Extracts from ‘The Crux of Vedic Astrology: Timing of Events’ by © Sanjay Rath
The tenth house deals with prosperity growth (significator Jupiter), karma including all works, actions (significator Saturn), professions & career (significator Mercury), fame (significator Jupiter & Moon), respect (significator Jupiter), status and social rights including power (significator Sun). It represents the mid-heaven and plays a vital role in the chart, second in importance only to the ascendant. Low Ashtakavarga bindu in these houses can considerably weaken a chart. All planets in the tenth house generally give very good results. Even Rahu gives pilgrimages if in the tenth in the natal chart or from the Narayana dasa sign. Houses whose lords are in the tenth house gain considerable strength and the activities ruled by them succeed. The tenth house has Argala on the 6th, 7th, 9th and 12th houses thereby directly affecting enemies, servants, fortune and sleep that are ruled by these houses and other matters as well.
For example, Chanakya says that a king can never fall if his servants are faithful. If the servants are faithful, the sixth house is favorable and the enemies also ruled by the sixth house cannot win. This automatically affects the status ruled by the tenth house. Similarly, success automatically brings more business and associates, besides keeping the spouse happy. Ones boss, guru, or lady luck ruled by the ninth house does matter in ones career. The 12th house rules final emancipation and meditation. Bad actions in the tenth house will reflect adversely on the 12th house and Moksha will be denied in the long term while sleep could be adversely hampered in the short term. A fine solution to this negative cycle would be to take up transcendental meditation ™. The 11th, 1st, 2nd, & 8th houses have Argala on the 10th house or are capable of affecting the actions and other matters ruled by the tenth house. Thus gains, self, and net profit or loss will influence decisions and actions. If an exalted or strong natural benefic is in the ascendant, the native will be guided by its ideals and this will have a strong impact on his decisions and action. In this manner, the Argala ’s and their obstruction should be understood.
The fifth house is the eighth from the tenth house representing birth (beginning) and longevity (time of implementation) of an action (10th house). Thus, the fifth house rules authority and power that one enjoys due to skills & knowledge as well as ones Purva punya. The timing of joining a new job is done from the fifth house. Rajyoga also need to be confirmed in the Panchamamsa (D-5 Chart) and the Dasamsa (D-10 chart). The eleventh house from ascendant is the ‘Hara’ or end of life. Similarly, the eighth house being the eleventh from the tenth house is the place of retirement or end of career. The eighth house, if beneficially disposed, can give huge loans to take large enterprises and its argala on the seventh house and 10th house can give a new boost to ones business. If ill disposed, ones business will run into endless debt and ruin. The following maybe borne in mind while analyzing the Dasamsa: –
1. The Dasamsa should be analyzed in detail independently like the Rasi chart. The Artha Trikona is composed of the second 6th & 10th houses. Planets in these houses will have a direct bearing on the functioning of the native. Any planet in the tenth house is independently capable of giving good yoga that could mean power, rise and success in ones career. In addition, the seventh house should also be studied, as it is the Pada to the tenth. If the Sun dominates in these houses, a political career or similar public service is indicated. If the Moon dominates, Government Service or such other professions like hotel business etc are indicated. Mars gives Police; Intelligence related activities, Army etc. Jupiter produces lawyers, Judges, Priests, Astrologers, etc. Mercury gives business, writing & publishing, trade etc. Venus gives entertainment and all works of beauty while Saturn gives heavy burden, menial jobs etc. Rahu can indicate imports while Ketu shows exports etc. A list is provided at table 13.1.& 13.2
2. The sixth house rules business and the seventh house rules business. If there are more planets in the sixth house, or if it is otherwise stronger, service is indicated. A stronger seventh house gives an independent business. Similarly, the sixth lord promotes service while the seventh lord promotes business. This could mean instability in service during the period of the seventh lord. Similarly, debilitated malefic in the seventh house will encourage service as they will damage the business.
3. The boss is seen from the ninth house while the subordinates are seen from the fifth house. During the period of a malefic planet having papargala (malefic obstruction) on the ninth house, one is tormented by the boss (or ex-boss) while a benefic having Subhargala (benefic intervention) shall give a very good and helpful boss. Thus in Charts showing any kind of employment, the concerned houses for the self are the first, 6th & 10th. The third house from these (3rd, 8th & 12th) can cause problems. The eighth house will show retirement; the third house shows short leave while the 12th house shows long leave.
