As always, vedic astrology has many tools, tricks and concept to decode and interpret a chart. Argala is one of such tools. Again, it is not about which tool has a higher say over which one. As always, everything is in addition. All the concepts cooperate with each other rather than conflicting with each other. So, let’s try to understand concept of Argala based on following points –

Meaning of Argala.

Concept of Argala.

Types of Argala.

Examples.

Reason behind the concept.

My understanding.

Conclusion.

Let’s cover all points one after the other –

Meaning of Argala – Argala is known or understood in astrological world as obstacle/blockage/intervention. It means one which causes some sort of obstacle/blockage/intervention. Another literal meaning of Argala which I found online is Thin.

Concept of Argala – Concept of Argala says that “certain houses” or “planets in those houses” from a “particular planet or house” can cause an obstacle/blockage/intervention in growth/results/benefits of that “particular planet or house”.

Types of Argala – Let’s try to understand this concept clearly through different types of Argala. There are two main types of Argala –

Primary Argala – 2^nd house/4^th house/11^th house from any planet or house OR planets in 2^nd house/4^th house/11^th house from any planet or house will work as obstacle/blockage/intervention. It means that 2^nd house/4^th house/11^th house or planets therein from any planet or house will hinder the growth or development or benefits of that particular planet or house.

Secondary Argala – 5^th house from any planet or house OR planets in 5^th house from any planet or house will work as obstacle/blockage/intervention. It means that 5^th house or planets therein from any planet or house will hinder the growth or development or benefits of that particular planet or house.

Then there are sub-categories –

Shubh-Argala – Shubh-Argala means that if the planet involved in Primary Argala houses (2^nd house/4^th house/11^th house) or Secondary Argala house (5^th house), as discussed above, is a natural benefic planet or Shubh Grah like Venus, Jupiter or Moon then it is called as Shubh-Argala. We can understand it as benefic intervention.

Paap-Argala - Paap-Argala means that if the planet involved in Primary Argala houses (2^nd house/4^th house/11^th house) or Secondary Argala house (5^th house), as discussed above, is a natural malefic planet or Paap Grah like Sun, Mars, Saturn or Nodes then it is called as Paap-Argala. We can understand it as malefic intervention.

Examples – After theory, now let’s understand it through some examples –

Primary Argala.1 – 1^st house represents Self. 2^nd house/4^th house/11^th house from 1^st house would become Primary Argala houses for 1^st house which can bring obstacle/blockage/intervention in the growth of 1^st house/Self.

Primary Argala.2 – 5^th house represents Education. 6^th house/8^th house/3^rd house from would become Primary Argala houses for 5^th house which can bring obstacle/blockage/intervention in the growth of 5^th house/Education, as they are 2^nd house/4^th house/11^th house from 5^th house respectively.

Primary Argala.3 – Venus represents Creativity. 2^nd house/4^th house/11^th house from Venus would become Primary Argala houses for Venus which can bring obstacle/blockage/intervention in the growth of Venus/Creativity.

Secondary Argala.1 – 2^nd house represents Family & Wealth. 5^th house from 2^nd house, i.e. 6^th house, would become Secondary Argala house for 2^nd house which can bring obstacle/blockage/intervention in the growth of 2^nd house/Family & Wealth.

Secondary Argala.2 – Moon represents Mind. 5^th house from Moon would become Secondary Argala house for Moon house which can bring obstacle/blockage/intervention in the growth of Moon/Mind or Peace of Mind.

Shubh Argala.1 – 2^nd house is Primary Argala House for 1^st house. But if 2^nd house has a natural benefic planet like Venus then it becomes a Shubh Argala. It means that Venus will bring benefic intervention for 1^st house.

Shubh Argala.2 – Mars represents actions and efforts. If Moon is there in 5^th house from Mars then also it becomes a Shubh Argala. It means that Moon will bring benefic intervention for Mars.

Paap Argala.1 – 5^th house is Primary Argala House for 7^th house as it is 11^th from 7^th house. But if 5^th house has a natural malefic planet like Saturn then it becomes a Paap Argala. It means that Saturn will bring malefic intervention for 7^th house.

Paap Argala.2 – Jupiter represents knowledge and education. If Ketu is there in 5^th house from Jupiter then also it becomes a Paap Argala. It means that Ketu will bring malefic intervention for Jupiter.

Reason behind the concept – Now, let’s understand the reason behind this concept and its various divisions –

Primary Argala – 2^nd house from any house or planet represents resources or securities or wealth for that house or planet. 4^th house from any house or planet represents conducive environment for that house or planet. 11^th house from any house or planet represents gain for that house or planet. So, if I am trying to get some results from a particular house or planet then that house or planet must have support from 2^nd house/4^th house/11^th house from itself then only I can get those good results.

Let’s understand it by a simple example - 1^st house represents self and overall growth. Hence, it is necessary for me to get good growth in my overall life that my family environment/wealth (2^nd house) must support me, my home environment (4^th house) must support me and my friends & networking circle (11^th house) must support me. If I don’t get support from anyone of them then it will be difficult for me to have a good growth for myself.

Another example – 7^th house represents relationship. 8^th house/10^th house/5^th house are Primary Argala houses for 7^th house. It is necessary for me to get good relationship that I must be able to see through instabilities of life to sustain a relationship (8^th house), I must have good recognition in society (10^th house) and I must be involved in some love/romance matters (5^th house). If I don’t get support from anyone of them then it will be difficult for me to have a good relationship.

Secondary Argala – 5^th house from any house or planet represents happiness for that house or planet. So, if I am trying to get some results from a particular house or planet then that house or planet must have support from 5^th house from itself then only I can get those good results.

Example – Moon represents Peace of Mind or Mother. I can have some peace of mind in my life or benefits from Mother only when 5^th house from Moon is strong.

As I see, the main differentiation is when we consider Shubh Argala and Paap Argala

I meant to say that if a benefic planet in good dignity is placed in positions discussed above for Primary or Secondary Argala houses then it will be positive or benefic intervention. But if a malefic planet is placed in positions discussed above for Primary or Secondary Argala houses then it will be negative or malefic intervention.

My understanding – Rather than calling Argala as obstacle/blockage/intervention, I would like to call it as impact or influence of the above-mentioned houses or planets on any particular house. I meant to say that words like obstacle/blockage/intervention always give understanding that something negative is taking place but it is not necessary that Argala will always be negative. That’s why; they had to create further division of Shubh Argala and Paap Argala. It is clearly indicating that Argala can be either positive or negative. Hence, I would like to call it impact or influence which can be positive or negative based on planets and their dignity involved.

Conclusion – Again, everything is in addition in astrology. Biggest mistake we can do here is to follow the concept of Argala and forget all other concepts of astrology. So, we have to consider houses, house lords, planets and their dignity, dashas and transits to know the final result. Let’s take this example – Suppose someone has Moon in Taurus and 5^th house from Moon, he has Venus. So, we can say it is secondary argala of the nature of Shubh Argala but here Venus will be debilitated in Virgo and what if 5^th house from Moon is actually a dushathana house from Lagna?

Hence, always look at chart in its entirety, not in fragments.