The Troublemakers (Chidra

Grahas)
One important aspect of Jyotish is to foresee various troubles
coming to a person’s life and help him / her to cope with it. It is
however, not a mean task to foresee the upcoming periods and
predict in what areas of life, its going to have positive or negative
impact. In most cases, it is a combination of positive results in
some area of life, while negative results in some other. Its possible
that, the native gets married or have a childbirth at some point
and at the same time, forced to change one’s home.

Why it is difficult to foresee? Because the results manifesting in

people’s life are a combination of multiple things such as (1)
natural period in which a graha gives its results (2) the natural
period in which a Bhava gives its results, (3) various dasa systems
having a say on the results, (4) transits from both Janma Rasi and
Janma Lagna having their say, (5) the age and stage of life of the
person. The Jyotishi needs to balance multiple influences and
pronounce their conclusion. Sometimes the predictions go wrong
as it is extremely complex to assign different weights to various
results and arrive at the final verdict.

For timing obstacles, challenges and danger to life of the native

and others related to him, one should look out for certain dasas
and antardasas that forebode evil. When both the Dasa and
Antardasa indicate the dangers, the event is likely to happen. This
is even more certain when the Bhava under consideration or its
lord is afflicted during Transit. This can happen when (1) the
Bhava is being transited by an inauspicious graha, (2) The Bhava
lord occupies an inauspicious Rasi, or inauspicious Bhava,
combust, defeated in Graha yuddha, occupying a Rasi Sandhi or
under other weakness or afflictions.

Who are the troublemakers?

