MANTRESWARA'S
PHALA DEEPIKA
English Translation, Commentary
and annotation by Dr. G. S. Kapoor
Preface
Shri Mantreswara's 'Phaladeeplka' holds a most distinguished position amongst the great ancient astrological classics alongwith Brihat Parasara Hora Sastra, Varahmihira's Brihat Jataka and Vaidya Natha's Jataka Parijata. It deals in a most comprehensive and authoritative manner with almost all the astrological aspects of human life. There can be said to be nothing that this great work has omitted from its purview.
Some of the important subjects dealt with in a lucid manner in the book are: description and characteristic features of the various signs, planets and bhavas (houses), the various kinds of strengths of planets and their awasthas with their effects, sources of livelihood, yogas or planetary combinations leading to affluence and poverty, effects of planets in different houses, effects of different Ascendants, Female horoscopy, matters relating to matrimony and progeny determination of longevity, judgment of houses, various kinds of Dasas and their effects, Ashtakavarga and its importance in the judging of effects of transit of planets, transit effects of planets and constellations, and description and influence of upagrahas.
The author of this book Shri Mantreswara is believed to have lived in the 13th century when this valuable work must have been compiled. It is said that he belonged to a family of Namboodari Brahmins and he was born in tirinevelley District of the erstwhile Madras Presidency (now known as Tamil Nadu). He was a devotee of Sukuntlambki Devi. As a young man his name was Markandeya Bhattadri. To attain knowledge he is said to have travelled to far off places like Badrika Ashram in Himalayas and Mithila Pradesh - By sheer dint of hard work and devotion, he became well versed in the Vedanta philosophy and in the knowledge of other sastras, and by severe observance of fast, penance and meditation, he became gifted with divine knowledge and assumed the name of Mantreswara. His knowledge of Astrology was profound and the reference in his book to Parasara, Varahamihira and other learned astrologers indicates that he had made a deep study of all the ancient astrological works existing in his time.
The present book is so instructive that beginners as well as advanced students of Astrology can obtain very useful guidance from its study.
New Delhi G.S. Kapoor
Table of Contents
Chapter 1: Description of characteristic
Jeatures of signs and houses Parts of the body of Kalapurusha, Abdoes of signs -- Lords of the signs -- Moolatrtkona signs, exaltation and debilitation points, own signs of planets- Biped, centiped, watery and quadruped, Shlrshodaya -Nocturnal and diurnal signs - Moveable, fixed and common signs -- Dwara, Bahis and Oarbha signs - Dhatu, Mula and Jeeva signs -- Krura, Saumya, odd. even, male, female signs - Twelve houses and subjects with which they are concerned. 1-11
Chapter 2: Characteristic features of the planets and the matters
Jailing under their Jurisdiction Subjects to be determined from the Sun and other planets-temperament, form, colour, dress, appearance, etc., of the planets, places belonging to the planets Gunas, Satwa, Rajas and Tamas of planets -relations signified by them-Grains, gems and substances ruled by the planets-Ages indicated by the planets. 12-27
Chapter 3: Divisions of a sign
Rasi, Hora, Drekkana, Panchamsa, Saptamsa, Navamsa, Dasmainsa, Dwadasauisa, Shodasamsa and Shastyamsa -- Saptavargas consisting of vargas after omitting Dasmamsa, Shastyamsa and Shodasamsa -- Shadvargas - Matters to be considered from various vargas and their significance -- meaning and significance of Vargottama -Parljatamsa, Uttamamsa, Gopuramsa, Slmhasanamsa, Parvatamsa, Devalokamsa, Alravatamsa and Suralokamsa -- Awasthas of planets - Pradeepta, Sukhita, Swastha, Mudita, Shanta, Shakta; Vlkala, Nlpldlta, Khala and Atibhjeeta -- Effects of Planets In various conditions. 28-36
Chapter 4: The strength of planets and houses
Kalaja, Chesta, Uchchaja - Dik -Ayan -Sthana. The method of working out Chandra krlyas, Chandra Awastha and Chandra Vela -Effects of 60 Chandra krlyas, 12 Chandra Awasthas and 36 Chandravelas -- Tables for guidance. 37-56
Chapter 5: Source of livelihood
The indication of the sources of livelihood or profession by the Sun and other planets. 56-60
Chapter 6: Yogas
