Prasna Marga Chapter 27: Bhojana Prasna & Return of Travelers - A Modern Guide
A chapter-by-chapter modern English guide to the classical Vedic astrology text by Harihara, translated by B.V. Raman.
Chapter 27 of 32 • Stanzas 1–46 • Topics: Bhojana Prasna (Meals), Quality of Food, Dinner Conversation, Proshithogamana (Return of Travelers)
Chapter 27 is divided into two distinct, highly specific branches of horary astrology. The first is Bhojana Prasna—the astrology of meals. It reveals the incredible granularity of Vedic astrology, demonstrating how a chart can describe the exact nature of a dinner party, from the shape of the plates to the spice level of the food, and even the topic of conversation.
The second part is Proshithogamana Prasna, which deals with predicting whether a missing person, a traveler, or an exile will return home safely, and by what mode of transportation they will arrive.
"In a question bearing on 'meals' the ascendant indicates the physical qualities of the man who takes meals... The 2nd house governs the dining plates or leaves used for taking the meal."
1. Bhojana Prasna: The Anatomy of a Meal
Prasna Marga, Chapter XXVII, Stanzas 1–17
When a query regarding a meal is asked, the 12 astrological houses take on entirely new, food-specific meanings:
| House | Signification in a Meal |
|---|---|
| 1st House | The diner themselves and their mood. |
| 2nd House | The plates, bowls, or banana leaves used. (Saturn = cracked plate, Moon = clean, round plate). |
| 3rd House | Side dishes, bread, or snacks (Bhakshya). |
| 4th House | Drinks served. Also indicates the host/server. |
| 6th House | The spice level and flavor profile of the food. |
| 8th House | The quality/safety of the food (Burned, undercooked, poisoned, or perfect). |
| 9th House | The dinner companions (who you are eating with). |
| 10th House | Satiety (Did you get enough to eat?). |
| 11th House | The conversation at the dinner table. |
| 12th House | Rest and sleep after the meal. |
2. Flavors, Spices, and Quality
Prasna Marga, Chapter XXVII, Stanzas 5–11, 18–19
The planets dictate the flavor profile of the meal:
- The Sun & Mars: Hot, spicy, pungent, or bitter. The Sun indicates pepper/chillies; Mars indicates the food might be slightly burned.
- The Moon: Salty or cold foods.
- Jupiter: Sweet dishes, rich foods, and milk.
- Venus: Sour foods, butter, or dishes cooked with fruits/mangoes.
- Saturn: Astringent, highly acidic, or bitter foods.
3. The Dinner Table Conversation
Prasna Marga, Chapter XXVII, Stanza 14
The 11th house in this context reveals what the guests will discuss while eating:
4. Proshithogamana: The Missing Traveler
Prasna Marga, Chapter XXVII, Stanzas 40–46
This section deals with the agonizing question: "Will my loved one return safely?"
- They Will Return: If the Ascendant Lord is exalted, in Moolatrikona, or retrograde in the 7th house. If the Moon occupies the 8th house and the Quadrants are free from malefics, they will return safely without mishap.
- They Are On Their Way: If the Ascendant Lord is in the 6th house, they have not reached their destination but are currently traveling.
- They Will Not Return: If the Ascendant Lord occupies the 11th, 12th, 1st, 2nd, or 3rd house, or if malefics dominate the Quadrants, the traveler is delayed indefinitely or will not return.
5. How Will They Arrive?
Prasna Marga, Chapter XXVII, Stanzas 44–45
The astrologer can even predict the mode of transportation based on the sign the Ascendant Lord occupies:
- Human Sign: They will return walking, likely in the company of a group of people.
- Quadruped Sign: They will return in a vehicle or carriage (historically a horse or chariot, modernly a car or train).
- Watery Sign: They will return via a water route (ship/boat).
- Ethereal/Air Sign: They will return by air (historically a palanquin, modernly an airplane).
Key Takeaways from Chapter 27
- Context is Everything: The 12 houses have universal archetypes. In a food query, the 2nd house of "wealth/resources" becomes the "plate," and the 11th house of "gains/friends" becomes the "dinner conversation."
- Planetary Flavors: Planets physically manifest as distinct taste profiles (Jupiter = Sweet, Saturn = Bitter, Mars = Spicy).
- The 8th House Warning: Always check the 8th house in a meal query to ensure food safety and prevent poisoning or contamination.
- Traveler's Status: The Ascendant Lord represents the traveler. Its placement (retrograde, moving toward the Ascendant, or stuck in a cadent house) reveals their exact progress on the journey home.