In our discussion so far we have covered the Yogas which come under the first two categories. In the third category, we will be discussing about Six auspicious Yogas viz., Gaja Kesari Yoga, Adhi Yoga, Pushkala Yoga, Sasi Mangala Yoga, Vasumathi Yoga and Maha Bhagya Yoga.
The horoscope of Chris Evert is powerful due to two reasons - one is due to the presence of three planets in exaltation/own house and presence of a strong Gaja Kesari yoga. The presence of an exalted Jupiter in the 10th from Moon gives rise to a powerful Gaja Kesari Yoga. From 1967 till 1986 she was under the dasha of the exalted Saturn (a Yogakaraka from Moon) and this led to all her victories.
Moon, Venus and Saturn are all placed in Lagna bhava. She said “I always had killer instinct. It used to we when I would lose, I couldn't sleep at nightâ€. She won the Wimbledon 3 times, US open 6 times, and she also won 7 French open titles and 2 Australian open titles.
Annie Besant (1847 - 1933) was an ardent supporter of Indian Home rule apart from being a Theosophist, Freemason and an Educationist. In her chart a powerful Gaja Kesari Yoga is formed in Gemini due to the Moon - Jupiter conjunction. Jupiter is Vargottama and being the Lagna Lord is a natural and functional benefic. By joining the 5th Lord Moon it generates a first rate Parasari Raja Yoga. In 1890, Besant met Helena Blavatsky and her interest in Theosophy grew. In 1907 she become president of the Theosophical Society.
Kim Karadashian is an American media personality, Businesswomen, Model and Actress. In her chart, a powerful Gaja Kesari Yoga is formed by the mutual aspect between Moon and Jupiter. A powerful Ruchaka Yoga is also formed by the presence of Lagna Lord Mars in Lagna. In this context it is worth mentioning that the mutual aspect between Moon and Jupiter is a more powerful Yoga than a Moon - Jupiter conjunction. Both Moon and Jupiter also happen to the auspicious trinal Lords and the Moon is strong being in its waxing phase. Gaja Kesari Yoga has given Kim Karadashian enormous wealth and popularity.
Neymar is a Brazilian Footballer and was rated as one of the best Footballers in the world. In his horoscope the Gaja Kesari Yoga is formed across the 4 - 10 axis rendering the house of career, the 10th very strong. Here the Ascendant sign, being Scorpio, both Moon and Jupiter are trinal Lords and well placed too.
Eddie Murphy's chart is an excellent example of Gaja Kesari Yoga. He is an American Comedian and actor better known for his role in the movie “Coming to America†(1988). A loosely based adaptation of this movie was directed by Pratap Pothen, the noted Tamil Actor and Director and this was released in 1990 with the title “ My Dear Marthandanâ€. “Coming to America†is all about a crown prince of a fictional African nation, travelling to USA in the hope of finding a girl who will marry him and love him for what he is (not because of his financial status or because the guy is able to please the girl or keep her in good humour). The film had a fabulous run with a gross worldwide collection of about 350 million dollars. In the chart of Eddie Murphy, Jupiter (in a quadrant from Moon) with Saturn is not only giving rise to the Gaja Keasri Yoga but also is seen with Neechabhanga Raja Yoga. Venus and Jupiter thwart the arising of a Kemadruma Yoga or in other words, they form the Kemadruma Bhanga Yoga. A partial Vipareetha Raja Yoga is formed by Mercury in the 8th. In June 1988 when “Coming to America†was released transit Saturn was in the 3rd from Moon, while a stunning array of 3 planets Jupiter, Venus and Mercury were in the 11th from Janma Lagna, accounting for the stupendous success of the movie.
The author of the Jatakadesam has this to say on Gaja Kesari Yoga.
Hanti Sarvagrahaarishtam Chandra Kendra Brihaspathihi |
Yatha Gaja Sahasraani nihante kopi kesari ||
All the planetary doshas get annulled when Gaja Kesari yoga is present. A single lion can overcome a group of elephants.
