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Take Exam (Pay Later)The Karakas: The Planetary Keyholders
The Essence
Who holds the keys to your life? In the vast mansion of the horoscope, the Houses are the rooms, but the Karakas (Significators) are the permanent residents who hold the keys. Even if your 4th House (Mother) is empty, the Moon (Natural Karaka for Mother) still tells her story. To ignore the Karaka is to ignore the soul of the house. We analyze three levels of signification: Naisargika (Natural), Chara (Movable), and Bhava (House) to unlock the full prediction.
Classical Verse
"Karako Bhava Nashaya... (Common Dictum). Also: 'Karakas are the root, Bhava is the tree.'"
Modern Translation
1. Naisargika Karakas (Natural Significators)
These are fixed for everyone. They represent the universal archetypes.
| Planet | People | Body Parts | Abstract Concepts |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sun | Father, King, Boss | Bones, Heart, Right Eye | Soul, Ego, Authority, Vitality |
| Moon | Mother, Queen, Public | Blood, Breasts, Left Eye | Mind, Emotions, Peace, Popularity |
| Mars | Siblings, Soldier, Enemy | Marrow, Muscles | Energy, Logic, Anger, Land, Surgery |
| Mercury | Maternal Uncle, Student | Skin, Nerves | Intellect, Speech, Trade, Coding |
| Jupiter | Children, Guru, Husband | Fat, Liver, Arteries | Wisdom, Wealth, Optimism, Dharma |
| Venus | Spouse (Wife), Lover | Reproductive Fluids | Love, Art, Vehicles, Luxury |
| Saturn | Servants, Elders | Tendons, Knees | Grief, Longevity, Discipline, Delay |
| Rahu | Foreigners, Outcasts | - | Obsession, Illusion, Poison |
| Ketu | Monks, Psychics | - | Detachment, Moksha, Mathematics |
2. Bhava Karakas (House Significators)
The specific planet that 'owns' the affairs of a house.
- 1st House (Self): Sun
- 2nd House (Wealth/Family): Jupiter
- 3rd House (Courage/Siblings): Mars
- 4th House (Mother/Home): Moon & Mercury
- 5th House (Children/Intelligence): Jupiter
- 6th House (Enemies/Disease): Mars & Saturn
- 7th House (Spouse): Venus
- 8th House (Longevity): Saturn
- 9th House (Father/Luck): Sun & Jupiter
- 10th House (Career): Sun, Mercury, Saturn, Jupiter
- 11th House (Gains): Jupiter
- 12th House (Loss/Moksha): Saturn
Practical Insight
The 'Karako Bhava Nashaya' Paradox. This is the most misunderstood rule in astrology. It states that if a Karaka sits in the house it signifies, it 'destroys' the house. For example, Jupiter (Karaka for Children) in the 5th House often causes delays or dissatisfaction with children. Venus (Karaka for Spouse) in the 7th House often creates ego clashes in marriage. Why? Because the energy is too concentrated. The remedy is to 'export' the energy. If you have Jupiter in the 5th, focus on Teaching (Jupiter's other signification) rather than obsessing over children. This relieves the pressure.
Go Deeper
Check your chart. Does any planet sit in the house it signifies? (e.g., Sun in 1st, Moon in 4th, Jupiter in 5th). If so, you have a 'Karako Bhava Nashaya' situation. You must consciously diversify that planet's energy to avoid burnout in that area.
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