Vivāha Jyotisa: Kalatra Viveka

Kalatra Sthāna, or the 7th Bhāva, represents vivāha (marriage), which is one of the sixteen sanskāras within Sanātan Dharma. While the 7th bhāva encompasses various significations, our primary focus today is to explore the concept of marriage. 

I have previously received feedback indicating that the Horā Muktāvali commentary on Brihat Jātaka became easy to comprehend through the Guru-Shishya Samvada. Therefore, this article is structured as a dialogue between a Guru and his students. It features an interactive discussion led by a scholar from the esteemed Kerala tradition, accompanied by his knowledgeable students: Uma, Madhusudan, Shridhar, Medha, Keshav, and Aniruddha. Following an enlightening conversation on Brihat Jātaka, the students have convened around their Guru to delve into the subject of Vivāha, or marriage. 

I have endeavored to present this work in a format akin to that of the Nadi Granthas, wherein the student poses inquiries and the Guru provides responses. In certain instances, I have included justifications and relevant quotations from the texts, while in other cases, I have allowed the reader to derive their own understanding. The article is organized into seven sections, each addressing different subjects revolving around marriage and pertaining to Saptama Bhava.

Medha : Guruvarya, what is vivāha? What are its types?

Image Source : Pinterest.

Guru :

स्त्री पुंसो मेलनं चात्र द्विजदेवाग्निसन्निधौ । 

विवाह इति विख्यातः हीनाङ्ग परिपूर्त्तये ॥

[The union of woman and man in the presence of twice-borns (Brahmins), Gods, and Agni Deva is known as marriage (Vivaha) for the completion of the incomplete parts.]

Vivāha is regarded as a Dharma Karya, representing one of the Shodash Sanskāra and playing a crucial role in the advancement of a kula (lineage). The Shastras view vivāha as the harmonious union of masculine and feminine energies aimed at the collective pursuit of Dharma, Artha, Kama, and Moksha. Additionally, the Shastras outline specific guidelines governing the nature of this union. According to Manusmriti, vivāha is classified into eight distinct types.

चतुर्णामपि वर्णानं प्रेत्य चैह हिताहितान् ।

अष्टाविमान् समासेन स्त्रीविवाहान्निबोधत ॥ 

ब्राह्मो दैवस्तथैवार्षः प्राजापत्यस्तथाऽसुरः ।

गान्धर्वो राक्षसश्चैव पैशाचश्चाष्टमोऽधमः ॥ 

[Understand briefly these (following) eight forms of marriage of girls, among the four varnas,—which are beneficial and not-beneficial here (in this life) and also after death. (1) The Brāhma, (2) the Daiva, (3) the Ārṣa, (1) the Prājāpatya, (5) the Āsura, (6) the Gāndharva, (7) the Rākṣasa and (8) the Paiśāca, which is the eighth and the lowest.]

Nārada states - 

In the Brāhma form, a maiden decked with ornaments is given to the bridegroom, after he has been invited and honourably received by the father. When he has been received with the words—“Carry on your sacred duties together with her,” it is called the Prājāpatya form. When the father receives from the bridegroom, a dress, a bull and a cow, it is called the Ārṣa form. When she is given before the altar, to a priest officiating at a sacrifice, it is called the Daiva form. The union of a willing maiden with her lover is the fifth form called Gāndharva. When a price is asked for the bride by her father and received by him, it is the form called Āsura. The Rākṣasa form is declared to consist of the forcible abduction of a maiden. Sexual intercourse with a woman during her sleep, or while she is unconscious, constitutes the eighth form, the basest of all. Of these, the first four, beginning with the Brāhma, are declared to be lawful; the Gāndharva form is common to all; the three forms that come after it are unlawful. 

Shridhar : Guruji, what is the role of a Jyotiṣa in this regard?

Guru : Shridhar, a practitioner of Jyotiṣa must possess a thorough understanding of the principles established by the sages. The examination of the Saptama Bhava is crucial for determining the appropriate timing for marriage. In contemporary society, marriages are primarily classified into arranged and love marriages. Additionally, the increasing prevalence of divorce and extramarital relationships necessitates careful consideration. It is the responsibility of a jyotiṣa to offer accurate guidance in accordance with the teachings of the sages. A Jyotiṣa should identify the type of marriage suggested in the horoscope and provide appropriate counsel to the individual seeking advice.

Madhusudan : Guruvarya, what are the effects of 7th Bhāva? 

