Chara Karaka: The Key to Understanding Spiritual and Material Existence
Chara Karakas are variable soul-level significators who govern our spiritual & material existence in this world. They vary from person to person, and Shri Narayana or Sri Vishnu rules them for our sustenance. Maharishi Parashar teaches many maharaj yogas involving Char Karakas, especially the Atmakaraka, Amatyakaraka, Bhratri Karaka, and Darakaraka planets.
The reason for our existence is to experience the Maya. Do our karmas, learn, grow spiritually, discover the truth, and finally attain Nirvana.
Right from the very beginning, two types of Chara Karaka Schemes are prevalent. The first uses 8 planets from Sun to Rahu and the Second scheme uses 7 planets from Sun to Saturn.
In Brihat Parashara Hora Shastra, Maharshi Parasara, while teaching this topic to his disciple, Shri Maitreya states that:
« Now I speak of Atma, etc Karakas of the planets. There are 7 from the Sun to Saturn or 8 Karakas from Sun to Rahu. Some say that if two planets have equal degrees, then only we should consider Rahu as Karaka, in this way, there are 7 planets. But some say that there are 8 planets, including Rahu, irrespective of such a state.»
Here, the interesting point to note is that Maharshi Parasara explains two kinds of beliefs prevalent at that time. He did not say which one is correct in his opinion. He left it like that…
Our astrology community still debates this part. Some take a middle path and find the two Chara Karaka Schemes relevant in different contexts.
The 8 Chara Karaka Scheme: Description & Calculator of Atmakaraka, Amatyakaraka, Bhratri Karaka and Darakaraka Planets, etc.
In my opinion, the 8 Chara Karaka scheme should be used for living beings (Jeev Atma), from Sun to Rahu. Here, 7 types of relationships are described at the soul level in Vedic astrology.
The planet with the highest degrees in the chart is called Atmakaraka (AK). This planet is the significator of the soul of the native. Atmakaraka is self and is considered the king in the horoscope. The planet with the second highest degree is called Amatyakaraka and so on. Finally, the planet with the lowest degrees in the chart is called Daar Karaka.
The 8 Char Karaka Scheme has: Atmakaraka, Amatyakaraka, Bhratri Karaka, Matrikaraka, Pitrikaraka, Putrakaraka, Gnatikaraka and Darakaraka.
8 Chara Karaka, planets having traversed various degrees in signs from highest to lowest in the descending order, are as follows:. The meaning and description of All Chara Karaka are explained in the image.
Here we measure the distance (degrees) a planet has crossed in a sign. As we know, Rahu moves in the opposite direction to that of Sun & Moon so we measure his degrees by reducing from 30° to find his progressed distance in a sign.
Atmakaraka Planet & Character of the Soul:
The character of the Atmakaraka (AK) planet from Sun to Rahu is the character of our soul at its base. Our soul is attached to this Atma Karaka planet and acts, judges, and experiences life with the natural makeup of the planet. Our identity or glasses with which we look at the world, is attached to the characteristics of the planets.
For example, If Sun is Atmakaraka of a person, then his soul is attached to the attitude of the Sun. Sun is a king, has leadership qualities, likes to give orders, has egos, and likes to rule. So is the native kingly at the soul level.
The Atmakaraka planet gives us a sense of independent identity, which we need to shed to attain Moksha. We first need to give up our limited self-identity to comprehend our Infinite identity and then merge back into that Divine Supreme or God. We are all Shiva in a dormant state, trapped in Maya, and are unaware of our true selves.
Learn the Characteristics of the Planets in Jyotish to understand how each one behaves as Atmakaraka (AK).
The 7 Chara Karaka Scheme:
In this scheme, the Putrakaraka does not exist, rest of the other Karakas are there. Matrikaraka and Putrakaraka are considered one. Planets from the Sun to Saturn are included, & Rahu is not included. So it is good for Jad Atma and Mundane astrology.
