Sarfarosh: A Naadi Exposition of the Lives of Indian Revolutionaries

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Nandi Naadi System of Astrology

Naadi texts are many in number and each has its own set of rules to judge the horoscope. Chandrakala Naadi applies various conventional tools of astrology, such as ashtakavarga, aroodha, rasi dasas, kaalachakradasa, vimshottari dasa, navamsa position of planets, transits of planets and so on, besides the crucial naadiamsas to explain the events in the life of the native. Some other Naadi texts do not bother to give astrological reasons behind the events, and explain the events unfolding in the life of the native after giving cursory details about the native’s rasi chart.

Late Sri R.G. Rao has done extensive research on Naadi texts such as Bhrugu Naadi, Nandi Naadi, Saptarishi Naadi and so on, and propounded his system, which is named Rao’s system of astrology by his students and followers. The present book is based on the Bhrugu Nandi Naadi by Sri Rao, which is said to have been compiled partially from Bhrugu Naadi and partially from Nandi Naadi. The book contains some 500-odd horoscopes explaining different events and aspects of the natives with clear astrological rationale revealed in some cases, and with obscure astrological reasons in some others. After a deep study of the work, I came to the conclusion that, barring a few horoscopes, most of them are from Nandi Naadi and I attempted to formulate the principles of Nandi Naadi. I got astounding results when I applied these principles on real cases and it is my humble opinion that no other system of astrology can provide such simple, natural and accurate analysis of a horoscope in such a short time.

General rules of Nandi Naadi

1. Horoscope should be judged based on the characteristics of planets and signs. Mutual friendships and enmities between the planets play an important role in judgment. In this method, ascendant has no role to play.

2. The most important principle in the Nandi Naadi system is perhaps the mutual enmity and friendships between the planets, which show a great effect on their significations. They are somewhat different from that of the planetary relationship employed in conventional astrology. The following information explains the planetary relationships:

a. Sun has Saturn, Venus, Rahu and Ketu as his enemies; the rest of the planets, Moon, Mars, Mercury and Jupiter are his friends.

b. Moon has Mercury, Saturn, Venus, Rahu and Ketu as her enemies; the rest of the planets, Sun, Mars and Jupiter are her friends.

c. Mars has Saturn and Mercury as his enemies besides Rahu and Ketu, while Venus, Moon and Jupiter are his friends.

d. Mercury’s enemies are Mars, Jupiter, Rahu and Moon and his friends are Venus, Sun, Saturn and Ketu.

e. Jupiter has Venus, Rahu, Ketu and Mercury as his enemies, and rest of the planets, Sun, Moon, Mars and Saturn are his friends.

f. Venus’s enemies are Sun, Moon, Jupiter, Rahu and Ketu, while his friends are Mercury, Saturn and Mars.

g. Saturn has Sun, Moon, Mars, Rahu and Ketu as his enemies, while Jupiter, Mercury and Venus are his friends.

h. Rahu and Ketu are considered to be enemies of all planets in general.

3. Every planet aspects the 7th sign and the planets placed therein from its position. Every planet will be influenced by the planets placed in the 2nd, 12th, 7th, 10th and 11th signs from its position. The most powerful influence will be from the planets occupying the 2nd and 11th signs, followed by the planets placed in the 7th and 10th signs. The least powerful will be the influence of planets placed in the 12th sign.

4. Two special rules are applicable in this system of astrology: The first one pertains to the exchange of signs between planets, and the second to retrogression of planets.

When a planet has exchanged signs with another planet, the following rules will apply:

a. Both planets should be considered as influencing each other strongly, as if they are placed together in a sign.

b. The exchanged planet should be considered as placed in its own sign, and all other general rules should be applied from that position as well.

c. Exchange of planets always indicates significant events and issues, such as going for adoption, usurping others wealth and property, elopement and extra-marital affairs and so on.

When a planet is retrograde in motion, it should also be considered as placed in the previous sign and all other general rules should be applied from that position. When a planet is retrogressed or involved in sign exchange, the final position obtained by the planet will have the ultimate say on its affairs.

5. A planet is considered strong in the following cases:

a. when it occupies its exaltation, own or friendly sign

b. when it is in the previous sign or next sign of its exaltation sign

c. when it has joined friendly planets

d. when it has friendly planets in the 12th and/or 2nd and/or 7th signs

6. A planet is considered weak in the following cases:

a. when it occupies its debilitation or inimical signs

b. when it is in the previous or next sign of its debilitation

c. when it has joined inimical planets or Rahu-Ketu

d. when it has inimical planets in the 12th and/or 2nd and/or 7th signs

e. when there are no planets in the preceding, succeeding signs and also in the 7th sign

f. When the planet is joined with two mutually inimical planets

g. When the planet is hemmed between mutually inimical planets or it has mutually inimical planets in the 2nd sign

7. Various matters pertaining to the human life can be judged based on the characteristics of the planets as described in the following way:

a.Jupiter stands for jeeva or the native himself. Jupiter should be considered to judge the physical and mental characteristics of the native, as well as his family background, birth place, health and longevity.

b.Saturn represents karma, and hence should be considered to judge the work, profession, fame and recognition, status and so on of the native.

c.Sun stands for the native’s father and, hence, all matters concerning father should be judged from the Sun. He also signifies fame, respect and government. In this context, Ketu acts as a friend of Sun in enhancing fame and position of the native.

d.Moon stands for mother and, hence, should be considered to judge the matters pertaining to the native’s mother.

e.The native’s brothers are to be judged generally by Mars. However, planets associated with Jupiter indicate the native’s siblings and, hence, should be considered for predicting anything about them.

f.Venus stands for the wife in general in male horoscopes. Venus, Moon and Ketu are female planets and they should be considered in predicting anything about the female relatives of the native, such as mother, wife or sisters.

