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LAGNA – THE HEART OF HOROSCOPE
Smt.Edupuganti Padmaja Rani
M.Sc(Maths), M. A (Sanskrit), M.A(Astrology), M.A(Telugu), M.Ed, M.Phil
Doctoral Research Scholar, Karnataka Samskrit University, Bengaluru-560018
edupugantipadmajarani@gmail.com
M#+918143383814
ABSTRACT
The most essential section of the birth chart is the Lagna. All living things are built on this foundation. The Lagna influences a person’s outer image, IQ, lifespan, health, speech, earning potential, and overall quality of life. Lagna possesses everything of a person’s desire. It is the house of intelligence and represents exceptional vitality, vigour, good health, and strong principles. Because the Lagna also represents a person’s physical appearance, the Lagnesha in Lagna Vedic astrology denotes that the person will spend time, effort, and money to improve and preserve their physical beauty. A positive and strong Lagna A strong ascendant can bring you joy, prosperity, happiness, success, and respect., whilst a negative and weak Lagna can bring suffering. It has a tremendous impact on a native’s overall life success. As a result, the Lagna is the most significant house in the birth chart.
KEY WORDS
Chart, Planetary, Life, Element, Lagna, Ascendant, Lagna Lord, Lagnesha, Personality, House, Hour, Vrushabha, Eastern Horizon, Planet, Time, Mars, Kuja, Native, Moon Sign, Sun Sign, Planets, Rising Sign, Malefic, Benefic, Zodiac Sign, First House, Rama, Srikrishna, Ramayana, Srimad Bhaghavatam, Venus, Yogas, Bharta, Native’s Birth, Rashi.
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INTRODUCTION
Astrology is an ancient language that communicates a unique cosmic signature known as your birth chart using celestial bodies, zodiac signs, and houses. The birth chart depicts the position of the sun, moon, planets, and stars at the specific time and location of your birth. This is what gives your uniqueness, relationships, and life purpose structure.
The sun, moon, and rising are the three key planetary points in your birth chart that define your everyday personality. Discovering your sun, moon, and rising sign, as well as which of the 12 zodiac signs they inhabit in your birth chart. In your birth chart, the sun, moon, and rising sign are all located within a distinct zodiac sign. The 12 zodiac signs are linked to elements such as earth, water, air, and fire; a fundamental quality such as cardinal, changeable, or fixed, and a planetary ruler. The combination of them forms the foundation for investigating how these planetary points manifest in your life.
The Sun is who you are. It’s your essence that you radiate to the rest of the world. It signifies the essential power that motivates you to become the most authentic version of yourself. Your sun sign determines how you respond to the question “Who am I?” as well as how you live and express yourself. It also symbolises the type of energy required to feel energised. The element of your sun sign, for example, might assist you understand your self-expression preferences and how you recharge.
The Moon represents your subconscious personality, which you usually keep concealed, and it is the driving force behind your emotional reactions. Your moon sign gives you insight into how you care and replenish yourself, as well as how you sense pleasure and pain, joy and sorrow. It’s the nirvana of your inner self. The element of your moon sign, for example, might help you comprehend your inner world and how you behave in emotional situations.
Your social personality is determined by your Rising Sign (Ascendant). It’s how you make an impression on people based on the zodiac sign that was visible on the Eastern horizon at the time you were born. Your rising sign determines your physical appearance and demeanour. It is a physical manifestation of your inner and outer worlds. The element of your rising sign can help you comprehend the type of energy that drives your physical body and entire outlook on life.
MEANING AND DESCRIPTION OF LAGNA(ASCENDANT)
The study of Ascendants is one of the fundamental parts of Vedic astrology that has a great impact on how people’s lives are portrayed. The Ascendant, also known as the Rising Sign or Lagna, is the zodiac sign that is rising on the Eastern Horizon at the time of the native’s birth. This is the horoscope’s first house. For example, if Aries is rising at the time of the native’s birth, the native will have Aries ascendant and Aries zodiac in the first house of the horoscope. The ascendant will be ruled by Mars or Kuja, the Aries zodiac’s ruler. In this situation, Mars will have a significant impact on the native’s personality, physical appearance, and thought pattern.
