Devakeralam or Chandra Kala Nadi authored by Achyuta

and Venkatesa is a voluminous work extending to more

than 9000 Slokas in two volumes and belongs to the
category of Nadi literature in Vedic astrology. Though its
original manuscript is with Government Oriental
Manuscript Library, Chennai, which published it in 1950,
the richness of its astrological knowledge was first
introduced to the English readers by the late C.S. Patel.
Later, the late R. Santhanam published the entire Sanskrit
text with English translation. With due respect to these late
scholars, I proceed to present before the esteemed
readers the results of my own study of this great work.

Apparently, both Sri Patel and Sri Santhanam had

assumed that Devakeralam does not deal with actual
horoscopes, unlike other Nadi works, because the work
uses Nadiamsas. "Nadi texts are of two kinds. One uses a
certain starting point, known as particular Nadiamsa,
which rises in the eastern horizon at birth e.g. Vasudha,
Vaishnavi, Brahmi etc; while the other one deals with the
actual horoscopes; showing all planetary positions and
giving entire life histories of natives. The present chapter
deals with the former one ... " says C.S. Patel in the
9th Chapter of his book Nadi Astrology. Santhanam also
writes in the preface to his English translation of
Devakeralam, "He (Achyuta) had also quoted Garga,
Vasishta, Parasara, Yavana etc ... These Nadis, unlike
Saptharishi apparently contained principles usable in
predictive astrology and not full-fledged horoscopes ... ".
Anyone going through the works of these scholars on
Devakeralam can observe that this assumption was
always there at the back of their mind. While Patel culled
out and presented the general rules quoted in the work,
the entire English translation of Santhanam is influenced
by the above idea. This resulted in missing the spirit of the
general rules at some places and in a mostly redundant
English translation. Added to this, the poor editing of the
original Sanskrit text at places made the English
translation erroneous at those places.

A deep and repeated study of Devakeralam has

revealed to me that the text, in fact, deals with actual
horoscopes that can be constructed by the hints that are
intelligently embedded within the text. The horoscope
including Rasi and Navamsa positions of planets that are
mentioned in the discussion and the birth star with its
Pada can be known, from which the entire discussion
becomes meaningful and instructive. All the general
principles enumerated are demonstrated by the
horoscope. Encouraged by this discovery, I started
grouping the entire text in terms of different charts and
started the further intensive study.

Based on Nadiamsas

There is an element in Devakeralam which is

discouraging to serious astrologers. It is the fact of the text
being based primarily on Nadi Amsas which are very
minute 150th parts of a sign. Added to this, the text divides
each Nadiamsa into two parts, Purvamsa and Uttaramsa,
and further into four parts, each pertaining to the four
Varnas. Given the problem of correct birth time recording
and the controversies shrouding the Ayanamsa, practical
minded people shun studying and applying Devakeralam.
Nevertheless, I found that, besides the Nadiamsas, more
than 60% of the text actually uses conventional
astrological principles which can be grouped under the
following heads.

Bhava and Yoga Analysis: Great insights can be

obtained by studying the way Devakeralam analyses a
Bhava using various parameters like Rasi, Navamsa,
Arudha, Ashtakavarga etc. Different types of Yogas, both
famous and not so well-known, can be learnt from the
work. Cancellations of various benefic and malefic Yogas
find a place here, which is rare to find in other classical
texts. Predictions regarding different relatives of the
native, even the distant ones like cousins, their spouses
and children are also made in the work.

Use of Vargas: Devakeralam extensively uses the

Navamsa position of planets in the analysis of Bhavas,
Yogas and effects of Dasas. Besides Navamsa, other
Vargas like Dwadasamsa, Trimsamsa and Shastyamsa
have also been applied.
Use of Arudha: The text demonstrates the way to use
Arudha Padas in Bhava analysis and also Dasa
predictions. At several places, Arudha and Ashtakavarga
are used in tandem.

Use of Ashtakavarga: Ashtakavarga usage has been

demonstrated at several places to quantify the things to
predict. The number of siblings of the parents, of the
native etc., is predicted using prediction principles of
ashtakavarga. Further, the age that may prove dangerous
to the native as also the age from which the native's life
becomes productive can be known by these principles.

Use of Dasas: It uses Vimshottari Dasa mainly to predict

the unfolding of the events in the native's life. Kala Chakra
Dasa also finds extensive usage in most of the
horoscopes discussed. Besides this, a few horoscopes
have been explained using Rasi Dasas, mostly Chara
Dasa.
Use of Transits: Transits of Saturn and Jupiter find wide
usage in timing of various good and bad events. The
Navamsa positions of planets are extensively considered
here. Transit analysis is used along with the Dasas to
pinpoint the event.

Mundane and Political Predictions: Interestingly,

Devakeralam demonstrates the way to predict mundane
and political events from an individual's horoscope which
include death or defeat of the rulers, revolutions, famines,
wars etc. Saturn's transit in various signs has been used
independently to predict troubles in various parts of
southern India.

Remedies: The text is replete with remedial measures to

ward off the evil results of planetary afflictions. They seem
to be culled from authentic Smriti and Mantra Sastra works
and are of great practical use.

Miscellaneous: The text also includes a variety of

information on the usage of Rashmis; prediction of Janma
Rasi and Lagna (Ascendant) of the spouse, children,
employer etc; prenatal epoch and mentioning of various
planetary Nadis from which additional information has
been solicited.

The entire text of Devakeralam deals with actual

horoscopes. I have given some of the horoscopes
discussed, highlighting the conventional tools of astrology
employed in their analysis.

