This was an article published in the journal the

'Modern Astrology'. I thank Mrs Gayatridevi Vasudev,

the editor, for allowing me to share the article in social
media. I hope you will enjoy reading this.

Decoding Devakeralam
By Dr. K. Guru Rajesh

Glimpses of Jyotisha Techniques

 Devakeralam or Chandra Kala Nadi authored by
Achyuta and Venkatesa is a voluminous work extending to
more than 9000 Slokas in two volumes and belongs to the
category of Nadi literature in Vedic astrology. Though its
original manuscript is with Government Oriental Manuscript
Library, Chennai, which published it in 1950, the richness
of its astrological knowledge was first introduced to the
English readers by the late C.S. Patel. Later, the late R.
Santhanam published the entire Sanskrit text with English
translation. With due respect to these late scholars, I
proceed to present before the esteemed readers the results
of my own study of this great work.

Apparently, both Sri Patel and Sri Santhanam had

assumed that Devakeralam does not deal with actual
horoscopes, unlike other Nadi works, because the work
uses Nadiamsas. "Nadi texts are of two kinds. One uses a
certain starting point, known as particular Nadiamsa, which
rises in the eastern horizon at birth e.g. Vasudha,
Vaishnavi, Brahmi etc; while the other one deals with the
actual horoscopes; showing all planetary positions and
giving entire life histories of natives. The present chapter
deals with the former one ... " says C.S. Patel in the
9th Chapter of his book Nadi Astrology. Santhanam also
writes in the preface to his English translation of
Devakeralam, "He (Achyuta) had also quoted Garga,
Vasishta, Parasara, Yavana etc ... These Nadis, unlike
Saptharishi apparently contained principles usable in
predictive astrology and not full-fledged horoscopes ... ".
Anyone going through the works of these scholars on
Devakeralam can observe that this assumption was always
there at the back of their mind. While Patel culled out and
presented the general rules quoted in the work, the entire
English translation of Santhanam is influenced by the above
idea. This resulted in missing the spirit of the general rules
at some places and in a mostly redundant English
translation. Added to this, the poor editing of the original
Sanskrit text at places made the English translation
erroneous at those places.

A deep and repeated study of Devakeralam has

revealed to me that the text, in fact, deals with actual
horoscopes that can be constructed by the hints that are
intelligently embedded within the text. The horoscope
including Rasi and Navamsa positions of planets that are
mentioned in the discussion and the birth star with its Pada
can be known, from which the entire discussion becomes
meaningful and instructive. All the general principles
enumerated are demonstrated by the horoscope.
Encouraged by this discovery, I started grouping the entire
text in terms of different charts and started the further
intensive study.

Based on Nadiamsas
 There is an element in Devakeralam which is
discouraging to serious astrologers. It is the fact of the text
being based primarily on Nadi Amsas which are very minute
150th parts of a sign. Added to this, the text divides each
Nadiamsa into two parts, Purvamsa and Uttaramsa, and
further into four parts, each pertaining to the four Varnas.
Given the problem of correct birth time recording and the
controversies shrouding the Ayanamsa, practical minded
people shun studying and applying Devakeralam.
Nevertheless, I found that, besides the Nadiamsas, more
than 60% of the text actually uses conventional astrological
principles which can be grouped under the following heads.

Bhava and Yoga Analysis: Great insights can be obtained

by studying the way Devakeralam analyses a Bhava using
various parameters like Rasi, Navamsa, Arudha,
Ashtakavarga etc. Different types of Yogas, both famous
and not so well-known, can be learnt from the work.
Cancellations of various benefic and malefic Yogas find a
place here, which is rare to find in other classical texts.
Predictions regarding different relatives of the native, even
the distant ones like cousins, their spouses and children are
also made in the work.

Use of Vargas: Devakeralam extensively uses the

Navamsa position of planets in the analysis of Bhavas,
Yogas and effects of Dasas. Besides Navamsa, other
Vargas like Dwadasamsa, Trimsamsa and Shastyamsa
have also been applied.
Use of Arudha: The text demonstrates the way to use
Arudha Padas in Bhava analysis and also Dasa predictions.
At several places, Arudha and Ashtakavarga are used in
tandem.

Use of Ashtakavarga: Ashtakavarga usage has been

demonstrated at several places to quantify the things to
predict. The number of siblings of the parents, of the native
etc., is predicted using prediction principles of
ashtakavarga. Further, the age that may prove dangerous
to the native as also the age from which the native's life
becomes productive can be known by these principles.

Use of Dasas: It uses Vimshottari Dasa mainly to predict

the unfolding of the events in the native's life. Kala Chakra
Dasa also finds extensive usage in most of the horoscopes
discussed. Besides this, a few horoscopes have been
explained using Rasi Dasas, mostly Chara Dasa.

Use of Transits: Transits of Saturn and Jupiter find wide

usage in timing of various good and bad events. The
Navamsa positions of planets are extensively considered
here. Transit analysis is used along with the Dasas to
pinpoint the event.

Mundane and Political Predictions: Interestingly,

Devakeralam demonstrates the way to predict mundane
and political events from an individual's horoscope which
include death or defeat of the rulers, revolutions, famines,
wars etc. Saturn's transit in various signs has been used
independently to predict troubles in various parts of
southern India.

Remedies: The text is replete with remedial measures to

ward off the evil results of planetary afflictions. They seem
to be culled from authentic Smriti and Mantra Sastra works
and are of great practical use.

Miscellaneous: The text also includes a variety of

information on the usage of Rashmis; prediction of Janma
Rasi and Lagna (Ascendant) of the spouse, children,
employer etc; prenatal epoch and mentioning of various
planetary Nadis from which additional information has been
solicited.

