Overview
In this tradition of Jyotish, Graha Yuddha is treated as an interpretive method for a house occupied by two or more planets. It may be applied in any house, particularly when three, four, or five planets gather and their combined influence is difficult to distinguish.
The method can suggest which participating planet acts as the leader of the group. That planet is often read as exerting the strongest influence over how the occupied house functions.
Identifying the Dominant Planet
Traditionally, the degrees of the participating planets are compared, and the planet at the lowest degree is treated as the winner. The other participating planets may be read as transferring or subordinating some of their influence to this lower-degree planet.
The Sun, Moon, Rahu, and Ketu are traditionally excluded from this specific degree comparison. When they occupy the same house, their degrees are generally set aside while the eligible planets are compared.
For example, if Mercury is at 5 degrees and Mars is at 15 degrees, Mercury may be treated as the dominant planet. In a Mars–Jupiter conjunction, a lower-degree Mars may be read as expressing some Jupiterian influence alongside its own characteristics.
Interpretation Workflow
Compare the degrees
The eligible planet with the lowest degree may be identified as the leader or decision-making influence for the house.
Assess the winning planet
The result may then be interpreted by examining the winning planet's relationship to the ascendant, functional role in the chart, benefic or malefic tendency, dignity, combustion, and received aspects.
Judge the house as a whole
A multi-planet house may indicate concentrated strength when the planetary relationships are supportive. Less supportive combinations can suggest competing or confused expressions within the same area of life.
The degree comparison is therefore best treated as one part of the judgment. Combustion, aspects, house ownership, dignity, and the condition of every involved planet may modify how the dominant influence is expressed.