CHAPTER XIV
Travel
Human nature varies from the highest genius to the greatest ignorance. Phenomena occur in nature whether we notice them or not. Dr. Johnson is said to have observed: "Let observation with extensive view survey mankind from China to Peru" Observing, reflective and thoughtful minds notice various phenomena, in their daily transactions of life which apparently seem to have no immediate connection with the failures and successes they meet with. But when carefully analysed it will be found that there is some sort of correlation between certain invisible agencies and events on the earth. But the true causes are intelligible to the ordinary minds. Suppose a man starts on an errand at an inauspicious time and fails in his mission, the planets are not to blame. They are only an index of events to happen. They merely reveal that influences operating when the man started on his mission were such as to give rise to failure. That the influence of time is not even or uniform needs no great explanation.
It must be within the experience of an intelligent man that solar heat and light differ at different times due to motion of the Sun. This is demonstrable to the ordinary senses. But there are invisible influences and agenices which can only be grasped by higher orders of intelligence. The ancient sages had been able to recognise these influences and how journeys undertaken at different times of year, month and day, would produce different kinds of results.
In the modern times, travel facilities have no doubt been perfected; and so far as human conceptions go, the traveller is provided with every possible facility. But because the rules of astrology are ignored, there have been serious accidents and appaling loss of life. Man is incessantly subject to the bombardment of different kinds of forces emanating from planets and the interstellar spaces. The nature of the force operating at any given moment depends upon the nature of the disposition of the different planets at the moment concerned. Hence it can safely be pointed out that a journey undertaken at a propitious moment would enable the person to consummate the object in view and get back safely to his home. Instance of loss of life, loss of money, and distress and disappointments to the traveller, because the journey was undertaken when the planetary vibrations were inharmonious, can be cited ad infinitum.
A man wants to go to a foreign country on urgent business. Here he must have financial success, good health, and a safe trip. We shall grant for argument's sake that at the time of starting, he is hale and healthy, has plenty of money and the travel agents have arranged for him the best conveyance. Naturally he may laugh at the idea that he should ever consult a good time for beginning his trip, when everything else is so very satisfactory.
The poor man must remember that the world's phenomena, physical and mental, are correlated and that the links between apparently two different and widely separated events, though invisible, are still present in the bargain and one who overlooks the currents of luck really omits important factors which may do him immense harm when he is least prepared to meet it. The laws of Nature, some visible and many invisible, are not controlled by the latest inventions or discoveries in the physical plane alone. The late Mr. Stead and 3000 men sailed on a ship that was constructed on the best scientific principles but an iceberg destroyed this Titanica with all the unlucky passengers in an hour or two. Lord Kitchner and his 600 officers were embarked on a splendid Man of War but at an unlucky hour and the whole crew were drowned within five minutes. We read in the daily press about the frequent occurrence of aerial, railway and automobile accidents resulting in the deaths of hundreds of innocent men, women and children. Many accidents can be prevented if due attention is paid to the time-factor. The most enlightened nations and persons have suffered the greatest calamities by sheer pride and prejudice and neglect of knowledge recorded by the intellectual gaints of past generations.
The ancients seem to have made a careful study of the subject of travel for various purposes and have framed sound astrological rules for the guidance of humanity. There is a vast literature extant on this subject. As usual, there has also been some difference of opinion between some of the standard texts. I have avoided all that is superficial and have confined myself to an elucidation of just the essential astrological principles governing travel or yatra.
Journeys. - The best lunar days are the 2nd, 3rd, 5th, 7th, 10th, 11th and 13th. The 14th lunar day and Full and New Moon days should be avoided at any cost.
If a journey is undertaken in the following constellations, the person is supposed to return back early after satisfactorily completing his work: Mrigasira, Aswini, Pushya, Punarvasu, Hasta, Anuradha, Sravana, Moola, Dhanishta and Revati. It is better that the journey is commenced in the 2nd, 3rd or last quarter of the constellation. The first quarter may be avoided as far as possible.
No journey should be undertaken on days ruled by Krittika, Bharani. Aslesha. Visakha, Pubba, Poorvabhadra and Aridra. Of these, the following nakshatras may be deemed fit for travelling beyond the spheres of evil influence: - Krittika - 13 ghatis; Bharani - 7; Makha - 14; Pubba, Poorvashadha and Poorvabhadra - 16; Swati, Aslesha and Visakha - 14. In our humble experience, it is found that Bharani and Krittika should always be avoided while the other stars given in this paragraph, journeys can be undertaken in.
We have to emphasise that Bharani and Krittika should be invariably rejected.
