Sixth House (Ripu Bhava) in Vedic Astrology
The Sixth House (Ripu Bhava) is the sixth house of the Vedic birth chart. Its natural sign is Virgo, ruled by Mercury, and its karaka is Mars & Saturn. It governs enemies, debts, disease. Here is what the Sixth House means, the results of a strong or afflicted Sixth House, and how to read it.
Quick facts
| Natural sign | Virgo |
| Natural lord | Mercury |
| Karaka (significator) | Mars & Saturn |
| House type | Dusthana + Upachaya |
| Body part (Kalapurusha) | Intestines, digestion |
What it governs
- Enemies, rivals and competition
- Debts, loans and litigation
- Disease, health and daily work
- Service, employees and obstacles
When it is strong
Being an upachaya, a strong 6th house actually helps you defeat enemies, win competitions and lawsuits, clear debts and overcome disease through effort.
When it is afflicted
An afflicted 6th house can bring chronic illness, mounting debts, powerful enemies or ongoing disputes.
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 Sixth 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.