argala a bird s eye view

FORMATION OF ARGALA – A BIRD’S EYE VIEW

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Each sign and planet aspects other planets and signs according to their position and nature. These

aspects influence the birth-chart of a person as per the auspiciousness or inauspiciousness of the

planets and signs involved. These are called the Argalas. In other words the Argalas are the planets

or signs which play an influencing role in the person’s birth-chart.

Formation of Argalas

दारभा�य शलूथाग ळा �न�यातःु १-१-५ dārabhāgya śūlasthārgaḻā nidhyātuḥ 1-1-5

दार = 4, भा�य = 2 शलू= 11. �न�यातःु – THAT WHICH HAS SIGHT

The planets in 4th, 2nd, 11th from the ******, give Argala. What do the ****** doing there. This is

where the confusion comes in. Most scholars interpret the above word as sign. Is it correct

interpretation? This question needs to asked by every student as my guru puts it Argala is the

linchpin of the Jaimini Astrology. Without understanding this Jaimini will ever be hardnut to crack

- 4th, 2nd, and 11th are the Argala places.

If planets which are placed in the 4th, 2nd, 11th and 5th house aspect other planets except Ketu

then planets in these houses will be known as Argala. Ketu is not included in the formation of

Argalas, means if Ketu is located in one of the above mentioned houses then that house will not be

consider an Argala house. Lords which are placed in the 9th house from Ketu will be Argala.

Consideration of Beneficial and Malefic Argalas

If natural auspicious planets are placed in the 4th, 5th, 11th and 2nd house then they will be

auspicious Argalas. If Natural malefic planets which are Sun, Mars, Saturn, Rahu except Ketu are

placed in the above mentioned houses then they will be obstructive Argalas. If these planets are

placed in the 3rd house then also they will be consider as Argala planets.

Neutralization of Argalas

riḥphanīca kāmasthā virodhinaḥ 1-1-7

Translation: The planets in 10th, 12th and 3rd respectively provide obstruction (virodha) to the

Argala formed by the planets in 4th, 2nd and 11th houses.


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Argalas formed by aspects of planets in the 2nd, 4th, 11th and 5th houses are neutralised when

planets are placed in the 10th, 12th, 3rd and 9th houses. For example, if Ketu is located in the 5th

house then it will remove an Argala formed in the 9th house. A planet which is placed in the 4th

house will cancel the influence of a planet placed in the 10th house. A Planet placed in the 12th

house will remove Argala of a planet in the 2nd house. Argala of a planet placed in the 11th house

will be canceled by the planet placed in the 3rd house and Argala of the 5th house will be removed

by a planet in the 9th house.

So it is clear that Argala of the 2nd, 4th, 5th and 11th house will get obstruction or auspiciousness

from planets which are placed in the 3rd, 9th, 10th and 12th houses.

na nyūnāvibalāsca 1-1-8

Translation: The planets in the Virodha Argala signs do not obstruct when they are small in

number or weaker than the planets in Argala signs.

This is very important rider as the smaller in number don’t obstruct the Argala is fine, but if they

are equal in number, then we need to ascertain the relative strength of the both parties and then

decide the result. This is often overlooked, for the planets equal in number in both Argala and

Virodha signs is not very common.

Significance of Argalas

The Argalas will benefic results during the Dashas of the signs in which benefic Argalas are formed.

During the Dashas of the signs in which malefic Argalas are formed, the person will get negative

results. If benefic Argalas fall in the ‘Pada Lagna’, Ascendant or the Seventh house then the person

will be fortunate. He will achieve success in the partnership business and he will be blessed with the

good wealth and happy married life.

prāgvat trikoṇe 1-1-9

Translation: Similarly, the trinal signs (5th, 9th signs) Argala may be understood in the above lines.

Most commentators seems to understand that 5th sign is Argala sign and the 9th sign is Virodha

Argala sign. Here, it is to be noted that the Sage used plural word “TrikoNe”, which means that

both trines are Argala signs. The, which are the Virodha Argala signs? The riddle can be solved by

taking an alternative argument that if planets are in 5th house cause Argala, then planets in 9th

cause Virodha Argala and vice versa.

viparītam ketoḥ 1-1-10

Translation: The Argala shall be reckoned in reverse manner for the sign occupied by Ketu.

It clearly indicate that for the signs occupied by Ketu 10th, 12th, and 3rd are the Argala signs and

4th, 2nd and 11th are respectively the Virodha Argala signs. Why, we need to calculate in reverse

manner for Ketu? As Ketu moves in reverse, so do the Argala calculation. If that is the case, then

we need to calculate reverse manner to Rahu as well.


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To support this argument, we have some classical references “viparītam rāhuketvoḥ” as an

alternative text. This needs to be probed further. Nevertheless, it clearly proves the concept of

Argala be calculated only for planets, not to the signs.

Thus far, we have three types of Argala. Is there any difference between them, or they are same?

For example is a planet in 4th is equivant to the planet in 5th? The answer is NO. There is a clear

cut classification between these Argala, which I introduce below.

The Argala can be divided into three main concepts.

Primary Argala Visesha Argala Trikona Argala

PRADHANA/PRIMARY ARGALA TABLE

ARGALA (INTERVENTION) VIRODHARGALA (OBSTRUCTION)

2nd

(Dhanargala) 12th

4th

(Sukharagala) 10th

11th

(labhargala) 3rd

3rd

(Parakramargala) No obstruction

Benefic giving argale - shubhargala

Malefic giving argali - papgrahargala

Primary Argala: The planets in 4th, 2nd and 11th places form primary argala. Any planet either

natural benefic or malefic in these primary Argala place constitute Subha (Benefic) Argala. So, the

believed notion of a natural malefic in 2nd house is bad is not acceptable in Jaimini System. Any

planet will have a benefic bearing on the aspecting planet, if it is placed in the respective Argala

houses. Similarly, we need to ascertain the strength of the planets Virodha Argala signs.

Visesha Argala: Only more than two malefic planets in 3rd house provide a benefic Argala and this

Argala never be obstructed. According to Sanjay Rath, this is a special case of Argala, which is rare

and we can observe this type of Argala in the charts of Queen Victoria etc.

Trikona Argala: In this Argala, only benefic planets in 5th or 9th house constitute benefic Argala.

For example, any natural benefic or an exalted planet in 5th house from aspecting planet results in

benefic Argala, which is basically results in Dhana Yoga. Similarly, natural malefic or debilitated

planet in 5th house doesn’t provide Argala at all. Further Rahu in Trine definitely spoils many

positive Yogas in the chart.

Reference

Jaimini Updesa Sutra – Sanjay Rath

Jaimini sutram - Prof. P.S. Sastri

argala a bird s eye view

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