Chara Dasa
The dasa-system known
as Chara Dasa is no doubt one of the most important and most popular
dasa-systems in Jaimini-astrology. It is therefore somewhat peculiar that
Jaimini actually calls it Rasi-Dasa and not Chara Dasa in almost
all the sutras where he is dealing with this dasa-system. As a matter of fact I
have only seen one single sutra where Jaimini actually calls it Chara Dasa:
(Adh. 4, Pada 3,
sutra 16:) Mitrabhedabhyamcharaparyaenasamgnashyu.
"The Varnada
Dasa should be cast from the lagna or the 12th according to the system of Chara
Dasa".
MY NOTES:
This is a sutra from
the "missing" second half of Jaimini Sutras, where Jaimini gives some
information about a special Dasa System knows as Varnada Dasa, which
obviously has certain similarities with Chara Dasa.
In Parasara Hora
we are also being told about Chara Dasa, but the calculation is somewhat
different from what we are being told about "Rasi-Dasa" in Jaimini
Sutras. The reason for the two different names could perhaps be that we are
dealing with two different, but still somewhat similar dasa-systems!
However, if this is
the case, then it could be argued that if the Rasi-Dasa and the Chara-Dasa
are in fact two different dasa-systems then there is really no description
of how to calculate Chara Dasa in Jaimini Sutras - meaning in that case Chara
Dasa is perhaps not even a part of the Jaimini-astrology after all.
Anyway, in spite of
these peculiar circumstances, I have decided to actually use the name Chara
Dasa in this present research of mine.
The four sutras
The description of
Chara Dasa begins in the very first chapter of Jaimini Sutras in four small
verses - one after the other.
Some part of the
explanations has been scattered here and there elsewhere in the Jaimini Sutras.
This was perhaps done in order to maintain a certain secrecy about the
calculation of this unique dasa-system, but also in some cases it seems as if
there is a kind of hidden message contained in this appearent disorder.
Anyway, it is really
not that complicated to trace the remaining explanations. It is, however
sometimes difficult to understand the hidden meaning in some of the sutras, and
I will therefore give my personal notes in case of each one of them.
Adhyaya 1, Pada 1
Sutra 25: Pracheevruthhirvishanabheshu.
"In odd signs
the counting must be in the right direction."
Sutra 26: Paravrutyottareshu.
"In even signs
the counting must be in the reverse order."
Sutra 27: Nakwachit.
"In some places
this does not apply".
Sutra 28: Nathaanthahasamaprayena.
"Many of the
writers are of the opinion, that the Rasi Dasa extent over such number of years
which are counted from the Rasi to the place where its lord is located".
MY NOTES:
In sutra 25 and 26 we
get the information that the dasa-periods of the signs are counted direct in
case of odd signs and in the reverse order in case of even signs.
This is a general information which holds good for all the different
dasa-systems in Jaimini.
In sutra 27 it
becomes interesting, since we are informed about an exception to the general
rule. The fact that Jaimini is referring to TWO previous sutras could perhaps
indicate a double meaning in the statement: "In some places this does not
apply".
1) The first meaning
is that the exception is related exclusively to the Rasi-dasa (read Chara Dasa)
which is described in sutra 28.
2) The second meaning
is that the exception is related to certain signs, where obviously the counting
of the signs is different from the general rule.
But which signs could
that be? - And what is this all about?
The forward and
backward quadrants
A very careful and
close examination of all the Jaimini Sutras leaves only few options, the best
of which being one particular sutra from the "missing" second part of
Jaimini Sutras:
(Adh. 4, Pada 3,
Sutra 116:) Kramatkruresubhaabhyamchavyut-
kramadubhayaoh.
"The countings
is direct or in the usual direction in the two even signs (Vrishabha and
Vrichika) of the odd quadrants, and it is indirect in the two odd signs (Simha
and Kumbha) of the even quadrants".
MY NOTES:
In this sutra we
learn that the counting is opposite to the general rule in case of the FIXED
signs, and obviously this rule is to be applied in case of Chara Dasa.
