What are functional malefic and Functional benefic planets?

 malefic and Functional benefic

Each ascendant in Vedic astrology has certain planets that although are benefic in nature, become malefic for that particular ascendant. This is why Jupiter and Moon conjunction may not always be good. Also, Rahu and Ketu are always acting as functional malefic for all ascendants.

I.e.

In Cancer ascendant, Jupiter becomes a functional malefic planets along with Saturn, Rahu and Ketu. When Moon comes in conjunction with Jupiter in 6th, 8th or 12th house, it will have adverse results than good results since Jupiter rules the 6th house of disease for the native. I have seen cases where Jupiter and Moon conjunction was in the 12th house for Cancer ascendant causing mental illness while sitting in the Nakshatra of Rahu. Why? because Moon represents the mind while Jupiter is the lord of disease and in conjunction with the moon in Nakshatra of Rahu that itself represents illusion. These placement represents disease of the mind.

Functional malefic are any planet whose moolatrikona sign is in 6th, 8th or 12th house.

Functional benefic planets are those who rule the trikona house for the ascendant and do not have their moolatrikona sign in 6th, 8th or 12th house; some kendra lords if they are friendly to the ascendant also become functional benefic.

Let's find out what are the FM and FB of all ascendants.

Functional Benefic

Aries- Mars, Sun, Jupiter and Moon

Taurus- Venus, Saturn and Mercury 

Gemini- Mercury, Venus and Saturn 

Cancer- Moon and Mars

Leo- Sun, Mars and Jupiter

Virgo- Mercury and Venus

Libra- Venus and Saturn

Scorpio- Mars, Jupiter, Moon and Sun

Sagittarius- Jupiter, Mars, Mercury and Sun

Capricorn- Venus, Saturn, Mercury

Aquarius- Saturn and Venus

Pisces- Jupiter, Moon and Mars

Functional Malefic

Aries- Mercury, Rahu, Ketu

Taurus- Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Rahu, Ketu

Gemini- Rahu and Ketu

Cancer- Jupiter, Saturn, Rahu, Ketu

Leo- Moon, Rahu, Ketu

Virgo- Sun, Mars, Saturn, Rahu, Ketu

Libra- Mercury, Rahu, Ketu

Scorpio- Venus, Rahu, Ketu

Sagittarius- Moon, Rahu, Ketu

Capricorn- Sun, Jupiter, Rahu, Ketu

Aquarius- Moon, Mercury, Rahu, Ketu

Pisces- Sun, Saturn, Venus, Rahu, Ketu

Rest of the planets that are not in functional benefic or malefic table are considered functional neutral, they give results according to their dignity as in house and sign placement.

Also for Taurus and Scorpio ascendant Venus and Mars are not really considered functional malefic even though their moolatrikon sign is placed in the 6th house. Ascendant lord is always the most benefic planet; for these two ascendants their lords become functional natural, giving results based on their sign placement and house placement.

source : http://www.astrologykrs.com