Planetary yogas
A yoga (literally «a connection») is a combination of planets that allows them to join their efforts and achieve better results. In religion there is the notion of a yoga of mind and body; in the system of Ayurveda, yogas of two or more medicinal preparations are used which act beneficently on one’s well-being.
Astrological yogas are configurations of planets that produce specific results. A yoga is usually formed by the placement of planets in a particular order. The strength or weakness of a yoga depends on the condition of its participants. Strong planets form powerful yogas, while damaged ones (placed in a hostile sign, in a bad house or in Papa-kartari) are capable only of a weak yoga. Malefic aspects spoil a yoga. The very nature of the planets taking part in a yoga and their position in signs and bhavas does not greatly affect the results of the yoga. All good yogas usually grant a peaceful life, material comfort and well-being. There are hundreds of different yogas, the most important of which we give in this chapter.
Gaja-Kesari yoga is formed by the Moon and Jupiter placed in mutual kendras [that is, in the 1st, 4th, 7th and 10th houses from each other — editor’s note]. A person with such a yoga will be a leader by nature, long-lived, well-to-do, prosperous, virtuous, magnanimous, friendly, well brought up, and enjoying honour and respect.
Adhi yoga takes place when Mercury, Venus and Jupiter, together or separately, are in the 6th, 7th and 8th houses from the Lagna or the Moon. This yoga grants a long life, prosperity and a good post, and makes a person wealthy, well known, brave, energetic and spiritually developed. If, however, the participants of the yoga rule bad houses, the person’s leadership qualities will have an egoistic tinge.
Vasuman yoga — Mercury, Jupiter and Venus in the 3rd, 6th, 10th or 11th houses from the Lagna or from the Moon. It grants a great fortune.
Ruchaka yoga is created by Mars when it is placed in one of the angular houses in Aries, Scorpio or Capricorn. The results: a strong build, attractiveness, talkativeness, a long life, wealth, a commanding post in the army.
Bhadra yoga is formed by Mercury in the sign of Virgo or Gemini in a kendra. It endows a person with strength, a broad chest, an expressive face, a quiet and obliging character, and an enviable length of life.
Hamsa yoga is formed by Jupiter in Cancer, Sagittarius or Pisces in an angular house. A person with such a yoga is distinguished by attractiveness, purity of soul and righteousness; he is wealthy, lives in luxury and enjoys the respect of those around him.
Malavya yoga is the placement of Venus in Taurus, Libra or Pisces in an angular house. It endows a person with a good figure, a strong will, wide reading, renown and wealth. He will die peacefully or of his own will.
Shasha yoga is created by Saturn when it is in a kendra in the signs of Capricorn, Aquarius or Libra. Its owner has money and good standing, and holds a leading post in the local authorities.
Amala yoga is formed by the placement of a favourable planet (Mercury, Venus or Jupiter) in the 10th house from the Lagna or the Moon. It promises an impeccable and responsive character, an excellent reputation, lasting fame, nobility, prosperity, wealth and the enjoyment of life.
Kemadruma yoga brings poverty. The cause of this yoga is the absence of planets on either side of the Moon. If at the same time the kendras from the Moon or the Lagna are not empty, or the Moon itself is placed in a kendra, the yoga is cancelled. However, the house occupied by the Moon is spoiled thereby.
Shubha-kartari yoga is formed when the Moon or the Ascendant is squeezed between beneficent planets, or when these planets occupy the 5th and 9th houses from the Lagna/Moon. It grants health, financial means and many enjoyments.
Papa-kartari yoga — the Lagna/Moon is squeezed between unfavourable planets, or these planets are in the 5th and 9th houses from the Lagna/Moon. It makes a person sickly, poor, prone to anger and to some degree cruel.
Shakata yoga is created by the placement of the Moon in the 6th, 8th or 12th house from Jupiter. The results produced: alternating periods of success and failure, lack of money, adversities, wilfulness, an abominable character. The placement of the Moon and/or Jupiter in a kendra from the Ascendant neutralises the action of this yoga.
Maha yoga exists in 28 varieties. At its basis lies an exchange between the lords of the 1st, 2nd, 4th, 5th, 7th, 9th, 10th and 11th houses. The yoga brings good fortune to the affairs of the houses that take part in it.
