In the classics, there are certain specific canons of astrology which help us to determine whether the native can enjoy the bliss of a child. The Shastra deals with Aadhana or conception in a scientific manner so as to help us achieve a child of good qualities as well as to plan our family by choice. The following is a methodical description for deducing the right moment of conception under astrological guidance. Moon and Mars : The Menstrual Cycle The classics reveal that in female natives, the Moon and Mars together are responsible for their menstrual cycles occurring at approximately monthly intervals.
The existence of this cycle is a prerequisite for conception. Varah Mihir states that every month, females undergo the Aartava (bleeding) and this is because of the disposition of the Moon and Mars in natal chart as well as the then transit of Mars and the Moon. Jupiter and Venus: Ovum and Sperms In the female, under a natural process every month, the ovarian follicle ruptures and releases the ovum, which moves through either of the two Fallopian tubes toward the lumen of the uterus. The conception occurs when the ovum meets with the sperm. A fruitful union of the two depends on the coincidence of Aadhana (fertile sexual union) within a prescribed limit of time.
However, the longevity of an ovum and sperm, after their release, is estimated to be seventy-two hours and thirty-six hours respectively, but the conception from an aged sperm and ovum may lead to abnormalities in a child. Therefore, an early meeting of the two is highly desirable. In astrological terms, Jupiter and Venus represent progeny as well as the generative organs, their adequate function and fertility. Badrayana states that from the natal Moon of a male, the Moon transitting in 3, 6, 10, 11 rashis, gives rise to a successful conception when it receives aspect from Jupiter or Venus. Classics establish that a weak Jupiter for females and a weak Venus for males, particularly in houses 7 and 8, manifests as disturbed function of the ovary (factory of ova) and testis (factory of sperms).
Saturn and Gullika :
Death and Birth Saturn and Gullika together signify the negative aspects of life, hence they are the Kaarakas of life and longevity, creation and annihilation, or birth and death in their interrelated forms. Saturn and Gullika, in a favourable disposition, are essential for these aspects.Saturn controls the nervous system and, therefore, a proper functioning of all organs depends on it. Classics reveal that Saturn alone can manifest bliss of parentage, altering any adverse planetary combinations for progeny.
Sun: The God of Delivery In the Vedas, the Sun, being lord of generation, is described as the god of delivery of a child. It controls smoothness and success in this venture.Although the Sun rules specifically over the fourth as well as the last month of pregnancy, a good disposition of the Sun is essential also for conception as well as a successful delivery. The Sun represents ability of conception, Venus the sperms, Mars the menses and the Moon the overall welfare of the foetus.
Mercury: The Umbilical Cord The umbilical cord is ruled by Mercury. Through this umbilical cord, the foetus gets life from the body of the mother. Hence, Mercury, being significator of our mind and brain, also represents the umbilical cord as well as the circulation of the baby, thus signifying a link between the mother and the baby. Detecting the Release of a Fertile Ovum We know that a female generally produces one ovum a month while a drop of semen generally has thousands of sperms. During the process of ovulation, when the egg or the ovum sets out with aspiration of being united with one of the millions of sperms, one cannot predict the fate of that ovum. Whether it will fertilize or die before arriving at its destination is too difficult to say. It is commonly known that it comes out almost at the middle of the menstrual cycle.
A simple way of fixing the day is in practice. When a female in the mornings tends to have her body temperature about 0.5 degree higher, that is the likely day of its release from the ovary. Although any sort of sensual play is prohibited during menses, but pregnancy (fertilization of the ovum by the sperm) in this period is not impossible. Similarly instances of conception taking place in the last week of the cycle are not unknown. In the case of a normal cycle, sages had considered prime likelihood of bearing a child right from the fifth to the twenty-first day of the cycle. Astrology might help determine the day of ovulation with some ease as well as accuracy. Progeny by Choice The following description is applicable to those who are physically intact, with their generative organs anatomically and physiologically normal. For full details, readers are advised to go through our book written in Hindi, viz., Sukha Santana Deepika. Step-1
• Take note of the rashis (of the natal Moon) of the couple.
• Erect a chart of the planetary position for the moment of starting of menses.
• Check for whether the Moon transits in 1, 2, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, 12 rashis from the natal Moon of the female.
• In that month, the ovum has great possibility of getting fertilized as and when the Moon establishes any of the above-mentioned relation with Mars.
• Without relation with Mars, the ovum ends in nullity. Badarayana states ‘At the time of menses, the Moon transiting in any of the Anupachaya rashis from the natal Moon of a female, and having relation with Mars, manifests conception of a child. This is not to be applied to those who suffer from infertility or disease, have achieved menopause, or are with undeveloped organs.’ Step-2
• Similarly the Moon should transit in 3, 6, 10, 11 rashis from the natal Moon of the male.
• The fertilization ensues when such a Moon establishes any relation with Jupiter and/or Venus.
• Especially, relation of the Moon with a strong Venus is highly extolled.
• Without relation with Jupiter/Venus, conception does not occur even if the couple enjoy sensual pleasures normally.
• This method may be applied to check at the time of conception.
• Contrary is the result if the Moon obtains a reverse position. In simple words, we can grasp the matter in this manner. When the natal Moon of the couple meets the above-mentioned conditions, they should proceed further for parentage. The Moon, Mars, Jupiter and Venus should be strong in disposition and free from any malefic conjunction. Any weakness of these planets may give rise to adverse situations in conception or in gestation. Alternate Method-1
• Lagna at menses should be added to Yamakantaka (one-eighth part of a day or night ruled by Jupiter);
• Consider rashi itself or navamsha rashi in the sum thus obtained;
• The ovum appears when the Moon transits in this rashi or in a kendra or trikona rashi from it. The Santana Deepika, manifests: Alternate Method-2 Add Lagna, Yamakantaka, Gullika and the Moon at menses. Similarly consider the rashi in the sum for the Moon. Supportive Yogas Aartava (menstrual bleeding) happening every month means an ineffective menstrual cycle while the same indicating conception is labelled as Garbhartava (the cycle promising conception).
The following Yogas at the time of commencement of the menses support successful conception: 1. Conjunction of Gullika and the Moon; 2. Conjunction of any two of the fifth lords from the lagna, the Moon and Jupiter; 3. Conjunction of Mars and the Moon; 4. Mars aspecting the Moon. 5. Natural benefics in house 9; 6. Conjunction of Gulika and the fifth lord; 7. Aspect of the fifth lord on Gulika; 8. Any of the above in the navamsha. 9. Venus in house 5 or 1; 10. Lagna lord and Gulika in mutual kendras; 11. Jupiter in houses 1, 5, 7 or 9; 12. Strong house 5 and its lord; 13. Mars in house 5 in Mesha, Simha, Vrishchika or Meena and aspected by or associated with Jupiter; These supportive yogas are also to be considered at the time of union. In absence of any supportive yoga at union, the conception may lead to a miscarriage.