Business Partnership: To Join or Not to Join?
The Story of Two Childhood Friends who became Business Partners
Two childhood friends, now in their mid-twenties, meet at a bar and begin discussing their future over mugs of beer. As the conversation progresses, they speak enthusiastically about becoming wealthy and eventually decide that they should start a business together.
Their excitement grows as they imagine the opportunities, profits and success awaiting them. Since they have known and trusted each other from childhood, neither of them feels the need to examine the risks involved in becoming business partners.
At that moment, their long friendship makes the partnership appear completely safe. They assume that the trust and understanding they share as friends will naturally continue in business. What they fail to realise is that friendship and business operate under very different conditions. Money, authority, workload, risk and important decisions can reveal differences that may never have appeared during years of friendship. They are unaware that the very business they hope will make them rich could one day become the reason for the destruction of their friendship.
This is how many partnership businesses begin—not with a careful examination of compatibility, clearly defined responsibilities or a proper understanding of financial risks, but with excitement, confidence and unquestioned trust. Friendship may bring two people together, but friendship alone cannot guarantee a successful business partnership.
A True Story About a Business Partnership
This is the true story of a highly successful businessman whom I shall call Mr Lalith Raj. His name has been changed to protect his identity. He employs nearly 300 people, and his business experienced phenomenal growth during a favourable Dasha. I cannot reveal the complete astrological details of his horoscope because I must respect his privacy. I am sharing only the essential parts of his story to demonstrate the complex nature of business partnerships and the importance of examining all the relevant factors in a horoscope.
When the proposal for the new partnership arose, Mr Lalith Raj was passing through Saturn Antardasha. In his horoscope, Saturn was the principal planet indicating difficulties in business partnerships. Moreover, both the product and the activity involved in the proposed venture were governed by Saturn. Thus, Saturn represented possible trouble in more than one way.
I therefore advised him, “Please avoid this venture. It does not match the nature of your horoscope. Your existing business activities are well suited to your horoscope, which is why you have achieved such remarkable success in them. However, if you enter this new field, you may experience business failure for the first time in your life.”
It was during a challenging Mahadasha–Antardasha combination, further intensified by the difficult Ashtama Sani phase, that the idea of entering into business with a prospective partner arose. I shall refer to this person as Mr Akilandeswar Mundaknetra, or simply Mr A. M. The two men had known each other for nearly fifteen years. They frequently played games together and attended parties involving music, dancing and drinks. Throughout their long friendship, they had never experienced any serious disagreement or problem in their relationship.
During a business partnership consultation, I examined Mr A. M.’s horoscope and found that it did not indicate good fortune in business. Partnership ventures were particularly unfavourable for him. Moreover, the product chosen for the new business was governed by Saturn, making the proposal even more unsuitable for his horoscope.
Mr Lalith Raj’s horoscope also contained several planetary combinations warning of serious trouble through partnerships. His chart clearly indicated that he should avoid every form of partnership business. Although he had already achieved remarkable success as an independent businessman, entering into a partnership would take him into an area that his horoscope did not support.
During this unfavourable period, Mr A. M. gradually persuaded Mr Lalith Raj to join the venture. These discussions often took place in the evenings, when Mr Lalith Raj had consumed large quantities of alcohol. Under the influence of alcohol, his normally sharp business judgement became weak, making him more vulnerable to persuasion. Mr A. M. had stopped drinking because of serious health problems, but he continued to bring alcohol and encourage Mr Lalith Raj to drink while they discussed the proposal.
At first, this detail may appear unnecessary. However, I have included it as an important hint for serious students of Astrology. Rahu played a significant role in Mr Lalith Raj’s horoscope and created the circumstances in which an important business decision was influenced by intoxication and impaired judgement. Businesspeople who have a seriously afflicted or adversely operating Rahu in their horoscope should be particularly careful. They should never make important financial or business decisions after consuming alcohol—not even after one or two drinks.
The proposed business partnership belonged to a field about which Mr Lalith Raj had very little knowledge or experience. The required investment ran into several crores of rupees. Before making the final decision, Mr Lalith Raj approached me and explained the entire proposal.
My answer was an emphatic “No.” I warned him, “If you enter this business partnership, it could become your Waterloo.” Apart from the problems visible in their individual horoscopes, their birth stars were also unsuitable for a business partnership. I am referring here to their Moon Nakshatras. Certain Nakshatras have a particular taboo star with which a business partnership should preferably be avoided. I shall explain this important principle. The information is available in a table format.
