GRAHAYUDHA

April 13, 2009

GRAHAYUDHA [(Graha = planet) + (Yudha = fight) planetary warfare]. An

astronomical phenomenon resulting from proximity between two planets. It affects

their power to produce any result. The planets involved in this relationship are

rendered unable to bestow their beneficence, and become inauspicious. Such a

situation occurs when a planet other than Moon or the nodes (Rahu.or Ketu) is

situated within 50 of the Sun. The planet so placed is considered Asthagatha or

combust. When such a relationship takes place with Moon, it is known as

Saniaagama, or combination. Any of the five nonluminaries within 50 of any other

planet causes planetary warfare, or Graha yudiza, and one of the two involved in

this relationship is said to be vanquished and the other is a victor. 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 (q.v.).

There are five kinds of planetary warfare, viz., Bhedam, Ullekham,

Amsumardhanam, Apasauyam, and Yuddham. Bhedain occurs when two planets are

within 50 of each other though in different asterisms. When they are between 30

and 50 of each other located in the same asterism, they are in Ullekha yuddham.

When such planets are within a distance of 10 to 30 of each other in the same

asterism, the relationship is known as Amsumardlianam. If the planets are within

one degree of the other, they are known as in Graha yuddham proper. If one of

the two planets within 50 of each other is direct while the other is retrograde,

they form Apasavya Yuddham. The effects of planetary warfare depends upon the

conditions classified under Poura Graha, Akranta Graha, and Akrita or Yayee

Graha. Poura Graha is a planet in a state of opposition to another. Akranta

Graha is the overpowered, chased, or eclipsed planet. Akriti Graha is generally

aggressive on the move. The Sun is Poura up to 11 a.m., Akranta at noon, and

Akrita or feeble in the afternoon. Moon is always overpowered. Mercury, Jupiter,

and Saturn are always in opposition (Poura), while Mars, Venus, Rahu, and Ketu

are always aggressive. The effect of Graha yuddha is conditioned by the mood of

these planets as indicated above. A planet with earlier longitude is said to

defeat the planet ahead of it. A planet in southern hemisphere is considered

defeated. But Venus is always victorious. The planet with a fairly larger orb

than the other becomes victorious. (See Brihat Samhita, Chap. XVII).

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