46. Maraka Planets (Killers)

बहुधाऽऽयुर्भवा योगाः कथिता भवताऽधुना ।
नृणां मारकभेदाश्च कथ्यन्तां कृपया मुने ! ॥ १ ॥

1. O Sage, you spoke of the many yogas causing longevity. Now kindly tell me of the kinds of yogas that are Marakas or killers.

तृतीयमष्टमस्थानमायुःस्थानं द्वयं द्विज ! ।
मारकं तद्व्ययस्थानं द्वितीयं सप्तमं तथा ॥ २ ॥

2. (The Sage Parasara replies to Maitreya) O Vipra, the 3rd and the 8th are the two houses of longevity. The 12th House from these (the 3rd and 8th) Houses, the 2nd and the 7th Houses are marakas or killers.

तत्रापि सप्तमस्थानाद् द्वितीयं बलवत्तरम् ।
तयोरीशौ तत्र गता: पापिनस्तेन संयुताः ॥ ३ ॥

ये खेटा: पापिनस्ते च सर्वे मारकसंज्ञकाः ।
तेषां दशाविपाकेषु सम्भवे निधनं नृणाम् ॥ ४ ॥

अल्प-मध्यम-पूर्णायु: प्रमाणमिह योगजम् ।
विज्ञाय प्रथमं पुंसां मारकं परिचिन्तयेत् ॥ ५ ॥

3-5. Of the two Marakas (Killers) the 7th House is stronger Maraka than the 2nd. The Lords of these two Houses (the 2nd, the 7th), the malefic planets situated there and the malefics that are in conjunction with the Lords of these two Houses all these are called Marakas. The death of native is possible in the Dasa and Antardasa periods of these Marakas (the major and sub periods). The possibility of death will depend on whether the native has long life, medium life or short life. Therefore, it is after knowing the measure of the native's life that his Maraka should be considered.

Notes :- The Marakas according to Maharisi Parasara are the following:

1. The 2nd and the 7th Lords.

2. The malefics situated in the 2nd and the 7th House.

3. The malefics in conjunction with the 2nd and the 7th Lords.

The Marakas cause the death of the native in their Dasa and Antardasa periods (Major and Sub periods). But the Maraka can cause death only when the native has arrived in the boundary of the measure of his life-Long, medium and short. In the foregoing chapter it has been given that there are three measures of Longevity-Short life, which is of 32 years and; Medium life which is of 32 to 64 years and; Long life which is of more than 64.

अलाभे पुनरेतेषां सम्बन्धेन व्ययेशितुः ।
क्वचिच्छुभानां च दशास्वष्टमेशदशासु च ॥ ६ ॥

केवलानां च पापानां दशासु निधनं क्वचित् ।
कल्पनीयं बुधैर्नृणां मारकाणामदर्शने ॥ ७ ॥

6-7. (According to the Ayuradaya yoga) Sometimes the native's death may occur even before the time of the Maraka has come. This happens in the Dasa or Antardasa periods of the benefics. Who are related to the 12th Lord and sometimes in the Dasa and Antardasa periods of the 8th Lord or of malefic planets alone. In this way the wise Astrologer should decide the killers of the natives even when the time of the Marakesh has not arrived.

Notes :- It is not necessary that the Marakas are always decided according to the Ayuradaya yogas. Some times death may occur even when the period of any Marakas has not come. Maharisi Parasara has used the term 'ad which means "without getting" that is, the planets may not have got their Dasa or Antardasa periods and death may occur. The 12th House is referred to as '34' also which means terminal. It has been called Moksha also. Moksha means death, release from the cycle of birth and death. Therefore the 12th Lord also makes his names meaningful when he is related to the lords of the 2nd, 7th or 8th House, although they may happen to be benefics. Besides this, malefics may also be Marakas. They generally cause unnatural death.

सत्यपि स्वेन सम्बन्धे न हन्ति शुभभुक्तिषु ।
हन्ति सत्यप्यसम्बन्धे मारकः पापभुक्तिषु ॥ ८ ॥

8. Even the Maraka does not cause death in his Antardasa period when he is related to a benefic, he can cause death in the Antardasa of a malefic planet when he is not related to a benefic.

