Grahan Yoga

Important Yogas in Vedic Astrology Revised Edition 2020
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The detailed version of this article is featured in the book ‘Important Yogas in Vedic Astrology (Revised Edition 2020).

Grahan Yoga

According to its definition prevalent in Vedic astrology, if Sun or Moon is placed with Rahu or Ketu in a horoscope, Grahan Yoga is formed in the horoscope. Through Grahan Yoga, Rahu and Ketu may cause damage to the general as well as specific significances of Sun and Moon in a horoscope. Some astrologers believe that even if Sun or Moon is afflicted by Rahu or Ketu through aspect; Grahan Yoga is formed in the horoscope.

Damage to the general significances of Sun and Moon may cause problems related to courage, confidence, creativity, leadership abilities, immunity, father, emotional wellbeing, education and mother. Due to these issues, the native may underperform in many spheres of his life and he may also suffer from a wide variety of problems. Apart from this, Grahan Yoga may cause problems related to the specific significances of Sun and Moon in a horoscope. For example, if Sun rules the first in a horoscope, the native suffering from Grahan Yoga may face problems related to his health, overall wellbeing and lifespan; among other problems. Likewise, if Moon rules the seventh house in a horoscope, the native may face problems related to marriage; among other problems.

The word Grahan has more than one meaning and the one that is relevant in this context is to ‘eat’. This meaning suggests that Rahu or Ketu may eat Sun or Moon through Grahan Yoga. In practical language, Rahu or Ketu may destroy the general as well as specific significances of Sun or Moon through Grahan Yoga. Since Sun and Moon are the two most important planets in Vedic Astrology, afflictions to these planets may affect the overall theme and strength of a horoscope. Hence the native may face problems in many spheres of his life. This why Grahan Yoga is considered as one of the most troublesome yogas in Vedic astrology.

There are twelve houses in a horoscope. Hence the probability of Sun being placed with Rahu or Ketu in a particular house is 2 in 12. For example, if Sun is placed in the first house of a horoscope, the placement of Rahu or the placement of Ketu in the first house along with Sun will form Grahan Yoga according to its definition. The probability of Rahu being placed in 1 out of 12 houses is 1 in 12 and the same holds for the placement of Ketu. Hence the probability of one of them being placed with Sun is 2 in 12. It means every sixth native is suffering from Grahan Yoga, merely on the basis of placement of Sun with Rahu or Ketu.

The same happens in case of Moon. Hence every sixth native is suffering from Grahan Yoga, merely on the basis of placement of Moon with Rahu or Ketu. Combining these results; Grahan Yoga forms in almost every third horoscope. If we also consider the formation of this defect due to malefic aspects of Rahu and Ketu; Grahan Yoga will be formed, almost in 80% of the horoscopes. It means almost everyone should be affected by Grahan Yoga. This obviously doesn’t make any sense. Hence there must be other conditions which should be met in a horoscope; for the formation of Grahan Yoga in such horoscope. Let’s see what these conditions are.

Starting with the basic rule; benefic planets form good yogas and malefic planets form bad yogas. Hence Rahu or Ketu must be functional malefic in a horoscope, in order to afflict Sun or Moon and form Grahan Yoga. It means if Rahu is afflicting Sun or Moon, Rahu should be malefic and the same holds for Ketu.

Looking at the probable combinations of Sun and Rahu in the same house of a horoscope; there are four such combinations. These are; a combination of benefic Sun with benefic Rahu, benefic Sun with malefic Rahu, malefic Sun with benefic Rahu and malefic Sun with malefic Rahu. Similarly, Sun and Ketu may also form four combinations in the same house of a horoscope. These are; a combination of benefic Sun with benefic Ketu, benefic Sun with malefic Ketu, malefic Sun with benefic Ketu and malefic Sun with malefic Ketu.

Looking at the probable combinations of Moon and Rahu in the same house of a horoscope; there are four such combinations. These are; a combination of benefic Moon with benefic Rahu, benefic Moon with malefic Rahu, malefic Moon with benefic Rahu and malefic Moon with malefic Rahu. Similarly, Moon and Ketu may also form four combinations in the same house of a horoscope. These are; a combination of benefic Moon with benefic Ketu, benefic Moon with malefic Ketu, malefic Moon with benefic Ketu and malefic Moon with malefic Ketu.

Looking at the combinations of Sun with Rahu; only two out of these four combinations may form Grahan Yoga. These two combinations are benefic Sun with malefic Rahu; and malefic Sun with malefic Rahu. The remaining two combinations may not result in the formation of Grahan Yoga in the horoscope. This is because Rahu is benefic in both these cases and benefic Rahu may not form Grahan Yoga. The same happens in case of combinations of Sun with Ketu. Only those two combinations may form Grahan Yoga where Ketu is malefic. Benefic Ketu with Sun may not form Grahan Yoga.

