Graha-avasthas — the states of the planets
A planet, like a person, may be of a different age, in a different degree of wakefulness, in a different mood and so on — and depending on its state the personality of the planet may be more or less effective. For example, if an armed guard has fallen asleep (is in a sleeping state), he is unable to perform his function, in spite of having a weapon. By the avasthas alone, however, no final conclusions can be drawn: they are only additional characteristics of the planets.
Graha-avasthas
There are four types of state in which a planet may be:
1. By age (Age)
2. By wakefulness (Alertness)
3. By mood (Mood)
4. By activity (Activity)
The avasthas by the age of the planets — the Baladi-avasthas
1. Bala-avastha — an infant
2. Kumara-avastha — an adolescent
3. Yuva-avastha — a youth
4. Vriddha-avastha — an old man
5. Mrit-avastha — dead
This means that the infant still has much to learn, while the «dead» one has already worked out the subject of this planet. The remaining phases of «working out» lie between them.
The Atma-karaka and the avasthas by age
If the Atma-karaka is in Bala-avastha (an infant), it must learn to develop the qualities of this planet in itself. They may be lacking.
If the Atma-karaka is in Mrit-avastha (dead), it must no longer indulge itself in manifesting these qualities, since they should be there in abundance (a subject already lived through).
The avasthas by degree of wakefulness — the Suptadi-avasthas
1. Jagrita-avastha — a waking planet. It gives the maximum result
2. Svapna-avastha — sleep with dreams. It gives an average result
3. Sushupti-avastha — deep sleep. It gives minimal results.
The avasthas by mood
1. Dipta — bright, shining
2. Svastha — prospering, comfortable
3. Mudita — joyful
4. Shanta — peaceful
5. Dina — poor, sad, oppressed
6. Dukhita — grieving, in distress
7. Vikala — crippled, confused
8. Khala — malicious, plotting
9. Kopita — angry, wrathful
Additional moods:
1. Lajjita — embarrassed, downtrodden
2. Garvita — proud
3. Kshudhita — hungry
4. Trishita — tormented by thirst
5. Kshobhita — agitated, trembling
The avasthas by activity — the Shayanadi-avasthas
1. Shayana — lying down, resting
2. Upaveshana — sitting
3. Netrapani — palms over the eyes
4. Prakashana — shining
5. Gamana — going away
6. Agamana — coming
7. Sabha — being in company
8. Agama — arriving, obtaining
9. Bhojana — eating
10. Nritya-lipsa — wishing to dance
11. Kautuka — passionately desiring
12. Nidra — sleeping
These 12 avasthas are considered to determine the state of a planet and its fruitfulness (more about the Shayanadi-avasthas below)
from the materials of Vasily Tushkin’s «Surya-Siddhanta» school of Vedic astrology
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The Baladi-avasthas
(Determining the strength of a planet by its «age». — Translator’s note.)
| Odd signs | Even signs | Avastha | Effects |
| 0°-6° | 24°-30° | Infant | 1/4 |
| 6°-12° | 18°-24° | Adolescent | 1/2 |
| 12°-18° | 12°-18° | Young | Full |
| 18°-24° | 6°-12° | Old | Small |
| 24° — 30° | 0°-6° | Dead | None |
The Suptadi-avasthas
— A waking planet (jagrat). Exaltation, its own sign. Full effects.
— A dreaming planet (svapana). A friendly or neutral sign. Average effects.
— A sleeping planet (supta). A hostile sign, debilitation. The effects are absent.
