Aṣṭa Siddhi

Here, we see that there are different ways for a person to attain Siddhis. If Patanjali stated that Siddhis can be acquired at birth, we can assume that knowledge of them might come from previous life.

From a Jyotish perspective, Patanjali’s teachings suggest that Siddhis can develop through:

Lagna (birth),

the fourth bhava (special herbs),

the fifth bhava (mantras),

the eighth or ninth bhava (austerities), or

the twelfth bhava (Samadhi).

From this, we conclude that there are two paths to attaining Siddhis: through the Dharma Trikoṇa or the Mokṣa Trikoṇa

Paṇḍita Sanjay Rath – Ātmakāraka:

Bhagavad Gita Verse:
भूमिर् आपोऽनलो वायुः खं मनो बुद्धिर् एव च अहंकार इतीयं मे भिन्ना प्रकृतिर् अष्टधा
bhūmir āpo’nalo vāyuḥ khaṁ mano buddhir eva ca ahaṁkāra itīyaṁ me bhinnā prakṛtir aṣṭadhā

Prabhupada’s translation:
“Earth, water, fire, air, ether, mind, intelligence, and false ego—these eight constitute My separated material energies.”

Here, we see that these eight types represent the Lord’s separate energies. The key lies in the word separated. One cannot unite with the Lord without crossing these bridges. These bridges are:

1. Earth (bhūmi or pṛthivī tattva) – Solid state, represented by Budha (Mercury).
2. Water (āpa or jala tattva) – Liquid state, represented by Śukra (Venus).
3. Fire (anala or agni tattva) – Energetic state, represented by Maṅgala (Mars).
4. Air (vāyu tattva) – Gaseous state, represented by Śani (Saturn).
5. Ether (khaṁ or ākāśa tattva) – Vacuum, represented by Guru (Jupiter).
6. Mana (Mind) – The universal and individual mind, representing the class, group, or family to which a created being or object belongs. In astrology, this is symbolized by Chandra (Moon), defining the family or group identity.
7. Buddhi (Intelligence) – The intelligence or body of knowledge connected to an object. It defines the purpose of creation and existence, as well as the natural laws affecting it. Represented by Lagna (Ascendant), the seat of the Dharma Trikon (which includes the fifth and ninth bhava). Rahu is also included here, as it causes birth, without which creation would not occur.
8. Ahaṅkāra (False Ego) – The independent identity, which is false because it is impermanent. It helps distinguish an object from others of the same class or family. Represented by Sūrya (Sun) in astrology.

These elements serve as obstacles or stepping stones that one must transcend to unite with the divine essence.

Among the 33 Devas, there are eight Vasus
The eight Vasus are the givers of light. These Vasus provide the light through which we first attain enlightenment and then acquire knowledge. They are the original light, possessing control over our minds. The eight Vasus are:

1. Sūrya (Sun)
2. Chandra (Moon)
3. Agni (Mars)
4. Pṛthivī (Mercury)
5. Vāyu (Saturn)
6. Jala (Venus)
7. Antarikṣa (Jupiter)
8. Nakṣatrāṇi (Constellations)

Once again, we encounter the number eight. To reach these eight Vasus, a person must achieve something that leads them to these eight lights of enlightenment. That achievement is the attainment of the Aṣṭa Siddhis—the eight powers of spiritual mastery.

Siddhis are primarily associated with fulfilling karma. Therefore, our focus will be on the Daśāmśa (D10 chart), which reveals the ten directions of karma. In Jyotish classics, every term used by the Rishis carries deeper meanings. Mahaṛṣi  Parāśara , in the Bṛhat  Parāśara Horā Śāstra, Chapter on Divisional Charts (Atha VargavivekaadhyaayaH), states:

दशमाशे महत्फलम्
daśamāśe mahatphalam
“Power (and position) comes from the Daśāmśa.”

Let us explore the term mahatphalam: mahat means great or immense, and phalam means fruit, result, or outcome.

