Books by J.H. Bhasin

Contents:

A word from the publishers

Introduction

Chapter 1: Rules regarding the meaning and calculation of Navamsa, the main and sub-ruling periods of Vimshottari, the Moola trikona signs of planets and their mode of functioning, the aspects of planets including those of Rahu and Ketu, the limitations of Kuja dosha, the special rule of the sub period lord in dasa, the "deliberate" self, functional benefics and malefics, the principle of "similarity," distinction between the health and teh wealth prospects, significators and their "retrogression," profession and the "ascendant."

Chapter 2: Dispositors and Jataka Parijata, dispositors and Phala Deepika, dispositors for the 12 ascendants, dispositors and Neecha Bhanga Yoga, sign of a dispositor aspected by the dispositor himsself.

Chapter 3: Role of the dispositor in the death of Shri Aurobindo Ghosh, B. Surya Prakash, death in the period of lord of the lagna; Dr. Tagore; dispositors and the house of want; early death; dispositor and suicide; dispositor and consumption of poison; dispositor and the horse; dispositor and the death of husband within 8 days of marriage; death in the dasa of the Moon having good Paksha strength; did Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose die in air crash?; dispositor and death by gun shot wound; dispositor and wife of the Gaekwar; Marie Antionette; wider role of dispositors; dispositors and paralysis; death through the aspect of Jupiter.

Chapter 4: Dispositors and ulcer, impotency, blindness, burning of face, leprosy, arthritis, attack by daciots, fits since birth.

Chapter 5: Dispositor and poverty, dispositor and Neecha Bhanga Yoga, dispositor and Yoga through functional malefics, advancement in life, dispositors and plenty of wealth; education, Sanyasa, poverty; dispositors in cases of murder; dispositors and enemity with children; dispositors and foreknowledge; theft; fear of coitus; sexual mind; dispositors and early foreign travel; spiritual attainments, dispositors vis-a-vis nodes; dispositors and imprisonment of Rama Krishna Dalmia; inheritance; dispositor and a good-looking wife.

Comment:

I use dispositors extensively with western Tropical charts. I had not previously heard of their use in Vedic astrology. The key is given on pg. 37:

The idea as to how a dispositor through its weakness leads to weakness of traits of the house belonging to the planet occupying sign of the dispositor has been given in sloka 35 of the celebrated work, Jataka Parijata.

i.e. in case lord of the sign occupied by lord of the Ascendant is located in the 6th house of horoscope, the native of horoscope becomes weak healthwise. Similarly any other house would become weak, if lord of the sign occupied by its lord is placed in a bad house, i.e., in any of the houses 6th, 8th or 12th of the birth chart.

As an illustration of general principle enunciated in para 2 ante, we may take up the lord of the second house viz. the Sun, in the case of Cancer nativity. If the Sun is placed in the sign Scorpio, for instance, and lord of Scorpio, i.e. Mars is placed in say the 12th house in sign Gemini, then prospects of the second house i.e. finances, etc., would be deemed to be reduced by such a bad position of Mars - dispositor of the Sun. (pgs. 37-38)

So let's make sense of this. Scorpio Sun, Cancer rising. Leo on the cusp of the 2nd, the money house. Sun, the ruler, in Scorpio in the 5th. Mars, ruler of Scorpio, in Gemini in the 12th. Premise: Because the Sun, ruler of the money house, is himself ruled by a planet in a bad house, the affairs of the house the Sun rules will be bad also.

This is a lot cruder than my work (which you can see in many of my weekly newsletters). With Bhasin's technique, the location of planets are divided into good houses and bad. The good:

Trikona houses: 1, 5, 10.

And the bad: 6, 8, 12.

So to use this book, find the planets in each of these two sets of houses and then work backwards:

So let's see . . . My Mars is in a bad house, the 6th. Setting my chart in the sidereal zodiac, Mars rules the 7th and 12th. I have no planets in either house, therefore Mars does not bother my houses.

I have Saturn in a Trik house, the 5th, and it's in Virgo. Saturn rules the 9th and 10th houses. In the 9th house we find Sun and Mercury. The 10th is empty. Because Saturn is in a good house, the affairs of the houses ruled by the Sun and Mercury should go well. In my Vedic chart, the Sun rules the fourth, of family, and Mercury rules the 2nd, of money, and the 5th, of children. In fact I have been rootless my entire life and have never "shone" anywhere. In India the Sun is a malefic but it is the most fixed of all planets and should not be moving about at all, I should think. With Mercury, one would say income would be derived from Mercurial activities, such as writing, travel, speaking, transactions, etc. Which is generally true. Mercury in 5 would be a life with small children, either mine or those of others, which is not true.

