Marriage & Mangal Dosha -

Basics of Marriage

The important and a specific role of astrology in one’s social and family life or even in the path of following a spiritual life are immense, when the existence of a person upon earth is directly linked to one’s past karmas. The “Brihat Parashra Hora Shastra”, almost a bible for attaining the knowledge of astrology, makes a clear mention of the belief of reincarnation. Parashra texts clearly mention about the past, present and the future births. It also mentions about the mode of one’s death because of one’s good or bad “Karmas” of one’s past life or lives. Varahmihira too mentions it in clear terms.

Settled norms and principles of astrological predictions are thus almost heaven’s sent, which the great spiritual sages of the past like Parashara Muni, the Varahamira Muni and the like have compiled with a spiritual vision at their command. Astrology and its practicing is to deal with the science of Cosmos. It needs vision and direction which comes only after following a path of righteousness (Dharma). It has to equally to have the blessings of Mother Saraswati too, as Goddess Saraswati or Devi Sarasvati is the goddess of knowledge. She is the consort of Lord Brahma. Goddess Saraswati is considered to be the “mother of the Vedas”. Goddess Saraswati is symbol of knowledge; its flow (or growth) is like a river and knowledge is supremely alluring, like a beautiful woman.

Like other facets of life, marriage of a person too is the outcome of one’s “Karma” of the past. How, when and where one gets married is directly linked to one’s “Karmas” of the past. Denial and distress in marriage are also related to one’s “Karmas “of the past.

Before proceeding further in this regard, it is necessary to mention here about the myth of Ardhnarishwar, Marriage & Its Creation, in regard to the institution of marriage.

“This world is said to have begun with Brahma’s ‘Manas Shrishti’, when Brahma willed and a life in the shape of a human being viz, a “Pursh” came to existence. This process of creation was loaded with two serious shortcomings. The first such short coming was that with the Brahma’s desire only ‘Pursh’ could get created, who was to carry and perform prayers , perform ‘hawans’ (yagnas) and then attain ‘Moksha’. The second shortcoming was that this process was not a self-regenerating and hence there was stagnation, decrease in population and ultimately back to zero population. Therefore, Brahma had to create Pursh (men) again and again. This lead to creation of humans through sex, known as ‘Maithun Shrishti’. However all powerful Creator ‘The Brahma’ is said to have been at a loss as to how to create a woman. He had a realization that in this regard he will have to seek the guidance and blessings of Lord Shiva”.

Story of Ardhnarishwar.

Lord Shiva responded to the repeated appeals of the Lord Brahma in this regard and took the form of ‘Ardhnarishwar and subsequently ‘Shiva Devi’ came in to existence. Lord Brahma pleaded to her and put forward his difficulties, seeking her grace to grant him the ability to create a woman. On being pleased with his prayers ‘Shiva Devi’ emitted a divine light from between her eyes, which took the form of ‘Shakti’ and entered Lord Brahma’s heart and gave him with the ability to create woman. ‘Shiva Devi’ also agreed to Lord Brahma’s request to be born as Daksha’s daughter. But for ‘Maithun Shristi’ to be successfully implemented it was important for men and women to get attracted to each other. Thus all devtas approached ‘Kamdev’ for help in getting ‘Mahadev Shanker’ attracted towards ‘Parvati’ and initiating ‘Maithun Shrishti’.

‘Kamdev’ reduced to Ashes.

‘Kamdev’ followed by ‘Devtas’ set out to ‘Kailash’, where ‘Lord Shiva’ was engrossed in his ‘Tapasya’. After ‘Kamadev’ along with his friend ‘Vasant’ aimed his arrow at Lord Shiva, He felt attracted towards Parvati. This surprised him and he wondered as to what was the cause of this distraction and disturbance in his cosmic meditation. His probe in all directions led him to see ‘Kamdev’, on his left with his bow and arrow to aim at Lord Shiva. This irked Lord Shiva so much, that he with his cosmic powers reduced the Kamdeva to ashes. Lord Shiva was persuaded by Parwati and sought his grace and blessings for the Kamdeva. Lord Shiva blessed and said that Kamdeva would take a human form after Lord Vishnu takes Avtar as Lord Sri Krishna and would be born out of the Rukhmani’s womb. Lord Shiva said that He would be named as ‘Pradymn’, but till it happens he would enter every beings heart in the form of ‘Ananda’. This led to the beginning of ‘creation through sex’. After this to safe guard and self regulate the human race as also to maintain the sanctity of marriage and sanctity of its institution in the society, certain social, legal and moral codes were enforced and Manusmriti elaborates it in its codes in detail.

