🟡 Module 4 — Grahas (Planets)
9 grahas: nature, karakas, exaltation, debilitation, and special aspects.
The 9 grahas
Sun, Moon, Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, Venus, Saturn — the seven visible bodies — plus Rahu and Ketu, the two lunar nodes (north and south). Rahu and Ketu are 'shadow grahas' — points, not bodies — but in Jyotisha they are full participants.
Benefic vs Malefic
Natural benefics: Jupiter, Venus, waxing Moon, well-placed Mercury. Natural malefics: Saturn, Mars, Sun, Rahu, Ketu, waning Moon. 'Benefic' doesn't mean good outcomes — it means soft, expansive, supportive in nature. Malefics burn impurities.
Karakas (significators)
Each graha 'carries' specific themes. Sun = soul, father, authority. Moon = mind, mother. Mars = energy, brothers, courage. Mercury = intelligence, communication, analysis. Jupiter = wisdom, children, dharma. Venus = relationships, comfort, art. Saturn = longevity, discipline, losses, chronic disease. Rahu = obsession, foreign. Ketu = moksha, detachment.
Exaltation & Debilitation
Sun ↑ Aries 10° / ↓ Libra 10°. Moon ↑ Taurus 3° / ↓ Scorpio 3°. Mars ↑ Capricorn 28° / ↓ Cancer 28°. Mercury ↑ Virgo 15° / ↓ Pisces 15°. Jupiter ↑ Cancer 5° / ↓ Capricorn 5°. Venus ↑ Pisces 27° / ↓ Virgo 27°. Saturn ↑ Libra 20° / ↓ Aries 20°. Rahu and Ketu have no formal exaltation in the classical 7-graha scheme.
Special aspects (Drishti)
All grahas aspect the 7th house from themselves. Mars also aspects the 4th and 8th. Jupiter additionally aspects the 5th and 9th. Saturn additionally aspects the 3rd and 10th. These extra aspects are how malefics 'reach' beyond their position.
The 9 Grahas
| Planet | Nature | Exalted | Debilitated | Karakas |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sun (Surya) | Malefic | Aries 10° | Libra 10° | Soul (Atma), Father, Authority, Government |
| Moon (Chandra) | Variable | Taurus 3° | Scorpio 3° | Mind, Mother, Emotions, Comforts |
| Mars (Mangala) | Malefic | Capricorn 28° | Cancer 28° | Energy, Courage, Brothers, Land |
| Mercury (Budha) | Variable | Virgo 15° | Pisces 15° | Intelligence, Communication, Writing skills, Analytical mind |
| Jupiter (Guru) | Benefic | Cancer 5° | Capricorn 5° | Wisdom, Dharma, Children, Wealth |
| Venus (Shukra) | Benefic | Pisces 27° | Virgo 27° | Relationship, Marriage, Love, Beauty |
| Saturn (Shani) | Malefic | Libra 20° | Aries 20° | Longevity, Chronic disease, Losses, Discipline |
| Rahu (Rahu) | Malefic | — | — | Obsession, Foreign, Illusion, Innovation |
| Ketu (Ketu) | Malefic | — | — | Moksha, Detachment, Past life, Spirituality |