Sanjay Rath

Comment: This is a book on how to judge a horoscope by house, complete with many examples, including those of dasa, navamsa & others.

Sagar, 589 pages.

Synopsis: The first book on the Narayama dasa, also known as the Padakrama dasa. The book is comprehensive in scope.

Contents, comment.

Sagar, 241 pages.

Contents, comment.

Sagar, 421 pages.

• Divisional charts, by Sarabani Sarkar;
• Divisional dignities, by P.V.R. Narasimha Rao;
• Hora Chakra, by Sanjay Rath;
• Arudha in divisional charts, by Phyllis Chubb;
• Vimsamsa (D-20 chart), by Robert Koch;
• Transits from divisional moon & lagna, by P.V.R. Narasimha Rao;
• Drekkana (decanate), by G.K. Goel;
• Suryamsa (D-12 chart), by Gauranga Das;
• Shastyamsa, by Sanjay Rath;
• Special lagna in D-charts, by Phyllis Chubb;
• Siddhamsa, by Sarajit Poddar;
• Navamsa, by J. Sarat Chander;
• Shodasamsa - the fortune of luxuries, by Visti Larsen;
• Saptamsa - the birth of children, by Visti Larsen;
• Foreign education from Siddhamsa, by Narayan Iyer;
• Turyamsa, by Visti Larsen;
• Kaulaka (Shatamsa), by G.K. Goel;
• Trimsamsa, by Shiv Pujan.

Comment: This collection of essays was published for the Vyankatesa Sharma Varga Workshop, held in Hyderabad, India, on December 2 - 10, 2002. It was held under the auspices of the Sri Jagannath Center, which was founded in 1998 by Sanjay Rath. Its objective is the teaching of astrology in the ancient, time-honored tradition of Parasara, Jaimini & other great sages.

Sagar, 320 pages.

Contents:

Mangalacaranam
Sri Guru Caranam
Preface

Part 1: Naksatra Chakra:
1. Introduction
2. Naksatra mandala
3. Naksatra tattva
4. Navatara chakra
5. Special naksatra
6. Naksatra sight
7. Sula chakra

Part 2: Naksatra Devata:
8. Saptarsi naksatra
9. Naksatra devata
10. Knowing the devata
11. Puranic lessons

Part 3: Naksatrasyagunah:
12. Sunay naksatra
13. Graha janma naksatra
14. Antaranga - bahiranga naksatra
15. Sanjana chakra
16. Pata naksatra

Part 4: Naksatra Purusa:
17. Naksatra Purusa
18. Naksatra Purusa Vrata

Part 5: Naksatra Yogah:
19. Teachings of Sri Narada

Part 6: Appendices:
1. Special Naksatra tables
2. Sri Aurobindo - Uttapara speech of May 30, 1909

Comment: From the Preface:

This book has been named Brhat Naksatra because we intend to cover everything taught in the tradition about naksatra (including our research after the passing of jyotisa guru Pt. Kasinath Rath) in it. In this initial volume we have avoided descriptive details about naksatra as these are already available in other books and will take them up in subsequent volumes. Instead our approach is exactly as is taught in the tradition starting with the sapta-loka mandala & the tri-loka mandala with brings out the first clear difference between the 28 and 27 naksatra systems under the first part. Thereafter we examine some of the naksatra groups like the Tri-nadi chakra and the naksatra tattva where you would be amazed to see that the the clue to understanding Leonardo's Vitruvian Man lies in the naksatra tattva. Puskara naksatra and Gandanta naksatra have been explained with the tattva so that the reasons for the dangers posed by them are clearly appreciated. Ample examples using the concepts help to cement them before we go to the well-known navtara chakra and show new ways to use it including in relationships & family dynamics. The remedial measures taught are with very specific slokas and those who use vimsottari dasa frequently would do well to get acquainted with this. (pg. 6)

Sagittarius Publications, 322 pages.

1. Foundation of Vedic astrology
2. The Badhaka
3. Ghataka Chakra
4. Hora Lagna
5. Sarvatobhadra Chakra
6. Kalpadruma Yoga
7. Panca Mahapurusha Yoga
8. Naksatra, disease & Sula cakra
9. Nadiamsa
10. Manduka dasa & Rudramsa
11. Longevity & death
12. Intrepretation of dreams
13. Predicting rainfall

Appendix: The 111 sloka Sarvatobhadra Chakra, in Sanskrit with English transliteration (ie, what it sounds like). There is no translation.

Comment: A compilation of lectures given by Sanjay Rath, 2001-2005. The first chapter is introductory. The second, Badhaka, is an harasser or tormentor, including those who use black magic. Chapter 3, Ghataka Cakra, that which kills or slays. In this chapter, Sanjay gives his own birth data, which is 17 August 1963, 21:15:10 (IST), 84E01, 21N28. Among the various examples in this chapter is Adolf Hitler. Chapter 4, Hora Lagna in the various houses. Examples include Rajneesh, Hitler, Mussolini, FDR, Bismark, Tony Blair, 9-11 & Queen Elizabeth II. Chapter 5, Sarvatobhadra Chakra, concerns a grid of 81 squares. There are some nicely printed color graphics in this chapter. Chapter 6, the Kalapadruma Yoga is the yoga of the mighty lord or sovereign power. We again pick up Mr. Hitler, with a diagram how the Nazi swastica differs from an Indian one. Chapter 7, Panca Mahapurusha Yoga, is one of the five planets exalted in a quadrant from the lagna. Hitler is again an example, as are Lincoln, Bill Gates, Mahatma Gandhi & others. Chapter 8 is on Nakshatras & disease. Chapter 9 is on nadi astrology. Rath takes the palm leaves at face value, which frankly makes him a fool. The other meaning of nadiamsa is 1/150th part of a sign (or 1/1800th part of the zodiac), which Rath explores (first time anywhere that I know of). He gives an astrological analysis of B.V. Raman's, K.N. Rao's & P.V.R. Narasimha Rao's charts, as astrologers. Chapter 10 is on the 1/11th divisional chart. Examples are of war, including Hitler's. Chapter 11, Longevity & Death, gives a useful analysis of the traditional rules, as well as the outline of an analysis for George W. Bush, though without conclusions. Chapter 12 is on interpretation of dreams, Chapter 13 on rainfall. While Hitler is hardly the focus of the book, I was surprised to see him mentioned so many times in it. It helps to remember that Indians do not have the same view of him as westerners do.

