Atmakaraka called the king of planets.

Why is Atmakaraka called the king of planets in Vedic astrology?

Which planet as Atmakaraka is more auspicious

Among astrologers, disputes do not stop about whether malefic planets as Atmakaraka are more beneficial for progress than beneficent ones. Is it really? Is it always good to have a malefic planet Atmakaraka and a beneficent one bad?

Let's look into this issue and see what tradition and authoritative scriptures say about this.

Term Atmakaraka

Atma means "I", self. It can mean any aspect of our Self, not necessarily the soul. Atma can mean the body or what we call the spirit.

Karaka means indicator, significator. Kara means to do, to act. Karaka is one who acts.

It is the Atmakaraka that is most identified with the Atma or spirit, but nevertheless differs from it.

Atmakaraka can be interpreted as Ahamkara (ego, self), responsible for creating identity, individuality and inducing action through other components of the subtle body (memory, intellect, emotional mind and five senses).

Because of this Ahamkara, we identify ourselves as Indian, male or female, extrovert or introvert and are forced to perform endless actions. We often mistake it, and not the Atma, for the true Self.

Definition of the planet-Atmakaraka

In the horoscope of everyone there is a planet that will show the Atmakaraka.

In Vedic astrology, one of the eight grahas can become Atmakaraka (hereinafter, for the sake of habitual perception, we will also use the word “planet” along with the term “graha”, although this is not the same thing).

Ketu cannot be Atmakaraka, because it is an indicator of moksha or spiritual liberation. A person with Atmakaraka Ketu is no longer reborn on Earth.

Atmakaraka is the planet with the highest degree in the horoscope.

Why exactly with the highest degree? The farther the planet is located in degrees in the sign, the older it is. This means securing the greatest amount of past karma for her , which is the fetters of the soul.

How Atmakaraka works

Our Jyotish Parampara teaches that the Atmakaraka is like a filter. Depending on the graha, which is the Atmakaraka, we look at ourselves and the world colored by this filter. It is what connects us to this body, mind and world.

What planet is preferable to have as an Atmakaraka: a natural pest (malefic) or a benefactor (benefic)?

We believe that a deep inner awakening is usually activated when things don't go the way we want them to.

If we are faced with obstacles, we are forced to reconsider all our principles and assumptions that have always worked for us before.

When we adapt by making changes to our deeply rooted behaviour, this process is called a change in cognition, and this is followed by transformation. Have you noticed that strong spiritual realisations often occur during crises?

It is difficult times, crises, difficult circumstances that provide opportunities to rise in life to a new level.

Often, when things go their way, Ahamkara associates it with success and the reward of making the right choice. There is an action performer. Successful people don't attribute anything to chance, grace, or karma. They attribute all their success to their strengths and talent.

However, when we encounter problems, we do look deep within ourselves to change behaviour or seek mercy. People rarely change when things are going well.

It is no coincidence that in Buddhism it is believed that the birth in the human body is an extraordinary jewel, as a result of the accumulated virtues throughout past incarnations.

Because it provides the greatest opportunity for spiritual growth and for liberation from the cycle of rebirth.

The sage Parashara in the 2nd chapter of the Brihat Parashara Hora Shastra states that all grahas are the keepers of past karma and they return this karma to living beings.

The Atmakaraka planet is chief among them, as it has reached the highest degree in the horoscope. It carries the records of our deepest desires and karma.

At times, she can act against our will, when she must realise the karma laid down by fate. And it can even seem punishing if we resist her will.

Features of natural benefactors and malefics in the role of Atmakaraka

Atmakaraka planets will behave differently according to their nature and position in the natal chart.

Benefics like Jupiter, Moon, Mercury and Venus will be more benevolent and less demanding in their methods compared to malefics like Sun, Mars, Saturn and Rahu.

A person with a natural benefactor as Atmakaraka is not inclined to easily follow the path of self-purification, which leaves little chance for quick self-realisation.

While a natural pest like Atmakaraka can direct a person to commit bad deeds. This is followed by instant punishment in the form of suffering. A person is given the opportunity to quickly cleanse and learn the lesson.

Those. In the case of a malefic-Atmakaraka, the purification of the soul is more intense, although more painful. If a person accepts suffering as part of God's will, he becomes more spiritual.

Whatever the Atmakaraka, if it is damaged, suffering will be felt due to obstacles arising or the passage of a person's ego through painful lessons.

When we experience suffering, we tend to redeem ourselves through seeking better company, higher knowledge, mantra chanting , yoga and meditation, and service to others.

For example, a burnt planet-Atmakaraka, after a person passes through painful experiences, gives spiritual insight.

It should be noted here that since sattva grahas such as Jupiter and the Moon are of an all-forgiving nature, they can be easily pacified.

Rajas grahas such as Venus and Mercury can be propitiated through donations of money or material possessions.

The Sun and Mars, planets of the fire element, like to punish instantly, because they believe in the principle of "an eye for an eye."

While the methods of Saturn and Rahu may seem not only punishing, but also experiencing pleasure from inflicting pain.

Correction methods

In our tradition, it is believed that the solution to any problem lies on the opposite side.

How to watch it? This is seen through a special directional diagram called the Dig Chakra .

This chakra is in full agreement with the teachings of Parashara, who says that the maximum power of the Sun is concentrated in the east, the maximum power of Mars is concentrated in the south, etc. in relation to all grahas (Ketu shows the direction up, Lagna - down).

Take the graha opposite the Atmakaraka planet in the Dig Chakra.

If a person with a malefic Atmakaraka really strives for spiritual liberation, he can atone for his guilt by going in the opposite direction. Here are some examples:

A person with Atmakaraka Rahu needs to strive for knowledge, since Jupiter is the opposite graha in the Dig Chakra.

A person with Saturn as Atmakaraka has a chance to achieve true renunciation ( vairagya ) because he will see a lot of grief in life. At the same time, he needs to go more towards the Sun, i.e. Strive to take responsibility for yourself and others.

A person with Atmakaraka Mars can transform his anger into ahimsa or non-violence prescribed by Mercury.

People with strong beneficiaries as Atmakarakas will be given the best opportunities in life to do good deeds for the common good. Awareness of the dangers along the way, emanating from the opposite graha in the Dig Chakra, can serve them well.

Conclusion:

Making the final decision on which planet is more preferable as an Atmakaraka depends on the goals of a particular person. It is better to accept the path indicated by a particular graha and follow it sincerely.

No path is truly easy. Much also depends on whether the graha-Atmakaraka in the natal chart is strong or weak.

That is why there is no unequivocal answer to the question of whether a natural pest is more preferable as an Atmakaraka