A "yoga" in Vedic astrology = specific planetary combination producing a defined effect. 100+ classical yogas. Here are the 12 most important.
Lord of a kendra (1/4/7/10) conjunct or aspecting lord of a trikoṇa (1/5/9). Indicates power, authority, recognition during the relevant daśās. The "king-making" yoga.
Lord of 2nd or 11th conjunct or aspecting lord of 5th or 9th. Wealth-accumulation pattern. Family resources + earned income converge.
Lords of the 3 dusthanas (6/8/12) in mutual exchange or conjunction. "Reversed" Rāja-yoga · success through difficulty. Often produces self-made strength after hardship.
Jupiter in kendra from Moon (1, 4, 7, or 10 from natal Moon). One of the most cited beneficial yogas. Indicates sustained prosperity, intelligence, social influence.
"Pañca-mahā-puruṣa" — the 5 great-personality yogas. Each formed when a specific planet is in own sign or exalted, AND in a kendra (1/4/7/10) from Lagna.
Mars in own sign (Aries/Scorpio) or exalted (Capricorn) in a kendra. Athletic, martial, courageous personality. Strong physique, sharp competitive instinct.
Mercury in own sign (Gemini/Virgo) in a kendra. Sharp intellect, communication mastery, education-driven success. Often produces scholars, writers, traders.
Jupiter in own sign (Sagittarius/Pisces) or exalted (Cancer) in a kendra. Wisdom, dharma, teaching ability, religious authority. Often produces philosophers, teachers, judges.
Venus in own sign (Taurus/Libra) or exalted (Pisces) in a kendra. Refined aesthetic, artistic talent, attractive partner, luxury life. Often produces artists, designers, performers.
Saturn in own sign (Capricorn/Aquarius) or exalted (Libra) in a kendra. Discipline, longevity, slow-burning success. Often produces administrators, long-tenure leaders, structural builders.
Mercury, Jupiter, Venus in 6th, 7th, 8th from Moon. Indicates leadership, financial flow, influential position. Cited in classical texts for kings and high-status individuals.
Sun + Mercury conjunct. Common combination (Mercury never far from Sun). Indicates intellect, communication, often ego-driven scholarship. Strong when Mercury is not too close (combust).
Lagna-lord in own sign or exalted, in a kendra. Indicates fame, longevity, recognized character. Often associated with public figures.
Two important caveats:
1. Yogas don't trigger until their daśā runs. A Rāja-yoga in your chart is dormant until the daśā of the planets forming it activates. Could be at age 28, could be at age 67.
2. Yogas can be cancelled or weakened. Conjunction with malefics, debilitation, retrograde, combustion, aspect by Saturn/Mars/Rāhu — all reduce yoga power. Each yoga has explicit cancellation rules in classical texts.
The TRIKĀLA Deep-Dive PDF (₹999) identifies all major yogas in your chart, marks which are currently activated by daśā, and flags any cancellation conditions.