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 First House – The House of Self | Poetry | Part 2

 

I am the First House, the beginning of your journey.

I reflect your body, your mind, your temperament, and your outer presence.

I hold your prosperity, your vitality, and the way you face life.

When you took your first breath, I rose with you from the East —

That rising point is called your Ascendant or Lagna.

In the grand body of the cosmos, I am the head —

The seat of identity, direction, and conscious will.

I am your mirror — showing not just how others see you,

But how you carry your identity, your health, your spirit.

My guiding lights, or Karaka, is

The Sun – for vigour, health, and life force

The First House, your Lagna — I am not just the beginning,

I am the head, the helm, the strength and backbone of your horoscope.

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.