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Ponderings on the Atmakaraka graha

Ponderings on the Atmakaraka graha

There is always a debate about whether malefic planets as the Atma Karaka are more beneficial to the progress than benefic ones? Atmakaraka graha is the graha that has achieved the highest degree in the horoscope. It is the graha that most identifies with the Atma or the spirit, however different from it. It can be construed as Ahamkara responsible for creating identity, personality and propels us to do actions. It is this aspect that claims doer-ship working together with information provided by the other components of subtle body such as memory, intellect, the emotional mind and the five sensory organs. It is because of this Ahamkara, that I identify myself as British or Indian, a male or female, extrovert or introvert and success or failure and propelled to do endless actions. It is often mistaken by us to be the true self instead of the Atma.

Atma itself is the witness consciousness that is present everywhere and is defined in Tattva Bodha as that which other than the gross, subtle and causal bodies, which is beyond the five sheaths and is the witness of all the three states of waking, sleeping and dreaming. It is not available for any transactions in the manifested world directly and is not associated with doer-ship.

In my jyotish parampara, it is taught that Atmakaraka is like a filter and depending on the graha that is the atma karaka, we look at ourselves and the world coloured by that filter. It is what binds us to this body, mind and the world.

On the issue of preference of a malefic or benefic graha as the Atmakaraka, here I am inclined to quote Carl Jung. “A favourable environment merely strengthens the dangerous tendency to expect everything from outside – even that metamorphosis which external reality cannot provide, namely a deep-seated change of the inner man”.

In my understanding, the deep inner awakening and questioning is usually facilitated when things do not happen our way, when we face obstacles head on, we are forced to enquire into our assumptions that have always previously worked for us. When we adapt by making changes in our deep rooted behaviour, the process is called change in cognition and transformation ensues.

Often, when things are going our way, the Ahamkara associates this with success and a reward for the exercising positive choice. There is doer-ship. Successful people attribute nothing to chance, grace or karma and attribute all their success to their strengths and talent. However, when we are faced with troubles we do look into ourselves deeply in order bring about a change in behaviour or seek grace (unused karma credits sitting in our account). This is usually initially done to seek a shift in our immediate external environment as humans rarely change when there is no pay-off, perceived or real. The really lucky ones (who the world will coin as losers), will see an inner shift that will help them see the outside world in a more benign way, albeit there may be no observable change in the external world.

Even in Buddhist Cosmology, a birth in Human realm or Earth is considered most superior than others including the God’s realm. It is here on this earth, though one labours, one can earn merit and attain liberation from the cycle of birth. In God’s realm or Heaven, there are comforts, however one merely enjoys the merit and have to fall back to the earth when they are exhausted. There is no permanent
evolution.

In the story of Mahabharata, Kunti the mother of the five Pandava Princes explains this principle of positivity in adversity succinctly. Quoting the Bhagavata Purana (1.8.24&25) “your Lordship has repeatedly saved me along with my sons from a series of calamities, it is you who protected us from poison, from a huge fire, from cannibals, and from the assembly of wicked people. May calamities befall us at every step through eternity, O Teacher of the world, for it is in adversity alone we are blessed with your sight which eliminates the possibility of seeing another birth. A man whose birth, power, learning and affluence only serve to swell his pride and is unable to utter your name”.

Sage Parasara in Chapter 2 of Brihat Parasara Hora Sastra maintains that all the grahas are record keepers of karma and they bestow the karma on living beings. The Atmakaraka graha is chief amongst them as it has traversed to the highest degree in the horoscope. It carries the record of the memories of our inner most desires and karma. While it promises many raja yogas, it can act against our volition when it has to fulfil the karma indicated by it and can seem punishing when we resist compliance. Note the relationship between the Ascendant Lord (will power) and Atma Karaka as well as the 9th Lord (lord of destiny) in your horoscope to get a holistic view on the quality of life.

Atmakaraka grahas will be behave differently as per their nature and the dignity of placement. Benefic planets such as Jupiter, Moon, Mercury and Venus will be more benevolent and less exacting in their methods compared to malefic ones such as Sun, Mars, Saturn and Rahu.