The Lagna is the most significant house in a person’s horoscope. It represents the person himself/herself in a horoscope. The Lagna of a person must be strong in order for them to have a successful life. A strong Lagna strengthens the benefic astrological yogas, whereas a weak ascendant weakens the yogas created by other planets. A strong Lagna itself can result in many benefic yogas.
In the calculation of Lagna/Ascendant strength the following aspects are considered:
Lagna Lord’s Placement: The placement of the Lagna lord is important in determining the strength of the Lagna. If the Lord is placed in kendras (first, fourth, seventh, and tenth houses) or trikonas (fifth and ninth houses), it will be very strong. If the Lord is placed in the sixth, eighth, or twelfth house, it will be weak.
Lagna Lord’s Dignity such as Exalted, debilitated, own house etc.,: The dignity of the rising signs lord is also an important consideration. If the Lord of Lagna is exalted, in mool-trikona, placed in one’s own house or sign, or placed in a friendly sign, the results will be excellent in decreasing order. However, if the rising sign’s lord is placed in an enemy sign or is debilitated, the ascendants’ strength will suffer.
Position of other planets in the Lagna: Natural benefic planets such as Moon, Mercury, Jupiter, Venus and yoga-karaka planets for that Lagna have a positive impact, whereas natural malefic planets such as Saturn, Rahu, Ketu, etc have a negative impact
Aspects or Drishti of other planets to the Lagna: The same criteria apply in cases of aspect or drishti from other planets to it as they do in cases of placement.
Natural karaka of the Lagna: The Sun is the natural karaka of all natives; thus, its strength and proper placement are also vital for having a strong ascendant state.
To understand the true nature of a native the Vedic Astrology uses the concept of shodasa vargas or sixteen divisional charts. Each varga represents a different area of life and together they represent the complete picture of a native. Even more important than the shodasa vargas there are three essential birth charts prescribed by Vedic astrology: the Lagna chart, the Moon chart, and the Sun chart. The first one is made by using the lagna as the first dwelling. The moon chart is created using the location of the moon in the chart as the lagna. Similarly, a Sun chart is created using the location of the sun as the Lagna. The analysis of the Lagna chart is the most significant of these three for producing accurate predictions.
One’s outer personality, physical characteristics are all determined by the Lagna/Ascendant. It plays a pivotal role in determining everything related to health, wealth and longevity of a person. If very weak, the ascendant will cause negative effects in above mentioned aspects and vice-versa if the ascendant is strong. It will have an impact on success of an individual’s person.
The sole factor that distinguishes persons of the same zodiac, sun sign, or moon sign for being different is their rising sign, which might also be interpreted as the indigenous’ hidden characteristics. It’s the only subject that can explain the differences between twins because it changes every two hours.
SIGNIFICANCE OF THE LAGNA AND THE LAGNA LORD
The Lagna and The Lagna Lord
The degree of the Rashi and Nakshatra rising on the eastern horizon at the moment of the native’s birth is known as the rising sign or Lagna. The significance of Lagna is that it is the horoscope’s centre point. The houses are calculated using the Lagna Rashi. The first house is the one that the Lagna lives in. The Lagna is calculated using the date and time of birth. The birthplace is crucial because a change in longitude will alter the Lagna.
Strength of The Lagna Lord
The Lagna ruler, or Lagnesha, is the Lord of the Rashi in which the Lagna is located. In Vedic astrology, the strength and house position of the Lagna Lord is one of the most important aspects of a person’s horoscope. The Lagnesha’s position indicates where the person’s emphasis will be.
The sky appears to be moving when we look at it. This is because, like a wheel, the entire zodiac sign moves towards the eastern horizon around the sun. The solar sign that is at its highest degree at the moment of your birth affects your personality and interests as it moves towards the eastern horizon. There are 12 sun signs and 24 hours in a day. As a result, each sun sign has two hours of Ascendant time. In other words, the Lagna rotates every 2 hours during the day.
