Planets, Nature and Rulership

Nature and Ruler-ship of Planets

Planets: Planets are large moving bodies in the universe. Ancient sages saw a relationship between movement of planets and happenings in the lives of human beings. “Vishnu has incarnated as navagrahas or planets to bestow on living beings the results of their Karmas.”

Vedic astrology considers 7 planets (Grahas) and 2 Nodes (chayagrahas). Planets are Sun, Moon, Mercury, Mars, Jupiter, Venus and Saturn. Rahu and Ketu are not planets but Nodes or the intersecting points between the orbits of Sun and Moon in relation to the Earth. Rahu is the ascending node while Ketu is descending node.

Vedic astrology does not use the out planets viz. Uranus, Neptune and Pluto, which are used by western astrologers.

Governance: Sun governs soul, Moon mind, Mars strength, Mercury speech, Jupiter knowledge and happiness, Venus semen and Saturn sorrow.

Planetary Cabinet: Sun and Moon are considered Royal Planets. Sun being treated like King and Moon like queen. Mars is the Army Chief and Mercury the prince. Jupiter and Venus are Ministers whereas Saturn is the servant; Rahu and Ketu are soldiers of the army.

Basic nature: Moon (waxing-shukla paksha), Mercury, Jupiter and Venus are basically benefic. Sun, Moon (waning-krishna paksha), Mars, Saturn, Rahu and Ketu are malefic by nature. Functional nature of each will depend on the houses rued by them, which in turn depend on the Asc or Lagna of the native.

Functional Nature: Planets ruling Trines (1,5,9) are always Benefic. Planets ruling Trishadayas, malefic houses (3,6,11) are always Malefic. Planets ruling Kendras (4,7,10) reverse their basic nature i.e. Benefic turn Malefic and vise-a-versa. Planets like Venus and Jupiter become highly malefic when owning Kendras (Kendradhipati dosha). “It is said in Laghu Parashari, if I remember right; that Guru and Venus give bad results when owning Kendra with Venus being more inimical.”..Chandrashekharji

Rulers of 8th and 12th house have the malefic qualities of being dushthana lords. 12th house however is considered weak and hence some consider this lordship to be neutral. 2nd lord is also considered as ‘neutral’.

Neutrality needs to be qualified here! BPHS states that these planets give effects as per their association or according to the second house lordship. If the second house owned is malefic e.g. 3, 6 or 11, the planet becomes more malefic. On the other hand if it is 1, 5 or 9, it is more benefic.

This however may be truer for lords of 2 and 12, houses, which do not have strength of their own. “Stronger of the 2 lordship obstructs the weaker and gives its own effect”. Lordship of 8th however appears to carry its dosha even if the other house ownership is benefic! A malefic planet with Kendra and 8th lordship will continue to be a functional malefic and with trine and 8th lordship will at best be sama.

Sun and Moon are exceptions, they do not attract 8th house lordship dosha. If lords of 8th they would function more as per their association.

Cancellation of Kendradhipati Dosha: if the Kendra lord is associated with a lord of trine the dosha gets cancelled. Association could be by lording a trine house (including lagna, which is considered a trine), joining a trine or a trine lord, has sambandha with a trine lord. It is also cancelled if the planet is its own house. “The placement of Natural benefics in quadrants removes the blemish of kendradhipatya dosha.”..SR

Yogakarka: YK planets are capable of producing auspicious results. Planet that rules a quadrant and a trine at the same time also qualifies to be a YK. 1st house is a tine as well as a quadrant and hence lagna lord is a natural Yogakarka.

Trine lord combining Yoga karaka also gets a status as yoga karaka, notwithstanding its status as 8th lord. Inimical planet also gets status of Yoga karaka having sambandha with trine lords, by aspect, and placed in a quadrant.

Rulership: Sun and Moon rule one Rasi each, whereas the other 5 planets rule 2 rasis each. Sun rules Leo, Moon rules Cancer, Mercury rules Gemini and Virgo, Mars rules Aries and Scorpio, Jupiter rules Sagittarius and Pisces, Venus rules Taurus and Libra and Saturn Capricorn and Aquarius.

