What is a Graha ? | Learn Astrology in Easy Way | Part 2

 

What is a Graha? (And what it is not)

'Graha' does not mean planet in the Sanskrit. It means 'to grasp, to seize' and 'the one who controls'. The physical body of each graha is called planet. Grahas are karmic forces that seize your prana (life force) and influence your mind, body, and behavior. Grahas shows the ability of celestial events to influence and control the occurrence of events on planet earth.

In Vedic Astrology only planets that are visible to the naked eye are considered as grahas.

There are 9 Grahas in Jyotisha: -

Sun, Moon, Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, Venus, Saturn- Rahu and Ketu (shadow points, not physical bodies). 

                                              🪐 Grahas Classification Table

Comparison: 

Each Graha delivers karma. Grahas are karmic postmen. They don't write the letter, but they bring it to your door.

What each Graha brings to your door?

Sun = Soul force, Ego, Confidence
Moon = Emotions, Mind
Mars = Energy, Aggression, Will

Mercury =Intelligence, Communication

Venus= Luxury, Comforts, Beauty

Jupiter= Knowledge, Wealth

Saturn= Strength, Hardwork, obstacles
Rahu = Obsession, illusion
Ketu = Detachment, Past life

Takeaway:
Grahas are karmic delivery tools. They are neither good nor bad. They simply activate what you are meant to face or grow through.

The Yogakarka | A Planet with an exceptional strength

In Vedic Astrology, a "Yogakaraka" refers to a single planet that gains exceptional strength and promises significant beneficial results in a horoscope.

Rule of formation:

A planet that is the lord of both a Kendra (quadrant: 1st, 4th, 7th, 10th houses) and a Trikona (trine: 1st, 5th, 9th houses). The relationship between the lords of Kendras and Trikonas is known as Yoga, which gives exceptionally auspicious results.

If Rahu or Ketu occupy a Kendra or a Trikona and are related to a Trikona lord (if in a Kendra) or a Kendra lord (if in a Trikona), they can become Yoga karakas.

Planets as Yogakarakas for Specific Ascendants (Lagnas):

Mars: Becomes a Yoga karaka for Cancer and Leo ascendants. For Cancer ascendant, Mars owns the 5th and 10th house and for Leo ascendant, it owns 4th and 9th house.

Saturn: Becomes a Yoga karaka for Libra and Taurus ascendants. For Libra ascendant, Saturn owns the 4th and 5th house and for Taurus ascendants, it owns 9th and 10th house.

Venus: Becomes a Yoga karaka for Capricorn and Aquarius ascendants. For Capricorn ascendant, Mars owns the 5th and 10th house and for Aquarius ascendant, it owns 4th and 9th house.

Exceptions to the rule above:

Jupiter, Mercury, Sun and Moon never become a Yoga karaka planet for any ascendant.

Jupiter and Mercury both own the Kendra houses which form the Kendradhipathi Dosha in Sagittarius, Pisces, Gemini and Virgo ascendants, and don't fulfill the condition of the Yoga Karaka planet. 

Sun and moon are luminaries and own only single sign don't fulfill the criteria for the Yoga Karaka planet.

In a nutshell, only 50% of the rising signs have the Yoga Karaka planet. Aries, Gemini, Virgo, Scorpio, Sagittarius and Pisces don't have any Yoga karaka planet.

Results:

Yoga karaka planet confers excellent results during its dasha (major planetary period) and antardasha (sub-period). Yogakaraka planet is a great indicator of good fortune, success, and positive results, particularly when the planets involved are strong and well-placed in the horoscope. A native can reach at extreme heights during its dasha and antardasha.

A Yoga karaka planet even if it is placed in 6th,8th and 12th houses (Dusthana houses) gives good results.

Planets and Avatars | Dasha Avatars

                         ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय                              

                   Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya

             "I bow to Lord Vasudeva, the Supreme Being."

In Hindu mythology, the concept of the "Dasha Avatars" refers to the ten principal incarnations of Lord Vishnu, who descends in various forms to restore dharma and cosmic balance.

According to Maharishi Parāśara, in the Bṛhat Parāśara Horā Śāstra, nine of these Avatars are associated with specific planetary influences, each reflecting divine qualities and functions as following:

1. Lord Rama: Sun

2. Lord Krishna: Moon (The Moon is also associated with Rohini, which is the birth Nakshatra of Lord Krishna).

3. Lord Narasimha: Mars

4. Lord Buddha: Mercury (Buddha is described as teaching non-violence)

5. Lord Vamana: Jupiter (Vamana is described as a pygmy avatar who asked King Bali for three steps of land and lord Vamana measured the universe in two steps, therefore, Bali had to offer his head for placing the third step)

6. Lord Parashurama: Venus

7. Lord Koorma (Tortoise): Saturn

8. Lord Varaha (Pig): Rahu

9. Lord Matsya (Fish): Ketu

Kalki is identified as the tenth avatara (incarnation) of Lord Vishnu, yet to manifest in the Kaliyuga to destroy evil and restore righteousness. Kalki is depicted riding a white horse named Devadatta, often wielding a flaming sword.

Maharishi Parashar further distinguished between "Poorna Parmatmansha Avatars" and "Jeevams Samanvit Avatars" as follows:

1. Poorna Parmatmansha Avatars

Avatars with complete essence of the Supreme Being.

Avatar	Planet              Qualities

Rama

Sun

Dharma, Kingship, Solar leadership

Krishna

Moon

Devotion, Love, Compassion

Narasimha

Mars

Protection, Righteous Anger

Varaha

Rahu

Cosmic Restoration,transformative power

When these planets are strong, well-placed and aspected in a birth chart, they bestow Prabhuta (eminence, authority, leadership, divine purpose).

2. Jeevams Samanvit Avatars

Avatars blended with the soul of a Jiva (individual being).

Avatar	Planet                  Qualities

Vamana

Mercury

Wisdom, Diplomacy

Parashurama

Venus

Devotion, Conflict

Buddha

Jupiter

Enlightenment, Ethics

Kurma

Saturn

Endurance, Duty

Matsya              Ketu

Liberation, spirituality

When these planets are strongly placed, they bless the native with deep wisdom, discipline and spiritual power.