Panchamahapurusha yogas viz., Ruchaka, Bhadra, Hansa, Malavya and Sasa. — Sunapha, Anapha and Durudhara -Kemadruma - Papavasl and Papakartarl - Amala - Mahabhagya » Kesari - Sakata - Adhama, Satna and Varlshta -- Vasumatl — Pushkala -- Shubhamala and Ashubhamala -- Lakshml -- Gouri -- Saraswatl -- Srikanta - Srinatha -- Varunchi — Parivartana, Kahala — Raja yoga — Sankhya yogas viz. Veena, Dama, Pasa, Kedara, Sula, Yoga, and Gola — Adhiyoga -- Chamar, Dhenu, Saurya, Jaladhi. Chhatra, Astra, Kama, Asura, Bhagya, Khyatl, Partjata and Musala yogas -- Avayoga, Nisswayoga. Mriti yoga, Kuhu yoga, Sarla yoga, Nlrbhagya yoga, Duryoga, Dartdrayoga and Vimala yoga. 61-89
Chapter 7: Raja yogas
Description of various planetary combinations. 90-100
Chapter 8: Effect of the Sun and other planets In the twelve houses. 101-116
Chapter 9: Effect of different Ascendants
Effects of planets posited in exaltation, own, friend's, Inimical and debilitation 117-122
Chapter 10: Matters relating to the 7th house
Planetary dispositions for loss of wife,. issuelessness, possessing a chaste, fortunate and beautiful wife, a crippled wife, liasion with other people's wives, wlfelessness, having two wives, time of marriage. 123-127
Chapter 11: Female Horoscopy
Peculiarities of female's horoscope -- planetary combination for a good husband and sons, masculine featured and sons, masculine featured and uncontrollable woman — planetary combination for widowhood, diseased womb, lack of chastity, becoming a prostitute, being chaste, happiness - Effects of Trimsamsa occupied by the Moon at birth-untoward effects of the birth, a female in certain Nakshatras — Circumstances favourable for conception. 128-134
Chapter 12: Birth of children (the 5th house)
Planetary combinations for acquisition of children issuelessness, loss of children, limited progeny, having a child late In life, having a son from the second wife, extinction of family, having a son by adoption, male and female children, number of Issues and having children with great efforts -- Inauspicious Tithis for births and their adverse effects and remedial measures for the same -- Method for finding out the Dasa and Antardasa — Effects of transit of planets on the birth of children. 135-145
Chapter 13: Determination of longevity Essentials at the time of birth
Early death due to own signs or those of father and mother and remedial measures Balarishta, yogarishta, Alpayus (short life), Madhyamayus, circumstances In which father or mother or both will die after the birth of a child -- Evil yogas viz. Dinamrityu, Dinaroga or Vlshaghatlka, death soon after birth -- fateful degrees of the Moon which cause early death. The decanate Rasls of the Lagna and the Moon, Navamsa Rasls of the lord of the Lagna and lord of the sign occupied by the Moon and the Dwadasamsa Rasls of the lord of Lagna and the lord of 8th house -- Planetary combinations of long, medium and short life -- Evil effects by a strong Jupiter posited In the Lagna, happy long life If Jupiter and lord of the Lagna are posited In Kendra. 146-156
Chapter 14: Diseases, death and past and future births
Description of diseases by the various planets - Planetary combinations for occurrence of different kinds of diseases - Manner In which a person meets with his death -Description of planets and Rasis and the diseases caused by them. Planetary combinations for happy and troublesome deaths and going to heaven or hell -- Planets which give information about past and future births. 157-166
Chapter 15: Assessment of houses
Circumstances in which the various houses are strong and when they are weak -circumstances causing total destruction of a house-Description of planets causing destruction of the house during their Dasa period -- Good effects of lord of the Lagna occupying a house even if he be a malefic -- Effect on the house when a planet owns two houses -- Effect of a planet in Bhava -- Sandhi -- Description of subjects falling under the Jurisdiction of the various planets -- Karakas -- a method of judging each house -- Circumstances under which the planets are Inter-connected. 167-177
Chapter 16: General effects of the twelve houses
The planets effecting the appearance of the native and his body and limbs -- Effects of the good and had disposition of the lords of the Lagna and other houses -- Effects of the lord of Lagna being stronger than the lord of the 6th house -- Time when the good and bad effects of a house will be realised. 178-188
Chapter 17: Exit from the world
