The Spiritual Dimensions of Vedic Astrology - TOC + Foreword

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"THE SPIRITUAL DIMENSIONS OF VEDIC ASTROLOGY" - ROBERT KOCH

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

Dedication v

 

Acknowledgements vii

 

Preface, by Brendan Feeley ix

 

Introduction, by Robert A. Koch xi

 

Guide to Sanskrit Pronunciation ixx

 

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PART ONE – CREATION, VEDIC COSMOLOGY AND JYOTIÑA

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Chapter 1 – The Foundations of Spirituality in Jyotiña

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The Beginning of Creation 1

 

Näräyaëa as the Origin of Everything 1

 

Paramätmä and Jévätmä 3

 

Karmas of the Jévätmä - Three Essential Categories of Desire 3

- Akarma, or Naiñkarma – Work Which Frees One from the

- Cycles of Births and Deaths; Astrological Perspectives on

- Different Types of Karma; Astrological Positions Emphasizing

- Karmas 6

 

Other Varga Charts and Karma 6

 

Quadruple Expansions of Näräyaëa for the Purpose of Material Creation:

 

Väsudeva, Aniruddha, Pradyumna and Saìkarñaëa 6

 

Avatäras and Specific Functions 8

 

Daçävatära, or 10 Principle Pastime Incarnations (lélä-avatäras) 10

 

Vedic Theology and its Relevance to Jyotiña 11

 

Classification of Devatas 11

- Añöau vasavah – 8 Vasus: the First Principle of Jyotiña;

- Dvädaçädityäù – 12 Adityas: the Second Principle of Jyotiña;

- Ekädaça-rudrä – 11 Rudras: the Third Principle of Jyotiña;

- Indra and Prajäpati – the Fourth Principle of Jyotiña 11-14

 

Summarizing the Links to Jyotiña

 

Phalita Jyotiña; Äyur Jyotiña 11-15

 

Sign Types, Naksatras, Karakas and Progressions 15

- Sign Types (Cardinal, Dual, Fixed); Tattvas (Material

- Elements), Signs and Varnas (Vedic Social Order); Naksatras

- and Their Relation to Three Gunas and Brahmä, Viñëu, and

- Çiva; Detailed Classification of Naksatras 15-17

 

Kärakas 17

- Naiskargika Kärakas; Chara Kärakas; Significance of the

- Ätmakäraka; Seven and Eight Chara Käraka Systems;

- Differences Between Seven and Eight Chara Käraka Systems;

- Seven Chara Kärakas; Sthira Karakas – Ätma-saptama and

- Ätma-añöama 17-22

 

Visnu, Brahma and Siva, and Dasa Progressions 23

- Näräyaëa Dasa; Kendrädi Rasi Dasas; Lagna Kendrädi Rasi dasa;

 

Sudasa, or simply Rasi dasa; Ätmakäraka Kendrädi Rasi dasa;

 

Viñëu, Brahmä, Çiva and Divisional charts 23-26

 

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Chapter 2 – Essential Interpretive Principles

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The Importance of the Chara Ätmakäraka 27

 

Ätmakäraka – Definition and Importance 28

 

Strengths of Planets Relative to the Ätmakäraka 29

 

Dasa Periods of the Ätmakäraka 29

 

Exaltation and Debilitation According to Jaimini 29

 

Other Considerations Concerning Exaltation or Debilitation of Planets

30

 

Distinctions of Ätmakäraka – Debilitation, etc. 30

- Natural Malefics as Ätmakäraka; The Ätmakäraka in

- Debilitation; Cancellation of the Ätmakäraka in Debilitation;

- The Ätmakäraka under Affliction from Malefics; The

- Afflicted Ätmakäraka's Expression; The Ätmakäraka in

- Bhava-sandhi or Rasi-sandhi;

- The Retrogression (Vakra) or Combustion (Vikala) of the

- Ätmakäraka Planet; Retrograde Planets in Exaltation or

- Debilitation; The Sun, Moon and lagna lord as Ätmakäraka 30-36

 

Lessons of Planets as Chara Ätmäkaraka 36

 

Ätmakäraka in Navamsa Houses 38

 

