The nine planets as Kārakas
Planets (grahas) are not just distant orbs in the sky, but are living forces and expressions of consciousness that signify specific parts of our experience. In Sanskrit, these planetary roles are called kārakas, which means significators.
Each graha carries responsibility for certain themes in life: relationships, career, health, parents, status, and much more. By understanding the kārakatva (significations) of each graha, we begin to see the chart not just as a map of fate — but as a language of meaning.
Each graha is a living pointer to the different parts of our journey — the inner and outer worlds, the material and spiritual paths. By studying the kārakas, we begin to understand not only what each planet does in our chart, but what part of life it holds responsibility for.
☉Sun (Sūrya)
Kāraka for: soul, body, health and vitality, ego and sense of self, father and authoritative figures, government, leadership
The Sun represents the ātman, our inner light. It is the planet of dignity, direction, and selfhood. As a kāraka, the Sun tells us about our connection to our father (or father figures), our ability to lead, and how strong our inner compass is. It is also the giver of health and vitality. When the Sun is strong, it gives us the clarity to act in alignment with our truth.
☽ Moon (Candra)
Kāraka for: mind, emotions, nourishment, nervous system, home, mother, social interaction and fame
The Moon signifies the mind (manas), as such it indicates how we feel, receive and respond. As a kāraka, it reflects our relationship with our mother (or motherly figures), our emotional needs, our capacity to adapt and connect. The Moon is essential for stability, softness and sensitivity. A strong Moon gives a calm, connected inner world — a clear mirror. A weak Moon may bring emotional ups and downs.
♂️ Mars (Maṅgala)
Kāraka for: determination, courage and self-assertion (parākrama), competitiveness and aggressiveness, logical thinking, siblings, land
Mars governs energy, initiative and willpower. As a kāraka, it points to our younger siblings, our physical drive, and our capacity to protect or defend. It’s the warrior among the grahas, but also the engineer, the athlete, the one who takes action. In spiritual terms, Mars governs discipline and tapas (inner fire).
☿️ Mercury (Budha)
Kāraka for: speech, communication, intellect and discriminative ability, data processing, business and trading, humour, youthfulness
Mercury is the planet of intellect, clarity and learning. As a kāraka, it reveals our ability to think, speak, write and reason. It governs language, communication, business and youthfulness. When strong, it gives quick understanding and articulate speech; when weak, it may cause confusion or restlessness.
♃ Jupiter (Guru)
Kāraka for: wisdom, abundance and blessings, wealth, dharma, children or students, husband (for women), ability to be contented and committed
Jupiter is the guru, the one who brings light. It signifies knowledge, expansion, ethics and fortune. As a kāraka, it governs children, teaching and abundance. It shows where our values lie, and how we connect to dharma. For women, it also represents the husband. A healthy Jupiter brings joy, faith, and generosity; a weak one may distort judgment or belief.
♀️Venus (Śukra)
Kāraka for: love and sensuality, wife (for men), artistic and creative pursuits, comforts and enjoyment, devotion, vehicles
Venus rules pleasure, love and refinement. As a kāraka, it governs romance, sensuality, creativity and material comfort. For men, Venus also signifies the wife. Venus can bring deep appreciation for beauty and aesthetics, but also tempt us into overindulgence if not balanced. It is also a planet of diplomacy and grace — the harmonizer among the grahas.
♄ Saturn (Śani)
Kāraka for: longevity, sorrow, service, discipline, tradition, loss, detachment
Saturn represents time, effort and reality. It is the planet of maturity, responsibility and consequence. As a kāraka, it rules over hard work, aging, boundaries, and delays. It may bring grief, but it also teaches humility and resilience. It matures us slowly but deeply.
☊ Rāhu
Kāraka for: foreign things and environments, research and innovation, obsessions and illusions, breakthroughs, disruption
Rāhu is not a planet but a shadow point — a force of desire, confusion, and unconventional movement. As a kāraka, it often represents the foreign, taboo, or disruptive aspects of life. It can bring innovation, obsession, or deception. But Rāhu also gives breakthroughs, especially where social rules are limiting growth. It shows what we chase, often blindly.
☋ Ketu
Kāraka for: liberation (moksha), detachment, past lives, isolation, loss, spiritual insight and mystical experiences
Ketu, like Rāhu, is a shadow graha. But unlike Rāhu’s grasping nature, Ketu releases. It signifies past karmas, mysticism, losses, and detachment. As a kāraka, it often brings loss of interest in worldly matters and a longing for transcendence. It can feel isolating at first, but it points to where deeper freedom is possible.