Karakatvas: A Journey into the World of Jyotish

Jyotish is an interplay of symbols embedded into the discipline in the form of Significations or Karakatvas. The primary building blocks in Jyotish are the Grahas, Rashis and Bhavas. The Rashis are further subdivided into the Nakshatras and the Vargas. Each of these elements has a set of symbols associated with it. From the interplay of these symbols, we derive particular specific meanings in real life. For instance, one of the symbols of Surya is the father, and likewise, the father is seen from the 9th house, also called the Dharma Bhava or the Pitrbhava.

The Charakarakas are also defined based on the degrees of the Grahas in a scheme known as Charakaraka. It is from Surya, the Cara Pitrkaraka and the 9th house; we decipher everything about the father. From a Rashi standpoint, Surya owns the Simha Rashi, and therefore, the Simha Rashi must also be judged for the matters concerning the father.

The Karakas govern everything in the world, be it a Graha, Rashi or Bhava. With the interplay of these Karakas, and the Shubha or Krura yogas formed by them, the concerned matters in life should be judged. Therefore, the first and foremost step in studying Jyotish is to examine the Karakas.

The Jyotish classical texts narrate several Karakas of the Grahas, Rashis, and Bhavas; however, to apply them in real-life situations, we need to understand them clearly. This book provides a robust framework for understanding these Karakas.