Notes :- Here 'benefic planets' refers to the trinal lords who are always auspicious. Even the Maraka keeps their auspiciousness unhurt and sound but he causes death in the Antardasa period of a malefic whether he is related to him or not: The fact is that the malefics are naturally opposed to life and it is this similarity that the Maraka gets with a malefic.

मारकग्रहसम्बन्धान्नहन्ता पापकृच्छनिः ।
अतिक्रम्येतरान् सर्वान् भवत्यत्र न संशयः ॥ ९ ॥

9. Ill disposed Saturn when he is related to a Maraka planet becomes a Maraka himself. In that condition he crosses all the Marakas and becomes Maraka himself there is no doubt in it.

Notes :- Saturn is the significator of longevity. He is praised as a significator of longevity even when he is placed in the 8th House. But the fact is that when a significator is badly influenced or he is ill disposed due to his lordship of an inauspicious House, he will cause the greatest harm to his significate, especially when he is related to a planet of similar nature. According to this Sloka when Saturn is ill disposed and is related to a Maraka he becomes a destroyer of the thing of which he is the significator. The Maraka planet is opposed to longevity and therefore becomes of similar nature with Saturn and Saturn when related to him becomes a Maraka crossing all other Marakas. This fact is applicable not only in the context of the Marakas but also in that of the other significators. Thus Jupiter has been found be causing harm of the son, the Moon of the mother, the Sun of the father and Mercury of the maternal uncle.

अथाऽन्यदपि वक्ष्यामि द्विज! मारकलक्षणम् ।
त्रिविधाश्चायुषो योगाः स्वल्पायुर्मध्यमोत्तमाः ॥ १० ॥

द्वात्रिंशत् पूर्वमल्पायुर्मध्यमायुस्ततः परम् ।
चतुष्षष्टया: पुरस्तात् तु ततो दीर्घमुदाहृतम् ॥ ११ ॥

उत्तमायुः शतादूर्ध्व ज्ञातव्यं द्विजसत्तम! ।
जैनर्विशतिवर्षान्तमायुर्ज्ञातुं न शक्यते ॥ १२ ॥

जप-होम-चिकित्साद्यैर्बालरक्षां हि कारयेत् ।
प्रियन्ते पितृदोषैश्च केचिन्मातृग्रहैरपि ॥ १३ ॥

केचित् स्वारिष्टयोगाच्च त्रिविधा बालमृत्यवः ।
ततः परं नृणामायुर्गणयेद् द्विजसत्तम ! ॥ १४ ॥

10-14. O Brahmin, now I tell you of the other features also of Marakas. The yogas of longevity (or longevity causing combinations) are of three kinds-those giving short, medium and long life. The yoga which causes the death of the native before and upto 32 years is called the Alpayu, after 32 and before 64 Madhyamayu, after 64 but before or upto 100 years Dirghayu and after 100 years Uttamayu. The astrologers cannot know the Longevity of a native before 20 years. During these years the native should be protected by performing Japas (recitation of Mantras), homas (fire sacrifice) and medical treatments etc. During these years some children die due to the sins of fathers, some of mothers and some due to their own Arishtayogas.. In this way children's death may occur in three ways. O excellent of the Brahmins. It is after 20 years that the longevity of the native is to be calculated.

अथाऽन्यदपि वक्ष्यामि नृणां मारकलक्षणम् ।
अल्पायुर्योगजातस्य विपद्धे च मृतिर्भवेत् ॥ १५ ॥

मध्यायुर्योगजस्यैवं प्रत्यरौ च मृतिर्भवेत् ।
दीर्घायुर्योगजातस्य वधभे च मृतिर्भवते ॥ १६ ॥

द्वाविंशत्र्यंशपश्चैव तथा वैनाशिकाधिपः ।
विपत्तारा-प्रत्यरीशा वधभेशस्तथैव च ॥ १७ ॥

आद्यान्तपौ च विज्ञेयौ चन्द्राक्रान्तगृहाद् द्विज !।
मारकौ पापखेटौ तौ शुभौ चेद्रोगदौ स्मृतौ ॥ १८ ॥

