Varshaphala Part 3: Planetary Friendships and Aspects in the Tajaka System
In Part 2, we learned how to calculate and erect the annual chart. Now we explore how planets relate to each other in the Tajaka system — a framework quite different from what you may know from Parasari astrology.
Part 3 of 21 • Technical Framework • Covers: Chapter 3 — Planetary Relations, Aspects and Strengths (Articles 17–18)
In Parasari astrology, whether an aspect is good or bad depends on the relationship between the two planets. In Tajaka, the game changes completely: the type of aspect itself determines whether results are favorable or not.
This single difference reshapes how you read an annual chart. A trine aspect between two enemies can still produce favorable results. A conjunction between two friends can bring destruction. Understanding this system is essential before we tackle the 16 Tajaka Yogas in Parts 9–10, since every yoga is built on these aspect principles.
Tajaka Planetary Friendships and Enmities
The planetary friendships in the Tajaka system, as given by Kesava, differ from the standard Parasari scheme. One striking feature is the inclusion of Rahu (the Moon's ascending node), which is absent from Parasari friendship tables. Another key difference: in Parasari, the Moon has no natural enemy at all. In Tajaka, the Moon has four enemies.
The Tajaka friendship structure divides the eight planets into two opposing blocs:
Sun, Moon, Mars, Jupiter
All four are mutual friends
All four share the same enemies
Mercury, Venus, Saturn, Rahu
All four are mutual friends
All four share the same enemies
| Planet (Graha) | Friends (Mitra) | Enemies (Satru) |
|---|---|---|
| Guru, Kuja, Chandra | Budha, Sukra, Sani, Rahu | |
| Ravi, Kuja, Guru | Budha, Sukra, Sani, Rahu | |
| Ravi, Guru, Chandra | Budha, Sukra, Sani, Rahu | |
| Sukra, Rahu, Sani | Ravi, Chandra, Kuja, Guru | |
| Kuja, Ravi, Chandra | Budha, Sukra, Sani, Rahu | |
| Budha, Sani, Rahu | Ravi, Chandra, Kuja, Guru | |
| Rahu, Budha, Sukra | Ravi, Chandra, Kuja, Guru | |
| Rahu | Sukra, Budha, Sani | Ravi, Chandra, Kuja, Guru |
Interestingly, the two great Tajaka masters disagree on friendships:
Kesava's View
Provides the detailed friendship table above, assigning fixed natural (Naisargika) relationships to all eight planets including Rahu.
Nilakantha's View
Argues that "there is no such thing as natural or temporal friendships — friendships arise only by mutual dispositions" (atra naisargikam tatkalikanchana mitradi lakshanam nasti).
The Tajaka Aspect System
This is perhaps the most important conceptual difference between Tajaka and Parasari astrology. In the Tajaka system, aspects are counted from sign to sign, and the nature of the result depends primarily on which type of aspect is formed — not on the inherent nature of the planets forming it.
Parasari: An aspect is good or bad based on the relationship between the aspecting and aspected bodies. Jupiter aspecting the Moon? Good (mutual friends). Saturn aspecting the Moon? Bad (natural enemies).
Tajaka: An aspect's nature is determined by the aspect type itself. A trine (5/9) is always friendly and produces realization. A square (4/10) is always inimical and produces fear. Even if Jupiter and the Moon form a square, the result is disappointment. Even if Saturn and the Sun form a trine, the result is favorable.
According to Nilakantha, aspects between signs at various distances produce the following results:
Nature: Friendly (Mitra)
Result: Realization of desires. Highly favorable.
Example: Sun in Aries, Jupiter in Leo = mutual trine aspect. The aspect is highly favorable regardless of the inherent Sun-Jupiter relationship.
Nature: Friendly (Mitra)
Result: Beneficial results.
Partial vision: Half (1/2) strength of full aspect.
Nature: Neutral (Sama)
Result: Success, happiness.
Partial vision: One-sixth (1/6) strength.
Nature: Inimical (Satru)
Result: Breaks, fear, and disappointment.
Note: This is a strong negative aspect. Planets in mutual 4/10 positions create obstacles.
Nature: Generally inimical
Result: Generally harmful. For the 7th house (opposition), results are benefic or malefic depending on whether the aspecting planets are benefic or malefic.
Conjunction (1st house): Produces destruction and disappointment.
Planetary Orbs (Deepthamsa)
Each planet has a specific orb — a zone of influence around its exact position. Aspects are said to be operative only if they fall within orbs. This concept, called Deepthamsa, is critical for determining whether two planets are actually in aspect and for computing the 16 Tajaka Yogas.
| Planet | Symbol | Orb (Deepthamsa) | Visual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sun | 15° |
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| Mars | 12° |
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| Jupiter | 9° |
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| Saturn | 9° |
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| Moon | 12° |
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| Mercury | 7° |
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| Venus | 7° |
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Scenario: Sun is at 2° Aries. Jupiter is at 10° Leo.
They are in signs 5 apart (trine aspect). But are they within orbs?
The exact trine would be Sun at 2° Aries to 2° Leo. Jupiter is at 10° Leo — that's 8° away from the exact trine point. Sun's orb is 15° and Jupiter's orb is 9°. Since the distance (8°) is within both orbs, the trine aspect is operative.
But what if Jupiter were at 25° Leo? Then the distance would be 23° from exact trine — well outside both orbs. In this case, there is no full trine aspect. However, Nilakantha says even out-of-orb aspects exert a moderate influence (madhyamam drikphalam viduhu).
Quick Reference: Tajaka Aspects at a Glance
| Houses Apart | Western Name | Tajaka Nature | Result | Strength |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 & 9 | Trine | Friendly | Realization | 3/4 |
| 3 & 11 | Sextile | Friendly | Beneficial | 1/2 |
| 2 & 12 | Semi-sextile | Neutral | Success | 1/6 |
| 4 & 10 | Square | Inimical | Fear, disappointment | Full |
| 7 | Opposition | Variable | Per planet nature | Full |
| 6 & 8 | Quincunx | Inimical | Harmful | — |
| 1 (same sign) | Conjunction | Destructive | Disappointment | Full |
Why This Matters: The 16 Tajaka Yogas you'll learn in Parts 9–10 are all built on these aspect foundations. Ithasala (the most important yoga) requires two planets in mutual aspect where a faster planet approaches a slower one within their orbs. Easarpha (the yoga of disappointment) occurs when the faster planet is separating. Without a solid grasp of aspects and orbs, the yogas won't make sense.
What's Next?
You now understand the Tajaka system of planetary friendships and aspects. The next step is learning how to measure planetary strength — starting with the 12 zodiacal subdivisions (Vargas) that determine whether each planet sits in a friendly, own, or hostile division.
Understanding zodiacal subdivisions from Rasi through Dwadasamsa, and computing the Dwadasavargeeyabala (12-source strength) that tells you if a planet is inclined to do good or evil.
Based on
Varshaphala or The Hindu Progressed Horoscope
by B.V. Raman | 13th Edition (1992) | UBS Publishers' Distributors Ltd., New Delhi