MARITAL MISHAPS ANALYSED.

By Jayasree Saranathan

(Published in The Astrological Magazine June 2010 issue)

Matching horoscopes for marriage is a multi-pronged exercise. While Kuta agreement

acts as a screening test, the major issues such as general strength and prospects of the
horoscopes, psychological compatibility of the couple and the probable dampeners for
happy and lengthy married life have to be assessed. In the context of modern world of
easy going tendencies and increasing prospects of divorces and re-marriages, traditional
factors such as kuja-dosha, kalathra dosha etc seem to have less relevance. However it
becomes the task of the earnest astrologer to help those who approach with anxiety that
their wards do not get into entanglements of modern-day mishaps.

The mishaps may come in any form. It may be to do with sudden deaths, estrangement
due to lack of understanding, not seeing eye to eye on issues and tasks, infidelity and lack
of comforts due to problems of money and health. An astute astrologer looks into all
these issues before okaying an alliance. In this context of matching horoscopes,
Ashtakavarga also has a role to play. This article enumerates the findings of numerous
case studies analysed on the basis of certain rules of Ashtakavarga to determine marital
stability.

Of the 4 important utilities of Ashtakavarga identified by Dr B.V.Raman, the foremost

one is to do with assessing the general strength of the planets and bhavas. The strength of
planets and bhavas that are vital for ensuring marital stability has to be taken into
account. It is found that if these planets have no bindus in the bhavas that are important
for marital longevity, stability and happiness, then they render the bhavas weak thereby
contributing to a low in marital stability or happiness. Before listing out these planets and
bhavas, we must reconcile our position with reference to which of the two, rasi or bhava
– to take into consideration for assessing the Ashtakavarga strength.

Rasi vs Bhava.

There are 2 schools of thought, one, taking rasi as the basis and the other, taking bhava as
the basis for Ashtakavarga computation. Though these 2 schools have their own merit, a
combined approach is found to be helpful in matching horoscopes. In this context, rasi
takes precedence over bhava. When a planet has not contributed any bindus to a rasi, it
shows primary affliction. If the same is repeated in the bhava, it is seen that the affliction
is complete. If it is not repeated in the bhava, we see scope for redemption or
reconciliation on the part of the native by coming to terms with the reality or bouncing
back to normalcy. This is possible as we find people of today well at ease to let things go
and move on.

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In this analysis, I go by the dictum given Dr B.V. Raman that “in interpreting the results
due to the inherent indications (karakathwa) of a planet or the signification of a house
(bhava) one should pay due attention to the general principles of astrology.”
(‘Ashtakavarga system of prediction’, page 34). Applying the general principles the
bhavas and planets crucial for marriage for the application of ashtaka varga can be
derived as follows

• The reckoning must be done from lagna, moon and kalathra karaka Venus.

• Venus plays a crucial role in maintaining cordial relationship between partners.

(1) The number of bindus in the house where Venus is posited and the bindus in the
7th from Venus in Bhinnashtakavarga (BAV) of Venus must be assessed. 4 bindus
show average disposition. Anything above 4 is good. The number of bindus in the
place of Venus shows the extent of friendliness exhibited by the native. The
bindus in the 7th shows the extent of friendliness exhibited by the partner. When
the 7th house from Venus has less bindus than found in the house where Venus is
positioned, it is inferred that the native can not expect a friendlier attitude from
the partner. For such a horoscope it is better to match a horoscope that has more
bindus in the place of Venus in its BAV.

(2) Venus in debility in any bhava from lagna, with 4 or less points must be matched
with a horoscope having Venus in Kendra or kona to the native’s Venus with
more than 4 bindus.

(3) If Venus in both the charts is in 2-12 or 6-8 axis, it is better to check that they
have more than 4 bindus. Anything less does not support friendly disposition
between the couple.

(4) If there are no bindus in the BAV of Mars and Saturn in the house where Venus is
situated, it is not a good sign for marital bliss. In such a case, Venus with more
bindus in the BAV of Mars and Saturn in the partner’s horoscope is required to
reduce the affliction.