This is an excellent book, very well formatted with many illustrations & photographs. Methinks the price is partly to pay the layout artist. It is worth it.

Sagittarius Publications, 385 pages.

Appendices: 1. Spiritual Discipline; 2. Yantra; 3. Awakening the Kundalini; 4. Nakshatra & Syllables; 5. Frequently Asked Questions; 6. Rudraksha & Rosary; 7. Vigneshwaroopadesa; References & Bibliography.

Comment: In the preface, Rath writes: There was felt a need to consolidate the various types of remedial measures available in Vedic astrology. The scope of remedial measures available is very vast & a system of classification has been attempted based on the predominant guna (nature) of the remedy. The first chapter explains this classification & cautions the astrologer against indulging in black magic & other forms of black tantricism that will only destroy his good karma.

Sagar, 451 pages, hardcover.

1. Jyotish foundation; 2. Nakshatra: The constellations; 3. Dasa applicability; 4. Judgment of results; 5. Vimsottari dasa; 6. Vimsottari variations; 7. Ashtottari dasa; 8. Shodasottari dasa; 9. Dwasasottari dasa; 10. Panchottari dasa; 11. Satabdika dasa; 12. Chaturasiti sama dasa; 13. Dwisaptati sama dasa; 14. Shastyhayani dasa; 15. Shattrimsa sama dasa; 16. Unlocking the vimsottari paradigm; 17. Dasa tables; 18. Frequently asked questions.

Comment: In the preface, Rath writes, ....this book is an attempt at explaining some parts of the Brihat Parasara Hora Shastra, at least the chapter related to the dasas. Although seemingly easy, the Vimsottari dasa is the high water mark of Brihat Parasara Hora Shastra. This book goes into the intricacies of the Vimsottari & other nakshatra based planetary dasa (udu dasa) to bring out their need & usage. Often ignored & rejected as "incorrect", these dasas have fallen into disuse due to the effects of the Kali Yuga. With the advent of a very minor satya time cycle of 480 years from 2000 AD (approx), this knowledge is on its way to rejuvenation & shall again become visible for the use of the world.

Sagar, 264 pages.

Contents:

Mangalacharanam
Dedication
Brhaspatim Varenyam
Preface
Contents
List of charts
List of tables
List of figures

1. Language of the RSI
2. Kalchakra: ten karmic directions
3. Introduction to Chhandas
4. Varna Bheda
5. Upadesa Sutra introduction
6. Sri Achyutananda
7. Understanding lagna
8. Brahma Vidya: sexagesimal system
9. Vedic numerology
10. Upasana
11. Initiation
12. Katapayadi Varga
13. Drsti
14. Dasa
15. Charakaraka
16. Sthira Karaka
17. Argala
18. Arudha Pada
19. Siddhah
20. Special ascendants
21. Varnada lagna
22. Pranapada

Appendices:
1. Kalpavrksa
2. Numbers expressed in Sanskrit
3. Narada's prayer
4. Meaning of Gana
5. Siddhamsa
6. Life of Dattatreya
7. Jaimini scholars

Resources:
Samskrta
Dictionary
Software & fonts

A list of 112 charts found in the book
A list of 83 tables
A list of 96 figures

Comment:

To give an idea of the massive scale and scope of this book, I will quote the opening words of the first chapter, Language of the Rsi, Meanings and Definitions:

The fifth tithi (lunar day) in the bright half of the month of Bhadrapada (Sun in Leo) is called rsi pancami. Any rsi can be worshipped on this day. The rsi are the pitrs (forefathers or progenitors) of the lineage of all creatures and during the krsna paksa of the month of Bhadrapana the pitrs are worshipped. (pg. 33)

The chapter continues in this vein, as do the following chapters. We are a dozen pages into the book before astrology makes an entrance, and even then it is only an aside in a discussion of larger metaphysical issues. I suspect the author is reminding us that he is a Brahmin by birth. He leads us to astrology by first introducing us to his birthright.

Astrology appears in chapter 6, an analysis of the chart of Sri Achyutananda, a 16th century seer. After five pages of biography, we are presented with his natal chart & after a couple more pages are then asked a number of specific questions about it (pg. 97). Nothing in the previous pages give any preparation to answer those questions.

I haven't the time to go through the book in detail, but my guess is the author wishes to use an expert understanding of astrology (which you must bring to the book) to illustrate his spiritual points, which is the course he is teaching. In other words, he is more interested in teaching his caste by means of astrology than he is in teaching astrology itself. If I am wrong I would appreciate being corrected.

Vedic astrology books are usually written by members of one of the three castes: Priestly (Brahmin), Warrior (A.K. Gour comes to mind) or Merchant. Personally, I prefer the warriors & merchants, if only because I'm a merchant myself.

Sagittarius Publications, 517 pages.