Whatever be the Atmakaraka when afflicted by placement or conjunction, there will be a perceived suffering due to obstacles especially during the dasha of the graha. When we experience suffering, we tend to redeem ourselves by seeking better company, higher knowledge, chanting of mantras, yoga and meditation and serving others. The point to note here is while sattva grahas such as Jupiter and Moon will have a forgiving nature and can be pacified (sama – accept error, talk it over and seek grace). Rajas graha planets such as Venus and Mercury are pacified by donation of money or articles (dama). Sun and Mars, the planets of the fire element, like to punish instantly as they believe in “eye for an eye”. They associate meting punishment akin to fulfilling dharma and tend to be objective (danda). The methods of Saturn and Rahu are indeed noteworthy as they can seem not only punishing but also as enjoying the inflicting of pain. They are the masters of creating differences between people (bheda).

It is said that the solution to any problem often lies on the opposite side of it. Look at the graha opposite to the Atmakaraka graha on the dig chakra. If Individuals with malefic Atmakaraka genuinely pursue enlightenment, they can redeem themselves by going in the opposite direction. A Rahu Atmakaraka person will seek knowledge as Jupiter is the graha opposite to it in the dig chakra. A person with Saturn as Atmakaraka will end up in true renunciation (vairagya) as he would see a lot of sorrow in life. A person with Mars as Atmakaraka can convert his temperament from anger to ahmisa or non-violence, prescribed by Mercury. Individuals with benefic Atmakarakas when placed well will have better opportunities in life and will be in a position perform good deeds for the greater good. Being aware of the perils of the path of the graha opposite in the dig chakra may serve them well.

To make a complete judgement on which graha is more welcome depends on the goals of the individual. It is better to accept the path indicated by the graha and surrender to that. No path is really easy. One can only wish for alignment between the goals of Atmakaraka graha and the Ascendant Lord as well as the 9th lord for a comfortable journey in life. I think it may be more important to consider in light of this, whether a stronger or weaker Atmakaraka is more desirable?

I summarise below the teachings of my jyotish Guru Sanjay Rath in my words on what an individual needs to overcome with every graha as the Atma Karaka, even though he will be supplied and tested with many events that just bring the opposite attribute into his life. For more details please refer to his book on “A course on Jaimini Maharisi Upadesha Sutras”.

Sun Humility – Learn to give up ego and pride even though you are right
Moon Compassion – Be caring and compassionate particularly with your family
Mars Non- Violence – Give up all forms of violence in thought and action
Mercury Truth – Be conscious and responsible about vacha karma or speech
Jupiter Respect – Listen to the Guru and learn to take counsel from others
Venus Fidelity – Life is beautiful but resist temptation
Saturn Stoicism – Cannot give sorrow or expect others to share sorrow from your life
Rahu Trust – Learn to trust even if others are cheating and do not participate in mind games or politics

 

ॐ तत् सत्

30 Replies to “Ponderings on the Atmakaraka graha”

  1. Om guruve namaha,,vijaya gaaru,thx amma for such great article, I have question here, my ak is moon in 10th house in Aries with connection of Jupiter (retro vargottham)9th lord,, but main equation is Jupiter in 2 degrees and moon in 25 degree is that really conjunction?? Is this connection works?? Share ur opinion ..thx

    1. Dear Shiva. It is fortunate that AK and lagna lord is one house. Lagna is the intellect and if it with AK then there is influence of AK on the intellect, so goals will be synchronised. Your questions is on samyoga. When planets are in the same sign they share resources and when they are in the same nakshatra they share same purpose. Jupiter has direct influence upto 9 degrees only, so it is far. We call this Atitha Yoga as Moon the faster planet has passed it. The yoga is in 14.5 degrees of Aries which is in Bharani. You should think further on what this means.

  2. Wonderful article Vijaya, what happens when atmakaraka and lagna lord are one and the same in exaltation endowed with great strength also in pushkar navamsa in karakamsa… this planet happens to be Saturn, does it indicate sufferings more sufferings and great sufferings… Or Will it help in anyway propel the individual to great heights in its own antardasha??

    1. Dear Vish
      AK and lagna lord being the same makes your purpose more focussed as intelligence is backing the work of soul. Exalted means higher ideals. Success will depend on may other significations. Saturn in the 10th will make you strive (I am assuming Capricorn lagna). Also one has to look the placement of Venus in tandem. AK always teaches us things and since your lagna lord is the same the resistance will be less. Suffering and heights are not contradictory in a spiritual path. If you are following the path of AK, then there will success in that dasha. Pushakara also imposes further conditions. Be up right.

