Natural & Functional Lordships

A peculiar aspect of Indian astrology is the division of planets in natural and functional categories. Although, there are other classifications too, e.g., planets as karakas, planets as marakas etc., but the terms “natural” and “functional” appear more frequently in astrological books and blogs. Standard classical jyotish texts use saumya and krura; shubh and ashubh for this purpose. Although, saumya and krura are specific to natural lordship but the terms shubh and ashubh are often used for both natural and functional lords.

Natural Benefic and Malefic Planets

Out of navgraha (9 planets), Saturn, Mars are first rate natural malefic planets while Sun is malefic of secondary level, since it is more krura (cruel) than paapi (evil). Lunar nodes, i.e. Rahu and Ketu are again malefic by nature.

Among auspicious heavenly agents, Jupiter and Venus are all time benefic. However, there is difference of opinion whether Jupiter is more benefic or Venus. R. Santhanam, referring Parashar, says Venus holds greater amount of auspiciousness and Jupiter comes after Venus. In any case, both the planets are natural benefic.

By nature, Mercury and Moon are neither benefic nor malefic. Mercury can be benefic or malefic depending upon its association in the chart. With natural malefic planets, especially Saturn and Mars, it turns natural malefic, whereas in case of its association with natural malefic (especially Venus or Jupiter), Mercury behaves like natural benefic planet. The case of Moon is dependent upon its distance with Sun, or in simple words, upon the brightness of Moon. It is generally believed that Moon is natural benefic, if it lies 8th tithi of Shuklapaksh to 8th tithi of Krishnapaksh.

Now, there arises a logical question, about the rank or intensity of natural auspiciousness and inauspiciousness. Kalidasa in its monumental Uttrakalamrita answers this confusion. According to him, the planets can be rated as follows:

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Planets Natural Benefic/Malefic
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Jupiter and Full Moon: 100% natural benefic
Venus: 75% natural benefic
Mercury (well associated): 50% natural benefic
Moon (bright): 25% natural benefic
Moon (dark): 25% natural malefic
Mercury (ill associated): 25% natural malefic
Sun: 50% natural malefic
Mars and Rahu: 75% natural malefic
Saturn and Ketu: 100% natural malefic
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Nonetheless, this classification is not espoused by all. Many medieval and modern astrology experts consider bright Moon as an effective agent of alleviating evils and spreading auspiciousness, not only for longevity, but also for luck matter as a whole. Resultantly, they rank Moon more potent than 25% naturally benefic as in above table. Similarly, there are some practitioners who always fear from Mars, more than Saturn. But, it should not forget that Kalidasa put down above rating for general purpose, and not for some specific purposes, say match-making, longevity, etc.

Functional Benefic and Malefic Planets

The second category of planetary behaviour is functional, which is also known as Graha Suabhava. Rather “functional benefic” and “functional malefic”, some writers also used the terms “temporary benefic” and “temporary malefic”. Sage Parashar thoroughly explained the functional nature of 7 planets for all 12 ascendants. Later, many a commentaries of BPHS deciphered the reasons behind labeling any planet as functional benefic or functional malefic. Even the famed script Laghu Parashar is entirely hinged upon the functional nature of planets.

Lets first dig out how a planet can become functional benefic or malefic. According to ownership, twelve houses of horoscope are categorized into four kinds.

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House Groups for Functional Lordship
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Kendra: Group of 1st, 4th, 7th, and 10th houses
Kona: Group of 5th and 9th houses
Trishadai: Group of 3rd, 6th, and 11th houses
Parashraya: Group of 2nd, 8th, and 12th houses
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Among navagraha, 7 planets are considered for determining whether a planet is functional benefic or malefic. Parashara did not consider ownership of Rahu and Ketu for this matter, otherwise later he explained Rahu/Ketu exaltation, ownership, etc.

There also exists a widespread confusion between dusthana and trishadai. It should be kept in mind that dusthana (duush+sthaan) means “evil place”, and it comprises 6th, 8th, and 12th houses. Whereas, the term trishadai or trishadayadhisas connotes, lords of 3rd, 6th and 11th. So the concept of dusthana is about evil houses and trishadai is about evil lordships.

Following rules are the summary of Parashar’s categorizations for weighing functional status of a planet for any ascendant.

Rule # 1.
Lords of kona (5, 9) can never be functional malefic while lords of trishadai (3, 6, 11) can never be functional benefic.

