Birth chart analysis of Srila Prabhupada

 

AC Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada ji Maharaja carried the mantel of the Gaudiya Vaisnava Parampara, whose purpose was to bring the mission of pure love of God, Radha-Krsna, to the entire world. For the purpose of creating what had popularly become the Hare Krsna movement, He established over 108 temples while initiating and enlisting the support of close to 10,000 disciples in numerous countries worldwide. He accomplished this monumental and unprecedented task in a period not exceeding twelve years. Before his passing on November 14, 1977, He guided his Society, the International Society for Krsna Consciousness (ISKCON) and saw it grow to worldwide confederation of more than 100 ashrams, schools, temples, institutes and farm communities. A great scholar and prolific author, Srila Prabhupada wrote more than sixty volumes of authoritative and annotated translations and summary studies of the Vedic philosophical and religious classics in India.

 

Apparent Contradictions over Birth Time

There are frequent discrepancies in the matter of older birth times, and thus rectification is often necessary for charts pre-dating the 20^th century. In the case of Srila Prabhupada’s chart, some astrologers advocate a birth time that is later than that which is used in his analysis. Those proponents change the ascendant to Capricorn, whereas the earlier time used herein gives Sagittarius as the proposed ascendant. Apart from many arguments in favor of Sagittarius ascendant, the following are among the most compelling to me:

 

Outstanding Chart Characteristics: Rasi Chart:

 

Among many auspicious features of this chart, lagna lord joins moksakaraka Ketu in the 9^th house, with 9^th lord Sun. This combination, including the aspect of 5^th lord Mars, generates a significant Dharma-karmadhipati-yoga through which He gained strength in His mission to establish and permeate the world with the principles of dharma. This combination is further emphasized, with Atmakaraka Rahu who occupies the 3^rd, AK dispositor Saturn who is exalted in 9^th (from Atmakaraka) and all who receive the aspects of the Jupiter-Sun-Ketu combination in the 9^th from the ascendant in Leo.

 

Further to this, Prabhupada was a sannyasi or renunciate who detached himself from the world of maya and sense gratification. This tendency can be easily seen through the Moon’s position in a Drekkana of Saturn, aspected (Rasi Drsti) by Mars and Saturn, a Parivrajya-yoga (yoga for asceticism). He was a Sadhu or ascetic brahmana guru of very distinguished and refined quality. This can be seen from the Sadhu-yoga forming in His chart. (Benefics placed in the 3^rd or 6^th from the Arudha Lagna indicate a Sadhu or Sadhu-yoga.)

 

Devotion and service to Sri Vishnu in the form of Krsna results from exalted Mercury (Vishnu) placed in the 6^th from the arudha lagna with Venus (who represented Lakshmi Devi or Srimati Radharani and who accepts the service of a bhakta on behalf of Vishnu). These combinations bring the full manifestation of Visnu-tattva Deities, Radha-Krsna to the 6^th house and very important area of the chart representing seva or devotional service. Since the 6^th from the Arudha Lagna is emphasized by this combination, Prabhupada’s devotion became known all over the world, and it was also very visible by way of accomplishments. Finally, if Venus is in the 6^th from Arudha Lagna, the practice of celibacy is complete.

 

Establishment of Temples and Worship of a Personal Form of God: Vishnu and Krsna

Raja-Lakshmi yoga: Jupiter, Sun and Ketu in the sign of Leo are very indicative of the very high spiritual consciousness attained by this person and they constitute the most important raja-yogas in this chart. The Raja-Lakshmi yoga that results is the most important combination indicating the alignment with and devotion to Lakshmi and Vishnu or Radha-Krsna. The Jupiter-Sun-Ketu in the 8^th house (per the proposed Capricorn rising chart) would have to do with mysticism, yoga or tantra, whereas in the 9^th house (per the Sagittarius rising chart), they directly have to do with devotional service (Bhakti-yoga) and everything associated with Lakshmi, who presides over the 9^th house. Lakshmi and Vishnu are synonymous, and thus the areas of the chart indicative of Vaisnavism (9^th house in particular) are always emphasized in the charts of Vaishnavas. Furthermore, the 8^th house has greater relevance to the Saivite tradition, as Siva resides over the natural fixed signs, which are 2^nd, 5^th, 8^th and 11^th house. It is most significant of Vishnu yogas indicating great spirituality fall in the natural fixed sign locations, particularly the 8^th house, the lineage of Saivite and not Vaisnava or worship of Vishnu, Radha or Krsna.

 

Hari-yoga: Hari is another name of Vishnu, which indicates His ability to remove the obstacles from the path of His devotees. Naturally, a Vaisnava should have this yoga in his chart, or Visnu-yoga, as a supportive indication underscoring devotion to Visnu in His various forms and avatars. When benefics placed in 2^nd, 12^th and-or 8^th from the 2^nd lord, Hari-yoga applies. In this chart, Venus and Mercury are in the 12^th from 2^nd lord Saturn, while the exalted Moon is in the 8^th from there. Thus, Hari-yoga forms verbatim.

