Ch. 43. Longevity
1. O Mahārśi Parashara, you have dealt with combinations for wealth and poverty. Kindly detail methods of ascertaining the life-span of human beings.
2-3. O Brahmin, for the benefit of mankind I narrate methods of ascertaining longevity. Knowing that longevity is difficult even for gods. Many exponents have laid down various methods of longevity calculations. Following is the summary of such schools of thought.
4-8. Pindayu. The Planets contribute to longevity, according to their being in exaltation, or debilitation and also based on their strengths and weaknesses and positions in Ashvini etc. and in the various Rāśis. First of all Pindayu is based on the positions of the Planets. O Brahmin, listen carefully to what I say: 19, 25, 15, 12, 15, 21 and 20 are the number of years, contributed by the Planets, from Sun etc., when in exaltation. These are half of the above in debilitation. And, if the Planets are in between exaltation and debilitation, the rule of three process should be used. Deduct the actual position of the Planet from its deep exaltation point. If the product is less than 6 Rāśis, deduct it again from 12 Rāśis. The product concerned should be multiplied by the number of years allotted to the Planet and divided by 12 to get the Planets actual contribution.
9. Rectifications. Excepting Venus and Saturn, the contributions, made by others, should be halved, if they are eclipsed by Sun. One third should be reduced, if the Planet is in its inimical Rāśi. This does not apply to the one in retrogression (see Vakra Charam).
10-11.
12-13. Malefics in Lagna. In case 1st House is occupied by malefics, adopt the following procedure. Convert Lagnas Sphuta into minutes of arc and multiply it by the years etc., contributed by the occupant, and divide by 21600. The years etc. so arrived be deducted from the respective contribution, which will be the net span, donated by the Planet. If there is benefics Aspect on Lagna, containing malefics, then the loss is only half.
14-15. Lagnas Contribution. The number of years, contributed by Lagna, will correspond to the number of Rāśis it gained (from Aries), while the degrees Lagna has gained in the particular Rāśi will also correspondingly donate (30ｰ = l year). If the Lagnas Lord in the Navāmśa is stronger than Lagnas Lord, then the contribution should be computed only based on the number of Navāmśaas gained (from Aries), otherwise the computation will be for the Rāśi Lagna.
16-17. Nisargayu. O Brahmin, now I tell you about Nisargayu. 1, 2, 9, 20, 18, 20 and 50 are the years, allotted to Moon, Mars , Mercury, Venus, Jupiter, Sun and Saturn from the period of birth.
18-19. Ańśayu. Now I will tell you about Ańśayu contributions by Lagna and Planets. The years correspond to the number of Navāmśaas, counted from Aries. Multiply the longitude in question by 108. If the product exceeds 12, expunge multiples of 12 and consider the final product in Rāśis, degrees etc., as years, months etc.
20-22. The same reductions, as per Pindayu, apply to Ańśayu as well; i.e. half for a combust Planet, one third for inimical placement and the ones, due for placements in the half of the zodiac, counted from the 12th backwards. Some scholars suggest further corrections for Ańśayu, viz. to increase threefold the contribution of a Planet in exaltation, or in own House and double the contribution, if the contributor is in his own Navāmśa, or in his own Dreshkana. If doubling and trebling is warranted, only trebling be done. In case of reductions also only halving is to be done, if both halving and reducing a third are required. That is how the final life-span of men be understood.
23. Longevity for Other Living Beings. For other living beings as well such computations can be made. The said figure should be multiplied by the figure, corresponding to its full span of life and divided by the figure, corresponding to the full span of life for human beings.
24-29. Full Life Span of Various Living Beings. Now Ill tell you about the full life-span figures for various living beings. Gods and sages enjoy endless life-span (in astronomical proportions, as against ordinary mortals). The full life-span of eagles, owls, parrots, crows and snakes is one thousand years. For falcon, monkey, bear and frog the full span of life is 300 years. Demons full life-span is 150 years, while it is 120 for human beings, 32 for horses, 25 for donkeys and camels, 24 for oxen and buffaloes, 20 for peacocks, 16 for goats and rams. 14 for swans, 12 for cuckoo, dog and dove, 8 for hens etc. and 7 for birds etc.
30-31. Choice of Longevity. I have narrated 3 different methods of longevity. Listen to me about the choice among the three systems. According to which of the three, Lagna, Sun, or Moon is stronger than the other two, Ańśayu, Pindayu, or Nisargayu should be, respectively, chosen.
32. Doubtful Cases. If two among Lagna, Sun and Moon gain equal strength, then longevity should be worked out, as per both systems and the average of both should be considered. If all the three are equally strong, the average of the three should be considered.
