Jyotish Basics - Astrology Lessons

Lesson 3: Planet Characters

Out of the many luminous bodies sighted in the skies some are stars, yet some are Grahas / planets. Those, that have no movements, are the Nakshatras (asterisms). Those heavenly bodies that move through the nakshatras or stellar mansions in the zodiac are called Grahas / planets. The zodiac belt comprises of 27 nakshatras commencing from Ashvini. The zodiac is again divided into 12 equal parts called rashi/Sign commencing from Mesha / Aries. The rashi/sign rising at the time of birth is called lagna/Ascendant. Based on the lagna and the planets, joining and departing from each other, the native’s good and bad effects are deducted.

The names of the 27 Nakshatras are Ashvini, Bharani, Krittika, Rohini, Mrigasira, Ardra, Punarvasu, Pushya, Aslesha, Magha, Purvaphalguni, Uttaraphalguni, Hasta, Chitra, Swati, Vishaka, Anuradha, Jyeshtha, Mula, Purvashadh, Uttarashadh, Shravana, Dhanishtha, Satabhisha, Purvabhadra, Uttarabhadra, Revati.

Lagna is the very important point in the birth horoscope. It is the Rashi, that rises in the East, on the latitude of birth. The apparent rising of a Rasi is due to the rotation of the earth on its own axis at a rate of motion, causing every degree of the zodiac seemingly ascend on the eastern horizon.
Approximately, two hours are required for a Rasi to pass via the horizon, thereby every degree taking four minutes to ascend. This duration, however, is actually dependent on the concerned latitude.
Actually Sun has no motion. His motion is an apparent one, as viewed from the rotating earth. Other planets, including the nodes, have varied rates of motion. The average daily motions of the Grahas, which are not, however standard, are, as follows: Surya 1, Chandra 13-15, Mangal 30-45’, Budh 65-100’, sukra 62-82’, Guru 5-15’, Sani 2’, Rahu/Ketu 3’. (All values in degree-minutes)

Names of Grahas: The names of the nine planets, respectively, are Surya, Chandra, Mangal, Budh, Guru, Sukra, Sani, Rahu and Ketu.

Benefics and Malefics: Among these, Surya, Sani, Mangal, decreasing (waning) Chandr, Rahu and Ketu (the ascending and the descending nodes of Chandra) are malefics, while the rest are benefics. Budh, however, is a malefic, if he joins a malefic.
As regards Budha, we have clear instructions from Maharishi Parashar, that he becomes a malefic, if he joins a malefic. If waning Chandra and Budha are together, both are benefics.

Grah governances: Surya is the soul of all. Chandra is the mind. Mangal is one’s strength. Budha is speech-giver, while Guru confers Knowledge and happiness. Sukra governs semen (potency), while Sani denotes grief.

Grah cabinet: Of royal status are Surya and Chandra, while Mangal is the Army chief. Prince-apparent is Budha. The ministerial Grahas are Guru and Sukra. Sani is a servant. Rahu and Ketu form the Grah Army.

Color of Grahas: Surya is blood-red. Chandra is tawny. Mangal, who is not very tall is blood-red, while Budha’s hue is akin to that of green grass. Tawny, variegated and dark are Guru, Sukra and Sani in their order.

Deities of Grahas: Fire (Agni) (?), Water (Varuna), Subrahmanya (Lord Shiva’s son, following Ganesh), Maha Vishnu, Indra, Shachi Devi (the consort of Lord Indra) and Brahma (?) are the presiding deities of the 7 Grahas in their order.

Gender of the Grahas: Budh and Sani are neuters. Chandr and Sukra are females, while Surya, Mangal and Guru are males.

The Panchabhutas, space, air, fire, water and earth, are, respectively, governed by Guru, Sani, Mangal, Sukr and Budh.

Castes of Grahas: Guru and Sukra are Brahmins. Surya is a royal Grah, while Chandra and Budh belong to commercial community. Sani rules the Sudras.

Sattvic Grahas are the luminaries and Guru, Sukr and Budh are Rajasik, while Mangal and Sani are Tamasic.

