Arishta Yoga (malefic scissors)
Papa Kartari Yoga
पाप कर्तरी योग
Last reviewed against Brihat Parashara Hora Shastra, Phaladeepika, Saravali on 13 June 2026. Reviewed by VedicBirth editorial team. Chart positions computed via Lahiri ayanamsha and Swiss Ephemeris.
Formation
Natural malefic planets (Saturn, Mars, Sun, Rahu, or Ketu) occupy both the house immediately before and the house immediately after a given house, hemming it in with difficult energy.
General Effects
Papa Kartari Yoga afflicts the sandwiched house and suppresses its natural significations. Planets placed there struggle to express their positive qualities, and the life areas that house governs face chronic obstacles, delays, or deprivation. The more malefics involved and the closer their degrees, the stronger the affliction.
Activation Timing
Papa Kartari Yoga activates during the dasha periods of whichever planets satisfy the formation rule in the specific chart. Identify those planets first, then track their mahadasha and antardasha cycles.
Remedies
Perform Navagraha Shanti puja focusing on the malefics causing the kartari. Recite Hanuman Chalisa on Saturdays (for Saturn) and Mangal Stotram on Tuesdays (for Mars). Donating red lentils and sesame oil on respective days also helps.
FAQ
What is Papa Kartari Yoga in Vedic astrology?
Papa Kartari Yoga (Papa Kartari Yoga, पाप कर्तरी योग) is a Arishta Yoga (malefic scissors). Natural malefic planets (Saturn, Mars, Sun, Rahu, or Ketu) occupy both the house immediately before and the house immediately after a given house, hemming it in with difficult energy. Papa Kartari Yoga afflicts the sandwiched house and suppresses its natural significations. Planets placed there struggle to express their positive qualities, and the life areas that house governs face chronic obstacles, delays, or deprivation. The more malefics involved and the closer their degrees, the stronger the affliction.
Which planets form Papa Kartari Yoga?
Papa Kartari Yoga is a structural-class yoga that depends on the planets satisfying its formation rule rather than a fixed planetary pair. Read the formation rule above to identify the participating planets in any given chart.
Which lagna benefits most from Papa Kartari Yoga?
Papa Kartari Yoga produces the strongest results for lagnas where the participating planets rule kendra (1, 4, 7, 10) or trikona (5, 9) houses. See the per-lagna grid below for individual analysis.
When does Papa Kartari Yoga activate?
Activation depends on the dasha periods of whichever planets satisfy the yoga rule in the native's chart.
Are there cancellation conditions for Papa Kartari Yoga?
Standard yoga bhanga conditions apply: combustion of any participating planet, debilitation, or affliction by malefic aspects can reduce the yoga's strength.
Papa Kartari Yoga for Each Ascendant
Effects of Papa Kartari Yoga differ materially across the 12 lagnas because the participating planets rule different houses for each ascendant. Click any lagna for the full lagna-specific analysis.