g.In female horoscopes, Mars represents the husband and, hence, should be considered in judging matters pertaining to husband. Other male planets represent male relatives of the female native.

h.Mars and Venus have to be judged in the horoscopes of couples to judge all matters related to marital and conjugal life.

i.Sun and Venus are considered to predict the matters pertaining to progeny. Sun represents the vitality while Venus stands for the female receptacle.

j.Rahu represents paternal grandfather while Ketu represents maternal grandfather. Rahu indicates mouth while Ketu indicates tail. Ketu also stands for spiritualism, fame and government banner. Rahu-Ketu axis plays a key role in predicting separations of people in the native’s life, such as the native moving away from his/her birth place and relatives, brothers separating from each other, wife and husband separation and so on. Rahu sometimes stands for people doing menial work and will sometimes represent leaders who have a mass following. Rahu-Ketu will exert their influence not only in the signs they are stationed but also in the two signs that fall in the middle of their axis. This rule applies in transit also.

k.Mars stands for land, house, fire, machinery, weapons and so on, and should be considered to judge those matters.

l.Venus represents the happiness and wealth of the native and her position indicates the extent of native’s happiness and material wealth in life.

m.Mercury signifies the intelligence and education of the native. Though Jupiter is an enemy of Mercury in matters concerning education, their association will be a great asset. Mercury stands for the native’s friends. Mercury also represents girlfriends and boyfriends and, hence, should be studied carefully for such relationships.

n.Moon rules over travel, foreign residence and change of place. Ketu also stands for this. Moon also represents the mind. When the Moon is placed alone in a sign, her influence is negligible as Moon is the fastest moving planet. For this very reason, sometimes, the placement of Moon in 2, 12, 7, 10 and 11 signs is not considered as a strength factor.

o.When two or more planets associate together, they represent some particular aspect and entity depending on the situation. For example, Moon-Rahu combination will stand for fraud, deception, mental illness, domination of one’s mother, widowhood to sisters or mother and so on, according to the context. The Mars-Rahu combination represents dry wood, machinery, denial of married life, accidents, or aggressive and revolutionary nature, according to the context. Similarly the combination of Sun-Mercury-Jupiter may indicate a scholarly father, native gaining political position, native being a great scholar receiving royal patronage and felicitation and so on. In this way, the astrologer should exercise his common sense, experience and knowledge to derive the significations indicated by the planets singularly and collectively.

p.Other characters of the planets and signs enumerated in classical texts will also hold good.

q.Aries stands for machinery and weapons; Taurus for financial institutions; Gemini for business houses and academic institutions; Cancer for watery places such as milk, hotels, and hospitals; Leo stands for the seat of government or capital city; Virgo represents agriculture lands, crops and maidens; Libra stands for beautiful places; Scorpio for secretive places and underground mines; Sagittarius stands for forests; Capricorn represents martial places, military and machinery concerns; Aquarius stands for intellectual organisations, and labour; Pisces represents watery spots and spiritual institutions.

8. The sequential placement of other planets with reference to a planet will indicate the ups and downs in the life of the particular relative or material aspect represented by the planet. For example, to know the life profile of a native’s father, the Sun should be considered as the reference point, and the planets posited in the 12 signs starting from the Sun will indicate the life history of the native’s father. Similarly, concerned karaka should be considered to judge the life of the respective relatives.

9. When a planet has a continuous array of planets in the succeeding signs, the effect of the planets that are placed in the last sign in the sequence will be more pronounced than the rest of the planets. Contrary to this, when a planet has empty signs ahead, the effect of the planets it meets first during its transit will have prominence.

10. Sometimes, the influence of the planets placed in the 10th and 11th signs from a particular planet needs to be considered. To know the profession and gains accrued by the native, the influence of planets placed in the 10th and 11th from Saturn needs to be studied. While judging longevity, the planets posited in the 10th and 11th to Jupiter should also be considered. Similarly, to know the financial condition of any relative, the planetary influence on the 2nd and 11th houses from the particular karaka should be considered.

11. Timing of events will be explained in terms of the native’s age. Transit of slow-moving planets Jupiter, Saturn, Rahu and Ketu are employed for this purpose. Jupiter represents the native himself and Saturn stands for his karma or work. Rahu and Ketu who represent the time-spirit stand for the destiny. In some conditions, the method of one sign representing one year of the native is also applied. In some other cases, such as timing of death, one sign equal to 12 years is also considered.

The time of fructification of the events should be ascertained broadly by studying the influence of transit Jupiter, Saturn, Rahu and Ketu on the natal planets. This can be fine-tuned by considering the transit of fast moving planets such as Mars, Sun, Venus, Mercury and Moon. Whenever Jupiter and Saturn meet in transit, it indicates the beginning of a new phase in life. The nature of this change can be ascertained by judging the natal planets being influenced by the transit Jupiter-Saturn combination. Generally, the transit of Jupiter over natal Saturn and natal Jupiter and the transit of Saturn over natal Jupiter and natal Saturn indicate significant events in life that propel the native towards his/her destiny. Also, the transit Jupiter or Saturn about to meet an array of planets in the natal chart indicate a phase of significant activity in life.

The movement of the transit planets starts bearing fruit when they enter the sign preceding a particular combination in the natal chart. Similarly, a transit planet in retrogression will influence the natal planetary combination placed in its preceding sign also. Normally, a retrograde planet in transit establishes a link with the three signs and the natal planets placed therein - starting with the preceding sign, the sign it occupies and the succeeding sign.

