B y now, you are well-known to EST readers, through your analysis of astro-biography of Sadhus. Kindly tell us about your religious, spiritual sadhana.

I was born in an orthodox religious family, which followed both Shaiva and Vaishnava traditions. My father Late Bhaskar Lanjulkar was a devotee of Shiva and my mother Chandrabhaga Lanjulkar is a devotee of Vishnu. In my childhood, I used to wake up every day, listening to Vishnu Sahasranam and verses from Bhagavad Gita. When I was 6/7 years old, my mother used to take me to a teacher in the village to read Gita, by holding my finger. And sometimes she used to give me Rupees 2/- as a tip, which was no less than a treasure for a small child at that time. In this way, my mother slowly put my finger in the loving hands of God! I started finding only God the closest associate to me in this world. If a helpless person like me is living in this world, then this is the biggest example of God's grace. Perhaps God also loves me! I have proof of this!

'My life, till date, has been spent on the banks of temples and holy rivers'. Living in the divine presence of God is my sadhana, I do not know anything more than this.

How did you get inclined towards astrology?
In the earliest memory of my childhood, I find myself as a very small child of 4/5 years, taking out a very old Almanac from an old broken Wooden box, and looking at it. I can still clearly see in my memory the fine Avakhada Chakra, made of circular lines. It belonged to my great grandfather. My great grandfather Late Ramchandra Lanjulkar was an expert in Prashna Vidya. He used to stay in the village-temple, day and night. When people came to him to find solutions to their problems, he used to help them through Prashna Vidya. Perhaps my inclination towards astrology was genetic, because in my youth, I used to oppose astrology vehemently. But in 2013, I don't know how suddenly the desire to learn astrology arose in my heart. Then I was in Amarkantak, which is the origin place of River Narmada in Madhya Pradesh. Then later I went to the banks of River Ganga to learn astrology. I believe that it was only due to the grace of Maa Ganga ji and Maa Narmada ji that I was able to learn astrology.

Then, how did you proceed to learn astrology in detail?
I learnt my basic astrology from a Garhwali Panditji in Rishikesh, who had learnt astrology in Badrinath, one of the four holy Dhams. After that, I learnt astrology from Swami Maheshananda ji. He has an ashram in the lap of the Himalayas. I also consider respected K N Rao Sir as my Guru. Although I never met him, I am his disciple like Eklavya.

You have an authentic collection of horoscopes of kings and great emperors; are there any common elements in all those horoscopes that can tell whether someone will become a king or not?
There are a few astrological reasons for becoming a king. There are some yogas, which includes past good deeds, seen from the fifth house of the horoscope. Luck, which we see from the ninth house. Then one or more Raja Yogas formed by Lagnesh{1st lord}, Panchmesh {5th lord}, Dashmesh {10th lord} and Navamesh {9th lord}. There are many more parameters like the strength of Janma lagna and Chandra langa. But after looking at the horoscopes of more than 50 kings and emperors, one essential condition that has come to light is that no one can become a king, without a strong Sun! The Sun being Vargottama, being exalted in either Rasi {D-1} or Navamsa {D-9} or both, being in its own sign, as well as being placed in Upachaya houses (3rd, 6th, 10th and 11th)-these conditions are commonly found. So, in this way, these three major theoretical points emerge in the horoscopes of kings and emperors. Strong Lagna, fifth, ninth houses and their lords, Rajayoga formed by the relation of Lagnesh, Panchmesh, Navamesh and Dashmesh, above all, the Sun should be strong in the horoscope.

We can take the example of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. He was born in Shivneri Fort nearby Junnar on Falgun vadya 3,Shaka 1551, After Sunrise 30 ghati 09 pal.{source : shivbharat, book, page 89}

Timezone:-4:55:32; DST:0 ; Lat:19°12' Long:73°53'; Ayanamsha:18:41:27 Lahiri

In his horoscope of Leo Lagna, Rajayoga is formed by the conjunction of Lagnesh and Panchmesh in the seventh house. Panchmesh is in the Kendra and the Yoga karaka Mars is aspecting the fifth house. Natural benefic planet Venus is in the ninth house and the auspicious planet Jupiter, the lord of the fifth house, is aspecting the ninth house. Sun is exalted in the Navamsha chart.

Strong lords of houses 1, 5, 9, 10 and Rajayogas formed among these, powerful Sun are the major pointers in the horoscope for becoming a King. Influence of Jupiter on the lagna and welldisposed 6th house are additional supporting factors.

