The Graha Sambandha

Relationship between the grahas is one of the most important and

fundamental concept in jyotish. Almost everything is evaluated
from the relationship frame of reference, for instance, placement
of grahas in rasi, conjunction, aspects and many more things. It is
known the when a graha is placed in a friend’s sign, it is capable of
bestowing auspicious results on the native. On the contrary when
the graha occupies a sign owned by its enemy it gives adverse
results. All grahas have the potential to bestow both positive and
negative results. It bestows auspicious results when it is strong
and influenced by shubha-grahas, while when it is weak and
influenced by papa-grahas, the results are predominantly negative.

In the matters of strength, a graha is strong when placed in its own

sign, mulatrikona, uccha or in a mitra rasi. Hence, to evaluate the
strength and auspiciousness of a graha, we need to have deep
understanding of the friendship and enmity between the grahas.
The key thing to understand here is that, like in humans, the
relationship between the grahas are not always reciprocal. For
instance, take the relationship between Chandra and Budha.
Chandra seduced Tara, the wife of Brhaspati and from that union
produced Budha. Hence, Budha is bastard child of Chandra.
Chandra being the father of Budha, loves him dearly. However,
Budha is not quite happy about his bastard origin, and hence,
hates Chandra the most. Thus we see here a love hate relationship.
Now what happens when Budha occupies the Rasi of Chandra vs.
Chandra occupying the Rasi of Budha? When Budha occupies the
Rasi of Chandra, Chandra supports all activities of Budha, while
Budha troubles the significations of the Chandra’s rasi. On the
other hand when Chandra occupies a Budha’s Rasi, it supports all
the significations of the Bhava connected to that Rasi, where as its
own significations take a beating as Budha does not support it.
So, it is important to understand the point of reference in the
relationship matters. Based on this, the relationships can be
classified as:

1. Love-Love
2. Love-Neutral
3. Love-Hate
4. Neutral-Neutral
5. Hate-Neutral
6. Hate-Hate

The Deva and Asura camp

Before delving further into this, let us understand the high level
relationship between the two camps, the Deva and Asuras, the
Daityas and the Adityas. The Devas represents the positive and
brighter side of the universe, while the Asuras represent the
negative and the darker side. They have coexisted from the time of
creation of the universe and they will continue to co-exist for ever.
Without bad, there is no good and without good there is no bad.
The creation is all about manifesting brightness over darkness,
knowledge above ignorance, truthfulness above untruth. Asato
Maa Sad Gamaya, Tamaso Maa Jyotir Gamaya, Mrtyor Maa
Amrtam gamaya.

The Devas are represented by Surya, Chandra, Brhaspati and

Mangal, while the Asuras are represented by Shani, Budha and
Shukra. Among the nodes, who rules the two opposite ends of the
creation, Rahu is Asura while Ketu is Deva. Rahu is the giver or
material indulgence, while Ketu is the giver of freedom and
spiritual bliss. Hence, the nodes represent the cycle of creation,
while Rahu attracts the soul to this material world, Ketu detaches
and gives freedom from the material bondage.

Among the Deva grahas, Surya, Chandra and Brhaspati are

endowed with Sattva Guna, while Mangal and Ketu are endowed
with Tamas Guna. On the other hand the Asura grahas Shani,
Rahu are endowed with Tamas Guna while Shukra and Budha are
endowed with the Rajas Guna. The more about the Gunas can be
understood from Srimad Bhagavad-Gita.

The Devas and Asuras are in eternal fight to dominate and

overpower each other. This is also seen among the grahas
belonging to these two camps. The Devas army represented by
Ketu, who is led by Mangal and guided by Devaguru Brhaspati. On
the other hand, the Asura’s army is represented by Rahu and
guided by Shukra. They are into never ending fight.

Hence, it can be said that the grahas belonging to each of the camp
are friendly to each other. For instance, in the Deva camp, Surya,
Chandra, Brhaspati and Mangal are friendly to each other.
Similarly, in the Asura camp, Shani, Shukra and Budha are
friendly to each other. The treatment of the nodes are different as
they are Chaya grahas.

Mapping the grahas into the zodiac, the Deva Grahas govern the
Fiery and watery signs while the Asura Grahas govern the Earthy
and Airy signs. Each group have one pair of Odd and even signs,
representing, prevalence of both masculine and feminine energies
within both the groups. However, from a tattva perspective, there
is a difference as some tattvas are in exclusive control of the both
the camps. This has a deeper meaning. Let explore that.

