In Jyotish Shastra, the word "Graha" does not mean "planet" — it means "that which grasps or seizes." The nine Grahas are cosmic forces that grip human consciousness and shape destiny. They include two luminaries (Sun and Moon), five visible planets (Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, Venus, Saturn), and two shadow points (Rahu and Ketu — the lunar nodes). Unlike Western astrology, Vedic astrology excludes the outer planets Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto, considering the Navagraha sufficient for complete life analysis.

Each Graha rules specific days of the week (Vara), specific Nakshatras, and specific Dashas (planetary periods). The Sun rules Sunday, Moon rules Monday, Mars rules Tuesday, Mercury rules Wednesday, Jupiter rules Thursday, Venus rules Friday, and Saturn rules Saturday. Rahu and Ketu, being shadow points, do not rule weekdays but have powerful Dasha periods of 18 and 7 years respectively.

The classification of planets as natural benefics (Shubha Graha) or natural malefics (Papa Graha) is fundamental to Jyotish. This classification determines how a planet behaves by default — before considering its house lordship, aspects, or conjunctions. A benefic planet tends to give positive results, while a malefic creates challenges. However, this is just the starting point: a natural malefic can become a functional benefic (Yoga Karaka) if it rules auspicious houses, and vice versa.

The Naisargika Maitri (natural friendship) system classifies relationships between planets as Friend (Mitra), Neutral (Sama), or Enemy (Shatru). This relationship is determined by which signs each planet rules relative to the other. When a planet sits in a friend's sign, it feels comfortable and gives good results. In an enemy's sign, the planet struggles. This system also determines the Graha Maitri score in Kundali matching (Ashtakuta). Beyond natural friendships, there is also Tatkalika Maitri (temporal friendship) — planets in the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 10th, 11th, or 12th from each other become temporal friends; otherwise temporal enemies.

A planet's strength varies dramatically based on which Rashi (sign) it occupies. Vedic astrology defines five levels of dignity: Exaltation (Uccha) where the planet is at maximum strength, Moolatrikona where it functions with authority, Own Sign (Swakshetra) where it is comfortable, Friendly sign where it functions well, and Debilitation (Neecha) where it is at minimum strength. The specific degrees of exaltation and debilitation are critical — a planet at its exact exaltation degree is like a king on his throne.

When a planet comes too close to the Sun, it becomes "combust" (Asta) — overwhelmed by the Sun's brilliance and losing its power to deliver results. Combustion weakens a planet significantly. The combust planet's significations suffer: if Mercury is combust, intellect and communication may be affected; if Venus is combust, relationships and comforts diminish. The Moon has the widest combustion range (12°), while Venus has the narrowest among visible planets (8°). Rahu and Ketu are never considered combust.

Retrograde (Vakri) motion occurs when a planet appears to move backward through the zodiac from Earth's perspective. In Jyotish, retrograde planets are considered strong — contrary to popular Western belief that retrograde weakens a planet. A Vakri Graha has special intensity: it is closer to the Earth (for superior planets) and its energy is directed inward. Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, Venus, and Saturn can be retrograde. The Sun and Moon are never retrograde. Rahu and Ketu are always retrograde (their mean motion is always backward).

In Vedic astrology, every planet casts a full aspect (Drishti) on the 7th house from itself. However, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn have additional special aspects. These aspects allow a planet to influence houses and planets it does not physically occupy — making Drishti analysis essential for chart interpretation. Unlike Western astrology which uses aspect angles between planets, Vedic aspects are cast from house to house.

Karakatva means "significatorship" — the life areas each planet naturally governs regardless of its house placement. These significations are permanent and universal. For example, Jupiter is always the Karaka (significator) of children and wisdom, even if it sits in the 6th house. When analyzing any life area, Jyotish considers both the house ruler and the natural Karaka. If both are strong, results are excellent; if both are weak, that life area suffers.

The Vimshottari Dasha system assigns each planet a specific period during which it becomes the primary influence on a person's life. The total cycle spans 120 years. The starting Dasha is determined by the Moon's Nakshatra at birth. During a planet's Mahadasha (major period), its condition in the birth chart — sign, house, aspects, dignity — becomes activated. Each Mahadasha is subdivided into Antardashas (sub-periods) ruled by each of the 9 planets in sequence.