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Marriage, Spouse, and the 7th House in Vedic Astrology

Brihat Parashara Hora Shastra
10 Categories · 48 Slokas

Content

1
The 7th Lord and Marital Happiness
How the strength and placement of the 7th lord shapes overall marital wellbeing
Rule
2
Venus and the 7th House
The effect of Venus, the natural significator of marriage, sitting in the 7th house
Rule
3
Sexual Companions by Planet
Each planet in the 7th house and the type of sexual partner it indicates
Rule
4
Wife's Physical Nature by Planet
How Mars, Saturn, Jupiter, and Venus in the 7th house shape the wife's physical appearance
Rule
5
Sexual Preferences and Marital Dynamics
Combinations that describe the native's intimate preferences and power dynamics in marriage
Rule
6
The Virtuous Wife and Family Legacy
A powerful positive combination that brings a virtuous spouse and expansion of the family line
Rule
7
Loss of Wife and Marital Unhappiness
Conditions that weaken the 7th house and deny marital happiness
Rule
8
Multiple Marriages
Combinations indicating two, three, or many marriages in the native's life
Rule
9
Timing of Marriage
Specific planetary placements that point to the age at which marriage is likely
Rule
10
Threats to the Wife's Life
Severe combinations that endanger the wife's health or longevity
Rule
1

The 7th Lord and Marital Happiness

Rule
The 7th house governs marriage and partnership. Before looking at any specific planet, the first thing to check is the condition of the 7th lord itself. A strong, well-placed 7th lord is the foundation for a happy marriage; a weak or afflicted one signals trouble from the start.
Sloka 1
जायाभावफलं वक्ष्ये श्रणु त्व द्विजसत्तम ! ।
जायाधिपे स्वभे स्वोच्चे स्त्रीसुखं पूर्णमादिशेत् ॥१॥
IF The 7th lord is placed in his own sign or in his sign of exaltation
Result
The native enjoys full happiness through his wife.
Explanation

When the lord of a house sits comfortably in a sign where it has full dignity, it delivers the best results of that house. The 7th lord in its own sign or exaltation sign means the planet is strong and at ease. It can fully protect and nourish everything the 7th house represents: a good marriage, a supportive spouse, and genuine happiness in partnership.

Sloka 2
कलत्रपो विना स्वर्क्षं व्ययषष्ठाष्टमस्थितः ।
रोगिणीं कुरुते नारीं तथा तुझ्नदिकं विना ॥२॥
IF The 7th lord is placed in the 6th, 8th, or 12th house
AND The 7th lord is not in his own sign or exaltation sign
EXCEPT Aries ascendant (7th lord Venus is exalted in the 12th house, Pisces)
EXCEPT Taurus ascendant (7th lord Mars is in own sign in the 12th house, Aries) and Scorpio ascendant (7th lord Venus is in own sign in the 12th house, Libra)
EXCEPT Leo ascendant (7th lord Saturn is in own sign in the 6th house, Capricorn)
EXCEPT Cancer ascendant (7th lord Saturn is in own sign in the 8th house, Aquarius)
Result
The native's wife will be sickly.
Explanation

The 6th, 8th, and 12th houses are called dusthana houses. They represent disease, hidden troubles, and loss. When the 7th lord lands in one of these houses without the protection of its own sign or exaltation, it brings those difficult energies into the marriage. The wife's health suffers because her significator is sitting in a place associated with illness and hardship.

The 7th house can also be treated as the wife's ascendant. From that perspective, the 12th house of the chart becomes the 6th from the 7th, which is the house of disease for the wife. So the 7th lord in the 12th is especially damaging to her health. Similarly, when the lord of any house falls into the 8th or 12th from that house, the significations of that house are said to be destroyed.

The exceptions are specific ascendants where the 7th lord happens to land in its own sign or exaltation even while sitting in a dusthana. In those cases, the planet has enough dignity to protect the wife's health despite the difficult house placement.

Slokas 4–5 (Strong 7th Lord)
जायाधीशः शुभैर्युक्तो दृष्टो वा बलसंयुतः ।
तदा जातो धनी मानी सुखसौभाग्यसंयुतः ॥४॥
IF The 7th lord is strong
AND The 7th lord is conjunct with or aspected by benefic planets
Result
The native will be wealthy, honourable, happy, and fortunate.
Explanation

A strong 7th lord receiving support from benefics is one of the best indicators for married life. The 7th house does not only govern the spouse; it also influences wealth (through partnerships and social standing), reputation, and overall fortune. When benefics nurture the 7th lord, all of these areas flourish together.

Slokas 4–5 (Weak 7th Lord)
नीचे शत्रुगृहेऽस्ते वा निर्बले च कलत्रपे ।
तस्यापि रोगिणी भार्या बहुभार्यो नरो भवेत् ॥५॥
IF The 7th lord is weak
AND The 7th lord is in debilitation, or in an enemy's sign, or is combust
Result
The wife will be sickly, and the native will have many wives.
Explanation

This is the reverse of the previous rule. When the 7th lord is debilitated, sitting in an enemy sign, or burned by the Sun (combust), it cannot protect the 7th house properly. The wife's health suffers, and because the marriage does not sustain, the native ends up with multiple partners over time. In modern context, "many wives" likely indicates remarriage after divorce, serial relationships, or multiple significant partnerships rather than simultaneous marriages.

