The Latter Nectar of Time

Please observe—

(1) Here, Mars casts its aspectIn Vedic astrology, 'aspect' or 'drishti' refers to the influence a planet exerts on other houses from its current position. on the fifth house, and another malefic planetA planet considered naturally unfavorable, such as Saturn or Mars. also casts its ninth aspect there. The Lord of the Fifth House, who is himself the significator of sons for the fifth house, is situated in the eighth house from the fifth—a hostile sign and a difficult house—where he is also aspected by the Sun. Therefore, according to ordinary rules, one should say this individual lacks a son; however, he has two sons and one daughter. It is clear that until Jupiter is strong, one cannot obtain a son. And Jupiter is indeed strong here, because Jupiter is retrogradeVakri: appearing to move backward in the sky; in this tradition, it often grants a planet extra strength.. It was only because Jupiter was retrograde that it gave auspicious results regarding the fifth house.

(2) An example of how a debilitatedNeecha: a planet in its weakest zodiacal position. but retrograde planet produces auspicious results like an exaltedUccha: a planet in its strongest zodiacal position. planet is shown in the following horoscope of a General. Here, Saturn is in the sign of Aries (its debilitation), but it is retrograde. Therefore, it is giving the results of exaltation. Saturn is the Lord of the Fourth House and the significator of land and property; consequently, the General possessed ample wealth in the form of land and fields.

(3) On the other hand, the horoscope of Mr. Morarji Desai A prominent Indian independence activist and the 4th Prime Minister of India. provides an example of how an exalted planet can cause harm when it is retrograde. In this horoscope, Jupiter—who is himself the significator of state favor—is the Lord of the Tenth House (career/status), and even the "tenth from the tenth," which is the Lord of the Seventh House. Thus, he is a very good representative of the state. That Jupiter is exalted...