So the 7 Chara Karakas included in this scheme are: Atmakaraka, Amatyakaraka, Bhratri Karaka, Matrikaraka, Pitrikaraka, , Gnatikaraka and Darakaraka.
There are 3 kinds of Karaka in Vedic Astrology: Naisargik karaka, Chara Karaka and Sthira Karaka
There are different scenarios to understand the functioning of the 8 Chara Karaka Scheme in Jyotish:
1. Mercury as Amatyakaraka (AmK) and achievements, using 8 Chara Karaka Scheme.
Amatya means Minister, one who assists and helps a king (Atma: Self) in all his Karmas or undertakings. This Char Karaka is crucial for work.
Mercury being a minister or Amatyakaraka, helps a native set realistic goals, make the right decisions, execute and control strategies and finally achieve or have operation success while considering the practical realities of any environment.
Mercury does not believe in hierarchies, he has no emotions, no egos or anger problems, nor he has any inabilities. Rather he is friendly, skilled, a great adapter, and a quick learner. He does not have very high ethical/purity issues nor does he like to cheat anyone.
Mercury as Amatyakaraka focuses on solid realistic accomplishments, success, and growth. He lords the 3rd and 6th house, among 4 Upachaya houses in the chart of Kaal Purusha.
Mercury is a Bhu tatwa Graha (represents earth element), who rules Karana or achievements in Panchanga. He rules the sportive spirit of a man and is strong in the day and the night.
People having Mercury as Amatyakaraka have a very pragmatic approach in life, they have solid operational abilities and hence are great achievers in modern-day scenarios in KaliYuga. The Amatyakaraka influences the natives to work like Mercury, so business, middleman-trading work, communication, accounting, statistics, product management, acting, and fun-filled entertainment kinds of work naturally suit these natives.
People having Mercury as Amatyakaraka can identify the right person who can help them or contribute to their goals and they leave no stone unturned to realize success in their Karmas then.
In modern-day scenarios, their performance and accomplishments in the corporate sector or business are outstanding.
Shri Amitabh Bachchan and Shri Dhirubhai Ambani have Mercury as their Amatyakaraka.
2. Atmakaraka (AK) and Bhratri Karaka (BK) in 8 Chara Karaka Scheme: An individual Soul and his Teacher
Atma Karaka (AK) and Bhratri Karaka ( BK) if placed in Quadrants from each other in the natal chart are a great blessing. The person learns constructively from his mentor and the mentor also puts effort into teaching this student for long. In general, Chara Karaka placed in quadrants and trines from each other are good placements.
There are few exceptions though for the above-stated generalized rule for planets like Venus, Mars, and Saturn as Atmakaraka (AK).
Any Planet placed in 4th H from Venus is its Vedhak and Venus considers him as his enemy, so this Bhratri Karaka placement is undesirable if Venus is AK.
Also if Mars is Atmakaraka then placement of Bhratri Karaka in the 7th H from it is not good because it is the Marana Karaka Sthana (MKS) from Mars.
If Saturn is AK then the placement of Bhratri Karaka in the same house or 1st House is also not desirable, it is Marana Karaka Sthana (MKS) from Saturn.
Example: Swami Vivekananda has Sun as Atmakaraka (AK) and Saturn as Bhratri Karaka (BK). Sun is present in Lagna and Saturn is in the 10th house. They are in the quadrant from each other, which shows active constructive efforts from both sides. We know that the Sun and Saturn are natural enemies. Therefore, there was a rift between him and his teacher Shri Ramakrishna Paramahansa initially. His mentor compelled him to renounce marriage against his will. Gradually with time, their relationship smoothened a lot and both made active contributions to each other.
A strong and well placed Bhratri Karaka from Atmakaraka is also good for friendship and brotherhood as well.
