In Vedic astrology, planetary friendship is a traditional way of classifying relationships between grahas. The natural-friendship chart is a reference within that system, not a physical measurement of planetary forces or a prediction on its own. It is useful to distinguish natural friendship from the temporary relationships calculated in a particular horoscope.
The seven-planet natural friendship table
Read each row from the named planet's perspective. Friendship need not be reciprocal: the Moon regards Mercury as a friend, while Mercury regards the Moon as an enemy in this familiar Parashari table.
| Planet | Friends | Enemies | Neutral |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sun | Moon, Mars, Jupiter | Venus, Saturn | Mercury |
| Moon | Sun, Mercury | None | Mars, Jupiter, Venus, Saturn |
| Mars | Sun, Moon, Jupiter | Mercury | Venus, Saturn |
| Mercury | Sun, Venus | Moon | Mars, Jupiter, Saturn |
| Jupiter | Sun, Moon, Mars | Mercury, Venus | Saturn |
| Venus | Mercury, Saturn | Sun, Moon | Mars, Jupiter |
| Saturn | Mercury, Venus | Sun, Moon, Mars | Jupiter |
Natural, temporary and compound friendship
Natural friendship, often called naisargika maitri, is the standing classification shown above. Temporary friendship, or tatkalika maitri, depends on the relative placements of planets in the horoscope. A planet in the second, third, fourth, tenth, eleventh or twelfth position counted from another is treated as a temporary friend under the cited rule; the other relative positions are treated as temporary enmity.
For example, planets that are natural enemies can be temporary friends in a particular chart. An astrologer may combine the two relationships into a fivefold, or compound, classification. Reading only a natural-friendship row misses that additional step and the other considerations used in a full interpretation.
Why are Rahu and Ketu not in the main table?
Rahu and Ketu are the lunar nodes in this tradition. Published friendship tables differ in how they assign their relationships, and some extend the seven-planet scheme using additional school-specific rules. The earlier version of this page mixed a nine-graha list into a single general chart. We now separate that issue rather than presenting one node table as universal.
If your teacher uses a Rahu/Ketu table, record that source and follow the same method consistently. A difference between two internet charts may reflect a different rule set rather than an error in the seven-planet table.
Does friendship alone decide a gemstone or Rudraksha choice?
No. A table is not a personal chart reading, an assessment of a stone or an instruction to buy a remedy. Within astrology, advisers also consider the broader horoscope and their interpretive method. Outside that tradition, the chart does not establish that a gemstone changes a person's health, career or relationships.
If you independently choose jewellery for a cultural preference, check its material, actual size, treatment disclosure, documentation and budget. Keep those verifiable buying questions separate from astrological interpretation. An expensive bead is not required to read or understand this reference.
Textual reference and reading limits
For the distinction between the natural and temporary schemes, see the published Sanskrit text of Brihat Parashara Hora Shastra, chapter 3, verse 55 and verse 56. Verse numbering and translations can differ by edition. The explanations here are an editorial reading aid, not a critical edition, scientific validation or personalised prediction.
Reviewed and revised by Omm Rudraksha & Gemstones, 10 October 2026. The original publication date and page address are retained.
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