Indastro wishes you and your family a very happy Ram Navami. Ram Navami is a spring Hindu festival that celebrates the birthday of Lord Rama. It is celebrated on the ninth day of Chaitra month. During these nine days, followers of Hinduism may fast or restrict themselves to a strict diet. On the auspicious day of Ram Navami, let's see the horoscope of Sri Rama and know His story.

Ram Navami is an important festival in the Hindu Calendar and carries much importance in astrology. It is celebrated on the same day as Chaitra Durga Puja and Vasant Navratri. Hinduism states that Lord Rama is one of the many avatars (incarnation) of Lord Vishnu, exactly 7th in ascendency. He was the subject of the Ramayana and the destroyer of evil. Lord Rama’s importance in Hindu Mythology adds significance to His date of birth from which His birth or natal chart is drawn up.  To know about the significance His horoscope holds in astrology; read this article.

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The Unheard Story of Sri Rama

• The story of Sri Rama, the eternal-incarnation of God (Lord Vishnu) on earth, is written by the immortal poet, Sage Valmiki, in the Ramayana. Emperor Dasaratha performed the Aswamedha Yagna to procure children.
• Sage Valmiki told in Canto XVIII of Bala Kanda that Sri Rama was born after about a year had passed from the date of the completion of the Aswamedha sacrifice. The Lord was born on the ninth lunar day of the bright fortnight of Chaitra, when the star Punarvasu was in the ascendant.
• The five planets (Sun, Mars, Jupiter, Venus and Saturn) were in their respective exalted positions. Sun in the 10th degree of Aries, Moon in the 3rd degree of Taurus, Mars in the 28th degree of Capricorn, Jupiter in the 5th degree of Cancer, Venus in the 27th degree of Pisces and Saturn in the 20th degree of Libra – were all in their exalted positions.
• Jupiter and Moon formed a conjunction in Cancer. The three padams (quarters) of Punarvasu were located in Gemini, and the fourth padam was located in Cancer. As Jupiter was exalted in Cancer and was in conjunction with Moon, it must be the fourth padam of Punarvasu at the time of birth of Sri Rama.
• The ascendant is Cancer. However, the actual year of birth is not mentioned in Srimad Valmiki-Ramayana or in other Vedic Scriptures or recognized theological texts. Regardless of the birth year of Lord Rama, the remarkable planetary positions shown in Sri Rama's horoscope can only occur once in many-many thousand years.

 

Sri Rama’s Horoscope – One of a kind

Prior to discussing Sri Rama's chart, one needs to examine whether the classical principles of Vedic Astrology are applicable to a God, who was incarnated as Sri Rama. An incarnation of Lord Vishnu, Sri Rama was born on Earth in the form of a human being. Unlike others, Sri Rama possessed divine qualities. While acknowledging the divinity in Sri Rama with deep humility, we will study the Lord's horoscope as that of an individual born on earth.

Analyzing Sri Rama’s Horoscope

Sri Rama's Horoscope is an extraordinary and perfect horoscope. It is important to recognize that the exaltation of five planets is par remarkable. It is no exaggeration to say that Sri Rama's horoscope is possibly the only one in the world to have an exaltation of all five planets. Recognized Classical Vedic Astrology texts have clearly indicated that five or six exalted planets in one’s horoscope, results in the person being an emperor or a mighty king.

As an example, Chapter X of Sarwartha Chintamani (a classical Vedic Astrology textbook) covers raja yogas. Stanza 1003 says that if six planets are in exaltation, the person will be an emperor, and if five planets are in exaltation and Guru (Jupiter) is powerfully placed in Lagna, the person will become a "mighty sovereign.” Jupiter in Sri Rama’s horoscope is in an exalted position in Lagna and the other five planets are in exaltation. Also, Chapter (Adhyaya) VII of Phaladeepika covers "maharaja yogas". Stanza 1 indicates that a person born with three or more planets in exaltation or own-houses and in quadrants will become a widely renowned king.

The five exalted planets in Sri Rama's chart are in first (Jupiter), fourth (Saturn), seventh (Mars), ninth (Venus) and tenth (Sun) house. Thus, four planets are in quadrants and Venus is in a trine.

Chart below shows the locations of the Lagna and the other planets.

1. The ascendant is Cancer. Jupiter is Lord of the 6th house and the 9th house is in Lagna. Mars is Lord of the 5th and 10th house and is placed in the 7th house.
2. Venus is Lord of the 4th and 11th house and is placed in the 9th house.
3. Mercury is Lord of the 3rd and 12th house.
4. Saturn is Lord of the 7th and 8th house and is placed in the 4th house. Moon is the Lord of ascendant and is located in the ascendant.