In a day, the Lagna completes a full cycle of all 12 Rashis, which means the Lagna spends only two hours in each Rashi. While the Moon sign, or Chandra Rashi, reveals a native’s thoughts, the Lagna Rashi and Nakshatra reveal a person’s values, intelligence, appearance, and personality. It demonstrates how the native will be perceived by others. Lagna also indicates a person’s vigour, character, longevity, power, and dignity. It also denotes the head and facial region of the body and informs us about this part of the body.
Lagna Lord In The First House
The Lagna in the first house, or the Lagna itself, signifies excellent energy, vigour, good health, and strong ideals. They are extremely intelligent due to the Lagnesha in Lagna, which is the house of intelligence. They are steadfast in their beliefs and ideals. Lagna also signifies a person’s physique, therefore the Lagnesha in Lagna Vedic astrology indicates that the person will devote time, effort, and money to beautifying and maintaining their physical appearance.
SHASTRIC REFERENCES
Characteristics of people born in the 12 lagnas/ascendants as described in Manasasagari
अथ लग्न फलम्
मेषलग्ने सामुत्पत्रक्षडो मानी धनी शुभः ।
क्रोधी स्वजनहंता च विक्रमी परवत्सलः ।।१।।
मेष लग्न में जन्म लेने वाला पुरुष वडा प्रचंड (तेज मिजाज वाला) अभिमानी, धनवान्, शुभ, आचरण वाला, बडा क्रोधी, अपने लोगों का मारने वाला, बडा पराक्रमी तथा अन्य पुरुषों से स्नेह करने वाला होता हैं ।।१।।
वृषलग्नभवो लोकगुरुभक्तःप्रियंवदः ।
गुणी कृती धनी लोभी शूरःसर्वजनप्रिय : ||२||
और वृष लग्न में जो पुरुष लेता हैं वह आदमी लोक तथा अपने गुरु जनों का भक्त: प्रिय वाक्य का कहने वाला, गुणवान्, पण्डित, धनवान्, लोभी, शूरवीर तथा सब जनों को प्रिय होता हैं ||२||
मिथुनोढयसेजातो मानी स्वजनवल्लमः ।
त्यागी भोगी धनी कामी दीर्घसूत्रोऽरिमर्दकः ।।३।।
मिधुन लग्न में जन्म लेने वाला आदमी वडा अभिमानी, अपने बन्धु जनों को प्रिय; त्यगी तथा भोगी; धनवान्, बडा कामी आलसी बडी देरी से काम करने वाला और शत्रु जनो क 1 मारने होता है ||३||
कर्कलग्ने कर्कलागे कर्कलग्ने समुत्पत्रो भोगी धर्मजनप्रियः ।
मिष्टान्नपानसंयुक्तःसोभाग्यःसुजनप्रियः ।।४।।
और जो कर्क लग्न में जन्म लेता है वह मनुष्य भोग भोगने वाला, धर्मात्मा, मनुष्यों क प्रिय, मिष्टान्न पानसे संयुक्त, भाग्यशाली और सज्जनों को प्रिय होता हैं ।। ४ ॥
सिंहलग्नोदये जातो भोगी शत्रुविमर्दकः ।
स्वल्पोदरोऽल्पपुत्रश्च सोत्साही रणविक्रमी ।।५||
और जो सिंह लग्न में जन्म लेने वाला मनुष्य भोगों का भोगने वाला; शत्रु जनों को मारने वाला, छोटे पेट वाला, कम पुत्र वाला, उत्साह रखने वाला, रणमें पराक्रम करने वाल होता हैं ||५||
कन्यलग्ने भवेद्वालो नानावाखविशारदः ।
सोभाग्यगुणसेपत्र सुंदर सुरतप्रियः 11६11
और कन्य लग्न में जन्म लेने वाला वालक अनेक शास्त्रों में विशारद, कल्याणदायक गुणों से सम्पन्न, सुन्दर और स्त्री संगमें रुचि रखने वाला है ||६||
तुलालग्नोदये जातः सुधी:सत्कर्मजीविकः ।
विद्वान्सर्वकलाभिज्ञो धनाढ्यो जनपूजितः 11011
और जिसका तुला लग्न में जन्म होता है वह मनुष्य बडा पण्डित, सत्कर्मो से जीविक, करने वाला, बडा विद्वान, सव कला जानने वाला; धनवान् और मनुष्यों से पूजित होता हैं ।|७||