12. In the present context Sri R.G. Rao’s Naadi system, which is based on Naadi texts such as Saptarishi Naadi, needs some discussion. This system employs the concept of grouping trinal signs according to their direction into four groups. Aries-Leo-Sagittarius signs stand for east, Taurus-Virgo-Capricorn for south, Gemini-Libra-Aquarius for west, and Cancer-Scorpio-Pisces for north. The planets posited in the signs belonging to the same direction will be considered as placed together and they will be written according to the ascending order of their degree-wise positions irrespective of the signs. Then the predictions are made based on the planets posited in the same direction, opposite direction and the planets placed in the next direction or second group of signs. For example, consider a horoscope where there are Jupiter in Aries, Saturn in Taurus, Mars and Rahu in Gemini, Sun and Venus in Leo, Mercury and Moon in Virgo, and Ketu in Sagittarius. Then Sun-Venus-Jupiter-Ketu are considered as placed in the east, Moon-Mercury-Saturn in the south, and Mars-Rahu in the west. Hence the planets placed in the east, Sun-Venus-Jupiter-Ketu, are aspected by planets in the west, that is, Mars-Rahu. The next direction from the east will be south, and, hence, the planets Moon-Mercury-Saturn placed in the southern signs will also influence the planets placed in the east. However, Bhrugu Nandi Naadi published by Sri R.G. Rao does not follow this method of grouping planets. This method of grouping, as it can be observed, creates a situation where almost all the planets influence all others and, in my opinion, it will make any attempt for meaningful interpretation difficult. It may be possible for some great astrologers – I pay my respects to them. Instead of this method, the Nandi Naadi system considers the sequential arrangement of planets.

The general rules explained above shall suffice to help the readers in following the astrological discussion given in the biographies. Readers who want to study the Nandi Naadi system further, and understand its application to various branches of human life, will benefit by reading my books, written exclusively on these topics.

Strengths of Nandi Naadi approach to horoscopes

1. There is no need for exact time and place of birth of the native. Date of birth is enough to reveal a great deal about the past, present and future of the native. This opens up a vast number of horoscopes of celebrities and common people for astrological examination.

2. There is no need to prepare elaborate divisional charts or for extensive calculations of planetary strengths, asthakavarga and dasa system. Simple rules of astrology, such as the characteristics of planets, signs, mutual relationships between planets, sequential arrangement of the planets and so on are sufficient to proceed in interpretation.

3. Timing of events is also comparatively easy, based on the transits of slow-moving planets.

4. It provides scope for creativity and intuition in interpreting the significations of planets and signs, which would otherwise be hampered by the mathematical complexities of routine astrological examination.

5. This method may be applied as an initial reconnaissance tool in horoscopes where complete birth details are available. This opens up new horizons in the horoscope, which would otherwise remain undisclosed for routine astrological analysis. For natives who do not have details of time and place of birth, interpretation can still be made to a much satisfactory extent by using the Naadi principles.

Limitations of Nandi Naadi principles and caveats for practitioners

1. In the absence of access to original text of Nandi Naadi, I have had to depend upon the English translation published by late Sri R.G. Rao in which the introduction of some amount of subjectivity cannot be ruled out.

2. Even in the translation, the rules of interpretation are not spelt out clearly in all the case studies. I have culled out the rules from cases where they are revealed clearly and inferred them from cases where they are obscure.

3. The significations of planets and signs could be interpreted in multiple ways, which has been actually done in the case studies given in the Naadi. Hence, practitioners should be careful while proceeding further in case of controversial and sensational predictions. This should not be a problem for seasoned astrologers. Double-checking through conventional methods may be of help to beginners.

4. As the ascendant is not employed in this system, the Moon will be the next fastest-moving entity. We all know that the Moon takes about two to two-and-a-half days to cross a sign. Thus, by mechanical application of the Naadi rules, all the persons born within this time should have same kind of life, which is obviously not the case. Here, the multiplicity of the planetary and sign characteristics coupled with the desa-kaala conditions should help the astrologer come to a conclusion.

5. Cases and events given in the Naadi pertain to ancient times and most probably hypothetical – hence, vigorous application of the rules to contemporary horoscopes should help us in formulating the rules that can be applied to present times. I have made a sincere attempt in this direction. The importance of space and time (desa and kaala) connotation perhaps attains the highest significance in the application of Naadi astrology principles.

6. In my humble experience, Naadi principles are found to be more successful in the case of predictions relating to father, mother, native’s longevity, profession, education, married life and foreign travels. However, in predicting the number of siblings and children, it is found to be difficult to interpret. The wellbeing or otherwise of siblings and children can be found in general but not related to a particular brother, sister, son or daughter.

Notwithstanding the above limitations, there is no doubt that the system of Nandi Naadi will form an indispensable and important tool in the hands of an astrologer to obtain a bird’s eye view of the native’s life to give snapshot predictions.

The Early Starters

Rani Velu Nachiyar

Velu Nachiyar was the ruler of the Siva Ganga region of Tamil Nadu in the 18th century. Born on 3rd January, 1730, she was one of the first Indian rulers to revolt against the British in southern India.

Jeevakaraka Jupiter is placed in his exaltation sign Cancer, alongwith Ketu. Moon occupies the 12th house while Saturn aspects the 2nd house. Rahu is placed in the 7th to Jupiter. Retrogression of Jupiter brings him to Gemini where he will join Moon aspected by Sun and Mercury from Sagittarius. This creates an exchange of signs between Mercury and Jupiter, and, therefore, Jupiter will be relegated to Sagittarius where he will join the Sun. Venus will be in the 12th, Rahu in the 2nd and Saturn in the 3rd from Jupiter in Sagittarius while Mars occupies the 10th house.

