Maha Raja Yoga (Part 1)

Over the years I have made many discussions, observations and intense studies related to RAJAYOGAS. RAJA Yogas are one of the most important aspects of Vedic astrology among the ones which draw a clear distance from Indian and other regions of astrology. Since RAJAYOGA is a phrase much common to one and all it also is a term most misunderstood among many. Everyone including the critics of astrology understands that it’s a term indicating beneficial results though it’s not the same always. Even among Vedic astrologers opinion varies regarding the power, effect and timing which the beneficial results of various RAJAYOGA are to be anticipated. In this post I am trying to describe only the combinations which are capable of providing RY results from the practical point of view, obviously leaving behind many of the combinations mentioned in the classical texts since most of them are irrelevant in actual practice. Also in this part of the post I am dealing only with Maha Raja Yogas out of the 3 different Categories of RY s which I have explained in the last post. I will try to be as expressive as possible to give a clear picture regarding the combinations and the reasons behind its credibility and rest I leave to the readers to experiment the acceptance of the same.

Know RAJA YOGA Better

Before we get in to the technicalities of formation of RYs, let’s see what exactly it provides to the native when RY is in swing and operation. RAJAYOGAs in any form provide the native 3 things in life. Fame, Wealth and Power. Depending upon the nature of the planet which provides RY the one among the above 3 features will excel more. The basic character of the native too will be instrumental in deciding in which feature from the above three will drag native’s inclination. The note worthy point here is that RYs doesn’t confer longevity. For possessing a long longevity other factors boosting it has to exist.  Also in case of RYs in normal form (Maha Raja Yogas) helps the native to start growing in life and achieve much fame, wealth and power from a young age itself.

The vital Planets

Discovering the most beneficial planets that could confer RY in a horoscope should be the primary task for anyone who looks in to a chart. How to determine the most beneficial planets that could provide RYs in a chart, let’s check. Lagna lord is always beneficial for each horoscope among doubts and needs no further explanations. Apart from the Lagna lord the Yogakaraka or the Yogakarakas are the most beneficial planets which also are a common factor for all the knowledgeable ones in astrology but does the Yogakaraka (Lord of a Trikona and Kendra) alone is beneficial always apart from the Lagna lord? Which planets should be considered as Yogakarakas in case a single planet does not own a Kendra and Trikona both? These questions need to be sorted out before we step further.

We know only six signs have a single planet as Yogakaraka owning both a Kendra and Trikona signs which are Taurus, Cancer, Leo, Libra, Capricorn and Aquarius. Let’s consider these signs as Group 1 for our purpose of delineation. Rest of the signs which have no single planet owning a Kendra and Trikona both, we will consider as group 2. Now first we will start with the various aspects of planets that could confer RY and the combinations required the same for group 1.

Group 1 (Taurus, Cancer, Leo, Libra, Capricorn and Aquarius)

We will make chart describing the most important planets and their lordship over Bhavas for each sign of these group.

Signs	Lagna Lord	Yogakaraka	Other Benefics
Taurus	Venus	Saturn	Mercury
Cancer	Moon	Mars	Jupiter
Leo	Sun	Mars	Jupiter
Libra	Venus	Saturn	Mercury
Capricorn	Saturn	Venus	Mercury
Aquarius	Saturn	Venus	Mercury

The Combinations

Irrespective of the above groups RAJAYOGAs are basically formed (When I say RAJAYOGA I mean MAHA RAJAYOGA) by beneficial planets for that particular chart. Everyone may know that a beneficial planet means the temporal benefic planet for the chart in consideration which could be a natural malefic too. For me the position of benefic planets posited in Kendra or Trikona with residential strength also in good aspect or position to each confers RY. Now let us examine these for the signs from group 1.