The chart I is given under Slokas 188 to 367 in

Volume 1. The birth start is Poorvashada 2nd quarter and
the birth Dasa will be of Venus. The following are some
of the points discussed in the text with regard to Chart 1.
(i) The Ascendant lord Jupiter is with 8th lord Moon in the
Ascendant and receives the aspect of Mars, a natural
malefic. The text says that Jupiter having 5bindus in his
Ashtakavarga, joining the 8th lord and aspected by malefic
Mars will cause great danger to the life of the child at the
age of 5 years (Sloka 196).
(ii) The Moon placed in Sagittarius Rasi and Virgo
Navamsa makes Aquarius as the Deha-Rasi and Virgo as
the Jeeva-Rasi as per Kala Chakra Dasa system(Sloka
320). (Because of poor editing, the word deha is printed
as dvesha whose consequence can be noted in the
accompanying English translation). The presence of Rahu
in Virgo (and Saturn in Aquarius) at the time of birth
indicates that the native will almost die in the very first
year of his birth but will recover and survive (Sloka 321).

(iii) Whenever the junction between two signs of Kala

Chakra Dasa or two Dasas of Vimshottari coincide with
the transit of Saturn in the Jeeva-Rasi, the native will
experience a lot of trouble in his life including unfortunate
events to his kin. When the Libra Chakra Dasa ends and
Scorpio Chakra Dasa starts for the present native which
coincides with the transit of Saturn from Virgo, the Jeeva-
Rasi, into Libra, he will experience very bad times like
untimely death (Apamrutyu). This happens from the
19th year to the 21st year of the native. As a remedy he
should give an image of the Zodiac in donation (Slokas
322-326).

(iv) Saturn being the lord of Bhagyarudha (Arudha of

9th house) placed in own sign and obtaining Capricorn
Navamsa indicates that the native's father will be of angry
disposition inwards, pleasing in appearance and a
miser (Sloka 267, 268). The Sun, the lord of the 9th house,
is in Taurus, the 10th from Leo. Counting 10 signs from
Taurus comes to Aquarius where Saturn is his placed in
own sign.

(v) Saturn placed in Aquarius obtaining Capricorn

Navamsa (Makaramsayute Mande wrongly typed
as Makaramsekujemande in Sanskrit) and Venus placed
in Pisces obtaining Aquarius Navamsa indicates
obstructions in the native's marriage. For any person born
in any Nadiamsa, Saturn in the 3rd creates hurdles
whenever marriage efforts are made. After failure of two or
three attempts, the native will get married (Slokas 219-
221). Jupiter obtaining the Navamsa of
Mercury (Budhamsa wrongly typed as Brahmamsa in
Sanskrit) and Venus obtaining Aquarius Navamsa
indicates that the native will marry a girl in his birth place
and she will be hailing from the North direction. The
Ascendant lord Jupiter in Gemini, the 7th sign from the
Rasi Ascendant and Karaka Venus in a fixed Navamsa
indicates a wife from the birth place while Venus placed in
Pisces indicates a wife from North direction.

(vi) The 8th lord Moon joining the Ascendant lord Jupiter
indicates that the native will be fortunate in the Vipat Dasa
(third Dasa from birth - that is Moon Dasa). The native will
have Raja Yoga during this period enjoying conveyances,
ornaments, prominent position in society and a lot of
wealth. He will beget children in this Dasa and his own
sister will also prosper (Slokas 240-241).
(vii) When Saturn in transit moves into Sagittarius and
obtains Virgo Navamsa, death of the native's mother is to
be predicted. Otherwise, she may die when transiting
Saturn aspects the 11th house, the 8th from the 4th house.
Similarly, transit Saturn moving in Taurus and obtaining
Aries Navamsa may kill the native's father. This event may
also happen when transit Saturn moves in trines to the
sign occupies by the Sun in Navamsa (Slokas 300-
301). Note that Matrukaraka Moon occupies Sagittarius
sign and Virgo Navamsa while Pitrukaraka Sun occupies
Taurus sign and Aries Navamsa.

(viii) The native will have a lifespan that will end during the
Dasa of the Ascendant lord Jupiter and Bhukti of 8th lord
Moon (Sloka 258). During the Dasa of Aries of Kala
Chakra Dasa which coincides with the Jupiter Vimshottari
Dasa, the transit of Saturn in Aries will precipitate the
death of the native in the solar months of Sagittarius or
Gemini or Virgo (Slokas 362-63). Note that these three
signs are influenced by the 8th lord Moon in Rasi and
Navamsa.

Chart 2 comes under Slokas 548 to 637 in Volume I.

The birth star of the native is Revati 3rd quarter and the
birth Dasa will be of Mercury. The following are some of
the points discussed in the text about the horoscope.
(i) The Ascendant lord Saturn obtaining a movable
Navamsa and joined by Mars results in some physical
deformity for the native's mother or his elder
sister(Sloka 548). Note that Mars is the 4th and 11th Lord.

(ii) The 9th Lord Mercury occupying Gemini Navamsa while

Rahu is in the 9thhouse receiving the aspect of the Moon
indicates that the native's sister will be involved with a
paramour (Sloka 551). Note that 9th house is the 7th house
from the 3rd house.

(iii) When the Ascendant falls in Capricorn obtaining Leo

Navamsa, while Ascendant lord joins the 4th lord
Mars (kujasamyute wrongly typed as guru samyute in
Sanskrit), the native's mother will be ugly in appearance
and wicked in nature and she does not heed her
husband (Sloka 552).

