What is an Upa-graha?

"Upa" = shadow; "graha" = planet.

• "Graha" translates to "planet" literally = "weight" (gravity, heaviness).

Upa-Graha = detected by a process similar to the "discovery" of Pluto. The existence of a significant gravitational body-mass in the area was cosmologically predicted long before Pluto was actually "discovered". It was predicted because Pluto's *effects* can be seen on other objects/fields in his region

So it is with the upa-Graha. They are known by their effects.

• Upa-graha in Jyotisha are "non-luminous planets" which can eclipse the Sun and Moon.

• Upa-graha can can cover up the Sun and Moon by "engulfing the Luminaries with their Shadows."

To understand the upa-graha, it helps to think in terms of particle physics.

The science of infinitesimally small particles is highly developed.

• Even the most sophisticated contemporary scientific instruments cannot detect these very small particles directly. Human beings cannot see, hear, feel, touch, or smell the particles. Yet, we know they exist - by the effects they create on the environment around them.

Infinitesimally small particles like quarks are purely "speculative" in their ontological nature according to the limitations of positivistic science, which forbids the existence of phenomena that cannot be detected by the five basic human senses.

• When scientists who have been educated within the blinders of logical positivism begin to pursue "impossibly" small particles, they must abandon the scaffolding support of their positivism and venture into a world of energy and angels.

• The existence of these super-natural beings is known only by the effectsthat these entities impose upon the tangible world.

Naturally : ) super-natural beings = not bound by the earthly rules of time and space .

Invisible planets called UpaGraha = knowable and known not directly, but by their effects.

• "Planet" in astrology does not mean having mass and/or gravity. "Planet" means "wanderer".

• Some day our scientific instrumentation may be sophisticated enough to detect the upagraha "wanderers" directly - just as by the 1930's, the long-speculated Pluto was "discovered" exactly where its effects should have placed it in our solar system.

For now we call them "shadow planets" whose effects are known only by the shadows they cast.

Gulika(maandi)

Gulika = Mandi ="slow, stupid, loitering"

• Similar in density to Rahu-Ketu, Gulika has no massand is therefore undetectable with the material eye.

• It is however vividly obvious to the psychic eye located in the Ajna chakra at the point between the two material eyes.

• Gulika = traditionally believed to be a highly maleficinfluence, which very much slows things down.Hence its moniker 'manda' = 'slow', 'feeble', or 'weak'

"Gulika is beneficial in the upachaya houses - 3rd, 6th, and 11th.

In karma bhava [10th] Gulika develops public religious behaviors, especially a visible devotion to tapasya (austerities)."

BPHS- Ch. 25 [Effects of Non-Luminous Planets], Shloka 62-73

Gulika, the agent of tardiness and delay,

• gives good results only in bhava-3, -6, -10, and -11 - i.e., the "upachaya" natural domains of neutral Budha and neutral Shani (domains which improve with time.).

In karma bhava, Gulika slows down progress toward career recognition but Gulika there will not fully impede career results.

In any other domain, Gulika is inauspicious.

Gulika in lagna

Traditionally considered to be terribly malefic; in practice it is just one of many indicators which must be balanced within the context of the entire nativity. One function of Gulika in lagna is to delay the proper development of the physical body.

• In fact, many great healers are born with Gulika in lagna. Their life histories often show an early childhood struggle with some disease or condition, which difficulties create their spiritual laboratory, and thus develop their divinely inspired healing abilities.

• Gulika in lagna is not a curseand it should not cause undue fear. It implies a set of conditions evoking restriction and delay, posed as an extreme Shani effect. These conditions can be handled successfully by the patience and skill of the affected parent, physician, and child.

Gulika in lagna frequently signifies a great saint.

Maraka powers

• Lord of Gulika is considered a maraka.

Lord of the point 180 degrees opposite of Gulika is also a maraka graha.

• Under the proper circumstances and presuming other conspiring indicators (such as lord of Gulika = also lord of a 'terminating' domain or lord of Gulika = also a natural malefic) Lord of Gulika = indeed a virulent malefic.

