Parashara assigns fixed meanings to planets (Sun = father, Moon = mind, etc.), but Jaimini assigns meanings based on which planet occupies the highest degree in a chart. This single shift enables a completely different reading method.
The Jaimini Sutras (also called Jaimini Hora Sastra) are credited to sage Jaimini and transmitted through Srimanta Sripati and others. Unlike Parashara's 12,000-verse Brihat Parashara Hora Shastra, Jaimini works through 400+ terse aphorisms (sutras) that require commentary to unpack.
Key terms: karakas (significators), karaka bala (karaka strength), arudha (reflection/projection), rashi (sign), drishti (sight/aspect). The system emphasizes psychological and karmic intent over event outcomes.
Warning: Many commentaries contradict each other on fine points. This course follows K.N. Rao's methodology, which has been field-tested by thousands of astrologers, but acknowledge that other schools (Sthira Karaka, Vedic School interpretations) read Jaimini differently.
The single idea that changes everything. Parashara assigns significators by nature: the Sun always signifies the father, Venus always the spouse. Jaimini assigns them by degree. The planet holding the highest degree within its sign becomes Atmakaraka in that chart, whoever it happens to be. Every other difference in the system follows from this one move.
Why degree rather than nature. The reasoning is that the soul's priorities are particular to the individual, not fixed across all people. A chart where Saturn takes Atmakaraka describes a different karmic agenda from one where Venus does, even if the two charts are otherwise similar. Fixed natural karakas cannot express that difference.
What Jaimini keeps. The system does not discard Parashara. It uses the same planets, the same signs and the same chart. Jaimini's own literature assumes familiarity with classical technique, and most practitioners use both. The chara karakas sit alongside the naisargika karakas rather than replacing them.
How to begin. Take any chart, list the planets with their degrees within their signs, and rank them from highest to lowest. That ranking is the chara karaka scheme, and reading it is the entry point to everything else in this track.