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What makes a Planet Neechaa?

To understand this we must look beyond the fact that "the Planet X is Neechaa in Raashi Y". We should look at the fact that where a Graha is at its lowest ebb. The relationship of the Neechaa Graha and the Lord of the Raashi in which it is Neechaa, is of paramount importance, it is also important to know the relationship between the Neechaa Graha and the Nakshatra in which it is Neechaa. At another level we should consider the Nakshatra Pad in which that Graha is Neechaa and study the Lord of that Pad. In other words this single Pad is called Navaansh (1/9th part) of a Raashi, and that Lord is of that Navaansh. For additional information we also consider the Drekkaan (1/10th part or 3 degrees)) of that Raashi in which that Graha falls.

Why do we do that? Of all the Divisions, only Drekkaan have descriptions as why that Graha is Neechaa in that Raashi to understand it better. BV Raman's book "Hindu Predictive Astrology" gives good descriptions of those Drekkaan.

Fear is the key to be Neechaa. It may seem funny that why a Graha should fear from somebody? For example if Shani is Neechaa, then why he should fear from others? But it is true, because for whatever that Graha stands for, is not all right and thus it is afflicted. So try to understand the cause of it.

Neechaa Graha

1. Soorya (Sun or Ravi)
Soorya is at his deepest fall at 10 degrees in Tulaa Raashi. This corresponds to Swaati Nakshatra which is ruled by Raahu; in the 2nd Pad which is ruled by Shani; and in the 2nd Drekkaan which is also ruled by Shani. Both Raahu and Shani are inimical to Soorya. And their combined power might make Soorya very uncomfortable.

Shani is humble and relates to equality; and so is Raahu according to "Shani and Raahu"; and Soorya as the King cannot tolerate this. The description of Soorya in Tulaa is like this - "A man hungry and thirsty, with the face of a vulture, and attached to his wife, and children." Here it is worth noting that Shani is Soorya's son and the vulture is said to be the Shani's mount.

2. Chandra (Moon or Som)
Chandra is Neechaa at the point of deepest fall at 03 degrees, Vrishchik Raashi. This corresponds to Vishakhaa which is ruled by Guru; in the 4th Pad which is ruled by Chandra, and in the 1st Drekkan which is ruled by Mangal.

It is easy to understand Soorya’s Neechatwa, but Chandra’s Neechatwa is more perplexing. Why is he Neechaa in association with Guru and Mangal, with both of whom he forms the Gaja Kesaree Yog and the Chandra Mangal Yog respectively? Guru represents wisdom, and Chandra, who personifies the mind, doesn’t like wisdom, and prefers pleasurable pursuits. Chandra in his own Pad means the mind dwelling on itself, not positively as in the "I consciousness” but in terms of trying to fulfill the pleasures that the mind suggests. Chandra is also afflicted by the rashness of Mangal.

The description of the 1st Drekkan of Vrishchak is: "A beautiful young woman, quite naked, emerging out from an ocean towards the shore, feet bound up by a serpent." This is a Sarp Drekkan, and the snake allusion indirectly links it to Raahu and Ketu, the nodes, whom Chandra fears.

3. Mangal (Mars or Kujaa)
Mangal is at the point of deepest fall at 28 degrees in Kark Raashi. This corresponds to Aashleshaa Nakshatra which is ruled by Budh; in the 4th Pad which is ruled by Guru; and in the 3rd Drekkan which is also ruled by Guru. Kuja is a warrior, and doesn’t like to heed either Budha’s intelligence or Guru’s wisdom. All he wants to do is fight meaninglessly, and this makes him Neecha.

The description of the 3rd Drekkan of Kark Raashi is: "A man in a boat amidst an ocean, with a serpent around his waist." This is also a Sarp Drekkan (like in Chandra Neechaa), and indirectly refers to Raahu and Ketu who, being daemons, are inimically disposed towards the commander of the Gods. Since there is no reference to a storm, we may safely assume that a boat in an ocean depicts serenity and perhaps boredom because there is nothing to do but steer the boat.
Since there are no prospects of war, Mangal is highly frustrated.

4. Budh (Mercury)
Budh is at the point of deepest fall at 15 degrees, Meen Raashi. This corresponds to U-Bhadraa Nakshatra, which is ruled by Shani; in the 4th Pad which is ruled by Mangal, and in the 2nd Drekkan which is ruled by Chandra. Budh is a highly intellectual Graha, and it cannot stand the gloom of Shani, or the anger of Mangal, or the fickleness of Chandra, all of which are inimical to rational thought. No wonder it is neechaa in their company.

