Bhattotpala, whom we have not seen a more learned commentator on astrological works in recent times, reconciles these different systems in the following manner: say a person lives for 50 years and gets various periods of longevity from 3 years to 50 years. The suggestion of Bhattotpala stands to reason. Suppose the eight systems give the following terms of life -3,10,15, 20, 27, 35, 40 and 50 we are asked to prescribe the longest term obtained as the longevity, and the terms indicated by the other systems will be periods in the life of the person which will be very critical and during which he will suffer from severe diseases, dangers, or accidents, but he will manage to get over them and live upto the longest term, viz., 60 years as shown by one of those systems.Jaiminisutras offer the same explanations. In the typical case Sani, Chandra and Ravi, representing father in the case of a single person, then the age and prosperity of the father will be determined by the most powerful among them. It may also happen that by the three systems, Ravi may become the lord of father. Then he will live longer and be more prosperous and happy. The merging of two or three planets into one karaka has to be fully explained. Unless I give some illustration, the readers will not be able to follow these sutras. The sutra says that whichever planet gets the highest number of degrees, becomes the Atmakaraka. Suppose in a horoscope two planets get the same number of degrees; then both of them will become Atmakaraka. Take Sani and Chandra in a horoscope, and say they have got each 29 degrees and ten minutes.
As per the above sutra, both of them become merger into one, viz., Atmakaraka. When both of them become representing one event, viz., Atmakaraka, there will be a vacancy for some other karakatwa say Chandra has merged into Sani and his place, representing matrukaraka or some other karaka, falls vacant. This, Jaimini says, will be supplied by- Rahu. As Rahu and Ketu move in the reverse, they will be considered as getting the highest number of degrees when they are at the beginning of a sign. In the above illustration, suppose Sani has 29o and 10’ in Aries as also Chandra. Then they will naturally have travelled all over Mesha and will be within fifty minutes from Vrishabha.Sani and other planets move from Mesha to Vrishabha, Mithuna, Kataka, and so forth, whereas Rahu moves in the reverse order, viz., from Vrishabha. to Mesha and Mesha to Meena. Rahu will have obtained 29a and 10’ when he is 50’ from Meena, for Rahu gains each degree as he enters Mesha from Vrishabha and moves on to the 1St degree of Mesha before he enters into the next sign Meena.
Here as Chandra has merged into Sani, Rahu takes that karakatwa which Chandra as a separate planet would have taken. Suppose Budha also gets the same degrees, and these three represent one karakatwa or signification. Suppose now brothers have to be represented. Then Jaimini says take the Nisarga Karaka, Kuja, and give him the control over brothers etc., attributed to Kuja in the general literature in Astrology.SU. 12. Saeeshtay bandhamokshayoh. Atmakaraka gives bad and good results by virtue of malefic and benefic dispositions such as debility, exaltation, etc.
NOTES When the Atmakaraka is in exaltation or in beneficial Rasis or conjunctions, though the person is imprisoned he will be liberated, will live in holy places and will have Moksha or Final Emancipation. But when he is in Neecha Rasi or with evil conjunctions and aspects he will be imprisoned, will suffer from chains and other tortures, and will not have Moksha. But it this debilitated planet has beneficial aspects or conjunctions, he will be liberated. The idea seems to be the securing of final salvation. If the Atmakaraka is exalted and has beneficial aspects and conjunctions without any malicious influences the man will get the final Bliss called Moksha, so ardently coveted by all devotees and the yogis. They desire nothing more than this state of bliss. Here Bandha and Moksha may be interpreted as malefic and benefic results.
SU. 13 -Thasyanusaranadamatyaha. The planet who is next in kalas or degrees to Atmakaraka will become Amatyakaraka.
NOTES By careful mathematical calculations the student should first find out the positions of planets correctly in degrees and minutes. Then fix them up in the horoscope and place the Lagna also in degrees and minutes. It will be very easy to fix all the planets and also the Lagna in their vargas or minute divisions by proper calculations. Unless this part of the work is done satisfactorily the application of the principles of Astrology, enunciated by Jaimini or other Maharishis, will not be possible.And when the foundation is not well laid and solidly built, the superstructure can never be durable or lasting. After the planets are placed correctly in their degrees and minutes, it becomes easy for a student to find out who gets the highest number of degrees of Kalas. Whoever gets the largest number take him as the Atmakaraka. The planet who gets the next highest degrees will be Amatyakaraka. Probably when the Amatya or Mantrikaraka is powerful and well combined and aspected the person will become a great Minister or Councillor. But when he is ill combined and badly aspected and debilitated he becomes an evil Councillor or an adviser who brings disgrace on himself and also on those to whom he offers his counsel.
SU. 14,-Tasya bhratha. The planet who gets the highest number of degrees next to Amatyakaraka becomes Bhratrukaraka or gets lordship over brothers.
NOTES If the Bhratrukaraka is debilitated, joins evil planets and has malicious aspects then there will be ruination to brothers. He will have no brothers or, if he gets them, they will die or become wretched, poor and disgraceful. If, on the other hand, the Bhratrukaraka is exalted, well combined and well aspected there will be plenty of brothers and prosperity and success will attend on them. In the world we have experience of various sorts and all these are indicated by the astrological authors.
SU. 15. – Tasya mriatha. – The planet who gets the highest number of degrees next to Bhratrukaraka becomes lord of the mother or Matrukaraka.
SU. 16. – Tasya putraha. The planet who is next in power in degrees to Matrukaraka becomes the lord of the children or Putrakaraka.
NOTES The Sanskrit Sciences have attached the greatest importance to the birth of children. Without children a home is designated as a burial ground or smasana or cemetery. Aputrasya gatirnasti observe the Vedas. This means that a man who has no children will have no heaven or Moksha. There is a special Hellish River called the Put. One who no Putra will not be able to cross this river Put. He is called a Putra who enables the parents to cross this river. If he does not cross it, he will have no salvation and he cannot go to regions of bliss. In this world what can give a person greater pleasure than the possession of healthy, intelligent, obedient and prosperous children? What can delight the hearts of the parents more than the playing round about them of their happy children? Can the work of creation continue without children 1 If there are no children, then the human species must cease to exist and the world will be depopulated.
Children thus become an absolute necessity, for the continuation of the human species. But in getting children, there is a very great variety. Temperaments are various and curious. It is no doubt a source of great pleasure for a man to have children but what is the good of getting bad, deformed, repulsive, ungrateful, depraved and rascally children who are antagonistic to their parents, who are immoral, cheats and otherwise quite undesirable to society, to the nation and to the family. Where the Putrakaraka is well situated, exalted, in good Shadvargas, in beneficial conjunctions and aspects, the children will be blessed with all the virtues, which make them agreeable, happy, prosperous and dutiful to parents. The greatest Epic in India, viz., Ramayana teaches the excellent duties of children towards their parents and Sri Rama is the noblest conception and embodiment of the duties towards the parents, relations, friends and the public citizens under his royal care. It is better to have no children than to have bad and ungrateful ones.
