The Vision of the Planets — Understanding Graha Dṛṣṭi

In Jyotiṣa, dṛṣṭi (said drishti) literally means “sight” or “gaze.”
It refers to the way a planet sees and therefore influences another part of the chart.

In Western astrology, this principle is generally called an aspect — the angular relationship between two planets or points. But in Vedic astrology, dṛṣṭi carries a deeper meaning. In Jyotiṣa, a planet’s site (graha dṛṣṭi) is not merely a geometric aspect but an energetic projection — a line of awareness through which a planet extends its consciousness and influence.

Each graha’s dṛṣṭi arises from:

• Its role in the cosmic order (what that planet represents in the evolution of consciousness).

• Its symbolic direction of focus (how it maintains balance within the 12-house field of awareness).

• Its inner impulse or dharma (how it expresses its energy — protection, growth, restraint, etc.).

Thus, planetary dṛṣṭi shows where the eyes of the cosmos are open — how life’s forces interact beyond mere placement.

“Wherever attention goes, energy flows.”

In the language of Jyotiṣa, dṛṣṭi shows exactly that: where the light of awareness flows between the planets and the signs — and what happens when consciousness sees consciousness.

General vs. Special Aspects

All planets have the 7th house dṛṣṭi or aspect — the gaze directly opposite their position in the chart. This reflects awareness of polarity — the recognition of the “other,” the mirror of one’s self in experience.

But some planets have additional “special aspects” (viśeṣa dṛṣṭi).
These arise from the planet’s nature and its karmic role:

• Mars → Protection and vigilance (4th, 7th, 8th)

• Jupiter → Wisdom and grace (5th, 7th, 9th)

• Saturn → Duty and karma (3rd, 7th, 10th)

• Rāhu–Ketu → Obsession and release (5th, 9th)

The logic behind these is symbolic and functional, not purely mathematical. Let's take a look at how each graha casts its sight.

SUN (Sūrya) — The Gaze of Illumination

Aspects: 7th house only

Symbolic Essence

Sūrya is the Ātman, the central light of identity and consciousness. His gaze falls opposite because the light of self-awareness always requires reflection — illumination of what lies beyond oneself.

Logic of the 7th Aspect

• Balance of identity: The Sun’s 7th aspect reveals where the ego encounters the world — the place of dialogue between self and other.

• Awakening through reflection: Whatever lies opposite the Sun becomes illuminated and revealed.

• Governance and projection: The Sun’s light falls forward, never backward — hence, only the 7th is seen.

Interpretive Insight

Wherever the Sun’s dṛṣṭi falls, it energises, exposes, and vitalises that area.
It gives clarity, authority, and self-expression, but can also burn or dominate if unbalanced.
Its gaze demands integration between self and counterpart.

MOON (Candra) — The Gaze of Reflection

Aspects: 7th house only

Symbolic Essence

Candra is manas — the reflective mind, the emotional mirror. Unlike the Sun’s direct radiance, the Moon’s light is borrowed and fluctuating, revealing her receptive nature.

Logic of the 7th Aspect

• Reflection of relationship: The Moon reflects what it sees; its light always falls upon the opposite field.

• Emotional polarity: Awareness of others creates emotional tides.

• Dependence on connection: Just as the Moon shines by the Sun’s reflection, the psyche (Moon) finds meaning through others.

Interpretive Insight

The Moon’s dṛṣṭi brings empathy, sensitivity, and imagination.
It softens and connects but may also create dependency or emotional projection if unstable.
It nurtures through reflection — the gaze of feeling rather than force.

MARS (Maṅgala) — The Gaze of the Warrior

Aspects: 4th, 7th, and 8th houses

Symbolic Essence

Mars represents energy, courage, aggression, and protection. His dṛṣṭi is directional — like a soldier surveying their field — ensuring security on all fronts.

Logic of the Aspects

• 4th aspect (defensive vigilance):
  Mars protects his foundation (4th = home, inner peace). His forward-left gaze symbolises guarding one’s base and emotional territory.

• 7th aspect (confrontation):
  Direct opposition — the warrior always faces his enemy. It’s the gaze of challenge and assertion.

• 8th aspect (hidden danger):
  The backward-right gaze into secrets, conspiracies, and transformation. Mars anticipates threats unseen.

Interpretive Insight

Wherever Mars looks, action and heat arise — often through conflict leading to growth. Mars’ dṛṣṭi activates, defends, and tests.

• 4th → protection, inner strength, emotional boundaries

• 7th → competition, assertion, relationships defined by power

• 8th → crises, transformation, confrontation with fear

MERCURY (Budha) — The Gaze of Understanding

Aspects: 7th house only

Symbolic Essence

Budha is intellect, logic, and speech — the principle of connection and interpretation.
His gaze seeks balance through dialogue and curiosity.

Logic of the 7th Aspect

• Cognitive exchange: Communication occurs between two poles; hence, Mercury sees across.

• Relationship through reason: He perceives others as mirrors for learning.

• Duality: Mercury’s mutable nature thrives on comparison and reflection.

Interpretive Insight

Wherever Mercury’s dṛṣṭi falls, it awakens mental connection, discussion, and adaptability.
It favours learning partnerships and intellectual collaboration, but can create over-analysis or indecision if scattered.

