Week 5 · Unit 5 · Strength, Karakas and Interpretive Tools
Milestone 4 of 5: Kārakas, and the soul's sign
The Soul's Sign
Kārakāṁśa — the Ātmakāraka's Navāṁśa sign, and the first real payoff for having built a D9 in Week 2.
Assumes you have done: Unit 4 for the Ātmakāraka; Week 2 unit 4 for the Navāṁśa
Why this matters
In Week 2 you built a Navāṁśa by hand and were told it would matter. This is where. The Kārakāṁśa is the Navāṁśa sign occupied by the Ātmakāraka, and Parashara gives it ninety-nine verses — more than he gives the 4th house. That proportion tells you something about how seriously the tradition takes it, and it makes this a good place to practise reading a long catalogue chapter without drowning in it.
Learn
Week 2 asked you to build a Navāṁśa by hand and said it would matter later. This is later.
What it is
Find the Ātmakāraka — the planet with the highest degree within its sign. Then find that planet’s position in the Navāṁśa. The sign it occupies there is the Kārakāṁśa.
Two steps, and both must be right, since an error in the first propagates silently into the second.
Note what the technique requires: degrees. Not signs — degrees, to the minute if two planets are close. Which means a chart without a recorded birth time cannot support this at all, and Chart A is exactly such a chart. That gap is not a defect to be patched. It is the correct consequence of a source that records sign placements and nothing finer, and leaving it visible is more useful to you than filling it would be.
Why the Navāṁśa
There is a thematic answer and a structural one, and the structural one is more satisfying.
Thematically: the D9 is the division classically associated with underlying strength and inner condition, and the Ātmakāraka signifies the self at its deepest. Putting them together is a natural move.
Structurally: the Ātmakāraka is defined by how far into its sign a planet has travelled, and the Navāṁśa is precisely the division that converts degree within a sign into a sign of its own. The Kārakāṁśa is, quite literally, the Ātmakāraka’s degree made into a place you can read.
The two techniques fit together mechanically rather than only by association, and that is worth noticing — it is the kind of coherence that makes a classical system easier to trust and easier to remember.
Reading it
Chapter 35 runs to ninety-nine verses, which is longer than Parashara gives to the 4th house, and the length itself is informative about how the tradition rates it.
The structure:
- Verses 2–8 — the twelve signs as Kārakāṁśa, in order.
- Verses 9–12 — general combinations, including the strongest positive statement in the chapter.
- Verses 13–24 — the effects of each planet placed in the Kārakāṁśa.
- Verses 25–99 — further combinations, and readings from houses counted from the Kārakāṁśa.
That last block is the bulk of it, and it uses one move over and over: treat the Kārakāṁśa as a lagna and count houses from it.
By now that should be entirely familiar. You met re-anchoring with the special ascendants in Week 2, with the 9th from the Sun in Chapter 8, and with the counted kārakas in the last unit. It is the same technique with a new starting point, and recognising it as such is the difference between learning one more thing and learning nothing new at all.
The register, again
Verses 9 to 11 give the chapter’s strongest statement: benefics in the Kārakāṁśa and in the Navāṁśa Lagna, aspected by benefics and free of malefic conjunction, and the native’s becoming a king is quite certain.
You have met this register before, in Chapter 26 and in Chapter 12. The handling is the same and it is worth rehearsing because it will keep recurring.
Take the direction seriously. The configuration described is genuinely restrictive — benefics in two specific places, benefic aspect, no malefic conjunction — and restrictive configurations that Parashara singles out are worth attending to.
Translate the vocabulary. “Becoming a king” is the period’s language for substantial authority and standing. Reading it literally in a world without kings produces nonsense; reading it as “nothing much” discards a strong indication.
Never let one verse be the reading. Chapter 13’s own judgment rule established that a matter depends on several factors at once, and nothing in Chapter 35 revokes that.
Testing it on yourself
The apply section asks you to find your own Kārakāṁśa and check it, and there is a specific discipline attached that is worth stating plainly.
Record the parts that do not fit at least as carefully as the parts that do.
Anyone reading a description of themselves will find resonances — that is a fact about how people read, not evidence about a technique. A technique that is only ever checked by a sympathetic reader has not been checked. The parts that clearly do not fit are where the information is: they tell you either that the technique has limits, or that your identification of the Ātmakāraka was wrong, or that you are reading a period-specific claim too literally.
Following that up is real practice. Nodding at the parts that match is not.
Module 3, finished
You can now weigh. That is the whole point of the module and it is a genuine step up from Week 4.
Aspects have strengths rather than just existing. Planets have six kinds of strength, none of which is the same as being a benefic or being exalted. Houses have visible reflections that can differ from their substance. Interventions on a house can be blocked. And every matter has a natural significator running alongside its house, which can agree or disagree.
What remains is the clinic — and this one is different from the first two, because it asks you to do the thing the entire course is aimed at.
Read BPHS
This is the source itself. The teaching above prepares you for it; it does not replace it.
अथाऽहं सम्प्रवक्ष्यामि कारकांशफलं द्विज! |
मेषादि-राशिगे स्वांशे यथावद् ब्रह्मभाषितम् ॥ १ ॥
- O Brahmin, now explain in the same manner as spoken by Brahma, the effects of the Karakamshas, the effects which the Atma Karaka Planets yield as they are in the Navamsha of the sign Aries etc.
