35 Significations of the Lagna Bhava: From Uttara-Kalamrita

I like Uttara Kalamrita for one simple reason, the author Kalidasa has tried to give as much significations of the Bhavas and Grahas. It fills an important gap in the world of Jyotish as everything in this world is interaction between different Karakatvas (significations).

Here is my humble attempt to provide the deep meaning of the various Karakatvas and few words on how they can be used. I have given my own translations of the Sanskrit words as I found few inaccurate translations in available works. I am also giving here the Sanskrit words so that the scholars can validate or invalidate some of my observations.

Also mentioned here the Graha karakas of the Karakattvas. As you are aware everything in Jyotish is governed by at least two entities Bhava and Graha. For instance father is governed by 9th house and also Sun; Guru 9th house and Jupiter etc. A judgement is never complete unless we have judged the influences on both the Bhava and the Graha karakas.

Why the knowledge of individual Bhava-Graha-Karakas important?

• Because, when a Bhava is afflicted or strengthened by various Graha conjunctions, aspects or yogas, the adverse or good results does not equally affected to all the significations.
• Some significations are more affected than the others. How do we differentiate which one is more impacted than the others? By looking at the Bhava-Graha-Karakas.
• If a Bhava is afflicted, but the Karaka is well placed, well associated with the Bhava or the Bhava lord by conjunction or aspect, then that signification is saved. In ideal situation the Karaka should aspect the Bhava for that signification to strengthen, or the Bhavesha should be well placed from the Karaka, in houses other than the Dusthana 6-8-12.
• When a Karaka is placed in a Bhava, then it is subjected to same forces as the Bhava. If the Bhava is afflicted, the Karaka is afflicted as well. Hence, it is better for the Karaka to be placed elsewhere, from where it has better ability to protect the Bhava, especially when it aspects the Bhava or associate well with the Bhava lord.
• We also need to understand that when a Bhava is afflicted due to conjunction of Papa-Grahas, the Bhava lord should conjoin with Saumya-Grahas. On the other hand, when the Bhava lord is afflicted, the Bhava should conjoin with the Saumya-Grahas.
• This is because, if a Saumya-Graha is also conjoined with the Papa Graha in the Lagna or with the Lagnesha, then the Saumya-Graha is also afflicted, and can't promise any redemption. However, its conjunction with the other factor will certainly ensure redemption.
• On the other hand, the aspect works either way, especially when the Saumya Graha is endowed with strength (Uccha, Svakshetra, Mulatrikona, Mitra-Rasi).

Significations of the Lagna Bhava:

Uttarakalamrta: body (deha), limbs (vaya), happiness (sukha), lack of happiness (asukha), old age (jarāste), wisdom (j?āna), place of birth (janmasthale), fame (kirti?), dream (svapna), strength (valāyatī), kingship (n?pa), (nayākhya), longevity (āyū), peace (?ānti), age (vaya?), hair (ke?ā), appearance (k?ti), pride (abhimāna), life-force (jīva), (naparadyūtā?ka), honour (māna), skin (tvaca), knowledge of sleep (nidrā j?āna), loss of wealth (dhanāpahāran), insulting nature (tiraskāra svabhāv), freedom from diseases (āruja?), renunciation, relinquishment (vairāgya), nature (prak?ti), ability to work (kāryakara?a?), lifeforce (jīva), energy and initiative (kriyā), labour (ūdyamo), loss of decency (maryādā, pravinā?ana?), complexion (var?a), ill fame (apavāda)

1. Body (deha): Moon: The body parts is distributed into various Bhavas and Drekkana, hence the strength and weaknesses can be judged from the Grahas influencing the body parts through the various Bhavas and Drekkanas. However the follwoing things need to be noted from the Lagna and Chandra Lagna, (1) Body structure (2) Whether or body is well proportioned or not, (3) Overall health condition, (4) Whether the various parts of the body are working in harmony.(6) Diseases which are not concentrated on any specific body part but affecting the entire body need to be seen from the Lagna i.e., Blood pressure, body ache, allergies affecting the entire body etc. Lagna on the other hand rules the crown and head region.