Guru : Acharya Vyankatesha in Sri Sarvārtha Chintāmani states few results for Graha in 7th bhāva. We will discuss the same in detail.

शुक्रे कलत्रे त्वतिकामुकस्यात्। बुधेऽन्ययोषानिरतो।

Both Budha and Shukra are classified as Rajasika Graha, and when positioned in the 7th Bhava, they will enhance Kama, or sexual desires. However, it is important to recognize the nuanced distinction between Shukra and Budha. Shukra will merely intensify the sexual drive, whereas Budha may suggest the possibility of infidelity.

गुरौ तु स्वदारसक्तो।

When Brihaspati occupies the 7th Bhava, an individual will exhibit unwavering devotion to their sole partner.

दिननाथपुत्रे कुदाररम्यः।

When Shani is in 7th, the native will be associated with women having low qualities.

कुजे बहुस्त्रीपुरतः कुलघ्नो। भानौ कुटुम्बी बहुदारसक्तः।

Here, it is important to observe the distinction in word usage. When Kuja is positioned in the 7th Bhava, the individual may have multiple spouses but engage in infidelity, indicating insatiable sexual desires. In contrast, Surya in the 7th Bhava will lead the individual to be devoted to his family and also have multiple spouses.

This outlines the overall outcomes of various Rasi and Graha in the 7th Bhava. None of the Graha perform exceptionally well in this Bhava. The impact of Rasi Tulya Navamsa has already been addressed in our previous discussion regarding Navamsa. Let us now understand few important rules from Suka Jātaka of Maharshi Suka -

1. The person obtains an excellent wife and leads a happy married life when Shukra and 7L are well placed while 2L occupies his Ucca/Sva/Mitra Rasi. This yoga further counters other combinations, if any, for more than one marriage.

2. When Shukra is alone aspected by Brihaspati or Purna Chandra, the person has only one marriage which brings him happiness, respect in society and vast wealth. 

3. When Shukra is alone, and the Ucca 2L is conjunct 7L aspecting 4L. This yoga gives an extremely fortunate spouse.

Keshav : Guruji, how can we know about the prospective spouse? 

Guru : Everything about the spouse should be deciphered from the 7th Lord. Consider this Chart (1) of a female politician as an illustrative example. Focus on the 7th Bhava, which is occupied by Chandra and is aspected by Sani. The primary consideration is the condition reflected in the Rasi Chart. With Candra positioned in the 7th Bhava, it indicates that the spouse will be of a similar age to the native. However, the influence of Sani's aspect and Amsa introduces a slight modification, suggesting that the spouse may be a few years older. In this case, the husband was three years senior. Additionally, it is important to note that Ketu and Mandi are also contributing their Amsa to the 7th Bhava. The husband belonged to a different community than that of the native.

In this Chart (2) Kuja, Sani and Rahu cast their complete aspect on 7th. The marriage was unconventional and the spouse does not belong to the same community as that of the native. The Kuja Dasa will indicate problems in marriage. The Lord of 7th is Brihaspati in the 12th in the Candra Navamsa which makes the spouse fair-skinned, not very tall nor short and has charming eyes (Rf. HR). Brihaspati is situated at 12°-14'-09" while Kalatra Karaka Shukra is at 18°-48'-29" both in Simha Rasi. On adding the longitudes, we obtain 9s-01°-02'-38". Makara signifies the west direction, while the Amsa obtained is Chara Rasi, suggesting that the spouse will be from a distant location in the west from the native's birthplace. The 7th Lord resides in the Navamsa of Chandra, which also represents the northwest direction. He was married during the Dasa of Chandra.

Observe Chart (3). Adding the longitudes of Brihaspati and Shukra we get 9s-10°-47' which is Makara Rasi and Mesa Navamsa. The native was married in west at a place which is very faraway from his birthplace. 

Medha : Guruji, how should we time the marriage?

Guru : The following Chart (4), belongs to an eminent carnatic singer. Kuja, Brihaspati, Candra, Sani and Sukra Dasa influence the 7th Bhava. The marriage shall occur early in the life and the earliest Dasha is that of Kuja. The native was married in Kuja - Sukra Dasha. 7th Lord Kuja aspects 7th and Sukra is the Rasi Lord of Kuja. Brihaspati in Gocara was in 7th and also in 7th from the Navamsa Lord of Sukra.