गृहे मूषकमार्जारा मेषांशे ह्यात्मकारके ।
सदा भयप्रदा विप्र ! पापयुक्ते विशेषतः ॥ २ ॥
वृषांशकगते स्वस्मिन् सुखदाश्च चतुष्पदाः ।
मिथुनांशगते तस्मिन् कण्ड्वादिव्याधिसम्भवः ॥ ३ ॥
कर्काशे च जलाद् भीतिः सिहांशे श्वपदाद् भयम् ।
कण्डू: स्थौल्यञ्च कन्यांशे तथा वह्निकणाद् भयम् ॥ ४ ॥
तुलांशे च वणिग् जातो वस्त्रादिनिर्मितौ पटुः ।
अल्यंशे सर्पतो भीतिः पीडा मातुः पयोधरे ॥ ५ ॥
धनुरंशे क्रमादुच्चात् पतनं वाहनादपि ।
मकरांशे जलोद्भूतैर्जन्तुभिः खेचरस्तथा ॥ ६ ॥
शंख-मुक्ता-प्रवालाद्यैर्लाभो भवति निश्चितः ।
कुम्भांशे च तडागादि-कारको जायते जनः ॥ ७ ॥
मीनांशे कारके जातो मुक्तिभाग् द्धिजसत्तम ! ।
नाऽशुभं शुभसंदृष्टे न शुभं पापवीक्षिते ॥ ८ ॥
2-8. KARAKAMSHA OF VARIOUS SIGNS : When the Atmakaraka Planet falls in Aries Navamsha there will be nuisance from rats and cats. This nuisance will be prominently there when the Atma Karaka planet is in conjunction with a malefic. In case the Atmakaraka be in the Navamsha of Taurus happiness from quadrupeds will result. If he is in the Gemini Navamsha the native will be afflicted by itch etc. Should he be in the Cancer Navamsha he will have fear from water. If he is in Leo Navamsha there will be fear from tiger etc. If he be in Virgo Navamsha he will experience trouble from itch corpulence, fire etc. If he is in Libra Navamsha the native will be a trader having skill in making robes etc. In case the Atmakaraka be in the Navamsha of Scorpio, the native will have fear from snakes etc. and also there will be affliction to mother's breasts. If he is in the Navamsha of Sagittarius there will be falls from height and conveyances. His presence in the Navamsha of Capricorn will certainly confer gains on the native from water dwelling beings and gains like conch, pearl, coral etc. If he is in the Navamsha of Aquarius the native will construct tanks etc. And O excellent of the Brahmins, when the Atma Karaka Planet occupies the Navamsha of Pisces the native will get final emancipation. The effect will not be evil if there is the aspect of the benefics, it will not be auspicious in case the aspect is of the malefics.
कारकांशे शुभे विप्र ! लग्नांशे च शुभग्रहे ।
शुभसंवीक्षित जातो राजा भवति निश्चितः ॥ ९ ॥
स्वांशाच्छुभग्रहाः केन्द्रे कोणे वा पापवर्जिताः ।
धन-विद्यायुतो जातो मिश्श्रैर्मिश्रफलं वदे ॥ १० ॥
उपग्रहे च विप्रेन्द्र ! स्वोच्च-स्वर्क्ष- शुभर्क्षगे ।
पापद्वग्रहिते चाऽन्त्ये कैवल्यंतस्य निर्दिशेत् ॥ ११ ॥
9-11. O Vipra, if there are only benefics in the Karakamsha and the Navamsha of the Ascendant, and if they are aspected by benefics the native's becoming a king is quite certain. If the angles and trines from the Karakamsha are occupied by benefics and they are devoid of any malefic conjunction, the native will be blessed with wealth and learning; the combination of benefic and malefic here will yield mixed results. O Supreme Brahmin, if the Upa Kheta (or Upa Graha) is in his exaltation sign, own sign or friend's sign and is devoid of malefic aspect, the combination indicates the native's Kaivalya or emancipation from the cycle of birth and death.
चन्द्राऽऽरभृगुवर्गस्थे कारके पारदारिकः ।
विपर्यस्थेऽन्यथा ज्ञेयं फलं सर्व विचक्षणैः ॥ १२ ॥
- In the event of the Atma Karaka planet falling in the divisions of the Moon, Mars or Venus, the native will be traverser of others' wives. The learned and wise should understand contrary results if the situation is reversed.
कारकांशे रवौ जातो राजकार्यपरो द्विज ! |
पूर्णेन्दौ भोगवान् विद्वान् शुक्रदृष्टे विशेषतः ॥ १३ ॥
स्वांशे बलयुते भौमे जात: कुन्तायुधी भवेत् ।
वहिजीवी नरो वाऽपि रसवादी च जायते ॥ १४ ॥
बुधे बलयुते स्वांशे कलाशिल्पविचक्षणः ।
वाणिज्यकुशलश्चापि बुद्धि-विद्यासमन्वितः ॥ १५ ॥
सुकर्मा ज्ञाननिष्ठश्च वेदवित् स्वांशगे गुरौ ।
शुक्रे शतेन्द्रियः कामी राजकीयो भवेन्नरः ॥ १६ ॥
शनौ स्वांशगते जातः स्वकुलोचितकर्मकृत ।
राहौ चौरश्च धानुष्को जातो वा लोहयन्त्रकृत् ॥ १७ ॥
विषवैद्योऽथवा विप्र ! जायते नाऽत्र संशयः ।
व्यवहारी गजादीनां केतौ चौरश्च जायते ॥ १८ ॥
13-18. EFFECTS OF PLANETS IN KARAKAMSHAS: O Brahmin, if the Sun is in the Karakamsha the native will be engaged in royal assignments (or governmental assignments). If the full Moon be there, he will enjoy sensual pleasures and will be a scholar, more so if there is the aspect of Venus also. If strong Mars is in the Karakamsha, the native will use the weapon of spear, will earn his livelihood through fire and be an alchemist. If strong Mercury is in the Karakamsha, he will be skilful in arts and sculpture and also in trading, be intelligent and educated. Should Jupiter be in the Karakamsha, the native will do good acts, will have spiritual knowledge and Vedic learning. In case Venus be there in the Karakamsha, he will live for 100 years, will be sensual and will look after state affairs. If Saturn be there in the Karakamsha, the native will adopt the profession of his family. In case Rahu be there the native will be a thief, a bowman, a machinery maker and a doctor treating poisonous afflictions. O Vipra, there is no doubt in it and if Ketu be there, he will deal in elephants and be a thief.