JUPITER (Guru) — The Gaze of Dharma and Grace

Aspects: 5th, 7th, and 9th houses

Symbolic Essence

Guru is wisdom, expansion, benevolence, and dharma — the divine teacher who uplifts through knowledge, faith, and optimism. His gaze blesses, protects, and harmonises.

Logic of the Aspects

• 5th aspect (intelligence and foresight): Jupiter looks five houses ahead — the house of creativity, learning, and merit. His gaze inspires clarity, understanding, and the fruit of good actions. It awakens higher intelligence and nourishes the capacity to teach and guide.

• 7th aspect (balance and relationship): The gaze of harmony and wisdom in interaction. Jupiter sees the world as his classroom — balancing self with others, faith with reason. His 7th aspect brings fairness, maturity, and grace in relationships.

• 9th aspect (dharma and higher purpose): Jupiter looks nine houses ahead — the house of faith, fortune, and guidance. His sight uplifts the path of righteousness, spiritual wisdom, and divine protection. This is the gaze of the Guru toward the disciple — expansive, compassionate, and purposeful.

Interpretive Insight

Where Jupiter looks, growth, protection, and opportunity arise. His dṛṣṭi is the light of dharma — spreading wisdom wherever it falls.

SATURN (Śani) — The Gaze of Karma and Endurance

Aspects: 3rd, 7th, and 10th houses

Symbolic Essence

Śani is time, patience, responsibility, and structure — the slow teacher who demands mastery through perseverance.

Logic of the Aspects

• 3rd aspect (effort): Saturn looks three houses ahead — the house of initiative and courage. His gaze says, “Work harder. Earn your progress.”

• 7th aspect (relationships): Duty and endurance in partnership; karmic ties manifest through others.

• 10th aspect (karma and profession): The culmination of work — Saturn’s gaze ensures structure and responsibility in worldly action.

Interpretive Insight

Where Saturn looks, results come slowly but endure. His dṛṣṭi manifests karma’s weight — a sobering but strengthening influence.

• 3rd → builds persistence

• 7th → matures relationships

• 10th → enforces responsibility and worldly accountability

Saturn’s dṛṣṭi stabilises, restrains, and tests.

VENUS (Śukra) — The Gaze of Harmony

Aspects: 7th house only

Symbolic Essence

Śukra embodies love, beauty, and attraction — the principle of cohesion and pleasure.
Its single gaze represents relational reciprocity — the pull toward union.

Logic of the 7th Aspect

• Union and mirror: The 7th house is the natural domain of Venus (Libra).

• Desire for completion: Venus seeks wholeness through the other.

• Creative magnetism: Its gaze beautifies and harmonises whatever it touches.

Interpretive Insight

Venus’ dṛṣṭi softens and unites. It brings grace, charm, and magnetism to the houses or planets it aspects. But excessive desire may cause indulgence or attachment. It is the gaze of attraction — the lover’s glance.

RĀHU — The Gaze of Obsession and Expansion

Aspects: 5th and 9th (some traditions include 7th, however, the 7th-house axis is shared with Ketu and unites their own field of karmic operation — they are that polarity.)

Symbolic Essence

Rāhu is the ascending node — a head without a body — desire incarnate, always seeking to consume.
It mirrors Jupiter’s pattern but distorts it toward the material realm.

Logic of the Aspects

• 5th aspect: Ambition and self-projection; hunger for recognition or progeny.

• 9th aspect: Ideological expansion; fascination with foreignness, technology, or unorthodox belief.

• (Optional 7th): If included, it symbolises mirroring through illusion — the gaze of temptation.

Interpretive Insight

Rāhu’s dṛṣṭi magnifies, disrupts, and innovates. It electrifies whatever it touches — amplifying desire, experimentation, and worldly involvement. Its gaze is that of the visionary — or the addict.
Used consciously, it can pioneer; used blindly, it confuses.

KETU — The Gaze of Detachment and Liberation

Aspects: 5th and 9th

Symbolic Essence

Ketu, the tail of the serpent, represents past mastery, detachment, and mokṣa.
Where Rāhu grasps, Ketu releases.

Logic of the Aspects

• 5th aspect: Intuitive insight — wisdom from past births.

• 9th aspect: Spiritual detachment, transcendence of dogma.
  Ketu looks where the soul has already seen — its gaze penetrates beyond form.

Interpretive Insight

Ketu’s dṛṣṭi dissolves and spiritualises.
It brings mystic vision, disinterest in material gain, and deep inner clarity.
Its sight sees through things — the X-ray of consciousness.

In Summary

• Dṛṣṭi (drishti) literally means sight or gaze — the way one planet or sign perceives another.

• In English, it is commonly called an aspect by astrologers.

• Rāśī Dṛṣṭi shows how the zodiac signs see each other.

• Graha Dṛṣṭi shows how the planets themselves see and influence one another.

• Through these gazes, the chart becomes a living web of mutual perception.

To See in Jyotiṣa is to Engage

A planet’s gaze is a form of attention, intention, and influence — a current of consciousness extended toward another domain of life.

When you understand dṛṣṭi, you begin to perceive not only planetary relationships but the way awareness itself circulates through the cosmos.