BHṚGUBINDU

BHṚGUBINDU

Bhṛgubindu, often designated as BB in a Kuṇḍalī is a sensitive point in a Kuṇḍalī. It is the midpoint between Rāhu and Candra. This concept is popularised by Pt. CS Patel, a stalwart in Jyotiṣaśāstra, and one who has contributed immensely to this subject through his painstaking research. He includes a chapter in Bhṛgubindu in chapter 14 of Nāḍī Astrology. He quotes Bhṛgu Nandi Nāḍī, stating “… the native suffers from Meha and phlegmatic troubles. He gets rid of troubles with the aid of a friend… This happens when Bṛhaspati transits the midpoint of Rāhu and Candra”. This, he states, is from page 363 of the cyclostyled translation of Bhṛgu Nandi Nāḍī by Pt. RG Rao.

The Bhṛgubindu is the midpoint between Rāhu and Candra (note, not between Candra and Rāhu, which is the opposite point of Bhṛgubindu). To determine this, we need to determine how far Candra is from Rāhu. Divide it by two and add it to Rāhu’s sphuṭa. For instance, if in a Kuṇḍalī Candra is 226.6336 and Rāhu is 231.9001. The distance of Candra from Rāhu is Candra – Rāhu = 226.6336 – 231.9001 = -5.2665. Since the result is negative, we must add 360 to it, which makes it 354.7335. The half of the distance is 177.36675, which when added to Rāhu becomes 177.36675 + 231.9001 = 409.26685. Since it is more than 360, we must subtract from it 360. This gives us 49.26685°, which is the Sphuṭa of Bhṛgubindu. Therefore, the formula is Rāhu + (Candra – Rāhu) / 2.

Some scholars advise finding the Bhṛgubindu by adding the Sphuṭa of Candra and Rāhu and dividing the sum by 2. For instance, in our example it is (226.6336 + 231.9001)/2 = 229.2669. This is certainly not the answer that we are looking for. Because, in this case, the Bhṛgubindu is (Candra + Rāhu)/2 + 180 = 229.2669 + 180 = 409.2669 = 49.2669. Therefore, there are two formulae for determining the Bhṛgubindu: (1) If Candra is ahead of Rāhu, i.e., within 180° of Rāhu, then the formula is (Candra + Rāhu)/2, and (2) If Candra is behind Rāhu, i.e., above 180° of Rāhu, then the formula is (Candra + Rāhu)/2 + 180.

What is the speed of Bhṛgubindu? According to Sūryasiddhānta, the number of revolutions of Candra in a Mahāyuga is 57753336 and that of Rāhu is -232238. Therefore, the relative speed of Candra from Rāhu is 57753336 + 232238 = 57985574. This means Candra makes 57985574 revolutions with regards to Rāhu in a Mahāyuga. The Bhṛgubindu does half of it, i.e., 28992787. However, there is a peculiar trait of this sensitive point, which is, it jumps 180° every time Candra crosses Rāhu. Nonetheless, in 1577917828 sidereal days, the revolution of Bhṛgubindu is 28992787, therefore, in one day it is, 28992787 / 1577917828 = 0.01837408 revolutions = 0.01837408 * 360 = 6.614669°. Therefore, the speed of Bhṛgubindu is 6.614669°/ day.

How this sensitive point is used? It can be used in two different ways, (1) Judging the Gocara of Grahas with regards to the Janma Bhṛgubindu, and (2) Judging the Bhṛgubindu’s Gocara on the Natal Grahas. Pt. Patel gives an example of the assassination of Smt. Indira Gandhi, whereby Janma Bhṛgubindu is 8r 23° 5’ and at the time of her assassination, Maṅgala was in 8r 24°50’, and Śani was having his 3rd dṛṣṭi on this sensitive point from 6r 24°5’.

Śrī RG Rao explains in the principle given from Bhṛgu Nandi Nāḍī that, the native can overcome his ailment when Bṛhaspati transits the Bhṛgubindu. This tells us that when the Bhṛgubindu is transited by Śubhagrahas, the native can overcome troubles. Besides the Gocara analysis, Bhṛgubindu should be assessed in the Janmakuṇḍalī as well as Daśā. In the Janmakuṇḍalī, the Bhṛgubindu’s Rāśi, Nakṣatra and Bhāva tell us about the area in life where the native is heavily involved, so much so that the Kārakatva of the Bhāva, Rāśi and Nakṣatra hardly leaves the person. This is because, Rāhu shows the unfinished Karma that we brought from the past life, and Candra denotes the mind that manifests the Karma. The native finds himself/ herself drawn towards the indications of the Bhāva too frequently.

Om Tat Sat

By varahmihir