In the sacred teachings of the Nāradīya Purāṇa, it is revealed that the destiny and character of a person are shaped by the intricate movements and placements of the planets at the time of birth. When the planetary influences are auspicious, a man becomes endowed with beauty, gentleness, good fortune, enjoyment, and intelligence. Yet, if the signs themselves are inauspicious, even the Sun and other benefic planets do not yield the promised blessings. Should another planet occupy the place of the benefics, it imparts similar qualities and form to the individual. However, when the birth occurs in a cruel sign, the person becomes extremely violent; if the planetary position is on the guru’s couch, he turns into a sinner. Such a person brings obstacles, lives as a servant, acts sinfully and violently, and lacks intelligence. Conversely, certain placements grant a man a wife, strength, ornaments, good character, and exceptional daring. Sometimes, the planetary influences may cause disease; at other times, they bring happiness with one’s own wife, or, if inauspicious, lead to adultery. When the planets are favorably aligned, the individual enjoys happiness, intelligence, wealth, fame, brilliance, and the honor of people. He is gifted with intelligence, artistic talents, poetry, sculpture, debate, and cunning. Life may be filled with both dangers and happiness, health and disease, beauty and wealth. A person may be heroic and proud; yet, if the influences are inauspicious, he may become a killer, though still possessing some good qualities. The Sun and Moon, when situated in the signs of Mars or other planets, in their own signs, trines, exalted positions, or friendly signs, and placed in the throat (the third house), are considered to have pleasing movements and forms, bestowing happiness. Birth in a house that is vargottama—where the same sign appears in both the main and divisional chart—and occupied by benefic planets, is highly auspicious. When the lords of birth, the Moon, and the ascendant are placed in a kendra (an angular house), they grant moderate happiness. Likewise, if the Sun, Mars, Venus, or Jupiter are positioned in the middle houses at the time of entry, the results are similar. When the fifth or seventh house from the ascendant is joined or aspected by benefic lords, it brings good results. However, if the Sun is in the twelfth house, Mars or Saturn in the fifth, it destroys offspring; Mars in the fifth is especially harmful. If malefic planets join or aspect the relevant house, the wife may die due to fire. If birth occurs with only one planet in the seventh house, specific results are given. If Venus rises in a trine or is placed in the eighth house, the birth is of a childless husband. If the Moon is debilitated and aspected by malefics, the person is born without children or spouse. When the Moon and Venus are together with the Sun and a female planet, the man becomes a paramour. If these two are aspected by benefics, he becomes wealthy and well-formed. If the lord of the third house is joined with Mercury and placed in a kendra, and aspected by the Sun, the person becomes an artisan. If the Sun or Moon is debilitated and aspected by the Sun or Mars, the result is similar. When Saturn is in a kendra and afflicted by malefics, disease of the private parts occurs. If the Moon is in the sky and set, Mars is debilitated, or the ascendant lord is with the Sun, the person is deformed. When the Sun and Moon are in the twelfth, sixth, or eighth houses, they obstruct longevity. Benefic aspects prevent harm, but malefics in the third, sixth, or eighth houses bring danger. If Jupiter is in the ascendant or Saturn is in the fourth house, ailments caused by wind arise. Mars in the fourth house with the son of Vayu, or in conjunction with the Moon, brings madness. Serpents, chains, deceit, evil glances, and inauspicious looks in childhood can also influence destiny. When the Sun, Saturn, or Mars are situated with malefic aspects, or even with benefic aspects in a circle, the results reflect their influences. If the Moon and Jupiter are together, the outcome is suitable for the virtuous and fortunate. When the ascendant lord and the Moon are in the same sign, or when the Moon is in the fourth house, and both are endowed with good character and ornaments and aspected by benefics, auspicious results follow. However, if malefics are present, their qualities are destroyed when aspected by malefics. In childhood, if afflicted, the person becomes a servant; if virtuous, she is deceptive and hasty. Again, if malefics are present, the good qualities are destroyed when aspected by malefics. If the Moon is with Mercury, she is neutral or impotent; if virtuous, she is unstable. Thus, the Purāṇa reveals how the planetary configurations at birth weave the tapestry of human life, bestowing blessings or obstacles, virtues or flaws, according to the divine order.