Jaimini Clues to Spirituality in a Chart

Gary Gomes
Here is a taste of the second most prominent school of Jyotish: Jaimini astrology.

Jaimini has become the second most widely used system of Vedic astrology in the Western world, thanks
largely to the efforts of K.N. Rao, P.S. Sastri and others, to explain and disseminate this unique system. This article
will illustrate the use of Jaimini astrology in analyzing an individual's spiritual potential through use of the Jaimini
karakas (indicators) and upagrahas ("little planets").

Overview of Jaimini Astrology

Jaimini is predominantly practiced in the Andhra Pradesh area of India. Its governing principles are discussed
in detail in the encyclopedic compendiumof Vedic astrological techniques, the Brihat Parasara Hora Sastra. This
classic text contains enough material to keep most of us Jyotish students busy for several lifetimes. Other Jaimini
texts have also emerged over the years, including The Jaimini Upadesa Sutras written by Sanjay Rath and published
this year. However, Mr. Rao's texts go the furthest in explaining how the Jaimini dasa systems work and are, in my
opinion, the clearest exposition of Jaimini principles available in the West.
The following are the major differences between Jaimini and "standard" Parasara astrology:
1. While Parasara astrology is most closely associated with the Vimsottari dasa system, Jaimini uses sign
mahadasa systems. Each uses different dasa sequences and is calculated differently, but they are all sign dasas.
These dasas are called Aries, Taurus, Gemini, etc. Chara, Sthira and Shoola dasas are the best known, though
approximately 44 systems are used. For example, Chara is "movable" as its Sanskrit name implies; it chronicles
major life changes as they occur. Sthira is read for death and illness, etc.
2. Jaimini uses padas as indicators in the signs. The best way to explain a pada is to illustrate it. Suppose we
are looking for the marriage pada in a chart. The 7th house is the marriage house. Let us assume we have a Libra
ascendant; Aries is the 7th house in this case. The 7th ruler is therefore Mars. Assume that Mars is in Capricorn.
This sign is ten signs away from Aries. We then count ten signs from Capricorn to get the pada for marriage
matters. Thus, the sign Libra is the marriage indicator for this chart. Issues connected with marriage and
partnerships in general will reach fruition during the mahadasa or bhuktis of Libra.
3. Parasara astrology uses certain "natural" planetary karakas. For example, Venus is the natural karaka for
marriage and Mars is the karaka for younger brothers. However, in Jaimini astrology, the karakas can be any planet.
(I choose to follow Mr. Rao in excluding the North and South Lunar Nodes (Rahu and Ketu) as Jaimini karakas for
most purposes.) There are seven Jaimini karakas. They are judged in terms of the planetary degree placement,
regardless of sign placement, from the planet in the highest degree (for example, Mars at 28° Taurus) to the lowest
(perhaps Venus at 2° Gemini).
The karakas are, in descending order, starting with the planet of the highest degree:
• Atma Karaka, the indicator of self
• Amatya Karaka, the indicator of career
• Bhadri Karaka, the indicator of siblings and father
• Matri Karaka, the indicator of mother and education
• Putri Karaka, the indicator of children, intelligence and creativity
• Gnati Karaka, the indicator of strife, disease, and sadhana (spiritual practice)
• Stri or Dara Karaka, the indicator of marriage and partnerships in general
These karakas are important in judging a chart, especially in terms of career and spiritual potential, as indicated
in both the Brihat Parasara Hora Sastra and the Jaimini Sutram. Also, although this stance is not universally
endorsed, it has been my experience that the Jaimini karakas work especially well when we analyze the mahadasas
and the maturity of planets. I also believe that the natural Parasara planetary karakas exert an influence on the
Jaimini karakas. Vedic Astrologer Robert Koch has discussed the way in which Jaimini indicators can be used in
Parasari settings in his excellent contribution to Richard Houck's compilation Vedic Astrology Lessons, and the
Jataka Tattwa describes methods for using the two systems in tandem.

