Kaal Sarp Dosh
Like all other planets among navagraha, Rahu and Ketu can also be malefic as well as benefic in a horoscope. Though they can trouble you a lot when they are malefic in your horoscope, they can bless you with very good things when they are benefic. When one or both of these planets are malefic in a horoscope; they may form various types of defects in such horoscope; and trouble the native through them; in many spheres of his life.
Some of the defects formed by Rahu and Ketu have been named as Angarak Yoga, Guru Chandal Yoga, Grahan Yoga and Pitra Dosh. However, the most fearsome defect made by Rahu and Ketu in a horoscope is called Kaal Sarp Yog or Kaal Sarp Dosh which has twelve different types and which can trouble a native under its influence in a number of ways.
According to its prevalent definition; if in a horoscope, all seven planets except Rahu and Ketu are placed within the axis of Rahu and Ketu; Kaal Sarp Yog is formed in the horoscope. For example, if Rahu is placed in first house of a horoscope, Ketu is placed in seventh house of the same horoscope and the remaining seven planets are placed; either in the houses ranging from one to seven; or in the houses ranging from seven to one, Kaal Sarp Yog is formed in such horoscope.
Rahu and Ketu maintain a distance of 180 degrees from each other. Hence they are always placed in seventh houses (signs) with respect to each other. It means that if all seven planets except Rahu and Ketu in a horoscope are placed, only on one side of Rahu-Ketu axis, Kaal Sarp Yog is formed in that horoscope. Once formed in a horoscope, Kaal Sarp Yog can trouble the native with problems in almost any sphere of his life; depending on the type of this defect, which means depending on the houses of placements of Rahu and Ketu in such horoscope.
It is further added by some, that even if Moon lies outside the axis of Rahu and Ketu while the other six planets are inside this axis; Kaal Sarp Yog of lesser quantum or so to say; partial Kaal Sarp Yog is formed in the horoscope. The planets placed in the houses of placements of Rahu and Ketu are considered to be enclosed by them.
If the prevalent definition of Kaal Sarp Yog is to be believed, about 25% people or more across the globe are born with Kaal Sarp Yog in their horoscopes. Taking an example, starting from 1 April 2019 and going till 17 July 2020, Kaal Sarp Yog is formed in the horoscopes of more than 80% natives born during this time period; which extends to more than 16 months. It doesn’t stop here and this arrangement keeps appearing every now and then, for some months; as long as Saturn and Jupiter are separated from each other, by not more than seven signs.
This is because, only four planets among navagraha are slow moving. These are; Saturn which completes its transit through a zodiac sign in about 30 months, Jupiter which does the same in about 12 months; and Rahu as well as Ketu which does the same job in about 18 months. As for the remaining planets; the average transit period in one zodiac sign for each one of them is 50 days or less in general; with Moon being the quickest as it leaves a sign in less than three days.
Starting from February 2016 and going till September 2023, which is a period of about seven and a half years, Saturn and Jupiter will maintain a distance of less than eight signs from each other. Based on this equation and making an approximation; about 50% of the natives born during these seven and a half years may be affected by Kaal Sarp Yog; according to the prevalent definition.
After this occurrence, Saturn and Jupiter will again form this arrangement around December 2030, which is about 7 years from September 2023; and the same process of forming Kaal Sarp Yog in about 50% of the horoscopes for about 7 years will begin. Looking at this data, it can be concluded that Kaal Sarp Yog is present in about 25% of horoscopes, according to its prevalent definition.
All good and bad yogas are rare and they don’t remain effective for such long periods of time. Something which remains active for a continuous period of six months each year, over a period of about 7 years; is a norm and not a rare phenomenon. During a continuous period of six months; millions and millions of people are born. Some of them may be baggers whereas some of them may be billionaires. Some of them may suffer from various types of diseases whereas some of them may be very healthy. Some of them may be achievers in many spheres of their lives whereas some others may not achieve much in most spheres of their lives.
If a bad yoga like Kaal Sarp Yog is formed in a horoscope and it actually does the kind of damage which is associated with it; how can such yoga produce people living on the opposite extremes of most spheres of life? It seems like a misconception and so it is; since it does not give consistent results. To be precise; it gives volatile results which keep defying one another.
