How to find your upasana / ishta devatha based on your chart ?

The important factor to find out one's upasana/ishta devata is Atma karaka.

Atma Karaka is the planet that has the highest longitude. 

To find one's Ishta Devata we have to look at the

Atma Karaka in Navamsa ( D9 ).

Atma Karaka in Navamsa is called the karakamsa. The twelfth house from the

karakamsa is called the jivanmuktamsa. 

If there is a graha in the jivanmuktamsa, it signifies the

Devata. If there are more grahas than one, choose the

strongest. If there is no graha in the jivanmuktamsa, take

its Lord.

Here are the presiding deities for each planet who will be your upasana/ishta devata as per your

horoscope.

Surya - Shiva/Vishnu/Rama

Chandra- Shiva

Mangala - Hanuman/ Subramanya

Budha - Vishnu

Guru - Dattatreya/ Dakshinamurthy/ Sai Baba /Vishnu 

Sukra - Mahalakshmi/Gowri

Sani - Hanuman/Shiva/Vishnu/Krishna

Rahu - Durga

Ketu - Ganesh

Lagnamsa and Karakamsa Lagna

The Navamsa occupied by the Janma Lagna is called the Navamsa Lagna or Lagnamsa. As the D-9 chart is based

on the Nakshatra Padas of the Moon, it will generally indicate the native’s dharma, marriage and psychological

abilities. Therefore the Lagnamsa is also primarily indicative of the psychological abilities/inner nature of the

native. The planets in trines from it may indicate the abilities developed in previous lives and manifesting in this

life. The Lagnamsa will also indicate the person’s behaviour in marriage, while the 7th from it will indicate the

nature of the first spouse. The 8th from it is the 2nd spouse (2nd from Lagna) etc. The Lagnamsa is also called

Swamsa. Maharishi Jaimini gives umpteen rules for judging its effects. It is also mentioned by several classics

that the strongest planet influencing the Lagnamsa will indicate the omplexion of the native, while the 7th from

it may indicate his sex, although the final word in this is given on the basis of the Janma Vighati (refer to above).

The nature indicated by the sign occupied by the Lagnamsa is sometimes much more prominent psychologically

than the Rasi Lagna.

The Navamsa occupied by the Atmakaraka is called the Karakamsa. Some modern astrologers have proposed

the interpretation that this same sign should be studied not in Navamsa but in Rasi, but there is absolutely no

logic behind this statement and also no reference is made into this direction by any of the classic writers.

Therefore it is advised to stick to the version of the Maharishis, where the Karakamsa is studied in the D-9 chart.

As the Atmakaraka refers to the soul, or indicate the way the soul will pursue to attain the Supreme Godhead, it

will have

a specifically strong spiritual signification in the Navamsa chart, and will indicate the hidden spiritual potential

of the native.

Jaimini gives the following rules for the interpretation of Karakamsa:

If Ketu is in the 12th or 4th from Karakamsa, then this constitutes a Moskha-yoga, i.e. the native will be

liberated from the cycle of birth and death. Malefics in this place deny deliverance from the cycle of rebirth. The

planets in the 12th house from Karakamsa will indicate the Ishta-devata of the native, i.e. the form of Deity that

will lead him to final emancipation.

Now let’s take an example chart for checking the applicability of the above rules:

Acharya Rajneesh (Osho) born on 11th December 1931, at 17.49 IST, Narsingpur

(22N57, 78E12)

Now let’s first see the impact of Janma Lagna. It is in the first degree of Gemini, which is a dual airy sign, and

gives a person who has very good abilities for speaking, philosophising and teaching. He was a teacher from the

beginning of his career. Indu Lagna is also there, conjoining the Janma Lagna, which may give an indication for

some wealth. He has also got Sastra Saham in 12 degrees of Gemini, so is education in philosophy and

humanitarian sciences was also an inborn ability. Varnadas of 10th and 3rd house are also in Gemini, so this

increases the success in career and gives many associates who do not stay for long time.

The Astha lagna falls into the beginning of Sagittarius, conjoining the constellation of five planets: Mars, Saturn,

Mercury, Venus and Moon. This will indicate a very strong attachment to sexuality, as three of these planets,

namely Mercury, Moon and Venus increase the native’s interest in sexuality. Artha Saham is also there at 8

degrees, giving wealth from the same thing, plus the Roga Saham at 22 degrees, indicating some disease which

may also well be the consequence of unrestricted sexual enjoyments. He also has Jalapatana Saham at 13

degrees in Sagittarius, which gave an overseas travel to the USA in 1982, in Jupiter/Saturn Vimsottari Dasa.