रविराहू यदा स्वांशे सर्पाद् भीतिः प्रजायते ।
शुभदृष्टौ भयं नैव पापदृष्टौ मृतिभवेत् ॥ १९ ॥
शुभषड्वर्गसंयुक्तौ विषवैद्यो भवेत् तदा ।
भौमेक्षिते कारकांशे भानुस्वर्भानुसंयते ॥ २० ॥
अन्यग्रहा न पश्यन्ति स्ववेश्मपरदाहकः ।
तस्मिन् बुधेक्षिते चापि वहिदो नैव जायते ॥ २१ ॥
पापर्क्षे गुरुणा दृष्टे समीपगृहदाहकः ।
शुक्रदृष्टे तु विप्रेन्द्र ! गृहदाहो न जायते ॥ २२ ॥
19-22. If Rahu and the Sun are there in the Navamsha of the Atma Karaka Planet, the native will have fear from snakes. In case there is the aspect of a benefic there will be no fear but the aspect of a malefic there will bring his death (through serpents). If Rahu and the Sun occupy benefic shadavargas, being in Karakamsha, the native will be a doctor treating poisonous afflictions. If there is the aspect of Mars on the conjunction of Rahu and the Sun and other planets do not aspect it, the native will burn either his own. house or that of others. If the aspect is of Mercury, the said effects will not be caused. If Rahu and the Sun are in the Navamsha of the Atma Karaka planet in a malefic sign and are aspected by Jupiter, the native will burn neighbouring house. While the aspect of Venus will not cause such an event.
गुलिकेन युते स्वांशे पूर्णचन्द्रेण वीक्षिते ।
चौरैईतधनो जातः स्वयं चौरोऽथवा भवेत् ॥ २३ ॥
गृहादृष्टे सगुलिके विषदो वा विषैर्हतः ।
बुधदृष्टे बृहद्बीजो जायते नाऽत्र संशयः ॥ २४ ॥
23-24. If in the Navamsha of an Atma Karaka planet is placed Gulika and if it is aspected by full Moon, the native will either get his wealth stolen by a thief or will himself be a thief. If Gulika is there but no planet aspects it the native will either give poison to others or will himself die of poisoning. The aspect of Mercury on it will give the native large testicles, there in no doubt about it.
Show the full passage — 18 verses
सकेतौ कारकांशे च पापदृष्टे द्विजोत्तम ! |
जातस्य कर्णरोगो वा कर्णच्छेदः प्रजायते ॥ २५ ॥
भृगुपुत्रेक्षिते तस्मिन् दीक्षितो जायते जनः ।
बुधार्किदृष्टे निर्वीर्यो जायते मानवो ध्रुवम् ॥ २६ ॥
बुधशुक्रेक्षिते तस्मिन् दासीपुत्रः प्रजायते ।
पुनर्भवासुतो वाऽपि जायते नाऽत्र संशयः ॥ २७ ॥
तपस्वी शनिना दृष्टे जातः प्रेष्योऽथवा भवेत् ।
शनिमात्रेक्षिते तस्मिन् जात: संन्यासिवेक्वान् ॥ २८ ॥
रविशुक्रेक्षिते तस्मिन् राजप्रेष्यो जनो भवेत् ।
इति संक्षेपतः प्रोक्तं कारकांशफलं द्विज ! ॥ २९ ॥
25-29. EFFECTS OF THE ASPECTS, OF KETU IN KAR KAMSHA: If Ketu be in the Navamsha of an Atma Karaka planet, and O excellent of the Brahmins, he is there aspected by a malefic, the native will contract diseases of ears or will have his ears pierced. If there is the aspect of Venus on this combination the native will be initiated into religious order. He will certainly be devoid of valour if there is the aspect of Mercury and the Sun. If Mercury and Venus aspect it, he will be the son of a female slave or of a female remarried, there is no doubt in it. If there is the aspect of Saturn he will do penance or be a servant. The aspect of Saturn only will make the native a pseudo ascetic. Venus and the Sun aspecting this combination will make the native a servant of the King. O Brahmin, thus are told briefly the effects of the Karakamshas.
स्वांशाद्धने च शुक्रारवर्ग स्यात् पारदारिकः ।
तयोर्दृग्योगतो ज्ञेयमिदमामरणं फलम् ॥ ३० ॥
केतौ तत्प्रतिबन्धः स्याद् गुरौ तु स्त्रैण एवं सः ।
राहौ चाऽर्थनिवृत्तिः स्यात् कारकांशाद् द्वितीयगे ॥ ३१ ॥
30-31. EFFECTS OF THE 2ND FROM KARAKAMSHA: If the 2nd House from the Karakamsha is in the divisions of Venus or Mars the native will be traverser of others' wives and if these two (Venus and Mars) have their aspect on it (the 2nd House) this addiction will last till death. Ketu in the 2nd from Karakamsha in this situation will be a restriction on this tendency while Jupiter in it will cause it. And Rahu in the 2nd from the Karakamsha will destroy wealth.
स्वांशात् तृतीयगे पापे जात: शूरः प्रतापवान् ।
तस्मिन् शुभग्रहे जातः कातरो नात्र संशयः ॥ ३२ ॥
- EFFECTS OF THE 3RD FROM KARAKAMSHA : If in the 3rd House from the Karakamsha there is a malefic, it will make the native brave and valorous while a benefic therein will undoubtedly make him timid.
स्वांशाच्चतुर्थभावे तु चन्द्रशुक्रयुतेक्षिते ।
तत्र वा स्वोच्चगे खेटे जातः प्रासादवान् भवेत् ॥ ३३ ॥
शानिराहुयुते तस्मिन् जातस्य च शिलागृहम् ।
ऐष्टिकं कुज-केतुभ्यां गुरुणा दारवं गृहम् ॥ ३४ ॥
तार्ण तु तु रविणा प्रोक्तं जातस्य भवनं द्विज ! I
चन्द्रे त्वनावृते देशे पलीयोगः प्रजायते ॥ ३५ ॥
33-35. EFFECTS OF THE 4TH FROM KARAKAMSHA: If in the 4th House from the Karakamsha there are Venus and the Moon together or if they aspect this house or if there are in it exalted planets, the native will have palatial buildings. If there is the conjunction of Saturn and Rahu in it he will have a house made of stones. The presence of Mars and Ketu indicates a house made of bricks while that of Jupiter, one made of wood. O Brahmin, from the presence of the Sun it should be predicted that the house of the native will be of straws and grass. If the Moon be in this situation, the native will have union with his wife in an unroofed house.