The planetary influences on Jupiter thus indicate that the native would be of royal birth and would live the life of a queen. This is because of the combination of Jupiter with Ketu, the planet for royal insignia, and the contact of Jupiter with Moon and Sun, both luminaries and royal planets. Jupiter is exalted and will be relegated to his own house, Sagittarius. He has his debilitation sign Capricorn in the 2nd – where Rahu is placed. This indicates her problems due to foreign forces. Jupiter will contact Saturn next, indicating that she will regain her position. Mars in the 10th from Jupiter indicates that she would have a following of armed people.

Saturn, the karmakaraka, is placed in his own sign Aquarius, having Venus in the 10th, Sun-Mercury, Sun-Jupiter in the 11th and Rahu in the 12th. There are no planets in the succeeding three signs, indicating trouble in her career as a ruler. Saturn, during his rounds, will first contact Jupiter-Moon aspected by Sun-Mercury – indicating her exalted status.

Velu Nachiyar was the daughter of Chellamuthu Sethupathy, the king of Ramanathapuram. Sun, ruling over her father, is placed in Sagittarius with Mercury and aspected by Jupiter-Moon from Gemini. Sun has Mars in the 10th – this indicates that the father was a ruler. She married Raja Muthu Vadughanatha Tevar, the king of Siva Ganga and the couple had a daughter, Vellachi Nachiar. Her husband and his second wife were killed in a battle with the British and the son of the Arcot Nawab. This forced Velu Nachiyar to fight the British.

Mars rules over husband in a female horoscope. Mars has Jupiter-Moon in the 10th and Sun-Mercury in the 4th involved in mutual aspect. Mars has exalted Jupiter in the 11th and meets Venus first placed in the 3rd in Scorpio. These planetary influences on Mars indicate that the native’s husband is a ruler. However, as Mars occupies an inimical sign with no planets on either side and in the 7th, the native’s husband would have a short life. Retrograde Jupiter joining Moon indicates that the native would have had a daughter. Mars meets Venus first and then Mercury, who is aspected by Moon from Gemini. This explains her husband having two wives. Venus has enemies Sun-Jupiter in the 2nd and Rahu in the 3rd, suggesting that one of the wives would die early. Her husband died in 1772, when Jupiter was transiting in Capricorn on natal Rahu, while transit Rahu was moving over Libra ready to consume natal Mars in Virgo. It is to be noted that in the horoscope of a woman where widowhood is indicated, the transit of Jupiter over natal Rahu and the transit of Rahu influencing natal Mars will bring the death of her husband.

After the death of her husband at the hands of her enemies, Velu Nachiyar escaped with her daughter and lived under Hyder Ali’s protection at Virupachi, near Dindigul, for almost eight years. During this period, she joined hands with Hyder Ali and Gopala Nayaker and formed an army to attack the British. Ultimately, she would defeat the British in 1780. Her husband died when transit Saturn was in Leo. Later, when transit Saturn moved in Virgo where natal Mars is placed, she started establishing an army. In 1780, when she won the battle over British, Saturn was transiting Scorpio over natal Venus having Sun-Mercury in the 2nd, aspected by Jupiter from Gemini. Jupiter was transiting Libra having natal Venus and transit Saturn in the 2nd.

Some significant events were reported during this period. When she received information about a secret place where the British had stocked their ammunition, Rani Velu Nachiyar devised the first human bomb ever in history. A devoted follower of the Rani, Kuyili doused herself in oil and walked into the storehouse to set it ablaze. Rani also had an adopted daughter named Udaiyaal, who died while detonating a British arsenal. In her memory, the Rani formed a female regiment with the same name.

After regaining her country from the hands of the British in 1780, Rani Velu Nachiar granted administration powers to Marudhu brothers. Natal Saturn having no planets in the next signs indicates that the native would not rule her country on her own. Velu Nachiar died in 1790, at the age of 60 or 61, but the exact date of her death is not known. In 1790, Jupiter was transiting Leo while Saturn was transiting Pisces opposed to natal Mars in Virgo. Rahu was transiting Libra. Jupiter may be retrograde in Leo moving to Cancer where natal Ketu is placed. In the natal chart, Jeevakaraka Jupiter joined with Ketu, having no planets in the succeeding signs and having Moon alone in the 12th, should normally indicate a short life to the native. Furthermore, there are no planets in the 10th and 11th signs from Jupiter. However, owing to his retrogression, Jupiter will move to Gemini, receiving the aspect of Sun-Mercury from Sagittarius. Further, Jupiter moves to Sagittarius because of the sign exchange with Mercury where he joins Sun and has Mars placed in the 10th in Virgo. These factors favour good longevity. Considering all these planetary influences on Jupiter, it can be construed that the horoscope points to a middle span of life. Though Jupiter joins Ketu, he is ahead degree-wise. In his movements, Jupiter meets Mars, Venus, Sun-Mercury in succession, indicating a natural death for the native.

In the history of India, Rani Velu Nachiyar is among the very few native rulers who could regain control over their kingdoms after they lost to the British. She ruled her country for almost a decade after defeating the British.

Tipu Sultan

Famous for his sobriquet, ‘Sher-e-Mysore’ (Tiger of Mysore), Tipu Sultan was the de-facto ruler of Mysore who fought the British throughout his life and who ultimately died while defending his fort from the invading British armies. He was born in Devanahally village in the Bengaluru district of Karnataka state. Regarding his date of birth, there are diverse opinions ranging from 1749 to 1753. However, I have considered the date 1st December, 1751, as given by Dr. B.V. Raman in his celebrated book, Notable Horoscopes.

Jeevakaraka Jupiter is placed with Ketu in Taurus, having Rahu-Mercury-Sun-Saturn in the 7th house in Scorpio. There are no planets in the succeeding four signs from Jupiter while Moon occupies the 12th and Mars the 11th. Owing to his retrogression, Jupiter will move into Aries and join the Moon. From Aries, Jupiter will have Venus in the 7th house in Libra and Mars in the 12th in Pisces. From Aries, Jupiter will get involved in sign exchange with Mars there by moving to Pisces. Because of this, Mars moves to Aries joining Moon and receives the aspect of Venus from Libra.

