DIK, DIKP ĀLA AND D I K B A L A © S A R A J I T P O D D A R , 17 F E B 20 20

1 .1 .1 .1
T HE DI R ECTI ONS

Jātaka Pārijāta 2.23a.

Sūrya, Śukra, Maṅgala, Rāhu, Śani, Candra, Budha and Bṛhaspati are
respectively the lords of the directions, East, South East, South, Southwest, West,
Northwest, North, Northeast respectively.

There are four Kendra (cardinal) Dik (directions), and 4 Koṇa (corner) Dik, and each
of them are governed by a Graha and Rāśi. Among the Grahas, the Navagrahas and the
Lagna jointly denote 10 directions. These 10 directions comprise of the 8 directions in the
horizontal plane, and 2 directions vertically up and down, in the 3rd dimension. The vertically
up direction is governed by Ketu, whereas, the vertically down by the Lagna. The 8 Grahas,
from Sūrya to Rāhu govern the 8 directions, in the order of Sūrya E → Śukra SE → Maṅgala
S → Rāhu SW → Śani W → Candra NW → Budha N → Bṛhaspati NE. The 10 directions are
also governed by 10 Dikpāla Devatās, who denote the vibrations of those directions. For
instance, E is governed Indra, SE by Agni and so on. The below table explains the connections
of the directions, with Grahas, Dikpālas, Tattvas, the weapons wielded by the Dikpālas, their
consorts, the associated Rāśis, and Bhāvas.

Table 1

# Direction Graha Dikpāla Tattva Wielding Consort Rāśis1 Rāśis2* Bhāva

Agni Tattva
Vajra Rāśis Meṣa,
1 East Sūrya Indra Pṛthvī Śacī Lagna
(thunderbolt) Meṣa, Siṅha, Vṛṣabha
Dhanu
Daṇḍa
2 Southeast Śukra Agni Agni Svāhā - Mithuna -
(Staff)
Pṛthvī
Tattva Rāśis
Daṇḍa Karka
3 South Maṅgala Yama Yami Vṛṣabha, 10H
(staff) Siṅha
Kanyā,
Makara
Khaḍga
4 Southwest Rāhu Nirṛti Śiva - Kanyā -
(sword)
Vāyu Tattva
Rāśis
Pāśa Tulā,
5 West Śani Varuṇa Jala Varuṇī Mithuna, 7H
(noose) Vṛścika
Tulā,
Kumbha
Ankush
6 Northwest Candra Vāyu Vāyu Lehari - Dhanu -
(goad)
Jala Tattva
Rāśis
Gadā Makara,
7 North Budha Kubera Bhadra Karka, 4H
(mace) Kumbha
Vṛścika,
Mīna
Triśūla
8 Northeast Bṛhaspati Īśāna Ākāśa Parvati - Mīna -
(trident)
Nadir Cakra
9 Ketu Viṣṇu Lakṣmī - - -
(Upward) (discus)
Zenith Padma
10 Lagna Brahmā Sarasvatī - -
(downward) (lotus)

Regarding the Rāśis, there are two kinds of associations. In the first kind, the Rāśis
are allotted four Kendra Dik, whereby, Agni Rāśis are E, Pṛthvī Rāśis are S, Vāyu Rāśis are
W and Jala Rāśis are N. Regarding the 2nd basis, According to Bṛhat Jātaka 5.21 | Nārada
Purāṇa 55.89. | Jātaka Tattva 2.33. | Sārāvalī 9.13., “If the Lagna is Meṣa or Vṛṣabha, the
bed of the women in labour is in the Eastern portion of the delivery room. The direction of
[1]
DIK, DIKP ĀLA AND D I K B A L A © S A R A J I T P O D D A R , 17 F E B 20 20