4. The ascendant lord in the ninth house makes a person very independent (he likes to be his own boss) and business is best advised in such charts or employment where a lot of scope for independent work. The second house is the eighth from the seventh house and shall play a crucial role in starting any business. In simpler words, the starting of any business is determined by the finance available. The quadrants to the 2nd house are the 5th, 8th & 11th houses showing the money that is put in by the partner, loans from banks etc. & self respectively.
5. The rules for judging the sex and nature of the people involved is the same as that for co-born and children.
TABLE 13.1 (Extracts from Dhruva Nadi)
| NAKSHETRA | PROFESSIONS, ARTICLES ETC. SIGNIFIED |
| 1.Aswini | Army general, physician, trader, hunter, servant or one dealing with horses, horse thief, stable keeper, jockey etc. |
| 2.Bharini | Butcher, Non-vegetarian food preparation/ eating, cruel actions like killing and torture, menial jobs, crematorium/ burial related jobs. |
| 3.Krittika | Priests Scholars of traditional lore & mantras, commentators, gold miners, barber, potter, Brahmins (intellectual professions), astrologers. |
| 4. Rohini | Politician/ King, Businessman, Industrialist, Beauty parlor ,Ascetic, entertainment, agriculture, Cows & quadrupeds, Water dwelling being |
| 5.Mrigasira | Garments, Perfumes, Products of wet lands, flowers, mango, sapphire & gems, hunters, forest dwellers, loafer, postman, singer, brewery |
| 6.Ardra | Prostitution/ laxity of morals, professional liars, cheats, captivation of animals, backstabbing, creating enmity, black magic, Criminals. |
| 7.Punarvasu | Professions valuing truth, Charity, Intelligent work, Work bringing fame & wealth, banker, Officer, skilled worker |
| 8.Pusya | Rice, Wheat, Sugar/sweets, fishermen, water tanks, canals, Politician/ King, Physical exercise |
| 9.Aslesha | Skilled artisan, herbs, fruits, Medicine, Sorcery, thief, poison, reptiles, insects and worms. |
| 10.Makha | Rice merchants, Non-veg food, Large business, Male chauvinist, Civil engineering, all works in mountainous regions |
| 11.Purva Phalguni | Dance, Movie, Fashion, entertainment, Music, Painting, Money exchange, Fried food, Salt, Honey, light oils etc. |
| 12.Uttar Phalguni | Lawyer, Judge, Charity, Vedic knowledge, Finance for trade, Treasury, Government service, social service |
| 13.Hasta | Shares, speculation, gambling, thief, traditional knowledge, painting, catching,training & riding elephants. |
| 14.Chitra | Interior decoration, architecture, Diamond jewellery, incense & perfumes,mathematics, computers, ENT specialist, weaving &spinning |
| 15.Swati | Aeroplanes, Deer, horses & similar animals, Vegeatables, Merchant, Birth control, |
| 16.Visakha | Gram, Businessmen, learned & skilled in handling fire, engineering. |
| 17.Anuradha | Sports, Games, Devoted to saints, Foreign visits (Foreign service, exports, imports etc) Vehicles (manufacture, repair ,use) |
| 18.Jyestha | Warriors, Kings, Army generals and powerful bureaucrats, Wealth |
| 19.Moola | Medicine, Doctor, Dacoit, Seller of herbs,fruits, flowers,seeds etc. Criminal mind. |
| 20.Poorvasadha | Builds dams,canals etc. or any activity related to water. Fisherman, sailor, honest profession. |
| 21.Uttarasadha | Wrestling, Boxing etc; catches & rides elephants, horses (vehicles nowadays), astrologer, battle strategist, pleasure resorts, enjoyment etc |
| 22.Sravana | Hard work, high spirited work, Religion and spiritualism, true. In the negative, expert cheat , pickpocket. |
| 23.Dhanista | Eunuch, Impersonal work, detatched , Charity, Women, Senses etc. |
| 24.Satabhisaj | Ropes,nets, fishing, animals, oysters, dyer, hunter, brewery, killing birds etc. |
| 25.Poorvabhadra | Shepherd, menial work, cruel actions, disinterested, boxing, wrestling etc. stealing |
| 26.Uttarabhadra | Brahmin, performing austerities and religious ceremonies, wealthy, ascetics or kings, study of Vedas & traditional literature. |
| 27.Revati | Lotus and other plants in water, fruits, flowers, wealth from sea, jewels and stones, sailor, businessman. |
