Planetary yogas

A yoga (literally «a link») is a combination of planets that lets them join their efforts and achieve better results. In religion there is the notion of a yoga of mind and body; in the Ayurvedic system yogas of two or more medicines are used, which benefit one's well-being.

Astrological yogas are configurations of planets that give specific results. A yoga is usually formed by the placement of planets in a certain 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 of only 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 affect the results of the yoga very much. All good yogas usually bestow a calm life, material comfort and well-being. There are hundreds of different yogas, and the most important of them are given 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 — ed.]. A person with this yoga will be a leader by nature, long-lived, well provided for, prosperous, virtuous, generous, friendly, well-mannered, honoured and respected.

Adhi yoga occurs when Mercury, Venus and Jupiter, together or separately, stand in the 6th, 7th and 8th houses from the Lagna or from the Moon. This yoga bestows a long life, prosperity and a good position, and makes the person wealthy, well known, brave, energetic and spiritually developed. If, however, the participants of the yoga rule bad houses, the person's leadership will have a selfish tinge.

Vasuman yoga — Mercury, Jupiter and Venus in the 3rd, 6th, 10th or 11th houses from the Lagna or from the Moon. It bestows a large fortune.

Ruchaka yoga is created by Mars when it stands in one of the angular houses in Aries, Scorpio or Capricorn. The results: a strong build, attractiveness, talkativeness, a long life, wealth, a commanding position in the army.

Bhadra yoga is formed by Mercury in the sign of Virgo or Gemini in a kendra. It grants 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 this yoga is marked by attractiveness, purity of soul and righteousness; he is wealthy, lives in luxury and is respected by those around him.

Malavya yoga is the placement of Venus in Taurus, Libra or Pisces in an angular house. It gives the person a good figure, a strong will, wide reading, fame and wealth. He will die peacefully or by his own wish.

Shasha yoga is created by Saturn standing in a kendra in the signs of Capricorn, Aquarius or Libra. Its holder has money and good standing and holds a leading position in local government.

Amala yoga is formed by the placement of a benefic planet (Mercury, Venus or Jupiter) in the 10th house from the Lagna or from the Moon. It promises a faultless 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, however, the kendras from the Moon or from the Lagna are not empty, or the Moon itself stands in a kendra, the yoga is cancelled — though the house occupied by the Moon is spoiled.

Shubha-kartari yoga is formed when the Moon or the Ascendant is hemmed in between benefic planets, or when those planets occupy the 5th and 9th houses from the Lagna or the Moon. It bestows health, financial means and many enjoyments.

Papa-kartari yoga — the Lagna or the Moon is hemmed in between malefic planets, or those planets stand in the 5th and 9th houses from the Lagna or the Moon. It makes the person sickly, poorly off, 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 spells of success and failure, want of money, adversity, wilfulness, a disagreeable character. The placement of the Moon and/or of Jupiter in a kendra from the Ascendant neutralises the action of this yoga.

Maha yoga exists in 28 varieties. It rests on 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 between the lords of the 1st, 2nd, 4th, 5th, 7th, 9th, 10th and 11th houses and the lord of the 3rd bhava. This yoga brings calamities and destitution, and spells of prosperity alternate with spells of want. A cyclical pattern 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 lords of any other houses. There are 30 such yogas in all. They limit success and well-being and create hitches and obstacles in one's undertakings. A person with this yoga in the chart is marked by foolishness, an unstable mind and immoral behaviour; he insults others and suffers from enemies. Dainya yoga is not, however, an absolute evil. It certainly raises barriers on the person's road to success, but a well-aspected yoga lets him win victory over his opponents and get round the obstacles that arise.

Harsha yoga is the placement of the lord 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, good fortune, happiness, social standing, fame, money, a life of luxury, victory over opponents, and abstention from sinful deeds.

Sarala yoga is formed by the placement of the lord of the 8th house in another dusthana, or of the lord of another dusthana in the 8th. The holder of this yoga in the horoscope will be fearless, strong-willed, educated, well provided for, prosperous, famous and long-lived, and will find happiness in children and friends.