Karmakaraka Saturn is placed in Scorpio, a Martian sign, along with Rahu, Sun and Mercury. Jupiter and Ketu aspect them from Taurus. Saturn has Venus in the 12th house in Libra and meets Mars/Jupiter, Moon-Jupiter/Mars, Jupiter-Ketu in a sequence during his transits.

Jupiter with Ketu and aspected by the Sun indicates Tipu Sultan’s birth in an aristocratic family. Influence of Mars on Jupiter indicates the native’s military prowess. Jupiter-Mercury-Ketu combination indicates a fertile intellect that is capable of reasoning. He was a scholar and poet, and was proficient in several languages. The mutual aspect of Mercury and Jupiter from Taurus and Scorpio and between Jupiter-Moon and Venus from Aries and Libra explain these qualities of Tipu Sultan. Jupiter influenced by Mars and Moon in three signs Taurus, Aries and Pisces indicates a personality with contradicting attributes. He would be very sensitive and sympathetic at times, and rash and daring in other situations. Jupiter aspected by Saturn and joining Moon in Aries indicates that the native would be highly religious. However, the influence of Saturn-Sun-Rahu-Ketu on Jupiter and Mercury indicates his fanaticism and bigotry against other religions; hence, his intellect and reasoning would be clouded at times.

Jupiter and Sun are involved in mutual aspect, indicating that the birth of the native would prove lucky for his father. Karmakaraka Saturn just emerging from exaltation is powerful. Saturn having the influence of Jupiter-Sun-Mercury and having Venus in own sign in the 12th indicates that the native would inherit a kingdom from his father and would be a ruler. However, the nodal affliction indicates that he would gain the kingdom after his father’s death. The Sun-Saturn-Rahu combination here has a special significance in this horoscope – it suggests that the native would be at loggerheads with foreign powers, and his career would be turbulent and disturbed.

Jeevakaraka Jupiter has Saturn-Mercury in the 7th and Mars in the 11th, which should bestow long life. However, the afflictions of the planets due to the nodes, the combination of Sun-Saturn as mutual enemies in the 7th to Jupiter, and retrogression of Jupiter joining Moon and receiving the aspect of inimical Venus, indicate a middle span of life. Jupiter, having the influence of all the malefics Saturn, Mars, Sun, Rahu and Ketu, along with his dire enemies Mercury and Venus, suggests that the native would meet his death due to a weapon, while fighting his enemies.

Tipu Sultan’s father, Hyder Ali, was a military officer in the army of Mysore; by 1761, he rose to be the de-facto ruler of the Kingdom of Mysore. Tipu Sultan’s mother, Fakhr-un-Nissa, was the daughter of the Nawab of Kadapa. She was Hyder Ali’s second wife. Pitrukaraka Sun joins Saturn and Rahu, indicating that the native’s father was initially in a subordinate service. The Sun-Rahu combination suggests that the native’s father was a leader who had a large group of followers. The aspect of Jupiter and Ketu over Sun explains Hyder Ali’s rising to power. Sun having Venus in the 12th aspected by Moon and retrograde Jupiter placed in the 7th to Sun, getting the association of Moon and Venus, indicates that the father had more than one wife.

Tipu Sultan was trained in military tactics by the French officers employed by his father. He accompanied his father against the British in the First Mysore War, which was fought in 1766. He led a corps of cavalry in the invasion of Carnatic in 1767, when he was just 15 years old. At that time, Saturn was transiting in Taurus over natal Jupiter-Ketu aspected by natal Saturn-Sun-Mercury-Rahu from Scorpio, explaining his role in the First Mysore War. Similarly, Tipu also participated in the First Anglo-Maratha War of 1775–1779, and gained significant victories. In 1775, Jupiter was transiting Taurus over natal Jupiter-ketu aspected by natal Saturn-Sun-Rahu-Mercury from Scorpio. Saturn was transiting Virgo having natal Venus, Saturn-Sun-Rahu-Mercury in the signs ahead. In 1779, transit Saturn was moving over Scorpio along with transit Ketu while transit Jupiter was moving over Virgo. These transit influences explain the military exploits of Tipu during the First Anglo-Maratha War.

In 1779, the Second Mysore War began; Tipu decisively defeated the British in September 1780 and gained control over Chittur from the British. In February 1782, he defeated the British at Annagudi near Tanjore. In September 1780, Saturn was transiting Scorpio over natal Saturn while Jupiter was transiting Libra along with transit Ketu over natal Venus aspected by natal Moon-Jupiter/Mars from Aries and having natal Saturn in the 2nd. By December 1781, transit Saturn had moved into Sagittarius while Jupiter was transiting Scorpio over natal Saturn-Sun-Mercury-Rahu aspected by natal Jupiter-Ketu explaining his victories. However, the transit of Jupiter over natal Sun-Saturn-Rahu suggests a bad time for his father. In this way, Tipu had fought enough wars and gained sufficient military experience by the time his father Hyder Ali died on 6th December, 1782. Hyder Ali died when transit Saturn and Jupiter joined in Sagittarius and transit Sun was moving over natal Sun-Saturn-Rahu (Mercury) combination in Scorpio, indicating the beginning of a new phase in the native’s life. A few days after the death of his father, on 22nd December, 1782, Tipu Sultan became the ruler of Mysore. By that time, transit Sun has joined transit Saturn and Jupiter in Sagittarius. The Second Mysore War came to an end with the 1784 Treaty of Mangalore, when the British accepted their defeat and surrendered to Tipu Sultan. It was the last occasion when an Indian ruler dictated terms to the British. The movement of transit Saturn and Jupiter out of Sagittarius coming out of the influence of planets in Scorpio explains the end of the war. According to historians, the forces of Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan had committed excesses in the Tanjore region during this war, which affected its economy for a long time.

