Introduction of Prashna

Vedic Astrology has a number of different branches which helps in various ways in prediction. Prashan (Horary Astrology) is one of the branches which give predictions based on the moment of time when the question is asked.

It is one of the most useful techniques for offering guidance in times of crisis if it is used effectively. It gives answers of specific queries (prasna) depending on the time of the query.

In Sanskrit, day time is represented by the word ‘Aho’ while night time is represented by the word ‘Raatra’. From the word ‘Aho’, the sound ‘ho’ has been combined with the ‘Ra’ of ‘Raatra’ which jointly forms word ‘hora’. So, the word ‘hora’ represents the day and night time which is nothing but only the moments of time.

This subject has been discussed in detail by Sage Parasar in his work ‘Brihat Paraasara Hora Saastra’ and also by Kalyana Varma, Varahamihira and Kalidasa in their work. Many western astrologers like Claudius Ptolemy, Willian Lilly and Alan Leo etc. had worked and written books on this subject of Astrology.

Horary Astrology mainly focuses on answering specific questions however some Astrologer also use it with Janam Kundli (Birth Horoscope) and Varsh Kundli (Yearly Horoscope) too as types of karma done by a native is indicated by the Janam Kundli, Varsh Kundli and Prasna Kundli under different circumstances.

Prashan Kundli is itself a very effective and self speaking kundli which gives very accurate and stunting results if analyzed properly and with utmost care. For the purpose an Astrologer must have very sound knowledge of different Parasari as well as Tajik combinations and yogas. He should be very quick in calculating different degreewise positions of planets in respect of rising lagna.

According to Prashan Marg, a landmark in the area of Horary says that the time of question (Prashna) should be given the same importance as the time of birth. Human births are regulated according to the law of Karma and hence the time of birth is significant.

Similarly a person proceeds to an astrologer to ascertain his future prompted by a Divine force and hence the time of question is equally important. However there are certain points of difference in reading Prashna charts and horoscopes.

Casting of Prashan Kundli

The person who asks the question is called querent or questioner and the question is called query. When a person asks an question, the planetary positions of that particular moment at that place are calculated and horoscope is drawn which is called Prasan Kundli.

However, Prashan Marga listed fourteen items viz. Samaya (exact time), Desh (the spot occupied by the questioner), Swarayu (the nature of his own breath), Avastha (his own condition or position), Sparsh (what the questioner touches), Arudha Rasi, Disha (the direction), Prashanakshar (the letters of the words uttered by the questioner), Sthiti (questioner’s deportment), Cheshta (movements), Bhava (mental attitude), Avalokan (his looking at particular direction or thing), Vasanam (his dress), and Nimittas (ominous sounds or indicative signs at that time).

How to decide significator in Prashan Kundli

The Lagna (Ascendant) of the Prasan Kundli represents the querent. The prashan or issue asked about is called the quesited. So, question of the querent will be described by the house that naturally governs that matter. Lord of that house will be ‘significator’.

The nature of the query may be about relationships, financial investments, career issues, family matters, conflicts and lawsuits, even lost objects or missing people etc.

For example if the question is about the querent’s spouse, then the 7th house and its lord should be carefully observed. In such cases, the 7th lord will be the ‘significator’.

Similarly when the question is about the profession then 10th house and its lord need to be examined. Here, 10th lord becomes significator. Thus significator is a planet that is related to the query.

There may be any other planets situated in that particular house and may offer further descriptive information, but only one main significator for the quesited should be taken and in every case that will be the ruler of the sign of that house.

The Moon is a general significator for the whole situation. It may help to represent the querent or describing surrounding circumstances, or it may describe about the movement of events or deeply related issues that may not be immediately apparent from the question. So, it always demands some attention or in other words, the Moon is an important general factor that should never be overlooked.

The position of the Moon in Prashan Kundli will always tell something about the question. If the other significators make sense, but the position of the Moon doesn't seem to fit what the kundli is indicating, there may be other underlying factors that hold the key to the querent's problem.

Signification of Bhava or House in Prashan Kundli

1st house

The querent, his personality and appearance, his health, his thoughts and his life in general.

2nd house

Family asserts, ancestor’s property , money, cash, wealth, speech, ornaments, jewelery and movable assets, mouth, inner parts of mouth, family.

3rd house

Younger siblings, friends, neighbors, communication, news, writing, close relations, cousins, short journeys, courage.

4th house

Mother, house, landed property, buildings, immovable property, farms, wells, mines and other resources of the earth, vehicles, happiness from family.

5th house

Children, romance, love affairs, intelligence, higher education, creativity, speculation, investments in shares and stocks, elections, entertainment, desires.

6th house

Sickness, diseases, enemies, servants, subordinates, litigation, court cases, loans, competition, pet animals, lodgers, tenants, debts, thieves.

7th house

Spouse, partner, rival, marriage, love, dealings with the public, public image, open enemies, thief, war, the astrologer whom the querent contacted.

8th house

Longevity, danger to age, suffering, ill heath, hidden or unconstitutional physical, relationship, accidents, insurance, inheritance after death of a relative, other people’s money, money of the spouse, money owed to the querent, taxes, mortgage, occult science related matters, black magic, meditation.

9th house

Father, long journey, religious matter, religion, divine worship, divine Guru, journey of foreign countries, law and court, children’s higher education, illness of mother.

10th house

Profession, service matter, good or bad deed done by the querent, career, change of job or profession, promotion, social status, fame, matters related with government or ruler, boss or employer, father, father’s status.

11th house

Elder siblings, friends, gain & profits, success in total, speculation of spouse, longevity of parents, Pitri Karma (religious duty towards parents), success.

12th house

Expenditure, hospitals, jail, seclusion, secret dealings, sorrow, death, charity, secrete enemies, losses, foreign travel.

Prashna Kundali