Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj: An Astrological Insight into a Great Warrior's Life

(The source of this horoscope is purely authentic, taken from the book "Notable Horoscopes" by Dr. B.V. Raman. The birth details are 19th February 1630, at 18:26 PM, in Junnar, Maharashtra, India.)

Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, also known as Shivaji the Great, is considered one of the greatest warriors who ever lived. With both daring and diplomatic skills, he achieved remarkable feats in his life that are still discussed today. His exceptional leadership, military genius, and tactical mind are a source of inspiration and learning, which can be well understood through an analysis of his horoscope. Born to Shahaji Bhosale and Jijabai, Shivaji's early life was profoundly influenced by his mother's teachings, instilling in him a strong sense of pride in his land and culture, and a desire for independence from the prevailing Muslim sultanates.

Shivaji's Leo ascendant, whose lord Sun is sitting with Jupiter and Mercury in the 7th house in Aquarius, made him a great leader. This planetary placement gave him knowledge of ancient Hindu wisdom and transformed him into a spiritual warrior. The conjunction of Jupiter and Mercury provided him with both wit and wisdom for overcoming enemies, which is further represented by the placement of Mars and Rahu in a trine from this trio conjunction. At the same time, his Moon in Krittika Nakshatra, along with the 10th lord Venus in Aries (the sign of the god of war), are considered most fortunate placements for military achievements.

The lord of the 2nd and 11th houses, Mercury, with Jupiter, and the aspect of exalted Saturn on the 5th house where Ketu is present in its Mooltrikona sign of Sagittarius, made him a regal and wealthy king. Ketu in Sagittarius aspected by Mars indicates a warrior riding on horses. The valor of Shivaji was not only shown through immense bold actions but also in knowing when to back down and act smartly to attain the desired result. This quality is indicated by Saturn in a Venusian sign, aspected by Venus in the 3rd house.

His first significant conquest was around 1646, when he conquered forts in Pune at a very young age. This occurred during his Mars Mahadasha, as Mars is a Yogakaraka for a Leo ascendant, sitting in the 11th house of achievements with aggressive and militaristic Rahu in Ardra Nakshatra, represented by Rudra (fierce Shiva) himself, symbolic of Shivaji. In 1659, when Afzal Khan, a formidable general from the Bijapur Sultanate, came to subdue Shivaji, Shivaji famously met him and, in a daring act of self-defense, killed him. This victory not only routed the Bijapur army but also solidified Shivaji's reputation as a fearless and cunning leader. This event took place during his Rahu Mahadasha, with Mercury and subsequently Ketu Antardasha, helping him overcome his enemies, as the 11th house acts as the 6th from the 6th house.

In 1663, Mughal governor Shaista Khan occupied Pune and Lal Mahal. In a daring and swift night raid, Shivaji attacked Shaista Khan's camp, injuring him and forcing him to retreat. This audacious act was a major blow to Mughal prestige, occurring during his Rahu-Venus and Rahu-Sun Dashas, both of which involved the ascendant lord (Sun) and 9th lord (Mars), favoring any action taken during these periods. In 1666, Shivaji's imprisonment by Aurangzeb in Agra and his subsequent audacious escape disguised in a basket of sweets is one of the most legendary episodes of his life. This escape further cemented his image as an invincible and resourceful leader. The reason for Shivaji's great escape was the Chidra Dasha of Rahu and Mars, both being Yogakarakas and sitting in the 6th place from the 6th house, indicating overcoming enemies. Traps and imprisonment are seen from the 6th and 12th houses and Saturn, where the lord of the 6th house, Saturn, in the 3rd house of freedom, sitting in a trine from the Dasha lords, helped in his escape.

Finally, in 1674, Shivaji formally crowned himself as Chhatrapati (Emperor) at Raigad Fort, signifying the establishment of an independent Maratha Empire and asserting his sovereignty over the Deccan. This was a powerful statement against Mughal dominance. For becoming a king ruling over an empire, the horoscope must promise such status with specific kingship yogas. Firstly, the Sun with Jupiter sitting in the 10th house from the Moon made him a king. Being a Leo ascendant, with the 5th lord of power, Jupiter, and the 4th lord in the 11th house in a trine from the 5th lord, is a maker of a king. Two benefics, Jupiter and Mercury, in the 10th house from the Moon, also support making a person noble and lordly.

Dr. B.V. Raman also mentioned a yoga that makes a person a king, where a relationship between Venus, Mars, and Ketu should be present with either Kendra or Trikona houses. In Shivaji's chart, Ketu in the 5th house aspecting Venus in the 9th and Mars in the 11th manifested this yoga. The Gajakesari Yoga of power is also formed in Shivaji's horoscope, with Jupiter and Moon in Kendra from each other.

Furthermore, Shivaji possesses very special yogas mentioned by ancient texts in Jyotisharnava Navanitam, such as Akhand Samrajya Yoga, which is formed when the lord of the 2nd, 9th, or 11th house is in a Kendra (1st, 4th, 7th, 10th) house from the Moon, while Jupiter is the lord of the 2nd, 5th, or 11th house. Here, he has the lord of the 2nd and 11th, Mercury, in the 10th house from the Moon, while Jupiter, the lord of the 5th house, sits with it. He also has Raja Sambandha Yoga, as stated in Brihat Parashar Hora Shastra, where the lord of the 10th house from the ascendant is conjunct or aspected by the Amatyakaraka, or is itself conjunct or aspected by it. In Shivaji's case, the 10th lord Venus, sitting in the 9th house, is directly aspected by the exalted Amatyakaraka, Saturn.