Following this
information we are now able to divide the zodiacal signs into the following
four quadrants of Savya (forward) and Apasavya (backward) counting:
1) Savya forward counting: Aries, Taurus and Gemini
2) Apasavya backward counting: Cancer, Leo and Virgo
3) Savya forward counting: Libra, Scorpio and Sagittarius
4) Apasavya backward counting: Capricorn, Aquarius and
Pisces
The 9th-house-rule
The forward or
backward counting of the Rasi-dasas (read Chara Dasas) are not indicated by the
sign on the Ascendant, since the following sloka gives another explanation:
(Adh. 2, Pada 3,
sutra 28:) Panchamepadakramatprakpratyaktvam.
"If the 9th from
Lagna happens to be incorporated in an odd sign take the Rasi Dasas in the
regular order. If it happens to be incorporated in an even sign, take the Rasi
Dasas in the reverse order or backwards. The commencement of the Dasa should be
from the Lagna. Kethu in these cases is considered as a benefic".
MY NOTES:
Here we learn that
the foreward and backward countings of the Rasi-Dasas (read Chara-Dasas) is
decided from the sign in the 9th house, and not from the Ascendant. We are
however informed that the commencement of the Dasas is from the Ascendant -
meaning the first Dasa will always be that of the Ascendant.
Please observe that
the rule about the 9th house should ONLY be applied in order to decide about
the forwards or backwards countings of the Dasa-periods themselves - it should
NOT be applied to neighter the sub-periods nor to the calculation of the years
of each Dasa-period.
Counting the number
of years
In sutra 28 of Adh.
1, Pada 1 we are told: "Many of the writers are of the opinion, that
the Rasi Dasa extent over such number of years which are counted from the Rasi
to the place where its lord is located".
This means that the
number of years of each sign are found by counting from the sign in question up
to the place of its lord.
Very well, but what
happens if the lord of a given house is in that very house itself? Then there
is no distance, so it would give 0 (zero) years, wouldn't it?
Yes, but in that case
we have to give 12 years, and in case of the other house positions it will be
the number of the house minus one.
In case of forward
counting from the sign it works like this:
1st house: 12 years
2nd house:
1 years
3rd house:
2 years
4th house:
3 years
5th house:
4 years
6th house:
5 years
7th house:
6 years
8th house:
7 years
9th house:
8 years
10th house: 9 years
11th house: 10 years
12th house: 11 years
In case of backward
counting from the sign it would be the other way around.
Parasara's additional
rules
It is very
interesting to observe what is actually written and what is NOT written in the
Jaimini Sutras.
According to the
description of Chara Dasa in Parasara Hora the sign Aquarius is
ruled by both Saturn and Rahu, and there are certain rules about how to find
the stronger of two. In the same way Scorpio is said to be ruled by both
Mars and Ketu.
I have NEVER seen
anything in support of these ideas in Jaimini Sutras, and I have never seen as
much as one single sutra indicating that Jaimini actually considered Rahu and
Ketu as co-rulers of Aquarius and Scorpio. As a matter of fact, I don't think
he did.
Then there is the
rule in Parasara Hora that one extra year should be added or subtracted
in case the lord of a sign is exalted or debilitated. And once again nothing
like this is written in the Jaimini Sutras. This is purely Parasarian astrology
- and not at all of Jaimini-origin.
I do not follow any
of these two additional Parasarian rules, and if anyone critizise me for not following
the true Jaimini-tradition, my answer would be very simple: Which tradition was
that? - Parasara or Jaimini?
Sub-periods in Chara
Dasa
In the end of the
first chapter of Jaimini-Sutras there is a sloka on how to calculate the
sub-periods in Chara Dasa. Parasara Hora is completely silent about the
calculation of sub-periods in Chara Dasa, so this single sloka is really all
that we have got.
Now we have to be
very careful about what is actually written in this sutra and what is not
written there. Also we have to be alert if there is a hidden meaning.
Adh. 1, Pada 1, sutra
34: Yavadwivekamavrittirbhanam.
