and the relationship of the other planets with
Rahu.etc - has to be examined and debated, as some of the beliefs
seem to be correct but often the extended theories are only floated
by vested interests.

Some of the astrologers may argue that these beliefs do not form part
of the Rahu centric theory, but obviously, they do, as the
astrologers who advocate the above beliefs, prescribe the Rahu
remedies no matter what are the other good points present in the
chart.

It may please be noted that I am not against or for the rahu centric
theory. But I feel some people give over importance to Rahu in every
chart they read, which is not a right trend. On the other hand, I
also feel it is more of a commercial trend, than an academic belief ,
to tieup every problem to Rahu to deceive gullible people.


Kishore patnaik