SPAN OF LIFE

THREE KINDS OF LIFE SPANS: short, medium, and long.

10-14. O Brahmin, I tell you further about Marakas. Narrated earlier 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 supreme. O excellent of the Brahmins, 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 by Vedas etc.) and medical treatments, for premature death may descend on the child due to sins of father or mother or of its own (in the previous birth).

15-21. I further mention about the Maraka planets. One born with short life combinations may face death in the Dasa denoted by Vepat star (3rd from birth star); one of medium life may die in the dasa denoted by Pratyak star (5th from birth star). In the dasa denoted by Vadha star (7th from birth star), one with long life may obtain his end. The dasa of the lord of 22nd decanate or the one of 23rd, 3rd, 5th, or 7th asterisms may also cause death.

The lords of the 2nd and 12th counted from the Moon sign may bring death, this is true when the said ruler is a malefic and if he be a benefic there will be (only) diseases (but not death). Death may come to pass in the dasa of 6th lord and in the sub periods of 6th,8th, and 12th lords. Should there be many Marakas (endowed with the power of killing) and be strong, there will be diseases, miseries etc. in the respective major and sub periods. Thus these are Marakas (as above) and are primarily related to descend death upon the native. According to their dispositions there may be death or difficulties.

NODES: RAHU AND KETU AS MARAKAS:

If Rahu or Ketu be in the ascendant, 7th, 8th, or 12th thereof, or be in the 7th from a Maraka lord or be with such a planet, they acquire powers of killing in their major or sub periods.