(iv) When the Arudha of the 4th house falls in Sagittarius,

the 4th lord occupies Aquarius with Saturn and Jupiter
occupies Sagittarius, the native's maternal grandfather will
be very fortunate. He will be blessed with many siblings
and progeny and will have many conveyances. He will be
famous in the court of kings(Sloka 555-556). Note that
4th lord Mars is in Aquarius, the 11th sign therefrom.
Counting 11th signs from Aquarius brings us to Sagittarius,
the Arudha of the 4thhouse, where Jupiter is in own sign.
Sagittarius is the 9th house from the 4thindicating maternal
grandfather.

(v) When the Arudha Lagna falls in Pisces, while the

Ascendant lord Saturn joins Mars and obtains his
exaltation Navamsa, the native's mother will have 7 or 8
brothers out of whom only two will survive (Sloka 530-
531).
(vi) When the Bhagya and Karma lords Mercury and
Venus respectively join in the Ascendant while the
Ascendant lord occupies a movable Navamsa (Libra), the
native will have fortune after 20 years of age in the Vipat
Dasa, that is Venus Dasa (Sloka 574).

(vii) When the 8th lord Sun is in the Ascendant joined with
two benefic planets, though the native faces almost fatal
condition, he will recover and survive (Sloka 575).

(viii)The Ascendant lord Saturn occupying his exaltation

Navamsa and joining the 4th lord Mars will indicate that
the native will be learned and humble, will be of angry
disposition but regains his cool quickly (Sloka 576).

(ix) Saturn placed in the 2nd, Rahu in the 9th and 7th lord
with a malefic (daresetyped wrongly as charese in
Sanskrit) indicate thatthe native will lose his wife to death
in the Vipat Dasa (Venus Dasa) but will remarry
immediately (Sloka 594). This happens when transit
Saturn moves in a trine to the Navamsa Rasi occupied by
the 2nd lord, the 8th lord from the 7th house (Sloka 595).

(x) When two malefic planets are in the 2nd house while
Rahu occupies the 9th, the native will face dire
circumstances in his old age (Sloka 608).
(xi) In Sloka 529, the author says that the 5th house is the
Rajyastana - the kingdom where the native lives, while
9th house represents the king. Regarding the present
horoscope, Rahu placed in the 9th house receiving the
aspect of Mars indicates that the ruler of the kingdom
where the native lives will be suffering from diseases and
will be of a cruel temperament (Sloka 619).

(xii) Rahu in the Bhagyastana, the 9th house, obtains

Taurus Navamsa ruled by Venus. Hence the native will be
fortunate after his 20th year, when Venus Dasa starts as
the Vipat Dasa (Sloka 621).

Chart 3 comes under the discussions under Slokas 54

to 96 of Volume I. Birth star of the native is Anuradha
4th quarter and the birth Dasa will be of Saturn. The
following are some of the points discussed in the text
under Chart 3.
(i) The Sun joining Saturn in the 11th indicates that the
native's father will face dire circumstances in the Sampath
Dasa (Mercury Dasa). This is because Mercury is the
8th lord from the Chandra Lagna or the Moon-sign. In
malefic Bhuktis of Mercury Dasa, the native's parents will
experience evil results (Slokas63-64).
(ii) As the Moon in the 7th is aspected by the
12th lord (Dwadasesanireekshite is typed wrongly
as Dwadasesaniveekshite), the native will have two
marriages(Sloka 66). The 5th lord joining Rahu and Saturn
occupying the 11th house (aspecting the 5th) creates
obstacles in begetting progeny. His first wife will be barren
or a Kaakavandhya (giving birth to only one child) (Slokas
67-68).

(iii) Jupiter placed in the 5th house aspected by two malefic

planets suggests that the native was subject to a curse of
a Brahmin because of which he will not get progeny. To
pacify the curse, the native should perform Setusnanam
and propitiate Lord Shiva. He should observe
Somavarapradoshavrata and in the evening should donate
an idol of Nageswara made of gold weighing one pala or
its half (Slokas 70-72).

(iv) When the Sun is in the 11th house, performing of

Bhanuvrata will also ensure that the native will beget
sons (Sloka 73). The 8th lord Jupiter in the 5th house and
receiving the aspect of Saturn results in the loss of
progeny. When the native performs the prescribed
remedies, he will be blessed by Nageswara with a few
children after a long period or in his old age (Slokas 74-
75).

(v) The planet having lordship over the children of the

native's elder brother (native's elder brother is ruled by the
11th house Pisces. The 5th house from Pisces is Cancer,
hence Moon will be the planet referred to here) being
placed in his debilitation sign receiving the aspect of
Mars (Kujaveekshite wrongly typed as Subhaveekshite in
Sanskrit) indicates that the children of native's elder
brother may face dangers through water (Jalagandam)
(Sloka 76).

(vi) Mars placed in the 7th from the Moon being aspected
by Saturn will cause danger to the native's
mother (Arishtha) (Sloka 71).

Chart 4 comes under the discussion from Sloka 97 to

187 of Volume 1. Birth star of the native is Revati
3rd quarter and the birth Dasa will be of Mercury.
(i) Slokas 167-168 indicate that the junction of birth Dasa
of Mercury will be in the 5th year, of Ketu will be in the
12th year and the next Dasa Sandhi of Venus will be in the
32nd year. These periods prove dangerous to the native.
(ii) The Arudha of the Ascendant falling in Sagittarius,
Moon in the 2nd house while the Arudha lord Jupiter is in a
Kendra or Kona, indicates that the native will enjoy
conveyances after his 25th year. He will enjoy prominence
after his 16thyear. He will have great Yoga because of his
intellect after his 19th year, all in Venus Dasa (Slokas 165-
166).