The entire text of Devakeralam deals with actual

horoscopes. I have given some of the horoscopes
discussed, highlighting the conventional tools of astrology
employed in their analysis.

The chart I is given under Slokas 188 to 367 in Volume

1. The birth start is Poorvashada 2ndquarter and the birth
Dasa will be of Venus. The following are some of the points
discussed in the text with regard to Chart 1.
(i) The Ascendant lord Jupiter is with 8th lord Moon in the
Ascendant and receives the aspect of Mars, a natural
malefic. The text says that Jupiter having 5 bindus in his
Ashtakavarga, joining the 8th lord and aspected by malefic
Mars will cause great danger to the life of the child at the
age of 5 years (Sloka 196).

(ii) The Moon placed in Sagittarius Rasi and Virgo Navamsa

makes Aquarius as the Deha-Rasi and Virgo as the Jeeva-
Rasi as per Kala Chakra Dasa system (Sloka
320). (Because of poor editing, the word deha is printed
as dvesha whose consequence can be noted in the
accompanying English translation). The presence of Rahu
in Virgo (and Saturn in Aquarius) at the time of birth
indicates that the native will almost die in the very first year
of his birth but will recover and survive (Sloka 321).

(iii) Whenever the junction between two signs of Kala

Chakra Dasa or two Dasas of Vimshottari coincide with the
transit of Saturn in the Jeeva-Rasi, the native will
experience a lot of trouble in his life including unfortunate
events to his kin. When the Libra Chakra Dasa ends and
Scorpio Chakra Dasa starts for the present native which
coincides with the transit of Saturn from Virgo, the Jeeva-
Rasi, into Libra, he will experience very bad times like
untimely death (Apamrutyu). This happens from the
19th year to the 21st year of the native. As a remedy he
should give an image of the Zodiac in donation (Slokas 322-
326).

(iv) Saturn being the lord of Bhagyarudha (Arudha of

9th house) placed in own sign and obtaining Capricorn
Navamsa indicates that the native's father will be of angry
disposition inwards, pleasing in appearance and a
miser (Sloka 267, 268). The Sun, the lord of the 9th house,
is in Taurus, the 10th from Leo. Counting 10 signs from
Taurus comes to Aquarius where Saturn is his placed in
own sign.

(v) Saturn placed in Aquarius obtaining Capricorn

Navamsa (Makaramsayute Mande wrongly typed
as Makaramsekujemande in Sanskrit) and Venus placed in
Pisces obtaining Aquarius Navamsa indicates obstructions
in the native's marriage. For any person born in any
Nadiamsa, Saturn in the 3rd creates hurdles whenever
marriage efforts are made. After failure of two or three
attempts, the native will get married (Slokas 219-221).
Jupiter obtaining the Navamsa of
Mercury(Budhamsa wrongly typed as Brahmamsa in
Sanskrit) and Venus obtaining Aquarius Navamsa indicates
that the native will marry a girl in his birth place and she will
be hailing from the North direction. The Ascendant lord
Jupiter in Gemini, the 7th sign from the Rasi Ascendant and
Karaka Venus in a fixed Navamsa indicates a wife from the
birth place while Venus placed in Pisces indicates a wife
from North direction.

(vi) The 8th lord Moon joining the Ascendant lord Jupiter
indicates that the native will be fortunate in the Vipat Dasa
(third Dasa from birth - that is Moon Dasa). The native will
have Raja Yoga during this period enjoying conveyances,
ornaments, prominent position in society and a lot of wealth.
He will beget children in this Dasa and his own sister will
also prosper (Slokas 240-241).

(vii) When Saturn in transit moves into Sagittarius and

obtains Virgo Navamsa, death of the native's mother is to
be predicted. Otherwise, she may die when transiting
Saturn aspects the 11thhouse, the 8th from the 4th house.
Similarly, transit Saturn moving in Taurus and obtaining
Aries Navamsa may kill the native's father. This event may
also happen when transit Saturn moves in trines to the sign
occupies by the Sun in Navamsa (Slokas 300- 301). Note
that Matrukaraka Moon occupies Sagittarius sign and Virgo
Navamsa while Pitrukaraka Sun occupies Taurus sign and
Aries Navamsa.

(viii) The native will have a lifespan that will end during the
Dasa of the Ascendant lord Jupiter and Bhukti of 8th lord
Moon (Sloka 258). During the Dasa of Aries of Kala Chakra
Dasa which coincides with the Jupiter Vimshottari Dasa, the
transit of Saturn in Aries will precipitate the death of the
native in the solar months of Sagittarius or Gemini or
Virgo (Slokas 362-63). Note that these three signs are
influenced by the 8th lord Moon in Rasi and Navamsa.

Chart 2 comes under Slokas 548 to 637 in Volume I.

The birth star of the native is Revati 3rdquarter and the birth
Dasa will be of Mercury. The following are some of the
points discussed in the text about the horoscope.
(i) The Ascendant lord Saturn obtaining a movable
Navamsa and joined by Mars results in some physical
deformity for the native's mother or his elder
sister (Sloka 548). Note that Mars is the 4thand 11th Lord.

(ii) The 9th Lord Mercury occupying Gemini Navamsa while

Rahu is in the 9th house receiving the aspect of the Moon
indicates that the native's sister will be involved with a
paramour (Sloka 551). Note that 9th house is the 7th house
from the 3rd house.

(iii) When the Ascendant falls in Capricorn obtaining Leo

Navamsa, while Ascendant lord joins the 4th lord
Mars (kujasamyute wrongly typed as guru samyute in
Sanskrit), the native's mother will be ugly in appearance
and wicked in nature and she does not heed her
husband (Sloka 552).