Since any defect when actually formed in a horoscope gives sustained results which may be bad or very bad but not good and bad; Kaal Sarp Yog also has to give sustained results in order to qualify for being a malefic yoga. This means that something has been left out from the prevalent definition of Kaal Sarp Yog. Let’s try to find out this missing piece of information.
Actual Definition of Kaal Sarp Dosh
For any defect to give malefic results or to be a defect to start with; the planet or planets involved in its formation must be malefic. It means when Rahu and Ketu are malefic in a horoscope and the primary condition for the formation of Kaal Sarp Yog meets in such horoscope; Kaal Sarp Yog is formed in such horoscope. On the other hand, if Rahu and Ketu are both benefic or one of them is benefic in a horoscope; Kaal Sarp Yog doesn’t form in such horoscope.
Each and every planet among navagraha keeps changing its functional nature by percentage; with every passing minute. As a result, an extremely benefic planet can turn into an average benefic planet within a matter of an hour; and it can turn into a malefic planet within a couple of hours. Once a planet becomes malefic, the same process starts. It means such planet may reach its peak from being an average malefic to being extremely malefic, it may then decline in intensity and finally, it may start giving benefic results within a few hours.
This process keeps repeating itself in a cycle, for each and every planet. That is what makes so many different types of planetary arrangements possible in various horoscopes. The continuously changing natures and intensities of all planets among navagraha are responsible for producing billions of different people in the world; by means of billions of different arrangements of planetary energies as well as other energies.
Hence even within a period of specific six months; Kaal Sarp Yog may not form in the horoscope of every native born during such period. This is because the most important criterion for the formation of every malefic yoga including Kaal Sarp Yog may keep changing with every passing minute and hour. It means that for all people born on a particular day when all seven planets among navagraha are enclosed between Rahu and Ketu; some of them may have Kaal Sarp Yog whereas some others may not have; depending on the benefic or malefic nature of Rahu and Ketu in their horoscopes. Let’s look at the refined definition of Kaal Sarp Yog.
If in a horoscope, all seven planets are placed within the axis of Rahu and Ketu; Kaal Sarp Yog is formed in such horoscope; provided both Rahu and Ketu are functionally malefic in the horoscope. It means that even if one of them is benefic in such horoscope, Kaal Sarp Yog may not form in such horoscope. In some cases; when any one among Moon, Sun, Venus or Mercury is placed outside Rahu-Ketu axis; Kaal Sarp Yog may still form in the horoscope.
Formation and Functioning of Kaal Sarp Dosh
Once the formation of Kaal Sarp Yog is confirmed in a horoscope, the next thing to do is check the field of impact of this defect. It means we need to find the spheres of life where it can cause problems. For this purpose, the house of placement of Kaal Sarp Yog is the primary criterion. Based on this criterion; twelve different types of Kaal Sarp Yogas exist. For example, if Kaal Sarp Yog is formed when Rahu is placed in the first house and Ketu is placed in the seventh house of a horoscope; it is called Anant Kaal Sarp Yog.
This type of Kaal Sarp Yog may primarily cause problems related to the significances of the first and seventh house; which are the houses of placements of Rahu and Ketu in this horoscope, respectively. It means the health, lifespan, overall wellbeing, personality, profession and marriage of the native may be the primary targets of this type of Kaal Sarp Yog.
The next factor to check is the strength of this defect. The strength of Kaal Sarp Yog is calculated through the placements of Rahu and Ketu in various signs, nakshatras and navamshas; as well as through the influences of other benefic and malefic planets on Rahu and Ketu. The overall theme of horoscope and running times (Mahadashas) also affect the strength of Kaal Sarp Yog.
Starting with signs, placements of Rahu and Ketu in various signs may change the strength of Kaal Sarp Yog. An Aries-Libra (Rahu in Aries and Ketu in Libra) type of Kaal Sarp Yog may possess significant strength though it may not be strong or very strong in most cases. Taurus-Scorpio Kaal Sarp Yog may be strong or very strong; since Rahu is exalted in Taurus and Ketu is exalted in Scorpio. On the other hand, Scorpio-Taurus Kaal Sarp Yog may be weak in most cases; since Rahu is debilitated in Scorpio and Ketu is debilitated in Taurus. Likewise, the strength of this defect may be different for other combinations, depending on the strength of Rahu and Ketu in their respective signs.
