According to its prevalent definition; if Sun or Moon is placed with Rahu or Ketu in a horoscope, Grahan Yoga is formed in the horoscope.
Only the conjunctions of negative Rahu/Ketu with Sun/Moon can form Grahan Yoga.
Once the formation of this Yoga is confirmed in a horoscope, the next thing to check is its strength. The strength of Grahan Yoga is checked through the placement of Sun and Moon as well as Rahu or Ketu in various houses, signs, nakshatras and navamshas; as well as through the influences of other positive and negative planets on Sun and Moon as well as on Rahu or Ketu in a horoscope.
Looking at the signs, negative effects of Grahan Yoga formed due to the placement of Sun with negative Rahu may decrease considerably if this Yoga is formed in Aries, Leo, Scorpio, Sagittarius and Pisces. This is because Sun is stronger than Rahu in these signs. Hence such negative Rahu may not cause much damage to the significances of Sun. When it comes to Pisces, even Sun is not strong in this sign but Rahu is debilitated in Pisces. Hence Rahu may not cause much damage to the significances of Sun in this sign.
Likewise, negative effects of Grahan Yoga formed due to the placement of Sun with negative Ketu may reduce considerably if this Yoga is formed in Aries, Taurus, Leo or Virgo. Sun is stronger than Ketu in these signs. Hence such stronger Sun may be able to fight afflictions caused by Ketu; in an effective manner. Though Sun is strong in Sagittarius; Ketu is also strong in this sign. Hence Grahan Yoga formed due to the placement of Sun with Ketu in this sign may cause significant damage to Sun.
In the same way, the quantum of problems caused by Grahan Yoga formed due to the placement of Sun with Rahu or Ketu may be different in other signs. The worst type of Grahan Yoga formed due to the placement of Sun with negative Rahu or Ketu may happen in Libra where Sun is debilitated. Hence negative Rahu or Ketu may afflict maximum damage to Sun in this sign.
Considering Moon, negative effects of Grahan Yoga formed due to the placement of Moon with negative Rahu may decrease considerably if this Yoga is formed in Cancer, Leo, Sagittarius and Pisces. This is because Moon is stronger than Rahu in these signs. Hence such negative Rahu may not cause much damage to the significances of Moon. When it comes to Taurus, Moon is exalted in this sign. However, Rahu is also exalted in this sign. Hence Rahu may cause significant damage to the significances of Moon when Grahan Yoga is formed in Taurus.
Likewise, negative effects of Grahan Yoga formed due to the placement of Moon with negative Ketu may reduce considerably if this Yoga is formed in Taurus, Cancer, Virgo, Libra and Capricorn. Moon is stronger than Ketu in these signs. Hence Ketu may not cause serious damage to Moon in these signs. Though Moon is strong in Pisces also; Ketu is exalted in this sign. Hence Grahan Yoga formed due to the placement of Moon and Ketu in Pisces may cause significant damage to Moon.
In the same way, the quantum of problems caused by Grahan Yoga formed due to the placement of Moon with Rahu or Ketu may be different in other signs. The worst type of Grahan Yoga formed due to the placement of Moon with negative Rahu or Ketu may happen in Scorpio where Moon is debilitated. Rahu may not cause severe damage in this case since Rahu is also debilitated in Scorpio. However, Ketu is exalted in Scorpio. Hence negative Ketu may cause serious damage to Moon; when it afflicts Moon in Scorpio.
Looking at nakshatras, let’s start with Sun and let’s consider an extreme combination. Suppose negative Ketu forms Grahan Yoga in the eighth house of a horoscope in Pisces by afflicting positive Sun; and both these planets are placed in Poorvabhadrapada nakshatra. Considering some facts; Sun is the lord of the ascendant, it is not strong in Pisces, Ketu is exalted in Pisces, Poorvabhadrapada is a difficult to handle nakshatra and the eighth house is a difficult to handle house. The sum total of these facts makes this Grahan Yoga troublesome. Such Grahan Yoga poses direct threat to the lifespan of the person. Hence the overall horoscope of this person must be positive and strong to protect his lifespan. Failing this, such Grahan Yoga may cause the death of this person at an early age. More troubled is the remaining horoscope; earlier the person may die.
