What is Atmakaraka?
In the Jaimini system, the planets are ranked by how far they have travelled through the sign they are in, ignoring the sign itself. The planet with the highest degree is the Atmakaraka, the "significator of the self": it shows what your soul most wants and the lesson it keeps meeting. The planet with the lowest degree is the Darakaraka, the significator of the spouse. The five in between rule career, siblings, mother, children and rivals.
Because the order changes as the planets move, these are called chara (moving) karakas, unlike the fixed karakas such as Venus for marriage. This calculator uses the seven planets from the Sun to Saturn, the scheme of the Jaimini Sutras; some astrologers add Rahu as an eighth, which shifts the lower karakas.
Atmakaraka by planet
- Sun: learning to hold power and pride lightly: to lead without ego and to earn respect rather than demand it.
- Moon: learning to care for others and be cared for: to keep the heart steady through the ups and downs of feeling.
- Mars: learning to use courage and energy well: to fight for what is right and not simply to win.
- Mercury: learning to speak and think truthfully: to use intelligence and words in service, not to manipulate.
- Jupiter: learning to live by wisdom and dharma: to teach and guide while staying humble.
- Venus: learning to love without attachment: to enjoy beauty and relationships with balance and good conduct.
- Saturn: learning to accept duty and patience: to serve others and to carry burdens without bitterness.
Darakaraka by planet
- Sun: a confident, self-respecting partner with a strong personality, often from a respected family.
- Moon: a caring, emotional and nurturing partner who values home and family.
- Mars: an energetic, direct and courageous partner; a lively, sometimes fiery relationship.
- Mercury: a youthful, witty and communicative partner, often good with business or words.
- Jupiter: a wise, principled partner who brings learning, guidance and good fortune.
- Venus: a charming, affectionate partner with artistic taste, who brings comfort and romance.
- Saturn: a mature, serious and loyal partner; the bond grows stronger with time.
The Atmakaraka is read further in the Navamsa (D9): the sign it occupies there is the Karakamsa. See your divisional charts and your full Kundli.
Frequently asked questions
How is the Atmakaraka found?
Take the degree of each of the seven planets within its sign (ignoring which sign it is) and pick the highest. A planet at 27° of Taurus outranks one at 18° of Leo.
What is the Darakaraka?
The planet with the lowest degree in its sign. It is the significator of the spouse in the Jaimini system and is read for the nature of the partner and of marriage.
Is Rahu counted?
This calculator uses the seven planets from the Sun to Saturn, the scheme of the Jaimini Sutras. In the eight-karaka scheme Rahu is added, counted backwards from the end of its sign, which can change the lower karakas including the Darakaraka.
Do I need my exact birth time?
Mostly for the Moon, which moves about 13° a day. The other planets move slowly, so a rough time is usually enough unless two of them are within a degree of each other.
Is my data saved?
No. The chart is calculated on the spot and nothing is stored on our server.