Planetary Characteristics © Sarajit Poddar, SJC Asia

Planetary Characteristics
© Sarajit Poddar, SJC Asia

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 Planetary Characteristics © Sarajit Poddar, SJC Asia

Following list of planetary characteristics is compiled from various classics. This shall
help you in gaining better understanding of the planets and use them in predictions.

The suffixes at various places indicate the classics used for the compilation. They are as
follows
 BPHS: Brhat Parasari Hora Shastra
 BJ: Brhat Jataka
 HS: Hora Sara
 SV: Saravali
 PD: Phaladeepika
 JP: Jataka Parijata
 DA: Dasa Adhyayi
 PM: Prasna Margam

THE SUN
Names: Heli, Surya (BJ); Aditya, Arka, Ravi, Bhanu, Bhaskara. Divakara, Marthanda,
Savita, Teekshnamsu and Ina (HS)
Nature: Malefic
Gender: Masculine
Appearance & Disposition: Sun’s eyes are honey-coloured. He has a square body. He is
of clean habits, bilious, intelligent and has limited hair (on his head) (BPHS); Well
proportioned body, is bilious and possesses pingala (honey coloured) eyes, has short hairs
(BJ); Sun’s body is square; his eyes are pink in colour and he has sparse hair on his body
and head. He does not live for a long time in one place. He is of lazy disposition. His
knees are weak. He has pleasing face and delivers pleasing speech. (HS); The Sun has
curly hair, sharp mind, prominent appearance, majestic voice and is not very tall. His
eyes are honey-coloured. He is courageous, steady and of a complexion, which has a mix
of red and green. His feet are not conspicuous (small in size). He is bilious and has sturdy
bones. He is great and majestic. He has fiery rays and square body and wears saffron-
coloured apparels (SV)
Sapta Dhatu: Bones (skeletal system)
Diseases: Causes damage to eyes, loss of hair and thirst, fever etc. by bilious
temperament (PD)
Humor: Bile
Governs: The Soul
Planetary Cabinet: The King
Complexion: Blood red (BPHS), Dark Red (BJ); Copper red (SV)
Colour: Copper (BJ)
Deity/ Adhi devata: Agni (BPHS)
Gender: Male
Panchabhuta: Agni (Fire)
Caste: Kshatriya
Guna: Sattvik
Abode: Temple (BPHS), Devastana (BJ)
Direction: East (Purva)

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 Planetary Characteristics © Sarajit Poddar, SJC Asia

Period: Ayana (6 months)

Taste: Pungent
Directional Strength: South (10th house)
Day based Strength: Day Time (Diurnal)
Ayana based Strength: Uttarayana
Natural strength: Strongest among all planets
Trees: Strong trees (trees with stout trunk)
Robe/ Cloth: Red silken, Rough cloth
Season: Summer (Grishma)
Matter: Mula (Vegetation) (BJ)
Material: Copper (BJ)
Natural Age: 50 years (JP)
Loka: Mrtyu Loka (World of mortals)
Geographical location: Kalinga (Orissa)
Misc. Lordship: Snakes, wool, hills, gold, weapons, poison, fire, medicines, kings,
aryas, river banks, forest, wood and Mantras (SV)

THE MOON
Names: Chandrama, Sitarasmi (BJ); Sasi, Sasanka, Vidhu, Soma, Nisakara, Seethamsu,
Udunatha and Indu (HS);
Nature: Benefic (when waxing), Malefic (when waning)
Gender: Feminine
Appearance & Disposition: Moon is very windy and phlegmatic. She is learned and has
a round body. She has auspicious looks and sweet speech, is fickle-minded and very
lustful (BPHS); Well rounded body, much wind and phlegm, intelligent, sweet speech and
good eyes (BJ); Moon is tall, tender-natured, brilliant in mental disposition, kind, skilled
in policy, or politics and has mixed humour of wind and bile. She wears white robes and
ornaments; her body resembles a well-drawn circle. (HS); She has an auspicious
appearance. Her eyes are beautiful. She has mellifluous voice. She is fair in complexion,
has an emaciated body, is youthful, tall, curly and short hair, is learned, soft, of Sattvik
disposition, beautiful, phlegmatic, amicable to friends, has pure (excellent) blood, is kind,
fond of old ladies, fickle-minded, very fortunate and wears clean apparels. (SV)
Sapta Dhatu: Blood (Circulatory System)
Humour: Vata (Windy) & Kapha (Phlegm)
Governs: The Mind
Planetary Cabinet: The Queen
Complexion: Tawny
Colour: White
Deity/ Adhi devata: Varuna (BPHS), Ambu (BJ)
Panchabhuta: Jala (Water)
Caste: Brahmin
Guna: Sattivik
Abode: Watery places
Direction: North West (Vayavya Kona)

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 Planetary Characteristics © Sarajit Poddar, SJC Asia

Period: Muhurtha (48 minutes) (BPHS); Kshana (BJ)

Taste: Saline
Directional Strength: North (4th house)
Day based Strength: Night (Nocturnal)
Ayana based Strength: (Uttarayana)
Natural strength: Second to the Sun
Trees: Milky trees (such as rubber plant)
Robe/ Cloth: White Silken (BPHS), New clothes (BJ)
Season: Varsha (Rainy)
Matter: Dhatu (non living matter)
Material: Precious stones (Gemstones)
Natural Age: 70 years (JP)
Loka: Pitri Loka (World of manes)
Geographical location: Yavana Pradesh (land of Greeks)
Misc. Lordship: Poets, flowers, eatables, beads, silver, conch, salt, water, arrow, robes,
ornaments, females, Ghī, sesamum, oil and sleep (SV)

MARS
Names: Ara, Vakra, Kruradrik, Avanaya (BJ); Maheeja Rudhira, Rakta, Angaraka (HS);
Bhumisuta (SV)
Nature: Malefic
Gender: Masculine
Appearance & Disposition: Mangal has blood-red eyes, is fickle-minded, liberal,
bilious, given to anger and has thin waist and thin physique (BPHS); Youthful, liberal
bilious, fickle minded and has a thin waist (BJ); Mars is unsteady in mind, he is capable
of wounding, he has blood-reddish eyes, he is bilious and depicted with fire and arms, his
voice is rough, his belly is depressed and he is modest (HS); he is young, he has curly and
shining hair, he is liberal (PD); The planet Mars is short, his eyes are reddish-brown in
colour. He has a strong body. He is as bright, as burning fire. He is not steady in
disposition. He has marrow in bones and flesh. He wears red-coloured apparels. He is
more intelligent and is courageous. He is an accomplished speaker. He causes injury. He
has short and shining hair. He is bilious in disposition and is Tamasic. He is adventurous
and wrathful and is skillful in hurting. He is blood-red in appearance. (SV)
Sapta Dhatu: Marrow (?? system)
Humour: Pitta (Bile)
Governs: Strength
Planetary Cabinet: Commander- in- Chief
Complexion: Bood Red
Colour: Blood Red
Deity/ Adhi devata: Subrahmanya (BPHS), Kumara (BJ); Kartikeya (SV)
Panchabhuta: Agni (Fire)
Caste: Kshatriya (Warrior)
Guna: Tamasik
Abode: Place of Fire

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 Planetary Characteristics © Sarajit Poddar, SJC Asia

Direction: South (Dakshina)

Period: A day (duration between two Sunrises)
Taste: Bitter
Directional Strength: South (10th house)
Day based Strength: Night (Nocturnal)
Ayana based Strength: Dakshinayana
Natural strength: Stronger than Saturn (Saturn is the weakest one)
Trees: Bitter ones (Lemon Plant)
Robe/ Cloth: Red clothes (BPHS); Burnt clothes (SV)
Season: Greeshma (Summer)
Matter: Dhatu (Non living matter)
Natural Age: Young boy (16 years) (JP)
Veda: Sama Veda
Loka: Mrtyu Loka (World of mortals)
Geographical Location: Ujjain (Central India)
Misc. Lordship: Blood, Copper, Army, Red cloth, Minerals, Earth, King, Destruction,
Swooning, Bile and thieves (SV)

MERCURY
Names: Hemno, Vit, Gna, Bodhana and Induputra (BJ); Saumya, Somaja, Kumar and
Vidhusuta (HS)
Nature: Malefic in malefic association, otherwise benefic
Gender: Neuter/ Eunuch
Appearance & Disposition: Budh is endowed with an attractive physique and the
capacity to use words with many meanings. He is fond of jokes. He has a mix of all the
three humours (BPHS); Gurgling speech, fond of joking and has a mixture of air, phlegm
and bile (BJ); Budh’s eyes are dark. He is well-versed in politics (or in policy-making), is
of medium height, sometimes firm and sometimes unsteady, jolly natured, in touch with
all kinds of news, witty, scholarly and has the composition mixed with the three humours
(i. e. bile, phlegm and wind) (HS); Budh rules skin and is full of veins, arteries and
nerves. He has an even body (PD); he is sweet spoken, but stammering in speech (DA);
Mercury's eyes are reddish and broad. He speaks sweetly. His complexion is of green
grass. He has strong skin. He is an extremely Rajasic planet. He is clear in his speech and
is pure. He has a mixture of the three humours, i.e. phlegm, bile and wind. He remains
delighted and has moderate beauty. He is skillful and sinewy. He is agreeable to all in
dressing and speech and wears green robes. (SV)
Sapta Dhatu: Skin (BPHS, BJ) (?? System)
Humour: Tridosha (all pitta, kapha, vata)
Governs: Speech
Planetary Cabinet: Yuvaraj (Prince)
Complexion: Hue that of Green grass (Durva Grass)
Colour: Green
Deity/ Adhi devata: Maha Vishnu (BPHS), Kesava (BJ)
Panchabhuta: Prithvi (Earthy)
Caste: Vaishya (Trading Class) (BPHS); Sudra (BJ, SV); Mixed breed (HS)