Despite my warning, they went ahead with the venture because they had been close friends for many years and believed their friendship would protect the partnership. Today, both men are facing severe financial difficulties, with no easy solution in sight. Their friendship has completely disappeared, although the partnership deed that legally binds them still lies in the cupboard.
Vināśa Kāle Viparīta Buddhiḥ.
This story illustrates how a harmful partnership often begins during an unfavourable period. There is a well-known saying: Vināśa Kāle Viparīta Buddhiḥ. It means that when a period of destruction approaches, the mind begins to make exactly the wrong choices. Karma operates through the mind, causing an unsuitable proposal to appear attractive and a serious risk to look like a wonderful opportunity.
In this case, partnership business was not supported by the horoscope of either person. The nature of the business was also unsuitable, and the partnership began during a difficult planetary period. Such damaging decisions are frequently made during challenging phases such as Sade Sati or Ashtama Sani. Therefore, it is not enough to examine the business proposal alone. The individual horoscopes, compatibility between the partners, nature of the product and prevailing Dasha–Antardasha periods must all be studied before entering into a major partnership.
Nakshatras that Become Arch-Enemies in Business Partnership
“Certain Nakshatras may be described as arch-enemies in matters of business partnership.” The compatibility of the Moon Nakshatras (Janma or Janam Nakshatra) is an important factor that must be examined before two people enter into a business partnership. Certain Nakshatras are considered mutually incompatible and may behave like sworn enemies when these people join hands in business. Such combinations can produce repeated disagreements, poor decisions, financial strain and, in extreme cases, heavy losses. If the horoscope of Partner A or Partner B has certain kind of planetary combination that does not support business, or business partnership then closing the business is most likely to happen in the future.
For example, an Ashwini Nakshatra person should avoid entering into partnership with a Jyeshtha Nakshatra person. Similarly, Pushya and Purva Ashadha form a highly challenging combination. In the story discussed above, Mr Lalith Raj’s Janma Nakshatra is Pushya, while Mr A. M.’s Janma Nakshatra is Purva Ashadha. This is row 7 in the following table.
As the following table shows, this pair appears among the incompatible Nakshatra combinations and helps explain why their partnership eventually became a financial nightmare. However, Nakshatra compatibility should be considered an important warning factor rather than the sole basis for judgement; the individual horoscopes, nature of the business and prevailing Dasha–Antardasha periods must also be carefully examined.
When Business Luck Is Weak, Can a Franchise Be the Safer Choice?
If one or both partners do not have strong indications for success in an independently established business, they may consider operating a franchise instead. In a franchise arrangement, the main business belongs to an established parent company, perhaps even a large international organisation based in the United States or another country, while the partners operate its authorised outlet in India.
This may reduce some of the risks involved in building a completely new business because the brand, products, operating system and business model have already been tested. The parent company may also provide training, advertising, marketing support and an established supply chain, while customers may already recognise and trust the brand. The partners mainly follow the proven system created by the parent company rather than developing everything independently. Although the profit margin may be lower because franchise fees, royalties or a share of the revenue must be paid to the parent company, the venture may be less risky than starting an unfamiliar business from the beginning.
However, the partners’ horoscopes, their mutual compatibility, the nature of the product and the timing of the venture should still be examined, because choosing a franchise can reduce business risk but cannot completely remove the astrological indications connected with partnership.
The basic reasons for a business partnership
Reason 1: To Share the Investment and Financial Risk
One of the most common reasons for taking a business partner is to share the initial investment. Starting and running a business may require substantial capital, and one person may not be able or willing to bear the entire financial burden alone. By bringing in a partner, both the investment and the possibility of financial loss can be shared.
Reason 1 : The Astrological Perspective
A prospective partner may appear financially strong because of the house they live in, the car they drive, the expensive watch they wear or the lifestyle they display. However, these outward signs may not reveal the complete truth. Behind this appearance, the person may be struggling with heavy debts, unstable income or other serious financial difficulties. A careful examination of the horoscope by an experienced Astrologer may reveal the person’s actual financial yogas known as Dhana yoga (wealth yogas) and their capacity to sustain and grow a business.
