How to read a Badhaka Planet in horoscope?

Introduction:

In the realm of Vedic Astrology, the concept of Badhak Graha stands as a cryptic enigma, holding paramount significance in shaping the course of human existence. Derived from the Sanskrit term “Badha,” meaning obstruction or impediment, Badhak Graha serves as a pivotal celestial force believed to introduce challenges and hurdles in an individual’s life journey.

This article endeavours to delve into the intricacies of Badhak Graha, exploring its origins, underlying principles, and profound implications within the framework of Vedic Astrology. Through a meticulous analysis of ten case studies, we aim to elucidate the intricate workings of Badhak Graha, offering insights into its intricate mechanisms and its profound impact on the destinies of individuals.

Join us on a scholarly exploration as we unravel the complexities surrounding Badhak Graha, dissecting its influence with precision and rigor within the context of astrological theory and practice. Through this endeavor, we aspire to provide readers with a comprehensive understanding of Badhak Graha and its role in shaping the tapestry of human fate.

Words of Classics

Shloka 48 of Chapter 2, Volume 1 of Jataka Parijat states: “In the case of movable, immovable, and dual signs, planets occupying respectively the 11th, 9th, and 7th houses from them or their lords will prove troublesome planets if they happen to own at the same time the house occupied by the lord of Khara or Mandi.”
BPHS confirms so in its Chara dasha chapter.
Jataka Parijat, in Shloka 30 of Chapter 18, Volume 3, asserts: “During the dasha period of a planet owning a badhak place as well as one associated therewith, leads to disease, distress, etc. During the dasha or antar dasha of a planet occupying a kendra from the badhak place, sorrow comes.”
Sarvartha Chintamani succinctly states that the lords of specific signs play the role of Badhak Graha. According to this esteemed text, the lords of movable signs in the 11th house, fixed signs in the 9th house, and dual signs in the 7th house from their respective signs are considered Badhak Grahas. E.g., Mars in Aquarius is Badhak for Aries, and in Cancer for Scorpio matters.
Additionally, Sarvartha Chintamani emphasizes that the lords of Rahu and Ketu also hold the designation of Badhaka, contributing to the understanding of this astrological concept.

Notable points from classics-

The lord of badhak houses or planets in it can be problem for a sign/house.
It can be more concerning if it associates with malefic planets such as trik lords, Rahu Ketu, Khara planets (22^nd Drekanna/64 Navamsha), Gulika/Mandi, Mrityu Bhaga.
Badhak cannot be for only lagna or sign in lagna, we can apply it for every house/sign of horoscope. Advance step!
Badhak can also be good, since in fixed lagna or sign- 9^th from it becomes badhak, which is most auspicious as per Parashara. Our father, guru stops us from wrong doings!

Let us illustrate it with few examples-

Case-1

First, we should note the Khara planets, Gulika/Mandi, or any planet in the Mrityu Bhaga.
Rahu in the Mrityu Bhaga, Gulika/Mandi in Dhanu, Jupiter is the dispositor, and the 22nd Drekanna lord is Mercury since the lagna is in the first 10 degrees. Lastly, the 64th Navamsha lord is Venus if we put the degrees of the Moon in the 8th sign from it, giving us Libra Navamsha.
When this native was born, their family plunged into dire poverty. The father faced numerous instances of deceit and betrayal. It was only after this individual began earning that their family’s financial situation improved, lifting them out of poverty.
Here, it is noteworthy that the 9th lord serves as the Badhak, given the fixed lagna. The 9th house hosts Ketu, receiving aspects from Jupiter, the lord of Gulika, as well as Saturn, the lord of Rahu, and Mars, the 6th lord. Shortly after the native’s birth, the father’s fortunes began to decline. This could be attributed to the pending karma of the 9th lord in the 11th house, eventually rectified through the native’s earnings, facilitated by the exchange of the 11th and 10th lords. The native was born during the Chandra Dasha, which coincides with the Badhkesh period. Consequently, the native faced extreme adversity during the entire Rahu period.
We can see badha stemming from each house, evidenced by the extreme familial responsibilities that hindered the native’s marital journey. Due to the father’s inability to provide, the native’s marriage was significantly delayed, leading to prolonged struggles in this aspect of life. Eventually, the native married in 2007 after overcoming numerous hurdles, including the marriage of his younger sister before his own, as he bore the weight of familial responsibilities.From the 7th house, Taurus, Capricorn serves as the 9th house, which becomes the Badhak. Within this configuration, the 6th lord, representing pending karma, is positioned alongside Rahu in the Mrityu Bhaga, exacerbating the challenges.
Post-marriage, the couple encountered major obstacles in delivering both child, facing life-threatening situations. Notably, the Badha house for the 5th house is Virgo, and for the lagna, it is Cancer. The Badhkesh from the lagna resides in the Badha of children, exacerbating the difficulties in this area.