 

The Event of Diksa and Three Spiritual Initiations from a Self-Realized Guru:

 

In order that one may receive Diksa initiation from a fully self-God-realized Guru, the following should be shown in the chart:

1. There should be a relationship between the Atmakaraka, the lord of the ascendant, the lord of the 9^th, and very importantly, the A5.
2. There should be a relationship, by aspect, conjunction or argala, between the Bhratrikaraka (BK), the Atmakaraka (AK), the lord of the 9^th and the lord of the lagna.
3. There should be an unobstructed shubha-argala from the Ista-devata to the Atmakaraka.
4. There should be repetitions of the above themes found in the Navamsa (D-9) and Vimsamsa (D-20) charts as well.

 

Following the above guidelines, the following may be noted:

 

• In Srila Prabhupada’s chart (Sagittarius rising), the rising Nakshatra is Uttarasadha, whose lord, the Sun, goes to the 9^th house is swakshetra, while the lord of the lagna Jupiter is in the 9^th also. This puts much karmic emphasis on the relationship with the spiritual path as inaugurated by the guru, and the soul whose chart is being studied.
• The A5 or Mantrapada is the sign of Gemini, whose lord goes to the 10^th house in exaltation. Virgo is thus the Paka of the A5 in this chart. Note the following: the Atmakaraka Rahu, Lagna lord Jupiter, 9^th lord Sun and Mokshakaraka Ketu, all receive unobstructed shubh argala from both Gemini and Virgo, the A5 and its Paka sign. This shows unequivocally, that the native was not only destined to meet a great spiritual personality in his lifetime, but that he would receive diksha from him as well.
• Appropriate to the path of Bhakti-Yoga and pure devotion to Lord Sri Krsna, the Moon is the Ishta-devata in this chart. In fact, both the Sun and Moon, who are respectively representative of Lord Sri Ramachandra and Sri Krsna, are the only planets in 12^th from Karakamsa lagna (Rahu, the AK, occupies the sign of Libra from it to qualify as the Ista-devata). Given that the Moon is exalted in the Rasi chart and is also higher in degrees than the Sun, the Moon (Sri Krsna) is the true Ishta-devata. In the Rasi chart, the Moon has unobstructed argala on the AK Rahu. This indicates that the form of the deity served in many prior lifetimes (since eternity) re-enters the life of the native very strongly in this lifetime.
• The Bhratrikaraka in this chart is Saturn, who in turn aspects (Rasi Drsti) all the above mentioned planets in the 9^th house, including the Atmakaraka Rahu.

 

Prolific Authorship and Aggressive Distribution of Books Worldwide

 

Exalted Mercury as ruler and occupant of the 10^th house certainly explains the fact that Prabhupada translated hundreds of volumes of Vedic literature into over fourteen languages, including Arabic. However, in order for a natural proclivity towards writing and publishing to rise to mega proportions, the A3, arudha of the 3^rd house, must be involved. The 3^rd house is writing, while its arudha shows the extent to which writing may be seen or acknowledged through worldly eyes. In Prabhupada’s chart, the A3 is Gemini; its lord Mercury goes to the 10^th house in exaltation, while simultaneously Mercury has Rasi Drsti and Argala on A3 and the Lagna.

 

There are also some important yogas for learning and scholarship in this chart, which are as follows:

 

Sarasvati-yoga: Mercury and Venus in the 10^th, while Jupiter occupies the 9^th in strength, is a Sarasvati-yoga. The same yoga exisits in D-9 (Dharmamsa or Navamsa), with Venus in the 2^nd, Mercury in the 5^th and Jupiter in the 5^th in a strong rasi (Aries). Sarasvati-yoga is the most important for scholarship, especially that which confers atma-tattva or spiritual knowledge.

 

Brahma-yoga: Jupiter is in a Kendra from the 9^th lord, Venus is in a Kendra from the 11^th lord (is the 11^th lord), and Mercury is in a Kendra from the Lagna or 10^th lord, conferring Brahma-yoga. Brahma-yoga confers transcendental knowledge in the chart of one who has received diksa in his life time. It is especially important in the matter of spiritual scholarship, as the deity Brahma rules the lagna and 1^st house, being in charge of creation. The lagna is associated with dhi-shakti, or the shakti of intelligence, and so this is why Lord Brahma’s consort Sarasvati, is the goddess of learning. Thus, both the Sarasvati-yoga as well as Brahma-yoga are critical in the charts of scholars of spiritual subject matter. Brahma, the superintendent of the material quality of rajo-guna or passion, rules over the cardinal signs and natural kendra houses.

 

Mercury’s strength as the lord of the most important kendra (10^th house), indicates the great passion and ambition Prabhupada had in the matter of distributing his books all over the world. The fact that these books were poignant exposes of classical Vedic knowledge can be seen through the unobstructed argala of Mercury and Venus to the 9^th house Jupiter and Sun.

