Dhanu / Sagittarius

In Vedic astrology the rāśi (zodiac sign) is determined by where the Moon was at the moment of birth — this is the janma-rāśi or chandra-rāśi. It is the most important rāśi for daily-life predictions, for matching marriage compatibility (kuṇḍalī milāna), and for identifying which Mahādaśā periods are auspicious. Most published rāśiphala (daily, weekly, monthly horoscopes in Hindu tradition) is keyed to the moon-rāśi rather than the rising-rāśi.

Dhanu (Sanskrit: धनु, Western: Sagittarius) is the 9th of twelve rāśis. Its ruler is Jupiter (Brihaspati), its element is Fire, and its modality is Dual. The zodiac sign spans 30° of the ecliptic (240° – 270°), divided into three full nakshatras of 13°20' each. The interplay of rāśi-lord with the navāṃśa division and with transits over your janma-rāśi forms the core of personalised Hindu astrology.

Dhanu’s exalted planet is Ketu (some traditions) — meaning that planet functions at maximum strength when placed here. Its debilitated planet is Rahu, the planet whose function is most challenged in this rāśi. In remedial astrology (upāya), strengthening or pacifying these planets through mantra, daana, vrata, or gemstone is calibrated to your specific birth chart.

The lord of Dhanu is Jupiter (Brihaspati). Worship of this planet — through its specific mantra, gemstone (recommended only after consulting a qualified jyotiṣī), donation, and weekday observance — is the standard remedy when the natal chart shows affliction to it. The day Thursday is auspicious for Dhanu natives for major undertakings, and the colour yellow is favoured.