Auspicious yoga · BPHS 36.5-6, Phaladeepika 6.19-6.20
Amala Yoga
A natural benefic in the 10th house from the Lagna or the Moon.
Amala Yoga is the "spotless" yoga, named for the unblemished reputation it confers. The yoga forms when a natural benefic (Jupiter, Venus, or unafflicted Mercury) occupies the 10th house counted from either the Lagna or the Moon. Classical commentary treats Amala Yoga as a yoga of clean reputation, ethical career, and the kind of professional standing that attracts respect.
How Amala Yoga forms
Amala Yoga forms when at least one natural benefic (Jupiter, Venus, or Mercury when not closely conjunct a malefic) occupies the 10th house from either the Lagna or the Moon. Both reference points are in the source verses themselves, BPHS 36.5 and Phaladeepika 6.19, so neither is a later addition. Reading the Lagna version as career and public reputation and the Moon version as emotional resonance with one's public role is a practitioner distinction, not one the verses draw.
Effects on the native
Effects on the native: clean reputation, ethical career, professional standing that attracts respect, and the kind of public role where the native's integrity becomes their distinguishing feature. Many notable figures known specifically for ethical conduct (judges, philanthropists, principled academics) show Amala Yoga. The yoga gives a name that survives scandal because no scandal attaches.
Strength factors
Amala Yoga is strongest when the benefic in the 10th is in own or exalted sign, when it is not combust or retrograde in difficulty, and when the running dasha activates it. Jupiter in the 10th in own sign Sagittarius, or Venus in the 10th in Pisces (exalted), are textbook strong Amala configurations.
Cancellation and limitations
Cancelling factors: combustion of the benefic, retrograde affliction in dusthana (though the 10th itself is a kendra, surrounding houses can affect), close conjunction with malefics (which dilutes the spotless quality), and the benefic being functionally weak (debilitated without cancellation).
Archetype
The Amala Yoga archetype: the senior judge known specifically for incorruptibility, the academic respected for ethical scholarship, the philanthropist whose giving is genuine, the public figure whose record survives scrutiny. Not the spectacular achiever; the clean one.
Classical sources
This is one of the few yogas on this page where the two main texts agree word for word on the rule. BPHS 36.5-6: if there be exclusively a benefic in the 10th from the ascendant or the Moon, Amala yoga exists, and it confers lasting fame. Phaladeepika 6.19 gives the same, benefics in the 10th counted from the Lagna or the Moon, and 6.20 gives the result as rule over the earth, wealth, sons, fame, prosperity and prudence. Santhanam adds that the yoga is void if malefics are simultaneously involved, which is where the word exclusively earns its place. Saravali carries no yoga of this name. The reading that Amala only shows itself under a test is practitioner observation.
Frequently asked questions about Amala Yoga
What is Amala Yoga?+
Amala Yoga is the "spotless" yoga, formed when a natural benefic (Jupiter, Venus, or Mercury) occupies the 10th house from the Lagna or the Moon. It gives clean reputation and ethical career.
What does Amala Yoga give?+
Clean reputation, ethical career, professional standing that attracts respect, and a public role where integrity becomes the distinguishing feature.
Is Amala Yoga measured from Lagna or Moon?+
Both versions exist. The Lagna version specifically affects career and public reputation; the Moon version affects emotional resonance with one's public role. Either configuration delivers Amala's effects.
What is the strongest Amala Yoga configuration?+
Jupiter in own sign Sagittarius in the 10th house, or Venus exalted in Pisces in the 10th house. Both give the spotless-reputation effect with full benefic dignity.
When does Amala Yoga manifest?+
During the Mahadasha or antardasha of the benefic in the 10th. Often the yoga's effects become most visible during a public test of integrity, where the native's record stands up clean.
Other yogas
- Pancha Mahapurusha YogaPancha Mahapurusha (overview)
- Gaja-Kesari YogaLunar yoga
- Ruchaka Yoga (Pancha Mahapurusha)Pancha Mahapurusha
- Bhadra YogaPancha Mahapurusha
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