षष्ठाधिपदशायां च नृणां निधनसम्भवः ।
षष्ठाष्टरिष्फनाथानामपहारे मृतिभवेत् ॥ १९ ॥

मारका बहवः खेटा यदि वीर्यसमन्विताः ।
तत्तद्दशान्तरे विप्र! रोगकष्टादिसंभवः ॥ २० ॥

उक्ता ये मारकास्तेषु प्रबलो मुख्यमारकः ।
तदवस्थानुसारेण मृतिं वा कष्टमादिशेत् ॥ २१ ॥

15-21. O Vipra, now I will speak of the other features. The native born with the short life combinations may die due the Dasa denoted by the vipat star (the 3rd from the birth star), the one born with the medium life combinations due to the Dasa denoted by the Pratyari star (the 5th from the birth star) and, the one with the long life combinations due to the Dasa denoted by the Vadha star (the 7th from the birth star). The Dasa of the Lord of the 22nd Decanate from the Lagna Decanate or the dasa of the Lord of the 23rd, 3rd, 5th or 7th asterism may also cause death. The Lords of the 2nd and 12th Houses counted from the Moon when they happen to be malefics may cause death, when they are benefics they will cause only diseases and not death. Death may occur in the Dasha of the 6th Lord and in the antardasha of the 6th/8th/12th Lords. There are many planets that are Marakas provided that they are endowed with the strength (of killing). O Vipra, during the dasa periods of these planets diseases and miseries to the native are possible. The predominant Maraka among the Marakas described above is the strongest of them all. And it is he who gives death or disease according to his Dasa or Antardasa periods.

Notes :- In the Chaukhamba Sanskrit Sansthana edition the Lord of the 6th Decanate has been said to be a Marakesha. There is no mention of the Lord of the 22nd Decanate in this edition.

राहुश्चेदथवा केतुर्लग्ने कामेऽष्टमे व्यये ।
मारकेशान्मदे वाऽपि मारकेशेन संयुतः ॥ २२ ॥

मारक: स च विज्ञेयः स्वदशान्तर्दशास्वपि ।
मकरे वृश्चिके जन्म राहुस्तस्य मृतिप्रदः ॥ २३ ॥

षष्ठाऽष्टरिष्फगो राहुस्तद्दाये कष्टदो भवेत् ।
शुभग्रहयुतो दृष्टो न तदा कष्टकृन्मतः ॥ २४ ॥

22-24. RAHU AND KETU AS MARAKAS : Rahu and Ketu in the Ascendant, the 7th, 8th, or 12th House or in the 7th House from the Marakesha or in conjunction with the Markesha become Marakas in their Dasa or Antardasa periods. Rahu becomes a Maraka for the natives born in the Capricorn and Scorpio Ascendants. Rahu gives pain and misery in his Dasa period in the 6th and 12th House. But he does not cause pain or misery if he is in conjunction with or aspected by a benefic planet.

Notes :- It has been our experience that Rahu and Ketu give excessive pains and miseries. The native is surrounded by physical pains all of a sudden. Thus he is subjected to accidents, heart attack, paralysis, failure of Kidneys etc. He has to make much expense, gets losses and thefts. Various sorts of mental diseases develop. Anger, irritability, mental tension and loss of peace are the result. There is rashness of mind and fear of Scandal. The native often, during the disease, gets operated. There is also lack of peace, misery and poverty in his house. Roofs or sheds should never be destroyed in the Dasa and Antardasas of Rahu and Ketu otherwise very terrible results will have to be encountered. This has been seen in 95% cases. We got this idea from the Red Book (Lal Kitab).ss

लग्नात् तृतीयभावे तु बलिना रविणा युते ।
राजहेतोश्च मरणं तस्य ज्ञेयं द्विजोत्तम ! ॥ २५ ॥

तृतीये चेन्दुना युक्ते दृष्टे वा यक्ष्मणा मृतिः ।
कुजेन व्रणशस्त्राग्नि-दाहाद्यैर्मरणं भवेत् ॥ २६ ॥

