Vedic Astrology · Glossary
Graha Drishti (Planetary Aspect)
ग्रह दृष्टि
Planetary aspects in Vedic astrology — each planet casts a full sight (drishti) on the house 7th from it; Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn have additional special aspects.
Graha Drishti (graha = planet, drishti = sight/gaze) is the system of planetary aspects in Vedic astrology. Unlike Western astrology which uses angular aspects (trine, square, sextile), Vedic astrology uses house-based aspects. All planets cast a full aspect (100% drishti) on the 7th house from their position. This means a planet in Aries aspects Libra; a planet in the 1st house aspects the 7th house. In addition, three planets have special aspects: Mars aspects the 4th and 8th houses from its position (in addition to the 7th) — these three aspects give Mars its fighting, destructive, and energising qualities; Jupiter aspects the 5th and 9th houses from its position — creating wisdom, growth, and blessings in those houses; Saturn aspects the 3rd and 10th houses from its position — bringing discipline, delay, and karma to those areas. Aspects from benefics (Jupiter, Venus, full Moon) on a house or planet improve the significations; aspects from malefics (Saturn, Mars, Sun, Rahu, Ketu) create challenges. Rahu and Ketu are sometimes given 5th and 9th aspects in some schools (similar to Jupiter), while other schools give them no aspect. The most common classical rule: all planets aspect the 7th fully; Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn have the additional special aspects.
Examples
- ◆Jupiter in the 5th house aspects the 9th (5+4=9), 11th (5+6=11), and the 11th via the 7th aspect — blessings on children, fortune, and gains
- ◆Saturn in the 1st house aspects the 3rd (1+2=3), 7th (1+6=7), and 10th (1+9=10) — disciplining self, partnerships, and career
- ◆Mars in the 7th house aspects the 10th (7+3=10), 1st (7+6=13→1), and 2nd (7+7=14→2) — energising career, personality, and speech
Related Terms
Frequently Asked Questions
How are aspects calculated in Vedic astrology?
In Vedic astrology, aspects are house-based, not degree-based. Every planet aspects the 7th house from its position (full aspect). Mars additionally aspects the 4th and 8th houses from its position. Jupiter additionally aspects the 5th and 9th houses. Saturn additionally aspects the 3rd and 10th houses. Planets within those houses receive the full effect of the aspect regardless of the exact degree difference.
Is the Sun–Moon opposition (Full Moon) an aspect in Vedic astrology?
Yes. The full Moon (Purnima) occurs when the Sun and Moon are in opposite signs — the Moon aspects the Sun via its 7th-house aspect. In Vedic astrology, this is a strong mutual aspect and is considered highly auspicious for the Moon (which gains strength from opposition to the Sun, unlike most planets). A full Moon in the 7th from the Sun amplifies the Moon's benefic qualities, which is why the full Moon is used for important rituals.
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