GRAHAS

Due to the unique lordships of the Graha, its natural malefic or benefic activity can
change.
1. When ruling a Kendra (4th, 7th or 10th house) natural benefics loose their benefic
quality, and natural malefics loose their malefic quality. A malefic who rules a
Kendra as well as a trine becomes benefic. When ruling a Kendra, stronger Benefics
become stronger malefics.
2. The rulers of Trines (1st, 5th, 9th houses) become benefic.
3. The lord of the Ascendant is a great benefic.
4. The lords of Trishadayas (3rd, 6th, 11th houses) become malefic.
5. The lords of the Parashrayas (12th, 2nd and 8th) act according to their association with other
malefics/benefics, and also give results according to the house their other sign falls in.
6. The 8th lord is 12th from the 9th, and is therefore not benefic. When the 8th lord is also a
Trishadaya lord (3rd, 6th, 11th) then it becomes malefic. But if the 8th lord also rules a Trine
(1st, 5th, 9th) it will be a benefic. The Sun or Moon ruling the 8th house does not become
malefic.
7. In each group (Kendras, Trines, Trishadayas, Parashrayas) the lordships are increasing
stronger in their order. For example the 9th lordship is a greater benefic than the 5th lord. The
nature of a Graha ruling a predominant house will overwrite the nature of another Graha that
rules a less predominant house.
Note: In the general case of lordships, there is a principle that out of the two signs a Graha rules,
the Mooltrikona rulership is more predominant. Some are of the opinion that this would cause
the nature of the Mooltrikona lordship to predominate in determining the functional nature of the
Graha. However, this conflicts with Brihat Parashara Hora Shastra in a number of cases:
Mercury/Vrishabha, Saturn/Mithuna, Jupiter/Karka, Saturn/Dhanu, Venus/Makara. We therefore
do not recommend applying this principle in this context.
Now let's look at each Ascendant and use these rules to find out which Grahas are functional
malefics and which are functional benefics.
Mesha (Aries)
The Sun rules the 5th house, so it is a benefic. The Moon rules the 4th, so it looses its benefic
quality (but does not become a malefic). Mars rules the 1st and 8th houses. As lord of the 1st
(rule #1) and as lord of the 8th also ruling a trine (rule # 6) it will be benefic. On the other hand,
the 8th house is predominant over the 1st house (rule #7) so the 8th house lordship is not

completely removed. Parashara concludes that Mars is helpful to other benefics. In other words,
Mars can contribute in yogas as a benefic, but also has a malefic side.
Mercury ruled the 3rd and 6th house, so it is malefic (rule #4). Jupiter rules the 9th and 12th.
The 12th house lordship is also bringing out the other lordship (of the 9th). Therefore, Jupiter is a
benefic. However, when Jupiter is associated with malefics, it's 12 house lordship will still show
and turn Jupiter malefic. Venus rules the 2nd and 7th. The 2nd lordships is neutral and brings
out the other lordship. The 7th, which is also the higher house, is strongly emphasized. Since this
is a Kendra lordship and Venus is the greatest benefic, it become a malefic here. Saturn rules
the 10th and 11th. The 10th house lordship is a Kendra lordship, so that would make Saturn loose
its malefic quality, and make a neutral contribution. But the 11th house lordship is malefic, and is
the predominant lordship, so Saturn is malefic.
Note: The lords of the 9th and 10th are Jupiter and Saturn respectively. This would normally
cause a favorable combination. But because Jupiter rules the 12th, and Saturn rules the 11th, the
combination will give inauspicious results for the Aries Lagna.
Vrishabha (Taurus)
The Sun rules the 4th house. Normally a trine rulership is required to turn a malefic wholly
benefic, but since the Sun has only one lordship, it become benefic here. The Moon rules the
3rd house and becomes malefic (rule #4).
Mars rules the 12th and 7th. The 12th lordship is neutral, and the nature depends on the other
lordship, the 7th. As 7th lord Mars looses its malefic quality, but does not turn benefic.