the other Rāśis are, Mithuna: South Eastern, Karka-Siṅha: Southern, Kanyā: South-
Western, Tulā-Vṛścika: Western, Dhanu: North-Western, Makara-Kumbha: Northern, Mīna:
North Eastern. The same rule applies with regards to the place in the cot where the women
might lie. With regards to the cot again, its two front legs occupy the quarters assigned to
the 12th and the 3rd houses from the Lagna, and its two hind legs occupy the quarters
assigned to the 6th and 9th houses.” These directions are also used in Aṣṭakavarga, where
one can predict presence of a temple etc., based on the Rāśi having the highest Rekhās in the
Aṣṭakavarga of the concerned Graha. More can be studied in the Aṣṭakavarga chapter of this
book.
The direction associated by the Grahas are of great importance. When a Graha is
strong in a Kuṇḍalī and is the giver of good yogas, the native attains the results of the yogas
by travelling to the concerned direction. For instance, when Budha is a yoga giver in a
Kuṇḍalī, travelling to the northern direction helps in attaining the good results of the yoga.
On the other hand, when a Graha is weak and involved in Duryogas, traveling to the
directions denoted by this Graha indicated obstacles, and suffering.

1 .1 .1 .2
DI KBALA

Jātaka Pārijāta 2.35.

Budha and Bṛhaspati have Dikbala in the East or the Lagna, Śukra and Candra
North and the 4th Bhāva, Śani West and the 7th Bhāva and Sūrya and Maṅgala
South or the 10th Bhāva.

Dik means Direction and Dikbala means directional strength. Grahas attain
strength in one of the cardinal direction due to alignment of the Grahas Tattva and the
Tattva predominating in the direction. The four cardinal directions are associated with the
four Kendras in a Kuṇḍalī, viz., East = Lagna, West = 7H, North = 4H and South = 10H. This
is difference from vertical direction, where upward (Zenith) is represented by 10H and
downward (Nadir) is represented by the 4H. The four Cardinal directions are governed
associated with the following Grahas and Dikpāla.

Table 2

# Direction Dikbali Graha Tattva Governor Associated Rāśis Dikpāla Bhāva

Budha, Pṛthvī, Agni Tattva Rāśis
1 East Sūrya Indra Lagna
Bṛhaspati Ākāśa Meṣa, Siṅha, Dhanu
Pṛthvī Tattva Rāśis
Maṅgala, Agni
3 South Maṅgala Vṛṣabha, Kanyā, Yama 10H
Sūrya Tattva
Makara
Vāyu Tattva Rāśis
5 West Śani, Rāhu Vāyu Śani Mithuna, Tulā, Varuṇa 7H
Kumbha
Jala Tattva Rāśis
7 North Śukra, Candra Jala Tattva Budha Karka, Vṛścika, Kubera 4H
Mīna

According to Pt. Sanjay Rath, when a Graha attains Dikbala in a Kuṇḍalī, the person
is blessed by the Dikpāla governing that direction. For instance, when Śani is in 7H, the
person is governed by Varuṇa. If such as person takes up activities or profession associated
with Varuṇa Devatā such as international trade, shipping, merchandizing etc., the native
attains success. He further suggests that when a Graha is in Dikbala from the Āruṛha Lagna,
the native attains success if he travels to that direction for profession and livelihood. He often
[2]
DIK, DIKP ĀLA AND D I K B A L A © S A R A J I T P O D D A R , 17 F E B 20 20