2

Venus and the 7th House

Rule
Venus is the natural significator (karaka) of marriage, love, and sexual pleasure. When Venus herself occupies the 7th house, there is a doubling of sexual energy, because both the planet and the house share the same theme. Maharishi Parasara gives two distinct results depending on whether Venus is alone or afflicted.
Sloka 3 (Venus in the 7th)
सप्तमे तु स्थिते शुक्रेऽतीवकामी भवेन्नरः ।
यत्र-कुत्र-स्थिते पापयुते स्त्रीमरणं भवेत् ॥३॥
IF Venus is placed in the 7th house
Result
The native will be excessively lustful.
Explanation

Venus governs desire, attraction, and sensual pleasure. The 7th house governs intimate relationships. When the planet of desire sits directly in the house of partnership, both influences amplify each other. The native develops an unusually strong drive toward physical intimacy and romantic pursuits.

Sloka 3 (Venus with Malefic)
सप्तमे तु स्थिते शुक्रेऽतीवकामी भवेन्नरः ।
यत्र-कुत्र-स्थिते पापयुते स्त्रीमरणं भवेत् ॥३॥
IF Venus is placed in any house
AND Venus is conjunct with a malefic planet
Result
The native's wife will die.
Explanation

Venus is the karaka for the wife. When she is afflicted by a malefic planet in any house of the chart, the signification she represents gets damaged. In modern context, this classical "death of wife" likely indicates severe marital difficulty, separation, divorce, or a serious health crisis for the spouse. The key point is that Venus anywhere in the chart, when joined by a cruel planet, harms the marriage, not just Venus in the 7th.

3

Sexual Companions by Planet

Rule
Maharishi Parasara describes the type of sexual companion the native is drawn to based on which planet sits in the 7th house. These descriptions reflect the social categories of ancient India. In the original context, each planet's nature was mapped to a specific type of woman. In a modern reading, the underlying meaning points to the personality, social background, or lifestyle of the partner. The condition of Venus in the chart is also important: if Venus is debilitated, the native is more likely to have loose morals regardless of other placements. In a society where sexual freedom exists, these results may manifest exactly as described. Where such freedom does not exist, additional malefic influence on the 7th house is typically needed for these combinations to become active.
Slokas 7–8½ (Sun in 7th)
वन्ध्यासङ्गो मदे भानौ चन्द्रे राशिसमन्वियः ।
IF The Sun is placed in the 7th house
Result
The native will have the company of a barren woman.
Explanation

The Sun is a hot, dry, and separative planet. When he occupies the house of partnership, the partner may face fertility challenges or may choose not to have children. In modern terms, this could indicate a spouse who has difficulty conceiving or who simply prefers a child-free life. If Venus is also weak or debilitated in the chart, these tendencies become stronger.

Slokas 7–8½ (Moon in 7th)
चन्द्रे राशिसमन्वियः ।
IF The Moon is placed in the 7th house
Result
The native will have a wife whose nature matches the sign in the 7th house.
Explanation

The Moon is receptive and adaptable. Rather than imposing a fixed personality on the spouse, the Moon takes on the color of whatever sign it sits in. So the partner's temperament, behavior, and disposition will closely match the qualities of the 7th house sign. For example, if the 7th sign is Aries, the wife may be bold and fiery; if it is Taurus, she may be grounded and sensual. This makes the Moon in the 7th unique: the sign matters more than the planet.

Slokas 7–8½ (Mars in 7th)
कुज्रे रजस्वलासङ्गो रजस्वहा सङ्गो वन्ध्यासङ्ग्रु कीर्तितः ॥७॥
IF Mars is placed in the 7th house
Result
The native will have the company of a menstruating girl, and the partner may also be barren.
Explanation

Mars is a fiery, aggressive planet associated with blood, heat, and raw physical energy. The classical description connects Mars in the 7th to a partner who is physically passionate and intense. The reference to menstruation reflects Mars's natural association with blood and the reproductive cycle. The additional note about barrenness suggests that despite strong physical attraction, fertility may be an issue. In modern terms, the partner is likely passionate and physically oriented, but there could be challenges around reproduction.

Slokas 7–8½ (Mercury in 7th)
बुधे वेश्या च हीना न वणिक् स्त्री वा प्रकीर्तिता ।
IF Mercury is placed in the 7th house
Result
The native will befriend a harlot, a low-caste woman, or a woman from the trading community.
Explanation

Mercury is a youthful, curious, and somewhat restless planet. He is also classified as a eunuch planet, lacking the strong masculine or feminine commitment energy. In classical society this translated to partners from unconventional social backgrounds. In modern terms, this likely points to a spouse or partner who has an independent, unconventional approach to relationships, possibly someone from a business or commercial background, or someone who does not fit traditional expectations of a partner. If Venus is debilitated in the chart, these tendencies become more pronounced.

Slokas 7–8½ (Jupiter in 7th)
गुरौ ब्राह्मणभार्या स्यार्त्विग्भिणीसङ् एव च ॥८॥
IF Jupiter is placed in the 7th house
Result
The native will have relations with the wife of a Brahmin or with a pregnant woman.
Explanation

Jupiter is the planet of wisdom, spirituality, and expansion. In the classical world, Brahmins represented the most educated and spiritually refined class. Jupiter in the 7th connects the native to partners from cultured, educated, or spiritually inclined backgrounds. The reference to a pregnant woman reflects Jupiter's natural association with fertility and growth. In modern terms, this points to attraction toward well-educated or spiritually oriented partners, and the partner may already be involved in another relationship or come from a respected family background.

