Cracking the Ascendants

Aries Ascendant Mesha Lagna

For Aries Lagna, Mars (Kuja), the Lagna lord, does not become a malefic (Papi) by lordship, but Mars is a natural malefic. The Sun (Ravi), as the 5th house trine lord, is not considered a fully malefic planet, hence the Sun is taken as a Yoga Karaka. The Moon (Chandra), who is in the friendly camp, the Sun (Ravi) as the 5th house trine lord, and Jupiter (Guru) as the 9th house lord are the Yoga Karakas.

Therefore, for Aries Lagna, if any planets are placed in the Nakshatras (stars) of Moon, Sun, or Jupiter and form good Yogas, there is a strong possibility of good results.

Example: For Aries Lagna, if Jupiter and Moon conjoin in the 4th house, it forms an excellent Gajakesari Yoga. This is because they are Yoga Karakas for the Lagna. Moreover, if they are in Punarvasu Nakshatra, Jupiter's star in Moon's sign with both Jupiter and Moon together -- the possibility of excellent results is very high.

However, if it is Pushyami Nakshatra, even though there may be exaltation (Uchcha) or own-sign placement (Swakshetra), the lordship shifts to Saturn and the dynamics change. It is beneficial when Lagna Yoga Karakas are in good positions. It is also good when they are well-placed and another planet occupies their Nakshatra. For Aries Lagna, Sun and Jupiter placed on the Lagna give good results.

A planet may form a Viparita Yoga (reversal yoga), but if a Yoga Karaka conjoins it, very good results will follow.

When Kendra and Kona lords conjoin for a Lagna -- for example, for Aries Lagna, Saturn and Jupiter conjoin -- where is it best? If they conjoin in Capricorn (Makara), the Jupiter-Saturn combination will not give great results. For Aries Lagna, if Jupiter and Saturn conjoin in the 11th house (Labha) in Jupiter's Nakshatra, good results follow.

If Saturn is exalted in the 7th house and Jupiter is exalted in the 4th house, Saturn aspects the Yoga Karaka Jupiter with its 10th-house aspect. Saturn, as a Kendra lord, aspects a Kona lord -- both are in Kendras, and this gives good results.

Taurus Ascendant Vrishabha Lagna

For Taurus Lagna, Mercury (Budha) alone is the special Yoga Karaka. Venus (Shukra) and Saturn (Shani) do function, but since this is derived from the Nadi texts as presented in Meena 2 Nadi, implementing it as stated yields the desired results.

For Taurus Lagna, Venus is the Lagna lord and 6th lord, and Saturn is the 9th lord (Bhagyadhipati). Since Saturn is a natural malefic, even though he is a Yoga Karaka, he is not taken as a strong Yoga Karaka. Mercury is a semi-malefic (Ardha Papi) who gives good results when conjoined with benefics. Therefore, Mercury has been accepted as the Yoga Karaka.

Example: For Taurus Lagna, the conjunction of Kendra and Kona lords is a Rajayoga, right? Suppose Venus and Mercury conjoin in the Lagna -- the Lagna lord and the 5th lord together in the Lagna, two benefic planets in the Lagna -- they will give good results.

If Venus and Mercury conjoin in Libra (Tula), the 6th house, it is still acceptable. Benefic planets should be in Kendra and Kona houses, while malefic planets should be in the 3rd, 6th, and 11th houses.

As for what kind of Yoga Mercury, the 2nd and 5th lord, forms -- for example, if Saturn and Mercury conjoin in the 10th house, Mercury is conjoined with a Yoga Karaka, which is very beneficial.

If Saturn is in Pisces (Meena) in Mercury's Nakshatra, and Mercury is in Virgo (Kanya), Saturn aspects Mercury while being in Mercury's Nakshatra, and the exalted Mercury also aspects Saturn in return -- this is an excellent combination. If Saturn and Mercury are together in Pisces in Revati Nakshatra, that is also good, but since Mercury gets debilitated (Neecha) there, the Yoga is not as strong.

If Mercury and Venus are in the 7th house in Jyeshtha Nakshatra, Venus as the Lagna lord (Kendradhipati) sits in the 7th house aspecting the Lagna while conjoining Mercury in Mars's sign. If Mars gains Digbala (directional strength) in the 10th house, it would be beneficial. If Mercury and Venus are in Virgo, Mercury controls Venus.