तृतीये शनि-राहुभ्यां युक्ते दृष्टेऽपि वा द्विज! ।
विषार्तितो मृतिर्वाच्या जलाद्वा वह्निपीडनात् ॥ २७ ॥

गर्तादुच्चात् प्रपतनाद् बन्धनाद् वा मृतिर्भवेत् ।
तृतीये चन्द्रमान्दिभ्यां युक्ते वा वीक्षिते द्विज ॥ २८ ॥

कृमिकुष्ठादिना तस्य मरणं भवति ध्रुवम् ।
तृतीये बुधसंयुक्ते वीक्षिते वापि तेन च ॥ २९ ॥

ज्वरेण मरणं तस्य विज्ञेयं द्विजसत्तम! ।
तृतीये गुरुणा युक्ते दृष्टे शोफादिना मृतिः ॥ ३० ॥

तृतीये भृगुयुगदृष्टे मेहरोगेण तन्मृतिः ।
बहुखेटयु तस्मिन् बहुरोगभवा मृतिः ॥ ३१ ॥

25-31. THE THIRD HOUSE AND DEATH: O excellent of the Brahmins, if there is strong Sun in the 3rd House from the Ascendant, the death of the native is caused due to the king. If the Moon is situated in or aspects the 3rd House, the death will occur due to consumption, if there is Mars it will occur due to ulcers, weapons, fire etc. If Saturn and Rahu are in conjunction with or aspect the 3rd House, O Brahmin, the death will occur due to poison, water or fire or fall from heights or fall in a ditch or due to confinement. If the 3rd House is occupied by or aspected by the Moon and Saturn, the death will certainly occur due to worms or insects or leprosy. If the 3rd House is occupied by or aspected by Mercury, then O excellent of the Brahmins, the death will be caused by fever. If the 3rd House is occupied by aspected by Jupiter the death is caused by swelling or tumours. If the 3rd House is occupied by or aspected by Venus, the death will occur due to urinary diseases. If the 3rd House is occupied by many planets, the native's death will occur due to many diseases.

तृतीये च शुभैर्युक्ते शुभदेशे मृतिर्भवेत् ।
पापैश्च कीकटे देशे मिश्रेमिश्रस्थले मृतिः ॥ ३२ ॥

32. THE PLACE OF DEATH : If the 3rd House is occupied by a benefic, death will be in an auspicious place (like a temple) and if by a malefic in sinful places, and if by a benefic and a malefic both, in mixed places (that is places that are both auspicious and in auspicious).

तृतीये गुरु-शुक्राभ्यां युक्ते ज्ञानेन वै मृतिः ।
अज्ञानेनाऽन्यखेटैश्च मृतिर्ज्ञेया द्विजोत्तम ! ॥ ३३ ॥

33. O excellent of the Brahmins, if there are Jupiter and Venus in the 3rd House, the native will remain conscious at the time of death while if there are other planets in it the death will occur in unconscious state.

चरराशौ तृतीयस्थे परदेशे मृतिर्भवेत् ।
स्थिरराशौ स्वगेहे च द्विस्वभावे पथि द्विज! ॥ ३४ ॥

34. If there is a movable sign in the 3rd House the death will occur in a foreign land, in the case of a fixed sign being there it will occur at home and in that of a dual sign, on the way.

लग्नादष्टमभावाच्च निमित्तं कथितं बुधैः ।
सूर्येऽष्टमेऽग्नितो मृत्युश्चन्द्रे मृत्युर्जलेन च ॥ ३५ ॥

शास्त्राद् भौमे ज्वराज् ज्ञे च गुरौ रोगात् क्षुधा भृगौ ।
पिपासया शनौ मृत्युर्विज्ञेयो द्विजसत्तम! ॥ ३६ ॥

35-36. OCCUPANTS OF THE 8TH HOUSE: The wise astrologers have spoken of the occurrence of death due to the 8th House from the Ascendant. If the 8th House is occupied by the Sun death will occur due to fire, if by the Moon due to water, if by Mars, due to weapon, if by Mercury, due to fever, if by Jupiter due to diseases, if by Venus due to hunger and, if by Saturn due to thirst.

