Sage Bharadwaja’s Vidyashram

B haradwaja was one of the great sages (rishis) descendant of rishi Angirasa, whose
accomplishments are detailed in the Puranas. Bharadwaja rishi was the father of Dronacharya
and the grandfather of Ashwatthama. Bharadwaja rishi, a sage of the Vedic period - is renowned
for his thirst for knowledge. He attained extraordinary scholarship and power of meditation. He was
one of the Saptarshis (Seven Great Sages Rishi) in the present Manvantara; with others being Atri,
Vashishtha, Vishvamitra, Gautama, Jamadagni, Kashyapa

Guru: Shri ernst wilhem

E rnst Wilhem is one of the finest scholars in America with a large student following. His books
titled Graha Sutras, Core Yogas, and Vault To The Heavens are considered classics for their rich
content & clear explanation that had not been offered before. He is also the owner and c0-
developer of one of the best astrology softwares called Kala,
known for its accuracy & user friendliness. You can visit his
website at www.vedic-astrology.net

Q.1 For Scorpio people a debilitated luck lord Moon in

Lagna is not deemed very bad. Is this true if so Why?
Question by Sambhaya, India

Shri Ernst Wilhem: A debilitated Planet always causes

Bhita “alarmed” Avastha and so Moon in the Lagna in
debilitation will indicate stress to the body and health.
Additionally, a planet in debilitation is said to be in
Sushupti “Sleeping” Avastha and so not give effects due
th
to the house it rules and thus 9 house effects will be weak in the person’s life unless the
Moon’s dispositor Mars happens to be powerfully placed. All in all I would not consider this
a good position and would stick to the basic concepts of astrology, such as provided by
Parashara’s Avasthas, rather than getting lost in a world of exceptions.

Q.2 Does an un-afflicted exalted planet produce only good results? – Question by Andree
Leclerc, Canada

Shri Ernst Wilhem: An exalted planet is considered to be in Garvita “proud” Avastha and so
the Bhava in which it is placed is something that a person can be righteously proud of.
However, if such a planet is aspected by natural enemies and if those natural enemies are
strong, there will still be an element of Kshudhita “starving” Avastha and in that respect the
planet will suffer and not give the needed fulfillment and happiness. For this reason it is said
that if Sun and Saturn are both exalted they do not do good – in that case two strong natural
enemies aspect each other and thus harm each other.

Q.3 Ashttottari applicability in BPHS (Brihad Parashar Hora Shastra) and Maan Sagari are
exactly opposite. Which one to believe. In one it says Night birth Shukla Paksha, where as
in the other one it says, Day birth Krishna Paksha, then this Dasha is applicable. Which is to
be followed? – Question by Adya Tripathi, San Francisco

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Shri Ernst Wilhem: I have had very good luck using Ashtottari Dasa as prescribed in Brihat
Parashara Hora Shastra, however, Ashtottari is considered applicable to all by some astrologers.

Q.4 How to find out difficult childbirth from the chart from ones chart? – Question by Dr.
K.S.G.Saravanan, USA

Shri Ernst Wilhem: I assume you are asking how to look at a person’s chart and state that they
had a difficult birth? That is simple and very effectively done through a study of Balarishti
Yogas as given in BPHS and other classical texts. Anytime there is a Balarishti Yoga there is
some element of difficult surrounding birth or shortly after birth. After accessing the Balarishta
Yogas it is important to consider an Arishta Bhanga Yogas which prevent the Balarishta Yogas
from killing the child. When Arishta Bhana Yogas are present to suitable degree to prevent
death, then there will still be problems, delayed labor or some issue at or shortly after birth, but
one that is overcome and which does not kill the child. Try these yogas on a few horoscopes and
you will quickly see how wonderfully they work.

Q.5 in BPHS Chapter 7 ‘divisional considerations’ shloka 28-29 it states that 28-29. ‘Other
Sources of Strength. Maitreya, there are other kinds of sources, as I explain below. Grahas in
the 7th from Sūrya will be fully effective. One with an identical longitude in comparison to
Sūrya’s will destroy the good effects. Rule of three process be applied to the Graha in between
these positions.’
Query:
a) How is this concept of Grahas 7th from Sun to be used in predictive astrology
b) One with identical longitude in comparison to Sun will destroy the good effects of what, can
an hypothetical example be given to demonstrate how to understand what Rishi Parasara is
trying to say
c) What is the rule of three the Rishi is trying to say
– Question by Praveen Kumar, Bangalore

Shri Ernst Wilhem: The idea of Grahas in the 7th from the Sun is taken into account in a
Grahas Ishta and Kashta. So pay attention to Ishta and Kastha and that matter is all taken into
account. The basic idea is that a planet opposite the Sun, or in the case of Mercury and Venus,
when they are conjunct and retrograde, a planet is closest to earth and can thus produce the
most. When the planet is conjunct the sun and not retrograde, it is furthest from earth, actually
behind the Sun as well and so gives no effects. Rule of three is to take the proportion of just
where between these two extremes a planet is. This idea must be taken hand in hand with a
Graha’s Uccha Bala, how close it is to exaltation. Along with Uccha Bala, these two give the
Ishta and Kashta of a planet. A planet closest to the earth, at which point it is retrograde and in
deep exaltation becomes the most capable and may have a full Ishta of 60, Ishta being desired
effects. A planet conjunct the Sun and in deep debilitation becomes incapable and will have an
Ishta of 0 and a Kashta of 60, Kashta being the ill state of a planet at which point it is too ill to
do anything useful. These ideas, however, have to be used in conjunction with a planet’s dignity
to see just how much a planet will be able to produce. The dignity is what to
consider to see if the planet will behave productively or poorly, but the Ishta and
Kashta and thus the degree from the Sun help one see just how much is produced
if the dignity is such as to allow production.

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