Rule # 2.
A planet, owning both kona (5, 9) and trishadai (3, 6, 11) houses, functions as admixture of good and bad, depending upon location of its mooltrikona sign.

Rule # 3.
A planet also becomes functional malefic when it simultaneously owns: (a) trishadai (3, 6, 11) and parashraya (12, 8, 2) houses; (b) trishadai (3, 6, 11) and kendra (1, 4, 7, 10) houses.

Rule # 4.
Best is the planet whose one sign be in kendara (1, 4, 7, 10) and another sign in kona (5, 9). And worst is the planet whose both signs lie in trishadai (3, 6, 11) houses.

Rule # 5.
A natural malefic as lord of kendra (excluding 7th-marakesh) turns functional benefic, but a natural benefic as lord of kendra (excluding 1st-lagnesh) turns functional malefic.

Rule # 6.
Lords of parashraya (12, 8, 2) may be functional malefic or benefic depending upon their ownership of second sign and relation with other planets. If second sign of langna lord lies in any of parashraya (12, 8, 2) houses then it does not turn functional malefic.

It is evident from above rules that functional or temporal lordships are dependant more on trishadi than dusthana. Saturn, neither own any of dusthana from Aries lagna, but Parashar holds it a first rate functional malefic and yoga-bhang-karaka. One the other hand, Mercury, however owns undesirable 8th house from Aquarius ascendant, but it is not completely functional malefic in the eyes of Parashar.

Purpose and Application

It is known to all that natural lordship of planet is the fundamental criterion of astrological interpretations. For natural benefic or malefic, planets manifest their natural significations. Say, Jupiter is the significator of dharma for all ascendants, irrespective of its lordships of good or bad houses. The karakattwas or significations of all natural benefic planets increase when (without malefic association) they occupy in kendra or kona. Similarly, all natural benefic planets enhance the favourable significations of houses they occupy or aspect.

Almost all chapters of “House Analysis” in standard Jyotish canons pay more attention to natural attributes of planets than functional. Suppose, if Saturn is occupied in 4th house in Leo, for a Taurus ascendant chart then one should not interpret this location as favourable, just on account of Saturn’s being functional benefic for Taurus. No, here Saturn may destroy domestic happiness and parental care (provided other factors do not strongly counter this bad placement of Saturn). It is different from above that native may simultaneously accrue good effect of lord of 9th and 10th in 4th house. Take another example. Parashar assumes Sun as functional malefic for Libra rising (since it owns one of the trishadai). Suppose the very Sun is occupied in 10th house (in Cancer) then one should NOT explain this placement as evil signature in 10th house because a functional malefic is there. No doubt, here Sun in 10th house as natural malefic means krura karma (taking other factors constant). But in friendly-benefic sign with directional strength, Sun in 10th house may augment native’s deed, career and social standings for said Libra rising.

On the other hand, functional lordship has certain specific purposes. Its first and foremost objective is figuring out good or bad planetary periods as per vimshottari dasa. But it ought to bear in mind that functional lordship is the first, but not the sole criterion of judging a dasa. Another objective of functional lordship is to weigh the strength of chart through yoga karakas in the nativity. Parashar maintains certain yoga karaka signatures along with functional lordship.

A few tips for judging career

1) First things first

Rapid expansion of astrological knowledge in recent decade has led to formation of enormous online groups. It brought forth positive as well as negative aspects. At positive front, it provided easy accessibility to astrological texts, online instructors and dynamic discussion platforms. But at the same time this trend changed the entire course of traditional jyotish learning. People now start studying astrology in haywire way, read online columns in bits and pieces, discuss theorems without corollaries from here and there, and become online guru within no time.

Resultantly, they analyze a practical case study or reply a request on internet that usually begins with fascinating secondary elements, e.g. A10 in dasamsa, badhakesh in maran-karaka-sthan, graha arudha, sahamas and etc. etc. Well, my intention is not to deny or deride these concepts. They are the part and parcel of divine jyotish for centuries. But beginning and relying on merely these secondary concepts is not a right way to choose. They do matter, but not more than karaka, bhava and bhavesh. Do read the arudhapad (AL) and karmapad (A10) but after weighing karma karaka (Saturn), and 10th house/lord. Similarly, diving directly into the dasamsa (without judging rasi chakra) may be misleading. Firstly, because of the fact that dasamsa can not overshadow rasi (D1). Secondly, in most of the cases birth time is not accurately recorded. So keep these points in mind before reaching any conclusion. Do analyze dasamsa (D10) but after scrutinizing rasi and in the light of rashi. Don’t forget that rasi (D1) is itself a varga, perhaps most important varga.

