Sarvatobhadra Chakra
Shri V. Subrahmania Sastri in his English translation of Phaladeepika has given extracts from Horaratna on Sarvatobhadra Chakra which we take the liberty of reproducing for the benefit of the readers.
“Draw ten lines verticalry and other ten lines cross wise over the same. You will have 81 squares. Which in regular order the 16 vowels from onwards in the corner squares commencing from the outer most corner in the North-East, thus filling up in rotation the 4 corners of each of the 4 sets of squares. Fill up the 28 vacant squares of the outermost comer beginning from the North-East by the 28
asterism with krittika, so that each side will contain 7 asterism.
The 5 vacant squares of each side of the next row may be filled by a, ba, ka, ha, da in the East, by ma, da, pa, ra, ta in the South, na, ya, ma, ja, kha in the West and na, sa, ta, ca, la in the North. There now remain 12 squares, 3 on each side in the next Inner row. These may be allotted to the 12 signs beginning with Vrishabha in the East in regular order.
The 5 inner squares still remaining Vacant may be allotted to the 5 groups of Tithy * Nanda, Bhadra, Jaya, Rikta and Purna as shown in the chakra.
The seven week days may be entered in the squares thus : Tuesday and Sunday in the square containing the Nanda group, Wednesday and Monday in the Bhadra group; Thursday in the Jaya group; Friday in the Rikta and Saturday in the Purna.
Saturn, the Sun, Rahu, Ketu and Mars are malefics. The rest are benefic. Mercury is malefic wher associated with malefics, so also is the waning Moon.
In whichever aslant a planet may be posited, three Vedhas arise from the same by its aspect – one in the left, one in the first and on in the right.
In the two sides whether in the right or left, the Vedha may be with a star, a consonant, a Rasi or Vowel and not with others. For, it has been clearly stated in the Rajavijaya thus :
A planet posited in Krittika may have Vedha with the following viz.,
(1)Bharani, (2) the Vowel (3) Vrishabna, (4) Nanda, (5) Bhadra. (6) Tula, (7) the
consonant (8) Visakha and Sravana.
Similarly a planet in Rohini will have Vedha with (1) the Vowel (2) Aswini, (3) the consonant (4) Mithuna, (5) the Vowel (6) Kanya, (7) the consonant (8) Swati and Abhijit.
In the same way a planet quartered in Mrigasira may have Vedha with (1) Kataka (2) the consonant (3) Simha, (4) the consonant (5) Chittra, (6) Revati, (7) the consonant (8) the Vowel (…) and (9) Uttarashada.
When a planet is retrograde in motion, the aspect is towards the right. It is on the left when the motion is direct (swift). When it is mean one, it is towards the front. This is with reierence to the five planets from Mars onwards.
In the case of Rahu and Ketu which are always retrograde the Vedha will be on the right and in the case of the Sun and the Moon which move direct and have no retrograde motion, the Vedha will be on the left.
Owing to there being no uniformity in motion among the other planets, three kinds of vedhas have been mentioned. Malefics when retrograde will cause intense evil if they are in Vedha position, while benefics will do immense good. Malefics and benefics which in rapid motion partake of the nature of the planets they are associated with, when the four asterism Ardra, Hasta Poorvashada and
Uttarabhadrapaha which occupy the four central position of the outer most border are passed over (transitted) by a planet the following four triplets viz. (1) (…) (2) (…) (3) (…) and (4) (…) are respectively hit (have Vedhas).
In the case of the pairs (1) (…) (2) (…) (3) (…) and (4) (…) if one letter of any pair be hit (has Vedha), the other’should also be considered as hit. A Saumya Vedha is one that is caused by a benefic.
If there be Vedha in one of the pairs if similar vowels, the other vowel of the pair should also be considered as hit. The same should be made in the case of the Anuswara and Visarga (vowels).
When a planet in transit is in the last or the first quarter of two asterisms (forming the juncture) in any four comers of the square, there is Vedha of the four vowels, (…) and Purna tithi in regular order commencing with that vowel intervening at the particular juncture occupied by the planet, the effects arising from these are: agitation or excitement from the first, fear from the second, loss from the third and disease from the fourth and death for the fifth.
When the Vedha Is with an asterism, there is confusion, when with a letter, loss, with a vowel, sickness, and a very great obstacle when with a Tithi or Rasi. When there are five Vedhas simultaneously, the individual will not live. A single Vedha will engender fear in battle, two vedhas, loss of money, three some obstacle and four death.
Just as malefics produce evil and benefics eause good, benefics associated with malefics produce only evil effects.
In the Sun’s Vedha, there is misunderstanding, in that of Mars, loss of wealth; that of Saturn trouble through sickness; in those of Rahu and Ketu, obstacles. In the Moon’s there will be mixed effects, in that of Venus, sexual enjoyment; in that of Mercury, intelligence; in that of Jupiter, all round good effect.