Khala yoga comes in eight types. It is formed by an exchange of the rulers of the 1st, 2nd, 4th, 5th, 7th, 9th, 10th and 11th houses with the lord of the 3rd bhava. This yoga brings calamities and destitution; periods of prosperity and of want alternate. A cyclical quality can be traced in the person’s behaviour: a kindly disposition gives way to arrogance.
Dainya yoga is an exchange of signs between the lords of the 6th, 8th or 12th house and the rulers of any of the other houses. There are thirty such yogas in all. They limit success and well-being and create delays and obstacles in one’s undertakings. A person with this yoga in his chart is marked by foolishness, an unstable mind and immoral behaviour; he insults others and suffers from enemies. Dainya yoga is, nevertheless, not an absolute evil. It certainly raises barriers on a person’s path to success by the hands of his enemies, and it also shows failures in his undertakings. A strong and well-aspected yoga, however, allows a person to gain victory over his opponents and to get round the obstacles that arise.
Harsha yoga is the placement of the ruler of the 6th house in another dusthana, or of the lord of a dusthana — in the 6th. The fruits of this yoga: good sons, friends, a strong body, physical strength, luck, happiness, social status, renown, money, a life of luxury, victory over opponents, abstention from sinful deeds.
Sarala yoga is formed by the placement of the ruler of the 8th house in another dusthana, or of the lord of another dusthana in the 8th. The owner of such a yoga in his horoscope will be fearless, strong-willed, educated, well-off, prosperous, famous and long-lived, and will find happiness from children and friends.
Vimala yoga — the lord of the 12th house is in another trika house, or the lord of another dusthana occupies the 12th bhava. The yoga gives a person an independent character, prosperity, attractiveness, good behaviour, a profession respected in society, and happiness. Such a person spends economically and is renowned for his personal qualities.
Viparita-raja yoga is formed by the lords of the 6th, 8th and 12th houses when they are placed in dusthanas, exchange signs or join one another. A person with such a yoga will be endowed with property, health and a long life; he advances successfully in his career; he is skilful, earns well, makes a good impression and enjoys renown. When the rulers of these bad houses are in one sign, aspect one another or are placed in each other’s houses, and are at the same time free of any other conjunctions and aspects, a person’s life shows steady growth, and he possesses an enormous fortune and a solid social status. The motto of this yoga is: «To rise, you must first fall».
Parijata yoga takes place when the dispositor of the dispositor of the Lagnesha, or the lord of the sign in the Navamsha in which the dispositor of the Lagnesha is placed, falls in a kendra/trikona/exaltation/its own sign. The person will have a good education, possess outstanding qualities, follow accepted norms and traditions, be under the patronage of the authorities, enjoy fame and own personal transport.
Buddha-Aditya yoga is the conjunction of the Sun with Mercury. The person will be intelligent, capable, taciturn and respected in society.
Parvata yoga grants prosperity, well-being, a high post (including in the local authorities), a passionate temperament and an inclination to engage in charity. This yoga comes in three varieties:
1) the Lagnesha in exaltation or in its own sign and at the same time in an angular house or a trine;
2) the Lagnesha and the lord of the 12th house in mutual kendras;
3) favourable planets in the kendras and an absence of unfavourable planets in the 6th and 8th houses.
Kahala yoga is formed with a strong Lagnesha and the placement of the lords of the 4th and 9th houses in mutual kendras. It makes a person wilful, fearless, famous, a military commander or the head of a local community, honoured by the authorities, generous and happy in the second half of his life.
Chandra-Mangala yoga is a conjunction or opposition of Mars and the Moon. A person with such a combination in his chart will be enterprising, very intelligent, hard-working, hot-tempered, well-to-do (if the 10th house is involved in the yoga — very well-to-do), with a stable financial position, and successful in life. The negative effects of the yoga include dishonest ways of earning, a restless nature, intrigue and problems with the mother (which may be removed by an aspect from Jupiter).
Guru-Mangala yoga, or a conjunction of Mars with Jupiter, gives a strong build, democratic views, the highest leading post in the local authorities, wealth, several sources of income, and also a careless attitude towards money.
Guru-Chandala yoga is formed when a strong unfavourable planet is joined with Jupiter. The person becomes an agnostic, or even an outright atheist, and speaks up for truth and justice, but his deeds run counter to the ideals he proclaims.
