In Parashar astrology Karaka or Significator are based on certain “natural” karakas of the planet. Whereas in Jaimini Karaka or significators of persons and events are measured by the Degree of the planet. Parashra defines the fixed Karaka as Venus is the natural karaka for marriage and Mars is the karaka for brothers. However, in Jaimini astrology, the Karakas can be any of the planets. In Jaimini School of Astrology, the secrets about various factors of life are easily studied through Karakas. Karaka means significator. It gives indications about the secrets.
Chara Karakas are mainly 7 karakas. They are,
- Atma karaka
- Amatya karaka
- Bhratru karaka
- Matru karaka
- Pitru Karaka
- Gnati Karaka
- Dara Karaka
Atmakaraka
Atmakaraka (Own self, considered the strongest planet) : of all seven graha, this graha holds the highest degree = 1st house indicator,
Significator of the Soul, Self, physical appearance, vitality, musculature
Amatyakaraka
Amatyakaraka (Career) : of all seven graha, this graha holds the 2nd highest degree = 2nd and 10th house indicator;
Significator of the hoard, collections of wealth and knowledge. Significator of the career, leadership roles, social rank.
Agents = advisers, counselors, attorneys, partners
Bhratrukaraka
Bhratrukaraka (Brothers and sisters) : of all seven graha, this graha holds the 3rd highest degree = 3rd and 9th house indicator.
Significator of small groups;
Agents = Siblings. Significator of priesthood ; Agents = Guru, professor, father
Matrukaraka
Matrukaraka (Mother) : of all seven graha, this graha holds the 4th highest degree =4th house indicator.
Significator of Schooling, landed property, cultural roots.
Agents = mother, parents
Putrakaraka
Putrakaraka (Children) : of all seven graha, this graha holds the 5th highest degree =5th house indicator.
Significator of the children, intelligence, creativity, good luck.
Agents = students, craft apprentice
Gnatikaraka
Gnatikaraka (Cousins and relations) : of all seven graha, this graha holds the 6th highest degree = 6th, 8th and 12th house indicator.
Significator of Arguments, Strife and Service, conflict, disease, healing, death-and-rebirth, dissolution of identity, astral bridge.
Agents = physicians, druggists, surgeons, healers, shamans. Agents = enemies, rivals, adversaries, predators
Darakaraka
Darakaraka (Husband, wife) : of all seven graha, this graha holds the 7th highest degree = 7th house indicator.
Significator of Union = alliances, marriage and partnership.
Agents = spousal partner, devotee, worshipper.
These seven Karakas are simply identified from the precise degree, minutes and seconds obtained by the different planets. This way a planet at 29 degrees in any sign is considered to be stronger than a planet, which is only at 25 degrees in any sign. Except for Rahu and Ketu, the planet having most degrees in the sign occupied by him is considered to be the strongest planet in the horoscope and therefore it become the Atmakaraka.
ASTRO GIVA 