Often, in the world of popularity, we encounter examples of people who appear for a short period and leave a strong impression on society. In this article, we will focus on musicians who left behind a great deal, but on the other hand suffered much in their private lives, and the price of their popularity was too high.
Śukra is one of the most important Grahas related to popularity. Śukra in a trine with the Navāṁśa Lagna can give an author or artist, especially if supported by Chandra in a trine. This type of creativity is different from Guru, who is also capable of granting authorship when located in a trine from Svāṁśa. Guru tends more toward the spiritual, while Śukra gives an artist who seeks the satisfaction of the senses. This is confirmed in the Jaimini Sutra[1], in the first Adhyāya, verses 102 and 104. Śukra is a Rajas Graha and Jāla Tattva, which makes it highly receptive to the senses.
One of the most important things Śukra governs in our body is Ojas, which can be translated as physical strength, power, energy, but also as radiance, brilliance, manifestation, and appearance[2]. Ojas is primarily based on Jāla Tattva (the water element), so it plays a major role in emotions and feelings but also helps the body’s defense system. This is one reason why Śukra can aid in the treatment of serious illnesses, such as cancer. Through Ojas, Śukra is able to manifest Saṁjīvani Vidya in our body, the power of the Mahā Mṛtyunjaya mantra.
Since Śukra is Jāla Tattva, one of the greatest problems that can occur is related to Agni Tattva. According to the principle based on the Vāra Chakra, every sixth Graha in the Vāra Chakra acts as an enemy of the given Graha. Thus, the sixth from Sūrya in the Vāra Chakra is Śukra, which can cause the destruction of Sūrya. Maṅgala is a natural Maraka Graha for Śukra’s Lagnas, and vice versa.
Maṅgala can give Śukra very strong energy, due to Agni Tattva, but also great burnout. Therefore, for example, Maṅgala and Śukra when connected with the second Bhāva in Navāṁśa can cause a person to have difficulty staying with one partner, leading to infidelity in relationships. Ketu is the only one capable of countering this combination. In such situations, worshiping Gaṇeśa is advised.
Now we will look at examples of those who, unfortunately, were unable to cope with such a large amount of Rajas.
Example 1. Layne Staley
We will look at the chart of the frontman of the band “Alice in Chains,” Layne Staley. Here we see that Śukra plays a very important role in the chart. It is the ruler of the tenth in the first Bhāva, forming a Siṁhāsana Yoga together with the ruler of the Lagna. Thus, Nipuṇa Yoga[1] is also present in the Lagna, created by Sūrya and Budha. Śukra is also the dispositor of Maṅgala and Ketu. Maṅgala and Ketu form the so-called Abhicāra Yoga, which, considering that Maṅgala is Bādhakeśa, can be very harmful. The situation is further worsened by the position of Gulika in that Bhāva.
As we see, Śukra in this case is strong, located in the Lagna, but heavily afflicted by Maṅgala, Ketu, and Rāhu. Maṅgala as Bādhakeśa and Rāhu in Bādhaka sthanu create a situation where the person feels confident they can control life, but things escape their control. In this case, it manifests as drug problems (mainly due to the presence of Gulika in the third Bhāva with the Maṅgala-Ketu combination).
We can note that Layne Staley, due to Rāhu in the eleventh Bhāva in Navāṁśa, had a very good sense of rhythm, which led him initially to choose drums, but later Chandra in the Lagna prevailed, and he devoted himself to a singing career. Śukra in Navāṁśa is debilitated in the second Bhāva, and its dispositor is Maṅgala, showing that the person had serious problems controlling passions. Ketu has the ability to counteract the negative influence of Rajas Tattva, but besides having Rāśi Dṛṣṭi on Śukra, it is in conjunction with Śani, which is a problem on its own.
Unfortunately, the pressure was too great, and Guru in the third Bhāva, which indicates knowledge of the moment of death, contributed to him leaving the world in April 2002.
Example 2: Amy Winehouse
Here we also see that Śukra is the ruler of the Lagna, together with Niccha Maṅgala in the third Bhāva. It should be noted that the ruler of this Bhāva, Chandra, is in Maraṇa Kāraka Sthānu relative to the Lagna, which also brings problems. In Navāṁśa, Śukra – Ātmakāraka is in the eighth Bhāva, indicating that the person will encounter weaknesses in life. Again, the combination of Maṅgala and Śukra is repeated in Navāṁśa.
[1] Jaimini Sutra, Adhyāya 1, verses 102 and 104; Nipuṇa Yoga – also known as the Budha-Āditya combination of skill.
[2] Ojas – physical strength, power, energy, radiance, brilliance, manifestation, and appearance.
ॐ कृष्ण गुरु
om kṛṣṇa guru