Jaimini Astrology Basics

The Jaimini system is an old school of Vedic astrology with its own tools. It is often read alongside the Parashari method to confirm results.

Chara karakas

In Jaimini, the planets take roles according to their degrees in their signs, not by fixed nature. The planet with the highest degree is the Atmakaraka (significator of the self), the next is the Amatyakaraka (career and advisers), and so on down to the Darakaraka (the spouse), which has the lowest degree. These roles change from chart to chart.

Sign aspects

Jaimini uses aspects between signs rather than planets:

• movable signs aspect all fixed signs except the one next to them;
• fixed signs aspect all movable signs except the one next to them;
• dual signs aspect each other.

Arudha padas

An arudha is the image of a house — how its matters appear to the world. The Arudha Lagna shows one's public image, and the Upapada (arudha of the 12th) is used for marriage.

Chara dasha

Jaimini uses sign-based periods, the Chara dasha, in which each sign rules for a number of years. It is read together with the karakas and arudhas.

Using it with other systems

Jaimini works best as a second opinion. When the Parashari dasha and the Jaimini Chara dasha both point to the same period for an event, confidence rises.

A worked example with karakas

In a chart, Venus has the highest degree (say 27° of its sign), so Venus is the Atmakaraka. The person's soul-level desire is linked with love, beauty and harmony; lessons may come through relationships and comforts. If the Moon has the lowest degree, the Moon is the Darakaraka, and the spouse may be caring, emotional and family-minded.

Karakamsha

The sign the Atmakaraka occupies in the Navamsa is the Karakamsha. Planets in or aspecting it describe the person's deeper calling. For example, Jupiter in the Karakamsha supports teaching, law or spiritual knowledge; Mercury supports writing and trade.

The Upapada and marriage

The Upapada (UL), the arudha of the 12th house, describes the marriage as it appears to the world. Benefics in or aspecting the UL support a stable marriage; the 2nd from the UL shows its continuity.

Common mistakes

• Using planetary aspects in Jaimini. Jaimini uses sign aspects.
• Confusing the fixed and chara karakas. Jupiter is always the fixed karaka of children; the chara Putrakaraka changes from chart to chart.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to learn Jaimini? It is not essential for a beginner, but it is a strong second opinion for marriage, career and timing.

Seven or eight karakas? Some traditions use seven planets, others include Rahu as an eighth. TRAC shows which scheme it uses.

Chara dasha in brief

In Chara dasha each sign runs for a number of years (up to 12), counted from the sign to its lord with rules for direction. The sign whose period is running, and the signs it aspects, show the active areas of life. For example, during the period of the sign holding the Amatyakaraka, career matters come forward.

Key points to remember

• Chara karakas take roles by degree: Atmakaraka (self) to Darakaraka (spouse).
• Jaimini uses sign aspects, arudha padas and sign-based dashas.
• It works best as a second opinion alongside Parashari.