The Principles of Naming

INTRODUCTION
Name is the result of the first tangible result which the eternal soul attains with human birth
in the world of Maya. This gives us the identity and individuality. Whenever anyone calls
with that name, it fills up his mind with some very unique perceptions regarding our selves.
The perceptions are very subjective and very unique and the persons near us interact with
us in a very specific way. This is a common occurrence that, a person might have more than
one name in the home, among friends and in his work circle. This is seen that the way the
people or the world behaves considerably change with the name.
Now we wouldnt have bothered much if the name would only defined our unique images in
the mind of the person, interacting with us, however, it is not limited to that. The results we
accrue in the society is the results of all those numerous interactions which we have within
it. Thus it is very important to know our own name is in store for us. This knowledge shall
also empower us to change our name if necessary, to make the vibrations of the name
positive in our life. We can keep the name of a new born not on an arbitrary basis but on
well grounded principle of Jyotish, so that their life can be fruitful and prosperous.
Even if you dont believe in this, which seems superstitious, why not give a honest try and
see whether or not it works. There is nothing you lose.

AKSHARAS AND NAKSHATRAS

The entire gamut of Aksharas is divided into the 28 Nakshatras or asterisms. Each
Nakshatra is of four padas, each pada is assigned to an akshara. The duration of each pada
is 3d 20m, however this is a bit different in the case of Uttarashadha and Sravana. The
duration of Uttarashadha is divided into four parts and the first three padas are assigned to
Uttarashadha, which makes the duration of Uttarashadha to be 10deg with each pada to be
2d 30m. The remaining one pada of Uttarashadha is assigned to Abhijit, the intercalary
nakshatra. Similarly beginning 1/15th part of Sravana is given to Abhijit, making its total
length to be 253.33 min, i.e., 4d 13m 20s. The remaining 14/15th part of Sravana is
assigned to the four padas of Sravana, making the total duration of Sravana to be 12d 26m
40s.
Figure 1: Nakshatra and Aksharas

RASI AND AKSHARAS

The aksharas are assigned to the different rasis of the zodiac based on the assignment of
the Nakshatra padas to the Rasi. Each rasi consists of 9 nakshatra padas and hence nine
aksharas are assigned to each rasi, Makara being an exception, because of assignment of
four extra pada of intercalary nakshatra Abhijit.
Figure 2: Rasi and Aksharas

MEANING OF AKSHARAS
Whenever a particular sound is uttered, it has a very peculiar and specific influence on us at
various levels, physical, mental and spiritual. Thus this is very important to understand,
what each of the sound signified by the various aksharas of Sanskrit signify. This shall help
us know, what kind of influences we like to draw to the native when his name is called by
others. Thus when a particular akshara is picked for the natives name, it should be based
on a well understood principle and not on a random manner.
The following table shows the meaning of each of the aksharas of the divine language,
Sanskrit and help us in deciding what aksharas we need to chose for a name to heighten
some particular influences of planet and the aksharas themselves.

The Maharishis of the yore have found through their intuition, the aksharas, which
symbolises the different influences of the universe, control the power centres of the body,
called the charkas. These charkas are placed along the length of the Spinal column and
control various parts of the body and various aspects of our personality through the nerves
spreading through out the body carrying the messages of the Brain or our thoughts. When
an akshara is pronounced repeatedly, it heightens the influences of these charkas, which
bring with them, myriads of effect, most of which act at a very subtle level and can hardly
be objectively felt. More can be found in the literature on the Kundalini Yoga.
Figure 3: Katapayaadi Varga- Vowels

Figure 4: Katapayaadi Varga- Consonents

STEPTS IN FINDING OUT THE RASI, WHERE THE NAME HAS STRONG INFLUENCE:
I. Write the word of the stanza in Devanagari script and remove the matras and
incomplete/half letters.
II. The numerical value of the remaining letters should be written sequentially. If the name
starts with 0, it must not be ignored.
III. The number so obtained should be reversed.
IV. Divide this reversed number by 12. The reminder shall show the rasi ruled by the name.
If the reminder obtained is 0, then 12 becomes the reminder. The remainder when
counted from Aries gives the sign on which the name has predominant influence.
The Rasi so obtained becomes the nama Arudha of the person and shows how is he
perceived by those who calls him by a particular name. This can be judged when we see
how the different planets are placed from the nama arudha and find out the influences of
the conjunctions, aspects etc.