वृश्चिकोदयसंजातःशौर्यवान्धनवान्सुधीः ।
कुलमध्ये प्रधानश्च प्राज्ञःसर्वस्य पोषक: 11८11
और वृश्चिक लग्न में जो मनुष्य जन्म लेता है वह मनुष्य शूरवीर, धनवान् पण्डित, कुल में मुख्य, वडा बुद्धिमान् और सबको पाषण करने वाला होता हैं ||८||
धनलग्नोदये जाती नीतिमान्धर्मवान्सुधीः ।
कुलमध्ये प्रधानश्च प्राज्ञःसर्वस्व पोषक: ॥९॥
और जिस मनुष्य का धन लग्न में जन्म होता है वह मनुष्य वडा नीतिमान्, धर्मज्ञ, वुद्धमान्, कुलमें प्रधान, बडा विद्वान् और सब मनुष्य मात्रों का पाषण करने वाला होता हैं ||९||
मकरोदयसंजाती नीचकर्मा बहुप्रजः ।
लुब्धो विनष्टोऽलसश्व स्वकार्येषु कृतोद्यमः ।।१०।।
और जिस मनुष्य का मकर लग्न में जन्म होता है वह नीच कर्मो का करने वाला, बहुत संतती वाला, बड़ा लोभी, सर्वनाशी, आलसी और अपने कामों में उद्यम करने वाला होता हैं ||१०||
कुंभलग्ने नरो जातोऽचलचित्तो ऽतिसौहृदः ।
परदाररतो नित्यं मृदुकार्यो महासुखी ॥११॥
और जिसका कुम्भ लग्न में जन्म होता है वह मनुष्य अटल चिच्च वाला; बडेसुहद भावसे युक्त, नित्य पर स्त्री गामी, धीरे काम करने वाला और अत्यनन्त सुख चाहने वाला होता हैं ।।११।।
मीनलग्ने भवेदालो रत्नकांचनपूरितः ।
अल्पकामोऽतिकृशश्व दीर्घकालविचिंतकः ||१२||
और जिसका मीन लग्न में जन्म होता है वह बालक रत्नों से और सुवर्ण सेपरिपूर्ण, थोडी काम चेष्टा करनेवाला, अत्यन्त दुवला पतला, और बहुत काल तक वितार के कार्य करने वाला होता हैं ।।१२।। इति ॥
As described in Valmiki Ramayana –Balakanda –The Youthful Majesties Chapter (Sarga) 18
tato yajñe samāpte tu ṛtūnām ṣaṭ samatyayuḥ |
tataḥ ca dvādaśe māse caitre nāvamike tithau || 1-18-8
nakkṣatre aditi daivatye sva uccha saṃstheṣu paṃcasu |
graheṣu karkaṭe lagne vākpatā iṃdunā saha || 1-18-9
prodyamāne jagannātham sarva loka namaskṛtam |
kausalyā ajanayat rāmam sarva lakṣaṇa saṃyutam || 1-18-10
viṣṇoḥ ardham mahābhāgam putram aikṣvāku naṃdanam |
lohitākṣam mahābāhum rakta oṣṭam duṃdubhi svanam || 1-18-11
On completion of the ritual, six seasons have passed by; then in the twelfth month, i.e., in chaitra mAsa, and on the ninth day of that chaitra month [April-May], when it is punarvasu nakshatra yukta navamI tithi, i.e., when the ruling star of that ninth day is punarvasu, for which Aditi is the presiding deity; and when five of the nine planets – sUrya, kuja, guru, shukra, shani are in ucCha sthAna-s, namely, when those planets are in ascension in their respective houses – meSha, makara, karkaTa, mIna, tula – rAshI-s; and when chandra yukta guru, karkaTa lagne – Jupiter in conjuction with Moon is ascendant in Cancer, and when day is advancing, Queen Kausalya gave birth to a son with all the divine attributes like lotus-red eyes, lengthy arms, roseate lips, voice like drumbeat, and who took birth to delight the Ikshwaku dynasty and adored by all the worlds, and who is the greatly blessed epitome of Vishnu, namely Rama. [1-18-8, 9, 10, 11]
bharato nāma kaikeyyām jajñe satya parākramaḥ |
sākṣāt viṣṇoḥ caturtha bhāgaḥ sarvaiḥ samudito guṇaiḥ || 1-18-13
Queen Kaikeyi gave birth to Bharata, one embodied with all merits, and whose truthfulness itself is his valour and who is fourth component of manifest Vishnu, namely Rama. [1-18-13]