Results of the Ätmakäraka in the Astrological houses 38

 

The Importance of Karakamsa Lagna, Iñöa-devatä and other Devatas 40

 

Räja-yogas with Reference to the Ätmakäraka 42

 

Other Details of Ätmakäraka Räja-yogas 44

 

Iñöa-devata and Other Devatas 44

- Determination of the Iñöa-devata;

- Planets Indicating Specific Iñöa-devatas 44-45

 

Deities per Paräçara, Jaimini and Harihara 46-47

 

Common Ätmakäraka and Iñöa-devatä 48

 

Other Devatas: Dharma-devata, Pälana-devata, Guru-devata 49

 

Drekkana Åñis, and their Relation to the Bhrätåkäraka and the Guru 50

 

Types of Gurus: Çikñä-guru, Dékñä-guru, Åtvic–guru, Chetah-guru 50

 

Kula-devata, Grama and Sthana-devatas 50-53

 

Case Study: Vaiñëava Monk 53-57

 

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Chapter 3 – Vedic Cosmology and the Astrological Houses

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The First House and Oàkära 59

 

Dhé (Intelligence) and the Four Äyanas and Four Naksatra Padas 60

 

Planets in the Lagna 61

 

Life Span Pertaining to the Four Äyanas 61

 

The Gäyatré Mantra and the Three Material Worlds 63

 

Sapta-loka and Sapta-tala 63

 

Käla Hora and the Lords of Seven Planetary Systems 64

 

The Seven Chakras and the Seven Lokas 65

 

The Visible Universe 66

 

The Tenth House 67

- Ten Avatäras of Viñëu, Ten Categories of Transcendental

- Knowledge and Ten Directions 67

 

The Fourth House 68

 

The Four Vedas, Four Kendras, Four Yugas and Animal Symbolisms 70

 

The Seventh House 71

 

The Saptamsa (D-7 or 7th Harmonic Chart) and Goddess Sarasvaté 72

 

The Seven Colors of the Soul 73

 

The Seven Mothers 74

 

Specific Planets and Sapta-rasas 75

 

Jyotir-lingas, Tithi and Disposition of the Mother and Father at the

Time of Conception 76

 

Tithi and Bhukta Tithi Sphuta and Rasi (Tithi-based degree and sign)

77

 

Tithi and Jala Tattva 79

 

Life Purpose as Indicated by the BTS and BTR 81

 

The Maha-Måtyuïjaya Mantra 82

 

Jyotir-linga Mantras 82

 

Mantra and Its Alignment to the Astrological Houses 83

- The Source of the Mantra; The Destination of the Mantra;

- Devata sthana, or Seat of the Deity 83-84

 

The Çoòakñari Mahä Mantra (Hare Kåñëa Mantra) 84

 

The fifth and Ninth Houses 85

 

Five Categories of Yogic Sädhana, Five Types of Mokña and Five

 

Types of Devotional Rasas 85

 

The Ninth House 86

 

Duñöhänas: 6th, 8th and 12th Houses 87

 

The 8th House; Añöäìga-yoga, and Eight-fold Yoga system 88

 

Pitfalls That the Yogi Must Avoid; Eight siddhis, or Yogic

Perfections 91

 

The 12th House 93

 

Concluding Remarks – House Emphasis in the Charts of

Spiritualists 102

 

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Chapter 4 – Käla-Puruña, Fourteen Divisions of the Universe

and the Punya Chakra

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The Käla-puruña, Twelve Zodiacal Signs and Measurements of Time 105

 

Time and the Process of Mäyä (Illusion) 106

 

The Sun As a Measurement of Time and Illusion 107

 

The Darkness of the Seven Talas 108

 

The Effect of the Illusion 108

 

The Käla-puruña, Five Tattvas and the Immediate Previous Life 109

 

Case Studies – The Previous Life 111

 

The Punya Chakra 114

 

Guidelines for Studying the Punya Chakra 115

 

Ñaò-ripus – Six Kinds of Weaknesses and Sins 115

 

Case Studies – Punya Chakra and the Next Life

 

Çukräcärya, Venus and Rebirth 132

 

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Chapter 5 – Astrological Principles Continued

