Planets, Nature and Rulership

Nature and Ruler-ship of Planets

Planets: Planets are large moving bodies in the universe. Ancient sages saw a re
lationship between movement of planets and happenings in the lives of human bein
gs. 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 p
lanets but Nodes or the intersecting points between the orbits of Sun and Moon i
n relation to the Earth. Rahu is the ascending node while Ketu is descending nod
e.
Vedic astrology does not use the out planets viz. Uranus, Neptune and Pluto, whi
ch 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. Ju
piter and Venus are Ministers whereas Saturn is the servant; Rahu and Ketu are s
oldiers of the army.
Basic nature: Moon (waxing-shukla paksha), Mercury, Jupiter and Venus are basica
lly 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 t
hem, which in turn depend on the Asc or Lagna of the native.
Functional Nature: Planets ruling Trines (1,5,9) are always Benefic. Planets rul
ing Trishadayas, malefic houses (3,6,11) are always Malefic. Planets ruling Kend
ras (4,7,10) reverse their basic nature i.e. Benefic turn Malefic and vise-a-ver
sa. Planets like Venus and Jupiter become highly malefic when owning Kendras (Ke
ndradhipati 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. ..C
handrashekharji
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 effec
ts as per their association or according to the second house lordship. If the se
cond 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 stren
gth of their own. Stronger of the 2 lordship obstructs the weaker and gives its o
wn effect . Lordship of 8th however appears to carry its dosha even if the other h
ouse ownership is benefic! A malefic planet with Kendra and 8th lordship will co
ntinue to be a functional malefic and with trine and 8th lordship will at best b
e sama.
Sun and Moon are exceptions, they do not attract 8th house lordship dosha. If lo
rds of 8th they would function more as per their association.
Cancellation of Kendradhipati Dosha: if the Kendra lord is associated with a lor
d of trine the dosha gets cancelled. Association could be by lording a trine hou
se (including lagna, which is considered a trine), joining a trine or a trine lo

rd, has sambandha with a trine lord. It is also cancelled if the planet is its o
wn house. The placement of Natural benefics in quadrants removes the blemish of k
endradhipatya dosha. ..SR
Yogakarka: YK planets are capable of producing auspicious results. Planet that r
ules a quadrant and a trine at the same time also qualifies to be a YK. 1st hous
e 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, notwithstand
ing its status as 8th lord. Inimical planet also gets status of Yoga karaka havi
ng 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 r
asis each. Sun rules Leo, Moon rules Cancer, Mercury rules Gemini and Virgo, Mar
s rules Aries and Scorpio, Jupiter rules Sagittarius and Pisces, Venus rules Tau
rus 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 Pisc
es.
Movements: Sun and Moon have only direct movements whereas the nodes Rahu and Ke
tu have only Retrograde movement. Others viz: Mercury, Mars, Jupiter and Venus w
ould 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 movi
ng around the Earth also in uni-direction.
Sex of Planets: Sun, Mars and Jupiter are considered Male, Moon and Venus are co
nsidered Female whereas Saturn and Mercury are considered Neutral.
Abodes: Sun signifies places of worships or temples. Moon watery places like lak
es, ponds, rivers etc, Mars fire places like kitchen, Mercury sports grounds, Ju
piter 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 char
t will reflect the qualities of the person.
Planetary Castes: Jupiter and Venus are Brahmins, Sun and Mars are Kshatriya, Mo
on and Mercury are Vaishya and Saturn belongs to Shudra Caste/ Varna.
Tatva: Planets are also associated with different tatvas. Sun and Mars signify F
ire or Agni, Moon and Venus Jala, Mercury Bhumi, Jupiter Sky and Saturn Vayu. Sk
y covers all the four tatvas.
Complexion: Different planets symbolize different colors. Sun symbolizes Raktashy
ama i.e. red with black or Dark tint, Mars
Kujo rakto i.e. blood red, Moon Tawny o
r 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, be
autiful 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 h
ave large body, broad chest and big belly, honey eyes and hair. Venus has charmi
ng 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, s
harp mind and clean habits. Moon makes a person fickle minded and lustful. Mars
is cruel, stands for strength, courage stamina and passion. Mercury is diplomati
c, humorous and learned. Jupiter is knowledge and happiness, Venus is joyous, be
autiful, 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, Jup
iter 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 an
d Saturn Vata and Mercury represents all three. Afflictions would indicate the k
ind 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 (s
econd), Rahu 8 months and Ketu 3 months. These periods are used to predict fruct
ifications of events within a time span.
Seasons: There are six seasons in a year each of 2 months. Sun and Mars are asso
ciated with Greeshma, Moon with Varsha, Mercury Sharad, Jupiter Hemant, Venus Ba
sant 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 Satu
rn, Varaha of Rahu and Meena that of Ketu.
Balas (strength): There are six most important Balas of Planets. These are Sthan
a Bala, Dig bala, Chesta Bala, Kala Bala and Drik Bala and Naisargikabala. Plane
ts acquiring these Balas are considered powerful, absence of strength renders th
em weak. Planet acquiring strength from all four, posited in 5th produces sampoo
rna (par excellence) results.
Sthana Balas: This is the positional strength, which a planet gets as a result o
f occupying a particular house/Rashi in a horoscope. A planet gets sthanabala in
its exaltation, own house, mooltrikona friendly house and swa-shadvargas. Detai
ls of exaltation, mooltrikona and debilitation are given below.
Directional Strengths (Dig Bala): Mercury and Jupiter are strong in the East (1s
t), 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 a
nd Venus are strong during daytime. Mercury is always strong.
Natural Malefics are strong during Krishna paksha and natural benefics are stron
g during Shukla paksha.
Mercury, Sun, Saturn, Moon, Venus and Mars are powerful at sunrise, noon, evenin
g, 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 durin
g Uttara ayena (Sun s transit from Cancer to Sagittarius).
Drik Bala: It is the strength reckoned as a result of aspects. Benefic aspects g
ive 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 p
lanets derive their strength from their position in Navamsha
Chandrashekharji
Dwelling Places: Sun, Mars and Saturn live in mountains and forests, moon and Ve
nus in watery places and Jupiter in villages (seats of learned men). Rahu and Ke
tu 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 as
tringent.
Karkas, aspects and planetary relationships
Karakas: Each planet signifies various things. Planets have sthira karkas (fixed
significations), Naisargika karkas (natural significations) and Chara Karkas (t
emporary significations).
Sthira Karkas are used for longevity or survival of the physical bodies, preside
d 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 pat
ernal relatives (uncles and aunts)
Venus: Wife***, Sister, Daughter, father-in-law, mother-in-law, maternal grand p
arents, (Father*)
Saturn: Elder brother****, other elders
*Some scholars believe Sun to be Karka for father for daytime births and Venus f
or nighttime births. Jaimini uses stronger of Sun and Venus to determine longevi
ty of the father.
**Moon as Karka for mother for nighttime births and Mars for daytime births. Jai
mini 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 sibling
s.
Naisargika Karkas: Natural significations are used for general Phalita jyotish.
Houses too have their significations. Following table describes the significatio
ns 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, bo
ss), 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, specula
tion), 6(enemies, diseases, accidents, loans)
Mercury: 2 (speech), 3(writing), 4 (formal education, learning), 5(memory, schol
arship), 6 (relatives), 7 (trade), 10(work, achievements, honors), 11(credits)
Jupiter: 2(family, wealth), 4 (traditional learning, happiness) sukha karka, 5(c
hildren, suns, knowledge, intelligence), 9 (dharma, bhagya, guru, diksha), 11 (e
lder 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, lon
g journeys, eyesight)
Saturn: 5(followings), 6(service, servants, agriculture, physical pain), 8(longe
vity, 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 fr
om 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 f
alls 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 lon
gitude. In case of 7 planet scheme, Matrukarka and Putra karka are combined. Som
e 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*. Dris
hti 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 (chatura
sra house) Jupiter 5th and 9th (houses that indicate poorva punya) Saturn 3rd an
d 10th (upchaya houses). These are outer planets placed at a relative height abo
ve the earth. There is difference of opinion about Rahu s aspects. Some believe th