Taurus

For Taurus Lagna, Venus, Saturn and Mercury are the benefic planets which is been mentioned in the above chart. Normally when any of these planets are in either Kendra or Trikona with power and posited harmoniously between each other then each of them should be capable of conferring RY. But in actual practice this hasn’t born out to be true always. I have observed in the past that though Lagna lord Venus doesn’t provide much beneficial results for Taurus Lagna natives unless posited 3^rd or 11^th house in the star of either Saturn or Mercury. The reason behind it is that Venus is the Lagna cum 6^th lord for Taurus Lagna and since Libra the Mooltrikona sign of Venus is falling in the 6^th house for Taurus Lagna native Venus will be acting more as the 6^th lord. Meanwhile Mercury though the 2^nd lord (a Maraka house) is more beneficial for Taurus native since he is the 5^th lord too and Mercury’s Mooltrikona sign falls in Virgo the 5^th house from Taurus. Likewise Sun the 4^th lord also is a benefic planet for Taurus Lagna though an enemy for the Lagna lord especially when he is posited in the 2^nd, 4^th, 4^th, 10^th and 11^th houses. To sum up in descending order Saturn, Mercury, Sun and then Venus are the most beneficial planets for Taurus Lagna.

The above details will lead us to the conclusion that only Saturn and Mercury are capable of conferring RY for Taurus native while Sun can also play a vital role. Mercury exalted in the 5^th house and Saturn posited in own sign in the 10^th house alone can constitute Raja Yoga for Taurus. Mercury exalted with Sun in the 5^th house while Saturn in mutual aspect to Mercury will be an ideal combination for Taurus native as it will constitute the most powerful RY. Saturn and Mercury in conjunction in a Kendra, Trikona or in the 11^th house are also confers RY for Taurus (Make sure that these planets are not in debilitation in Navamsa before conclusion). Mutual exchange of houses between Saturn and Mercury while Sun conjoined with Mercury are also capable of conferring RY. It must be noted here that Sun alone can’t constitute RY for Taurus Lagna. Venus posited in Lagna and Mars posited in the 7^th house forming Malavya and Ruchaka Yogas respectively are also not of much help to Taurus Lagna people except helping the native to possess an attractive and charming personality.  Venus in conjunction or mutual aspect with Saturn or Mercury in good houses produces mixed results. Readers may not that though Venus is Lagna lord he is not a first rate benefic for Taurus Lagna. Also Saturn though Yogakaraka a well posited Mercury with the support of Sun can overpower Saturn for Taurus born. Let us check the example horoscope below.

Chart 1.       23/01/1976 14:55 Aurangabad (MH)

Jup	Ket	Asc Mars			Sun Merc	Ven	Rahu
	Rasi		Sat		Jup	Navamsa		Mars
Sun Merc								Asc Sat
Ven		Moon Rahu				Ket	Moon

In the above chart we can see the beautiful combination of Sun and Mercury in the 9^th house while Saturn in mutual aspect to these two from the 3^rd house causing powerful RY. Native was born to a middle class family and with much difficulty he completed his education. He had initial hiccups in getting settled in career too. From the year 2002 when Jupiter/Mercury was operating he started excelling in career and now he is well settled in abroad with a high paying job.

Cancer

Moon, Mars and Jupiter are the most beneficial planets for Cancer Lagna natives. Moon being the Lagna lord is the first rate benefic planet for Cancer Lagna. Mars being the Yogakaraka he is also highly beneficial. But Jupiter is not very supportive for Cancer Lagna unless posited in a good place with aspect or conjunction to either Moon or Mars. Moon alone can confer RY to Cancer natives if posited in Lagna, 10^th or in the 11^th house. Mars alone also can confer RY if posted in the 7^th or in the 10^th house. Conjunction of Moon and Mars can constitute RY in any house except Dusthanas (6, 8 and 12). Meanwhile the exchange of houses between Mars and Moon is not good for Cancer born since it will the sign of debilitation for both. Mars in Lagna if subject to cancellation of debilitation can confer good results while Moon in the 5^th for Cancer Lagna can never provide good results.  Jupiter can also constitute a RY if posited in the 6^th or 10^th house with Mars or if posited in the Lagna with Moon or Mars. Jupiter causing Hamsa yoga in Lagna or Saturn causing Sasa yoga in the 7^th house is not capable of conferring RY to the native while Malavya Yoga caused by Venus in the 4^th house or 9^th house and Sasha yoga caused by Saturn in the 4^th house can be beneficial to some extent.

