The 9 Planets (Navagrahas)
In Vedic astrology, nine celestial bodies (Grahas — "that which seizes") shape our experience. Seven are classical planets; two (Rahu and Ketu) are the lunar nodes — shadow planets with no physical form but immense karmic weight. Planets are the actors; houses are their stage.
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Sun (Surya)
Rules: LeoExalted: AriesDebilitated: Libra
Nature: Malefic (functional benefic for Leo Asc) · Dasha: 6 years (Vimshottari)
The Sun is your soul, ego, and life force — the king of the planetary cabinet. It governs authority, father, government, and your core sense of self. In Vedic astrology it is a natural malefic but a great dignifier: wherever the Sun sits, that house shines and burns simultaneously.
Soul & individual identityFather & authority figuresGovernment & powerBones & the heartCareer & public statusRighteousness & dharma
Friends
Moon, Mars, Jupiter
Karaka (significator): Soul, father, authority, government
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Moon (Chandra)
Rules: CancerExalted: TaurusDebilitated: Scorpio
Nature: Benefic (when waxing); malefic (when waning) · Dasha: 10 years (Vimshottari)
The Moon is your mind, emotions, and the second most important factor after the Ascendant. It governs the quality of your inner life, your relationship with your mother, and your emotional responses to the world. A strong, well-placed Moon is the foundation of mental peace.
Mind & emotionsMother & maternal lovePublic & massesFluids & waterFertility & nourishmentMemory & habits
Enemies
None (traditional)
Karaka (significator): Mind, mother, emotions, public
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Mars (Mangal)
Rules: Aries, ScorpioExalted: CapricornDebilitated: Cancer
Nature: Malefic · Dasha: 7 years (Vimshottari)
Mars represents energy, courage, and the capacity to fight through karmic challenges — a trigger for action and a path to liberation (moksha). It governs your ability to endure hardship, protect what you love, and cut through obstacles. Mars is the soldier; it rewards those who channel its energy with discipline.
Physical energy & driveCourage & aggressionYounger siblingsBlood & musclesProperty & real estateSurgery & accidents
Friends
Sun, Moon, Jupiter
Karaka (significator): Energy, courage, siblings, property, liberation
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Mercury (Budha)
Rules: Gemini, VirgoExalted: VirgoDebilitated: Pisces
Nature: Benefic (when with benefics); malefic (when with malefics) · Dasha: 17 years (Vimshottari)
Mercury is the planet of intelligence, communication, trade, and adaptability. It governs how you think, speak, write, and process information. Mercury is the prince of the planetary cabinet — quick, curious, and context-dependent, taking on the colour of the planets it associates with.
Intellect & reasoningSpeech, writing & communicationCommerce & tradeSkin & nervous systemMathematics & analysisDuality & adaptability
Karaka (significator): Intelligence, communication, commerce, skill
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Jupiter (Guru / Brihaspati)
Rules: Sagittarius, PiscesExalted: CancerDebilitated: Capricorn
Nature: Benefic (greatest natural benefic) · Dasha: 16 years (Vimshottari)
Jupiter represents your soul, wisdom, luck, children, and expansion — the most benefic planet in Vedic astrology. It is the guru of the gods, bestowing grace, higher knowledge, and fortune wherever it sits. Jupiter expands everything it touches: blessings when dignified, excess when afflicted.
Wisdom & higher learningChildren & progenyFortune & abundanceHusband (for women)Liver & fatDharma & philosophy
Karaka (significator): Soul, wisdom, children, husband (for women), wealth
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Venus (Shukra)
Rules: Taurus, LibraExalted: PiscesDebilitated: Virgo
Nature: Benefic (natural), but functional varies · Dasha: 20 years (Vimshottari)
Venus governs beauty, pleasure, relationships, and creative talent. It rules the good life — luxury, romance, and artistic refinement — and is the guru of the asuras, possessing knowledge of Mritasanjivani (the elixir of life). Venus has two sides: materialistic (luxury, romance) and spiritual (music, occult wisdom).
Love & romanceWife / marriage partner (for men)Beauty & aestheticsLuxury & comfortCreative arts & musicKidneys & reproductive system
Karaka (significator): Love, beauty, wife (for men), luxury, creativity
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Saturn (Shani)
Rules: Capricorn, AquariusExalted: LibraDebilitated: Aries
Nature: Malefic (great teacher) · Dasha: 19 years (Vimshottari)
Saturn is the planet of hard work, discipline, and sacrifice — the strict teacher of the zodiac. Wherever it sits, it demands effort and letting go of comforts to achieve long-term rewards. Saturn rewards patience and punishes laziness. Its gifts come slowly but last.
Hard work & disciplineKarma & longevityServants & the massesBones, teeth & chronic illnessOld age & delaysJustice & detachment
Mantra
Om Shanaischaraya Namah
Karaka (significator): Discipline, longevity, karma, service, masses
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Rahu (Rahu (North Node))
Rules: None (co-rules Aquarius in some traditions)Exalted: Taurus / Gemini (debated)Debilitated: Scorpio / Sagittarius
Nature: Malefic (shadow planet) · Dasha: 18 years (Vimshottari)
Rahu is the north node of the Moon — a shadow planet with no physical body. It represents illusion, insatiable ambition, and fearless bravery, acting as a bridge between the material and spiritual worlds. Rahu amplifies and obsesses over whatever it touches, driving exponential growth, foreign connections, and unconventional success.
Ambition & desireForeign lands & foreignersTechnology & innovationIllusion & deceptionSudden events & disruptionPast-life karmic hunger
Friends
Mercury, Venus, Saturn (debated)
Karaka (significator): Illusion, ambition, foreign matters, unconventional paths
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Ketu (Ketu (South Node))
Rules: None (co-rules Scorpio in some traditions)Exalted: Scorpio / Sagittarius (debated)Debilitated: Taurus / Gemini
Nature: Malefic (shadow planet, spiritually significant) · Dasha: 7 years (Vimshottari)
Ketu is the headless south node — the embodiment of past-life karma, spirituality, and detachment. It operates subconsciously, beyond analytical reasoning. Ketu gives where Rahu hungers: it brings sudden spiritual insights, psychic gifts, and liberation — but also confusion, losses, and unexpected separations in whatever house it sits.
Spirituality & liberationPast-life karma & giftsDetachment & renunciationPsychic ability & intuitionSudden loss or gainWounds, surgery & healing
Friends
Mars, Venus, Saturn (debated)
Karaka (significator): Spirituality, detachment, past-life karma, liberation