Let’s look at the influences of benefic and malefic planets as well as the impact of running times and the overall theme of horoscope on Kaal Sarp Yog. Let’s take an example to understand this concept in a better manner.
Suppose malefic Rahu is placed in the first house of a horoscope in Aries, malefic Ketu is placed in the seventh house in Libra and all other planet are placed in houses ranging from the seventh to the first house. Suppose benefic Venus is placed in the seventh house in Libra along with malefic Ketu, benefic Moon is placed in the first house in Aries with malefic Rahu; and benefic Sun is placed in the ninth house in Sagittarius.
Venus is strong in Libra and it rules the seventh house. Hence it may reduce problems related to marriage of the native, to a significant extent. The placement of Moon in the first house may help with health, lifespan and profession of the native. Benefic and strong Sun in the ninth house may boost the luck factor and it may also provide more strength to the horoscope. As a result, the native may witness significant relief in problems caused by Kaal Sarp Yog.
Suppose exalted Mars is placed in the tenth house in Capricorn, Jupiter is placed in the eleventh house in Aquarius along with Saturn; and Mercury is placed in the eighth house in Scorpio. The overall horoscope becomes more balanced in this case. Mars is partly benefic and partly malefic in this horoscope though the benefic part is much higher than the malefic part. Hence exalted Mars in the tenth house may significantly reduce the problems related to profession of the native.
The concept of a planet being partly benefic and partly malefic in a horoscope has been explained in the chapter ‘Gemstones for House Lords’ of the book ‘Gemstones: Magic or Science?’.
Mars rules the first as well as the eighth house and both these houses represent lifespan among other things. Since Mars is very strong due to exaltation; the native may not witness much reduction in his lifespan due to Kaal Sarp Yog. Hence the influence of benefic Moon and Venus on Rahu and Ketu as well as the influence of the overall theme of horoscope may reduce the malefic effects of Kaal Sarp Yog a lot.
Let’s look at the running times called Mahadashas or planetary periods in general. Running times are most important when it comes to check; when may the native suffer the most due to Kaal Sarp Yog. Any type of good or bad yoga becomes duly effective, if one of the planets actively involved in its formation rules the running time. Therefore, the native may witness the strongest malefic effects of Kaal Sarp Yog when he is hit by the Mahadasha of Rahu or Ketu. This simple looking fact may significantly change the quantum of problems faced by a native under strong influence of Kaal Sarp Yog.
Mahadashas are decided on the basis of birth nakshatra which is the nakshatra of placement of Moon in the birth chart. If a native is born with Moon in Ashwini nakshatra, the Mahadasha of Ketu is in effect since Ketu rules Ashwini. Likewise, if a native is born with Moon in Bharani, he’s born under Venus Mahadasha since Bharani is ruled by Venus.
Planetary periods repeat in fixed cyclic pattern and one cycle takes 120 years to complete. Ketu Mahadasha lasts for 7 years, followed by 20 year Venus Mahadasha, followed by 6 year Sun Mahadasha, 10 year Moon Mahadasha, 7 year Mars Mahadasha, 18 year Rahu Mahadasha, 16 year Jupiter Mahadasha, 19 year Saturn Mahadasha and 17 year Mercury Mahadasha. This gives us 120 years. At the end of Mercury Mahadasha; Ketu Mahadasha begins again.
Suppose within the sign of Aries, Moon is placed in the first quarter of Ashwini nakshatra. It means the native is born under Ketu period; since Ashwini is ruled by Ketu. As Moon is placed in the first quarter of this nakshatra, about 6 years of this period may still be left. Ketu period is followed by 20 year Venus period, 6 year Sun period, 10 year Moon period, 7 years Mars period and then by 18 year Rahu period.
It means that in this case, Ketu period strikes this native right from the time of birth and Rahu period may reach this native around his age of 49 years. Ketu is primarily causing problems related to marriage of the native. Since marriage is not an issue during the first 6 years of life; Kaal Sarp Yog may not trouble the native a lot during this period. Between the age of 6 and 49, the native may be under the effect of periods of planets which are significantly benefic or highly benefic for him.
