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Introduction to Argala The term Argala means ‘bolt’ which fastens objects together for good or ill. In a birth Argala shows how each planet influences every area of our lives, quite beyond the connections usually seen via aspects alone. Argala clearly shows how each planet will influence different areas of our lives leaving no stone unturned. This explains how it is that we continue to eat throughout life, though few planetary periods seem to have anything to do with the activity of eating. Argala also explains how one area of life affects another. Just as our choice of spouse may cause peace or peril to the family or our job may take us away from home, the patterns of Argala effect our lives. A person who masters the concept of Argala will gain perfect knowledge in timing events in astrology.

Houses of Argala There are two types of Argala or intervention, one which is a positive support the other which is an obstruction:

a) Primary Argala – support that is felt immediately and directly. b) Secondary Argala – support that is felt subtly, but noticed with time. c) Primary Virodha – obstruction that is felt immediately and directly. d) Secondary Virodha – obstruction felt subtly, but noticed in time.

Primary Argala will have a direct bearing on the affairs of the house it gives Argala to. The Secondary Argala will have a subtle bearing, in the form of things which are not brought to our immediate attention. A Sign or Planet receives Argala from the following positions taken by other planets or signs and reflected back to it.: Primary Argala: 2nd, 4th and 11th signs from its position1. These are known as Dhaanaargala, Sukhaargala and Labhaargala respectively. Secondary Argala: 5th and 8th signs from its position2.

1 Refer: Brhat Parasara Hora Shastra: Argalaadhyaaya, Sloka 3: ���������������� �������������������������������������

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addition of the 8th house to this scheme becomes apparent in the description of the effects of Argala.

The planets or signs in the 12th, 10th and 3rd respectively, will cause Virodha, or obstruction, to the said houses. i.e. the 12th house will obstruct the Argala of the 2nd house, as the 10th house will cause obstruction to the 4th house. Similarly the 9th and 6th houses will cause secondary Virodha, or obstruction, to the 5th and 8th houses respectively.

Chart 1: Argala Chakra

From the above we can infer that the sign Pisces receives Primary Argala from: Aries (2nd), Gemini (4th) and Capricorn (11th). This Argala is obstructed by: Aquarius (12th), Sagittarius (10th) and Taurus (3rd). Pisces will receive Secondary Argala from Cancer (5th) and Libra (8th) and is obstructed by the secondary Virodha coming from Scorpio (9th) and Leo (6th) respectively. Planets in these signs will moderate the results of Argala and obstruction, just as living beings can intervene in the affairs of others.

• Argala caused by Benefics are called Shubhaargala, while that caused by Malefics are called Papaargala.

• If a malefic is in the 3rd sign from a planet or sign, then it causes ‘Vipareeta Argala’, or

‘Reverse Intervention’. This means that an objective is initially obstructed and then gained later on through some extra effort, which is called Parakrama.

• The 7th sign from any sign or planet will cause Argala or Virodha depending on whether the

sign or planet is friendly or adverse to the natural significations (Karaka) of the house or planet receiving the ‘bolt’. For example, a friendly planet will benefit the house, while a malefic planet will do the opposite.

• Planets obstructing malefic or Papaargala will benefit the native.

Argala and Houses

Argala and the mutual relationships between the houses. The mutual placement of the houses from each other gives a better understanding of Argala. Everyone needs to eat to sustain the body and the 2nd house from Lagna has a direct bearing on the health of the native. Similarly the 4th house will show the home of a native and his or her mother who is responsible for carrying and nurturing the child to maturity.The 11th house shows the hopes and the fulfilment of dreams which are essential for the natives journey through life. Malefics placed in these houses will hurt the Lagna, by giving: Bad food (2nd house), loss of home or dangerous surroundings (4th) or obstacles in achieving desires (11th). The 5th from the Lagna shows the future of the Lagna, namely the children and followers who may shape the natives fortune. Malefic’s in the 5th may cause lack of support from the same. Whereas malefics placed in the 8th from the Lagna would indicate longevity and sudden events influencing the life of the native. Similarly the 2nd, 4th and 11th from any house or planet must be checked for Argala and Virodha, as well as the 5th and 8th houses.

