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The detailed version of this article is featured in the book ‘Important Yogas in Vedic Astrology (Revised Edition 2020).
Guru Chandal Yoga
Understanding Guru Chandal Yog
According to its definition prevalent in Vedic astrology, if Jupiter is placed with Rahu or Ketu in a horoscope, or they have a mutual aspect relationship in a horoscope; Guru Chandal Yoga is formed in the horoscope. Through this Yoga, Rahu and Ketu may cause damage to the general as well as specific significances of Jupiter in a horoscope.
Damage to the general significances of Jupiter can make the native indulge in immoral, unethical and illegal activities. The character and personality of such native may be corrupted. Hence the native may face a number of problems in various spheres of his life, due to his questionable acts. Apart from this, Guru Chandal Yoga may cause problems related to specific significances of Jupiter in a horoscope. For example, if Jupiter rules the seventh and tenth house in a horoscope, the native suffering from Guru Chandal Yoga may face problems related to his profession and marriage; among other problems.
How Guru Chandal Yog is Formed in a Horoscope
Guru is the name given to Jupiter in Vedic astrology whereas Rahu and Ketu have been called Chandal (a very evil person) here. Hence a combination of Jupiter with Rahu or Ketu either by means of placement or by means of aspect, is said to form Guru Chandal Yog in the horoscope. For example, if Jupiter is placed in the first house of a horoscope along with Rahu or Ketu, Guru Chandal Yoga is said to be formed in the horoscope. Similarly, if Jupiter is placed in the first house of a horoscope and it is having an aspect relationship with Rahu or Ketu which may be present in the fifth or ninth house of the horoscope, Guru Chandal Yoga is said to be formed in the horoscope.
There are twelve houses in a horoscope. It means that the probability of Jupiter being placed with Rahu or Ketu in a particular house is 2 in 12. Suppose Jupiter is placed in the first house of a horoscope. The probability of Rahu being placed in 1 out of 12 houses is 1 in 12 and the same holds for the placement of Ketu. Hence the probability of one of them being placed with Jupiter is 2 out of twelve. It means every sixth native is suffering from Guru Chandal Yog, merely on the basis of placement of Jupiter with Rahu or Ketu.
Since the placement of Rahu or Ketu in the fifth or ninth house may also result in the formation of Guru Chandal Yoga in this case, the overall probability increases further. It means the placement of Rahu in the first, fifth or ninth house of this horoscope forms this Yoga. Rahu and Ketu remain separated by 180 degrees. Hence they are always placed in the seventh house with respect to each other. It means if Rahu is placed in the first house, Ketu is placed in the seventh house. Hence they can’t be placed in the same house. As a result, the placement of Ketu in the first, fifth or ninth house will also form Guru Chandal Yoga in this case. Hence 6 out of 12 probabilities result in the formation of this Yoga in the horoscope. It means every second native is suffering from Guru Chandal Yoga.
Accordingly, every second native should suffer from problems indicated by Guru Chandal Yog. However, this is not happening in reality. Hence the prevalent definition of Guru Chandal Yoga is not complete and it lacks something. Let’s see which other conditions should be met in a horoscope for the formation of this Yoga. Starting with the basic rule; benefic planets form good yogas and malefic planets form bad yogas. Hence Rahu or Ketu must be a functional malefic in a horoscope, in order to afflict Jupiter and form Guru Chandal Yog. It means if Rahu is afflicting Jupiter, Rahu should be malefic and the same holds for Ketu.
Looking at the probable combinations of Jupiter and Rahu in the same house of a horoscope; there are four such combinations. These are; a combination of benefic Jupiter with benefic Rahu, benefic Jupiter with malefic Rahu, malefic Jupiter with benefic Rahu and malefic Jupiter with malefic Rahu. Similarly, Jupiter and Ketu may also form four combinations in the same house of a horoscope. These are; a combination of benefic Jupiter with benefic Ketu, benefic Jupiter with malefic Ketu, malefic Jupiter with benefic Ketu and malefic Jupiter with malefic Ketu.
Looking at the combinations of Jupiter and Rahu; only two out of these four combinations may form Guru Chandal Yog. These two combinations are benefic Jupiter with malefic Rahu; and malefic Jupiter with malefic Rahu. The remaining two combinations may not result in the formation of this Yoga in the horoscope. This is because Rahu is benefic in both these cases and benefic Rahu may not form Guru Chandal Yoga. The same happens in case of combinations of Jupiter with Ketu. Only those two combinations may form this Yoga where Ketu is malefic. Benefic Ketu with Jupiter may not form Guru Chandal Yoga.