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Arudha Padas: Purpose and Calculation 135

 

Calculating Arudhas and the Satya Principle 137

 

Dual Lordships of Scorpio and Aquarius 138

 

Parallels and Contradictions Between Arudhas 138

 

Arudhas and the Charts of Spiritualists 140

 

Graha Arudhas 141

 

Graha Dåñöi and Rasi Dåñöi (Aspects) 142

- Graha Dåñöi, Special Graha Dåñöi 143-144

 

Rasi Dåñöi 146

 

Argalas: Their Importance in Vedic Astrology 147

- Primary Argala, Secondary Argala 147

 

Virodha Argala (Obstruction) 148

 

Special Rules with regard to Ketu – reverse Argalas 148

 

Bandana-yoga 150

 

Argala Exercise 150

 

Important Yogas in the Charts of Spiritualists 148

- Parivraja-yoga, Tapasvé-yoga, Other Yogas for Tapasya,

- Concessions in Kali-yuga; Sadhu-yoga 151-154

 

Case Study – Çré Chandrasekhara 154-157

 

Other Yogas in the charts of Spiritualists – Yogas Involving

 

Kendras and Trikonas 158

 

Dharma-karmadhipati Yoga; Lakñmé-yoga; Gouri-yoga;

 

Çaìkha-yoga; Viñëu-yoga; Çiva-yoga; Hari, Hara and Brahmä-yogas 158-

160

 

Yogas involving Jupiter and Venus 160

- Sarasvaté-yoga; Bheri-yoga; Amsavatära-yoga; Kalanidhiyoga;

- Bharati-yoga 160-161

 

Yogas Involving Duñöhänas: 6th, 8th and 12th Houses 161

- Harsha-yoga; Sarala-yoga; Vimala-yoga; Viparit-Räja-yoga;

- Vasumati-yoga 161-163

 

Pärijäta-yoga or Kalpadruma-yoga 163

 

Mahä-puruña yoga: Combinations for Greatness 164

 

Other Yogas Involving Jupiter 164

- Gaja-keçaré-yoga; Guru-maìgala-yoga; Guru-caëòäla-yoga;

- Guru-çäpa or Brahma-çäpa yoga; Sarpa-çäpa – the

- "serpent's curse" 164-166

 

Yogas Involving Jupiter and the Nine Grahas 166

 

Yogas Indicating Spiritual Intelligences 166

 

Dhémantah-yoga 168

 

Case Study – Example of Dhémantah-yoga: Sridhara Mahäräja 169-170

 

Çäradä-yoga, Drekkanas, and Drekkana Åñis 170-171

 

Case Study – Example of Çäradä-yoga: Sanjay Rath 171-172

 

Yogas Showing Talent in Jyotiña 172

 

Case Study – Example of Talent in Jyotiña: Çré Achyuta 174-175

 

Yogas Involving Rähu and Ketu 175

- Käla-sarpa yoga and Käla-amåta yoga; Conditions Which

- Break the Käla-sarpa yoga and Käla-amåta yogas; Chayagraha

- Räja-yoga; Räja-yoga and Néca-bhanga Räja-yoga 176-179

 

Räja-yogas and Their Fructification 179

 

Viparit-Äyur yoga and Longevity; Natural Age of Planets 180

 

The Sun and Moon ignite and Sustain Räja-yogas 181

 

Case Studies on Räja-yogas – Bill Clinton and Ronald Reagan 181-184

 

Case Study – Tapasvé-yoga: Hatha Yoga Instructor 184-188

 

Case Study – Parivraja-yoga: Catholic Nun 188-190

 

Case Study – Spiritualist: Çré Viñëujana Svämé

- Other yogas – Räja-sambandha yoga, Sarpa-yoga 191-197

 

Answers to Argala Exercise – Chart 5.2, Vaiñëava Monk

- Primary Çubha-argalas; Secondary Çubha-argalas;

- Interpretations 197-200

 

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PART TWO – DRIG DASA

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Chapter 6 – Drig Dasa – Principles, Calculation and

Interpretation

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Meaning and Principles of Drig Dasa 201

 

Jyotiña and Drig Dasa 202

 