Planets in the tenth house generally always give good results .The Sun and Mars that get directional strength in the tenth house can be a great blessing in any chart providing dynamism and success. The sun indicates pride, respect, position, status, responsibility, independent views, and help from politicians and senior officers. The Moon shows fluctuation of fortunes and success in public dealings, water or liquids, emotional views and changeability of work etc. Saturn indicates rapid rise and fall, hard work. Ketu indicates routine job .In this manner; the standard texts provide considerable information on the results of the planets in the tenth house based on the nature of the planet. The second basis is to see the relationship of the planet on the houses it has argala on. If the Sun or Jupiter is in the tenth house, the argala on the ninth house is very favorable and will promote father, guru and good fortune. This will simultaneously, destroy the evil effects of malefic planets in the ninth house. If Rahu or Saturn is in the tenth house, it will have papargala on the ninth house and the father/guru will have to suffer. Saturn will cause many downturns in fortune and life will be a battle of sorts. However, Saturn will have subhargala on the 12th house of which it is a significator and the native could learn spiritual practices like Pranayama that will be very beneficial. Ketu in the 10th house will also have papargala on the ninth house but it will have a subhargala on the 12th house of final emancipation (ketu is mokshkarak). This will lead the native into the spiritual path and teach meditation etc. Malefics in the tenth have papargala on the sixth house and can destroy their significations of the sixth house. For example, if Ketu is in the tenth house it could be very malefic for dogs and such pets while Saturn can create many enemies. Mercury or Venus in the tenth house can be a blessing for business. However, Ketu or Mercury in the tenth will make the native very fickle minded. The third basis is to consider the houses having argala on the planet in the tenth house. The ascendant has sukhargala (intervention for creating happiness) on the tenth house. If the planet in the ascendant is friendly to the planet in the tenth house, then the native has job satisfaction, and if inimical, there will be a lot of dissatisfaction. Thus the argala of the ascendant on the tenth house can promote or damage the prospects of the tenth house because of personal desires and whims. The eleventh house has dhanargala (wealth intervention) on the tenth house. Thus, incentives like bonus can make a dent on the performance. For example, if Rahu is in the eleventh house the results of ones actions will come suddenly while Saturn will delay the fruits. Retrograde planets can even deny the fruits of the actions until they become direct in transit. The eighth house has labhargala on the tenth house. Thus, it determines the end of a work or career. The eleventh house from any bhava has the responsibility of finishing it. This has been aptly stated by Maharishi Jaimini in the stanza Tanou tana danda hara meaning the sixth is the house of punishment and the sixth from the sixth (11th house) is the destroyer (Hara). There are neither real enemies nor any real diseases in this illusionary world. These are only means for the Lord to punish us for our sins. People born on Shasta tithi (the sixth day of the waxing/waning) lunar cycle or during the period of planets in the sixth house from ascendant or the dasa sign, can suffer many problems due to enemies. Fasting on Shasta and worshipping Lord Shiva /Kartikeya is the best means to take the punishment on oneself. This will end the enmity. Similarly, people born on ekadasi (11th day of lunar cycle) or during the period of planets in the eleventh house from ascendant or the planetary dasa sign, can suffer due to shad ripu (six forms of weaknesses like non-vegetarian food, alcohol, sex, etc). They should fast on ekadasi days and worship Sri Maha Vishnu to overcome these weaknesses. The fourth point is to consider the placement of the planet from the various houses. For example, Saturn in the tenth will be in the eighth from the third house and will give a long lived younger co-born. It will also aspect the seventh house to promise a long life to spouse. There is a saying Brahma (Saturn) gives life, Vishnu (Mercury) gives wealth and all means of sustenance, and Shiva (Jupiter) gives marriage, children, Guru and all blessings. Thus if Saturn aspects any house, it gives long life to that house but if it conjoins a house, its longevity is curtailed. Saturn conjoining the lords of the first, 10th & 8th houses can reduce longevity. The Sun or Jupiter in the tenth house will be in the eighth from the third and can destroy the dharma & fortune of the younger brother because they are very inimical to the sixth house from their placement (Sarvartha Chintamani). It was for this very reason that the horoscope of Srila Prabhupada (Chart 99) had to be rectified.
