Graha Yuddha (Planetary War)

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Graha Yuddha (Planetary War)-

 

 

Written by Sunil Nair

 

(for various astrology articles visit -Website :

http://www.nastrology.com

<http://www.nastrology.com/> )

 

 

 

 

 

 

GRAHAYUDHA (Graha = planet) + (Yuddha = fight) means `Planetary war'.

Planetary war is some thing the modern day astrologers do not ascribe

much importance to. But Prasnamarga advice us to give importance to

planetary war as well, while trying to decipher the results. Many

ancient sages such as Garga, Kasyapa, Badarayana and Parasara in their

works dealt with this subject in detail as evident from the Bhattolpala

commentary of Brihat Samhita.

 

Yuddham yatha va bhavishyamasnute trikalajnaiH

 

[As the planetary war is so should be the future result told by the

astrologers] says Mihira in Brihat Samhita. True - planetary war is a

concept of importance not only in mundane astrology but also in natal

horoscopy.

 

Definition

 

What do we mean by `planetary war'? Brihat samhita clarifies this with

the following statement -

 

viyati charatam grahanam uparyuparya-atma maarga samstanam

 

ati doorad drigwisahaye samatamiva samprayatanam

 

(Chapter 17 sloka 2)

 

[All planets are moving in their own (elliptical) path around Sun.

During transit when they come on top of each other (as seen from earth)

in their own orbit, due to the large distance (looking from earth) we

feel that those planets are on the same place/location (even though in

reality they are separated by thousands of kilometers). This phenomena

is termed `Graha Yuddha' i.e. `planetary war']

 

As clearly stated by Mihira, during planetary war the planets are far

apart in physical sense; they are in their own orbits separated by

thousands of kilometers from each other. But observing from earth we

feel that they are `at one and the single place' or in other words `in

the same longitude'. When two or more planets are together like this it

is said that they are in `Graha Yuddha' (planetary war). During transit

even though in reality they may be far away from another, due to optical

illusion we feel that they are in same place, same Rasi (Sign) and same

Lipta (degree) and together and trying to take over or win over each

other. It is said that these planets are in war/fight.

 

Certainly two or planets conjuncting in the same longitude has a strong

connection with the rhythm of planetary movements. The sages connected

this movement with the rhythm of destiny (rhythm of time) and suggested

(and proved) that this definitely has some connection with the rhythm of

individual human life and human destiny as well. As per the concept of

`Planetary war', when two ore more planets conjunct in the same

longitude, then participate in `war' trying to win over each other with

their `Rasmi-bala' (ray power). Usually the planet with more

`Rasmi-bala' wins the war – even though other rules are also

present. We will come to this later, but first let us understand how

many types of planetary war were visualized by the sages, or how they

classified planetary war.

 

 

 

Naming and Classification

 

In Surya Siddhanta 7th chapter on Graha yuktyadikaram (planetary logics)

it reads -

 

Tara grahanamanyonyam swatam yudha samagamou

 

samagama sasankena suryenastamayam saha

 

[The 5 non-luminaries can enter into Graha Yuddha, when they are close

to each other. (Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, Venus, Saturn are non-luminaries

or tara-grahas, sun and moon are prakasha-grahas (luminaries) and Rahu

and Ketu are tamo-grahas). When the non-luminaries are with Moon it is

just `samagama' but when they are with Sun they become asta (became weak

and loss all power, due to the strong ray power of Sun)]. Thus it is

clear that–

 

* Graha Yuddha (Planetary war): When two or more tara-grahas

(non-luminaries) are in one sign and one of them is entering into same

degree of another planet it is said that they are in Graha Yuddha

(planetary war) * Samagama (Conjunct with Moon): When they conjunct

with moon it is said that they are in samagama * Astamaya (Combust):

When they conjunct with sun it is said that they are in asta or astamaya

(combust, moudhya).

 

 

 

When Sun and Moon conjunct it is Amavasi, Moon losing power similar to

the planets becoming asta with the ray power of Sun. Surya Siddhanta

gives the following limits for the asta or combustion for the planets.

 

 

 

 

Planet

 

Distance

 

Mars

 

17 degree

 

Mercury

 

12 degree (retro) 14 degree (acceleration)

 

Jupiter

 

11 degree

 

Venus

 

8 degree

 

Saturn

 

15 degree

 

 

 

 

 

 

Note that Rahu and Ketu are exempted – they do not get affected by

the ray power of Sun or Moon, but instead affect Sun and Moon, making

them weak. [All modern panchangas (ephemeris) gives all this kind of

astronomical details required for astrological purpose]

 

 

 

So in short we can say Graha Yuddha is an astronomical phenomena

resulting from proximity between two planets – in visual longitude.