पञ्चमे कुजराहुभ्यां क्षयरोगस्य सभंवः ।
रात्रिनाथेन दृष्टाभ्यां निश्चयेन प्रजायते ॥ ३६ ॥
कुजदृष्टौ तु जातस्य पिटकादिगदो भवेत् ।
केतुदृष्टौ तु गृहणी जलरोगोऽथवा द्विज ! ॥ ३७ ॥
सराहुगुलिके तत्र भयं क्षुद्रविषोद्भवम् ।
बुधे परमहंसश्च लगुडी वा प्रजायते ॥ ३८ ॥
रवौ खड्गधरो जातः कुजे कुन्तायुधी भवेत् ।
शनौ धनुर्धरो ज्ञेयो राहौ च लोहयन्त्रवान् ॥ ३९ ॥
केतौ च घटिकायन्त्री मानवो जायते द्विज ! |
भार्गवे तु कविर्वाग्मी काव्यज्ञो जायते जनः ॥ ४० ॥
36-40. EFFECTS OF THE 5TH FROM KARAKAMSHA: If in the 5th House from the Karakamsha there are Rahu and Mars, there is the possibility of the native's suffering from consumption. If there is the aspect of the Moon on them this possibility will become a certainty. O Brahmin, the aspect of Mars on this house, will cause boils or ulcers on the native's body and Ketu's aspect on it will cause dysentry or some disease caused by drinking impure water. The conjunction of Rahu and Gulika there in will cause fear from mean people and poison. Should Mercury be there the native will either be an ascetic of the highest order or one holding staff. In case the Sun be there, he will be bearer of sword, and if Mars be there a user of spear, in the case of Saturn an archer bearing a bow, in that of Rahu and Ketu, O Brahmin, he will be respectively a machinist and a watch maker. And if Venus be there the native will be a poet and an eloquent speaker.
स्वांशे तत्पञ्चमे वाऽपि चन्द्रेज्याभ्यां च ग्रन्थकृत् ।
शुक्रेण किञ्चिदूनोऽसौ ततोऽप्यल्पो बुधेन च ॥ ४१ ॥
गुरुणा केवलेनैव सर्वविद् ग्रन्थकृत् तथा ।
वेदवेदान्तविच्चापि, न वाग्मी शाब्दिकोऽपि सन् ॥ ४२ ॥
नैयायिकः कुजेनासौ ज्ञेन मीमांसकस्तथा ।
सभाजडस्तु शनिना गीतज्ञो रविणा स्मृतः ॥ ४३ ॥
चन्द्रेण सांख्ययोगज्ञः साहित्यज्ञश्च गायक: ।
केतुना गणितज्ञोऽसौ राहुणाऽपि तथैव च ॥ ४४ ॥
सम्प्रदायस्य सिद्धिः स्यात् गुरुसम्बन्धतो द्विज! |
स्वांशाद् द्वितीयतः केचित् फलमेवं वदन्ति हि ॥ ४५ ॥
41-45. EFFECTS OF KARAKAMSHA AND THE 5TH THERE FROM: Should Jupiter and the Moon be in karakamsha or the 5th therefrom, the native will be an author. He will be a lesser writer in case Venus be there and still lesser in the case of Mercury being in the said house. If Jupiter alone is in this situation, he will have all knowledge and be a writer, be well versed in Veda Vedanta philosophy but not an orator or a grammarian. If Mars be there he will be a logican, if Mercury a mimamska or a follower of Mimamska philosophy. In case Saturn be in this situation, he will be dull-witted in the assembly, the Sun be there a musician, the Moon a follower of Sankhya Philosophy and well versed in rhetorics and singing, and Ketu or Rahu an astrologer.
स्वांशात् षष्ठगते पाये कर्षको जायते जनः ।
शुभग्रहेऽलसश्चेति तृतीयेऽपि फलं स्मृतम् ॥ ४६ ॥
- EFFECTS OF THE 6TH FROM KARAKAMSHA: Should there be a malefic in the 6th House from a Karakamsha, the native will become on agriculturist, should there be a benefic in it be will be indolent. The effects should be understood similar to the above in the case of the 3rd from the karakamsha.
द्यूने चन्द्रगुरु यस्य भार्या तस्यातिसुन्दरी ।
तत्र कामवती शुक्रे, बुधे बुधे चैव कलावती ॥ ४७ ॥
रवौ च स्वकुले गुप्ता, शनौ चापि वयोऽधिका ।
तपस्विनी रुजाढया वा राहौ च विधवा स्मृता ॥ ४८ ॥
47-48. EFFECTS OF THE 7TH FROM KARAKAMSHA: In whose horoscope the Moon and Jupiter are in the 7th House from the Karakamsha, his wife will be extremely beautiful; in case Venus be there in she will be very sensual and if Mercury she will be well versed in fine arts. Should the Sun be there in, she will confine herself to domestic activities only, while the presence of Saturn in the said house will give him a wife older in age than the native or a pious or sick wife, and that of Rahu will bring him a widow in marriage.
शुभस्वामियुते रन्ध्रे स्वांशाद् दीर्घायुरुच्यते |
पापेक्षितयुतेऽल्पायुर्मध्यायुर्मिश्रद्वग्युते ॥ ४९ ॥
- EFFECTS OF THE 8TH FROM KARAKAMSHA: If the 8th House from the Karakamsha has the conjunction of benefic planet and the 8th Lord it gives long life to the native where as the aspect or the of malefic planet in this situation will make him shortlived. The aspect and conjunction of both benefics and malefics will yield him a medium span of life.