The placement of the tenth lord will tend to carry the effects of the significators (Mercury, Saturn, Sun & Jupiter). Thus if the tenth lord is in the ascendant, due to the effects of Mercury the native will be fickle minded; due to the effects of Saturn the native will have ill-health in childhood (till ten years: Maharishi Parasara); due to the effects of the Sun the native will prefer to pursue an independent profession and due to the effects of Jupiter the native will have fame, Status and honor. The good results of Simhasan Yoga (10th lord in 1st/2nd house) will come after middle age as planets in the 1st, 7th & 9th houses give their results in later life. The second basis is that the tenth lord shows the direction of karma and source of fortunes. If the tenth lord is in the second house or associates with the second lord, family business will be source of livelihood. If the tenth lord is afflicted, then the family business will be disrupted and cause the misfortune of the native. The strength of Jupiter the significator of Family deity is a crucial factor. Since the second house rules food, the tenth lord will also indicate business/ profession related to the hotel industry if the significator Moon also influences the tenth lord. If the tenth lord is in the third house or associates with the third lord, the job may involve constant travelling and short journeys especially if Venus associates with the tenth lord or is in its trines. The co-born (ruled by the third house) will further the career of the native. The third basis is to count the number of signs from the tenth house to the tenth lord and vice-versa. If the tenth lord is in the third house it will be in the sixth from the tenth house and the latter will be in the eighth from it. This implies short-term (eighth house) service (6th house) or contracts (3rd house) that can be executed over a short period (8th house). If the tenth lord is in the fifth house, it will be in the eighth sign from the tenth house that will show research, occult studies and gambling or speculation. From the tenth lord, the tenth house would be the sixth sign (upachaya) showing growth and achievement. It will also show service for the orphans, handicapped and old/sick people (8th house effect). It should be borne in mind that natural benefics like Jupiter and Moon if placed in the eighth from their sign, could cause damage to the same while their involvement in parivartan and other yogas will modify the negative results. The fourth basis is to consider the placement of the tenth lord or tenth house from the Paka & Arudha Lagna. Paka Lagna is the sign occupied by the lord of the ascendant. If the tenth house or tenth lord is in the Badhak or dusthana from the Paka & Arudha lagna, the results are obstruction and destruction respectively.
Natural strength of houses has been mentioned in books like Laghu Parasari etc. The quadrants, in the rising order of 1st, 4th, 7th & 10th are stronger than the Upachayas in the order 3rd, 6th & 11th (10th has been excluded as it is considered the strongest quadrant). The Upachayas are stronger than the trine fifth & ninth houses (the ascendant is excluded in this as it is placed among the quadrants). The 2nd & 12th houses have no strength of their own and depend on the other house lordship of their owner. The eighth house is always evil and is never stronger than the ascendant. Thus on the basis of lordship the planets can be placed in the following ascending order of natural strength (influence) in the chart: – 2nd, 12th, 5th, 9th, 3rd, 6th, 11th, 8th, 1st, 4th, 7th & 10th house lord. It is evident that the tenth lord is the most influential planet in the chart as the tenth house is the most potent house for any planet to be placed. This fact should be borne in mind while analyzing Rajyoga and Duryoga i.e. combinations for prosperity and penury.
Kendradhipati dosha or the negative effect of the ownership of quadrants by benefics implies reduction in their beneficence. The benefic owner of a quadrant is still a benefic and does not become a malefic. Similarly, a Malefic planet owning a quadrant will not remain a malefic and that does not imply that the malefic becomes a benefic. This loss of beneficence of a benefic lord of quadrant is called Kendradhipati dosha. This flaw is annulled if the planet is also well placed in a quadrant or trine. Similarly, a malefic planet owning a quadrant sheds its maleficence and will give very good results if placed in an evil house. If instead, the planet is placed in a quadrant or trine, the loss of maleficence may not occur fully. For example if Saturn is the lord of the 10th house for Taurus ascendant, its placement in the 12th house in debility will give excellent results like power, position and a good career. If the malefic is also the lord of a trine in addition to its ownership of a quadrant, then it becomes a yogakaraka producing auspicious results.
