Putra Bhava: Clues to filial duty and affection

An elderly man or a woman begging in a public place or lying destitute and homeless by the roadside is a touching sight for any ordinary human being. Such aged men and women in most cases are those disowned and discarded by their children.

 

In fact, we now and then come across news stories about instances where old men and women have been deliberately abandoned at lonely places on a road by their children. 

 

 

Although some children do not force their old parents out of home or leave them in a lonely place to face a cruel fate, they fail in the duty of looking after them with due care, attention and affection.  There can be many old men and women in our society suffering such neglect in silence unknown to the outside world.

 

Most parents who approach an astrologer to get the Natal Chart of their newborn cast would not ask direct whether the child would look after them in their old age, but would invariably pose the question:  “ Is the child’s horoscope favourable to mother and father?” The astrologer, of course, should know that they expect to know a lot by way of the answer.

 

 

In a Natal Chart it is the 5th House or the Putra Bhava that represents children. 

 

According to ancient classical works Brihat Jataka and Brihat Parasara Hora, an answer to the above question requires the analysis of the 5th House, the 5th lord, Putrakaraka Jupiter, Sapthamsa (Division 7) of the parents, 9th House, 9th lord and the Dwadasamsa (Division 12) of the newborn. An examination of the 5th House from the Karaka Jupiter and the 9th House from the Sun is also vital for reaching a conclusion. 

 

Incidentally, it is noteworthy why the 9th House and the Sun come into the scene.  The 9th House is the Bhava and Sun is the planet that represent father. 

 

We propose to first familiarize our readers with the general results each of the nine planets produce when posited in the 5th House at birth.

 

1. Sun:  Few children and their life is short.  The first child may not survive.  If Mercury is associated the Sun, the child would have a higher education related to medicine or an area linked to medicine.

 

2. Moon: Many children – more daughters. They are a source of happiness to parents and relatives. They are honest, disciplined and straight forward and would maintain cordial relations with friends. They would gain a good education.

 

3. Mars:  Few children. The first child, if a boy may not survive.  Native would be a good administrator. If a female, chances of abortion indicated.

 

4. Mercury: May gain a higher education.  Devoted to spouse and children. Chances of having more daughters. Proficient in religion and philosophy. Skillful children. Would develop a great love for sports, music and dancing. 

5. Jupiter: A great scholar. Would excel in logic and law. Greatly devoted to spouse and children. Endowed with a high intellect and a good memory. Children, a source of happiness.

 

6. Venus: Attractive children. More daughters. Easily attracted to the opposite sex.  Clever at studies. A high position in society is assured.

 

7. Saturn: A very bad position for Saturn. Children, a source of concern and unhappiness. Few children and they are prone to illness.  Poor intellect. Quarrelsome nature. Would not do well in studies. Tendency to 

criticize others.

 

8. Rahu:  Few children. Some of them short-lived. 

 

9. Ketu: Native gets a good education. Children are mostly daughters. Unfavourable for children. Prone to accidents in water. Prone to epilepsy. Spiritual life towards the end of life. 

 

These results culled from classical works are general in nature. They are subject to modification or even a complete reverse due to aspects, yogas and strengths and weaknesses of the planets. However, generally speaking no filial happiness can be expected when natural malefics such as Sun, Mars, Saturn, Rahu and Ketu occupy the 5th House.