Madhya lagna is at 17 degrees in Aquarius. It is quite close to Sri Lagna, and may give wealth connected to his

professional success, and we also see Varnada of the 2nd and 8th house falling there. So his career brought lots

of wealth, but finally he became sick and his whole mission became ruined. He also has Jadya Saham in

Aquarius, which made him sluggish or lazy. At one time, at the peak of his missionary success, in 1981, in

Narayana Dasa of Aquarius, he took Mauna-vrata or wow of silence, but he broke it after a few years in Taurus

Dasa which has Arudha of 2nd house (speech) and is 12th house of losses from Lagna.

Patala Lagna is at 17 degrees in Leo. He has got Gulika there, plus Varnadas of 5th and 11th houses. This gave

him a power to infuence the feelings of others and receive gains through this. We see the lord of Leo, Sun being

in the 6th, so the feelings or emotions were largely subordinate to his sexual desires as all the five planets give

unobstructed Argala on the Sun, and Sun is in Scorpio indicating perverted sexual desires.

The above reading from the Sun will also give influence on his career and fame, as Sun’s position will be the

Surya Lagna. The Sun in the 6th from Lagna may indicate that he gains many enemies with his fame, so many

people attacked him, and thus his fame was not equivocally positive. Sun is at 25 degrees in Scorpio. He also

had Putra Saham at 23 degrees in Scorpio, but it seems that the Sun destroyed its significations as he had no

sons according to my knowledge. Kali Saham is also there at 8 degrees, so it gave some harassment as he was

banned from the US because of the scandals around his missionary activity.

Chandra lagna in the 7th makes his mind focus on sexuality, and is a very strong combination with four other

planets conjoining. Rahu and Ketu are both aspecting the Moon sign, giving difficulties in life, and Sun is in 12th

from it, giving both fame abroad and ill fame as well. Moon is in 8th from her own house and in 2nd from her

debilitation position, but the Jupiter exalted in Moon’s house strengthens its position. Also Chandra lagnesh

exalted in 8th gives interest in spirituality, which will manifest in the form of philosophical discourses and

Tantric practices. Jupiter is also Atmakaraka therefore their Parivartana with moon becomes even more

significant. The Moon is at 22 degrees in Sagittarius, almost exactly conjoining Roga Saham, which could result

in psychological distortions and deviant behaviour. The presence of Pravrajya yoga in the 7th have made him

disrespectful to the traditions of Hinduism and embracing the philosophy of liberating the mind from the

constrictions of ethical rules.

Bhava lagna is at 10 degrees Taurus. It’s in the 12th house from Lagna, indicating the focus on meditation and

self-realization, and its effects on the etheric body. The aspect of Jupiter from the 2nd house increases the

spiritual significations of the Bhava Lagna. However, Jupiter is retrograde while being exalted, so it can give a

twist in the understanding of the proper method and goal of meditation. He’s got Punya (good deeds) and Asha

Saham (hopes) close to Bhava Lagna, which increase the power of the subtle body and enable it to influence

others as well. Gaurava Saham (respect) adds to this reading. He has got a lot fo other Sahams in Taurus as

well. This indicate a strong connection of his subtle body to a lot of issues in life. Sraddha Saham (dedication)

and Preeti Saham (affection) add to his power to gain followers through the influence of his astral body. His

followers often times experienced ecstasy during the collective mediations. Vyapara (business) and Vanik (trade)

Saham made him a businessman selling subtle experiences. Paradara Saham (adultery) made him rebel against

the established laws of marriage. Mrityu Saham and Apamrityu Saham also indicate death in a meditative state

of mind. Although there were some spiritual achievements in his life, it is not likely that he attained Moksha, as

the 7th house is quite strong, and also having Mars and Saturn in there. The 7th house indicates the Mooladhara

(Root) chakra, and we see that it’s quite strong in his chart.

Therefore he was interested in elevating the consciousness with the help of raising the Kundalini Shakti (Mars)

situated in the 7th house. Sun in the 6th indicates the importance given by him to the activities of Swadhidthana

(Sex) Chakra in this endeavour. The ruling Twttwa of the Root Chakra is Prithivi or earth. He has only Ketu in

earthly signs, giving ability to elevate the Kuldalini Shakti quite easily. Ketu also gives a Rasi Dristi on the 7th

house. Hora Lagna is in the 5th from Lagna, indicating wealth from the disciples. Arudha 0f 9th house is also

conjoining, indicating income through teaching/philosophical lectures and being a Guru. Libra is still a Venusian

sign, therefore his philosophical preaching was permeated with thoughts of sexual enjoyment. Lord of Hora

Lagna again conjoins the strong combination I the 7th house. In D-10,

Lagna is Gemini, conjoined by Venus and Hora Lagna, confirming the above indications.