Slokas 7–8½ (Saturn, Rahu, or Ketu in 7th)
हीना च पुष्पिणी वाच्या मन्दराहुकुफणीश्वरैः ।
IF Saturn, Rahu, or Ketu is placed in the 7th house
Result
The native will have relations with a base woman and with a woman having menses.
Explanation

Saturn, Rahu, and Ketu are all naturally malefic and carry energies of darkness, secrecy, and unconventional behavior. Saturn brings delay and hardship, Rahu amplifies desire in unusual directions, and Ketu creates detachment and confusion. Together in the 7th house, they point toward partners from difficult circumstances or socially marginalized backgrounds. In modern context, this combination likely indicates attraction to partners who are unconventional, who come from troubled backgrounds, or whose lifestyle does not align with social norms. The underlying theme is that the native's partnerships will involve some element of taboo or social complication.

4

Wife's Physical Nature by Planet

Rule
Maharishi Parasara now shifts from the type of companion to the physical appearance of the wife. Each planet in the 7th house leaves its signature on the wife's body, especially the breasts in these classical descriptions. The logic follows each planet's inherent nature: Mars rules flesh and muscle, Saturn brings dryness and weakness, Jupiter gives firmness and strength, and Venus confers beauty and fullness.
Slokas 9–9½ (Mars in 7th)
कुजेऽथ सुरतनी मन्दे व्याधिदौर्बल्यसंयुता ॥९॥
IF Mars is placed in the 7th house
Result
The wife will have attractive breasts.
Explanation

Mars is the significator of flesh and muscular tissue in the body. Since flesh is the primary element in the structure of the breasts, Mars in the 7th house gives fullness and attractiveness to this part of the body. In broader modern terms, this classical description points to a spouse with a strong, attractive physical presence. Mars brings vitality to whatever house it occupies, and here it shapes the wife's physical build in a noticeable way.

Slokas 9–9½ (Saturn in 7th)
मन्दे व्याधिदौर्बल्यसंयुता ॥९॥
IF Saturn is placed in the 7th house
Result
The wife will be sickly and weak.
Explanation

Saturn is a cold, dry planet that brings deficiency wherever it sits. In the body, Saturn is associated with bones, veins, and lack of nourishment. When Saturn occupies the 7th house, the wife's physical constitution tends toward weakness: there may be prominent veins, dryness, and a general lack of vitality. The classical description points to a thin, frail build and chronic health concerns. In modern context, this combination suggests a spouse who may struggle with health issues or have a naturally slender, low-energy constitution.

Slokas 9–9½ (Jupiter in 7th)
कठिनोर्ध्वकुचार्ये च शुक्रे स्थूलोत्तमस्तनी ।
IF Jupiter is placed in the 7th house
Result
The wife will have hard and prominent breasts.
Explanation

Jupiter is traditionally described as having a strong, muscular, and firm body. When Jupiter influences the 7th house, this firmness and solidity transfers to the wife's physical constitution. The classical description of "hard and prominent" reflects Jupiter's quality of strength and substance. In modern terms, this points to a spouse with a robust, well-built physical frame and a strong, noticeable presence.

Slokas 9–9½ (Venus in 7th)
शुक्रे स्थूलोत्तमस्तनी ।
IF Venus is placed in the 7th house
Result
The wife will have bulky and excellent breasts.
Explanation

Venus is considered the most beautiful planet. She represents charm, sensuality, and physical grace. When Venus sits in the 7th house, the wife is blessed with physical attractiveness and fullness. The classical language emphasizes abundance and beauty in the wife's form. In modern terms, Venus in the 7th consistently points to a spouse who is physically attractive and has a strong, appealing physical presence.

5

Sexual Preferences and Marital Dynamics

Rule
Maharishi Parasara now moves into more sensitive territory: the power dynamics within a marriage and the native's intimate preferences. These slokas describe combinations where the native is controlled by the spouse, where the spouse is unfaithful, and where specific planetary connections to Venus shape unconventional sexual desires. The classical language is explicit, and modern context is provided below each rule.
Slokas 10–13½ (Henpecked Husband)
पापे द्वादशकामस्थे क्षीणचन्द्रस्तु पञ्चमे ॥१०॥
जातश्च · भार्यावश्यः स्यादिति जातिविरोधकृत् ।
IF Malefic planets occupy the 12th and the 6th houses
AND A waning Moon (below 90° from the Sun) is in the 5th house
Result
The native will be a henpecked husband and will act against the interests of his own family.
Explanation

The waning Moon represents a weakened mind and reduced willpower. When this weak Moon sits in the 5th house (the house of intellect and judgment) while malefics press from the 6th and 12th (enemies and losses), the native loses the ability to assert himself. The spouse dominates the household. The phrase "inimical to his race" means the native's decisions, made under the spouse's influence, may harm his own family's interests and reputation. In modern context, this combination points to someone who consistently defers to the partner at the expense of their own family relationships.

Slokas 10–13½ (Unfaithful Wife)
जामित्रे मन्दभौमे च तदीशे मन्दभूमिजे ॥११॥
वेश्या वा जारिणी वाऽपि तस्य भार्या न संशयः ।
IF Saturn or Mars is placed in the 7th house
Result
The native's wife will be a harlot or will have illicit relations with other men. There is no doubt in this.
Explanation

Saturn and Mars are both natural malefics, and they bring very different kinds of damage to the 7th house. Mars adds aggression, impulsiveness, and uncontrolled passion. Saturn brings detachment, dissatisfaction, and coldness. Either planet in the 7th house disturbs the loyalty and fidelity of the marriage. Maharishi Parasara is emphatic here, adding "no doubt" to the prediction. In modern context, this classical description probably refers to a spouse with an independent or unconventional approach to relationships, where fidelity may be a challenge. The strength of Venus and other supporting factors will determine how strongly this manifests.