33-40. Other Clues to Longevity. O excellent of the Brahmins, I will now give you details of other methods in the matter of longevity, as under. This is based on the positions of Lagnas Lord, 8ths Lord, Saturn, Moon, natal Lagna and Hora Lagna. These six are grouped into three groups thus: the Lords of Lagna and of 8th House on the one hand, Saturn and Moon on the other hand and the natal Lagna and Hora Lagna on yet the other hand. Out of a group of two, if the two are in Movable Rāśis, long life is denoted. One in a Fixed Rāśi and the other in a Dual Rāśi will also bestow long life. One in a Movable Rāśi and the other in a Fixed Rāśi will give medium life. If both are in Dual Rāśis, then again medium life will be obtained. Short life is denoted, if one is in a Movable Rāśi, as the other is in a Dual Rāśi, or, if both are in Fixed Rāśis. The type of life, denoted by three, or two groups be only considered. If the three groups denote different scales, then the one, indicated by the pair of natal Lagna and Hora Lagna should be only considered. In case of three different indications, if Moon is in Lagna, or 7th House, then the one, indicated by the Saturn-Moon pair will only come to pass.
41-44. Further Cl6thfications. If long life is denoted by all the said three groups, the span is 120 years, if by two groups, it is 108 years and, if only by one group it is 91 years. If medium life is arrived at by three groups, it is 80 years, if indicated by 2 groups, it is 72 years and, if by one group, it is 64 years. If short life is denoted by the said three groups, it is only 32 years, if indicated by two groups, the life-span is 36 years and, if by one group, the life-span is 40 years. These are rectified, as under.
45-46. Rectifications. If the contributor is in the beginning of a Rāśi, his donation will be full and it will be nil, if he is at the end of a Rāśi. For intermediary placements rule of three process will apply. Add the longitudes of the contributors and the sum so arrived at must be divided by the number of contributors. The latest product should be multiplied by the number of basic years and divided by 30. This will yield the net longevity.
47. Special Rule for Saturn. Should Saturn be a contributor, the class of longevity declines. Some advocate contr6thly an increase of class in this context. If Saturn is in its own Rāśi, or in exaltation, change in class will not occur. Even, if he receives a Aspect from, or is conjunct with only a malefic, no change occurs.
48. Special Rule for Jupiter. If Jupiter is in Lagna, or in 7th House and receives a Aspect from, or is conjunct with only benefics, the class of longevity will increase.
49-50. Increase and Fall in Class of Longevity. From very short life to short life, from short life to medium life, from medium life to long life and from long life to extremely long life are the increases in the classification of longevity, when Jupiter warrants an increase. The reverse is true, if Saturn warrants a fall in the span of life.
51. (Maitreya says) You have narrated various kinds of longevity computations. Please favour me by denoting subtle classes thereof and poor and long life-spans.
52. (Mahārśi Parashara replies) These are seven-fold, viz. Bala Risht, Yoga Risht, short, medium, long, super-natural (Divya) and immortality (Amritayu).
53-54. The life-span in Bala Risht is 8 years, in Yoga Risht 20 years, in short, medium and long lives, respectively, 32, 64 and 120 years. Super-natural life-span is 1000 years. Above this super-natural life-span of 1000 years it is Amritayu, which can be acquired only by those, who deserve it.
55. Limitless Longevity. Should Cancer be Lagna with Jupiter and Moon therein, while Venus and Mercury are in Kendras and others are in 3rd, 6th and 11th House, the native will obtain limitless longevity.
56. Super-Natural Longevity. One having benefics in Kendras and/or Konaas, while malefics are in 3rd, 6th and 11th House will obtain super-natural life-span. 8th House in this case should be one of the Rāśis, owned by a benefic.
57. Living until the End of the Yuga. One born in Cancer Lagna will live till the end of the Yuga, if Jupiter is in a Kendra and happens to be in Gopurāńś, while Venus is in a Kona and happens to be in Paravatāńś.
58. Living the Life-Span of a Sage. Jupiter in Leoasanāńś, being in Lagna, Saturn in Devalokāńś and Mars in Paravatāńś. If these are so, one will enjoy the life-span, as due to a sage.59. Good Yogas increase the life-span and bad Yogas decrease the same. Hence I tell you such Yogas, as to know of full, medium and short span combinations.
60. If a Kendra contains a benefic, while Lagnas Lord is conjunct with, or receives a Aspect from a benefic, or Jupiter in particular, the native will live a full span of life.
61. Should Lagnas Lord be in a Kendra conjunct with, or receiving a Aspect from Jupiter and Venus, full life-span will result.
