Planetary Drishti (Sight/Aspect)
Drishti means 'sight' in Sanskrit. In Vedic astrology, planets cast aspects (drishti) across the zodiac. Unlike Western astrology, which uses equal-arc aspects (e.g., 120°), Parashari drishti is asymmetric: each planet sees a different arc, and the aspect is one-directional.
The Seven Aspects (Sapta Drishti)
Every planet aspects the 7th house (180° opposite). Additionally, some planets aspect other houses:
| Planet | Aspects | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Sun | 7th house only | Direct sight is 180° |
| Moon | 7th house only | Direct sight is 180° |
| Mercury | 7th house only | Direct sight is 180° |
| Venus | 7th house only | Direct sight is 180° |
| Mars | 4th, 7th, 8th house | 180° + additional 90° sight |
| Jupiter | 5th, 7th, 9th house | 180° + 120° sight in both directions |
| Saturn | 3rd, 7th, 10th house | 180° + 150° sight in both directions |
Why asymmetric: Classical texts do not justify why Mars aspects the 4th and 8th, or Jupiter the 5th and 9th—these are simply stated as rules. The effect is that aspects are one-way: Mars aspects the 4th, but the 4th does not automatically aspect Mars unless a planet there has its own drishti that reaches Mars.
Rahu and Ketu Aspects
Rahu and Ketu are treated like malefics for aspect purposes and are said to aspect only the 7th house (opposite), with some texts adding a 4th and 8th aspect for Rahu (like Mars). This is debated; modern practitioners vary. This course uses the conservative rule: Rahu and Ketu aspect the 7th house primarily.
What Does Drishti Do?
When a planet aspects a house or another planet, it modifies that house's or planet's results:
Benefic Aspect
Jupiter or Venus aspect → strengthens, blesses, brings ease
Malefic Aspect
Mars, Saturn, Sun, or Rahu aspect → delays, challenges, creates conflict
Neutral Aspect
Mercury or Moon aspect → variable; depends on Moon's phase and Mercury's strength
Worked Example: Mars Drishti in a Capricorn Lagna
Mars is in Scorpio (2nd house from Capricorn Lagna)
Scorpio = 2nd house (wealth, speech, family)
Mars's drishti from Scorpio:
• 7th from Mars (4th house, home, mother) → Mars aspects the 4th house
• 8th from Mars (also 4th house from Scorpio) → Mars aspects again (redundant in this case)
• Mars also aspects its opposite house (8th house from Scorpio = 9th house overall)
Result: Mars in the 2nd house (finances, family) is aggressive and creates friction. Its drishti to the 4th (mother, property) suggests conflict. Its drishti to the 9th (luck, dharma) suggests the native drives toward fortune but must use discipline.
Remember: Drishti is one-directional. If Mars is in house X and aspects house Y, that does not mean house Y aspects Mars. Always check each planet's individual aspect list.