      1. Hello Vijaya,

        Thank you very much for your excellent scholarly insights, you are right, Capricorn ascendant… I personally find this placement to be much dependent on the placement of Venus as you rightly pointed out!!!
        Success after great obstacles, troubled upbringing during childhood…Also in my experience, Venus in moola nakshatra doesn’t make things any brighter contrary to the thumb rule quoted in some shastras that Venus in 12th house is excellent with its house lord!!! But the rule as such didn’t work for me…

      2. Dear Vijaya

        Excellent article and thank you for sharing knowledge. May I ask a question here.

        If natural Atmakara (Sun) is in Uccha Vargottama and Chara Atmakaraka(by degree) is Neecha Vargottamma, shall I say Soul is great and fallen at the same time.

        1. If the Chara Atmakaraka is fallen, worship Vishnu – patita pavana. This is important in this life. To comment on Surya Uccha one has to take into account his placement and lordship.

  3. Hello Vijaya,

    I have Rahu as AK sitting in Makar rashi in the 9th house, for Taurus ascendant with Rahu’s dispositer Saturn in the ascendant. Now in August 2020, my Rahu mahadasha is starting.
    As a kid I had huge expectations from life and my family when growing up. But at 48, expectations are nothing. I am not looking forward to roller-coaster 18 years that most people predict Rahu mahadasha.
    Appreciate your advise please .
    Thank you.
    YM

    1. HI Yogesh. One cannot advise you just on the basis of Rahu AK in 9th house without taking into account the whole chart. Both the planets you mentioned are in MKS. For personal comments you have to write to me on my email.

  4. Great article Ma’am..really insightful.
    What is best course of action when Rahu as AK is in eight house (Scorpio) and giving a lot of disease and sorrows in life? I’m following all good deeds since childhood, like honesty, clarity of mind and thought, chanting mantras etc. Jupiter in Lagna (Ketu nakshatra), Lagna lord Mars in 2nd house with Ketu, Mercury, Saturn and Sun in 4th house. Thank you in anticipation.

    1. Dear Smita, AK in the 8th is indeed difficult as it will be inimical to Lagna. We have to see where it is in the Navamsa too before suggesting what to do.

      1. Thank you Vijaya Ma’am. Rahu is in Leo in Navamsha chart (Virgo Navamsha Lagna). Other planets in Navamsha chart: Venus debilitated in Lagna of Navamsha; Sun in 4th house; Mars in 5th house; Me & Ke in 6th house; Jup in 8th house; Moon in 9th house; Saturn in 11th house; and Rahu in 12th house of Navamsha. I have excessive hairfall for last 19years and my digestion is very poor, with allergy to milk and wheat. My lagna chart has Ascendant at 18:10 degrees (Bharani). Any suggestions you are able to give for health and personal life will be very gratefully received.

        1. Hi Smita. This is not a forum for personal comments or advice. Please write to me on my email if you want advice.

  7. Hey
    I was wondering if Rahu is indeed an atmakaraka, I heard pt Sanjay rath say that any planet that binds you to this realm can not be a liberator as atmakaraka is meant to establish your relation with the true essence of one’s being , could you please elaborate
    I have Rahu as ak after considering it’s retrogate motion , I do feel the need to acquire more and am somewhat wordly too

    1. This is deep question. AK is the essence of who we think we are. Identity. Sometimes that itself is a problem in liberation. Pandit Rath says people with Rahu AK will go towards Jupiter – knowledge and liberation. It is very good. We have 8 chara Karaka scheme so we will consider Rahu.

  8. I have Vrishchika lagna, ketu in 6th, AK Mars in 7th and Venus neecha in 11th. Plus, a parivartana between moon in 8th and Mercury in 9th, along with Sun in 9th too.
    Such difficult placements! But they turned me very spiritual. And my Mangal antardasha went very nice and spiritual! However I have some doubts if you could dispel them?
    First, Among Ketu and Mars, I don’t know who my lagnesha is and so can’t even figure out my Arudha lagna. And how is the Atmakaraka relation with the lagnesha?
    After the exchange of Moon and Mercury, who becomes the 9th lord afterall? Sri Sanjay Rath ji teach that Mercury should be the benefic now, so is it still a Nipuna yoga with surya in 9th?
    And Mars as AK, I should refrain from Violence in thought and action? But what if I have to fight or compete? I love sports, martial arts, debates and competitions and can’t refrain from trying to win ? I don’t even know what to do for my Atmakaraka!