62. If at birth three Planets are exalted, out of which the Lords of Lagna and 8th House are inclusive, as 8th House is devoid of a malefic in it, full life-span will result.
63. Long life is denoted, if three Planets are in 8th House, in exaltation, own, or friendly divisions, while Lagnas Lord is strong.
64. If Saturn, or Lagnas Lord is conjunct with any exalted Planet, long life will result.
65. Long life will be enjoyed, if malefics are in 3rd, 6th and 11th House, while benefics are in Kendras.
66. If 6th, 7th and 8th House are occupied by benefics, while malefics are in 3rd and 11th House, full life-span will follow the birth.
67. If 8ths Lord is friendly to Sun, while malefics are in 6th and 12th House, as Lagnas Lord is in a Kendra, the native will live the full span of life.
68. O excellent of the Brahmins, if a malefic is in 8th House, while 10ths Lord is exalted, one will be long-lived.
69. Long life will follow, if Lagna is a Dual Rāśi, while Lagnas Lord is in a Kendra, or in exaltation, or in a Kona.
70. Should Lagna be a Dual Rāśi, while two malefics are in a Kendra with reference to a strong Lagnas Lord, long life is indicated.
71-73. If the stronger among Lagnas Lord and 8ths Lord is placed in a Kendra, long life is indicated and, if in a Panaphara, medium life is indicated, if in Apoklima, short life will come to pass. According to Lagnas Lord being friendly, neutral, or inimical to Sun, long, medium, or short life will result.
74. Should Mars and 3rds Lord, or 8ths Lord and Saturn be combust, or be conjunct with malefics, or receive a Aspect from malefics, there will be short life.
75. If Lagnas Lord is in 6th, 8th, or 12th House, conjunct with malefics and devoid of Conjunct with and/or Aspect from a benefic, short life will come to pass.
76. If malefics are in Kendras, devoid of Conjunct with, or a Aspect from benefics, while Lagnas Lord is not strong, only short life will result.
77. O excellent of Brahmins, if 12th and 2nd House are occupied by malefics and devoid of a Aspect from a benefic, or of Conjunct with a benefic, the native will be short-lived.
78. If the Lords of Lagna and 8th House are bereft of dignities and strength, short life will come to pass. If the Lords of Lagna and 8th House are helped by others, while being so, medium life-span will come to pass.
Ch. 44. Maraka Planets
1. O Mahārśi Parashara, you have mentioned a lot about longevity. Be kind enough to throw light on Marakas, or killers.
2-5. O Brahmin, 3rd and 8th House are the two Houses of longevity. The Houses, related to death, are the 12th from each of these, i.e. 2nd and 7th House are Maraka Houses. Out of the two, 2nd House is a powerful Maraka House. The Lords of 2nd and 7th House, malefics in 2nd and 7th House and malefics, conjunct with 2nds Lord and conjunct with 7ths Lord are all known, as Marakas. The major and sub-periods of these Planets will bring death on the native, depending on whether he is a long life, medium life, or short life person.
6-8. The Dasha of a benefic Planet, related to 12ths Lord may also inflict death. End may descend on the native in 8ths Lords Dasha. The Dasha of a Planet, which is an exclusive malefic, may also cause death.
9. Should Saturn be ill-disposed and be related to a Maraka Planet, he will be the first to kill in preference to other Planets.
10-14. O Brahmin, I tell you further about Marakas. Narrated earlier are three kinds of life-spans, viz. short, medium and long. Short life is before 32 years, later on up to 64 it is medium life and from 64 to 100 it is long life. Beyond 100 the longevity is called supreme. O excellent of the Brahmins, it is impossible to decide upon longevity till the native is 20 years old. Till such year the child should be protected by sacred recitations, religious offerings (of Ghī etc.) to consecrated fire, as prescribed in the Vedas etc. and through medical treatments, for premature death may descend on the child due to sins of father and mother, or of its own (in the previous birth).
15-21. I further mention about the Maraka Planets. One born with short life combinations may face death in the Dasha, denoted by Vipat star (3rd from the birth star), one of medium life may die in the Dasha, denoted by Pratyak star (5th from the birth star). In the Dasha, denoted by Vadh star (7th from the birth star), one with long life may obtain his end. The Dasha of the Lord of the 22nd Dreshkana, or 23rd, or 3rd, or 5th, or 7th asterisms may also cause death. The Lords of the 2nd and the 12th, counted from Cancer, may bring death. This is true, when Moon is a malefic. If he happens to be a benefic, there will be diseases (not death). Death may come to pass in the Dasha of 6ths Lord and in the subperiods of 6ths, 8ths and/or 12ths Lords. Should there be many Marakas and, if these Marakas are strong, there will be diseases, miseries etc. in major and sub-periods. Thus these are Marakas and are prim6thly related to bring death upon the native. According to their dispositions there may be death, or difficulties.
