The Ornament of Natal Astrology with Commentary

Commentary on the Ornament of Knowledge

Now, describing the results of the House of Wealth original: Dhanabhāva; the second house in an astrological chart in two verses, the author first describes a group of four combinations. Regarding the phrase Lord of the Treasury original: Kośādhīśa: If the Lord of Wealth, accompanied by Jupiter, is in his own zodiac sign, his own house, or in a Center Kendra: The 1st, 4th, 7th, or 10th houses, considered the pillars of a horoscope, then for the person born, this combination bestows all forms of wealth.

Next, another combination is stated: If the Lord of Wealth, accompanied by Jupiter, is in any of the Difficult Houses Trika: The 6th, 8th, or 12th houses, usually associated with loss or struggle, the man born will be a partaker of misery and devoid of riches. If this Lord of Wealth is in the 6th house, this particular combination should be known as "weak," because there is still a possibility for a small amount of wealth; if the Lord of Wealth is otherwise auspicious, a moderate wealth combination exists. As stated in the Bṛhat Jātaka A foundational 6th-century Sanskrit text on astronomy and astrology by Varāhamihira: "One becomes exceedingly wealthy from the Ascendant..." The text here breaks with a catch-letter 'sha' to continue the quote.

The Lord of the Treasury, if in his own sign and accompanied by the Preceptor of the Gods (Jupiter), or in a Center, bestows all forms of wealth. But if he is in the three Difficult Houses, the man becomes a partaker of misery and devoid of riches. || If the Lords of the Second and Twelfth Houses

are in the Difficult Houses, joined by Venus and the Lord of the Ascendant, one is then born blind. If the Moon is joined by a malefic planet and situated in the House of Wealth along with Venus, one is also blind. || 5 ||

Venus with the Moon in the three Difficult Houses at birth makes a person night-blind. If the Sun, Venus, and the Lord of the Ascendant [are so placed], the person is blind from birth. || Similarly, if the lords of the houses of the

father, younger brother, mother, son, or wife are so situated, then blindness is seen in those relatives, according to those of superior intellect. || 6 ||

...doubts original: shaṃkān; continuing the quote from the previous section regarding the beneficial planets in the houses of increase (upachaya)... if by two planets one is average, or has few animals... others also know the results in this way.

Now, another combination: If the Lords of the Second and Twelfth original: svāntyādhīśau are joined with Venus and the Lord of the Ascendant, the person born is blind original: netrahīnaḥ; literally "deprived of eyes".

Another combination: If the Moon is joined by Venus and a malefic planet original: pāpa; such as Mars or Saturn and is placed in the House of Wealth, the person born is blind. || 5 ||

Regarding the three other combinations, the author also applies the second combination to the father and others: At the time of birth, if Venus is with the Moon in the Difficult Houses (6th, 8th, or 12th), the man born will attain blindness at night original: nishāndhatvam; nyctalopia.