Karakas of Astrology

So, now some interesting things in next 3-4 posts. Today, 7 Karakas of Astrology. Let's split this post in two parts, else it will be real long post with too much of information in one go. Today, let's see how to find various Karakas and tomorrow we will see what each Karaka represents and how things related to a particular Karaka can be felt during its Mahadasha/Antardasha?

So, 1st of all, what is meant by Karaka? Karaka literally means significator or indicator. Like Jupiter is karaka of wealth, so Jupiter's position in horoscope can indicate how wealthy a person can get? Timing of getting wealth? Similarly, Venus is Karaka of Marriage, so Venus Mahadasha/Antardasha can indicate the timing of marriage. This is very generic explanation of Karaka, predictions depend on many other things too along with Karaka.

Likewise, all 7 planets (leaving aside Rahu and Ketu) become Karaka/Significator/Indicator of one or the other aspect of life. So, lets see what are these Karakas, their roles and how to find them?

Now these Karakas are of two types, Sthir (Immovable) and Chara (Movable). Sthir Karaka are same for everyone, like Sun is Sthir Atma Karaka for all of us, Mercury is Sthir Amatya Karaka for all and likewise all planets take roles of Sthir Karakas of different things for all of us.

Here in this and next post, we will see Chara (Movable) Karakas. What is meant by Movable? It depends on the degrees of planets in horoscope and everyone is born with different degrees of planets in horoscope. Thats why, these Karaka are different/movable for all of us. To understand this, please look at this example -

Every horoscope comes with a table (like in picture here), which provides us the degrees of each planet. So, we will leave aside Rahu and Ketu (as these two are imaginary illusive planets) and start arranging rest of the 7 planets (Sun, Moon, Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, Venus and Saturn) in descending order of degrees. Suppose in a chart, Mercury is at 22.55*, Venus is at 22.24*, Mars is at 15.52*, Saturn is at 13.08*, Moon is at 9.49*, Sun is at 8.02* and Jupiter is at 3.22*. So, now -

• Planet with the highest degree - Mercury is Atma-Karaka (Soul Significator). 
• Planet with the 2nd highest degree - Venus is Amatya-Karaka (Pathway Significator).
• Planet with the 3rd highest degree - Mars is Bhatru-Karaka. (Sibling Significator).
• Planet with the 4th highest degree - Saturn is Matru-Karaka (Mother Significator).
• Planet with the 5th highest degree - Moon is Putra-Karaka (Chidren Significator).
• Planet with the 6th highest degree - Sun is Ghatni-Karaka (Obstacles Significator).
• Planet with the 7th highest degree - Jupiter is Dara-Karaka (Spouse Significator).

Now, if someone is born with Mercury at lesser degrees, then Mercury won't be his Atma Karaka, some other planet which is at highest degree in that horoscope will take that place of Atma Karaka. That's why, they are called as Chara (Movable) Karakas.

Now, roles of each Karaka.

• Atma Karaka (Soul Significator) - It is THE MOST IMPORTANT KARAKA in Astrology. As I told in earlier post about Karakas, that planet with the highest degrees becomes our Atma Karaka. Atma Karaka defines us the destination of the soul. It means the purpose of life for which the soul has come into present life. It shows where you need to reach by the end of this life, the final destination or the responsibility given to you by God for this life. 
• Amatya Karaka (Pathway Significator- Planet with the 2nd highest degree) - Actually, I am not aware what it is called in English, but I named it as per its function of showing us the path. So, Atma Karaka tells us the final goal or destination of our soul for this life, but Amatya Karaka shows the path to reach that goal. So, in a way Amatya Karaka's role becomes more important, because after knowing your destination, it is more important to know how you will reach there and that path is shown by Amatya Karaka. It is actually your vehicle to reach destination. In matters of career, it is always a good idea to follow the path shown by Amatya Karaka, as not only it will make your career and give you money, but by the end of life, you will also achieve the soul's purpose. 
• Bhatru Karaka (Sibling Significator - Planet with the 3rd highest degree) - This Karaka basically shows your relations with your siblings. Right from the fact that whether you will have siblings or not to how good/bad your relations will be with your siblings. It can also tell the timing of having siblings, during its Mahadasha/Antardasha.
• Matru Karaka (Mother Significator - Planet with the 4th highest degree) - Likewise, this Karaka shows your relations with your mother. As Mother is represented by 4th house and 4th house also represents things like home, convenience and vehicles, so Mahadasha/Antardasha of Matru Karaka can also bring new home and new vehicle in life.
• Putra Karaka (Child Significator - Planet with the 5th highest degree) - This Karaka shows details of your children. Timing of having children and your relations with them.
• Ghatni Karaka (Obstacles Significator - Planet with the 6th highest degree) - This karaka shows the timing within which diseases, debts and litigation may come into your life, so that you can take precautionary measures. Again, its not to scare anyone, but these things happen in life and we can prepare for it by taking preventive steps.
• Dara Karaka (Spouse Significator - Planet with the 7th highest degree) - This karaka shows the kind of spouse you will get, his/her personality, nature and your relationship with your spouse. It can also show the timing of your marriage during its Mahadasha/Antardasha.

So, this is some information about 7 Karakas of Astrology.

Swami Premanand Bharti