Vimala yoga — the lord of the 12th house stands in another trika house, or the lord of another dusthana occupies the 12th bhava. The yoga gives the person an independent character, means, attractiveness, good behaviour, a profession respected in society, and happiness. Such a person spends sparingly and is renowned for his personal qualities.

Viparita-raja yoga is formed by the lords of the 6th, 8th and 12th houses when they stand in dusthanas, exchange signs or join one another. A person with this 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 lords of these bad houses stand in one sign, aspect one another or occupy each other's houses, and are at the same time free of any other conjunctions and aspects, the person's life shows steady growth, and he owns an immense fortune and solid social standing. The motto of this yoga is: «to rise, one must first fall».

Parijata yoga occurs 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 stands, falls into a kendra, a trikona, exaltation or its own sign. The person will have a good education, possess outstanding qualities, follow accepted norms and traditions, enjoy the patronage of the authorities, have fame and own a private vehicle.

Budha-Aditya yoga is the conjunction of the Sun with Mercury. The person will be clever, capable, reserved in speech and respected in society.

Parvata yoga bestows means, prosperity, a high position (including one in local government), a passionate temperament and an inclination to 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 in a trine;

2) the Lagnesha and the lord of the 12th house in mutual kendras;

3) benefic planets in kendras and no malefic planets in the 6th and 8th houses.

Kahala yoga is formed by a strong Lagnesha together with the lords of the 4th and 9th houses in mutual kendras. It makes the 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 life.

Chandra-Mangala yoga is the conjunction or the opposition of Mars and the Moon. A person with this combination in the chart will be enterprising, very clever, hard-working, hot-tempered, well provided for (very well provided for if the 10th house takes part in the yoga), of steady financial standing and successful in life. Among the negative effects of the yoga are dishonest ways of earning, a restless nature, intrigue, and trouble with the mother (which an aspect of Jupiter can remove).

Guru-Mangala yoga, the conjunction of Mars with Jupiter, gives a strong build, democratic views, the highest leading position in local government, wealth, several sources of income, and also a careless attitude to money.

Guru-Chandala yoga is formed when a strong malefic planet is joined to Jupiter. The person becomes an agnostic or even an outright atheist, stands up for truth and justice, yet his deeds run counter to the ideals he proclaims.

Lakshmi yoga is created by the lord of the 9th house in exaltation or in its own sign in an angular house or in a trikona. The yoga makes the person well provided for, attractive, noble, well read, respected, and also a good ruler.

Gauri yoga is formed when an aspect of Jupiter falls on the Lakshmi yoga described above. The person belongs to a respected family, earns much praise and brings up good sons.

Chatu-sagara yoga appears where all the planets stand in kendras only. It gives a long life and sound 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, goodwill and spirituality.

Shrinatha yoga is formed by the placement of the lord of the 9th house, of Venus and of Mercury in kendras or trikonas, in their own signs, in exaltation or in friendly signs. The person will be wealthy, charming, clever and God-fearing.

Saraswati yoga occurs when Venus, Mercury and a strong Jupiter stand in the 1st, 2nd, 4th, 5th, 7th, 9th and 10th houses. A person with this yoga is well read, capable, gifted with poetic talent, famous, praised by society, well provided for, and has a good spouse and children.

Shankha yoga is formed by the lords of the 5th and 6th houses standing in mutual kendras. The Lagnesha must at the same time possess strength; or the lord of the 9th house must be strong while the Lagnesha and the lord of the 10th house stand 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, sound health, a leading position, 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 stand in mutual kendras;

2) a conjunction of Mercury and Venus in the 1st, 2nd, 7th or 12th houses, provided the lord of the 10th is strong.

Pushkala yoga is formed when a powerful planet stands in the Lagna and the Chandresha (the lord of the lunar Lagna) aspects the Ascendant. This combination endows the person with pleasant speech, fame, honours and wealth.

Virancha yoga arises when the 5th house is ruled by Jupiter or Saturn and they stand in a kendra or a trikona in exaltation, in their own or in a friendly sign. It bestows intellect, religiousness, a mild character, means and a good family.

