The Nine Grahas

The Great Benefics

Guru and Shukra — Jupiter and Venus, wisdom and love.

Jupiter is the great benefic

Guru (Jupiter) signifies wisdom, dharma, knowledge, children, wealth, and the teacher (guru). It is the greatest natural benefic — wherever it looks, it blesses and expands.

Where Guru shines

Guru rules Dhanu (Sagittarius) and Meena (Pisces). It is exalted in Karka (Cancer) and debilitated in Makara (Capricorn).

Venus is love and art

Shukra (Venus) signifies love, relationships, beauty, art, comfort, vehicles, and pleasure. It is the second great benefic — the significator of the spouse and of refinement.

Where Shukra shines

Shukra rules Vrishabha (Taurus) and Tula (Libra). It is exalted in Meena (Pisces) and debilitated in Kanya (Virgo).

A neat symmetry

Budha and Shukra trade places: Budha is exalted in Kanya where Shukra falls, and Shukra is exalted in Meena where Budha falls. Intellect and love balance each other.

Terms introduced here

Guru — wisdom

Jupiter signifies wisdom, dharma, children, and expansion.

Exaltation & debilitation

Each graha has a sign of greatest strength (uccha) and greatest weakness (neecha).

Shukra — love

Venus signifies love, beauty, art, and comfort.