Graha-maitrī-kūṭa

Graha-maitrī-kūṭa (ग्रहमैत्रीकूट, also written Graha Maitri Koota or Rāśyādhipati-kūṭa) is the fifth of the eight kūṭas in the classical Aṣṭa-kūṭa guṇa-milana framework and carries a maximum score of 5 points. Graha-maitrī names the classical naisargika (natural) friendship-enmity matrix between the seven principal grahas; the kūṭa reads the rāśi-lord (rāśyādhipati) of each native's Chandra-rāśi and scores the pair based on the classical friendship-relation between the two lords.

Classical grounding

Muhūrta Cintāmaṇi of Rāma Daivajña names the scoring matrix; Nārada Saṃhitā and Jātaka Pārijāta extend the treatment. The underlying naisargika-maitrī (natural friendship) matrix is from Brihat Parāśara Horā Śāstra and is the same classical matrix that governs naisargika friendship-enmity calculations in graha-phala reading across all of jyotiṣa. The kūṭa specialises the friendship-matrix's general application to matrimonial compatibility assessment.

Classification scheme

Classical naisargika-maitrī matrix (as applied in this kūṭa): Sūrya — friends: Chandra, Mangala, Guru; enemies: Śukra, Śani; neutral: Budha. Chandra — friends: Sūrya, Budha; enemies: none in primary reading; neutral: Mangala, Guru, Śukra, Śani. Mangala — friends: Sūrya, Chandra, Guru; enemies: Budha; neutral: Śukra, Śani. Budha — friends: Sūrya, Śukra; enemies: Chandra; neutral: Mangala, Guru, Śani. Guru — friends: Sūrya, Chandra, Mangala; enemies: Budha, Śukra; neutral: Śani. Śukra — friends: Budha, Śani; enemies: Sūrya, Chandra; neutral: Mangala, Guru. Śani — friends: Budha, Śukra; enemies: Sūrya, Chandra, Mangala; neutral: Guru. The kūṭa uses this matrix applied to each native's Chandra-rāśi-lord.

Scoring rules

Classical scoring matrix for Graha-maitrī-kūṭa: (1) when both natives share the same Chandra-rāśi (and therefore share a rāśi- lord), the pair classically scores the full 5 points; (2) when the two lords are classical mitra (friends) of each other, the pair classically scores 5 points; (3) when one lord is friend and the other is neutral to the first, the pair classically scores 4 points; (4) when both lords are neutral to each other, the pair classically scores 3 points; (5) when one lord is neutral and the other reads its counterpart as enemy, the pair classically scores 1 point; (6) when the two lords are classical śatru (enemies) of each other, the pair classically scores 0 points. The kūṭa's 5-point total reflects the classical weighting given to this friendship-matrix assessment.

Classical interpretation register

The classical register Graha-maitrī-kūṭa measures is the mental-temperamental compatibility dimension mediated through the rāśi-lords of the two Chandra-rāśis — the graha whose classical signification governs the Chandra-rāśi carries its classical temperament into the pair's reading, and the friendship-relation between the two governing grahas informs the pair's compatibility-register. Classical commentators note that Graha-maitrī-kūṭa measures a register distinct from but related to Vaśya-kūṭa — Vaśya names the rāśi-to-rāśi temperamental group- relation, while Graha-maitrī specifies the lord-to-lord friendship that the rāśi-to-rāśi relation carries. As with all the kūṭas, the tradition reports the scoring; interpretation remains contextual.

Related Concepts

• Varṇa-kūṭa — Aṣṭa-kūṭa 1
• Vaśya-kūṭa — Aṣṭa-kūṭa 2
• Tārā-kūṭa — Aṣṭa-kūṭa 3
• Yoni-kūṭa — Aṣṭa-kūṭa 4
• Gaṇa-kūṭa — Aṣṭa-kūṭa 6
• Bhakūṭa-kūṭa — Aṣṭa-kūṭa 7
• Nāḍī-kūṭa — Aṣṭa-kūṭa 8