The nine planetary avasthas
| No. | Avastha | The state of the planet |
% | Results |
| 1. | Dipta | Exaltation | 100% good | Valour, an enormous fortune, a happy disposition of spirit, the destruction of opponents |
| 2. | Svastha | Its own house | 75% good | One’s own transport, sufficiency, jewels, royal chambers, a high military rank, victory over enemies |
| 3. | Mudita | The sign of the best friend | 60% good | Wealth, jewels, ornaments, faith in God, victory over enemies |
| 4. | Shanta | A friendly sign | 50% good | A calm and quiet nature, religious, versed in the sacred scriptures, educated, a patron of the arts, many friends, sons, a ministerial post |
| 5. | Shakta | Retrogression | 40% good | Fond of fragrances and flowers, gentle, content with life, well read, well known, engaged in charity, skilful in work, defeats enemies |
| 6. | Pidita | Combustion | — | Problems because of long illnesses, dishonour, dependencies, responsibility for failures |
| 7. | Khala | A hostile sign | 50% bad | Troubles with the wife, conflicts with enemies, journeys abroad, want, malice, envy of the wealth of others |
| 8. | Dina | A neutral sign, debilitation | 75% bad | Sufferings, anxieties, poverty, problems created by ill-wishers or by the ruler, deviation from social norms, the breaking of laws, enmity with those close to one, a foolish face |
| 9. | Vikala | In the company of malefics | 100% bad | Weakness, base interests, the intrigues of adversaries, a stay in bad company, waiting upon other people |
Sri Govind Swarup Agarwal — «Vedic Astrology»
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The avasthas by activity (the Shayana-adi avasthas)
There are 12 of them and they are considered the most fundamental of all the types of avastha
| 1 | Shayana | Lying down, resting |
| 2 | Upaveshana | Sitting |
| 3 | Netrapani | Palms over the eyes |
| 4 | Prakaashana | Shining |
| 5 | Gamana | Going away (in motion) |
| 6 | Aagamana | Coming, returning |
| 7 | Sabha (Sabhaa vasati) | Being in company |
| 8 | Aagama | Arriving, obtaining |
| 9 | Bhojana | Eating |
| 10 | Nritya-lipsa | Wishing to dance |
| 11 | Kautuka | Passionately desiring |
| 12 | Nidraa | Sleeping |
The results of the 9 planets in the 12 avasthas by activity:
Shayana (lying down, resting)
The Sun: problems with digestion, illnesses, full legs, an excess of bile, a quick temper, haemorrhoids, problems with the heart
The Moon: fame, slowness, lustfulness, the misuse of money
Mars: anxieties, wounds, injuries, ulcers, itching of the skin
Mercury: attachment to enjoyments, immorality, viciousness, constant hunger; if in the Lagna: lameness, eyes like bees.
Jupiter: strength, but a weak voice, swarthy skin, large cheeks, fear of enemies
Venus: strength, diseases of the teeth, irritability, poverty, licentiousness.
Saturn: hunger, thirst, a sickly childhood, wealth comes with the years.
Rahu: Many sufferings; if in Aries, Taurus, Gemini or Virgo — wealth.
Ketu: Many illnesses; if in Aries, Taurus, Gemini or Virgo — wealth.
Upaveshana (sitting)
The Sun: poverty, a tendency to quarrel, a cruel heart, the loss of money.
The Moon: illnesses, poverty, a weak mind, mercilessness, a tendency to bad deeds (theft).
Mars: strength, a tendency to sin, mendacity, wealth, renown.
Mercury: (if in the Lagna) a good character; (if joined to or aspected by malefics) — poverty; (if aspected by or joined to benefics) — wealth and happiness.
Jupiter: talkativeness, problems from enemies and from the authorities, ulcers on the arms and legs.
Venus: owns jewels, defeats enemies, is happy, honour from the authorities.
Saturn: self-respect, punishment from the authorities. Problems from enemies, many dangers, ulcers.
Rahu: Ulcers, dealings with the authorities, honour, financial difficulties.
Ketu: Ulcers, problems from enemies, danger from snakes and thieves, illnesses of vata-dosha.
Netra-paani (hands over the eyes)
The Sun: happiness, wisdom, helping others, strength, wealth, many enjoyments, the blessings of the authorities.
The Moon: serious illnesses, talkativeness, a tendency to vice.
Mars: (if in the Lagna) — poverty; (in other places) — a high post.
Mercury: honour, a lack of wisdom and knowledge, an absence of well-wishers; (if in the 5th house) — no family happiness, many daughters, receives money from high patrons.
Jupiter: deprived of wealth and health, lustful, loves entertainments, swarthy skin, associates with representatives of other estates.
Venus: (in the 1st, 7th or 10th) — problems with the eyes and the loss of wealth; (in other places) — a large house.
Saturn: a charming wife (husband), understands the arts, the blessings of the authorities, many friends, intelligent, a good orator.
Rahu: diseases of the eyes, financial losses, problems from vicious people, snakes and thieves.
Ketu: diseases of the eyes, problems from vicious people, snakes, thieves and rulers.
Prakashana (shining)
The Sun: generous, wealthy. A good orator, strong, a pleasant appearance.
The Moon: renown, piety, the patronage of the authorities, wealth, many ornaments, an inclination to visit temples often.
Mars: piety, the respect of the authorities; (in the 5th) — the loss of children; (in the 5th with Rahu) — a serious fall.
Mercury: Generous, kind, pious, learned in many fields, wise, defeats vicious people.