Looking at the combinations of Moon with Rahu; only two out of these four combinations may form Grahan Yoga. These two combinations are benefic Moon with malefic Rahu; and malefic Moon with malefic Rahu. The remaining two combinations may not result in the formation of Grahan Yoga in the horoscope. This is because Rahu is benefic in both these cases and benefic Rahu may not form Grahan Yoga. The same happens in case of combinations of Moon with Ketu. Only those two combinations may form Grahan Yoga where Ketu is malefic. Benefic Ketu with Moon may not form Grahan Yoga.

These calculations eliminate half the probabilities for the formation of Grahan Yoga in a horoscope. Looking at the next factor, when it comes to the aspect of malefic Rahu or Ketu on Sun or Moon; such aspect may not form Grahan Yoga. An aspect from malefic Rahu or Ketu may certainly cause damage to the significances of Sun or Moon. However, such damage may not be potent enough to cause effects like those created by a conjunction of malefic Rahu or Ketu with Sun or Moon. Hence the aspect relationship of malefic Rahu or Ketu with Sun or Moon may also be eliminated from this equation.

Looking at the resultant equation; only the conjunction of malefic Rahu or Ketu with Sun or Moon may be able to form Grahan Yoga in a horoscope. This gives us a more relevant definition of Grahan Yoga. If malefic Rahu or Ketu is placed in conjunction with Sun or Moon in a horoscope; Grahan Yoga is formed in the horoscope. Now that we have reached a relevant definition for Grahan Yoga, let’s look at other important facts associated with this yoga.

Some astrologers believe that malefic Rahu forms Grahan Yoga with Sun only and Ketu forms Grahan Yoga with Moon only. It means malefic Rahu with Moon and Malefic Ketu with Sun don’t form Grahan Yoga according to their beliefs. In my practice of Vedic astrology, I have not seen this belief hold any ground. Malefic Rahu can cause as much damage to Moon as it can cause to Sun. Likewise, malefic Ketu can inflict as much damage on Sun as it can inflict on Moon. Hence the conjunctions of malefic Rahu with Moon and malefic Ketu with Sun are fully capable of forming Grahan Yoga in a horoscope.

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 different houses, signs, nakshatras and navamshas; as well as through the influences of other benefic and malefic planets on Sun and Moon as well as on Rahu or Ketu in a horoscope.

Moving on to the next factor; the influences of other benefic and malefic planets on Jupiter and Moon in a horoscope should also be checked properly, before predicting the results of Grahan Yoga. This is a major factor and it can change the results; significantly or completely. Let’s take an example to understand this concept in a better manner. Suppose a malefic combination of Sun and Rahu forms Grahan Yoga in the first house of a horoscope in Gemini. Such Grahan Yoga may trouble the native in various spheres of his life; depending on the rest of his horoscope. If malefic Mars is also placed in the first house of this horoscope, the problems may aggravate. Hence the native may suffer from problems which may be more in number and higher in quantum. The addition of malefic Saturn to the first house may further deteriorate this horoscope. Accordingly, the number as well as the quantum of problems faced by the native in this case may become much higher. Unless the rest of the horoscope is benefic and strong; the native may not achieve success in most spheres of his life with such malefic combination in the first house of his horoscope.

The next factor to check is the field of impact of Grahan Yoga. To calculate the field of impact, the house of placement of Grahan yoga as well as the influences of other benefic and malefic planets on this yoga should be checked. The formation of Grahan Yoga in various houses of a horoscope may trouble the native with different types of malefic results. For example, the formation of Grahan Yoga in the first house may cause problems related to health and lifespan of the native; among other problems. If Grahan Yoga is formed in the second house of a horoscope; the native may witness problems related to finances, speech, family and wealth among other problems.

The formation of Grahan Yoga in the third house of a horoscope may trouble the native with problems related to profession and siblings; among other problems. If Grahan Yoga is formed in the fourth house of a horoscope; the native may face problems related to his mother, education, properties and vehicles among other problems. Similarly, the formation of Grahan Yoga in other houses of a horoscope may cause different types of problems. The nature of these problems depends on the significances of the house where such Grahan Yoga is formed; as well as on the significances of the house ruled by Sun or Moon involved in this yoga.