Hence he may witness very good results related to profession, health and overall wellbeing till his age of 49 years; whereas he may witness good or satisfactory results related to marriage; depending on the ‘finer factors’. As the Mahadasha of Rahu begins; Kaal Sarp Yog may gain strength and the native may start facing problems related to profession and health; among other problems. The term ‘finer factors’ means the placements of various planets in a various nakshatras and navamshas.
Let’s look at another variation. Suppose within the sign of Aries, Moon is placed in the first quarter of Krittika nakshatra in Sagittarius navamsha; and the rest of the horoscope remains the same. In this case, the native is born under Sun period with about 5 years left. Rahu period may rule the timeline between native’s age of 22 and 40. Hence Kaal Sarp Yog may gain extra strength during these years. Since these are prime years for profession, marriage and many other spheres; the native may suffer much more due to Kaal Sarp Yog in this case. This gives an idea as to how important the running times and finer factors are. Just the placement of Moon has been changed within the same sign and the overall results may change a lot.
Let’s look at the entire equation from the opposite angle and see what may happen when Rahu and Ketu are joined by malefic planets; and the overall theme of horoscope is also not supportive. Suppose malefic Rahu is placed in the first house of a horoscope in Aries, malefic Ketu is placed in the seventh house in Libra and all other planets are placed in houses ranging from the seventh to the first house.
Suppose Mars is placed in the seventh house of this horoscope in Libra along with Ketu. Mars is partly malefic in the horoscope, it is not strong in Libra and it is afflicted by Malefic Ketu. Hence the malefic part of Mars may increase in this case and it may become significantly malefic. The concept of a benefic planet turning into a malefic planet due to strong influence of malefic planets has been explained in the revised edition (2020) of the book ‘Pitra Dosh – Ancestors are Calling’.
As Mars becomes significantly malefic; it forms Manglik Dosh in the seventh house of this horoscope. As a result; the problems related to the marriage of the native may increase in number as well as in quantum. Hence the native may get married late or very late or he may face more than one broken marriage; depending on the overall horoscope. Since malefic Ketu afflict Mars which rules the first and eighth house; the problems related to health and lifespan may also increase in number and quantum.
Suppose malefic retrograde Mercury is placed in the first house in Aries, in Virgo navamsha of Bharani nakshatra; along with malefic Rahu. Malefic Mercury may add more negativity to the first house as well as to the overall horoscope. As a result; the number as well as quantum of problems related to health, lifespan and profession of the native may increase. Suppose Jupiter is also placed in the first house and Guru Chandal Yoga is formed.
In general, Jupiter is partly benefic and partly malefic in horoscopes with Aries ascendant; though the benefic part may be much higher than the malefic part. However in this case; Jupiter is afflicted by malefic Rahu and Mercury. Hence it may turn significantly or highly malefic. Due to the combined malefic influence of these planets; Kaal Sarp Yog may cause much more damage to many spheres of native’s life.
Suppose a combination of Sun and exalted Venus is placed in the twelfth house in Pisces and Saturn is placed in the eleventh house in Aquarius, in Aries navamsha of Poorvabhadrapada nakshatra. Sun is not strong in Pisces and the twelfth house is a difficult to handle house. Saturn is not comfortable in Aries navamsha of Poorvabhadrapada. As the combined result of all these factors; the overall horoscope may become highly malefic and the native may face very serious problems related to health, lifespan, profession and marriage; among other things.
The lifespan of the native may be seriously affected in this case, since Mars as well as the first house is troubled. Hence the native may die any time before his age or 45 years; depending on the finer factors as well as on the placement of Moon, since it controls planetary periods.
Malefic effects of Kaal Sarp Yog can be reduced with the help of remedies. The application of gemstones and Poojas in particular may prove useful in reducing the strength and/or malefic effects of Kaal Sarp Yog. Gemstones may be more useful in counteracting the malefic effects produced by Kaal Sarp Yog, and they may not be able to directly reduce the strength of this defect in many cases. Poojas may directly reduce the strength of this defect in most cases. As that happens; malefic effects produced by Kaal Sarp Yog may also reduce.
Himanshu Shangari