MARAKA GRAHAS

Maraka Grahas

In Chapter 44 of BPHS Parasara says, O Brahmin! Third and Eighth Bhava are the two Bhavas of longevity. The Bhavas, related to death, are the 12th from each of these, i.e. Dhana and Yuvati Bhava are Maraka Bhavas. (BPHS 2-5)

Out of the two maraka bhavas, Dhana Bhava is a powerful Maraka Bhava. Along with it the following are also considered to be Marakas

• The Lords of Dhana and Yuvati Bhava
• Malefics in Dhana and Yuvati Bhava
• Malefics conjoined with Dhana and Yuvati bhava’s Lords (BPHS 44.3)

The major and sub-periods of these Grahas will bring death on the native, depending on whether he is a long life, medium life, or short life person.

The Dasha of a benefic Graha, related to twelfth lord may also inflict death.

End may descend on the native in Eighth Lord’s Dasha.

The Dasha of a Graha, which is an exclusive malefic, may also cause death (BPHS 44.6 - 44.7)

Predominant Killer

If Saturn is ill-disposed and be related to a Maraka Graha (as mentioned above), he will be the first to kill in preference to other Grahas. (BPHS 44.9)

There are three kinds of life-spans, viz. short, medium and long. Short life is before 32 years, later on up to 64 it is medium life and from 64 to 100 it is long life. Beyond 100 the longevity is called Purnayu (10-14). Persons falling into these three compartments shall die in specific constellations based on the Navatara shceme of classification of the Nakshatras into three groups. According to Pt. Sanjay Rath, if the Janma Nakshatra is stronger to initiate the vimshottari dasa, then the Navatara chakra is initiated from the Lagna Nakshatra and vice-versa.

• One born with short life combinations may face death in the Dasha, denoted by Vipat star (3rd from the birth star)
• One of medium life may die in the Dasha, denoted by Pratyak star (5th from the birth star).
• In the Dasha, denoted by Vadha star (7th from the birth star), one with long life may obtain his end.

Longevity Calculation prohibited by Parasara before the native attains 20 years of Age. He says to Maitreya, O excellent of the Brahmin! It is impossible to decide upon longevity till the native is 20 years old. Till such year the child should be protected by sacred recitations, religious offerings (of Ghee etc.) to consecrated fire, as prescribed in the Vedas and scriptures and through medical treatments; premature death may descend on the child due to sins of father and mother, or of his/her own (in the previous birth).

• The Dasha of the Lord of the 22nd Decanate, or 23rd, or 3rd, or 5th, or 7th asterisms may also cause death.

• The Lords of the 2^nd and the 12^th i.e., Sun and Mercury, counted from Cancer, may also bring death. This is true, when the Moon is a malefic. If he happens to be a benefic, there will be diseases (not death).

• Death may come to pass in the Dasha of Sixth lord and in the sub-periods of Sixth, Eighth and/or Twelfth Lords.

Death Vs. Miseries

Should there be many Marakas and, if these Marakas are strong, there will be diseases, miseries etc. in major and sub-periods. Thus these are Marakas and are primarily related to bring death upon the native. According to their dispositions there may be death, or difficulties.

Rahu and Ketu, as Marakas.

• If Rahu, or Ketu are placed in Lagna, Seventh, Eighth, or Twelfth Bhava, or happen to be in the 7th from a Marak Lord, or are placed with such a Grah, they acquire powers of killing in their major, or sub-periods.

• For one born in Makar, or in Vrischik, Rahu will be a Marak. For Capricorn, Rahu becomes the 2^nd lord and for Vrishchika, it becomes the 4^th lord.

• Should Rahu be in Sixth, Eighth, or Twelfth Bhava, he will give difficulties in his Dasha periods. He will not, however, do so, if Rahu receives a Drishti from, or is yuti with a benefic. (This is true for all the planets, who when aspected by benefics give beneficial results and tone down their malefic results.)

Third house and cause of Death.

• If Surya, being with strength, is in third house, one will obtain his death, due to a king (legal punishments).
• Chandra in third house will cause death, due to tuberculosis.
• Wounds, weapons, fire and thirst will cause death through Mangal in third house.
• If third house receives a Drishti from, or is occupied by Śani and Rahu, death will be through poison, water, or fire, or fall from heights, or confinement.
• Death will surely come through insects, or leprosy, if Chandr and Gulika occupy, or give a Drishti to third house.
• Budha, giving a Drishti to, or occupying third house, will bring death, followed by fever.
• Guru in or giving a Drishti to third house, will cause death by swelling, or tumours.
• Urinary diseases will cause death, if Shukr is in, or gives a Drishti to third house.
• Many Grahas, giving a Drishti to, or occupying third house, will bring death through many diseases.

Note: In the upadesha sutras of Maharishi Jaimini it is mentioned that cause of death can be seen from the 3rd and 8th from Arudha Lagna.

Place of Death

If Sahaj Bhava is occupied by a benefic, death will be in an auspicious place (like a shrine) and, if Sahaj Bhava is occupied by a malefic, death will be in sinful places. Mixed occupation of Sahaj Bhava will yield mixed results with regard to the place of death.

Sreenivas Desabhatla