ANURADHA

By Dr E S NEELAKANTAN

In this article, we will discuss the qualities of Anuradha. In Tamilnadu, this star is held in high
reverence in the houses of the spirituality minded as Shri. Chandrasekharendra Saraswati,
Former Pontiff of Kanchipuram Mutt was born in this star. Anuradha belongs to the Deva gana
group of stars meaning that a person born in Anuradha star would have Sattwic qualities. People
born in Anuradha star are affluent, blessed with children, become global trotters, have intimate
relationships, are happily placed with wealth, aristocratic and contented in a material sense.
A person born in the first quarter of Anuradha will encounter health problems, in the 2nd one
turns out to be a global trotter, in the 3rd one is blessed with dexterity; in the 4th one is lustful and
indigent. According to the Malayalam treatise, Phalasara Samuchayam ,the effects of birth in the
4 quarters of Anuradha are as follows:
1. Handsome, Dharmic, Lover of fine arts, honest
2. Skilled in Handling Musical instruments, earns money through his talents, intelligent and
eloquent at speech
3. Mathematically inclined, suffering from disease, given to humour
4. Scheming, Adamant, Ruthless and Healthy
Coming to Kanchi Acharya’s chart, how come he rose to be a pontiff with eminence with Moon
in debilitation? Here is the one astrological peculiarity we need to take note of. The Acharya had
Moon in Scorpio in Anuradha star with Sun in Taurus. So the benefits of a full Moon far
outweigh the negativity attributable to a debilitated Moon. Further in the case of the Moon
Pakshabala criteria for planetary strength is more important compared to Sthanabala, which is
the sine qua non for imparting strength to all planets other than Moon.
The adage “Amsakam Balam Uttamam” (Navamsa is the primary determinant of strength) is a
concept worth discussing here. When Moon is in Scorpio in Rasi it can be in Cancer in navamsa.
In that case Moon is supposed to be strong though in Scorpio. When Moon is in Scorpio in both
Rasi and navamsa, some scholars say it is at its nadir whereas some say that Vargottama bestows
a planet with strength though debilitated in both Rasi and navamsa. In some cases, Moon
conjoins Mars in Scorpio resulting in Neechabhanga raja yoga. Such people are highly result
oriented, have high levels of perseverance and have the grit and determination to achieve even
impossible tasks. They tend to occupy high positions or become leaders in their own sphere of
activity.
Anuradha belongs to a category of nakshatras termed as “Mridu” nakshatras. The stars which fall
in this category are Mrigashira, Chitra, Anuradha and Revati. These stars favour gentle and
joyful activities. They favour outings, picnics, entertainment related activities and events which
confer pleasure or happiness. Meeting friends, Sexual union, games, sports, singing or dancing
and all such light-hearted activities are favoured by Anuradha star. Anuradha is basically a
“Tiryak Mukha” or horizontal facing nakshatra along with Ashwini, Mrgashira, Punarvasu,
Hasta, Chitra, Swati, Jyesta and Revathi.These stars favours activities which are basically land
based such as ploughing, driving or activities which are related to land and do not involved
activities such as digging or building skyscrapers or flying in the air, since such activities are the
prerogative of “Adho Mukha” and “Urdhava Mukha” Stars.
Harvesting is the final limb of any agricultural activity. For this purpose, Anuradha is a
favourable star. The other stars which favour harvesting are Bharani, Rohini, Pushya,
Uttaraphalguni, Vishaka, Uttarashada, Sravana, Uttarabhadrapada, Ardra, Magha, Hasta and
Revati. The events subsequent to harvesting are gathering and storing. The following stars are
suitable for the purpose; Rohini, Mrgashira, Punarvasu, Pushya, Uttaraphalguni, Hasta, Swati,
Anuradha, Moola, Uttarashada, Sravana, Uttarabhadrapada and Revati. Anuradha is favourable
for setting up on orchard or for planting seeds in an orchard or garden. Ploughing is an important
agricultural activity which is advantageously performed in Sukla Paksha. Anuradha is a
favourable star for ploughing. For setting foot on a land to do agriculture, Anuradha is a suitable
star. Similarly, for sowing seeds or planting it is auspicious.
A bed or a mat is usually used as a cushion to take rest or to squat on the ground. The basic rule
is that when a person needs rest these serve as important accessories. Even for that an auspicious
time was suggested to ensure that we get proper rest. Without proper rest and adequate sleep, our
health tends to deteriorate. Therefore, the importance of an auspicious Muhurtha to put these
items to use cannot be under-emphasized. Anuradha is considered an auspicious star for this
purpose.
For business activities and accounting Anuradha is considered a favourable star. In any business ,
growth and profitability are considered very important. When the Muhurtha for commencement
of business is flawed , business tends to become sluggish. Similarly, profitability is ensured
under an auspicious Muhurtha.
Borrowing is resorted to as a last resort whenever money is needed. Business houses tend to take
overdraft facilities or mortgage loans whenever funds are needed. Individuals tend to take
housing loans, educational loans and personal loans. The lender usually takes into account the
value of security and repayment capacity while disbursing loans. It is very important to do this
transaction in an auspicious Muhurtha. If someone takes a loan in Hasta Nakshatra, the loan is
never repaid. While we are on the topic of “Anuradha” star, we need to mention that Anuradha is
an auspicious star for borrowing. For opening a store or a supermarket or to open a Jewelry
showroom, Anuradha is considered a favourable star. The idea is not only the business should do
well .but the customer should feel happy.
Annapraasana is an important samskara in Hindu traditions. Nowadays it is done in temples but
in reality it should be done in a house in an auspicious Muhurtha availing the services of a Vedic
pundit. Over a period of time what kind of food the child is going to get for consumption, health
and longevity are all based on the Muhurtha at the time of feeding solid food for the first time.
As parents we take care of our child only for the first phase of its life. The second phase, the wife
takes care and the third phase is crucial as good health is needed to have proper food,since
nobody is prepared to look after old people. Hence it is said that we as parents can heave a sigh
of relief if we fix the Annapraasana ceremony on an auspicious day as that will ensure that the
child gets excellent quality food and timely meals throughout its life, whether parents are alive or
not.There is some difference of opinion with regard to suitability of stars for this purpose.
According to Kalaprakasika, Anuradha, Swati and Sadabhishek are considered auspicious. The
general view is that the following stars are best suited for the first feeding of a child with solid
food; Aswini, Rohini, Mrgashira, Punarvassu, Pushya, Uttaraphalguni, Hasta, Chitra,
Uttarashada, Sravana, Dhanishta, Uttarabhdrapada and Revati.
At the time of Muhurtha, the 8th and 10th house from lagna should be unoccupied. This principle
is termed as “Sthalashuddhi”or compulsory vacancy of houses. In general, a planet in the 8th
causes destruction of the subject matter. In particular Mars, Saturn or Rahu in the 8th is highly
inauspicious. Our Rishis have stretched this concept to say that no planet should occupy the 8th.
For this particular event, the 10th house should be free of occupation. One might ask; If Jupiter
were to occupy the 10th, would it not improve the quality of the Muhurtha? The answer is in the
negative; Jupiter in the 10th in a Muhurtha chart will spoil the Annapraasana Muhurtha. If
someone stands near the window, the sunlight gets blocked- it does not matter whether that
person is a saint or a sinner. To get Sunlight, the window must be open. For an Annapraasana M
uhurtha, to get strength, the 10th house should be unoccupied.A discouraging trend in Panchangs
that I see nowadays is that preference is given to panchaka computation ignoring sthalashuddi. In
my humble view, panchang writers should give both equal importance.