In order to gain an upper hand over the increasing influence of British in southern India, Tipu sought military alliances with foreign rulers. He sent his emissaries to the rulers of the Ottoman Empire in 1787. However, as the Ottomans themselves were recuperating from the aftermaths of a series of wars, they expressed their inability to send troops to India via sea route. It should be noted that transit Jupiter was moving in Aries influenced by natal Moon-Jupiter/Mars in 1787. After his failed expedition with the Ottomans, Tipu Sultan turned to French ruler Napoleon.

The Third Mysore War started in 1789, when Tipu Sultan attacked Travancore. In this war, Tipu Sultan’s army fought with the combined forces of Travancore, British, Nizam and Maratha troops. The British army led by Lord Cornwallis occupied the Coimbatore district. By the end of 1789, transit Saturn was moving in Aquarius, a sign placed between natal Rahu-Ketu axis, having natal Mars in the 2nd. When Tipu attacked the Travancore forces in December 1789, transit Jupiter and Mars had joined in Leo, another sign placed between natal nodal axis, in the 7th to transit Saturn in Aquarius. Transit Ketu was moving over Aries influencing natal Mars. In 1790, transit Saturn was moving over natal Mars in Pisces while transit Jupiter was moving in Virgo opposed to natal Mars and transit Saturn and confronting natal Venus.

In 1791, the British forces under Lord Cornwallis advanced to Bangalore and surrounded Srirangapatnam, Tipu Sultan’s capital. Tipu Sultan could tactically cut off the supplies to his enemies, which forced them to retreat. Following the withdrawal of his enemies, he sent forces to Coimbatore, which was regained after a lengthy siege. A partial success was possible after a great difficulty because of the influence of transit Saturn and Jupiter over natal Jupiter in Pisces (Jupiter occupies Pisces in natal chart after his sign exchange with Mars).

Though Tipu Sultan gained a partial victory over his adversaries in 1791, the 1792 campaign was a complete failure. British forces surrounded Srirangapatnam again, and Tipu fought a losing battle for two weeks. He accepted his defeat and opened negotiations for his surrender. As per the conditions of the treaty, he had to cede nearly half of his territory to the British besides paying a huge sum of three crores and thirty lakh of rupees towards war expenses. Two of his sons were taken as hostages by the British until he paid the full amount. By the middle of 1792, transit Saturn entered Aries confronting natal Ketu while transit Jupiter was moving in Libra confronting natal Rahu. It is to be noted that the transit of Saturn and Jupiter confronting natal Rahu-Ketu axis is a very dangerous period – no wonder Tipu had to accept his defeat and surrender to the British forces.

At this juncture, Napoleon thought of invading Egypt and sending troops to India to help Tipu Sultan once he had established his rule over Egypt. However, when the French forces faced defeat in Egypt in 1798, the British in India attacked Srirangapatnam in 1799, which led to the Fourth Mysore War. The forces of Nizam and Marathas also joined British in this war. The British broke through the city walls and Tipu Sultan died defending his capital on 4th May, 1799. He was in his 48th year.

On the day Tipu Sultan died, transit Jupiter along with transit Venus was moving in Taurus over natal Jupiter-Ketu. Transit Saturn was in Gemini joined with transit Mars. Transit Rahu was moving over natal Moon-Retro Jupiter in Aries.

There is an interesting anecdote related to the death of Tipu Sultan. It is said that the brahmin astrologers of his court had forewarned him that the particular day was dangerous to his life because of the adverse planetary transits, especially because of the solar eclipse occurring on his Moon sign Aries. Tipu Sultan had felicitated them with gifts and alms.

Tipu Sultan had four wives, by whom he had 16 sons and at least eight daughters. In the natal chart, Mars and Jupiter are involved in mutual sign exchange and are associated with female planets Moon, Ketu and Venus. Among these, Moon is moving towards her exaltation while Venus is placed in own sign. This explains Tipu Sultan’s having four wives. As most of the planets are influencing Jupiter, Sun and Venus, he had many children. After his death Tipu Sultan’s family was sent to Calcutta by the British and the throne of Mysore Kingdom was restored to its original rulers – the Wodeyars.

Tilka Manjhi

Tilka Manjhi was one of the first Santhali leaders who took to arms against the British. Born on 11th February, 1750, he organised a tribal force named Mukti Vahini to fight against the exploitation and tyranny of the British.

Jeevakaraka Jupiter is placed in Pisces along with exalted Venus, Moon and Mars. Sun and Mercury occupy the 12th from Jupiter, while Moon could be in the 2nd. Except for Ketu in Gemini, there are no planets in the succeeding signs to Jupiter until he meets Saturn in Scorpio. Venus is the dire enemy of Jupiter and, further, she occupies her exaltation sign. In addition, Venus and Moon are mutual enemies. Though Jupiter joins his friend Mars, they have their mutual enemy, Mercury, in the 12th. Thus, Jupiter is not comfortably placed. Furthermore, Jupiter has only Rahu in the 10th, while the 11 sign is vacant. These planetary influences on Jupiter indicate that the native’s life would be short – not more than three cycles of Jupiter – and full of difficulties. Jupiter contacts Mars, Ketu, Saturn, and Rahu in succession, indicating an unnatural end to the native.