The word “Gaja†in Sanskrit means elephant while “Kesari†refers to lion. Some authors take the view that lion, being the king of the jungle and elephant being a large animal would imply that the “Gaja Kesari Yoga†would give one a very big name like these two large and powerful animals.This view seems to be incorrect. The terminology needs to be interpreted according to what it really signifies from the standpoint of the authors. The lion is an enemy of the elephant. The lion is a carnivorous animal while the elephant is a herbivorous animal. The lion is a predator. In a fight between lion and the elephant, who is going to win? To know the answer, we should try to understand the rules of the game. A large lion can hunt a medium sized elephant. Usually a group of lions go for a hunt and the elephant is attacked from the rear. In case the elephant is large and is going in a group, the lion would get killed. So, it is an evenly matched battle and both parties are not assured of success. Elephants are ferocious while they are in rut. A group of rutty elephants can be chased away by a single ferocious lion. This is the real meaning of “Gaja Kesari Yogaâ€. This means that the angular placement of Jupiter from the Moon can drive away a group of petty doshas that may be present in the horoscope drawing the analogy of a ferocious lion chasing away elephants even though they are all in a group. Here the lion is compared with the Gaja Kesari Yoga and the minor doshas rendered dysfunctional are compared with the group of elephants.
Interestingly enough, Mantreswara in his Phala Deepika refers to this Yoga as “Kesari Yoga†while other authors use the term “ Gaja Kesari Yogaâ€.
“The Moon in a quadrant from Jupiter gives rise to Kesari Yoga (Ibid, Chapter 6, Verse 14)â€. The person born in this Yoga will destroy like a lion all his enemies. He will speak loftily in an assembly. He will be passionate and emotional in his behaviour. He will be long - lived, renowned and exceedingly intelligent. He will conquer everything by his own valour (Ibid, Chapter 6, Verse 16).
According to “Brihat Parasara Hora Sastra†should Jupiter be in a quadrant from Lagna or Moon, conjunct or aspected by a benefic, without being combust, debilitated or being in an inimical sign, Gaja Kesari Yoga is formed. A person born in Gaja kesari Yoga is wealthy, intelligent, lives in splendour with laudable virtues and will please the king (Chapter 36, Verse 3 - 4).
According to Kumara Swameeyam, a Tamil classic, Gaja Kesari Yoga is formed when;
- Moon is waxing;
- Jupiter occupies the 4th or 10th from Moon and;
- Moon is in Aquarius and Jupiter is in Taurus or vice versa (or) Moon is in Sagittarius and Jupiter is in Pisces or vice versa
Obviously this is a far more stringent application of the rule than the one contemplated by Rishi Parasara.
Further the well known astrologer C. G. Rajan opines that in this Yoga two more conditions have to be satisfied.
- Moon should be free from combustion or debilitation.
- Mercury should not occupy the 5th or 7th from Moon.
According to Vaidyanatha, “When Jupiter occupies a quadrant from the Moon, the yoga is called as Gaja Kesari Yoga. Again if the Moon be aspected by planets, Venus, Jupiter and Mercury, without being depressed or obscured by the Sun, Gaja Kesari Yoga is formed (JATAKA PARIJATA, Chapter 7, Verse 116). The person born in Gaja Kesari Yoga is energetic, has much money and grain; is intelligent and meritorious and does what will please the king (Ibid, Chapter 7, Verse 117).
Moon aspected by Jupiter gives rise to Gaja Kesari Yoga. In addition if both Venus and Mercury aspect the Moon, it is still better.
When the Moon - Jupiter conjunction happens in the fourth house one becomes a minister or a people's representative and ensures lot of domestic comfort. According to Manasaagari it deprives one of comforts at home, gives trouble with mother; this is on account of his/her intention of working for others or for rendering service to society.
If the Moon - Jupiter combination is related to the 10th, one becomes an ascetic by renouncing the world and family. With Jupiter in 10th one leads an austere life indifferent to worldly matters. It is a yoga for idealism or spiritual pursuits.
If both Moon and Jupiter are exalted, Gaja Kesari yoga cannot arise as the concerned planets will not be in quadrants. If Moon is in Cancer and Jupiter is in Sagittarius even then there will only Sakata yoga. So the only way in which Moon and Jupiter can both be strong and also form a Gaja Kesari Yoga is when they form a conjunction in Cancer.
In this context, I refer to the view expressed by eminent Astrologer Late Shri. V. S. Kalyanaraman “Moon enjoys a prime position and the rasi where it stands is taken as Chandra Lagna. Therefore the angular position of Jupiter with reference to the Moon is significant. Moon is sensitive and Jupiter is too auspicious. Jupiter in an angle aspecting the Moon with added aspects of Venus and Mercury can give excessive benefit to the Moon (vide YOGARNAVA, page 105).