Ch. 43.

Longevity
1. O Mahārśi Parashara, you have dealt with combinations for wealth and
poverty. Kindly detail methods of ascertaining the life-span of human beings.

2-3. O Brahmin, for the benefit of mankind I narrate methods of ascertaining

longevity. Knowing that longevity is difficult even for gods. Many exponents
have laid down various methods of longevity calculations. Following is the
summary of such schools of thought.

4-8. Pindayu. The Planets contribute to longevity, according to their being in

exaltation, or debilitation and also based on their strengths and weaknesses
and positions in Ashvini etc. and in the various Rāśis. First of all Pindayu is
based on the positions of the Planets. O Brahmin, listen carefully to what I
say: 19, 25, 15, 12, 15, 21 and 20 are the number of years, contributed by the
Planets, from Sun etc., when in exaltation. These are half of the above in
debilitation. And, if the Planets are in between exaltation and debilitation, the
rule of three process should be used. Deduct the actual position of the
Planet from its deep exaltation point. If the product is less than 6 Rāśis,
deduct it again from 12 Rāśis. The product concerned should be multiplied
by the number of years allotted to the Planet and divided by 12 to get the
Planets actual contribution.
9. Rectifications. Excepting Venus and Saturn, the contributions, made by
others, should be halved, if they are eclipsed by Sun. One third should be
reduced, if the Planet is in its inimical Rāśi. This does not apply to the one in
retrogression (see Vakra Charam).
10-11. Deductions for Planets in the Visible Half of the Zodiac. Full, half, one
third, one fourth, one fifth and one sixth are the deductions of contributions,
made by malefics, placed in the visible half of the zodiac. Benefics in such
cases lose only half of what malefics lose. Should there be more than one
Planet in a House, the deduction, due to the strongest, will only prevail and
not deductions, due to other Planets in that particular House. Waning Moon
is a benefic for this purpose.
12-13. Malefics in Lagna. In case 1st House is occupied by malefics, adopt
the following procedure. Convert Lagnas Sphuta into minutes of arc and
multiply it by the years etc., contributed by the occupant, and divide by
21600. The years etc. so arrived be deducted from the respective
contribution, which will be the net span, donated by the Planet. If there is
benefics Aspect on Lagna, containing malefics, then the loss is only half.

14-15. Lagnas Contribution. The number of years, contributed by Lagna, will

correspond to the number of Rāśis it gained (from Aries), while the degrees
Lagna has gained in the particular Rāśi will also correspondingly donate (30ｰ
= l year). If the Lagnas Lord in the Navāmśa is stronger than Lagnas Lord,
then the contribution should be computed only based on the number of
Navāmśaas gained (from Aries), otherwise the computation will be for the
Rāśi Lagna.

16-17. Nisargayu. O Brahmin, now I tell you about Nisargayu. 1, 2, 9, 20, 18,
20 and 50 are the years, allotted to Moon, Mars , Mercury, Venus, Jupiter,
Sun and Saturn from the period of birth.
18-19. Ańśayu. Now I will tell you about Ańśayu contributions by Lagna and
Planets. The years correspond to the number of Navāmśaas, counted from
Aries. Multiply the longitude in question by 108. If the product exceeds 12,
expunge multiples of 12 and consider the final product in Rāśis, degrees etc.,
as years, months etc.

20-22. The same reductions, as per Pindayu, apply to Ańśayu as well; i.e.
half for a combust Planet, one third for inimical placement and the ones, due
for placements in the half of the zodiac, counted from the 12th backwards.
Some scholars suggest further corrections for Ańśayu, viz. to increase
threefold the contribution of a Planet in exaltation, or in own House and
double the contribution, if the contributor is in his own Navāmśa, or in his
own Dreshkana. If doubling and trebling is warranted, only trebling be done.
In case of reductions also only halving is to be done, if both halving and
reducing a third are required. That is how the final life-span of men be
understood.

23. Longevity for Other Living Beings. For other living beings as well such
computations can be made. The said figure should be multiplied by the
figure, corresponding to its full span of life and divided by the figure,
corresponding to the full span of life for human beings.