"Divide the Rasi
Dasas by 12 and distribute the same to the 12 Rasis in proportion to the Rasi
Dasas to get sub-periods. The counting should be direct in case of odd signs
and vice versa if even".
MY NOTES:
Since this sutra
specifically mentions Rasi-Dasas (read Chara-Dasas) and since it is
placed in the very same chapter as the four sutras on the basic principles of
Chara-Dasa, it is my opinion that sub-periods should only be calculated for
this particular type of dasa-systems. Some Scholars are of the opinion that the
word Rasi-Dasa simply means all types of sign-based Dasa-systems, but I don't
think so. I believe Rasi-Dasa means exclusively Chara-Dasa.
Chara Dasa means
changeable time-periods, and I am of the impression that only this type of
dasas was actually divided into sub-periods by Jaimini. For the dasa-systems
having fixed time-periods, like Sthira-Dasa and Niryana-Shoola-Dasa,
the more precise timings seems to have been made from at least two different
types of Navamsa-Dasa, having dasa-periods of only one year each.
From this present
sutra we learn that each dasa-period in Chara Dasa should be divided into 12
equal parts. This makes the calculation very easy and simple, since the number
of months of each sub-period in a dasa will always be equal to the number of
years of that particular dasa. Following this principle a dasa-period of, say,
8 years will get sub-periods of 8 months and a dasa-period of 4 years will get
sub-periods of 4 months each.
No 9th-house-rule for
sub-periods
Some scholars believe
that the foreward and backward countings of the sub-periods are depending upon
the sign in the 9th house from the Dwara-rasi or running dasa, following the
same principle as with the dasa-periods. But I don't think so, since nothing is
said about the 9th house in this present sutra.
Please observe that
in the sutra about the 9th-house-rule nothing is said about sub-periods, since
in is only about the dasa-periods. Also we can observe that the sutra about the
9th-house-rules is placed in a different chapter, and besides that the
calculation of the dasa-periods and the sub-periods in Chara Dasa are based on
two completely different concepts.
In my opinion the
usual 9th-house-rule should therefore be ignored in connection to the
calculation of the sub-periods, and the foreward or backward counting of the
sub-periods should be decided directly from the Dwara-Rasi or running
dasa itself.
The first sub-period
Nothing has been
mentioned by Jaimini on how to identify the first sub-period in each dasa. So,
obviously we have got to find out about this ourselves.
I have often been
wonderering about the way we usually decide the first sub-period in each
Chara-dasa, since it appears strange that the sub-period of the running dasa
itself becomes the last (12th) sub-period - and not the first sub-period.
I thought perhaps the
most logical thing would be to follow the same principle as when we divide the
signs into the 12 Dwadasamsas, by starting from the sign itself.
I therefore
calculated a lot of sub-periods for different events in different horoscopes
following the same principle as in Dwadasamsa by starting from the running dasa
itself. But to my big surprise I got ALL the timings wrong, and very clearly
only the next sub-period could explain the results in each case!
Obviously we are
dealing with some kind of law-of-nature, where the sub-period of the
running dasa itself has got to be the LAST sub-period and not the FIRST one. I
believe the ancient hindu astrologers must have arrived at that very same
conclusion based on similar experiments.
Calculation of
Chara-Dasa and its sub-periods
By following the
deductions already given regarding Chara-Dasa and its sub-periods we are now
able to conclude the following simple and easy rules:
1) The first dasa will
always be the sign on the Ascendant. To decide whether the dasas should be
counted forward or backward we have to find out if the sign in the 9th house
belongs to the Savya- or Apasavya quadrant:
a) Savya forward
counting: Aries, Taurus and Gemini
b) Apasavya backward
counting: Cancer, Leo and Virgo
c) Savya forward
counting: Libra, Scorpio and Sagittarius
d) Apasavya backward
counting: Capricorn, Aquarius and Pisces
2) The number of years
of each dasa are found by counting from the sign in question upto the sign
occupied by its lord. This counting is forward or backward depending upon the
placement of the sign itself in the savya/apasavya-table (not the 9th house).