Manusmirti.

In ancient times a human being on an average was supposed to have a life span of 100 years. This span of life was equally divided into four parts. Each such part was denominated as an ‘Ashram’. These four ‘Ashrams’ were classified as ‘Brahamchary’, ‘Grihasta’, ‘Vanprastha’ and ‘Sanyasa’. Out of these Grahastha is the span when a person gets married and creates a family and lives a family life, as also discharges his duties towards the society. This therefore is the most important ‘Ashram’ (Span), from the social point of view, which is scrutinized keenly by one and all.

The “Shastra’s” lay down marriage as a sacred duty, which entails both social and religious obligations. Manusmiriti lays down certain codes pertaining to the marriages with certain do’s and don’ts involved in the institution of marriage. These mostly relate to the age of marriage, responsibilities of marriage, and respect for woman after marriage, maintaining of mutual cordial relationships after the marriage, love for each other in the act of marriage, maintaining of a decent family life with good social standards after the marriage, sincerity and honesty to each other after marriage. This is just a summarized form of these norms and there are detailed codified norms mentioned in the Manusumriti for the act of marriage as also for the institution of marriage. In the modern times as well we have defined laws which regulate legally the bondages of marriage between the two marrying or married partners.

Marriage is one of the most sacred and pious social events of life in the context of Indian culture. It is solemnized to become a vital bond between the two marrying partners who are mostly two different human souls of opposite sex. It can thus fill one’s life with immense and perpetual joy or it can mean otherwise as well. How to synthesize it astrologically? Vedic astrology has the answer. It has in fact a cosmic relevance for the continuance of the mankind and humanity in the universe. Thus the subject of marriage is not so simple, as it is normally being taken. The union of the two persons of opposite sexes makes the beginning or the commissioning of a new family. The family grows by the birth of the children which is a direct manifestation of destiny. So marriage and matters related to it are destined or destiny related as per “Shastra’s” and Vedic philosophy, which is the crux of the human existence. There is a well known saying that says that the “Marriages are settled in heaven and celebrated on Earth”. So the importance of the faculty of marriage can well be understood as a subject of one’s destiny.

Marriage is a part of our culture almost since the creation of humanity. It is a socially approved union ship or relationship between two individuals of opposite sex, to call themselves as life partners after marriage.: The Editors of Encyclopedia Britannica define marriage as:- “Marriage, is a legally and socially sanctioned union, usually between a man and a woman, that is regulated by laws, rules, customs, beliefs, and attitudes that prescribe the rights and duties of the partners and accords status to their offspring (if any). The universality of marriage within different societies and cultures is attributed to the many basic social and personal functions for which it provides structure, such as sexual gratification and regulation, division of labor between the sexes, economic production and consumption, and satisfaction of personal needs for affection, status, and companionship. Perhaps its strongest function concerns procreation, the care of children and their education and socialization, and regulation of lines of descent. Some form of marriage has been found to exist in all human societies, past and present. Its importance can be seen in the elaborate and complex laws and rituals surrounding it. The main legal function of marriage is to ensure the rights of the partners with respect to each other and to ensure the rights and define the relationships of children within a community. Marriage has historically conferred a legitimate status on the offspring, which entitled him or her to the various privileges set down by the traditions of that community, including the right of inheritance. Until the late 20th century, marriage was rarely a matter of free choice. In Western societies love between spouses came to be associated with marriage, but even in Western cultures (as the novels of writers such as HenryJames and Edith Wharton attest) romantic love was not the primary motive for matrimony in most eras, and one’s marriage partner was carefully chosen”. But the situation now is very much different particularly in the Western world. As per Oriental and Indian culture, most of the marriages are performed as per specific and rituals and traditions of various religions and sects. But erosion in this regard has already set in, in these regions too. As per the Indian concept of marriage, every society within this country, are having certain own conventions and norms to be followed for marriages. These norms while not being uniform throughout the country, as the Indian society is multi religious and cultured; yet, every society has its own norms and conventions for marriages. But during the last quarter of the 20^th century, the society is witnessing a rapid change in the social circles and set ups.

