Verse 18: दृष्टि की शक्ति और मारकत्व दोष
न स्थितेरपेक्षया मारकेशत्वदोष: स्यात्तयोराह - दृष्टिर्विहंगानां बलीयसी ॥१८॥ पराशर:।• The defect of being a maraka (death-inflictor) does not arise merely from house placement, especially for the Sun and Moon.
• Parāśara states that the aspect (drishti) of planets is more powerful than their mere placement.
Explanation
• Sun and Moon, even if they own the 2nd or 7th houses (the traditional maraka sthānas), do not automatically become marakas.
• Their inherent dignity as luminaries exempts them from the full force of maraka dosha.
• Parāśara emphasises that planetary aspects (drishti) carry greater influence than simple positional ownership.
• Thus, affliction or blessing through aspect is weightier than house lordship alone.
Kendra-Adhipati & Maraka Dosha Strength
बली क्रमात्कण्टकपत्वदोषो सौम्यशुभेन्द्रपुरोहितानाम् ।
काव्येज्ययोः स्वास्तपतित्वदोषो बलो तयोर्मारकभस्थितिश्च ॥
• Among benefics owning Kendras, their functional malefic nature (Kendra-adhipati dosha) increases in the order:
Moon < Mercury < Venus < Jupiter.
• Similarly, among benefics acting as marakas (lords of 2nd/7th), their maraka strength increases in the same order.
• When Jupiter or Venus is placed in maraka houses, they become especially dangerous.
Explanation
• Moon: Gentle, quick-acting, least harmful even when owning a Kendra or maraka house.
• Mercury: More neutral, can tilt malefic when afflicted.
• Venus: Stronger in functional maleficence, especially when tied to maraka houses.
• Jupiter: Paradoxically, though the greatest benefic, it becomes the most harmful when burdened with Kendra lordship or maraka status.
• This illustrates the paradox of Jyotiṣa: benefics, under certain functional roles, can turn into powerful malefics.
Refined Commentary
• Parāśara distinguishes between natural beneficence and functional roles.
• Luminaries (Sun and Moon) retain dignity and resist maraka status.
• Benefics owning Kendras or maraka houses undergo a reversal, their strength of maleficence increasing in a graded order.
• Jupiter, the very planet of wisdom and protection, becomes most dangerous when afflicted by functional malefic roles.
• This principle underscores the layered logic of Jyotiṣa: no planet is absolutely benefic or malefic—its role depends on house ownership, aspect, and dignity.
Key takeaway - Sun/Moon → immune to full maraka dosha.
• Benefics in Kendras/Maraka sthānas → graded malefic strength (Moon least, Jupiter most).
• Aspect (drishti) → stronger than mere placement