Slokas 10–13½ (Venus-Mars Connection)
भौमांशकगते शुक्रे भौमक्षेत्रगतेऽथवा ॥१२॥
भौमयुक्रे च दृष्टे वा भगचुम्बनभागु भवेत् ।
IF Venus is in the Navamsha of Mars
OR Venus is in a sign of Mars (Aries or Scorpio)
OR Venus is conjunct with Mars
OR Venus is aspected by Mars
Result
The native will be disposed to kiss the private parts of his wife.
Explanation

When Venus (the planet of desire and pleasure) comes under the influence of Mars (the planet of raw passion and aggression), the native's intimate preferences become more intense and physical. Mars pushes Venus beyond conventional boundaries. The classical text is explicit here. In modern context, this combination likely indicates unconventional sexual preferences or a strong orientation toward physical intimacy that goes beyond what was considered normal in the classical framework. Any form of connection between Venus and Mars, whether through sign, Navamsha, conjunction, or aspect, can activate this result.

Slokas 10–13½ (Venus-Saturn Connection)
मन्दांशकगते शुक्रे मन्दक्षेत्रगतेऽपि च ॥१३॥
मन्दयुक्रे च दृष्टे च शिश्नचुम्बनतत्परः ।
IF Venus is in the Navamsha of Saturn
OR Venus is in a sign of Saturn (Capricorn or Aquarius)
OR Venus is conjunct with Saturn
OR Venus is aspected by Saturn
Result
The native will be ready to kiss the private parts of the male.
Explanation

Saturn's influence on Venus takes desire in a different direction than Mars does. Where Mars adds heat and physicality, Saturn adds heaviness, unconventionality, and transgression of social norms. The classical text describes what it considers the most extreme deviation from expected behavior. In modern context, this combination likely indicates non-heterosexual tendencies or unconventional intimate relationships. Saturn's cold, boundary-breaking nature combined with Venus's desire creates attractions that fall outside the classical definition of conventional partnership.

6

The Virtuous Wife and Family Legacy

Rule
After covering many difficult combinations, Maharishi Parasara gives one of the most positive rules in this chapter. When several strong factors align, the native is blessed with a truly virtuous spouse and the continuation of the family line through sons and grandsons.
Slokas 14–15
दारेशे स्वोच्चराशिस्थे मदे शुभसमन्विते ॥१४॥
लग्नेशो बलसंयुक्तः कलत्रस्थानसंयुतः ।
तद्भार्या सद्गुणोपेता पुत्रपौत्रप्रवर्धिनी ॥१५॥
IF The 7th lord is in his sign of exaltation
AND The 7th house is occupied by a benefic planet
AND The ascendant lord is strong and placed in the 7th house
Result
The native's wife will be endowed with virtues and will expand his dynasty through sons and grandsons.
Explanation

Three strong factors must come together here: the 7th lord at peak strength (exaltation), a benefic planet blessing the 7th house directly, and the native's own ascendant lord sitting strong in the 7th house. This triple protection makes the 7th house extremely powerful. The wife comes from a family known for virtue and good character rather than just wealth. The 7th house also plays a role in producing children, and this combination indicates the family line will grow and prosper.

In horoscopes where this combination appears, the wife's family is often one that is respected for integrity and noble conduct. In the era when this text was composed, a family's reputation rested on virtuous living, not material riches.

7

Loss of Wife and Marital Unhappiness

Rule
These three rules describe conditions where the marriage itself breaks down. The 7th house and its lord are weakened or afflicted to the point where marital happiness becomes impossible. In modern context, "loss of wife" does not necessarily mean physical death; it more commonly points to separation, divorce, or a marriage that exists only on paper.
Sloka 16
कलत्रे तत्परौ वाऽपि पापग्रहसमन्विते ।
भार्याहानिं वदेत् तस्य निर्बले च विशेषतः ॥१६॥
IF The 7th house and its lord are conjunct with malefic planets
AND The 7th house and the 7th lord lack strength
Result
There will be loss of the native's wife.
Explanation

When both the 7th house and its lord are under malefic influence and are weak, there is nothing to protect the marriage. Malefics damage the house from the inside (conjunction) while the lord's weakness means there is no planetary guardian to repair that damage. The word "especially" is important here: the malefic conjunction alone can harm, but when combined with weakness, the result becomes certain. In modern life, this often manifests as divorce, prolonged separation, or a spouse who leaves.

Sloka 17
षष्ठाष्टमव्ययस्थाने मदेशो दुर्बलो यदि ।
नीचराशिगतो वापि दारनाशं विनिर्दिशेत् ॥१७॥
IF The 7th lord is weak and placed in the 6th, 8th, or 12th house
OR The 7th lord is in his sign of debilitation
Result
Loss of wife is indicated.
Explanation

This rule reinforces the principle from Sloka 2 but takes it further. In Sloka 2, a weak 7th lord in a dusthana made the wife sickly. Here, the combination goes beyond health issues to "destruction" of the marriage itself. The 7th lord in debilitation is equally harmful, even if it is not in a dusthana house. A debilitated planet simply cannot deliver good results for the house it rules. The marriage either ends or becomes a source of deep unhappiness.

