Solar and Lunar Yogas
Solar (Ravi) and Lunar (Chandra) Yogas are important combinations in Vedic astrology based on the positions of the Sun and Moon in relation to other planets. These yogas provide insights into a person's character, fortune, and life circumstances.
These yogas are different from the 27 Nakshetra Yogas (also sometimes called Sun-Moon Yogas) that are formed by the combined longitudes of the Sun and Moon. The yogas described here are based on the relative positions of planets from the Sun and Moon.
Ravi Yogas (Solar Combinations)
Ravi Yogas are combinations based on the Sun's position. Because Mercury and Venus are often with Sun or one sign away, these yogas are common in the birth chart but less common in divisional charts.
| Yoga Name | Formation | Results |
|---|---|---|
| Vesi Yoga | Any planet other than Moon in the 2nd house from Sun | Balanced outlook, truthful, tall, sluggish, happy and comfortable even with little wealth |
| Vosi Yoga | Any planet other than Moon in the 12th house from Sun | Skillful, charitable, famous, learned, and strong |
| Ubhayachara Yoga | Planets other than Moon in both the 2nd and 12th houses from Sun | All comforts, status equivalent to royalty or leadership |
| Budha-Aaditya Yoga (Nipuna Yoga) | Sun and Mercury together in one sign | Intelligence, skill in all works, fame, respect, and happiness; expertise in chosen field |
Note: If Mercury is too close to Sun (within 3°), it is combust (asta) and the Budha-Aaditya Yoga loses some of its power. This yoga is most powerful in divisional charts like D-10 (career chart).
Chandra Yogas (Lunar Combinations)
Chandra Yogas are combinations based on the Moon's position. The Moon represents mind, emotions, and public image, so these yogas significantly influence one's mental disposition and social standing.
| Yoga Name | Formation | Results |
|---|---|---|
| Sunaphaa Yoga | Any planet other than Sun in the 2nd house from Moon | Leadership qualities, intelligence, wealth, fame, self-earned wealth |
| Anaphaa Yoga | Any planet other than Sun in the 12th house from Moon | Leadership with good looks, disease-free body, good character, great reputation, surrounded by comforts |
| Duradhara Yoga | Planets other than Sun in both the 2nd and 12th houses from Moon | Enjoys many pleasures, charitable, owns wealth and vehicles, has good servants |
| Kemadruma Yoga | No planets other than Sun in the 1st, 2nd, and 12th houses from Moon AND no planets other than Moon in quadrants from lagna | Unlucky, bereft of intelligence and learning, afflicted by poverty and trouble; requires hard work to succeed |
| Chandra-Mangala Yoga | Moon and Mars together in one sign | Worldly wisdom, material success, may earn through unscrupulous means, may treat women poorly |
| Adhi Yoga | Natural benefics occupy 6th, 7th, and 8th houses from Moon | Becomes a leader, minister, or commander depending on the strength of the planets involved |
General Guidelines for Lunar Positions
Moon's Position from Sun
- Moon in a quadrant from Sun: Little wealth, intelligence, and skills
- Moon in a panapara (2nd, 5th, 8th, 11th) from Sun: Average wealth, intelligence, and skills
- Moon in an apoklima (3rd, 6th, 9th, 12th) from Sun: Abundant wealth, intelligence, and skills
Moon's Navamsa Position
- Moon in own navamsa or friend's navamsa is favorable
- Jupiter's aspect on Moon brings wealth and comforts in daytime births
- Venus's aspect on Moon brings wealth and comforts in nighttime births
- The reverse (Jupiter at night, Venus in day) can be detrimental
Benefics from Moon
- All natural benefics in upachayas (3rd, 6th, 10th, 11th) from Moon: Great wealth
- Two benefics in upachayas from Moon: Medium wealth
- One benefic in an upachaya from Moon: Little wealth
Importance in Chart Analysis
These yogas are particularly important for analyzing:
- Mental disposition and emotional well-being
- Public image and social standing
- Material prosperity and financial circumstances
- Overall fortune and ease of life
Application in Chart Analysis
When analyzing Solar and Lunar Yogas in a birth chart, consider the following:
- The strength of the planets involved in the yoga (dignity, aspects, conjunctions)
- Whether the yoga-forming planets are functional benefics or malefics for the ascendant
- The houses ruled by the planets participating in the yoga
- The presence of any cancellation factors (like Kemadruma Yoga canceling other Lunar Yogas)
These yogas can be applied in divisional charts as well, particularly D-9 (marriage) and D-10 (career), where they provide insights into specific areas of life. The results should be interpreted in the context of the matters signified by the particular divisional chart.
Solar and Lunar Yogas form the foundation of many predictive techniques in Vedic astrology and provide valuable insights into a person's basic character and life circumstances.