ಪಿತೃದೋಷ: ಜನ್ಮಜಾತಕದಲ್ಲಿ ಪೂರ್ವಜರ ಕರ್ಮ — ಕಾರಣಗಳು, ಸೂಚನೆಗಳು ಮತ್ತು ಪರಿಹಾರ

Classical Definition: Which Planetary Configurations Constitute Pitra Dosha

Pitra Dosha — also called Pitru Dosha or Pitri Dosha — refers to an affliction in the Janma Kundali indicating unresolved ancestral karma that the native is born to address or discharge. The 'Pitra' or 'Pitru' are the ancestral forebears (specifically, the departed souls of three generations on the paternal side in the Vedic conception) whose unfulfilled desires, unperformed rites, or unresolved karmic patterns transfer to descendants through the Karma Siddhanta. The primary planetary indicator is Surya (Sun), since Surya is the Pitru Karaka — the significator of the father and ancestral lineage — per Brihat Parashara Hora Shastra, the foundational Jyotish authority. When Surya is conjunct Rahu within a tight orb (classically 10 degrees, following BPHS conjunction standards), the resulting configuration is Grahan Yoga — a solar eclipse pattern in the natal chart — and is the most severe form of Pitra Dosha. Additional classical indicators include Sun conjunct Ketu (moderate severity), Sun conjunct Shani within conjunction orb (moderate), Rahu positioned in the 9th Bhava (the Pitru Bhava — house of the father and ancestors, per BPHS Chapter 11), and an afflicted Moon in the 5th Bhava (progeny house) indicating that ancestral karma is blocking the native's own lineage continuation. The 9th Bhava is the primary Pitru Bhava per BPHS; malefics without benefic aspect in this house, particularly Rahu or Shani, are classical indicators of ancestral debt.