Fire represents the father Surya and Water represents the Mother
Chandra. Both of them are needed for the creation to happen. But
they need to be balanced, else, fire will turn water into Air or
Water will douse the fire. The creation happens at the juncture of
the water and fire signs, which is a very delicate and fragile
process. Hence the junction represents the danger zone which is
prone to mishaps and death. They are also known as the
Gandanta. Coming back to the nature of the Tattvas, the fire
governs energy, drive, enthusiasm, optimism, positivity,
innovation and creative potential. The water element governs
compassion, beauty, harmony, comfort, care, knowledge and
wisdom. These characteristics are needed to maintain positive
energy, balance and harmony in the world.

On the other hand, the Tattva governed by the Asura grahas are
Earth and Air. The Earth represents achievement, success,
dominion and settlement. The airy signs represent human
interaction, intellectual growth, logic, application of intelligence,
philosophy etc. They are required for growth and progress in the
world. So in a way, the Asura energies are not that bad, they bring
growth and success in the world. The things turn sour, only when
greed comes into the picture and the growth starts hurting the
balance and harmony.

The Upachayas are the houses of growth and in the natural zodiac,
they are governed by the Asura grahas Budha and Shani. on the
other hand the Trikona are the houses of harmony and are
governed by the Deva grahas Mangal, Surya and Guru. The
Kendras are equally shared by both the Deva and Asura grahas.
The Dharma and Moksha Kendra are governed by the Deva
grahas, while the Artha and Kama Kendras are governed by the
Asura grahas. they also tells a lot of the primary and the root
motive of the Deva and Asura Grahas. Among the four primary
goals of the world, the righteousness (dharma) and moksha
(freedom) are governed by the Devas, while the Artha (success,
wealth) and Kama (fulfilment of desires) are governed by the
Asuras.

The Trines from a Sign are always governed by the same tattva and
the same camp of graha. That is why when a Bhava lord occupies a
Kona from its Bhava, it is always placed in a friendly sign. Thus it
is always conducive for a graha to be placed in the Kona from its
Bhava. However, when a Graha occupies a Kendra, two of the four
Kendras always belong to the friends while two belong to the
enemies. Among the Kendras, the 7th is always ruled by a Graha
belonging to the enemy camp, while the 1st is owned by the Graha.
Among the 2 other Kendras 4th and 10th, the friendship or enmity
depends on the oddity of the signs. For the odd signs, the 4th
house is always ruled by a friendly graha, while for even signs, the
10th is always ruled by a friendly grahas. It is useful to keep these
concepts in mind as this helps in developing overall idea of graha
placements in a snap.

Naisargika Sambandha Between Grahas

According to Satyacharya, the lord of the Rasis falling in the 2nd,
4th, 5th, 8th, 9th and 12th from the Mulatrikona of a Graha are
friendly to the grahas.

The mulatrikona or various grahas are (1) Surya: Simha, (2)

Chandra: Vrsha, (3) Kuja: Mesha, (4) Budha: Kanya, (5) Guru:
Dhanu, (6) Shukra: Tula, (7) Shani: Kumbha.

Some rules about Mulatrikona of grahas:

1. All grahas excluding Budha and Chandra have their

Mulatrikona in the odd sign owned by them.
2. Budha and Chandra have their mulatrikona in even sign.
Both these grahas attain their Uccha in their Mulatrikona Rasi.
3. Chandra is the only graha whose mulatrikona falls in a sign
now owned by it i.e., Vrsha Rasi, owned by Shukra.

According to this principle, the the owner of the signs falling in the
Upachaya 3H-6H-10H-11H and Saptama 7H, from the
mulatrikona Rasi of a graha are its enemies. Lets take Kuja whose
Mulatrikona is Mesha. Counting from Mesha, the enemies should
be the lords of Mithuna (3H), Kanya (6H), Makara (10H) and
Kumbha (11H) as well as Tula (7H). Hence, the enemies of Kuja
should be Budha (Mithuna, Kanya), Shani (Makara, Kumbha) and
Shukra (Tula). However, there is a catch. Shani can’t be Kuja’s
enemy as Makara is the Uccha Rasi of Kuja. Similarly, Shukra’s
other Rasi Vrsha is placed in the 2H from Mesha. Thus, the only
enemy is Budha, while Shani and Shukra should be neutral. The
remaining i.e., Guru, Surya and Chandra should be Kuja’s friends.

Now, the important question is, in the above example, is Budha

inimical towards Kuja, and Shukra, Shani neutral towards him? Or
it is the reverse? I.e., Kuja is inimical towards Budha and neutral
towards Shukra and Shani. Lets take another example of
relationship between Chandra and Budha as this is a Love-Hate
relationship.