The institution of marriage in all probability is devised by the nature to ensure the continuance of humanity and mankind upon earth. In one’s life time it is one of the major achievements of a person, which is supposed to bestow a family and a family life to a person, thus regularize his life with a responsibility and discipline to follow a set of rules of family life and thus live a disciplined life, apart from the enjoying the bliss of one’s sexual urge in a safe manner. It is an outcome of one’s “Karmas” of the past, which regulates and governs the life pattern of a person in this life. A person, who is blessed with the opportunity of having a good and a peaceful married life, will be able to contribute his share of responsibility towards the society at large in a better and constructive form.

In our Indian culture when purely the domestic and the socially wetted marriages occur, when marriage is taken as a sacred institution, there is an assumption that love between the partners comes after marriage, and much thought is given to the socioeconomic advantages accruing to the larger family from the match. But in the areas where a small or a nuclear family predominates, young adults usually choose their own mates as life partners mostly. It is assumed that love precedes and decides one’s marriage, and less thought is normally given to the socioeconomic aspects of the match.

Coming to the astrological part of marriage, as applicable to the Indian culture, the most active period of life in a person’s life is mostly between the age groups of 25 years to 50 years. This is the period when one tries to grow in life in all respects, when the development of a family is also a prime consideration in this regard. Development of family for a person comes only with his/her marriage. With the urge to develop a family, one needs a permanent life partner in the shape of a spouse, the one who takes one’s care for his/her other desires too, which includes the sexual part of the desire. It is because of this fact that while the Ascendant ( lagna ) represents the self, the house opposite to it, the 7^th house has been allotted to one’s spouse. Marriage is basically a union of two un-known persons which is indicated in a birth chart by the 1^st house and the 7^th house respectively.

The 7^th house ruling the matrimonial matters is the middle house in a horoscope, sandwiched between the house of enemy and death (6^th and the 8^th house). This is very much significant in the matters of marriage. After marriage, a person has a family to look after which needs protection of all sorts. Society will pounce upon the person if the person or the spouse makes a wrong move. Economic factors will draw him into a vicious circle of problems unless he is careful. The rearing of the children in a proper way and an overall maintenance of the family in a dignified way denotes that a person has to gear himself/herself up to a defensive posture. Thus, the positioning of the 7^th house between the house of enemy and death appears quite significant in itself. It is equally known as the “ Kalatra Bhava.” The union of the two persons makes the beginning or the commissioning of a new family represented by the 2^nd house. The happiness and prosperity of this family is represented by the 4^th house. The family grows by the birth of the children which is a direct manifestation of destiny and mental aptitude represented by the 5^th house. The longevity of the married life is represented by the 8^th house. The mutual conjugal relationship after marriage is represented by the 12^th house. These are as per the “ Parashara “ principles in this regard. This has been discussed in detail in the relevant chapters to follow.