The horoscope may also indicate that the prospective partner is better suited to employment than to business. They may not possess the necessary business Yogas or wealth-producing combinations required to achieve the level of success being imagined. For example, you may expect the partnership business to reach a turnover of ₹100 crore, while the partner’s horoscope may not indicate the financial capacity or Yogas needed to reach such a scale. Therefore, before depending upon another person’s money or apparent financial strength, it is important to examine whether their horoscope genuinely supports business, wealth creation and long-term financial stability.
Reason 2 : To Combine Different Skills and Talents
A person may have an excellent business idea but lack the technical, managerial or financial knowledge required to develop it. A business partner may contribute the missing expertise. For example, one person may be skilled in creating a product, while the other may be better at marketing, sales and financial management.
Reason 2 : The Astrological Perspective
Every person has a unique core competence shaped by their karmic background, and this natural strength is revealed through the horoscope.
One partner may possess exceptional communication and persuasive ability, while another may be naturally gifted in finance, technical work, production, administration or long-term planning. The responsibilities within a partnership should therefore be divided according to the strengths indicated in each person’s horoscope.
For example, a partner with extraordinary communication skills may be placed in charge of marketing, sales, negotiations, customer relations and business presentations. At the same time, they should not be given control over areas in which their horoscope indicates weakness, such as finance, production or administration.
Similarly, the other partner should be assigned responsibilities that match their own core competence. A successful partnership does not require both people to be equally capable in every area; it requires each person’s strengths to be used effectively while their weaker areas are entrusted to someone better suited to manage them.
Reason 3 : To Divide Responsibilities and Workload
Managing every aspect of a business alone can become difficult, particularly as the business grows. Partners can divide responsibilities such as production, finance, marketing, sales and administration according to their individual strengths. This allows each person to concentrate on the areas they understand best.
Reason 3: The Astrological Perspective
Dividing responsibilities may appear simple at the beginning, but the success of such an arrangement depends on whether each partner is capable of managing the work assigned to them. A person may confidently agree to handle finance, production, marketing or administration, but their horoscope may reveal that they lack the discipline, judgement or consistency required for that particular responsibility. If the wrong duty is entrusted to the wrong person, one partner may eventually have to carry most of the workload.
An experienced Astrologer can examine the relevant houses and planets to understand the natural working style and managerial ability of each partner. Mercury may indicate commercial intelligence, communication, accounting and sales ability. Mars may support technical work, production and quick execution. Jupiter may indicate financial judgement, planning and wise decision-making, while Saturn may reveal patience, discipline, administration and the capacity to handle repetitive or demanding work. The 6th house can show the ability to manage daily operations and overcome workplace difficulties, while the 10th house reveals professional competence, responsibility and leadership.
The horoscope may also reveal whether a person is likely to accept responsibility or avoid it when difficulties arise. Some individuals work sincerely when the business is doing well but become careless, absent or uncooperative during challenging periods. Difficult Dasha–Antardasha combinations may also affect their health, judgement, motivation or ability to carry out their duties. Therefore, before dividing the workload, it is important to determine whether each partner’s horoscope supports the responsibilities assigned to them and whether both people are capable of contributing fairly and consistently to the business.
There may be many other reasons for entering into a business partnership, and the complete list can be quite long. However, whatever the reason may be, the horoscopes of both prospective partners can provide deeper insight into the proposal. A careful astrological analysis can help determine whether each partner is truly capable of making the contribution expected from them and whether the partnership is likely to produce the results they imagine.
Your Core Competence Is Written in Your Horoscope
People generally assume that core competence is created entirely through education, professional training or admission to a prestigious institution. From the perspective of Vedic Astrology, however, the process may work in the opposite direction. A person’s Karma creates a natural inclination towards a particular subject and guides them towards the college, course and training required to develop that ability. The same Karma may enable them to excel in that field, receive a gold medal and eventually become a recognised expert. A careful examination of the horoscope can reveal this potential even before it becomes visible through education or professional achievement.
This idea is expressed through the saying, Buddhih Karmanusarini, meaning that the intellect and inclination of a person move in accordance with their Karma. Karma often operates through the mind by creating interest in certain activities and disinterest in others. This may also explain why your business partner performs exceptionally well in one area of the business but remains indifferent towards another. What appears to be laziness or a lack of commitment may sometimes indicate that the responsibility does not match the person’s karmic inclination or core competence. Therefore, instead of forcing both partners to handle every area equally, their responsibilities should be aligned with the natural strengths revealed in their horoscopes.