Lakshmi yoga is created by the ruler of the 9th house in exaltation or in its own sign in an angular house or a trikona. The yoga makes a person well-to-do, attractive, noble, well read, respected, and also a good ruler.
Gauri yoga is formed when there is an aspect from Jupiter to the Lakshmi yoga described above. The person belongs to a respected family, deserves much praise and brings up good sons.
Chatu-Sagara yoga appears where all the planets are in the kendras only. It gives a long life and robust health, prosperity, a good reputation and fame.
Shrikanta yoga — the Sun, the Moon and the Lagnesha in kendras or trikonas, and moreover in exaltation, in their own or in friendly signs. Nobility, benevolence and spirituality.
Shrinatha yoga is formed by the placement of the lord of the 9th house, Venus and Mercury in kendras/trikonas in their own signs, in exaltation or in friendly signs. The person will be wealthy, charming, intelligent and believing.
Saraswati yoga takes place when Venus, Mercury and a strong Jupiter are in the 1st, 2nd, 4th, 5th, 7th, 9th and 10th houses. A person with such a yoga is well read, capable, with a poetic talent, famous, praised by society, well-to-do, and has a good spouse and children.
Shankha yoga is formed by the rulers of the 5th and 6th houses placed in mutual kendras. At the same time the Lagnesha must possess strength; or the lord of the 9th house must be strong, while the Lagnesha and the lord of the 10th house are placed in movable signs. The results of the yoga: humanistic ideals, righteousness, a scientific education, a long life, a good wife and children, a love of pleasures.
Bheri yoga brings a long life, robust health, a leading post, various sources of income, happiness and spirituality. It comes in two kinds:
1) the lord of the 9th house is strong, while the Lagnesha, Venus and Jupiter are placed in mutual kendras;
2) a conjunction of Mercury and Venus in the 1st, 2nd, 7th or 12th houses, provided that the lord of the 10th is strong.
Pushkala yoga is formed when there is a powerful planet in the Lagna and an aspect of the Chandresha (the ruler of the lunar Lagna) to the Ascendant. This combination endows a person with pleasant speech, fame, honours and wealth.
Virancha yoga arises when the 5th house is ruled by Jupiter or Saturn, which are placed in a kendra or a trikona in exaltation or in their own or a friendly sign. It grants intellect, religiousness, a gentle character, prosperity and a good family.
Mahabhagya yoga: in a man’s chart — birth by day and the Lagna, the Sun and the Moon placed in odd signs or in male nakshatras; in a woman’s chart — birth at night and the Ascendant and the luminaries in even signs or in female nakshatras. The results for men: a good character, democratic views, magnanimity, a high post, renown, a long life; he brings joy to those around him. The results for women: good behaviour, a life of prosperity, and children who live long.
Shubha-Veshi yoga is the placement of any beneficent planet apart from the Moon in the 2nd house from the Sun. It makes a person attractive, courageous, happy, and a storehouse of merits and virtues.
Shubha-Vashi yoga is the placement of any favourable planet apart from the Moon in the 12th house from the Sun. The person will be democratic, famous, prosperous and loved by other people.
Shubha-Ubhayachari yoga is created by favourable planets (with the exception of the Moon) in the 2nd and 12th houses from the Sun. It endows a person with a good build, eloquence, wealth and fame.
Kalasarpa yoga arises when all seven planets are placed on one side of the Rahu/Ketu axis. This yoga foretells discord, difficulties and destruction, but it has no effect at all on mental abilities and hardly afflicts the length of life. Its effects are most palpable in the planetary periods of the Lunar nodes and during the transits of Rahu and Ketu over the Lagna, the Sun and the Moon. At such times restrictions manifest, failures and setbacks pursue the person, and his well-being deteriorates. Sudden rises and falls in the career are possible, especially in the mahadashas and antardashas of Rahu and Ketu. A favourable aspect on the Lagna or the Lagnesha neutralises this yoga. It is also cancelled by the placement of Rahu in the nakshatra Vishakha, especially in the range 200°-206°40′ (the sign of Libra).
There is a view that if all the planets are squeezed between Rahu and Ketu, then a Kalasarpa yoga is formed, whereas if they are between Ketu and Rahu (that is, after the Lagna Ketu comes first and Rahu after it), then another combination takes place — Kala-amrita yoga. This yoga is favourable, but its positive effects will not manifest if another planet is joined with Ketu.