In this Chart (5), The 7th Lord Shukra is linked with Budha and Rahu. Brihaspati occupies the 7th house and is influenced by Rahu. It can be inferred that marriage is likely to take place during the Dasha periods of Sukra, Brihaspati, Budha, or Rahu. The individual was married during the Brihaspati - Shukra Dasha. Given Sukra's connection with Budha, it suggests that the spouse is younger than the individual, and the presence of Rahu indicates that the spouse belongs to a Christian community. The association in Mithuna, represented by the symbol of a couple, within the 3rd Bhava signifies that this will be a love marriage. Shukra imparts its Amsa to the 7th house, suggesting that the husband will be both attractive and fortunate. This horoscope pertains to a celebrity who was married to a singer.

Aniruddha : Guruvarya, how should we analyse marital harmony in a horoscope?

Guru : Remember that 7th Bhava signifies marriage and marital happiness. In Chart (1), Chandra influences the 7th, Shani aspects 7th and malefics contribute their Amsha to the 7th Bhava. Kalatra Karaka Shukra is in 6th which is 12th from 7th with Rahu and aspected by Mandi. The marital life was not very good and there were clashes between the couple. 

Madhusudan : Guruvarya, which combinations in the horoscope indicate widowhood?

Guru : In Chart (1), the influence of Shani (the 8th Lord and the Navamsha dispositor of Mandi), along with Ketu and Mandi, indicates a disruption in the marriage, which ultimately occurred when the native's husband passed away after 18 years of matrimony when she was running Brihaspati - Budha - Kuja Dasha. As Surya is aspected by Kuja and associated with Budha, the reason for death was heart-attack. The horoscope also has Kuja Dosha from Lagna and Chandra while Kuja is in 8th from 7th aspected by Rahu.

Uma : Guruvarya, this Chart (6), belongs to a widow. Can you please shed some light on this horoscope?

Guru : The 7th Lord and Karaka Shukra are hemmed between Shani and Kuja, Rahu. 8th and 11th Lord Brihaspati aspects 7th Bhava and Shukra. The Lord of 7th is Kuja in 8th with Rahu and aspected by Shani. This creates Vaidhavya Yoga. The death of the spouse must have happened in the Dasha of Rahu and Shukra Bhukti as Rahu is in 2nd from 7th and Shukra is the Lord of 7th from 7th aspected by Brihaspati (2nd Lord from 7th). The 8th Lord from 7th is Budha aspected by Brihaspati and Chandra (¾th aspect) and occupies Meena Navamsh. The spouse died due to drowning in water. 

Shridhar : Guruvarya, this native was married twice. What could be the reasons?

Guru : In Chart (7) Lagnesh in 12th is combust occupying Nica Amsa aspects the 7th Bhava. Shukra is with Budha in 11th and aspected by Chandra while 2nd Bhava is occupied by Rahu. This forms a Dwi-bharya Yoga & indicates that the native was married to two women. 

Keshav : Guruji, how should we examine homosexual relationships through the lens of Jyotiṣa?

Guru : In this Chart (8), Shukra and Shani are placed in the Rashi of a Kliba Graha Budha and mutually aspect eachother (¾th aspect). Shukra is in the Navamsh of Shani and Shani in the Navamsh of Shukra. The native is a homosexual female born in USA.

In the next Chart (9), Shukra is in 10th along with Kuja aspected by Sani and Brihaspati. Shukra occupies Kanya Navamsa governed by Budha who is associated with Rahu. Rashesh of Shukra is Kuja and Kuja's Navamsa Lord is Candra who are again receiving the aspect of Shani who is placed in the the Lagna. This horoscope belongs to a homosexual male born in USA.

Medha : Guruvarya, your guidance on assessing the paramount aspects of life, particularly concerning marriage from the horoscopes, has been invaluable. Your insights have greatly benefited all of us.

Guru : As we reach the end of our discussion, it is essential to keep in mind that a horoscope must be evaluated in light of Desha, Kala, and Patra. It is crucial to comprehend the diverse situations and cultural contexts across different regions of the world before offering any advice.

Jyotiṣārṇava (Amogh)

https://jyotisharnava.blogspot.com/

This work is dedicated to Sri C. S. Patel, from whom I acquired knowledge of the Navamsa techniques through his writings.

External References :

Brihat Jātaka (Sri Kedardatta Joshi, MLBD)

Sarvārtha Chintāmani (Sri Surkanta Jha, Chaukhamba)

How To Judge A Horoscope Vol 2 (Sri B V Raman & Smt Gayatri Devi Vasudev)