When choosing a product or field for a business, the principles given in the ancient classical books of Astrology should be given great importance. These texts explain how particular planets, signs and houses are connected with different occupations, products and forms of livelihood. Let me explain this with a few simple examples.
Suppose the Moon is placed in the 10th house and occupies its own sign, Cancer, known as Karkataka. Such a combination may support a livelihood connected with textiles and clothing, milk and dairy products, or liquids sold as beverages. If two people are planning a partnership involving any of these products, it would be advantageous if at least one partner had this combination or a similarly strong Moon connected with the 10th house. That partner may also be better suited to lead the venture and take the major decisions concerning the business.
Similarly, if Mercury occupies the 10th house in its own sign, Virgo, known as Kanya, the person may possess strong potential for trading, import and export, electronics and other Mercury-related activities. When a partnership is being formed in one of these fields, at least one partner should ideally have a powerful Mercury connected with livelihood. The responsibilities and decision-making authority relating to commerce, negotiations, accounts and expansion may then be entrusted to that partner.
In some cases, the horoscopes of both partners may indicate the same planet as the principal planet governing their livelihood. When this happens, choosing a business connected with that common planet may strengthen the partnership. For example, if Saturn strongly represents livelihood in both horoscopes, the partners may consider a venture involving Saturn-related products such as petroleum, granite, molasses, ice or wood. Since the nature of the business agrees with the karmic pattern visible in both charts, the partners may find it easier to work towards a common goal.
Therefore, it is not enough to ask whether two people are compatible as partners. The chosen product must also be compatible with the horoscopes of both individuals. Ideally, the partnership, the product and the leadership structure should all agree with the planetary strengths revealed in their charts.
Your Passion and Your Karma - Purpose of Life
The idea of core competence can be applied to every area of life and is not limited to business partnerships. Vedic Astrology can reveal a person’s natural abilities and karmic inclinations from the time of birth. However, identifying core competence from a horoscope is not easy. The Astrologer must possess a deep understanding of the principles and combinations explained in classical astrological texts and know how to apply them correctly to an individual horoscope.
Passion is often confused with core competence, although the two are not always the same. For example, I am passionate about chess and have been playing it since my first year in college. Since I started relatively late, I could not easily catch up with players who began training at the age of four or five. Nevertheless, my desire to understand the game and become a better player has always remained strong. My Karma, however, directed me towards becoming an Astrologer, and naturally, I also developed a deep passion for Astrology.
Passion alone does not necessarily guarantee success or make a particular subject our livelihood. From an astrological perspective, our profession is closely connected with our Karma. We may believe that we choose our livelihood, but very often it is our livelihood that chooses us. A person may be intensely interested in a particular field and still not achieve professional success in it if their Karma does not support that path. Truly fortunate are those whose passion, core competence and karmic livelihood all point in the same direction.
A horoscope can reveal whether a person’s passion is also supported by their Karma. The horoscopes of world chess champions, for instance, would contain combinations explaining their extraordinary success in chess and why their lives led them towards that profession rather than towards becoming Astrologers, doctors or engineers. Without examining the horoscope, other methods may identify a person’s present interests, training and visible abilities, but they cannot reliably reveal whether those qualities will eventually develop into a successful and lasting profession.
I have written an article that discusses about the SWOT analysis of your horoscope.
Does Your Horoscope Permit a Partnership Business?
Without the help of a horoscope, it can be extremely difficult to know whether two people will remain compatible as business partners in the long run. In India, horoscope matching for marriage is one of the most familiar applications of Vedic Astrology. However, very few people are aware that horoscopes can also be compared before forming a business partnership.
Vedic Astrology can reveal whether the prospective partners are likely to cooperate, complement each other’s strengths and remain united during difficult periods. Unfortunately, most businesspeople do not realise that the principles of Vedic Astrology can be used to study business compatibility and identify possible areas of conflict before entering into a partnership.
The horoscopes of both individuals planning to start a partnership business must be analysed carefully, keeping in mind the main reason for forming the partnership. For example, one person may require financial support, while the other may be expected to contribute technical knowledge, business experience, industry contacts or managerial ability. The horoscope analysis should therefore determine whether each person is capable of providing the contribution expected from them and whether the partnership will benefit both individuals.
In some horoscopes, there may be clear indications that partnership business is unsuitable for the person. Even if such an individual joins hands with the most capable and trustworthy partner, the partnership may eventually lead to misunderstandings, financial losses, disputes or court cases. This may happen not because the other person is unsuitable, but because the individual’s own horoscope indicates serious difficulties through business partnerships.
