Śiva Jyotiṣa: Graha Samaya

The outcomes of Vimshottari Dasha are determined by assessing the strength of the Grahas. To achieve this, the Avastha is computed. Various techniques exist for calculating the Avasthas. In the texts, Shiva elucidates the Snanadi method of Graha Samaya to Devi Parvati. This particular method is referenced in both Jyotisharnava Navanitam and Shukra Nadi, and it is uniquely associated with Shiva's Jyotisha system.

Image: Shiva and Parvati.

Source: Pinterest.

मेषादिलग्नसंख्याभिर्मेषादिस्थितखेचरान ।
संगुण्य च समैराप्तं फलमूहचं च शेषान् ॥
स्वशेषं स्वदशावर्षसंख्यया गुणयेत्पुनः ।
नक्षत्रैर्भाजितं शेषं ग्रहाणां समयास्मृताः ॥ (Rf. JN)

The calculation of Graha Samaya is as follows:

1. Count from Mesha to the Lagna. (A)
2. Count from Mesha to the Rashi occupied by the Graha whose Avastha is to be determined. (B)
3. Note the Dasha years of the said Graha in the Vimshottari Dasha system. (C)
4. Multiply above numbers. (A×B×C)
5. Divide the figure obtained in the above step 4 by 27.
6. The remainder thus obtained will denote the Graha Samaya.

Simplified Formula: 

(A×B×C)÷27 

Remainder = Graha Samaya/Avastha

स्नानं वस्त्रधृतिश्चैवे तिलकं जपसंज्ञिकं ।
शिवपूजाश्चहोमश्च विष्णुपूजा द्विजार्चनं ॥
नमस्कारं च नवमं पश्चाददिप्रदक्षिणं ।
वैश्वदेवोऽतिथेः पूजाभोज्यंविद्याविवर्धनं ॥
आक्रोशश्चैवताम्बूलं वाग्विलासंस्सभास्थितिः ।
जलपानमथालस्यं शयनामृतभक्षणे ॥
गन्धलेपश्चसलापोभोगोनिद्रातथैवच ।
परीक्षाच गजादीनां ग्रहाणां समयास्मृताः ॥ (Rf. JN)

The Avastha are as follows:

1. Snana (bathing)
2. Vastradhruti (wearing clothes)
3. Tilakam (applying religious mark on forehead)
4. Japa (meditation)
5. Shiva Pooja (worshipping Sri Shiva)
6. Homa (performing sacred fire rituals)
7. Vishnu Pooja (worshipping Sri Vishnu)
8. Dwijarchana (worshipping Brahmins)
9. Namaskara (propitiating)
10. Adripradakshina (circumambulation around the mountain)
11. Vaishwadeva (performing a ritual before mid-day meals by offering homage to Vaishwadeva and Agni)
12. Atithi Poojan (honouring the guests)
13. Bhojana (eating)
14. Vidyavivardhana (learning)
15. Aakrosha (outraged)
16. Tambula (consuming bettle leaves)
17. Vagvilasa (elegance in speech)
18. Sabhasthiti (presence in an assembly)
19. Jalapana (drinking water)
20. Aalasya (lazy)
21. Sayana (sleeping)
22. Amritabhakshana (consuming nectar)
23. Gandhalepana (applying scents)
24. Sallapa (chattering)
25. Bhoga (enjoyment)
26. Nidra (sleeping)
27. Ratna Pariksha (testing diamonds)

स्नानेधृतिर्वस्त्रधृतौनृपस्स्याद्विशेषकेभद्रमथोजपेच ।
लिङ्गार्चने शतृजयोद्युपासे दुःखंजयो विष्णुपदार्चने च ॥

द्विजार्चनेराज्यम्‌थो नमस्कृतौशुभं च शैलक्रमणे विभाग्यं ।
अमङ्गळंचाप्यथ वैश्वदेवे तथैवभोगोऽतिथिपूजने च ॥
भुक्कौतुभोगः प्रतिभाषणेसुधीः आक्रोशनेदुःखमुपैतिमर्त्यः ।
ताम्बूलंके स्त्रीसुखवृद्धिरेव राज्ञाविलासेविजयस्सुखादिः ॥
सभाधिकारैर्जलपानतस्सुखं आलस्यतायामतिभीतिरेव ।
शयनेन सौभाग्यविहीनता च सुखासने तृप्तिमुपैतिमर्त्यः ॥
अलंकृतौ राज्यसुहृत् स्थितिश्च स्त्रीभाषणेभोगमुपैति भोगी ।
कान्तासुतप्राप्तिमुदाहरन्ति निद्रान्तरे भोगविहीनता च ॥
धनागमोरत्नपरीक्षणे च फलानि ज्ञेयानि बुधैरिदं क्रमात् ॥ (Rf. JN)

The effects of these Samaya are as follows:

1. Snana - courage
2. Vastradhruti - kingship
3. Tilakam - auspicious effects
4. Japa - winning over enemies
5. Shiva Pooja - success over enemies
6. Homa - grief
7. Vishnu Pooja - success
8. Dwijarchana - kingdom
9. Namaskara - auspicious effects
10. Adripradakshina - lack of fortunes
11. Vaishwadeva - inauspicious effects
12. Atithi Poojan - pleasures
13. Bhojana - pleasures
14. Vidyavivardhana - intelligence
15. Aakrosha - grief
16. Tambula - increased happiness due to females or spouse
17. Vagvilasa - success
18. Sabhasthiti - happiness
19. Jalapana - happiness
20. Aalasya - great fear
21. Sayana - lack of fortune
22. Amritabhakshana - satisfaction
23. Gandhalepana - kingdom and friendship
24. Sallapa - enjoyment
25. Bhoga - acquisition of spouse and progeny
26. Nidra - lack of pleasures
27. Ratna Pariksha - acquisition of wealth

Some important points that must be noted before applying the rules of Graha Samaya are:

1. These Graha Samaya are calculated on the basis of the position in the Rashi chart only and not in the subdivisions like Navamsa, Dwadasamsa etc.
2. It is used in the Vimshottari Dasha only and not the other conditional Dashas.
3. The Vimshottari Dasha effects should be judged on the basis of the principles explained in the Parasari System.
4. The final results should be pronounced after assessing all other factors mentioned in the standard texts.

Illustration: The following horoscope belongs to Smt. Indira Gandhi.

The Graha Samaya is calculated in the table below.

Graha	A	B	C	ABC	Remainder	Samaya
Surya	4	8	6	192	3	Tilakam
Chandra	4	10	10	400	22	Amritbhakshana
Kuja	4	5	7	140	5	Shiva Pooja
Budha	4	8	17	544	4	Japa
Guru	4	2	16	128	20	Aalasya
Shukra	4	9	20	720	18	Sabhasthiti
Shani	4	4	19	304	7	Vishnu Pooja
Rahu	4	9	18	648	0	Ratna Pariksha
Ketu	4	3	7	843	3	Tilakam

Thus, Surya and Ketu Dasha will yield auspicious effects. The Dasha of Chandra will give satisfaction, Kuja and Budha Dasha will give victory over enemies, Guru Dasha will produce fear, Shukra Dasha will provide happiness, Shani Dasha will give success and Rahu Dasha will be favourable in acquisition of wealth.

Gu-Sh-Ra : Smt. Gandhi was elected as the President of Indian National Congress.
Gu-Su-Sk : Smt. Gandhi became the Prime Minister of India.
Sa-Ke-Gu : Smt. Gandhi lost the election.
Sa-Sk-Sa : Again, elected as Prime Minister of India.
Sa-Ra-Gu : Smt. Gandhi was Assassinated.