We can take the second example of a Maharaja Ganga Singh Ji. He was born on the day of Vijayadasami in Samvat 1937, morning 10:30{source: Bikaner ke maharaja book}

Timezone:-5:20:00; DST:0 ; Lat:28°01' Long:73°18' ; Ayanamsha:-22:11:48 Lahiri

In Maharaja Ganga Singh Ji's Scorpio Ascendant horoscope, the Panchamesh is in the fifth house itself. Navamesh is looking at the ninth house of luck. The Panchamesh and Dashmesh are in a relationship, which is forming Raj Yoga. Many such examples can be given.

Suppose in the present democratic times, if someone has this combination in his horoscope, will he become a king?
Certainly, in a democratic context, he will become a king. Or there is a possibility that he will become a Dictator. There are examples of both types. Hitler had such combinations in his horoscope; so he became the dictator of Germany. Rajiv Gandhi had such combinations in his horoscope, so everyone knows that he became the Prime Minister directly, after the death of her mother in November 1984, and then came to power with a historic majority in December 1984 General elections.

According to Acharya Varahamihir, with such parameters, if someone does not become a king, then he can become like a king or become rich.

Can you discuss the horoscope of a King, who was crowned, not through legacy, but rising from humble beginnings, through hard, smart work., if possible?
We can take the example of Subedar Malhar Rao Holkar, the founder of the Holkar dynasty of Indore State. Malhar Rao's parents passed away, when he was a child. He was brought up at his maternal uncle's house. He used to rear sheep at his maternal uncle's house. Later, he joined Bajirao Peshwa's army as a common soldier, and became a Sardar on the basis of his skills. Bajirao Peshwa handed over Indore State to him in 1732. Ahilya bai Holkar of the same Holkar dynasty was a very famous ruler of Indore State. Malhar rao Holkar was born on Chaitra Shukla 9, Shaka 1615, at sunrise Ishta 15/44 in a village named Hol, in Pune district. {source : malhar rao Holkar biography book}

Timezone:-5:00:12 DST:0 ; Lat:21°14' Long:75°03' Ayanamsha:-19:34:46 Lahiri

In his horoscope of Cancer Ascendant, Mars is sitting in the ninth house as a Yoga Karaka. The fifth house and the ninth house are under the influence of auspicious planets. And the Sun is Digbali (directional strength) and exalted in the tenth house.

It is said that some Pandit Ji had told his mother that her son will become the ruler of the earth, which later came true.

So, in this way we can see that if there are chances of becoming a king in someone's horoscope, then such a person, despite being from an ordinary background, reaches a special position one day.

In ancient texts of astrology, Raj Bhang Yog has been mentioned. Do we get to see any examples of this, where there is Raja Yog in the horoscope and in reality someone's kingdom has been snatched away from him?
Yes, there are many such examples. Many types of Raj Bhang Yog have been given in the texts of astrology. Generally, if the Rajyog-karaka planet is combust, in the enemy sign, or in its debilitated sign, then Raj Bhang Yog is formed. There are many such Yogas. I have come across an example of one Yog. If Jupiter is in Capricorn Lagna and the Moon is not of its own sign, then Raj Bhang Yoga is formed.

Timezone:-5:20:00 DST:0 ; Lat:28°01' Long:73°18' Ayanamsha:-22:30:01 Lahiri

In the Capricorn Lagna Kundli of Maharaja Sadul Singh of Bikaner {source: Bikaner ke maharaja book}, Jupiter is placed in the Lagna and the Moon is placed in Libra sign. His kingdom was merged in independent India in March 1949, when princely states were dissolved.

Any observation that you have seen in the horoscopes of Maharajas, which you would like to share?
It is natural for the horoscopes of many people belonging to the same field of life to have some similarity. For example, Maharajas used to live in big palaces. So, there must be some similarity in their Chaturthansh Kundali {D4} as well! I have seen that in many horoscopes, the influence of Jupiter is found on the Lagna or the fourth house of the Chaturthansh Kundali [D4}. Jupiter is the factor of vastness. Therefore, when it gets connected to the house of residence, it gives a huge residence. Similarly, the strength of the sixth house of the Birth chart has also been seen in the horoscopes of Maharajas. Because the sixth house is of servants; kings and Maharajas had hundreds of servants. Similarities can be seen in the context of many such things.