Types of Kaal Sarp Dosh: The 12 Traditional Names Explained

Tradition describes twelve types of Kaal Sarp Dosh, most of them named after serpents of Indian lore such as Vasuki, Takshak and Sheshnag. The name depends on the houses occupied by Rahu and Ketu, which always sit directly opposite each other in a chart. So each type is simply a description of one position.

As with the dosh itself, astrologers differ on how much weight these labels deserve, and some lists may vary in small details [TO VERIFY].

In the first six types, Rahu sits in one of the first six houses, with Ketu directly opposite. The life areas noted here are the ones these houses traditionally represent:

• Anant: Rahu in the 1st house, Ketu in the 7th; self and partnership
• Kulik: Rahu in the 2nd house, Ketu in the 8th; family, speech and savings
• Vasuki: Rahu in the 3rd house, Ketu in the 9th; siblings, courage and fortune
• Shankhpal: Rahu in the 4th house, Ketu in the 10th; home, mother and career
• Padma: Rahu in the 5th house, Ketu in the 11th; children, learning and gains
• Mahapadma: Rahu in the 6th house, Ketu in the 12th; health, debts and expenses

In the remaining six, the positions reverse and Rahu sits in one of the last six houses:

• Takshak: Rahu in the 7th house, Ketu in the 1st; marriage and partnership
• Karkotak: Rahu in the 8th house, Ketu in the 2nd; sudden change and family wealth
• Shankhachud: Rahu in the 9th house, Ketu in the 3rd; fortune, father and faith
• Ghatak: Rahu in the 10th house, Ketu in the 4th; work and home life
• Vishdhar: Rahu in the 11th house, Ketu in the 5th; friends, gains and children
• Sheshnag: Rahu in the 12th house, Ketu in the 6th; expenses, foreign travel and health

A type only shows which parts of life an astrologer would look at more closely. It does not predict any event, and two people with the same type can lead very different lives. Astrologers also read planetary strength, aspects and the running dasha, and a partial or broken pattern may be understood differently.

Knowing the name can make a conversation with an astrologer easier, but it is no cause for worry on its own.

Families often ask whether each type needs a different rite. At Trimbakeshwar near Nashik, the Kaal Sarp puja generally follows one form, with the sankalp and some details adjusted to the person [TO VERIFY]. In some cases Guruji may also talk about a Rahu Ketu puja.

Keep your birth details handy so that the chart can be read properly, and remember that these rites are acts of faith with no guaranteed result. When you are ready, you can request a date here.