Spiritualizing Factors
 In analyzing charts for spiritual potential, note which sign the Atma Karaka (planet in the highest degree in the
birth chart) falls in in the Navamsa (harmonic 9th chart). This Navamsa sign is extremely important. In several
Jaimini texts, this sign is referred to as the Karakamsa, and certain planets in this sign in the Navamsa chart are
supposed to show the pursuit of particular types of spiritual practices. K.N. Rao has made a special study of this
topic, and feels that this sign should be transposed to the rasi (birth) chart, where it "becomes" the Karakamsa. In
other words, look to this sign in the natal chart as the lagna (ascendant) of a new chart called the Karaksamsa chart.
The Navamsa position of the Atma Karaka then creates an entity called a Swamsa chart (i.e., the Navamsa sign
in which the Atma Karaka falls is the lagna for the Swamsa chart, which is otherwise identical to the Navamsa.)
This is not so insignificant a matter as it seems at first. The Brihat Parasara Hora Sastra and the Jaimini Sutram
indicate that planets in certain positions from the Karakamsa will produce specific spiritual effects and affiliations,
while the Swamsa chart will be used to predict other, more wordly, matters. However, the placement of planets from
the Swamsa and the Karakamsa will often differ dramatically, so some spiritual combinations which show in the
Navamsa chart from the Swamsa lagna will not appear in the natal chart from the Karakamsa, and vice versa.
Before my encounters with Mr. Rao, I had relatively good results in delineating spiritual preferences when
using the Navamsa chart as the location of the Karakamsa. However, closer examination of charts of individuals
who had never been known for spiritual tendencies, made me reevaluate my position and led me closer to the
position adopted by Mr. Rao. The placement of the Atma Karaka in the sign Pisces in the Navamsa chart, for
example, did not necessarily "grant final emancipation" or produce spiritual individuals, as Brihat Parasara Hora
Sastra or Jaimini Sutram indicated. The technique used by Mr. Rao of evaluating spiritual combinations from the
location of the Karakamsa chartin the birth chart seems to work more consistently.
To give an example, let us assume that the planet Mars is the Atma Karaka planet, and it resides in the sign
Pisces in the Navamsa chart. The sign Pisces in the Navamsa becomes the Swamsa; in the birth chart, the sign
Pisces, regardless of its location or the planets residing there, becomes the Karakamsa chart.