Ghati Lagna is in 10th in Pisces indicating position and influence gained by philospohical lectures. Arudha Lagna

also conjoins, giving fame as a philosopher. His books are read even now. Rahu is also there in 10th house,

giving pame and distinction especially abroad among westerners. All the planets excepting Sun and Jupiter act

as yogadas in this chart. In D-9 Ghati Lagna

conjoins Lagna and Moon, but in D-5 Ghati Lagna is in 12th from Lagna, indicating loss of position which is

actually happened in 1985, when he was deported back to India from the USA. In D-10 Ghati Lagna is again in

10th from Vargottama Lagna and has Sun there also, giving good position for some time. For birth Vighati we

need to know the time from sunrise to birth. It is 9 hours, 1 minute and 31 seconds, which is 1353.79 Vighatis.

Dividing by 9 the remainder is 3.79, which is corrected to 4. The 4th Vighati is ruled by Mercury, which ideally

gives eunuchs. He was a male, but did not have children, as far as I know, and Mercury in this case gives rather

strong sexual desires. He is conjoined by a lot of planets in the 7th house. Of course it may also indicate that the

birth time is not completely accurate, so we may adjust it to either Mars or Jupiter.

Pranapada Lagna is at 3 degrees in Libra, in 5th from lagna, so according to Parasara’s rules it indicates a

successful life. The 3rd for Pranapada lagna has both malefics and benefics, which would indicate attachment to

co-borns, but it is also aspected by the two nodes, so maybe he was not attached even to the coborns.

His Varnada lagna is in Sagittarius, conjoined by a host of planets, indicating much success in career. Lord of

Varnada Lagna is exalted Atmakaraka Jupiter in Cancer, so it indicates barhminical activity and teaching. He

was a Guru, who taught a way for self-realisation (Atmakaraka involved), but as Atmakaraka is retrograde, this

teaching did not follow in line with the accepted Vedic authorities. Lord of Varnada Lagna is not in trines or

Kenbdras from Lagna, so his earnings were not completely legal and socially acceptable, therefore he was

banned from

US. Varnada Lagna is also in the 2nd from the Sun, which gives many beautiful women.

Shri Lagna is in Aquarius, its lord Saturn conjoins the four combinations in Sagittarius, which may give good

wealth but because Saturn is in 12th from Shri Lagna, the wealth is lost. Also Saturn aspects the Lagna, which

may indicate radical changes in the financial status of the native. The peak of his wealth situation was in 1981-

82, at the end of Sagittarius Sudasa, which is lorded by exalted Jupiter. Indu Lagna is in Gemini, so conjoining

the ascendant and being

aspected by 7 planets, and also receiving the Argala of exalted Jupiter, will give much wealth.

Paaka Lagna is in the 7th house, and we have explained the effect of so many planets in the 7th house.

Seemingly it gave him good health and a fiery disposition, although it’s quite mixed because of the influence of

the fiery planets. Arudha Lagna is in the 10th house, in Pisces, making him known as a great philosopher. Rahu

in Arudha Lagna may bring some ill fame as well, which

actually came true. His Upapada (Arudha of 12th house) and Darapada (Arudha of the 7th house) are in 6/8

houses relationship, which made him deride the sanctity of marriage. Darapada is also in the 9th, thus he made

adultery a part of his religious teaching.

Rajneesh stated that he had his first ecstatic trance at the age of seven, in the Drigdasa of Cancer, having

exalted Atmakarak Jupiter. He also claimed that he attained enlightenment at the age of 21, in Scorpio Drigdasa,

containing Sun, but this is not likely. The Drigdasas of Sagittarius (68-76), Pisces (76-85) and Gemini (85-91)

must have been quite fruitful. The peak of his success as a Guru came in the Drigdasa of Pisces.

His Navamsa Lagna is in Libra, having Moon in it. This will indicate his complexion, which was pale. Libra

indicates well his neo-tantric and idealistic philosophy. Moon being there will point to sensuality, and Ghati

Lagna adds to power and fame through his philosophical views. His Karakamsa is quite good, as Jupiter in Pisces

being Atmakaraka, and especially conjoined by Ketu may give Moksha (liberation). Still the 12th from

Karakamsa has only Dun, indicating

Rama or Siva as worshipable Deity. So 12th from Karakamsa is not stronger than 7th from Lagna in Rasi,

therefore liberation was not possibly achieved. Also Karakamsa is in 6th from Lagnamsa. Navamsa Lagnesh

being debilitated and in 12th from Lagnamsa and conjoined by Rahu in Moolatrikona is also not a very

favourable combination. We can check many things using the special ascendants introduced above.