The next factor to check is the time of activation of Grahan Yoga. Even when actually formed in a horoscope, any good or bad Yoga may not be activated from the time of birth of the native and the activation may vary from person to person. It means that Grahan Yoga present in different horoscopes may have different times of activation. Accordingly, different natives may start facing problems due to it during different ages.

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 aspect in it and it can change everything. Let’s take an example to understand this concept in a better manner. Suppose a malefic 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 the profession as well as the marriage of the native.

Such Grahan Yoga may also cause problems related to this native’s health as well as those related to his father’s health and wellbeing. This is because Ketu forms Pitra Dosh along with Grahan Yoga; by afflicting Sun. Now we need to look into the horoscope and see which of these spheres are covered by benefic planets; which ones are left uncovered and which ones are being targeted by other negative planets. Looking at profession; if Mars, Saturn and Jupiter are benefic and strong in the horoscope, the native may not face many problems related to his profession; despite the presence of Grahan Yoga in the tenth house. However, if these planets are malefic or weak; the native may face problems related to his profession. If at the same time; these planets are afflicted by malefic planets; the native may face serious problems related to his profession. More is the number of favorable factors related to profession; less may be the quantum of problems in the field of profession. More is the number of unfavorable factors related to profession; more may be the quantum of problems in the field of profession. In the same way, other fields like marriage and wellbeing of father should also be checked properly.

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. Running times are most important when it comes to check; when may the native suffer the most due to Grahan Yoga. Any type of good or bad yoga becomes duly effective, if one of the planets ‘actively involved’ in its formation rules the running time. Therefore, the native may witness the strongest malefic results of Grahan Yoga when he is hit by the planetary period of Rahu or Ketu. This simple looking fact may significantly change the quantum of troubles faced by a native under strong influence of Grahan Yoga.

The term ‘actively involved’ in this context means the planet which actually contributes towards the formation of a yoga. In case of Grahan Yoga; Sun or Moon is passive as long as it is benefic. This is because benefic Sun or Moon may not cause problems but it may try to reduce them. Since Grahan yoga is supposed to be malefic; such benefic Sun or Moon should not be considered as an active planet for its formation. Hence the planetary period of Rahu or Ketu only may intensify Grahan Yoga. However, if Sun or Moon is also malefic in a horoscope featuring Grahan Yoga; Sun or Moon should also be considered as an active planet. This is because Sun or Moon may also try to intensify the problems by afflicting Rahu or Ketu. Hence the planetary period of Sun or Moon may also prove troublesome in this case.

In cases where Sun or Moon is benefic and Rahu or Ketu is malefic; Grahan Yoga may be relatively less troublesome. When both Sun or Moon and Rahu or Ketu are malefic in a horoscope; Grahan Yoga may cause problems of higher quantum. In this case, Sun or Moon may also get actively involved in the formation of a malefic yoga in the horoscope. Hence the planetary period of Sun or Moon as well as that of Rahu or Ketu may intensify the problems posed by Grahan Yoga. Let’s take an example to understand this concept in a better manner. Suppose malefic Sun and malefic Rahu form Grahan Yoga in the first house of a horoscope in Capricorn. Since both the planets involved in this yoga are malefic, the planetary periods of Sun and Rahu may intensify the problems indicated by such Grahan Yoga.

This yoga has formed in the first house. It means the health, lifespan and overall wellbeing of the native may be the primary targets of such Grahan yoga. Apart from this, the profession as well as the overall personality of the native may also be affected negatively. As a result, the native may suffer from various types of problems related to these spheres of his life; depending on his overall horoscope. Whenever the 6 year planetary period of Sun or the 18 year planetary period of Rahu strikes this native; such problems may intensify. Hence the native may receive maximum damage from such Grahan Yoga during these periods. In extreme cases, Grahan Yoga so formed in a horoscope can get the native killed in an accident or he may be murdered; during the planetary period of Sun or Rahu.

In case Grahan Yoga is formed in a horoscope due to a combination of more than one malefic planet; the planetary periods of all such malefic planets may trouble the native. 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.

You see, the definition of Grahan Yoga looks very simple. However, the actual process of calculating the malefic results indicated by Grahan Yoga in a horoscope is complex. Therefore, each and every aspect in a horoscope should be checked properly; before concluding the formation of Grahan Yoga in a horoscope or before predicting the type and quantum of malefic results indicated by it.

Billions of combinations are possible in a horoscope. That is why the overall theme of a horoscope is what matters the most. There are no doubts that if Grahan yoga of good strength is formed in a horoscope, the native may suffer from a number of problems. However, the types of problems faced by the native, the timing and the quantum of such problems are indicted by the overall theme of his horoscope.

 

Himanshu Shangari