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 Planetary Characteristics © Sarajit Poddar, SJC Asia

Guna: Rajasik
Abode: Sports ground, Gaming place
Direction: North (Uttar)
Period: Ritu (Season- Two months)
Taste: Mixed
Directional Strength: East (Lagna)
Day based Strength: Both in day & Night
Ayana based Strength: Uttarayana
Natural strength: Stronger than Mercury
Trees: Fruitless trees
Robe/ Cloth: Black silken (BPHS); Water soaked clothes (BJ, SV)
Season: Sarad (Mild Winter)
Matter: Jiva (Living beings)
Material: Bell metal
Natural Age: Young (20 years) (JP)
Veda: Atharva Veda
Loka: Patala Loka (Hellish world)
Geographical location: Magadha (southern part of Bihar) (SV)
Misc. Lordship: Veda, writing, sculpture, medicines, expertise, minister-ship, speech,
jokes, birds, couples, fame, vegetation (vanaspati) and gold (SV)

JUPITER
Names: Jiva, Angira, Suraguru, Vachasampathi and Ijya (BJ); Angirasa, Mantri,
Vachaspati, Arya, Brihaspati, Suri and Vageesh (HS); Ida (SV)
Nature: Benefic
Gender: Masculine
Appearance & Disposition: Guru has a big body, tawny hair and tawny eyes, is
phlegmatic, intelligent and learned in Shastras (BPHS); Corpulent body, golden locks and
eyes, moral and is phlegmatic (BJ); Guru has stout and tall body; his eyes are neither big
nor small, he is intelligent, well-versed in politics, or policy making has prominent
bilious composition, is a very eloquent speaker, wears yellow apparels and jewels and is
of noble disposition (HS); he is of virtuous disposition (DA); The eyes of Jupiter are
somewhat reddish-brown. He is learned in Vedas. His voice resembles that of a lion. He
is firm and prominently Sattvik. His physical complexion is akin to pure yellow metal.
He has broad and prominent chest. He is always fond of virtues and is modest. He has
firm and large eyes and is of forgiving disposition. He wears yellow apparels, is
phlegmatic, fat and pre-eminent. (SV)
Sapta Dhatu: Fat (BPHS); Brain (BJ) (Digestive system)
Humour:
Governs: Knowledge, Wisdom and happiness (BPHS), Intelligence (SV)
Planetary Cabinet: Advisor (Minister)

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 Planetary Characteristics © Sarajit Poddar, SJC Asia

Complexion: Tawny (BPHS), Jupiter yellow or golden (BJ)

Colour: Yellow
Deity/ Adhi devata: Indra (BPHS)
Panchabhuta: Akasha (Ether)
Caste: Brahmin (Priestly class)
Guna: Sattvik
Abode: Treasury
Direction: North East (Ishanya Kona)
Period: Masa (Month)
Taste: Sweet
Directional Strength: East (Lagna)
Day based Strength: Day time (Diurnal)
Ayana based Strength: Uttarayana
Natural strength: Stronger than Mercury (4th)
Trees: Fruit bearing trees
Robe/ Cloth: Saffron coloured ones (BPHS), Neither old nor new clothes (BJ, SV)
Season: Hemanta (Autumn)
Matter: Jiva (Living beings)
Material: Silver, and when he is in his own house he governs gold (BJ)
Natural Age: 30 years
Veda: Rig Veda (SV)
Loka: Svarga loka (Heavens) (SV)
Geographical location: Sindhu (Indus- Pakistan and Afganistan) (SV)
Misc. lordship: Auspiciousness, virtue, physical stoutness, prowess, mentorship/; guide/
guru/ preceptor, deputation, city, state (province), gold, bed, conveyance, position, grains,
residence and sons (SV)