Suppose in the same horoscope, debilitated Mars is placed in the twelfth house in Cancer and debilitated Mercury is placed in the eighth house with Sun and Ketu. Negative Moon is placed in the fifth house in Sagittarius, Venus is placed in the sixth house in Capricorn and a negative combination of retrograde Jupiter and Saturn is placed in the third house in Libra. In this case, the overall horoscope becomes negative and strong. Hence the person may die any time after his birth; depending on the finer factors. For instance, if in the fifth house, negative Moon is placed in the first part of Moola nakshatra; the person may die soon after his birth. This is because Gandmool Dosh is also formed in the horoscope due to the placement of Moon in the first part of Moola nakshatra. Apart from that, the placement of Moon in Moola nakshatra means that the person is born under planetary period of Ketu.
Since Ketu is seriously afflicting Sun in the eighth house which deals with the affairs related to death; among other affairs; the person may die any time after his birth. Due to the formation of Gandmool Dosh; this horoscope indicates serious problems for person’s mother also. Mars being the lord of the fourth house is debilitated in the twelfth house. It means if his mother’s horoscope is not strong enough, both the person as well as his mother may die; soon after this person’s birth. Going deeper, Sun represents father in general and Mars represents father specifically in this horoscope; as Mars rules the ninth house. Since Sun is seriously afflicted through Grahan Yoga and Mars is debilitated in the twelfth house; this horoscope indicates trouble for father also. It means if the horoscope of this person’s father is not strong enough to protect him; he may also die soon after this person’s birth. This is why I mentioned such Grahan Yoga as an extreme combination; since it holds the potential to kill almost an entire family.
Let’s consider an opposite type of variation in the same case. Suppose negative Ketu forms Grahan Yoga by afflicting Sun in the eight house of a horoscope in Pisces; and both these planets are placed in Uttarabhadrapada nakshatra. Positive Mars is placed in the first house in Leo, positive Mercury is placed in the ninth house in Aries and positive Venus is placed in the tenth house in Taurus. Moon is placed in the sixth house in Capricorn, Jupiter is placed in the seventh house in Aquarius and negative Saturn is placed in the eleventh house in Gemini. The overall horoscope is positive and strong enough to protect the person. Mars represents the fourth as well as the ninth house in this case; which means it represents the mother as well as the father of this person in this horoscope.
Since Mars is strong as well as positive and it is placed in the first house; it provides extra strength to the person, his mother and his father. Positive Mercury placed in the ninth house adds more strength to the father. Both Sun and Ketu are placed in Uttarabhadrapada nakshatra which is a benevolent nakshatra. It means this nakshatra may not support extreme events like death; unless the overall horoscope is highly negative. Compared to this, Poorvabhadrapada nakshatra loves dealing in destruction on one level or another.
Hence Grahan Yoga may not cause much damage in this case, though it may still cause problems. Apart from that, the placement of Moon in the sixth house in Capricorn means that the planetary period of Ketu will not hit this person before his age of 70 years. This means such Grahan Yoga may almost never achieve its optimum potential. Hence the person may do well in most spheres of his life; despite the presence of such Grahan Yoga in his horoscope. You see, how everything has changed though Ketu still forms Grahan Yoga in the eighth house with Sun in the same sign. This is why the overall theme of a horoscope is the most important factor in it; since it is capable of changing everything.
In the same way, Grahan Yoga may give different results when it is formed in different nakshatras. Other probable combinations for Grahan Yoga are Sun with negative Rahu, Moon with negative Rahu and Moon with negative Ketu. All these combinations also operate on similar basis as the one explained.
