One of the most common questions I get is – what are the most favorable planetary combinations in astrology? One can do a Google search and there is an endless list of benefic yogas. But I have also observed that many times these yogas do not bear desirable fruit. In this article, I am going to share a list of combinations I believe to be the most favorable.
To come up with an answer for who will, and will not succeed in life based on astrology, is difficult today. Firstly, our definition of success can vary. Secondly, times have changed. The population is much more, socioeconomic conditions are different, career options are more diverse, and competition is more intense. Not all people with benefic placements will succeed. It is not straightforward to take what was developed in history and apply it to the current times. Today, succeeding is difficult, and hence astrology is more complex. A yoga is also not a guarantee; it simply implies that the native concerned is blessed with positive energy required to increase life’s possibilities.
It is clear to me that the chances of happiness, prosperity or success increase with favorable placements in the horoscope – there is no doubt about that. Strongly placed planets, such as those in their own and exaltation houses serve the native, and those around her/him, better than those in debilitation. After studying thousands of horoscopes of important and successful people – politicians, industrialists, business tycoons, entertainment and film industry professionals, sports personalities and top executives in large corporations, I have drawn some insights.
1. The Dharma Karmadhipati yoga is a popular frequently cited benefic yoga. It is not uncommon, but its fruition will depend upon many factors such as which house the yoga is forming in, the strength of the planets and the impact of other planets. Whenever the lord of a Trine or Trikonadhipati (house 1, 5, 9) combines with or mutually aspects the lord of a Square or Kendradhipati (1, 4, 7, 10), a powerful benefic yoga is formed. The trines are the Dharma Sthana and the squares are the Karma Sthana. The rationale is that if one engages with the activity one is destined for, success and happiness come naturally. This yoga implies that the native is likely to find her/ his purpose and life path, which would make it easy for her/him to find fulfillment.
2. The combination of the lords of 5th and 9th is also very favorable.
3. Many highly successful people have a strongly placed Jupiter, Saturn or Mars, all planets that are outside of the Earth’s orbit.
4. Although some don’t consider this to be a benefic yoga, the conjunction or mutual aspect of Saturn and Venus is present in the horoscopes of many multi-millionaires and billionaires.
5. The conjunction (not aspect) of Rahu and Venus is also a desirable one and is present in the horoscopes of many wealthy people. Rahu, the planet of materialistic desire aligns well with Venus, the planet of material pleasures and luxury. As per Indian mythology, Rahu is the disciple of Shukracharya or Shukra, who is Venus. Student and Teacher in the same house operate well; Rahu intensifies Venus. Venus, the planet of excess, and extra things in life: extra homes, extra cars, extra jewelry – things that are not needed on a day-to-day basis, is an important planet for ‘financial’ success and a ‘good life.’
6. The conjunction or mutual aspect of Mars and Moon is called Chandra-Mangal yoga. Although not uncommon, this is also a very powerful yoga if placed in a favorable house, and one of the bodies has strength, such as in exaltation. Keep in mind that Mars is debilitated in Cancer, Moon’s house and Moon is debilitated in Scorpio, Mars’ house, and hence the impact of debilitation does not hold due to cancellation or neecha bhanga if this if yoga forms. I have observed this yoga present in the horoscopes of many successful people including actors, politicians, financiers etc. Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has this placement in Scorpio in the 1st house.
7. Panch Mahapurush Yoga – The non-luminaries: Jupiter, Saturn, Mars, Venus and Mercury placed in their own or exaltation sign in a kendra i.e. house 1, 4, 7 and 10 creates a powerful yoga which also I have observed in the horoscopes of many successful people. The corresponding yogas are called Hansa, Shasa, Ruchaka, Malavya and Bhadra. This yoga, if combined with Dharma Karmadhipati yoga will be even more powerful.
8. Most successful people have more than one favorable yoga in their horoscopes. Take a look at the charts of Bill Gates, Mark Zuckerberg, Jeff Bezos, Elon Musk, Steve Jobs, Barack Obama, Bill Clinton, Gautam Adanai, Kumar Mangalam Birla and other achievers within your network! You will observe that they have multiple benefic combinations in their Lagna chart.
9. Although planets in debilitation are not desirable, in some situations even debilitated planets give great results. The Neecha Bhanga yoga is frequently cited as a Raj yoga and I have reason to believe that there is merit in it. If a debilitated planet is placed with or aspected (7th aspect) by the planet whose house it is in or the planet that is exalted in the house, not only debilitation is cancelled, but also a powerful yoga is formed. As an example, if Saturn is debilitated in the first house in Aries, and if Mars, whose house it is debilitated in is in the 1st or the 7th, this yoga is formed. This planetary combination is complex and needs further explanation. In case both planets in question are debilitated such as Saturn in Aries and Sun in Libra, the impact of the yoga is reduced. But I have observed that if the debilitated planet is aspected by a planet in its own house, the yoga will still be powerful; if Saturn is aspected by Venus in Libra, the yoga will still be powerful. I will write another article at some point to explain this yoga in more detail with some actual examples.
10. Gaja Kesari Yoga. Formed by Jupiter and moon, this yoga is one of my favorite planetary combinations in Astrology. I have observed the presence of this yoga in the horoscopes of many pioneers, innovators, change makers and those who have contributed positively to society. This too warrants another article by itself and I leave it for a later date.