VENUS
Names: Sukra, Bhrigu, Brigusuta, Sita and Aspujit (BJ); Usanas, Vaitya Pujya, Kavya
and Kavi(HS)
Nature: Benefic
Appearance & Disposition: Śukr is charming, has a splendorous physique, is excellent,
or great in disposition, has charming eyes, is a poet, is phlegmatic and windy and has
curly hair (BPHS); Fond of pleasure, handsome, fine eyes and black ringlets and a
temperament compounded of wind and phlegm (BJ); the body of shukra is very bright.
He is fortunate, windy and bilious in composition, broad-minded; stout bodied, has a
tendency to submit to women, has crooked eyes and is of deceiving nature. (HS); has
stout body, broad eyes, wind and phlegm in constitution (PD); The planet Venus is
beautiful, has long hands, broad chest and face, is very seminal, splendorous, has dark,
short and extended hair, is of complexion, which is a mix of yellow and green, is
sensuous, windy and phlegmatic, very fortunate, wears multi-coloured apparels, is of
Rajasic disposition, sportive, intelligent, broad-eyed and has prominent shoulders. (SV)
Sapta Dhatu: Sperm/ Semen (Reproductive system)
Humour: Vata (Windy) & Kapha (Phlegm)

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 Planetary Characteristics © Sarajit Poddar, SJC Asia

Governs: Semen (Potency) (BPHS), Passion (BJ); Comfort (SV)

Planetary Cabinet: Advisor (Minister)
Complexion: Variegated (BJ); Neither white nor black (BJ)
Colour: Variegated
Deity/ Adhi devata: Shachi Devi (BPHS), Indrani (BJ)
Gender: Feminine
Panchabhuta: Jala (Water)
Caste: Brahmin (Priestly class)
Guna: Rajasik
Abode: Bedroom
Direction: South East (Agneya Kona)
Period: Paksha (Fortnight)
Taste: Acidulous (BPHS); Sour (BJ)
Directional Strength: North (4th House)
Day based Strength: Day Time (Diurnal)
Ayana based Strength: Uttarayana
Natural strength: Stronger than Jupiter (5th)
Trees: Floral Plants
Robe/ Cloth: Silken (BPHS); Strong clothes (BJ), Durable clothes (SV)
Season: Vasanta (Spring)
Matter: Mula (Vegetation)
Material: Pearls (BJ)
Natural Age: 16 years (JP)
Veda: Yajur Veda (SV)
Loka: Pitri Loka (World of manes) (SV)
Misc Lordship: Diamonds, ornaments, marriage, scents, friends, wreaths, females, cow
dung, diagnosis, education, sexual enjoyment and gold (SV)

SATURN
Names: Kona, Manda, Suryaputra and Asita (BJ); Sani, Krishn, Yama, Pangu,
Sanaischara, Sauri, Kala and Chayasuta (HS)
Nature: Malefic
Gender: Neuter/ Eunuch
Appearance & Disposition: Śani has an emaciated and long physique, has tawny eyes,
is windy in temperament, has big teeth, is indolent and lame and has coarse hair (BPHS);
Lazy, has yellowish eyes, lean tall body, stout teeth and rough hairs. He is of a windy
temperament (BJ); has hard nails, teeth and hair, he is deceptive, he has long hands and
feet, his constitution is bilious, he has prominent veins, is indolent and worried (HS); is
lame, has deeply depressed eyes and is lazy. He rules muscles. He has an emaciated body
(PD); Saturn has red and depressed eyes, emaciated body, prominent veins, is indolent,
black-bodied and windy in temperament. He is a talebearer. He is muscular, unkind,
foolish, has large nails and teeth, is very dirty, impure, Tamasic in disposition, fierce,
short-tempered and old (worn out). He adores black apparels. (SV)

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 Planetary Characteristics © Sarajit Poddar, SJC Asia

Sapta Dhatu: Muscles (BPHS); Nerves (BJ)