These calculations eliminate half the probabilities for the formation of Guru Chandal Yoga in a horoscope. Looking at the next factor, when it comes to the aspect of malefic Rahu or Ketu on Jupiter; such aspect may not form Guru Chandal Yog. An aspect from malefic Rahu or Ketu may certainly cause damage to the significances of Jupiter. However, such damage may not be potent enough to cause effects like those created by a conjunction of malefic Rahu or Ketu with Jupiter. Hence the aspect relationship of malefic Rahu or Ketu with Jupiter may also be eliminated from this equation.
Actual Definition of Guru Chandal Yoga
Looking at the resultant equation; only the conjunction of malefic Rahu or Ketu with Jupiter may be able to form Guru Chandal Yoga in a horoscope. This gives us a more relevant definition of this Yoga. If malefic Rahu or Ketu is placed in conjunction with Jupiter in a horoscope; Guru Chandal Yoga is formed in the horoscope. Now that we have reached a relevant definition for this Yoga, let’s look at other important facts associated with this yoga.
Calculating the Strength of Guru Chandal Yoga
Once the formation of this yoga is confirmed in a horoscope, the next thing to check is its strength. The strength of this Yoga is checked through the placement of Jupiter and Rahu or Ketu in different houses, signs, nakshatras and navamshas; as well as through the influences of other benefic and malefic planets on Jupiter and Rahu or Ketu in a horoscope.
Looking at the signs, malefic effects of Guru Chandal Yoga formed by Jupiter and malefic Rahu may decrease considerably if this Yoga is formed in Pisces or Scorpio. This is because Rahu is debilitated in both these signs whereas Jupiter is strong in these signs. Hence such malefic Rahu may not cause much damage to the significances of Jupiter. Likewise, malefic effects of this Yoga formed by Jupiter and malefic Ketu may reduce considerably if this yoga is formed in Cancer. Jupiter is exalted in Cancer and Ketu is not strong in Cancer. Hence such exalted Jupiter may be able to fight afflictions caused by Ketu; in an effective manner. In the same way, the quantum of problems caused by Guru Chandal Yoga may be different in all other signs.
Looking at the next factor, the influences of other benefic and malefic planets on Jupiter and Rahu or Ketu in a horoscope should also be checked properly, before predicting the results of Guru Chandal Yoga. This is a major factor and it can change the results; significantly or completely. For instance, influences of suitable benefic planets on this yoga in the present example may bring the much needed relief to the native. Suppose a benefic combination of Moon, exalted Mars, Venus and Ketu forms Chandra Mangal Yoga as well as Ruchaka Yoga in the seventh house of this horoscope in Capricorn. The strong benefic aspects of various planets in the seventh house may apply significant corrections to Guru Chandal Yoga formed in the first house of this horoscope.
As a result, the native may witness good or very good results in various spheres of his life; depending on the rest of his horoscope; despite the presence of Guru Chandal Yoga in his horoscope. If benefic Sun is placed in the fifth house in Scorpio and Mercury is placed in the sixth house in Sagittarius; the results may become even better. The placement of Saturn in the eleventh house in Taurus may further enhance the benefic results. In such case, the overall positive and strong theme of this horoscope may be able to draw benefic results; even from a malefic yoga like Guru Chandal Yoga. As mentioned a number of times; the overall theme of a horoscope is the most important factor in it; as it can change anything and everything.
Impact of Guru Chandal Yoga
The next factor to check is the field of impact of this Yoga. To calculate the field of impact, the house of placement of this yoga as well as the influences of other benefic and malefic planets on this yoga should be checked. The formation of Guru Chandal Yoga in various houses of a horoscope may trouble the native with different types of malefic results. For example, the formation of this Yoga in the first house of a horoscope may cause problems related to health, lifespan and profession of the native. On the other hand, the formation of Guru Chandal Yoga in the seventh house of a horoscope may primarily cause problems related to the marriage of the native. If Guru Chandal Yoga is formed in the sixth house of a horoscope; the native may engage in various types of crimes and he may face legal punishment more than once in his life.
