By

V K Shridhar, India

B
arack H. Obama took oath at 11.55
ET on 20th January, 2013 in White

V. K. Shridhar is author of
House, as President of USA. He
also took another oath on 21st January, 2013.
compendium on Vedic Muhurt astrology Astrologically his oath on 20th should be
titled “Hindu Electional Astrology”. A considered and not on 21st. If one
solemnises marriage ceremonies twice on
voluminous book containing all aspects
successive days, his second
of Muhurta that cannot be found in any
ceremony/celebrations has no astrological
other book. His work has received rave signification. Before taking oath on 21st, he
reviews and has been proclaimed as the was official President.
best work on Muhurta so far compiled by
The following analysis is based purely on
any Indian author. Mr K N Rao has
astrological data, not considering a host of
written the foreword for the book, which
other factors like omens, status of mind,
is available only on Saptarishis direction faced, style of breathing,
Astrology Book store compulsion of holding ceremony,
http://shop.saptarishisastrology.com propitiation done, environmental status in
respect of its purification by incantation
He can be contacted at
etc., at the time of taking oath. Of course
besttime.election@gmail.com this time he had taken oath without
stammering or break, as shown through the
electronic media.
Diagnosis of the oath according to according to Muhurt branch of Vedic astrology has many
facets, but only three aspects are discussed here viz, Gunas & Doshas present at that moment
(Muhurt Significations), beneficence/maleficence of the moment with respect to the native
(Radical Considerations) and election chart analysis considering the former two factors
along with general astrological considerations.

Muhurt Significations:

Panchanga elements at the moment: 10th Tithi. (Bright Half), Bharni Nakshatra, Shubha
Yoga, Taitil Karan, Sunday.

10th Tithi: A Poorna Tithi indicates fulfilment of desires, luminous Moon during the Bright
Half further makes the Tithi efficacious, favourable for coronation.

Bharni Nakshatra: a cruel Nakshatra fundamentally used for destruction/poisoning of

enemy, capture, courageous works, fire related works, entry into fort, weapons, arms &
ammunition etc. Becomes crueller as the Moon is in its fourth quarter, Scorpio Navamsha—
enhancing its nature to extreme malevolent/brutal (the Moon with Ketu occupying sign &
Navamsha of Mars, and aspected fully by Mars in D-1, D-9 & D-10).

Sunday: the most suitable for coronation/oath by a king/head of a state. The Sun, day lord is
well placed in 10th house.

Hora: Saturn’s Hora was prevailing, generally used for poisoning, weapons, lying, theft, land
activities among others. Malefic Hora lord is inimical to the day lord — an undesired /
unfavourable factor in Muhurt.
Shubha Yoga: a beneficial one, its tutelary lord is Lakshami.

Karan: Taitil, a beneficial one.

Brihaspati Samhita (3/203,204) states that an auspicious work initiated in fore-noon, Poorva
Paksha (Brighjt Half), Uttrayana & in Taitil Karan on an unalloyed pure day is held as
fortuitous: and different from this fails to attain success (to be understood in holistic view of
the Samhita). All these elements are complied here, except fully pure day, which is possible
very very rarely.

Ravi Yoga: the Moon in 9th Nakshatra from that of the Sun—strong beneficial Yoga, capable to
annihilating even strong Doshas.

Amrit Yoga: formed by concurrence of 10th Tithi & Sunday—a very favourable auspicious
Yoga, sanctifying further the Poorna Tithi—& completion of leftover works in the instant
case.

Dagdha Yoga, Jawalamukhi Yoga: formed by concurrence of Sunday & Bharni Nakshatra—
burns & destroys initiated work & beneficences—has sullied both weekday & Nakshatra,
preventing to give their benefic effects. Sullied, because we are examining the Muhurt for an
auspicious/good cause. Such influenced Bharni is suitable for the works mentioned above.

Most of the exponents have opined that Mercury in 10th house is not welcome in good elections.

