Karkamsha......

The word ‘Karkamsha’ has two components, ‘Karaka’ and ‘Amsha’. ‘Karaka’ stands for the Atma-Karaka while ‘Amsha’ indicates the Navamsha. The navamsha sign of the Atma-Karaka is the Karkamsha lagna.Of all planets, say Jaimini and Parashara, the Atma-Karaka (AK) is the ultimate controller, creater or destroyer of destiny. A Karkamsha chart is of vital importance in order to prognosticate events from the study of a horoscope. Without this chart, it may not be possible to understand a nativity clearly. Karkamsha, Ghati, Hora, Vighati charts, etc., are not mere decorative components of a horoscope. They are in fact as important as the lagna chart and must be rendered the same respect and treatment as the lagna chart. Karkamsha: Some Clarifications There has been a lot of confusion about what exactly is Karkamsha and how it must be used. This enjoins us to record the following points in order to dispel any misunderstanding about the concept of a Karkamsha chart. •A planet which is the most advanced in degrees, compared with any other planet, irrespective of the sign inhabited by it, is called the Atma-Karaka (AK). • The navamsha sign of the AK is called the Karkamsha lagna rashi. • The Karkamsha chart is the navamsha chart. The only difference is that the navamsha lagna is not considered the first house, the sign occupied by the AK is the first house in the chart. • Some astrologers have created confusion by stating that the Karkamsha sign is to be taken from the navamsha while the rest of the planets are considered as located in different signs in the birth chart. •Confusion has been created between ‘Karkamsha’ and ‘Swamsha’. It may be emphasised that both have the same meaning according to both Parashara and Jaimini. The Sanskrit words ‘Swa’ and ‘Atma’ are synonymous. •Both the Brihat Parashara Hora Shastra and the Jaimini Sutram have described results of different planets according to their navamasha signs only. Raja Yogas in Karkamsha Chart Raja-yogas forming in the Karkamsha chart fructify according to the strength of the AK. The AK is the basis of the Karkamsha lagna and must always be treated as a benefic. The placement of the AK in the natal chart does not seem to bear much importance but it makes a great difference in the navamsha chart where its position always coincides with the first house of the Karkamsha chart. The Raja yogas may form as follows : Karkamsha chart: Parashara states: 1. When the Sun and the Moon are placed in or aspect the tenth house, a Raja-yoga is confirmed if Jupiter (too) aspects the tenth. This is according to the dictum of the 2. Benefics in houses 2, 4 and 5 bring comforts of Raja-yoga. 3.Venus, Mars and Ketu placed in houses 1, 2, 4 and 5. 4.An equal number of planets in houses 1 and 7 exhibit Raja-yoga at an advanced age. 5. AK or his dispositor related (through association or aspect) to the Moon or Venus. 6. Benefics in houses 1 and 7. 7. AK and the Putra-Karaka (PK) conjoined or in mutual aspect. 8. Conjunction or aspect between the lagna (Karkamsha) lord and the fifth lord, with either or both of them in their debilitation, exaltation or own sign