1. Dispositor of Gulika: Whichever Rasi Gulika occupies, the
lord of that Rasi becomes the prime creator of obstacles. Gulika
represent the negative side of Shani. The Bhava occupied by
Gulika or the dispositor of Gulika suffer troubles. Similarly the
Bhava whose lord has conjoined with Gulika also suffers
troubles.
2. Graha conjoined with Gulika: The graha occupying the
same Rasi as Gulika can cause troubles during its periods. The
graha is capable of causing troubles irrespective of it being
close or far from Gulika. Usually grahas need to placed within
12degrees for a conjunction to be effective.
3. Dispositor of Mandi: Like Gulika, the dispositor of Mandi
can cause troubles, however, Mandi is more intense than
Gulika. If this dispositor is weak and afflicted, it can cause
danger to life. Similarly the graha conjoined with Mandi should
also be checked.
4. Graha having low auspicious dots: The Graha having
low auspicious dots in its own Bhinna-Ashtaka-Varga can be
highly troublesome, if it is also weak due to its Rasi placement
i.e., Neecha, Shatru Rasi or combusted by Surya, or defeated in
a Graha Yuddha.
5. Conjoined with a Papagraha: The Papagraha can be
naisargika papagraha or functional papagraha. The functional
papa-grahas are the Trishadaaya lord, Dusthana lord, 8th lord
or Marakesha. If the naisargika papa-graha is a functional
benefic, then after initial troubles, the end results is beneficial.
On the other hand, if the naisargika Shubha graha is a
 functional malefic, the end results is going to be inauspicious,
after initial period of enjoyment.
6. Rasi Sandhi: A Graha occupying in the first or last degree
of a Rasi suffer from this blemish. The blemish is even stronger
in the last degree of the watery sign and 1st degree of the fiery
sign. This goes by the name of Gandanta, which is a exhaustive
topic and not covered here. However, irrespective of whether a
Graha occupies a Gandanta or not, its placement in Rasi
Sandhi can
7. Bhava Sandhi: A Graha occupying in the first or last degree
of a Bhava is supposed to be in Bhava Sandhi. Such graha is
ineffective in causing any results due to its Bhava placement.
The last degree can be derived at by adding or subtracting 15
degrees to the Ascendant degree. This applies to equal bhava
system.
8. Grahas occupying the 8th house: 8th house is the most
damaging house of the horoscope, as it indicates LOSS OF
LUCK represented by the 9th house. Why? It is the 12th house
of loss from the 9th house of Good luck. It is the sum total of all
the negative Karmas performed in past lives that one need to
redeem in this life. Verily this is also the house of longevity, as
the native needs to stay in this mortal world and undergo the
suffering, till the time, the punishment of the negative karma
are done. When naisargika papa-grahas occupy the 8th house,
it can cause severe diseases, troubles due to debts, financial
troubles or even bankruptcy. The grahas occupying the 8th
should never be Neecha, else, the longevity is curtailed. If a
Graha occupies the 8th in Uccha, Mula or Sva Rasi, the
troubles are lesser. Chandra should never occupy the 8th house
as it is highly inauspicious. Budha is the only graha, whose 8th
house placement is said to be auspicious. In the horoscope of
females, malefic in the 8th house can break the marriage and
cause divorce or separation, provided the 12th is also afflicted.
 Note the natural and functional significations of the grahas
occupying the 8th house. The native person will not be happy
with respect to such significations. For instance, when 11th lord
occupy the 8th house, the native may have prolonged period of
debt. Also, there could be sudden calamities or mishaps
affecting those significations. The situation is even more grave,
when the graha is also weak of afflicted i.e., through
conjunction, aspect of papa-kartari by naisargika papagrahas.
The 8th house from both the Janma Lagna and Janma Rasi
needs to be judged.
9. Grahas aspecting the 8th house: The Grahas aspecting
the 8th house will also behave to some extent as if they are
occupying the 8th house. The results of aspect will have
stronger impact, when the 8th house is vacant. When the graha
occupying the 8th house takes up the mandate of punishing the
native, the results due to aspects become feeble and
inconspicuous. Even here, Shubha grahas aspecting the 8th
house will remove the evil of the 8th house, while papagrahas
will increase. The extent of evil is more when the 8th house is
the house of Neecha or Shatru of the aspecting graha. Mutual
aspect of Moon-Mercury or Saturn-Sun in the 2nd-8th axis can
cause extreme suffering in the financial matters.
10. 8th lord: The 8th lord takes the front seat in driving the
troubles, when the 8th house is neither occupied or aspected.
8th house is the holder of the prang-energy and is called the
Rudra. It becomes destructive when it is badly placed in a bad
Rasi i.e., Neecha or Shatru. Under such circumstances, it saps
out the prana-energy from the native and the native’s life is
difficult to sustain. When occupying a bad Rasi and under bad
yogas such as combustion, defeat in a graha yuddha, conjoined
or aspected by naisargika papagrahas who are also inimical,
papa-kartari yoga etc., the native can undergo untold suffering.
In Which area? The area governed by the Bhava where the 8th
lord is placed. The weakness and affliction of the 8th house can
 cause premature death of the native, while its strength can give
long life.
11. The grahas conjoining the 8th lord: According to the
principle of conjunction, when two grahas conjoin (usually
within 12 degrees), there is exchange of energies between the
grahas. Under such cases, the evil is caused by not the evil
graha, but the graha conjoining it. On the other hand, evil
graha actually gives auspicious results. Thus, if a graha
conjoins with the 8th lord, it will become instrumental in
fulfilling the mandate of the 8th lord.
12. The 22nd Drekkana Lord: The 22nd drekkana is also
called the Khara Drekkana and it forebodes grave danger to the
native. It is the Drekkana where the cusp of 8th house falls. It is
actually very easy to find out for the equal house system. (1)
When the Lagna rises in the 1st Drekkana, the 8th lord is the
22nd Drekkana lord. (2) When the Lagna rises in the 2nd
Drekkana, the 12th lord is the 22nd Drekkana lord. (3) When
the Lagna rises in the 3rd Drekkana, the 4th lord is the 22nd
Drekkana lord.
13. The 64th Navamsa: The 64th Navamsa also falls within
the 22nd Drekkana and it is essentially the 4th lord from the
Navamsa Lagna. Both the lords of 22nd Drekkana as well as
64th Navamsa needs to be evaluated for various troubles and
danger in life. One should also note that a graha loses its
potency to kill (or pose danger) when it is exalted or aspected
by Strong and Pure Shubha graha. This needs to be assessed as
well before pronouncing the judgement.
14. The Adhishatru of Randhresha: In compound
relationship, a Graha becomes adhishatru (extremely inimical)
to the 8th lord when it is both naturally inimical as well as
temporally inimical to the 8th lord. A graha becomes
functionally inimical to another graha when it is placed in a
 Trine (1–5–9) or 6–7–8 from the other graha. For instance
Surya and Shani are mutually inimical to each other. Say, for a
Karka Lagna native, 8th lord is Shani occupies the 3rd house in
Kanya. Surya is naisargika shatru of Shani and occupies the 7th
from Shani i.e., Meena. Surya has become a Adhishatru of
Shani and will be hell bent in destroying the significations of
the 8th house. This Surya will be not only detrimental to
longevity and pose danger to the native’s life.

Important note: The 8th/ 22nd Drekkana house principle

should be judged from all the Bhavas, for timing dangers
to people governed by various Bhavas. For instance for
danger to father, one can consider 9th house as the
temporary father’s lagna and check the grahas occupying
the 8th house, aspecting the 8th house or conjoined the
8th house. Similarly, the 22nd Drekkana lord can also be
found using the method laid above.

Phalita Martanda 16.2: The following are the Anishta Dasas,

(1) The dispositor of Gulika, (2) Graha conjoining Gulika, (3)
Graha having low auspicious dots in own Bhinnastakavarga and
simultaneously occupying an inauspicious Rasi (Neecha,
Shatru), Asta or defeated in planetary war, (4) Conjoined with a
papa-graha (Shani, Rahu, Mangal, Surya), (5) Placed in Bhava
Sandhi, (6) Placed in Rasi Sandhi or 1st/last Navamsa of a Rasi.

