I have been thinking of this for a few days, and someone asked the very same question too.

How and why were the signs (and degrees) assigned to each Graha as it's Uccha (Exaltation), Neecha (Debilitation) and Moola Trikona position.

Also why is 1,4,7 and 10th house taken as Kendra Sthana's.

Thank you in advance.

Dea Mr. Viswas,

To start some discussion, I will start with what I have read,

The graha's uccha, neecha, mooltrikona and swastana are derivated basically from their relation with other grahas (mitra, satru and sama grahas) owning the rasi's and also basing on the nakshtras in those rasi's. To give an example, Jupiter will get paramocha at 5 deg in cancer (owner - moon is friend for jupiter) in Punarvasu nakshtra (his own nakshtra). He get debilitation at 5 deg in makara rasi (owner - saturn is considered as sama graha for jupiter as jupiter is not an anemy for any graha). But even then, I am not convinced with this logic, as jupiter will get debilitation in utarashada (sun nakshtra and sun is also friend for jupiter, infact king and minister relation between them).

I think, astro guru's through some light on this topic. I also have a question in this regard, Can a raja yoga can be cancelled, if any planet is exalted in rasi chart and debiliated (neecha) in navamsa. What can be the effect of a planet in this situation in a horoscope.

As an example - In a chart if Mercury is in 7degrees in kanya rasi (Uttara phalguni nakshtra 4th pada), it will be in neecha in Meena rasi in Navamsa chart, then if the lagna is Saggitarious, BHADRA YOGA will be present or it won't work?

Thank you for the reply Sajja.

Anyone else has any theories on this topic??

Jupiter exalts in pushya nakshtra which is owned by saturn.
if friendly sign is the rationale then venus exalts in pisces owned by jupiter an enemy of venus.

The reasoning I could gather is given below, hope this is useful for beginners as well.

Exaltation of Sun - Always the King is represented as Number 1. Hence Sun is exalted in No 1 Rasi Aries

Exaltation of Moon - Moon is nothing but the Queen and sits beside the King always. hence Moon is exalted in Taurus

Exaltation of Jupiter - Nobody sits beside Queen except King. Hence no exaltation at Gemini. The next important person in the Kingdom is the Minister, which is Jupiter. Hence Jupiter is exalted in Cancer

Exaltation of Mercury - The next important person will be the accountant, Mercury. Mercury does not have a place in the royal court. Hence Leo does not have exaltation. Mercury is exalted at Virgo

Exaltation of Saturn - King is exalted at Aries. Saturn is considered as the servant and he is the only one who cannot be at King's exalted position. But the opposite position is where he can be powerful. Hence Saturn is exalted at Libra. (also, King does not want to go to servan'ts quarters where Saturn is exalted, which is Libra)

Exaltation of Mars- It was seen before that Jupiter, the Minister is exalted at Cancer. Ministers use the brains than anything else. Mars is a planet of action, valour etc and hence Mars would have less role to perform at Cancer. But can be powerful at the opposite position, Capricorn, where Mars is exalted.

Exaltation of Venus - Venus is more of an artistic planet involving in Music, drama etc, which the King likes in his court. he needs entertainment and hence keeps Venus besides as well. Hence Venus is exalted next to King's place at Pisces