(iv) When the Arudha of the 4th house falls in Sagittarius,

the 4th lord occupies Aquarius with Saturn and Jupiter
occupies Sagittarius, the native's maternal grandfather will
be very fortunate. He will be blessed with many siblings and
progeny and will have many conveyances. He will be
famous in the court of kings (Sloka 555-556). Note that
4th lord Mars is in Aquarius, the 11th sign therefrom.
Counting 11th signs from Aquarius brings us to Sagittarius,
the Arudha of the 4thhouse, where Jupiter is in own sign.
Sagittarius is the 9th house from the 4th indicating maternal
grandfather.

(v) When the Arudha Lagna falls in Pisces, while the

Ascendant lord Saturn joins Mars and obtains his exaltation
Navamsa, the native's mother will have 7 or 8 brothers out
of whom only two will survive (Sloka 530-531).
(vi) When the Bhagya and Karma lords Mercury and Venus
respectively join in the Ascendant while the Ascendant lord
occupies a movable Navamsa (Libra), the native will have
fortune after 20 years of age in the Vipat Dasa, that is Venus
Dasa (Sloka 574).

(vii) When the 8th lord Sun is in the Ascendant joined with
two benefic planets, though the native faces almost fatal
condition, he will recover and survive (Sloka 575).

(viii)The Ascendant lord Saturn occupying his exaltation

Navamsa and joining the 4th lord Mars will indicate that the
native will be learned and humble, will be of angry
disposition but regains his cool quickly (Sloka 576).

(ix) Saturn placed in the 2nd, Rahu in the 9th and 7th lord with
a malefic (darese typed wrongly ascharese in Sanskrit)
indicate thatthe native will lose his wife to death in the Vipat
Dasa (Venus Dasa) but will remarry
immediately (Sloka 594). This happens when transit Saturn
moves in a trine to the Navamsa Rasi occupied by the
2nd lord, the 8th lord from the 7th house (Sloka 595).

(x) When two malefic planets are in the 2nd house while
Rahu occupies the 9th, the native will face dire
circumstances in his old age (Sloka 608).
(xi) In Sloka 529, the author says that the 5th house is the
Rajyastana - the kingdom where the native lives, while
9th house represents the king. Regarding the present
horoscope, Rahu placed in the 9th house receiving the
aspect of Mars indicates that the ruler of the kingdom where
the native lives will be suffering from diseases and will be
of a cruel temperament (Sloka 619).

(xii) Rahu in the Bhagyastana, the 9th house, obtains

Taurus Navamsa ruled by Venus. Hence the native will be
fortunate after his 20th year, when Venus Dasa starts as the
Vipat Dasa (Sloka 621).

Chart 3 comes under the discussions under Slokas 54

to 96 of Volume I. Birth star of the native is Anuradha
4th quarter and the birth Dasa will be of Saturn. The
following are some of the points discussed in the text under
Chart 3.
(i) The Sun joining Saturn in the 11th indicates that the
native's father will face dire circumstances in the Sampath
Dasa (Mercury Dasa). This is because Mercury is the
8th lord from the Chandra Lagna or the Moon-sign. In
malefic Bhuktis of Mercury Dasa, the native's parents will
experience evil results (Slokas 63-64).
(ii) As the Moon in the 7th is aspected by the
12th lord (Dwadasesanireekshite is typed wrongly
asDwadasesaniveekshite), the native will have two
marriages (Sloka 66). The 5th lord joining Rahu and Saturn
occupying the 11th house (aspecting the 5th) creates
obstacles in begetting progeny. His first wife will be barren
or a Kaakavandhya (giving birth to only one child) (Slokas
67-68).

(iii) Jupiter placed in the 5th house aspected by two malefic

planets suggests that the native was subject to a curse of a
Brahmin because of which he will not get progeny. To pacify
the curse, the native should perform Setusnanam and
propitiate Lord Shiva. He should observe
Somavarapradoshavrata and in the evening should donate
an idol of Nageswara made of gold weighing one pala or its
half (Slokas 70-72).

(iv) When the Sun is in the 11th house, performing of

Bhanuvrata will also ensure that the native will beget
sons (Sloka 73). The 8th lord Jupiter in the 5th house and
receiving the aspect of Saturn results in the loss of progeny.
When the native performs the prescribed remedies, he will
be blessed by Nageswara with a few children after a long
period or in his old age (Slokas 74-75).

(v) The planet having lordship over the children of the

native's elder brother (native's elder brother is ruled by the
11th house Pisces. The 5th house from Pisces is Cancer,
hence Moon will be the planet referred to here) being placed
in his debilitation sign receiving the aspect of
Mars(Kujaveekshite wrongly typed as Subhaveekshite in
Sanskrit) indicates that the children of native's elder brother
may face dangers through water (Jalagandam) (Sloka 76).

(vi) Mars placed in the 7th from the Moon being aspected by
Saturn will cause danger to the native's mother (Arishtha)
(Sloka 71).

Chart 4 comes under the discussion from Sloka 97 to

187 of Volume 1. Birth star of the native is Revati 3rd quarter
and the birth Dasa will be of Mercury.
(i) Slokas 167-168 indicate that the junction of birth Dasa of
Mercury will be in the 5th year, of Ketu will be in the 12th year
and the next Dasa Sandhi of Venus will be in the 32nd year.
These periods prove dangerous to the native.
(ii) The Arudha of the Ascendant falling in Sagittarius, Moon
in the 2nd house while the Arudha lord Jupiter is in a Kendra
or Kona, indicates that the native will enjoy conveyances
after his 25thyear. He will enjoy prominence after his
16th year. He will have great Yoga because of his intellect
after his 19th year, all in Venus Dasa (Slokas 165-166).

