Originally published on March 11, 2014
Available Birth Data
Astro-Databank: Srinivasa Ramanujan – Rodden Rating B
Astrodatabank reports a B-rated birthtime based on the biographer Robert Kanigel’s comment that Ramanujan was born just after sunset. Astrodatabank reports sunset at 5:48 p.m Madras time. Origin of the 6:20 p.m. time unknown.
Proposed Rectification
Srinivasa Ramanujan
22-Dec-1887
6:32:28 PM
-05:21:00
Erode, India
77e44; 11n21
ASC 10CA21’44”
The proposed rectification follows sunset and is slightly beyond the reported 6:20 p.m. birthtime. My rectification comments here are brief as a number features of this horoscope stand out very clearly.
Ascendant sign
For a mathematician with great insight, Cancer rising is no surprise. Water signs are consistent with a mental style which facilitates instantaneous comprehension of the problem as a whole. Einstein is another example. Ramanujan regularly invoked the name of Namagiri of Namakkai, a Hindu goddess revered by Ramanujan’s family and Ramanujan himself as the source of his mathematical insight. See that Venus rules both the 4th of family and the 9th of religion/philosophy. Venus signifies Namagiri in Ramanujan’s horoscope. The lion-god Narasimha is signified by Mars which is in generosity with Venus (Namagiri). As ruler of the intuitive Moon, Mars is one source of Ramanujan’s intuition. Refer to the biographical sketch where Ramanujan states Narasimha’s dripping blood preceded mathematical revelations. Mars ruling the 10th (literally straight up in the sky) placed in the 4th (the earth) is consistent with blood dripping from the sky falling on the ground.
Rising Decan
For a birthtime after sunset the rising decan is either the 1st or 2nd decan of Cancer. By the time the 3rd decan rises, the birthtime is 7:15 p.m. which is 90 minutes after sunset. This seems like too much elapsed time if the ‘after sunset’ time description is valid.
If the 1st decan of Cancer rises, Moon/Aries is the physiognomy significator which suggests a thin body type with the bony ovate facial type according to Willner’s facial type model.
If the 2nd decan of Cancer rises, the rising decan is Scorpio which is a much better match to Ramanujan’s dark facial countenance. Ruler Mars/Libra suggests a compressed ovate shape, a better match than the bony ovate of Moon/Aries were the 1st decan of Cancer to rise. In addition, both Venus and Jupiter are placed in Scorpio, sign of the rising decan. Both benefics in Scorpio, a water sign, with Venus in her detriment, suggest a predominance of flesh. Ramanujan was short and fat. This is a delineation match to the 2nd decan of Cancer as the rising decan.
Transits
15-Jan-1913. tr. North Node conj MC.Ramanujan’s letter to Hardy, a famous letter in the history of mathematics, 16-Jan-1913.
Solar Arc Directions
11-Aug-1919. d.s.a. Moon square Saturn.Ramanujan openly rebelled against his mother, exact date.
13-Oct-1918. d.s.a. ASC conj North Node.
(also c.tr.North Node conj Lot of Fortune)Elected Fellow of Trinity College, exact date.
Primary Directions
REG D (Mercury/Taurus) P sin square South Node d. => Lot of Fortune 27-Apr-1920
PT D (Mercury/Taurus) P sin square South Node d. => Lot of Fortune 30-Apr-1920Death, 26-Apr-1920.
From the ‘Medieval Astrology Profile for Srinivasan Ramanujan’, Victor Database
For more information on Doctor H’s work, visit the House of Wisdom