atha lakṣmaṇa śatrughnau sumitrā ajanayat sutau |
vīrau sarva astra kuśalau viṣṇoḥ ardha samanvitau | 1-18-14
Queen Sumitra then gave birth to two sons who are the embodied epitomes of Vishnu, namely Lakshmana, and Shatrughna, who are valiant ones and experts in all kinds of weaponry. [1-18-14]
puṣye jātaḥ tu bharato mīna lagne prasanna dhīḥ |
sārpe jātau tu saumitrī kuldīre abhyudite ravau || 1-18-15
With the dawn of sun on the next day, fair-minded Bharata is born under Pisces where puSyami is the star of day, later the sons of Sumitra, namely Lakshmana and Shatrughna are born under Cancer, where aaSreSa is the star of the day, i.e., the tenth of chaitra month, [1-18-15]
The birth of Lord Sri Krishna as quoted inश्रीमद्भागवत की अन्वितर्थ प्रकशिक टीक में दशम स्कन्ध के तृतीय अध्याय की व्याख्या में पंडित गंगासहाय ने खमाणिक्य ज्योतिष ग्रंथ के आधार पर लिखा है कि
जन्म-समय के सन्दर्भ में खमाणिक्य नामक ज्योतिर्ग्रन्थ में आया है-
‘उच्चस्थाःशशि-भौम-चान्द्रि-शनयोलग्नं वृषो लाभगो
जीवः सिंह-तुलालिषु क्रमवशात् पूषोशनो-राहवः।
नैशीथः समयोsष्टमी बुधदिनं ब्रह्मर्क्षमत्रक्षणे
श्रीकृष्णाभिधमम्बुजेक्षणमभूत् आविः परं ब्रह्म तत्’।।
It is mentioned in Srimad Bhagavatam: Canto 10 – Chapter 3: The Birth of Lord Krishna
(1-5) S’rî S’uka said: ‘Then there was the supremely auspicious hour that, with the constellation of Rohinî rising, was endowed with all qualities. All the stars and planets stood in a favorable position.
(9-10) That wonderful child, with its lotus-like eyes and its four arms that held different weapons [and other attributes, like] a conch, a club and so on, was decorated with the S’rîvatsa mark, with the shining Kaustubha jewel around its neck, with yellow garments and with a beautiful hue like that of rain clouds. Vasudeva saw Him [the Lord] beautifully decorated sparkling with a with vaidûrya (tiger’s eye) studded helmet, with rings in His ears, with luxuriant scattered locks of hair, with an exquisite belt around His waist, and with armlets and bracelets on His arms.
It is mentioned in page no. 79,80 of Notable Horoscopes by B V Raman that he characteristics of Chaitanya Maha Prabhu born in Tula(Libra) Lagna are as follows:
The Lagna or the ascendant is strong being aspected by Venus its lord, and Venus in turn being aspected by Jupiter from his own sign. The forces of Mars and Venus being primarily concentrated on the Lagna, Sri Chaitanya was very beautiful and was hence called Gauranga or fair-complexioned. This combination also gave him a fair face, sparkling eyes, eloquence and a musical voice. He was born at the time of a lunar ealipse and it is alleged that at the time of his birth, the parents could notice on the body of the child 32 marks of the person of Narayana
As told by Yagnavalke to Mahabaho mentioned in Chapter 6, Madura Kanda in Garga Samihata (गर्ग संहिता, माधुर्य खण्ड, अध्याय-६) that Lord Krishna was born in Vrishabha Lagna
याज्ञवल्क्य बोले
माहाबाहो!
