Atmakaraka

The graha that obtains the highest longitude in the chart is the Atmakaraka. It
is the significator of the soul (atma). It is the king of the chart. Being the s
ignificator of the soul, the 12th house of liberation is seen from the Atmakarak
a in the Navamsa to find out the Ista devata of the native who would guide the s
oul towards liberation from the bondage of life and death.
Amatyakaraka
The graha obtaining the second highest longitude is called Amatyakaraka. It sign
ifies the mind. Its role is that of a Minister who guides the king. It is the Am
atyakaraka who guides the destiny of the person towards attainment of the desire
s of the atma. Being the protector of the soul, the palanadevata (the deity who
sustains oneself in this world) is seen from the 6th from the Amatyakaraka in th
e Navamsa.
Bhratrikaraka
The graha obtaining the third highest longitude is called the Bhratrikaraka - th
e significator of brothers and co-born who actually are expected to stand by the
individual in times of dire need. It is also known as the Gurukaraka, as next t
o the Amatya it is only the Guru (preceptor) who can guide the atma towards its
desired goal and God. The guru and their influence on our life and its purpose c
an be seen from the Bhratrikarka in the Rasi and the Navamsa chart. In the Navam
sa chart, they show the promise, how the guru would influence the life of the na
tive, while in the rasi chart, it would show how the promise is fulfilled.
Matrikaraka
The graha obtaining the fourth highest longitude is called the Matrikaraka - the
significator of mother. Among the four karakas of prime importance, Matrikaraka
is one (and the first in ascending order to the Atmakaraka) as mother is the pe
rson who has brings the atma into existence in the world. It is she who has the
first right over the child and guides the child at all stages to do the right th
ing to attain glory and God. The influence of mother on the life of the native n
eed to be studied from this Charakaraka.
Pitrikaraka
The graha obtaining the fifth highest longitude is called the Pitrikaraka - the
significator of father. Father is the one who is the cause for the birth of the
person, being the one who has carried the soul of the native and transmitted to
the womb of mother. Hence he comes next in hierarchy to the mother. The influenc
e of father on the life of the native need to be studied from this Charakaraka.
Putrakaraka
The graha obtaining the sixth highest longitude is known as the Putrakaraka and
it is the significator of children. Children bear the future of the person. A so
n is the one who is to perform the last rites of the person. Hence he gains the
sixth place of importance in the relationship of the person. The influence of fa
ther on the life of the native need to be studied from this Charakaraka.The infl
uence of children on the life of the native need to be studied from this Charaka
raka.
Gnyatikaraka
The graha obtaining the 7th highest longitude is known as the Gnyatikaraka - the
significator of relatives. The relatives of the person are the ones who are exp
ected to be near the person in times of happiness and distress. Hence, they gain
the seventh place of importance in the relationship of the person. The influenc
e of kith and kins on the life of the native need to be studied from this Charak
araka.
Darakaraka
The graha obtaining the eighth highest longitude is called Darakaraka - the sign

ificator of wife. The spouse is the 'Ardhangini' (equal partner) of the person.
Thus, the spouse is no different from the person as whatever is to happen with t
he person is to be shared jointly by both. As importance to the self is always l
ast, the spouse (Dara) is placed last at the 8th place. The influence of spouse
and companion on the life of the native need to be studied from this Charakaraka
.