2. Limbs (vaya): Mars: The strength of the Limbs (hands and legs) need to be known from the Lagna and the Mars.
3. Happiness (sukha): Jupiter: A native attains happiness when Lagna, Lagnesha and Guru are all well placed in the horoscope. Aspect or conjunction of Guru with the Lagna or Lagnesha is a great shield from all kinds of miseries and misfortunes.
4. Sorrow (asukha): Saturn: Sorrow is the flip side of Happiness. Native is sorrowful if the Lagna is associated with Tamas Grahas. However, the native can come out of it at a later stage (usually after 16 years of age) if the Lagnesha is placed in a Saumya rasi (those owned by Saumya grahas), conjoined or aspected by Saumya Grahas. Also, the quantum of sorrow is dependent on Saturn (as opposed to Jupiter ruling happiness). It is understood that Saturn must be weaker than Jupiter for the quantum of sorrow to be lesser than happiness.
5. Old age (jarāste): Saturn: Saturn represents the old age as it is the oldest Graha among all. From the Lagna perspective, how the old age going to be, happy or sad, looked after by others or not etc. need to be seen from the Lagna.
6. Wisdom (j?āna): Jupiter: All forms of knowledge is encapsulated in the soul, while Lagna is the seat of the Soul. Among all knowledge, the heights among them is the knowledge of the true self, the soul which is indestructible and which exists eternally! Self-realization or the knowledge of self comes from the Lagna.
7. Place of birth (janmasthale): Moon: Birth conditions are ruled by the Lagna as that represents the starting point in life. Birth is also ruled by the Moon who is Karaka for human birth. Ill placed Lagna cause the native to leave his birthplace and settle somewhere else. Also, everything that defines one's identify such as birth place, birth lineage, own culture, birth religion, gender etc. all fall under the Lagna Bhava. Things like gender also uses the Lagna principle but at a very subtle level such as Janma Vighatika Graha.
8. Fame (kirti?): Moon, Jupiter: How much someone's identity be known by others is to be seen from the Lagna. Also the cause of fame need to be seen from the Lagna Bhava. The two important karakas for fame are Moon and Jupiter. Both the Karaka Grahas should be strongly placed for the Fame to be of highest kind. Moon should have strong Paksha Bala as it is more important than its stana Bala. Also, Moon and Jupiter should have good mutual sambandha and preferably connected with the Lagna or Lagna lord for high fame.
9. Dream (svapna): Venus: Dream has two connotation (1) What dream do you have in life that you want to pursue and (2) what is the nature of the dreams that you see when you are asleep i.e. SuSvapna or DuhSvapna.
10. Strength (valāyatī): Mars: Strength is the domain of Mars as he is the commander of god's army. He is also the Lagna lord of the Naisargika Kundali. Strength is seen from the strength of the Lagna lord as well as Mars in a horoscope.
11. Kingship (n?pa): Sun: Sun is the King among the Graha cabinets and Moon is the queen. Hence they are known as the royal planets. There are 2 thrones in the horoscope where the king seats, the Lagna indicate the throne of the Mortal plane, the 10th house indicating the throne of Sky (Akasha) plane. Thus the raja-yoga can either be granted by the Lagna or the 10th house. The Lagna based Rajayoga is usually given from the Lineage (i.e., birth in a king's home) or through Knowledge. The 10th based Rajayoga is usually related to the appointment to a position of authority. For rajayoga, the 5th house is also important as it governs the ability to influence. The lord of 5th in the Naisargika Kundali is the Sun, who gets exalted in the Lagna. Thus, 1st, 5th and 10th are intimately connected with the Rajayoga.
12. Yet to decipher (nayākhya): ???
13. Longevity (āyū): Saturn: There is no doubt that Saturn is the Ayushkaraka. There are 3 important houses of longevity, the Lagna, the 8th and the 10th house. If these houses are under benefic influences and their lords are well placed in good signs and bhavas, the native is long lived. In addition, Saturn being the karaka for longevity, should not be adversely placed and become the cause of weakness of the 3 bhavas or their lords. If that happens, Saturn becomes the primary Killer (Maraka).
