It is natural that everyone expects a long life with a healthy body. But because of past karma, we go through certain difficult phases in life.

It is stated in Samskrit that,

पूर्व जन्म क्रुतम् पापम् व्याधि रूपॆण बाध्यतॆ ।

(poorva janma kritam papam vyadhi roopeNa baadhyate)

which means that a person suffers from diseases because of accumulated sinful deeds performed in the past births. Which is called karmic debt or karma phala.

Balarishta Dosha

According to scriptures, the lifespan of a human being can be divided into four groups.

1. 1. Alpayu or Short life - It means the death between 0 to 32 years

   2. Madhyayu or Medium life - It means the death between 33 to 65 years

   3. Poornayu or Long life - It means the death between 66 to 100 years

   4. Amitayu or Infinite life - Life more than 100 years

Under Alpayu there are three categories. They are:

1. 1. Balarishta or death before the age of 8 years

   2. Madhyarishta or death before the age of 20 years

   3. Yogarishta or death before the age of 32 years

The above three categories are called arishta or evil in astrology. Out of these, life till the age of 8 years is very crucial for every child. Parents have a large role to play in this time period, especially mother. Balarishta by definition means inauspicious or evil time during infancy. It does not necessarily mean death of the child, but it is like a ‘death like situation’. If the affliction is intense and there are no mitigating factors, then death may occur. The child may undergo severe health issues or any other kind of adversity.

Old age diseases are a normal occurrence. But what causes diseases to come in childhood? As said above, It might be because of past karma. These bad karmas may fructify in the form of deficiency of nutrients while in the mother’s womb or for any other reason.

According to astrology scriptures, Moon plays an important role in Balarishta analysis. This is because the Moon signifies the mind. It is said that the mind carries memory from past lives and we get rebirth because of this past memory. If there is a pleasant memory, we will have a peaceful incarnation. We have to suffer if there is an unpleasant memory. This is what we call it as ‘Karma’. When the Moon is weak or placed in malefic houses and influenced by malefic planets, it may lead to Balarishta. However, one has to give importance to other factors like lagna/lagna lord, Sun (karaka for health), Jupiter, and other benefic planets.

Combinations for Balarishta

There are many combinations of planets mentioned in different scriptures. The important aspect in determining whether balarishta dosha is present or not in the horoscope is by taking into the following houses.

Lagna/Lagna lord

Lagna or ascendant is the foundation of any chart. Therefore, the analysis of lagna is very important. A strong lagna / lagna lord, can mitigate many doshas in a horoscope

Moon Sign

Vedic astrology gives a lot of importance on the Moon sign, especially for Balarishta. This is because Moon signifies the mind and the mind carries memory from past lives. If there is any nasty memory, then it may lead the child to suffer in the present life.

Kendra or Angular houses

These houses are like pillars of the horoscope. When the foundation and pillars are weak, we cannot say that the house is strongly built. Similarly when ascendant (foundation) and kendra houses are weak, then the horoscope will be considered weak.

Jupiter

Jupiter is considered the greatest benefic planet. It is said that, when Jupiter occupies ascendant, many of the doshas get canceled. A strong Jupiter is a boon for any horoscope

Dostana or malefic houses

6th, 8th, and 12th houses are considered as dusthana houses. When these houses are spoiled, then also the problem arises. Even maraka houses (2nd and 7th houses) also should be analyzed for the balarishta dosha.

Navamsa Chart

Navamsa chart is used to judge the strength and weakness of the planets.

Different combinations mentioned in different classics for Balarishta are:

--> When Moon is positioned in 6th, 8th or 12th house, with negative influence or aspect from malefic planets like Mars, Saturn, Rahu and Ketu. The intensity will be more when ascendant also weak or afflicted.

--> If Waning Moon is posited in 12th house and malefic planets placed in 1st and 8th houses. And also Kendra houses are devoid of any benefic influence.

--> If the ascendant, the descendant and the Moon sign are all occupied by malefic planets and there is no benefic aspect on these houses

--> If retrograde benefic planets are occupied in 6th, 8th or 12th houses, which are aspected by malefic planets. And also lagna and Moon sign are weak

--> If eclipsed Moon or the Sun occupy ascendant while malefic planets like Mars or Saturn occupy 8th house

--> When Moon is placed in ascendant with papakartari yoga without any benefic aspect and also malefics are positioned in 7th and 8th houses

--> When Weak Moon is occupied in kendra/kona houses afflicted by powerful malefics and devoid of any benefic influence

--> Birth in the time of eclipse and ascendant is aspected by malefic planets

There are many other combinations mentioned in classical texts. But largely the above houses should be analysed properly.

Balarishta Bhanga or Weakening factors for Balarishta bhanga

There are many neutralizing factors which can be seen in the horoscope, which will nullify Balarishta. If these combinations are there in the horoscope, then nothing to worry about balarishta.

--> When Jupiter is in lagna with strength

--> When Moon posited in dignified position or influenced by benefics

--> Lagna is the most important in terms of health. When lagna and its lord are well positioned, balarishta effect is reduced

--> When benefic planets are strong and malefic planets are weak

--> When Kendra (angular) houses and Trikona (trinal) houses are strongly placed

Influence of Balarishta on Muhurta and Prasna Charts

The concept of Balarishta can be applied to Muhurta and Prasna charts as well. When balarishta dosha is present in a muhurta chart, then the work performed either be short lived or there may be many obstacles.Therefore it will be very critical in avoiding balarishta while selecting muhurta time.

The same rule can be applied to prasna charts too. If there is ever a balarishta present in a prasna chart, then we can infer that the query will be either short-lived or querist has to face many hurdles on that particular question.