As per Jaimini parameters, the most important pointers in regard to marriage are, Dara Karka, Gnati Karka, Dara Karka Navamasha, Uppa-Pada lagna, Aruda of the 7^th house known as Dara Pada (Kalatra Pada). Dara Karka is the indicator of marriage and partnership in general. It is equally known as the Stri Karka as well. Gnati Karka is the indicator of strife, disease, hardships, bottlenecks and impediments etc. It indicates spiritual sadhana as well. Dara Karka Navamsha is the sign in which the Dara Karka (DK) is placed in the Navamsha chart. It is symbolically known as (DKN). It has enough relevance as per Jaimini Astrology in respect of marriage and the marital status and affairs. Any malefic conjunction or aspect on it will mean some problem in the marital status and affairs and any benefic conjunction or aspect on it will be quite favourable for the situation of the marriage, marital status and affairs. Uppa-Pada lagna has enough of relevance and significance in the matters of the marriage and the married life. Uppa-Pada is the Pada of the 12^th house. The auspiciousness of the Uppa-Pada lagna confers happiness from the spouse, viz. the life partner. The reverse will be the case and situation if Uppa-Pada is conjunct or aspected by malefics and one will not have happiness from one’s spouse which in other words means that the marital status and affairs will not be good. ). Dara Pada showing the Arudha of the of the 7^th house which is known as Kalatra Pada as well, is also very much essential, important and pertinent for ascertaining the prospects (good or bad) of marriage in its various aspects. The proper and appropriate considerations of the Uppa-Pada and the Dara Pada in a birth chart are essentially valuable for understanding the conditions applying in marriage (good or bad) as also to know about the behaviour of the spouse. It has been explained in detail in the chapters to follow.

Navamasha chart has enough of relevance as a divisional chart for checking the marriage parameters. If rashi chart represents the body of a person, the Navamsha chart represents the backbone thereof.

The main determinants of marriage known as significators ( Karkas), are Venus and Jupiter, when Venus is considered as a significator of marriage for males and the Jupiter is considered as a significator for females. Moon and Rahu also play a vital role in the matter of marriages. A good position or placement of these significators in a birth chart can bestow a good and a timely marriage. On the opposite side if these are weak and ill placed, it can mean a troublesome marriage. Venus is the most important planet for marriage and married life happiness. Venus is the planet of relationship and love. The role of Venus being the planet of love, romance, sex and beauty has a significant role to play in marriages. It owns the 7^th house of the “Kal-Pursha Kundali”, thus a natural significator of marriage. So it plays a significant part in the matters of love marriage in a birth chart. Good Venus placement in a birth chart is a boon for a happy marriage. If Venus is debilitated, afflicted by malefic planets or is retrograde, it may cause marital disharmony.

The role of Mars is also important in marriage. The lagna represents the body, the Moon represents the mind and Venus represents attraction, love and sexual pleasure. Mars represents the valour for sexual pleasure. Whereas Venus represents passion for sex, Mars represents Valour for sexual pleasure. Therefore, the role of Mars and Venus is very much vital and important in the institution of marriage astrologically, where the conjugal bliss is the first priority. Placement of Mars in certain houses of a horoscope is termed as a “ Kuja – Dosha “ or a “Mangali-Dosha”. Adverse Mars is known to sow the seeds of discontent in one’s married life. If the malefic influence of Mars is sever, it may cause a lot of trouble in one’s married life, which is commonly called as ‘Mangal Dosha or Kuja Dosha’. Mars is supposed to give rise to Mangal Dosha , if it is placed in the 1^st house, 2^nd house, 4^th house, 7^th house, 8^th house or the 12^th house of a birth chart. The role of Jupiter in a horoscope is equally very much vital in regard to one’s marriage, particularly the feminine gender. Jupiter is of much importance to our lives, as for as astrology is concerned. Jupiter is known as “Jeeva-Karka”, viz, the planet which bestows of life. “Our Jyotish Guru Sh. K.N.Rao says that Jupiter’s aspect is Ganga Water consecrating whatever it is sprinkled upon” .

The benevolence of Jupiter is an established fact of astrology. Thus a well placed Jupiter in a birth chart is a boon in all the spheres of life, as also in the sphere of one’s marriage. Jupiter indicates children, wisdom, fortune and higher knowledge too. It is believed that the association of Jupiter or an aspect of Jupiter on Mars neutralizes the adverse affects of Mars for marriage. But it is equally said that Mars in the signs of Jupiter, or aspected by Jupiter is not considered good for marriage. Saravali by Kalayan Verma, has mentioned a lot about the relationship of Mars and Jupiter. Particularly in the case of females, where Jupiter is the significator of marriage, it has been seen such a situation of Mars and Jupiter compounds the problems of marriage, if related to the 7^th house or the 7^th lord. While Jupiter represents the husband of a female as the significator of marriage and getting linked to Mars attains a Dosha, thus this planetary position of Jupiter and Mars is not auspicious for females. However this has to be taken liberally and not literally. It is an issue of further research.