Do not travel towards the East on Saturday and Monday; towards South on Thursday; towards West on Sunday and Friday and towards North on Wednesday and Tuesday. Provided the journey is timed to begin beyond 22 ghatis on Thursday, 12 ghatis on Tuesday and Wednesday; 15 ghatis on Friday and Sunday, 8 ghatis on Saturday and Monday, the above restriction does not hold good. In our view, Tuesday must preferably be avoided.
Aries, Taurus, Cancer, Leo, Libra and Sagittarius are favourable signs for starting on a journey.
Rising sign at the time of journey being one's Janma Rasi is highly favoured. But it should never be the sign of one's Janma Lagna. Journey should not also be undertaken when the Lagna is the 5th, 7th or the 9th from one's Janma Lagna.
Let Jupiter or Venus be well placed in Lagna at the time of starting. This makes the journey successful.
Ancient texts contain several other rules prohibiting journeys towards different directions when different constellations rule. There is then the question,of Yogini. Chandra Garbha, Yatraphani Chakra, etc., a consideration of all of which would only lead to confusion. It is indeed very difficult to select a day thoroughly favourable in respect of all factors.
Therefore, readers would do well to restrict the choice of a day to considerations already set forth above. It must be noted that strict adherence to the astrological rules is impossible at times of emergency. Supposing a friend or relative is seriously ill and he is to be visited. There is no question of finding an auspicious date and time. The best thing to do is to begin the journey at the most auspicious hora of the day. If one is to go on a pilgrimage or on a pleasure trip or on business, arrangements for Which could be made in advance, a day conforming to all astrological considerations should be fixed. The most essential factors to be remembered in selecting a suitable day for travel are (a) a good lunar day, (b) a favourable constellation, (c) a well-fortified Lagna and (d) the absence of Panchaka Dosha. If these are properly observed, that means alt astrological precautions will have been taken.
The following general combinations would be of utmost importance to the average person: -
(1) let the Moon be strong and dignified at the time of starting.
(2) Avoid days of vernal and autumnal equinox and the days on which the Sun enters a new sign every month.
(3) The Moon should be in the 3rd, 6th, 9th or 12th and Jupiter in a kendra from Lagna.
(4) Start when the Moon is in Lagna fortified by the disposition of Jupiter or Venus in a kendra.
(5) Jupiter strong in Lagna and the Moon in any place other than the 8th would be a strong combination.
(6) The journey will be easy and peaceful if the Moon be in the 7th and Venus and Mercury be in the 4th.
(7) Mercury in the 4th, Jupiter in the 2nd or 7th will neutralise all the other adverse influences.
(8) Benefics dignified in kendras of trikonas act as powerful antidotes for all evils.
(9) Jupiter in Lagna, malefics in Upachayas and Venus in any house other than the 7th would be an ideal combinations.
Short Journeys. - Render the Lagna and the Moon strong. If these two conditions cannot be fulfilled, start in the hora of the strongest planet keeping in view the Tarabala and Chandrabala factors.
Long-distance Journeys. - All the rules given in the earlier pages of this chapter are to be observed. Let the Moon be increasing and in a favourable situation so that there might be no delay or hindrance. Pay special attention to the eighth house and see that Mars is not there. Choose a day and time in which the Yatra Lagna agrees with the Janma Rasi. Avoid malefics in the 7th. If the journey is by car or train, avoid affliction to Lagna and the 8th lord by Mars and Rahu. If the Lagna is afflicted by Mars, there will be danger of accidents; if by Rahu, there will be disappointment and disease.
Pilgrimage. - Follow the rules in the earlier pages of this chapter. Let Jupiter be in Lagna or the 9th house. Avoid the months when Jupiter is combust.
Air Journeys. - Take due note of Tarabala. Let the Lagna be an aerial sign. Avoid Mars in Lagna, the 7th and the 8th. Let the Moon be waxing and as far away from Rahu as possible. Render the ascendant strong by a suitable disposition of Jupiter.
Sea Voyage. - Pay special attention to watery signs. Let preferably Cancer be the Lagna occupied by a watery planet. As usual, avoid Mars in Lagna, the 7th or 8th house. Venus should be favourably placed.
Business Journeys. - If you are to meet an influential person, let the rising sign fall in the 10th house in birth chart. Avoid malefics in Lagna and the 9th. Mercury is the planet of trade and business. He should therefore be either in Lagna or in the 10th or 11th but he should not be aspected by a malefic especially Saturn. Mercury in retrograde is also favourable as he will hasten the transaction to your satisfaction. Prosperity and success follow the Moon in good aspect to Mercury. If the Moon is in 8th or 12th house, the person falls ill on the way. Hence see that the Moon is in favourable position. See also that the 2nd lord is not afflicted and that he is favourably situated. In all these cases, mutual aspects between Mars, Saturn and Rahu should be invariably avoided as they indicate hitches and insurmountable obstacles.