The formation of Guru Chandal Yoga in the fifth house may adversely affect the wellbeing of the children of the native whereas the formation of this yoga in the ninth house may adversely affect the wellbeing of the father of the native. In the latter case, Pitra Dosh will also be formed in the horoscope; aggravating the problems. The placement of Guru Chandal Yoga in the fourth house may adversely affect the wellbeing of native’s mother whereas the presence of this yoga in the tenth house may primarily affect the professional sphere of this native. Hence the field of impact of this Yoga should be calculated in order to assess which spheres of native’s life may be hit by this yoga.
Activation of Guru Chandal Yoga
The next factor to check is the time of activation of this Yoga. Even when actually formed in a horoscope, any good or bad Yoga may not be activated from the time of birth of the native and the activation may vary from person to person. It means that Guru Chandal Yoga present in different horoscopes may have different times of activation. Accordingly, different natives may start facing problems due to it during different ages. Above all, the overall theme of the horoscope having Guru Chandal yoga should be analyzed carefully as this is what matters the most. The overall theme of a horoscope is the most important aspect in it and it can change everything.
Suppose Guru Chandal Yoga is formed in a horoscope. At the same time; the horoscope features a strong benefic Yoga like Ruchaka Yoga, Bhadra Yoga, Shasha Yoga, Budhaditya Yoga or Chandra Mangal Yoga. If the horoscope features more than one of these yogas and the remaining planets are also strong; the overall theme of such horoscope may become positive and strong enough to handle such Guru Chandal Yoga. Taking an example, suppose a combination of Jupiter and Rahu forms Guru Chandal Yoga in the tenth house of a horoscope in Sagittarius. Benefic exalted Venus forms Malavya Yoga in the first house and benefic exalted Mercury forms Bhadra Yoga in the seventh house. A benefic combination of exalted Moon and Mars forms Chandra Mangal Yoga in the third house of this horoscope in Taurus; Sun is placed in the sixth house in Leo, Venus is placed in the eighth house in Libra and Saturn is placed in the eleventh house in Capricorn. In this case, the horoscope becomes positive and strong enough to make positive use of Guru Chandal Yoga. Hence the native may witness top class results in many spheres of his life; despite the presence of Guru Chandal Yoga in his horoscope.
Impact of Running Times
After this, the impact of running times should also be checked. The term ‘running times’ in this context means planetary periods, commonly known as Mahadashas. Running times are most important when it comes to check; when may the native suffer the most due to Guru Chandal Yoga. Any type of good or bad yoga becomes duly effective, if one of the planets ‘actively involved’ in its formation rules the running time. Therefore, the native may witness the strongest malefic results of Guru Chandal Yoga when he is hit by the planetary period of Rahu or Ketu. This simple looking fact may significantly change the quantum of troubles faced by a native under strong influence of Guru Chandal Yoga.
The term ‘actively involved’ in this context means the planet which actually contributes towards the formation of a yoga. In case of Guru Chandal Yog; Jupiter is passive as long as it is benefic. This is because benefic Jupiter may not cause problems but it may try to reduce them. Since this yoga is supposed to be malefic; such benefic Jupiter should not be considered as an active planet for its formation. Hence the planetary period of Rahu or Ketu only may intensify Guru Chandal Yoga.
However, if Jupiter is also malefic in a horoscope featuring Guru Chandal Yoga; Jupiter should also be considered as an active planet. This is because Jupiter may also try to intensify the problems by afflicting Rahu or Ketu. Hence the planetary period of Jupiter may also prove troublesome in this case. In cases where Jupiter is benefic and Rahu or Ketu is malefic; Guru Chandal Yoga may be relatively less troublesome. When both Jupiter and Rahu or Ketu are malefic in a horoscope; Guru Chandal Yoga may cause problems of higher quantum.
You see, the definition of Guru Chandal Yog looks very simple. However, the actual process of calculating the malefic results indicated by this Yoga in a horoscope is complex. Therefore, each and every aspect in a horoscope should be checked properly; before concluding the formation of Guru Chandal Yoga in a horoscope or before predicting the type and quantum of malefic results indicated by it.
Billions of combinations are possible in a horoscope. That is why the overall theme of a horoscope is what matters the most. There are no doubts that if Guru Chandal yoga of good strength is formed in a horoscope, the native may suffer from a number of problems. However, the types of problems faced by the native, the timing and the quantum of such problems are indicted by the overall theme of his horoscope.
Himanshu Shangari