The Ornament of Natal Astrology with Commentary

Ornament of Birth Astrology

Now the Chapter on the Houses Bhava-adhyaya: the section of an astrological text dealing with the twelve areas of life, such as body, wealth, and siblings is being explained. The poet, demonstrating his humility, promises to describe the results of the houses using the "Earth" original: Prithvi meter. From the "lotus-mouth of Shuka" This refers to the sage Shukadeva, traditionally considered a source of divine astrological knowledge, these results have trickled down. "I now speak of the results beginning from the House of the Body Tanu-bhava: the First House or Ascendant, representing the physical self and appearance. O wise scholars! If there is any presumption or 'childishness' in my speech here, please forgive it." Why does he speak? Having considered and reflected upon the entire, most beautiful collection of results obtained through the lineage of disciples and grand-disciples, which originated from the lotus-mouth of Shuka on this earth. These results give great satisfaction to excellent astrologers Daivavid: literally 'knowers of fate'. According to the principle that "knowledge found elsewhere should also be incorporated," one should first understand the specific houses, the planets, and their strengths. Then, other general house results should be understood, such as the aspects and conjunctions of benefic and malefic planets.

Commentary

One must understand the six-fold strength Shadvargas: six different ways of dividing a sign to determine a planet’s true power and the rising or setting of the Lord of the House. As stated by Prithuyashas The son of the famous astronomer Varahamihira and a respected authority in his own right: "Whichever house is aspected by or joined with its own Lord, or by benefic planets Saumya-grahas: 'gentle' planets like Jupiter or Venus, that house will flourish. Malefic planets indicate the destruction of that house." Whether in a query or at birth, the specific system must be noted. In the Garga Jataka, it is said: "A planet situated in its sign of debilitation or in an enemy’s house destroys the house's potential. A neutral planet gives medium results. A planet in its friend’s house, its own house, its trine, or its exaltation is remembered as the increaser of the house's prosperity." Regarding the Twelfth, Eighth, and Sixth houses These are known as the Dusthanas or 'difficult houses', the teacher Ushanacharya Another name for Shukra/Venus, considered the preceptor of the Asuras and a master of political and astrological wisdom describes the reverse effects: "Benefics cause the strengthening [of these difficult areas] and malefics do the opposite. In the houses starting from the Body (1st) and ending with Death (8th), the results are given in reverse when regarding the house of enemies (6th)." Furthermore: "Houses associated with the divisions of benefic planets surely attain auspiciousness. If they are dominated by malefic divisions, they are undesirable for the body and other areas—of this there is no doubt." If the Ascendant and its Lord are both exceptionally strong, then their results...