अष्टमे शुभदृग्युक्ते धर्मपे च शुभैर्युते ।
तीर्थे मृतिस्तदा ज्ञेया पापाख्यैरन्यथा मृतिः ॥ ३७ ॥

37. If there are in the 8th House benefics or if this house is aspected by benefics and the 9th House is occupied by a benefic the occurrence of death should be known at some place of pilgrimage.

अग्न्यम्बुमिश्रभत्र्यंशैर्ज्ञेयो मृत्युर्गृहाश्रितैः ।
परिणाम: शवस्याऽत्र भस्मसंक्लेदशोषकैः ॥ ३८ ॥

व्यावर्गकाणैस्तु विडम्बो भवति ध्रुवम् ।
शवस्य श्वश्रृगालाद्यैर्गृध्रकाकदिपक्षिभिः ॥ ३९ ॥

38-39. FATE OF THE CORPSE: If there is a decanate of a fiery planet in the 8th House, the corpse will be burnt in the fire, if there is the decanate of a watery planet it will be thrown away in water and, if there is a decanate of dual nature planet it will dry up. If there is a serpent decanate in the House, the corpse will certainly be grossly humiliated. It is then eaten away by kites, crows, ravens etc birds and dogs, jackals etc animals,

कर्कटे मध्यमोऽन्त्यश्च वृश्चिकाद्यद्वितीयकौ ।
मीनेऽन्तिमस्त्रिभागैश्च व्यालवर्गा: प्रकीर्तिताः ॥ ४० ॥

40. SERPENT DECANATES : The 2nd and 3rd decanates in Cancer, the 1st and the 2nd decanates in Scorpio and, the 3rd decanate in Pisces are called serpent decanates.

रविचन्द्रबलाक्रान्तत्र्यंशनाथे गुरौ जनः ।
देवलोकात् समायातो विज्ञेयो द्विजसत्तम! ॥ ४१ ॥

शुक्रेन्द्वोः पितृलोकात्तु मर्त्याच्च रविभौमयोः ।
बुधाऽऽक्यर्योर्नकादेवं जन्मकालाद् वदेत् सुधीः ॥ ४२ ॥

41-42. PRENATAL ABODE :- O excellent of the Brahmins, if the Sun and the Moon are strong and they are in the decanate of Jupiter, then the native has come upon this earth from the abode of gods and his descent in this world should be known respectively from the world of the Manes, of the dead (of Yama) and from the hell if they (the luminaries) are in the decanates of Venus and the Moon, in those of the Sun or Mars and in those of Mercury or Saturn.

गुरुश्चन्द्रसितौ सूर्यभौमौ ज्ञार्की यथाक्रम् ।
देवेन्दुभूम्यधोलोकान् नयन्तत्यस्तारिरन्ध्रगाः ॥ ४३ ॥

अथ तत्र ग्रहाभावे रन्ध्रारित्र्यंशनाथयोः ।
यो बली स निजं लोकं नयत्यन्ते द्विजोत्तम ! ॥४४ ॥

तस्य स्वोच्चादि-संस्थित्या वरमध्याऽधमाः क्रमात् ।
तत्तल्लोकेऽपि सञ्जाता विज्ञेया द्विजसत्तम ! ॥ ४५ ॥

43-45. ASCENT AFTER DEATH : If Jupiter, the Moon and Venus the Sun and Mars, Mercury and Saturn are there in the 12,6,7,8 Houses respectively the native will respectively be taken after death into the Devaloka, Chandraloka, Mritayu loka and Adholoka (World of the gods, World of the Moon, World of yama and the world of Satan). If there is no planet in the said 4 Houses the native will go after death in the world of the stronger Lord of decanates of the 6th and the 8th House. In that loka or world also the native after death will get high, medium and low status relative to the planets' exaltation etc.

अन्यान् मारकभेदांश्च राशिग्रहकृतान् द्विज! |
दशाध्यायप्रसंगेषु कथियष्यामि सुव्रत ! ॥४६ ॥

46. O Suvrati! the other kinds of Marakas that are Marakas according to planets and signs will be discussed in the Dashavastha Adhyaya (the chapter dealing with the major and sub periods of the planets) when such contexts will be there.