Guidelines for Professional K.P.

Astrologers
(This article is based (but not a reproduction) on an article by a great K.P. astrologer, thinker
and luminary, Shri Late M.P. Shanmugam.)
(Our respectful acknowledgements are due to the original author, and we do not claim any
ownership of the content we have referred to, except for the additional text matter, grammar
and formatting, which we have used to adapt the text to this article. This article is given here in
good faith to help sincere K.P. Learners and upcoming K.P. Enthusiasts and there are no
intentions otherwise)
The following "Commandments" are given for every sincere and honest student of
Krishnamurti paddhati. All of us are students and as long as we remain as students, we always
empower the GURU to mould us and teach us. The moment we feel that we are masters, and
then we have lost that innocence which binds us to our GURU's feet. By this we not only lose
the opportunity to learn and get better, but we also get shrouded in the ignorance of our
bloated egos, which casts a dark veil of tamo guna, which is at times powerful enough to engulf
us for the rest of our lives or careers. Hence let us pray that the GURU keeps us as "always HIS
students and disciples" and we continue to learn all along. With these humble words, I will take
the privilege of passing down the commandments to you, my dear user, patron and guide, for
you to adopt and practice and ensure success in every walk of your astrology career.
1. Before commencing your days' work, make it a mandatory duty to Pray to your GURU (Your
personal or spiritual GURU), to Your Kuladevata (Family Diety) and the Great Lord Ucchishta
Maha Ganapati (who was worshipped by our revered Guruji Shri KSK). Then offer your
salutations to the great GURU Late Shri. K.S. Krishnamurtiji who, out of his benevolence and
love for the astrological world, toiled hard to find the golden rays of truth and accuracy through
his wonderful Krishnamurti paddhati.
Shed your ego and shatter it to bits. Resolve that whatever you judge that day or speak that day
are not your words, but that of your GURU and it is in HIS glory that you are basking. That way,
you stand insured against all the negative karmas which you may inadvertently acquire as a
result of identifying your ego with the actions you perform.
2. Take a number between 1 and 249 and analyze this chart yourself, for that day's work. How
your work will be, and what efforts may be needed. Before you even cast the horary chart, take
the ruling planets for the moment and note down the following levels:

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a) Day Lord
b) Moon Sign Lord
c) Moon Star Lord
d) Lagna Sign Lord
e) Lagna Star Lord
f) Lagna Sub Lord
These 6 levels are extremely important. Among these levels, the last two levels vary, and that
too the Lagna Sub Lord is the fastest changing level.
By a general rule, you may notice that persons approaching you for consultations with their
charts will meet you when the planets in levels 1, 2 and 3 operate - that is on stars of planets in
levels 1, 2, 3 and the Moon Sign.
Next the lagna transits from morning to evening, changing roughly every 2 hours, and
accordingly, persons who approach you will fit in the levels 4, 5 and 6 (that is when planets
signifying levels 4, 5 and 6 operate).
3. It might happen that, the Moon's Star will be the star of the querist, or it may be a star one
before or after the Moon's Star. The Moon's Star Lord may be the current Dasha/Bhukti or
Antara Lord of the querist.
4. If such a connection exists between your RPs for the moment of judgment and the querist
coming to you, then you may safely go ahead with the rest. However, if such a connection is
lacking, beware of the intent of the querist (he/she may be only testing you or may have come
to ridicule astrology!). Further, when there is no connection, please be very careful in meting
out predictions - your chances of failing are high.
5. When a prediction is given, there should be no "Tendency or Wavering". There is no room for
vagueness in K.P.Astrology. Guruji has time and again reiterated that a sincere and honest
astrologer, who only has the good intentions concerning the consultant in mind, can and will
never go wrong. GOD, NATURE or GURU, as you may call the Higher Force, will always guide
you to the truth.
6. When giving predictions, take utmost care, not to upset or mentally torture your querist. It
may be fun for you, but for a person who has come to you with a real problem, every word,
every action and every movement of yours' matters. Do not sound Harsh, Do not sound vague.
Be empathetic to your clients - that is try to put yourself in their place and feel what it is like to
be in such a situation. There is no use of "sympathizing" with them. Empathy is needed and not
sympathy. Even if the results are bad or fatal, remember that you are dealing with a real human
being who is emotionally connected to his/her family, friends and the world. Try to give the
correct results in as much a palatable form as possible. Remember that even the bitterest
medicines are mixed with honey.
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7. Always proceed in a logical manner and never forget the "First Principles" elucidated by Shri
KSK. Guruji never said anything in a vague manner. He was always sure and to the point. He
never gave vague rules, but only simple yet powerful dictums. So go from the first principles...
you will always come out correct.
8. Remember that a Planet always gives the results of the Bhaava occupied by its star Lord and
also the Bhaava/s owned by the star lord. However, whether the planet does well or bad to
these results (that is gives friendship or enmity, profit or loss as an example) must be judged
from the Sub Lord of the planet. Never ignore the Sub Lord and bypass its' significations in
venturing a "SHORT CUT PREDICTION". There is nothing called a Short Cut in KP Astrology. Our
Revered Guruji has trimmed all the leaves and kept the garden in order before he left his mortal
coil. His rules have to follow in TOTO. There is no point in trying to take some aspects of his
rules and trying to discover more. Of course, research is at the heart of KP and Guruji himself
encouraged research. But, please remember research does not always have to be to negate the
basic rules. No one did research to challenge the existence of gravity discovered by Newton. By
everyone found more much beyond the simple rules. That is welcome.
9. Always judge the planets in an orderly manner. First identify the bhaavas which are to be
judged for the matter concerned. Then look at the Bhaava Sub Lord and his significations. Then
look at the Bhaava Significations and their Sub Lords.
10. Always remember, finding new exotic things is always not innovative or prudent thinking.
Many great discoveries are accidental and unintentional. But there is place for logic and first
principles-based research. Astrology needs such research! .. Research that is ground up....not
starting in space and coming down.
With these I conclude this article. I sincerely apologize if in any manner, any content in this
article has hurt your sentiments or beliefs. Such an outcome is purely unintentional. These ten
points are gathered from great articles written by great stalwarts like Shri Shanmugam and
others. I have only added "my two cents" in formatting the text and putting in some grammar
(so all the faults are mine!). I request your pardon and understanding in reading these articles.