Sloka 18
कलत्रस्थानगे चन्द्रे तदीशे व्ययराशिगे ।
कारको बलहीनश्च दारसौख्यं न विद्यते ॥१८॥
IF The Moon is placed in the 7th house
AND The 7th lord is in the 12th house
AND Venus (the karaka of wife) is weak
Result
There will be no happiness through wife.
Explanation

This is a triple affliction: the Moon in the 7th gives emotional instability to the marriage, the 7th lord in the 12th means the lord of partnership has gone to the house of loss, and a weak Venus means the natural significator of the wife has no power to help. All three legs of marital support, the house occupant, the house lord, and the karaka, are compromised simultaneously. With no strong factor left to support marriage, happiness through the spouse becomes impossible.

8

Multiple Marriages

Rule
Maharishi Parasara gives a graduated scale for multiple marriages: two wives, three wives, and many wives, each linked to progressively stronger combinations. In the classical era, polygamy was a social reality, and these rules were read literally. In modern context, "multiple wives" most commonly translates to remarriage after divorce, serial long-term relationships, or multiple significant partnerships over the course of a lifetime. The weaker the 7th lord and its supporting factors, the higher the number of marriages indicated.
Sloka 6
मन्दभे शुक्रगेहे वा जायाधीशे शुभेक्षिते ।
स्वोच्चगे तु विशेषेण बहुभार्यो नरो भवेत् ॥६॥
IF The 7th lord is in a sign of Saturn (Capricorn or Aquarius) or a sign of Venus (Taurus or Libra)
AND The 7th lord is aspected by a benefic planet
Result
The native will have many wives. This is especially true if the 7th lord is in his exaltation sign.
Explanation

This rule seems surprising at first: a benefic aspect usually helps, and Saturn's and Venus's signs are not inherently bad. But the logic is about repetition, not destruction. Saturn and Venus both govern desire and attachment in different ways. When the 7th lord sits in their signs and receives benefic support, the native has the capacity to attract and sustain multiple partnerships. The benefic aspect does not damage the marriage; it actually enables more marriages by giving the native enough charm and resources to form new bonds. If the 7th lord is exalted on top of this, the effect is amplified further.

Slokas 19–21 (Two Wives)
सप्तमेशे स्वनीचस्थे पापर्क्षं पापसंयुते ।
सप्तमे क्लीबराश्यंशे द्विभार्यो जातको भवेत् ॥१९॥
IF The 7th lord is in his sign of debilitation or in a malefic sign
AND The 7th lord is conjunct with a malefic planet
AND The 7th house has the Navamsha of a eunuch planet (Gemini, Virgo, Capricorn, or Aquarius Navamsha)
Result
The native will have two wives.
Explanation

A debilitated or malefic-afflicted 7th lord damages the first marriage, and the eunuch Navamsha in the 7th house adds an element of incompleteness or dissatisfaction. Eunuch planets (Mercury and Saturn) lack the full masculine or feminine energy needed to sustain a committed bond. Together, these factors cause the first marriage to fail, pushing the native into a second marriage. The weaker the 7th lord's condition, the more certain this outcome becomes.

Slokas 19–21 (Three Wives)
कलत्रस्थानगे भौमे शुक्रे जामित्रगे शनौ ।
लग्नेशे रन्ध्रराशिस्थे कलत्रत्रयवान् भवेत् ॥२०॥
IF Mars and Venus are both in the 7th house
OR Saturn is in the 7th house while the ascendant lord is in the 8th house
Result
The native will have three wives.
Explanation

Mars and Venus together in the 7th house create an intense but unstable combination: extreme passion (Mars) meets extreme desire (Venus), but the aggressive energy of Mars keeps destroying the partnership. Alternatively, Saturn in the 7th brings delay and dissatisfaction while the ascendant lord in the 8th weakens the native's own ability to hold a marriage together. Both paths lead to the same result: the native goes through three significant partnerships. In modern life, this may manifest as two divorces followed by a third marriage, or three long-term committed relationships.

Slokas 19–21 (Many Wives)
द्विस्वभावगते शुक्रे स्वोच्चे तद्राशिनायके ।
दारेशे बलसंयुक्रे बहुदारसमन्वितः ॥२१॥
IF Venus is placed in a dual-nature sign (Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius, or Pisces)
AND The lord of that dual sign is in his sign of exaltation
AND The 7th lord is endowed with strength
Result
The native will have many wives.
Explanation

Dual-nature signs have a quality of repetition: whatever a planet signifies in a dual sign tends to happen more than once. Venus is the significator of wives, so when she sits in a dual sign, she repeats the event of marriage. If the dispositor of that dual sign is exalted and the 7th lord is strong, the native has both the desire and the capacity to enter into multiple marriages. Unlike the previous rules where weakness causes remarriage through failure, here it is strength that enables it: the native is attractive and resourceful enough to attract many partners.

Slokas 40–41
शुक्राज्जामित्रगे चन्द्रे चन्द्राज्जामित्रगे बुधे ।
रन्ध्येशे सुतभावस्थे प्रथयं दशमाब्दिकम् ॥४०॥
द्वाविंशे च द्वितीयं च त्रयस्त्रिंशे तृतीयकम् ।
विवाहं लभते मत्र्यौ नाऽत्र कार्या विचारणा ॥४१॥
IF The Moon is placed 7th from Venus
AND Mercury is placed 7th from the Moon
AND The 8th lord is placed in the 5th house
Result
The native will marry three times: the first marriage in the 10th year, the second in the 22nd year, and the third in the 33rd year. No further consideration is needed.
Explanation

This is a very specific combination. The Moon 7th from Venus creates a Venus-Moon opposition, linking the two planets of desire and emotion across the partnership axis. Mercury 7th from the Moon adds a third planet into this chain, creating a relay of influences. The 8th lord in the 5th brings transformation (8th house) into the house of romance and children (5th house). Together, these factors guarantee three separate marriages at fixed intervals. The ages 10, 22, and 33 represent classical timing; in modern context, they indicate that the native's life will be marked by three distinct committed partnerships, with the first forming relatively early compared to peers. Maharishi Parasara's closing phrase "no further consideration" signals absolute certainty in this result.

