Karakas

Posted on April 29, 2010

Main Karakas
Bhava karakas

Bhava Graha

1st Sun

2nd Jupiter
3rd Mars

4th Moon

5th Jupiter
6th Saturn

7th Venus

8th Saturn

9th Jupiter

10th Mercury

11th Jupiter

12th Saturn

 Sun

First house: soul, health, spirituality, head

Second house: resources

Fifth house: para vidya (spiritual knowledge)

Ninth house: faith, father, dharma, prospectus of marriage
Tenth house: eyesight, kingship/rajya yoga

 Moon

First house: disposition, body

Second house: family, lineage,
face

Fourth house: home, birth place, mother, emotions, doctors

Fifth house: strength of mantra

Seventh house: desires of the heart

Twelfth house: recovery from diseases

 Mars

First house: strength

Third house: sense of
timing, fighting skills, reflexes, siblings
Fourth house: land

Fifth house: authority

Sixth house: enemity,
battles, accidents/bruises, ulcers, cuts
 Mercury

Second house: Speech

Third house: communication
skills
Fourth house: education

Fifth house: students

Seventh house: business

partners, sense of discrimination
Tenth house: career

Eleventh house: friends and social circle

 Jupiter

sense of awareness, wisdom
First house:
Second house: wealth and sustenance

Fourth house: happiness (sukha) and satisfaction

Fifth house: children and memory

Ninth house: teachers, especially

the spiritual guide/priest, luck
Eleventh house: gains

 Venus

physical beauty
First house:
Second house: eyeballs

Fourth house: cars, chairs, sofas and other comforts

Fifth house: love affairs and romance

Seventh house: spouse or partner

Twelfth house: sleep comfort

 Saturn

Fourth house: sorrow or dukha

Sixth house: weaknesses, ailments, strife

Eighth house: diseases, financial debts/poverty, longevity

Tenth house: workload
Twelfth house: expenses or that, which causes loss

 Rahu

First house: ego

Seventh house:
rebirth

Ninth house: misfortune/adharma

travel, bondage and imprisonment
Twelfth house: foreign residence or

 Ketu
Fourth
house: buildings, flats

Twelfth house: Samadhi, nirvana, moksa, liberation

Judging the Karaka

The three viz.: house, lord and karaka form the most important aspect of the chart. If all three are weak or afflicted, only then we can say that a particular area of life
is ruined in the native’s life.

The relationship between the lord and the karaka will show the native’s interaction with others.
 Count from the lord to the significator to know what the native has to do.

 Count from the significator to the lord to know what the native can aspect.
Example: If when judging a relationship, the seventh lord and Venus are in trines to each other, then the interaction is a give (fifth) and take (ninth) relationship,
which is very healthy, as the roles are defined. Instead, if the seventh lord and Venus are in sixth/eighth from each other, then a lot of misunderstanding can occur
between the native and their partner.

The relationship between the karaka and the house will show the native’s luck.
 Count from the significator to the house to know the native’s attitude.

 Count from the house to the significator to know the fortune.

Example: If the Sun is in the eighth house from the lagna, the native will have a very wrong attitude towards keeping themselves healthy and fit, and could neglect
himself. The result of this attitude is bad health.

Strength of the Karaka

When judging the placement of the Karaka, the various houses and relationships need defining. To judge the happiness one gains from ones interaction with the
world, one should judge the bhava lord with reference to the karaka of the house. For example, the primary fifth house karaka is Jupiter, which is the karaka for
children. Other external manifestations of the fifth house are students (Mercury), lovers (Venus), subordinates (Saturn) etc. To judge the native’s fortune with
respect to his relationship with his children, see the position relationship between Jupiter and the fifth lord.
• The Kendra placements are auspicious and show that children will be naturally drawn towards the native,
and there is a good relationship between the native and
the children.
• The trikona
placement is auspicious and shows a healthy mutually reciprocal relationship between the native and his children. This also indicates an active
interest in relating with his children.
• The 3-11 relationship is conducive towards a growing friendship with children.
• The 2-12 relationship shows a mismatch in timing the relationship is very unbalanced and requires either lot of giving (12th) or expenses (2nd).
• The 6-8 relationship is the worst, and indicates complications and complete mismatch in ideals and characters. A lot of misfortune with children is experienced
due to this.
CHARA KARAKAS

atmadhikah kaladibhirnabhogah saptanamastamanyam va

The planet with the highest longitude in degrees and minutes, among the seven or eight planet (schemes) is the King and Soul or self significator (Atmakaraka).

The seven charakaraka scheme applies to the jadatma while the eight charakaraka scheme applies to the jivatma because of (a) the desire factor indicated by
Rahu which is the primary cause of rebirth of the jivatma and (b) the jadatma cannot procreate and hence cannot have a chara putra karaka (child significator).
atha’ham sampravaksyami grahanatmadikarakan

saptaravyadisanyantan rahvantan va’ stasankhyakan

amsaih samaugnahau dvau cedrahvantan cintayet tada

saptaiva karakanevam kecidastau pracaksate

We shall now discuss two schemes of the atma and other karakas (charakaraka schemes) involving the seven planets from the Sun [to Saturn] and either including
or excluding Rahu. These are based on the longitude of planets irrespective of signs.

