Bhrigunadi jotishyam

Maharshi Bhrigu was one of the Manasputras (born by a wish) of Lord Brahma (It is said that he was born from the heart part). Sage Narada, Vasishtha, Atri, Gautama etc. were others. Bhrigu is considered as one of the Nine Brahmas. He was married to Khyati (the daughter of Daksha), Puloma (daughter of Kardama) and Usana. Two sons, Dhata and Vidhata and a daughter Shri were born to Khyati. Maharshi Bhrigu is also called Prajapati (creator) as he was created by Lord Brahma to help him in the process of creation of the universe. Chyavana was his son from Puloma as we have seen.

Sri (Lakshmi), his daughter became the consort of Shri Vishnu. Since She is the daughter of Bhrigu, She is called Bhargavi (Bhargaveem, Bilva Nilayaam, Vararohaam, Yasaswineem, Vasundharaam, Udaaraaangaam, Harineem,. Hemamalineem…goes the Daridrya Mochana Stotram). Similarly Sukracharya, the preceptor of Daityas is another son of Bhrigu born to Usana and hence is known as Kavi, Bhargava etc. We will try to catch up more about these great sages in future. Maharshi Bhrigu had accomplished many Yagnas and had helped others to accomplish them. With his powers, he fulfilled the wishes of people for begetting sons. During the two months of Shravana and Bhadrapada, he made the chariot of the Sun God as his abode.

Cursing of Vishnu

When the battle ensued between the Devatas and the Daityas, the Devatas led by Indra had the upper hand. Daityas went to their Guru, Sukracharya and sought his help. He left for severe Tapas (penance) to please Lord Siva and get the MritaSanjivini Mantra Siddhi. During his absence, the Daityas sought refuge in Usana, the mother of Sukracharya. She assured them protection and she came out of her cottage and using her powers froze the devatas. Once they became immobile, they became easy targets for the daityas and were subjected to various tortures by the Daityas. The Devatas prayed to Lord Vishnu to protect them and get them out of the predicament. Vishnu understood that the curse on devatas could not be annulled unless Usana was killed. But Usana being a lady was not to be killed as per dharma.

However, Vishnu realised that unless she tried to harm Him, He could not kill her without violating the dharma. (No first strike principle!). Vishnu disguised Himself as a ferocious beast and tried to scare Uasana. Usana saw through the disguise of Vishnu and said to Him: "Vishnu, I am doing my duty of protecting my children and You are supposed to be impartial and protect dharma. You have now become biased and this Adharma cannot be left unpunished. I am going to curse you. You and Indra will be reduced to ash!" Before these words were spelt out, Vishnu killed Bhrigu's wife with a sharp arrow and separated her head from the torso.

Once Usana was killed, her powers also left and Devatas became free. Sage Bhrigu cursed Vishnu to take birth on earth and go through the cycles of birth and death and thus suffer like us. He brought his wife back to life with his powers. Vishnu accepted the curse of the sage as He accepted the curse of Sage Durvasa. Vishnu stood in an invisible form between the sage and Ambareesha, Vishnu's staunch devotee and took the curse on Himself when the sage was cursing Ambareesh

Bhrigu Nadi is a classical technique of Bhrigu Maharishi. It is an important limbo of Vedic astrology. It follows a different methodology, quite distinct from the parashara system.

In Bhrigu Nadi System, the methodology to be followed in analyzing the events are:i) There is no concept of ascendant;

ii) The horoscope should be drawn with Aries as No. 1 i.e. the first sign;

iii) Importance is given to the rotation of Jupiter;

iv) Jupiter stays in each sign for a period of approximately 12 years.

Example: Jupiter in a native’s horoscope is in Aries. Therefore, for all practical purposes, we consider Jupiter to be in Aries for a period of 12 years and its conjunction/opposition etc. with other planets will determine the broad events in the first 12 years for the native. We only take the 7th aspect into consideration and no other aspect, which is again a deviation to be remembered.

Great importance is given to:

(a) The sign in which the planet is posited;

(b) The conjunction of the planets;

(c) The planet which leads in conjunction in terms of its degrees;

(d) Planets which are in the 12th house of a particular planet;

(e) Planets which are in the next house of the sign in which a particular planet is placed.. and

(f ) Planets which are opposite to the concerned planets.The planet will imbibe the quality of the planets, of which it is Depositor. If Saturn is a dispositor of Jupiter and mercury, it will change it character according and give ascribed results.