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Chart 2: Argala Chakra for 4th house

Above is a chart showing the Argala interactions the 4th house as the focus. The 4th house rules primary education, mother, home, vehicles and happiness. Focusing on the topic of education the following can be seen. The 4th house receives Argala from the 5th house (2nd from it) and shows that the intelligence of the native is necessary to sustain the education. The 4th house receives Argala from the 7th house (4th from it) indicating that social-capability, and partners, may enhance the comfort of one’s education.

The 4th house receives Argala from the 2nd house (11th from it), which shows how ones speech and oral capability is necessary for one to progress properly in education. In long lasting traditions, knowledge was provided orally and not written down. The 4th house receives Vipareeta Argala from malefic’s in the 6th house (3rd from it) indicating that strife and extra effort maybe needed to learn, if ones oral capabilities fail (2nd). Depending on the nature of the planet in the 10th house (7th from it) the native’s education may gain or suffer. This will depend on whether the planet sends the native into work (10th house rules work) prematurely, or if it sustains the possibility of further education helping the native achieve their professional ambitions. Additionally in this example the 4th house receives secondary Argala from the 8th house (5th from it) showing how research, and ‘new’ knowledge may help the person’s education. Additionally the 4th house receives secondary Argala from the 11th house (8th from it) showing how one’s social circle and friends can shape the educations longevity. Planets in the mentioned houses will determine the quality of the Argala. The quality of the Argala depends on whether the planet is friendly or inimical towards the significations (Karaka) of the house it gives Argala to.

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In previous chapters the significators (Karakas) of the various houses were given. Planets giving Argala to a house will shape the houses quality. If the planet giving Argala is inimical, or malefic, toward the Karaka of the house the quality of the house will fall. A good example is Saturn’s placement in the 2nd house. Saturn will give Argala to the 1st house whose Karaka is Sun. Sun rules vitality and the overall health of the native and Saturn is naturally inimical towards the Sun. Hence during a period related to Saturn the native’s health will suffer greatly. The reason will be seen from Saturn’s placement. Saturn in the 2nd house may indicate bad food, or bad habits. If Saturn is in a friendly sign or exalted sign, the wrong food or wrong habits may come from living too luxuriously without care for one’s health.

• If a planet that obstructs a house is also the Karaka for that house the planet will forcefully protect its results, whether the native likes it or not. This will ultimately benefit the house.

• Between a planet giving Argala and a planet obstructing the same, the stronger of the two signs containing the planets must be analysed to deduce the more dominating force.

o A sign with more planets will be more dominant. o If equal numbers of planets are in the signs, then a sign receiving ‘sign sight’ by

more planets is stronger. o If they are still equal in strength, the strength of the sign lords must be deduced. The

one occupying higher degrees is stronger. • Results of Argala and VirodArgala will arise during the periods and sub-periods of the

signs/planets giving Argala to the relevant house or sign or planet.

Argala and planets Argala can also be seen with reference to the planet itself by treating the planets position as the focal point.

Argala with reference to the planets natural characteristics will determine which forces intervene in attaining the significations of that planet. For example, the planets giving Argala to Jupiter will determine which forces will intervene in the native getting fortune. Similarly the planets which give Argala to Ketu will determine which forces help a native attain liberation3 from the cycle of rebirth. For this purpose ONLY should the Argala given to Ketu be reckoned in reverse4. This is depicted below.

Chart 3: Ketu Argala Chakra

In this manor the Astrologer should reckon Argala given by a planet to the various houses, their lords, their Arudha’s and the Karaka of the houses, as well as other vital points.

Examples of Argala

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Chart 4: Bill Gates – October 28th 1955, 21:21:29, TZ: 8:00 West of GMT, 122w20; 47n36

3 Liberation; also known as Nirvana or Moksha. 4 Jaiminis Upadesa, Adhyaya 1, Pada 1, Sloka 9: �) $ �"�&�������# �,�-”Reverse for Ketu”.

