BPHSTwelve Weeks

Week 2 · Unit 4 · The Chart's Language

Milestone 3 of 5: Divisions, and the vocabulary of houses

The Sixteen Divisions, and the Names of the Houses

What a varga actually is, why the answer surprises people, and the house vocabulary the rest of the course is written in.

Reading: BPHS 7.1–16, BPHS 7.17–53, BPHS 8.33–43, BPHS 8.1–32About 127 min

Assumes you have done: Unit 1 — sign qualities, since every varga rule is stated in terms of them

Why this matters

Two things live in this unit and both are load-bearing. The first is the single most misunderstood idea in beginner Jyotish — what a divisional chart is. Get it wrong and you will spend years reading D9 as though it were a second birth chart. The second is the house-classification vocabulary from Chapter 8: Kendra, Trikoṇa, Duḥsthāna, Upachaya. Every remaining week of this course uses those four words as though you already know them, because from the end of this unit you will.

Learn

This is the biggest unit of the week and it carries two separate loads. The first is a correction; the second is a vocabulary.

What a varga actually is

Ask a beginner what the Navāṁśa is and you will usually get some version of it’s the marriage chart or it’s the soul chart or it’s a second chart you check. All three make the same mistake, and it is the mistake that keeps people reading divisional charts badly for years.

Here is what a varga is. Take a sign — thirty degrees. Cut it into nine equal parts of 3°20′ each. Assign each part a sign name by a stated counting rule. Now, instead of saying “Venus is in Pisces”, you can say “Venus is in the eighth navāṁśa of Pisces, which is Libra.”

Nothing has been added. No new chart has appeared. The same planetary longitude has simply been read at higher magnification — thirty degrees resolved into nine steps, and each step given a label from a vocabulary you already know.

That is the whole of it. A D9 is your D1, zoomed in nine times. A D10 is your D1 zoomed in ten times. A D60 is your D1 zoomed sixty times, which is also why a D60 is worthless without a birth time accurate to well under a minute — you are looking at 30′ slices of the zodiac, and the ascendant crosses one of those every two minutes.

Building one

Verse 12 gives the Navāṁśa rule in a single sentence: count from the same sign for a movable sign, from the ninth sign for a fixed one, from the fifth for a dual one.

Work an example slowly.

A planet at 8° Taurus. Taurus is fixed, so counting starts from the ninth sign from Taurus. Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius, Capricorn — the ninth is Capricorn.

Now which navāṁśa? Each is 3°20′. The first runs 0°00′–3°20′, the second 3°20′–6°40′, the third 6°40′–10°00′. Eight degrees is in the third.

Third from Capricorn, counting Capricorn itself as first: Capricorn, Aquarius, Pisces. The planet’s navāṁśa is Pisces.

Do that by hand at least once for a whole chart. Not because you will ever do it again — software does it instantly and correctly — but because the process makes the concept physical in a way that reading about it does not. People who have built one navāṁśa by hand do not subsequently talk about the D9 as a separate chart.

The Daśāṁśa works the same way with ten parts of 3° each, counting from the same sign for odd signs and the ninth for even ones. The Saptāṁśa uses seven parts, counting from the same sign for odd and the seventh for even. Chapter 7 gives all sixteen in ascending order of fineness, which makes any of them easy to find.

Which division is for what

Parashara names each division’s subject as he introduces it. The ones this course uses:

VargaPartsWhat it speaks to
D1 Rāśi1The life as a whole
D2 Horā2Wealth
D3 Drekkāṇa3Siblings, courage
D4 Chaturthāṁśa4Property, fixed assets, home
D7 Saptāṁśa7Children and progeny
D9 Navāṁśa9Marriage — and, more broadly, underlying strength
D10 Daśāṁśa10Action in the world, work, Karma

The others exist, are named in Chapter 7, and are read once. Some traditions use D12, D16, D20, D24, D27, D30, D40, D45 and D60 heavily. This course teaches the seven above because they are the ones the rest of the course needs, and because each additional division multiplies the birth-time precision required.

The other load: what to call a house

Chapter 8, verses 33 to 38, is barely a page and you will use it every week for the rest of your life.

By angle:

  • Kendra (angles) — 1, 4, 7, 10. The pillars. Planets here act strongly and visibly.
  • Paṇaphara (succedent) — 2, 5, 8, 11.
  • Āpoklima (cadent) — 3, 6, 9, 12.

By other groupings, which overlap the first:

  • Trikoṇa (trines) — 1, 5, 9. The houses of merit and fortune.
  • Duḥsthāna or Trika — 6, 8, 12. The houses of difficulty.
  • Upachaya (houses of increase) — 3, 6, 10, 11.

Two things about that list repay real attention.

The first house is both a Kendra and a Trikoṇa, which is why it carries more weight than any other single house and why its lord matters so much.