Therefore, for each 12 years, the ascendant would be the Sign where Jupiter is placed governing the event of those 12 years, and then for the next 12 years it will be rotated in the next house, which will govern the events for the next 12 years and conforms to the indication of the prime placement. Let us study here, the dispositions of Mercury in detail.

Significations of mercury

Mathematics, hand work, literature, astrology, education, maternal uncles, intelligence, intellect, happiness through children, absolute knowledge, business, deceiving others, proficiency in writing, mathematics, literature, handicrafts, weaving sexual enjoyments, travels over water, vegetable, digestive fire, parrots, colored plays or shows, betel leaves, cages, grass, inciting quarrels , prosperity, ambassadorial functions, diplomacy.

The various effects produced by Mercury, when posited in different houses in a horoscope are as follows:

Mercury in the ascendantLearned, proficiency in witchcraft and black magic, sweet talk, kind hearted, pilgrimage in the 27th year.

A. If conjunct malefic or staying in malefic houses- excess of bile. If conjunct or aspected by benefic, but staying in a malefic house- Good health, Lustrous body, knowledge of astrology, slight defect in any organ, bitterness with good people, quarrels and misunderstanding with brothers in the 17th year, deceitful.

B. If exalted or occupying own house, Happiness from brothers.

C. If debilitated or conjunct, aspected by malefic – Will go to heall after death;

D. If conjunct or aspected by saturn- Trouble in left eye. In this yoga, if conjunct with the lord of the 6th or in debilitation – No such defect, wasteful expenses.

E. If conjunct with a benefic or occupying a favorable house – Charities, proficiency in debating and in use of arms, well- built body.

Mercury in the 2nd House - Talkative, good number of children, interest in Sastras, contented, rich, praiseworthy habits. Acquires good education by the 15th year

A. If conjunct with malefic or staying in malefic house or in debilitation - Poor education, Rheumatic and phlegmatic diseases.

B. If conjunct or aspected by Jupiter - Proficiency in Mathematics and Astrology, self-confident.

Mercury in the 3rd House - Gain of gold in the 15th year, praiseworthy habits, financial prosperity.

A. If disposition is strong - courageous

B. If disposition is strong - Acquires conveyances

C. If conjunct Rahu, Ketu or Saturn- Loss of conveyances, bereft of happiness, bitterness with relatives, uttering lies.

Mercury in the 5th House - Fear of death of uncle, well-being of mother, birth of good children, suspicious nature, intelligence, sweet tongue.

A. If disposition is strong -Prosperous children

B. If disposition is weak-loss of children

C. If mercury is debilitated-the native will be adopting a child proficiency in chanting matras, uncharitable deeds, diplomatic.

Mercury in the 6th House - Respect and benefits from king, obstacles in native’s education, showy and proud, influence in higher circles in the 30th year, literary abilities.

A. If stationed in Aries or Scorpio-Leprosy of blue color.

B. If conjunct Rahu or Saturn-Rheumatic shooting pains, quarrels with distant relatives

C. If disposition is strong -Prosperous nephews

D. If conjunct Ketu-Acquaintance or intimacy with a widow and monetary gains through her.

Mercury in the 7th House - Happiness and well-being of mother, charitable disposition, broadminded, very good reputation.

A. If conjunct benefices – Gain of conveyance and horse in the 24th year, good spouse.

B. If disposition is strong - Only one spouse

C. If disposition is weak or stationed in malefic house, or conjunct Mars, Saturn or Rahu - In the case of females, this will result in the loss of husband or the native herself suffering from leprosy.

Mercury in the 8th House - Many children, public charity in the 25th year

A. If disposition is strong- The native will enjoy full span of life.

B. If conjunct will a malefic or debilitated or occupying the enemy’s house. - Poor longevity

Mercury in the 9th HouseMany children, highly learned in Sastras and Veda, proficiency in music, good amount of patience, charitable, professional earning through business, hates the preceptor.

Mercury in the 10th House - Good deeds, highly courageous, reputed, highly prosperous, eye diseases in the 28th year.

A. If placed in exaltation, own house or conjunct Jupiter.– Religious , charitable or virtuous.

B. If combust, retrograde or conjunct malefic. – Opposes religious scarifices

Mercury in the 11th House - Kind hearted, financial prosperity and birth of son in the 27th year.

A. If conjunct malefic- Loss of money through low-class people

B. If exalted or occupying own house or conjunct benefic–Financial prosperity

Mercury in the 12th House - Knowledgeable, valorous in battle.

A. If conjunct malefic- Focused mind, bitterness with highly-placed persons, including the king.

B. If conjunct benefic - Charitable, meagree education, sickly mother.