Some consider Rahu to be the co-lord of Aquarius and Ketu the co-lord of Scorpio. Some authorities consider Rahu as co-lord of Libra and Ketu as co-lord of Pisces.

Movements: Sun and Moon have only direct movements whereas the nodes Rahu and Ketu have only Retrograde movement. Others viz: Mercury, Mars, Jupiter and Venus would have both the movements.

Retrograde means backward movement. Planets actually do not move backwards, they only appear to be doing so when seen from Earth. This therefore does not apply to Sun around which the earth is moving in uni-direction and Moon, which is moving around the Earth also in uni-direction.

Sex of Planets: Sun, Mars and Jupiter are considered Male, Moon and Venus are considered Female whereas Saturn and Mercury are considered Neutral.

Abodes: Sun signifies places of worships or temples. Moon watery places like lakes, ponds, rivers etc, Mars fire places like kitchen, Mercury sports grounds, Jupiter treasures, and Venus signifies places of sexual pleasures like bedroom and Saturn filthy places.

Gunas: Sun, Moon and Jupiter have Satwik gunas, Mars and Venus have Rajsik gunas and Mercury and Saturn have Tamasik gunas. Strength of planets in a native’s chart will reflect the qualities of the person.

Planetary Castes: Jupiter and Venus are Brahmins, Sun and Mars are Kshatriya, Moon and Mercury are Vaishya and Saturn belongs to Shudra Caste/ Varna.

Tatva: Planets are also associated with different tatvas. Sun and Mars signify Fire or Agni, Moon and Venus Jala, Mercury Bhumi, Jupiter Sky and Saturn Vayu. Sky covers all the four tatvas.

Complexion: Different planets symbolize different colors. Sun symbolizes “Raktashyama” i.e. red with black or Dark tint, Mars “ Kujo rakto” i.e. blood red, Moon Tawny or fair complexion, Mercury green, Jupiter Tawny yellow, Venus variegated mix of yellow and green, Saturn dark, Rahu black and Ketu variegated.

Physical Characteristics: Natives with Sun’s influence on Lagna will be squarish, not too tall, honey colored eyes and limited hair. Moon will have round face, beautiful eyes, and curly and short hair. Mars will have strong physique, red eyes and thin shining hair. Mercury will have an attractive physique. Jupiter will have large body, broad chest and big belly, honey eyes and hair. Venus has charming features, long hands, symmetrical limbs, beautiful, brilliant and broad eyes and curly hair. Saturn represents emaciated and long body, prominent veins, long nails, blackish color, depressed eyes and coarse hair.

Personality: Sun’s influence on personality makes the native manly, intelligent, sharp mind and clean habits. Moon makes a person fickle minded and lustful. Mars is cruel, stands for strength, courage stamina and passion. Mercury is diplomatic, humorous and learned. Jupiter is knowledge and happiness, Venus is joyous, beautiful, poetic and intelligent and Saturn is indolent and lame if strong it can be mystic and philosophical.

Speech/ Voice: Sun signifies Majestic voice, Moon sweet and soft, Mars forceful and clear, Mercury sweet, witty and clear and Jupiter loud.

Body Ingredients: Sun controls Bones, Moon blood, Mars Marrow, Mercury skin, Jupiter fat, Venus semen and Saturn muscles. Any affliction of a planet may reflect in corresponding affliction on the native’s body.

Body Components: Sun and Mars represent Pitta, Jupiter and Venus Kalpha, Moon and Saturn Vata and Mercury represents all three. Afflictions would indicate the kind of illness and may help in recommending remedies.

Periods: Planets are also associated with different periods. Saturn with Varsha, Sun with Ayna (half year), Mercury with Ritu (2 months), Jupiter Masa (month), Venus Paksha (15 days), Mars a day, Moon muhurta (48 minutes) and also Kshana (second), Rahu 8 months and Ketu 3 months. These periods are used to predict fructifications of events within a time span.

