Benefic and malefic planets in Kundli

Benefic and malefic are traditional classifications used by particular chart rules. They are not moral labels for a graha or a person, and they do not make every associated event good or bad.

Natural classification used by the yoga rules

Jupiter and Venus are treated as benefics. Sun, Mars, Saturn, Rahu and Ketu are treated as malefics. The Moon and Mercury are conditional.

The Moon is classed as benefic from the 8th through the 22nd tithi in this tool's brighter-Moon convention. This interval includes part of the waxing and part of the waning fortnight; it must not be described simply as “waxing.” Other traditions use different phase or brightness distinctions.

Mercury is treated as benefic unless it shares a sign with a graha classified as malefic. The rule uses sign association, not a claim about the person's speech or judgment.

Functional role

A graha's house ownership changes with lagna. That is the basis of a functional classification. It is distinct from natural nature and also distinct from sign dignity.

For example, with Capricorn lagna Venus owns the fifth and tenth houses. This combination of a trikona and a kendra is the basis of a Yogakaraka rule. The example does not imply that every Venus placement or period must produce the same result.

Read the exact rule

A yoga may specify benefics around the lagna, a strong lord, or a particular relationship. Check which classification is being used before interpreting its name. An exalted natural malefic remains a different concept from a natural benefic, and a strong graha is not automatically favourable for every topic.

Use house lords, planetary dignity and the yoga directory to keep these factors separate.

See the chart and its tables on the Kundli page.