Case-2

Badhkesh is Mars. 64^th Navamsha lord is Venus. 22^nd Drekanna- Moon. Mrityu Bhaga- Mercury. Gulika lord is Mercury.
In this case, the native encounters significant troubles originating from their immediate family, particularly involving one of their siblings who engaged in deceitful behavior or manipulative actions within the family dynamic. As a result, the native found themselves compelled to resolve these issues, shouldering the responsibility for resolving the conflicts and restoring harmony within the family unit.
Ultimately, this experience left a profound impact on the native’s life, akin to a formidable knot or obstruction, hindering their progress and complicating their path forward. The challenges posed by the familial discord and the subsequent burden of resolving them represent a significant obstacle in the native’s journey, shaping their experiences and influencing their life trajectory.
We can clearly see- how concentration of planets is in 2^nd house and lord of family. 2^nd lord Mercury is in MB, Badhkesh in 2^nd house, 64^th Navamsha lord in 2^nd house and 22^nd drekanna in 3^rd house of siblings.
The native also faced challenges in conceiving children, which unfortunately remained unfulfilled in this lifetime. The Badhkesh for the 5th house, symbolizing children, resides in the lagna, further compounded by its placement in the Mrityu Bhaga. Additionally, it is accompanied by Saturn, the 6th lord, indicating medical issues that contributed to the difficulties in having children. These obstacles in the realm of progeny represent a significant aspect of the native’s life journey, adding to the overall burden of challenges they faced.

Case-3

Badhkesh is Jupiter. 64^th Navamsha lord is Sun. 22^nd Drekanna- Mercury. Mrityu Bhaga- None. Gulika Lord is Moon.
This native experienced profound pain due to unrequited love, leading to a devastating romantic failure that plunged him into deep depression. He had been grappling with gambling even before these events unfolded, and the additional stressors intensified his struggles. To cope, he continued to seek solace in gambling and started drinking, which resulted in accumulating significant debts. These overwhelming challenges and the despair they brought forth tragically culminated in his decision to take his own life. He departed from this world in October 2023, leaving behind a legacy of heartache and unanswered questions.
Here, the Badhakesh, Jupiter, is situated in the 5th house, associated with love affairs, alongside Venus, the significator of love, in the sign of Libra. This placement suggests a significant connection to relationships. However, they are afflicted by Rahu, indicating complications and challenges within the romantic sphere- Rahu in 12^th house of Navamsha with Moon and aspected by Mars. In the Navamsha chart, Jupiter is heavily afflicted by Saturn, Mars, and Sun. Moreover, Sun, the 64th Navamsha lord, also contributes to this affliction, further exacerbating the challenges and obstacles in matters of love and relationships.

Case-4

Badhakesh is Mars. 64^th Navamsha lord is Moon. 22^nd Drekanna- Mars. Mrityu Bhaga- Moon & Mercury. Gulika lord is Mercury.
This native experienced a separation in their marriage due to the demands of her job, which required her to stay away from her family.
The Badhakesh resides in the 7th house alongside the 8th lord, contributing to challenges in marriage. The native often expressed that marriage felt like a significant knot in her life. Currently, she is facing struggles in finding a second marriage partner.
The Badha for the 7th house is Libra, which is associated with Venus. Venus also serves as the 10th lord and is positioned with Mercury, the Amk (Jaimini karaka of the 10th house), in the 3rd house of movement. Mercury is in Mrityu Bhaga and serves as the dispositor of the Moon, another planet in Mrityu Bhaga. These planetary placements indicate complications and obstacles in matters related to marriage and partnerships because of work/job.

