Functional benefics and malefics
Functional benefics and malefics are planets that become helpful or difficult for a particular ascendant because of the houses they rule, whatever their natural nature. The list changes from one Lagna to the next.
Also known as: functional benefic, functional malefic
Parashara’s rules, in brief: lords of the trikonas (1st, 5th and 9th) are always favourable. Lords of the 3rd, 6th and 11th lean difficult. The 8th lord is generally unfavourable unless it also rules the ascendant, and the Sun and Moon are exempt from that blemish. Lords of the 2nd and 12th give results according to their other sign and their company.
Kendra lordship has its own twist. Natural benefics that rule kendras (1st, 4th, 7th and 10th) lose some of their kindness, a flaw called kendradhipati dosha, while natural malefics that rule kendras lose their harshness. A planet ruling both a kendra and a trikona becomes a yogakaraka, the best planet of all for that ascendant.
This is why one planet can behave so differently in two charts. For Taurus rising, Saturn rules the 9th and 10th and is the chart’s finest planet, while Jupiter, a natural benefic, rules the 8th and 11th. Gemstone advice, in particular, should follow functional nature rather than natural nature.