Jaya-yoga: The word Jaya is another name for Mars and indicates “victory”. Prabhupada wished to defeat the forces of maya or illusion by the aggressive propagation of transcendental literature. The Jaya-yoga in his chart is directly associated with Mercury in the 10^th house, with its associate Venus. Technically, Jaya-yoga forms when the 10^th lord is exalted whereas the 6^th lord is debilitated. If a person has great influence over others, the 10^th house and lord should be very strong. Whereas, if his enemies are weak (6^th lord debilitated), then nobody or nothing can defeat him. Not only does the yoga apply in full, but exalted 10^th lord Mercury join debilitated 6^th lord Venus in the 10^th house. Thus the victory which was sought was achieved through Prabhupada’s spoken and written dissertations of Vedic scripture, particularly the Bhagavad-gita and Srimad-Bhagavatam.

 

Establishing Temples and Initiating Disciples in Foreign Countries

 

Prabhupada fulfilled his life mission of spreading the teachings of the Gaudiya parampara (the disciplic lineage following and promoting the teachings of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu) outside of India, beginning with his establishing the first temple in Newyork City, USA. In order for an individual to be successful in his life’s mission in foreign country, the following must apply in his chart:

 

• Relationships between the lords of the Lagna, 4^th, 7^th and 9^th houses, with the lord of the 12^th. These combinations can also apply from the Atmakaraka, Chandra lagna and Arudha lagna.
• The UL or Upapada Lagna should have a strong relationship with the following: The Atmakaraka, the Arudha Lagna and the Lord of the Ascendant.

 

In Prabhupada’s Sagittarius rising chart, the lagna lord Jupiter is also the lord of the 4^th; Jupiter joins the 9^th lord Sun in the 9^th, while being aspected (graha drsti) by 12^th lord Mars. From Chandra Lagna, 12^th lord Mars joins the Lagna and aspects 4^th lord Sun, as well as 9^th lord Saturn (by Rasi drsti). Similarly, from the Arudha Lagna Aries, Jupiter is the 9^th and 12^th lord, and in tandem with other Leo planets, forms unobstructed argala on the Moon, and AL Lord Mars. These facts show a strong destiny towards the mission of creating temples (Sun in the 9^th house) and initiating disciples (Jupiter) in countries foreign from his place of birth.

 

Upapada Lagna Aquarius

 

Ketu is the stronger lord of Scorpio (between Mars and Ketu), and thus the Upapada Lagna (UL) falls in the sign of Aquarius. Rahu, the Atmakaraka, is positioned in that sign, while both receive the rasi drsti of the arudha lagna Aries. Lagna lord Jupiter in combination with Sun and Ketu, both aspect the UL as well. This shows that a significant destiny to fulfill his mission in a foreign country, and receiving help from foreign people and resources, was to come into play in Prabhupada’s lifetime. Indeed, when he was born, the family astrologer exclaimed: “When this child is seventy years old, he will cross the ocean and open 108 temples of Radha and Krsna”. The astounding prediction was fulfilled exactly, at the appropriate time in Prabhupada’s life.

 

Upapada Lagna and Marriage

 

Usually, the upapada lagna refers to marriage. The happiness or otherwise, may be determined from the relationship between the UL and other planets, both by aspect as well as argala. In Prabhupada’s chart, 7^th lord Mercury and Venus, are both in the 8^th from UL Aquarius, thus setting up a natal situation of disharmony so far as his experience in married life is concerned. Planets relating to marriage which are in the 6^th or 8^th house positions with reference to UL, as well as AL, cause serious challenges to marital disharmony. Mercury and Venus are placed in 6^th from AL, indicating that his true position in terms of fulfilling his earthly mission  would occur outside the institution of marriage. In other words, marriage and family life woyld have felt incongruous with what he perceived as being his higher life mission. Further the position of Rahu in the UL normally spoils marriage, yet in this case, Rahu’s status as the Atmakaraka, indicates that, in the broad sense, a distasteful experience in marriage would lead to his renunciation of the world, and then later to his complete and utter surrender to his guru and Ista-devata Sri Krsna.

 

Bhratrikaraka Saturn: Saturn is both the BK as well as the Guru-devata in this chart, and as a result, is a strong indicator of the guru’s presence and orders in Prabhupada’s life. His guru, Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Goswami, was the most renowned Vedic scholar and Vaisnava of his time. He was also a very austere ascetic sannyasi (renunciate), who said to have been a life-long celibate. BK exalted Saturn is the ruler of the Atmakaraka in this chart, and has Rasi drsti on all the planets except Venus and Mercury, for whom he has argala. So Prabhupada’s guru was his life and soul, and his order was the sum and substance of his life and activities. It is interesting too, that Saturn rules the western hemisphere, and thus his guru ordered him to carry out the Gaudiya mission in the western countries.

To be continued!!