Transits: Miscellaneous Topics

Murthis (Forms/Idols)

The Murthi technique helps judge the effectiveness of a planet's transit through a particular rasi. When a planet enters a new sign, the house position of the transit Moon (relative to natal Moon) at that exact moment determines the planet's "form" or "murthi" during its entire transit through that sign.

For example, if Mercury enters Gemini when the transit Moon is in the 1st house from a person's natal Moon, Mercury will be in Swarna Murthi (golden form) during its entire transit through Gemini. This means Mercury will give its full positive results during this transit. Conversely, if Mercury enters Gemini when transit Moon is in the 12th house from natal Moon, Mercury will be in Loha Murthi (iron form) and may not give its full results, even if the transit is otherwise favorable.

Rasi Gochara Vedha

Even when a planet is transiting in a favorable house from natal Moon, its positive effects can be obstructed by another planet transiting in the "vedha sthana" (house of obstruction). This concept is called Rasi Gochara Vedha.

Important exceptions to note:

• Sun and Saturn do not cause vedha on each other
• Moon and Mercury do not cause vedha on each other

For example, if Mercury is transiting in the 4th house from natal Moon (which is favorable), but there is a planet in the 3rd house from natal Moon, that planet causes vedha on Mercury, potentially obstructing its positive effects.

Taras (Stars)

The Tara system classifies nakshatras based on their position relative to the natal Moon's nakshatra. Each nakshatra, counted from the natal Moon's nakshatra, has specific qualities that affect transit results.

If a planet is transiting in a bad tara (Vipat, Pratyak, or Naidhana), it may not give its full positive results. This is particularly important when analyzing the transits of dasha and antardasha lords.

Special Nakshatras/Taras

In addition to the general tara classification, certain nakshatras counted from the natal Moon's nakshatra have special significance:

Benefics or malefics transiting in these special nakshatras bring good or bad results related to the area covered by the nakshatra. For example, malefics transiting in Jaati Nakshatra may alienate one from their community, while benefics transiting in Karma Nakshatra may bring career success.

Nakshatra-based Aspects

In addition to the standard rasi-based aspects, planets also cast aspects on specific nakshatras:

Constellations and Body Parts

When planets transit through different nakshatras (counted from janma nakshatra), they are said to dwell in different parts of the body. This has two important applications:

1. Predicting standard results for planetary transits in different constellations
2. Identifying planets causing health issues in specific body parts

If a planet dwells in a particular body part during transit and some natural malefics aspect it or cause vedha on it, then the planet may give suffering related to that body part. For example, if Sun is dwelling in the chest (6th-9th nakshatras from janma nakshatra) and is in an unfavorable murthi (copper or iron form), it may cause chest-related health issues.

Latta (Kick)

Latta is a nakshatra-based planetary kick. Each planet has latta (kick) on a specific constellation based on its transit position. If a transit planet has latta on the constellation occupied by Moon or lagna in the natal chart, then unfavorable results related to that planet's significations may occur.

The effects of latta depend on the house lordship of the planet in the natal chart:

• If the 6th lord has latta on janma nakshatra or lagna nakshatra, troubles related to litigation, disease, or enemies may occur
• If the 7th lord has latta on janma nakshatra or lagna nakshatra, troubles related to marriage, spouse, or relationships may occur
• If an important planet in the 10th house has latta on janma nakshatra or lagna nakshatra, career troubles may occur

Generally, we see some loss related to the natal significations of a planet having latta on janma nakshatra or lagna nakshatra in transit.

Sarvatobhadra Chakra

Sarvatobhadra Chakra is a specialized chart that shows all-round well-being and various auspicious and inauspicious results. The name means "auspicious in all directions" or "all-round well-being."

This chart consists of 81 squares (9×9) containing:

• 28 nakshatras (including Abhijit)
• 12 rasis (zodiac signs)
• 5 tithi groups (lunar days)
• 7 weekdays
• 16 vowels and 20 consonants (Sanskrit alphabet)

Vedha (Obstruction)

When a planet occupies a nakshatra in transit, it causes vedha (obstruction) on the contents of squares along three lines:

• One vertical or horizontal line
• Two crossward (diagonal) lines

Using Sarvatobhadra Chakra

To use this chart for prediction, identify the following in the natal chart:

1. The constellation occupied by Moon or any special tara
2. The rasi occupied by lagna or any house of interest
3. The first/prominent consonant and vowel in the native's name
4. The tithi of birth (janma tithi) or a special tithi
5. The weekday of birth (janma vaara)

Then study the vedha caused on these by different planets in transit:

• Vedha by benefics (Moon, Mercury, Jupiter, Venus) is favorable
• Vedha by malefics (Sun, Mars, Saturn, Rahu, Ketu) is unfavorable

If several transiting benefics have simultaneous vedha on several natal points, good results may be expected. Conversely, if several malefics have vedha on important natal points, unfavorable results are likely.