Karmasthana (astrology)

Karmasthana, also known as the Kirtisthana and the Rajyasthana, is the 10th bhava or house counted from the Lagna or the Ascendant or from the Chandra-lagna i.e. the natal position of the Moon. It is the house of action and the house of profession.

From the 10th house is judged the rank and status, position and authority, command, ruling powers, means of livelihood and all actions dealing with it, respect, honour, father, living abroad, debts etc. According to Rudra, the word, 'respect', connotes all sentiments and experiences which elevate and uplift the feeling of self-gratification, and the honour and homage paid by others whether by members of a clan or community or government. Vaidyanatha includes renunciation of worldly life and taking to asceticism, and Kalidasa adds trade, depositing of treasure, athletics, teaching, supremacy and fame as matters to be judged from this house. In general terms the 10th house refers to occupation, profession, means of livelihood, temporal honours, foreign travels, self-respect, knowledge and dignity. The analysis of this house too needs the study of the strength of the house, its lord, its occupants, its karakas and planets aspecting it, and also the different yogas bearing on it.

According to the basic principles of Hindu astrology the signs that are owned by natural benefics are auspicious signs as also those that are even signs and the shirshodaya signs (those rising with the head first); the odd signs, prashtodaya signs (those rising with their hind-portion first) and the signs owned by natural malefic are not auspicious signs; benefics become more benefic by occupying shirshodya signs. However, Jatakadeshmarga (p. 171) explains that natural malefics confer good results if they are not evilly inclined and are strong in shadabala i.e. occupy own, friendly or exalted rasi, hora, drekkena, navamsa, dwadasamsa and trimsamsa, and thus occupying benefic vargas (sub-divisions of signs) are aspected by benefics occupying benefic vargas; natural benefics that are weak in shadabala and occupying evil vargas are aspected by evil planets occupying evil vargas do not confer good results expected of them.

Power and fame are associated with the lagna or the Chandra-lagna, the 9th and the 10th house counted from these lagnas whichever is stronger; these houses and their respective lords should be strong and not afflicted. The location of Saturn in the 10th house from the Chandra-lagna even if occupying a friendly sign does not confer high status and fame, and if not aspected by Venus or Jupiter makes one earn a bad name and occupy subordinate position. Sankhya yoga arises if the lord of the lagna and the lord of the 10th house simultaneously occupy moveable signs and the lord of the 9th is not weak but vested with required strength; those born with Sankhya yoga enjoy the usual comforts of life, remain above want, possess a forgiving-nature, blessed with wife and son live in own residence, are learned and of good conduct and temperament, engage in good deeds and live very long.

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Wikipedia