• The position of Moon at birth is the key to calculating the major periods or Dasas, based on Vimshottari system. The Dasa at birth is indicated by the constellations occupied by the Moon at the time of birth. Although the specific time of birth of Sri Rama is not known, Sage Valmiki has clearly indicated that Sri Rama was born on the 9th lunar day of the bright half of Chaitra with Punarvasu as the ruling constellation.
• The ruling period at the time of birth is of Jupiter. The total years for the different periods covering the seven planets and the two nodes are 120 years. Vedic Astrology considers 120 years as the maximum natural life period of a human being.
• The fourth pada of Punarvasu is in Cancer and extends up to 3 degrees 20 minutes. The exact exaltation point for Jupiter is the 5th degree of Cancer. There is also the conjunction of Jupiter and Moon.
• The determination of the actual degree of the conjunction is a topic of interest, but it is reasonable to conclude that as the birth occurred in the 4th pada of Punarvasu, the balance of Jupiter Dasa at birth was less than 4 years. The timing in terms of possible months used in the ensuing discussion, covering Sri Rama's chart is not exact. However, it is reasonable for astrological discussion.
• The nineteen-year Saturn Dasa started when he was four years old and ended at 23 years.
• The seventh house represents spouse. The Lord of the seventh house is Saturn and is located in the fourth house. Mars, Lord of fourth and eleventh house, is in the seventh house, in its exaltation position. Exalted Jupiter and well-placed Moon aspect the seventh house. Venus, the significator for spouse, is in the ninth house, in an exalted position.
• The marriage of an individual occurs in the Dasa of the planet in the 7th house (Mars), or a planet aspecting the 7th house (Jupiter and Moon) or a planet owing the 7th house (Saturn). The Dasa of Jupiter was over when Sri Rama was about 4 years old. The Moon and Mars Dasas came at relatively later ages.
• Sri Rama's marriage with Sita Devi occurred during Saturn Dasa. There are no afflictions to the seventh house and it is well protected. However, if Mars occupies certain houses, including the seventh, the person will lose his wife. The presence of Mars, even though exalted, can be attributed to Sita Devi's separation from Sri Rama and the extraordinary suffering experienced by her. Even though Sri Rama and Sita Devi had to forgo the royal life at a young age, they were the happiest couple in the forest. The abduction by Ravana caused immense suffering to both Sri Rama and Sita Devi.
• The tenth house is aspected by the exalted Mars and exalted Saturn. Exalted Sun is in the tenth house. The positive relationships of Mars, Saturn and Sun to the tenth house indicates extraordinary military skill, respect for people' views-opinions, concern for their welfare and the ability to rule as an Emperor, par excellence.
• Mars, Lord of the fifth house, is exalted in the seventh house. The fifth house is powerfully aspected by Jupiter and Moon. Again, these outstanding combinations are reflected by the birth of Luva and Kusa. The two sons brought up by Sage Valmiki excelled their own father in courage and valour.

Conclusion

There is nothing surprising in the horoscope of Sri Rama, but everything in it is outstanding and extraordinary. We have a glimpse of the horoscope of the mightiest military leader and an Emperor of the world. Even finding two planets in exaltation in a chart is not quite common but finding three planets in exaltation is certainly a rarity.

Although Sage Valmiki gave locations of the six planets, the locations of Mercury, Rahu and Ketu are not available. When five planets are exalted, and Moon is in its own house and in conjunction with exalted Jupiter, does it really matter where Rahu, Ketu and Mercury are located? It is generally considered that Rahu and Ketu provide results similar to Saturn and Mars. Mercury is not in its exaltation position. Mercury should be near the Sun. Could Mercury be in Aries or Taurus? We do not know. But we do know that Mercury is the Lord of third and twelfth house. Mercury Dasa follows Sani Dasa. Mercury Dasa lasts from 23 years to 40 years. As we know Rama's life was also no bed of roses, after he left Ayodhya. The trials and tribulations that he went through after the abduction of Sita can be attributed to the influence of Mercury as the Lord of third and twelfth house. Sri Rama's victory over Ravana and the triumphant return to Ayodhya can be attributed to Mercury, if one accepts Mercury is located in the eleventh house (Taurus).

This study gives a glimpse of the various effects of the planetary positions in the horoscope of Sri Rama. The study of Sri Rama's horoscope or for that matter any aspect of Ramayana is a life-long effort. Sri Rama's horoscope is an ideal and perfect horoscope.

Read about Lord Hanuman’s significance in relation to Lord Rama.