Click here to go to Important Yogas Section
The detailed version of this article is featured in the book ‘Important Yogas in Vedic Astrology Part-2’.
Pushkal Yoga
According to prevalent definition of Pushkal Yoga in Vedic astrology; if in a horoscope, Moon is placed in conjunction with the lord of ascendant, the lord of their house of placement is either placed in a Kendra house (1st, 4th, 7th and 10th) or it is strong, it casts aspect on the first house and the first house is occupied by one or more than one benefic planet; Pushkal Yoga is formed in the horoscope. Pushkal Yoga can bless the native with good results related to profession, high authority, wealth, prosperity, reputation, fame and many other things.
In real practice, Pushkal Yoga is not seen producing such results when only the aforementioned conditions are met. Hence more conditions should be met in order for this yoga to be formed effectively in a horoscope. Looking at the first condition, Moon and lord of first house should be duly benefic in one such horoscope. Apart from that; the lord of their house of placement should also be significantly or duly benefic. Looking at an exception; this Yoga can’t be formed in horoscopes with Cancer ascendant. This is because Moon is the lord of ascendant in such cases.
Taking an example, suppose a combination of Moon and Saturn is placed in the tenth house of a horoscope in Scorpio, Sun is placed in the first house in Aquarius and Mars is placed in the seventh house in Leo. Moon is malefic in the horoscope. Saturn is partly benefic and partly malefic in horoscopes with Aquarius ascendant. Mars rules Scorpio and it is placed in a Kendra House. Sun is benefic and it is placed in the first house. In this case, Pushkal Yoga may not be formed in the horoscope though the primary conditions are met. The concept of a planet being partly benefic and partly malefic has been explained in the book ‘Pitra Dosh – Ancestors are Calling (Revised Edition)’.
Taking another example, suppose a benefic combination of Jupiter and Moon is placed in the fourth house of a horoscope in Gemini, exalted Mercury is placed in the seventh house in Virgo and Mars is placed in the first house in Pisces. All these planets are benefic; Mercury is placed in Kendra and Mars is placed in the first house. Hence Pushkal Yoga is formed in the horoscope.
Once the formation of Pushkal Yoga is confirmed in a horoscope, the next factor to check is its strength. The strength of this yoga is calculated through the placements of planets involved in its formation in various signs, nakshatras and navamshas; as well as through the influences of other benefic and malefic planets on them. The overall theme of horoscope and running times (Mahadashas) also affect the strength of this Yoga.
Taking an example, suppose a benefic combination of Jupiter and Moon is placed in the fourth house of a horoscope in Gemini. Jupiter is placed in Pisces navamsha of Ardra nakshatra and Moon is placed in Taurus navamsha of Punarvasu nakshatra; within Gemini. Suppose exalted Mercury is placed in the seventh house in Virgo, in Virgo navamsha of Chitra nakshatra; and Mars is placed in the first house in Pisces, in Capricorn navamsha of Revati nakshatra. Jupiter, Moon and Mars are not strong in their respective signs but all of them are exalted in their respective navamshas. Mercury is exalted in its sign of placement as well as in navamsha. Hence strong Pushkal Yoga may be formed.
Looking at the running times; when Mahadashas (planetary periods) of malefic planets are in effect; benefic effects of Pushkal Yoga may reduce. When Mahadashas of benefic planets other than the ones involved in the formation of this yoga are in effect; benefic effects of this yoga may increase. When Mahadashas of the planets involved in the formation of Pushkal Yoga are in effect; the native may witness maximum benefits through this yoga. For instance; in the recent example, the native may benefit the most during Jupiter Mahadasha, Moon Mahadasha, Mercury Mahadasha and Mars Mahadasha.
Himanshu Shangari