Let me explain this with an example. This is the horoscope of Mr Ben Frank, whose name has been changed to protect his identity. In his horoscope, I remember, the lord of the 12th house, which signifies loss and expenditure, was placed in the 7th house of business partnerships, while the lord of the 7th house was placed in the 12th house. This mutual exchange of house lords is known as Parivarthana. When such an exchange involves the 6th, 8th or 12th house, it may create serious difficulties and is generally regarded as a Parivarthana Dosha. When favourable houses are involved, the same principle of exchange produces a Parivarthana Yoga that is beneficial.
In Mr Ben Frank’s horoscope, the 7th house was also occupied by Debilitated Saturn. After carefully studying these indications, I gave him a firm warning: “Never enter into a partnership business.” About five years later, he fixed up another appointment and said, “Guruji, I lost all my money in the very business you advised me not to start. My partner had been my close friend for nearly 15 long years, and we shared an excellent friendship. But eventually, he took me to court, and I lost everything.” His experience clearly shows that a long-standing friendship does not necessarily guarantee a successful business partnership.
The Top Five Astrological Reasons Why a Partnership Business May Fail
I am now going to explain some of the most important astrological reasons why a partnership business may eventually fail. In the following discussion, I will mainly examine the horoscope of the other person involved in the venture, whom I shall refer to simply as “the Partner.”
The first possibility is that the Partner’s horoscope does not indicate success in business. Such a person may be more suited to employment or another form of livelihood. Even if they join hands with the most capable and compatible person in the world, their lack of favourable business combinations in their horoscope may negatively affect the venture and eventually contribute to its failure.
The second possibility is that the Partner’s horoscope specifically warns against partnership business. A person may possess intelligence, capital, experience and business ability, yet still face repeated problems whenever they enter into a partnership. In such a horoscope, the 7th house, its lord and the planets connected with business partnerships may indicate disputes, financial losses or litigation. For this person, an independently owned business may be more suitable than a partnership venture.
The third possibility is that the nature of the proposed business does not suit the Partner’s horoscope. For example, suppose the venture deals with petroleum products. Petroleum is primarily associated with Saturn and secondarily with Mars. If both these planets are extremely weak or seriously afflicted in the Partner’s horoscope, and the overall chart does not support a livelihood connected with Saturn or Mars, the Partner may not prosper in that field. In such a case, the problem is not merely business ability or compatibility—the product itself is astrologically unsuitable for the Partner’s horoscope.
The Right Questions to Ask Your Astrologer
Before entering into a business partnership, both partners should consult an experienced Astrologer and ask the right questions in the correct order. First, each person must find out whether their individual horoscope supports business or whether employment would be more suitable. If both horoscopes indicate success in business, the next question is whether partnership business is favourable for each of them.
The nature of the proposed business must then be examined. For example, if the partnership intends to deal in furniture, both partners should separately ask whether a furniture-related business suits their respective horoscopes. A person may have excellent business Yogas and may even be fortunate in partnership, yet the particular product chosen may not match their horoscope.
If both partners are individually suited to the proposed venture, their horoscopes should then be compared to determine their compatibility as business partners. The Astrologer should identify which person is better suited to occupy the driver’s seat and lead the business. The responsibilities of each partner should also be decided according to their natural strengths and core competence. One may be more capable of handling finance and administration, while the other may be better suited to production, marketing, sales or customer relations.
Finally, the Astrologer may advise whether the ownership should be divided equally or whether a 60–40 arrangement would be more appropriate. The favourable colours for the company logo and business premises, the most suitable name for the venture and an auspicious date and time for commencing operations may also be determined. Asking these questions before signing a partnership agreement can reveal risks that may otherwise become visible only after money has been invested and problems have begun. In business partnerships, prevention is always wiser—and far less expensive—than searching for remedies after a crisis has developed.
By
Guruji Dr. E K Dhilip Kumar
Email : ekdhilipkumar@gmail.com
I plan to update this article in the future. So please come back after a month. Also if you have any questions please type them out in the comments section and whenever I find the time, I shall answer it, provides the answer helps the community. Hence avoid personal questions.
Learn Astrology. It is not that difficult. Watch my videos and learn the fundamentals of Vedic Astrology
Discussion