Mercury rules the 2nd and 5th. As the 2nd ruler it is neutral. The more predominant house is the
5th, a benefic lordship. In spite of that, Parashara only declares Mercury as a lesser Benefic. This
is because Mercury's natural tendency is to act according to its associations, and as the 2nd lord
this tendency is reinforced. As a result, Mercury is not so capable of acting as a strong benefic on
its own.
Jupiter rules the 8th and 11th so it becomes malefic (rule #6).
Venus rules the 1st and 6th. The 6th house is the more predominant house. So the malefic
contribution of the 6th wins over the benefic quality of the 1st, and Venus is malefic.
Saturn rules the 9th and 10th, so it is benefic (rule #1).
Mithuna (Gemini)
The Sun rules the 3rd house, so it is malefic (rule #4).
The Moon rules the 2nd, so it is neutral, dependant on other associations.
Mars rules the 6th and 11th, and is very malefic.
Mercury rules the 1st and 4th. The 1st house rulership could make it a benefic, but the 1st is
also a Kendra. The more predominant lordship is the 4th, another Kendra. As a result, Mercury
looses its benefic quality but does not become a malefic. Its actual nature will depend on
associations with other malefic or benefics.

Jupiter rules the 7th and 10th. As a great benefic ruling 2 Kendras, it becomes a malefic (rule
#1). Venus rules the 12th, which is neutral. The other lordship is the 5th, a trine, so Venus
becomes a benefic. It is the only benefic for Mithuna Lagna. Saturn rules the 8th and 9th. The
8th house lordship is not good, but the 9th house, a trine, is a benefic one. In spite of that,
Parashara does not declare Saturn as benefic. Perhaps the natural affinity of Saturn with the 8th
house brings enough emphasis on the 8th house lordship that it predominates over the 9th house.
Karka (Cancer)
The Sun rules the 2nd house. It will act according to its association (rule #5). The Moon is
benefic as it rules the 1st, a trine lordship. Mars rules the 10th and 5th, and is therefore a
Kendra as well as Trikona lord. It is benefic. Mercury rules the 12th and 3rd. The 12th lord is
neutral, so the lordship of the 3rd house makes it malefic.
Jupiter rules the 6th and 9th. The
6th lordship is malefic, but the 9th lordship which is a higher house, is benefic. Jupiter's natural
affinity with the 9th house wins, and Jupiter is a benefic. Venus rules the 11th and 4th. As 11th
lord Venus is malefic, and the 4th house lordship also adds to the malefic nature. Saturn rules
the 7th and 8th house. The 7th house lordship for a malefic reduces the malefic tendency, but the
8th house lord acts according its association. Therefore, Saturn's nature will depend on
associations with other Benefic or Malefics.
Leo (Simha)
The Sun is benefic as it rules the 1st, a trine lordship. The Moon rules the 12th, so it will act
according to its association (rule #5). Mars rules the 9th and 4th, so Mars has a Kendra and
trine lordship. Mars is a benefic. Mercury rules the 11th and 2nd. The 11th lordship is malefic,
while the 2nd lordship is neutral, so Mercury is malefic. Jupiter rules the 5th and 8th. The 8th
lord is benefic if it also rules a trine, and Jupiter's affinity with the 5th house reinforces the 5th
lordship, so Jupiter is benefic. (rule #6). Venus rules the 10th and 3rd house. The Kendra
lordship turns this natural benefic malefic, and the 3rd house lordship is also malefic. Saturn
rules the 6th and 7th. The 6th house lord is malefic. The 7th house lordship will not counter that.