कारकांशाच्च नवमे शुभग्रहयुतेक्षिते ।
सत्यवादी गुरौ भक्तः स्वधर्मनिरतो नरः ॥ ५० ॥
स्वांशाच्च नवमे भावे पापग्रहयुतेक्षिते ।
स्वधर्मनिरतो बाल्ये मिथ्यावादी च वार्धके ॥ ५१ ॥
नवमे कारकांशाच्च शानि-राहुयुतेक्षिते ।
गुरुद्रोही भवेद् बाल: शास्त्रेषु विमुखो नरः ॥ ५२ ॥
कारकांशच्च नवमे गुरुभानुयुतेक्षिते ।
तदाऽपि गुरुद्रोही स्यात् गुरुवाक्यं न मन्यते ॥ ५३ ॥
कारकांशाच्च नवमे शुक्रभौमयुतेक्षिते ।
षड्वर्गादिकयोगे तु मरणं पारदारिकम् ॥ ५४ ॥
कारकांशाच्च नवमे ज्ञेन्दुयुक्तेक्षिते द्विज! ।
परस्त्री सङ्गमाद् बालो बन्धको भवति ध्रुवम् ॥ ५५ ॥
नवमे केवलेनैवे गुरुणा च युतेक्षिते ।
स्त्रीलोलुपो भवेज्जातो विषयी विषयी चैव जायते ॥ ५६ ॥
50-56. EFFECTS OF THE 9TH FROM THE KARAKAMSHA: In case the 9th House from the Karakamsha has the conjunction or aspect of benefic planet, the native will be truthful, devotee of his teachers and elders and attached to his religion. If in the 9th House from the Karakamsha there is the situation or aspect of the malefic, the native will be a devotee of his religion in childhood but will be given to false- hood in his old age: If there is the conjunction or aspect of Saturn and Rahu in the 9th House from the Karakamsha, the native will be betrayer of his elders and teachers and be averse to the ancient classics. If from the Karakamsha in the 9th House there is the conjunction or aspect of Jupiter and the Sun, then also the native will be a betrayer of his teachers and elders and will not obey them. If in the above situation there is the conjunction or aspect of Venus and Mars and also there is the Combination of these in the shada vargas etc. a woman related to the native will die. O Brahmin if in the 9th House from the Karakamsha there is the conjunction or aspect of Mars and the Moon, the native will certainly be a prisoner due to his association with another's woman. If in the 9th House from the karakamsha there is situation or aspect of Jupiter only, the native will be addicted to women and will be given to sensual pleasures.
कारकांशाच्च दशमे शुभखेटयुतेक्षिते ।
स्थिरवित्तो भवेद् बालो गम्भीरो बलबुद्धिमान् ॥ ५७ ॥
दशमे कारकांशाच्च पापखेटयुतेक्षिते ।
व्यापारे जायते हानि: पितृसौख्येन वर्जितः ॥ ५८ ॥
दशमे कारकांशाच्च बुधशुक्रयुतेक्षिते ।
व्यापारे बहुलाभश्च महत्कर्मकरो नरः ॥ ५९ ॥
कारकांशाच्च दशमे रविचन्द्रयुतेक्षिते ।
गुरुदृष्टयुते विप्र ! जातको राज्यभाग् भवेत् ॥ ६० ॥
57-60. EFFECTS OF THE 10TH FROM THE KARAKAMSHA: If from the Karakamsha in the 10th House there is the conjunction or aspect of a benefic, the native will have firm riches, be sagacious, strong and intelligent. If in the 10th House from the Karakamsha there is the conjunction or aspect of a malefic, the native will suffer losses in his trade and will be deprived of paternal bliss. If in the above situation there is the conjunction or aspect of Mercury and Venus, the native will have many gains in his trade and will do many great deeds. If from the Karakamsha in the 10th house, there is the conjunction or the aspect of the Sun and the Moon and O Vipra if they have the aspect of or the conjunction with Jupiter, the naitve will acquire a Kingdom.
स्वांशादेकादशे स्थाने शुभखेटयुतेक्षिते ।
भ्रातृसौख्ययुतो बाल: सर्वकार्येषु लाभकृत् ॥ ६१ ॥
एकादशे सपापे तु कुमार्गाल्लाभकृन्नरः ।
विख्यातो विक्रमी चैव जायते नाऽत्र संशयः ॥ ६२ ॥
61-62. EFFECTS OF THE 11TH FROM KARAKAMSHA: If in the 11th House from the Karakamsha there is the conjunction or aspect of a benefic, the native will have happiness from his brothers and also have gains in everything undertaken by him. If in the 11th House from the Karakamsha there is a malefic, then there is no doubt in it that the native will have gains through questionable means; will be famous and valorous.
कारकांशाद् व्ययस्थाने सद्ग्रहे सद्व्ययो भवेत् ।
असद्व्ययोऽशुभे ज्ञेयो ग्रहाभावे च सत्फलम् ॥ ६३ ॥
कारकांशाद् व्ययस्थाने स्वभोच्चस्थे शुभग्रहे ।
सद्गतिर्जायते तस्य शुभलोकमवाप्नुयात् ॥ ६४ ॥
कारकांशाद् व्यये केतौ शुभखेटयुतेक्षिते ।
तदा तु जायते मुक्तिः सायुज्यपदमाप्नुयात् ॥ ६५ ॥
मेषे धनुषि वा केतौ कारकांशात् व्ययेस्थिते ।
शुभखेटेन सन्दृष्टे सायुज्यपदमाप्नुयात् ॥ ६६ ॥
व्यये च केवले केतौ पापयुक्तेक्षितेपि वा ।
न तदा जायते मुक्तिः शुभलोकं न पश्यति ॥ ६७ ॥
रविणा संयुते केतौ कारकांशाद व्ययस्थिते ।
शिवभक्तिर्भवेत्तस्य निर्विशंकं द्विजोत्तम ! ॥ ६८ ॥
चन्द्रेण संयुते केतौ कारकांशाद् व्ययस्थिते ।
गौर्या भक्तिर्भवेत्तस्य शाक्तिको जायते नरः ॥ ६९ ॥
शुक्रेण संयुते केतौ कारकांशाद् व्ययस्थिते ।
लक्ष्म्यां सञ्जायते भक्तिर्जातकोसौ समृद्धिमान् ॥ ७० ॥
कुजेन संयुते केतौ स्कन्दभक्तौ भवेन्नरः ।
वैष्णवो बुधसौरिभ्यां गुरुणा शिवभक्तिमान् ॥ ७१ ॥
राहुणा तामसीं दुर्गां सेवते क्षुद्रदेवताम् ।
भक्तिः स्कन्देऽथ हेरम्बे शिखिना केवलेन वा ॥ ७२ ॥
कारकांशाद् व्यये सौरि: पापराशौ यदा भवेत् ।
तदाऽपि क्षुद्रदेवस्य भक्तिस्तस्य न संशयः ॥ ७३ ॥
पापर्क्षेऽपि शनौ शुक्रे तदाऽपि क्षुद्रसेवकः ।
अमात्यकारकात् षष्ठेऽप्येवमेव फलं वदेत् ॥ ७४ ॥