With Bhasin's example, above, notice what did not happen. Mars, being a malefic, did not have its malignancy blunted because it was in the 6th, a bad house. In other words, bad planet plus bad house did not make for a good outcome, which contradicts a rule we learn with the Tropical zodiac, if not in Vedic as well. With Vedic dispositors, planets are good or bad based solely on the house they occupy. I am therefore on reasonably good grounds to believe that a bad planet - Saturn, in my case - in a good house - the 5th - should produce a good outcome.

Judging strictly for myself, Bhasin's method seems erratic, but note that my chart is larded with oppositions, and that oppositions, so far as I can tell, mess up a lot of simple calculations.

So let's try Clint Eastwood. He was born May 31, 1930, at 5:35 pm PST in San Francisco. Mars is in a bad house (6th) which it rules. It also rules the 7th, where we find Mercury. Mercury rules the 9th and 12th, neither of which are significant in his life. In the next bad house, the 8th, are Jupiter and Venus. Jupiter rules the third, which has Saturn in it. Saturn rules the 4th, which does not seem to be significant in Clint's life, as well as his 5th. The 5th is the house of children. Clint has repeatedly denied paternity of the children he has fathered. Venus rules Clint's ascendant (remember this is a sidereal chart!), which is empty. Venus also rules the 8th. And despite Venus being a benefic, Eastwood's financial affairs with his girlfriends has not been to his advantage.

Bhasin does this backwards to me. He goes house by house. What is the sign on the cusp? What planet rules the sign? In what sign is that planet located? In what house is the ruler of that planet? If in a good house, then good things come to the house in question. If the ultimate ruler is in a bad house, bad things come. In Clint's case, we had his biography to draw upon. A more customary interpretation of Mr. Eastwood's 5th would be that this man has problems of some sort with children.

My method for using this book is to start with a planet in a good or bad house, go to the planets it rules, then go to the houses which those planets rule. If you start from a good house (1, 5, 10), you get good results. If you start from a bad house (6, 8, 12), you get bad results. So far as I can tell, Bhasin does not bother much with the other six houses. If so, this is because Bhasin is not interested in details, only in clearly defined outcomes. In Clint's case, we uncovered the fact that he doesn't like his own children. Note this cannot be done with the chart set in the Tropical zodiac, only a Sidereal/equal house one.

In addition to natal charts, Bhasin also gives navamshas, but a casual glance at the book, I don't see that he uses them.

Ranjan, 131 pages.

Comment: A basic text on natal charts. Inspired by Deva Keralam, Sarvath Chintamani, Uttar Kalamrita & Saravali, which are quoted in the book. For each house, the various signs & planets domiciled in them are considered. Many specific aphorisms & yoga combinations, though not labeled as yogas.

Sagar, 266 pages.

Introduction
1. Rules traced & explained
2. Pillars of the astrological edifice
3. Principles of Parashar
4. Departments of life
5. Dasa
6. Timing of events
7. Erection of a birth chart
Bibliography

Comment: A general introduction to astrological interpretation, based on Parasara, Brihat Jatak, Phal Deepika, Uttar Kalamrit, Sarvath Chintamani, Prashna Marga, Bhavartha Ranakar, Saravali, Jatak Parijat, Chandra Kala Nadi, etc.

In the first chapter, the rules are interesting. All retrogrades are strong. Jupiter is important in a woman's chart as it indicates the husband, Saturn represents animals, Mars & moon represent blood, Moon should be treated as lagna, Plurality (twins), Medical line (sun), Music & musical instruments (Venus), Quickness of results (Mercury), Cause of divorce, Strong & weak planets, Factors enhancing value, Criteria for benefics & malefics, Aspects, Malefic planets in trines, Mental deficiency, Planets in lagna & disease, Aristocratic factors, Longevity, Traits of first house, Planets aspecting own signs, Lagna & life, Adultery & the 4th house, Things made alien by the 6th house, Past present & future, Foreign travel, Scantiness & death a trait of the 6th house, Marriage relates to 2nd house as well, Cinema - representationn of, Loss of wealth by government order, etc. This is only the first chapter. The others are organized in similar fashion.

