Sign and House are the same

We may think that Sign are House are different, because there are so many methods - such as one put forward by Sreepathi (10th century), Krishnamoorthi, 30 Degree equal division etc. Now what was the opinion of ancient Rishis on this subject? Have they considered Sign and House differently - except from the fact that Signs starts from Aris and Houses starts from the Ascendant? Let us go through some of the available refferences. Varahamihira (6th Century) Varahamihira says that - Rasi kshethra griharksha bhani bhavanam chaikardha samprethyaye. Which means - the words Rasi, Kshethra, Griha, Riksha, Bham and Bhavanam are used in the same meaning through out the text Varahahora. (Note the fact that the words Rasi and Griha are used in the same meaning). Ok. For that what? I will explain. In the 15th sloka of the first chapter he states thatHoradayasthanu kudumba sahotdha bandhuputhrari pathni maranani subhaspadaya ribhakhyamithyupachanyari karma labhaduschithka samgjitha grihani na nithyameke Which means that - the Houses (Grihani) starting from ascendant have the names Thanu (Body -Ascendant), Kudumba (Own house - 2nd house), Sahotdha (Brothers - 3rd house), Bandhu (Relatives - 4th house), Puthra (Son - 5th house), Ari (Enemy - 6th house), Pathni (Wife - 7th house), Marana (Death - 8th house), Subha (Good things - 9th house), Aspada (Job - 10th house), Aya (Earnings 11th house), Ribha (Expenditure - 12th house). Everybody will accept the fact that houses are mentioned here. I am attracting your attention to the word, which was used to describe these houses - it is Griha. In earlier statement Varahamihira has already said that the words Griha and Rasi and used in the same name throughout his text. Is it not a convincing evidence for the fact that Varahamihira considered Sign (Rasi) and house as the same? If you are not convinced note the next sloka. Kalya swa vikrama griha prethibha kshethani chithodha randhra guru mana bhava vyeyani legnachathurdha nidhane chathurasra samjche dunam cha sapthama griham desamarkshamajcha Which means (only the relevant portion) - the houses (Griham) starting from the ascendant have the names Kalya (Fame - Ascendant), Swa (Assets - 2nd house), Vikrama (Courage - 3rd house), Griha (House were you are born - 4th house), Prethibha (Intelligence - 5th house), Kshethani (Wounds - 6th house), Chithodha (Ego - 7th house), Randhra (8th house), Guru (Teacher - 9th house), Mana (Proudness - 10th house), Bhava (Next birth - 11th house), Vyeya (Expenditure - 12th house). Here also note the fact that the word Griha is used - which explicitly means Sign and House at the same time, because the words Sign and House means the same thing, with the only difference that Signs are counted from Aris while the Houses are counted from Ascendant. Therefore it becomes clear that even at the period of 6th century AD, Signs and Houses are considered the same. It was people like Sreepathi (10th century) who made all the confusion by interpreting Sign and House as two different entities, and by providing new techniques of the calculation of Houses. (And just look - in what a mess we are!! There are 5 or more methods for calculating house!! In which we should depend on?! I dont want to go into the detail) Even after all this happened there were learned scholars who never let away the correct system - and if you are not convinced read Krishneeyam and Saravali. Krishneeyam Krishneeyam is written by one krishnacharya who probably lived in the 13th Century AD. A wellknown and fascinating commentary for this classic text is chathura-sundari, written by Vishnu (the son of madhavacharya who has written madhaveeya).

While commenting on the 9th sloka of Krishneeyam, he says, adha moorthyadishu dvadesa rasishu dwadesha bhavanaha. Which means, Starting from the ascendant the twelve signs are also known as twelve houses. This is so clear and explicit a statement, that no true learner of astrology can deny the fact that, Vishnu considered Signs and Houses as the same thing. This also points to the fact that, Krishnacharya and Madhavacharya also considered Signs and Houses as the same thing. Conclusion If all these ancient acharyas (Rishis, Parasara, Varahamihira, Krishnacharya, Madhavacharya, Kalyanavarama etc) considered Sign and House as the same thing, who are we to say that they are different. Therefore any true learner of Vedic astrology, should accept and follow the path shown by these acharyas, and consider Sign and House as the same thing. (Probably Sreepathi had started all this trouble) With warm regards, Sreenadh sreesog@yahoo.com