The Karakatvas: A Journey into the World of Jyotish

Jyoti¿a is an interplay of symbols embedded into the discipline in the form of Significations or Karakatvas. The primary building blocks in Jyoti¿a are the Grahas, Rasis and Bhavas. The Rasis are further subdivided into the Nak¿atras and the Vargas. Each of these elements has a set of symbols associated with it. From the interplay of these symbols, we derive specific meanings in real life. For instance, one of the symbols of Surya is the father, and likewise, the father is seen from the 9th house, also called the Dharma Bhava or the Pit¿bhava.

The Karakas are also defined based on the degrees of the Grahas, in a scheme known as Carakarakas. It is from Surya, the Chara Pit¿karaka and the 9th house; we decipher everything about the father. From a Rasi standpoint, Surya owns the Si¿ha Rasi, and therefore, the Si¿ha Rasi must also be judged for Surya's Karakatvas.

The Karakas are related to everything in the world, be it a Graha, Rasi or Bhava. With the interplay of these Karakas, and the Subha or Krura yogas formed by them, the concerned matters in life should be judged. Therefore, the first and foremost step in studying Jyoti¿a is to examine the Karakas.

The Jyoti¿a classical texts narrate several Karakas of the Grahas, Rasis and Bhavas; however, to apply them in real-life situations, we need to understand them clearly. I believe that this book provides a robust framework for understanding these Karakas.