Horoscope of lord Rama

Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya - ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय

Jai Shri Rama

The story of Sri Rama, the eternal-incarnation of God (Lord Vishnu) on earth is told by the immortal poet Sage Valmiki in Ramayana. Emperor Dasaratha performed Aswamedha sacrifice to procure children. Sage Valmiki indicates in Canto XVIII of Bala Kanda, that Sri Rama was born after about a year had passed from the date of the completion of Aswamedha sacrifice. The Lord was born on the ninth lunar day of the bright fortnight of Chaitra, when the star Punarvasu was in the ascendant. The five planets (Sun, Mars, Jupiter, Venus and Saturn) were in their respective exaltation positions. The Sun in the 10th degree of Aries, the Moon in the 3rd degree of Taurus, Mars in the 28th degree of Capricorn, Jupiter in the 5th degree of Cancer, Venus in the 27th degree of Pisces and Saturn in the 20th degree of Libra are the exalted positions. Jupiter and Moon are in conjunction in Cancer. The three padams (quarters) of Punarvasu is located in Gemini, and the fourth padam is located in Cancer. As Jupiter is ex alted in Cancer and is in conjunction with Moon, it must be the fourth padam of Punarvasu at the time of birth of Sri Rama. The ascendant is Cancer. However, the actual year of birth is not furnished in Srimad Valmiki-Ramayana, other Vedic Scriptures or recognized Theological texts. Regardless of the year of birth of Lord Rama, the remarkable planetary positions shown in Sri Rama's horoscope can only occur once in many-many thousand years. 

Prior to discussing Sri Rama's chart, one needs to carefully consider whether the classical principles of Vedic Astrology are applicable to God, who has incarnated as Sri Rama. As an incarnation of Lord Vishnu, Sri Rama was born on the earth in the form of a human. Unlike the rest of the human population, Sri Rama possessed divine qualities. While acknowledging with deep- humility, the divinity in Sri Rama, we will study the Lord's horoscope as that of an individual born on the earth 

Sri Rama's Horoscope is every astrologer's dream horoscope. It is important to recognize that the exaltation of five planets is par se extraordinary. It is no exaggeration to say that Sri Rama's horoscope is possibly the only in the world to have exaltation of five planets. Even recognized Classical Vedic astrology texts have clearly indicated that five or six exalted planets result in the person being an emperor or a mighty king. As an example, Chapter X of Sarwartha Chintamani (a classical Vedic Astrology text book) covers raja yogas. Stanza 1003 says that if six planets are in exaltation, the person will be an emperor and if five planets are in exaltation and Guru (Jupiter) is powerfully placed in Lagna, the person will become a "mighty sovereign". Jupiter in Sri Rama's horoscope is in an exalted position in Lagna and five planets are in exaltation. Also, Chapter (Adhyaya) VII of Phaladeepika covers "maharaja yogas". Stanza 1 indicates that a person born with three or more planets in exaltation or own-houses and in quadrants will become a widely renowned king. The five exalted planets in Sri Rama's chart are in first (Jupiter), fourth (Saturn), seventh (Mars), ninth (Venus) and tenth (Sun). Thus, four planets are in quadrants and Venus is in a trine. Chart 1 blow shows the locations of the Lagna and the other planets. 

The ascendant is Cancer. Jupiter is the lord of 6th and 9th and is in Lagna. Mars is the lord of 5th and 10th and placed in 7th house. Venus is the lord of 4th and 11th and is in the 9th. Mercury is lord of 3rd and 12th. Saturn is the lord of 7th and 8th and is in 4th. Moon is the lord of ascendant and is in ascendant. 