The Moon is the sustainer of the Arudha and when Moon is placed in the trines or 12th from
the Nama Arudha, the native gains from the name. However, Moon should never be placed
in the 8th from the Arudha. Such placement of Moon is called Chandrastama and is very
damaging to the Arudha, which shows that the native shall get into troubles, trial and
tribulations, if such things happen in his horoscope.
V. Divide the reversed no. by 9. The reminder so obtained shall show the predominating
planet influencing the name.
1- Sun, 2- Moon, 3- Jupiter, 4- Rahu, 5- Merc, 6- Venus, 7- Ketu, 8- Saturn, 9- Mars

ILLUSTRATION
Lets find the Rasi obtained by the name Sanjaya
I. Write the word of the stanza in Devanagari script and remove the matras and
incomplete/half letters.
The name Sanjaya is made up of three phonemes namely Sa, nja, and ya. However, the 2nd
phonemes is a compound akshara (yutkakshara) and hence the half akshara has to be
ignored here. Now in a compound akshara or phoneme, the last akshara is the complete one
and all others are incomplete and hence we always need to consider the last one in case of
these compound aksharas, which happens to be ja in this case.

II. The numerical value of the remaining letters should be written sequentially. If the name
starts with 0, it must not be ignored.
The numerical value of each of these aksharas are sa- 7, ja- 8 and ya- 1. Thus 781 is the
no. signified by the name Sanjaya.
III. The number so obtained should be reversed.
The reversed no. is 187
IV. Divide this reversed number by 12. The reminder shall show the rasi ruled by the name.
If the reminder obtained is 0, then 12 becomes the reminder. The remainder when
counted from Aries gives the sign on which the name has predominant influence.
The reminder obtained when the number 187 is divided by 12 is 7. The Rasi signified by No.
7 when counted from Aries is Libra.

V. Divide the reversed no. by 9. The reminder so obtained shall show the predominating
planet influencing the name.
The reminder obtained when the number 187 is divided by 9 is 7. The planet which rules the
name becomes Ketu. Thus the associates with the person, calling him with the name
Sanjaya, shall consider him to be a spiritual person, a good mathematician etc., which is
indicated by the naisargika nature of the planet. More can be judged from Ketus placement
in the persons horoscope, which can moderate the general nature indicated by the planet.

PRINCIPLES OF NAMINIG
The following principles are to be followed while naming a baby or checking the effect of the
name on someone.
Principle I:
The name of the child should be based on the most auspicious planet in the chart. If The
planet which is the most auspicious and bringer of yoga is chosen, the beneficence of this
planet shall always one the native, whenever his/ her name is called. The aksharas of this
planet shall be the starting akshara of the native.
Principle II:
Among the aksharas of the most auspicious planet, chose the akshara which is placed in the
Kendra/ Trikona from Moon. In case of doubt, chose the akshara of the Moons position.
Principle III:
If the Sign, selected by the above process is Chara Rasi (Movable Sign), then two phonemes
should be selected. If the Sign is Dwisvabhava (Dual), then select three phonemes name.
However, if the sign arrived at is Sthira (fixed), then four phonemes should be selected.
Principle IV:
The Name chosen should have a benefic influence on the native. Thus if the name is related
to the name of Ista, then each time the native is called by the name, this would remind
him/ her of their Ista Devata and hence would be highly beneficial.
Principle V:
Use Katapayadi Varga system to know the exact influence of the name on the native. This
will show how the people around perceive the native.
Principle VI:
Use Achyutayadi Varga system to know the focus of the native in life, when he is

surrounded by people, who calls the native with a particular name. (More on this later)