Paramahansa Yogananda
Let's examine the chart of one of the best known spiritual teachers of the 20th century, Paramahamsa
Yogananda. Yogananda introduced the West to the discipline of Kriya Yoga, a yogic science passed on by a 1,000
year-old emanation of Shiva known as Babaji. Yogananda was clearly a very famous spiritual individual, lecturing
to thousands and establishing one of the most enduring spiritual groups of our century, Self-Realization Fellowship.
In addition, there are at least a half dozen disparate and unaffiliated Kriya Yoga organizations in the United States
based on Yogananda's teachings. Yogananda is also well known for not showing any visible signs of decay for
twenty days after his death (at which point he was buried!).
If we examine his chart, we see that Yogananda's Atma Karaka is Venus,which is located in the 4th house, one
of the three moksha (liberation) houses, in Scorpio, one of the three moksha signs. (Scorpio, Cancer and Pisces are
considered the moksha signs, perhaps because water signs are considered signs of dissolution suggesting merging
with the infinite.) If we look at the padas of the various houses, the 4th house pada (indicator of where the heart is
in a natal chart) is located in the 12th house of Cancer. (Fourth house ruler Mars is five signs from the 4th house;
five signs from Mars is Cancer.) This indicates that this individual's emotions may be connected with renunciation,
a necessary attribute for a sanyasin or renunciate, which Yogananda was.
Also, if we look carefully in the 4th house, we find several auspicious upagrahas. Pranapada, Kala , Indra
Chapa (the child of Venus), and Upaketu are all in this house, Upaketu giving qualities of renunciation, while Indra
Chapa gives the blessings of the great teacher Shukra (Venus), and Shukra himself blesses this individual with
divine bliss through control of kundalini energy. In the Brihat Parasara Hora Sastra, the placement of Upaketu in
the 4th house is said to make the native "charming, very virtuous, gentle, interested in Vedas, and ... always happy."
The placement of Indra Chapa in the 4th makes the native "happy, endowed with quadrupeds [cattle, i.e., providing
prosperity and vehicles], wealth, grains, etc., be honored by the king and be devoid of sickness." Yogananda was
able to access large amounts of money and nice cars when he needed to, and he also met with President Calvin
Coolidge, among other world leaders. Kala, an inauspicious upagraha which acts like Rahu, is also in the 4th house.
This indicates separation from his parents, his lack of interest in academic disciplines, and the early death of his
mother.
The placement of Rahu in the 9th gives fame, and also gives a famous guru. This was certainly the case with Sri
Yukteswar, who is probably the one of the most famous Indian gurus who never left India (along with Paramahamsa
Ramakrishna and Swami Sivananda). Yogananda's extreme attachment to his guru is probably due to the pada of the
9th house (the house of the guru) being placed in the 7th house (the house of the relationship partner), implying that
he was "married" to his guru. The Kriya Yoga tradition calls for an extremely strong attachment between disciple
and teacher. Yogananda never wished to marry, perhaps because he was already emotionally "married" to his
teacher.
Again, to determine a pada, count from the house being evaluated to the house in which the ruler of that house
sits. Then count from that house the same number of houses. In this case, Mars is the ruler of the 9th house (Aries).
Mars is in Pisces in this chart, and is located twelve signs away from Aries. We then count from Pisces to twelve
signs away, leading to the 7th house. It contains Aquarius, which then becomes the sign-indicator of the spiritual
teacher.
In 1922, Yogananda entered an Aquarius mahadasa. (Remember, Jaimini uses sign mahadasas rather than
planetary mahadasas.) During this time he went to the United States at the bequest of his guru. [The 9th house is
asignificator for long distance travel and the guru.] We can trace other events, such as his great fame in the United
States after he entered his Aries mahadasa (with Rahu in Aries, fame was certainly assured). Venus, the Atma
Karaka planet (planet of highest degree) in Yogananda's chart, is located in the sign Aquarius in the Navamsa, so
Aquarius is the Karakamsa house in the natal chart. We can start to assess the indicators from either the natal or the
Navamsa chart. Interestingly, the Brihat Parasara Hora Sastra does say that if Venus is in the Karakamsa, one gets
initiated in a religious order. This holds true when we look at Yogananda's Navamsa [the Swamsa chart], but not in
the natal chart [the Karakamsa chart].
Yogananda's Amatya Karaka planet was Jupiter. It is then fitting and appropriate that during his Pisces
mahadasa his career reached an apex as he was heavily involved in teaching Kriya Yoga, Mars being ruler of his 9th
house and also the ruling planet of the house in which Rahu is placed. Mars is also one of, if not the only, indicator
planet for Kriya Yoga or any meditational system in a chart. Goswami Kriyananda of the Temple of Kriya Yoga in
Chicago has expressly stated that the avatar of Vishnu to which Kriya Yoga owes allegiance is Narasimha, who is
listed as an incarnation of Vishnu through the planet Mars. There are several other arguments which favor Mars as
the primary planet of this tradition, especially Kriya Yoga's use of step by step development of yogic powers
through techniques mentioned in the Patanjali Yopa Sutras. It is, if you will, the development of unity with God
through logic and applied action, in a systematic fashion (all martian attributes). And it is a rapid yogic path,
requiring intense concentration, desire and goal orientation. This is where discipline comes in. Patience is Saturnian;
discipline and will power are martian, as any martial arts or military commander or drill instructor, I am sure, will
tell you.