2) Never neglect Lagna and Lagnesh

Generally 10th house is considered for determining profession, but hold on! Before reaching karmasthan, concentrate on lagna and lagnesh. It will always help you drawing correct outline of the picture. A well-occupied or well-aspected lagna ensures health, intelligent, and potential. A native having strongly placed lord of lagna and its dispositor, enjoys a stable, honourable and successful life. The horoscope turns more powerful when rasi as well as navamsa dispositor of lagna lord favourably occupies in kendar/kona from ascendant. A robust lagnesh is indeed one of the most fortunate, yet, neglected signature.

Afflicted lagna and lagna lord are often avoided by novices, despite knowing that all the good and bad revolves around this pivotal point. Bare strength of 10th house can not guarantee a sound and successful career. People having weak lagna and lagnesha and powerful karmasthan may prosper professionally for a short span of time but they hardly enjoy satisfactory and sustainable career. Lagna - apart from revealing the innate potential - simultaneously hosts the sukh arghala for karmasthana (i.e. 4th from 10th). That is why, whenever lagna becomes abode of natural benefics, native is always satisfied with his profession (whether he is president or peasant, trader or teacher). On the other hand, when lagna is infested by natural malefics then he would hardly enjoy satisfaction and peace from his career.

3) Don’t forget Karma Karaka Saturn

Saturn is a universal karma karaka for all ascendants. Obviously karma does not confine to career, but career is a significant part of karma we do. Following are some Saturn-based-combinations for judging profession.

a) Note the stronger between Saturn and its dispositor. The rasi and navamsa occupied by said planet shows the nature of work, one adopts. Planets strongly sambandhi (related) to Saturn are also capable of casting their influences.

b) The combination of trikona bhava, from the sign occupied by Saturn, depicts ones professional life. Jupiter, Venus and/or non-afflicted Mercury trine to Saturn is auspicious yoga, while Mars, Rahu and/or Ketu in trine to Saturn is inauspicious yoga.

c) Jupiter, Venus, and/or non-afflicted Mercury sitting 2nd (or zodiacally ahead) of Saturn shows good return of your efforts. In professional life it means, smart income and financial prosperity as one progresses in career. On the other had, merely Mars, Rahu or Ketu, occupying 2nd (or zodiacally ahead) of Saturn, reveals one is bound to get unsatisfactory income.

d) Jupiter, Venus, and/or non-afflicted Mercury occupying 12th (or zodiacally rear) to Saturn indicates agreeable place of work, peaceful environment, besides comfortable beginning of career. On the other hand, Mars, Rahu or Ketu, occupying 12th (or zodiacally rear) to Saturn suggest an unsatisfactory and non-agreeable work location where rivalry, intrigue, and leg-pulling tease the native. Natural malefic planets (without shubh sambandh) sitting behind Saturn further unveils difficult beginning of career.

4) When there is Guru there is Growth

‘Expansion’ is associated with Jupiter. So whenever and wherever, there is guru there is growth. The trinal aspect of Jupiter blossoms the karakattawa of receiving planet and house. In natal chart, if Jupiter is placed in trine to karma karaka Saturn and/or 10th lord then one is destined to rise in professional life, earn respect from seniors and juniors and is known for his dutifulness. In nadi treatises, Jupiter in trine to Saturn is ranked a raja yoga. Jupiter even in 2nd, 12th or 7th to Saturn promises respectful and successful career. People of Guru-Sani yoga bearer definitely gains promotion when in transit, Jupiter sojourns over Saturn/10th lord and their trinal signs. Contrarily to Guru-Sani yoga in radical chart, should Jupiter be in 6th or 8th (to Saturn), while Mars and Rahu are in trine to Saturn or 10th lord; one has to struggle a lot for getting desirable placement and promotion in work. Such natives often lead mediocre lives. But note that retrogression of any of the discussed planet changes the situation. Do treat retrograde planet as if they are locating in 12th from original place. They behave as 'direct' during first half of life, and as 'retrograde' in second half of life. However, Saturn(R) acts conversely. It shows its 'retrograde' effect during first half of life, while 'direct' effect during later half.