9

Timing of Marriage

Rule
Maharishi Parasara gives marriage ages ranging from 5 to 33 across the following slokas. In ancient India, marriages were arranged very early in life, so these numbers reflect a completely different social framework. In modern context, these ages should not be taken literally. Instead, they indicate where on the spectrum the native's marriage falls: the lowest numbers (5, 7, 9) point to marriages that happen early relative to the native's peers, middle numbers (10–18) suggest average timing, and the highest numbers (22–33) indicate delayed or late marriages. Each rule links a specific planetary configuration to a point on this scale.
Sloka 22
दारेशे शुभराशिस्थे स्वोच्चस्वर्क्षगतो भृगुः ।
पञ्चमे नवमेऽब्दे तु विवाहः प्रायशो भवेत् ॥२२॥
IF The 7th lord is in the sign of a benefic planet
AND Venus is in her exaltation or own sign
Result
The native is generally married in the 5th or 9th year.
Explanation

Both the 7th lord and Venus are in comfortable, strong positions. A benefic sign gives the 7th lord support, and Venus in exaltation or own sign means the karaka of marriage is at her best. When both marriage indicators are well-placed, nothing delays the marriage. This is the earliest timing in the entire range, suggesting that the native forms committed partnerships sooner than most of their peers.

Sloka 23
दारस्थानं गते सूर्ये तदीशे भृगुसंयुते ।
सप्तमैकादशे वर्षं विवाहः प्रायशो भवेत् ॥२३॥
IF The Sun is in the 7th house
AND The 7th lord is conjunct with Venus
Result
The native mostly gets married in the 7th or 11th year.
Explanation

The Sun in the 7th house is generally not great for marriage since he is separative and authoritative. But when the 7th lord joins Venus, the karaka of marriage, that conjunction acts as a strong trigger for the marriage event. The Venus-7th lord conjunction pulls the timing forward. Still, the Sun's presence adds a small delay compared to the previous rule, placing this combination slightly further along the early-marriage end of the scale.

Sloka 24
कुटुम्बस्थानगे शुक्रे दारेशे लाभराशिगे ।
दशमे घोडशाऽब्दे च विवाहः प्रायशो भवेत् ॥२४॥
IF Venus occupies the 2nd house
AND The 7th lord occupies the 11th house
Result
The native is generally married in the 10th or 16th year.
Explanation

Venus in the 2nd house connects marriage to the family and finances. The 7th lord in the 11th house links the spouse to gains and social networks. Neither planet is afflicted, but neither is directly activating the 7th house either, since both sit elsewhere. This creates moderate timing: not as early as direct 7th house placements, but not delayed either. The marriage comes at a comfortable, middle point in the range.

Sloka 25
लग्नकेन्द्रगते शुक्रे लग्नेशे मन्दराशिगे ।
वत्सरैकादशे प्राप्ते विवाहं लभते नरः ॥२५॥
IF Venus is placed in a kendra (angle) from the ascendant (1st, 4th, 7th, or 10th house)
AND The ascendant lord is in a sign of Saturn (Capricorn or Aquarius)
Result
The native will get married in the 11th year.
Explanation

Venus in a kendra is strong and visible, which supports marriage. But the ascendant lord sitting in Saturn's sign introduces Saturn's characteristic delay and heaviness into the native's life path. The marriage still happens relatively early because Venus is angular, but Saturn's influence on the ascendant lord slows things just enough to place the timing at the 11th year on the classical scale, a step further than the previous combinations.

Sloka 26
लग्नात् केन्द्रगते शुक्रे तस्मात् कामगते शनौ ।
द्वादशैकोनविंशे च विवाहः प्रायशो भवेत् ॥२६॥
IF Venus is in a kendra from the ascendant
AND Saturn is in the 7th house from Venus
Result
The native's marriage generally takes place in the 12th or 19th year.
Explanation

Venus in a kendra still provides a strong base for marriage. But now Saturn sits directly opposite Venus, in the 7th from her. Saturn's aspect or occupation of the 7th from Venus introduces genuine delay and obstacles to marriage. The two possible ages, 12 and 19, give a range: the marriage is no longer early, and depending on other chart factors, it could be pushed into the middle or even the later portion of the timing spectrum.

Sloka 27
चन्द्राज्जामित्रगे शुक्रे शुक्राज्जामित्रगे शनौ ।
वत्सरेऽष्ठादशे प्राप्ते विवाहं लभते नरः ॥२७॥
IF Venus is placed 7th from the Moon
AND Saturn occupies the 7th house from Venus
Result
The native marries in the 18th year.
Explanation

Here the reference point shifts from the ascendant to the Moon. Venus opposite the Moon creates emotional readiness for partnership, but Saturn sitting 7th from Venus again plays the role of delayer. The chain of Venus-Moon-Saturn across opposite houses pushes the marriage into the middle zone of the timing range. Eighteen is past the early cluster but well before the delayed end.

