Present work is written with an intent to enlighten the readers with the peculiar part of Hindu Astrology known as Yogas. It is difficult to find an English equivalent of the word Yoga rather in broader terms. We can say that it is relevant to a particular or specific combination related with a particular aspect of human life he it fortune or misfortune. In other words a Yoga can add vitality to a horoscope by improving certain life aspects of its possessor or can devitalize an individual in a particular area of his life whose birth horoscope is under scrutiny.

Astrology is as old as Vedas are, therefore Astrology holds the place of pride in Hindu Vedic literature. Mythological stories available in Puranas unfold the secrets of planets, stars (Nakshatras) and signs. In Hari Vansha Purana the Moon is said to be having 28 wives, which are her lunar mansions i.e. Nakashatras, the root concept of Vimsottari Dasa system of prognostication. These mythological stories are mentioned in an interesting manner and leave a lasting impression on the reader. In ancient times Astrology was studied for one's Karmic realities of that particular incarnation and to know one's limitations of that particular birth. The Yogas give an impetus to a particular area of life to which an individual is found in a Karmic sense or manner.

In this book we start from Pancha Mahapurusha Yogas i.e. the qualities or significations of particularly five planets Mars, Jupiter. Venus and Saturn. Whenever any one or more of these five qualities are available in the birth chart of an-individual then the native is destined for these qualities. Next we move on to Adhi Yoga, Sunapha, Annapha and Durudhura and then to Vesi. Vasi and Ubhayachari Yogas which have their manifestation through the two Luminaries as these are the two eyes of our solar system. Then comes Gajakesari Yoga which is based on the hopefulness and vitality of the individual for sustenance and it is associated with the Moon (the mentality and emotions). Amala Yaga has much to do with material attainments of an individual. Then come the Yogas which have attainments of an individual. Then come the Yogas which have their base in the lordships of benefic houses and the relations of various benefic house-lords bestow kingly comforts on to the native. Then in sequence out the life of an individual.

Lastly appear the Yogas related to the twelve houses of a horoscope. These include the Rajayogas of Varaha Mihira under the 10th house Yogas. We have taken Arishta Yoga under the 6th, 8th and 12th house Yogas. However the Yogas such as Netra Nasha and Andha Yogas appear under the 2nd house Yoags. At least 25 Yogas indicating various diseases have been included under the 6th house.

We have exclusively discussed the Yoga under comments on it, providing the relevant information and additional Yogas quoting the authorities. We suppose this will impress the reader with the importance of the Yoga. We have included particularly those Yogas for which we could supplement the example charts and the Yogas which have convinced us with their configurations of planets like the Rajayogas of Varaha Mihira. We have also tried to append the additional information from Western Astrology regarding a particular Yoga keeping the sanctity and sense of the Yoga unaffected.

We suppose this endeavour will open new avenues for research minded students of this devine science of Astrology. Beginners will find it an interesting study for maintaining their interest. We expect that readers will appreciate and acknowledge this endeavour as they have done for other publications from M/s Ranjan Publications.

Yoga is the word used in Sanskrit language for the combination of planets, signs and houses. These three factors affect every fragment of human life from birth to death e.g. the 1st house indicates birth conditions, physique and health and the conditions of prosperity through out life in more general sense. At one's birth every one, keenly intimate to the new born is curious to know about the well being and field of action of the infant. Astrology is one such science capable of satisfying these curiousities fairly precisely. Yogas are one such fragment of the science of Astrology which can raise the individual to the heights of prosperity or put him into the depth of misfortune. Yogas are only the indications of planetary wishes related to results of past Karmas of the individual.

Human life is studded with individual fortunes and misfortunes and astrologically these are termed as Yogas and Arishtas. Fortune is the term representing gains, comforts and honour while misfortune represents bodily ailments, pennuary and disrespect. Anything which gives righteous mentality and codified conduct is called Yoga and ailing body is Arishta. However for simplicity they are called good Yogas and bad Yogas. It is rare to find one who has enjoyed good Yogas only through out his life, but there are many who have faced Arishtas through out their lives. Yogas and Arishtas jointly and commonly manifest in the life of most of the individuals, be he a king or an ordinary person. A king may have every kind of comforts but not a successor to the throne. An ordinary man though not having kingly comforts may have obedient progeny and commonly act on the life stage of the maximum part of the population.

Innumerable combinations representing Yogas and Arishtas are spread through out Hindu astrological literature. We have tried here to cull out those which have proved their efficacy in our practice and experience.

In a horoscope quadrants are abode of Vishnu and trines are the abode of Lakshmi. Vishnu is the god of existence and life sustaining forces that emanate from the quadrants, the environmental houses. Lakshmi is the goddess of wealth and wealth is needed for susteinance. Wealth generates out of one's merits, therefore trines are also called houses of merits. The 11th house represents the resultant of the interactions of various house and planets i.e. what we get resultantly. The 12th house represents how our energies are going to dissipate in this life and decides our future birth cycle.