5) Commanding and Executive Position

Assuming powerful position is not possible without cosmic light of Sun. Natives, possessing potent Sun (which is sambandhi with karmesh or karma karaka Saturn) exercise commanding position in life (e.g. politicians, government officials, bureaucrats, judges, chairmen, managers etc. Such natives generally inclined to do independent work when kendra bhavas are more powerful than apoklima bhavas. When raja yogas in chart are annulled, even then a native possessing mentioned Sun does not remain unnoticed and ordinary in their circle. If he is a beggar, he will be head of beggars. If he is a shopkeeper then he will be representative of the association of shopkeepers. This is the natural trait of Sun’s association with 10th house/lord and Saturn.

Another signature that renders one commanding and cruel is placement of natural malefic planets in 3rd and 6th houses. Managers, union leaders and political activists often hold this combination. On the other hand, natural benefic planets in 3rd and 6th houses make one tender, follower and obedient. They are best suited as assistant and subordinate. They lead ordinary life especially when their 10th house/lord and Saturn are devoid of beneficial influence.

Come to Sun again. If someone has well placed Sun and his 10th house is under beneficial aspect then he will always be in good book of his boss/chief. Aspect of natural benefic planets over 10th house ensures favour from higher authorities and government as well. Besides 10th house, if lagna lord and 10th lord: both are strong then native himself becomes head of his work, representative of his clan/community and command fame and power.

In addition to Sun; Mars and Jupiter are somehow connected with higher authorities. If there is a raja sambandh yoga then native enjoys the ministerial position, and supervision of a powerful master. However, the raja sambandha yoga does not necessarily make one minister of a king. The native may be secretary or clerk but will serve someone in authority e.g. government official, head of the department, general manager, COO, CEO, etc.

6) Knowing for Professional Knowledge

Mercury is vaishya by varna and considered as vayapaara karaka (significator of trade). However, it is mainly a significator for professional knowledge (for services sector of urban areas). Favourably placed Mercury which is sambandhi to karmesh and karma karaka bestows skill and knowledge about work. Mercury when aspects or occupy 10th house, or associated with 10th lord shows an adept, skillful, and innovative professional. Company chooses him for skill enhancement courses and seminars. He may also be picked out by authorities as company's spokesman. Having strong professional knowledge such natives usually deliver presentations, produce manuals, and train workforce.

Sambandha: Celestial Connection

In all nativities planets at certain longitudinal distance and placement from each constitute various kinds of relationship which is known as sambandha. It is a fundamental concept in jyotish, especially useful in assessing the transfer of influence between two grahas, involved in certain yoga or functioning as dasnatha and bhuktinatha.

Standard jyotish treatises do not differ much on the issue of relationship among planets. Father of Indian astrology Parashara enunciated following four types of sambandha.

	Sambandha Name	Meaning
1	Kshetra Sambandha	Exchange or Parivartana
2	Drisht Sambandha	Mutual Aspect
3	Yuti Sambandha	Conjunction
4	Adhishisht Sambandha	Unidirectional Aspect

Whereas Mantraswara provides five types of planetary relationships between two planets (vide Phaladeepika chapter 15, verse 30).

1) Exchange or Reception

2) Conjunction

3) Mutual Aspect

4) Mutual Angle

5) Mutual Trine

On the other hand, Kalidasa and Venkateswara suggest just three types of graha sambandha.

1) Exchange

2) Conjunction

3) Mutual Aspect

But I would prefer the Parashar’s scheme. Let’s understand his four categories of graha sambandha.

1) Kshetra Sambandha

This planetary relation brings forth when two planets mutually occupy each other’s sign. Almost all sources have ranked this sambandha most effective and most powerful (60 virupa or 100%). Kshetra sambandha (also called parivartana) is somewhat a rare planetary relationship and does neither depend upon longitudinal distance nor closeness. Planets involve in kshetra sambandha exchange their full effects which surely accrue in their mutual dasha/antar. In western astrology, this cosmic connection is known as ‘reception’.

Examples: Moon is into Pisces and Jupiter into Cancer; Sun is into Virgo and Mercury is into Leo; Mars into Libra and Venus into Aries etc.