14. Peace (?ānti): Jupiter: Peace of mind is governed by the Lagna Bhava no doubt. Krura grahas in the Lagna give an anxious mind, irrespective of their sign placement. Similarly Jupiter being the Karaka, malefic influences on it can also cause anxiety and lack of peace. Other important houses in this matter is 5th house which rules psychology and the 4th house ruling comfort. The ultimate peace which comes after shedding all the attachment is indicated by the 12th house, which can be achieved through Meditation and Samadhi.
15. Age (vaya?): Saturn: Since Lagna rules the body, the aging of the body is also ruled by Lagna. What can be judged from the lagna is that what happens to the body when the native ages. It is often said that the influence of Mercury or Mars on the Lagna keeps the body young and the person does not show much the signs of aging. Mercury, because it rules the young age when the body is highly flexible and Mars, because it is of the nature of Lord Subramaya who is also known as Kumara, one who is always young (teen). Upon study of the lagna bhava, we can determine why Indian film artists such as Devanand and Rekha didn't show aging.
16. Hair (ke?ā): Saturn: Hair is signified by Saturn. Strong influence of the Sun or Mars who are Agni Grahas, on the Lagna can show hair fall due to high pitta on the head. On the other hand influence of Vayu grahas on the Lagna can give good growth of hair, provided they are strong. Strong influences of Saturn on the Lagna also gives more body hairs as Lagna also rules over the entire body, in addition to the head.
17. Appearance (k?ti): Moon: The structure of the body, whether well proportioned or not need to be seen from the Lagna Bhava. Benefic influences on the Lagna, especially that of Jupiter gives a well proportioned physique which is pleasing to the eyes.
18. Pride (abhimāna): Sun: The level of self-identification is seen from the Lagna, as Lagna is what defines the self. The Karaka here is Sun. When Sun is well placed, the person has high conception of self, which is more of a guardian and a leader. When Sun is weak, the person is arrogant, snobbish and conceited. Similarly, strength of the Lagnesha makes the person dignified, while weakness can give a snobbish mind.
19. Life-force (jīva): Jupiter: The success in life is not only dependent on the opportunities given to someone, but more than that, how much energy one has and to what extent one uses his own effort and energy to pursue own dream, and forces the opportunities to manifest. The persistence of effort and the attitude of never-say-die comes from the strength of the Lagnesha as well as Jupiter. If both of them are strong, the native becomes extremely energetic, resilient and persistent. They have a keen ability to jump back after every failure. The ideal situation is when the Lagnesha and the Karaka Jupiter are both strong and also associate with each other in Good Bhavas. If they are placed in bad bhavas but in good signs, they will face many challenges, but will bound back. However, if they are placed in good bhavas, the challenges will be minimal.
20. Yet to decipher (naparadyūtā?ka): ???
21. Honor (māna): Sun: Honor and respect are various facets of the same thing. In my view, while the respect comes from ordinary people, the honor comes from those who are more influential, respectable and knowledgeable. In classics, at various places we find combinations for being honored by the king. Here the King should mean, not only government, but also, those who are having higher authority. Lagna is the seat of Honor (as the honor is given in recognition to one's identity or achievements). For instance, Jataka Parijata 11.14. When the Lagna falls in a Saumya sign, the person is long-lived (chirayu), honored by the king (n?papūjita?) and happy (sukhī). On the other hand, when Lagna is aspected by the Lagnesha, the native is wealthy (dhanī), endowed with sharp intellect (ku?āgrabuddhi?) and cause fame to his lineage (kulakīrti?varddhana?).
22. Skin (tvaca): Mercury: Body constituents such as Skin, Blood, etc. don't belong to any specific part but pervades throughout the body. Hence, the Bhava connected to the skin is the Lagna, which represents the entire body, in addition to the head region specifically. Affliction of the Lagna and/ or the Lagna lord as well as Mercury with the fiery Grahas Sun and Mars can cause severe skin problems. The location of the problem can be judged from the Bhava, Rasi and Drekkana involved.