3. When Sun is Atmakaraka and other Chara Karaka are in unfavourably positions from the Sun:
For people having the Sun as Atmakaraka (AK), the placement of other Chara Karaks (planets) in the 12th house and 6th house from the Sun is not good at all.
The native will have disharmony, repulsion, unfortunate /unpleasant experiences, and a lack of fruitful relationships with those souls/people represented by those planets as chara karaka for the native.
The 12th house from Sun is the Marana Karaka Sthana from Sun (Taking Sun, AK as reference or Lagna).
In Pachakadi Sambandha, discussed by Shri Venkatesa Sharma in Jyotish classic Sarvartha Chintamani, planets placed in the 6th house are inimical to the Sun.
Saturn is especially bad in both the 6th and the 12th the houses. Shnai Maharaj is a natural pachaka (digestor or one who can tolerate the wrath of the mighty Sun) of the Sun.
4. Rahu as Atmakaraka in the 8 Char Karaka Scheme:
Rahu normally represents material pursuits (bhoga marga, and tamo guna) and shows dogmatic pursuits in the world of Maya (the untruth).
It also represents breaking all the boundaries going beyond conservative limits and doing unconventional in the material world.
Because of this special contribution to breaking all the barriers of Maya, significantly helps an individual soul to cross the borders and experience the greatest Unknown: The Truth ( Satya, as expressed in Sanatana Dharma); Rahu is a great boon as Atma Karak.
Shri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa has Rahu as AK. In his quest to discover the truth he even tried Christianity and Islam religions along with Hinduism
The final pursuit of all souls is to achieve self-realization or nirvana and merge back to the supreme soul.
Unfortunately placement of Rahu: in Gandanta, Marana Karaka Sthana (9th H from Lagna), and other such placements are not desirable for spiritual growth.
5. Atma Karaka (AK) and liberation from the bondage of cyclic time.
We all know that Ketu is the symbol of liberation or emancipation. And 2nd is the house of sustenance. Also, Navamsha (D-9) is the chart of Dharma/ Righteousness.
So when the soul signifying planet (Atmakaraka), is present in the 2nd house from Ketu in Navamsa (D-9), and sustains it then liberation surely comes. Ketu represents the spirituality in all righteousness.
The 4th H is called Hridya bhava (heart) or Gati (speed and motion). This placement of Ketu, in the 4th house from AK, also gives great motion to the Atma and brings great spiritual upliftment.
Sage Jaimini teaches that: Ketu in the 12th house or 4th house from Atmakaraka (AK) in Navamsa (D-9), indicates liberation from Maya.
6. Darakaraka (DK) and Finances: Chara Karaka for wealth
I often used to wonder about the connection between Atmakaraka and Darakaraka for finances. After all, the body needs food and material things for sustenance, and it is the mind that enjoys wealth and status. So, why do we associate the soul with wealth?
Upon contemplation, I realized that the “chara karakas” are governed by Lord Vishnu, who sustains and governs our material existence. It is because of Him that we get the food to feed our bodies. Without a body, a soul dwelling in the earthly realm is called just an “atma” or a ghost.
To undergo all physical experiences, the “atma” needs a body, and since we live in the material world, a mind is indispensable to occupy us in some form. That is the reason why a soul not in need of close soul mates or experiences does not require wealth and renounces it. Therefore, all “Dhan yogas” in the birth chart are nullified if the “Darakaraka” is incorrectly placed from the “Atmakaraka”.
As Maharishi Parashara teaches, the “Atmakaraka” is the king of the chart, and hence, the decisions of the soul shall be the final reality for that native
7 Atmakaraka and Darakaraka relationship: lasting love and bonding with the spouse:
Mutually well-placed Atmakaraka and Darakaraka or the two planets in Yoga are fabulous for soul-level bonding with the life partner. Love and affection for the spouse are deep-rooted and last long.
If the two planets are also natural friends then awesome.