• However it is important to avoid immature conclusions regarding the maraka powers of any graha except the classic killers+ L-2 or L-7. There must be special circumstances to justify the maraka prediction.

Dasha-timed Gulika effects

Gulika's sluggish, retarding effects are most pronounced during the dasha period of Grahayuti Gulika.

the native feels a tremendous frustration of being 'held back' against their will. They sense restraint by Shani-like forces of social rigidity or caste, depending on the domain occupied by Gulika.

• Although muted slightly when Gulika occupies bhava-3, -6, -10, or -11, the long-term, deep-seated but largely invisible environmental restraint is always felt during the dasha of a graha yuti Gulika.

• Traditionally, the dasha period of any graha that is yuti Gulika in the navamsha or dashamsha vargas will also deliver Gulika's effects. Naturally the Gulika slowdown will impact relationship behaviors if coming from the navamsha, and career/public respect behaviors if coming from dashamsha.

• If Shani yuti Gulika in lagna, the restraint may be nearly unbearable. Yet the social or material constraints are so diffuse that the native may have a great deal of trouble getting control of the resistance factors. Dasha periods of Shani may be acutely difficult.

• Gulika in lagna(without Shani) = retarded recognition of the social personality. The appearance is unbalanced. the native appears dull-witted, thickor slow. Not a show-stopper in career or marriage, but a downward pull in self-approval which the native feels inwardly, and through diffused social feedback that one is not attractive.

• Gulika in 2= restraint through conservative forces within the familyor trouble accumulating provisions

• Gulika in 4= either delayed access to formal education, or retarded social development due to very conservative, reactionary or fundamentalist educational practices.

• Gulika in 9= delay in obtaining religious instruction, or inhibition through dogmatic, punitive, or conservative religious values

• Gulika in 11= a useful location for this malefic. Indeed delays obtainment of gains and income. However, the eventual results of financial discipline induced by a long-term income constraint are in the end beneficial, and the native eventually sets forth to earn handsomely with very little waste.

From BPHS:

B.V. Raman, A Catechism of Astrologyp. 97 [4th edition, 1992]: "Ancient writers have not attached much significance to Gulika. Reference to this is mostly to be found in Tamil books on astrology. Maandi or Gulika plays an important part in the determination of lagna (in doubtful cases), maraka planets and also in finding out the probable period of death. Gulika in different bhavas gives the following results: 1st Bhava - cruel, thief, devoid of modesty, voracious eater, deformed eye, irritable nature 2nd - quarrelsome, will be poor, not true to his word, and devoid of all wealth 3rd - ill-tempered, unsocial, ostentatious, devoid of brothers and sisters, 4th - unfortunate and poor 5th - fickle-minded, badly disposed 6th - brave, versed in Kshudra Mantras and a terror to his foes 7th- quarrelsome, loose morals, ungrateful 8th - weak and impaired eyes, 9th - unhappy on account of children and deserted by them 10th - heterodoxical tendencies having no faith in religion, miserly 11th - happiness, children, power, and plenty 12th - poor, will have high expenditure, dislikes sexual pleasures The above is culled out from an ancient astrological work."

What is Dhuma?

Dhuma = "smoke" or "a meteor".

Dhuma is malefic.

For example,

• USA Pres-41 = George H. W. Bush= Surya = 28:33 Vrishabha

• Dhuma = 28:33 Vrishabha + 4 Rashi = 28:33 Simha

• 28:33 Simha + 1 nakshatra (13:20 deg) = 41: 53 = Thula 11:53

What is Indrachapa (Chapa)?

Sometimes called "Kodanda", "Indra-Dhanus", or "Karmuka".

Indra-chapa is an invisible satellite of Shukra. (Meena30° - Parivesha = Indrachapa)

What is Vyatipata (Pata)?

(Meena 30° - Dhuma = Vyatipata)

What is Parivesha (Paridhi)?

(Vyatipata + 6signs = Parivesha)

What is paketu (Dhwaja or Sikhi)?

(Indrachapa + 16°40 = Upaketu)

(Upaketu +1sign = Surya)

file update: 15-May-2012

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