23. Knowledge of sleep (nidrā j?āna): Venus: Sleep is a 4th house activity as it rules the midnight, mother and comfort. The two grahas  which attain Dikbala in the 4th house are the Moon and Venus, hence it can be called as Jala Kendra. Jala stands for comfort and nourishment, hence I have assigned Venus to be the Karaka for sleep and dreams. Venus especially rules dream state as it has to do with sight. We know that eyes are governed by Venus. What kind of dreams we encounter can be known from the Lagna. The nature of dreams changes with time depending on the Grahas influencing the Lagna. In a horoscope the Lagna is aspected by Saturn and Rahu, two Vayu grahas and the native keeps dreaming (recurring frequently) that he is weightless and flying in the air. In a dream related Prasna, the nature of dream can be judged from the Grahas influencing the Lagna and also the influence on Venus. For instance, in another horoscope, Venus is placed in a Dusthana and afflicted by Papakartari yoga, the native has many nightmeres. The nature of the dream can be judged from the Graha-Bhava-Rasi significations of the Lagna and Venus.
24. Loss of wealth due to cheating (dhanāpahāran): Saturn: Why should lagna signify loss of wealth? It does, especially when the Lagna is placed with Papa Grahas or is afflicted by Papakaratari by none other than Saturn and Rahu. The affliction of Lagna by Saturn and Rahu (or Gulika as well) indicate cheating or vandalizing of the wealth by cheats and dacoits. BV Raman in How to judge horoscope states that "If the Lagna or its lord is hemmed in between two malefics, especially Saturn and Rahu, the native will encounter thieves and suffer on their account. Rahu in 2nd and Saturn in the 12th are more harmful." But this does not answer Why? This is because Lagna is the 12th house from the 2nd house of treasury of savings. What causes the savings to be lost can be seen from the Lagna.
25. Insulting nature (tiraskāra svabhāv): Mars: Since the nature if governed by Lagna, both the good and bad nature should be seen from here. There is negative self or a potential (papa-purusha) in everyone which gets expressed in some and is dormant in others. The natural sign of this is Scorpio which is governed by Mars and Ketu and is represented by a Well (unfathomable emotions and depth). One should note that the natural lagna and the 8th is governed by the same Mars representing the self and the alter-self. It is said that Mars and Ketu when conjoin they form Pisacha yoga (combination of losing one's head and get into some unlawful activities) through anger or conceit. To understand all aspects of one's nature, one should judge both the Lagna, Jupiter (benevolent side of self) and Mars (malevolent side of self). Lagna, Jupiter and Mars should not be afflicted or weak in a horoscope to have a benevolent nature. One need to be watchful of the Lagnesha and Jupiter is afflicted in Scorpio. At the same time if Moon is weak and afflicted, the native will have strong criminal tendencies.
26. Freedom from diseases (āruja?): Moon, Jupiter: There is no doubt that physical health is ruled by the Lagna (Mental is ruled by the 5th house) as the Lagna represents the body. While the Karaka for the body is Moon, the karaka for life-force and positive energy is Jupiter (Jiva). Weakness to the Lagna and / or the Moon makes the body weak and sets the stage for diseases. The diseases however, need to be diagnosed from the Lagna lord's placement (if weak and afflicted), 6th and 8th house. If the Lagna (and Moon) is strong, then the body will not be impacted even if there are adverse yogas pertaining to 6th and 8th house. Jupiter being the Jiva karaka, gives protection from various health troubles (arista) and cause arista bhangas. A strong Jupiter in the Lagna can avert many dangers in the horoscope, according to classics such as Brihat Parashari Hora Shastra and Saravali. There must be some association of Jupiter with the Lagna or the Lagnesha for having strong life force, more so, when the Lagnesha is placed in a Chara Rasi (movable sign).