(iii) Jupiter placed in Scorpio and obtaining Virgo Navamsa

indicates that the native will have the normal physical
appearance and his words will be boisterous. The native will
be righteous, will know the intentions of people and will be
truthful (Sloka 101). This is attributed to Jupiter because he
is the lord of Arudha Lagna which falls in Sagittarius.

(iv) Jupiter placed in a friendly sign and attaining the

Navamsa of Mercury makes the native highly passionate
and he will serve a ruler. He will be fond of his half-brothers
(Sapatnimatrusutavatsala)(Sloka 103). The 11th house
rules half-brothers. Arudhalagna falling in the 11th house
indicates this result.

(v) Rahu in the Ascendant aspected by the Sun indicates

that the native will have a windy temperament in his body.
He will have enmity with his relatives in course of time and
will incur grief because of his own mother (Sloka 104).

(vi) The Sun joined with Ketu in Leo indicates early death to
native's father (Sloka 121). His father will face dangers
because of wounds and boils during the Janma Dasa,
which is Mercury Dasa(Sloka 123). Mars in the 5th house
and the 9th lord Venus joining malefic planets indicate death
of the native's father in a foreign place (Sloka 124). Jupiter
in a trine to the 9th lord Venus indicates that the death of
native's father will happen while he is on a pilgrimage to
pray the deities (Sloka 129).

(vii) The 4th and 9th lord Venus joining the Ascendant lord
Saturn in the 6th house indicates that the native will obtain
a good education and will head many villages. He will be
capable of writing and speaking three languages and enjoy
Raja Yoga. He will be devoted to both Vishnu and
Shiva(Slokas 158-159). (viii) The native will marry in the
own Bhukti of Vipat Dasa (Venus Dasa- Venus
Bhukti) (Sloka 162). During the end of Mercury Bhukti in
Venus Dasa or in the beginning of Ketu Bhukti, which
coincides with the transit of Saturn over natal Moon, the
native's wife will face danger (Sloka 174). The native will
marry twice. He will beget a son during his 23rd year and will
suffer only loss of progeny before that. He will be blessed
with sons only from his second wife, among whom two or
three will have long life (Slokas 175-176). Mars in the
5th house from Ascendant, while its lord Mercury is in the
8th house, indicates that the native will have many short
lived children and will beget long lived sons only after a long
time. In order to pacify this Dosha he has to observe
Kumara vrata and perform setusnana. After that he will be
blessed with sons (Slokas 178-179).
(ix) The native will suffer sorrow due to the death of his half-
brother during the Dasa of the 6th lord Moon, during his
40th year (Sloka 180). The 6th house will be the 8th house
from the 11th house that rules half-brothers and hence the
Dasa of 6th lord Moon will give this result.

Chart 5 comes under the discussion on Sloka 1219 to

1335 of Volume 1. The birth star of the native is
Uttaraphalguni 2nd quarter and the birth Dasa will be of the
Sun.
(i) Saturn placed in the 5th from the Sun and the 8th lord
Mercury occupying the 9th indicates that the native's father
was struck with grief. Father will be of angry disposition but
will cool down quickly. He would be given to vices for some
time and suffer boils and wounds. However, later he would
repent for his bad ways and become righteous and devoted
to the deities and brahmins(Slokas 1227-1229).
(ii) The 9th lord joined with or aspected by Jupiter indicates
that the native's father was wealthy and a seeker of spiritual
knowledge. He will be following both Vaidika and Tantrika
systems of worship. During his childhood he was given to
Tamasika nature but will become Sattwika later on. He will
perform charitable acts like digging of tanks, developing
gardens etc. (Slokas 1234-1235).

(iii) The 9th lord with a malefic planet and 11th lord (Venus
joined with Mars and Jupiter) indicates that the native's
father will have two wives (Sloka 1238). He will be blessed
with huge wealth, knowledge and many sons. This fortune
to the native's father is because the Arudha of the 9thhouse
falls in the 11th house Sagittarius (Sloka 1239).

(iv) The Moon joining two malefic planets in the 8th house
devoid of benefic aspects indicates Balarishtha to the
native (Sloka 1241). However, Mars, the 8th lord from Moon
sign placed in own sign and exaltation Navamsa joined with
two benefic planets cancels the Balarishtha (Sloka1242).
The Moon in the 8th from Ascendant and obtaining the
12th sign in Navamsa from the Rasi
Ascendant (Vyayamse) indicates short life span for the
native (Sloka 1243). The native born in a fixed Ascendant
and Pisces Navamsa while Rahu is placed in the 8th house
will suffer Ba1arishtha (Sloka 1244). During the starting of
Mars Dasa the native will definitely suffer
Balarishtha (Sloka 1246). Ascendant falling in a fixed sign
and attaining Pisces Navamsa, while Jupiter is placed in the
10th will cancel all the Balarishthas (Sloka 1251). During the
Dasas of the Sun, Moon and Rahu the native should
perform remedial measures. He should perform the Japa of
Mrutyunjaya Mantra and should donate clothes. The life
span of this native will be medium(Slokas 1252-1253).

(v) Mars being the 3rd lord when placed in his exaltation
Navamsa and joined with two benefic planets will bestow
the native with 8 brothers, among whom two will become
prominent and influential (Sloka 1260).

(vi) Whoever takes birth when Moon is joined with or

aspected by two malefics will be of sinful nature and
engaged in secretive activities (Sloka 1269).