Maharsi Parasara speaks of two charakaraka schemes involving (1) seven planets from Sun to Saturn and (2) eight planets including Rahu. We can infer the
following:
 That there are two charakaraka schemes the (1) seven and (2) eight planet schemes.
 The seven charakaraka scheme uses the seven planets from Sun to Saturn and when the longitude in degrees of two planets is the same, then Rahu is also
considered.
 The eight charakaraka scheme uses the eight planets from Sun to Rahu.
 Ketu is completely excluded from both the schemes.

atma suryadikhetanam madhye hyamsadhiko grahah

amsasamye kaladhikyat tatsamye vikaladhikah

budhau rasikaladhikyat graho naivatmakarakah

amsadhikah karakah syadalpabhago ‘ntyakarakah

madhyamso madhyakhetah syadupakhetah sa eva

hi
vilomagamanadrahoramsah sodhyah khavahnitah

amsakramadadho’ dhahsthascarakhyah karaka iti

The atmakaraka planet is that one whose degrees are the greatest in number among the planets the Sun etc. If the degrees are identical the one having more
kalas (minutes) and if the kalas are also identical, the one having more vikalas (seconds) will be the Atmakaraka planet. The learned astrologer should not accept
as Atma Karaka planet that one who has more signs and minutes. The planet who has the highest number of degrees is the Atma Karaka, the one who has the
lowest number is the Antyakaraka and the one who has neither highest nor the lowest number of degrees is the Madhyakheta and he is also the Upakheta. Due to
retrograde motion, the degrees of Rahu should be deducted from 30 and the remainder should be considered as the Atma Karaka. The other charakarakas follow
in the order of the decreasing longitudes of the planets.

tasyanusaranadamatyah

In a similar manner, the planet with the second highest longitude is declared as the Amatyakaraka of the chart.
tasya bhrata

The planet with the third highest longitude (among the seven or eight planets) is declared the bhratrakaraka, the significator of siblings and master.

tasya mata

The planet with the fourth highest longitude (among the seven or eight planets) is declared the matrakaraka, the significator of mother and shelter.

tasya pita

The planet with the fifth highest longitude (among the seven or eight planets) is declared the pitrakaraka, the significator of father (both pater and progenitor).

tasya putra

The planet with the sixth highest longitude (among the seven or eight planets) is declared the putrakaraka, the significator of children and followers.

Putrakaraka does not exist in the seven planet scheme as clearly mentioned by Maharsi Parasara and Jaimini.

tasya jnatih
The planet with the seventh highest longitude in the eight planet scheme (or sixth highest longitude in the seven planet scheme) is declared the jnatikaraka,
signifying relatives and colleagues.

tasya darasca

The planet with the least longitude is declared the darakaraka signifying spouse, business and wealth.

Atmakaraka is King

Yatha rajajnaya vipra putramatyadayo janah

Samartha lokakaryesu tathaivanyepi karakah

The wishes of the king (atmakaraka) are executed by the subjects who are like the son (putrakaraka) and the ministers and officials (amatyakaraka). Similarly all
other activities indicated by the various karaka are executed by such relations/people indicated by the other chara (or naisargika) karaka based on the approval of
the king (atmakaraka).

This indicates that Atmakaraka is the most important planet where the various activities of the life indicated by the various naisargika karaka and relationships
sustained by the various people indicated by the charakaraka will need the explicit approval or support of the atmakaraka. The rajayoga occur by the association
between the atmakaraka and either putrakaraka or amatyakaraka. Parasara explains this aspect in more detail bringing out the importance of these two
charakaraka along with the atmakaraka.

If there is a replacement of the atmakaraka by the amatyakaraka then a karma yogi is born who shall place his karma above his own self and shall achieve
stupendous results by the self (atmakaraka) sacrifice.

Strength and Desire

• Those karaka that are in quadrants (1, 4, 7 & 10) to the atmakaraka are fully supported by it and are strong; those in panaphara houses (2, 5, 8 & 11) are weaker
and those in apoklimas houses (3, 6, 9 & 12) are the weakest.

