The planet having the highest degree in your birth chart is denoted as the Atmakaraka (AK) which means the significator of the soul, in the scheme of chara karakas we take the 8 planet system ( Sun, Moon, Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, Venus, Saturn & Rahu ) for all living things and the 7 planet system which excludes Rahu for all non living things.
Now, let us understand the role of the atmakaraka and why does it gain higher importance in the chart, this planet denoted as the AK conveys the reason of your birth, a soul is born due to unfinished or pending karma & desires and the AK shows those desires & pending karma that one has to achieve in this life so as to close this chapter once for all but many of us go through life being unaware of our soul’s purpose and end up swimming in circles in the cycle of birth & death.
How do we understand the soul’s desire for this life ? Simply look at where the AK planet is placed in birth chart and then check its position in the Navamsha D9 chart, the sign where the AK is placed in D9 is known as the Karakamsha and make this sign as the ascendant and then study the position of houses and other planets from the AK, for example the 10th house from the AK shows which karma the soul desires to accomplish, the 7th from the AK can show the kind of partner which the soul’s desire and also the main desire causing the rebirth of the soul.
The position of the AK and the conjunction or aspects it receives in birth chart also shows how the soul is perceiving the material life. Placement of the AK planet in houses such as 3,6,8,12 is not considered good, debilitation or association with malefic or having retrogression is not favourable for the AK planet. Such placement shows that the person will go through a very karmic journey which can cause many sufferings.
The dasha period of the AK planet can be the most painful period of your life as it brings forth the highest load of karmic effects and it is extremely vital that during such a period one takes the guidance of vedic astrologer to find light in the darkness that has taken over in life. Also, whenever Saturn transits in the house where AK is placed during such a period the person will be under severe stress and caught in the karmic tussle and appropriate remedial measures are needed to counter this.
The Atmakaraka plays a very important role in helping one realise his or her own “Ishta Devata” which can guide the soul to liberation in this life and the 9th from the Karakamsha is the Dharma Devata who helps one accomplish the dharma in this life. The 12th from the Karakamsha in D9 shows the Ishta Devata, the planet placed there can show the Ishta Devata and if no planet then the Lord of the house and fixed aspects have to be taken in consideration to help one find the Ishta Devata. Remember, the Ishta Devata is always a form of Vishnu.
Now let’s understand what does it mean having a planet as your AK ;
Sun – If Sun is your AK, the soul wants you to shed your ego in this life and be respectful to your father and the dharma.
Moon – Be caring, kind and mother like to all, share food, feed needy people, heal others, have purity in your heart for all
Mars – Adopt “Ahimsa” (non – violence) in life, avoid being angry, avoid arguments, debates, revenge and all acts & thoughts of violence and causing pain to others. Avoid carrying weapons and avoid consuming food of tamasic nature.
Mercury – Get over the urge of chasing money, avoid being greedy and leave the obsession of wealth, rise above it.
Jupiter – Go seek knowledge of the highest level, higher spirituality, dharma, do your mantras and follow vedic way of living life, advise others, study the scriptures and share the knowledge and wisdom you acquire.
Venus – Respect female of all ages from a little girl to a woman, never cheat a female or cause any pain or hurt to females in your life such as sisters, mother, wife, female staff etc. Never ever cheat on your spouse and always be supportive and helpful to your spouse, daughters, sisters and other women in the society.
Saturn – Develop patience in life, inculcate discipline in your life, take good care of and be fair to your servants, staff, labour and do charity towards the under privileged people in society. Never give sorrow to others and never create obstacles for others in life.
Rahu – Do not cheat others and never indulge in fraudulent acts in life, never betray people. Here it can also mean that you will face betrayals, cheating and frauds in your life as this is the load of karma brought forth in the current life.
|| Hari Aum Tat Sat ||
AstroHrishikesh 
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