(iii) Jupiter placed in Scorpio and obtaining Virgo Navamsa

indicates that the native will have the normal physical
appearance and his words will be boisterous. The native
will be righteous, will know the intentions of people and will
be truthful (Sloka 101). This is attributed to Jupiter
because he is the lord of Arudha Lagna which falls in
Sagittarius.

(iv) Jupiter placed in a friendly sign and attaining the

Navamsa of Mercury makes the native highly passionate
and he will serve a ruler. He will be fond of his half-
brothers (Sapatnimatrusutavatsala) (Sloka 103). The
th
11 house rules half-brothers. Arudhalagna falling in the
11th house indicates this result.

(v) Rahu in the Ascendant aspected by the Sun indicates

that the native will have a windy temperament in his body.
He will have enmity with his relatives in course of time and
will incur grief because of his own mother (Sloka 104).
(vi) The Sun joined with Ketu in Leo indicates early death
to native's father (Sloka121). His father will face dangers
because of wounds and boils during the Janma Dasa,
which is Mercury Dasa (Sloka 123). Mars in the 5th house
and the 9th lord Venus joining malefic planets indicate
death of the native's father in a foreign place (Sloka 124).
Jupiter in a trine to the 9th lord Venus indicates that the
death of native's father will happen while he is on a
pilgrimage to pray the deities (Sloka 129).

(vii) The 4th and 9th lord Venus joining the Ascendant lord
Saturn in the 6th house indicates that the native will obtain
a good education and will head many villages. He will be
capable of writing and speaking three languages and
enjoy Raja Yoga. He will be devoted to both Vishnu and
Shiva (Slokas 158-159). (viii)The native will marry in the
own Bhukti of Vipat Dasa (Venus Dasa- Venus
Bhukti)(Sloka 162). During the end of Mercury Bhukti in
Venus Dasa or in the beginning of Ketu Bhukti, which
coincides with the transit of Saturn over natal Moon, the
native's wife will face danger (Sloka 174). The native will
marry twice. He will beget a son during his 23rd year and
will suffer only loss of progeny before that. He will be
blessed with sons only from his second wife, among whom
two or three will have long life (Slokas 175-176). Mars in
the 5th house from Ascendant, while its lord Mercury is in
the 8th house, indicates that the native will have many
short lived children and will beget long lived sons only
after a long time. In order to pacify this Dosha he has to
observe Kumara vrata and perform setusnana. After that
he will be blessed with sons (Slokas 178-179).

(ix) The native will suffer sorrow due to the death of his
half-brother during the Dasa of the 6th lord Moon, during
his 40th year (Sloka 180). The 6th house will be the
8th house from the 11th house that rules half-brothers and
hence the Dasa of 6th lord Moon will give this result.

Chart 5 comes under the discussion on Sloka 1219 to

1335 of Volume 1. The birth star of the native is
Uttaraphalguni 2nd quarter and the birth Dasa will be of the
Sun.
(i) Saturn placed in the 5th from the Sun and the 8th lord
Mercury occupying the 9th indicates that the native's father
was struck with grief. Father will be of angry disposition
but will cool down quickly. He would be given to vices for
some time and suffer boils and wounds. However, later he
would repent for his bad ways and become righteous and
devoted to the deities and brahmins (Slokas 1227-1229).
(ii) The 9th lord joined with or aspected by Jupiter indicates
that the native's father was wealthy and a seeker of
spiritual knowledge. He will be following both Vaidika and
Tantrika systems of worship. During his childhood he was
given to Tamasika nature but will become Sattwika later
on. He will perform charitable acts like digging of tanks,
developing gardens etc. (Slokas 1234-1235).

(iii) The 9th lord with a malefic planet and 11th lord (Venus
joined with Mars and Jupiter) indicates that the native's
father will have two wives (Sloka 1238). He will be blessed
with huge wealth, knowledge and many sons. This fortune
to the native's father is because the Arudha of the
9th house falls in the 11th house Sagittarius (Sloka 1239).

(iv) The Moon joining two malefic planets in the 8th house
devoid of benefic aspects indicates Balarishtha to the
native (Sloka 1241). However, Mars, the 8thlord from Moon
sign placed in own sign and exaltation Navamsa joined
with two benefic planets cancels the
th
Balarishtha (Sloka 1242). The Moon in the 8 from
Ascendant and obtaining the 12th sign in Navamsa from
the Rasi Ascendant(Vyayamse) indicates short life span
for the native (Sloka 1243). The native born in a fixed
Ascendant and Pisces Navamsa while Rahu is placed in
the 8th house will suffer Ba1arishtha (Sloka 1244). During
the starting of Mars Dasa the native will definitely suffer
Balarishtha (Sloka 1246). Ascendant falling in a fixed sign
and attaining Pisces Navamsa, while Jupiter is placed in
the 10th will cancel all the Balarishthas (Sloka
1251). During the Dasas of the Sun, Moon and Rahu the
native should perform remedial measures. He should
perform the Japa of Mrutyunjaya Mantra and should
donate clothes. The life span of this native will be
medium (Slokas 1252-1253).

(v) Mars being the 3rd lord when placed in his exaltation
Navamsa and joined with two benefic planets will bestow
the native with 8 brothers, among whom two will become
prominent and influential (Sloka 1260).

(vi) Whoever takes birth when Moon is joined with or

aspected by two malefics will be of sinful nature and
engaged in secretive activities (Sloka 1269).