24-29. Full Life Span of Various Living Beings. Now Ill tell you about the full
life-span figures for various living beings. Gods and sages enjoy endless life-
span (in astronomical proportions, as against ordinary mortals). The full life-
span of eagles, owls, parrots, crows and snakes is one thousand years. For
falcon, monkey, bear and frog the full span of life is 300 years. Demons full
life-span is 150 years, while it is 120 for human beings, 32 for horses, 25 for
donkeys and camels, 24 for oxen and buffaloes, 20 for peacocks, 16 for
goats and rams. 14 for swans, 12 for cuckoo, dog and dove, 8 for hens etc.
and 7 for birds etc.

30-31. Choice of Longevity. I have narrated 3 different methods of longevity.

Listen to me about the choice among the three systems. According to which
of the three, Lagna, Sun, or Moon is stronger than the other two, Ańśayu,
Pindayu, or Nisargayu should be, respectively, chosen.

32. Doubtful Cases. If two among Lagna, Sun and Moon gain equal strength,
then longevity should be worked out, as per both systems and the average
of both should be considered. If all the three are equally strong, the average
of the three should be considered.

33-40. Other Clues to Longevity. O excellent of the Brahmins, I will now give
you details of other methods in the matter of longevity, as under. This is
based on the positions of Lagnas Lord, 8ths Lord, Saturn, Moon, natal Lagna
and Hora Lagna. These six are grouped into three groups thus: the Lords of
Lagna and of 8th House on the one hand, Saturn and Moon on the other
hand and the natal Lagna and Hora Lagna on yet the other hand. Out of a
group of two, if the two are in Movable Rāśis, long life is denoted. One in a
Fixed Rāśi and the other in a Dual Rāśi will also bestow long life. One in a
Movable Rāśi and the other in a Fixed Rāśi will give medium life. If both are in
Dual Rāśis, then again medium life will be obtained. Short life is denoted, if
one is in a Movable Rāśi, as the other is in a Dual Rāśi, or, if both are in Fixed
Rāśis. The type of life, denoted by three, or two groups be only considered. If
the three groups denote different scales, then the one, indicated by the pair
of natal Lagna and Hora Lagna should be only considered. In case of three
different indications, if Moon is in Lagna, or 7th House, then the one,
indicated by the Saturn-Moon pair will only come to pass.

41-44. Further Cl6thfications. If long life is denoted by all the said three
groups, the span is 120 years, if by two groups, it is 108 years and, if only by
one group it is 91 years. If medium life is arrived at by three groups, it is 80
years, if indicated by 2 groups, it is 72 years and, if by one group, it is 64
years. If short life is denoted by the said three groups, it is only 32 years, if
indicated by two groups, the life-span is 36 years and, if by one group, the
life-span is 40 years. These are rectified, as under.

45-46. Rectifications. If the contributor is in the beginning of a Rāśi, his

donation will be full and it will be nil, if he is at the end of a Rāśi. For
intermediary placements rule of three process will apply. Add the longitudes
of the contributors and the sum so arrived at must be divided by the number
of contributors. The latest product should be multiplied by the number of
basic years and divided by 30. This will yield the net longevity.

47. Special Rule for Saturn. Should Saturn be a contributor, the class of
longevity declines. Some advocate contr6thly an increase of class in this
context. If Saturn is in its own Rāśi, or in exaltation, change in class will not
occur. Even, if he receives a Aspect from, or is conjunct with only a malefic,
no change occurs.

48. Special Rule for Jupiter. If Jupiter is in Lagna, or in 7th House and
receives a Aspect from, or is conjunct with only benefics, the class of
longevity will increase.

49-50. Increase and Fall in Class of Longevity. From very short life to short
life, from short life to medium life, from medium life to long life and from long
life to extremely long life are the increases in the classification of longevity,
when Jupiter warrants an increase. The reverse is true, if Saturn warrants a
fall in the span of life.

51. (Maitreya says) You have narrated various kinds of longevity

computations. Please favour me by denoting subtle classes thereof and poor
and long life-spans.

