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Planetary States in Astrology: Vakri (Retrograde), Margi & Ast (Combust) Explained

AstroAnanta Team January 31, 2026 4 Min Read 415

Key Takeaway

What are the different states of planetary motion?
1. Vakri (Retrograde): Appears to move backward (5th-9th house from Sun). Rahu/Ketu are always Vakri.
2. Margi (Direct): Moving forward. Sun/Moon are always Margi.
3. Atichari: Moving faster than normal.
4. Mandagami: Moving slower than normal.
5. Stambhit: Stationary pause before changing direction.
6. Ast (Combust): Invisible due to proximity to the Sun (e.g., Mars at 17°, Venus at 9°).

Diagram showing Retrograde motion and Combust planets near the Sun.

⏪ 1. Vakri (Retrograde)

"Walking Backward"

When a planet transits from the 5th to the 9th house from the Sun, it is in a Retrograde state. It implies "Inverse Motion." However, planets do not actually move backward; it is an optical illusion caused by the Earth's speed relative to the planet.

🚂 The Train Analogy: When your fast train overtakes a slower train, the slower train appears to move backward, even though both are moving forward. This is Vakri.

सूर्य से 5वें से 9वें भाव तक ग्रह वक्री होते हैं। वक्री का अर्थ है उल्टी चाल। राहु-केतु सदैव वक्री रहते हैं।

▶️ 2. Margi (Direct)

"Walking Forward"

When planets move straight on their orbital path, they are called Margi. This is the normal state of motion.

Sun & Moon: ALWAYS Direct (Margi). They never go Retrograde.
Rahu & Ketu: NEVER Direct. They are always Retrograde.

सूर्य तथा चन्द्रमा सदैव मार्गी रहते हैं, वह कभी भी वक्री नहीं होते।

⏩ 3. Atichari (Fast Motion)

"Over Speeding"

When a planet moves faster than its average speed, it is called Atichari. This usually happens to outer planets when they are in conjunction with the Sun.

जब कोई ग्रह अपनी सामान्य गति से अधिक तेजी से चलने लगता है, उसे अतिचारी कहते हैं।

🐢 4. Mandagami (Slow Motion)

"Slowing Down"

When a planet moves slower than its average speed, it is considered Mandagami. This often happens before it is about to turn Retrograde or Direct.

जब कोई ग्रह अपनी सामान्य गति से धीमी गति में चलता है तब उसे मंदगामी माना जाता है।

🛑 5. Stambhit (Stationary)

"The Pause"

Just as a car must stop for a split second before reversing gear, planets appear to stop moving before changing from Margi to Vakri (or vice versa). This frozen state is called Stambhit.

Also known as: Bheet Avastha (The Scared State).

ग्रह चाल बदलते समय कुछ समय के लिए स्थिर होते हैं। इसे स्तंभित या 'भीत' (डरा हुआ) अवस्था कहते हैं।

When any planet comes too close to the Sun, it becomes invisible to the naked eye due to the Sun's blinding glare. In astrology, this is called "Ast" (Combust). A combust planet loses its power to give results (like a king overshadowing a minister).

जब ग्रह सूर्य के निकट होते हैं तब वह अस्त हो जाते हैं। बाहरी ग्रह सूर्य से 17 अंश की दूरी पर भी अस्त माने जाते हैं।

📏 Combustion Degree Chart (अस्त अंश तालिका)

Planet (ग्रह)	Combusts Within (अस्त होने की सीमा)
🌕 Moon (चन्द्रमा)	Within 12° of Sun
🔥 Mars (मंगल)	Within 17° of Sun
🧠 Mercury (बुध)	Within 13° (12° if Retrograde)
🧘 Jupiter (गुरु)	Within 11° of Sun
💎 Venus (शुक्र)	Within 9° (8° if Retrograde)
🪐 Saturn (शनि)	Within 15° of Sun

⚠️ Astrological Rule of Thumb

While the degrees above are the standard calculation limits:

Effective Combustion: Most astrologers consider a planet truly "powerless" only if it is within 10° of the Sun.
Shadow Planets: Rahu and Ketu are shadow planets. They are never Combust (Ast) and never Direct (Margi).

सभी ग्रह सूर्य से 10° या कम अंतर पर रहने पर ही प्रभावी रूप से अस्त होते हैं। राहु व केतु कभी भी अस्त नहीं होते।

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: What does it mean when a planet is Vakri (Retrograde)?

When a planet is "Vakri" or Retrograde, it appears to move backward in the sky. This is not a real backward movement but an optical illusion caused by the Earth moving faster than the outer planets. In astrology, a Vakri planet is considered strong but unpredictable, often delivering results that are unconventional or delayed.

Which planets never go Retrograde?

The Sun (Surya) and Moon (Chandra) are always in Direct motion (Margi). They never go Retrograde. On the other hand, Rahu and Ketu are almost always Retrograde and never move in Direct motion.

What is a Combust (Ast) planet?

A planet is called Combust or "Ast" when it comes too close to the Sun. The intense glare of the Sun makes the planet invisible to the naked eye. In astrology, a combust planet is considered weak because it loses its ability to express its own energy freely, often feeling "burnt out" or overshadowed by authority figures (represented by the Sun).

At what degree does Mars become Combust?

Mars becomes Combust (Ast) when it comes within 17 degrees of the Sun. This is one of the wider ranges for combustion because Mars is a bright planet nearby Earth.

What is the difference between Atichari and Mandagami motion?

Atichari: This happens when a planet moves faster than its average speed. It usually signifies quick results or hasty decisions.

Mandagami: This happens when a planet moves slower than its average speed, often before turning Retrograde. It signifies delays and a time for reflection.

Can Rahu or Ketu ever be Combust (Ast)?

No. Rahu and Ketu are Shadow Planets (Chaya Graha) and do not have a physical body to reflect light. Therefore, the concept of being "burnt" by the Sun does not apply to them. They are never considered Combust.

Planetary States in Astrology: Vakri (Retrograde), Margi & Ast (Combust) Explained

Key Takeaway

🪐 The Dance of Planets

📏 Combustion Degree Chart (अस्त अंश तालिका)

Frequently Asked Questions

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🪐 The Dance of Planets

📏 Combustion Degree Chart (अस्त अंश तालिका)

Frequently Asked Questions

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