Away from Home – Yatra Yoga

Travel is one of the neglected aspects in Indian astrology, or at least in the available sources of jyotish. Comparing other
areas of life, travel has not been paid its due importance. Whenever there comes topic of Yatra (travel), the word of
Teerth (Pilgrimage) appears sticking with it. Many Sanskrit and Hindi books provide a rich amount of astrological
combinations for type of pilgrimages, success and failure of pilgrimage, and even death during pilgrimage. Yet, very few
yogas appear regarding travel in general and for other purpose (say, profession, education, tourism, medical treatment
etc.). It is also a matter of wonder that classical jyotish sources are mute about yatra karaka (significator for journey).
B.V. Raman also endorsed this fact. However, many discourses attribute 7th house for traveling and roaming, while
some astrological canons also alluded 8th house for crossing the river or sea. There is a confusion about the status of 9th
house, whether it merely signifies teerth yatra (journey for pilgrimage), or teerth (pilgrimage) and yatra (journey). But
most of the Medieval sources of Europe, Central Asia and Persia explicitly rank 9th house for travel, whether for spiritual
or mundane purpose. Whereas, there is no dispute over signification of 12th house that stands for living abroad. Being
4th from 9th house, it is quite logical too.

Following combinations are from my personal astrological diary. They are culled from classical jyotish sources, nadi
works, research books, and my own observations. In my humble opinion, Rahu plays a great role in producing travel
opportunities and should assume as yatra karaka. Conservative researchers and practitioners of vedic astrology may
object on it. But it fulfills the characteristics of journey on practical ground. I don’t compel you to take it as dogma, but
check it out. You will not disappoint, I hope.

1) Rahu is the karaka of long journeys and visiting far off and unknown places. Moon is the karaka of short journeys and
visiting known places. The 7th and 9th houses shows the travel, 12th house indicates staying abroad.

2) Lagna and non-retrograde lord of lagna, both occupying fixed signs, suggest that native shall stay and prosper in
mother land. But lagna as well as lord of lagna in moveable signs indicate that one shall roam and rise far from birth
place.

3) Should lord of lagna be placed in 12th house from lagna, and 12th lord be occupied in 9th house having sambandha
with Rahu or 9th lord then native will domicile abraod.

4) If 12th house from lagna lord be afflicted or occupied by Rahu, and its lord is enemy of lagna lord or be in depression,
then native will go to foreign land.
5) If such a 12th lord from lagna lord is aspected by Venus then native will permanently settle abroad. Placement and
strength of said 12th lord reveal success or failure in foreign land.

6) Lord of lagna or lord of 9th in 7th house having sambandha with natural benefics shows that native will live in foreign
land for many years. It is more evident if sign in 7th house be non-fixed and any of the sambandhi grahas is the
dispositor of Rahu.

7) Rahu, in trine or opposite to benefic 5th or 2nd lord, brings journey for higher studies and learning. Sun with Mercury
if occupies Virgo in lagna or 10th house then it favours learning opportunities in foreign country.

8) One may go abroad for education, if a benefic 12th lord be placed in 4th house; or 4th lord from lagna occupies 9th
house from Moon. Sambandh of Rahu/Ketu with said yoga, and lagna in non-fixed sign brighten the chances of studying
abroad.

9) If Moon is in trine to Saturn, and majority of the planets be occupied in dual signs then one will continuously roam in
city to city and country to country for the sake of work.

10) Sun or Moon in 7th house having sambandha with Rahu and 10th lord brings travel on account of professional
purpose.

11) When natural benefics, especially Jupiter occupies or aspects 9th house and 9th lord resides in trine from ascendant
then one will under take long journey for pilgrimage.

12) Rahu when occupies in 10th house in benefic sign signifies travel to sacred places. Rahu in trine to Jupiter, or 9th
lord in 3rd house, or satva graha (Sun, Moon or Jupiter) in or opposite to 9th house brings journey for pilgrimage.