Mahabhagya yoga: in a male chart — birth by day, with the Lagna, the Sun and the Moon in odd signs or in male nakshatras; in a female chart — birth by night, with the Ascendant and the luminaries in even signs or in female nakshatras. The results for men: a good character, democratic views, generosity, a high post, renown, a long life, and the gift of bringing joy to those around. The results for women: good behaviour, a life of means, children who live long.

Shubha-veshi yoga is the placement of any benefic planet except the Moon in the 2nd house from the Sun. It makes the person attractive, brave, happy, and a storehouse of merits and virtues.

Shubha-vashi yoga is the placement of any benefic planet except the Moon in the 12th house from the Sun. The person will be democratic, famous, prosperous and loved by others.

Shubha-ubhayachari yoga is created by benefic planets (the Moon excepted) in the 2nd and the 12th houses from the Sun. It endows the person with a good build, eloquence, wealth and fame.

Kalasarpa yoga arises when all seven planets stand on one side of the Rahu/Ketu axis. This yoga foretells discord, difficulties and destruction, but has no effect at all on mental ability and hardly affects the length of life. Its effects are felt most keenly 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 those times limitations show themselves, the person is pursued by failures and setbacks, and his well-being suffers. Sudden rises and falls in the career are possible, especially in the mahadashas and antardashas of Rahu and Ketu. A benefic aspect on the Lagna or on 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).

It is held by some that if all the planets are hemmed in between Rahu and Ketu, Kalasarpa yoga is formed, whereas if they are between Ketu and Rahu (that is, Ketu comes first after the Lagna and Rahu after it), another combination arises — Kala-amrita yoga. This yoga is favourable, but its positive effects will not show themselves if another planet is joined to Ketu.

Akhanda-samrajya yoga is formed by a strong Jupiter which rules the 2nd or the 5th house in the chart, while the lord of the 11th house stands in a kendra from the Moon. It promises a long life and material blessings of every kind.

Anapha yoga is the placement of any planet except the Sun in the 12th house from the Moon. A person with this yoga will inherit an immense fortune.

Sunapha yoga is the presence of any planet except 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 bestows fame, prosperity, a strong build and numerous pleasures in life.

Pravrajya yoga is formed by a conjunction of four or more planets, including the lord 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 success in life.

Kankadanda yoga is created by a gathering of seven planets in Pisces, Aries, Taurus and Libra. The person is marked by exemplary integrity, resounding victories and undisputed leadership in his field.

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 the person a king of kings.

Kirti yoga is formed by benefic planets falling into the angular houses from the Lagna or from the Moon. This combination endows the person with a good name and steady prosperity.

Chamara yoga promises an excellent education, knowledge, academic achievement, solid professional standing, the respect of high-placed persons, and a long life.

There are two variants of this yoga:

1) an exalted Lagnesha in a kendra aspected by Jupiter;

2) two benefic planets in the 1st, 7th, 9th or 10th bhava.

Kurma yoga — strong benefic planets in the 5th, 6th and 7th houses and strong malefics in the 1st, 3rd and 11th. The person has a good reputation, pious conduct, a responsive nature, enviable material comforts and high social standing.

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 the person clever and fearless, gives praiseworthy qualities and good habits, and noble descent. It gives a heightened sexual appetite. It may be of two kinds:

1) Jupiter in the 2nd or the 5th house together with Venus or Mercury, or aspected by one of these planets;

2) Jupiter in the 2nd or the 5th bhava in a Mercurial or a Venusian sign.

Nabhi yoga arises when Jupiter falls into the 11th house while its lord, together with a full Moon, stands in the 11th from Jupiter. Such a person will become a millionaire at the age of 30 to 33.

Musala yoga is formed by the placement of Rahu in the 10th house, provided the lord of the 10th is in exaltation and aspected by Saturn. The person will be healthy, ready to smile, 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; Jupiter is exalted in the Navamsha. A favourable yoga bearing on 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 fame to his family and will lead a successful and happy life.

Samudra yoga is formed by the placement of all the planets in even signs. It frees the person of worries and anxieties.

Kula-shreshta yoga is formed by Venus and Saturn when they occupy their own signs. This combination makes the person an obedient and devoted son.