(vii) The 9th house from Chandra Lagna (Moon-sign) when

aspected by Venus will make the native wise and fortunate
(Venus being the 9th lord) (Sloka 1270). Jupiter being the
lord of Lagna Navamsa (Navamsa Ascendant), when joins
Venus and Mars (the 9th and 10th lords) bestows the native
with lot of fortune. The native will be engaged in multifarious
businesses (Sloka 1271). Lakshmi, the deity of wealth, will
never leave a native born with Mars in the 10th or the 7th or
the 1st house, and he will be fortunate right from his
birth (Sloka 1325). 9th lord Venus in the 10thhouse joined by
the 10th lord makes the native very fortunate and wealthy
(bhagyartha wrongly typed as bharyartha in Sanskrit).
However, because of the association of the 11th lord Jupiter
in this combination, the native will not get political power
(raja Yoga). He will do business and earn lot of
wealth (Slokas 1286-1287).

(viii) The Moon ruling the house of maternal uncles

(6th house) when joins two malefics, the native will have
many maternal uncles among whom two or three will have
long life. One of the maternal uncles will die in a foreign
land. Another will become the lord of thieves and follow
atheistic belief system (Slokas 1293-1294). During the
Sampat Dasa (Moon Dasa), the maternal uncle will be
afflicted by stomach diseases (Sloka 1301).

(ix) During the junction of Sampat Tara Dasa (Moon Dasa

and Mars Dasa), transit Saturn moving in retrogression or
acceleration at the junction of Gemini and Cancer results in
the death of the native's king. The Chola kingdom will face
a grave danger (Slokas 1308-1310).

Chart 6 comes under discussion on Sloka 778 to Sloka 846

of volume 1. Birth star of the native isAshlesha 4th quarter
and the birth Dasa will be of Mercury. The following are
some of the points discussed in the text about Chart 6.
(i) Saturn placed in Aries with Mercury indicates that the
native will be devoted to Vishnu (Sloka 779). Saturn in
Aries, his debilitation sign, placed in Leo Navamsa, an
inimical Navamsa, makes the native hate his own religion
and he will adopt another religion (Sloka 778). This result is
ascribed here to Saturn because he is the lord of the Arudha
of 9th house.
 (ii) Saturn joining Sun in Aries indicate that the native will
be righteous, self-reliant, knowledgeable, Satwika natured,
sometimes of cruel disposition hurting people at their
vulnerable points and displaying Tamasa nature (Sloka
780).

(iii) The native will be bereft of happiness from his

father. This is because of the position of 9thlord Mars in the
4th house, 8th house there from the 9th, joined with Ketu and
receiving the aspect of Saturn. However, Arudha of
9th house falling in the 11th house, the 3rd house from the
9thhouse, ensures the native will be supported by his
paternal uncles (Sloka 785).

(iv) Saturn placed in debilitated sign Aries and obtaining

Leo Navamsa indicates that the native will suffer poverty
during his childhood and will be fortunate only after the
30th year (Sloka 786). This is attributed to Saturn as he is
the lord of the Arudha of Bhagya Sthana.

(v) Saturn obtaining the navamsa of Sun (Bhanvamsaka

wrongly typed as Bhoumamsaka in Sanskrit) in a sign of
Mars indicates that the native will lose his younger sister
and Mother. He will be brought up by his maternal
grandfather where he will get the Vaishnava Deeksha of
Chakrankitam. After his marriage he will return to his
paternal house and follow the religion of his paternal
grandfather (Slokas 788-791).

(vi) Mars placed in the 4th house joined with Ketu (Puccha
Graha is wrongly typed as Uccha Graha in Sanskrit)
indicates that during the Janma Dasa (Mercury Mahadasa,
the 4th lord) the native will grieve the death of his maternal
relations (Sloka 795).

(vii) For the present native who is born in Pisces Ascendant,

Saturn joining Mercury indicates that the native’s wife will
be virtuous and wealthy (Sloka 804). This is because
Mercury is the 7th lord and Saturn is the lord of the 9th house
Arudha. However, there will be blemish in the wife’s family.
Her brother will be sinful and will be seduced by a low-class
woman. He will become penurious in course of time and will
hate his own father (Sloka 805).

(viii) Venus placed in Pisces obtaining her debilitation

Navamsa and Rahu placed in the 10thhouse indicates that
a sister of the native’s wife will be ugly, unfortunate and
sinful (Sloka 806).

