Graha Sambandha – the eternal bond

The Sanskrit word Sambandha (सम्बन्ध) in essence means some kind of a connection, a bond. The word, therefore, lies at the crux of of our existence. Whether we like it or not, whether we believe it or not, we are all connected, in ways, shapes and forms that for the most part lie beyond our ability to comprehend and reason. To make things even more interesting, is the fact that these connections are constanly evolving and morphing into something completely new.

The celestial bodies, the Grahas, aren’t beyond the remit of these divine connections either. The Graha Sambandhas in the Janam Kundali play out during a native’s lifetime in tandem with the transitory Sambandhas forming in the skies at a said point in time.

The Graha Sambandhas manifest in one or more the following ways.

Types of Sambandhas

1. Yuti युति (conjuctions) – Two or more Grahas in the same Rāśi form a Yuti. The Yuti is even stronger if they fall in the same Nakṣatra as well. Closer the logitudinal degrees the more intense the Sambandha except when the orb is <1° in which case it is considered to be a Graha Yuddha (planetary war). Despite one Graha emerging a winner, Graha Yuddha like any other war doesn’t bode well for either Graha.
2. dRSTi दृष्टि (aspects) – Two Grahas in mutual aspect by way of being in opposite Rashis. The only exception being Śani being 4th from Maṃngala in which case they would aspect each using the special Drishtis. Śani would aspect Maṃngala with its special 10th aspect and Maṃngala would aspect Śani with its special 4th aspect.
3. Kṣetra parāvṛtti क्षेत्र परावृत्ति (field exchange) – Two Grahas in each other’s Rāśi.
4. Adhiṣṭhita अधिष्ठित (suprintended) – One Graha being aspect by its Bhavesha (dispositor). e.g. Guru in Meśa Raśi aspected by Maṃngala from Makar Rāśi.

In addition to the above, Phaladeepika also refers to planets being in Kendra (angular) and Trikona (triangular) Sambandha by way of being 4-10 or 5-9 from each other. The Tajika system of astrology also regards these as valid Sambandha.

I would also think that Grahas aspecting each other’s Rashis also form a Sambandha by way of house sitting each other’s Bhavas (houses) while they are away from home. This, however, is something that needs to be researched till I find a classical reference.

It should be noted that these Sambandhas are just that. The quality and nature of the Sambandha and how it is likely to play out in the life of the Jataka is a completely different ball game in itself and forms one of the fundamental block of Kunḍali interpretation.