63-74. EFFECTS OF THE 12TH FROM KARAKAMSHA: If in the 12th House from the Karakamsha there is benefic, the native's expenses will be on good deeds while in case malefic be there, his expenses will be on vicious deeds. If there be no planet in the 12th House the expenses will be on good deeds. If there is an exalted benefic planet or a planet in his own house in the 12th House from the Karakamsha the native will attain heaven after death. In case in the 12th House from the Karakamsha Ketu is in conjunction with or aspected by a benefic planet then also the native will attain heavens after death and also final emancipation. If there are in conjunction Aries and Sagittarius or Ketu in the 12th House from the Karakamsha and they are aspected by a benefic planet, the native will attain final emancipation. And if there is only Ketu in the 12th House and he is in conjunction with or is aspected by a malefic, the native will not attain final emancipation and will not see heavens. O excellent of the Brahmins if there is Ketu in conjunction with the Sun in the 12th House, the native will without doubt be a worshipper of Lord Shiva. If in the 12th House from the Karakamsha Ketu is there in conjunction with the Moon the native will be a devotee of Gauri (the consort of Lord Shiva) and will be a Shaktika (a Worshipper of the Adi Shakti, the first source of power). If there is the conjunction of Ketu with Venus in the 12th from the Karakamsha, the native's devotion will be in Lakshmi (the Goddess of wealth) and he will be prosperous and wealthly. Ketu in conjunction with Mars, the man will be worshipper of Skanda (a son of Lord Shiva) and he will worship Lord Vishnu if there is the conjunction of Mercury and Saturn, Lord Shiva if of Jupiter. In case Rahu be there in the 12th House from the Karakamsha the native will worship Kali Durga or some, mean deity. If there is only Ketu in the said 12th House the native's devotion will be for Skanda or Ganesha (the two sons of Lord Shiva and his consort Gauri). If in the 12th House from the Karakamsha there is in a malefic sign Saturn, then also there is no doubt in it that the native be a worshipper of a mean deity, and if Saturn and Venus in conjunction occupy a malefic sign there, then also the native will be workshipper of mean deity. The same effect is to be predicted if they (Saturn and Venus in conjunction) are in the 6th Navamsha from the Amatya Karaka's Navamsha.
कारकांशात् त्रिकोणस्थे पापखेटद्वये द्विज ! ।
मानवो मन्त्र-तन्त्रज्ञो नाऽत्र जायते संशयः ॥ ७५ ॥
पापेन वीक्षिते तत्र जातो निग्राहको भवेत् ।
शुभैर्निरीक्षिते तस्मिन् नरोऽनुग्राहको भवेत् ॥ ७६ ॥
75-76. O Brahmin, if there are situated two malefic planets in a trine from the Karakamsha, the native will have knowledge of Mantra (Sacred spells) and Tantra (mystical formulae for the worship of deities for attainment of superhuman powers). If they (the malefic planets) are aspected by a malefic planet the native will use his knowledge for evil purposes (will use it as black magic) but if they are aspected by a benefic planet he will use it for good purposes.
शुक्रदृष्टे विधौ स्वांशे रसवादी भवेन्नरः ।
बुधदृष्टे च सदवैद्यः सर्वरोगहरो भवेत् ॥ ७७ ॥
शुक्रदृष्टे सुखे चन्द्रे पाण्डुश्वित्री भवेन्नरः ।
भौमदृष्टे महारोगी रक्तपित्तार्दितो भवेत् ॥ ७८ ॥
केतुदृष्टे सुखे चंद्रे नीलकुष्ठी प्रजायते ।
चतुर्थे पञ्चमे वाऽपि स्थितौ राहु-कुजौ यदि ॥ ७९ ॥
क्षयरोगो भवेत् तस्य चन्द्रदृष्टौ तु निश्चितः ।
स्वांशात् सुखे सुते वाऽपि केवलः संस्थितः कुजः ॥ ८० ॥
पिटकादिर्भवेत् तस्य तदा रोगो न संशयः ।
ग्रहणी जलरोगो वा तत्र केतौ स्थिते सति ॥ ८१ ॥
स्वर्भानुगुलिकौ तत्र विषवैद्यो विषार्दितः ।
स्वांशकात् पञ्चमे भावे केवले संस्थिते शनौ ॥ ८२ ॥
धनुर्विद्याविदा जाता भवन्त्यत्र न संशयः ।
केतौ च केवले तत्र घटिकायन्त्रकारकः ॥ ८३ ॥
बुधे परमहंसो या दण्डी भवति मानवः ।
लोहयन्त्री तथा राहौ, रवौ खड्गधरो भवेत् ॥ ८४ ॥
केवले च कुजे तत्र जात: कुन्तास्त्रधारकः ।
7 - 84.1/2. If the Moon in the Karakamsha is aspected by Venus the native will be alchemist, if she is aspected by Mercury he will be Vaidya (a man of Indian medicine or a doctor) having the ability of curing all diseases. If the Moon is in the 4th House from the Karakamsha and is aspected by Venus the native will be afflicted by white Leprosy, if she is aspected by Mars he will be patient of the disorders of blood and bile, and if she is aspected by Ketu he will be afflicted by black leprosy. If in the 4th or the 5th House from the Karakamsha there is Rahu and Mars the native will be a patient of consumption and it will be a certainty if they (Mars and Rahu) receive the aspect of the Moon. If there is only Mars in the 4th or the 5th House from the Karakamsha the combination will cause ulcers, there is no doubt in it, and the situation of Ketu will cause dysentry and afflictions due to impure water. If there are Rahu and Gulika in the above situation, the native will be a doctor curing poisonous afflictions or will cause troubles through poison. If there is only the situation of Saturn in the 5th House from the karakamsha, there is no doubt in it that the native will be an expert archer. And if only Ketu is there in the said 5th House he will be a watch maker. in case Mercury be there the man will be an ascetic of the highest order, an ascetic carrying a staff, if Rahu be there he will be a machinist, if the Sun be there he will carry a sword and if only Ketu be there he will be bearer of spear or arrow.
