INDIAN HINDU VEDIC ASTROLOGY - PLANETARY ASPECTS
This is the 4th chapter on Indian Vedic astrology lessons. This chapter deals with the 9 planets in Hindu vedic astrology jyothish and their aspects or drishtis. We should first understand how the planets are classified as good and bad depending on their nature and for each Ascendant. Interpretation of the horoscope is possible from the aspects of planets.
In Indian Hindu Vedic Astrology, depending upon which type of influence the planets exert on human beings, they are classified as good and bad planets. We decide a planet is good or bad in two ways. The first way is that a planet may be naturally good or bad. The second way is that a planet may act good or bad depending on the Ascendant of the native (or person).
Naturally Good and bad Planets
In Indian Hindu Vedic Astrology, the planets Mars, Saturn, Rahu and Ketu are treated as naturally malefic (bad) planets and the remaining planets Sun, Moon and Venus are treated as naturally benefic (good) planets. The planet Mercury gives result either good or bad depending on with which planet it is combined. It cannot give any result on its own. For example, when Mercury is combined with Saturn, it gives bad result as Saturn is a bad planet. When Mercury is with Sun, it gives good result as Sun is a good planet.
Good and bad Planets for Ascendants
Even though Saturn is naturally malefic planet, it will do good for certain Ascendants. For example, Saturn becomes benefic planet for the Ascendants Taurus and Libra. This is because of the lordship of the planet. When a planet takes lordship of good houses, then it will give good results. On the other hand, when a planet takes lordship of bad houses, then it will give bad results. The following table gives an idea of good and bad planets for each Ascendant:
| Ascendant | Lord or owner | Benefic Planets | Malefic Planets | Neutrals |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aries (Mesha) | Mars | Sun, Mars, Jupiter | Venus, Mercury, Saturn | Nil |
| Taurus (Vrishabh) | Venus | Sun, Saturn | Moon, Venus, Jupiter | Venus |
| Gemini (Mithuna) | Mercury | Venus | Sun, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn | Moon, Mercury |
| Cancer (Karkata) | Moon | Moon, Mars, Jupiter | Mercury, Venus | Sun, Saturn |
| Leo (Simha) | Sun | Sun, Mars, Jupiter | Saturn, Mercury, Venus | Moon |
| Virgo (Kanya) | Mercury | Venus, Mercury | Moon, Mars, Jupiter | Sun, Saturn, Mercury |
| Libra (Thula) | Venus | Venus, Mars, Mercury, Saturn | Sun, Moon, Jupiter | Nil |
| Scorpio (Vrischik) | Mars | Sun, Moon, upiter | Mercury, Venus | Mars, Saturn |
| Sagittarius (Dhanush) | Jupiter | Sun, Mars | Mercury, Venus, Saturn | Jupiter, Moon |
| Capricorn (Makara) | Saturn | Mercury, Venus, Saturn | Moon, Mars, Jupiter | Sun |
| Aquarius (Kumbha) | Saturn | Sun, Venus, Saturn | Moon, Jupiter, Mars | Mercury |
| Pisces (Meena) | Jupiter | Moon, Mars | Sun, Mercury, Venus, Saturn | Jupiter |
Planets aspects in Vedic Astrology
It is through aspects, a planet will be able to influence other planets in the horoscope. All planets aspect the 7th house from where they are posited. In addition, Mars, Saturn and Jupiter have special aspects. Mars aspects 4th and 8th from the natal position. Saturn aspects 3rd and 10th houses. Jupiter aspects 5th and 9th houses.
When two planets are in the same house, then they are said to conjunct. It means the result should be assessed according to their combination. When two bad planets conjunct, they exert bad influence on the person. When a good planet and a bad planet are combined, then also the result will be bad. But when two good planets are combined, the result will be very good.
The aspects of a good planet will give good results where as the aspects of a bad planet will give bad results.
Interpretation of planets influence
While assessing the influence of a planet in a horoscope, we should consider the following 3 points:
1. The house or bhava of the planet. For example, let us find out the affect of Jupiter in 10th house. We know that Jupiter is a good planet. 10th house represents job or business. When Jupiter is posited in 10th house, it gives protection for the job and earnings of the person. Even though the person loses job, he will be able to get another one immediately. There will be quick progress in the job and business affairs.
2. The sign of the planet. This indicates the zodiac sign where the planet is posited. For example, let us assess the affect of Jupiter in Taurus. Jupiter is a good planet. The sign Taurus indicates money and possessions. Hence Jupiter in Taurus will give many possessions for the native. The person will acquire money, property and jewellery etc.
3. The aspects of the planet. For example, let us consider that the planet Jupiter is in 2nd house and Saturn is in 5th house from the Ascendant. Now, if we calculate from Saturn location, the planet Jupiter is in 10th house. That means, Saturn is aspecting Jupiter with 10th house aspect. We know Saturn is a bad planet. But Jupiter in 2nd house (wealth house) will give very good wealth. This is restricted by Saturn. Hence the native will not be too wealthy. Due to Saturn, he will have some setbacks in his wealth or business.