Atam Karaka What it is, why has it obtained significance suddenly, that all are talking about it. Even those who are still wet behind the ears talk about Atam Karak and Char Karak.
One finds shlokas on Karak, Argala, and Pada in BPHS itself. The method of evaluation of AK is based on a planet achieving the highest degrees but the method seems in contradiction to the basic fundamentals of Avasthaa's, any planet beyond 25 degrees is either in Mrit or Vridh Avasthaa. Planets Like Saturn and Jupiter if they are in transit and transiting in degrees more than 25 degrees will most necessarily be the Atam Karaks for the next few months for all and sundry barring the time when the moon crosses over these planets in its transit. Is it possible? The planet that attains the highest Ansh (degrees)is mentioned but it's not explained how to evaluate, Shri UK Jha in his book Jamini char Dasha has suggested a possible logical method of evaluation using the planetary degrees and its position in Navamsa.
How to derive Char Karaks as per Sh Uk Jha- As per his book Chara Dasha of Jamini
In the normal Scheme of derivation – Saturn is the Atma Karaka.
As per Sh U K Jha, the Atam karak will be as follows
Saturn is 28 .22 its Navamsa sign will be Gemini.
So let's check how far it has progressed in Gemini Navamsa.
The Gemini navamsa under Libra starts from 26.40 degrees.
So Saturns progress 28.22 -26.40=1.42
Mercury is of Virgo 23.22 and its Navamsa Leo begins from 23.20
so 23.22-23.20=2 minutes.
Mars is in Virgo of 16.54 its navamsa is Gemini it begins from 16.40 so Mars 16.54-16.40=Mars has progressed 14 minutes into the navamsa sign of Gemini.
Jupiter is Leo 4.34 its Navamsa sign is Taurus. Taurus Navamsa begins at 3.20 so Jupiter's progress is 4.34-3.20=1.14
Venus is of Libra 27. 01 its Navamsa is Gemini
It starts from 26.40 so 27.01-26.40=21 minutes
Sun is in Libra at 11.49 its navamsa is Capricorn, and its Navamsa starts at 10.00 so Sun's progress is 11.49-10.00=1.49
As per the above-mentioned derivation, Sun is the Atam Karaka.
Note- Rahu and Ketu will not be considered owing to controversy related to their origin or signs they are on.