Looking at navamshas, let’s consider Grahan Yoga formed by negative Rahu with Moon. Suppose negative Rahu forms Grahan Yoga by afflicting Moon in the first house of a horoscope in Aquarius; and both these planets are placed in Shatabhisha nakshatra. If Moon is placed in Sagittarius or Pisces navamsha and Rahu is also placed in one of these navamshas; the problems may be relatively low in quantum. If Moon is placed in Sagittarius or Pisces navamsha and Rahu is placed in Capricorn or Aquarius navamsha, the problems may become serious. If Moon is placed in Capricorn or Aquarius navamsha and Rahu is placed in Sagittarius or Pisces navamsha, the problems may again be serious. When Moon as well as Rahu is placed in Capricorn navamsha; the problems may once again be serious. Moon does well in Capricorn though Rahu is stronger here. Looking at the worst option; suppose Moon and Rahu form Grahan Yoga in the first house in Aquarius in Shatabhisha nakshatra; and both of them are placed in Aquarius navamsha.
This is when such Grahan Yoga may cause the most serious types of problems. Moon is not that good in Shatabhisha nakshatra and it is relatively weak in Aquarius navamsha. On the other hand, Rahu is good at exploiting the energy of Shatabhisha nakshatra. Apart from this; Rahu is the strongest in Aquarius navamsha of this nakshatra; among all four navamshas of Shatabhisha nakshatra. As a result, this combination may prove destructive for the person. Depending on the rest of his horoscope; the person may suffer from problems like drug addiction, engagement in crimes, imprisonment, hospitalization, psychological problems and many other problems.
In specific cases of this type; the person may go completely insane and he may have to spend many years of his life in a mental asylum. Looking at another extreme, the person may consume various types of drugs in heavy quantities and he may die due to drug overdose. Considering yet another extreme, the person may become a criminal and he may kill someone; very likely under the influence of drugs. He may get caught and he may have to spend many years of his life in prison. If the overall horoscope also suggests extremes; the person may kill more than one person and he may face death penalty. Here again, a lot depends on the overall theme of the horoscope. Looking at an example of the opposite type, if the overall horoscope is positive and strong; the person may achieve success as a scientist, doctor, engineer, astrologer, psychiatrist or some other likewise professional.
Moving on to the next factor; the influences of other positive and negative planets on Sun or Moon and Rahu or Ketu in a horoscope should also be checked properly, before predicting the results of Grahan Yoga. Suppose a combination of positive Sun and negative Rahu forms Grahan Yoga in the first house of a horoscope in Gemini. If positive Mercury is also placed in the first house; Budhaditya Yoga as well as Bhadra Yoga may be formed in the horoscope. These Yogas may reduce the strength of Grahan Yoga and Mercury may try to shift the balance of this combination towards positivity. At the same time, if positive Moon is also placed in the first house along with Sun, Mercury and Rahu; the situation may improve further. In this case, the overall combination may become positive and the person may be able to witness good results in many spheres of his life; despite the formation of Grahan Yoga in his horoscope. Hence the influences of positive and negative planets on Grahan Yoga should be checked properly.
Above all, the overall theme of the horoscope having Grahan Yoga should be analyzed carefully as this is what matters the most. The overall theme of a horoscope is the most important factor in it and it can change everything. Let’s take an example to understand this concept in a better manner. Suppose a negative combination of Sun and Ketu forms Grahan Yoga in the tenth house of a horoscope in Scorpio. Looking at some facts, Sun rules the seventh house in this horoscope, tenth house deals with professional sphere, Sun has good strength in Scorpio and Ketu is exalted in Scorpio. Combining these facts; such Grahan Yoga may cause problems related to profession as well as marriage of the person.
Looking at marriage, there are two options in this case. If the person is male, we need to check the strength and wellbeing of Venus in order to see how he may do in marriage. If the person is a female, we need to check the strength and wellbeing of Jupiter in order to find out how she may do in marriage. This is because Venus is the general signifier for wife and Jupiter is the general signifier for husband. In this case, Sun is the specific signifier for husband as well as wife; since it rules the seventh house. Considering an example for a male person; if Venus is placed in the ninth house in Libra and no negative planet is placed in the seventh house; the person may not face serious problems related to his marriage. This is because Venus is strong in Libra and it is fully capable of protecting its significances. The seventh house is also clean which means free of negative planets.
