Fourth House (Sukha Bhava) in Vedic Astrology
The Fourth House (Sukha Bhava) is the fourth house of the Vedic birth chart. Its natural sign is Cancer, ruled by Moon, and its karaka is Moon. It governs mother, home, inner peace. Here is what the Fourth House means, the results of a strong or afflicted Fourth House, and how to read it.
Quick facts
| Natural sign | Cancer |
| Natural lord | Moon |
| Karaka (significator) | Moon |
| House type | Kendra |
| Body part (Kalapurusha) | Chest, heart |
What it governs
- Mother and maternal happiness
- Home, land, property and vehicles
- Inner peace, comfort and emotions
- Education, roots and the homeland
When it is strong
A strong 4th house gives happiness, property and vehicles, a caring mother, inner contentment and a comfortable home life.
When it is afflicted
An afflicted 4th house can bring domestic unrest, property troubles, difficulty with the mother, or a restless, discontented mind.
Planets in this house
Which planets sit in this house, and the strength of its lord, decide the actual outcome. As a rule, natural benefics (Jupiter, Venus, Mercury, a waxing Moon) support the house, while malefics (Saturn, Mars, Rahu, Ketu, the Sun) stress it — except in the upachaya houses (3, 6, 10, 11), where malefics often do very well.
How to read it
To read the Fourth House in your own chart, look at three things: the sign on the house, the planet that rules that sign (and where it sits), and any planets placed in the house. Generate your free birth chart to see all three for every house.