The following is a very, very effective method of making predictions that is relatively simple and only uses planets as karakas (markers) without taking into account lordships and planets in Signs or Houses.
The nine grahas (planets) are the pure forces that bind human beings to their karmas. They are points on a cosmic scorecard showing the merit or lack thereof of each jiva (living being) in creation. These planets have gods and myths behind them and above all they control the energy centers in every human body. These centers are called chakras. The governing signs are the masculine and feminine energies of each chakra.
Karaka means producer. Each planet produces several things. A list can only begin to name all the things a planet produces. However, everything you see around you is ruled by one of the nine grahas. In recognizing the producing effects of each planet, it is noteworthy that in each particular chart the states of the planets vary immensely. Some horoscopes have particularly strong karakas and others have weak ones. One horoscope can produce beautiful and luxurious vehicles and another can deny the person a car or give the mechanic many trips that shrink the wallet.
What makes a Karaka strong or weak?
Is it because it is placed in its own sign or moolatrikona? Is it because he is ruling good houses?
In answer to these questions, it must be stated here that in evaluating planets as karakas, one does NOT take Signs or Houses into consideration. The planets are sattvic, which means that they precede the signs and houses. The Signs serve to bring the planets to psychological and physical modes and the Houses carry the karmas indicated by the planets and signs to Earth. From our home here on Earth, we look up at the sky and draw lines from where we are in all four directions. These create the Houses. The planets in the houses and the rulerships of the houses give the most concrete effects that are experienced here on Earth.
Look at it this way. The karaka (planet) produces the thing. The signs give it color, direction, size, shape, etc. The Houses will show where we will find that thing and in what physical context we will experience that thing.
Math (I know, I know, it’s boring but absolutely necessary)
Note that most Vedic astrological software performs these calculations.
As you can see, the planets come first. So how do you measure the strength of your planets as karakas (producers)? There are two components to this equation: Occha Bala and Chesta Bala. Occha bala means force based on the position of the planet in relation to its exaltation point. Each planet has a degree in the Zodiac where it is exalted. The closer this planet is to its degree of exaltation, the stronger the planet is in its Occha Bala. At the point furthest from exaltation is the point of weakness. A planet scores points related to how close it is to the exaltation point. Since the points of exaltation and weakening are 180 degrees apart and the highest number of points a planet can score is 60, then each degree from the point of exaltation a planet loses .333 points. For example, Venus is placed at 27 degrees Gemini. This is exactly halfway between the point of exaltation of Venus (27 degrees Pisces) and the weakening of Venus (27 degrees Virgo). Venus at 27 degrees Gemini would get 30 Occha bullet points.
This bullet is measured by the relative speed of a planet. The slower the planet moves relative to its average speed, the higher the bullet Chesta. Planets tend to be slower when they are stationary, or about to go retrograde, when they are retrograde, and when they are about to go direct. This is the point where they are closest to Earth. Again, 60 is the number for the highest Chesta Bala and 0 is the lowest.
The Sun and the Moon do not have Chesta Bala. For the calculation, the Ayana bala (the declination of the equator) of the Sun and the Paksha bala (force due to the lunar phases) are used for the Moon.
After all these calculations, to obtain the beneficial points (ishta phala) of a planet, the Ocha bala is multiplied by the Chesta Bala and the square root of the product is extracted. Et voila! … you have the Ishta Phala. The number will be between 0 and 60. The rest is the Kashta Phala, which are the malefic points. Good points plus bad points always add up to 60. The idea is that it is better for the natural indications of a planet if it has higher good points (above 30) and lower bad points (below 30).
Karakas are never evil
What produces a karaka is never evil. This is a very important concept and should be repeated for emphasis. WHAT A KARAKA PRODUCES IS NEVER EVIL. Saturn and Mars are producers of longevity and courage, just to name a few. Saturn produces immunity to disease and the ability to overcome obstacles (perseverance). It does not produce those obstacles. Obstacles, misery, delays and setbacks can be produced by any planet and have to do with their condition in the houses and as householders, but they do NOT have to do with their karakaship. When Saturn is afflicted like a karaka, in other words, when its malefic points outweigh its beneficial points, then it gives a low tolerance for delays and setbacks. It gives a low tolerance to misery, so misery and depression outweigh the person. If Mars has little strength like karaka, it gives little tolerance for anger and lack of courage. When a person has little courage, he is afraid, and when he is afraid, he attacks to protect himself even when it is not justified. This is a volatile temperament and indicates a weak Mars.
The difference between Maleficent and Benefit as Karakas
The difference is this: a malefic will retain his goodness for himself, producing those good qualities, but will reveal his malefic tendencies to other planets through association. A charity will give away his ishta (good points) to other planets but will keep his kashta (bad points) to himself. Malefics expose their evil through association and damage the planets with which they associate. What is understood by damage is that when a malefic is aspecting a planet with a complete aspect, he will take away the ishta (good points) of that planet to the degree of kashta (bad points) of the malefic. For example, if Saturn has 48 kashta points and is completely aspecting Mars, and Mars has only 36 ishta points (good points), then Saturn will destroy the beneficial qualities of Mars during the Saturn / Mars or Mars / Saturn periods. During these periods, the person will be fearful, angry and prone to accidents. Recipients give away their kindness and help the planets with which they associate. Let’s say that Venus in someone’s chart has 42 good points and 18 bad points. Regardless of which planet you aspire to, it will help that planet reach 42 points, which is extremely beneficial during Venus periods.
Karakas in prediction
With the exception of some character yogas, planetary events always depend on dasa. This means that the planets will only give their effects when they are running their periods and sub-periods. Saturn and Mars will give those things indigenous to Saturn and Mars. If they have little strength, then they will not give their beneficial energies, they will only give little tolerance to the negative qualities associated with these malefics.
A note on Rahu and Ketu
Rahu and Ketu have the ishta and kashta of Saturn and Mars, respectively.