Gaja-Kesari Yoga

गज केसरी योग

Gaja Kesari in Ancient Scriptures

– An article by Astrologer Ms Prama Chopra

 

Meaning of the word “Gaja-Kesari”

 

In Sanskrit Gaja means elephant and Kesari means lion.

But the word Gaj-Kesari does not simply mean “Elephant and Lion”.

In Sanskrit Grammar there are compound words and conjunction of words.

Compound words called Samas (समास), and conjunction of words called Sandhi 

In other words to condense the meaning of two or more words is Samas, in Sanskrit and Hindi grammar. There are various types of Samas and ‘Gaj-Kesari’word falls in the category of कर्मधारय समास Karmdharay Samas.

I will provide an example from Indian History.  Freedom fighter Lala Lajpat Rai given title of Punjab-Kesari. Literal meaning of the title is Lion of Punjab and virtual meaning is king ofPunjab. The word Punjab-Kesari strictly does not mean “Punjaband Lion”.

Likewise word Gaj-Kesari means a leader elephant amongst the elephants or “king elephant”. Literal meaning is “one who is most exalted among the elephant (group)”

Hindi and Sanskrit readers must be well versed of uses of words like Simha (lion), Sher (tiger),Gaja (Elephants) etc. in the language as these words often used for similes and metaphors for kingship, royalty and leadership etc.

Yoga Formation:

Combination of Moon and Jupiter in particular aspect. Is required to form this Yoga.

    0° Conjuction (First House)

  90° Square (Fourth House)

180°  Opposition (Seventh House)

270°  Square (on declination) (Tenth House)

When Jupiter is in quadrant 1^st 4^th 7^th and 10^th(Kendra Sanskrit) from Moon then Gaj Kesari yoga takes place as per Vedic astrology.

By means of angular position of quadrant, Gajkesari Yoga can take place when Jupiter and Moon is in quadrant from each other. But it is emphasised in the ancient scripture that Jupiter should be in Kendra from Moon then it is termed Gaja-kesari Yoga. And clearly not the other way round case where Moon should be in Kendra from Jupiter. The logic behind this distinction of importance given to Moon is in the basics of the Vedic Astrology. In Indian Vedic astrology or Niryan system Chandra Kundali(Moon Chart) given much of weightage.

Apart for scholars’ study we could see Chandra Kundali’s (Moon Chart) relevance in Indian Matrimony especially matching horoscopes (Guna Melapak) for marriage purpose.

(Moon Chart: in which Moon Zodiac is considered ascendant. Just like Sun Zodiac in western astrology. For example if a person has Taurus ascendant and Moon in Gemini in this case his/her Moon chart will have Gemini Zodiac as ascendant).

 

The following shloka of brihat parashara hora shashtram refers to Gaja-kesari Yoga.

kendre devagurau lagnAchchandrAdvA shubhadR^ig.hyute | *

nIchAstArigR^ihairhIne yogo.ayaM gajakesarI ||

gajakesarIsa~njAtastejasvI dhanavAn.h bhavet.h |

medhAvI guNasampanno rAjapriyakaro naraH ||

केन्द्रे देवगुरौ लग्नाच्चन्द्राद्वा शुभदृग्युते |

नीचास्तारिगृहैर्हीने योगोऽयं गजकेसरी ||

गजकेसरीसञ्जातस्तेजस्वी धनवान् भवेत् |

मेधावी गुणसम्पन्नो राजप्रियकरो नरः ||

–बृहत्पाराशरहोराशास्त्र

In some version of BRIHAT PARASHRA HORA SHASTRA the shlokas with some variations as following- 

केन्द्रस्थिते देवगुरौ शशांकाद्योगस्तादाहुर्गकेसरीति ।।

दृष्टे सितार्येन्दु सुतेः शशाङ्के नीचास्त हिनैर्गजकेसरीति ।।

गजकेसरिसंजातस्तेजस्वी धनवान् भवेत् ।।

मेधावी गुणसंपन्नो राजप्रियकरो भवेत् ।।

                        अनेकयोगाध्याय, बृहद पाराशर बृहत्पाराशर  होराशाष्त्रम्

Translation:

When Jupiter is in quadrant (Kendra) from ascendant* (Lagna), or from Moon (Candra); and be Conjunction (Yuti) with, or receiving an aspect (Drishti) from benefic, avoiding at the same time debilitation, combustion and inimical Zodiac(Rāśi), Gaj Kesari Yog takes place. Nativ born in Gaj Kesari Yog will be splendorous, wealthy, and intelligent, endowed with many laudable virtues and liked by king/ governing body.