Destruction of a house during transit of Saturn through certain positions - Occurence of death during the transit of Saturn through certain positions - Occurence of death during transit of Jupiter, the Sun and the Moon In certain positions - The time of death of the native. 189-196
Chapter 18: Effects of conjunction of two planets
General effects of conjunction of two planets - Effects of Moon in different signs being aspected by different planets - Effects of the Moon being in Navamsa of different planets and being aspected by them. 197-202
Chapter 19: Dasas (major periods) of planets and their effects
The span of Dasa (Vlmshottari Dasa) of various planets — How to work and the balance of dasa at birth? – What is a solar year? -- General effects of Dasas of the various planets. 203-213
Chapter 20: Effects of the Dasas of the lords oj houses
Effects of the Dasa of Vargottamamsa planets -- Unfavourable effects of the Dasa and Antar Dasa of the two planets occupying the 8th house -- Effects of the Antar Dasa of a planet owing to the 3rd, 5th, or 7th star from the natal star in the Dasa of a Malefic - Evil effects If the 4th Dasa is of Saturn, sixth of Jupiter and 5th of Mars of Rahu -- Favourable effects of the Dasa of Mars if in Urdhvamukha sign of the exaltation sign - identical with the 10th or 11th house — Unfavourable effects of a planet if he is Inimical to the lord of the Dasa -- Quantum of effects of a planet in his Dasa -- Effects of Antardasa of a planet passing in the course of his transit through his house of depression or Inimical house, house of exaltation, his own house or a friendly house -- Effects of Dasas of benefics owning kendras and those of planets in Trtkonas — Effects of Dasas and Antar Dasas of planets ownlng,kendras and occupying Trikonas and vice-versa -- Evil effects of Jupiter and Venus owning kendras — Attainment of yogakarka status by Rahu and Ketu If posited In kendra or Trlkona — Avarohlnl and Arohinl Dasas. 214-231
Chapter 21: Nature of Antar Dasas and Pratyantar Dasas
Method of calculating the spans of Antar Dasas and Pratyantar Dasas -- Effects of the Antar Dasas of the nine planets during the Dasas of the Sun, the Moon, Mars, Rahu, Jupter, Saturn, Mercury, Ketu and Venus. 232-251
Chapter 22: Kalachakra Dasa
Method of preparing a kalachakra - Distinguishing between Apasavya and savya chakras — Period of the seven planets reckoned from the Sun-Description of allotment of sub-periods according to four padas of the Nakshatras -- Details of Parama Ayus in years for the 12 Raslamsas reckoned from Aries In the Apasavya chakra and those for the 12 Raslamsas reckoned from Scorpio In the savya chakra -Calculation of cycles of Dasas — Utpanna, Adhana and Mahadasa — Nisarga Dasa and its details — Amsa Dasa and its details. When the kalachakra Dasa system has not to be followed? 252-263
Chapter 23: Ashtakavarga
Importance of Ashtakavarga -- Meaning of Ashtakavarga -Reckoning of auspicious places in the Ashtakavargas of the seven planets and the Lagna -- Effects of nil to 8 benefic Blndus (dots) In the Ashtakavargas -• Method of preparing prastara or Sarvashtakavarga -- Effects of benefic even in his exaltation signs white owning a Dusthana. 264-276
Chapter 24 Effects of Ashtakavarga according to Horosara
Sodhyapinda — Method of Trlkona Shodhana -- Method of Ekadhlpatya Shodhana -- Description of Rasl multipliers and planet multipliers. 277-288
Chapter 25: Gullka and other Upagrahas
The names of Upagrahas viz. Gullka or Mandl, Yamakantaka, Ardhaprahara, Kala, Dhuma, Vyatipata, Parldhl, Indra Dhanus and Ketu or Upketu - Calculation of their position and their effects. 289-294
Chapter 26: Effects of transits of various planets and constallatlons (Nakshatras)
Houses reckoned from the nine planets in which they produce good effects In the course of transit — Description of Vedha places from the various planets -transit effects to be reckoned from the sign occupied by the Moon - Effects of transit of the planets through the twelve houses — Effects of transits of Nakshatras - Saptasalaka diagram- Effects of Lattas-Preparatlon of Sarvatobhadra chakram and Its Importance - Information extracted from Hora Ratna about Sarvatobhadra chakram – Diagram of Samastobhadra chakram. 295-325
Chapter 27: Yogas leading to ascetlsm
Planetary combination leading to ascetlsm -- the order of ascetlsm to be taken up as a result of the influence of the seven planets. 326-327
Chapter 28: Conclusion 328