इस द्वापरयुगके जो दवशेष वर्ष हैं, उन्होंमे तुम्हारे राज्यकालसे एक सौ पंद्रह वर्ष व्यतीत होनेपर यादवपुरी मथुरा में यतुकुलके भीतर भाद्रपदमास, कृष्णपक्ष, बुधवार, रोहिणी नक्षत्र, हर्षणयोग, वृषलग, वव करण और अष्टमी तिथि में आधीरातके समय चन्द्रोदयकालमें, जब कि सब कुछ अन्धकारसे आच्छन्न होगो, वसुदेव – भवनमें देवकीके गर्भसे साक्षात्श्रीहरिका आविर्भाव होगा।
As mentioned in Chapter 5, Madura Kanda, Garga Samihata (गर्ग संहिता, माधुर्य खण्ड, अध्याय-५) that Lord Krishna was born in Vrishabha Lagna
माधुर्यखण्डः
तस्मिन् वर्षे यदुकुले मथुरायां यदोः पुरि ।
भाद्रे बुधे कृष्णपक्षे धातृक्ष हर्षऐ वृषे || १६ ॥
बवेऽष्टम्यामईरात्रे नक्षत्रेशसहादये।
अन्धकारावृते काले देवक्यां शौरिमन्दिरे ।। २० ॥
भविष्यति हरिः साआदरख्यामध्वरेऽनिगवत् ।
श्रीवत्सांक्को घनश्यामो वनमाल्यतिसुन्दरः ||२१||
पीताम्बरः पद्मनेत्रो भव्यमूर्तिश्चतुर्भुजः |
तस्मै देया त्वया कन्या आयु स्तेऽस्ति न संशयः ॥२२ ।।
इति श्रीगर्गसंहितायां माधुर्यखण्डे नारदबहुलाश्यसंवादे अयोध्यापुरवासिन्युपाश्यानां नाम पश्चमोऽध्यायः ।।
As told by Yagnavalke mentioned in Chapter 5, Madura Kanda, Garga Samihata (गर्ग संहिता, माधुर्य खण्ड, अध्याय-५) that Lord Krishna was born in Vrishabha Lagna
याज्ञवल्क्यउवाच ।।
भाद्रेवुधेकृष्ण पक्षेधात्र:हर्षणेवृषे |१९||
बवेश्ष्टम्यामईरात्रेनक्षत्रेशमहोदये ।।
CONCLUSION
The Lagna is the foundation of the entire birth chart. It is literally the building block of human life. Lagna defines a person’s public image, his intelligence, his longevity, his health, his way of talking and speaking, his earning, and entirely his whole life. Lagna has everything you can think of. A good and strong lagna can give positive effects on above mentioned things while negative and weak lagna will cause suffering in above mentioned things. Hence lagna is the most important of all the houses which are there in the birth chart.
REFERENCES
- Notable Horoscopes by B V Raman, Motilal Banarsidass Publishers Private Limited, Delhi, ISBN:81-208-0901-7, Fifth Edition 1981, Sixth Edition 1991, Reprint Delhi 1995,1998
- Maanasaagareepaddhati-Sodaharana Bhashateeka Sahitam by Vamseedhara, printed and published by Kheramaraja Srikrishnadas, President – Sri Venkateswara Press, Kheramaraja Srikrishnadas Marg, Mumbai – 400004
- The Garga Samhita being a biography Sri Krishna Ascribed to Sri Garga Maharshi, Perceptor of the Yadus with The Priyamvasa Hindi Commentary by Pandit Ramtej Pandeya, Chaukhamba Sanskrit Pratishthan, Delhi, ISBN 9788170844305, Edition 2016
- https://sanskritdocuments.org/sites/valmikiramayan/baala/sarga18/balaroman18.html
- http://www.srimadbhagavatam.org/canto10/chapter3.html
- Commentaries on Bhagavata Purana by Pandit Ganga Sahaya: Anvitartha-Prakashika (1820-90), published by Venkateswara Press, Bombay, 1901