Karaka means significator, which means one who is responsible for the particular event or the factor. Karakatwa is the duty assigned to a karaka (planet). There are many types of karakas in Vedic astrology as explained by Sage Parashara and others. However, there are mainly two types of karakas in a broader sense. They are House or Bhava karakatwa and Planetary karakatwa.

Bhava/House Karakatwa:

Every house from 1 to 12 have been assigned different significations. So a particular event or signification is determined by the strength of that particular house/bhava. Here is the list of karakatwas assigned for each house. Please note that these are only the important significations, there are many other factors also.

Planetary Karakatwas:

Here each planet has been assigned certain duties for itself. Based on the position and strength of the planet, it gives the result. These are also called as sthira karakas. These significations are fixed or permanent irrespective of the horoscope.

Below are the significations for all the planets.

Sun - Soul, self, self-realization, prestige, power, ego, right eye, heart, heat, well-being, father, king, fame, honor, electricity, royal favor, etc.

Moon - Emotions, mind, mother, left eye, liquid, Heart, sleep, happiness, travel, milk, pearls

Mars - Courage, valor, anger, desire, weapons, younger brother, strength, scandals, controversies, injuries by burns, and weapons, police, defense, engineering, etc.

Mercury - education, Communication, speech, intelligence, mathematics, logic, writing, astrology, publishing, memory, business, analytical thinking, politics, drama, precious stones, maternal uncle, etc.

Jupiter - Knowledge, wisdom, devotion, philosophy, learning, wealth, teacher, children, banking, respect, religious perception, family, fortune, elder brother, husband, body fat, holy places, donation, etc.

Venus - Beauty, fame, marriage, wife, sexual matters, jewelry, ornaments, sensual pleasures, singing, flowers, buying & selling, vehicles, perfumes, dance, music, etc

Saturn - Longevity, profession, karma, death, life, adversity, conduct, service, disease, poverty, trouble, losses, theft, servants, old age, dishonor, imprisonment, grief, oils, agriculture, west direction, etc.

Rahu - Gambling, mystery, foreign, snake bite, accidents, poison, skin disease, harsh speech, fallacious arguments, traveling, theft, wickedness, widow, swelling in the body, pilgrimage, paternal grandfather, etc.

Ketu - Occult science, detachment, moksha, consumption, pain, wound, dog, birds, maternal grandfather, imprisonment, etc.

Chara Karaka:

According to Jaimini school of astrology, based on the position of planets in a horoscope, the order of significations changes. Accordingly, in chara karaka scheme of arrangements, the significations depend on the longitude of the planet in a particular sign. It is determined by finding how much a planet has moved in a sign. So significators are different for each horoscope. A planet with the highest degree of longitude is called as Atmakaraka. Atmakaraka planet determines the significations of soul, self. The planet with the next higher degree is called amatya karaka and represents intellect, profession. The planet with the next higher degree is Bhratru karaka and represents siblings. Next is Matru karaka which represents the mother. The next planet is Pitru karaka which represents father. The next planet is for Putra karaka who represents children. The next planet is Gnati karaka is for the enemy, disease. The planet with the lowest degree is Dara karaka who represents spouse.

There are two schools of thought. One considers like above eight sets of karakas. Others consider only seven karakas excluding Pitru karaka. When two planets are having the same longitude, both of them are qualified for that karakatwa. In this case, the last karakatwa should be assigned to Venus (natural significator) for marriage.

Karaka for 12 Houses

Every house is represented by some planets in terms of karakatwas. They are: