Authors names beginning with L, M, N, O

1. Pancanga: The five limbs
2. Grahas & rasis
3. Bhavas
4. Sambandha (relationships)
5. Tools
6. Arudha
7. Karakas: significators
8. The first, fifth & ninth houses
9. The second, sixth & tenth houses
10. The third, seventh & eleventh houses
11. The fourth, eighth & twelfth houses
12. Narayana dasa

Frequently asked questions; Bibliography

Comment: On the back cover, it says:

Visti Larsen's journey of the occult began with Western Astrology in 1998, and moved on to jyotisha or Vedic Astrology in the year 2000. He joined Sri Jagannath Centre in 2001 to learn astrology as taught in the lineage of Sri Achyuta Dasa of Puri, Orissa and at his guru's request became a jyotish guru and began teaching in 2002.

Since then, he has spent most of his time traveling with his guru, Sanjay Rath, to conferences in the USA, UK and India. He has been learning directly from his teacher during this time, which has become the seed for this publication.

It's a nice book, has a lot of details, though I suspect they may be a bit thin. This is the second new book from Sagittarius publishers. Unlike Sanjay Rath's Collected Papers, there really is no good reason for the price. A note to Sagittarius: All other factors aside, a book must have a proper price, not too expensive, not too cheap (as if that's possible!), in order to find the readers it, and its author, deserve.

Sagittarius Publications, 341 pages.

Contents:
Foreword by Gayatri Devi Vasudev; Preface; Acknowledgments; Introduction;

Skill 1: The basics of analysis: 1. Starting with chart formats; 2. Planets - Grahas; 3. Zodiac signs - Rasis; 4. Houses - Bhavas; 5. Planets in signs; 6. Planets in houses; 7. Planetary rulerships; 8. Yogas - planetary combinations; 9. Nakshatras - moon signs; 10. Navamsa & divisonal charts;

Skill 2: Synthesizing: putting the basics together: 11. Rectification of birth time; 12. Interpretation - how to analyze & synthesize a chart;

Skill 3: Forecasting or predicting events: 13. Predicting events; 14. Gochara - planetary transits; 15. Timing events with muhurtha;

Skill 4: Corrective actions: 16. Remedial measures;

Skill 5: Combining one chart with another: 17. Techniques to judge compatibility;

Skill 6: Judging the world's behavior & events: 18. Mundane or world astrology;

Skill 7: Astrology & other Vedic systems: 19. Ayurveda: the science of health; 20. Vastu: the science of space.

Appendices: Supplemental Vedic astrology material; Glossary; Bibliography; Resources; About the author. CD-Rom & instructions for use.

Comment: This is one of the best books to start a study of Vedic Astrology, but there’s more. Also included is a CD-Rom of Goravani Jyotish for PC & Mac. For a number of years, Goravani Jyotish has been one of the leading Vedic astrology programs. The CD-Rom version included with this program has limited functions (one chart at a time, no printing), but is otherwise easy, quick & accurate. Also on the CD: A guide to correct pronunciation of Sanskrit terms, another invaluable aid for the learner.

Hay House, 417 pages, plus CD-Rom.

5. Eclipses: effects of solar eclipses by sign & decanate, eclipses as given in the Brihat Samhita, effects of planets on eclipses, effects of conjunctions on eclipsed luminaries, effects of eclipses in lunar months, results of the manner of ending of eclipses, events following the termination of eclipses, two eclipses in one month, results of an eclipse in the 10th house, example eclipse chart;

6. Comets; 7. Earthquakes; 8. Planetary cabinet; 9. Planets acting as lord of the year; 10. Effects of 60 lunar years; 11. Practical examples of interpretation of charts.

Appendix: Indira Gandhi's chart, Indian independence chart, Pakistan independence chart, Chart for Gen. Zia-Ul-Haque.

Comment: The section on planets in houses is the most extensive I've ever seen. The section on conjunctions will give mundane astrologers lots of useful ideas. In the chapter on transits, transits of Saturn include transiting Saturn through the nakshatras. The chapter on eclipses runs 23 pages. The effects of solar eclipses by decanate is largely identical to those given by Raphael, but here, are applied to the Sidereal zodiac, not the tropical. Events following the termination of eclipses are omen-based, such as, if a dust storm rises within 7 days of the ending of the eclipse, then the danger of famine is there. (pg. 269)

The chapter on comets includes notes by Varahirmira & a few of the comets he noted. The chapter on earthquakes includes various sets of rules from various sources, both western & Vedic (notably lacking: B.V. Raman). Planetary cabinet is an idea taken from the Kalaprakasika & includes King, Minister, lords of paddy crops, vegetation, minerals, clouds, grain & fluids, based on various ingress charts. Brief delineations are given for the planets for each of these positions. He describes a 60-year, lunar-based cycle, which would seem to relate to a similar 60-year Chinese cycle. As to where we are in the cycle at the moment, Luthra names Raktashi (#58) as the lunar year that began on 4 April 1984. That makes 2004 Tarana, a year of abundant rain & crops. 2005, Parthiva, would be a year of abundant crops & happy people. These are based on a year beginning with the new moon in Pisces, sidereal zodiac. Luthra delineates the 1984, 1987 & 1988 charts, for India.

Sagar, 366 pages.

Contents:

Preface

1. Preliminaries:
Extent of houses; Signs inimical to planets; Sambahdhas; Nodes - Rahu & Ketu; Relationship between a planet & houses; Relationship between planets; Arudha & divisional charts; Determination of relatives; Karakas, essential planets, factors & karaka properties; Signs; Nature of planets & houses; Elements of planets; Aspects; Strength of planets; Strength of houses; Basic characterization of houses; Constellations; Planets in signs; Marakas; Basic characeristics of ascendants.

2. The Major Period:
Some independent methods of timing; Major period analysis; Results relating to general significations of planets; House dependent results of the period of a planet; Results of planetary periods based on linkages.

3. The Sub & Inter Periods:
Sub period analysis; Inter period analysis; Inferior period analysis; Concise general method for determination of period results; Results of sub period of the major period planet; Relocation, incarceration & direction of journey; Effect of distance between major & sub period planets; Effect of specific sub periods; Principles to fix timing; Time of operation of a planet in its period.

4. The Annual Chart.

5. Transits:
Traditional rules for transit analysis; Transit ruler of the band of years; Transit of the period planet; Transit of the karaka; Transit of the Sun; Transit of the Moon.

6. Applied Astrology.

Bibliography
Index.

Comment: On the back of the book, it says,

This is the first work in which an attempt has been made to scientifically put to practice concepts relating to progression only hinted at in Bhrigu Samhita of the hoary past. This is a unique attempt that has been successfully employed to time events correctly.

The question of timing of events has remained unanswered for long. It has been said that only with a well developed sense of intuition can an astrologer correctly predict the time of happening of an event. The author in this book has shown that with correct application of classical techniques it is possible to predict an event accurately. These techniques have been enunciated with clarity in this book and their use has been explained lucidly with charts drawn from real life.

Sagar, 363 pages.

Contents:

Acknowledgment
Foreword

1. What is progression?
2. What are the important basic concepts?
3. How to calculate a progressed position?
4. How to interpret the progression of a Vimshottari major-period planet?
5. Vimshottari period & progression of major period planet
6. How to interpret the progression of a ruler of the band of years?
7. How to interpret the progression of the major period planet in an annual chart?
8. Progression of the Karakas

Index

Comment: From page 1:

When we talk of Vedic Progression it means advance or retreat of a planet at a fixed pace through the houses. The planet forms relationships with natal karakas (significators) and houses during such motion. Such developing relationships point to likely events in the future. In Vedic progression, planets move from house to house at a fixed pace and when they form relationships with karakas and houses they materialize events. These relationships are generally not based on aspects. They are formed by occupation of a house, constellation or navamsha. They are also formed by association or sambandha. The movement of a planet could be forward if it is in direct motion at the time of birth, or backwards, if it was retrograde at that time. The forward movement is called progression, the backward, retrogression.

The author says his book seeks to combine the north Indian Bhrigu Samhita, with the south Indian Nadi Granthas.

Sagar, 293 pages.

Contents:

Preface

1. Birth chart, houses, signs, navamsha, aspects, karakas, three elements that govern any aspect of life, consultations, strength of planets and houses

2. Relationship between planets and houses, general analysis of a birth chart, medicine, surgery, engineering, profession

3. Vimshottari dasa

4. Analysis of transits

Comment: This is a nice introductory book. It won't make you a Vedic astrologer, but, presuming you learn the basic chart formats, it will give you a nice idea of what they're up to. It might even encourage you to go further.

Sagar, 122 pages.

Contents:

Preface by contributors
Contributors (46, list)
Foreword from T.S. Vasan
Tribute to R.G. Rao, the book's mentor
Acknowledgments Revelation from Naadi Jyotisha

First part:
Primer:
1. Fundamentals of general astrology
2. Basics of naadi system of astrology

Astro-metaphysics:
3. Core logic behind navagraha nadi
4. Concept of zodiac, orbits & time
5. Karma & planets in navagraha naadi
6. Rashi chakra (zodiac) and karma
7. Celestial orientation of planets

Naadi essentials:
8. Friendship & enmity of planets
9. Rashi karakatwa
10. Planets & karakatwa
11. Pattern of karakatwa
12. Difference between conventional astrology & navagraha naadi

Predictive tools:
13. Rules of navagraha naadi
14. Planets & matters of life
15. Yoga phala from combination of planets in chart
16. Timing of events by transit of planets

Supporting tools:
17. Naadi gruha vastu
18. Four planets karakatwa combinations

Guiding tools:
19. Remedial measures in navagraha naadi
20. Naadi muhurtha

Part Two:
Valuable information on astrology
1. Tropical chart experiments
2. Discussion on conventional astrology & naadi astrology: Kerala occult remedies, Dating back astrology

Glossary

Conclusion

Comment:

This is based on R.G. Rao's Naadi system, as elaborated by Naik in extensive classes given in Hyderabad over the past several years. Here are some of the principles:

1. Horoscope prepared for conventional system remains unaltered & used in Naadi system. No house divisions are required for Naadi system. The utility of lagna will be in a different context in this system.
2. Significations of twelve signs & nine planets are essential parameters to study Naadi astrology.
3. Conventional rules of planetary aspects are replaced with "Sambandha" relationships links of planets from different places.
4. Planets in trine establish close relationship similar to conjunction. A planet in a sign will undergo modifications as per the planets posited in 2nd and 12th sign from it. The signification of a planet in the 2nd sign indicates the nature of matter & the planet in 12th sign will indicate whether it is supported or not. Similarly hemming to be studied within the same sign. A planet in 7th to the planet under consideration will indicate the modification of the matter in question. A planet ahead will give its signification to the planet posited behind it.
5. The art of prediction in naadi system is to logically combine the karakatwa (signification) of planets & signs to a particular planet indicating the desired matter.
6. Every matter in life is represented by a planet.
7. The grouping of planets is done by directional chart which is explained as the appropriate place.
8. A group of planets in a particular direction constitute a yoga (combination).
9. Transit of major planets, Jupiter, Saturn, will indicate the fructification & nature of such yoga. Rahu & Ketu will indicate distress in yoga.
10. The planetary dignities like exaltation, debilitation, retrograde, exchange of planets, dispositor theory, sign activation through lord, lord activation through sign & relevant relationships are all considered. Planets in friend's and enemy's sign are considered for their strength.
11. The friendship & enmity among planets, slightly vary from conventional method & this is the most important factor to arrive at correct predictions.
12. The chart drawn at the time of consultation is important for analysis of any chart.

    (pgs. 12-13)

Easily the most comprenhensive exposition of R.G. Rao's Naadi system.

Sagar, 355 pages, oversize.

Comment: A useful introduction to Vedic astrology.

Motilal Banarsidass, 163 pages.

Comment: This was earlier published in the US by Passage Press. It is now published in India.

Motilal Banarsidass, 183 pages.

Introduction: How do we proceed to calculate; What is a solar return; 1. Joys & sub-divisions; 2. First principles; 3. The Lord of the Year; 4. Muntha & sensitive points "SAHAM"; 5. The sixteen yogas; 6. Tripataki Chakra; 7. The timing of events; 8. Guidelines to interpretation; 9. Health & illness; 10. Wealth, love & family; 11. The worldly game; 12. Horary astrology.

Appendix: Calculations of house divisions; Tables of balance of vimshottari dasha & antardasha; Glossary; Index.

Comment: From the preface:

The present book is simple, easy to understand and does not rely on rigorous mathematical calculations. For easy references we have given various tables which will work like ready-reckoners. The different yogas have been well illustrated by example charts. The Tripati Chakra links the Nativity & the Solar Return chart. The results are accurate. The Varsh lagna viz., the Solar Return chart is in fact a magnified version of the events to take shape in the year. [emphasis in original] From this we can also cast:

(A) Monthly horoscopes, (B) Daily horoscopes, and (C) Lunar horoscopes....

What is indicated in the Solar Return charts will materialize only if it is also indicated in the Nativity & what is indicated in the charts for the months will take shape if it is indicated in the nativity as well as in the annual chart or monthly charts for after all these are only the magnified versions of the events indicated in the original Nativity. (pgs. xviii-xix)

Motilal Banarsidass, 292 pages.