Tenth House (Karma Bhava) in Vedic Astrology
The Tenth House (Karma Bhava) is the tenth house of the Vedic birth chart. Its natural sign is Capricorn, ruled by Saturn, and its karaka is Sun, Mercury, Jupiter, Saturn. It governs career, status, authority. Here is what the Tenth House means, the results of a strong or afflicted Tenth House, and how to read it.
Quick facts
| Natural sign | Capricorn |
| Natural lord | Saturn |
| Karaka (significator) | Sun, Mercury, Jupiter, Saturn |
| House type | Kendra + Upachaya |
| Body part (Kalapurusha) | Knees |
What it governs
- Career, profession and livelihood
- Status, reputation and fame
- Authority, power and achievement
- Actions in the world and public life
When it is strong
A strong 10th house gives career success, high status, authority, fame and recognition for your work — it only grows stronger with effort.
When it is afflicted
An afflicted 10th house can bring career instability, obstacles to promotion, loss of reputation or a lack of direction in profession.
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 Tenth 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.