स्वांशे वा पञ्चमे स्वांशाच्चन्द्रेज्यौ संस्थितौ तदा ॥ ८५ ॥
ग्रन्थकतो भवेज्जातः सर्वविद्याविशारदः ।
तत्र देत्यगुरौ किञ्चदूनग्रन्थकरो भवेत् ॥ ८६ ॥
85-86. If in the Karakamsha or in the 5th House from the Karakamsha are situated the Moon and Jupiter, the native will be a great author having knowledge of all branches of learning, if there is Venus he will be a lesser writer.
बुधे तत्र ततोऽप्यूनग्रन्थकर्त्ता प्रजायते ।
तंत्र शुक्रे कविर्वाग्मी काव्यज्ञाश्च प्रजायते ॥ ८७ ॥
सर्वविद् ग्रान्थिको जीवे न वाग्मी च सभादिषु ।
शब्दज्ञश्च विशेषेण वेदवेदान्तवित् तथा ॥ ८८ ॥
सभाजडो भवेद् बाल उक्तस्थानगते शनौ ।
मीमांसको भवेन्नूनमुक्तस्थानगते बुधे ॥ ८९ ॥
स्वांशे वा पञ्चमे भौमे जातो नैयायिको भवेत् ।
चन्द्रे व सांख्ययोगज्ञः साहित्यज्ञश्च गायक: ॥ ९० ॥
रवौ वेदान्तविच्चैव गीतज्ञश्च प्रजायते ।
केतौ च गणितज्ञः स्याज्ज्योतिःशास्त्रविशारदः ॥ ९१ ॥
सम्प्रदायस्य संसिद्धिर्गुरुसम्बन्धतो भवेत् ।
द्वितीये च तृतीये च स्वांशादेवं विचारयेत् ॥ ९२ ॥
भावे सूक्ष्मफलं ज्ञात्वा जातकस्य फलं वदेत् ।
87-921/2. PLANETS IN THE 5TH FROM KARAKAMSHA: If there is Mercury in the Karakamsha or in the 5th House there from, he will be a still lesser writer, if Venus, he will be a poet or an eloquent speaker and will have knowledge of poetry (will be critic of poetry perhaps), if Jupiter, he will have all knowledge and be a writer but will not be able to speak in assemblies etc. and he will be an expert grammarian and will have knowledge of Vedas and Vedanta (Upanisads). The native will be akin to a fool in assembly if in the above place Saturn be there and Mercury having gone there he will certainly be a Mimamska (will have knowledge of Mimamska philosophy). If Mars be there in the Karakamsha or in the 5th House therefrom he will be a Nayayika (will have knowledge of Nayayika philosophy), if the Moon be there he will have knowledge of Sankhya yoga and of literature in general, if the Sun be there he will have knowledge of Vedanta and music, if Ketu, a mathematician and one learned in Astrology and if Ketu in the above situation has relation with Jupiter the native will have these learnings by inheritance. The 2nd and the 3rd Houses from the Karakamsha should also be considered in the same manner as the 5th House has been considered and the effects of the native should be spoken of after knowing the subtle effects of the planets in either of these houses.
केतौ स्वांशाद् द्वितीये वा तृतीये स्तब्धवाग् भवेत् ॥ ९३ ॥
पापदृष्टे विशेषेण मानवो वक्तुमक्षमः ।
Verse 9393-93.1/2. If Ketu be there in the 2nd or the 3rd House from the Karakamsha, the native will have defective speech and if there is the aspect of a malefic on him the defect in speech will be greater and the man will not be able to speak.
स्वांशाल्लग्नात् पदावाऽपि द्वितीयाष्टम भावयोः ॥ ९४ ॥
केमद्रुमः पापसाम्ये चन्द्रदृष्टौ विशेषतः ।
अत्राऽध्याये च ये योगाः सफलाः कथिता मया ॥ ९५ ॥
योगकर्तृदशायान्ते ज्ञेयाः सर्वे फलप्रदाः ।
एवं दशाप्रदाद्वाशैर्द्वितीयाष्टमयोर्द्विज ! ॥ ९६ ॥
ग्रहसाम्ये च विज्ञेयो योगः केमद्रुमोऽशुभः ।
दशाप्रारम्भसमये सलग्नान् साधयेद् ग्रहान् ॥ ९७ ॥
ज्ञेयस्तत्रापि योगोऽयं पापसाम्येऽथरन्ध्रयोः ।
एवं तन्वादिभावानां सूर्यादीनां नभःसदाम् ॥ ९८ ॥
तत्तत्स्थित्यनुसारेण फलं वाच्यं विपश्चिता ।
इति संक्षेपत प्रोक्तं कारकांशफलं मया ॥ ९९ ॥
94-99. If in the 2nd or the 8th Houses from the Karakamsha or the Ascendant Pada there is the combination of malefics it will form the Kemadruma Yoga, and this yoga will be severer if the Moon's aspect be there. O Brahmin, all the combinations and their effects that have been spoken of by me in this chapter should be known to be givers of their effects during the Dasa periods that cause these combinations. In the same way these will be givers of effects if in the 2nd or the 8th Houses there is the sign that causes the Dasa Period. The Kemadruma yoga or combination should be known to be inauspicious if there are planets in these Houses. The position of the planets should be found out along with that of the Ascendant at the beginning of the Dasa period. This yoga (the Kemadruma yoga) should also be known if there is the combination of the malefics in the 2nd or the 8th Houses. Similarly the effects should be spoken of by the learned astrologers of the Ascendant etc. Houses and of the Sun etc. planets according to their respective situations. Thus ends the effects of the Karakamshas as spoken of by me in short.
Practice
Define Kārakāṁśa precisely.
Write your answer down before opening the explanation.
Show the answer and why
Answer: The Navāṁśa sign occupied by the Ātmakāraka.
Two steps, both of which must be right. First find the Ātmakāraka by degree in the rashi chart; then find that planet's position in the D9. An error in either step propagates. Note also that this requires degrees, so it is unavailable for a chart like Chart A that has none — and that is not a defect in the chart, it is the correct consequence of what the source records.
Source: BPHS 35.1
Why the Navāṁśa specifically, rather than the rashi chart or another varga?
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Show the answer and why
Answer: Because the D9 is the division classically associated with underlying strength and inner condition, and the Ātmakāraka is the significator of the self at its deepest.
