Combustion (Ast) in Vedic Astrology
Combustion (Sanskrit: Moudhya or Ast) occurs when a planet comes too close to the Sun in the Kundli and is "burnt" by solar rays. The combust planet loses much of its ability to deliver positive results for the houses it rules and occupies.
Combustion Degrees
Each Graha has a specific orb within which it is considered combust: Moon within 12 degrees, Mars within 17 degrees, Mercury within 14 degrees (12 if retrograde), Jupiter within 11 degrees, Venus within 10 degrees (8 if retrograde), and Saturn within 15 degrees of the Sun. These thresholds come from classical Parashari texts.
Effects of Combustion
A combust planet's significations suffer. Combust Venus may weaken marital harmony, combust Jupiter can reduce wisdom and fortune, and combust Mercury may impair communication or analytical ability. However, combustion does not destroy a planet entirely — it makes its effects subtler, internalized, or delayed.
Combustion vs. Other Weaknesses
Combustion is distinct from debilitation, where the planet is in its weakest sign. A planet can be combust yet in its exaltation sign, creating a mixed result. Similarly, a retrograde combust planet has unique interpretive nuances — some texts consider retrogression to partially offset combustion.
Remedies for Combust Planets
Vedic astrology prescribes specific remedies for combustion, including gemstones for the combust planet, mantras to its ruling deity, and charitable acts on days governed by that planet. Strengthening the combust planet through these measures can mitigate adverse effects.