To sum up Moon and Mars are very vital in forming RY for Cancer born while Jupiter can be vital on occasions.

Chart 2.      01/12/1953   20:15 Kolkata (WB)

		Jup					Merc
	Rasi		Asc Ketu			Navamsa		Moon Ven Ket
Rahu					Sat Rahu			Asc Mar
	Sun Venu	Merc Sat	Mars Moon			Sun		Jup

The above chart has several adverse combinations. The Rahu-Ketu axis is in the 7^th and 1^st houses. The 1oth house is subject to the aspect of Mercury (the 3^rd and 12^th lord) and Saturn the (7^th and 8^th lord). The 10^th lord Mars is in an enemy sign too. Despite these factors the native has a steady career and always earned well. Mark the combination Mars and Moon (Yogakaraka and Lagna Lord), though in the 3^rd house worked well for the native to rise from humble surroundings to a very high stage like country head of a well known foreign bank in the dasha of Jupiter who is posited in the star of Mars.

Leo

Leo is a peculiar sign when comes to RYs. Yogakaraka Mars or even the other benefic planet Jupiter can’t be of help in providing RY by their own. It’s the Lagna lord Sun who alone plays the vital role for Leo native by providing them RYs and lifting them beyond a certain level. The Dharma-Karmadhipa yoga formed by the conjunction of Mars and Venus also has limitations in providing the native with RY benefits.  It’s the strong traits of Sun makes it so different I believe so. Sun Exalted in the 9^th house, or conjoined with Mars in the 1^st, 10^th or 5^th house are capable of producing RY. Jupiter can also be a part only if he is casting an aspect over Sun or Sun-Mars combination from his own sign or from the signs owned by Mars or Sun. Jupiter conjoining with Sun normally acts adversely, proven in many charts. Another salient factor regarding Leo Lagna is that though with the help of Sun if RY is formed in the chart as described above Sun’s dasha or sub period won’t be beneficial. Mostly the native gets elevated in life the dasha or sub period of Jupiter, Mars or Mercury. Also the conjunction of Sun with Mercury in the signs 2^nd, 5^th, 9^th and 11^th are highly significant as it constitutes a strong Dhana yoga though not a RY in its entirety.

Libra

Libra also is a special sign. If Leo is special by not allowing any other planet except Sun to constitute RY, Libra is special by allowing as many as five planets to produce RY rather. Venus being the Lagna lord and Saturn being Yogakaraka are capable of conferring RY to Libra natives. Though 8^th lord the Mooltrikona sign of Venus is falling in Libra the 1^st house thus Venus is a first rate benefic planet for Libra. Saturn being Yogakaraka especially since his Mooltrikona sign falls in the 5^th house from Lagna a Trikona he is also highly beneficial for Libra Lagna. Mercury the 9^th lord and Moon the 10^th lord are also benefic planets for Libra Lagna. Even Jupiter on occasions can play a vital role in elevating the native to unexpected levels in life. Readers must note that Mercury, Moon or Jupiter are not capable of providing RY by themselves for Libra Lagna rather they produce RY by having mutual influence with each other or with Venus and Saturn.

Moon being subject to ownership of a single house that is the 10^th house from Lagna his position in the 1^st, 9^th, 10^th and 11^th houses can confer RY if conjoined, having mutual aspect or exchanged houses with Venus or Mercury. Moon can produce an excellent Rajayoga if in the 10^th house conjoined or having the aspect by Jupiter.

Mercury being the 9^th cum 12^th lord he can also produce RY if posited in the 4^th with the aspect or conjunction with Saturn or Mercury and Saturn are in Capricorn and Gemini respectively. With Venus, Mercury can confer RY when posited in the 1^st, 4^th, 9^th or 10^th house.

Jupiter can be handy in producing RY if posited in the 10^th house, alone or with Venus, Moon or Mercury. If he is involved in exchange of houses with Moon that is if Moon is in Pisces and Jupiter is in Cancer then also it is a great RY.