It affects their power in producing astrological results. In natal

horoscopy it is said that - the looser planet in this war would be

unable to produce any benefic results or in other words results become

rather inauspicious. But while dealing with Mercury it should be kept in

mind that, even combust mercury can give auspicious results especially

related to education. Similarly even a combust Venus can produce great

saints at times.

 

Any of the five non-luminaries within 50 kala (50 min) of any other

planet causes planetary war or Graha Yuddha in general.

 

Victor: The planet which wins the war is termed Victor

 

Defeated one, Vanquished: The planet which losses the war is termed the

defeated one or the vanquished.

 

The victorious planet produces powerful auspicious effects, while the

vanquished one becomes inauspicious. The house in which this phenomenon

occurs is destroyed and the individual suffers throughout his life in

respect to that Bhava (but take total strength of chart and running dasa

in various time of life to declare full result).

 

 

 

Brihat Samhita states that as per him and ancient sages like Parasara -

there are four types of planetary warfare, viz., Bheda, Ullekha,

Amsumardana and Apasavya Yuddha.

 

Asana kramayogal bhedollekhaamsumardhanApasavyaiH

 

yudham chathu prakaram parasaradyaimunibhirutam

 

 

 

[Due to proximity of planetary longitude, four types of planetary war is

possible – Bheda, Ullekha, Amsu-mardana, Apasavya. This is clearly

told by ancient sages like Parasara]

 

1. Bheda: When two planets appear to have a same direction of

movement on account of overlapping they fight in Bheda (occultation). In

this case the planet nearer to us on earth completely obstructs the

farther one. This is also known by the name Chadanam (occultation)

2. Ullekha: When the rims of two planetary paths touch each other but

does not overlap, it is called Ullekha. In other words, when the

graha-bimbas (discs) of planets seem to touch each other (sparsha) it is

called Ullekha. This is also known by the name Rodhanam (obstruction)

3. Amsu-mardana: When the rays of two planets appear to clash each

other, it is termed Amsu-mardana. Another name for this kind of

planetary war is Kirana sanghatana (clash or rays). This is also known

by the name Rasmi-mardana (clash of rays) 4. Apasavya: When a

planet's disc, covering each other moves south (in opposite direction,

in retrograde motion), Apasavya occurs. This is also known by the name

Aasavya.

 

 

 

Such detailed classification is especially useful in mundane astrology

than in Natal horoscopy.

 

 

 

Planetary war as applicable in natal charts

 

For human nativity charts, it is enough to consider that - two planets

in conjunction are said to be at war; the planet having greater northern

declination and more brilliant rays would be the victor.

 

Bheda: Bheda occurs when two planets are within 50 kala of each other

though in different asterisms.

 

Ullekha: When they are between 30 kala and 50 kala of each other located

in the same asterism, they are in Ullekha.

 

Amsu-mardana: When such planets are within a distance of 10 kala to 30

kala of each other in the same asterism, the relationship is known as

Amsu-mardana.

 

Apasavya: If one of the two planets within 50 kala of each other is

direct while the other is retrograde, they form Apasavya.

 

 

 

If you are not interested even in these detailed classifications, just

follow this simplified rule - if the planets are within one degree of

the other, they are known as in Graha Yuddha.

 

 

 

How to know from chart whether Graha Yuddha is over or pending?

 

Looking at the chart, we may have to judge whether the planetary war is

in store or already over. This can be easily done based on the following

rules.

 

* When two planets are in the same rasi, and if one planet which has

more longitude than the slow moving planet then we can assume that the

yuti kala (same longitude) is finished – i.e. planetary war is

already over. * If the slow moving planet has more longitude than

the fast moving planet then we can assume that the yuti kala (same

longitude) is yet to happen – i.e. planetary war is going to happen

in near future.

 

This also point to the importance of having a general understanding

about planetary speed. As you may know – the planetary speed is in

the following sequence -

 

Fastest: Moon>Mercury>Venus>Sun>Mars>Jupiter>Saturn: Slowest

 

 

 

How to identify which planet won?