* As per this shloka Gajkesari happen when Jupiter is in quadrant from ascendant or Moon. This is the reason many astrologers take lagna chart (ascendant) into consideration for this yoga.

The following reference about GajaKesari Yoga is from Phaldeepika –

ojeShvarkendulagnAnyajani divi pumaMshchenmahAbhAgyayogaH

strINAntadvyatyayesyAchChashini suraguroH kendrage kesarIti |

jIvantyAShTarisaMsthe shashini tu shakaTaH kendrage nAsti lagnA\-

chchandre kendrAdige.arkAdadhamasamavariShThAkhyayogAH prasiddhaH ||

mahAbhagye jAtaH sakalanayanAnandajanako

vadAnyo vikhyAtaH xitipatirashItyAyuramalaH |

vadhUnAM yoge.asmin sati dhanasumA~NgalyasahitA

chiraM putraiH pautraiH shubhamupagatA sA sucharitA ||

kesarIva ripuvargatihantA prauDhavAk sadasi rAjasavR^ittaH |

dIrghajIvyatiyashAH paTibuddhistejasA jayati kesariyoge ||

 

ओजेष्वर्केन्दु लग्नान्यजनि दिवि पुंश्चेन्महाभाग्य योगः

स्त्रीणान्तद्व्यत्य येस्याच्छशिनि  सुरगुरोः केन्द्रगे केसरीति |

जीवन्त्याष्टरि संस्थे शशिनि तु शकटः केन्द्रगे नास्ति लग्ना

-च्चन्द्रे केन्द्रदिगेsर्का दधमसमवरिष्ठाख्ययोगाः प्रसिद्धाः ||

महाभग्ये जातः सकल नयनानन्द जनको 

वदान्यो विख्यातः क्षितिपतिरः शीत्यायुर्मलः |

वधूनां योगेअस्मिन् सति धन सुमाङ्गल्य सहिता

चिरं पुत्रैः पोत्रैः शुभमुपगता सा सुचरिता ||

केसरीव रिपुवर्ग निहन्ता प्रौढवाक् सदसि राजसवृतिः |  

दीर्घजीव्यत्तियशाः पटुबुद्धिस्तेजसा जयति केसरियोगे ||

 

Gaj Kesari Yoga effect

(Translation)

Who is born with Kesari Yoga destroys group of enemies, like a lion kills…

His oratory skills are full of maturity the native is respected by learned and educated people. The person attains governing position. Has longevity and fame. A well-witted person with an impressive aura. A winner.  

किं कुर्वन्ति ग्रहा सर्वे यस्य केन्द्री ब्रहस्पतिः |

मत्त मातङ्ग यूथानां भिनत्येकोsपि केसरी     || 

Meaning

What more other planets could give to the native who has Jupiter in quadrant. There is only one who is prepotent (Kesari).    

देवेज्यो ज्ञानसुखदो भृगुर्वीर्यप्रदयकः।

Jupiter is planet for blissful knowledge.

In India Astrology Jupiter is called Guru or Brihaspati by virtue of being in Guru of Devtas the Gods. The word Guru in Sanskrit means big, large, heavy. In Astrology Dev Guru (priest of deities) Brahaspati (Jupiter) is planet for Knowledge, wisdom, eloquence and righteousness.

Why this combination is so auspicious:

Jupiter becomes exalted in Zodiac Cancer. Moon is the owner of Cancer sign.

Jupiter and Moon are friend planets. (Adimitra).

Both the planets are natural benefic (Shubha Graha)

In association Jupiter and Moon enhances each others effect.

Gajkesari in 1^st House from Moon

The effect of this type of Gaja-Kesari could be seen on the personality of the person born with this yoga.

It is the most elevated position among all types of Gaja Kesari Yoga. Ancient Scholars had further deciphered this as Guru Chandra Yoga. And example of this kind of Gaja Kesari one could see in in the horoscope of lord Rama where Moon in own sign Cancer is in conjunction with exalted Jupiter. Click here to read full article about Guru Chandra Yoga.

Gajkesari in 4^th House from Moon

This type of Gajkesari has a predominant effect on material bliss.

Gajkesari in 7^th House from Moon

 The yoga is good for personal life related to partner and business.

Gajkesari in 10^th House from Moon

This has specifically good effect on fame position etc. By default it is Amala-Kirti Yoga