Capricorn

Capricorn the sign owned by Saturn and some says that it’s the negative sign of Saturn. The Yogakaraka for this Sign is Venus while Mercury being the 9^th lord he is also highly beneficial. Mars though not considered as a benefic planet for this sign by many, is capable of being a part in forming RY for Capricorn Lagna. Than Saturn, Venus plays significant role in lifting the native to unique position in life. Saturn being the 2^nd lord too, a Maraka place (His Mooltrikona sign) won’t be always positive unless posited in the 1^st, 9^th, 10^th or 11^th houses. Saturn posited in the 9^th or 10^th house is the best position for Capricorn born for having RY. Saturn in Lagna causing Sasha Yoga will help the native to achieve fame and possess a pleasing personality but won’t be much helpful in financial or professional gains. Meanwhile the 10^th house position of Saturn for Capricorn constitutes the best RY and the same will be getting boosted if conjoined with or having aspect from Venus. In 9^th house also Saturn produces RY but Saturn should be either in conjunction or in mutual exchange of house with Mercury for its entirety. Venus is the planet who decides the level of growth a person should achieve in life. Venus placed in the 1^st or 10^th house alone produces RY. Though Mercury involves in forming RY for Capricorn natives he doesn’t constitute RY, alone. Mars in conjunction to Saturn or Venus in the 1^st, 4^th, 10^th or 11^th or in mutual exchange of houses with either Saturn or Venus also confers RY.

Chart 3.      19/03/1960 02:30           Madurai (TN)

Sun Ketu						Merc		Jupit
Ven Merc	Rasi					Navamsa		Ket
Asc Mars					Asc Ven Rahu			Sun Mar
Jupit Sat	Moon		Rahu			Moon Sat

The native of this chart was born in dire poverty. He has to leave his schoolings at the age of 12 as he has to find earning to support his ailing family though he was a brilliant student at school. Being the eldest son he started working in a workshop as an assistant mechanic to feed his family from then. At the age of 25 (at the beginning of Venus dasha) he shifted from his native land to a different city where he started working again as a mechanic and then in a year or so set up an own workshop in small scale. His growth started from there. Towards the end of Venus dasha his company was grown to a big level having multiple large scale factories with more than 80 workers working for the company. He acquired many landed properties worth tens of CRs and also helped many including his friends and relatives to get settled in life. Note the position of Venus the Yogakaraka in the 2^nd house with the 9^th lord Mercury where Venus is having aspect from Saturn the Lagna cum 2^nd lord. The position of Jupiter in the 12^th in own sign made him large hearted spending on good deeds a lot. Mars exalted in Lagna forming Ruchaka Yoga also is note worthy here. He is very hardworking even today at the age of 54 he won’t hesitate to take the tool kit and work as a lay man in need. 

Aquarius

For Aquarius Saturn plays a different role than he does for Capricorn. Saturn being the Lagan lord and his Mooltrikona sign falls in Lagna, his position in Lagna creating Sasha Yoga causes the most powerful RY. Also his position in the 9^th house is capable of creating RY. The positions of Saturn in the 4th and 5th house are also capable of producing RY. From my experience I have observed that the exchange of houses between Venus and Saturn are also highly significant for Aquarius Lagna in providing RYs. The house involved should be 1^st and 4^th house for the Yoga to manifest in full swing. Venus along with Mars can also cause RY if combined or conjoined in the 9^th, 10^th, 2^nd or 4^th houses. Anyway the position of Saturn or Mercury in the 10^th house is not very good position though it gives some support to the native. Mercury on other hand is good only if posited in the 5^th or 1^st houses (For causing RY) that too should be in conjunction either with Saturn or with Venus. The Ruchaka Yoga caused by the 10^th house position of Mars is not compulsive of causing RY results.  Anyway the exchange of house between Mars and Saturn the (10^th and 12^th houses) provides a good professional life to the native though not equivalent to a RY.

Always find out the best benefic planet for each Lagna which is the primary task in finding RYs as the said planet will be the primary giver of RY results. Then find out his position and other influencing factors to see the level of results he can provide with RY. These are not very specific rather very generic combinations but one should start looking for RYs in chart from this angle and then go deep in to it.

Part 2 of this article will be posted soon.