Phalita Martanda 16.3: The following are Nashakari (highly

destructive) (1) Graha occupying the Randhra, 8th house, (2)
Graha aspecting the 8th house (3) Randhresha, 8th lord, (3)
Kharesha, lord of 22nd Drekkana, (5) The Dispositor of Mandi.
They cause great pain, fear and suffering during their periods. If
they are weak and afflicted, they can also cause danger to life.
Jataka Parijata: There are 7 Chidra grahas known as Sapta-
Chidra grahas viz. (1) Randhresha, (2) Randhrayukta: Grahas
occupying Randhra Bhava, (3) Randhradrsta: Grahas aspecting
the Randhra Bhava, (4) Kharadhipa: lord of 22nd Drekkana, (5)
Randhradhipayuta: Graha conjoined with the Randhresha, (6)
Lord of 64th Navamsa, (7) Randhresvaratishatru: The adhi-
shatru of Randhresha.

Notes on Gulika and Mandi

There is much debate and confusion about the computation of
Gulika and Mandi. I don’t want to go into my thoughts on this
matter, but stating which I use. In my view Gulika and Mandi are
different as stated by Kalidasa, although they are interchangeably
used by many. Kalidasa further on states that both are the children
of Shani and are highly evil.

This is not a lesson on computation of Gulika and Mandi, hence

my suggestion is to refer to any standard book such as Brhat
Parashari Hora Shastra, Uttarakalamrita, Phaladeepika, Jataka
Parijata, Sarvartha Chintamani etc.

1. Gulika: According to Maharishi Parashara, when the

Dinamana or Ratrimana is divided into 8 parts, 7 of them are
governed by the 7 Vara grahas (nodes are excluded). The 8th
part is lordless. Gulika rises at the beginning of Shani’s period.
During Dina (Sunrise to Sunset), the order of the grahas
governing the 7 parts in the weekday order starting from the
weekday lord. During Ratri (Sunset to Sunrise), the order starts
from the 5th from the weekday lord.
2. Mandi: According to Kalidasa, the computation of Mandi is
when the Dinamanda or Ratrimana are divided into 30 parts,
during daytime, Mandi rises at the end of 26, 22, 18, 14, 10, 6
 and 2 ghatikas on Sunday to Saturday. During nighttime, it
rises at the end of 10, 6, 2, 26, 22, 18 and 14 ghatikas.

Recommendation
I recommend the following rules for commutation of Gulika and
Mandi. I believe some people will not agree with me, however, its
fine to have differences in opinions.

1. Gulika: When the day or night duration is divided into 8

parts, the Gulika Rising time from Sunday to Saturday
are: Daytime- 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, 0. Nighttime- 2, 1, 0, 6, 5, 4, 3.
2. Mandi: When the day or night duration is divided into 30
parts, the Mandi Rising time from Sunday to Saturday
are: Daytime- 26, 22, 18, 14, 10, 6, 2. Nighttime- 10, 6, 2, 26,
22, 18, 14.

Illustration
Determine the Diva and Ratri Gulika and Mandi for the day of
birth of the standard nativity. Note in the diagram, Mandi is not
shown in the right location.
Key details:

 Weekday : Sunday

 Sunrise : 05:31 = 05.5167

 Sunset : 18:10 = 18.1667

 Next Sunrise: 05:32 = 05.5333

 Dinamana : 18.1667–05.5167 = 12.65

 Ratrimana : 29.5333–18.1667 = 11.36

—————————

Gulika Rising time from Sunday to Saturday: Daytime- 6,

5, 4, 3, 2, 1, 0. Nighttime- 2, 1, 0, 6, 5, 4, 3.

Mandi Rising time from Sunday to Saturday: Daytime-

26, 22, 18, 14, 10, 6, 2. Nighttime- 10, 6, 2, 26, 22, 18, 14.

—————————

Diva Gulika and Mandi

Diva Gulika

= Lagna rising at the end of 6th portion

= Dinamana / 8 * 6 + Sunrise time

= 12.65 / 8 * 6 + 5.5167
= 15.0042 = 15hrs

Lagna rising at 15hrs on that day and that location was 15°56’45”
Dhanu. Hence Gulika is at 15°56’45” in Dhanu and Simha
Navamsa.

—————————

Diva Mandi

= Lagna rising at the end of 26th portion

= Dinamana / 30 * 26 + Sunrise time

= 12.65 / 30 * 26 + 5.5167

= 16.4800 = 16hrs 29min

Lagna rising at 16hrs 29min on that day and that location was
08°34’ Makara. Hence Mandi is at 08°34’ in Makara Rasi and
Meena Navamsa.

Ratri Gulika and Mandi

Ratri Gulika

= Lagna rising at the end of 2nd portion

= Ratrimana / 8 * 2 + Sunset time

= 11.36 / 8 * 2 + 18.1667
= 21.0067 = 21hrs

Lagna rising at 21hrs on that day and that location will be the
longitude of Ratri Gulika.

—————————

Ratri Mandi

= Lagna rising at the end of 10th portion

= Ratrimana / 30 * 10 + Sunset time

= 11.36 / 30 * 10 + 18.1667

= 21.9533 = 21hrs 57min

Lagna rising at 21hrs 57min on that day and that location will be
the longitude of Ratri Mandi.