27. Renunciation, relinquishment (vairāgya): Saturn: Relinquishment (freedom) is ruled by the 12th house (moksha) as that is where all the ties with the world is severed.and ego (identification with the self- Lagna) is lost. The reason why Lagna is associated with this is, Lagna stands for ego or the thought that I am someone "great", I belong to such and such "dynasty", "culture", "religion". When the identification is strong, one can't detach one-self from the strong self-identification and it can block renunciation to that extent. The Karaka for renunciation is Saturn, hence if Saturn has a strong influence on the Lagna or the Lagnesha, the native has a strong sense of renunciation. This can happen by placement of Saturn in Lagna or with the Lagnesha, aspect of Saturn on the Lagna or the Lagnesha, placement of the Lagna or Lagnesha in Saturn's signs or placement of the Lagnesha in Saturn's Bhava (Bhavas that are governed by Saturn i.e., Dusthanas 6-8-12). The more the influence of Saturn on the Lagne and the Lagnesha, the stronger will be the sense of detachment. Saturn represents a Sanyasi (monk who has renunciated everything) and a follower of lifestyle full of hardship. Even though one does not become a monk, one can still live like a monk in normal household.
28. Nature (prak?ti): Moon: While Svabhava rpresents the behaviour i.e., actions towards the outside world, Prakriti means the inherent nature which defines the self. The Prakriti hardly changes, while the Svabhava depends on the external stimulus and how the Prakriti is reacting to that. These the are inherent personality traits which defines the self. The strength of the Lagna and the Subhapati (Moon sign lord) defines the nature (personality). One should judge the sign and bhava placement of the Lagna lord (also Moon sign lord) and also the conjunctions and aspects on them. In my experience I found that while the Grahas in the Lagna (and Chandra Lagna) determines the experiences one would go through, the personality is defined by the influences on the Lagnesha and the Subhapati. The navamsa sign of the Lagna lord and Moon should also be seen to determine the traits which are deep within, at a much deeper conscious level.
29. Ability to work (kāryakara?a?): Sun: We often look at the 10th house for Karma, professions etc. However, the ability to work hard or not need to be seen from the Lagna. If the Lagna lord is weak, the native always trying to find escape route and does not want to face any challenges. On the other hand, if the Lagna lord is strong, the person can put in long hours of work without getting tired. While Saturn gives the ability to labour, Sun gives the best way to optimize one's resources and prioritize the work. The way native works, for instance, in short spurts or in a long-duration gruelling manner etc. need to be seen from the influences on the "Lagnesha" in the Rasi and Navamsa. Weakness of the Lagnesha and negative Saturn indicate that the native gets tired very fast and is not capable of putting long hours of work. Influences of various Grahas on the Lagnesha can be studied. For instance, if Mercury is influencing the Lagnesha, the person will make many friends at work, will be good in managing time and communicating with people, will use humor to get his work done etc.
30. Life-force (jīva): Jupiter: Jupiter is the biggest protection to all evils in this world. Guru represents spiritual master, who is known to remove Darkness from our lives (Tamaso Ma Jyotirgamaya). Thus, Guru removes all Tamas (death energies) from our life, to give us protection and energy to pursue things for which we are born. If Jupiter protects the Lagna by placement or aspect, the person comes out of danger and mishaps quickly and are saved from any major calamities in life. Jupiter's influence on the Lagnesha by conjunction or aspect gives tremendous energy to persist through all odds and face life's challenges with broadheart and patience. If Jupiter happens to be the lagna lord, then it should be placed in good sign and avastha.