When Atmakaraka and Darakaraka are mutually well placed but natural enemies then it is not so bad. However they should not be ill placed from each other (2/12 or 6/8). If they are ill placed from each other then they should be well placed from Lagna.
Atmakaraka and Darakaraka Yoga often contributes to a love marriage and/or solid bonding with the spouse.
Example chart of Mr. George W. Bush: politician and businessman. The 43rd president of the USA, from 2001- 2009.
We can see that Atmakaraka Venus and Darakaraka Saturn have a Yoga in Lagna. Further his Yoga is between natural friends. So good solid bonding with the spouse and life partner. He has been happily married to Madame Laura Welch since 1977.
8.Atmakaraka (AK) & long-lasting interest in Astrology: Decoding the Path of Occult Knowledge
One strong indication of a long-term active association with Jyotish or other occult knowledge bodies is when the Atmakaraka planet is connected with the 8th house in the birth chart.
This suggests that the individual will have a lasting interest and will study occult and hidden sciences like Jyotish or Astrology for a significant period.
This connection can occur on two levels: physical and knowledge or siddhi level. The Lagna Kundali D1 represents the physical level, while Siddhamsa Kundali D24 represents knowledge and learning.
If an individual has an Atmakaraka and 8th house connection in both charts (D1 and D24), it indicates a long-lasting association with an occult knowledge body.
The connections can be formed in various ways, such as :
-Atmakaraka planet placed in the 8th house
-The 8th lord having a yoga with the Atmakaraka planet
-Atmakaraka lords the 8th house and aspects it by Rashi Drishti
-AK planet lords the 8th house and aspects it by Graha Drishti
-Atmakaraka planet lording the 8th house
The more the merrier !
9. When Atmakaraka (AK) and Gnatikaraka (GK) are natural enemies and are placed in trines to each other in rashi kundali (D1), in the 8 char karaka scheme :
We know that Atmakaraka is the king in any chart who governs us at the soul level. There is nothing in this world that is not a spirit, -Mandukya Upanishad, the smallest of all Upanishads having the deepest meaning as it explains ॐ (our past, present, and future and beyond this). What it means is that the native sees & experiences the world via one specific planet and is very attached to that vision.
Gnatikaraka represents our family and community people, who may be our competitors as they belong to the same socio-professional group as we do.
So, let’s say Jupiter is Atmakaraka (AK) and Rahu is Gnatikaraka (GK) in a chart and they are placed in trines (1,5,9 H) to each other. There is a subtle harmony between the native and his community as two planets are placed in Trines to each other, but there is a rift as the mutual philosophies of Jupiter and Rahu do not match at all.
Jupiter is satwo guna planet, has an honest & truthful approach in life, he likes to follow dharma and is kind as well.
Rahu, on the other hand, is a tamo guna planet who is cruel, loves to cheat, manipulate, and break rules as per self-interests.
So the native of our example can never find synergy with his/her community & family people at the soul level, though will try to remain in coherence with them.
If Jupiter & Rahu are ill-placed like in 6/8 houses from each other then it is worse. It will prop up sever enmity among them.
Their placement in quadrants from each other shows an active contribution from both the sides and hence a possibility to influence and get influenced in a meaningful way after surpassing initial resistance first.
10. Atmakaraka and Putrakaraka placed in Lagna or 5th house are great Raj Yogas.
Such a combination enables one to attain great heights and have power and authority.
Atma Karaka (AK) is we/native & Pitra Karaka (PK) represents all fatherly souls in our life acting as boss/guide.
Their placement in Lagna means a synergized contribution for self, hence making native someone.
In the fifth house, it means the two souls are contributing to 5th house of abilities, power, and control, thereby granting governance to the native.
President George Bush Junior has this AK & PiK in Lagna, no doubt his father groomed and raised him very well to help him become the future president of the USA.
His Atma Karaka (AK) is Venus & Pitra Karaka (PiK) is Mercury, both are in Lagna further they are natural friends.
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