• Those signs/ planets aspected (rasi drsti) or conjoined the atmakaraka are the strongest as they have the personal interference of the king (native himself). These
are the external or known wishes of the native.
• The planets/signs aspected by the atmakaraka
by full, ¾, ½ or ¼ aspects (graha drsti) show the desires and the extent of such desires of the atma. These are the
hidden or internal wishes of the native.

atmanukulamevatra bhavanti phaladayakah | pratikule yatha bhupe sarve’ matyadayo dvija ||

karya kartum manusyanam na samartha bhavanti hi | tatha’tmakarake krure na’nye svasubhadayakah||

anukule nrpe yadvat sarve’ matyadayo dvija | nasubham kurvate tadavananye svasubhadayakah ||

If the atmakaraka favors the activity and the people concerned (I.e. both the naisargika and charakaraka) then the work is surely accomplished. If the atmakaraka
does not approve of either the activity (naisargika karaka) or the concerned people (charakaraka) then the accomplishment is difficult. If the atmakaraka disfavors
both the activity and people, then the accomplishment is impossible. The amatyakaraka and others become dysfunctional if they do not have the support of the
atmakaraka i.e. the profession/ career and other works that the native wishes to do, as indicated by the 10th lord or amatyakaraka, cannot be accomplished
satisfactorily if they are unfavorable to the atmakaraka. Similarly, an adverse atmakaraka can prove to be very cruel towards the activities it does not support. Also
the malfeasance of other karaka is not felt when the atmakaraka itself is favorable.
If other significators can exert all their strength and resources to execute a task, and yet atmakaraka is not favorable or adverse to the activity, the task cannot be
accomplished and will become fruitless. The various activities are indicated by (1) the houses & lords, (2) their Arudha pada and (3) their karaka (all three types).
The houses show the resources and those in quadrants show the maximum resources, panaphara show middling resources and apoklimas show negligible
resources. Of these quadrants, the tenth house has maximum resources followed by the seventh, fourth and first house from the atmakaraka (in rasi or other
divisional chart). In this manner the strength of the houses indicates the resources available. The lords of the houses show the people available for the task/ activity.
Those lords in quadrants indicate easy availability of people, panaphara difficult availability (perhaps some monetary benefits have to be given to convince them to
do the work) while apoklimas indicates non availability. Planets in quadrants and trikona (first, fourth, fifth, seventh, ninth & tenth houses) from the atmakaraka are
competent to do its bidding while those in dusthana (6, 8 and 12) would not be able to do it for reasons of ill health (sixth & eighth houses) or losses anticipated
(twelfth house) and those in trika (third, sixth & eleventh houses) will do the opposite or act inimically towards the atmakaraka and will have to be subdued using the
niti sastra of sama (compromise — eleventh house), dama (money/temptation — twelfth house), danda (punishment — sixth house) and bheda (discord/divide and
rule policy – third house). The bhava Arudha should be studied from atmakaraka lagna (i.e. treating the sign of the atma karaka planet as lagna) just as the graha
Arudha are studied from lagna.

 Sun as Atmakaraka

The native learns to overcome his ego problems and should try practicing humility just as Sri Krsna, knowing that He is the incarnation of Vishnu was always
humble and very kind. The Sun is the natural king and the deep desire to rule will manifest as leadership in various undertakings.
A desire for music is sure to be there and such natives should learn to play some musical instrument to channelize their energies
that could, in the negative,
become very destructive. Instrumental music rejuvenates them and depending on the nature of the sign, this can relate to various instruments. Fire signs show
string instruments like the sitar, guitar or violin while earth signs show drums and air signs show air instruments like trumpets, flutes.
 Caring for father is a sign of good luck and spirituality is their strongest trait.

Spiritual path definition: Rajayoga

 Moon as Atmakaraka

The native should be very caring and compassionate. The Moon is natural mother and the home of such people is a manifestation to the inner self. Disorder at
home or disturbed home tends to disturb them even more. They tend to use lots of glass and crystal in their interiors and in everything, which is a sign of good luck.
All artifacts that shine and glitter like the Moon reflecting the light of the Sun, are a source of joy.
Music is their lifeblood, especially melodies or any music where the lyrics are important messages
for their thirsty minds. They should learn to sing or hum along a
few songs that can revive them whenever mentally low.
 Caring for the mother brings many blessings even if the
relationship is challenging.
Spiritual path definition: Bhakti

 Mars as Atmakaraka

The native should refrain from all forms of violence and stick to the path of ahimsa. Mars is the strength of the Kalapurusha and gives the ability for wielding
weapons. It gives a person desires to win battles and prove his strength. Such people are great fighters and will gradually realize the futility of war mongering which
is the great lesson of this life time and like Emperor Asoka will transform into dharma Asoka from Chanda Asoka. They like martial arts and would prefer learning
karate, kung-fu and other forms of self-defense. In a more spiritual individual, this can mean learning hatha yoga and other physical exercises to remain strong and
ever youthful. So long as these are practiced as a spiritual discipline like the monks of the Shaolin temple, it is very good. Else, the karma can lead one to regret
many mistakes caused by acts of violence.
The ultimate lesson in spirituality is that the
atma is indestructible and hence does not need any form of physical protection. Violence is a manifestation of one’s
hatred towards other creatures and beings.
 Caring for natives can be challenging but
a sure sign of good luck.
Spiritual path definition: Ahimsa

 Mercury as Atmakaraka