Seasons: There are six seasons in a year each of 2 months. Sun and Mars are associated with Greeshma, Moon with Varsha, Mercury Sharad, Jupiter Hemant, Venus Basant and Saturn with Shishir.

Incarnations: Rama is the incarnation of Sun, Krishna of Moon, Narasimha of Mars, Buddha of Mercury, Vamana of Jupiter, Parshurama that of Venus, Koorma of Saturn, Varaha of Rahu and Meena that of Ketu.

Balas (strength): There are six most important Balas of Planets. These are Sthana Bala, Dig bala, Chesta Bala, Kala Bala and Drik Bala and Naisargikabala. Planets acquiring these Balas are considered powerful, absence of strength renders them weak. Planet acquiring strength from all four, posited in 5th produces sampoorna (par excellence) results.

Sthana Balas: This is the positional strength, which a planet gets as a result of occupying a particular house/Rashi in a horoscope. A planet gets sthanabala in its exaltation, own house, mooltrikona friendly house and swa-shadvargas. Details of exaltation, mooltrikona and debilitation are given below.

Directional Strengths (Dig Bala): Mercury and Jupiter are strong in the East (1st), Sun and Mars in South (10th house), Venus and Moon in North (4th) and Saturn in West (7th).
These indicate the direction taken by one in one’s life.

Kala Balas: Moon, mars and Saturn are strong in nighttime whereas Sun, Jupiter and Venus are strong during daytime. Mercury is always strong.

Natural Malefics are strong during Krishna paksha and natural benefics are strong during Shukla paksha.

Mercury, Sun, Saturn, Moon, Venus and Mars are powerful at sunrise, noon, evening, first part of night, midnight and last part of night respectively. Jupiter is always strong. Planets are also powerful on their weekdays, months and years.

Chesta Balas (Motional Strength): Natural malefics are strong in Dakshina ayena (Sun’s transit from Capricorn to Gemini) whereas natural benefics are strong during Uttara ayena (Sun’s transit from Cancer to Sagittarius).

Drik Bala: It is the strength reckoned as a result of aspects. Benefic aspects give full drigbala and aspects of malefics take away the bala.

Naisargika Bala (Natural strength): Sun, Moon, Venus, Jupiter, Mercury, Mars and Saturn in that order. Sun is most powerful and Saturn least powerful.

Strength based on placement in Navamsa, Navamshesh: “Similarly the Navamshesh of a planet posited in a bhava also influences the results of a planet. Individual planets derive their strength from their position in Navamsha” …Chandrashekharji

Dwelling Places: Sun, Mars and Saturn live in mountains and forests, moon and Venus in watery places and Jupiter in villages (seats of learned men). Rahu and Ketu also live in mountains and forests.

Tastes: Planets are associated with different tastes too. Sun has pungent, Moon saline, Mars bitter, Mercury mixed, Jupiter sweet, Venus acidulous and Saturn astringent.


Karkas, aspects and planetary relationships

Karakas: Each planet signifies various things. Planets have sthira karkas (fixed significations), Naisargika karkas (natural significations) and Chara Karkas (temporary significations).

Sthira Karkas are used for longevity or survival of the physical bodies, presided by Shiva and used for timing of death of relatives. Nodes are without physical bodies and hence are not included. These karkas are as below:

Sun: Father*
Moon: Mother**
Mars: Younger sibling, spouses of siblings (brother-in-law, sister-in-law)
Mercury: Maternal Uncles and aunts, (Mother**),
Jupiter: Children, Son, Husband (for females), Paternal grand parents, other paternal relatives (uncles and aunts)
Venus: Wife***, Sister, Daughter, father-in-law, mother-in-law, maternal grand parents, (Father*)
Saturn: Elder brother****, other elders

*Some scholars believe Sun to be Karka for father for daytime births and Venus for nighttime births. Jaimini uses stronger of Sun and Venus to determine longevity of the father.
**Moon as Karka for mother for nighttime births and Mars for daytime births. Jaimini associates blood represented by Mars to relationship with mother.
***Some consider Jupiter as Karka for spouse even for male natives.
****Some scholars consider Saturn as Karka for children instead of elder siblings.