As a result; the person may face issues related to his marriage but such issues may be sorted out after some difficulties. One major exception to this probability may happen if the person gets married during or closer to the beginning of the planetary period of Ketu. If the planetary period of Ketu hits this person during the early years of his marriage; such Grahan Yoga may break one marriage of this person; despite the protection given by Venus. The planetary period of Ketu may put it in charge and no other planet may compare to it during this period. On the other hand, if the person gets married during the planetary period of Venus; he may only face mild problems related to his marriage. Venus gains extra strength in this case. Hence it may easily counteract the negative impact of Grahan Yoga on the marriage of the person.
Let’s consider an example for a female person in the same case. Suppose, positive Jupiter is placed in the seventh house in Leo or in the eleventh house in Sagittarius and no negative planet is placed in the seventh house. In this case, the female person may not face serious problems related to her marriage. Jupiter is strong in Sagittarius and it adds more strength to the seventh house since it is positive. Hence both these placements are fine. It should be noted that if Venus or Jupiter is placed in the seventh house in case of a male and female person respectively; it should be positive. The placement of negative Venus in the seventh house in case of a male person may itself be sufficient to cause serious problems related to the marriage of the person.
Likewise, the placement of negative Jupiter in the seventh house in case of a female person may itself be sufficient to cause serious problems related to the marriage of the person. Hence Jupiter may add extra strength to the seventh house in the current example; since it is positive. Here again, the planetary period of Ketu during the early years of marriage may still break one marriage of this person; despite the protection provided by Jupiter. On the other hand, if she gets married during the planetary period of Jupiter; she may face mild problems only.
In general, such affliction may not be much to handle for Jupiter and Venus; owing to their strength in Pisces. However, two factors add an exception here. The first fact is that Ketu is exalted in Scorpio and the second fact is that Ketu is already afflicting the lord of the seventh house. It means if Ketu afflicts Venus or Jupiter also; in case of a male and female person respectively; the person may face serious problems related to his or her marriage. Venus in the ninth house and Jupiter in the seventh or eleventh house don’t face direct aspects from negative exalted Ketu. At the same time, they are strong in the signs falling in these houses. Hence they may be better capable of protecting the marriage, when placed in these houses. Each and every small detail matters in a horoscope. Hence the entire horoscope should be studied carefully.
Looking at the wellbeing of this person and his father; the first house, the ninth house, Saturn and Venus should be checked properly. If the first house is clean and Saturn is strong; the person may not face major issues related to his own wellbeing and lifespan. On the other hand, if the first house is afflicted by negative planets and Saturn is weak or afflicted; the person may face danger to his health as well as to his lifespan. In extreme cases of this type; such Grahan Yoga holds the potential to kill the person at young age; by virtue of a disease or accident; depending on his overall horoscope.
Similarly, if the ninth house is clean and Venus is strong; the wellbeing of person’s father may also not be in question. However, if the ninth house is afflicted and Venus is weak or afflicted; the wellbeing of person’s father may also be in trouble. When it comes to the wellbeing of person’s father; his own horoscope holds more importance than person’s horoscope. It means if his father’s horoscope is strong enough to protect his lifespan; he may not face major health issues; despite the problems indicated in this person’s horoscope. In such case, the person may face different types of problems related to his father. For example, the person may have bad or very bad equation with his father, person’s parents may separate and the person may live with his mother; and a number of other problems; depending on the overall horoscopes of the person, his father and his mother.
After this, the impact of running times should also be checked. The term ‘running times’ in this context means planetary periods, commonly known as Mahadashas. Through the recent example, we have already looked into the basic working of running times. When a combination of positive Sun and negative Ketu forms Grahan Yoga in the tenth house of a horoscope in Scorpio; this is what may happen. When the planetary period is not ruled by Sun or Ketu; the problems indicated by this defect may not reach their optimum potential. During the planetary period of Sun, the problems may reduce as much as allowed by the overall horoscope. However, during the planetary period of Ketu; Grahan Yoga may trouble the person with its full potential. Hence it may cause serious problems in the spheres covered by it.