2) Drisht Sambandha

Mutual aspect between two planets results in drisht sambandha. By drishti means full graha drishti here, and not the rasi drishti (sign aspect). Drisht sambandha leads to partial shift (some assumes 75%, some takes 50%) of influence. Besides, some astrologers do not consider the deeptamsa or longitudinal orb (i.e. range of concentration) while evaluating aspect, however, Parashar’s Spusht Drishti methodology (vide BPHS chapter 28) supports to consider orb. This relationship is not possible between, Sun, Mercury and Venus.

Examples: Jupiter is into Libra and Moon is into Aries; Mars is into Gemini and Saturn is into Virgo; Venus is into Pisces and Saturn is into Virgo etc.

3) Yuti Sambandha

Yuti Sambandha is a conjunction of two planets in a rashi. This is a common planetary relation, and Parashar ranked it after paraspara drishti (mutual aspect).

Apart from it, in western astrology conjunction is also possible when two planets are at extreme degrees of different signs, e.g., Mercury is at 29 degree of Aquarius and Venus at 2 degree of Pisces. But in Indian astrology yuti is only possible when both the planets fall in one sign. However difference of opinion exist whether orb should consider or not.

Examples: Venus and Moon are closely placed in Capricorn; Sun and Mercury is sitting together in Leo; Mars and Jupiter are conjoined in Cancer etc.

4) Adhishisht Sambandha

This is a relationship based on unidirectional aspect, i.e. planet A should aspect planet B, but planet B should not aspect A. This is not a usual relationship since it is only possible when one of the planets is Mars, Jupiter or Saturn, as they have additional aspect beside commonly known 7th-house (180 degree) aspect. However, consensus does not exist among commentators whether dispositorship should be taken or not. A common view is that when dispositor of any planet aspects the occupant but occupant doesn’t aspect its dispositor. Sometimes it is called drishta kshetra sambandha

Examples: Sun is in Aries and Mars in Virgo. Here if Sun occupies in Aries then Mars automatically becomes the dispositor of Sun. Now Mars is into Virgo then it obviously casts its full aspect over Sun. On the other hand, Sun is unable to aspect Mars. Similarly Moon in Pisces and Jupiter in Scorpio; or Mercury in Aquarius and Saturn in Taurus causes Adhishisht Sambandha.

*) Mutual Kendra and Mutual Trikona

It is not only Mantreswara who propounds the planets in mutual Kendra and mutual trikona lead to sambandha. Parashara ranked planets, placed in kendra with respect to each others, as a mutual karaka (vide, BPHS, chapter 34, verses 25-30) if they are in their signs of exaltation, own or friend. Similarly readers may find the utmost significance of mutual trine in Nadi literature based on karakattwas. Horoscopes explained in Bhrigu Nandi Nadi, chiefly weigh mutual trine and planets in them reckoned from a certain karaka. In fact, natural benefic in trine to a karaka causes bhagya yoga concerning signification of that karaka. On the other hand, nadi works also regarded dwirdwadasa (mutual 2nd-12th relation) as a supportive sambandha if formed by friendly benefic planets. But shadashtaka (mutual 6th-8th relation) is unanimously considered an evil signature between a karaka and concerned bhavesha especially when a natural malefic simultaneously aspect either significator or pertained house lord.

Illustration

Here Saturn is in Cancer (a sign ruled by Moon) and Moon is in Capricorn (a sign owned by Saturn). This exchange of sign lords lead to kshetra sambandha between Saturn and Moon. Similarly, Mars in Leo and Sun in Scorpio also forms parivartana and thus hold kshetra sambandha. A very sambandha also constitutes between Venus and Jupiter since they in each other’s sign.

Jupiter and Mercury are opposite to each other and forming drisht sambandh. Mutual aspect between Sun and Jupiter also exist but it not as power as between Jupiter and Mercury on account of orb. Similarly Saturn and Moon are also fully aspecting each other making drisht sambandha (apart from keshtra sambandha).

Sun and Mercury situated in Scorpio results in yuti sambandha. Association of Rahu and Venus also forms yuti in Sagittarius.

Adhishisht sambandha exists between Sun (who is in Scorpio) and Mars (who is in Leo). Mars, being dispositor of Sun, is aspecting Sun but in turns Sun is does not aspecting Mars. If dispositorship is not considered here then also there lies adhishisht sambandha between Moon and Jupiter, as Moon is getting aspect of Jupiter but not transferring its full glance to Jupiter.