The major issues in the matters of marriage need to be studied, along with the prominent problems linked to the process of marriage, which a person wants to know from an astrologer. As already mentioned earlier that marriage is an outcome of one’s ‘karmic’ outcomes of one’s past births. An astrologer should be very well versed with the subject of astrology to delineate all such ‘Karmic’ flaws if any, when a situation arises about some distress in one’s marriage. It is not the distress alone in marriage which has to be identified. There can be other quarries too, which an astrologer shall have to face while scrutinizing the likely factors in regard to one’s marriage, like the quality of one’s marriage, harmony or disharmony in marital status, actual timing of marriage, reasons for delayed or denied marriage, causes of distress in marriage, unconventionality in marriage like inter cast marriage, inter religious marriage where the factor of love marriage is mostly involved, longevity of marriage both in respect of smooth continuity of marriage or break in marriage. Longevity of marriage has another dimension as well, which is related to the personal longevity in age of either partners of marriage viz, widowhood or widower hood of the marrying partners. The other peripheral issues in marriage can be categorized as extra marital affairs, like second marriage or multiple marriages etc.

In this regard a sound knowledge of astrology by an astrologer is needed to locate such problems from the birth charts and advise the concerned accordingly. Lack of harmony in marital status for a married couple because of any reason creates a lot of mental agony and distress giving rise to various conflicts between them. Such conflicts lead to a separation too. In this regard proper counseling by a learned astrologer can work as an effective guide to the person concerned to save him or her to a great extent from the disasters of marital distress.

In this context various issues related to marriage and its longevity are detailed as under:-

Marriage and its astrological parameters,
7^th house relevant to marriage and its bliss
Navamsha and marriage
Up-Pada and marriage
Timing of marriage
Early & normal marriage
Delayed marriage
Denial of marriage
Love affairs and Unconventional marriage
Discord in marriage
Loss of spouse like widowhood and widower hood.

Mars and Marriage ( Mangal-Dosha)

Mangal Dosha known as ‘Kuja Dosha’ as well in astrological language, has relevance to the placement of “Mars”, in a birth chart.

Mars Defined.

Mars is known from ancient times and is named after the Roman God of war, the Red Planet. In Vedic astrology Mars is known as ‘Mangal’, ‘Angaraka’ and ‘Kuja’ as well. In Sanskrit these names mean ‘auspicious’, ‘burning coal’ and the ‘fair one’. Mars is considered as the Commander-in-Chief of the planetary kingdom. Mars is hot, masculine and a fiery planet. Its color is red. It signifies both constructive and the destructive energy. All matters related to strength and stamina, courage, fire, land and related things, opposition and enemies, accidents and injuries etc. are controlled by Mars. Ambition, desire, irritation, passion including sexual passion, temper, aggression, violence, cruelty and rash behavior come under the domain of Mars.

Mars is generally said to be a malefic planet. Under favorable placements and aspects or associations in a birth chart, it imparts virtues like self confidence, good muscular strength, independent view, good self determination, good character, courage, stamina, sharp wit, heroic deeds, endurance, energetic and constructive attitudes and fearlessness. Mars bestows property and conveyances. Mars bestows valour of sorts to combat the various difficulties in life.

The protective quality of Mars is that it is known as protector of Dharma, the sacred path and purpose in life that each of us follows.

Mars governs the external genital organs, left year, face and head, nose, sense of taste, the muscular system, uterus, bladder, prostrate glands, testicles, colon and rectum. It rules over the muscles and the bone marrow.

Role of Mars in Marriage.

In the Zodiac, Mars is known as a God of marital character. The role of Mars in conjugal life is well established in the sacred books of astrology. Mars is strong regulator of marital harmony.