(ix) 8th lord placed in exaltation sign and obtaining

debilitation Navamsa, and receiving the aspect of Jupiter
indicates that the native will have medium life span (Slokas
839-840).
(x) Significance of this case is that the events in the native’s
life have been described by using Rasi Dasa (Chara Dasa).
The Dasas start from Pisces and move in regular order.
Though describing the entire text is not possible, I would
explain a few points. (a) During the Ascendant Pisces Dasa,
as Moon is placed in the Lagna Arudha, the native’s mother
will face difficult circumstances and he will not have any
happiness from his father (Sloka 808). 8th lord Venus
placed in the Ascendant Pisces while Jupiter placed in a
trine there from indicates that though the native will almost
die in the Ascendant Dasa he will survive (Sloka 810). His
father will face penury and difficulties while his paternal
uncle will get married in this Dasa (Sloka 811). This is
because the Ascendant is occupied by 8th lord Venus, the
12th lord from the 9th house. The Arudha of Ascendant is
falling in Cancer, the 7th house from the 11th, house that
rules paternal uncle. Hence, the native’s paternal uncle will
get married in this Dasa. (b) During the Dasa of 2ndsign
Aries, the 2nd lord placed in a Kendra joined with or
aspected by Rahu will cause poverty(Sloka 812). 2nd lord
joining with Ketu also indicates that the native’s Upanayana
(thread ceremony) will be performed in this period (Sloka
813). There will be agitation in the kingdom where the
native lives because of the change of the ruler (Sloka
815). This is because 2nd lord is placed with Ketu in the
4th house, the 8th from 9th house that indicates the king. (c)
During the Dasa of the 4th sign Gemini whose lord Mercury
is placed in the 2nd house, the native will get married (Sloka
818). Note that Mercury is also the 7th lord. However, the
4th sign occupied by Mars and Ketu indicates that the
native’s domestic peace will be destroyed. The ruler of the
kingdom where the native resides will perish (Sloka
819). (d) The native’s mother-in-law will pass away after the
native’s marriage during the Dasa of 5th house Cancer. This
is because, 5th house is the 8th from 10th house that rules
over mother-in-law (Sloka 820). 5th lord placed in the
5thhouse, the Rajyasthana, aspected by the 10th lord Jupiter
results in the native entering the service of a king during the
end of the Dasa. The native will beget sons during this
Dasa (Sloka 821-822).(e) Sun placed in Aries while Rahu
placed in the 10th house (the Arudha of sign Leo) indicates
that during the Dasa of Leo, the 6th house, the native will
face the anger of ruler and suffer insults(Sloka 825-826). (f)
During the dasa of 7th house Virgo, the native will enjoy
fortunate times. This is because Jupiter is placed in the
Arudha of the 7th house obtaining his own Navamsa (Sloka
836).

Chart 7 comes on discussion from Sloka 1821 to 1874

of volume 1. Birth star of the native is Pushyami 3rd Quarter
and the birth Dasa will be of Saturn. The following are some
of the points discussed in the text about the horoscope.
(i) This native is born in Taurus Ascendant with the Lagna
Arudha falling in Virgo (Sloka 1824).Saturn joining with
Mars in the 5th house, the Arudha Lagna, indicates that the
native will be secretly deceitful, passionate, will get angry
instantly but have a pleasant disposition (Sloka 1837-
1838). Because of this combination of Saturn and Mars in
the 5th house, the native will suffer poverty in his childhood
and will have comforts only after 5th year (Sloka 1839).

(ii) Mercury obtaining Libra Navamsa and joined with Venus

indicates that the native will be devoted to Vishnu (Sloka
1836). Sun placed in the 2nd house and obtaining Pisces
Navamsa indicates that the native will get the Chakrankita
Deeksha of Vaishnavites during his childhood(Sloka 1840).

(iii) Sun being the 4th lord when placed in the 2nd house
(Dhana Rasi wrongly typed as Dhanu Rasi in Sanskrit) and
obtaining the Navamsa of Pisces while the karaka Moon
associated with Venus will indicate long life to the native’s
mother (Sloka 1841). During his 2nd cycle when transit
Saturn moves in Virgo, the native’s mother will die (Sloka
1842). This will happen about 29-31 years of the native.
This is because, transit Saturn aspects the 11th house from
Ascendant which will be the 8th from the 4th house.

(iv) During the Sampat Tara Dasa (Mercury Mahadasa),

transit of Jupiter in a sign trine to the Navamsa sign
occupied by 5th lord Mercury (Libra), the native will get
married (Sloka 1846).Otherwise, transit Jupiter moving in
Scorpio in his 2nd cycle will see the native married (Sloka
1847).

(v) 7th lord Mars placed in a fixed Navamsa and joined with
Saturn indicates only one wife (Sloka 1848). The Janma
Rasi of one’s spouse will be in a trine to the Navamsa sign
occupied by the 7thlord. The sign aspected by the 7th lord
will be the Ascendant (birth sign?) of the spouse (Sloka
1849).

(vi) When Venus occupies the Arudha of the 7th house, the
native will be fortunate after marriage. This is so especially
because 9th lord Saturn joining Venus gives fortune through
spouse (Sloka 1851).

(vii) Mercury being the 5th lord obtaining Libra Navamsa

(Jookamse wrongly typed as Jookante in Sanskrit) and
joined with Venus indicates abortions to the native’s
wife (Sloka 1855). This is because Libra is the 6th sign from
the Ascendant while Venus is the 6th lord.

(viii) During the first cycle of Saturn, when transit Saturn

enters Cancer after leaving Gemini, the native will lose his
father (Sloka 1865). This is because Cancer is a trine to
Pisces, the sign occupied by the 4th lord, the 8th lord from
the 9th house.

Chart 8 comes under discussion on Sloka 4977

to Sloka 5056 of volume 2. Birth star of the native is Moola
1st quarter and the birth Dasa will be of Ketu.
(i) Saturn placed in Scorpio indicate that the native will be
corpulent and intelligent. He will be somewhat stubborn
and foolish, passionate, hot-tempered but cools down
instantly (Sloka 4984).These results are attributed to Saturn
because he is the lord of the Lagna Arudha and occupies
Scorpio, a watery sign owned by Mars, receiving the aspect
of Jupiter.
(ii) This native born with Amala Yoga (natural benefic
Venus placed in the 10th from Ascendant/Moon) will be fond
of holy people, will be truthful and will look after his kith and
kin(Sloka 5010).

(iii) 5th lord Mars is placed in the 11th house joined with the
9th lord. This bestows fortune, comforts and wealth on the
native (Sloka 5027).

(iv) During the Dasa of Venus who is placed in the

debilitation sign and exaltation Navamsa, the native will
have a highly comfortable period (Sloka 5002).