The position of Moon at birth is the key to calculating the major-periods or Dasas, based on Vimshottari system. The Dasa at birth is indicated by the constellation occupied by the Moon at the time of birth. Although the specific time of birth of Sri Rama is not known, Sage Valmiki has clearly indicated that Sri Rama was born on the 9th lunar day of the bright half of Chaitra with Punarvasu as the ruling constellation. The ruling period at the time of birth is Jupiter. The total years for the different periods covering the seven planets and the two nodes are 120 years. Vedic Astrology considers 120 years as the maximum natural life period of a human being. The fourth pada of Punarvasu is in Cancer and extends upto 3 degrees 20 minutes. The exact exaltation point for Jupiter is the 5th degree of Cancer. There is also the conjunction of Jupiter and Moon. The determination of the actual degree of the conjunction is a topic of interest, but it is reasonable to come to the conclusion that as the birth occurred in the 4th pada of Punvarsu, the balance of Jupiter Dasa at birth was less than 4 years. The timing in terms of possibly months used in the ensuing discussion covering Sri Rama's chart is not exact. However, it is reasonable for astrological discussion. The nineteen-year Saturn Dasa started when He was four years old and ended at 23 years. 

The seventh house represents spouse. The Lord of the seventh house is Saturn and is located in the fourth house. Mars, Lord of fourth and eleventh houses is located in the seventh house, its exaltation position. Exalted Jupiter and well-placed Moon aspect the seventh house. Venus, the significator for spouse, is in the 9th house in an exalted position. The marriage of an individual occurs in the Dasa of the planet in the 7th house (Mars), or a planet aspecting the 7th house (Jupiter and Moon) or a planet owing the 7th house (Saturn). The Dasa of Jupiter was over when Sri Rama was about 4 years old. The Moon and Mars Dasas came at relatively late ages. Sri Rama's marriage with Sita Devi occurred during Saturn Dasa. There are no afflictions to seventh house and it is well protected. However, if Mars occupies certain houses, including the 7th, the person will lose his wife. The presence of Mars, even though exalted, can be attributed to the Sita Devi's separation from Sri Rama and the extraordinary suffering experienced by her. Even though Sri Rama and Sita Devi had to forgo the royal life at young age, they were the happiest couple in the forest. The abduction by Ravana caused immense suffering to both Sri Rama and Sita Devi. 

The tenth house is aspected by exalted Mars and exalted Saturn. Exalted Sun is in the tenth house. The positive relationships of Mars, Saturn and Sun to tenth house indicates extraordinary military skill, respect for people' views opinions, concern for their welfare and the ability to rule as an Emperor par excellence. 

Mars, the lord of the fifth house, is exalted in the seventh house. The fifth house is powerfully aspected by Jupiter and Moon. Again, these outstanding combinations are reflected by the birth of Lava and Kusa. The two sons brought up by Sage Valmiki excelled their own father in courage and valor. 

There is nothing surprising in the horoscope of Sri Rama, but everything in it is outstanding and extraordinary. We have a glimpse of the horoscope of the mightiest military leader and an Emperor of the world. Even finding two planets in exaltation in a chart is not quite common, but finding three planets in exaltation is certainly a rarity. Although, Sage Valmiki gave the locations of six planets, the locations of Mercury, Rahu and Kethu are not available. When five planets are exalted, and Moon is in its own house and also in conjunction with exalted Jupiter, does it really matter where Rahu, Kethu and Mercury are located? It is generally considered that Rahu and Kethu give results similar to Saturn and Mars. Mercury is not in its exaltation position. Mercury should be near Sun. Could Mercury be in Aries or Taurus? We do not know. But, we do know that Mercury is the lord of third and twelfth. Mercury Dasa follows Sani Dasa. Mercury Dasa lasted from 23 years to 40 years. As we know Rama's life was also no bed of roses after he left Ayodhya. The trials and tribulations that he went through after the abduction of Sita can be attributed to the influence of Mercury as the Lord of third and twelfth. Sri Rama's victory over Ravana and the triumphant return to Ayodhya can be attributed to Mercury, if one accepts Mercury is located in eleventh house (Taurus). 

This study gives a glimpse of the various effects of planetary positions in the horoscope of Sri Rama. The study of Sri Rama's horoscope or for that matter any aspect of Ramayana is a life-long effort. Sri Rama's horoscope is an ideal or perfect horoscope.