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The Role of the Nodes - Rahu and Ketu in K.P.Astrology

Rahu and Ketu are considered as chaaya grahas or shadow planets. They do not have a physical
body and hence more of a metaphysical concept. Therefore, these planets (although we refer
to them as planets, it is not true in the physical sense) are not allotted the ownership of any
sign in the zodiac. There are differing explanations given about rahu and ketu in classical Vedic
astrological literature. Some do not allot any ownership or characteristics to them, but some
consider them equivalent to Mars and Saturn respectively.
Considering what Guruji has taught the students of K.P.Astrology, it should be understood as
follows:
a) Rahu and Ketu are nodes and do not have any ownership of the signs (rasis).
b) However, in effects, they are more powerful than other planets and when they compete for
importance with other planets; one should prefer the nodes in place of the other planets. If a
node represents a planet, then the node is considered instead of the planet in judging the
results.
c) Rahu and Ketu in the first place, give the results of the planet they are conjoined with. There
is a controversy even in K.P. Astrology as to what such a conjunction means - is it merely
occupying the same sign as another planet, or do we take the orbs into consideration? There
are people who support both views, but a majority feels that if rahu or ketu occupies the same
sign as another planet, one should consider them as being in conjunction with the other planet.
d) If Rahu and Ketu are NOT conjoined with any planet, then they will give the results of the
planet who aspects them. For this purpose, again, there are different views - some say that only
the special aspects ascribed to the three planets Mars, Jupiter and Saturn need to be
considered and the 7th aspect common to all planets should not be considered. This view is
probably there because, if we look at any chart, rahu and ketu are always 180 degrees apart.
Therefore, if one of them is aspected by any planet by the 7th aspect, then the other node will
be deemed as being in conjunction with the planet and according to rule 1, the node should
give the result due to conjunction more strongly rather than aspect. Logically speaking, this
appears to be correct. However, Jyotishya Deepika Ultimate does not assume this rule and
thereby simply presents the data to you as it is. It is left to you to make a decision regarding the
results ascribed to Rahu and Ketu.
e) Guruji, in his 3rd Reader has clearly mentioned that, "if Rahu and Ketu are neither conjoined
nor aspected by any planet, then the node should offer the results of the lord of the
constellation in which the node is deposited." This form of representation takes precedence.
f) Lastly, Rahu and Ketu will offer the results of the lord of the sign in which they are posited.

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Therefore, we can summarize the effects of Rahu and Ketu as:

1. Primary Results - offered are that of the planet conjoining the node,
2. Secondary Results - offered are that of the planets aspecting the node,
3. Tertiary Results - offered are that of the star lord of the node,
4. Quarternary Results - offered are that of the sign lord of the node.
Also, Guruji has time and again mentioned that Rahu or Ketu gives the results to a much greater
degree than the planet it represents. Therefore, Rahu or Ketu are considered as agents of the
planet under consideration and they even wholly replace the planet under consideration.
The last aspect to consider in this article is, what happens to a planet who is in the star of Rahu
or Ketu - what results should that planet give?
If any planet is in the star of Rahu or Ketu, then that planet,
1) Will signify the matters of the house occupied by the node,
2) Will indicate the matters of the house occupied and owned by the star lord of Rahu or Ketu,
3) Will indicate the matters of the house occupied and owned by the sign lord of Rahu or Ketu.
Thus the effects of Rahu and Ketu should be judged in any chart be it a birth (natal) chart or a
horary (prashna) chart.

