September 6th, 2009
Benefic and Malefic Planets
The art of determining benefic and malefic planets for a lagna (or rashi) is best learnt from Dr. B.V. Raman’s excellent book – How to Judge a Horoscope. This post is what I have learnt from one of the early chapters in the book – “Considerations in Judging a House”. If Motilal Banarasidas has copyright issues with this article, let it be known to me. I will remove it immediately. Still, I believe that all aspiring astrologers should mug this chapter.
The chapter does not only talk about planet by planet list for each lagna, but spell out the rules in making this determination. Lordship of certain houses in the chart can make the planets deviate from their natural tendencies of doing good or bad. E.g. Jupiter, who is naturally the best beneficial planet, is not good for Kanya (Virgo) lagna. It is similarly neutral for Simha (Leo) lagna.
In the rules given below, Dr. Raman also talks about Kendradhipati Dosha, the blemish acquired by a natural benefic by virtue of lordship of an angle 4th, 7th or 10th house. The lord of Lagna does not get affected by this dosha.
Benefics for a lagna can be determined as:
- First house lord, other than moon,
- 9th and 5th lords (in that order)
- 10th, 7th and 4th lords (in that order), when they are not natural benefics. This is Kendradhipati Dosha, which gets cancelled only when the aforesaid planet occupies its own sign.
- Natural malefics, when they become kendradhipatis.
The property of getting opposite traits to natural tendency is cancelled when the planet in question occupies its own house.
Malefics are determined as:
- Lords of 3rd, 6th and 11th houses, in the opposite order,
- Any benefics that might be tainted with Kendradhipati Dosha.
Neutrals are:
- Moon as lord of Lagna,
- Lords of 8th and 12th house; although the chapter mentions only Sun and Moon as having this property, but in principle it can be applied to each planet.
Based on the logic presented here, the list of benefics and malefic planet for each lagna can be summarized as:
| Lagna | Beneficial Planets | Planets with evil streak |
| Aries (Mesha) | Jupiter, Sun, Mars | Saturn, Mercury, Venus |
| Taurus (Vrishabha) | Saturn, Mercury, Mars, Sun | Jupiter, Moon and Venus |
| Gemini (Mithuna) | Venus | Mars, Jupiter, Sun |
| Cancer (Karka) | Jupiter, Mars | Venus, Mercury |
| Leo (Simha) | Mars and Sun | Mercury and Venus |
| Virgo (Kanya) | Venus | Moon, Mars, Jupiter |
| Libra (Tula) | Saturn, Mercury and Venus | Sun, Jupiter, Moon |
| Scorpio (Vrishchika) | Moon, Sun, Jupiter | Mercury, Venus |
| Sagittarius (Dhanu) | Mars, Sun | Venus, Saturn, Mercury |
| Capricorn (Makara) | Venus, Mercury, Saturn | Mars, Jupiter, Moon |
| Aquarius (Kumbha) | Venus, Mars, Sun | Jupiter, Moon |
| Pisces (Meena) | Moon, Mars | Saturn, Sun, Venus, Mercury |
Dear Gurujis Namaskaram,
wanted to know whether moon is good in mysign or not. I have heard that moon exalts in taurus lagna but here it is mentioned moon is not good. My TOB: 12:55 pm. delhi, 17-02-82. Also any debilitated planet that I should take some action upon.
it is really a good blog. i appreciate your efforts.
Can you tell me benefic & malafic planet in my kundlani. Detailas are below
Dob 22/11/1971
Time 3:45 Am
Place Baran
Thanx & regards
Anel
Dear Sir,
The ariticle is execlent, I have small clarification.
How to determine the Benefic and Malefic Planets of Lagna and rasi ?
for example for Mesha Lagna Planets with evil streak are Saturn, Mercury, Venus at the same time if he born in Thula(Libra) rasi (Chithai, swathi and visakam)
Beneficial Planets are Saturn, Mercury and Venus. Please clarify how to determine the astrological effects in this case.
Data of birth 23rd November 1966
Place of Birth Kulti (asansol, City: Koltaka)
Time 21.00
I would like to know who is my Isthadabata and main Planet.
When My good time will come?
Regards
Arup
OM NAMAH SIVAY
Please, can you help about my chart? An astrologer said to me that my chart is very difficult to read and to live…
Birth date:11/may/1956
birth time: 20´15:OO city:Porto alegre-Rs-Brazil(lat.30.02/ long.51´12 timezone:3
Lagna:Dhanus
Thank you very much if you can ask me something about!
Hari Om
Chan
My DOB February 25, 1972 3:00 AM Mandya, Karnataka State, INDIA. Lagna is Sagittarius. Rasi Mithuna, Nakshatra Punarvasu 1St Pada. Jupiter is in lagna, Rahu is in 2nd House (Lord of the house Saturn),Mercury is in 3rd house combustion with Sun (Lord of the house in Saturn). Venus (Exal) is in 4th House (Lord of the House is Jupiter), Mars is in 5th house (Own), Saturn is in 6th House (Lord of the house Venus), Moon is in 7th house (Lord of the house Mercury), Ketu is in 8th House (Lord of the house Moon).
Since Venus is Natural Benificiary and according to B.V.Raman book and your article, it becomes malefic. Since is in Exlated is the mean it is going cause more problem?
I appreciate your response.
my dob is 22/12/1987
time-9:52 am
place-lucknow
Can you tell me benefic & malafic planet in my kundlani.
Dear Sir,
My name is Tina. I am writing to you to seek your advice. The issue is regarding delay in my marriage.
My details are-
DOB - 23/01/1978.
Time & Place- 11:15 AM, Mumbai.
We have been looking out for prospects for over 6 years now. We have received several proposals but things just did not materialize. Am I a manglik? Some have said that there’s a little manglik dosh but due to auspicious positions of other planets I cannot be labeled as a manglik & do not need to get married to a manglik guy. Some say that it’s the presence of Rahu in seventh house and Lord of seventh house-Mercury in retrograde position, these two factors are responsible for delay in marriage. I have kark lagna also.
Can you plz advise what needs to be done & if I am likely to get married at all & if yes when & if that will be a good marriage or not. Plz let me know about my overall life also.Kindly suggest if I am required to wear anything or do any puja, if yes what should be the carat weight of that gem & how it needs to be worn.
Recently someone had advised me to wear a “Zircon” sized 4 carat on Friday on my left hand ring finger which I am wearing. I am also wearing a red coral in silver, gomed (hessonite)in silver & pearl in gold. for the past 6-7 years. These three stones are embedded in in one pendant which I wear in my waist.
It is a little confusing as different people advise different remedies.
Also if you can tell me about how my life would be in general. I am working currently as a Manager. I will be really grateful if you can spare some time for me.
Kindly help.