The lagna represents the body, the Moon represents the mind and Venus represents attraction, love and sexual pleasure. Mars represents the valour for sexual pleasure. Whereas Venus represents passion for sex, Mars represents Valour for sexual pleasure. So the role of Mars and Venus is very much vital and important in the institution of marriage astrologically, where the conjugal bliss is the first priority.

It is invariably commented by immature and quack astrologers that Mars plays havoc in the marital life if adversely placed in a birth chart. It can be true, but not in all such situations. So, unless Mars occupies certain specific houses with particular signs and receives typical malefic aspects by malefic planets and gets afflicted, then alone an astrologer should venture to profess the evil effects of Mars in that birth chart and that too with absolute caution and care. To comment upon the malefic behavior of Mars in a birth chart depends upon its position in a birth chart, the aspect of other planets on it and its conjunction with other planets in a birth chart.

All this has to be examined carefully before reaching to a final conclusion about the ill effects of Mars. Mars is an exemplary planet which is most of the times equally a boon in a horoscope.

7^th house and its lord ( Bavesha), speaks about the marital life and its longevity of a person, which includes both male and female. Equally the influence of malefic planets, particularly Mars upon the 7th house and its lord in the birth chart of a male and a female, has to be assessed in this regard.

Similarly in female nativity the 8^th house is considered very important for marriage and married life. It is known as “Mangaleya Sthana” ‘THE SUHAG’, in a female chart.

8^th house of a female chart represents the longevity of her husband, the longevity of her conjugal life as also the health of her husband. 8^th house also indicates widowhood in a female birth chart. “Varaha Mihir” says that the 8th house in a female chart indicates the longevity of her husband.

In the case of males the 7^th house and its lord indicates both his wife and his conjugal life. The 8^th house is not connected with the marital happiness or the life span of the wife. But the 8^th house does indicate his longevity and the cause of his own death.

The effect of the afflicted Mars on the 7^th house and 8^th house of a birth chart of a female is liable to cause adverse adversity in her marital status.

The effect of the afflicted Mars on the 8^th house of the birth chart of a male will bring him health related problems only, such as sickness, accidents, untimely or violent form of death.

So, one has to understand the difference between the malefic influence of Mars on the 8^th house of the birth charts of males and females separately. In the case of women such a Mars will be harmful for the husband, while as in the case of men such a Mars will affect him only.

Thus the impact of Mars on the 7^th house and its lord and the 8^th house including its lord has to be studied cautiously, by a matured astrologer, who must be very much thorough with the knowledge of astrology, before making any adverse comments on the role of Mars in the charts of both males and females.

Mangal Dosha (Kuja Dosha)

Adverse Mars is known to sow the seeds of discontent in one’s married life. If the malefic influence of Mars is sever, it may cause a lot of trouble in one’s married life, which is commonly called as ‘Mangal Dosha or Kuja Dosha’.

Mars is supposed to give rise to Mangal Dosha , if it is placed in the 1^st house, 2^nd house, 4^th house, 7^th house, 8^th house or the 12^th house of a birth chart.

The effects of Mangal Dosha are to be seen from:-

1. Lagna

2. Moon lagna

3. Venus

Mars is supposed to cause a ‘dosha’ , if placed in the 1^st house, 2^nd house, 4^th house, 7^th house, 8^th house or the 12^th house of a birth chart. It is called as ‘Mangal-Dosha” or “ Kuja-Dosha”, causing impediments of sorts to one’s marriage. Kuja Dosha is also counted when malefic planets like Mars, Saturn, Sun and Rahu are placed in lagna, 2^nd house, 4^th house, 7^th house, 8^th house or the 12^th house. The role of Mars is considered fierier, vociferous in this regard, as compared to other malefic planets, as Mars is a fiery planet of action and activity and if it attains a malefic posture it displays its powers of action and energy towards producing of very bad results of destruction. Mars is known as ‘Mangal’ in Sanskrit language, which means all good and auspicious. Then why does it attain a nomenclature of a problem shooter in the institution of marriage. A possible reply to such an anomaly is that Mars is a fiery planet of masculine stimulus and action, when it is very hot by nature. Mars is also equally characterized as a planet of aggression, passion, energy, arrogance, impulsive and bold when all such traits of Mars do not befit for a happy and compassion based happy married life, where compromising over the individual interests and preferences is a basic requirement, for a happy married life. Mars causes anger and is uncompromising and for a good marital status such circumstances are not favorable. Mars represents the valor of sexuality in a person as such its importance in the matters of marriage is of prime importance.