Kanya (Virgo)
The Sun rules the 12th house, its nature will depend on its associations. The Moon is malefic
because it rules the 11th. Mars rules the 3rd and 8th house, so it is a malefic. Mercury rules
the 1st and the 10th. The 4th is a Kendra, and because Mercury is a (weak) natural benefic, it
would be a (somewhat) malefic lordship. But the Mooltrikona sign is predominant here, so the
trine lordship prevails, and Mercury is benefic. Jupiter rules the 4th and 7th, 2 Kendras, so it is
malefic. Venus rules the 2nd and 9th. The nature of the 2nd lord depends on association and
the other lordship, so the benefic 9th lordship prevails. Saturn rules the 5th and 6th. The 5th
lordship is benefic, but the 6th lordship is malefic. Saturn is neutral.
Tula (Libra)
The Sun rules the 11th, and is malefic. The Moon rules the 10th, and benefics ruling Kendras
are malefic. Mars rules the 7th and 2nd. Even though the rulership of the 7th is not malefic as

such (malefic ruling a Kendra), and the 2nd lordship is neutral (depending on other associations),
the combined rulership of these two houses makes Mars somewhat malefic. Mercury rules the
9th and 12th house. The 12th house lord is neutral, so the benefic 9th lordship (trine lordship)
prevails. Jupiter rules the 3rd and 6th, two malefic lordships. Venus rules the 1st and 8th
houses. As lord of the 1st (rule #1) and as lord of the 8th also ruling a trine (rule # 6) it will be
benefic. On the other hand, the 8th house is predominant over the 1st house (rule #7) so the 8th
house lordship is not completely removed. And also, the 1st house is a Kendra as well, which
turns a benefic into a malefic. Parashara concludes that Venus is neither malefic or benefic.
Saturn rules the 4th and 5th, a Kendra and Trine, so it is benefic.
Vrischika (Scorpio)
The Sun rules the 10th house. It looses it malefic quality due to the Kendra lordship, but does not
become benefic. The Moon rules the 9th house, a trine, and is benefic. Mars rules the 1st
and 6th. The 1st house lordship is benefic, but the 6th house lordship is malefic. It is a neutral.
Mercury rules the 8th and 11th. The nature of the 8th combined with the 11th is malefic (rule
#6). Jupiter rules the 2nd and 5th. The 2nd lordship is neutral, and the 5th lord is benefic, so
Jupiter is benefic. Venus rules the 7th and 12th. The nature of the 12th house lord depends on
the other lordship. As a benefic ruling a Kendra, the 7th house lordship turns Venus malefic.
Saturn rules the 3rd and 4th. The 3rd lordship is malefic, and the 4th lordship is not contributing
benefic qualities. So Saturn is a malefic.
Dhanu (Sagittarius)
The Sun rules the 9th house, and is benefic. The Moon rules the 8th and is neutral (rule
#6). Mars rules the 5th and 12th. The 12th lordship is neutral, and the 5th lordship, a trine
lordship, makes Mars benefic. Mercury rules the 7th and 10th, two kendras. According to the
rules, Mercury would be malefic. However, Parashara defines it as a neutral. Jupiter rules the
1st and 4th. The 1st house rulership could make it a benefic, but the 1st is also a Kendra. The
more predominant lordship is the 4th, another Kendra. As a result, Jupiter looses its benefic
quality but does not become a malefic. Venus rules the 6th and 11th, two malefic lordship, and
is the only malefic for this Ascendant. Saturn rules the 2nd and 3rd. As the 2nd lord its nature
depends on other associations, and the other house it rules. The 3rd house lordship is malefic. In
spite of this, Parashara declares it as a maraka ("killer") planet only, but not as a generally
malefic Graha.
Makara (Capricorn)
The Sun rules the 8th house, and is neutral (rule #6). The Moon rules the 7th house, and as a
benefic ruling a Kendra, becomes malefic. Mars rules the 4th and 11th. The 11th lordship is
malefic, and the 4th lordship is not contributing benefic qualities. So Mars is a malefic.
Mercury rules the 6th and 9th. The 6th lordship is malefic, but the 9th lordship which is a higher
house, is benefic. Mercury's greater affinity with the 9th house wins, and Mercury is a benefic.