Though the Sun in 10th house is beneficial but it does not meet the requirements of Abhijin
Muhurt which was prevailing between 11h 59m to 12h 39m (E.T.).

In respect of universal consideration of the time: Tithi, Yoga, Karan, & the Sun are
efficacious for beneficial (shubh) effects; but Nakshatra, weekday & Hora are sullied for
certain detrimental effects (ashubh). In the opinion of the author two powerful Amrit &
Ravi Yogas, inherently potent to nullify adverse effects of Doshas (like Dagdha,
Jawalamukhi, & Saturn Hora) are not fully operative because the planetary positions in D-1, D-9 &
D-10 charts are rather adverse. Bharni has attained a very high degree of maleficence. In Vedic
electional astrology, Nakshatra occupied by the Moon is the fundamental for siddhi in an election, and
all other elements have supportive roles. When the current Nakshatra itself is sullied, effects
shall be accordingly. Perhaps presence of Abhijin Muhurt could have been a saviour.

Other elements of Muhurt are dilated under election chart significations.

Radical considerations

B
irth data of Barrack H. Obama has been considered as August 4, 1961, at 19.24 hrs. in
Honolulu, USA. As per Nirayan (sidereal system) the ascendant is Capricorn 24°
43’, the Sun Cancer 19° 13’, the Moon Taurus 10° 2’, Mars Leo 29° 15’, Mercury Leo 9°
0’ , Jupiter Capricorn 7° 32’ Rt, Venus Gemini 8° 28’, Saturn 2° 00’ Ret., Rahu Aquarius 3° 59’.

In addition to radical ascendant, his horoscope should be examined with respect of Janma
Rashi (Taurus), latter being stronger. Janma Nakshatra is Rohini, ascendant Nakshatra may
not be considered. Taurus has 34 points in Samudaya Ashtakvarga, while radical ascendant only
23.

At the time of oath, Bharni Nakshatra was 26th from Janma Nakshatra (Mitra Tara, in third
triad)—a favourable one.

The Moon was transiting 12th sign from Janma Rashi—an adverse transit. In the opinion of
some, both Tara & the Moon should be favourable for full Siddhi (fruition of the desires &
success).

The Sun transit in Aquarius was middling; Saturn transiting had Vedha from the Moon,
election ascendant Aries lord Mars transit was middling. In another opinion for male natives
having Taurus Janma Rashi, the Sun’s transit in 9th & Venus in 8th sign from Janma Rashi
are not favourable transits —which were present at that moment.

10th Tithi is Ghaat Tithi for Taurus Janma Rashi. However presence of Amrit Yoga (Sunday on 10th
Tithi) effect of the Ghaat Tithi is nullified, by sanctification of the Tithi by the Yogas.

Maha Dasha of Saturn, Dasha of Saturn & Antra Dasha of Mercury started on Jan,14, 2013—
a beneficial for the native, Saturn being ascendant lord & highly beneficial for Taurus Janma
 1
Rashi . Mercury is in 7th & friend of Saturn in addition to lord of benefic houses from both
radical ascendant as well as Janma Rashi. Logic is not extended here, being a subject itself.

Election chart significations

E
lection chart as on January 20, 2013, 11.55 ET, at White House, USA: as per Nirayan
(sidereal system) the ascendant is Aries 18° 17, the Sun Aquarius 6° 46’, the Moon
25° 33’, Mars Aquarius 26° 10’, Mercury Aquarius 8° 18’, Jupiter 12° 27’ Ret., Venus 20°
24’, Saturn Libra 16° 45’, Rahu Libra 29° 40’. This chart shall not only indicate about the
President but also about the country, USA.

Election ascendant Aries has 32 points in Samudaya Ashtavarga chart of native—a

2
favourable one. Its lord Mars is enemy of radical ascendant lord Saturn, as well as Janma
Rashi lord Venus—very unfavourable—an undesired feature in Muhurt astrology. Further
Aries is 12th sign from Janma Rashi—highly unfavourable as per dictums of Muhurt.

