Om

Sri Somasundara Astrological Research & Consultancy

Planetary Afflictions and Scope for Relief

Introduction:

The Indian system of Astrology needs to be understood in the context of theories of Karma and Maya. The following summarizes the context

• Every individual's enjoyment or suffering is based on the deeds done previously.
• Happiness is a state of mind.
• All success and failure is only various phases of experience in our lives.
• Being a part of the social environment, one comes across unfavorable and favorable situations that are not of one’s making.
• Physical well-being, that is well-being in Maya, is necessary for well-being of mind.

Sometimes people experience major set backs in life which are beyond their capacity to cope with. These can be physical, emotional or psychological. In this situation there is a possibility to lose all hope of future. The following slokas suggest ways in which one can get over or endure the fall out of the negative influences.

Avasyam anubhoktavyam krutam janma subha subham
Nabhoktam kshayate karma kalpa koti satai rapi
Poorva janma krutam papam vyadhi roopena peeditham
Tachchanthir oushadhair daanaihi japa homa surarchanaihi

It is difficult to escape from the results of the good and bad deeds of all past in life. One has to get detached from karma to reach final salvation.

Astrology is based on the consideration of planetary influence on an individual. Planets influence the individual by way of favorable and unfavorable times. Favorable times give strength to the individual and unfavorable times weaken the individual. This influence which is always present can cause an individual to undertake wrong karma in a moment of weakness in face of negative influence. (The rightness of karma is a whole another theory of dharma).

The remedial measures prescribed in Vedic Astrology are aimed at getting relief from the intensity of the negative influence and to strengthen the individual to face any situation. The remedial measures will, when properly adopted, give emotional and psychological strength when one encounters a calamity in life. This strength can shield or reduce the negative impact of the event.

This can be compared to infusion of blood / saline to a patient when a surgery is conducted. This will enable the patient to withstand the process of surgery after which he will recover and regain normal health. The infusion in no way eliminates the need for surgery. The patient still has to go through the surgery. Similarly, these remedial measures will give strength that will enable the individual to see through the adversities in life. They will in no way eliminate the adversities.

The three fold remedial measures suggested in Astrology are Mani (a gem stone) , Mantram (recitation of a syllable sequence) and Aushadha (a potion).

Mani - Gemstone:

Wearing of gem stones of a particular weight on one's person will give support to face the negative influence of ruling planet of that gem stone. Each of the nine classic bodies as per Vedic Astrology are said to rule over nine different gem stones called Navaratnas. The details of the gem stone ruled by each planet are given here under.

• Sun - Ruby (Manikyam, Kempu)
• Moon - Pearl (Moti, Mutyam)
• Mars - Coral (Moonga, Pagadam)
• Mercury - Emerald (Marakatam, Panna, Pachcha)
• Jupiter - Lapiz Lazzuli, White Topaz (Pushyaragam)
• Venus - Diamond (Vajram)
• Saturn - Sapphire ( Neelam)
• Rahu - Hessonite (Gomedh)
• Ketu - Cat's eye (Vaidhuryam)

Mantram (Incantation):

The regular recitation - repeated chanting of specific Vedic syllables will give relief from anxiety or weakness caused by negative influence of planets. Each planet is presided over by a deity (a deity can be thought of as the conceptual form of that planet's energy). Following is the listing of the planets, the deity form and the name of the prescribed recitation and the number of repetitions.

• Sun - Sun, Lord Siva - Recitation of the Adityahrudayam, Aruna parayana
• Moon - Goddess Gowri, Lalitha - Lalitha sahasranama stotra
• Mars - Lord Subrahmanya, Kumaraswamy, Karthikeya - Subrahmanya Bhujanga stotra
• Mercury - Lord Vishnu - Vishnu sahasranama stotra
• Jupiter - Lord Vishnu - Vishnu sahasranama stotra
• Saturn - Lord Siva - Maha Mrutyunjaya Mantram
• Rahu - Goddess Durga - Durga Suktam
• Ketu - Lord Ganesha - Ganapathi Ashtothari

Apart from this there are Moola Mantras for each planet given in Vedas and Samhithas. The recitation of the Mantram should be done thousand times the Vimshottari Dasa in years prescribed for the respective planet. For example the recitation for Sun will be 6000 times (6 x 1000), for Moon it will be 10000 (10 x 1000). The Mantram should be recited in the prescribed manner by invoking and offering prayer and concluded with the relative Gayatri Mantram for the planet.

In fact Gayatri is the metre (Chandas) in which most of the vedic literature is composed. Out of the many slokas in Vedas the sloka from Rig Veda (3.62.10) envisioned by the celebrated sage Vishwamitra is considered to be the basic Gayatri Mantram. This mantram has become the centre of Hindu faith. Recitation of this mantram thousand times a day is highly beneficial to anyone.

Specific mantras are also prescribed for a specific problem faced by an individual. Problems like Recovery from ill health, Delay in Marriage, Recovery of stolen goods or lost property and birth of children etc. can be overcome by reciting regularly of a particular mantra. For example matters related to health - Adityahrudayam, Recovery lost assets - Kartaveeryarjuna mantra, Victory over enemies - Durga suktam and for celebration of Marriage certain stanzas of Sundarakanda from Valmiki Ramayana etc.

Aushadha (Potion):

Aushadha is the potion that has the ability to cure physical ailments. Each planet is said to rule certain Plants and Herbs which can be effectively put to use for treating physical ailments. The science of Aushadha is the separate subject of Ayurveda.

Closing notes:

The discussion on dana and homa is not included here at this time.

All the remedial measures undertaken should be performed in the prescribed manner regularly for a given period of time to ensure effective results. This is like the dosage of medicines prescribed by the Doctor that will be of a specific potency and should be used for a particular period of time to get best results. It is observed in experience that the remedial measures are giving proper relief and results from planetary afflictions.