If the lord is in that very sign itself he gets 12 years, otherwise it is the
number of the house minus one.
In case of forward
counting from the sign it works like this:
1st house: 12 years
2nd house:
1 years
3rd house:
2 years
4th house:
3 years
5th house:
4 years
6th house:
5 years
7th house:
6 years
8th house:
7 years
9th house:
8 years
10th house: 9 years
11th house: 10 years
12th house: 11 years
(In case of backward
counting from the sign it simply runs the other way around)
3) If the dasa in
question belongs to the savya (forward) group then the first sub-period will be
the 2nd house from the running dasa and the counting is direct. If it
belongs to the apasavya (backward) group then it starts from the 12th house
and the counting is backwards. In both cases the sign of the dasa in question
will become the last (12th) sub-period.
4) The number of months
of each sub-period in a dasa will always be equal to the number of years of
that particular dasa. This way a dasa-period of, say, 8 years will get
sub-periods of 8 months each, and a dasa-period of 4 years will get sub-periods
of 4 months each.
Chara Dasa: Marriage
and Children
This is the horoscope
of the same person as given in connection to Sthira-Dasa, Navamsa Dasa and
Niryana Shoola Dasa. The person was married and got his first child, a
daughter, at the age of 25. In this case, however, we will examine the chart by
using Chara-dasa and its sub-periods.
Male Person, born
December 31st, 1957, Time: 04:00PM, Zone: 1:00
Copenhagen,
longitude: 12E35, Latitude: 55N42, Lahiri Ayanamsa.
Asc 20:55 Gem
Sun 16:24 Sgt
Moon 13:01 Ari
Mars 12:40 Sco
Merc 03:46 Sgt R
Jup 05:16 Lib
Ven 21:54 Cap
Sat 26:07 Sco
Rahu 15:25 Lib
Ketu 15:25 Ari
In this case the 9th
house (Aquarius) falls in the apasavya-group and therefore the counting of the
dasas are backwards. It runs like this:
1st dasa: Gemini forwards (6 years) from 0 to
6 years
2nd dasa: Taurus forwards (8 years) from 6 to 14 years
3rd dasa: Aries forwards (7 years) from
14 to 21 years
4th dasa: Pisces backwards (5 years) from
21 to 26 years
Pisces-Dasa
This man was married
and got his first child in Pisces-dasa. How could that be?
Well, Pisces is ruled
by Jupiter, the 7th-lord (marriage) from his natal Gemini-Ascendant, and
Jupiter is placed in the 5th house (children) from his natal Ascendant.
Further his Upapada
is in Virgo and Pisces is in the 7th house (marriage) from Upapada.
Also please note that
the 7th-lord, Mercury from the running Pisces-Dasa, is Mercury, the Darakaraka,
being the chief indicator of marriage.
A female child
Please take a look at
the 5th house from the running Pisces-Dasa. The 5th house is Cancer and the
5th-lord is the Moon. Then of course Mars and Saturn are also influencing the
5th house by Jaimini-aspects, but they are Anapathya grahas, meaning
they are not children-producing planets according to Jaimini.
The Moon, on the
other hand, is an Ekaputra graha, which is a giver of only one son -
meaning in most cases it will give only daughters!
The Sub-periods
The peculiar thing is
that this man got the daughter first, and then two months later he finally
married the mother of the child. This fact is most beautifully indicated by the
running sub-periods.
Each sub-period is of
only five months each in his Pisces Dasa, and since Pisces itself (not the 9th
house from it) belong to the apasavya-quadrant the order of the sub-periods is
backwards.
The child was born in
sub-period of Aries which is occupied by the Ekaputra graha, Moon, indicator of
female children. But more important is perhaps the fact that the Putrakaraka,
Mars is himself the lord of the running sub-period of Aries.
The marriage,
however, took place in the sub-period of Pisces itself, which was also the
running Dasa-period, since it was the last (12th) sub-period of his
Pisces-Dasa, and Pisces strongly indicates marriage. The delination of Pisces
has already been given in connection to the running Pisces-Dasa.