(vii) The 9th house from Chandra Lagna (Moon-sign) when

aspected by Venus will make the native wise and fortunate
(Venus being the 9th lord) (Sloka 1270). Jupiter being the
lord of Lagna Navamsa (Navamsa Ascendant), when joins
Venus and Mars (the 9th and 10th lords) bestows the native
with lot of fortune. The native will be engaged in
multifarious businesses (Sloka 1271). Lakshmi, the deity
of wealth, will never leave a native born with Mars in the
10th or the 7th or the 1st house, and he will be fortunate
right from his birth (Sloka 1325). 9th lord Venus in the
10th house joined by the 10th lord makes the native very
fortunate and wealthy (bhagyartha wrongly typed as
bharyartha in Sanskrit). However, because of the
association of the 11th lord Jupiter in this combination, the
native will not get political power (raja Yoga). He will do
business and earn lot of wealth(Slokas 1286-1287).

(viii) The Moon ruling the house of maternal uncles

(6th house) when joins two malefics, the native will have
many maternal uncles among whom two or three will have
long life. One of the maternal uncles will die in a foreign
land. Another will become the lord of thieves and follow
atheistic belief system (Slokas 1293-1294). During the
Sampat Dasa (Moon Dasa), the maternal uncle will be
afflicted by stomach diseases (Sloka 1301).

(ix) During the junction of Sampat Tara Dasa (Moon Dasa

and Mars Dasa), transit Saturn moving in retrogression or
acceleration at the junction of Gemini and Cancer results
in the death of the native's king. The Chola kingdom will
face a grave danger (Slokas 1308-1310).

Chart 6 comes under discussion on Sloka 778

to Sloka 846 of volume 1. Birth star of the native
is Ashlesha 4th quarter and the birth Dasa will be of
Mercury. The following are some of the points discussed
in the text about Chart 6.
(i) Saturn placed in Aries with Mercury indicates that the
native will be devoted to Vishnu (Sloka 779). Saturn in
Aries, his debilitation sign, placed in Leo Navamsa, an
inimical Navamsa, makes the native hate his own religion
and he will adopt another religion (Sloka 778). This result
is ascribed here to Saturn because he is the lord of the
Arudha of 9th house.
 (ii) Saturn joining Sun in Aries indicate that the native will
be righteous, self-reliant, knowledgeable, Satwika natured,
sometimes of cruel disposition hurting people at their
vulnerable points and displaying Tamasa nature (Sloka
780).

(iii) The native will be bereft of happiness from his father.

This is because of the position of 9th lord Mars in the
4th house, 8th house there from the 9th, joined with Ketu
and receiving the aspect of Saturn. However, Arudha of
9th house falling in the 11th house, the 3rd house from the
9th house, ensures the native will be supported by his
paternal uncles (Sloka 785).

(iv) Saturn placed in debilitated sign Aries and obtaining

Leo Navamsa indicates that the native will suffer poverty
during his childhood and will be fortunate only after the
30th year (Sloka 786). This is attributed to Saturn as he is
the lord of the Arudha of Bhagya Sthana.

(v) Saturn obtaining the navamsa of Sun (Bhanvamsaka

wrongly typed as Bhoumamsaka in Sanskrit) in a sign of
Mars indicates that the native will lose his younger sister
and Mother. He will be brought up by his maternal
grandfather where he will get the Vaishnava Deeksha of
Chakrankitam. After his marriage he will return to his
paternal house and follow the religion of his paternal
grandfather (Slokas 788-791).

(vi) Mars placed in the 4th house joined with Ketu (Puccha
Graha is wrongly typed as Uccha Graha in Sanskrit)
indicates that during the Janma Dasa (Mercury Mahadasa,
the 4th lord) the native will grieve the death of his maternal
relations (Sloka 795).

(vii) For the present native who is born in Pisces

Ascendant, Saturn joining Mercury indicates that the
native’s wife will be virtuous and wealthy (Sloka 804).This
is because Mercury is the 7th lord and Saturn is the lord of
the 9th house Arudha. However, there will be blemish in
the wife’s family. Her brother will be sinful and will be
seduced by a low-class woman. He will become penurious
in course of time and will hate his own father (Sloka 805).

(viii) Venus placed in Pisces obtaining her debilitation

Navamsa and Rahu placed in the 10th house indicates that
a sister of the native’s wife will be ugly, unfortunate and
sinful (Sloka 806).

(ix) 8th lord placed in exaltation sign and obtaining

debilitation Navamsa, and receiving the aspect of Jupiter
indicates that the native will have medium life
span (Slokas 839-840).
(x) Significance of this case is that the events in the
native’s life have been described by using Rasi Dasa
(Chara Dasa). The Dasas start from Pisces and move in
regular order. Though describing the entire text is not
possible, I would explain a few points. (a) During the
Ascendant Pisces Dasa, as Moon is placed in the Lagna
Arudha, the native’s mother will face difficult
circumstances and he will not have any happiness from
his father (Sloka 808). 8th lord Venus placed in the
Ascendant Pisces while Jupiter placed in a trine there from
indicates that though the native will almost die in the
Ascendant Dasa he will survive (Sloka 810). His father will
face penury and difficulties while his paternal uncle will get
married in this Dasa (Sloka 811). This is because the
Ascendant is occupied by 8th lord Venus, the 12th lord from
the 9th house. The Arudha of Ascendant is falling in
Cancer, the 7th house from the 11th, house that rules
paternal uncle. Hence, the native’s paternal uncle will get
married in this Dasa. (b) During the Dasa of 2nd sign Aries,
the 2nd lord placed in a Kendra joined with or aspected by
Rahu will cause poverty (Sloka 812). 2nd lord joining with
Ketu also indicates that the native’s Upanayana (thread
ceremony) will be performed in this period (Sloka
813). There will be agitation in the kingdom where the
native lives because of the change of the ruler (Sloka
815). This is because 2nd lord is placed with Ketu in the
4th house, the 8th from 9th house that indicates the king. (c)
During the Dasa of the 4th sign Gemini whose lord Mercury
is placed in the 2nd house, the native will get
married (Sloka 818). Note that Mercury is also the 7th lord.
However, the 4th sign occupied by Mars and Ketu indicates
that the native’s domestic peace will be destroyed. The
ruler of the kingdom where the native resides will
perish(Sloka 819). (d) The native’s mother-in-law will pass
away after the native’s marriage during the Dasa of
5th house Cancer. This is because, 5th house is the
8th from 10th house that rules over mother-in-law (Sloka
820). 5th lord placed in the 5th house, the Rajyasthana,
aspected by the 10th lord Jupiter results in the native
entering the service of a king during the end of the Dasa.
The native will beget sons during this Dasa (Sloka 821-
822). (e) Sun placed in Aries while Rahu placed in the
10th house (the Arudha of sign Leo) indicates that during
the Dasa of Leo, the 6th house, the native will face the
anger of ruler and suffer insults(Sloka 825-826). (f) During
the dasa of 7th house Virgo, the native will enjoy fortunate
times. This is because Jupiter is placed in the Arudha of
the 7th house obtaining his own Navamsa (Sloka 836).