Case-5

Badhakesh is Mercury. 64^th Navamsha lord is Jupiter. 22^nd Drekanna- Jupiter. Mrityu Bhaga- Sun & Jupiter. Gulika lord is Mars and Mandi lord is Jupiter.
This native has faced significant challenges in relationships throughout his life. He committed a mistake in a past relationship, and as a result, his current spouse taunts him every day, which may eventually lead to separation. Additionally, he experienced a serious heartbreak before his present marriage. Furthermore, he encountered difficulties in conceiving children, adding to his struggles in the realm of relationships and family life.
The Badha for the lagna involves Mercury and Gemini, where Rahu is positioned and closely aspected by Saturn. Additionally, the 7th house is influenced by the aspect of Sun, which is situated in the Mrityu Bhaga, indicating challenges and failures in that area of life.
Furthermore, the Badha for the 7th house is Jupiter, which is also situated in the Mrityu Bhaga and serves as a khara planet. This indicates that the native’s own mistakes have led to problems in relationships. It is essential to note that the 11th house represents desires, and the presence of a benefic planet in this house can signify uncontrolled desires.
Regarding the 5th house, the lord, Mars, is in conjunction with its own badha lord, Saturn, in the 6th house from 5^th house. The 5th house itself contains the 8th lord Moon and is aspected by Jupiter from the 11th house. Additionally, Gulika is present in the 5th house. These configurations confirm humiliation and difficulties related to childbirth, which is within the domain of the 5th house

Case-6

Badhakesh is Venus. 64^th Navamsha lord is Mercury. 22^nd Drekanna- Venus. Gulika lord is Mercury.
In this case, the native ventured to a foreign country and acquired land through a loan. However, the value of the land decreased significantly, prompting the native to return to India to acquire funds to cover the costs. Despite the father’s advice against returning due to financial constraints, the native remained in India. As a defaulter, the native encountered obstacles in conducting business or securing employment, both locally and internationally, even after 15 years. The major obstruction in this scenario revolves around property, either directly or indirectly, as it continues to impede the native’s ability to engage in business activities or pursue job opportunities.
In this case, the Badha lord is Venus, which also serves as the 4th lord and is conjunct Mars, the significator of property, in the 3rd house. This house is owned by Mercury, who is both the lord of Gulika and the 64th Navamsha lord.
The native faces career-related challenges primarily because the Badha lord for Career, Aries, is Saturn positioned in the 4th house, which pertains to property matters. Furthermore, the Badha lord for Leo, associated with money, is Mars, again in conjunction with the 4th lord. Thus, the 4th house emerges as a significant area of obstruction from various perspectives.

Case-7

Badhakesh is Surya. 64^th Navamsha lord is Mercury. 22^nd Drekanna- Mercury. Gulika lord is Venus.
Given the well-known figure represented in this chart, Mahatma Gandhi, there is no need for an introduction. His life is renowned for his struggles against foreign governments and his personal battle with issues related to sex and lust.
In this chart, the Badha lord is Sun, positioned in the 12th house of Virgo. Virgo, being a sign associated with intellect and law, also harbors connotations of potential pervertedness in matters of sex due to Venus’s debilitation in this sign. Additionally, Sun’s placement in the 12th house, a house of confinement and isolation, can further exacerbate struggles related to sexuality. Notably, if other relevant combinations persist in the horoscope, this placement can indeed contribute to sexual challenges, as evidenced by similar configurations in the horoscope of Bill Clinton.
The lord of Badhakesh, Mercury, also serves as the 64th Navamsha lord and the 22nd Drekanna lord. Positioned alongside Gulika and its lord, these combinations intensify the obstacles in the native’s life. Later, during his Jupiter dasha, Jupiter being the 6th lord here and in mutual aspect with these planets, the native faced a great dilemma concerning the partition of the nation. This situation acted as a trap, exacerbating the effects of the obstacles, ultimately leading to his death. The Badha worked like a formidable trap in this instance, influencing the trajectory of his life significantly. Note how trik lord and maraca are involved in this case of badha.