Jupiter: Pious, lives in happiness and comfort, visits holy places; (if exalted) worldwide fame, great wealth.
Venus: (exaltation, its own sign, the sign of a friend) — the equal of a ruler, interested in poetry, the arts and music.
Saturn: pious, intelligent, wealthy, loves entertainments, kind, devoted to Shiva.
Rahu: prosperity abroad, piety, wealth, a high position, charm, closeness to the authorities, good deeds.
Ketu: Wealth, piety, sincerity, life abroad, enthusiasm, service to the authorities.
Gamana (going away)
The Sun: lives abroad, unhappy, lazy, poor, experiences many fears, wrathful, a lack of wisdom.
The Moon: (if waning) — sinful, cruel, problems with the eyes; (if waxing) — many fears.
Mars: inclined to wandering, boils, itching, quarrels with women, many injuries and ulcers.
Mercury: wealthy, often visits places where the nobility and the elite gather.
Jupiter: bold, many friends, learned, wealthy.
Venus: a short life for the mother, separation from relatives, anxieties from enemies.
Saturn: wealth, good sons, a seizer of the lands of others, a scholar at the royal court.
Rahu: many children, learned, wealthy, generous, enjoys the respect of the authorities.
Ketu: many children, learned, wealthy, generous, pious, outstanding.
Agamana (coming, returning)
The Sun: affairs with the spouses of others, a deceiver, unclean, loves to travel, remains alone.
The Moon: diseases of the legs, secret sins, poverty, sadness, an absence of intelligence, enjoys respect.
Mars: A good character, owns weapons and jewels, defeats enemies.
Mercury: wealthy, often visits the gathering places of the nobility and the elite.
Jupiter: his dwelling place is always filled with wealth, servants and beautiful women.
Venus: Wealthy, often visits temples, full of enthusiasm, diseases of the arms and legs.
Saturn: separation from the family, much wandering and suffering, a weak mind.
Rahu: irritable, unintelligent, poor, vicious, lustful, many sufferings.
Ketu: illnesses, the loss of wealth, a gossip, an informer, causes pain to others.
Sabha (being in company)
The Sun: helps others, wealthy, owns jewels and lands, pious, strong, kind.
The Moon: famous, enjoys the respect of rulers, a good character, lustful.
Mars: a court scholar, wealthy, respected, generous; (if exalted) — skilful in military matters, successful, upholds dharma; (if in the trines) — deprived of knowledge; (in the 12th) — deprived of family happiness.
Mercury: (if exalted) — very wealthy and pious, a ruler or a minister, of a good disposition, devoted to God, attains liberation.
Jupiter: an excellent orator, wealthy, belongs to a noble family, very learned.
Venus: well known in circles of power, pious, defeats enemies, wealthy and generous.
Saturn: displays an excellent knowledge of the law, great wealth, a great mind.
Rahu: learned, possesses many merits, wealthy, happy, stingy.
Ketu: talkative, proud, stingy, immoral, skilful in evil deeds.
Aagama (arriving, obtaining)
The Sun: problems from enemies, a restless mind, a deceiver, emaciated, does not follow dharma, dissolute.
The Moon: (waxing) talkative, virtuous; (waning) — two marriages, sickly, a liar, vicious.
Mars: a bad character, bad deeds, diseases of the ears, timid, is friends with vicious people.
Mercury: earns by serving vicious people, has two sons and one daughter who brings him fame.
Jupiter: owns many vehicles, surrounded by servants, comfort, honour and friends, happy in his offspring, intelligent, follows an elevated path.
Venus: poverty, problems from enemies, separation from the children, illnesses, misfortunes from the spouse.
Saturn: illnesses, an absence of patronage and support, no good skills.
Rahu: financial losses, losses because of enemies and lawsuits, depressions, separation from close people, exhaustion, an inclination to manipulate others.
Ketu: ill fame, lawsuits with close people, illnesses, problems from enemies.
Bhojana (eating)
The Sun: pain in the joints, the loss of wealth through the opposite sex, a loss of strength, headaches, a tendency to lie, follows a bad path.
The Moon: (waxing) a high social status, honour, many vehicles, a good wife and daughters, servants; (waning) — these results will be difficult to obtain.
Mars: (if strong) loves sweet food; (if weak) commits mean deeds, the loss of respect.
Mercury: Financial losses through litigation. The wrath of rulers, no family happiness.
Jupiter: enjoys luxurious food, wealth, noble origin, rewards from the authorities.