Drig Dasa: Method of Computation 203

- Sequence of Dasas; Saturn and Ketu Alter the Sequence of

- the Dasas; Exception for Dual Signs Rising; Lengths of

- Dasas; Dual Rulerships for Scorpio and Aquarius; Rules for

- Comparing the Strengths of Saturn-Rähu and Mars-Ketu;

- Exaltation-Debilitation for Rähu and Ketu; Determination

- of Sub-periods; Saturn and Ketu Exceptions; Determining

- the Stronger of Signs-Houses (in Hierarchical Order); The

- Second Cycle of Dasas 203-207

 

Drig Dasa – Guidelines for Interpretation 208

- Meeting the Guru; Dékñä (Spiritual Initiation);

- Consecration into Priesthood; Timing of Yogic Siddhis,

- Mystical Experiences, Miracles, or Study of Jyotiña; Çikñä

- and Dékñä gurus, Jupiter and Sun Respectively;

- Additional points regarding Rähu and Ketu; Authorship,

- Death or Samädhi, Pilgrimage to Holy Places 208-211

 

The Varga Scheme: Five Cycles of Harmonics 211

- The Drekkana (D-3) chart; Navamsa (D-9) or Dharmamsa;

- The Dasamsa Chart (D-10) or Svargamsa; the Vimsamsa

- (D-20) chart; Other considerations Regarding the

- Vimsamsa Chart; The Siddhamsa or Chaturvimsamsa

- (D-24) Chart; The Shastiamsa (D-60) Chart, Summary of

- Dharma in Varga Charts 211-215

 

The "Heart" of the devotee and the Six Orthodox Vedic

 

Philosophies (Ñaò-darçana) 216

- Mémäàsä or Karma-Mémäàsä; Säìkhya; Nyaya; Vedänta;

- Vaiçeñika; Yoga; Paka Lagna and the Dharma of

- Intelligence; The Heart of the Spiritualist; Notes on

- Buddhism 216-221

 

Drig Dasa in Varga Charts 222

 

Links and Comparisons to Näräyaëa and Vimsamsa Näräyaëa dasas and

Drig Dasa 222

 

Compression of Dasas 223

 

Rasi Dasas – Guidelines for Judgment 224

- Vantage Points from which to Judge Dasas; Deha and Jiva

- Rasis; Importance of the Paka and Bhoga rasis; Planets in

- the 7th form the Dasa Rasi; Relationship of Planets (Natal

- and Transit) and Signs to the Dasa Rasi; Relationship

- Between Argala and Rasi Dåñöi of Planets to the Dasa Rasi;

- Argala of the Dasa Sign to the Arudha Lagna; Arudha of

- Houses Relative to the Dasa Rasi; Bädhaka Planets; Piçäcé

- Bädhaka 224-228

 

Transits and Añöakavarga 228

 

Chart Illustrating Drig Dasa – Vaiñëava Monk 229

- Step One – Calculating the Drig Dasas; Dasas – Formulas,

- Considerations and Exceptions; 1st and 2nd Cycles of Dasas;

- Sub-period Calculations; Pre-Disposition toward

- Spirituality; Specific Yogas; Ätmakäraka and Iñöa-devata;

- Argala of the Iñöa-devata; Interpretations of Dasas

- Respective to Significant Spiritual Events; Events and

- Corresponding Drig Dasas 229-244

 

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Chapter 7 – Mystics, Stigmatists and Saints – Case Studies

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Case Study #1 – The Stigmata Phenomenon and Saint Padre Pio 246-258

 

Case Study #2 – Therese Neumann – Catholic Nun and Stigmatist 258-269

 

Case Study #3 – Lucia Dos Santos and the "Fatima Miracle" 269-279

 

Case Study #4 – Edgar Cayce, "The Sleeping Prophet" 279-292

 

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Chapter 8 – Vaiñëava Saints – Case Studies

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Case Study #5 – Srila Puri Mahäräja 293-312

 

Case Study #6 – Srila Sridhara Mahäräja 312-329

 

Case Study #7 – Çré Çrémad A.C. Bhaktivedanta Svämé Prabhupäda 329-355

 

