Sonmadaka Yoga (Part 1) – Understanding Its Powerful Causes & Formation
April 9, 2025 Table of Contents
Introduction
Sonmadaka Yoga is one of the most feared yogas in Vedic astrology, as it is believed to indicate mental instability, psychological disorders, and emotional distress. The term ‘Sonmadaka’ means destruction of joy, which suggests that individuals with this yoga may experience chronic sadness, mood instability, depression, or even severe mental disturbances.
However, it is important to note that Sonmadaka Yoga should never be judged in isolation. The presence of benefic influences, strong Lagna (Ascendant), and Arishta-Bhanga Yoga (cancellation yogas) can reduce or even neutralize its negative impact.
In this part, we will cover:
✔ What is Sonmadaka Yoga?
✔ How is it formed? (Explaining each planetary combination)
✔ The role of Saturn, Mars, and Moon in mental health
✔ Why some people suffer from depression, while others develop aggression or insanity
✔ Examples of birth charts with Sonmadaka Yoga
What is Sonmadaka Yoga?
Sonmadaka Yoga occurs when certain planetary combinations weaken the mind, disrupt emotional stability, and create psychological distress.
This yoga primarily involves malefic planets (Saturn, Mars, and afflicted Moon), which:
- Create mental instability, leading to depression, anxiety, or aggressive behavior.
- Reduce joy, confidence, and clarity of thought, making the person feel lost or confused.
- Can lead to severe emotional struggles, paranoia, or even mental disorders in extreme cases.
General Symptoms of Sonmadaka Yoga
✔ Mood swings, depression, or chronic sadness
✔ Difficulty in thinking clearly or making decisions
✔ Social isolation or a tendency to withdraw from people
✔ Irrational fears, anxiety, or self-doubt
✔ In extreme cases, hallucinations, paranoia, or violent tendencies
Formation of Sonmadaka Yoga – Key Planetary Combinations
1. Saturn in the Lagna & Mars in the 5th, 7th, or 9th House
📌 How It Forms:
- Saturn in the 1st house (Lagna) creates self-doubt, pessimism, and a lack of confidence.
- Mars in the 5th house (intelligence), 7th house (relationships), or 9th house (fortune & higher thinking) creates emotional impulsiveness, frustration, or anger issues.
📌 Effect:
✔ May struggle with negative thinking and a lack of joy in life.
✔ Impulsive decision-making due to Mars, leading to frustration.
✔ Saturn’s influence creates delays and obstacles, making life feel burdensome.
✔ If Moon is weak, the person may suffer from depressive tendencies or anxiety disorders.
🔹 Example Horoscope:
- Lagna (Ascendant): Taurus
- Saturn in 1st house (Taurus)
- Mars in 9th house (Capricorn – exalted but harsh influence)
Effect:
- The person struggles with emotional regulation, often feeling lost or hopeless.
- Aggressive reactions (Mars) and overthinking (Saturn) create deep frustration.
- May experience difficulties in spiritual belief, faith, and mental peace.
2. Moon & Saturn Together in the 12th House
📌 How It Forms:
- Moon represents the mind and emotions.
- Saturn represents restriction, sorrow, and discipline.
- The 12th house represents isolation, subconscious fears, and losses.
📌 Effect:
✔ Chronic sadness, mental fatigue, and a feeling of being misunderstood.
✔ Tendency to isolate themselves from family and society.
✔ Sleep disorders, overthinking, and fear of the unknown.
✔ If Moon is weak, the person may struggle with depression, loneliness, or paranoia.
🔹 Example Horoscope:
- Lagna (Ascendant): Leo
- Moon and Saturn in 12th house (Cancer – Moon’s own sign but afflicted)
Effect:
- The person suffers from emotional highs and lows, struggling to find mental peace.
- Constant thoughts of regret or sadness from the past.
- If other benefics (like Jupiter or Venus) are weak, the person may struggle with severe depression.
3. Birth During the Daytime, Lagna in Saturn/Mars Drekkana & Sun-Moon in Lagna or 9th House
📌 How It Forms:
- If Lagna falls in a Drekkana of Saturn or Mars, the person’s mind is burdened with restrictions and frustrations.
- Sun & Moon together in Lagna or the 9th house creates emotional conflicts and confusion about self-identity.
- Jupiter in a Kendra or 3rd house helps partially balance the yoga, but not entirely.
📌 Effect:
✔ Strong internal conflicts, confusion, and emotional struggles.
✔ Feels misunderstood, lost, or directionless in life.
✔ Higher chances of being manipulated by others due to emotional vulnerability.
🔹 Example Horoscope:
- Lagna (Ascendant): Scorpio
- Sun & Moon in 9th house (Cancer)
- Jupiter in 4th house (Aquarius – weak placement)
Effect:
- The person questions their life path constantly, struggling to trust themselves.
- Feels disconnected from family, religious beliefs, or childhood upbringing.
- Jupiter in 4th house provides some relief but not enough to cancel the negative effects.
4. Jupiter in Lagna & Saturn + Mars in the 7th House
📌 How It Forms:
- Jupiter in the 1st house (Lagna) tries to bring optimism, but struggles against malefics.
- Saturn and Mars in the 7th house create tension in relationships, leading to emotional stress.
📌 Effect:
✔ The person may struggle with trust issues and fear betrayal.
✔ Anxiety and worry about relationships and partnerships.
✔ If Moon is also afflicted, mental health declines further.
🔹 Example Horoscope:
- Lagna (Ascendant): Aries
- Jupiter in Lagna (Aries – weak position)
- Saturn & Mars in the 7th house (Libra – enemy sign for Saturn)
Effect:
- The person fears abandonment, often struggling to trust others.
- May overthink relationships and struggle with emotional security.
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Conclusion: The Psychological Influence of Sonmadaka Yoga
Sonmadaka Yoga is one of the most serious yogas related to mental health issues in astrology. However, its effects depend on additional planetary placements.
- If benefic planets like Jupiter or Venus are strong, the negative impact is reduced.
- If the Moon is unafflicted, the person may only have occasional mood swings rather than severe mental struggles.
- If the Lagna lord is strong, the person can overcome emotional distress through self-discipline and personal growth.
Next Steps:
In Part 2, we will discuss:
🔹 The psychological and emotional struggles caused by Sonmadaka Yoga
🔹 How this yoga affects career, relationships, and decision-making
🔹 Case studies of real-life personalities with similar planetary placementsThis will help us understand how different people experience Sonmadaka Yoga in unique ways.
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