In cases where Sun or Moon is positive and Rahu or Ketu is negative; Grahan Yoga may be relatively less troublesome. When both Sun or Moon and Rahu or Ketu are negative in a horoscope; Grahan Yoga may cause problems of higher quantum.
There is a special case for the formation of Grahan Yoga in a horoscope. Grahan Yoga may be formed in a horoscope when Sun and Moon are both placed in the same house and negative Rahu or Ketu is afflicting them. In this case, three instead of two planets are involved in the formation of Grahan Yoga. The calculations are more complex here and hence this case needs more attention. A lot depends on the functional nature of Sun and Moon in this case. If both these planets are positive in a horoscope; the negative effect of Grahan Yoga may reduce.
If one of these planets is negative; the results may become troublesome. If both Sun and Moon are negative in a horoscope; Grahan Yoga may cause maximum amount of damage to the person. Since Sun and Moon are the two most important planets among navagraha; the scope and quantum of damage caused by such Grahan Yoga may be high. It should be noted that in general, Sun and Moon both don’t go negative in a horoscope at the same time. However under specific conditions, they may both turn negative. This is when Grahan Yoga may become the most difficult to handle. Let’s take an example to understand this concept in a better way.
Suppose a negative combination of Sun, Moon and Ketu forms Grahan Yoga in the twelfth house of a horoscope in Aquarius and Moon is placed in Shatabhisha or Poorvabhadrapada nakshatra. In this case, Sun and Ketu are negative and Moon is stuck between being positive or negative. It means Moon may not be able to work according to its basic functional nature in this horoscope; which is positive. Since it is stuck between two negative planets and it is placed in an uncomfortable nakshatra; it may become more negative than positive. At the same time, if negative Venus is also placed in the twelfth house in Aquarius; the equation may become extremely difficult to handle for Moon.
Due to the combined negative influence of Sun, Venus and Ketu; and because of being placed in an uncomfortable nakshatra; Moon may turn completely negative in this case. Since all four planets engaged in the formation of this combination are negative; the results may be very bad for the person. As Grahan Yoga afflicts both Sun and Moon; it presents direct threat to person’s life; as well as to the life of his mother and father. Apart from this, such negative combination may cause a wide variety of problems for the person; depending on his overall horoscope. The planetary periods of Sun, Moon, Venus and Ketu may all prove troublesome for this person. In extreme cases of this type when the rest of the horoscope is also weak or negative; the person may not live long.
For example, if Jupiter is also placed in the twelfth house in Aquarius and a negative combination of exalted Saturn and Mars is placed in the eight house in Libra; the person may not survive for long. The person suffering from such Grahan Yoga and other negative planets may die before his age of 15 years. If the finer factors and the remaining planet Mercury is favorable, the person may die between 10 and 15. However, if these factors are also against the person; he may die soon after his birth. For example, if positive retrograde Mercury is placed in the eleventh house of this horoscope in Capricorn in Shravana nakshatra in Capricorn navamsha, some grace may be saved. Mercury gains extra strength by virtue of being Vargottama. Hence the person may live for more than 10 years of his age. However, if Mercury is also placed in the twelfth house of this horoscope in Aquarius along with Sun, Moon, Jupiter, Venus and Ketu; the person may die before 5 years of his age.
If the finer factors in this horoscope are also against the person; he may die during the first year of his life. It should be noted that Sun and Moon are both afflicted. Mercury being the lord of the fourth house and Mars being the lord of the ninth house are also afflicted. It means such Grahan Yoga may also prove troublesome for the father and mother of this person. If the horoscopes of his father and mother are not strong enough to protect them; the person may die during the first year of his life; along with his mother and father. They are all likely to die in an accident. Depending on the finer factors, the planetary periods and the transits; they may die in an air crash, a bus falling from a mountain, due to a storm or other likewise phenomenon. This is because both Aquarius and Libra are airy signs. Eighth house as well Ketu both deal in accidents among other things. Hence the family may die in an accident and they may fall from height or they may fall victim to the air; in one way or another.