(5) If the planetary lord of one’s birth star has contributed a bindu in the 7th house
from Venus, marital peace is ensured. In the case of nodes as planetary lords, the
dictum ‘Shanivad Rahu, Kujavad Ketu’ must be followed. In the case of Venus as
planetary lord ( for stars Bharani, U.Phalguni, U.Shada), no bindu is contributed
to the 7th house in Venus –BAV. In such cases, one must look at lagnashtaka
varga. If Venus has contributed a bindu to the 7th house in the lagnashtaka varga,
it ensures happy disposition in marriage.

(6) When both the partners have the above factor fulfilled and have more bindus in
Venus and 7th from Venus, it ensures better compatibility. Venus in both the
charts in Kendra or Kona to each other is an additional requisite for better
relationship.

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• Among other planets, the BAV of Sun, Saturn and Mars must be analyzed.

• Sun has vulnerability in the 2nd, 7th and 8th houses. Traditionally sun in these
houses gives rise to soorya – dosha that affects the longevity of the partner. To
neutralize this,

(1) the horoscope is matched with the one that has benefics in the 8th house with a
strong langa lord.
(2) Jupiter must not be present in the 8th house with or without malefic aspects or
association in the partner’s horoscope.
(3) There should be no malefic association to the 3rd house in the partner’s horoscope.

Even if these conditions are fulfilled, if there are no bindus in Sun’s

Bhinnashtakavarga (BAV) in these houses (2,7,8) reckoned from lagna or moon or
Venus, such a horoscope must not be matched. Even in the absence of Soorya-dosha
in one’s horoscope, absence of bindus in sun’s BAV in these houses has resulted in
marital mishaps, not necessarily of death but of some disturbance in marital harmony.

• Zero bindu in the BAV of Saturn is a cause of concern. The bhava where it occurs
affects the bhava. If that bhava is of importance to marriage, say, 7th or 8th , then
martial mishap can be expected. So one must check the BAV of Saturn also.

• If the nodes are the cause of marriage dosha, the bhava where they are present
must not have zero bindu in Saturn’s or Mars’s BAV. Particularly if the node is in
the 8th house with zero bindus in the BAV of Saturn or Mars, sudden death is
indicated. Such a horoscope must not be matched with one that has zero bindu in
any house of importance for marital bliss.

• Finally and most importantly BAV of Mars plays a crucial role in marital
stability. The 2nd, 4th, 7th , 8th and 12 houses are crucial for assessing Kuja dosha
as they are about family, domestic comforts, kalathra, Mangalya and conjugal
bliss. In reality, Kuja dosha in strict sense of traditional application may not work,
as there are many exceptions. But if we look at the BAV of Mars, the absence of
any bindus in the above mentioned 5 houses make those houses weak and
vulnerable.

• In fact Mars having zero bindus in any house makes the house weak. A prominent
example is that of the politically invincible Chief Minister of Tamilnadu, Mr
Karunanidhi. He has been successful in thwarting all opposition by hook or
crook, but his miseries seem to lie at his home front - with his kids.

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 +-----------------------------------------------+
| |Me |Su Mo |Ve |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
|-----------+-----------------------+-----------|
|Ke | | |
| | Karunanidhi | |
| | | |
| | 03-06-1924 | |
| | 12 pm | |
|-----------| Thiruvarur |-----------|
|Ma | |As Ra |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
|-----------+-----------------------+-----------|
| |JuR |SaR | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
+------------------------------------------------

This powerful chart has zero bindus in the 5th house in the BAV of Mars both in the rasi
and bhava.
Mars stands for power and influence on others, by means of coercion or force or threat.
He can not exercise any of these on his children or in other words, his children can not be
controlled by him. He has zero Martian influence on his sons and daughter.