Gemini Ascendant Mithuna Lagna

For Gemini Lagna, Venus (Shukra) alone is the Yoga Karaka. Mercury has dual Kendra lordship, and Saturn is a natural malefic with 8th and 9th house lordship, so they are not Yoga Karakas.

Example: If Saturn and Venus are in Poorvashada Nakshatra in the 7th house, Saturn gains Digbala in the 7th house while conjoined with the Yoga Karaka. This creates a good Yoga. The conjunction of Jupiter-Venus as the 5th-10th lords, and Saturn-Venus as the 5th-9th lords, both form Yogas.

Venus gets exalted in Pisces (Meena) in Revati Nakshatra. If Mercury is well-placed on the Lagna at that time, Mercury on the Lagna gains Digbala. In the 10th house, Venus gains Digbala in the 4th lord's Nakshatra, and being conjoined with Saturn (a Kona lord), it gives good results. The conjunction of Jupiter and Venus as the 5th and 10th lords is also excellent.

Even if Saturn and Venus conjoin in the 8th house, for Gemini Lagna, Venus as the 12th lord (Vyayadhipati) in the 8th house forms a Viparita Yoga (reversal yoga). Additionally, being conjoined with the Yoga Karaka Saturn, it gives good results after initial difficulties.

The 8th lord placed in the 6th house is a Viparita Yoga. If Saturn is in the 6th house in Anuradha Nakshatra, it is a strong Yoga. If Venus the Yoga Karaka also conjoins, and Jupiter's benefic aspect (Shubha Drishti) falls on them, it becomes even more excellent.

If Mars (Kuja), the 6th lord, falls in the 8th house and gets exalted, and if it conjoins Venus the Yoga Karaka, the conjunction with the Yoga Karaka makes it beneficial.

Cancer Ascendant Karkataka Lagna

For Cancer Lagna, Jupiter (Guru) is the Yoga Karaka. If Jupiter, as the 9th and 6th lord (Bhagya-Shashthadhipati), is placed in the 8th house, it forms a Viparita Yoga. Saturn may be placed in the 6th house.

Example: If Jupiter and Moon conjoin in the Lagna, a Gajakesari Yoga is formed. If Jupiter and Moon are in the Lagna in Punarvasu Nakshatra without the aspect of malefic planets, the combination is extremely beneficial.

If Moon is exalted in Taurus (Vrishabha) and is in Krittika Nakshatra, and Sun is in the 10th house from Jupiter-Moon's position, the Sun gains Digbala in Aries (Mesha). It is special that Jupiter is placed in the Nakshatra of an exalted planet.

As per our Raghavacharyulu (Shri NV Raghavachari), one should take the Star Lord (Nakshatra Adhipati) of a planet and check whether it is a Yoga Karaka or not.

Leo Ascendant Simha Lagna

For Leo Lagna, Jupiter (Guru) as the 5th lord has been taken as the strong Yoga Karaka. The Sun (Ravi), being the Lagna lord, becomes both a Kendra and Kona lord, hence the Sun is also benefic.

Example: Jupiter, even though he is the 5th and 8th lord, conjoining with the Sun in the Lagna forms a Yoga.

The conjunction of Sun and Jupiter on the Lagna is beneficial. Jupiter as the 5th and 8th lord may also be placed in the 12th house. If Jupiter and Moon are in the 12th house in Punarvasu, the 12th lord with the 8th lord gives a Viparita Rajayoga.

The Sun in Jupiter's Nakshatra gains Digbala in the 10th house. If Venus, the 10th lord, conjoins Mars on the Lagna, meaning the 10th lord and the 9th lord (Bhagyadhipati) Mars are together, and Jupiter aspects them from the 5th or 9th house, it is beneficial.

For Leo Lagna, if Saturn is in the 7th house, it forms a Shasha Mahapurusha Yoga. If it is in Jupiter's Nakshatra, Saturn gains Digbala in the 7th house while being in the Yoga Karaka's Nakshatra. The Yoga Karaka Kendradhipati placed in the Nakshatra of Jupiter (who holds Konadhipatya), with Jupiter strongly placed in the Lagna or 5th house, is very beneficial.

