In the Lesson 29 of Module 3 of the Academy course, we studied the Graha Dṛṣṭi and, along with these, the combinations that lead us to consider the possibility that the native received a curse in previous lives, destined to manifest itself as a certain type of negative karma in this life. It is a delicate, profound subject that must be handled with great awareness, because it directly touches on the relationship between words, intentions, and spiritual power.

The first fundamental question is: Who is truly capable of cursing? Not everyone. Not everyone has the power. Many people can utter harsh words, full of anger or resentment, they can think evil thoughts or wish evil upon others, but this does not mean that such words automatically turn into a real and effective curse. For a curse to be “cast,” something more than just emotion is needed: it takes Atma Bala, the strength of the Soul, the strength of the Self.

The person who curses may be angry, dominated by Mars; she may be deeply suffering, crushed by Saturn; or she may be shocked, betrayed, inwardly shattered by Rāhu. But if he does not possess Atma Bala, if he has not accumulated real spiritual strength through practice, discipline, and tapasya in this or other lives, then his words remain just words. They do not have the power necessary to become active karma in another's life.

If we find one of these combinations in our chart that indicate a possible curse, then it is essential to always observe the nature of the afflicted planet, because that is where we understand “who” cast the curse. Beneficial planets such as Jupiter, Mercury, Venus, and the Moon indicate different types of people, with different roles and relationships. We have already explored this aspect in lesson 29, and there is no need to repeat it here, but it is important to remember that nothing is random: the quality of the planet tells us about the quality of the karmic bond.

However, there is one point that is often misunderstood. Any curse be sent to another person creates karma first and foremost for the sender. The person who possesses Atma Bala, spiritual strength accumulated with effort through yogic practices, meditation, prayer, and discipline over many lifetimes, at the moment they curse consumes and disperses this force. It's a real fall. It's a waste of precious spiritual resources, obtained through years and years of inner work. It is like squandering spiritual credits accumulated with enormous effort. In this sense, a curse is never a “powerful” act in the positive sense of the term, but a abuse of power.

Moreover, since the curse causes suffering in those who receive it, those who send it face karma of the eighth house: the karma of having caused pain, loss, crisis, or forced transformation in another being. From this arises a very clear truth: Cursing is always counterproductive.. Always.

The only one exception apparent is when the act comes from a liberated soul, as Narada Muni. In that case, it is not a real curse, but a blessing in disguise, a karmic intervention that accelerates liberation.

The classic example is that of two sons of Kuvera, the treasurer of the celestial beings. Narada saw them naked, drunk, immersed in pleasure with two celestial nymphs, completely devoid of dignity and awareness. He cursed them to become two trees in Vrindavana. But that “curse” was actually a gift: after many years, they remained motionless, forced into introspection, and were finally liberated directly by Krishna, even attaining mokṣa (spiritual liberation). In this case, Narada's word did not generate darkness, but light. It is a dynamic that can only occur when the speaker is completely free from ego.

If, on the other hand, we want to understand, in an astrological chart, if a person truly possesses Atma Bala, that is, the force necessary for the word to become effective, then there is a technique that you already know.

And here the question arises: Do you remember which one?

When Atma Bala, the power of the Self, is channeled into words, they become Mantra Bala, the power of mantras. In D1, our approach to mantras is observed from the fifth house, while from the fifth house from the Moon we see the relationship of our mind with mantras. Every spiritualist who practices mantras consistently in this life for many years accumulates Atma Bala. Every mantra recited, every japa, every conscious prayer adds spiritual strength.. This force manifests itself as Mantra Bala, and is an energy that should be guarded with extreme care.

Atma Bala is what sustains us on the path to liberation, what allows us to overcome the obstacles of matter, karmic trials, and the repercussions of the ego. Wasting it means weakening yourself internally.. Preserving it means preparing for freedom. It is no coincidence that sacred texts place such emphasis on the discipline of speech.

In the Ramayana, we find a powerful teaching on this point through the figure of Viśvāmitra. At first, he “wastes” his Atma Bala by giving in to pleasure with the celestial nymph Menaka. To recover what he had lost, he had to meditate for many years. When another nymph, Rambha, arrived and tried to divert him from his path, Viśvāmitra reacted by cursing her. Once again, he lost his Atma Bala and was forced to begin a long cycle of asceticism all over again. Later, in an attempt to satisfy the whims of King Trishanku, he competed with Vasiṣṭha and once again dissipated his spiritual strength. Each fall meant starting over again. At this point, he found a way to protect his Atma Bala, and the sage finally achieved success.

And that is why there are spiritualists who practice for decades without really advancing: every loss of Atma Bala slows down the journey and forces them to retrace their steps. Casting a curse is equivalent to falling off the path.

However, it is in the Navāṁśa, we clearly see the power of mantras and creative speech accumulated through previous lives.. The D9 is connected to our past life and indicates what we carry with us into this life. Here we observe what we have truly internalized. Malefics in trines from the Planet of Destiny in D9 indicate Atma Bala. One malefic suggests a certain strength, two a more substantial strength, three or more a very high amount of Atma Bala. If beneficial influences are added to these, through conjunctions or dṛṣṭi, then this strength will be used for lofty purposes. If, on the other hand, malefic influences predominate, the native could misuse their Mantra Bala. In any case, the advice remains the same: do not use it against others. Preserve it. It is a precious spiritual asset. Accumulating it is, in a sense, part of the “video game” of life.

Therefore, strong Atma Bala, or Mantra Bala, is needed for a curse to be truly effective. In that case, the word becomes like a powerful mantra, an arrow that hits its target. This is precisely why we must be extremely careful with the words we use.

Never curse. Never wish ill on anyone. Always bless. Offer good wishes, uplifting words, and nourishing intentions. Blessings are also energy, and they too reach their destination, manifesting themselves in the paper of the recipient. Learning to bless is one of the simplest and most powerful spiritual practices that exist.. In this way, we create a virtuous circle of well-being, for ourselves and for others.

May every being be happy. May every being find peace, light, and love, now and forever. ✋
Repeat after me:

May all be well. May all be happy. May all see goodness. May no one experience suffering.

May everyone be happy. May everyone be free from suffering. May everyone see goodness. May no one know pain.