In assessing the horoscopes for matching, the foremost factor to see is Mars BAV with
reference to the above mentioned 5 houses.
This is to be seen from lagna, from moon and from Venus.
Zero bindus in 7th house more often than not, leads to abrupt end of marriage.
In the horoscopes of spinsters and bachelors too, Mars has zero bindus in the 7th house.
However the astrologer should not rule out marriage only on the premise of zero bindu in
Mars –BAV in the 7th.
The general marriage yogas must be present.
When ‘no-marriage’ yogas are predominant, this Martian lack of strength in ashtaka
varga adds to it.
When the marriage yogas are strong but BAV –Mars has zero points, then caution must
be exercised. The same weakness must not be present in the horoscope of the prospective
alliance. If it is present in any of the above mentioned 5 houses, it is an indication of a
break, estrangement or unhappiness.

Let us see some case studies to assess the utility of these principles.

Similar mishaps are indicated in the BAV charts of the famous couple Mrs and Mr
Rajiv Gandhi.

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+-----------------------------------------------+
| | | |Sa |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
|-----------+-----------------------+-----------|
| | |Ra |
| | Rajiv Gandhi | |
| | | |
| | 20-08-1944 | |
| | 8-11 am | |
|-----------| Bombay |-----------|
|Ke | |As Su |
| | |Mo Me |
| | |Ju Ve |
| | | |
| | | |
|-----------+-----------------------+-----------|
| | | |Ma |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
+-----------------------------------------------+

Rasi I II III IV V VI VII VIII IX X XI XII

Mars 1 2 5 0 4 7 1 3 2 3 8 1

Bhava I II III IV V VI VII VIII IX X XI XII

Sat 3 0 5 3 2 6 1 1 3 5 6 4
Lagna 5 4 6 4 3 5 0 4 4 6 6 2

We can see that the 2nd house from lagna, moon and Venus has no bindus in Saturn BAV,
4th house has no bindus in Martian BAV and 7th house has no bindus in lagnashtakavarga.
Thus home, family and kalathra are afflicted.
Compare this with the BAV position of Smt Sonia Gandhi’s horoscope.
+-----------------------------------------------+
| | |Ra |Mo |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
|-----------+-----------------------+-----------|
| | |As SaR |
| | | |
| | Sonia Gandhi | |
| | | |
| | 09-12-1946 | |
|-----------| 9-30 pm |-----------|
| | Turin, Italy | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
|-----------+-----------------------+-----------|
|Ma |Su Me |Ju Ve | |
| |Ke | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
+-----------------------------------------------+

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Rasi I II III IV V VI VII VIII IX X XI XII
Mars 4 4 6 2 1 2 4 1 6 5 3 1
Sat 2 5 7 3 4 3 0 3 2 4 4 2

There are no bindus in the 7th from lagna in Saturn BAV. This happens to be 8th from
moon and 4th from Venus. Note Saturn is the 7th lord having no bindus in 7th and a meager
2 in lagna. Its position is in 2nd house of family to moon. In bhava chart the zero has
changed to 1. This has made her overcome the pangs of separation and move ahead
confidently without husband.

Also note that Mars has just 1 bindu in 8th and 12th houses. Comparing the two
horoscopes, Rajiv Gandhi has a stronger affliction in BAV. There is no redeeming feature
in corresponding houses in Sonia Gandhi’s BAV. The afflicted houses in both houses are
with reference to martial life, happiness and conjugal pleasures. They factors were short
lived.

We can see a similar disposition in Nehru’s horoscope also. He did not have a happy
family life with wife.

+-----------------------------------------------+
| | | |Ra |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
|-----------+-----------------------+-----------|
| | |As Mo |
| | Jawaharlal Nehru | |
| | | |
| | 14-11-1889 | |
| | | |
|-----------| 11 pm |-----------|
| | Allahabad |Sa |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
|-----------+-----------------------+-----------|
|Ju Ke |Su |Me Ve |Ma |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
+-----------------------------------------------+

Rasi I II III IV V VI VII VIII IX X XI XII

Sun 3 4 7 3 2 5 0 3 4 6 6 5

Bhava I II III IV V VI VII VIII IX X XI XII

Mars 3 4 5 2 2 5 0 3 5 3 5 2

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The 7th house in rasi and bhava has sun and mars respectively with zero bindus. The 4th
also is weak with less bindus. Such a disposition denies one the happiness enjoyed with
wife.