In the chart of Bill Gates, who is among the worlds richest, Jupiter the Karaka for wealth and fortune is in Leo. It is important to see the Argala Jupiter receives from various sign and planets to ascertain how a native accumulates wealth around them. Jupiter in Leo receives Argala from Exalted Mercury and Mars in the 2nd from it. This shows that communication, specifically the Internet, as well as applications for computers (Mercury) as well as large property and machinery (Mars) will surround him. As this happens in Virgo, the 4th house, it shows lots of property and also highly advanced modern houses. The obstructions to this Argala are seen from the planets and signs in the 12th from Jupiter. Cancer is the sign in the 12th from Jupiter, and it is unoccupied, hence there is no obstruction and the wealth (2nd) is greater than the expenses (12th). The 4th sign from Jupiter is Scorpio the 6th house, housing Rahu. Rahu in Scorpio can indicate large machinery used for mining (Scorpio resides underground), but this Argala is obstructed by Ketu who is in the 10th sign from Jupiter, in the 12th house. Among the two signs (Scorpio and Taurus) Taurus is stronger, as it sees Libra where its own sign is placed, whilst Scorpio sees no other planets and therefore cannot gather as much strength/resources5. Ketu (upwards movement) seeing Venus (vehicles) can indicate the use of planes and such airborne vehicles. Saturn and the debilitated Sun also see, or aspect, Taurus and being the 12th house this shows charity to people (Saturn indicates the masses or the public), around the world (The Sun sees the entire world). The 11th sign from Leo is Gemini, where the Lagna sits, showing how writing about himself may take up his time and money. However, the 3rd from Leo is stronger housing 3 planets, obstructing this effort. The 3 planets are in Libra, the 5th from Lagna, showing the previous mentioned indications (charity, vehicles, etc) will give him power and authority (5th house). As 2 of the said planets are malefics he will make extra efforts to achieve wealth and fortune. The 5th sign from Leo gives secondary Argala and shows the subtle interventions to his fortune. This sign is Sagittarius, who is unoccupied, but gathers sight from 3 planets (Moon, Mercury and Mars), while getting obstructed by Aries (9th from Leo) who gathers sight from two planets (Rahu and Jupiter). The former is stronger, as it gathers resources from more planets, and indicates paper bonds (Mercury), land-investments (Mars), as well as commercials (Moon) as a source of accumulated funds. The 8th sign from Leo, also gives secondary Argala to Jupiter, and has the Moon posited giving effects similar to the previously mentioned (commercials, land-investments and bonds). As there are no planets in the 6th from Leo and Jupiter, the 8th becomes stronger and will dominate the results. The 7th sign from Leo and Jupiter is Aquarius and being a malefic sign and the 9th sign from the Lagna, it indicates problems from the law, who may obstruct the extent of his fortunes and wealth.

5 To see which resources are available to a planet or sign, ‘Sign Sight’ or ’Rasi Dristi’ should be used.

Argala shaping ones property Chart 5: Female – October 19th 1949, 13:15:29, TZ: 3:07 East of GMT, 40e54; 2s16

The 4th house will show ones property and home, and the Argala the 4th house receives will show the influences which may change the native’s residence, and what will influence any property the native owns. The Karakas of the home, specifically the birthplace is the Moon, and the Karaka of lands and property is Mars. The Karaka of buildings is Ketu and must be kept in mind when ascertaining the results of various Argala on the 4th house. In the above chart, the 4th house is Aries, a movable sign, indicating a person who may move and may have changed residence many times in life. The 4th house receives Argala from the 5th house (2nd sign from it) which is the unoccupied sign of Taurus. Taurus is a beneficial sign and the exaltation sign of the Moon, which will keep the native close to their country or town of birth. However, this is obstructed by Rahu who is in the 3rd house (12th sign from the 4th). Rahu is greatly inimical towards the Moon hence there is a strong foreign influence that will cause the native to live in a foreign place or country for most of their life. This started when the period of Rahu began and she managed to visit many parts of Asia and Europe. Rahu is also inimical towards Mars, and is the opposite of Ketu, so ownership of land, and stability of home-buildings was lacking in this period, and was not to be seen until the native entered parenthood. The 4th house receives Argala from the 7th house (4th sign from it), which is the unoccupied Cancer. Cancer, being the home of the Moon, would also give happiness in the natives home country, but this Argala is obstructed by Jupiter in the Lagna (10th sign from the 4th), and is debilitated. Jupiter is the Karaka for happiness (Sukha) which is also one of the 4th house traits, and hence during its period the native will be forced to reside in the place where happiness ultimately will be found. During the period of Jupiter, the native moved to another country when the job-opportunities of her husband (Jupiter also signifies husband) decreased in the native’s home country. The 4th house receives Argala from the 2nd house (11th sign from it), the unoccupied Aquarius, a malefic sign, causing little gains from property-matters. This Argala is dominated by the obstruction