If Mars and Jupiter conjoin in the 10th house or in the 10th lord's Nakshatra, it is beneficial. Or if Mars and Jupiter are in the 5th house -- even though Mars is a malefic, Jupiter controls him -- even in Poorvashada Nakshatra, it is acceptable.

If Jupiter is in the 5th house in Uttara Nakshatra, and the Sun is in the 11th house in Jupiter's Nakshatra, with Sun and Mars conjoining in the 11th house, and Jupiter in the 5th house aspecting from Sun's Nakshatra -- this is a good combination.

Jupiter and Moon together in the 10th house is beneficial. Jupiter and Moon in the 5th house is also good. Sun and Jupiter together in the 5th house in Poorvashada gives the Sun Digbala. If Venus gains Digbala in the 4th house and is placed in Jupiter's Nakshatra, it becomes even better.

Virgo Ascendant Kanya Lagna

For Virgo Lagna, Mercury (Budha) is the Lagna lord, Saturn (Shani) is the 5th lord, and Venus (Shukra) is the 9th lord. Venus, being a strong benefic planet, has the potential to give positive results.

Example: Virgo is Venus's debilitation sign (Neecha Kshetra). Mercury and Venus cannot be in mutual opposition. Mercury and Venus are the Lagna and 9th lords (Bhagyadhipati). If they conjoin on the Lagna, the debilitation gets cancelled (Neecha Bhanga), which is beneficial.

Saturn and Mercury are conjoined in the 6th house. If Venus is in Pisces (Meena) in Revati Nakshatra, and Mercury is in the 8th house in Venus's Nakshatra (Yoga Karaka's Nakshatra), and Venus is in Mercury's Nakshatra -- here the rule applies that a dual-Kendra lord may reside in a Dusthana (malefic house).

Even if the Lagna lord is in the 8th house, being in the Yoga Karaka's Nakshatra and achieving exaltation (Uchcha), he will give positive results. If Mercury, Venus, and Sun are in the 4th house in Poorvashada in Venus's Nakshatra, it is beneficial. If Sun and Venus undergo Parivartana (exchange) in the 4th house, that is also good.

If Sun and Jupiter conjoin in the Lagna and Venus is in the 2nd house in Venus's own Nakshatra, Venus functions as though placed both on the Lagna and in the 2nd house.

If Saturn is in the 2nd house in Mars's Nakshatra, and Mars and Venus are in the 10th house -- even though it is an 8th-9th lord combination, since Mars gains Digbala, even being a malefic, and Saturn operates the 8th-6th lords' combination while the Yoga Karaka Venus conjoins, a special Yoga is formed.

Libra Ascendant Tula Lagna

Libra Lagna has a unique distinction compared to other Lagnas. For Libra Lagna, Kendra lordship (Kendradhipatya) is very important -- planets placed in Kendras tend to give beneficial results. For Libra Lagna, Mercury (Budha) and Moon (Chandra) are the Yoga Karakas.

Mercury is taken as a benefic because he is the 9th lord (Bhagyadhipati). Moon gives beneficial results when it is a Full Moon (Poorna Chandra).

Example: If Jupiter, the 6th lord, conjoins Mercury, the 12th lord (Vyayadhipati), it forms a Viparita Yoga. If they conjoin in Moon's Nakshatra and the Moon is a Full Moon in the 4th house, with Jupiter aspecting it, it becomes even more beneficial.

Scorpio Ascendant Vrishchika Lagna

Among all 12 Lagnas, Scorpio Lagna has been given three Yoga Karakas: Jupiter (Guru), Sun (Ravi), and Moon (Chandra).

Example: Sun and Jupiter in the 2nd house with Mars in the 10th house give good results for Scorpio Lagna.

For Scorpio Lagna, if Venus is in the Lagna and Sun-Mars conjoin in the 11th house, it creates a Yoga.

If Sun and Mars, who are the Lagna and 10th lords, conjoin in the Lagna, and Jupiter is also in the Lagna, it creates a remarkably special Yoga.

If Venus, the 7th lord, is on the Lagna in Saturn's Nakshatra, and Sun-Mars are in the 11th house, while Jupiter and Moon conjoin in the 9th house with Jupiter aspecting Venus -- this is a very good combination.

If Sun and Mars conjoin in Moon's Nakshatra, and Moon is in the 9th, 10th, or 4th house, the results are beneficial.