Saturn, the karmakaraka, occupies Scorpio, a Martian sign. Rahu is placed in the 2nd from Saturn while there are no planets in the 12th and 7th from Saturn. Rahu represents tribals, thieves and people who fight clandestinely. Thus, Rahu posited in the 2nd to Saturn suggests that the native would carry out this type of activities in his life. Rahu’s position also indicates that the native would lead an unequal fight with an alien government, and meet with a helpless end. Rahu in Sagittarius, the sign of forests, in the 2nd to Saturn indicates that he would have a band of followers in the forest tribes. Sagittarius is also the sign of the horse and arrows. It is to be noted that he was dragged on the ground, tied to a horseback, as he killed a British officer with his arrows.

Tilka Manjhi was determined to revolt against the British when he was just 18 years old. When the atrocities of the zamindars and British officers crossed tolerable limits, he carried out his struggle by hiding in the hilly, jungle terrain of Santhal and Bhagalpur. Alarmed by his growing clout, the British government sent an army under an officer named Kleveland to surround the forests. Though the British forces were armed with sophisticated modern weapons, and the tribals fought with primitive bow and arrows, British could not quell the rebellion easily.

One day, when Kleveland was riding on his horse through the jungle, Tilka, who was hiding atop a tree, killed him with an arrow. This event created commotion in English circles, and a strong force was sent to arrest Tilka Manjhi and his followers. In the ensuing battle, nearly 300 tribal rebels lost their lives and Tilka Manjhi was caught. He was made to suffer inhuman atrocities. Tied to horseback, he was dragged all the way to the collector’s residence at Bhagalpur. His lacerated body was hanged from a banyan tree. The capture and death of Tilka Manjhi happened in 1784, during his 34th or 35th year, when Jupiter was transiting Aquarius along with transit Rahu. Transit Jupiter has the natal Jupiter-Moon-Venus-Mars combination in the 2nd. Saturn was transiting Sagittarius over the natal Rahu.

The year 1784 holds a special significance in the history of India –an armed rebellion of Santhals, the Santhal Hul, was initiated against British rule. After India gained independence, a statue of Tilka Manjhi was installed at the spot where he was hanged and the place was named after him as Tilka Manjhi Chowk. The University of Bhagalpur was renamed as Tilka Manjhi Bhagalpur University in his memory.

Pazhassi Raja

Pazhassi Raja Kerala Varma was the prince of Kottayam in the Malabar region of Kerala. He was one of the south Indian rulers who fought the British East India Company. He was born on 3rd January, 1753.

Jeevakaraka Jupiter is placed alone in Gemini having no planets in the 12th house and in succeeding 3 signs. Moon-Saturn-Sun occupy the 7th from Jupiter. Owing to his retrogression, Jupiter moves into Taurus from where he will have Mars in the 7th and Ketu in the 12th house. Owing to the retrogression of Mercury in Capricorn, Jupiter is involved in sign exchange with Mercury, thereby moving into Sagittarius joining Saturn-Sun-Moon. From Sagittarius, Jupiter has his enemy Venus in the 2nd house in his debilitation sign Capricorn, Mars in the 12th and Rahu in the 11th.

Karmakaraka Saturn is placed in Sagittarius with the luminaries Sun and Moon having Venus and Mercury in the 2nd. Jupiter aspects Saturn from Gemini. From Saturn, Mars occupies the 12th in his own sign Scorpio while Rahu is placed in the 11th in Libra.

Jupiter, who is about to enter his exaltation sign, and who influences Saturn and the Luminaries, indicates the native’s birth in an aristocratic family. Presence of a strong Mars in the 7th and 12th to Jupiter and 12th to Saturn, and the presence of Rahu in the 11th of Saturn and Jupiter from Sagittarius indicate the military strength and tribal following of the native. Karmakaraka Saturn gets the association of Jupiter twice – once from the 7th, and once because of his combination with Jupiter in Sagittarius. This points to the fact that he would be a highly respected personality and of a religious and righteous nature. The Jupiter-Mercury opposition and sign exchange indicate that the native would be highly intelligent and learned. Saturn joining Jupiter and having Venus-Mercury in the 2nd and Jupiter in the 7th, indicates his wealth and influence. However Saturn is not completely devoid of blemishes. Saturn joins his enemies Sun and Moon and has enemy Mars in the 12th. This indicates that he has to face sustained and continuous opposition from his enemies. Saturn associated with Moon in Sagittarius, a sign that stands for forests, points to the fact that he would have to roam about in the thick and impenetrable jungles of Wayanad to protect himself from his enemies.

Jupiter having Saturn and retrograde Mercury in the 7th sign should indicate a long lease of life for the native, but mutual enemies Saturn-Sun-Moon-Mercury in the 7th to Jupiter and retrogression of Jupiter himself into the sign Taurus reduces it to medium span. Jupiter in his transits meets Rahu, Mars, Moon and Saturn in succession, thus indicating an unnatural end.

Pazhassi Raja was a prince who belonged to the royal family of Kottayam in the Malabar region of Kerala. When Hyder Ali’s forces attacked Malabar in 1773, the king of Kottayam and other senior members of the royal family fled to Travancore and sought protection. However, Pazhassi Raja remained in Kottayam, gathered forces and fought with the Mysore army from 1774 to 1793. As he did not flee but resolved to fight the invaders, the people of Kottayam considered him as their king and stood firmly behind Pazhassi Raja. He became known as the ‘Kerala Simham’. Pazhassi Raja’s army consisted mainly of the Nambiars, Thiyyas and also tribal clans such as Kurichias and Mullukurumbas. During this war with the Mysore forces, Pazhassi Raja and the British were in friendly alliance and helped each other. At the beginning of 1774, transit Jupiter joined transit Ketu in Pisces and transit Saturn was moving in Virgo along with transit Rahu. Thus, both the transit Saturn and Jupiter influenced by transit nodes and confronting the natal nodes placed in Aries and Libra explain the native’s involvement in a long-drawn war with Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan.