SUB LORDs of Significations

In the earlier articles, we have learnt that a Planet A ruling the sub division of the constellation
which Planet B occupies is known as the Sub Lord of Planet B. Now Planet B is a significator of
the house occupied by its star lord (say Planet C). For an example, we will say that Planet C
occupies the 10th cusp. So we say that Planet B is in the star of Planet C and hence B is a
significator of the 10th Bhaava in the native's chart. Now, Planet B is in the SUB of Planet A. This
Planet A becomes the supreme deciding factor to state whether Planet B does good with
respect to the effects of the 10th house or does bad to the native with respect to the effects of
the 10th house. The question is how do we conclude what will happen?
This is where, Guruji has enlightened us and many great luminary authors like Late Shri
K.M.Subramaniam have time and again reiterated the following:
"Before deciding on whether the effects of Planet B will be beneficial to the native or not, look
into the "significations" of the SUB lord - Planet A. That is check what bhaavas are signified by
Planet A. Suppose Planet A signifies the 11th bhaava; it empowers Planet B to give great results
with respect to the matters signified by the 10th house. However, if the Planet A signifies the
9th bhaava (which is 12th to the 10th), or the 8th or 12 bhaavas, then Planet B is rendered
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powerless and does only harm to the native in terms of the matters indicated by the 10th
house."
Thus, the significations of the Sub Lord are of paramount importance and NO PREDICTION
SHOULD BE OFFERED WITHOUT TAKING THIS INTO PROPER CONSIDERATION. If the Sub lord of
the significator is harmonious to the matters indicated by the star lord, then the significator
showers great results. However, if the Sub lord is detrimental to the same matters, then the
significator only harms the native with respect to concerned matters.
Thus, in conclusion, the Star Lord shows what results are to be expected from a significator. But
it is the Sub Lord who is the final judge, passing the decree as to whether the results are
favorable or unfavorable.

Four Step Theory

THIS sets down the essential rules given by Mr. Sunil Gondhalekar in his Lessons, written in the
K.P.Style. The Basic principle of KP is that A Planet gives the results indicated by its Star Lord
and Sub Lord.
THE FOUR STEPS TO DETERMINE HOUSES SIGNIFIED BY ANY PLANET ARE:
1. The Planet itself (House residence, Houses Owned)
2. The Star Lord of the Planet: (Same house resident, houses owned)
3. The SUB LORD of the Planet:
4. The Star Lord of this sub lord:
For prediction, we have to consider that all houses, are signified by the Planet, some primarily,
and some secondarily.
THE 1ST STEP in the 4 step Theory is: A Planet becomes the Significator of the HOUSE where it
resides, and of the House/Houses It OWNS.
This rule is modified depending on whether there are other planets in the STARS of this Planet,
and whether the Houses owned are Empty or have some other planets in them. (Hers,
Neptune, Pluto, For are not considered for this conditions.
IF THERE ARE NO PLANETS IN THE STARS OF THE PLANET, (the planet is not the Star Lord of any
other planet) THEN it becomes THE PRINCIPAL Significator of the House where it Resides.
Otherwise, it becomes a secondary Significator of the House where it resides.

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If a PLANET Is Primary significator of Residence, then it becomes the Principal of the houses
owned ONLY IF THAT HOUSE IS EMPTY, otherwise it is the secondary significator of the house
owned
If the Planet is itself a SECONDARY significator of House of RESIDENCE then it will be also
Secondary Significator of Houses owned EVEN IT EMPTY.
IF A PLANET IS IN ITS OWN STAR, then it Automatically becomes the Primary significatro of the
House of residence (even if there other planets in its stars). It becomes pricipal significator of
houses it owns, if empty

SECOND STEP: The Star LORD OF THE PLANET UNDER CONSIDERATION

In this step, the STAR LORD automatically Becomes the Principal Significator of the House of
Residence, and Of the Houses owned, if Empty.
FOR RAHU AND KETU same rules apply. Rahu/Ketu get addittionl representation as
Representative of the Lord of house where they Reside

THIRD STEP: The sub Lord of the Planet:

The houses signified are determined as per 1st step only.

FOURTH STEP: The Star Lord of Sub Lord

The houses are found applyin the same rules as Second Step.
Another point is to consider Signifcators by conjunction (3.33 deg) between planets, as also
signified by the planet considered. The conjoined planet acts as an agent of the planet to which
it is conjoined.

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