From Chandra’s Mulatrikona, Budha owns 2H and 5H, hence

Budha should be friendly towards Chandra. However, we know
that Budha hates Chandra. Similarly, from Budha’s Mulatrikona,
Kanya, Chandra owns 11H, hence Chandra should be inimical
towards Budha. Again, we know that Chandra is very fond of
Budha.
In real fact, the stories from the Purana tells us that Chandra loves
Budha and Budha hates Chandra. This is only possible, when we
reverse the frame of reference. What this means that is, when we
are determining the friendship and enmity from Chandra’s
Mulatrikona Vrsha, this means that we are looking at the Rasis, for
which Chandra is friendly or inimical. Since Budha owns the 2H
and 5H from Vrsha, Chandra is friendly towards Budha. However,
when we see Chandra’s Rasi from Budha’s mulatrikona, Kanya, it
falls in the 11H, indicating that Budha is inimical towards
Chandra.

Again, we know that Chandra being the karaka of Manas, the

mind, and the Mother, is inimical towards none. It is friendly
towards some and neutral towards the remaining grahas.
However, the reverse is not true, i.e., Budha, Shukra and Shani are
all inimical towards Chandra. This condition is fulfilled only when
we use the logic mentioned above i.e., a Graha’s own attitude is
friendly or inimical towards other grabs depending on where they
fall from the Graha’s mulatrikona.

Seen from Chandra’s mulatrikona, Vrsha, (1) Shukra owns 1H and

6H, hence Chandra is neutral to Shukra, (2) Shani owns 9H and
10H, hence Chandra is neutral towards Shani. Also, seen from
Shukra’s mulatrikona, Chandra owns the 10H, indicating that
Shukra is inimical to Chandra. Similarly, seen from Shani’s
mulatrikona, Kumbha, Chandra owns the 6H, indicating that
Shani is inimical towards Chandra.

Using this logic, the friendship and enmity of grahas are as

follows:

1. Surya (Simha): Surya is friendly towards Chandra (12),

Guru (5–8) and Kuja (4–9). Surya is inimical towards Shani
(6–7), Shukra (3–10). Surya is neutral towards Budha (2–11).
2. Chandra (Vrsha): Chandra is friendly towards Surya (4)
and Budha (2–5). Chandra is neutral towards Kuja* (7(deb)-
12), Guru (8–11), Shukra (1–6), and Shani (9–10). Chandra is
inimical to none.
3. Kuja (Mesha): Kuja is friendly towards Surya (5), Chandra
(4), Guru (9–12). Kuja is inimical towards Budha (3–6). Kuja is
neutral towards Shani (10(exalt)-11), Shukra (2–7).
4. Budha (Kanya): Budha is friendly towards Shukra (2–9)
and Surya (12). Budha is inimical towards Chandra (11) . Budha
is neutral towards Guru* (4–7(deb)), Kuja (3–8) and Shani (5–
6).
5. Guru (Dhanu): Guru is friendly towards Surya (9),
Chandra (8), Kuja (5–12). Guru is inimical towards Budha (7–
10) and Shukra (6–11). Guru is neutral towards Shani* (2(deb)-
3).
6. Shukra (Tula): Shukra is friendly towards Budha* (9–
12(deb)) and Shani (4–5). Shukra is inimical towards Surya
(11), Chandra (10). Shukra is neutral towards Kuja (2–7) and
Guru (3–6(exalt)).
7. Shani (Kumbha): Shani is friendly towards Budha (5–8)
and Shukra (4–9(exalt)). Shani is inimical towards Surya (7),
Chandra (6), Kuja (3(deb)-10). Shani is neutral towards Guru
(2–11).

Some key points

1. A Graha is not inimical to the sign it is exalted in, even if that
sign falls in upachaya or 7th from the Mulatrikona Rasi.
2. Extending this logic, a graha is not friendly to the sign it is
debilitated in, even if that graha falls in friendly signs from the
Mulatrikona Rasi.
3. Surya-Kuja-Guru are friendly to each other. Similarly Surya-
Chandra-Guru are friendly to each other. However, Chandra-
Kuja has neutral-friend relationship.
4. Shukra-Shani and Shukra-Budha are friendly towards each
other. However, Budha-Shani has neutral-friend relationship.

Classification into 6 fold mutual relationships

There are 21 pairs of relationships among the saptagrahas, out of
which 6 are mutual love, 4 are one sided love, 1 is love and hatred,
2 are complete indifference, 5 are one sided hatred, and 3 are
mutual hatred.

1. Love-Love: Surya-Chandra, Surya-Kuja, Surya-Guru, Kuja-

Guru, Budha-Shukra, Shukra-Shani.
2. Love-Neutral: Budha-Surya, Kuja-Chandra, Guru-
Chandra, Shani-Budha.
3. Love-Hate: Chandra-Budha.
4. Neutral-Neutral: Kuja-Shukra, Guru-Shani.
5. Hate-Neutral: Shukra-Chandra, Shani-Chandra, Shani-
Kuja, Guru-Budha, Guru-Shukra, Kuja-Budha.
6. Hate-Hate: Surya-Shukra, Surya-Shani.

