What is the Atmakaraka?

In Jaimini astrology the Atmakaraka ('significator of the soul') is the planet that has travelled the furthest through its sign at birth - the highest degree, ignoring which sign it is in. It represents the soul's main desire and lesson in this life and is treated as the king of the chart.

What is the Darakaraka?

The Darakaraka is the planet with the lowest degree in its sign. It signifies the spouse and close partnerships; its nature, sign and Navamsa placement are used to describe the partner and the marriage.

Seven or eight karakas - which does this use?

Seven: Sun, Moon, Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, Venus and Saturn, the scheme used by Prokerala and most Indian software. Some Jaimini scholars add Rahu (counted backwards from 30°) for eight karakas, which can change the lower karakas, including the Darakaraka.

Why does my birth time matter?

The Moon moves about half a degree an hour. If the Moon is one of your karakas and sits within a degree or so of another planet, a few hours of birth time can swap their order. The calculator warns you when that is possible.

What is the Karakamsa?

The Karakamsa is the sign your Atmakaraka occupies in the Navamsa (D9) chart. Jaimini astrologers read it as the soul's true inclination, and planets in or aspecting it describe one's calling, worship and spiritual path.

Atmakaraka & Darakaraka Calculator

Free · no sign-up Checked against Drik PanchangAny birth place worldwide

What you'll get

Atmakaraka - your soul planet
Darakaraka - your spouse planet
All seven Chara Karakas with degrees
Your Karakamsa sign

Enter your birth details to find your Atmakaraka - the soul planet, highest in degree - and your Darakaraka, the spouse planet with the lowest degree, plus all seven Jaimini Chara Karakas and your Karakamsa. Sidereal positions with the Lahiri ayanamsa, matching Drik Panchang to a fraction of an arc-minute.

Updated 9 October 2026 · Lahiri ayanamsa as on Drik Panchang · positions cross-checked with Swiss Ephemeris

The seven Chara Karakas

1Atmakaraka (AK) - the soul, the self and this life's central lesson.
2Amatyakaraka (AmK) - career, advisers and how you earn standing.
3Bhratrikaraka (BK) - siblings, courage and close companions.
4Matrikaraka (MK) - the mother, nurture and inner peace.
5Putrakaraka (PK) - children, creativity and disciples.
6Gnatikaraka (GK) - rivals, obstacles, illness and litigation.
7Darakaraka (DK) - the spouse and all close partnerships.

"Chara" means movable: unlike the fixed significators of Parashari astrology (the Sun for the father, Venus for the spouse), these roles change from chart to chart according to degree.

Atmakaraka by planet

Sun as Atmakaraka
The soul seeks authority, self-respect and the right use of power. The lesson is to lead without ego - to shine by serving a purpose larger than yourself.
Moon as Atmakaraka
The soul seeks emotional fulfilment and to care for others. The lesson is steadiness of mind - to nurture without losing yourself in other people's moods.
Mars as Atmakaraka
The soul seeks courage, action and protection of what is right. The lesson is controlled strength - to fight for dharma without anger or haste.
Mercury as Atmakaraka
The soul seeks knowledge, skill and expression. The lesson is truthful speech and discernment - to use intelligence honestly rather than cleverly.
Jupiter as Atmakaraka
The soul seeks wisdom, faith and right guidance. The lesson is humility in teaching - to share knowledge without preaching or pride.
Venus as Atmakaraka
The soul seeks love, beauty and refinement. The lesson is to enjoy without attachment - pleasure and relationships become paths to devotion.
Saturn as Atmakaraka
The soul seeks truth through effort and endurance. The lesson is patience and service - hardship is the teacher, and detachment the reward.

Darakaraka and marriage

The Darakaraka is read with the 7th house of the Rasi chart and the Navamsa. For a full picture of marriage prospects, check Mangal Dosha, compare charts with Kundli Matching and see your Navamsa in the birth chart calculator.

Guides to read with your result

Frequently asked questions

What is the Atmakaraka?: In Jaimini astrology the Atmakaraka ('significator of the soul') is the planet that has travelled the furthest through its sign at birth - the highest degree, ignoring which sign it is in. It represents the soul's main desire and lesson in this life and is treated as the king of the chart.
What is the Darakaraka?: The Darakaraka is the planet with the lowest degree in its sign. It signifies the spouse and close partnerships; its nature, sign and Navamsa placement are used to describe the partner and the marriage.
Seven or eight karakas - which does this use?: Seven: Sun, Moon, Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, Venus and Saturn, the scheme used by Prokerala and most Indian software. Some Jaimini scholars add Rahu (counted backwards from 30°) for eight karakas, which can change the lower karakas, including the Darakaraka.
Why does my birth time matter?: The Moon moves about half a degree an hour. If the Moon is one of your karakas and sits within a degree or so of another planet, a few hours of birth time can swap their order. The calculator warns you when that is possible.
What is the Karakamsa?: The Karakamsa is the sign your Atmakaraka occupies in the Navamsa (D9) chart. Jaimini astrologers read it as the soul's true inclination, and planets in or aspecting it describe one's calling, worship and spiritual path.

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Understand your soul and spouse planets

The Atmakaraka and Darakaraka come alive when read with the Navamsa, the 7th house and your Dasha. A consultation brings them together for your path and relationships.

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