22-24. Rahu and Ketu, as Marakas. If Rahu, or Ketu are placed in 1st, 7th, 8th, or 12th House, or happen to be in the 7th from a Maraka Lord, or are placed with such a Planet, they acquire powers of killing in their major, or sub-periods. For one born in Capricorn, or in Scorpio, Rahu will be a Maraka. Should Rahu be in 6th, 8th, or 12th House, he will give difficulties in his Dasha periods. He will not, however, do so, if Rahu receives a Aspect from, or is conjunct with a benefic.
25-31. 3rd House and Death. O excellent of Brahmins, if Sun, being with strength, is in 3rd House, one will obtain his death, due to a king (legal punishments). Moon in 3rd House will cause death, due to tuberculosis, while wounds, weapons, fire and thirst will cause death through Mars in 3rd House. If 3rd House receives a Aspect from, or is occupied by Saturn and Rahu, death will be through poison, water, or fire, or fall from heights, or confinement. Death will surely come to descend through insects, or leprosy, if Moon and Gulika occupy, or give a Aspect to 3rd House. Mercury, giving a Aspect to, or occupying 3rd House, will bring death, followed by fever. Jupiter in 3rd House, or giving a Aspect to 3rd House, will cause death by swelling, or tumors. Urinary diseases will cause death, if Venus is in, or gives a Aspect to 3rd House. Many Planets, giving a Aspect to, or occupying 3rd House, will bring death through many diseases.
32. If 3rd House is occupied by a benefic, death will be in an auspicious place (like a shrine) and, if 3rd House is occupied by a malefic, death will be in sinful places. Mixed occupation of 3rd House will yield mixed results with regard to the place of death.
33. Consciousness will prevail at the time of death, if Jupiter, or Venus are placed in 3rd House. With other Planets in 3rd House there will be unconsciousness before death.
34. According to 3rd House being a Movable, a Fixed, or a Dual Rāśi, death will be, respectively, in a foreign place (other than native birth place), in ones own house, or on the way.
35-36. Occupants of 8th House. Note the occupant of 8th House. If it is Sun, death will be through fire, if Moon is in 8th House, through water, if Mars , through weapons, if Mercury, through fever, if Jupiter, through diseases, if Venus, through hunger and, if Saturn, through thirst.
37. If 8th House is occupied by, or receives a Aspect from a benefic, while 9ths Lord is conjunct with a benefic, the native will die in a shrine. If 8th House is occupied by, or receives a Aspect from a malefic, while 9ths Lord is conjunct with a malefic, death will be in a place, other than a shrine.
38-39. Fate of the Human Physical System. Should there be a benefics Dreshkana in 8th House (22nd Dreshkana), the body will be burnt in fire (as prescribed in Shastras). If a malefics Dreshkana happens to be in 8th House, the body will be thrown away in water. If the Dreshkana in 8th House is owned by a mixed Planet, the dead body will only dry up. If the Dreshkana in 8th House is a serpent Dreshkana, the body will be eaten away by animals, crows etc.
40. Serpent Dreshkanaas. The 2nd and 3rd Dreshkana in Cancer, the initial one in Scorpio and the last one in Pisces are designated, as serpent Dreshkanaas.
41-42. Pre-natal Abode. O excellent of Brahmins, the stronger of the two lumin6thes, Sun and Moon, occupying a Dreshkana of Jupiter, denotes the descent from the world of gods. If the stronger of the lumin6thes occupies the Dreshkana of Venus, or Moon, the descent is from the world of the Manes, if the stronger of the two lumin6thes is in the Dreshkana of Sun, or Mars , the descent is from the world of Yama (world of the death) and, if in Dreshkana of Mercury, or Saturn, the descent is from the hell.
43-45. Ascent after Death. According to the following Planets in 12th, 7th, 6th, or 8th House, the native will attain one of the different worlds after death: Jupiter heaven, Moon, or Venus the world of Manes, Mars and/or Sun earth (rebirth), Mercury and/or Saturn hell. In case the said Houses are not occupied, the native will go to the world, indicated by the stronger of the Dreshkana Lords, related to 6th and 8th House. The relative Planets exaltation etc. will denote the high, medium and low status the native will obtain in the said world.46. Other Planets and Rāśis, becoming Marakas, are being discussed in the chapter, related to Dashas.