    1. Namaste Himansh. Krishna advised us to focus on svadharma. The motive decided whether the action is good and bad. SO competition in sports is not bad. It is like kshatriya dharma. Trying to win is looking for a outcome. Nothing wrong but you will incur punya or papa. As long as your methods are reasonable, it is a good use for Mars and Mars will also give you interest in Jyotish. Lord lord as AK is good as intelligence will listen to AK. Both Ketu and Mars can show result of Lagna lord but results of Mars can be visible as it is in Kendra. I hope this helps.

  9. Thank you for such an informative and knowledgeable article. A combust and retrograde Mercury in Taurus (2nd house) as AK in the lagna chart. It is in Virgo (4th house) in Navamsha chart. What kind of career path it signifies? Venus is the Amatyakaraka, again combust and retrograde in Taurus (2nd house) in lagna chart. And it is also in Virgo (4th house) in Navamsha chart. Do Atmakaraka and Amatyakaraka lose power if they are combust and retrograde together, and also at 29 degrees? I’ve been reading and trying to find out about these questions since a long time. Please let me know if you can. Thank you so much!

    1. Combustion shows anger of Shiva. Worship him. Surya destroys excessive Rajas of Mercury and Venus. AK and AMK together shows the path of karma yogi. Work without thinking about your gains. AK in the 4th house in D9 also shows path of karma. It would be interesting to see your chart. Please write to me.

  10. thank you so much Vijaya ji,for giving excellent and informative replies to our queries,
    my son’s Ak venus (libra lagna) is posited in 12th house with ketu. he is highly qualified and doing very well in US. he experienced spiritual awakening twice and is very soft hearted person .
    as parent we are worried ,if its right to caution or stop him from helping even unknown persons .
    please let me know for Email at which i may share his birth details please
    regards
    surendra sharma

  11. Dear Vijaya, Thank you for your effort to expound on Atmakaraka. I have a complex combination regarding my ATMK:
    Aq Asc, VeRa in the 3rd in Aeries, RetMaKe in 9th in Libra, Lagna Lord Sa, Sun, Mo in 2nd in Pisces, Ju in 6th in Cancer, Me in Lagna, ATMK in Dhanu Navamsha. Question(s)
    1. 2 parivartan yogas – Ma/Ve, Ju/Mo, In Ve Mahadasha, Ra Antar, how do i interpret the results ? Should I look at as Ma/Ra in 9th in Aeries ?
    2. Does Ve transfer its ATMK role to Ma in its Mahadasha?

    Will appreciate it if you could throw some light on the above.

    1. Parivartanas are complex and dynamic and its very difficult to interpret them statically. AK remains the same even if there is a parivartana. However one can take into account of Venus’s placement in 9th due to parivartana. The role transfer happens only in case of Chara Karaka replacement. These are advance concepts taught in the tradition. Also as Venus and Rahu are conjunct one give the results of the other.

  12. Namaskaar Vijayaji, excellent article. I like to share with my daughter. I don’t know how to share . Can I ask you question about atmakaraka. Thank you. First time I came to your blog and really very impressed with your knowledge.

  13. Hello mam
    I have sun as atmakaraka at 27degree in libra ( with ju me ve) in eighth house? As a remedy I have been chanting Narayan Ashtakshari.Is it correct to chant?

  14. I have Sun Atmakaraka in 11th house Virgo. It is Vargottam in navamsha. I have (retro)Saturn amatyakaraka in Aries with retro Jupiter in 6th house. (Scorpio Rising).
    I want to achieve a lot in career front but i am not able to receive the fruits relevant to the efforts i put in. I always get less than my efforts.

    Venus in 10th house, Mercury in 12th house, Ketu in 3rd house(capricorn) , Rahu in 9th(cancer). Moon and Mars conjunct in 2nd House. I have 4 planets Moon, Mars, Venus and Jupiter in Ketu nakshtras.

    I feel like i am the most unfortunate human alive. Because every gets the reward for their hardwork, but in my case. Everything is about putting in hours and hours of hardwork but receiving nothing but mediocre result. My relationship with my father is not sorted. There is wide difference in his belief and mine.

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