And the classifications overlap rather than partition. The 6th house is a Duḥsthāna, an Āpoklima, and an Upachaya, all at once. That is not a contradiction. The 6th is a house of difficulty whose difficulties characteristically improve with effort over time — enemies overcome, illness managed, debts repaid, service mastered. Difficulty and increase are both true of it.

Beginners want these categories to be a single grading scale from good to bad. They are not. They are several different questions asked about the same twelve positions, and Week 6’s four-tier framework in Chapter 36 is built directly on the fact that they overlap.

The names, and why they matter

Verse 37 names the twelve: Tanu, Dhana, Sahaja, Bandhu, Putra, Ari, Yuvati, Randhra, Dharma, Karma, Lābha, Vyaya.

Learn them. Two reasons. BPHS uses these names rather than numbers through enormous stretches of the later chapters, and a reader who has to translate each one is reading at half speed. And each name is a compressed signification that is better than the usual English gloss — the tenth house is Karma, action and consequence, which tells you something that “career” does not. Week 4 makes a good deal of that.

Viṁśopaka, read once

Verses 1 to 32 of Chapter 8 give Viṁśopaka Bala, a twenty-point scheme for scoring a planet’s dignity across several vargas at once and combining them into a single figure.

The intent is excellent — it is the book’s attempt to answer “this planet is exalted in D1 and debilitated in D9, so how good is it really?” with a number rather than a shrug.

One unit left in Module 1, and it is the one that turns twelve static houses into a connected chart.

Read BPHS

This is the source itself. The teaching above prepares you for it; it does not replace it.

Read BPHS — the source itselfBPHS 7.1–16 · The Sixteen Divisions of a Sign:
While you read, watch for: The construction rules for the divisions you will actually use. Verse 12 is the Navāṁśa and is the one to read most carefully — the whole rule is one sentence long and the whole sentence matters.

श्रुता ग्रहगुणास्त्वत्तस्तथा राशिगुणा मुने।
श्रोतुमिच्छामि भावानां भेदांस्तान् कृपया वद ॥ १ ॥

Verse 1
  1. Maitreya said to Parasara, "O Sage, I heard from you about the planets and signs and the description of their qualities etc. Now I want to know about the divisions of the signs. Kindly narrate them to me.

वर्गान् षोडश यानाह ब्रह्मा लोकपितामहः ।
तानहं सम्प्रवक्ष्यामि मैत्रेय ! श्रूयतामिति ॥ २ ॥

क्षेत्रं होरा च द्रेष्काणस्तुर्यांश: सप्तमांशकः ।
नवांशो दशमांशश्च सूर्याश: षोडशांशकः ॥ ३ ॥

विंशांशो वेदबाह्वंशो भांशस्त्रिंशांशकस्ततः ।
खवेदांशोऽक्षवेदांश: षष्ठ्यंशश्च तत: परम् ॥ ४ ॥

Verse 2–4

2-4 Parasara replied : O Maitreya, the 16 kinds of vargas (division) for each sign which Lord Brahma, the universal grandfather has described are told to you, please listen: These vargas are: Griha (Rasi or sign) Hora, Drekkana Chaturthamsha, Sapthamamsha Navamamsha, Dasamamsha, Dwadsamamsha, Shodashamamsha, Vimsamsha Chaturvimsamsha, Saptavimsamsha, Trimamsha, Khavedamsha, Akshavedamsha, and Sasthiamasha.

तत्क्षेत्रं तस्य खेटस्य राशेर्यो यस्य नायकः ।
सूर्येन्द्वोर्विषमे राशौ समे तद्विपरीतकम् ॥ ५ ॥

पितरश्चन्द्रहोरेशा देवाः सूर्यस्य कीर्तिताः ।
राशेरर्द्धं भवेद्धारा ताश्चतुर्विंशतिः स्मृता ॥
मेषादि तासां होराणां परिवृत्तिद्वयं भवेत् ॥६॥

Verse 5–6

5-6. The Rashi or sign which is owned by a planet is called its Kshetra or House. The first half of odd signs (Aries, Gemini, Leo Libra, Sagittarius, Aquarius) or from 0° to 15°, is the hora of the Sun while the second half from (16° to 30° is the hora of the Moon. The reverse is the case in even signs (Taurus, Cancer, Virgo, Scorpio, Capricorn and Pisces). There the 1st half of a sign 0°-15° is ruled by the Moon while the second half 16°-30° by the Sun. The lords of the Hora of the Moon are the pitraganas (forefathers) and those of the Sun are the Devas (gods and goddesses). Half of the Rashi or sign is called Hora. These are totally 24 (The number of Hora in 12 signs is 24) In these Horas the signs Aries etc. are counted twice.

Example: Suppose the Lagna (Ascendant) is 8-12°-25-51". This is the House of (Griha Rashi) Jupiter. The sign is Sagittarius. Therefore it is an odd sign. it is the first half of an odd sign. So it is the hora of the Sun.