Sloka 28
धनेशे लाभराशिस्थे लग्नेशे कर्मराशिगे ।
अब्दे पञ्चदशे प्राप्ते विवाहं लभते नरः ॥२८॥
IF The 2nd lord is placed in the 11th house
AND The ascendant lord is in the 10th house
Result
The native's marriage will occur in the 15th year.
Explanation

This combination connects the 2nd house (family, wealth) to the 11th house (gains, fulfillment) through a lord exchange, while the ascendant lord sits in the powerful 10th house of action. The 2nd-11th axis links family resources to social gains, creating conditions that support marriage. The ascendant lord in the 10th keeps the native active and visible. Together, these placements bring marriage at a moderate pace, roughly in the middle of the full range.

Sloka 29
धनेशे लाभराशिस्थे लाभेशे धनराशिगे ।
अब्दे त्रयोदशे प्राप्ते विवाहं लभते नरः ॥२९॥
IF The 2nd lord is in the 11th house
AND The 11th lord is in the 2nd house (a mutual exchange between 2nd and 11th lords)
Result
The native will get married in the 13th year.
Explanation

A mutual exchange (Parivartana yoga) between the 2nd and 11th lords is very powerful. Each lord sits in the other's house, creating a strong feedback loop between family and gains. This exchange energizes both houses fully, and since the 2nd house also governs family expansion, it accelerates the marriage event. The 13th year sits just slightly earlier than the previous rule, reflecting the added strength of a full exchange versus a one-way placement.

Sloka 30
रन्ध्याज्जामित्रगे शुक्रे तदीशे भौमसंयुते ।
द्वाविंशे सप्तविंशेऽब्दे विवाहं लभते नरः ॥३०॥
IF Venus is placed 7th from the 8th house (that is, in the 2nd house from the ascendant)
AND The 2nd lord is conjunct with Mars
Result
The native's marriage will take place in the 22nd or 27th year.
Explanation

The 8th house connection introduces themes of transformation and obstacles. Venus in the 2nd house supports marriage through family, but the 2nd lord joining Mars creates friction: Mars is aggressive and can disrupt the smooth flow of events. The 8th house link adds unpredictability. Together, these factors push the marriage well past the midpoint of the range and into the later zone. The two possible years, 22 and 27, both fall in the delayed portion of the scale.

Sloka 31
दारांशकगते लग्न-नाथे दारेश्वरे ष्ठये ।
त्रयोविंशे च षड्विंशे विवाहं लभते नरः ॥३१॥
IF The ascendant lord is placed in the Navamsha of the 7th house
AND The 7th lord is in the 12th house
Result
Marriage will be conferred on the native in the 23rd or 26th year.
Explanation

The ascendant lord in the 7th house Navamsha shows that the native's deeper self (Navamsha) is oriented toward partnership. But the 7th lord sitting in the 12th house means the lord of marriage has gone to the house of loss and expenditure. This creates a push-pull: the native desires marriage, yet the conditions for it keep slipping away. The result is significant delay, placing marriage in the later portion of the range.

Sloka 32
रन्ध्येशे दाराराशिस्थे लग्नांशे भृगुसंयुते ।
पञ्चविंशे त्रयस्त्रिंशे विवाहं लभते नरः ॥३२॥
IF The 8th lord is placed in the 7th house
AND The Navamsha of the ascendant is occupied by Venus
Result
The native's marriage takes place in the 25th or 33rd year.
Explanation

The 8th lord in the 7th house is a difficult placement: it brings the energy of upheaval, secrecy, and transformation directly into the house of marriage. Venus in the ascendant Navamsha shows the native's deeper nature seeks partnership, but the 8th lord's obstruction keeps creating setbacks. The two ages offered, 25 and 33, sit firmly at the late end of the scale, with 33 being the absolute latest age Maharishi Parasara gives for marriage in this entire chapter.

Sloka 33
भाग्याब्जाम्यगते शुक्रे तद्द्वये राहुसंयुते ।
एकत्रिंशात्रयस्त्रिंशे दारलाभं विनिर्दिशेत् ॥३३॥
IF Venus is placed 9th from the 9th house (that is, in the 5th house from the ascendant)
AND One of these houses (the 9th or the 5th) is occupied by Rahu
Result
The benefit of marriage is to be predicted in the 31st or 33rd year.
Explanation

Venus in the 5th house connects romance and love (5th) to the karaka of marriage. But Rahu's presence in either the 5th or 9th house introduces confusion, unconventional circumstances, and delay. Rahu is the shadow planet that distorts whatever it touches, and when it sits in the 5th-9th axis alongside Venus, the path to marriage becomes twisted and prolonged. Both 31 and 33 are near the very end of the timing scale, indicating one of the most delayed marriages in this system.

Sloka 34
भाग्याज्जामित्रगे शुक्रे तद्चूने दारनायके ।
त्रिंशे वा सप्तविंशाब्दे विवाहं लभते नरः ॥३४॥
IF Venus is placed 7th from the 9th house (that is, in the 3rd house from the ascendant)
AND The 7th lord is 7th from Venus (that is, in the 9th house from the ascendant)
Result
The native gets married in the 27th or 30th year.
Explanation

Venus in the 3rd house is not in a strong position for marriage, as the 3rd house relates to courage and communication rather than partnership. The 7th lord in the 9th house connects the spouse to fortune and dharma, which is positive, but the physical distance between Venus and the 7th lord (they face each other across six houses) creates a sense of waiting. The marriage eventually comes, but at a point well into the delayed range of the scale.

