Atmakaraka - Atmakaraka Meaning - Types of Atmakaraka

In vedic astrology, Atma means ‘soul’ and Karaka means ‘significator’. Combining both of them implies, a significator of the soul’s desire. It is believed that when a person dies with unfulfilled desires, his soul takes a rebirth to fulfill all the unfinished desires of the past lives. The Atmakaraka is also called Atmeshvara and is the final authority in all matters.

There are certain principles that related to Atmakaraka, according to which if the Atmakaraka is in the favour of the activity performed by the native then the work is accomplished. While, If it does not approve the activity of the native then the accomplishment is difficult.

According to Vedic philosophy, there are two types of Atmakaraka

Natural Atmakaraka

The Sun is considered as natural Atmakaraka in all type of birth charts.. Sun influences the centre of our personality and hence, known as Atmakaraka. As per the astrological principles, the Sun has the complete influence on the personality and mind of the human body.According to Rig Veda, the Sun is identified with the soul of the universe, that makes the Atmakaraka a doer, manipulator and director. Atmakaraka is the most important planet in the chart. The Sun is the parent body of Solar system. Being ecliptic it does not have any chance to be retrograde.

Movable Atmakaraka

The movable Atmakaraka is the position and impact of the planet that has maximum degrees of all the planets in the birth chart of the native. Hence, any planet i.e the Sun, Moon, Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, Saturn or Rahu, having the highest degree in the horoscope becomes the Atmakarka. However, Ketu being the significator of salvation is not considered as movable Atmakaraka. Salvation or Moksha is the final aim or destination of the soul. Different Planets signify different desires of the soul that were not fulfilled in the past lives.

• Sun: Success, fame and power.
• Moon: Happiness, love and satisfaction.
• Mars: Brave, courageous.
• Mercury: Intellectual superiority and divine communication.
• Jupiter: Spirituality and Wisdom.
• Venus: Soul for Venusian activities and romance.
• Saturn: Perform the duty and maintain democracy.
• Rahu: Native will be cheated in his life quite often.

The Atmakaraka planet shows the aspiration of the soul in the present life. This planet is the main planet through which the overall strength of the horoscope is judged. If the Atmakaraka is weak or afflicted, the native will have strong chances to make wrong decision in life. Thus, understanding the highest expression of Atmakaraka planet and conscientiously following that is the only way to approach life.