Sagittarius Ascendant Dhanur Lagna

For Sagittarius Lagna, Sun (Ravi) is the Yoga Karaka. If planets are placed in Sun's Nakshatras, they give exceptional Yogas.

Example: If Sun is in Virgo (Kanya) with Mercury in Uttara Nakshatra, he gains Digbala. Mercury gets exalted there. The conjunction of the Yoga Karaka with the exalted 10th lord (Mercury), and Mercury being in the Yoga Karaka's Nakshatra itself, with Jupiter in Pisces (Meena) aspecting Mercury in Virgo -- the 4th lord and 10th lord in their own signs mutually aspecting each other.

Jupiter, the Lagna lord, becomes both a Kendra and Kona lord. Placed in the 4th house with Kendra lordship, in his own sign (Swakshetra), in his own Nakshatra (Swanakshatra), being aspected by the exalted planet and the Yoga Karaka Sun -- a Rajayoga of Kendra-Kona lords' conjunction is formed, which is excellent. However, if the Sun goes to Jupiter's opposite sign, it gets combust (Vakratva). If it is in its own Nakshatra then there is no issue, but in another Nakshatra it becomes a Dosha (defect).

Jupiter does well in the 8th house. If Mercury and Moon undergo Parivartana (exchange) -- the 8th lord in the 10th lord's Nakshatra and the 10th lord in the 8th lord's Nakshatra -- it is still acceptable.

For Sagittarius Lagna, the combination of Sun and Rahu in the 11th house is beneficial. If Sun and Rahu are in the 9th house with the Sun in his own sign dominating Rahu, the Sun-Rahu combination works to some extent.

Capricorn Ascendant Makara Lagna

For Capricorn Lagna, Mercury (Budha) and Venus (Shukra) are the Yoga Karakas. Venus, as both a Kendra and Kona lord, is a Rajayoga Karaka. Mercury, being the 9th lord (Bhagyadhipati), has special Yoga Karaka status.

Example: If Saturn is in Mercury's Nakshatra in Scorpio (Vrishchika) in Jyeshtha, he gives positive results. If Mercury is also there in Saturn's Nakshatra in the 11th house, and Venus is in the 10th house, they give positive results as well.

If Saturn is in his own sign in Capricorn, aspecting Venus and Mercury in the 10th house -- that too is a Yoga. If Mercury, Venus, and Moon are in the 7th house in Ashlesha (Mercury's Nakshatra), that is also a Yoga. If Saturn is in Mercury's Nakshatra and Mercury is on the Lagna, it is also beneficial.

If Sun and Mercury conjoin in the 4th house in Bharani Nakshatra, and Venus is in Pisces (Meena) -- the 8th lord joining with the 6th lord in the 4th house forms a Viparita Yoga.

Aquarius Ascendant Kumbha Lagna

For Aquarius Lagna, Venus (Shukra) as the 5th and 9th lord (Panchama-Bhagyadhipati), and Mercury (Budha) are the Yoga Karakas. If planets are placed in Venus's and Mercury's Nakshatras, they give exceptional Yogas.

Example: If Mars (Kuja), the 10th lord, is in the 10th house, a Ruchaka (Scorpio) Mahapurusha Yoga is formed. Here, Sun and Mercury in Aquarius in Mercury's Nakshatra, with Mars gaining Digbala in the 10th house conjoined with the Yoga Karaka -- the conjunction of 5th and 10th lords with the 7th lord -- creates a good Yoga, including a Yoga for government authority and power.

Pisces Ascendant Meena Lagna

For Pisces Lagna, Moon (Chandra) alone is the Yoga Karaka. Moon gains Digbala (directional strength) in the 4th house.

Example: If Moon and Mercury conjoin in the 4th house in Punarvasu Nakshatra, and Jupiter is on the Lagna in Mercury's Nakshatra -- this means in the Parivartana (exchange) of Jupiter and Moon, the Yoga Karaka Moon is involved, making it an excellent Yoga.

Jupiter and Moon together in Punarvasu in the 5th house is beneficial. If Mars is in the 3rd house in Rohini Nakshatra, that is good. If Mars gains Digbala in the 10th house in Gemini (Mithuna) in Punarvasu Nakshatra, with Jupiter in the 10th house conjoined with Moon aspecting it -- this is a special Yoga.