from the 6th house (3rd sign from the 4th), which is stronger than the 2nd (Aqua) because it receives the sign aspect of more planets. The 6th house being stronger shows that court cases and legal developments will dominate the native’s property matters. With the advent of the sub-period of Mercury, the native had legal problems with a person who claimed to own her land. Mercury’s involvement is caused by its sign aspect on the 6th house. The 4th house receives secondary Argala from the 8th house (5th sign from it) occupied by a badly placed Moon and two dire malefics: Mars and Saturn. This specific combination caused an early death to the native’s mother resulting in the native having received support and mothering from other people’s mothers (Mars + Saturn). Hence, early in life the native was living in the homes of other people’s mothers at the advent of Moon’s period. The 4th house receives secondary Argala from the 11th house (8th sign from it) occupied by Venus. This shows that the native gets support from tourists and travellers, to support her property and home, as is the case with one of her properties. This is however, obstructed by the 9th house (6th sign from the 4th house), showing that some laws of the country may cause obstruction to this. This sign occupied by Mercury and Rahu, as mentioned previously, cause problems with court cases and such disputes. The 10th house is occupied by the Sun who is friendly towards the Moon, Mars and Ketu, indicating a beneficial Argala on the 4th house giving good living circumstances during its period. However the Sun is debilitated and the native would become a victim of neglect by her parents and relatives. This is especially so, due to the Sign and Planetary Aspect of Saturn on the Sun. This in fact materialised during the native’s early life when the period of the Sun occurred. The reason for this neglect is seen from the lordship of the Sun.

Argala shaping the flow of power

Chart 6: Al Gore – March 31st 1948, 13:04:16, 5:00 West of GMT, 77w02, 38n54

The flow of power in a person’s life is discerned from the Ghati Lagna (GL). Power is signified by the Sun being the king of all creation. Planets inimical towards the Sun will also subdue the power of the native when discerning these effects from the Ghati Lagna. The Ghati Lagna is in Virgo the 3rd house, showing that power comes through conscious effort and indicates a native who will fight for power. The Ghati Lagna receives Argala from the 4th house (2nd sign from it) housing Ketu and Hora Lagna. Ketu is in Kendra to the Lagna among 3 other malefics – Saturn, Mars and Rahu, showing the presence of a Sarpa Yoga6. As a result the native may be surrounded by immoral people, criminals, lawyers and such. We may infer that these people would have contributed to his power, and that being during a very young age7. As Ketu Dasa occurred at birth this confirms that political power already residing in the family of Mr. Gore. These immoral activities would also have enhanced the flow of wealth in his life shown by the Hora Lagna in association with Ketu. The Ghati Lagna receives Argala from the 6th house (4th sign from it) housing Jupiter and Moon. Moon is Lagna lord here joining the 6th house and it’s lord causing Dhimantah Yoga8. This would give Mr. Gore a very high level of intelligence, which would lead him to a high throne of power. The union of the Moon and Jupiter also causes Gajakesari Yoga9 which is sure to seat Mr. Gore on a high throne. This was in fact prominent when Mr. Gore continuously won his seat in congress in 1976, 1978, 1980 and 1982, very easily. This all happened during Moon’s Dasa. In the same period of the Moon, he gained a seat in the senate in 1984. Jupiter Dasa is yet to run, and will come to pass in 2010 and will be excellent for Mr. Gore. The Ghati Lagna receives Argala from the Lagna (11th sign from it) housing Retrograde Saturn and a debilitated Mars. Mars being a friend of the Sun will, although being malefic, ensure the native’s power during its period, while Saturn’s presence may cause some tension in the seat of power. Planets in Lagna indicate that during their periods/sub-periods the native may start raising his true goals and ideals. Incase of Saturn in Cancer in the Lagna, this would be the highest of ideals – namely the seat of power. In 1987 during Mars’ Dasa, Mr. Gore announced that he was entering the presidential race. During this period Mr. Gore won several elections in the southern States. His campaign was going extremely well, making him a leading contender for the 1992 presidential elections (in the dire end of Mars’ Dasa10). However, after his son Albert III was hit by a car when the two of them were returning home from a baseball game, Mr Gore decided to sit out the presidential elections. Instead he became Mr. Clinton’s running mate for the election that Mr. Clinton won very successfully. Here Mars showed its weakness, being debilitated and conjoined the evil Saturn. Since Mars is the 5th house lord, the weakness was displayed through his children’s misery. 6 3 malefics in the quadrants to the Lagna causes Sarpa Yoga, which causes criminal or immoral activity around the native. 7 The 2nd and 4th houses, when occupied by planets give effects early in life. 8 Dhi-mantah Yoga is created with the union of Lagna lord and 6th or 5th houses/lords, and causes a person to be an eager student and researcher. The native will be highly intelligent. 9 Generally Jupiter in a quadrant sign from the Moon causes Gajakesari Yoga. The Yoga is strong especially when Jupiter is strong. The effects are a person who works his way to power/fame easily, and through pure efforts. 10 Periods of planets always tend to get more evil towards the end, whilst are very beneficial in the beginning.

