Planetary Dignities
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Each planet has a sign where it is exalted (uchcha), a sign where it is debilitated (neecha), a sign that is called its moolatrikona and one or two rasis that are owned by it. A planet is said to be strong in its own rasi or exaltation rasi or moolatrikona.

Table 3 shows own rasis, exaltation rasis, the degree of deep exaltation, debilitation rasi, the degree of deep debilitation and the moolatrikona of each planet.

Table 3: Dignities of Planets

Planet Own rasis Exaltation rasi (deepexaltation point) Debilitation rasi (deepdebilitation point) Moolatrikona
Sun Le Ar (10º) Li (10º) Le
Moon Cn Ta (3º) Sc (3º) Ta
Mars Ar & Sc Cp (28º) Cn (28º) Ar
Mercury Ge & Vi Vi (15º) Pi (15º) Vi
Jupiter Sg & Pi Cn (5º) Cp (5º) Sg
Venus Ta & Li Pi (27º) Vi (27º) Li
Saturn Cp & Aq Li (20º) Ar (20º) Aq
Rahu Aq Ge Sg Vi
Ketu Sc Sg Ge Pi
Some special points regarding the results given by planets:

(1) Sun gives the results of being in moolatrikona in the first 20º of Le and the results of being in own rasi in the remaining 10º.
(1) Moon gives the results of being in exaltation rasi in the first 3º of Ta and the results of being in moolatrikona in the remaining 27º.
(1) Mars gives the results of being in moolatrikona in the first 12º of Le and the results of being in own rasi in the remaining 18º.
(1) Mercury gives the results of being in exaltation rasi in the first 15º of Vi, the results of being in moolatrikona in the next 5º and the results of being in own rasi in the remaining 10º.

(1) Jupiter gives the results of being in moolatrikona in the first 10º of Sg and the results of being in own rasi in the remaining 20º.
(1) Venus gives the results of being in moolatrikona in the first half of Li and the results of being in own rasi in the second half of Li.
(1) Saturn gives the results of being in moolatrikona in the first 20º of Aq and the results of being in own rasi in the remaining 10º.

An analogy may help one understand the subtle difference between own rasi, exaltation rasi and moolatrikona.

Own rasi of a planet (e.g. Pisces of Jupiter) is like one’s home. One is most natural and comfortable at home. That is exactly what a planet in own rasi is. Moolatrikona of a planet (e.g. Sagittarius of Jupiter) is like one’s office. One executes one’s formal job and performs one’s duty at office. One is powerful and duty-minded at office. Exaltation sign of a planet (
e.g. Cancer of Jupiter) is like a favorite party/picnic. One is excited to be at one’s favorite party/picnic. So an exalted planet is like an excited person at his favorite picnic spot. Debilitation sign of a planet (e.g. Capricorn of Jupiter) is like one’s worst party. A debilitated planet is like an unhappy person stuck at a place he hates.

Jupiter is a saattwik and dharmik Brahmin. Ethery Jupiter, planet of perception, intelligence and wisdom, is most comfortable in saattwik Pisces, which is the 12th house of the natural zodiac. That is his home. However, he also has to uphold dharma. Upholding dharma is his duty. Whether he likes it or not, he has to do it. So fiery Sagittarius, 9th house in the natural zodiac, is his moolatrikona. Jupiter is like a "raaja purohit" (chief priest of a king) in Sagittarius. He has to sometimes take strong decisions to uphold dharma (like sentencing someone to death). In Pisces, he is like a peaceful Brahmin doing pooja at his home. In watery Cancer, the 4th house of the natural zodiac, Jupiter is excited to do some imaginative (watery) learning (4th house matter). In taamasik and earthy Capricorn, the 10th house of the natural zodiac, Jupiter hates doing tamasik and well-defined karma (action, 10th house matter). It is against his nature. Executing well-defined taamasik karma may be fine with taamasik planets Mars and Saturn, but Jupiter is unhappy with it. So Jupiter is debilitated in Cp.

Take Mercury as another example. He is an intellectual planet and significator of communications. “Intelligent communication” is the most comfortable activity for him. So his home is intellectual Gemini, the 3rd house (communications) of the natural zodiac. However, intelligent debates and arguments are the formal job assigned to him. Virgo is the 6th house (arguments) of the natural zodiac and it is Mercury’s moolatrikona!

While saattwik and ethery Jupiter doesn't quite love the job of fiercely and fierily upholding dharma (by punishing demon king Bali in Vaamana avatara, for example), he does it with a sense of duty. But Mercury loves his official job! He loves engaging in intellectual debates. So Virgo (6th house of the natural zodiac) is not only his moolatrikona (office), but also his exaltation sign (favorite picnic spot). Still, "intelligent communications" (Gemini) is what he is most comfortable with (home).

Let us take one final example – Ketu. Ketu is most comfortable with occult activity, which are shown by the 8th house. So he owns the 8th house of the natural zodiac, i.e. Scorpio. His official duty, however, is giving upaasana (meditation) and moksha (liberation), which are shown by the 12th house. So his moolatrikona is in the 12th house of the natural zodiac, i.e. Pisces.

One should remember the above and understand the mood of a planet based on whether it is in own rasi or exaltation rasi or moolatrikona. Though all the three are good placements, there is a subtle difference in the mood of the planet and the results given by it.

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