The eight Siddhis and their connections to directions and grahas in Jyotish are as follows:

1. Prākāmya – The ability to create or control.
   • Ruled by Sūrya (Sun), governing the East.
   • Devata: Indra.
   • The East represents creation. Sūrya, ruling the East, reflects the desire for leadership and power, a natural aspiration for a king.
2. Prāpti – The ability to overcome natural obstacles.
   • Ruled by Chandra (Moon), governing the Northwest.
   • Devata: Vāyu.
   • Chandra symbolizes the nurturing and protective nature of a mother, ensuring the child’s safety with constant vigilance and activity (vāyu tattva).
3. Vaśitva – Dominance over all creation.
   • Ruled by Maṅgala (Mars), governing the South.
   • Devata: Yama.
   • The South, ruled by Mars, represents the warrior’s purpose to eliminate enemies. Without higher goals, Yama (death) ultimately claims us.
4. Garima – The ability to reach everywhere.
   • Ruled by Budha (Mercury), governing the North.
   • Devata: Kubera.
   • Budha, the karaka of communication and trade, strives for wealth and material organization, guided by Kubera, the deity of riches.
5. Mahima – The ability to expand infinitely.
   • Ruled by Guru (Jupiter), governing the Northeast.
   • Devata: Ishana (Lord Shiva).
   • Guru, representing learning and knowledge, seeks divine understanding and ensures knowledge is accessible to all.
6. Laghima – The ability to fly through the air.
   • Ruled by Śukra (Venus), governing the Southeast.
   • Devata: Agni.
   • Śukra governs peace and enjoyment. For entertainment and pleasure, energy (Agni) is essential, reflecting Śukra’s need rather than its goal.
7. Anima – The ability to become as small as an atom.
   • Ruled by Śani (Saturn), governing the West.
   • Devata: Varuna.
   • Water, represented by Śani and Varuna, symbolizes that a single drop is identical in essence to the vast ocean.
8. Kāmavasayitva – The ability to control others’ minds and persuade them to act according to one’s desires.
   • Ruled by Rahu, governing the Southwest.
   • Devata: Nirriti (Rakshasa).
   • Rahu influences the mind profoundly, enabling control over others. Nirriti, its devata, represents destructive and transformative power.

Ketu governs the direction “upward” and is associated with Ananta—the infinite, the eternal. It represents the path toward God. When Ketu strongly influences the Karma Bhava (10th house), it aligns karma with spiritual pursuits, creating Karma Yoga.

Each Graha determines the direction of karma linked to its energies and influences.

Now, we must distinguish between the Kāla Chakra and the Dig Chakra:

1. Kāla Chakra
   • Represents the cycle of time and encompasses eight directions.
   • The Kendras (cardinal points) are ruled by two luminaries (Sūrya and Chandra) and two Gurus (Śukra and Guru).
   • The Kendras serve as entry points for energy, while the Koṇas (diagonal points) are where energy exits.
2. Grahas and Their Digbala
   • Each Graha possesses Digbala (directional strength) in a specific direction.
   • To achieve their potential, the Grahas must have sufficient strength, which is assessed by analyzing their positions relative to the Lagna and Ārūḍha Lagna.
   • The devatas of the Grahas symbolize their motivations and desires.

From the previous verses, it is evident that Siddhis are not the ultimate goal. While they can assist up to a certain level, one must eventually relinquish them to achieve Samadhi.

Classification of the Aṣṭa Siddhis
The eight Siddhis are divided into three categories:

1. Knowledge Siddhis:
   • Garima (heaviness or knowledge expansion).
   • Prākāmya (control or realization).
2. Power Siddhis:
   • Prāpti (overcoming obstacles).
   • Vaśitva (dominance over creation).
   • Kāmavasayitva (control over others’ minds).
3. Body Siddhis:
   • Anima (becoming as small as an atom).
   • Mahima (infinite expansion).
   • Laghima (levitation or lightness).

