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Śiva Jyotiṣa: Childlessness In Jyotisa

A very rare manuscript on natal astrology associated with Siva's Jyotisha system features a conversation between Shiva and Parvati. In this dialogue, Devi inquires about the causes of childlessness and the appropriate remedies to be undertaken for the attainment of offspring. Shankara, the universal benefactor, responds to her questions.



Image: Shiva Parvati Samvada
Source: Pinterest


1. Reasons Behind Childlessness

श्रृणु त्वं गिरिजे त्वं हि दोषान् षट्‌सप्तसंज्ञिकान् ।
प्राणिनां चैव सर्वेषां मंगनानां विशेषतः ॥ 

śrṛṇu tvaṃ girije tvaṃ hi doṣān ṣaṭ‌saptasaṃjñikān |
prāṇināṃ caiva sarveṣāṃ maṃganānāṃ viśeṣataḥ || 

["Listen, Girija (Devi Parvati), there are six and seven (thirteen) types of faults that affect all living beings, especially women.]

नराणाञ्चानपत्य त्वं दत्तपुत्रादि संभवः। 
स्रावसन्तति नामाञ्च मृतपुत्रत्वमेव च ॥
स्कन्दञ्च कृमिकूपञ्च रक्तस्त्रावस्तथैव च । 
भूतग्रासो रतौभिन्नं शुक्लतोयत्वमेव च ॥
परिमेषस्तथाग्नेयमेते दोषास्त्रयोदश । 
नराणाञ्चाल्प पुत्रत्वं बहुपुत्रत्वमेव च ॥ 

narāṇāñcānapatya tvaṃ dattaputrādi saṃbhavaḥ| 
srāvasantati nāmāñca mṛtaputratvameva ca ||
skandañca kṛmikūpañca raktastrāvastathaiva ca | 
bhūtagrāso rataubhinnaṃ śuklatoyatvameva ca ||
parimeṣastathāgneyamete doṣāstrayodaśa | 
narāṇāñcālpa putratvaṃ bahuputratvameva ca || 

[Childlessness, adoption of child, miscarriage of offspring, the death of children, premature ejaculation, worm-infestation, blood discharge, being possessed by spirits, disturbance during sexual intercourse, diluted seminal fluid, decreased sexual potency and bleeding - these are the thirteen faults for the humans.]

एकपुत्रत्वमेकायां ............ सुतान्तथा ।
स्त्री प्रसूतित्वमेवाथ पुंप्रसूतित्वमे च ॥
अन्यक्षेत्रोद्भवत्वञ्चाप्यन्य बीजात्समुद्भव । 
एवमष्टविधं प्रोक्तं पुत्रोत्पत्तेस्तु कारणम् ॥ 

ekaputratvamekāyāṃ ............ sutāntathā |
strī prasūtitvamevātha puṃprasūtitvame ca ||
anyakṣetrodbhavatvañcāpyanya bījātsamudbhava | 
evamaṣṭavidhaṃ proktaṃ putrotpattestu kāraṇam || 

[Having one child from one (woman) ... children likewise, female birth or male birth, birth from another womb or arising from another seed. Thus, eight types of causes for the birth of children have been declared.]

The manuscript has incomplete verses. However, the eight reasons responsible for birth of progeny are as follows: Alpaputra, Bahuputra, Ekapatni Ekaputra, Ekakanyaka, Strisantana, Purushasantana, Anyakshetra Santana, Anyabeeja Santana.

पुण्यपापं पूर्वभवे यत्कृतं ज्ञानतोपि वा । 
अज्ञानतो वा ह्येतत्ते समुपस्थितमद्यवै ॥ 

puṇyapāpaṃ pūrvabhave yatkṛtaṃ jñānatopi vā | 
ajñānato vā hyetatte samupasthitamadyavai ||

[The merits and sins committed in previous lives, whether knowingly or unknowingly, have come upon you today.]

The absence of children or the birth of offspring is influenced by the actions—both virtuous and sinful—performed in previous lifetimes. When an individual has committed sins, these are often reflected in their horoscope through specific Shapa (curses) and Doshas (flaws). Shiva elaborates on various Shapa and Doshas, including Sarpa Shapa, Vishnu Shapa, Brahma Shapa, Deva Shapa, Pitru Shapa, Matru Shapa, Patni Shapa, Matula Shapa, and Bhratru Shapa, among others.

Sarpa Shapa refers to the curse associated with serpents, which may result from harming snakes or disrupting their natural habitats. Vishnu Shapa can occur if one has desecrated a temple dedicated to Sri Vishnu. Brahmins, regarded as Bhudeva, deserve respect; Brahma Shapa may manifest if someone has wronged a Brahmin or if it stems from a curse by a Daivajna. Pitru Shapa represents the curse of ancestors, Matru Shapa pertains to the mother’s curse, Bhratru Shapa relates to the brother’s curse, Matula Shapa refers to the maternal uncle’s curse, and Patni Shapa signifies the spouse’s curse. Additionally, childlessness may result from Bhrunahatya, which refers to the act of terminating a pregnancy. Various types of Graha Badha are also described by Shiva. Performing Prayaschitta (atonement) with devotion is very necessary for removal of these curses and faults.

2. Remedial Measures

Individuals may unknowingly or knowingly commit numerous sins, which can later hinder their ability to have children and perpetuate their lineage. To alleviate these issues, specific remedial actions are undertaken at shrines and temples, guided by a knowledgeable Pundit. This practice aims to ensure blessings for progeny and foster happiness in life.

These remedial measures are decided according to the combinations present in the individual horoscope. The reason for childlessness is first identified and then appropriate Parihara (remedy) is suggested to the native. However, the native should have faith and devotion in this entire process.

3. Identifying Childlessness

Shiva has explained few combinations for childlessness out of which two verses are given below.

पुत्रवित्तकलत्रेशाः संयुक्ता नवभागपाः ।
पापांशकाः पापयुता अनपत्यत्वमादिशेत् ॥ 

putravittakalatreśāḥ saṃyuktā navabhāgapāḥ |
pāpāṃśakāḥ pāpayutā anapatyatvamādiśet ||

[Childlessness should be predicted if the Navamsa dispositors of 5th, 2nd and 7th are in malefic divisions and associated with malefics.]

गुरुर्लग्नेशदारेशपुत्रस्थानाधिपेषु वा ।
सर्वेषु बलहीनेषु वक्तव्यात्वनपत्यता ॥ 

gururlagneśadāreśaputrasthānādhipeṣu vā |
sarveṣu balahīneṣu vaktavyātvanapatyatā || 

[One should predict childlessness, if Brihaspati and the Lords of 1st, 5th and 7th Bhavas are simultaneously weak.]

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