The description of the 2nd Drekkan of Meen Raashi is: "A beautiful woman, sailing in a boat with long flags towards the other coast.” The flag is particularly interesting because it flies at the highest point, and represents the acme.
Ironically, with Budh fallen, intelligence, which differentiates humans from beast, no longer reigns supreme.

5. Brihaspati (Jupiter or Guru)
Guru is at the point of deepest fall at 05 degrees in Makar Raashi. This corresponds to U-Ashaadhaa Nakshatra which is ruled by Soorya; in the 3rd Pad which is ruled by Shani, and in the 1st Drekkan, which is also ruled by Shani. Guru is a unique Graha in Jyotish because it is the only Graha that is not treated as an enemy by any of the other Grahas. So, it is a little intriguing to consider why it is Neechaa. Perhaps, it is Neechaa because both the Graha concerned, Soorya and Shani, can’t stand each other. Also, Soorya is arrogant and Shani represents humble activities, and neither of them seems too capable of appreciating the wisdom that is so dear to Guru.

The description of the 1st Drekkan of Makar Raashi is: "A man with much hair, pig-bodied and faced, and carrying a rope and a net.”
Nothing threatening about the above, but it hardly seems to be the height of wisdom!

6. Shukra (Venus)
Shukra is at the point of deepest fall at 27 degrees in Kanyaa Raashi. This corresponds to Chitraa Nakshatra which is ruled by Mangal; in the 2nd Pad which is ruled by Budh; and in the 3rd Drekkan which is ruled by Shukra himself. Sukra represents highly refined things, and this is the good aspect. The only negative thing about Sukra is his excessive pursuit of pleasure, which leads to a lowering of morals and general dissipation. In particular, Mangal corrupts Shukra and turns love to lust. The fact that Budh, owning the concerned Pad, is also inimical to Shukra though Budh is friendly with Shukra because those who love pleasures do not like listening to reason. The Drekkan being owned by Sukra implies a vortex of pleasure, which can only lead to lassitude.

The description of the 3rd Drekkan of Kanyaa Raashi is: “A fair woman, with a yellow cloth on her body and exposing her breasts and going to a sacred place.” What an apt description of this Neechaa? Shukra is feminine, yellow represents prosperity, and as a Braahman Graha, the visit to the sacred place is also appropriate.
The vulgar reference to the breasts implies the profane to the sacred, caused by Shukra being Neechaa.

7. Shani (Saturn)
Shani is at the point of deepest fall at 20 degrees, Mesh Raashi. This corresponds to Bharanee Nakshatra which is ruled by Shukra; in the 3rd Pad which is also ruled by Shukra; and in the 3rd Drekkan which is ruled by Guru. Shani is responsible for grief, and as such, he doesn’t appreciate Shukra’s propensity for merrymaking. Guru symbolizes wisdom and so may be called a good teacher, but Shani is more practical. The lessons he teaches are learnt in the University of Life, and not from books [and Guru teaches from books]. Thus, Shani is not very pleased by Guru’s teachings, because he likes to teach people by humbling them with sorrow and suffering.

The description of the 3rd Drekkan of Mesh Raashi is: "A cruel hearted man, red in color, active, wearing red garments, unprincipled and angry."
The above description seems to fit Mangal who is inimical to Shani, to a T!

Afterwards
It would be arrogant to presume that the above descriptions are accurate, and represent the only way of looking at the Neechaa state of a Graha. However, it is a good starting point.

Neechaa planets are not always bad.. and Neechaa Bhang Yog is something that just drives the evil tendencies of the Graha away. Neechaa Bhang Yog is formed when the following conditions are met...

Neechaa planet is in conjunction with House Lord or
Neechaa planet is in conjunction with exalted planet
Neechaa planet is fully aspected by another Neechaa planet or
Neechaa planet is aspected by House Lord ...

In all of these cases , the Neecha effects of the Graha are removed and it gives Benefic results, sometimes even Raaj Yog.. Besides, GOD has a plan for everyone and we should not try to change it and instead go with the flow ...

First determine the degree of Neechaa. For example, Moon at 5 deg Scorpio is really catastrophic.
But Moon at 25 degrees Scorpio is much much less severe.

Second, determine if the fall has been broken by another planet (Neechaa-Bhang). For example, Moon would be uplifted from fall if Mars, the Scorpio owner,  is in a Kendra from Lagna or Chandra. There are some other rules also for Neechaa Bhang, a good astrologer should immediately consult these rules upon spotting debilitated planets.

Third, if the fall WAS broken by another planet - that planet holds the key to how you can help your child overcome the debilitations. If there was no savior and the planet is truly fallen, then you must analyze the strengths in the horoscope, consider how they relate to the weakness of the debilitation and apply your love, intuition, and intelligence to implement a remedy based of counteracting the weakness with the strength.

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