Three steps to reading a Praśna chart
In the tradition, we are advised to read a Praśna chart, whenever we begin analysing a
birth chart. To get the best out of it, and share some insider information, here are 3
simple steps to examining such a praśna:
#1 Accuracy of the Praśna
Not all praśna's are meant for the questioner. First, examine if the Praśna-Navāṁśa
Lagna is in trines or seventh from the persons birth Rāśi-Lagna. If not then maybe the
question chart is invalid... or the native's birthtime is incorrect!
TIP: if Māndi is in Kendra to the Praśna-Rāśi Lagna, maybe the person has provided an
incorrect birth time!
#2 Check the karmas carried
Not everyone is carrying a pleasant amount of karmas with them. Your job as an
astrologer is to help them solve this - but if you ignore this, then you risk having to carry
their burdens for them! Better yet, ask them to solve their problems before giving them
advice!
If the 12th house (or if empty see the lord) from the Praśna Lagna is occupied with
benefics or exalted planets, the person carries mainly auspicious guṇas with them, and
you as an astrologer will only benefit more from their company. However, if malefics are
there, unchecked by benefics, you are going to have problems.
TIP: In the case of malefics, ask the client to perform the mantras of those malefics and
then perform the consultation only after they've performed the remedies. Draw a new
praśna thereafter to see if they have made any headway with those karmas.
#3 Check the Kendras
Kendras show what is happening right now, and the kendra to the Praśna Lagna can
show karmas which are ripening, both positive and negative. Examine these kendras to
see which of the four parts of life, namely health/reputation (1st), wealth/career (10th),
relationships (7th) or home/family (4th) are under scrutiny right now.
TIP: the same planets causing a blessing/curse in the praśna chart are examined in the
birth chart to know the root source of the karmas, and the remedy for the same!