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Chapter 9 – Horoscopes of Avatäras –

Çré Kåñëa and Çré Caitanya Mahäprabhu

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Avatäras and Their purpose of Descending 357-358

 

Potential Problems in the Horoscopes of Avatäras 358

 

Charts of Avatäras 358

 

Classical References to Avatäras and Astrological Criteria

- Applying in Their Charts; Other Combinations That May

- apply in the Charts of Avatäras 358-360

 

The Kälacakra and Astrological Signs Representing the Various

Yugas; Yugas, Avatäras, and Yuga-dharma 360-365

 

Avatära Çré Kåñëa Caitanya Mahäprabhu 365

- Purpose of Çré Caitanya's Appearance and Lélä; Three

- Segments of Çré Caitanya's Lifetime; Noteworthy Historical

- Facts, Astrological Symptoms of an Avatära; Combinations

- for Vaiñëavism; Combinations for the Attainment of

- Complete Knowledge; Combinations for Avatäras; Drig

- Dasas for Çré Caitanya Mahäprabhu 366-374

 

Avatära Bhagavän Çré Kåñëa 374-376

- Hierarchy of Avatäras and Their Purpose of Descent;

- Matters that Cannot be Explained; Matters that can be

- Explained; Complete Strength, Complete Beauty and

- Charm; Possessor of Mystic Perfections (Siddhis);

- Possessor of Full Knowledge; Unlimited Fame;

- Combinations for Avatäras Applying in Çré Kåñëa's Chart;

- Common Planet as Iñöa-devata and Ätmakäraka; Navamsa

- Charts of Çré Kåñëa and Çré Caitanya Mahäprabhu 376-383

 

Summary of Similarities Between the Navamsa Charts of Çré Kåñëa and

Çré Caitanya Mahäprabhu 383-384

 

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LIST OF CHARTS

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2.1: Vaiñëava Monk 53

3.1: Srila Rämänujäcärya (attainment of mokña) 94

3.2: Female (advanced spiritualist, humanitarian, and Bhakti-yogi) 97

3.3: Jayananda Dasa (Ambassador of Rathayatra in America) 99

4.1: Lucia Dos Santos (past life among gods and goddesses) 111

4.2: John Allen Muhammad (repetition of human birth on earth) 112

4.3: Edgar Cayce (descendant from the realm of sages and saints) 113

4.4: Male Monk (ascension from the lower regions) 114

4.5: Mahätmä Gandhi – Punya Chakra 118

4.6: Indira Gandhi – Punya Chakra 119

4.7: Rajiv Gandhi – Punya Chakra 121

4.8: The Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. – Punya Chakra 122

4.9: Saint Mother Theresa of Calcutta – Punya Chakra 124

4.10: Vivekananda Svami – Punya Chakra 125

4.11: Hansadutta dasa – Apamåtyu Punya Chakra (return from death) 127

4.12: Jayananda Dasa – Punya Chakra 129

4.13: Srila Prabhupäda – Punya Chakra 130

4.14: Paramahansa Yogananda – Natal Chart 133

5.1: Former US Vice President Al Gore – Arudha Principles 142

5.2: Argala Exercise – Vaiñëava Monk 150

5.3: Çré Chandrasekhara – Parivraja-yoga and Tavasvé-yoga 154

5.4: Srila Sridhara Mahäräja – An Example of Dhémantah-yoga 169

5.5: Sanjay Rath – Example of Çäradä-yoga 171

5.6: Çré Achyuta – One of the Greatest Jyotiña of All Time 174

5.7: Former US President Bill Clinton – Räja-yogas 181

5.8: Former US President Ronald Reagan – Räja-yogas 183

5.9: Hatha-yoga Instructor – Tapasvé-yoga 184

5.10: Catholic Nun – Parivraja-yoga 188

5.11: Çré Viñëujana Svämé 191

6.1: Vaiñëava Monk – (D-1 and D-20) 229

7.1: Saint Padre Pio – D-1, D-9 and D-20 246

7.2: Therese Neumann – D-1 and D-9 259

7.3: Lucia Dos Santos – D-1, D-9 and D-20 270

7.4: Edgar Cayce – D-1 and D-9 279

8.1: Srila Puri Mahäräja – D-1, D-9 and D-20 294

8.2: Srila Puri Mahäräja – Punya Chakra 310

8.3: Srila Sridhara Mahäräja – D-1, D-9 and D-20 313

8.4: Lord Çré Rämacandra – D-1 320

8.5: Srila Prabhupäda – D-1, D-9 and D-20 330

9.1: Çré Caitanya – D-1 and D-9 365

9.2: Çré Kåñëa – D-1 and D-9 375

 