The Ghati Lagna receives secondary Argala from the7th (5th sign from it). This shows Mr. Gore’s ‘unseen’ power which he receives from fans and followers. Being the 7th house, it shows partners (in both business and pleasure) who will support Mr. Gore. However; this Argala is obstructed by the 11th house (9th sign from Ghati Lagna) housing a strong Venus in own sign. This shows strong support from friends, especially women, who may have taken an interest for Mr. Gore due to his power. This manifested in his school days from 1949 to 1969, after which Mr. Gore was drafted for Vietnam. The Ghati Lagna receives secondary Argala from the 10th house (8th sign from it), which is occupied by Rahu. This shows the unseen support that most politicians receive from ‘Image makers11, political spies and surveyors, or others who are able to spot political manoeuvres. This Argala is obstructed by a strong Mercury in the 8th house (6th sign from Ghati Lagna) showing support from his work and associations in the communications industry (10th from Arudha Lagna). The Argala of Rahu became prominent when Mr. Gore became vice-president in 1993 during whilst the period of Rahu ran. However, as soon as the sub-period of Mercury began in end of 2000 he lost this support, which was the focal point in his many years in the shadow of President Clinton. Hence with the obstruction to Rahu, Mr. Gore lost his ability to spot the sinister tactics employed by other political rivals. This led to the loss of the Presidential elections in September 2000. The 7th sign from Ghati Lagna is occupied by the Sun, which is the significator of power itself, and the Sun being in the 11th sign from the Arudha Lagna, shows that this would also be his source of gains in life. Hence Mr. Gore receives an excellent support and as Sun is in the 9th house, the support came from his father who was a prominent politician in his days and his father’s contacts.

Argala shaping ones image

Chart 7: Male – August 7th 1963, 21:15 Sambalpur, India (84e01 ; 21n18)

The image one has in society and their material bliss can be seen from the Arudha Lagna. As Image is a mental projection of the mind the Argala and Obstructions must be gleaned through friendship or enmity with the Moon. The Argala formed on the Arudha Lagna will show the support or obstructions one receives to this image.

11‘Image makers’ are those who are able to shape the image of politicians.