There is a structural reason too. The Ātmakāraka is defined by degree — by exactly how far into its sign a planet has travelled — and the Navāṁśa is the division that turns degree within a sign into a sign of its own. So the Kārakāṁśa is, in a fairly direct sense, the Ātmakāraka's degree made legible. The two techniques fit together mechanically, not only thematically.
Verses 9 to 11 say that benefics in the Kārakāṁśa and in the Navāṁśa Lagna, aspected by benefics, make the native a king. What should a careful reader do with a sentence like that?
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Answer: Read it as a strong positive indication in a specific configuration, translate the register, and check it against everything else.
"Becomes a king" is the classical vocabulary for a position of substantial authority and standing. The configuration described is genuinely restrictive — benefics in two specific places, aspected by benefics, free of malefic conjunction — and configurations that restrictive are rare, which is why the claim is strong. This is the same register problem you met in Chapter 26 and it is handled the same way: take the direction seriously, take the literal social specifics as period vocabulary, and never let one verse be the whole reading.
Source: BPHS 35.9–11
Much of Chapter 35 reads houses counted from the Kārakāṁśa. What technique is that, and where have you met it before?
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Answer: Re-anchoring the frame — treating a point other than the Lagna as the first house. You met it in Chapter 6 with the special ascendants and in Chapter 8 with the 9th from the Sun.
By this point in the course you should be recognising this move on sight. A chart can be read from any anchor: the Lagna, the Moon, the Sun, a special lagna, a Pada, and now the Kārakāṁśa. The technique never changes; only what counts as the first house does. Week 11's Sudarśana Chakra formalises it by using three anchors simultaneously.
Chapter 35 is ninety-nine verses. How should you read it, and what is the target competence?
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Answer: Close-read the opening twenty-four; survey the rest; be able to find any specific combination on demand.
That is Reference treatment stated concretely, and it is the same judgment the course will apply on a much larger scale in Weeks 9 and 10. The question to ask of a long enumerative chapter is not "can I remember this" but "do I know what it is for, how it is organised, and how to reach any cell in it". If yes, you can use the chapter completely without carrying it.
Apply it to a chart
Chart B — Albert Einstein, the synthesis chart — A whole documented life, where the evidence pulls in more than one direction. · about 20 min
| Graha | Sign | House |
|---|---|---|
| Sun | Cancer | 5 |
| Moon | Capricorn | 11 |
| Mars | Aquarius | 12 |
| Mercury | Libra | 8 |
| Jupiter | Scorpio | 9 |
| Venus | Aquarius | 12 |
| Saturn | Libra | 8 |
| Rahu | Pisces | 1 |
| Ketu | Virgo | 7 |
| Lagna | Pisces | 1 |
Einstein's Navāṁśa, with the Ātmakāraka you identified in the last unit. The sign that graha occupies here is the Kārakāṁśa.
- Identify the Kārakāṁśa in Chart B: find the Ātmakāraka, then find its Navāṁśa sign in the D9 chart below.
- Look up what Chapter 35 says about that sign in verses 2 to 8, and about any graha occupying it in the D9.
- Now use it as a lagna. Count the 5th and the 9th from the Kārakāṁśa in the Navāṁśa. What occupies them? Verses 9–11 say benefics in the angles and trines from the Kārakāṁśa, free of malefic conjunction, are strongly favourable.
- Do the same for Chart C, whose Ātmakāraka is a different planet.
- On your own chart: identify your Kārakāṁśa, read the relevant verses, and then — the honest part — write down whether it describes something you recognise. Note the parts that do not fit as carefully as the parts that do. That second list is the more useful one.
Check your understanding
Answer from memory first. Looking back at the reading before you try turns a memory test into a copying exercise.
A chart's Ātmakāraka is in Scorpio Navāṁśa. Where do you look for what Parashara says about it?
Write your answer down before opening the explanation.
Show the answer and why
Answer: Chapter 35, verses 2 to 8, which run through the twelve signs in order.
Scorpio is the eighth sign, so it falls in that opening block. Knowing the chapter opens with the twelve signs in order and then moves to planets in the Kārakāṁśa means you can index in rather than search.
Source: BPHS 35.2–8
Why can Chart A not support a Kārakāṁśa reading?
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Answer: Because it has no degrees, so there is no Ātmakāraka to find and no Navāṁśa to place it in.
This is worth stating rather than glossing over. Chart A comes from a classical text that names sign placements and nothing finer. Every degree-dependent technique in the course is therefore unavailable on it, and the course leaves those gaps visible rather than filling them with reconstructed positions. The limitation belongs to the data, not to the technique, and knowing which is which is a real part of practice.
You read your own Kārakāṁśa and about half of it fits. What is the correct response?
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Show the answer and why
Answer: To record both halves carefully — and to be more interested in the half that does not fit.
Confirmation is cheap. Anyone reading a description of themselves will find resonances, and a technique that only ever gets checked against a sympathetic reader is not being tested at all. The parts that clearly do not fit are the informative ones: they tell you either that the technique has limits, or that your identification was wrong, or that you are reading a period-specific claim too literally. Following that up is real practice. Nodding at the parts that fit is not.
What you carry forward
Two things grow across the whole course. This unit adds to both.
To your chart-analysis process
- **Step 9 (continued) — examine the relevant vargas.** For questions of life direction, identify the Kārakāṁśa and read houses counted from it in the Navāṁśa.
To your field manual
- Kārakāṁśa: the Navāṁśa sign occupied by the Ātmakāraka. Requires degrees; unavailable on a chart without them.
- Ch. 35 verses 2–8 give the twelve signs; 13–18 give planets in the Kārakāṁśa; the remainder gives combinations and houses counted from it.
- The Kārakāṁśa is used as a lagna — count houses from it within the Navāṁśa.
- Benefics in the Kārakāṁśa and the Navāṁśa Lagna, aspected by benefics and free of malefic conjunction, is Parashara's strongest stated combination here (35.9–11).
- When testing a technique on your own chart, record what does NOT fit as carefully as what does.
By now you should be able to
- Identify the Kārakāṁśa in any chart with degrees
- Explain what it is claimed to show and why the D9 is the right chart for it
- Read houses counted from the Kārakāṁśa
- Handle a ninety-nine-verse catalogue chapter without attempting to memorise it