When a node is in the 8th in one’s horoscope with zero bindus in the BAV of the malefics
in addition to zero bindus in other martially important bhavas, death of oneself is
indicated showing an abrupt end to marital bond. To quote popular persons, we can see
this in the horoscopes of Madhav Rao Scindia and Y.S. Rajasekara Reddy. We can see
combinations for short life in these horoscopes. However BAV indicators also are present
with reference to martially important houses and this is what we must take into account.
+-----------------------------------------------+
|Me Ve | |Mo |Ma SaR |
| | | |Ra |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
|-----------+-----------------------+-----------|
|Su | | |
| | M.Scindia | |
| | | |
| | 03-09-1946 | |
| | 12-42 am | |
|-----------| Indore |-----------|
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
|-----------+-----------------------+-----------|
|Ke |As |JuR | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
+-----------------------------------------------+

Rasi I II III IV V VI VII VIII IX X XI XII

Sat 5 2 3 5 4 3 2 0 1 7 3 4

Bhava I II III IV V VI VII VIII IX X XI XII

Mars 2 5 4 3 2 5 0 6 5 2 5 0

Note that Rahu is posited in the 8th house that has zero bindus in the BAV of Saturn.
The 7th and 12th bhavas have zero bindus in Martian BAV. Though we can surmise that 7th
is the maarak sthan, that it also comes to signify kalathra can not be ignored. In other
charts that have no marriage or failed marriage, we find similar disposition of weak 7th
and 12th or 2nd.

The former Chief minister of Andhra Pradesh, Mr Y.S.R. Reddy shows similar affliction
in BAV.

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+-----------------------------------------------+
|Ra | |Ma |Su Me |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
|-----------+-----------------------+-----------|
|As | |Ve |
| | YSR Reddy | |
| | | |
| | 09-07-1949 | |
| | 10-42 pm | |
|-----------| Pulivendla |-----------|
|JuR | |Sa |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
|-----------+-----------------------+-----------|
|Mo | | |Ke |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
+-----------------------------------------------+

Rasi I II III IV V VI VII VIII IX X XI XII

Mars 5 3 4 4 4 1 4 0 4 6 4 0
Sat 4 3 4 5 4 3 0 2 3 3 5 3

Ketu is in the 8th having zero bindus in Martian BAV. There are no bindus in the 12th in
Mars-BAV and in the 7th in Saturn- BAV.
The horoscope of the spouse is not available. But we can say that it must also be
exhibiting similar weakness in the martially crucial houses in the BAV of the malefics.

To substantiate this further, let me show the horoscope of a male who married and
divorced twice.
+-----------------------------------------------+
| |Ju Ke | |Ma |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
|-----------+-----------------------+-----------|
|Su Me | |Mo SaR |
|Ve | | |
| | Male | |
| | 13-03-1976 | |
| | 12-45 am | |
|-----------| |-----------|
| | 50E 16 | |
| | 13N 03 | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
|-----------+-----------------------+-----------|
|As | |Ra | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
+-----------------------------------------------+

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Rasi I II III IV V VI VII VIII IX X XI XII
Mars 6 4 3 3 4 3 3 5 0 5 2 1
Sat 6 2 3 4 1 5 0 2 3 6 3 4

Bhava I II III IV V VI VII VIII IX X XI XII

Mars 6 5 3 3 3 4 2 5 1 5 2 0

We can see that the 7th from Moon and 7th from Venus has zero bindus in the rasi chart of
BAV of Mars. The 12th from lagna has 1 bindu.
There are no bindus in the 7th from lagna and 12th from Moon in Saturn- BAV.
In the bhava chart similar affliction continues with 1 bindu in BAV-Mars, but the 12th
from lagna has no bindus.

We can see similar weakness in BAV in the horoscopes of people who have remained
unmarried.