52. (Mahārśi Parashara replies) These are seven-fold, viz. Bala Risht, Yoga
Risht, short, medium, long, super-natural (Divya) and immortality (Amritayu).

53-54. The life-span in Bala Risht is 8 years, in Yoga Risht 20 years, in short,
medium and long lives, respectively, 32, 64 and 120 years. Super-natural
life-span is 1000 years. Above this super-natural life-span of 1000 years it is
Amritayu, which can be acquired only by those, who deserve it.

55. Limitless Longevity. Should Cancer be Lagna with Jupiter and Moon
therein, while Venus and Mercury are in Kendras and others are in 3rd, 6th
and 11th House, the native will obtain limitless longevity.

56. Super-Natural Longevity. One having benefics in Kendras and/or Konaas,

while malefics are in 3rd, 6th and 11th House will obtain super-natural life-
span. 8th House in this case should be one of the Rāśis, owned by a benefic.

57. Living until the End of the Yuga. One born in Cancer Lagna will live till the
end of the Yuga, if Jupiter is in a Kendra and happens to be in Gopurāńś,
while Venus is in a Kona and happens to be in Paravatāńś.

58. Living the Life-Span of a Sage. Jupiter in Leoasanāńś, being in Lagna,

Saturn in Devalokāńś and Mars in Paravatāńś. If these are so, one will enjoy
the life-span, as due to a sage.
59. Good Yogas increase the life-span and bad Yogas decrease the same.
Hence I tell you such Yogas, as to know of full, medium and short span
combinations.

60. If a Kendra contains a benefic, while Lagnas Lord is conjunct with, or

receives a Aspect from a benefic, or Jupiter in particular, the native will live a
full span of life.

61. Should Lagnas Lord be in a Kendra conjunct with, or receiving a Aspect

from Jupiter and Venus, full life-span will result.

62. If at birth three Planets are exalted, out of which the Lords of Lagna and
8th House are inclusive, as 8th House is devoid of a malefic in it, full life-
span will result.

63. Long life is denoted, if three Planets are in 8th House, in exaltation, own,
or friendly divisions, while Lagnas Lord is strong.

64. If Saturn, or Lagnas Lord is conjunct with any exalted Planet, long life will
result.

65. Long life will be enjoyed, if malefics are in 3rd, 6th and 11th House, while
benefics are in Kendras.

66. If 6th, 7th and 8th House are occupied by benefics, while malefics are in
3rd and 11th House, full life-span will follow the birth.

67. If 8ths Lord is friendly to Sun, while malefics are in 6th and 12th House,
as Lagnas Lord is in a Kendra, the native will live the full span of life.

68. O excellent of the Brahmins, if a malefic is in 8th House, while 10ths Lord
is exalted, one will be long-lived.

69. Long life will follow, if Lagna is a Dual Rāśi, while Lagnas Lord is in a
Kendra, or in exaltation, or in a Kona.
70. Should Lagna be a Dual Rāśi, while two malefics are in a Kendra with
reference to a strong Lagnas Lord, long life is indicated.

71-73. If the stronger among Lagnas Lord and 8ths Lord is placed in a
Kendra, long life is indicated and, if in a Panaphara, medium life is indicated,
if in Apoklima, short life will come to pass. According to Lagnas Lord being
friendly, neutral, or inimical to Sun, long, medium, or short life will result.

74. Should Mars and 3rds Lord, or 8ths Lord and Saturn be combust, or be
conjunct with malefics, or receive a Aspect from malefics, there will be short
life.75. If Lagnas Lord is in 6th, 8th, or 12th House, conjunct with malefics
and devoid of Conjunct with and/or Aspect from a benefic, short life will
come to pass.

76. If malefics are in Kendras, devoid of Conjunct with, or a Aspect from

benefics, while Lagnas Lord is not strong, only short life will result.

77. O excellent of Brahmins, if 12th and 2nd House are occupied by malefics
and devoid of a Aspect from a benefic, or of Conjunct with a benefic, the
native will be short-lived.

78. If the Lords of Lagna and 8th House are bereft of dignities and strength,
short life will come to pass. If the Lords of Lagna and 8th House are helped
by others, while being so, medium life-span will come to pass.