Chart 7 comes on discussion from Sloka 1821 to

1874 of volume 1. Birth star of the native is Pushyami
3rd Quarter and the birth Dasa will be of Saturn. The
following are some of the points discussed in the text
about the horoscope.
(i) This native is born in Taurus Ascendant with the Lagna
Arudha falling in Virgo(Sloka 1824). Saturn joining with
Mars in the 5th house, the Arudha Lagna, indicates that the
native will be secretly deceitful, passionate, will get angry
instantly but have a pleasant disposition (Sloka 1837-
1838). Because of this combination of Saturn and Mars in
the 5th house, the native will suffer poverty in his childhood
and will have comforts only after 5th year (Sloka 1839).

(ii) Mercury obtaining Libra Navamsa and joined with

Venus indicates that the native will be devoted to
Vishnu (Sloka 1836). Sun placed in the 2nd house and
obtaining Pisces Navamsa indicates that the native will get
the Chakrankita Deeksha of Vaishnavites during his
childhood (Sloka 1840).

(iii) Sun being the 4th lord when placed in the 2nd house
(Dhana Rasi wrongly typed as Dhanu Rasi in Sanskrit)
and obtaining the Navamsa of Pisces while the karaka
Moon associated with Venus will indicate long life to the
native’s mother(Sloka 1841). During his 2nd cycle when
transit Saturn moves in Virgo, the native’s mother will
die (Sloka 1842). This will happen about 29-31 years of
the native. This is because, transit Saturn aspects the
11th house from Ascendant which will be the 8th from the
4th house.

(iv) During the Sampat Tara Dasa (Mercury Mahadasa),

transit of Jupiter in a sign trine to the Navamsa sign
occupied by 5th lord Mercury (Libra), the native will get
married (Sloka 1846). Otherwise, transit Jupiter moving in
Scorpio in his 2nd cycle will see the native married (Sloka
1847).
(v) 7th lord Mars placed in a fixed Navamsa and joined with
Saturn indicates only one wife (Sloka 1848). The Janma
Rasi of one’s spouse will be in a trine to the Navamsa sign
occupied by the 7th lord. The sign aspected by the 7th lord
will be the Ascendant (birth sign?) of the spouse (Sloka
1849).

(vi) When Venus occupies the Arudha of the 7th house, the
native will be fortunate after marriage. This is so especially
because 9th lord Saturn joining Venus gives fortune
through spouse (Sloka 1851).

(vii) Mercury being the 5th lord obtaining Libra Navamsa

(Jookamse wrongly typed as Jookante in Sanskrit) and
joined with Venus indicates abortions to the native’s
wife (Sloka 1855). This is because Libra is the 6th sign
from the Ascendant while Venus is the 6th lord.

(viii) During the first cycle of Saturn, when transit Saturn

enters Cancer after leaving Gemini, the native will lose his
father (Sloka 1865). This is because Cancer is a trine to
Pisces, the sign occupied by the 4th lord, the 8th lord from
the 9th house.

Chart 8 comes under discussion on Sloka 4977

to Sloka 5056 of volume 2. Birth star of the native is Moola
1st quarter and the birth Dasa will be of Ketu.
(i) Saturn placed in Scorpio indicate that the native will be
corpulent and intelligent. He will be somewhat stubborn
and foolish, passionate, hot-tempered but cools down
instantly (Sloka 4984). These results are attributed to
Saturn because he is the lord of the Lagna Arudha and
occupies Scorpio, a watery sign owned by Mars, receiving
the aspect of Jupiter.

(ii) This native born with Amala Yoga (natural benefic

Venus placed in the 10thfrom Ascendant/Moon) will be
fond of holy people, will be truthful and will look after his
kith and kin (Sloka 5010).

(iii) 5th lord Mars is placed in the 11th house joined with the
9th lord. This bestows fortune, comforts and wealth on the
native (Sloka 5027).

(iv) During the Dasa of Venus who is placed in the

debilitation sign and exaltation Navamsa, the native will
have a highly comfortable period (Sloka 5002).