The Dalai Lama

The chart of the Dalai Lama also reveals how Jaimini karakas work in a spiritual chart. His Atma Karaka planet
is Mars. This is common among individuals who practice intense meditative practices (the Dalai Lama spends two
hours a day in meditation even while keeping an active travel agenda). Mars is located in the sign Leo in his
Navamsa, making this sign his Karakamsa ascendant when it is transposed to his natal chart. He has both Moon and
Venus in Leo which, according to Jaimini principles, guarantees spiritual happiness (the association of the Moon
and Venus is a special Raja Yoga combination in Jaimini astrology).
It is also noted in the Brihat Parasara Hora Sastra that if benefics are in the Karakamsa, the individual will
surely become a king. The Dalai Lama has traditionally served as both secular and spiritual ruler of Tibet. It is
interesting to note, however, that these benefic planets are in the 12th house in his natal chart, which seems to
suggest a king in exile.
Jaimini astrology also uses special aspects. The mutable signs (Pisces, Virgo, Gemini, Sagittarius) aspect each
other, while the cardinal signs aspect the fixed signs (excepting the fixed signs and cardinal signs which are adjacent
to each other. For instance, Libra will not aspect Scorpio; Leo will not aspect Cancer; and Capricorn will not aspect
Aquarius) and vice versa. So Leo, the Karakamsa in this chart, is aspected by Libra, Capricorn, and Aries. Libra
contains Jupiter, which gives him a popular personality. Any mutual relationship between Jupiter and Venus gives
the individual the ability to teach and reach people, particularly in spiritual matters. Interestingly enough, the Dalai
Lama's Amatya Karaka (career indicator) is Jupiter, as in the case of Yogananda. Jupiter is placed in the 2nd
house, while the 2nd house ruler is in the 12th house, indicating the ability to speak (teach) in foreign countries.
Also, Saturn in Aquarius aspects the 12th house from the Karakamsa, the sign Cancer. Saturn aspecting the
12th would promise worship of either Vishnu or "lesser deities." Certainly, Buddhism is a system "outside the
orthodox teachings of Hinduism from the Vedic perspective. I have also noticed extremely strong Saturns
prominently placed in the charts of Vaishnavas (Hindu devotees of the god Vishnu), and Buddha—at least
according to some schools—is an avatar of Vishnu.
 The pada of the 12th house is Pisces, containing the upagraha Yamaganda, the child of Jupiter, which is the
great benefic among the upagrahas. Again, this corroborates the spiritual success of the Dalai Lama, especially
away from his land of birth.
In terms of events in the Dalai Lama's life, we can certainly note that he left Tibet in 1959, during the middle of
a Sagittarius mahadasa. It has been implied in certain Jaimini texts that there will be a "fall" during a Sagittarius
period. This topic was discussed in K.N. Rao's text, Predicting Through Jaimini's Chara Dasa, in which he warned
that this dictum should be interpreted cautiously. However, in this case in particular, we can view the Dalai Lama's
exile as a "fall," although it eventually projected him into a position of world wide recognition. Jupiter, who rules
this sign, is considered a naturally malefic (perhaps "death inflicting" planet) for Virgo rising. Here Jupiter is
placed in an enemy sign, and Rahu is also in the sign Sagittarius. Rahu will usually involve separation or discord
during the mahadasa of a sign in which it is placed.
The Dalai Lama's most recent mahadasa is Gemini; with the Sun (the ruler of the Karakamsa), Mercury and
Ketu in Gemini, aspected by Mars, Rahu, and Yamaganda. With the placement of Mercury in its own sign, along
with celebrity producing planets (the Karakamsa lord in the sign; Rahu, Yamaganda, and Ketu "flagging" the entire
combination) it is small wonder that the Dalai Lama has, since the commencement of his Gemini mahadasa in 1991,
become a cause celebre, his cause championed by movie stars and rock performers.
The Dalai Lama was born in a Virgo mahadasa. The pada of the first house is Pisces, possessor of the benefic
upagraha Yamaganda. As many are aware, the previous Dalai Lama's possessions are placed in front of child
candidates to determine whether the child recognizes them. This natal placement of Yamaganda implies gifts at
birth.
And one final point. The conjunction of Venus and the Moon, two extraordinary benefics, in the 12th house of
the natal chart, is usually an indicator that the soul will attain heaven after death. This undoubtedly describes the
beautiful world in which the soul of the Dalai Lama will reside in between incarnations.
The cases of these two saints have illustrated, in a very basic fashion, how Jaimini principles can be used to
illustrate spiritual tendencies in a chart. This brief analysis will, I hope, whet the appetites of other Western students
of Jyotish to examine spiritual tendencies through the use of Jaimini principles. Research is essential because so few
reference texts are available. Hopefully we will expand our knowledge of Jaimini to the point that other dasa
systems, and more sophisticated utilization of the padas and upagrahas, will prevail.

Bibliography
Sage Jaimini, Jaimini Sutram, translated by P.S. Sastri, Ranjan Publications, Delhi, India, 1990.
Sage Parasara, Brihat Parasara Hora Sastra, translated by R. Santhanam and G. S. Kapoor, Ranjan Publications,
Delhi, India, 1989.
K.N. Rao, Predicting through Jaimini's Chara Dasa, Vani Graphics, Lucknow, India, 1995.
K.N. Rao, Predicting through Karakamsa and Mandook Dasa, Vani Graphics, Lucknow, India, 1995.
P.S. Sastri, Jaimini Astrology, Sagar Publications, 1992.
The works of R.G. Rao, Sanjay Rath, and B.V. Raman are also valuable resources for Jaimini research.

Birth Data Sources

Dalai Lama, Class A data, from him, per Data News 57.
Paramahansa Yogananda, Class A data, "from SRI," per Astro-Data II.

Gary Gomes is founder and president of the North East Institute of Vedic Astrology through which he promotes
Vedic Astrology as a spiritual discipline. He is available for lectures, readings, and instructional assistance.
Contact him c/o Crystal Expectations, 854 Brock Avenue, New Bedford, MA 02744; (508) 990-7898 or (508) 994-
5725.