Further election ascendant lord is inimical to D-9 lord Mercury & D-10 lord Venus.
Therefore D-9 & D-10 election charts are not synchronising with D-1 chart of the election—a
requirement considered essential for better fruition, by some exponents.

1This is a very subtle point by the author and overlooked by most astrologers that is seeing if the Asc lord is beneficial for
the Moon Sign. – SA Publisher
2 The author is a scholar in Muhurtha and has shown some rare methods of taking the Muhurtha Asc sign and checking its

SAV in the natal chart of the native to see its favorableness. – SA Publisher
In election chart (D-1), its lord is exalted & placed in 10th house (upachaya)—a highly
beneficial for fruition of success. Mars, lord of Kendra with the Sun, lord of Kona, making a
strong Yoga for power & success. Full aspect of Jupiter (lord of 9th) further strengthens it.
Trade & commerce (10th), diplomacy (5th) & righteousness (9th, but with own concepts,
Jupiter being retrograde) shall flourish during his tenure. Retrograde Jupiter lord of 12 th
(expenditure) in 2nd house (treasury) shall cause difficulties in expenditure (planning &
execution). Exchange of 2nd & 9th (wealth & luck) lords shall bring stability in national
coffers, which is already in a delicate state.

The Moon is mind of the election, which must be examined in depth. In D-1, D-9 & D-10
charts the Moon is aspected fully by Mars; and disposition of Mars is not favourable in the
latter two charts, being placed in 12th & 8th houses respectively. Further the Moon is
debilitated in D-9 charts. The Moon (in Mrityu Ansha) is in adverse aspect of Saturn & Rahu
in D-1, making it highly afflicted. Venus has aspect on the Moon in D-1 & D-10 is perhaps
only remedy. Bharni as election ascendant as well as Moon’s Nakshatra has afflicted the
election to a very high degree of maleficence. High affliction of the Moon is the most
undesirable in any auspicious and benefic election. Afflicted Moon shall practically nullify
most of the favourable features in this election. As a result the mind shall lack in
stability/calmness, incline to engage in war like situations (Mars with 6th lord Mercury),
opposition from Senate & House (7th house —visible opponents/associates).

The natural instinct of USA to remain continually engaged in global war activities
supressing enemies shall continue, despite pressure from global fraternity (viswakutambh—
represented by Jupiter aspecting from 2nd house). Exalted Mars in D-1 with 6th lord Mercury
(debilitated in D-9), indicates that apparent military supremacy shall continue with some
victories over enemies, but adverse positions of Mars (12th in D-9 & 8th in D-10) indicate
some latent losses in military status. Mars is significator of a number of things, but here its
role in war/ brutality has been emphasised because its relation with the Moon (mind) and
being with Mercury (6th lord – enemy significator) in 10th house (karmas). In Hindu
electional astrology Mercury is not welcome in 10th house. Mars being lord of 8th (hidden
matters) in 10th (karams) indicates that some breakthrough research work & exploration.
Mercury (6th lord, its Mooltrikona sign, indicator of debts) being not well placed, indicates
debt situation may not improve.

Position of Rahu or Ketu in an election ascendant is not welcome, as this destroys all types
of initiated works. However there is an antidote for the same. Rahu or Ketu give benefic effects in
ascendant of an election chart when, quadrant is occupied by a benefic planet & rising sign of
Navamsha chart in not occupied by a malefic planet (Brihaspati Samhita-4/15, 24/72). In D-9 & D-
10 charts the required antidote has not been met. Ascendant of D-9 is debilitated & conjoined
with malefic Saturn & Sun; and other Kendras are not occupied by benefics, but have Rahu
& Ketu. Apparent opposition shall be from Senate & friends (11th lord in 7th), and lower class
community represented by Rahu.

Second terms of former US Presidents have been full of turmoil, which is also seen here.
Despite upper hand of adverse aspects, the President shall steer through with lot of
difficulties, much more than faced during his first term.

This article deals with logic based on Indian Muhurt (electional) astrology and the data
available to the public, and the discussion is purely academic in nature.