10

Threats to the Wife's Life

Rule
The final category covers the most severe combinations in this chapter: those that threaten the wife's life or health at specific ages. Classical predictions of "wife's death" or "destruction of wife" are the strongest form of marital damage Maharishi Parasara describes. In modern practice, these combinations more commonly manifest as life-threatening health crises, traumatic separations, or events that permanently end the marriage. The specific ages given follow the same classical framework as the timing rules and indicate when the danger is most acute.
Sloka 35
दारेशे नीचराशिस्थे शुक्रे रन्ध्यारिसंयुते ।
अष्ठादशे त्रयस्त्रिंशे वत्सरे दारनाशनम् ॥३५॥
IF The 7th lord is in his sign of debilitation
AND Venus is in the 6th or 8th house
Result
Destruction of the wife in the native's 18th or 33rd year.
Explanation

A debilitated 7th lord is already a severe weakness for marriage. When Venus, the natural karaka of the wife, also falls into a dusthana (6th house of disease or 8th house of sudden crisis), both pillars of marital protection collapse. The wife faces serious danger. In modern context, this likely indicates a major health crisis for the spouse, a traumatic event that threatens the marriage, or an irreversible separation around the indicated periods of the native's life.

Sloka 36
मदेशे नाशराशिस्थे व्ययेशे मदराशिगे ।
तस्य चैकोनविंशाब्दे दारनाशं विनिर्दिशेत् ॥३६॥
IF The 7th lord is placed in the 8th house
AND The 12th lord is in the 7th house
Result
Destruction of the wife in the native's 19th year.
Explanation

The 7th lord in the 8th house takes the marriage significator to the house of death and transformation. Meanwhile, the 12th lord (loss and endings) moves into the 7th house of marriage. This creates a toxic exchange: loss enters marriage while the marriage lord enters crisis. The 19th year becomes the focal point for this destructive energy. In modern terms, this combination may manifest as a sudden, severe event that ends the marriage, whether through the spouse's serious illness, an accident, or an abrupt separation.

Sloka 37
कुटुम्बस्थानगो राहुः कलत्र भौमसंयुते ।
पाणिग्रहे च त्रिदिने सर्पदष्टे वधूमृतिः ॥३७॥
IF Rahu is placed in the 2nd house
AND Mars is in the 7th house
Result
The native's wife will die by snake bite on the day of marriage or on the third day after marriage.
Explanation

This is one of the most dramatic combinations in the chapter. Rahu is classically associated with snakes and hidden poisons, while Mars brings sudden violence and accidents. Rahu in the 2nd (family) and Mars in the 7th (spouse) together target the wife with sudden, hidden danger right at the start of the marriage. In modern context, "death by snake bite" likely represents a sudden, hidden danger or a toxic situation that strikes without warning. This could manifest as an unexpected health emergency, a sudden accident, or a betrayal that destroys the marriage almost immediately after it begins. The classical text emphasizes the immediacy: the danger arrives on or within three days of the wedding.

Sloka 38
रन्ध्यस्थानगते शुक्रे तदीशे सौरिराशिगे ।
द्वादशैकोनविंशाब्दे दारनाशं विनिर्दिशेत् ॥३८॥
IF Venus is placed in the 8th house
AND The 8th lord is in a sign of Saturn (Capricorn or Aquarius)
Result
Destruction of the wife in the native's 12th or 19th year.
Explanation

Venus in the 8th house puts the karaka of the wife directly in the house of death and sudden transformation. When the 8th lord also sits in Saturn's sign, Saturn's slow, grinding, restrictive energy doubles down on the 8th house themes. The wife faces danger from chronic illness or a slow-building crisis. The two time markers, the 12th and 19th years, indicate the periods when this destructive potential is most likely to be triggered.

Sloka 39
लग्नेशे नीचराशिस्थे धनेशे निधनं गते ।
त्रयोदशे तु सप्राप्ते कलत्रस्य मृतिर्भवेत् ॥३९॥
IF The ascendant lord is in his sign of debilitation
AND The 2nd lord is in the 8th house
Result
The wife's death will occur in the 13th year.
Explanation

A debilitated ascendant lord means the native's entire chart is weakened at its core. The native lacks the personal strength to protect loved ones. The 2nd lord in the 8th house puts the family significator in the house of death, directly threatening family members, including the wife. Together, the native's weakness and the family lord's dangerous placement converge at the 13th year. In modern context, this may indicate a serious health crisis or life-threatening event involving the spouse during this vulnerable period.

Sloka 42
षष्ठे च भवने भौमः सप्तमे राहुसंस्थिति ।
अष्ठमे च यदा सौरिस्तस्य भार्या न जीवति ॥४२॥
IF Mars is in the 6th house
AND Rahu is in the 7th house
AND Saturn is in the 8th house
Result
The native's wife does not live long.
Explanation

This is a hemming combination. Mars in the 6th and Saturn in the 8th place two natural malefics on either side of the 7th house, trapping it between hostile forces. Rahu in the 7th house itself adds confusion, deception, and hidden danger right at the center. The 7th house has nowhere to turn for relief. This formation also damages the native's own health and longevity: Mars from the 6th aspects the 12th house, Saturn from the 8th aspects the 2nd house, and the native's ascendant falls between two malefic aspects, forming what is known as Paapkartari yoga (hemming by malefics). With Rahu in the 7th also casting its shadow on the ascendant, three separate malefic influences converge on the native. Both the wife's life and the native's own wellbeing are under severe threat. In modern terms, this combination likely manifests as chronic, serious health challenges for both the spouse and the native, with the marriage itself becoming a source of deep suffering.

Based on the teachings of Maharishi Parasara from Brihat Parashara Hora Shastra.
Sloka numbers are provided for readers who wish to verify against the original text.
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