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The student of vedic astrology comes across the word karaka quite often in various contexts. In fact most standard texts devote an entire chapter for the karaka . For instance Parasaras magnum opus the Brihat Parasara Hora Sastra has an entire chapter titled kaarakaadhyaaya . Even the dasa delineation depends on how accurately one identifies all the karakas involved. Every prediction is based on these karakatwas. In fact any successful astrologer will tell you that your understanding of the chart is directly proportional to how thorough your knowledge of the karakas and their appropriate use is. The word Karaka means a significator or one who causes. Karaka of a matter is the significator of that particular matter and signifies / causes events related to that matter. Significators can be classified according to various criteria.
Bhavakaraka. Among these five, Jain astrologers are said to favour Atmakaraka and Swakaraka . Atmakaraka is the most favoured planet in Jaimini system and its extensive use is a unique feature of Jaimini astrology. Swakaraka is the most dependable of all in determining the results of a chart though one should study the chart with reference to other kinds of karakas too. I will deal with the swakaraka later. First let me define each of these karakas. ATMAKARAKA Atmakaraka is the planet that has advanced to the highest degree in any sign. I have written more on the charakarakas and atmakaraka elsewhere in this article. DASAKARAKA Dasakaraka is the planet whose influence is prominent during a particular dasa. The lord of the dasa (in a planetary dasa) is the single most influential planet for that particular dasa. But planets conjunct or aspecting or aspected by the dasa lord too influence the dasa. In a rasi dasa, planets in that rasi as well planets involved in aspects with the rasi also determine the results. All such planets become the Dasa karakas in some manner though the Dasa lord is the single most influential planet as the Dasakaraka. Simply put for most practical purposes Dasakaraka is the planet whose dasa is operating. BHAVAKARAKA Bhavakaraka is the significator of a house. Bhavakarakas are of two kinds:
10 th : Sun, Saturn, Mercury, Jupiter 11 th : Jupiter 12 th : Saturn Though the above list is supported by standard works such as Phala Deepika, Sarvartha Chintamani,
Jataka Parijata etc, Parasara mentions only one planet as the significator for a house. According to the
BPHS only Moon is considered for the 4th house, Mars for the 6 th , Jupiter for the ninth and Mercury for the tenth. Who is correct? Depending on the context both versions are correct. For instance Mars is the significator for the sixth if one is referring to enemies. But for other general indications Saturn is also appropriate. Anitya (Temporary) bhavakarakas: As already stated a temporary significator of a bhava (house) is a planet that acquires the power to signify matters governed by that house by virtue of its lordship, position, aspects etc in the chart under question. So the lord of the second house, planets in the second house and planets aspecting, all these become the bhavakarakas for the second house in a particular chart.
As for Parasaras suggestion, it could be reframed. Though it does not seem appropriate to take the stronger one between Sun and Venus for father, Venus does have a role in another way. Venus is the significator for shukla or semen and in that sense indicates the male fecundity factor. Likewise Mars is the significator for sonita and in that sense indicates the female fecundity factor at least. Perhaps this may have a bearing on the conception chart. Since no valid research or study has been done on conception charts by anyone so far, I will not speculate. It is accepted by all that that Venus is the karaka for beeja (seed) and Mars for the kshetra (field), a concept that has been used by Mantreswara in calculating the beeja sphuta and kshetra sphuta in assessing the fecundity/fertility factor. The sphuta is calculated in a male chart by adding the longitudes of Sun, Venus and Jupiter. In a female chart it is done by adding the longitudes of Moon, Mars and Jupiter. Jupiter is the fixed karaka for children for all charts. Additionally Sun, Venus for males and Moon, Mars for females are taken by Mantreswara in accordance with the above mentioned logic. Parasaras suggestion too could be founded on a similar principle and could be useful in a different context. But for all general purposes SOME believe Varahamihira is more acceptable while the standard significations ofSun for father and Moon for mother should be kept in mind at all times.