After their victory in the Third Mysore War in 1792, the British imposed their paramountcy over Kottayam, violating the 1790 agreement in which they had recognised the independence of the Kottyam kingdom. They appointed Vira Varma, one of Pazhassi Raja’s uncles, as the ruler of Kottayam. Thus, Pazhassi Raja was denied his right over the kingdom and Kottayam was usurped. To meet the revenue target fixed by the East India Company, Vira Varma started imposing exorbitant taxes on the people of Kottayam, who rose in revolt under Pazhassi Raja’s leadership in 1793. In 1796, the British made an attempt to arrest Pazhassi Raja but he evaded capture. He escaped into the forests of Wayanad from where he engaged in guerrilla warfare and inflicted severe damage to the British forces in terms of men and material. In 1796, transit Saturn was moving in Taurus in the 7th to natal Mars, indicating beginning of war with the English. Jupiter was transiting Capricorn over natal Venus and Mercury – his dire enemies. However, since transit Saturn was going to meet natal Jupiter, it indicates that the native’s guerilla warfare campaign would yield positive results.

In 1797, after suffering serious setbacks and humiliation at Pazhassi Raja’s hands, the East India Company pursued peace. In 1797, transit Saturn has entered Gemini where natal Jupiter was placed aspected by natal Saturn-Sun-Moon, indicating the native’s victory.

However, the period of peace would not last long. The dispute over ownership of the Wayanad region resulted in renewed hostilities between the British and Pazhassi Raja in 1800. By this time, the death of Tipu Sultan at the hands of British caused Muslims to side with Pazhassi Raja and fight the British. The war went on for five years. Pazhassi Raja’s main companions were captured one after other and sent to the gallows. Common people were subjected to harassment to gain information about Pazhassi Raja’s hideouts. Finally, on 30th November, 1805, when Pazhassi Raja was performing the annual death ceremony (shraaddha) for his mother near a forest stream, the British forces surrounded him, and he died valiantly while fighting his enemies. During the second half of 1800, transit Saturn entered Leo while transit Jupiter entered Cancer aspected by his enemies natal Venus and Mercury from Capricorn. Transit Rahu was moving in Pisces while Ketu was transiting Virgo there by influencing Sagittarius and Gemini where natal Saturn and Jupiter are placed. These transit influences point to a dangerous period for the native. The war lasted five years, until transit Saturn moved over Libra and Transit Jupiter over Scorpio. According to Nandi Naadi, Rahu stands for mouth and Mars for teeth. If Mars is placed behind Rahu in a natal chart it forms the dreaded kaala-mukha yoga, which represents death. In transit, both Jeevakaraka Jupiter and karmakaraka Saturn moving into the kala-mukha yoga forming in Libra and Scorpio in the natal chart indicate the native’s death.

On the day Pazhassi Raja died, during his 53rd year, transit Jupiter was moving over Scorpio over natal Mars while Saturn was transiting Libra over natal Rahu. Transit Rahu with transit Mars was moving over natal Saturn in Sagittarius while transit Ketu was moving over natal Jupiter in Gemini.

Veerapandiya Kattabomman

Veerapandiya Kattabomman was the ruler of the Panchalankuruchchi area of Tamil Nadu in the 18th century. His ancestors had migrated from Andhra to Tamil Nadu when the Vijayanagara Empire disintegrated. He was born to Jagaveera Kattabomman and Arumugattammal on January 4th, 1760. Dalavai Kumarasami and Duraisingam were his younger brothers.

Jeevakaraka Jupiter occupies his debilitation sign Capricorn. Saturn is placed in the 2nd, Moon in the 7th and Sun-Mercury-Ketu in the 12th from Jupiter. Saturn and Moon occupy their own houses. After crossing Saturn, there are no planets ahead to contact in the succeeding three signs and Jupiter contacts Rahu next after crossing Saturn. Similarly, Saturn does not meet any planets in his rounds in the succeeding three signs. Though Saturn and Sun are friends of Jupiter, they are mutual enemies. Ketu is inimical to Jupiter. Mercury is retrograde and, hence, will move to Scorpio, where he will join Venus. Thus the combination of Venus-Mercury, the dire enemies of Jupiter, occurs in the 11th to Jupiter, which will curtail longevity. Mercury in Scorpio will get involved in sign exchange with Mars in Virgo. Thus, Mars moves to the 11th of Jupiter, which will add to the native’s longevity. There are no planets in the 10th to Jupiter. Considering all these planetary positions with reference to Jeevakaraka Jupiter, it can be construed that the native would have a middle span of life that may end in the 4th round of Jupiter.

The combination of Mercury-Mars-Venus in Scorpio in the 10th from Saturn and 11th from Jupiter indicates that the native would have an abundance of wealth and land. Jupiter-Moon opposition and the Sun having Jupiter in the 2nd, while Saturn is placed in the 2nd to Jupiter, indicates that the native would be a ruler and a great leader of his people; he would be venerated as a God by his people because of the Jupiter-Moon-Saturn combination. However, Saturn does not have any supportive planets to meet ahead. Further, Saturn will meet Rahu, Moon and Mars in his transits, indicating that the native’s position in life will be lost during the 2nd round of Saturn. Similarly, Jupiter contacting Saturn, Rahu, Moon and Mars in succession indicates an unnatural end to the native’s life.

Kattabomman’s father, Jagaveera Kattabomman, was the ruler of Panchalankuruchchi. Sun, the pitrukaraka, is hemmed between Venus and Jupiter and has Jupiter in the 2nd aspected by Moon. Sun has Mars in the 10th sign. This indicates that the native’s father will be a ruler. The