Bādhaka is a concept in Vedic astrology identifying the house and its ruling planet (Bādhakesh) that creates hidden obstacles, disease, or persistent difficulties for each lagna. The badhaka house depends on the modality of the lagna: for moveable (chara) lagnas (Aries, Cancer, Libra, Capricorn) — the 11th house is badhaka; for fixed (sthira) lagnas (Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, Aquarius) — the 9th house; for dual (dwiswabhava) lagnas (Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius, Pisces) — the 7th house. The badhakesh, especially when placed in dusthana houses or afflicted, can cause difficult-to-diagnose health and life obstacles.