Case-8

Badhakesh is Venus. 64^th Navamsha lord is Mars. 22^nd Drekanna- Mercury. Gulika lord is Sun. Sun in Mrityu Bhaga.
In the horoscope of Indian superstar Amitabh Bachchan, a major obstacle or badha is evident in his marital relationship. The involvement in an extra-marital affair with Rekha in 1976 is well-documented, and even today, there are indications of lingering affection from Rekha towards him, despite his marriage to someone else. This affair posed a significant challenge in his marital life. Additionally, his wife, Jaya Bachchan, is perceived as being arrogant, which adds another layer of concern in his personal life. These dynamics highlight the complexities and obstacles present in his relationships, both past and present.
In 1976, Amitabh Bachchan was in Saturn-Mercury Vimshottari Dasha. Mercury, as the 8th lord of scandal, is positioned with Sun and Venus in the 8th house, along with Mars. In the Navamsha chart, this Mercury is in the 11th house of Leo, which serves as the Badha house for Libra Navamsha. This alignment indicates a significant problem in relationships, likely attributed to the extramarital affair during that period.
He also faced bank bankruptcy in his Mercury dasha. Mercury is Badhakesh for 2^nd house of finances- Pisces, he was struggling to much in Mer-Sun period.

Case-9

Badhakesh is Sun. 64^th Navamsha lord is Jupiter. 22^nd Drekanna- Mercury. Gulika lord is Sun. Sun in Mrityu Bhaga.
In the case of Narendra Modi, he faced allegations regarding the Gujarat Riots that occurred in February 2002. It was a period marked by significant opposition against him, including the denial of a visa by the USA. This ordeal posed a major obstruction in his life, impacting his reputation and political career. However, in 2012, he received final clearance in the case, which ultimately worked in his favour, leading to an improvement in his public image and furthering his political success.
In 2002, Narendra Modi was under the influence of the Venus-Saturn Dasha, followed by the Mercury Dasha from mid-year onwards. During this period, Mercury, being combust by the Sun, which is the Badhakesh in this case, posed challenges on a personal level for him. Sun, being in the Mrityu Bhaga, intensified these challenges. Additionally, Mercury is the 22nd Drekanna lord and the lord of Gulika, further complicating matters. As Narendra Modi’s Sun dasha was nearing its end in 2012, he received clearance in the Gujarat Riots case.
However, it is important to note the presence of Saturn and Venus in his chart. Saturn is in Pushkar Navamsha, and Venus is Vargottama, both forming a great Raj Yoga. Despite the challenges posed by the Badhakesh, which combusts its own house lord, there is a loss to the Badhakesh as well.
Furthermore, the disposing Raj Yoga in the 11th house, along with the supportive future dasha of Chandra, which is in another great Raj Yoga, played a significant role. Chandra provides argala to the 10th house and aspects it, being in Pushkar Navamsa once again. Moreover, the Nakshatra lord of the Moon is involved in a Raj Yoga. Dasha is most important in any horoscope depending on the promise of horoscope.
Ultimately, these factors turned the obstacle into a boon for Narendra Modi, helping him overcome challenges and achieve success in his endeavours.
It is noted that Narendra Modi was married but left his partner. The badha for Aries, which represents the 7th house of marriage, is Saturn, positioned in the 11th house alongside Venus, the significator of marriage. The reason for leaving his partner was rooted in spiritual and nationalist thoughts, as indicated by the presence of Jupiter in Aquarius and its lord in Leo in his horoscope.

Conclusion-

Badhaka can become very problematic when afflicted by the mentioned negative planets.
If the Badhaka is well-aspected, in a good raj yoga like in the case of Narendra Modi, it can be a blessing in disguise also.
If the Badhaka planet is not with khara planets, the badha is not very serious.
You should check the badha for each house/sign, but note when badha from lagna, and for a particular sign are together and afflicted, it creates a major trouble.
Badha under major affliction of trik lords can also mean a trap for the life, if there are Retro planets also involved in a negative way.