quotes my own case, whereby the Āruṛha Lagna is Meṣa, and the 4H is in Karka occupied by
Śukra. Śukra’s direction is South-East. At the commencement of Śukra Daśā, I travelled to
Singapore and grew decently well in my profession. According to him, one’s profession is
strongly associated with one’s image (the Āruṛha Lagna), hence Dikbala from the Āruṛha
Lagna indicate professional success in the direction indicated by the Dikbali Graha.
However, I am not convinced with his argument.
In my opinion, a Graha takes one to his direction when his Daśā is current, or he is
dominating through any other manner. For instance, Śukra can give strong results when his
Daśā is running or after Marriage, as Śukra is the Kāraka for marriage. whether the person
is successful in that direction should be seen from the disposition of the Graha from the
Lagna and Candra Lagna. In my Kuṇḍalī, Śukra is the 7 and 12L from Candra Lagna
occupying the 9H from Candra Lagna, indicating rise of luck and fortune through foreign
travel. From Sūrya Lagna Śukra is the 10L in the 12H, indicating foreign travel due to work.
Since, these yogas are present, my Kuṇḍalī can’t be used for proving the point that because
of Śukra’s Dikbala in from Āruṛha Lagna, I travelled to the Southeast direction and became
successful. I have given here various opinions, for the readers to test and chose what works
best for them.
The Dikbala directions i.e., Lagna = east, 7H = west can’t be used for ascertaining
the direction of success. For instance, merely because Śani is in the 7H, we should not say
that the person shall attain success in the western direction. This is because, these directions
don’t indicate the physical direction. The physical direction should be read from the
directions governed by the yoga giving Grahas. For instance, let’s say, in a Dhanu Lagna
Kuṇḍalī, Sūrya is the 9L in the 10H in Dikbala. The 10H represent the southern direction.
We should not say that the native will attain success in the southern direction. Instead, we
should say that Since Surya is a yoga giver in the Kuṇḍalī and is strong due to being in
Dikbala, one can attain success from Sūrya’s direction, which is East. Such a person should
be advised to go to Eastern direction to initiate his career or establish himself in life. The
direction in this matter is invariably reckoned from the place of birth and not the place of
residence.
The Dikbala directions represent the four paths in life, the four Goals, that are called
the Puruṣārthas, Dharma, Artha, Kāma and Mokṣa. The Lagna is associated with Dharma
as it the Kendra pivoting the Dharma Trikoṇa. 10H is Artha as it is the pivot of the Artha
Trikoṇa. 7H is Kāma and pivot of the Kāma Trikoṇa. And, 4H is Mokṣa and the pivot of the
Mokṣa Trikoṇa. The Kendras being the Pivot of the four Trikoṇa, play an important and
governing role in their attainment. A Graha attaining Dikbala in a Kuṇḍalī, indicating that
the Graha will help in the attainment of that Puruṣārtha. For instance, when Budha and
Bṛhaspati are in the Lagna, they help in attainment of Dharma. Likewise, Candra and Śukra
in the 4H help in attainment of Mokṣa.
The Dikbala becomes extremely potent when the Dikbala causing Grahas occupy
their Sva or Ucca Rāśi, where they give rise to Mahāpuruṣa Yoga. For instance, in a Kuṇḍalī,
Budha in Kanyā Lagna is an extremely potent yoga, as Budha is in Dikbala in Lagna and
giving rise to the Bhadra Mahāpuruṣa Yoga. The Tattvas are governed by only the 5 Tārā
Grahas, Maṅgala to Śani, hence, Sūrya and Candra don’t give rise to these yogas. Sūrya and
Candra are above them, as they are the royal couple, the King and the Queen and are
responsible for governing the entire creation, and the other Grahas. When Sūrya and Candra
attain Dikbala in their Sva or Ucca Rāśi, they give rise to the yogas for royalty and
governorship. Bṛhaspati is the Kāraka for Dharma. Hence, when a Graha attains Dikbala
[3]
DIK, DIKP ĀLA AND D I K B A L A © S A R A J I T P O D D A R , 17 F E B 20 20

and is simultaneous influenced by Bṛhaspati, through aspect or conjunction, the Graha

becomes even more potent and induced with Dharma, to impact the life’s path in a positive
direction.
The other conditions of the Dikbali Grahas must also be seen such as occupation of a
Mitra Rāśi, in a Sva, Ucca or Mitra Navāñśa etc. The Graha should also be devoid of
Pāpakartari yoga or defeat in a Graha Yuddha. When the Graha is strong overall, he can
influence one’s life in a powerful manner and a meaningful manner. In any case, the power
and impact of a Dikbali Graha should never be underestimated.

Om Tat Sat

[4]