Venus: (if in fall) — wealth, respected in learned circles; (in another position) — hunger, illnesses, dangers from enemies.
Saturn: weak eyesight, many delusions. Enjoys tasty food.
Rahu: no family happiness. Timid, no proper nourishment.
Ketu: poverty, hunger, illnesses, wanderings.
Nritya-lipsa (wishes to dance)
The Sun: learned, a connoisseur of poetry, respected by the authorities.
The Moon: (waxing) — strong, a connoisseur of poetry and music and of other arts; (waning) — a sinner.
Mars: wealth through connections with the authorities, owns jewels.
Mercury: owns vehicles, enjoys honour, valour, many friends, good offspring, shines with intelligence at assemblies; (if in a hostile rashi) — sexually intemperate, makes use of the services of leisure firms.
Jupiter: enjoys the respect of rulers and learned people, wealthy, a connoisseur of the dharma-shastras (the laws), a connoisseur of tantra (rituals), a connoisseur of grammar and etymology.
Venus: a connoisseur of literature, the arts and music, wealthy, enjoys respect.
Saturn: pious, wealthy, respected by the authorities, bold, displays heroism in battle.
Rahu: serious illnesses, problems with the eyes, danger from enemies, financial losses.
Ketu: illnesses, problems with the eyes, an inclination to vices.
Kautuka (passionately desiring)
The Sun: educated, happy, performs rituals, lives at the king’s court, a pleasant appearance, a connoisseur of poetry.
The Moon: a high post, wealth, skilful in the art of love.
Mars: curious, many friends and children; (if exalted) — beneficent, enjoys the respect of the authorities.
Mercury: (in the lagna) musical abilities; (in the 7th or 8th) a strong attachment to sex; (in the 9th) a good character, good deeds, after death goes to heaven.
Jupiter: inquisitive, kind, happy, well known, respected, good sons.
Venus: wealthy, educated, well known and honoured.
Saturn: owns lands and riches, happy, enjoys beautiful representatives of the opposite sex, a connoisseur of poetry and of the other arts.
Rahu: a wanderer, a thief, inclined to court the wives of others.
Ketu: visits leisure firms, a wanderer, failures in the career, an inclination to sin.
Nidraa (sleeping)
The Sun: lazy, sluggish, lives abroad, problems with the wife.
The Moon: (if with Jupiter) — well known; (without Jupiter) loses money because of women, many problems.
Mars: evil, unintelligent. Poor, vicious, sickly, strays from the righteous path.
Mercury: restless sleep, diseases of the neck, sufferings, litigation with close people, the loss of wealth.
Jupiter: poor, unintelligent, does not perform pious actions.
Venus: inclined to criticism, talkative, a wanderer, occupies a subordinate position.
Saturn: wealthy, charming, a good character. Bold, defeats enemies, deals skilfully with the opposite sex.
Rahu: Pious, a good wife and children, happy, proud, bold, wealthy.
Ketu: Pious, owns riches and agricultural produce, spends his time in entertainments.
The importance of the Shayana avasthas
The Shayana avasthas are the most important of all the avasthas. In addition to the results listed above, Parashara also listed certain special results.
If good planets are in Shayana-avastha, the indications of the house with that planet benefit. If a malefic is in Nidraa-avastha in the 7th, without aspects of or conjunctions with other malefics — this is good (if a malefic is asleep, it will destroy nothing). If a malefic is in Bhojana-avastha, it destroys the house in which it is placed. If a malefic is in the 5th in Shayana-avastha or Nidraa-avastha — this is good. If a malefic is in the 8th in Shayana-avastha or Nidraa-avastha — this may become the cause of death from the wrath of the authorities. If a malefic occupies the 10th house in Bhojana- or Shayana-avastha, all sorts of misfortunes may be expected (either because of passivity or because of hyperactivity).
If a benefic, or a planet in its own sign (or in exaltation), occupies the 1st, 5th, 7th or 10th house in Prakashana, Nrityalipsa or Kautuka avastha, this creates a Raja yoga. Parashara especially mentions the Moon in the 10th in Kautuka or Prakashana avastha.
One must remember, however, that the avasthas are not exhaustive indicators of the results of the planets. The state of a planet in connection with wakefulness, age, mood and activity will give its own results, but the houses under the influence of this planet in the divisional charts play a more important role in determining the result. Therefore one must avoid the temptation to make one’s forecasts simply on the basis of tables and general rules.
Source: the textbook of Narasimha Rao, pp. 166-173