at Rahu has aspects over 7(opposite like others), 5 &9 (houses that indicate poo
rva 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 respe
ctively. Danda stands for punishment and Hara for removal from this planet. No p
lanet would desire punishment or removal from this planet. Ketu alone creates th
e 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 o
r elated to be there. These signs are called signs of exaltation. Opposite of th
at is debilitation. Planets are considered to have fallen (neecha) in such Rashi
s. 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, Mer
cury exalted in Virgo and debilitated in Pisces, Jupiter exalted in Cancer and d
ebilitated in Capricorn, Venus exalted in Pisces and debilitated in Virgo and Sa
turn 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 max
imum 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 wit
h 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) w
here 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, 4t
h, 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 s
et 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 stronge
r whereas in Rashis ruled by enemy planets make the occupying planets weaker. Sa
me 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 fri
ends are extreme friends. Similarly enemies become extreme enemies. Neutrality a
nd friendship makes friends whereas neutrality and enmity makes the planets enem
y. 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 w
hile 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 Sat
urn being born to Chaya who lived with Sun w/o his knowledge shows the reason fo
r 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 Sand
hi can cause death. Rashi Sandhi generally affects the people (Physical Bodies)
indicated by the lordship of the planet. This need not indicate destruction of o
ther non-living indications of the house.
Aspects by Malefics:
Saturn: It is considered one of the most malefic planets. It is known to teach l
essosn regarless of status of the native. Its aspects on various bhavas spoil th
e significations of the bhava. Its aspect on Rashi can give ailments to body par
ts signified by the rashi.
Saturn however stands for longevity. Its aspects can give long life to bhavas, bu
t 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 hou
se 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 enmi
ty 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 identic
al 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 popu
lar 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 mentio
ned below:
1. fructification of good or bad yogas and extent of such fruits are dependent o
n 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 p
eriod 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 kendr
as 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 suf
fer 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, Top
az Jupiter, Diamond Venus and Sapphire Saturn. Wearing of stones or Gems is ofte
n recommended to strengthen weak planets that have the potential to give benefic
results.