My life is full miseries you know why because I am not Manglik. This kind of statement is normally heard among Hindus. Lots of people think of Manglik yog as one of worst yoga’s in jatak’s horoscope, but is it really that bad no it is not. The most dreaded concept of “Manglik” is known for conferring the results of early death of spouse or inharmonious relationships with the spouse. A native is considered to be “Manglik” when Mars is placed in the first, second, fourth, seventh, eighth or twelfth house from the natal ascendant or Moon. Some modern astro-researchers even include these positions from Venus. If all those concepts are totally true then in this way more eighty (80%) percent of the human beings are Manglik.

I don’t see any truth in this concept, though there is mention of some exceptions to the said position of Mars, yet even there are not based on any scientific or astrological logic. The said position of Mars in a horoscope does not make a native Manglik in case the Mars is a functional benefic for the natal chart. The natal charts where Mars becomes functional malefic i.e. Virgo, Scorpio and Taurus ascendant charts, it can generate the results of the so-called Manglik yoga if the association of Mars is close/exact to the middle point of the house and the lord of the house where Mars is posited, is weak. There is no exception to this combination. However, the close aspects of a efficient benefic Jupiter and the third aspect of a functional benefic Saturn are capable of warding off the evils generated by Mars to a large extent.

Mars is a hot planet and plays an important role in our horoscopes and it is the planet of action and our capacity to project or demonstrate emotions. By personality trait Mars is brave warrior, one who is also ruthless and rash. A correct balance of Martian energy is most desire bale in all lives but unfortunately; very few individuals are blessed this dynamic balance. It is normally noted that those who are Manglik are see as energetic, smart, hard worker, dedicated, ambitious and rebellious in behaviour and they get violent at the slightest instigation. The actual impact of Mars varies from one horoscope to another and it is dependent as well as affected by the degree of other housemates as well as other planets placed in different horoscopes.

Mangal (Mars) is a planet of vitality, vigour, fiery, aggressiveness, short-tempered nature and willingness to do something extraordinary. People born with a strong Mars in their horoscope display any or all of these qualities. Mars is the main hub of energy; it can be used for productive or destructive purposes. Mars positioned in the fiery signs like Aries, Leo and Sagittarius will result in a display of real Martian qualities.

From time to time I have met people who have been living life by following useless myths, misconceptions and malpractices surrounding the concept of Manglik dosha. An individual born with Mars in the first, second, fourth, seventh, eighth, or twelfth house in the birth chart from Lagna, Chandra Lagna (Moon Sign) or Venus is said to have Manglik dosha in his/her horoscope. Among these, the seventh and eighth houses are the ones to give the highest degree of dosha, whereas the second, fourth, twelfth and Lagna impart the dosha in descending degrees of intensity.

In the case of a boy, the dosha is highest for the seventh house and in case of the girl the dosha is at the peak for the eighth house. A boy with Mars in the seventh should marry a girl with Mars in either seventh or eighth house. A girl with Mars in eighth should marry only a boy with Mars in seventh. For her, a boy with Mars in the eighth will not do. When the dosha’s are not properly matched, the marriage is said to come to a number of misfortunes like quarrels, separation or death of one partner, depending on the degree of the dosha.

In addition to Mars, the fire planets Ketu and Sun also should be considered in counting the number of dosha’s in a horoscope. There is some controversy regarding Sun as it is basically noble natured. In cases of matrimony it is safer to count Sun also among the group on account of its fiery quality, but with the intensity of dosha less. In addition to the fiery planets, there is another group, which are also Papa grahas (malefics). These are Saturn and Rahu. These planets placed in similar positions should be considered in counting dosha’s. However the property of the dosha given by these planets is different - usually they are seen to cause delays in getting married, difficult relationships, bitterness and general unhappiness. Thus Saturn/ Rahu dosha’s in one horoscope cannot be matched with Mars/ Ketu dosha’s in the other horoscope.

It is normally observed that orthodox Indians - who are mostly the ones who follow astrology - girls with Manglik dosha have difficulty getting husbands. But boys with Manglik dosha are said to be in high demand - so much so that parents of Manglik boys are believed to demand higher dowry from the Manglik girl’s desperate parents. There is no logical basis for this - once a marriage takes place, both spouses are part of any misfortune that happens. Thus the non-Manglik also can suffer a bad stroke of luck if their horoscope is not properly matched with their partner’s. Matching of horoscope before marriage in cannot guarantee a successful and happy married life.

People shouldn’t be afraid about this dosha; it has nothing to do with the life threats as being talked about by astrologers in the past. Mars being a hot planet needs more energy to live life comfortably, and by energy here I mean a wonderful sexual life.

Horoscope matching shouldn’t be seen as the only tool for assessment of happy married life. It should be noticed that marriages succeed only on the basis of compatibility of the boy and the girl. If the boy and the girl both find some commonality and attraction between them then the marriage can work far better than the one imposed by the parents, just because of the Manglik dosha’s. It is observed that people with excellently matched horoscope face a bad relationship and they end up divorcing.

In case of marriage it is better to see that the two individuals should be capable enough to take decisions needed for a happy married life. Personality plays an important role in the success of marriage, in the past females didn’t had much to do in the Indian society but now things are changing and with that change the research in astrology has to bring new concepts and issues which help in development of cordial relationships.

I personally believe that it is better to give some time to the bride and the groom to get together and talk about issues of importance and then move in a relationship. With the blessings of Shri Ganesha married all ill effects of the horoscope will transform into positive yoga’s. On the positive note, a strong Mars is necessary to give us the energy, independence, will and self-confidence to carry out our endeavours. Without this we would have no real interest, passion or motivation to carry out anything to an end and accomplish its objective. On the negative side, the same aggression brings about competition, argument and conflict - which, if unchecked can lead to domination, violence, injury and disaster.

The ill effects of Mars can be minimized and the good effects can be increased according to Indian mythology by doing the following tasks.

Any or all of these, one can select as per one's convenience.· Donation of a piece of Red cloth on any Tuesday is an ideal proposition, recommended by the astrologers, as red is the colour dear to Mars.
· Wearing of coral ring made of Gold or Copper on the Index or Ring finger on any Tuesday and continuing to wear it thereafter is likely to appease Mars.
· Wearing Gold or Copper ring is also recommended to bring effective beneficial results.
· Offering Red Kaner (Red Oleander) in Hawan (Fire Sacrifices) is also an effective measure to appease Mars.
· Fasting on Tuesday is very effective effort to get the grace of the Mars. But, if fasting is not congenial to health, make a habit of using Masoor Pulse (Lentil Pulse) on Tuesday. This will prove to be substitutive.

Gaitree for Mangal Devta - Asking Mars for control, power, strength and health
Om namonhrathe bhagavathe vaasupoojya-theer-thankaraaya
shanmukha-yaksha gaanhaaree yakshee sahithaaya
Om aam krom kreem hra:
Mangalakuja mahaa-grha mama-dushta-grha roga-kashta nivaaranam
sarva-shaanthi cha kuru kuru hoom phat pracho dyaat