drekkana

Drekkana ( sa, द्रेष्काण or द्रेक्काण) is one of the sixteen main '' vargas'' (divisions of a sign) described by Parasara to Maitreya who wanted to be explained about the different kinds of houses ( Brihat Parasara Hora Sastra (Sl. VI.1). Parasara states that relationship with co-borns is to be judged from the ''drekkanas'' occupied by planets. All standard ancient texts on Hindu astrology describe these ''vargas''. The actual disposition of a planet is properly known from its occupation of these sixteen ''vargas''. These sixteen sub-divisional charts which are one of the four dimensions of astrology are a basic ingredient of Hindu astrology, and each sub-divisional chart is firstly required to be studied independently and then collectively as one. M. Ramakrishna Bhat is of the opinion that ''drekkana'' is not a Sanskrit word but borrowed from the Greek.

''Drekkana'' is one third equal part of a sign (''Rasi'') or 1/36 part of the Zodiac; the first part is ruled by the lord of the very sign that is referred to, the second part is ruled by the lord of the 5th sign from that sign and the third part is ruled by the lord of the 9th sign from the sign in question. However, Rudra states that some interpret the said Parasari rule as lords of the 5th and the 9th ''navamsas'' whereas the ''Kalpa Latha'' of Somanatha states that the twelve ''drekkanas'' from ''Mesha'' ('Aries') to ''Karaka'' ('Cancer') will have for their lords, the rulers of the twelve signs, in clock-wise symmetrical order from ''Mesha'' and similarly for the rest i.e. from ''Simha'' ('Leo') and from ''Dhaunus'' ('Sagittarius'). And, there is also the ''Parivritti Thrayapaksha'' method recommended in the ''Vriddha Karikas'' of Jaimini which suggests the lordship as per the scheme followed while erecting the ''Navamsa Chart''. Varahamihira subscribes to the Parasari method and describes all thirty-six ''drekkanas'' (Brihat Jataka Ch.XXVII). A planet gains strength when it is in its own ''drekkana''. He recommends the use of the ''drekkana'' occupied by the Sun at the time of query for ascertaining the ''lagna'' when the time of birth is not known.

Kalyanavarma in the 49th Chapter of his Saravali explains the result of birth in individual ''drekkanas'' or 'decanates' which are applicable only if – द्रेक्काणभे वीर्यवति स्वद्रष्टे द्रेक्काणकल्पं तु फलं विदध्यात् - the ''drekkana'' and its lord are strong or the aspect of the lord of the ''drekkana'' falls on the ''drekkana'' (Saravali (Sl. 49.37)). The ''Drekkana Chart'' or 'the third Harmonic Chart' indicates relationship with the co-borns; when the lord of the 3rd house is posited in a friendly ''drekkana'', it indicates good results. A planet occupying its own ''drekkana'' confers virtues; the Moon similarly situated endows one with best of qualities of body and mind, and the lord of the lagna occupying the first, second or the third ''drekkana'' makes one a judge, a ruler of a ''mandal'' or head of a village i.e. attain high position respectively. B V Raman in his book, “How to Judge a Horoscope (Vol.1)” has explained the impact of planets in various ''drekkanas'' and their lords on the financial position of individuals. He states that the person will remain happy all his life if the lord of the ''lagna'' occupies a friendly ''drekkana''.

The importance of ''drekkana-wise'' placement of planets and the ''bhava-lords'' is revealed by the ancient texts. Garga with regard to a sensitive issue states that if the Moon is situated in Sagittarius or Pisces or in a ''drekkana'' or '' navamsa'' ruled by Jupiter or if it joins Jupiter in any sign, the person will not be born of adultery. And, Sarvartha Chintamani tells us that if the lord of the 5th house is aspected by the lord of the ''navamsa'' occupied by the lord of the 12th house there will be sorrow on account of the death of children. The bad manner of death is indicated by the adverse situation and association of certain ''drekkana-lords''. Sarvartha Chintamani states -
a) When the ''drekkana'' occupied by the lord of the 8th falls in ''Pasa'' (the first ''drekkana'' of Capricorn), ''Sarpa'' (the third ''drekkana'' of Cancer or joins Saturn, Māndi or Rahu, one dies by imprisonment or hanging.
b) If the lord of the ''drekkana'' occupied by Saturn is in the sign or ''navamsa'' ruled by Mars and is aspected by Mars, one meets with death in battle.
c) If Venus or the Moon is in debilitation sign in the 4th house and the lord of the 7th occupies a ''Pasa'' or ''Sarpa drekkana'', wife will die by hanging.
Venkatesa further states that if the lord of the ''drekkana'' occupied by the lord of the 11th house is a benefic planet and is aspected by the lord of the 10th, there will be much money, and with regard to the state after death he states - If the lord of the ''drekkana'' occupied by the most powerful among the two planets, the Sun and the Moon, happens to be Jupiter, the person gets into ''Devaloka'', if that lord is the Moon or Venus, then one goes to ''Pitruloka'', and if that be the Sun, Mars or Mercury, he goes to hell; if that lord also receives beneficial aspects the person attains an important position in the ''loka'' he ascends, if it is exalted will have exalted ''loka'', if debilitated he will go to ''Naraka'' ''loka''. Venus situated in a cruel ''drekkana'' gives fear from enemies, imprisonment and great misery, chains and troubles from robbers.

In the Tajik system, the division of each sign into three parts or decanates is governed by the so-called Chaldean system which entered the art of Tajik by way of the Middle East.

See also

*Decans

References

{{Jyotish Vidya, state=collapsed

Technical factors of Hindu astrology
Sanskrit words and phrases