There seems to be a lot of interesting things here, in no particular order. On page 190, he remarks that the 5th house predicts the future, while the 9th house knows the past. In examining the chart of a woman who knew her past life, Bhasin says if the lord of the 9th is intimately linked to knowledge, one knows his past life. Notice he did not say, "remember". There are many ways to know.

Sagar, 300 pages.

Comment: On the cover it says, With pros & cons of astrological arguments by the council of seven rishis. As given in the first chapter, the seven are: Atri, Agastya, Jaimini, Songinar, Narad, Vashisht & Vishwamitra. Originally in Tamil, this (condensed?) edition does not have original Tamil slokas, but does quote Sanskrit slokas from other references on occasion. This book covers charts with Aries through Leo lagnas, the remaining signs were to be taken up elsewhere at a later date. This is a compilation of charts with brief, traditional analysis. On pgs 12 - 13 is a long list of all the characteristics each analysis is to provide (type of house of birth, description of grandfather, father, marriage, children, spouse, illness, death, etc.), though, in the actual text, one tends to cut directly to the chase, eg, the crux of the chart itself. Often, a chart analysis covers a single topic, as for example:

Conceit (I): The father of the native to whom Birth Chart 19 of Leo ascendant belongs is stated by the Nadi to be conceited. What is conceit? It has been defined by dictionaries as "personal vanity" which obviously means giving too much thought & importance to self. Now the factors for 'self' are 1st house, 3rd house, 10th house, 11th house & Sun. If therefore, the first house or its lord is very much associated to one or more of these houses we may reasonably conclude the person is conceited, more particularly in cases where the constituent factors of the Yoga & Mars & Saturn - the tasmic planets. Let us now study the birth chart in light of the above remarks. Mars, lord of the 9th house representing the self of the father of the native is in the company of Saturn, lord of the 10th house from the father thereby constituting a Yoga of conceit for the father. Considering the problem from the Chandra Lagna, we find that Saturn & lord of the 9th house therefrom is in company of Mars, lord of the 10th house from the father's thereby constituting a Yoga of conceit for the father. (pgs 59-60)

Ranjan, 208 pages.

Comment: In A Word or Two is this:

It has been endeavoured to introduce a few specialites in this book. Firstly to discuss for the benefit of the student of astrology a maximum number of diseases [this book was first published in 1986] under astrological laws. Secondly to supply in support of that discussion as many illustrations from actual life as is possible, with a view to make the subject readily understandable. Thirdly we have tried to place the astrolgical material in a rational & logical manner, so that the question of health & disease can be tackled in an independent way without being too much subservient to the shlokas of the text. We do meet with the shlokas dealing with most of the diseases but there are very few books, if at all, which discuss the "how" and "why" of disease. We have attempted to discuss the constituents of diseases & the astrological factors representing them severely in order that the student can extend the application of the method to new diseases. (pg. 1)

Sagar, 188 pages.

Comment: Looks harder to use than it is, because it has a dual function: Explain all those strange words to Westerners & give Sanskrit translations for native Hindu readers of western texts. The 1st section is alphabetical, from pgs 11 to 110 (inclusive): Vedic terms (in English characters) are given English translations, and Vedic terms (in English characters) are shown in Sanskrit characters. Most, but not all, also have English translations.

The second section starts with a page of abbreviations, most of no great importance. Then we have age of planets, anatomy of the human body (English to Sanskrit), formulas for Arabic parts, Western aspects defined, a list of classic Vedic astrologers & their works, various branches of astrology (more than in western texts). There follows another alphabetical dictionary of terms, these with longer definitions (some definitions in Sanskrit only). Due to typeface & layout, this section of 51 pages is confusing.

The third section has planetary yogas & rules for matching charts (boy-girl).

The fourth section is tables. The first gives hours to GMT for various major countries, some of which are wrong. Then, a table to find sidereal time for 83.30 degrees east (the meridian for Indian Standard Time, IST), Ayanamsa correction, 1950-2051, Table of subs according to Krishnamurti Padhdhati, Dasa & bhukti periods, approximate retrograde periods of planets.

This is not the easiest book to use, but there is a lot here.

Ranjan, 243 pages, sometimes hardcover.