(v) 8th lord Moon placed in the Ascendant in Sagittarius and

obtaining the navamsa of Aries indicates that the Mars
Dasa would cause difficulties and especially during the
latter half there will be grave danger (Sloka 4991). This
suggests that the Dasa of a planet who hosts the 8th lord in
Navamsa will be troublesome. Venus occupying the Arudha
of the 2nd house bestows the native will lot of wealth and
clothes in Mars Dasa (Sloka 5012). However, the native will
lose his own wealth for the purpose of serving his
king (Sloka 5013). This result is attributed to Mars as he is
the lord of the sign and Navamsa occupied by the 2nd lord
Saturn, which happens to be the 12thhouse Scorpio.
(vi) Rahu placed in Leo (9th house) and obtaining
Sagittarius Navamsa (Ascendant sign of Rasi) indicates
that the native will have very comfortable period and good
Yoga starting from the Jupiter Bhukti of Rahu Dasa (Sloka
4994). The junction period between Pratyak Tara Dasa
(Mars Dasa) and the own Bhukti of Sadhana Dasa (Rahu
Bhukti in Rahu Dasa) will prove to be difficult and the native
will be involved in confrontation with the rulers (Sloka
4996). Starting from the transit of Saturn in Virgo during his
second cycle the native will have fortunate period (Sloka
4999).

(vii) When the 2nd lord Saturn is placed in Scorpio Navamsa

(12th sign from Rasi Ascendant), transit of Saturn in Cancer
will give severe difficulties. Similar results will be
experienced when Saturn transits in other trines (Sloka
5025).

(viii) During the Bhukti of Saturn who occupies Davagni

Shastyamsa, in the Dasa of Rahu, the native will lose his
relatives to death. He will suffer with windy complaints and
experience sorrow because of the death of a child in his
house (Sloka 5030).
(ix) During the last Bhukti of Mars in Rahu Dasa, the native
will have comforts because of the position of his son.
Because of the blemish of Dasa sandhi, the king will die and
there will be change of ruler (Sloka 5040).
(x) As the native has Saturn in the 12th house he will face
sorrow in his old age because of the death of his son. This
happens during the Dasa Sandhi period (junction between
Rahu and Jupiter Dasa) (Sloka 5051-5052). Saturn
occupies the 12th house which is the 8th house to the
5th house that rules over progeny.

(xi) Venus getting lordship over the Arudha of the 8th house
(Randhresa Arudhape wrongly typed as Randhresa
Arudhage in sanskrit) and placed in the 10th house bestows
long life even when hundreds of Apamrutyu Yogas are
present in the horoscope (Sloka 5049).

(xii) The native’s death will take place during the Naidhana
Tara Dasa (Jupiter’s Dasa) when Saturn transits in
Pisces (Sloka 5042-5043). Transit Saturn moving over the
Navamsa sign occupied by the lord of 8th house Arudha
(Venus is the lord of 8th house Arudha who occupies Pisces
Navamsa) the native will die (Sloka 5050-5051).

(xiii) Placement of Saturn in the 12th house in Scorpio

indicates that the native will die in a pilgrimage centre on
the banks of a river, on a Monday (8th lord being
Moon) (Sloka 5055-5056).

Chart 9 comes on discussion from Sloka 5332 to 5599

of volume 2. Birth star of the native is Sravana 3rd quarter
and the birth Dasa will be of the Moon. The following are
some of the points discussed in the text about the
horoscope.

(i) Ascendant lord placed in the 11th house, obtaining own

Navamsa and aspected by Jupiter indicates native’s birth in
a royal family (Sloka 5333). Ascendant lord placed in the
11th house and 9th lord placed in the 10th house makes a
person to be born in a fortunate family (Sloka 5352).

(ii) The text interestingly describes about the prenatal

epoch of the native. Conception would have happened in
the Ashwayuja Masa, Krishna Paksha, Chaturthi Tithi, on a
Monday, in Rohini star and in Capricorn Ascendant. It is to
be known that the birth Ascendant would fall in the 10th sign
of the Adhana Lagna (Slokas 5334-5335).

(iii) 11th and 9th lords joined together and receiving the
aspect of the 10th lord forms IndraYoga, because of which
the native will be a ruler (Sloka 5353).

(iv) The native will have small-pox marks on his face as

Ascendant lord Venus is joined with Rahu while Mars
occupies the Ascendant. (Sloka 5357). Mars in the
Ascendant, Saturn in the 8th house and Ketu in the
5th cause severe ill-health to the native in the very first year
of birth and pose grave danger to the native in his
2nd year (Sloka 5358). Ayushkaraka Saturn placed in the
8th house bestows long span of life (Sloka 5360). 4th lord
placed in the 8th house while Mars occupies the Ascendant
will cause fear from dogs after the native completes his
8th year (Sloka 5361).

(v) Matrukaraka Moon in the 4th house while the 4th lord
Saturn is placed in the 8th causes early death of the native’s
mother and he will be brought-up by a foster mother (Sloka
5362-5363). This will happen in the Janma Tara Dasa, birth
year and birth month (Sloka 5426-5427). Moon placed in
the 4th house obtaining the Navamsa of Gemini, receiving
the aspect of Sun while the 10th from Moon is occupied by
Mars gives a step-mother to the native. His father will marry
for the second time after the death of the native’s mother
and the native will be happy through his step-mother(Slokas
5372-5373).

(vi) 9th lord Mercury joined with Pitrukaraka Sun and

receiving the aspect of 10th lord Moon will cause RajaYoga
to the native’s father (Sloka 5365). The aspect of Saturn on
them will cause the father to have enmity with many
people (Sloka 5368). Moon is placed in the 8th to the
9th house (4th house) while 4th lord is placed in the 12th to
9th house. During the currency of Janma Tara Dasa (Moon
Dasa) and Bhukti of 8th lord Venus, native’s father will die
when transit Saturn moves in Gemini (Slokas 5370-5371,
5429). The native will enjoy raja Yoga after the death of his
father and he will attain powerful position (Sloka 5372). As
5th house is the Rajyasthana, transit of Saturn in Gemini, a
trine to the 5th house, will cause great agitation and strife in
the native’s kingdom (Sloka 5431).