Naisargika Karkas: Natural significations are used for general Phalita jyotish. Houses too have their significations. Following table describes the significations for planets and houses in a matrix format. Sthira Karkas too are included so as to show their association with respective houses.

Sun: 1(self, soul, health), 5 (fame, power, paternal grandfather), 9 (father, boss), 10(career, achievement), 12(paternal grandmother)

Moon: 1(mind), 4(mother and peace of mind), 7(maternal grandmother, 11(friends), 12(maternal grandfather, sleep)

Mars: 3 (courage and siblings), 4 (land, real estate), 5(nyaya shashtra, speculation), 6(enemies, diseases, accidents, loans)

Mercury: 2 (speech), 3(writing), 4 (formal education, learning), 5(memory, scholarship), 6 (relatives), 7 (trade), 10(work, achievements, honors), 11(credits)

Jupiter: 2(family, wealth), 4 (traditional learning, happiness) sukha karka, 5(children, suns, knowledge, intelligence), 9 (dharma, bhagya, guru, diksha), 11 (elder brother, labha), 12(donation, heaven)

Venus: 3(art), 4 (vehicles, luxuries) vahana karka, 5 (love, affection), 7(wife, husband, relationships, 9 (long distance travel), 12(sexual/ bed pleasures, long journeys, eyesight)

Saturn: 5(followings), 6(service, servants, agriculture, physical pain), 8(longevity, disease), 9(past life), 12(losses, punishment, confinement, expenditure)

Rahu: 6(accidents), 8(occult, destruction of mind, ill-fame, destruction of soul), 9(travel abroad, cause of rebirth), 12(misfortune, bad habits, secret enemies)

Ketu: 4 (home and building), 8 (occult, disease), 9 (spiritualism, travel abroad), 12(meditation, moksha)

Chara Karkas: Temporary significators are based on longitudes of each planet in a chart. Amongst the nodes, only Rahu is assigned the signification. Planet with the highest longitude is Atma Karka, next highest is Atmaya Karka and so on as per the list below. Since Rahu moves retro its longitude needs to be deducted from 30 to check its correct advancement!

Atma Karka: Self
Atmya Karka: Ministers
Bhratru Karka: Siblings
Matru Karka: Mother
Pitri Karka: Father
Putra Karka: Children
Gnati Karka: Rivals
Dara Karka: Spouse

If 2 planets attain the same longitude, they become joint karka, the next slot falls vacant which is to be filled in by the natural significator.

Some consider 7 planet scheme, bring in Rahu only when 2 planets obtain same longitude. In case of 7 planet scheme, Matrukarka and Putra karka are combined. Some consider 7 karakas as additional information.

Both Parasara and Jaimini however recommend the 8 planet scheme of charakarka.

Aspects - Full (Purna Drishti): Graha drishti is an expression of desires*. Drishti or sight is ability to influence/decipher the reading of other bodies (signs or planets) stationed at certain position from them.

All planets fully aspect 7th house. Mars additionally aspects 4 and 8th (chaturasra house) Jupiter 5th and 9th (houses that indicate poorva punya) Saturn 3rd and 10th (upchaya houses). These are outer planets placed at a relative height above the earth. There is difference of opinion about Rahu’s aspects. Some believe that Rahu has aspects over 7(opposite like others), 5 &9 (houses that indicate poorva papa) and 12th (counted in reverse) or 2nd (counted in regular order) houses. Ketu is headless and hence has no aspects.

None of the planets can aspect 2nd or 12th house except for Rahu who can see 2nd i.e. 12th counted in reverse.

No planets can aspect 6th or 11th since these are places of Danda and Hara respectively. Danda stands for punishment and Hara for removal from this planet. No planet would desire punishment or removal from this planet. Ketu alone creates the desire of removal from this planet and hence is Moksha Karka. It however does not have any drishti.

*Rashi drishti, which is not covered in detail is an expression of knowledge.

Exaltation/Debilitation: Planets perform well in some Rashis because are happy or elated to be there. These signs are called signs of exaltation. Opposite of that is debilitation. Planets are considered to have fallen (neecha) in such Rashis. Apart from that some Rashis are friendly or inimical for some planets.

