Trikoṇa houses (1st, 5th, and 9th) are the three trine houses of the Vedic birth chart, forming the Dharma triangle. They are considered the most naturally auspicious positions in the chart. The 1st house represents the self; the 5th represents intelligence, creativity, and past merit (purva punya); the 9th represents dharma, fortune, and the guru. Planets in trikonas generally give benefic results. The trikona lords (rulers of the 1st, 5th, and 9th houses) are always considered yogakarakas — bestowers of fortune — when placed well or combined with kendra lords.