It's directional
All seven planets must fall on the same side of the Rahu–Ketu axis — not just near it.
When Rahu and Ketu hem in everything
Kaal Sarp Dosha explained
Kaal Sarp Dosha occurs when all seven classical planets (Sun through Saturn) fall on one side of the Rahu–Ketu axis — hemmed in like a snake coiling around them.
How to check
Look at your Rahu and Ketu houses
Generate your free Kundali and check the planetary positions table — if every other planet's house falls between Rahu and Ketu going the same direction around the chart, that's the classic Kaal Sarp pattern.
Partial counts differently
If even one planet falls on the other side, it's generally not considered a full Kaal Sarp Dosha.
Twelve named types
Which house Rahu occupies determines the specific type and its traditional emphasis.
Reference
The twelve types
- 1. Anant — Rahu in house 1
- 2. Kulik — Rahu in house 2
- 3. Vasuki — Rahu in house 3
- 4. Shankhpal — Rahu in house 4
- 5. Padma — Rahu in house 5
- 6. Mahapadma — Rahu in house 6
- 7. Takshak — Rahu in house 7
- 8. Karkotak — Rahu in house 8
- 9. Shankhchud — Rahu in house 9
- 10. Ghatak — Rahu in house 10
- 11. Vishdhar — Rahu in house 11
- 12. Sheshnag — Rahu in house 12