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LIST OF TABLES

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1.1: Deities of Creation, Three Gunas and Manifestations 7

1.2: Gross and Subtle Elements, Senses, Deity, and Rulers 8

1.3: 10 Planetary Deities, Controller, Devata, Avatära 10

1.4: Tattva, Signs, Varna, Deity 15

1.5: Naksatra Groups, Gunas, Ganam, Deity 16

1.6: Naksatra Number, Name, Lord, Guna, Ganam, Type 17

1.7: Chara Kärakas – Numbers, Names, Definitions, Rules 19

1.8: Sthira Kärakas 23

2.1: Planets and Ruling Deities 46

2.2: Planets, Viñëu Avatäras and Mantras 47

2.3: Drekkanas and Åñis 50

2.4: Åñis and Gunas 50

3.1: Chakras, Lokas and Ruling Deities 65

3.2: Four Yugas, Kendras and Vedas 71

3.3: Saptamsa and Rasas 76

3.4: Jyotir-linga Mantras 83

3.5: Steps of the Yogic Ladder, Prakåti, and Planetary Symbolisms 91

4.1: Lokas and Talas in the Käla-puruña 106

4.2: Five Tattvas and Divisions of the Käla-puruña 109

4.3: Ñaò-ripus and Planetary Significators 115

5.1: Tattva and Mahä-puruña yogas 164

5.2: Signs, Drekkanas and Åñis 171

5.3: Åñis, Status and Gunas 171

5.4: Planets, Ages and Duration of Dasa Periods 180

6.1: Drig Mahä Dasa Calculations for Vaiñëava Monk 234

6.2: Vaiñëava Monk – Drig Dasa Sub-periods (Antaradasas) 236

6.3: Life Events and Drig dasa/Antaradasas for Vaiñëava Monk 239

7.1: Drig Mahä Dasas – Saint Padre Pio 250

7.2: Events and Associated Drig Dasas: Saint Padre Pio 251

7.3: Drig Mahä Dasas – Therese Neumann 264

7.4: Life Events and Drig Dasas for Therese Neumann 264

7.5: Drig Mahä Dasas – Lucia Dos Santos 274

7.6: Events and Drig Dasas for Lucia dos Santos 274

7.7: Events and Drig Dasas for Edgar Cayce 286

8.1: Srila Puri Mahäräja – Life Events, Drig Dasas, and Transits 304

8.2: Srila Sridhara Mahäräja – Drig Mahä Dasas 321

8.3: Sridhara Mahäräja – Life Events, Drig Dasas, and Transits 323

8.4: Srila Prabhupäda – Life Events and Drig Dasas 347

8.5: Srila Prabhupäda – Drig Maha Dasas 347

9.1: The Kälacakra – Schematic Tables 361

9.2: Yugas, Astrological Signs and Metals 363

9.3: Yugas, Avatäras, and Yuga-dharma 365

9.4: Event Dates, Drig Dasas – Çré Caitanya 371

 

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LIST OF FIGURES

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4.1: Internal and External Lokas and Talas 109

6.1: Ñaò-darçana – The Six Orthodox Vedic Philosophies 216

9.1: Añöadala Padma (Eight-petal Lotus) – The Basis of The Kälacakra

362

 

CONCLUSION 385

 

BIBLIOGRAPHY 387

 

 

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FOREWORD

 

By Brendan Feeley

 

 

I regard it to be a great honor to write the foreword to this

scholarly work. Robert Koch is an advanced Jyotina of a high order

and those who are familiar with his teaching and work, especially

over the past decade, will welcome this book. He is not only a

scholar of Jyotina but also of Vedic knowledge and his background is

uniquely suited to the topic he has presented here. He has dedicated

his life to the pursuit of spiritual knowledge from his early

twenties when he received Dekna initiation from his beloved Guru, Cre

Cremad A.C. Bhaktivedanta Svami Prabhupada in March, 1971. His Guru

was tireless in His promotion of Kanea Consciousness and in spreading

the teachings of the Bhagavad-geta and Cremad-Bhagavatam throughout

the world and Robert was tireless in his dedication to his Guru.