Akhanda-Samrajya yoga is formed by a strong Jupiter that rules the 2nd or 5th house in the chart, with the lord of the 11th house in a kendra from the Moon. It promises a long life and every kind of material blessing.
Anapha yoga is the placement of any planet apart from the Sun in the 12th house from the Moon. A person with such a yoga will inherit an enormous fortune.
Sunapha yoga is the presence of any planet apart from the Sun in the 2nd house from the Moon. The person will earn money by his own labour.
Ashtalakshmi yoga arises with a strong Jupiter in a kendra and Rahu in the 6th house, and grants fame, prosperity, a strong build and numerous pleasures in life.
Pravrajya yoga is formed by a conjunction of four or more planets, including the ruler of the 10th house, in one sign. If the Sun is among them, the planets must not be combust. This yoga promises lasting fame, a good name and prosperity in life.
Kankadanda yoga is created by an accumulation of seven planets in Pisces, Aries, Taurus and Libra. The person is distinguished by exemplary decency, resounding victories and indisputable leadership in his field of activity.
Ishtabala yoga is a conjunction of the Lagnesha with the lords of the 5th and 9th houses in the 1st, 4th or 10th house. It makes a person a king of kings.
Kirti yoga is formed by favourable planets falling in the angular houses from the Lagna or the Moon. This combination endows a person with a good name and lasting prosperity.
Chamara yoga promises an excellent education, knowledge, academic achievements, a solid professional status, the respect of high-ranking persons, and a long life.
There are two variants of this yoga:
1) an exalted Lagnesha in a kendra under an aspect from Jupiter;
2) two favourable planets in the 1st, 7th, 9th or 10th bhava.
Kurma yoga — strong favourable planets in the 5th, 6th and 7th houses; strong unfavourable ones in the 1st, 3rd and 11th. The person has a good reputation, pious behaviour, a responsive nature, enviable material conveniences and a high social position.
Kusuma yoga — a fixed sign in the Lagna, Venus in an angular house, the Moon in a trikona, Jupiter in the 9th house and Saturn in the 10th. Such a combination promises royal standing and prosperity.
Kalanidhi yoga makes a person intelligent and fearless, gives praiseworthy qualities and good habits, and noble origin. It gives a heightened sexual appetite. It may be of two kinds:
1) Jupiter in the 2nd or 5th houses together with Venus or Mercury, or under an aspect from one of these planets;
2) Jupiter in the 2nd or 5th bhava in a mercurial or venusian sign.
Nabhi yoga arises when Jupiter falls in the 11th house while its lord, together with a full Moon, is placed in the 11th from Jupiter. Such a person will become a millionaire at the age of 30–33.
Musala yoga is formed when Rahu is placed in the 10th house, provided that the ruler of the 10th is in exaltation and under an aspect from Saturn. The person will be healthy, smiling, a successful businessman, a minister, or simply an influential figure.
Ajivana-Sukhi yoga — three planets in their own signs; a strong Jupiter placed in the Lagna aspects the lord of the 4th house, the Lagna is Vargottama, and Jupiter is exalted in the Navamsha. A favourable yoga connected with professional activity.
Kula-Dipaka yoga — Venus or Mercury in the Lagna, with Jupiter in a kendra or Mars in the 10th bhava. Such a person will bring glory to his family and will lead a successful and happy life.
Samudra yoga is formed when all the planets are placed in even signs. It frees a person from worries and anxieties.
Kula-Shreshta yoga is formed by Venus and Saturn when they occupy their own signs. This combination makes a person an obedient and devoted son.
Bhagya yoga arises when the ruler of the 9th house joins Jupiter in the 11th bhava, and it grants wealth, income and good fortune.
Bandhana yoga is the name given to the combustion of the Lagnesha by a debilitated Sun. Such a combination harms the health, chains a person to his bed and may even send him to prison.
Mirati yoga is the placement of the owner of the 3rd bhava in a dusthana together with unfavourable planets or under their aspects. Its results: the absence of brothers, of strength and of courage, wrong actions, a hot temper, powerful enemies.
Trilochana yoga is formed when the Sun, the Moon and Mars are in trines from one another. It grants courage, an unimpeded career path and prosperity.