Primary ingredients (or Sapth Dhatus). Bones, blood, marrow, skin, fat, semen and muscles are, respectively, denoted by the Grahas: Surya, Candr, Mangal, Budh, Guru, Sukr and Sani.

Abodes of the Grahas: Temple, watery place, place of fire, sport-ground, treasure-house, bed-room and filthy ground: these are, respectively, the abodes for the seven Grahas from Surya onward.

Tastes of the Grahas. Pungent, saline, bitter, mixed, sweet, acidulous and astringent are, respectively, tastes lorded by Surya, Chandr, Mangal, Budh, Guru, Sukr and Sani.

Exaltation and Debilitation: For the seven Grahas, from Surya on, the exaltation Rasis are, respectively, Mesha, Vrishabh, Makar, Kanya, Karkadaka, Meena and Tula. The deepest exaltation degrees are, respectively, 10, 3, 28, 15, 5, 27 and 20 in those Rasis. And in the seventh Rasi from the said exaltation Rasi each Graha has its own debilitation. The same degrees of deep exaltation apply to deep fall.

Additional Dignities: In Simha the first 20 degrees are Surya’s Mooltrikon. Mooltrikona like exaltation is powerful position. The planet gets full power at this point.After the first 3 degrees of exaltation portion in Vrishabh, for Candr, the rest is her Mooltrikon. Mangal has the first 12 degrees in Mesha, as Mooltrikona with the rest therein becoming simply his own Bhava. For Budh, in Kanya the first 15 degrees are exaltation zone, the next 5 degrees Mooltrikon and the last 10 degrees are own Bhava. The first one third of Dhanu is the Mooltrikon of Guru, while the remaining part thereof is his own Bhava. Sukra divides Tulam into two halves keeping the first, as Mooltrikona and the second, as own Bhava. Sani’s arrangements are same in Kumbh, as Surya has in Simh.

A Grah in exaltation gives fully good effects, while in Mooltrikon it is bereft of its auspicious effects by one fourth. It is half beneficial in its own Bhava. Its beneficence is one fourth in a friendly Rasi. In an equal’s Rasi one eighth of auspicious disposition is useful. The good effects are nil in debilitation, or enemy’s camp. Inauspicious effects are quite reverse with reference to what is stated.

Non-luminous UpaGrahas (Sub-Grahas). Add 4 Rasis 13 degrees and 20 minutes of arc to Surya’s longitude at a given moment to get the exact position of the all inauspicious Dhoom. Reduce Dhoom from 12 Rasis to arrive at Vyatipat. Vyatipat is also inauspicious. Add six Rasis to Vyatipat to know the position of Parivesh. He is extremely inauspicious. Deduct Parivesh from 12 Rasis to arrive at the position of Chap (Indra Dhanus), who is also inauspicious. Add 16 degrees 40 minutes to Chap, which will give Ketu (UpaKetu), who is a malefic. By adding a Rasi to UpaKetu, you get the original longitude of Surya. These are the Grahas, devoid of splendour, which are malefics by nature and cause affliction.

Effects of Sub-Grahas. If one of these afflicts Surya, the native’s dynasty will decline, while Chandr and Lagna, respectively, associated with one of these, will destroy the longevity and wisdom.

Calculations of Gulika etc. The portions of Surya etc. up to Sani denote the periods of Gulika and others. Divide the day duration (of any week day) into eight equal parts. The eighth portion is Lord-less. The seven portions are distributed to the seven Grahas commencing from the Lord of the week day. Whichever portion is ruled by Sani, will be the portion of Gulika. Similarly make the night duration into eight equal parts and distribute these, commencing from the Lord of the 5th (by) week. Here again, the eighth portion is Lord-less, while Sani’s portion is Gulik. Surya’s portion is Kaal, Mangal’s portion is Mrityu, Guru’s portion is Yamaghantak and Budh’s portion is Ardhaprahar. These durations differently apply to different places (commensurate with variable day and night durations).

Gulika’s Position. The degree, ascending at the time of start of Gulika’s portion (as above), will be the longitude of Gulika at a given place. Based on this longitude only, Gulik’s effects for a particular nativity be estimated.