Sun is exalted in Aries and debilitated in Libra. Moon is exalted in Taurus and debilitated in Scorpio, Mars exalted in Capricorn and debilitated in Cancer, Mercury exalted in Virgo and debilitated in Pisces, Jupiter exalted in Cancer and debilitated in Capricorn, Venus exalted in Pisces and debilitated in Virgo and Saturn is exalted in Libra and debilitated in Aries.

Rahu is exalted in Taurus and debilitated in Sagittarius whereas Ketu is exalted in Sagittarius and debilitated in Taurus.

Paramochha and parama nechha sthanas are as follows; these are the points of maximum exaltation or debilitation.

Planets Ex Deb
Sun Aries (10) Libra (10)
Moon Taurus (3) Scorpio (3)
Mars Capricorn (28) Cancer (28)
Mercury Virgo (15) Pisces (15)
Jupiter Cancer (5) Capricorn (5)
Venus Pisces (27) Virgo (27)
Saturn Libra (20) Aries (20)

Houses owned by exalted planets will flourish whereas those owned by debilitated planets will be destroyed. Planet in debility can also ruin others conjunct with it, even if they are exalted!

However, a debilitated planet can attain neechbhanga (cancellation of debility) if either of the following is placed in Kendra from lagna/ moon:

• Lord of sign of debility
• Lord of signs opposite the sign of debility (lord of exaltation signs)
• Planet that gets exalted in the sign of debility
• Debilitated planet, exalted in Navamsa

Note: “There also one more thing, Moon, when in full paksha bala (Poornima ) gives good results even if debilitated.”…Chandrashekharji

Mooltrikona: There is another important position (range of degrees in a Rashi) where a planet functions well. For Sun it is 0-20 in Leo, Moon 0-20 Taurus, Mars 0-12 Aries, Mercury 15-20 Virgo, Jupiter 0-10 Sagittarius, Venus 0-15 Libra and Saturn it is 0-20 Aquarius.


Marna Karka Sthana: Following are the Marna Karka Sthanas for various planets.

Planet MKS Naisargika Karka for houseLikely Hazards from:

Sun 12 Saturn Fire
Moon 8 Saturn Water
Mars 7 Venus Accidents, Weapons
Mercury 7 Venus Flatulence
Jupiter 3 Mars Stomach problems
Venus 6 Mars Accidents, Opposite sex
Saturn 1 Sun
Rahu 9 Jupiter Venomous bites
Ketu has no MKS.

Planets in MKS will affect the significations of houses owned by them adversely during their dasa. These positions are capable of causing death like suffering. When such a death inflictor is in conjunction with or is aspected by malefic or is in debility, great grief is sure to come.


Friendly/ Enemy Planets:

Natural (Naisargika) Relationship: From Mooltrikona sign of a planet the 2nd, 4th, 5th, 8th, 9th and 12th sign is the sign of a friendly planet and the rest i.e. 3rd, 6th, 7th, 10th and 11th are signs of enemies. Being friend based on one set and enemy based on another, would make a planet neutral.

Planet Friendly Enemy
Sun Moon, Mars, Jupiter Venus, Saturn
Moon Sun, Mercury
Mars Sun, Moon, Jupiter Mercury
Mercury Sun, Venus Moon
Jupiter Sun, Moon, Mars Mercury, Venus
Venus Mercury, Saturn Mars, Jupiter
Saturn Mercury, Venus Sun, Moon, Mars

Placement in Rashis ruled by friendly planets makes the occupying planet stronger whereas in Rashis ruled by enemy planets make the occupying planets weaker. Same is the case when friendly or enemy planets aspect another planet.

Temporary (Tatkalik) Relationship: Planets situated in 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 10th, 11th and 12th act as mutual friends. The others act as enemies.

Compound relationship: Planets who happen to be Natural as well as Temporary friends are extreme friends. Similarly enemies become extreme enemies. Neutrality and friendship makes friends whereas neutrality and enmity makes the planets enemy. Other combinations would result into neutral relationship.