Let us now take a case of arranged marriage couple whose horoscopes were matched
before marriage.
They were married in April 2008. Soon after marriage the girl conceived and aborted on
the 3rd month. At that time it came to be known that she was suffering from a debilitating
Kidney problem. The girl’s condition continues to be critical. Though she is leading a
normal life at present due to medicines, the doctors do not rule out a need for kidney
transplantation in future to save her life.

On the marital front, the girl was broken one and kept insisting that her husband divorce
her as she was a burden to him. The husband is however supportive of her and is playing
a crucial role in making her feel good.
+-----------------------------------------------+
| | |Ra | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
|-----------+-----------------------+-----------|
| | | |
| | Wife | |
| | | |
| | 03-01-1984 | |
| | 5-30 am | |
|-----------| 78E 07 |-----------|
| | 8N 29 | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
|-----------+-----------------------+-----------|
|As Su |Ve Ke |Ma Sa | |
|Mo MeR | | | |
|Ju | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
+-----------------------------------------------+

9
Rasi I II III IV V VI VII VIII IX X XI XII
Mars 1 2 4 0 5 7 2 2 2 4 8 2

Bhava I II III IV V VI VII VIII IX X XI XII

Mars 1 2 3 1 4 7 3 2 2 3 8 3
Sat 3 1 5 3 3 4 0 3 4 4 6 3
Sun 0 3 4 1 6 7 2 3 5 4 8 5
Sun is in lagna bhava and has no bindus in its BAV in lagna. This gives a blow to the
physical health of the native. There are no bindus in the 4th of domestic environment in
Martian BAV and in the 7th of saturnine BAV. Martial bliss and happiness are hampered
by this.

However from Venus the 7th house has a whooping 7 bindus in Martian BAV ensuring
strong support from husband. The girl was born in P.Shada. Its planetary lord Venus has
no bindus in the 7th from lagnashtaka varga. This has resulted in not enjoying marital life
with him even though he is supportive of her.

Mars and Saturn in Libra have contributed to the onset of kidney problem. But they are
strong with high bindus in that house. That house also happens to be the upachaya for
lagna. Traditional wisdom of ashtakavraga is that planets with high bindus in upachayas
strengthen the horoscope. Mars and Sun have the highest 8 bindus in this house.
Combined with general indication of longevity by Saturn’s aspect to the 8th lord and 8th
bhava, the Ashtakavarga strength ensures longevity to the native.
For our current analysis we can see that BAV indicators are of course present marring her
marital peace.

Now let us see if the BAV affliction of the girl’s horoscope has matched with the
husband’s BAV.
+-----------------------------------------------+
|Ke | | |Ma Ju |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
|-----------+-----------------------+-----------|
| | | |
| | | |
| | Husband | |
| | | |
| | 24-09-1977 | |
|-----------| 4-15 am |-----------|
|Mo | |As Me |
| | 78E 7 |Ve Sa |
| | 8N 29 | |
| | | |
| | | |
|-----------+-----------------------+-----------|
| | | |Su Ra |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
+-----------------------------------------------+

10
Rasi I II III IV V VI VII VIII IX X XI XII
Mars 2 1 2 4 2 5 2 5 3 3 7 3
Sat 2 1 5 4 2 4 0 4 4 4 6 3

There are no bindus in the 7th house of Saturn BAV. The 2nd house has as low as 1 bindu
in both saturnine and Martian BAV. The 12th house of pleasures of bed has low bindu
count. Zero bindu in Saturn’s BAV is not a good match for the kind of zero bindu in the
girl’s chart. Matching of these two horoscopes does not stand the test of scrutiny by
Ashtakavarga. But by design of destiny, the couples were united in marriage and are
resolved to face future together.

In this way we can check many pairs of horoscopes for matrimonial happiness and see a
pattern in the BAV of malefics where the marriage is in rocks.
It is therefore recommended to take a look at the BAV of the malefics and also of Venus
as an additional input to ensure martial stability and happiness.

*******************END******************************

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