(v) 8th lord Moon placed in the Ascendant in Sagittarius

and obtaining the navamsa of Aries indicates that the
Mars Dasa would cause difficulties and especially during
the latter half there will be grave danger (Sloka 4991). This
suggests that the Dasa of a planet who hosts the 8th lord in
Navamsa will be troublesome. Venus occupying the
Arudha of the 2nd house bestows the native will lot of
wealth and clothes in Mars Dasa (Sloka 5012). However,
the native will lose his own wealth for the purpose of
serving his king (Sloka 5013). This result is attributed to
Mars as he is the lord of the sign and Navamsa occupied
by the 2nd lord Saturn, which happens to be the 12th house
Scorpio.
(vi) Rahu placed in Leo (9th house) and obtaining
Sagittarius Navamsa (Ascendant sign of Rasi) indicates
that the native will have very comfortable period and good
Yoga starting from the Jupiter Bhukti of Rahu Dasa (Sloka
4994). The junction period between Pratyak Tara Dasa
(Mars Dasa) and the own Bhukti of Sadhana Dasa (Rahu
Bhukti in Rahu Dasa) will prove to be difficult and the
native will be involved in confrontation with the
rulers (Sloka 4996). Starting from the transit of Saturn in
Virgo during his second cycle the native will have fortunate
period (Sloka 4999).

(vii) When the 2nd lord Saturn is placed in Scorpio

Navamsa (12th sign from Rasi Ascendant), transit of
Saturn in Cancer will give severe difficulties. Similar
results will be experienced when Saturn transits in other
trines (Sloka 5025).

(viii) During the Bhukti of Saturn who occupies Davagni

Shastyamsa, in the Dasa of Rahu, the native will lose his
relatives to death. He will suffer with windy complaints and
experience sorrow because of the death of a child in his
house(Sloka 5030).
(ix) During the last Bhukti of Mars in Rahu Dasa, the
native will have comforts because of the position of his
son. Because of the blemish of Dasa sandhi, the king will
die and there will be change of ruler (Sloka 5040).
(x) As the native has Saturn in the 12th house he will face
sorrow in his old age because of the death of his son. This
happens during the Dasa Sandhi period (junction between
Rahu and Jupiter Dasa) (Sloka 5051-5052). Saturn
occupies the 12th house which is the 8th house to the
5th house that rules over progeny.

(xi) Venus getting lordship over the Arudha of the

8th house (Randhresa Arudhape wrongly typed as
Randhresa Arudhage in sanskrit) and placed in the
10th house bestows long life even when hundreds of
Apamrutyu Yogas are present in the horoscope (Sloka
5049).

(xii) The native’s death will take place during the Naidhana
Tara Dasa (Jupiter’s Dasa) when Saturn transits in
Pisces (Sloka 5042-5043). Transit Saturn moving over the
Navamsa sign occupied by the lord of 8th house Arudha
(Venus is the lord of 8th house Arudha who occupies
Pisces Navamsa) the native will die(Sloka 5050-5051).

(xiii) Placement of Saturn in the 12th house in Scorpio

indicates that the native will die in a pilgrimage centre on
the banks of a river, on a Monday (8th lord being
Moon) (Sloka 5055-5056).
 Chart 9 comes on discussion from Sloka 5332 to
5599 of volume 2. Birth star of the native is Sravana
3rd quarter and the birth Dasa will be of the Moon. The
following are some of the points discussed in the text
about the horoscope.
(i) Ascendant lord placed in the 11th house, obtaining own
Navamsa and aspected by Jupiter indicates native’s birth
in a royal family (Sloka 5333).Ascendant lord placed in the
11th house and 9th lord placed in the 10th house makes a
person to be born in a fortunate family (Sloka 5352).

(ii) The text interestingly describes about the prenatal

epoch of the native. Conception would have happened in
the Ashwayuja Masa, Krishna Paksha, Chaturthi Tithi, on
a Monday, in Rohini star and in Capricorn Ascendant. It is
to be known that the birth Ascendant would fall in the
10th sign of the Adhana Lagna(Slokas 5334-5335).

(iii) 11th and 9th lords joined together and receiving the
aspect of the 10th lord forms IndraYoga, because of which
the native will be a ruler (Sloka 5353).

(iv) The native will have small-pox marks on his face as

Ascendant lord Venus is joined with Rahu while Mars
occupies the Ascendant. (Sloka 5357). Mars in the
Ascendant, Saturn in the 8th house and Ketu in the
5th cause severe ill-health to the native in the very first
year of birth and pose grave danger to the native in his
2nd year (Sloka 5358). Ayushkaraka Saturn placed in the
8th house bestows long span of life (Sloka 5360). 4th lord
placed in the 8th house while Mars occupies the Ascendant
will cause fear from dogs after the native completes his
8th year(Sloka 5361).
(v) Matrukaraka Moon in the 4th house while the 4th lord
Saturn is placed in the 8th causes early death of the
native’s mother and he will be brought-up by a foster
mother (Sloka 5362-5363). This will happen in the Janma
Tara Dasa, birth year and birth month (Sloka 5426-
5427). Moon placed in the 4th house obtaining the
Navamsa of Gemini, receiving the aspect of Sun while the
10th from Moon is occupied by Mars gives a step-mother to
the native. His father will marry for the second time after
the death of the native’s mother and the native will be
happy through his step-mother (Slokas 5372-5373).