Muka yoga, or a conjunction of the ruler of the 2nd house with Jupiter in the 8th house, leads to defects of speech and to stammering.
Narapata yoga, or the simultaneous debilitation of Saturn and Mars in the chart, indicates that the person does not disdain to resort to dirty methods to attain success.
Vamshacheda yoga indicates an evil fate hanging over the family: the family line will end with this person, since he will either have no children at all or his child will die early.
The varieties of vamshacheda yoga:
1) the 10th house is occupied by the Moon, the 7th by Venus, and the 4th house by a malefic;
2) the placement of an unfavourable planet in the 5th house in the sign of another malefic and without a single favourable aspect;
3) the lords of the 1st, 5th and 7th houses and Jupiter are weakened;
4) the Lagna and the 7th, 9th and 12th houses are occupied by bad planets in hostile signs.
Garuda yoga — a combination of three factors is required: birth by day, a waxing Moon, and an exalted lord of the Moon’s sign in the Navamsha. A person with such a combination is devout, possesses polished speech and represents a threat to his enemies, but is at risk of poisoning in his 34th year.
Kedara yoga is formed when all seven planets (from the Sun to Saturn) are placed in four signs. This person is distinguished by an excellent upbringing and by courage, surpasses other people in the merits of his character, owns agricultural land and a fortune, lives in prosperity, works for the good of society and helps others.
Durgesha yoga — Mars has good potential in the chart, the ruler of Rahu’s sign in the Navamsha is in exaltation in the 5th or 9th house, and the ruler of the 9th house falls in the 7th. Such a combination promises much landed property.
<Shiva yoga — the ruler of the 5th house is placed in the 9th, or the lord of the 10th house in the 5th, with the ruler of the 9th in the 10th house. The person engages in important projects, holds a leading post and possesses power.
Sri Govind Swarup Agarwal — «Vedic Astrology»
Parivarthana yoga
«Parivarthana» means «to revolve», «to exchange», «an overturning» or «to return». A Parivarthana is formed when two planets change places, that is, it arises when a planet stands in a sign whose ruler occupies the sign belonging to that planet. In other words, an exchange of placements takes place.
An example: the Sun is in Aries, while its ruler Mars is in the sign of Leo. Such a placement of the planets forms a Parivarthana — an exchange between the Sun and Mars. This combination is what is called Parivarthana yoga.
When a Parivarthana is formed in a horoscope, the planets that create it act as one. The character of their action depends on the nature of the Parivarthana.
Parivarthana yoga can be formed as a result of: (1) an exchange of signs, (2) an exchange of Nakshatras, (3) an exchange of the karakas of houses. The three kinds of Parivarthana are named as follows:
- Rashi and Amsha Parivarthana. They are formed when there is a Parivarthana between signs in the Rashi or the Navamsha chart respectively.
- Jiva Parivarthana, or Nakshatra Parivarthana. It is formed by an exchange of Nakshatras or by an exchange of their rulers.
- Karaka Parivarthana. It is formed by an exchange between the karakas of houses. For example, if the Sun (the karaka of the 1st house) is in the 5th, while Jupiter (the karaka of the 5th house) is in the 1st.
When the rulers of two signs change places, a Rashi Parivarthana is formed. Such a Parivarthana can take place on different levels.
- Guna. Reflects the essence of the exchange.
- Tattva. The character of the change.
- Bhava. The sphere of life affected as a result of the exchange.
Taking the Gunas of the planets into account, one can determine what such an exchange will lead to — to the better or to the worse. For example: if the Parivarthana has arisen from an exchange between Jupiter (Sattva Guna) and Saturn (the Guna of Tamas), then one should expect either an ascent from the level of Tamas to the level of Sattva, or a fall from Sattva into Tamas. In the latter case very unfavourable results will manifest
If the Tattvas of the two planets act together, this favours a harmonious and swifter attainment of a particular goal. If, however, their Tattvas are not friendly towards one another, one of them will suffer because of the incompatibility of the planetary energies.
The Bhavas involved in the Parivarthana indicate the spheres of life affected as a consequence of the exchange. For example, if the 7th house is engaged in the combination, then the exchange of planets will bring changes in relationships. If the Lagna is engaged, a change will occur in the character of the native.
Source: the basic course in Vedic astrology at Vasily Tushkin’s «Surya-Siddhanta» school