This is my first blog, and I wanted to start my Astrology journey by discussing one of my favorite horoscopes – the horoscope of the greatest inspiration I have had – Lord Rama. As I begin, I request his blessings, and pray that I use Astrology only for good, and receive strength to use it selflessly, without any need or agenda.
Prabhu Shri Rama’s life is not a mystery. Ramayana, over the course of history has been narrated many times, and Lord Rama’s personality or charitra and life’s undertakings have been endlessly studied and discussed. He was ideal in all respects – as a son, a brother, a husband, a friend, and even an enemy. I am making an attempt to deconstruct his horoscope. What I write are my opinions only. I have not received this information from anyone. This is my own analysis based on my findings.
There has been debate amongst astrologers about Lord Rama’s horoscope. The exact time of birth is not known but certain planetary positions have been established. From Valmiki Ramayana – Bal Kand, Chapter 18, it is established that he was born when the Moon was in Punarvasu Nakshatra. It is also established that Cancer was the rising sign, or the Ascendant, and that 5 planets were in their highest form of exaltation. Amongst astrological forums, there is agreement on the placement of the Moon and the planets Jupiter, Saturn, Mars and Venus, which are in exaltation.
Jupiter and Moon are in the first, forming a very powerful Gaj Kesari yoga. This yoga in itself confers kingship and wealth if placed favorably in the horoscope. Generally people with it have high purpose, are progressive, do good deeds, and get support from those in elevated positions. True to this placement, Lord Rama was respected for his conduct, received blessings from enlightened souls in his lifetime, and maintained, throughout his life, a very high purpose, which was to establish Dharma across the lands.
Mars, a yogakaraka for the Cancer ascendant is exalted and placed in the 7th house. A yogakaraka planet, one that is simultaneously the lord of a kendra and a trikona, and if strong, also confers kingship by itself. And if the yogakaraka mutually aspects the lagna lord, the native is an unstoppable force for good. Presence of the 9th lord, Jupiter, in this planetary union adds to the list of Raja yogas. Let me highlight the number of benefic yogas in Lord Rama’s horoscope created by just these three planets, Jupiter, Mars and Moon – Gaja Kesari yoga, Chandra Mangal Yoga, multiple formations of Dharma Karmadhipati yoga, Ruchaka yoga and Hamsa yoga! Each one of these formations are very powerful.
Saturn is exalted in the 4th. In the 4th, Saturn generally gives difficulties in the early part of life – ‘generally’ is the key word. It can also make one’s mother’s life difficult. Shri Rama’a formative years arguably were not filled with luxury – he came back from his early education and Maharishi Vishwamitra took him away to fight demons. He came back after winning Mata Sita’s hand in marriage and had to go into exile for 14 years. He never really lived the life of a prince. Much of this is in line with the influence of Saturn in 4th.
Venus is exalted in Pisces in the 9th house. The 9th house signifies the paternal side. An exalted Venus in the 9th house implies an affluent father and a strong yoga to carry one’s father’s legacy forward, which Lord Rama did; he was the heir to the Throne.
There is consensus amongst astrologers on the placement of the above planets, but there is debate on the placement of Sun, Mercury, Rahu and Ketu. Some believe that Lord Rama had Sun placed in the 9th house in Pieces. Bhagwan Shri Rama was born in Chaitra Month. Though Chaitra falls in March and April of the current western calendar, it is debatable where it fell during Treta Yuga – the western calendar was adopted only in 1582. But Chaitra, the first month of the Indian calendar, is generally associated with the Sun moving into Aries. I believe that Lord Rama had Sun in Aries in the 10th house. There are two reasons for that, one of them is astrological, and the other is not. Generally, the house the Sun sits in will provide you ‘identity.’ It is ‘likely’ you will be known for that house. So if your Sun sits in the 10th, it is likely you will be known for the work that you do and your public image. We know Rama because of his struggle, but that is because we heard about it through the Ramayana. Rama’s Karma Yoga actually started when the epic, Ramayana, in the form we know it, ended. Shri Rama was not only known as a just ruler, he was also known for establishing dharma across the world through the Ashwamegha Yagya. To establish dharma, he fought many wars. He was known for the work he did and hence, his Sun was likely placed in the 10th. The second reason – it is hard for me to believe that the Emperor of all directions, Chakravarti Samrat, descendent of the Ikshvaku or the Solar dynasty, avatar of Lord Vishnu, father of the universe, had anything other than an exalted Sun.
Mercury cannot be in exaltation; it cannot even be in its own house, and the reason is that Mercury has to be within one house of the Sun. So whether the Sun is in Aries or Pieces, Mercury cannot be Virgo. Some argue that in Shri Rama’s horoscope, Mercury was debilitated in the 9th house. I do not believe that for a number of reasons. Firstly, I am not sure that the father of the universe will choose to be born with a planet in debilitation. Secondly, Mercury, in general, is not favorable in the 9th house. I have studied horoscopes in which this placement has led to delays in life. It can limit gains through the paternal or fathers side. However Lord Rama got everything, including his Kingdom from his father. Hence, Mercury was likely not in the 9th. My belief is that Mercury was in the 10th house. Whenever the 3rd house lord sits in the 10th house, it creates the yoga of receiving support from siblings. There is no doubt that Lord Shri Rama had immense support from his brothers. While Laxmana is most known, it was Shatrughna who led Ayodhya’s army in the various battles post the Ashwamegha Yagya. Bharata too played a significant role in managing the Kingdom during Lord Rama’s exile.
The exaltation and debilitation of Rahu and Ketu is of debate, but we have already established the five exalted planets. In the astrological forums, there is agreement that Rahu was either in the 3rd or the 6th house, both favorable houses for Rahu. I make the argument that Rahu was probably not placed in the 3rd for a number of reasons. In the 3rd house, Rahu, sitting alone can make an individual hyperactive. But Lord Rama was the epitome of composure. Secondly, Rahu in the 3rd has a tendency to make you the youngest amongst your siblings, which was not the case. Rahu is a loner. He operates alone and in the 3rd, the house of your immediate surroundings, he can make one distant from siblings, or detached. But Lord Rama was the eldest and greatly loved by his brothers. Lastly, if Rahu is in the 3rd, Ketu has to be in the 9th. Ketu cannot be in the 9th with Venus because this combination can limit material progress in life – it can give unfulfilled material desires, which was not the case for Shri Rama. He was detached from material desires and that is not the same as unfulfilled.
The 6th house is considered the house of enemies. It is also a karma kshetra, or the house of routines. This placement is favorable for Rahu. In 6th, Rahu has a tendency to drive your enemies insane. If you have Rahu in the 6th, professions involving any kind of conflict will be beneficial for you – in fact you will thrive in such environments. This is consistent with Prabhu Shri Rama’s life. The Ashwamegha yagya is proof that lord Rama invited conflict in his life for the sake of upholding Dharma. Secondly, for Rahu to be in 6th, Ketu has to be in the 12th, which is most likely the case. Ketu is a mokha karaka. The 12th house is moksha sthana. Ketu in 12th gives moksha after one departs. There could be no other placement for Ketu considering that the avatar of Vishnu has to be free from the cycles of birth and death. It is my belief that even Lord Krishna had Ketu in 12th.
With that, I present to you, what I believe is Lord Rama’s Lagna chart!
