Graha chaara
Char means to move and chaara means movement or motion.
In this lesson we are going to learn about the different types of motions of the Grahas.
The apparent motion of the Grahas can be broadly divided into two type, one is the forward or Zodiacal motion and the other is their Anti zodiacal or backward motion. The forward motion of Grahas is called Direct motion in western Astrology and is called Maargi in jyotish. The Graha moves in the order of the Raashis in this motion and in a Raashi also it moves from a lesser longitude to the greater longitude.
The Backward motion of the Grahas is called as Retrograde motion in Western Astrology and is called Vakri in Jyotish. The Graha moves in the reverse order of the Zodiac or we can say it goes from a greater longitude to lesser longitude.

For Example if we see todays (25th July 2009) planetary longitudes then we will see that, Guru is marked retrograde in the Horoscope. Compare its longitude for today with its longitude for tomorrow and you will see that it has moves back. Compare this to the motion of the other Grahas. can you spot another retrograde Graha/s?

RishiRahul and vivek.

If you have checked the software, you would have observed that Raahu is the other graha which moves backwards or is retrograde. No other Grahas are vakri for today. Now if you have the patience to go forwards (ofcourse, you may also go backwards and see the Grahas longitudes) for each day and look up the grahas, you will observe that Raahu* (this includes its other half Ketu) always moves in a retrograde motion and The Luminaries (Prakaash Grahas) Surya and chandra never retrograde. The other five grahas which seem to retrograde for some time, then they move forward in direct motion. In other words sometimes they emulate the Luminaries and sometimes they emulate the Shadowy planets (Chaayaa Grahas) Raahu and Ketu.
This makes us wonder as to if there is a difference in charecteristics of a Graha when it is retrograde compared to when it is in direct motion?
The answer to this is a big YES! A Graha which is Maargi is following the path of the light whereas, the Graha which is Vakri is following the Nodes.
In other words it means that a maargi Graha follows the natural order of progress and a vakri Graha is trying to retrace its steps, and in doing so it is following the path of intense desires. Why desires? well, because of the two nodes, Raahu is the cause of rebirth as it shows unfulfilled desires. Ketu on the other hand shows Moksha and a birth chart means that the person has not got Moksha. so a Vakri will be more like Raahu.  
So the first charecteristic of a Vakri Graha is that it shows a strong unfulfilled desire carried over from past (birth).

* in traditional Jyotish The mean motion of the nodes are taken and not the true motion.
RishiRahul and vivek.

Dear Vivek ji

Is the vakri state of planet is only limited to the cause of rebirth i have read about the shani vakri in chart shows the rebirth to complete karma of previous birth so can this be applied to the natives born during the guru vakri stithi which currently is that they are born to acquire knowledge or wealth

Regards

Swapnil

Namaskaar Swapnil ji,
One step at a time and we are on sure footing all the time, never loosing our balance.
First of all there was a birth and hence a birth chart. This means that there was no moksha in previous birth. Which again means some desire as the cause of rebirth. So behind each birth some desire is always the reason for it. Which is the reason why in Jyotish the mean motion of Raahu is taken and not the true motion. So in any horoscope at-least one Graha is retrograde (Raahu). Raahu is the cause of rebirth.
Other Grahas when retrograde also shows a strong desire, to judge what it is, many other factors are to be looked into. We will get to this as the lesson advances. Try to ask queries only to the points discussed in the lesson till now. Otherwise the lesson may get off-track.
Till now individual Grahas and their retrogression are not discussed. We are trying to dechiper the phenomenon of retrogression and the general effect we may expect.
We know you would understand this stand of ours.
RishiRahul and vivek.

we have seen that a Retrograde Graha has a lot of desires. Desires are seen from the seventh Bhaava and hence a vakri Graha desires the seventh from it. which may hint at, the Graha is unhappy in its current position and wants to get to the seventh from it. In Jyotish text books it is stated that a Vakri exalted Graha acts as a debilitated and a neecha vakri graha will act as exalted. Now we know the reason for this.
Ofcourse this does not mean that a Vakri Neecha graha has become exalted or vice versa. It just means that the Graha is focussed on the seventh from itself due to intense desire.

RishiRahul and vivek.