 

This is true when planets are moving in normal motion. If the planets

are in vakra (retrograde) we must see the opposite way (The mathematical

calculations for calculating the same is described in Surya Siddhanta).

If one planet is retrograde and other is normal then separate

mathematical calculations has to be employed to arrive at the date of

planetary war.

 

 

 

The planets lost or win in the war can be identified by observing it and

also through ganita (mathematics). The planet which lost will be seen

like perspiring, afraid, small in size than regular and pale and has

less brightness and we may feel like they are shivering because they are

afraid and in southern direction and reverse properties will be true for

winner and it will be happy, bright and all the characteristics of a

winner we can see if we observe him.

 

 

 

 

 

When both planets are having difference of one degree only and has

similar brightness – we can treat it like samagama (union giving

positive results) and when both planets are weakened and is showing the

properties of lost planets it is said that they are in koota vigraha

(secret quarrel). Many karana granthas (astrologia mathematical texts)

gives methods to calculate and thus to identify the results for planets

in samagama or koota vigraha state.

 

 

 

The effect of planetary war is conditioned by the state of these planets

as indicated above. A planet with shorter longitude is said to defeat

the planet ahead of it, in normal situation; i.e. the planet in southern

hemisphere is considered defeated. But Venus is always victorious

whether it is on the left or right (i.e. north or south). Based on these

considerations the winner planet can be identified, and the other planet

should be considered a looser. Generally Venus is winner always, if

involved in war. It can also be decided by observing omens or by the use

of various astronomical methods (such as the calculation of rasmi-bala).

 

 

 

Planetary war as applicable in mundane astrology

 

 

 

Brihat Jataka speaks about planetary wars as applicable in mundane

astrology.

 

 

 

Bheda: There would be less rains and friends and relatives (of kings)

will have problems. It can cause clash between friends and large tribes

(maha kulas) and this will affect prominent citizens.

 

Ullekha: People may have fear from weapons (may be due to war). The king

will have enmity from his advisers and ministers (they may turn against

him). There would be scarcity for food and famine will result.

 

Amsu-mardana: There would be fights between kings. The people will

suffer due to war, weapons, disease and poverty.

 

Apasavya: There will be fight between ruling classes (even within the

country and outside) and can each king may turn against other and result

in total war.

 

 

 

Paura -Yayi- Akranta [Civilian –Attacker-Attacked]

 

The effects of planetary warfare depend upon the conditions classified

under Poura Graha (civilian planet), Akranta Graha (attacking planet),

and Akrita or Yayee Graha (attacked planet). It is very important to

know this classification in order to correctly understand the results

indicated by planetary war.

 

 

 

Sun: Sun is civilian (paura) up to 11 a.m; attacker (Yayi) at noon; and

attacked (Akrita; weak) in the afternoon.

 

Moon: Moon is always weak and attacked (if with Sun).

 

Mercury-Jupiter-Saturn: Mercury, Jupiter, and Saturn are always in

civilians (Poura)

 

Mars-Venus-Rahu-Ketu: Mars, Venus, Rahu, and Ketu are always attacker

(Yayi; aggressive).

 

 

 

Kala bala (Time strength)

 

In forenoon the civilian planets will become attacked. In afternoon the

attacker planets will become the attacked.

 

 

 

Result Derivation

 

Base on the significance (karakatwas) of the winning planets, different

people (i.e. civilian, attacker, attacked) categories indicated by them,

and the different geographical locations within India or world (as

indicated by Koorma chakra etc) will suffer or gain accordingly.

 

 

 

Suppose one civilian planet defeats another civilian planet. This means

that the people will give problems to other people and the leaders

represented by the loosing planet will suffer. Same way treat when

delineating results of attacked (akranta) and attacker (yayi) planets -

people and places under their rule will suffer.

 

 

 

For more detailed result identification, read the Nakshatra and Graha

bhakti adhyaya of Brihat Samhita and read and understand more about the

application of Koorma chakra in result derivation.

 

 

 

If you want to use Nakshatra chakra, significance (karakatva) assigned

to Nakshatras are used in result derivation. Three continuous Nakshatra

each having 9 groups should be considered. For example in Krittikadi

group would contain Krittika-Rohini- Mrigasira (treated as one group).

If planetary war affect these Nakshatras means, Yamuna-Saraswathi

basins, kurukshtra etc are affected – i.e. Delhi and surroundings

are more affected. Like this result derivation is possible with other

Nakshatras and their significance (karakatvas).

 

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