Upagrahas (Shadow Planets)¶

Upagrahas are derived (calculated) points in the horoscope — they have no physical body but exert powerful influences. The system includes 11 upagrahas, all derived mathematically from the Sun's position.

Overview¶

Upagrahas fall into two groups:

Sun-Based (Day/Night Upagrahas): 5 upagrahas derived from the Sun's daily arc
Ascending/Descending Nodes Group: 6 additional shadow points

All 11 are computed from sun_longitude using fixed angular offsets applied to the Sun's arc in the chart.

The 11 Upagrahas¶

Code	Name	Nature	Significations
`DHUMA`	Dhuma	Malefic	Smoke, pollution, hidden enemies
`VYATIPAATA`	Vyatipaata	Very malefic	Sudden reversals, accidents
`PARIVESHA`	Parivesha	Malefic	Obstacles, delays, blockages
`INDRACHAAPA`	Indrachaapa	Malefic	Broken promises, betrayal
`UPAKETU`	Upaketu	Malefic	Separation, detachment
`KAALA`	Kaala (Kala Vela)	Malefic	Time restrictions, karma from past
`MRITYU`	Mrityu	Very malefic	Death-like suffering, severe difficulties
`ARTHA_PRAHARAKA`	Artha Praharaka	Malefic	Financial losses, theft
`YAMAGHANTAKA`	Yamaghantaka	Malefic	Danger, Yama (death) afflictions
`GULIKA`	Gulika (Mandi)	Malefic	Poison, chronic illness, misfortune
`MAANDI`	Mandi	Very malefic	Chronic malaise, obstructions (alternate name for Gulika in some traditions)

Functions¶

`calculate_sun_based_upagrahas`¶

calculate_sun_based_upagrahas(sun_longitude: float) -> dict[str, float]

Computes all upagraha longitudes from the Sun's position using fixed angular offsets.

Returns: dict[UpagrahaType, float] — upagraha type → ecliptic longitude (0–360°).

`get_sun_based_upagraha_details`¶

get_sun_based_upagraha_details(
    upagraha_type: str,
    longitude: float
) -> Upagraha

Returns the full Upagraha object for a given type and computed longitude.

`get_all_sun_based_upagrahas`¶

get_all_sun_based_upagrahas(sun_longitude: float) -> list[Upagraha]

Computes all 11 upagrahas and returns them as a list of Upagraha objects.

`get_upagraha_interpretation`¶

get_upagraha_interpretation(upagraha: Upagraha) -> str

Returns a human-readable interpretation based on the upagraha's type, sign placement, and house position.

`Upagraha` Model¶

Field	Type	Description
`type`	`str`	`UpagrahaType` code
`name`	`str`	Sanskrit name
`longitude`	`float`	Ecliptic longitude (0–360°)
`rasi_number`	`int`	Sign (1–12)
`rasi_name`	`str`	Sign name
`degree_in_rasi`	`float`	Degree within the sign (0–30)
`house`	`int`	House (1–12) relative to natal lagna
`nakshatra`	`str`	Nakshatra name
`nakshatra_pada`	`int`	Pada (1–4)
`nature`	`str`	`"malefic"`, `"very malefic"`, etc.

Computation Derivation¶

Upagrahas are computed from the Sun's position using traditional formulas. The key derived points:

Upagraha	Derivation Formula
Dhuma	`Sun + 133°20′`
Vyatipaata	`360° − Dhuma`
Parivesha	`Vyatipaata + 180°`
Indrachaapa	`360° − Parivesha`
Upaketu	`Indrachaapa + 16°40′`
Gulika/Mandi	Derived from Saturn's day/night arc segments

House Placement Effects¶

Upagrahas are particularly significant in:

House	Effect of Upagraha Placement
1st	Health issues, inauspicious omens at birth
2nd	Financial losses, speech difficulties
4th	Domestic troubles, property disputes
7th	Relationship strife, partner difficulties
8th	Chronic illness, accidents, longevity concerns
10th	Career obstacles, public reputation damage
12th	Spiritual affliction, hidden suffering

Upagrahas in the 3rd, 6th, or 11th houses generally cause fewer problems as malefic energy can be channeled outward.

Gulika (Mandi) Special Importance¶

Gulika (also called Mandi) is the most significant upagraha:

Considered a secondary Rahu in effect
Its house position shows chronic areas of misfortune
Its sign lord's placement modifies the expression
Conjunctions of Gulika with planets severely afflict those planets' significations

Practical Note

In natal chart analysis, always check if any planet is conjunct Gulika within 10°. Such planets require careful Dasha timing analysis.