Sunapha Anapha and Durudhura Yoga
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The Moon stands for the mind, comfort and the support a person feels around them. Classical astrologers judge the Moon partly by its company: are there planets close by, on either side of it, or does it stand alone?
The Sunapha, Anapha and Durudhura yogas answer that question. They are among the first yogas taught in Brihat Parashara Hora Shastra and Phaladeepika, and they appear in a great many charts.
The three Moon yogas
| Yoga | Condition | Classical theme |
|---|---|---|
| Sunapha (Sunaba, Sunafa) | A planet in the 2nd sign from the Moon | Self-earned wealth, intelligence, a good name |
| Anapha (Anafa) | A planet in the 12th sign from the Moon | Good health and manners, fame, comfort, a calm detachment later in life |
| Durudhura (Duradhara) | Planets in both the 2nd and the 12th from the Moon | Enjoys comforts, wealth and vehicles, generous, supported by others |
The counting is by sign. The Moon's own sign is the 1st; the next sign is the 2nd; the sign before it is the 12th.
Which planets count?
Only Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, Venus and Saturn. The Sun is left out, because it has its own matching set of yogas (see Vesi, Vosi and Ubhayachari yoga). Rahu and Ketu are also left out in the classical definition.
How to find them in your chart
- Find the sign the Moon occupies in the birth chart (your Rasi).
- Look at the next sign. Is Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, Venus or Saturn there? If yes, you have Sunapha.
- Look at the previous sign. Is one of those five planets there? If yes, you have Anapha.
- If both are true, the chart has Durudhura.
Worked example
The Moon is in Cancer. Jupiter is in Leo and Venus is in Gemini.
- Leo is the 2nd sign from Cancer, and Jupiter is there: Sunapha, formed by Jupiter.
- Gemini is the 12th sign from Cancer, and Venus is there: Anapha, formed by Venus.
- Both are present, so this is Durudhura yoga, formed by two benefics. This is one of the best forms: wisdom and good advice from Jupiter's side, comfort and grace from Venus's side.
What each planet adds
The planet that forms the yoga colours its results. Phaladeepika and Saravali describe each one; in short:
| Planet | In Sunapha (2nd from Moon) | In Anapha (12th from Moon) |
|---|---|---|
| Mars | Courage, enterprise, earnings through effort | Leadership, a strong will, some temper |
| Mercury | Skill in study, writing, music or trade | Good speech, poetry, a pleasant manner |
| Jupiter | Learning, wealth, respect, a religious mind | Strength, steadiness, honour from authorities |
| Venus | Property, comfort, a happy home | Attractive, good company, artistic taste |
| Saturn | Steady gains from land, labour or long effort | Patience and endurance, results after delay |
With several planets, read them together. A benefic and a malefic side by side mix their results.
Judging the strength of the yoga
These yogas are common, so do not treat every one as remarkable. Check four things:
- The Moon's own strength. A bright Moon (near full, waxing) in a friendly or exalted sign makes every Moon yoga stronger. A weak, dark Moon gives smaller results.
- The dignity of the planet. A planet in its own sign or exaltation gives a fuller yoga. Our exaltation and debilitation table lists each planet's dignities.
- Combustion. A planet very close to the Sun is weakened. Since the Sun itself never counts, a planet that is both beside the Moon and burnt by the Sun contributes less.
- The dasa. The yoga is felt most during the dasa or bhukti of the planet that forms it, and in the Moon's own periods.
The opposite: Kemadruma
When no planet (other than the Sun, Rahu and Ketu) is in the 2nd or 12th from the Moon, the classical name is Kemadruma yoga. Older texts describe it as a lonely or unsupported Moon. It is cancelled in many charts, for example when a planet stands in a kendra (1st, 4th, 7th or 10th) from the Lagna. It should always be read with its cancellations, never on its own.
Sun yogas and Moon yogas together
| From the Moon | From the Sun | Position |
|---|---|---|
| Sunapha | Vesi | Planet in the 2nd |
| Anapha | Vosi | Planet in the 12th |
| Durudhura | Ubhayachari | Planets on both sides |
The Moon yogas describe the mind, comfort and how much support a person receives; the Sun yogas describe confidence, action and status. Reading both gives a fuller picture. For a wider list of classical combinations, see planetary combinations in Vedic astrology.
Summary
Sunapha yoga is a planet in the 2nd sign from the Moon, Anapha a planet in the 12th, and Durudhura planets on both sides. Only Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, Venus and Saturn count. Benefics give the classical good results of wealth, learning, comfort and a good name; Mars and Saturn give results through effort. Judge the yoga by the Moon's brightness, the dignity of the planet, combustion and the running dasa.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is Sunapha yoga?
Sunapha yoga forms when Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, Venus or Saturn is in the 2nd sign from the Moon. It is linked with self-earned wealth, intelligence and a good reputation.
What is the difference between Sunapha and Anapha yoga?
Sunapha is a planet in the 2nd sign from the Moon (the sign after the Moon); Anapha is a planet in the 12th sign from the Moon (the sign before it). When both are present the yoga is called Durudhura.
Do the Sun, Rahu and Ketu count for Sunapha yoga?
No. The Sun is left out by every classical text, and Rahu and Ketu are also left out in the classical definition. Only Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, Venus and Saturn form these yogas.
What happens if there is no planet on either side of the Moon?
That condition is called Kemadruma yoga. It is often cancelled by other factors in the chart, so it should never be read alone.
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