Contents:

A tribute
Introduction

Elementary knowledge of astrology

1. Prayer
2. Special rules
3. Special concepts in respect of planets
4. Special effects of bhavas
5. Variety of yogas
6. Some examples of results of directional influences (dashas & antardashas)

Comment: Originally written in Hindi, this translation (a very good one) is by G.S. Kapoor. It is simple, direct & to the point. Here is an example:

The method for determining the time of events like marriage, dawn of fortune (Bhagyodaya) by calculating the average period of the planets like Mercury, etc. described by us in this book, has been devised after prologed research by us and will not be found in any other work of astrology. This method could also be usefully applied for determination of the duration of academic career, etc. We have only indicated the results of our research, their applicability on other matters concerning a nativity will depend on further research by the students of astrology.

The authors of various astrological works have generally laid stress on the examination of the 8th house for determining the cause of death but we feel that it is absolutely necessary to also take in to account the disposition and strength of the Ascendant and its lord for this purpose. (See sloka 64 and the illustration given by us.) (pg. 11)

If Aquarius be the Ascendant or Lagna with Jupiter in the 12th conjoined with or aspected by Rahu, the native will be devoid of wealth and moral character. The reason for this is that Jupiter is a natural significator of wealth and becomes more so for the Aquarius Ascendant on account of being the lord of the 2nd and 11th houses. When such a Jupiter is in the 12th in his own sign of debilitation [Capricorn], there is no doubt the native will be deprived of wealth. But Jupiter signifies spirituality, religion and morals also. Therefore, a debilitated Jupiter with the depraved planet Rahu in the house of loss, expenditure and excesses, will make the native depraved and perverted. Such a person will have no hesitation in committing the most sinful and immoral deeds. (pg. 88)

On page 8, there is this:

At a glance: Judgement of horoscopes with a difference. New concepts of predictive astrology not found in other astrological works. Yogas for asceticism and separation. Aspect of a malefic even on his own house takes the life of the person connected with it. Special rules about Retrograde planets. Parshwagamini aspect and its special effects. Mercury gives quick results. Abundant wealth from Venus in the 12th & 6th houses. Diseases and their causes. Relevance of Lagna in ascertaining cause of death. Yogas for dumbness, Insanity, Leprosy, imprisonment, Vipreet Rajayoga making a person a multi-millionaire, Yoga for violent disposition. New principles about results of planets in their major and sub-periods. Novel and simple method for calculating the age for marriage & dawn of fortune. All rules and principles explained by illustrative horoscopes of known persons.

Ranjan, 172 pages. Printed: 1987.

Contents:

Introduction

1. Planetary concordance
2. The astrological poetry of God
3. Vedas & the zodiac
4. Vedic names of planets
5. Relation of "symbology" to astrology
6. A prayer with clear astrological import
7. Sun: Its astrological import
8. Spiritual self & astrology
9. Role of Sun vis a vis science & astrology
10. Vedic traits of Moon
11. Vedic Moon & disease of "consumption"
12. Vedic Moon as significator of "longevity"
13. Moon's relation to the "nakshatras"
14. Vedic functions of Mars
15. Vedic Mercury: the Vishnu
16. Vedic mantra for Jupiter
17.Venus & the priciple of correspondence
18. Vedic mantra for propitiation of Saturn
19. A prayer to Rahu
20. Ketu as liberator in the Vedas
21. Astrological import of asterisms
22. Vedas & the conception of "houses"
23. Identity of the Vedic & the astrological ideal
24. Brahma, Vishnu & Mahesh in astrology

Index

Comment: On page 3 is this note:

Publisher's Note (1) Ther is a misconception in some quarters that the holy Vedas recognize only astronomy and not astrology. This misconception has been very ably removed by the author by references to the chapters and verses from the Vedas.

(2) For the first time in the history of the astrological literature it has been shown on the basis of the recognized principles of spirituality why a particular planet is exalted in a particular nakshatra of a specific sign of the zodiac.

(3) Maharishi Parashar - the father of Indian astrology has laid down that the 7th house of the horoscope being the 12th from the 8th denotes the negation of the traits of the 8th house. Based on this principle the 12th house becomes the house of the denial of the traits of 1st house i.e. the body - physical, emotional and intellectual. The author has shown by references to the Upanishads that this principle of Maharishi Parashar is spiritually oriented, for moksha in religion too is the denial of all body consciousness.

(4) The able author has shown the astrological significance of the names of various planets etc. and thereby established an intimate relation between the Vedas and the astrological science. A study of the book will surely add to not only your astrological but also to your spiritual knowledge.

Ranjan, 133 pages. Printed: 1984.