Drishti means "sight" or "gaze" in Sanskrit. In Jyotish, every planet casts its influence on other houses and planets through aspects. Unlike Western astrology, Vedic aspects are primarily house-based rather than degree-based — a planet aspects the entire sign it falls upon, not just a specific degree.
Every planet in Vedic astrology aspects the house directly opposite to it — the 7th house from its position. This is the most fundamental aspect. A planet in the 1st house aspects the 7th; a planet in the 4th aspects the 10th; and so on.
Mars (Mangal): In addition to the 7th, Mars also aspects the 4th and 8th houses from its position. Mars's aspect brings energy, conflict, or decisive action to those houses. Jupiter (Guru): In addition to the 7th, Jupiter aspects the 5th and 9th houses from its position. Jupiter's aspect is considered one of the most benefic influences in the chart — expanding, protecting, and blessing whatever it touches. Saturn (Shani): In addition to the 7th, Saturn aspects the 3rd and 10th houses from its position. Saturn's aspect brings discipline, delay, and sometimes limitation — but also endurance and the rewards of patient effort.
There is debate among Jyotish scholars about Rahu and Ketu's aspects. Some use the same aspects as their sign dispositors; others give them the 5th and 9th aspects like Jupiter. The most common approach is to treat them like Saturn for aspect purposes.
When two planets aspect each other mutually — each falling in the other's aspect zone — their energies become deeply intertwined. Mutual aspects between benefics (Jupiter, Venus, Moon) are highly auspicious. Mutual aspects between malefics can create intense tension. Mixed mutual aspects require careful interpretation.
Not all aspects are equally strong. A planet's aspect is strongest when the aspected planet or house is in the same sign (full aspect), weaker at a distance, and affected by the aspecting planet's own strength or weakness in the chart.
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