How to read this? Lets take Chandra-Budha’s relationship to

illustrate this. We note above that this relationship is classified as
Love-Hate. Chandra-Budha’s love-hate relationship means
Chandra loves Budha while Budha hates Chandra. Similarly,
Shukra-Chandra’s Hate-Neutral relationship means Shukra hates
Chandra while Chandra is neutral towards Shukra.
Some important pointers
1. Chandra is mildly inimical towards Kuja as Chandra is
debilitated in the 7H making its doubly inimical towards
Vrschika.
2. Budha is mildly inimical towards Guru as Budha is
debilitated in the 7H making it doubly inimical towards Meena.
3. Guru is mildly inimical towards Shani as it is debilitated in
the 2H making it neutral towards Makara instead of friendly
towards it.
4. Shukra is mildly friendly to Budha as its it is debilitated in
the 12H making it neutral towards Kanya.
5. Shani is extremely friendly towards Shukra as it is exalted in
9H making it doubly friendly towards Tula.

BPHS 3.55: Note the Rāśis, which are the 2nd, 4th, 5th, 8th, 9th
and 12th from the Mulatrikona of a Graha. The Grahas ruling
such Rāśis are its friends, apart from the Lord of its exaltation
Rāśi. Lords other than these are its enemies. If a Graha becomes
its friend as well, as its enemy, then it is neutral.

Treating each Rasi independently

When we say that Surya is neutral towards Budha, we would
expect that Surya will be neutral towards both of Budha’s sign.
Right? However, it is not the case. Surya is friendly towards Budha
when occupying Kanya and inimical towards it when occupying
Mithuna. This is because Kanya is 2H (friendly) from Surya’s
Mulatrikona Simha, while Mithuna is 11H (inimical) from the
Mulatrikona. These subtle differences need to keep into
consideration while analysing the Rasi placements. However, the
intensity of Surya’s enmity will be much lesser when compared
with say Shani’s signs, as Surya is inimical to both those signs.
Hence, while its placement in Mithuna will give mild negative
results, the insanity of negative results will be far higher in Makara
and Kumbha.

Five fold Relationship

While the grahas have natural relationships based on their
mulatrikona, the relationships undergoes transformation
depending on the relative placements of the grahas. It is known
that when two friendly grahas occupy 7th from each other, it is
known as Sama-Saptaka. What does this term Sama-Saptaka
mean? It means having neutral relationship (Sama) due to
placement in the 7th house (Saptaka). Thus, there is no doubt that
two friends become neutral due to their placement in the 7th from
each other.

Thus, the relative placement of grahas from each other transform

the natural relationship between them. According to Maharishi
Parashara:

1. Conjunction or opposition between two grahas make

them inimical.
2. Placement in the 2nd-12th from each other makes them
friendly. This is called Dvirdvadasa.
3. Placement in the 3rd-11th from each other makes them
friendly. These are Upachaya positions.
4. Placement in the 4th-10th from each other makes them
friendly. These are Kendra positions. Graha occupying 4–10
from each other become mutual co-worker i.e., they support
 each other in fulfilling their objectives. This is called Kendra
sambandha.
5. Placement in the 5th-9th from each other makes them
inimical. These are Kona positions. This is mildly inauspicious,
as the houses involved are auspicious.
6. Placement in the 6th-8th from each other makes them
inimical. These are Shastaashtaka positions. This is highly
inauspicious as the houses involved are inauspicious.

BPHS 3.56: The Graha, posited in the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 10th, 11th,
or the 12th from another, becomes a temporal friend. There is
enmity otherwise.

The resultant of the natural and temporal relationship is five fold

relationship, which is known as Panchadha-Maitri-Sambandha.
This is as follows:

1. Ati-Mitra = Intimate friend = Friend + Friend

2. Mitra = Friend = Friend + Neutral
3. Sama = Neutral = Friend + Enemy
4. Shatru = Enemy = Enemy + Neutral
5. Ati-Shatru = Deadly enemy = Enemy + Enemy.

We know that Surya and Shani are natural enemies. They become
deadly enemies when they conjoin, oppose, occupy Shastaastaka
or Kona from each other. Among them, the Shastaastaka is worst,
followed by conjunction and opposition. The Kona from each
other is only mildly inauspicious.
BPHS 3.57–58: Should two Grahas be naturally and
temporarily friendly, they become extremely friendly. Friendship
on one count and neutrality on another count make them
friendly. Enmity on one count combined with affinity on the
other turns into neutrality. Enmity and neutrality cause only
enmity. Should there be enmity in both manners, extreme enmity
is obtained. The Jyotishi should consider these and declare
horoscopic effects accordingly.