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The detailed version of this article is featured in the book ‘Important Yogas in Vedic Astrology Part-2’.
Sarala Yoga
According to the prevalent definition of Sarala Yoga; if in a horoscope, the lord of the eighth house is placed in the sixth or twelfth house, Sarala Yog is formed in the horoscope. This yoga may bless the native with good character, health, knowledge, wisdom, wealth, property, victory over enemies, power, authority and other good results. The placement of the lord of the eighth house in the eighth house itself is not considered to form Sarala Yoga and it is considered as an exception to the formation of this type of Vipreet Rajyoga.
As already discussed in the chapter named Vipreet Raj Yoga, Sarala Yoga is one of three types of Vipreet Rajyoga. For any of these Yogas to be formed in a horoscope, two additional conditions should also meet, apart from the condition mentioned in its prevalent definition.
The first additional condition is that the lord of the eighth house forming this Yoga in a horoscope by virtue of its placement in the sixth or twelfth house of the same horoscope should be benefic. The second additional condition is that the overall horoscope should be benefic and strong. They seem like two conditions but in reality; they are one. It is because of the overall benefic and strong horoscope that that lord of the eighth house may turn benefic and form Sarala Yoga in such horoscope.
Coming to the benefic results produced by this Yoga, it is a type of Vipreet Rajyoga and it is not a usual type of benefic Yoga. A usual type of benefic yoga is formed in favourable conditions in a horoscope whereas Vipreet Raj Yoga is formed in unusual or somewhat negative conditions. The world Vipreet means opposite and hence this yoga is formed in seemingly opposite or unusual conditions in a horoscope. Therefore in case of Sarala Yoga, the native under its impact may come across adverse or unusual type of opportunities and he may witness gains through such opportunities, if his overall horoscope is supportive.
Taking an example, a political party may face serious problems on account of some issue/scandal. Though most leaders and designators of such party may try to avoid getting caught in such issue/scandal; one such native may come forward and handle it. He may get the party out of such issue or scandal and in the process; his position in the party may be consolidated a lot. Hence he may achieve a rank of high authority in such party, through adverse circumstances.
Once the formation of Sarala Yoga is confirmed in a horoscope, the next thing to check is its strength. Contrary to most other yogas; the strength of this Yoga is not measured only by the strength of the planet forming this yoga in a horoscope. The strength of this yoga is measured by drawing a relative comparison between the strength of the planet involved in the formation of this Yoga; and the overall strength of the horoscope.
It means if the planet forming Sarala Yoga is strong in a horoscope, the overall horoscope should be even stronger. Likewise, if the planet forming this Yoga has average strength only; a relative less strong horoscope may be capable of handling it. In the second case, the overall results produced by this Yoga may decrease in quantum; since the planet forming this yoga as well as the overall horoscope is not that strong.
However, if such planet is strong but the overall horoscope is not capable of handling such strong and difficult planet; such planet may end up causing problems instead of a producing benefits. For this reason; Sarala Yoga is among the most difficult to detect yogas featured in Vedic astrology. The formation and working of this yoga hangs in fine balance. As long as the overall horoscope is strong enough to handle the planet forming Sarala Yoga; this yoga may produce benefic results. The moment a horoscope becomes incapable of controlling such planet; this yoga may start causing problems. It means this Yoga may cause problems; even when it is actually formed in a horoscope. This may happen in cases where the difference between the strength of the planet forming Sarala Yoga and that of the overall horoscope is not much.
In such cases; the key to the working of this yoga lies with the Mahadashas (planetary periods). As long as the Mahadashas of benefic planets controlling this yoga are in effect; Sarala Yoga may produce good or very good results. This is because the overall balance of the horoscope may shift more towards positivity; as these planets gain more strength through their Mahadashas. On the other hand, when the Mahadasha of the planet forming this Yoga is in effect, the native may face problems. This is because such planet gains extra strength through its Mahadasha. As that happens, the overall balance of the horoscope may shift more towards negativity. Hence the native may witness problems.
However, if the difference between the strength of the overall horoscope and that of the planet forming Sarala Yoga is big as well as in favor of the overall horoscope; even the Mahadasha of the planet forming this Yoga may produce very good results.
Hence Sarala Yoga is a different and special type of yoga and it is nothing like the regular yogas in Vedic astrology. Its formation as well as its strength primarily depends on the overall theme of horoscope. Hence the overall theme of horoscope holds the key to this Yoga.
Sarala Yoga indicates gains through risky and adverse looking situations. Hence the overall horoscope should be strong enough to benefit through such adverse and/or risky circumstances. Taking an example, suppose one such native is a scientist. When his country is facing war and it may be on the losing side; the native may come up with a weapon which may change the course of war. By virtue of such weapon, his country may win this war and the native may get rewarded with a number of benefits. This situation is troublesome. However, the native may benefit through it; due to Sarala Yoga.
Taking another example, suppose a state/country is affected by terrorism/extremism. One such native may choose to move away from his country, in order to save his life. He may be able to do so with difficulty and he may have no resources in the country he’s moving to. However with effort, time and luck given by Sarala Yoga; he may settle in such foreign country. In a matter of years; he may earn much more than what he earned in his own country and he may enjoy much better life there. Though he may have moved there in adverse circumstances and he may have faced a number of problems; he may be rewarded very well in return.
Likewise, Sarala Yoga may bless the natives under its influence with benefic results through other risky, sudden, mysterious, adverse and/or unfortunate situations.
Himanshu Shangari