How the nine grahas are judged
A graha represents a function: the Moon describes mind and habit, Mercury communication and analysis, Saturn time and responsibility, and so on. Rahu and Ketu are lunar nodes rather than physical planets, but Jyotish reads them as grahas because of their strong symbolic and timing roles.
No planet is interpreted from one label such as benefic, malefic, exalted or debilitated. Its sign, house, house lordship, conjunctions, aspects, nakshatra and divisional-chart context all modify the result. Functional roles can also change with the rising sign.
Use these entries to learn what each graha signifies and how long its Vimshottari period lasts. Then connect the planet with the relevant rashi, bhava and the nakshatras it rules before drawing a conclusion.
Browse the complete planets reference
- Sun Surya · 6-year dasha The soul and the spine of the chart. The Sun shows where you need to be visible, whose authority shaped you, and how steadily your vitality burns.
- Moon Chandra · 10-year dasha The mind and the emotional weather. In Vedic astrology the Moon matters more than the Sun — it holds your instincts, your mother, and your felt sense of safety.
- Mars Mangala · 7-year dasha Drive, courage and conflict. Mars shows how you fight, what you defend, and where your energy either builds or burns.
- Mercury Budha · 17-year dasha Intellect and exchange. Mercury governs how you think, speak, trade and analyse — the translator between mind and world.
- Jupiter Guru or Brihaspati · 16-year dasha Wisdom, expansion and grace. Jupiter shows where life is generous with you, what you believe, and who teaches you.
- Venus Shukra · 20-year dasha Love, beauty and value. Venus governs relationship, taste, pleasure and what you consider worth having.
- Saturn Shani · 19-year dasha Time, discipline and consequence. Saturn delays what is not yet earned and makes permanent what is. The hardest teacher and the fairest.
- Rahu The north lunar node · 18-year dasha Obsession and hunger. Rahu marks the unfamiliar territory you are pulled toward, where ambition runs hottest and judgement is least reliable.
- Ketu The south lunar node · 7-year dasha Detachment and mastery already carried. Ketu shows what comes so easily it no longer satisfies, and where you are being pointed past worldly reward.