Karakas in Vedic Astrology

Karaka means significator, which means one who is responsible for the particular event or the factor. Karakatwa is the duty assigned to a karaka (planet). There are many types of karakas in vedic astrology as explained by Sage Parashara and others.

There are mainly two types of karakas on broader sense. They are: House or Bhava karakatwa and Planetary karakatwa.

In this article,i am going to write about planetary Karakatwas.

Planetary Karakatwas: Each planet has been assigned certain duties for itself. Based on the position and strength of the planet, it gives result. Below are the significations for all the planets.

Sun – Soul, self, self-realisation, prestige, power, ego, right eye, heart, heat, well-being, father, king, fame, honour, electricity, royal favour etc.

Moon – Emotions, mind, mother, left eye, liquid, Heart, sleep, happiness, travel, milk, pearls

Mars – Courage, valour, anger, desire, weapons, younger brother, strength, scandals, controversies, injuries by burns and weapons, police, defence, engineering etc.

Mercury – education, Communication, speech, intelligence, mathematics, logic, writing, astrology, publishing, memory, business, analytical thinking, politics, drama, precious stones, maternal uncle etc.

Jupiter – Knowledge, wisdom, devotion, philosophy, learning, wealth, teacher, children, banking, respect, religious perception, family, fortune, elder brother, husband, body fat, holy places, donation etc.

Venus – Beauty, fame, marriage, wife, jewellery, ornaments, sensual pleasures, singing, flowers, buying & selling, vehicles, perfumes, dance, music etc.

Saturn – Longevity, profession, karma, death, life, adversity, conduct, service, disease, poverty, trouble, losses, theft, servants, old age, dishonour, imprisonment, grief, oils, agriculture, west direction etc.

Rahu – Gambling, mystery, foreign, snake bite, accidents, poison, skin disease, harsh speech, fallacious arguments, travelling, theft, wickedness, widow, swelling in the body, pilgrimage, paternal grandfather etc.

Ketu – Occult science, detachment, moksha, consumption, pain, wound, dog, birds, maternal grandfather, imprisonment etc.

These are also called as sthira karakas. These significations are fixed or permanent irrespective of the horoscope.

The Root Karakas:

The Root Karakas are defined by Maharishi Parashara in his immortal classic Brihat Parashari Hora Shastra. Thus the root karakas are:

Lagna: Surya

Dhana: Guru

Sahaja: Mangal

Sukha: Chandra

Suta: Guru

Shatru: Mangal

Dara: Shukra

Randhra: Shani

Dharma: Guru

Karma: Budha

Labha: Guru

Vyaya: Shani

These Karakas are the most important Karakas for the Bhavas. Like the lords of the Bhavas, these Karakas should also be strong, for the overall wellbeing of the Bhavas. For instance, If Surya is weak, the overall vitality and energy level is bound to suffer, even though the Lagnesha may be strong. The native may be even to forced to leave is birth place or exiled when Surya is weak. When Lagnesha is also weak, then the indications are sure to happen i.e., the native indeed has to suffer exile. The moot point is, if these Karakas are weak, almost all the significations of a Bhava suffers greatly. Depending on the Lagna in which one is born, the strength of the Bhava and Bhavesha the level of impact will vary. In this regard, the significance of the root karakas is just like that of the lord of the Bhavas.