The aim of this article is to discuss how a powerful yoga like this traces back to the roots of the Kalpa-Vriksha (celestial tree).
Kalpa Vriksha is the celestial tree which grants all wishes. During the Sagar Manthan in which the Devas and Asuras churned the cosmic ocean the first thing to come out was halaahal (poison). This was later consumed by Siva to enable the manthan to proceed forward. Siva thus came to be known as NeelaKantha (the blue necked one). After the poison was consumed several other beautiful gifts emerged from the ocean. They consisted of various people, animals and treasures. They were Kamadhenu (the wish fulfilling cow), the Ucchaishrava (the white horse), Airavata (the white elephant), Kaustubhamani (a rare diamond), Kalpavriksha (the wish fulfilling tree), Lakshmi (the goddess of wealth), Sura or Varuni (the goddess of wine), and finally Dhanvantari (the divine physician) with the vessel of Amrita in his skilful hands. These objects except the last one were divided between the devas and the demons. Out of these the one in context to this article is kalpavriksha. Let us find more significations to kalpavriksha.
Vasudeva's (Lord Krishna) love for cows was known all over. Even in the realm of spirituality the Lord is found engaging in herding the spiritual cows.
cintamani-prakara-sadmasu kalpavriksha-
lakshavrteshu surabhir abhipaalayantam
lakshmi-sahasra-sata-sambhrama-sevyamanam
govindam aadi-purusham tam aham bhajami
[Brahma-Samhita]
The meaning of the above from Brahma Samhita states that "Lord Krishna is resident in an abode of spirituality. That abode is full of treasures and precious gems. And in that abode he is surrounded by many wish/desire fulfilling trees called 'Kalpa-Vrikshas'. He takes great pleasure in tending the divine cows. He is always being served with great reverence and affection by hundreds of thousands of devotees. To that Supreme Lord, who is always trying to satisfy the senses of the cows, and who is the original person, I offer my worship."
Another incident states that one day Parvati made a request to her Lord to take her to the grove of Nandankanan. Shiva took her there and all the trees in that grove were very beautiful. Parvati asked the Lord to point a tree which was more special than the rest. The Lord replied that all are very beautiful but the tree that you are leaning against is special. The Lord said that the tree is called Kalpavriksh. Kalpa means desire and vriksh means tree. And anything that one desires for one will immediately get it. The Expression of Kaameshwari is indeed the fulfillment of desire by this tree.
The word kalpa-druma is further derived from kalpa-vriksh and means nothing but a tree which fulfills all wishes/boons. The person who is supposed to be the possessor of kalpa-druma is the deva of devas (god of gods) viz. Devendra.
Now with this essence of kalpavriksha and kalpa-druma let us delve into a yoga in Jyotish Shastra called KALPADRUMA YOGA. This yoga is also known as Parijata Yoga. Parijata denotes the sacred/celestial flower and kalpa-vriksh the celestial tree. The essence of both the names comes out beautifully in the BPHS Shloka below and the examples discussed.
In Brihat Parasara Hora Shastra, 36:33-34 Parasara quotes the famous Kalpadruma yoga
Note the following 4 grahas -
If all the 4 grahas defined above are disposed in angles and trines from the lagna, or be exalted, only then Kalpadruma yoga exists. Anyone with this yoga will be endowed with all kinds of treasures and wealth, be a king, pious, strong, fond of war and be very merciful.
Let us take some examples to discuss this yoga.
SWAMI PRABHUPADA
Birth Details:
Sep 1, 1896
15:25:00
88E22; 22 N34
Offset: GMT+6 (closer to 6)
Shri Prabhupada has a dhanur lagna with Guru and Surya in the 9th bhava. If we apply the above conditions to Srila Prabhupadas chart, we get,
BIRTH CHART
NAVAMSA
1. Lagnesh - Guru
2. Dispositor of Lagnesh - Surya
3. Dispositor of Surya - Surya
4. Navamsa dispositor of Surya - Budha
We will find that Guru and Surya are disposed in a trine (9th Bhava) and Budha is disposed in a Kendra in both rasi and navamsa. Srila Prabhupada was the most gifted soul in the knowledge of Vedanta and Krishna Conciousness. Srila Prabhupada in just 12 years in his old age traveled all around the globe giving vedantic lectures. His writings have been translated in many languages and is regarded as a great treasure. His writings consist of Vedic philosophy, religion, literature, culture amongst others. His extensive commentary on the Bhagawad Gita is well known.
BALAGANGADHAR TILAK
Birth Details
July 23, 1856
06:12:00
73E57 18N32 (Ratnagiri)
Offset: GMT+5.5
BIRTH CHART
NAVAMSA
5. Lagnesh - Moon
6. Dispositor of Lagnesh - Guru
7. Dispositor of Guru - Guru
8. Navamsa dispositor of Guru - Guru
All of the above are in a trine from the natal ascendant and hence form a kalpadruma yoga. Bala Gangadhar Tilak Ji was a mathematician, philosopher and a nationalist. He helped lay the pillars for India's independence. He founded and served as president of the Indian Home Rule League. In 1907, at a congress session, Bal Gangadhar Tilak proclaimed "Swaraj is my birthright and I shall have it". He struggled and sacrificed for his country.
OM Tat Sat
Sanjay Aggarwal