Basic concepts and mechanics of Vedic Astrology

The core principle of Vedic Astrology is that heavenly bodies a.k.a Grahas (Planets) affect the life of beings on
earth. On the same lines, the planets in the solar system affect the earthly beings more than those in the farther
outer space. The planets that are considered in Vedic Astrology are Surya (Sun), Chandra (Moon), Mangal
(Mars), Budha (Mercury), Guru (Jupiter), Shukra (Venus) and Shani (Saturn). Rahu (North node of moon) and
Ketu (South node of moon) are the other two shadow planets taken into consideration apart from the seven main
planets. Apart from these, Vedic Astrology has numerous mathematical points that are to be considered.

There are 12 houses in a Vedic Astrology chart. Each of these houses is representative of certain areas of a
human life. Also, each of these 12 houses has a natural signifier planet known as Karakas in Vedic Astrology.
Given below is the table of each of the 12 houses and their significations along with the karakas.

House Represents Karaka

1 Physical self of the native i.e. his/her physical appearance Surya

2 Wealth of the native Guru

3 Siblings, communication skills of the native Mangal

4 Mother, property of the native Chandra

5 Progeny, education of the native Guru

6 Enemies, Servants of the native Mangal

7 Spouse, Partners of the native Shukra

8 Death, diseases of the native Shani

9 Teacher(s), Father of the native Guru

10 Achievements, Career of the native Budha

11 Income, profits to the native Guru

12 Expenditure, loss to the native Shani

Then Vedic Astrology has the concept of Rashi (sign). There are 12 rashis in total. Rashis are basically 12
divisions of the 360o zodiac. Each of these rashis is lorded by particular planet(s). Each of these rashis aspect
other three rashis in the zodiac – aspects from rashi consisting of good planets and otherwise good house are
beneficial and the aspects from rashi containing bad planets and otherwise bad houses are malefic. Given below
is the table of 12 rashis and their lords, along with other details.

Sanskrit English Lord Rashi Aspects Mobility Characteristic Representative

Name Name Nature Type Sex
Mesha Aries Mangal Simha, Movable Fire Male
Vrischika,
Kumbha
Vrishabha Taurus Shukra Kartakam, Fixed Earth Female
Thulam,
 Makara
Mithuna Gemini Budha Kanya, Dhanus, Dual/Common Air Male
Meena
Kartakam Cancer Chandra Vrishabha, Movable Water Female
Vrischika,
Kumbha
Simha Leo Surya Mesha, Fixed Fire Male
Thulam,
Kumbha
Kanya Virgo Budha Mithuna, Dual/Common Earth Female
Dhanus, Meena
Thulam Libra Shukra Vrishabha, Movable Air Male
Simha,
Kumbha
Vrischika Scorpio Mangal and Mesha, Fixed Water Female
Ketu Kartakam,
Makara
Dhanus Sagittarius Guru Mithuna, Dual/Common Fire Male
Kanya, Meena
Makara Capricorn Shani Vrishabha, Movable Earth Female
Simha,
Vrischika
Kumbha Aquarius Shani and Mesha, Fixed Air Male
Rahu Kartakam,
Thulam
Meena Pisces Guru Mithuna, Dual/Common Water Female
Kanya, Dhanus

Each planet is supposed to give certain results. Now each of these planets give intense (mainly in a good way)
results in a particular rashi and weak (mainly in a bad way) results in another rashi. The rashi in which the
planet gives good results is known as its Uccha (Exaltation) rashi and the one in which the planet gives bad
results is known as its Neecha (Debilitation) rashi. Given below is a list of Neecha and Uccha rashis of planets.
The table below gives the uccha, Neecha rashis of the grahas as well as information about their aspects.

Graha Uccha Rashi Neecha Rashi

Surya Mesha Thulam
Chandra Vrishabha Vrischika
Mangal Makara Kartakam
Budha Kanya Meena
Guru Kartakam Makara
Shukra Meena Kanya
Shani Thulam Mesha
Rahu Vrishabha Vrischika
Ketu Vrischika Vrishabha

Each graha aspects other grahas just like rashis, as shown in the table below. Note that each graha aspects the 7th
house from it always. Apart from that, some grahas like Mangal, Guru, Shani, Rahu and Ketu aspects other
houses. Aspects from good planets in the chart are always beneficial and that from bad planets are malefic.

Graha Aspect
Surya 7th house from where it is placed

Chandra 7th house from where it is placed

Mangal 7th, 4th, 8th house from where it is placed

Budha 7th house from where it is placed

Guru 7th, 5th, 9th house from where it is placed

Shani 7th, 3rd, 10th house from where it is placed

Rahu 7th, 4th, 8th house from where it is placed

Ketu 7th, 3rd, 10th house from where it is placed