ASTROLOGY & PALMISTRY IN GARUDA PURANAS 14.2.
1 Navgrah Mantra Describing the significance of worshipping Navgraha (nine planets), Lord Vishnu told Rudra --' One who worships the Navgraha with appropriate rituals attains all the four 'purusharth'(objectives of man's life)-dharma(religion), artha(money), kaam(sex) and moksha(salvation).' He then went on to give various mantras related with the Navgrahas, which a devotee should chant while worshipping them -SURYA(SUN) -- OM SURYA MURTAYE NAMAH. OM HRAM HRIM SAH SURYAY NAMAH. CHANDRAMA(MOON)-- OM SOMAY NAMAH. BHAUM(MARS)--OM BHAUMAY NAMAH. BUDDH(MERCURY)--OM BUDDHAY NAMAH. VRIHASPATI(JUPITER)--OM VRIHASPATAYE NAMAH. SHUKRA(VENUS)--OM SHUKRAY NAMAH. SHANI(SATURN)--OM SHANAISHCHARAY NAMAH. RAHU(DRAGON'S HEAD)--OM RAHAVE NAMAH. KETU(DRAGON'S TAIL)-- OM KETAVE NAMAH.
Ano Bhadraha Kritavayo Yantu Vishwataha (Let noble thoughts come from every side) Rg Veda
14.3.1 The Chariots of Navgrahas
While describing the chariots of all the nine planets, Lord Vishnu told Rudra--' The chariot of Surya deva(sun) has an unbelievable expanse stretching up to nine thousand yojans. The axle of Vishva Dharma ki Jay! (Victory to Universal Dharma!) Ano Bhadraha Kritavayo Yantu Vishwataha (Let noble thoughts come from every side) Rg Veda the chariot is one crore and fifty seven lakh yojans long and wheels are fixed at both its ends. The wheels have six circumferences symbolizing the six main seasons and five spokes symbolizing the five different units of time measurement in them. The chariot of Surya(sun) is pulled by seven horses. These horses symbolize the seven 'chhands' (stanzas used in poetry)- gayatri, vrihati, ushnik, jagati, trishtup, anushtup and pankti. The chariot of chandrama(moon) has three wheels in it. It is pulled by ten white horses. The color of Mangal's(mars) chariot is golden and is pulled by horses of dark red color. Buddh's(mercury) chariot is of brown color and is pulled by eight horses of the same color. The chariot of Vrihaspati(jupiter) is made of gold and is pulled by eight horses of yellowish complexion. Jupiter remains in each of the twelve zodiacs for a year.
Ano Bhadraha Kritavayo Yantu Vishwataha (Let noble thoughts come from every side) Rg Veda
Shukra's (venus) chariot is well escorted by his army. The chariot has a mast on it's top and is pulled by horses that are found on earth. # Horses pulling the chariot of Shani(saturn) are of varicolored. # The chariot of Rahu is pulled by eight horses, which are of the color of smoke. # The chariot of Ketu is pulled by eight horses, which are red in color.
14.3.2 Description of Yogas and Muhurtas Giving elaborate description of inauspicious days on which one should not undertake travels or journeys, Lord Vishnu told Shiva-- 'Various Yoginis (goddesses) dwell in different directions on specific days and one should never set out on journeys on those days. A yogini named Brahmani dwells in the East on Pratipada(first) and navami(ninth) of both the fortnights of each month and nobody should travel on both these dates towards east. Maheshwari dwells in the north on second and ninth of both the fortnights of each month and hence nobody should travel towards north on both these dates. Varahi dwells in the south on the fifth
Ano Bhadraha Kritavayo Yantu Vishwataha (Let noble thoughts come from every side) Rg Veda
and thirteenth of both the fortnights of each month and hence it is unadvisable to travel towards south on the above mentioned dates. In the same manner, Indrani dwells in the west on sixth and fourteenth of both the fortnights of each month and therefore nobody should travel in this direction on both the above mentioned dates.' While giving names of some auspicious Nakshatras suitable for undertaking journeys, lord Vishnu said--' Constellations like Ashvini, Anuradha, Revati, Mrigashira, Mool, Punarvasu, Pushya, Hast and Jyeshtha are auspicious for undertaking journeys.' Lord Vishnu, giving some specific combinations of days and tithis considered to be inauspicious said-' One should never travel on the following inauspicious days: Dwadashi falling on Sunday or Ekadashi falling on Monday or Navami falling on Wednesday or Ashtami falling on Thursday or Saptami falling on Friday and Shashthi falling on Saturday. 14.3.3 Amrit Yoga It is the most auspicious yoga for commencing any work. The conjunction of a particular day and specific nakshatra constitute this yoga. Few examples of Amrit yoga are Mool nakshatra falling on Sunday, Shravan nakshatra on Monday, Uttara bhadrapad on Tuesday, Kritika on Wednesday, Punarvasu on Thursday, Purvafalguni on Friday and
Ano Bhadraha Kritavayo Yantu Vishwataha (Let noble thoughts come from every side) Rg Veda
Swati nakshatra falling on Saturday.