(vi) 9th lord Mercury joined with Pitrukaraka Sun and

receiving the aspect of 10thlord Moon will cause RajaYoga
to the native’s father (Sloka 5365). The aspect of Saturn
on them will cause the father to have enmity with many
people (Sloka 5368). Moon is placed in the 8th to the
9th house (4th house) while 4th lord is placed in the 12th to
9th house. During the currency of Janma Tara Dasa (Moon
Dasa) and Bhukti of 8th lord Venus, native’s father will die
when transit Saturn moves in Gemini (Slokas 5370-5371,
5429). The native will enjoy raja Yoga after the death of
his father and he will attain powerful position (Sloka
5372). As 5thhouse is the Rajyasthana, transit of Saturn in
Gemini, a trine to the 5th house, will cause great agitation
and strife in the native’s kingdom (Sloka 5431).
(vii) 7th lord Mars placed in a trine or quadrant from the
7th house while Jupiter placed in the 9th from 7th house
indicates a virtuous wife. 7th lord placed in the Ascendant,
Ascendant lord placed in the 11th house while the
7th house is joined or aspected by Jupiter will bestow many
wives to the native (Sloka 5387-5388).7th lord placed in the
Ascendant in a Kendra to Moon and obtaining the
Navamsa of a malefic planet, while the 2nd house is
aspected by Saturn (Samdrushte is wrongly typed as
Samyukte in Sanskrit) makes the native marry women
from various castes and communities (Sloka
5392). 2nd lord placed in the Ascendant, 2nd house is
aspected by Saturn and karaka Venus joining Rahu
indicates Arishtha to the native’s wife (Sloka 5393). Jupiter
placed in the 9th to the 7thhouse while Mars occupies the
10th from Moon will result in a childhood marriage (Sloka
5394). Marriage of the native will happen during the
junction between Sampat Dasa (Mars Dasa) and Vipat
Dasa (Rahu Dasa), in the own Bhukti of Vipat Dasa (Rahu
Bhukti of Rahu Dasa) after which the native will
experience raja Yoga and becomes the ruler of a kingdom.
This will happen after his 16th year (Slokas 5395-5396).

(viii) When natural benefic planets own the Navamsas

occupied by the 6th, 8thand 12th lords, the native’s enemies
will run away seeing the native (Sloka 5419).6th lord
Jupiter is placed in Gemini, 8th lord Venus is placed in
Taurus while 12thlord Mercury is placed in Pisces. Jupiter
being the 6th lord placed in his own sign with strength and
obtaining a benefic Navamsa will give a strong body
devoid of any illness (Sloka 5420).

(ix) This case is a perfect example where the text

describes numerous Raja Yogas in the horoscope. Yogas
like Indra Yoga, Avatara Yoga, Hariharabrahma Yoga,
Mahalakshmi Yoga, Kubera Yoga, Kahala Yoga, Shankha
Yoga, Bheri Yoga, Matsya Yoga, Kalanidhi Yoga,
Akhanda Samrajya Yoga, Chamara Yoga, Koorma Yoga
and Rudrasana Yoga are explained with the planetary
position in the horoscope, along with their effects.
Interestingly, for some Yogas nullifying factors are also
described. I would explain this with the example of
Koorma Yoga. Koorma Yoga is formed when strong
Jupiter is placed in the 3rd or 11thoccupying his own sign
while the Ascendant lord is placed in the 11th house(Sloka
5518). The Ascendant lord of a movable Ascendant
placed in a fixed sign and fixed Navamsa while Venus is
joined or aspected by Jupiter forms the Koorma
Yoga (Sloka 5519). However, a malefic planet placed in
the 6th or 8thfrom Jupiter while Venus joined with Rahu in
the 8th house from Moon will cause cancellation of Koorma
Yoga (Sloka 5522).

(x) The text describes in every detail the different results of

various Dasas and Bhuktis for this horoscope combining
transit of planets. Explaining those details will be out of
scope here. Readers are requested to refer to the original
Sanskrit text in the light of the horoscope given here.
(xi) When the Ascendant, 8th and 10th lords are placed in
Kendras, Konas and 11th house, while Saturn is also
strong, the native will have full span of life. 8thlord placed
in the 11th house obtaining benefic or own Navamsas
while Saturn occupying the 8th house will bestow 60 years
of longevity. When the 8th lord joins Rahu while Mars and
Saturn occupy the Ascendant and 8th house respectively,
the native will have medium span of life which may end
during his 54th year(Slokas 5421-5423). During the Chakra
Dasa of 8th sign of Kala Chakra Dasa that coincides with
the Saturn Dasa of Vimshottari, the native’s death will take
place in the Bhukti of Ascendant and 8th lord Venus during
his 53rd year. Transit of Sun in the three signs starting from
Leo in Dakshinayana, in the bright-half of the lunar month,
on a Saturday, during day-time, the native will shed his
mortal coil(Sloka 5597-5598).

What is presented here is only a glimpse of the

astrological wisdom hidden in Devakeralam - only the tip
of an Iceberg. A careful study of the work gives us great
insights into the ways the predictive tools of Jyotisha were
used by the savants of the bygone era. Many unsettled
questions like - whether to consider planetary aspects and
Ascendant position in Navamsa? Whether to consider the
exceptional rules in counting the Arudha Pada? How to
predict using transits, Vimshottari, Kala Chakra and Chara
Dasas? How to use other Vargas, like Shastyamsas etc.?
– becomes clear. Or, at the least we will come to know the
way they were used.
 The Sanskrit text of Devakeralam has its own
problems in its current form. Portions of some horoscopes
are incomplete or mixed up, while same horoscopes have
been explained at multiple places. Devakeralam requires
thorough study, re-editing, re-interpretation and re-
translation. The initial step would be to group the text
according to different horoscopes described. Then the
conventional and Nadiamsa analysis applied in the
interpretation of the horoscopes are to be documented
and separated into different categories based on the
techniques employed. The next step includes the
extraction of general rules from this study. Finally, these
rules have to be applied on real-life horoscopes to check
their veracity. My experience so far suggests that there is
a hidden treasure trove of Jyotisha in Devakeralam, which
when properly unearthed will contribute to the progress of
this ancient science.