Jupiter in Vedic Astrology

Guru means teacher, and that is exactly the role of Jupiter in the Vedic sky. As fifth graha, he sits as minister at court and advises the sovereigns. To him are entrusted knowledge and study, a broad mind, contentment. His abundance recalls the fruit tree associated with him: it bears fruit.

Dhanu and Meena are his signs. His exaltation is in Karka, peaking at the fifth degree, his fall in Makara. His moolatrikona is the first third of Dhanu, or more precisely degrees 0 to 13. Masculine and sattvic by nature, he is linked with ether and with the deity Indra.

He counts in the front rank of benefics, alongside Shukra. Which comes first? You can put Shukra at the head, or prefer Guru. A surprising rule qualifies the picture: any benefic that rules an angle of the chart sees its goodness blunted there. Jupiter as lord of a Mithuna Lagna is an example.

Surya and Chandra are his friends, and so is Mangala. Budha and Shukra are his adversaries, Shani is neutral to him. He draws his directional strength from the Lagna, the rising sign, and dominates by day. His full aspect reaches the seventh sign from him, and also the fifth and the ninth. He moves calmly, at roughly 5 to 15 minutes of arc per day, and is combust within 11 degrees of Surya.

He signifies children, read at the fifth house from him, and also four bhavas: 2, 5, 9 and 11.

Guru rules Sagittarius sidereal, Dhanu and Pisces sidereal, Mina.