ILLUSTRATION
CASE I: Lord Sri Rama

The name of lord Rama starts with the Akshara ra. This is lorded by Moon. In the
Horoscope, Moon is very well placed in the Lagna with exalted Jupiter shows that the name
shall bring the blessings of the strong Gaja-Keshari yoga in Ramas life and give him
tremendous fame and people would remember him forever.
ra akshara falls in the Taurus Rasi, which is placed in the 11th house from Moon. This is
aspected by a strongly placed Moon and Taurus happens to be the exaltation rasi of moon.
This shows that the name was protected and Sustained by Moon.
In Katapayadi system, Rama is ra-2, ma- 5, which when reversed and divided by 12 yields 4
as the reminder. When counted from Aries, the Nama-arudha falls in the cancer Rasi. Now
this shows that he got the fruits of the Gajakeshari yoga giving him everlasting fame. Now
the whole world perceived him a very righteous person and also a very compassionate one.
However, what he got from the world can be seen when we count the reminder from his
Lagna. This comes at Libra with exalted and retrograde Saturn. A malefic in the fourth
house is very detrimental to the happiness at home and everyone is aware of the troubles
and pain, Lord Rama had to pass through to establish dharma in this world.
The name Rama falls in a Movable sign because of the two aksharas or phonemes. In the
trine to the Lagna, it falls in the Lagna itself, showing that the focus of the native shall be
perfection in Ideals shown by the Lagna. This is no wonder that Rama is popularly known as

Purushottama, the best among purusha or human.

CASE II: Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa

Ramakrishna Paramahamsa is most popularly known as Ramakrishna only. Like Rama, the
initial akshara is lorded by the planet Moon. Moon is placed in the Lagna with Sun and
Mercury. Moon in the Lagna expressed his pure love and compassion for the divine mother
and its placement with Mercury shows that he often behaved like a child. Repetition of the
name made this nature quite pronounced.
The Akshara falls in the Taurus sign, which is in Kendra to Moon, but not the best Kendra as
it is placed with a strong malefic. This shows that he faced lots of pain in the life like Lord
Sri Rama.
In the Katapayadi scheme, the name can be broken up to Ra- 2, Ma- 5, Ka- 1 (ri is a vowel),
Na- 5. The no. 2515 when reversed and divided with 12, gives a reminder of 7, which falls
in Libra as counted form Aries. The whole world perceived him as a great devotee of mother
goddess Kali (Saturn), some one who is always in pain, being separated from the Mother
(separation- Saturn).
Whatever he received from the name can be seen from the counting the reminder from
Lagna, which comes to Leo. Leo is aspected by Saturn and Mars, in the 3rd from AL,
showing his tremendous amount of suffering in the life.

CASE III: Hitler

The initial akshara of the name, i.e., ha is represented by the planet Moon. Moon is under
the terrible shakti yoga, destroying the benign Jupiter, which shows his mass pogrom of the
Jews. Among other things, the planet of Humanity is not only destroyed by the shakti yoga,
but also there is a terrible Guru-Chandala yoga along with the axis. This shows why he
made his mission of life to eradicate one complete race.
The Akshara falls in the Karkata (Cancer) rasi. Now Cancer is 8th from the Moon and hence
shows that it is not sustained by the natural sustainer Moon. This shows why Hitler faced
such difficult times from his childhood. Not only that, his end was quite tragic and terrible,
where he had to see all his dreams getting shattered one by one.
According to Katapayadi Varga, the name is broken down as hi-8; Ta-1; la-3; ra-2. This No.
when divided by 12 gives a reminder of 2, which comes to Taurus Rasi. Now from Ta, moon
is placed in the 8th house, causing chandrastama, which is a terrible thing to happen. This
sign also happens to be the 8th house, aspected by Saturn. Now people will remember him
as a mysterious character with devious intention (8th house placement from Lagna) and
stern behaviour (Saturns aspect). As this sign is placed with HL and aspected by GL, this
becomes the seat of power and money.