During those years, he abandoned all the pursuits of material comfort

at an age when the typical individual is in hot pursuit of an

education that will lead to professional success and financial

stability in the world. Instead, he dedicated himself to the study of

the most important scriptures of Vedic India and the Hindu religion,

the Bhagavad-geta and the Cremad-Bhagavatam. The Bhagavad-geta is

said to be the prime Upaninad as it delineates the essence of Atma-

vidya (spiritual knowledge in all its various categories), while

the Cremad- Bhagavatam is the crown jewel of all the scriptures of

the Vedas as it embodies all the spiritual philosophies of India. It

reveals the eternal svarupa or personal form of God in His various

incarnations, and that selfless dedication to Him within the heart

(bhakti) ensures liberation from the pains of ignorance and material

existence. In addition to the years he spent in India as a brahmacare

(celibate priest), Robert served as head pujari (priest) at several

ISKCON temples in America and Canada, and with this background he is

well qualified to present the subject of spiritual Jyotina to both

East and West.

 

 

His extraordinary background comes through the pages of this volume

and it soon becomes obvious that his dedication to his subject is

just as intense as the earlier impulse that brought him on his long

and rewarding spiritual journey through the vast volumes of Vedic

literature. This excellent work sets a new standard for both student

and practitioner of this sacred science and the book should soon

become a requirement for serious students, especially those who are

courageous enough to venture into the vast and unfathomable ocean of

Paracari and Jaimini Jyotina. Not only does he produce a new set of

predictive techniques to examine spirituality in the natal chart, but

Robert also presents the material in a context that is steeped in the

richness of Vedic cosmology and spirituality. The important point

here is that his writing honors the depth of the tradition and

culture of India. Jyotina in the West is too often presented as a

mechanical model devoid of the cultural and spiritual underpinnings

of its origins, and in my experience the subject cannot be completely

understood without an appreciation for the stories, attitudes,

beliefs, values, rites and rituals, dramas, festivals, religion and

philosophies of that culture.

 

Jyotina is a Vedaega, a limb of the Vedas, and as such it reflects

the light (Jyoti) that leads souls to God-realization ultimately. The

task of the Jyotina, therefore, is to see the will of God in the

natal chart and to guide the souls on the path of Godrealization.

Throughout the chapters of this book, we learn that the intention of

the soul, the Atma, is to be seen by examining the status of the

Atmakaraka planet and its placement in the chart. In addition, we

learn that the Inoa-devata, which is determined from the placement of

the Atmakaraka, is the aspect of the Divine that we should worship to

overcome our suffering and misery in this world. Once the Inoa-devata

is determined, appropriate mantras and spiritual practices can be

recommended to the individual to help him overcome the past karmas

which obstruct the path to spiritual enlightenment. These are vital

teachings for any Jyotina, for our first responsibility is to guide

individuals towards the path of mokna or ultimate spiritual

liberation. In addition, Robert Koch has presented an entirely

original research on Drig daca, a predictive tool presented by

Mahaani's Paracara and Jaimini for determining periods of spiritual

initiation, meeting of one's Guru, as well as years of life where

great steps can be made on one's spiritual journey.

 

The teachings of the Vedas are not the product of the human mind, and

thus Jyotina cannot be invented by any human being. As Jyotinis, we

have to learn the science that was given to us by the great Ani's and

apply our intelligence in the application of that science.

 

In my opinion, Robert Koch has proven to all of us that he is a rare

exponent of this science and his work honors the teachings of his

Jyotina Guru and the Parampara (disciplic lineage) to which we belong.

 

Brendan Feeley M.A., N.D.

Jyotina Guru, SJC

Parampara, Cre Achyuta Das

Rockville, MD. USA