Myths associated with Naisargika relationships: Ketu (Ganesha) treats Sun (Shiva) as enemy but Sun treats him as a friend. Story of Ganesha guarding the dwara while his mother was taking bath is well known.

Ketu (Ganesha) is the favorite of Moon (Gauri).

Sun and Saturn do not like each other though Saturn is Sun’s son. The story of Saturn being born to Chaya who lived with Sun w/o his knowledge shows the reason for Sun’s dislike for Saturn and Saturn’s dislike because the father gave him up!

Sandhi: Planets in Bhava Sandhi are incapable of influencing the houses they are placed in. Planets in Bhava Sandhi cause disease and sorrow.

Planets in Rashi Sandhi suffer annihilation especially when the ruling elements of the adjoining signs are inimical e.g, Fire (Aries) and Water (Pisces). Such a sandhi is called Gandanta.

Rashi Sandhi destroys the houses lorded planets in Sandhi. Planets in Rashi Sandhi can cause death. Rashi Sandhi generally affects the people (Physical Bodies) indicated by the lordship of the planet. This need not indicate destruction of other non-living indications of the house.

Aspects by Malefics:

Saturn: It is considered one of the most malefic planets. It is known to teach lessosn regarless of status of the native. Its aspects on various bhavas spoil the significations of the bhava. Its aspect on Rashi can give ailments to body parts signified by the rashi.

Saturn however stands for longevity. “Its aspects can give long life to bhavas, but if it conjoins a house, its longevity is curtailed.” COVA

Mars:

Malefic Enemies in conjunction:

Malefic Enemies in conjunction or 1/7th from each other cause trouble in the house whether they are placed. For example following yogas are dangerous and shall harm the house where they are placed.
Sun-Saturn
Mars-Saturn
Rahu-Sun
Rahu-Mars etc.

Graha Yudha:

If a planet is associated with an inimical planet, planetary war occurs and enmity increases during its dasa period. Planet with higher longitude is victorious even if debilitated.

“Grahayuddha is said to have occurred when planets occupy the same Rasi on identical degrees. The one to the South is said to have lost the war but Venus is said to win whether to the north or South. There are different interpretation of what is meant by North or South.” Chandrashekharji

Dasa Periods:

Dasa means “period”. Ones lifetime is divided into several periods, sub-periods, sub-sub-periods and so on. These are ruled by different planets or rashis. Planets and Rashis give results in their respective periods. Vimsottari is the most popular dasa system based on Nakhshtra occupied by Moon at the time of birth.

Under Vimsottari dasa system dasa periods of different planets are as under:

Sun 6
Moon 10
Mars 7
Rahu 18
Jupiter 16
Saturn 19
Mercury 17
Ketu 7
Venus 20

Some of the planet related general dictums that are relevant to dasas are mentioned below:

1. fructification of good or bad yogas and extent of such fruits are dependent on strength of the planets.
1. sources of strength will indicate the directions from which the results will come. Sources which are weak will show the area of suffering.
2. weak planet will diseases/decay to the house it owns. Especially during the period of planets that cause such weaknesses.
3. planets affect the kendras and trine houses. Therefore during dasa of malefic apart from the significatons of the houses of placement significations of kendras as well as trines will suffer. E.g. if Sturn is placed in 2nd, significations of 2 (house of placement), 5,8,11 (kendras from 2nd) and 6, 10(trine from 2nd) will also suffer. Unless the house is owned by Saturn.
4. significations of houses aspected by the dasa planet will also prosper or suffer depending on benefance or maleficanc of the planet. In the above example 4,8,11 (3,7,10th aspects) will also suffer during the Saturn dasa.

Stones/ Gems: Ruby strengthens Sun, Pearl Moon, Coral Mars, Emerald Mercury, Topaz Jupiter, Diamond Venus and Sapphire Saturn. Wearing of stones or Gems is often recommended to strengthen weak planets that have the potential to give benefic results.


Note that may be useful to beginners
Prepared by Ramesh F. Gangaramani
Under the guidance of Guruji Chandrashekhar Sharma