Jupiter rules the 12th and 3rd. The 12th lordship is neutral, but the 3rd is malefic, so Jupiter is
malefic. Venus rules the 5th and 10th. The 10th house lordship is malefic for Venus, but this is
overruled by the fact that Venus rules a Kendra and Trine simultaneously. Venus is a benefic.

Saturn rules the 1st and 2nd. The 1st is a benefic lordship, but Saturn's affinity with the 2nd
house (2nd lord is a maraka lord, and Saturn is a natural significator for death) gives a malefic
slant. As a result, the two effects are cancelled out and Saturn is neutral.
Kumbha (Aquarius)
The Sun rules the 7th house, losing it's malefic nature due to the Kendra lordship. The Moon
rules the 6th house, and is a malefic. Mars rules the 3rd and 10th. As lord of the 10th, Mars
loses its malefic nature, but the 3rd house lordship is malefic, so Mars is malefic. Mercury
rules the 5th and the 8th. The 5th house lordship is benefic, and the 8th lordship is malefic.
According to the rules, the combination of these two lordships makes a benefic. However,
because Mercury is having such a dual nature, and is so easily subject to Grahas it is associated
with, it will not be able to manifest only benefic qualities. Parashara declares Mercury as having
a mixed nature for this Lagna. Jupiter rules the 2nd and 11th house. The 2nd house lordship is
neutral, while the 11th house lordship is malefic, so Jupiter is malefic. Venus rules the 4th and
9th. The 4th house lordship is malefic for a natural benefic like Venus, but the 9th house lordship
is benefic. However, as the ruler of a Kendra and Kona, Parashara declares Venus as a benefic.
Saturn rules the 12th and 1st house. The 12th house lordship is neutral, and gives the effect of the
other lordship. The 1st house lordship, a trikona lord, is benefic, so Saturn is benefic.
Meena (Pisces)
The Sun rules the 6th house and thus is malefic. The Moon rules the 5th house, a trikona
lordship, and is benefic. Mars rules the 2nd and 9th. The 2nd lordship is neutral, and the 9th is
benefic, so Mars is benefic. Mercury rules the 4th and 7th, two Kendra lordships, and is
malefic. Jupiter rules the 1st and 10th. The 1st house lordship is benefic, but the rulership over
the 10th is malefic (a benefic lord of a Kendra). Jupiter is therefore neutral.
Venus rules the
3rd and 8th, and is malefic. Saturn rules the 11th and 12th. The 12th house lordship is neutral,
and gives the effect of the other lordship. The 11th house lordship is malefic, and therefore
Saturn malefic.
Rule Memorization
It is not so easy to memorize the functional malefics and benefics for each ascendant. Here is a
simplified set of rules that will help you determine them on the fly. This set gives the same
natures to the planets as has been elaborated above, but in a very compact form. First note that
every Graha that rules 2 houses rules an odd and an even house. In almost all cases, it is the
lordship over the odd house (1st, 3rd, 5th, 7th, 9th, 11th) that determines the functional nature.
For the case when the Sun and the Moon rule an even house, a separate rule is given.
1. The lord of the 1st is benefic for the 1st 6 Lagnas except Taurus (malefic) and Gemini
(Neutral). For the 2nd half of the zodiac it is neutral, except for Aquarius (Benefic).
2. The 3rd lord is always malefic, except for Saturn for Sagittarius Lagna it is neutral.
3. The 5th lord is always benefic, except for Saturn for Virgo it is neutral.

4. The 7th lord is always malefic, except for when the 7th lord rules a higher house and is not a
great natural benefic, then it is neutral. (This exception occurs for Taurus, Cancer and Sagittarius
Lagnas).
5. The 9th lord is always benefic, except for Saturn for Gemini Lagna it is neutral.
6. The ruler of the 11th house is always malefic
7. The rulership of the Sun and Moon over even houses is generally neutral, with the exception
of a) Sun is benefic when it rules the 4th, b) Sun and Moon are malefic when they rule the 6th, c)
The Moon is malefic when it rules the 10th.