When the planet causing Vedha is retrograde, the effect is two told: it is thrice when he is in exaltation; when the motion is rapid (direct), the usual (natural) effect; and when in depression, the effect is only half. Any Tithi, Rasi or Amsa or Nakshatra hit by a malefic should be scrupulously avoided in all auspicious undertakings; a marriage celebrated during a Vedha will not be happy; and any journey undertaken will not prove prosperous; any treatment given to a patient will not end in cure; and any business started will not be successful. If a Vedha caused by a malefic should occur during the time of sickness, it will culminate in death if the motion be retrograde. If the motion be direct, the sickness will soon subside. If there be Vedha caused by a malefic in one’s own week day (of birth), the person will not have peace of mind and he will suffer from mental pain.
During the transit of the Sun in the three Rasis Vrishabha, Mithuna and Kataka in the East (see chakra) the direction is considered as set while the remaining three as existing (or visible). The vowels (…) in the North-feast should be considered as belonging to the East, the Vowels (…) in the South-East; to the South (…) to the West, (…) to the North.
In the particular direction in which the Sun is staying for three months, all the asterism, Vowels, Rasis and Tithis in that direction should be deemed as set. When an asterism is set and there is Vedha, sickness will be the result. When a consonant is set, there is loss; when a Vowel is set, there is sorrow; when a Rasi is set, there is obstacle; when a Tithi is set and there is Vedha, fear will arise. When all the five are in the set direction and there is Vedha, death will surely result. Towards the direction deemed as set journey, fight, discussion, fixing of a new door or gate for a place and upper storeys should not be undertaken. Any other similar auspicious action should not be done. Whoever has his initial letter situated in the set direction should consider himself as destined unfortunate for the time.
People whose initial letters are in the set direction should if they desire success, show a poetical contest, a fort, a battle (consisting of elephants, horses, chariots, infantry, etc.), in that particular quarter.
In the case of an asterism situated in any of the other ‘risen’ direction, if there should be a Vedha, there will be growth. If the Vedha be with a consonant, gain will be the result; if with a Vowel, there will be happiness; if with a Rasi, there will be success; if with a Tithi, there is lustre; if with all, a position is secured.
When there are Vedhas caused by malefics on both the right and left sides with consonants, Tithis, Vowels, Rasis and asterisms at any time, the person concerned will surely meet with his death.
When at the time of a malefic Vedha, there is a fateful upagraha (see next three slokas of this note) synchromising, death is sure to happen to him either through sickness or at battle.
The fifth star reckoned from the one occupied by the Sun is termed Vidyumukha. The 8th is called Sula and the 14th Sannipata; the 18th is known as Ketu and 21st is Ulka; the 23rd is known as Vajraka and 24th is termed Nirghata.
These eight are known as Upagrahas and are recorgnised as causing obstacles to all undertakings when at the time planets transit their respective palces. Ascertain if there is Vedha with any of the following asterisms; (1) Janmabha, (2) Karma, (3) Adhana, (4) Vinasa, (5) Samudayika, (6) Sanghatika, (7)
Jati (8) Desa and (9) Abhisheka and predict good or bad effects according as the Vedha producer by a benefic or a malefic as the case may be.
The star in which the Moon is at the time of birth of a person is known as Janmabha or Janmarksha. The 10th therefrom is called karmabha or karmarksha. The 19th is designed as Adhana, the 23rd is termed Vinasana or Vainsasika, the 18th star is styled Samudayika, the 16th asterism is known as Sanghatika, the 26th, 27th and 28th are known as Jati, Desa and Abhisheka respectively.
If the Janmarksha, the karmarksha and the Vinasarksha be each occupied by malefic planets, death, sorrow, absence from one’s place and quarrel with one’s relations will respectively resuk.
When there is gala in the Samudayika Nakshatra, evil or something untoward will arise. There will be loss when the Vedha is in the Sanghatika Nakshatra. Destruction of the family will be the effect when the Vedha is in Jati or the 26th star from Janmarksha. In the 28th star, the Vedha will cause imprisonment.
When the occultation is by a malefic in the asterism known as Desa, the person concerned will be expelled from his country. But Vedha in the above case be by benefics, the result will be auspicious. Should the Vedhas with the Upagrahas (see supra) also occur simultaneously, the result will be death and nothing short of that.
When at the time of a battle, caused by one, two, three, four or five malefics, the corresponding effects will be fear, failure, killing (bloodshed) death and ignominy respectively.
When the Moon happens to be in Vedha simultaneously with a Tithi or Nakshatra, a Vowel, a Rasl and consonant on any day, that day will prove auspicious or otherwise according as the planet causing the Vedha is benefic or malefic.
While the use of the Sarvatobhadra Chakra and the light it may throw on the human cycle of life on the person concerned has fully been explained previously, the technique and the pointers to such deductions (of results) have not had full explanation to make the same handy and useful for easy reference.
49. If planets are adversely posited whether during their transit, Dasa, Antardasa or Ashtakavarga, it will be necessary to propitiate them by performing virtuous deeds, observing fasts, prayersprescribed for them, Japa, Shanti, making gifts and doing appropriate adorations.
50. The planets are favourable to those who do not commit acts harmful or injurious to others, who exercises self control and always follow the path and rules of conduct laid down by Shastras and who are always observing religions discipline.
