Ashtamangala Prasannam Translated by Sethymadhavan Venkatrao

Hindu Astrology has its basic reference to Sage Parasara, giving deeper implications of this predictive subject. Prasna tantra is one among them literarily meaning ‘various aspects’ of Prasna or Horary astrology.

Astamanga Prasna is an advanced and extensive method of preparing Eight materials (Ashta means Eight) and tools for prediction through horary or Prasna. The results in horary are predicted with the help of a horary Chart (Prasna Rasi Chakra) divined by worship. Then in the Chart Aarooda or ascendent along with which the Ashtamangala number by using 108 cowries is fixed. Both Aarooda and Ashtamangala number indicate various results answering the querist for his Personal and Deva Prasna pertaining to the deeds, rituals, short comings, Omen, loss or theft of idols, disfigure of statues in temples and temple activities.

This book extensively covers all aspects of Ashtamangala Prasna, from initiation of the Pooja, Deivagna’s posture, Raasipooja, query chart, five mahasoothras, application of soothra principles, Thrisphuta, Chatursphuta, Panchasphuta and Ashtamangala results including deities indicated by Planetary combinations to identify the presiding deity.

There will be no doubt that this book will inspire astrology enthusiasts and astrologers all over and practice of Ashtamangala Prasna will enhance the image and morale of every astrologer.

S. Gopalakrishnan (GK) is an exponent in all forms of astrology. Not only that. He authors books on various topics and techniques of astrology. He shares openly the nuances of his astrological expertise and experience for the benefit of his readers whom he might not have even met. His lucid narrations coupled with simple and crafty rules and procedures guide and enlighten the reader. They teach the beginner and sharpen the experienced. GK, as he is affectionately called, conducts regular classes on different disciplines of astrology and holds annual astrological seminars. He has prepared the astrological software for both the system and for the mobile phone users. They are simple and self-explanatory and easy to operate. He has penned books on the Chandra Naadi, Medical astrology. Predictive techniques of Transit planets and Degree wise proximity of planets in English and about 45 books in Tamil. His books decode the unknown of astrological secrets and also offer new insights to the already known facts. This makes the predictions easier, simpler and accurate. It will not be an exaggeration if one says that GK is a one-stop solution for all astrological knowledge and needs and a milestone in astrological writings. In a nutshell, he practices and preaches astrology.

Gajananam bhuta ganadi sevitam kapitha jambuphala sarabhaksanam Umasutah soka vinasakaranam namami vigneshwara pada pankajam.

I offer my respectful obeisance unto the lotus feet of Lord Vigneshwara, the offspring of Uma, the cause of destruction of sorrow, who is served by all kinds of living beings etc., who has the face of a tusker and who consumes the essence of kapitha and jambu fruits.

I humbly submit my obeisance to my parents, all my Gurus' who taught me astrology so far, to the almighty.

Astrology in India is the manifestation of intellectual foreseeing and prefiguring events by immense meditation of our sages and seers for ages. It is the study of events and activities of human that happened in the past, continuing in the present and expectations in the future. It is beyond the reach and understandings of ordinary intelligence, which attempts to arrive at the correct reasonings as to how the sages and seers found relation between time, celestial bodies, the constellation of asterisms, zodiac and human actions. Obvious interpretations explained that not only human events and actions, but the whole universe is influenced by celestial objects, transiting the sensitive points of the zodiac as explored in mundane astrology, one of the three categories in application of astrology 1) Mathematical or Astronomical astrology 2) Predictive astrology and 3) Mundane astrology.

**Contents and Sample Pages**