Jupiter, Venus and well aspected or conjoined Mercury and the waxing Moon are benefics. The Moon is benefic from middle of bright half to middle of dark half. The sun is cruel, but is taken as malefic for all practical purposes. Mars, Saturn Rahu and Ketu are known malefics. The friendship and enmity among the planets is better to be decided according to Panchadha Maitri Chakra. The lordships of various houses by various planets also have a significant role in the manifestations of various Yogas. The beneficence and maleficence are so decided according to Vimsottari Dasa system. Some malefics. For a fuller elucidation in this respect readers may go through our book "Secrets of Vimsottari" published by M/S Ranjan Publications.

In the above context and fructification of Yogas. It will be wise to keep in mind the strength of the planets. If the planets participating in the Yoga are weak and powerless the results of the Yoga will be insignificant and vice versa. The planets gain strength when they are in their exaltation, own or friendly signs. A planet in an enemy sign, in a neutral sign, in his debilitation sign or combust is weak and gives malefic results. The beneficence and maleficence of a planet also depends upon his placement in benefic or malefic Vargas. There are ten Vargas for a planet, viz, Rasi, Hora, Drekkana, Trimsamsa, Saptamsa, Navamsa, Dasmasa, Dwadasamsa, Shodasamsa and Shashtiamsa. Out of these ten Vargas Rasi, Hora, Drekkana, Navamsa, Dwadasamsa and Trimsamsa are called Shadavargas if these are joined by Saptamsa then they are called Saptavargas. If all the ten are considered then they are called Dasa (ten) Vargas. A planet is considered strong if he occupies any of his exaltation, own or friendly Vargas. In the Vargas Rasi and Navamsa are of extreme importance and should be given more weightage than other Vargas. If Rasi is the body then Navamsa is the heart i.e. a planet cannot give good results if inharmoniously placed in Navamsa. If heart is strong but body is weak, the person can survive even for a long time.

A planet is called Vargottama if occupies the same Rasi and Navamsa and is said to give very good results. This condition is possible only if the planet is in exaltation, own or friendly sign, but in an enemy sign he will get weaker.

If a planet is two times in his exaltation, own or friendly sign in Vargas then he is in Parijatamasa if in there such Vargas then is Uttamamsa, if in 4 such Vargas then in Gopuramsa, if in 5 such Vargas then in Simhasanamsa, if in six such Vargas then in Paravatamsa, if in seven such Vargas then in Devalokamsa, if in 8 such Vargas then in Surlokamsa and nine such Vargas then he is in Eravatamsa. This all is to show that a planet occupying as many good Vargas is as much strong to give benefic results and kingly comforts. Kingly comforts. Kingly comforts should be taken as only an indication. A man neither becomes a king by the strength of one planet only nor he becomes a beggar by the weakness of one planet only. It is only after the careful assessment of strengths of various planets that one can arrive at a conclusion. Similarly we should also consider the Avasthas of various planets.

If the Lagna, the Moon and the Sun are weak, the three legs of horoscopical tripod becomes shaky. Varaha Mihira has emphasized on this fact in rajayogadhyaya of his Brithat Jataka, where he has kept all these three factors strong for Rajayogas. Without the strength of these three factors even the powerful Rajayogas are unable to fructify in practical.

Another kind of strength is Digbala where the planets get strength due to their directions. Jupiter and Mercury get directional strength in the east which is Lagna, the Moon and Venus get directional strength in south which is the 4th house Saturn gets directional strength in the 7th which is west direction and the Sun and Mars get directional strength in the north which is the 10th house of the horoscope.

Let us examine the chart shown earlier, for the strength of various planets. The Sun gets directional strength in the 10th house and is exalted. Jupiter gets directional strength in the Lagna and is also exalted. Jupiter gets directional strength in the Lagna and is also exalted. The native rose to the height of career in the Sun's Dasa and got help from the influential and authoritative personalities. The Lagna is quadrant as well as trine therefore its lord, the Moon acquires both the qualities and is associated with the 9th lord causing a very powerful Rajayoga in the Lagna. Venus and Mars have exchanged signs in Navamsa therefore they are quite strong. Saturn is Vargottama in a friendly sign. Mercury is exalted in Navamsa. Gajakesari Yoga manifested auspiciously during whole of the Moon's Dasa through he acquired ill health also due to association of Jupiter, the 6th lord with the Moon, the Lagna lord.

Let us analyse the benefics and malefics according to Vimsottari Dasa system. The Moon is a benefic being the Lagna lord. The Sun is a malefic being the 2nd lord a Maraka, but being strong has lost most of his maleficence. Jupiter is a little benefic being the 9th lord over his 6th lordship. Mars is a Yogakaraka being the 5th and 10th lord and his Dasa will definitely be good enough though he is placed in the 12th in an enemy sign. Venus is a malefic for Cancer Lagna and his Dasa did not do much to the native. Mercury is a malefic for this Lagna and his Dasa is late to ensue.