BASICS OF VEDIC ASTROLOGY

LESSON 1-M
BALARISHTAM:
Whenever a child is born, to know the past, present and future of the Child, astrologers prepare horoscope of the child and look at the planetary positions and various combinations. The foremost important point to be examined is longevity of the Child. If there is no longevity, the presence of other yogas in the chart is of no use. A related aspect of the longevity of the child is discussed under the caption “Balarishtam”. Some of the basic combinations given below indicates danger to the child and even causes death of the child below 12 years. Position of all the planets should be seen from the ascendant.
If,
1. Moon is positioned in 8th house
2. Mars is positioned in 7th house
3. Rahu is positioned in 9th house
4. Saturn is positioned in 1st house (Ascendant)
5. Jupiter is positioned in 3rd house
6. Sun is positioned in 5th house
7. Venus is positioned in 6th house
8. Mercury is positioned in 4th house
9. Ketu is positioned in 12th house
If the planets are noticed in the above positions, astrologers can apprehend danger to the life of the child and have to concentrate more on the aspect of longevity and look for other positive combinations.
Some other combinations are also given in some texts, but practically it is difficult to get horoscopes in such combinations. However some of such combinations are given below for the sake of amateur astrologers. In this context, wherever, malefic or benefic planet is mentioned, we have to consider both the natural and functional planets in these categories.
If
1. Malefic Planets are present in last navamsha in any sign (in other words, between 26-40 and 30-00 degrees of any sign).
2. Position of malefic planets in any 3 angular houses out of 4 angular houses (1,4,7 or 10) and Moon in 4th angular house.
3. Position of malefic planets on either side to the ascendant, i.e. in 2nd and 12th houses (also called papargala) and also in 6 and 8 houses.
4. Wanning Moon in 12th house and malefic planets in ascendant and 8th houses. (exception is if benefic planet is positioned in any angular house).
5. Position of malefic planets in ascendant, 7th house and conjunction of Moon with any malefic planet.
6. Conjunction of Moon with malefic planets in ascendant or 6,7,8,12 houses (exception is aspect of any benefic planets on ascendant).
Besides the above combinations, in general, 3,6,8 and 12 houses from the ascendant are treated as malefic houses and if more planets are concentrated in these houses, the aspect of Balarishtam is to be examined.
The following are exceptions for Balarishtam.
If,
1. Ascendant is influenced either by natural benefic or functional benefic planets or lord of ascendant is aspected by benefic planets or positioned in angular houses or in exalted or moolatrikonas.
2. Lord of ascendant is powerful and in conjunction with natural benefic or functional benefic planets.
3. Full moon is positioned in exalted, moolatrikonas.
4. Any natural benefic planet is positioned in angular houses without conjunction of malefic planets