Afflicted Mars not placed well in the 7^th house, indicates untimely death. Mars being the lagna lord of the “Kaal-Pursha-Kundali”, and as such its placement in the 7^th house is not considered auspicious.

It is equally important to note, that 7^th house is the 4^th house from the 4^th house and is the 10^th house from the 10^th house. Mars has very important relevance with both these houses, as it is the ‘Karka’ for the 4^th house and gets directional strength in the 10^th house. As per the principles of ‘Bhavat-Bhavam’, 7^th house is the ‘Sooksham-Sukha-Sathana’ and ‘Sooksham-Karma-Sthana’. The placement of Mars in it shows the quality of ‘Sukha’, comforts of life through one’s ‘Karma’ viz, deeds, as per the planetary position of Mars in a birth chart. Relevance of Mars as per astrological reference is of prime importance, particularly when seen as a ‘Kuja-Dosha’.

General characteristics of Mars in the 7^th house are mentioned as under:-

i, Mars in the 7^th house is known to cause ‘Kuja-Dosha’, which is detrimental for a good and a happy married life. In general Mars placed in the 7^th house with a malefic status is very bad for a blissful and a happy married life, which includes all the facets of a good married life, like good understanding between the married one’s, cordial married relations, good health condition of spouse, good sexual compatibility, happy family life, separation from each other etc.

ii, As per ‘Saravalli’, Shaloka-32, Chapter 30, when it mentions that Mars placed in the 7^th house causes the death of one’s spouse, will suffer from many disease, will take to bad acts, will be miserable, sinful, devoid of wealth, will be distressed and emaciated. (But this has to be applied with exceptions like when Mars is placed in the 7^th house in its own sign or is exalted, one’s spouse is good and makes a good progress).

iii, ‘Chamatkar-Chintamani of Bhatt Narayana ’, mentions that Mars in the 7^th house may lose his spouse, make a person unfortunate, will have trouble some opponents, dwelling in foreign land, wicked, debauch. Little gains from the household life, denotes quarrels and unpleasant conditions in the married life. (But these are general characteristics and mostly refer to a malefic status of Mars in the 7^th house).

iv, In a male chart Mars in the 7^th house shows a very combative and forceful life partner.

v, Afflicted Mars in the 7^th house can mean delay in marriage, discord in marriage, separation in marriage and even denial of one’s marriage, depending upon the level of malefic influence on Mars in the 7^th house.

vi, ‘Saravalli’ mentions Mars in its own sign or in its exaltation sign in the 7^th house, gives a good wife of virtues. It is a yoga which bestows blissful married life.

vii, Jupiter’s benefic aspect on the 7^th house and Mars mitigates all the evils of a malefic Mars in the 7^th house.

viii, Mars associated with Saturn in the 7^th house or aspected by Saturn may make a person sexually pervert. Similarly association of Mars under malefic conditions with the Rahu/Ketu, also gives a sexual perversion.

ix, ‘Chamatkar-Chintamani Bhatt Narayana ’, mentions that Mars in the signs of Taurus, Cancer, Virgo, Sagittarius or Pisces, is fatal to wife. It is yoga for second wife. Mars in other signs gives favorable results.

x, While as Mars in the 7^th house is potentially bad to cause damage to the married life, which can be of different categories. Such harmful effects of Mars can be nullified by a proper matching of the horoscopes of two marrying partners, ensuring similar situation of ‘Kuja-Dosha’ in the horoscopes of both the partners, further depending upon the other planetary combinations in the birth charts. The role of an unblemished benefic Jupiter by its aspect or association with the 7^th house or 7^th lord is of enough help to mitigate the evil effects of such a ‘Kuja-Dosha’. The association of benefic planets with Mars, or Mars being placed well in its own sign or being exalted under benefic conditions, reduces the evil effects of ‘Kuja-Dosha’, to a larger extent. The potentialities of the evil effects of ‘Kuja-Dosha’ get enhanced when Mars is placed in an inimical situation or is debilitated, having association of malefic planets or asepected by malefic planets or placed in inimical rashi’s.

