Every person is destined to contract one illness or the other. Sixth and Eighth house in a birth chart deals with illness and pains respectively. If the lord of sixth and eight house is in the ascendant (Lagna) and conjoins with Sun the native suffers fever, with Mars appendicitis and surgery, with Mercury bilious (pitta) diseases, with Jupiter No disease, with Venus sexual diseases, with Saturn diseases of Vayu prakrithi, with Rahu diseases at Nabhi, with Ketu fear from house-hold persons, with Moon, Jalaganda (danger from water) and phlegmatic diseases. In this way, we can even adopt these principles to determine the diseases of various karaktatwas, the father, mother, brother, wife, etc. of the native from a given horoscope.

The placement of lord of 6^th house in a particular raashi or sign also indicates the type of disease one can contract. Given below is a sign-wise details of disease one may contract.

1. Aries (Mesha) – Disease caused due to bilious (pitta) nature, fever, death from stomach problems.
2. Taurus (Vrishabha) – Tridosha diseases, death from fire and weapons.
3. Gemini (Mithuna) – Body pain, excessive heat.
4. Cancer (Karka) – Insanity and tastelessness.
5. Leo (Simha) – Fever, fear from animals and enemies.
6. Virgo (Kanya) – Veneral diseases, Ganoria, falls etc.
7. Libra (Tula) – Fever and post pregnancy complications.
8. Scorpio (Vrischika) – Jaundice
9. Sagittarius (Dhanu) – Death from fall from tree and weapons.
10. Capricorn (Makar) – Tremendous pain, tastelessness, mental imbalance.
11. Aquarius (Kumbha) – Fever, Tuberculosis, Respiratory problems.
12. Pisces (Meena) – Urinary infections

One should study the chart keeping the factors mentioned and study with great care and patience the chart. One should not come to conclusion merely if the said combinations are fulfilled. One should study whether there are astrological counter factors towards these problems. The most important of the counter factors are, firstly the aspect of strong well-placed Jupiter, Venus, Mercury and Shukla Paksha Moon (Waxing Moon) in the respective order. Then the Roga (diseases) causing combinations should be studied, in particular reference to Drekkana (D3) and D6 divisional charts, Ashtaka varga and other charts.

After carefully studying from different angles and applying sound astrological knowledge, one should pronounce the results. Sometimes all facts may prove fatal and the one can say, he may die. But even then, there may be some intricate points to protect the native form the jaws of death by succumbing to the disease. There are certain formulae enunciated which states that “Having given up hopes” the native overcomes the acute seriousness and comes back to life. One point is explained here.

If the eighth lord occupy Kendra along with Saturn, even if the native is almost declared dead he will come back alive to life for long with wealth, though born poor. The principles enunciated are common for man and woman, young or old. But in case of children up to 8 years we have to study Bal Arishta yoga. In a way Bal Arishta yoga is the study of pediatrics indirectly and this yoga stipulates that certain planetary combinations are responsible for the child’s health and longevity during the first eight years after birth.

Combinations like the one when Moon in 8^th house, Rahu in 9th, Mars in 7th, Venus in 6th house, Mercury in 4th house, Jupiter in 3rd house, Sun in 5th house, Saturn in Lagna will cause problem to the child in the first eight years and astrology specifies that all care should be taken during this period. Like this there are many planetary combinations for the Bal Arishta Yoga.