In case Grahan Yoga is formed in a horoscope due to a combination of more than one negative planet; the planetary periods of all such negative planets may trouble the person. Among these planetary periods; the planetary period of the strongest planet involved in Grahan Yoga may be the most troublesome, followed by the planetary period of the second strongest planet and so on. In the present example, Venus is the strongest among all the negative planets placed in Aquarius, followed by Ketu. Hence the planetary periods of Venus and Ketu may prove extremely troublesome in this case. It should be noted that the present example is an exceptional case since there is too much negativity in the twelfth house of this horoscope.
Hence the planetary period of any planet placed in the twelfth house may cause destructive results. In general, the planetary period of Jupiter and Mercury may have produced better results. However, even their planetary periods may get the person killed in this case. This is because the influence of negative planets is so strong in this case that they may not allow any positive planet placed in this house to work freely.
Let’s draw a comparison to understand this concept in a better manner. Suppose all these six planets are placed in the tenth house in Sagittarius and Grahan Yoga is formed. Suppose Moon and Mercury are placed in Poorvashada nakshatra; and Jupiter is placed in Uttarashada nakshatra. The equation changes in this case. Jupiter is strong in Sagittarius, Moon is good in Sagittarius as well as in Poorvashada nakshatra and Mercury does well in Poorvashada nakshatra.
Since Ketu and Sun are also strong in Sagittarius; it is a tough fight. However, it is not a lost fight like the one that happens in the twelfth house. Positive Jupiter and Moon may form Hamsa Yoga as well as Gaj Kesari Yoga in the tenth house of this horoscope. Mercury may provide additional support. Hence the net equation may become volatile. It means the collective nature of this combination may neither be positive nor negative. The key to the working of this combination may be held by the running times in this case. When the planetary periods of Moon, Jupiter and Mercury are in effect; the person may not suffer much. On the contrary, he may witness good results. When the planetary periods of Sun, Venus and Ketu are in effect; the person may suffer from a number of problems. However in this case; the lifespan of the person may not be under serious threat.
This is because Jupiter is the strongest among all these planets; in Sagittarius. Since Jupiter is the lord of the ascendant; it may be able to protect the lifespan of the person; in better manner. Apart from that, Jupiter is gaining support from Mercury and Moon. Hence the lifespan of the person may be extended in this case. However, due to the strong negative influence of Grahan Yoga, Venus and the troublesome combination of exalted Saturn and Mars in the eighth house; the person may still not be able to live beyond his age of 40. Depending on the finer factors and running times; the person may die anywhere during his age between 30 and 40.
There are two important things to learn from this example. The first one is that if positive planets involved in a negative combination like Grahan Yoga are strong; the damage may be reduced. The second one is that the negative planets may still cause damage; if they are strong.
Looking at another variation; let’s remove Venus from this equation and see what happens. Instead of being placed in the tenth house, suppose Venus is placed in the eleventh house in Capricorn. This changes everything. There are three positive planets in the tenth house versus two negative planets. Apart from that, Jupiter and Moon form two positive Yogas in the tenth house. As a result; the negative impact of Grahan Yoga may be reduced significantly. Therefore, the person may not face problems of high quantum in his life; unless the planetary period of Sun or Ketu is in effect.
Since Ketu is stronger than Sun in Sagittarius, though Sun is also strong in this sign; the planetary period of Ketu may prove more troublesome than that of Sun. In this case, the person may live up to the age of 55 years or more; depending on his overall horoscope as well as on the running times. Doesn’t it seem amazing that this person got about 20 extra years added to his life; merely by shifting one planet from a house to another. This is why the overall theme of a horoscope is the most important factor in it. Hence due attention should be paid to the overall theme of a horoscope, when calculating the negative effects of Grahan Yoga or any other Yoga in such horoscope.
Himanshu Shangari