Influence of Mars on various bhavas as per the possible adverse effects of Mangal Dosha in a birth chart.

Afflicted Mars in	Extent of adverse effects	Results
7^th Bhava	100%	Disputes, violence, affliction to the longevity of marriage.
8^th Bhava	100%	Known as ‘Mangaliya Sthana, Suhag’, for a female, can give affliction to the longevity of husband.
Lagna	60%	Affects mutual love, creates jealousy and violent tendencies. Affects 4^th house the house of family happiness, 7^th house the house of behavior of one’s spouse and conjugal happiness and the 8^th house viz, the age of the husband in the case of females and the ‘Subhagya’ of one’s wife in the case of males.
2^nd Bhava	80%	‘Marka’ bhava of a birth chart and 7^th house from the 8^th house, it can therefore affect the age of the spouse. Affects 2^nd house being the house of family, it can mean family disturbance, aggression towards one’s spouse, financial shortages etc, 5^th house the house of progeny, thus impact on progeny , 8^th house, the house of longevity and 9^th house viz, fortune and dharma.
4^th Bhava	80%	Results in reduced family happiness, disputes, enmity etc. Affects 7^th house, the house of conjugal happiness, 10^th house, the house of ‘Karma’ and 11^th house the house of gains.
12^thBhava	50%	12^th house is 6^th from the 7^th house and thus indicates enemies of the 7^th house. It affects the bed pleasures and comforts.

It is a misnomer to limit the bad and malefic effects of Kuja Dosha to Mars only. Kuja dosha has equally to be seen from the placement of other malefic planets like Saturn, Sun, Rahu and Ketu as well from the same houses as have been mentioned above for Mars. Kuja Dosha gets created though with lesser degree of intensity with the placement of planets like Saturn, Sun, Rahu and Ketu too in the houses as it does with Mars. Such effects of Kuja Dosha have to be seen from the lagna, Moon lagna and from the position of Venus in a birth chart.

The astrological pundits with very little astrological knowledge about the Kuja Dosha ignore this fact and thus their conclusions are mostly incorrect which ultimately results in disasters in marital matching of birth charts.

The intensity of Kuja Dosha becomes more malefic if other malefic planets like Sun, Saturn, Rahu or Ketu are also with Mars in any other relevant “bhava”, responsible for the giving rise to the Mangal Dosha.

It has been seen and observed that in the present day practice of astrology , some unscrupulous astrologers or rather so called astrologers have mostly misrepresented and misinterpreted the ‘Mangal Dosha’ , while matching the birth charts of two prospective matching partners , for lack of proper knowledge about the same. Similarly there are many misunderstandings about ‘Mangal Dosha’, among common men as well.

Mangal Dosha in a birth chat gets cancelled to a great extent if in a birth chart the condition of Mars is in the lagna, 2^nd house, 4^th house, 7^th house, 8^th house or the 12^th house as under:-

If Mars is debilitated,
If Mars is in own sign Aries or Scorpio,
If Mars is exalted,
If Mars is in Leo in 8th House,
If Mars is in Sagittarius in 12th House,
If Mars is aspected by a benefic,
If a strong benefic is placed in the 9th House,
If Mars is exalted or in its own sign in Navmansa chart,
If boy and girl both are ‘Manglik’

Many misunderstandings are there about the Mangal Dosha among the so-called astrologers in general and the common men in particular, thus creating unnecessary fear about the same. Mangal Dosha in a birth chart needs to be studied very much carefully before making any comment about its adverse effects in a birth chart.

For any astrological conseling in marriage matters this astrologer can be consulted on pl.khushu@gmail.com . Mobile :- 9810585536