Bhagya yoga arises with a conjunction of the lord of the 9th house with Jupiter in the 11th bhava, and bestows wealth, income and good fortune.

Bandhana yoga is the name for the combustion of the Lagnesha by a debilitated Sun. Such a combination harms the health, chains the person to his bed and may even send him to prison.

Mirati yoga — the placement of the lord of the 3rd bhava in a dusthana together with malefic planets or under their aspects. Its results: the absence of brothers, of strength and of courage, wrong actions, a hot temper, strong enemies.

Trilochana yoga is formed by the placement of the Sun, the Moon and Mars in trikonas from one another. It bestows courage, an unimpeded career and means.

Muka yoga, the conjunction of the lord of the 2nd house with Jupiter in the 8th house, leads to speech defects and stammering.

Narapata yoga, the simultaneous debilitation of Saturn and Mars in the chart, says that the person does not scruple to resort to dirty methods to achieve success.

Vamshacheda yoga points to an evil fate hanging over the family: the family line will end with this person, since either he will 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 by a malefic;

2) the placement of a malefic planet in the 5th house in the sign of another malefic and without a single benefic 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 evil planets in hostile signs.

Garuda yoga — three factors must come together: birth by day, a waxing Moon, and the exalted lord of the Moon's sign in the Navamsha. A person with this combination is devout, has polished speech and is a threat to his enemies, yet runs the risk of poisoning in his 34th year.

Kedara yoga is formed by the placement of all seven planets (from the Sun to Saturn) in four signs. This person is marked by excellent upbringing and courage, surpasses others in the merits of his character, owns agricultural land and a fortune, lives in means, works for the good of society and helps others.

Durgesha yoga — Mars has good potential in the chart, the lord of Rahu's sign in the Navamsha stands exalted in the 5th or the 9th house, and the lord of the 9th house falls into the 7th. Such a combination promises much landed property.

Shiva yoga — the lord of the 5th house stands in the 9th, or the lord of the 10th house in the 5th and the lord of the 9th in the 10th. The person takes on important projects, holds a leading position and wields power.

Sri Govind Swarup Agarwal — «Vedic Astrology»

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Parivarthana yoga

«Parivarthana» means «to revolve», «to exchange», «a reversal» or «to return». A parivarthana is formed when two planets change places — that is, when a planet stands in a sign whose lord occupies the sign belonging to that planet. In other words, an exchange of placements takes place.

An example: the Sun stands in Aries while its lord 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 forming it act as one. The character of their action depends on the nature of the parivarthana.

Parivarthana yoga may arise through: (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:

1. Rashi and Amsha Parivarthana. Formed by a parivarthana between signs in the Rashi or in the Navamsha chart respectively.
2. Jiva Parivarthana, or Nakshatra Parivarthana. Formed by an exchange of nakshatras or by an exchange of their lords.
3. Karaka Parivarthana. Formed by an exchange between the karakas of houses. For instance, if the Sun (the karaka of the 1st house) stands in the 5th and Jupiter (the karaka of the 5th house) stands in the 1st.

When the lords of two signs change places, a Rashi Parivarthana is formed. Such a parivarthana may occur at different levels.

• Guna. It reflects the essence of the exchange.
• Tattva. The character of the change.
• Bhava. The sphere of life affected by the exchange.

Taking the gunas of the planets into account, one can tell whether such an exchange will lead to something better or to something worse. For example: if the parivarthana has arisen through an exchange between Jupiter (the guna of Sattva) and Saturn (the guna of Tamas), then one should expect either a rise 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 show themselves

If the tattvas of the two planets act in concert, this helps a particular aim to be reached harmoniously and more quickly. If, however, their tattvas are not friendly to one another, one of them will suffer from the incompatibility of the planetary energies.

The bhavas involved in the parivarthana point to the spheres of life affected by the exchange. If the 7th house takes part in the combination, for instance, the exchange of the planets will bring changes in relationships. If the Lagna is involved, there will be a change in the native's character.

Source: the basic course of Vedic astrology at Vasily Tushkin's «Surya-Siddhanta» school