The Arudha Lagna is in Sag the 10th house and is occupied by Ketu. This shows that the native has a mystical image similar to that of a sadhu12. As this happens in the 10th house, this image will manifest through his occupation. The native is an astrologer. The Arudha Lagna receives Argala from the 11th house (2nd sign from it), which is occupied by Retrograde Saturn. Saturn is very inimical toward the Moon and hence would naturally be adverse for the native’s image in society. Saturn is in its own sign of Capricorn, making it strong and auspicious for his image. However its natural enmity with the Moon will make the native secluded or secretive at times and will not support his name and fame. As this happens in the 11th house it supports his traditional learning of the occult sciences13. As Saturn is also the Chara Atmakaraka for the native he has and will experience a great deal of sorrow in this area of life. The Arudha Lagna receives Argala from the 1st house (4th sign from it), which is occupied by a stationary Jupiter. This indicates that much of the native’s fortune will come through the native’s own (Lagna) tradition (Jupiter). This also indicates a deep level of knowledge occupying the native, which would manifest itself through sleep or meditation14. The Argala of Jupiter is obstructed by Mars showing his image, at times, will be coloured by his aggressive outbursts toward his partners, though calmed down by Ketu’s sign sight on Mars. However as Jupiter is stronger than Mars, this aggressive image is only temporary. The Arudha Lagna receives Argala from the 8th house (11th sign from it), which being occupied by Ghati Lagna, shows a flow of power coming to his image through his occult work (8th house). However this is obstructed by the 12th house (3rd sign from AL) occupied by the Moon in a sign lorded by Saturn. This shows that the native may renounce all the fruits which may have coloured his image in the past and take on the life of an ascetic. This has yet to be seen. The Arudha Lagna receives secondary Argala from the 2nd house (5th sign from it), which is unoccupied. Being the 2nd house, it shows how the native’s family offers support to the native’s image. This is however obstructed by the stronger 6th house (9th sign from the AL), occupied by Mercury and who’s suffering a Papakartari Yoga15. This shows his image influenced by many fights, arguments and even court cases. Mercury is also involved in a Sharada Yoga16 with the Moon, hence the court cases will give the native immense blessings in the finer-details of law. This manifested in the period of Mercury.

12 A Sadhu is a person who lives an ascetic life in search and worship of God. 13 The 11th house is the 4th (learning) from the 8th (occult) and hence shows the learning of occult sciences such as Astrology and such. The nature of planets in the 11th house, will show the type of upbringing... Saturn indicates strict traditional upbringing. 14 Stationary benefic planets show activities related to meditation, sleeping etc. Malefic planets do not enjoy standstill and can burn down the house they sit in. 15 Malefics placed in the 2nd and 12th signs from a planet or sign, causes Papakartari Yoga on the planet/sign. 16 Sharada Yoga is caused when Mercury is in a quadrant from the Moon, whilst Moon occupied the 0-9 degrees of a Movable sign, 10-19 degrees of a fixed sign and 20-29 degrees of a dual sign. It gives blessings of Saraswathy in learning.

The Arudha Lagna receives secondary Argala from the 5th house, which is occupied by Venus and Sun causing Matsya Yoga17. The presence of this Matsya Yoga shows how the native may have some hidden knowledge of various sciences such as Astrology, the Vedas, etc, which will sustain his image in society, though the source of his knowledge will not be prominent18. Venus being 8th lord and Chara Pitri Karaka, indicates that this knowledge is of an occult nature, and comes from the paternal heritage. The 7th from the Arudha Lagna is the 4th house occupied by Rahu, a dire malefic for the image. This shows that the native will be obstructed by foreigners. However; being exalted in the 4th house, it helped the native through his education in a popular and highly esteemed foreign school. The native attended primary school which was based on English principles, while residing in India. In this manor the Astrologer should reckon the Argala given by a planet to the various houses, their lords, their Arudha’s and the Karakas of the houses, as well as other vital points.

Assignments 1. In Chart 7: Male – August 7th 1963, 21:15 Sambalpur, India (84e01 ; 21n18), determine

whether the native is vegetarian or not, through perusing the Argala’s on the 2nd house. 2. The native in Chart 5: Female – October 19th 1949, 13:15:29, TZ: 3:07 East of GMT, 40e54;

2s16, is not a vegetarian. a. Explain why she is not a vegetarian using the above chart. b. Determine whether the native ever will be a vegetarian, and explain the event or the

person who will influence her in being a vegetarian if it happens. 3. Argala is all about relationships or Sambandha between planets/Karakas.

a. Which planets are primarily responsible for making one vegetarian? b. Is being vegetarian good for the health – Karaka Sun? c. Is being vegetarian good for the longevity – Karaka Saturn?

17 Benefic’s in 1st/9th, Malefic’s in 4th/8th whilst planets occupy the 5th house, gives Matsya Yoga, which makes the native an intelligent astrologer or seer. Matsya means fish and is a reference to the fish-incarnation of Vishnu who saved the knowledge of the Vedas before they were lost by time. 18 As stated before, Secondary Argala are unseen, or not prominent.