14.3.4 Visha Yoga
It is considered to be an inauspicious yoga and unsuitable for commencing any important work. Few examples of this particular yoga are Bharni nakshatra falling on Friday, Chitra nakshatra on Monday, Uttarashadha on Tuesday, Dhanishtha on Wednesday, Shatabhisha on Thursday, Rohini on Friday and Revati nakshatra falling on Saturday. Vishva Dharma ki Jay! (Victory to Universal Dharma!) Ano Bhadraha Kritavayo Yantu Vishwataha (Let noble thoughts come from every side) Rg Veda
14.3.5 Graha Dasha
Describing the period for which a particular planet is supposed to have its influence on the native, Lord Vishnu told Shiva-- ' Surya's dasha continues for six years and brings turbulence, turmoil and agony to the concerned person. Moon's dasha continues for fifteen years and is considered very auspicious as it brings happiness and prosperity. Mangal's dasha is considered inauspicious and lasts for eight years. It brings sorrow and misfortune. Buddh's dasha is auspicious and lasts for seventeen years. It brings all kinds of favorable
Ano Bhadraha Kritavayo Yantu Vishwataha (Let noble thoughts come from every side) Rg Veda
results and is extremely rewarding in every respect. Shani's dasha lasts for ten years and brings all kinds of inauspicious results to a man. Vrihaspati's dasha continues for nineteen years and is extremely auspicious. Rahu's dasha continues for twelve years and is inauspicious. Shukra's dasha lasts for twenty years and is auspicious.' NOTE -- The period of years stated in the above mentioned Graha- dashas are at variance from those mentioned by sage Parashar, which is in practice nowadays.
14.3.6 Predictions based on Physical Traits
Dwelling on length about the importance of physical traits and symptoms apparent in an individual, Lord Vishnu told Shiva-' If one sees the following physical traits in a man, he should immediately understand that he is seeing a prospective King : Hands and feet as soft as a Lotus flower, pink nails and no space left between the fingers when kept straight. There is no sign of bulging veins on his hands and palms and they do not sweat excessively. On the contrary, a person
Ano Bhadraha Kritavayo Yantu Vishwataha (Let noble thoughts come from every side) Rg Veda
having rough feet that appears pale, with prominent veins on them indicates that the concerned person would be poor and miserable.'
14.3.7 Predicting Age with the help of Forehead Line Lord Vishnu said-' Anybody having three parallel lines on his forehead lives happily for sixty years whereas two parallel lines indicates that he would live till the age of forty years. Only one line on the forehead indicates that he would have a short life but if the line stretches up to both the ears then he lives for a century. If two parallel lines on the forehead stretches up to both the years then the concerned person lives for seventy years while a triple parallel lines reaching both the years indicates that he would live till the age of sixty years. A forehead devoid of any line on it means that the concerned person would live for only forty years while a cobweb of intersecting lines on the forehead indicates that the concerned person is definite to die a premature death. A forehead with a Trident or an Axe mark on it indicates that the concerned person would be prosperous and live for a century.
Ano Bhadraha Kritavayo Yantu Vishwataha (Let noble thoughts come from every side) Rg Veda
Lord Vishnu, continuing with his narration told Shiva that the age of a person could be predicted by the lines found on his palms- ' If the life line reaches the base between index and middle fingers then the concerned person lives for a century. If the life line is long, clear and without intersections from other lines then the concerned person lives for a hundred years.
14.3.8 Predicting Age by Palmistry
14.3.9 Prediction based on physical traits of women Lord Vishnu said-'A woman having a round face, curly hair and lower portion of her navel slightly slanted towards right, is extremely fortunate not only for herself but also for her whole clan. Similarly, a woman with golden complexion and hands as beautiful and soft as red lotus flower is exceptionally chaste and faithful towards her husband. A woman having dry and unruly hair and also round eyes becomes a widow. A woman whose face is round like a full moon and which radiates like a rising Sun and whose lips Vishva Dharma ki Jay! (Victory to Universal Dharma!) Ano Bhadraha Kritavayo Yantu Vishwataha (Let noble thoughts come from every side) Rg Veda are juicy like a 'Bael' fruit (Wood apple), enjoys a happy and contented life. A woman having a
Ano Bhadraha Kritavayo Yantu Vishwataha (Let noble thoughts come from every side) Rg Veda
cobweb of lines on her palms is sure to lead a torturous and painful life whereas a palm with few lines indicates that she would be poor. If the lines are pink, then they indicate happiness, prosperity and good health whereas blackish lines indicate that she would live a life of slavery.
Any woman having either a 'Chakra', a hook or a ear ring mark on her hand indicates that she would beget worthy sons and rule like a queen. A woman having hair around her breasts as well as a protruding lower lip spells doom for her husband. Any woman having a festoon mark on her palms indicates that she would get married in a family superior to her in status. A woman having a round navel with brown hair around it leads a life of slavery despite being born in a royal family. A woman whose little toes as well as big toes of both the legs do not touch the ground while walking spells doom for her husband. In the same manner beautiful eyes indicate good fortune while soft and tender skin indicate a happy married life.
Ano Bhadraha Kritavayo Yantu Vishwataha (Let noble thoughts come from every side) Rg Veda