(vii) 7th lord Mars placed in a trine or quadrant from the

7th house while Jupiter placed in the 9thfrom 7th house
indicates a virtuous wife. 7th lord placed in the Ascendant,
Ascendant lord placed in the 11th house while the 7th house
is joined or aspected by Jupiter will bestow many wives to
the native (Sloka 5387-5388). 7th lord placed in the
Ascendant in a Kendra to Moon and obtaining the Navamsa
of a malefic planet, while the 2nd house is aspected by
Saturn (Samdrushte is wrongly typed as Samyukte in
Sanskrit) makes the native marry women from various
castes and communities (Sloka 5392). 2nd lord placed in the
Ascendant, 2nd house is aspected by Saturn and karaka
Venus joining Rahu indicates Arishtha to the native’s
wife (Sloka 5393). Jupiter placed in the 9th to the 7th house
while Mars occupies the 10th from Moon will result in a
childhood marriage (Sloka 5394). Marriage of the native will
happen during the junction between Sampat Dasa (Mars
Dasa) and Vipat Dasa (Rahu Dasa), in the own Bhukti of
Vipat Dasa (Rahu Bhukti of Rahu Dasa) after which the
native will experience raja Yoga and becomes the ruler of a
kingdom. This will happen after his 16th year (Slokas 5395-
5396).

(viii) When natural benefic planets own the Navamsas

occupied by the 6th, 8th and 12th lords, the native’s enemies
will run away seeing the native (Sloka 5419). 6th lord Jupiter
is placed in Gemini, 8th lord Venus is placed in Taurus while
12th lord Mercury is placed in Pisces. Jupiter being the
6thlord placed in his own sign with strength and obtaining a
benefic Navamsa will give a strong body devoid of any
illness (Sloka 5420).
(ix) This case is a perfect example where the text describes
numerous Raja Yogas in the horoscope. Yogas like Indra
Yoga, Avatara Yoga, Hariharabrahma Yoga, Mahalakshmi
Yoga, Kubera Yoga, Kahala Yoga, Shankha Yoga, Bheri
Yoga, Matsya Yoga, Kalanidhi Yoga, Akhanda Samrajya
Yoga, Chamara Yoga, Koorma Yoga and Rudrasana Yoga
are explained with the planetary position in the horoscope,
along with their effects. Interestingly, for some Yogas
nullifying factors are also described. I would explain this
with the example of Koorma Yoga. Koorma Yoga is formed
when strong Jupiter is placed in the 3rd or 11th occupying his
own sign while the Ascendant lord is placed in the
11th house (Sloka 5518). The Ascendant lord of a movable
Ascendant placed in a fixed sign and fixed Navamsa while
Venus is joined or aspected by Jupiter forms the Koorma
Yoga (Sloka 5519). However, a malefic planet placed in the
6th or 8thfrom Jupiter while Venus joined with Rahu in the
8th house from Moon will cause cancellation of Koorma
Yoga (Sloka 5522).

(x) The text describes in every detail the different results of

various Dasas and Bhuktis for this horoscope combining
transit of planets. Explaining those details will be out of
scope here. Readers are requested to refer to the original
Sanskrit text in the light of the horoscope given here.

(xi) When the Ascendant, 8th and 10th lords are placed in
Kendras, Konas and 11th house, while Saturn is also strong,
the native will have full span of life. 8th lord placed in the
11th house obtaining benefic or own Navamsas while
Saturn occupying the 8th house will bestow 60 years of
longevity. When the 8th lord joins Rahu while Mars and
Saturn occupy the Ascendant and 8thhouse respectively,
the native will have medium span of life which may end
during his 54th year(Slokas 5421-5423). During the Chakra
Dasa of 8th sign of Kala Chakra Dasa that coincides with the
Saturn Dasa of Vimshottari, the native’s death will take
place in the Bhukti of Ascendant and 8th lord Venus during
his 53rd year. Transit of Sun in the three signs starting from
Leo in Dakshinayana, in the bright-half of the lunar month,
on a Saturday, during day-time, the native will shed his
mortal coil (Sloka 5597-5598).

What is presented here is only a glimpse of the

astrological wisdom hidden in Devakeralam - only the tip of
an Iceberg. A careful study of the work gives us great
insights into the ways the predictive tools of Jyotisha were
used by the savants of the bygone era. Many unsettled
questions like - whether to consider planetary aspects and
Ascendant position in Navamsa? Whether to consider the
exceptional rules in counting the Arudha Pada? How to
predict using transits, Vimshottari, Kala Chakra and Chara
Dasas? How to use other Vargas, like Shastyamsas etc.? –
becomes clear. Or, at the least we will come to know the
way they were used.

The Sanskrit text of Devakeralam has its own problems

in its current form. Portions of some horoscopes are
incomplete or mixed up, while same horoscopes have been
explained at multiple places. Devakeralam requires
thorough study, re-editing, re-interpretation and re-
translation. The initial step would be to group the text
according to different horoscopes described. Then the
conventional and Nadiamsa analysis applied in the
interpretation of the horoscopes are to be documented and
separated into different categories based on the techniques
employed. The next step includes the extraction of general
rules from this study. Finally, these rules have to be applied
on real-life horoscopes to check their veracity. My
experience so far suggests that there is a hidden treasure
trove of Jyotisha in Devakeralam, which when properly
unearthed will contribute to the progress of this ancient
science.