Siddhis are stepping stones on the spiritual path, but true realization comes from letting go of these powers to achieve union with the divine through Samadhi.

Naturally, Ketu is not included in this concept because it represents the Mokṣa Marga (path to liberation), and its direction is upward.

The Dārākāraka, among the eight Chara Karakas, represents our Atma (soul) in relation to Siddhis.

This does not mean that everyone possesses Siddhis. To determine this, the entire horoscope must be analyzed. The Dārākāraka  only indicates our desire for a specific Siddhi. To confirm whether we truly possess it, verification across different Vargas (divisional charts) is necessary.

In the first example, we have the chart of His Holiness Mahaṛṣi Mahesh Yogi, who introduced Patanjali’s Sutras to the West. He is also the founder of the Transcendental Meditation movement and advanced techniques known as the Siddhi Program.

In this case:

• Rāhu is the Dārākāraka, positioned in the 12^th  house, conjunct with the Ātmakāraka.
• Rahu also aspects the Lagna, 4^th  house, and 8^th  house (all mentioned in Patanjali’s Sutras).
• Rāhu is in a Vargottama position in Sagittarius (Dhanuṣ).

To confirm whether a person possesses Siddhis, it is also necessary to examine the Navāṁśa chart and the Kārakāṁśa position.

In the Navāṁśa, Rāhu is placed in the Kārakāṁśa Lagna, along with the Ātmakāraka, Sūrya, which rules the 9^th house from there. There is also an aspect (Dṛṣṭi) on the Bhrātṛkāraka  (the Guru Devatā). This indicates that the Siddhis he acquired are linked to the teachings of his Guru.

Additionally, Rāhu governs the 3^rd house from the Kārakāṁśa Lagna, which signifies the house of Guru Upadeśa  (the Guru’s teachings).

In the Dasāṁśa, we again see the conjunction of the Dārākāraka and the Ātmakāraka.

• Sūrya rules the third house, which signifies Guru Upadeśa (the Guru’s teachings).
• Chandra is the Bhratṛkāraka and is positioned in the fourth house from the Ārūḍha Lagna in Digbala.
• The Dasāṁśa Devatā of Rāhu and Sūrya is Ananta – the direction leading upward.

Mahaṛṣi Parāśara says:
विद्याया वेदबह्वंशे
vidyāyā vedabahvaṁśe

Education or learning is determined by the 1/24 (Caturviṁśāṁśa ) division of the sign. Here, Parashara uses the word Vidya, which primarily means knowledge, which can be material (Apara Vidya) or transcendental (Para Vidya). It can also refer to mystical skills. Naturally, Siddhis are a form of knowledge.

In the case of His Holiness in the Siddhāṁśa  (division into 24 parts), Ātmakāraka is placed in Lagna, and Dārākāraka is exalted in the 12^th house. Rāhu’s exaltation in Taurus is associated with longevity, indicating that He used His siddhis for the benefit of human health and the extension of lifespan.

Sai Baba is one of the renowned Gurus in India, well-known for his siddhi of materializing objects. In His case, Dārākāraka is the dispositor of Ātmakāraka, with Graha and Rāśi placed in own sign, and it is situated in Lagna.

In the Navāṁśa, Kārakāṁśa contains the ruler of Vijñānāṁśa (the ninth house from Kārakāṁśa). Therefore, the individual will receive the Dikṣa mantra. Saturn is positioned in the 12^th house with Ketu, and it has Graha Dṛṣṭi  (planetary aspect) on Vijñānāṁśa. However, in this case, Dārākāraka rules over Śiva Kālāṁśa (the fifth house from Kārakāṁśa), indicating that the person will develop skills through their own efforts. This is because Vijñānāṁśa represents the type of knowledge imparted by the Guru, while Śiva Kālāṁśa represents the knowledge and skills developed independently.

In the Dasāṁśa, Dārākāraka is placed in Lagna. The deity is Iśāna.