31. Ability to Act (kriyā): Sun: Ability to Act or level of initiative and energy is seen from the Lagnesha's placement. There are three high level shaktis in the world, Iccha Shakti (the power of desire), Gnana Shakti (the power of knowledge) and Kriya Shakti (the power to act). The three trines rules the three Shaktis, (1) Lagna governs the Kriya Shakti, (2) 5th house (psyche) rules the Iccha shakti (determination), (3) 9th house (Guru) rules the Gnana shakti (knowledge). The Karaka for Kriya Shakti is Sun, who is the source of all energy. Sun gets exalted in the Lagna Bhava indicating that the root energy for actions emanate from the Lagna. Strong Lagnesha indicate a strong drive to fulfil the goal of one's existence, fulfil one's mission. Judging energy level: Depending on the predominance of Movable sign on the lagna and the lagna lord in the Rasi and Navamsa the natives like activities that involve movement, physical activities and high energy. Placement of lagna and lagnesha in the middle of the sign gives more intensity of the sign. Similar things to be read from Fixed and Dual signs. Mahatma Gandhi led the freedom struggle in India. He was born in a movable sign with the lord also placed in a movable sign. This shows that he was highly mobile through out his life. However, in Navamsa both the lagna and the lagna lord Mars are in fixed sign. His endeavour was to bring stability. In Mother Teresa's horoscope, Lagna and the Lagna lord both are in dual sign showing a great balance in energy level. She was able to put forth great energy in her activities and at the same time was able to sit back and think about her action. This gives good planning abilities. In the navamsa both lagna and the lagna lord are in movable sign indicating that he objective was to start a movement for protection of the downtrodden and untouchables.
32. Labour (ūdyamo): Saturn: The ability to sustain hard labour need to be seen from the Lagna. Saturn is the Karaka for Labour, who must be placed in strength for positive attitude towards labour. Strong Lagna lord in a Saturn's sign, conjoined or aspected by Saturn can give perservering atttude and ability to sustain hard work for long time.
33. Loss of decency (maryādā pravinā?ana?): Saturn: Fall of grace, humiliation and infamy, all need to judged from the Lagna as it is the house of fame and what one is known for. Weak lagna lord and malefics aspecting or cojoining Lagna lord can cause bad name. The kaka for fall of grace is Saturn, the Karaka of the Dusthanas and is strongly opposed to Jupiter and Moon who gived good name. The fall of grace happens only when the Lagna lord is weak, else, it will try to fight back, to regain what is lost.
34. Complexion (var?a): Moon: The complexion is one that defines one's physical attribute of the body, hence need to be seen from the Lagna. However, instead of seeing it from the Rasi Lagna, the best position to see this is from the Chandra Navamsa or the Navamsa Chandra Lagna. Classics say that the complexion need to be seen from the dispositor of Chandra Navamsa. Jataka Parijata 11.15: The physical features, appearance and the nature of a person is to be judged from the lord of the navamsa lagna or the strongest planet in the lagna in the rasi chart. One’s complexion to be judged from the lord of Moon’s Navamsa. The overall auspiciousness and inauspiciousness of a nativity is to be judged from the Lagna.Jataka Parijata 11.37 (b): When the lagnesha is placed with the 6th lord, the native has darker complexion. Saravali 9.45-46 The physical appearance will correspond to the Navām?a Lagna, or the strongest of planets. It may also correspond to the Lord of the Navām?a occupied by the Moon. If many are strong, appearance and complexion will be mixed. Race, caste and country of birth should be considered, while estimating features and character of a person.
35. Ill fame (apavāda): Saturn: Refer to point# 33.

Graha significations pertaining to Lagna Bhava:

1. Sun: Kingship (n?pa), Pride (abhimāna), Honor (māna), Ability to work (kāryakara?a?), Ability to Act (kriyā)
2. Moon: Body (deha), Place of birth (janmasthale), Appearance (k?ti), Freedom from diseases (āruja?), Nature (prak?ti), Complexion (var?a)
3. Mars: Limbs (vaya), Strength (valāyatī), Insulting nature (tiraskāra svabhāv)
4. Mercury: Skin (tvaca), Ability to work (kāryakara?a?)
5. Jupiter: Happiness (sukha), Wisdom (j?āna), Fame (kirti?), Peace (?ānti), Life-force (jīva), Freedom from diseases (āruja?), Life-force (jīva)
6. Venus: Dream (svapna), Knowledge of sleep (nidrā j?āna)
7. Saturn: Sorrow (asukha), Old age (jarāste), Longevity (āyū), Age (vaya?), Hair (ke?ā), Loss of wealth due to cheating (dhanāpahāran), Renunciation, relinquishment (vairāgya), Labour (ūdyamo), Loss of decency (maryādā pravinā?ana?), Ill fame (apavāda)