Humour: Vata (Windy)
Governs: Grief/ Sorrow
Planetary Cabinet: Servant
Complexion: Dark (BPHS), Black (BJ)
Colour: Black (BJ), Blue mixed with black (HS)
Deity/ Adhi devata: Brahma (BPHS), Kaha (BJ)
Panchabhuta: Vayu (Air)
Caste: Sudra (Working class) (BPHS); Antyaja (Untouchables) (BJ); Mixed breed (SV)
Guna: Tamasik
Abode: Filthy ground (Dirty places) (BPHS), Heap of dirt (BJ)
Direction: West (Paschim)
Period: Year
Taste: Astringent (BPHS); Acidic (BJ)
Directional Strength: West (7th house)
Day based Strength: Night (Nocturnal)
Ayana based Strength: Dakshinayana
Natural strength: Weakest among all
Trees: Useless trees (shrubs and weeds)
Robe/ Cloth: Multi-coloured robes (BPHS); Rags (BJ, SV)
Season: Sisir (Extreme Winter)
Matter: Dhatu (Non living matter)
Material: Iron, Lead (BJ)
Natural Age: Extremely old
Others: Anthill
Loka: Patala Loka (Hellish world)
Geographical Location: Saurashtra (Gujarat)
Misc. lordship: Lead, zinc, black metals, inferior grains, dead relatives, fools, servants,
mean women, saleable goods, poor people and self-restraint (SV)

RAHU
Names: Tamas, Agu and Asura (BJ); Swarbhanu, Vidhuntuda, Pata, Sainhikeya,
Bhujanga and Ahi (HS)
Nature: Malefic (HS)
Gender: Masculine
Appearance & Disposition: He is black in colour, tall in stature, and of low caste; he has
skin disease and hick-coughs; he is cunning, and speaks falsehood; he suffers from
leprosy.
Sapta Dhatu: n/a
Humour: Vata (Windy)
Governs: Ego (SV)
Planetary Cabinet: Army
Complexion: Sark collyrium (blue mix) (HS)

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 Planetary Characteristics © Sarajit Poddar, SJC Asia

Colour: Black
Deity/ Adhi devata: Durga / Chandika
Panchabhuta: None
Caste: Outcaste
Guna: Tamasik (like Saturn) (HS)
Abode: Forest
Direction: South West (Nairrittya Kona)
Period: 8 Months
Taste: n/a
Directional Strength: n/a
Day based Strength: n/a
Ayana based Strength: n/a
Natural strength: n/a
Trees: n/a
Robe/ Cloth: Dirty Clothes
Season: n/a
Matter: Dhatu
Natural Age: 100 years (JP)
Geographical Location: Southern India (Dravida country: five tribes: Dravida,
Karnataka, Gurjara, Maharashtra and Tailanga)
Misc. Lordship: Mysticism, magic, strange events, enigmas and excitement,
Renunciation, Paternal grandfather. Serpents, venomous reptiles, diseases, scars, courage,
adventure, execution, Christians & Mohammedans, stones, mud, travellers, inventors,
lecturers, psychologist, astrologer, thieves, widowhood, litigation, gold smiths, duplicity,
aviators, sepulchres, ant-hills, mole-hills, crack & crevices, archers, spies, sediments of
liquor, portentous evils, radio, aerial navigation, metaphysical studies, infamous
character, inflammable gases, epidemics, violence, corruption, political plots, and exiles.
He also differentiates between purity in love and impure lust. He causes birthmark in the
body.

KETU
Names: Sikhi (BJ); Sikhin, Dhvaja, Dhum, Mrityu Putr and Anala (HS)
Nature: Malefic (HS)
Gender: Feminine, Eunuch (PD)
Appearance & Disposition: He has a red and fierce look, a venomous tongue, an
elevated body; he is outcast; of Smoky colour; has bruised limbs and is lean and
malicious.
Sapta Dhatu:
Governs: Outcastes
Planetary Cabinet: Army
Complexion: Smoky
Colour: Smoky
Deity/ Adhi devata: Ganesha (PM)
Gender: Feminine, Eunuch (PD)

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 Planetary Characteristics © Sarajit Poddar, SJC Asia

Panchabhuta: n/a
Caste: Outcaste
Guna: n/a
Abode: n/a
Period: 3 Months
Taste: n/a
Directional Strength: n/a
Day based Strength: n/a
Ayana based Strength: n/a
Natural strength: Same as Mars
Trees: n/a
Robe/ Cloth: Smoky
Season: n/a
Matter: Jiva (Living beings)
Natural Age: 100 years (JP)
Geographical Location: Southern India (Dravida country: five tribes: Dravida,
Karnataka, Gurjara, Maharashtra and Tailanga)
Misc. Lordship: Religion, Astrology, Moksha or final emancipation, intrigues, spiritual
pride, religious resignation, sectarian principles, artistic taste, literary genius, pride,
dissimulation, mendicancy, bankruptcy, miserliness, ascetics, deception, quarrels,
biliousness, philosophers, selfishness, occultist, skulls, religious shows, assassinations,
friends, charms, amulets, vicious tendencies, secret intrigues and association, back biting

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