Yogakaraka means capability for producing auspicious results. The lord of the ascendant is the natural yogakarak in any chart as it the first house is a quadrant and a trine. The lords of trines (5th & 9th houses) are important for wealth and sustenance while the lords of the 4th, 7th & 10th contribute to the happiness. The 1st, 10th, 7th & 4th houses/ lords represent the four ayana’s (goals of life) called Dharma, Artha, Kama, Moksha (Readers may refer to the Srimad Bhagavat Gita for a detailed explanation of these goals). Yoga has been loosely interpreted as Union/association and in astrology this implies conjunction, mutual aspect or exchange of signs. A weaker yoga is caused by one planet aspecting the house of the other and vice-versa or by an exchange of constellation called sookshma yoga. The association of the lord of a quadrant with the lord of a trine results in Rajyoga producing auspicious results. Thus if the tenth lord associates with the ninth lord, Dharma-Karmadhipati yoga results. This is the highest Karma Yoga. Another form of this yoga is the association of the lord of the tenth house with the lord of the fifth house. Gyana Yoga (that leads to moksh) is caused by the association of the lord of the fourth house with the lord of a trine. This yoga gives great learning and knowledge. Subha yoga or good results are produced by the placement of the lord of a quadrant in a trine. Dur yoga or inauspicious results are produced by the placement of the lord of a quadrant in a dusthana (evil house). However, the duryoga is modified if it associates with the lord of a trine. Rajabhanga yoga is caused by the association of the lord of a quadrant with the lord of a dusthana in an evil house. If instead, they associate in a quadrant, Vipareeta Rajyoga occurs. Vipareeta Rajyoga is also caused by the association of the lords of two dusthana in an evil house. For example, if Taurus ascendant has Jupiter and Venus in the sixth house, they are the lords of the 8th and 6th houses (dusthana) associating in an evil house (6th house) resulting in destruction of enemies and good prosperity. If Virgo ascendant has Mars (3rd & 8th lord), Mercury (1st & 10th lord) and the Sun (12th lord) in the tenth house in Gemini, Vipareeta Rajyoga results during the period of Mars & the Sun only. Mahapurush yoga is caused by the placement of a planet in its own sign or in exaltation in a quadrant. The strength of the luminaries is very vital for initiating the Rajyoga and sustaining the same.
Kalyana Verma emphasizes the importance of planets in the tenth from the Moon sign and Hora Lagna. The mind is the controller of all actions and activity. The planets in the tenth house from the Moon sign or the lord of the tenth house from the Moon sign will give considerable information about the Career and fortunes of the native. Similarly, the tenth house from Hora Lagna should also be seen after studying the tenth from the ascendant. Table 13.3 gives the details. For example, if Mars strongly influences the tenth house from the Moon by placement or lordship, the native may travel to a distant land for his livelihood.
Table 13.3 Planets in the tenth from the Moon (extracts from Saravali)
| Planets | Impact on actions & profession |
| 1.Sun | Warrior,heroic, wealthy, noble, generous, famous, high status |
| 2.Mars | Live in foreign land, hunter, many desires, cruel, passionate |
| 3.Mercury | Learned, Intelligent, famous, minister/advisor, skill in art & craft, all creative activity. |
| 4.Jupiter | Efficient, Successful, minister/adviser, Law & social justice, noble acts, famous, wealthy |
| 5.Venus | Fortunate, Generous, honored, successful |
| 6.Saturn | Poor, Sad, timid |
| 7.Sun & Mars | Servant, ambitious, proud, learned in astrology and magic. |
| 8.Sun & Mercury | Fashionable garments, profession related to water, merchant. |
| 9.Sun&Jupiter | Honor, Success, self-controlled, victorious, public esteem |
| 10.Sun&Venus | Patronizing, minister/ advisor, fortunate, helped by women |
| 11.Sun&Saturn | Servant, poor, bondage, wretched, defeated by thieves, prattle |
| 12.Mars& Mercury | Enmity, archer, long range weapons, brave |
| 13.Mars& Jupiter | Great leader, wealth through friends, |
| 14.Mars & Venus | Foreign residence, trade in precious stones and metals, ladies help |
| 15.Mars& Saturn | Adventurous, low morals, base, ailing |
| 16.Mercury&Jupiter | Wealthy, honored, righteous, leader, famous |
| 17.Mercury &Venus | Learned, Friends, spouse, wealthy, happy, adviser, governor, |
| 18.Mercury& Saturn | Handicrafts, pottery, teacher, famous, author |
| 19.Jupiter &Venus | Subordinate king, religious head, always happy, teacher, skilled |
| 20.Jupiter &Saturn | Can hurt others, traditional, old thoughts and behavior, fixed home, success in initiating any work |
| 21.Venus & Saturn | Artist, perfume trader, doctor, Neelam &Churna business |