Speculum Of Horas
Lord स्वामी Sign राशि ARI मेष TAU वृषभ GEM मिथुन CAN कर्क LEO सिंह VIR कन्या LIB तुला SCO वृश्क्षिक SAG धनु CAP मकर AQA कुम्भ PIS मीन
DEV. देवता 15° 5 4 5 4 5 4 5 4 5 4 5 4
PIT पितर 30° 4 5 4 5 4 5 4 5 4 5 4 5

राशित्रिभागा द्रेष्काणास्ते च षट्त्रिंशदीरिताः ।
परिवृत्तित्रयं तेषां मेषादेः क्रमशो भवेत् ॥ ७ ॥

स्वपंचनवमानां च राशीनां क्रमशश्च ते ।
नारदा- ऽगस्ति-दुर्वासा द्रेष्काणेशाश्चरादिषु ॥ ८ ॥

Verse 7–8

7 - 8. One third of Rashi or sign is called Drekkana (Decanate). These are thirty six. The signs Aries etc. are counted thrice in these Decanates. The first Decanate is owned by the sign itself, the second one by the 5th sign from it and, the third one by the 9th sign from if. The Lords of the Decanate of the Movable, Fixed and Dual signs are respectively Narada, Augusta and Durvasha.

Example: Suppose the Ascendant is 8-12° -27 -51". This is the House of Jupiter. The sign is Sagittarius. There is the Second Decanate in it. Therefore, it is the Decanate of Aries, the 5th sign from Sagittarius.

Drekkana Chakra

Speculum Of Decanates
Lord स्वामी Sign राशि ARI मेष TAU वृषभ GEM मिथुन CAN कर्क LEO सिंह VIR कन्या LIB तुला SCO वृश्क्षिक SAG धनु CAP मकर AQA कुम्भ PIS मीन
NAR नारद 10° 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
AGU आगस्त्य 20° 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 1 2 3 4
DUR दुर्वासा 30° 9 10 11 12 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

स्वर्क्षादिकेन्द्रपतयस्तुर्यांशेशाः क्रियादिषु ।
सनकश्च सनन्दश्च कुमारश्च सनातनः ॥ ९ ॥

Verse 9
  1. Chaturthamsha : In the signs Aries etc., the Lords of chaturthamshas are the Lords of the First, Fourth, Seventh and Tenth Signs and the deities of these are respectively Sanaka, Sanat Kumar and Sanatana.

सप्तांशपास्त्वोजगृहे गणनीया निजेशतः ।
युग्मराशौ तु विज्ञेयाः सप्तमर्क्षादिनायकात् ।। १० ।।

क्षार-क्षीरौ च दध्याज्यौ तथेक्षुरससम्भवः ।
मद्यशुद्धजलावोजे समे शुद्धजलादिकाः ।। ११ ।।

Verse 10–11

10 - 11. Saptamamsha: The counting of Saptamamsha commences from the same sign in the case of odd signs like Aries etc.; it commences from the seventh sign in the case of even signs Taurus etc. The names of the Saptamamshas in odd signs are: Kshara, Ksheera, Dadhi, Ghrita, Ikshurasa, Madhya and Shuddha Jala; and of those in even signs are the same in reverse order (i.e. Shuddha Jala, Madhya Jala etc.)

नवांशेशाश्चरे तस्मात् थिरे तन्नवमादितः ।
उभये तत्पंचमादेरिति चिन्त्यं विचक्षणैः ॥
देवा नृराक्षसाश्चैव चरादिषु गृहेषु च ॥ १२ ॥

Verse 12
  1. Navamamsha : 'नवांश' The Navamamsha calculation is to be made by the wise from the same sign for a movable sign, from the ninth sign for a fixed one and, from the 5th sign for a dual one to the 9th sign onwards. The designations of the Navamamshas are to be taken respectively the Devas (gods), Naras (Human beings) and Rakshasas (devils) in the movable etc., signs in order.

दशमांशाः स्वतश्चौजे युग्मे तन्नवमात् स्मृताः ।
दश पूर्वादिदिक्पाला इन्द्रा-ऽग्नि-यम-राक्षसाः ॥ १३ ॥

वरुणो मारुतश्चैव कुबेरेशान-पद्मजाः ।
अनन्तश्व क्रमादोजे समे वा व्युत्क्रमेण तु ॥ १४ ॥

Verse 13–14

13 - 14 Dasamamsha: The counting of Dasamamsha is to be made from the same sign for an odd sign, and from the 9th sign for an even one. The presiding deities of the 10 cardinal directions east etc., namely Indra, Agni, Yama, Rakshasa, Varuna, Vayu, Kubera, Isana, Brahma and Ananta are respectively the Lords of the Dasamamsha in the case of an odd sign, they are their lords in reverse order for an even sign.

द्वादशांशस्य गणना तत्तत्क्षेत्राद्विनिर्दिशेत् ।
तेषामधीशाः क्रमशो गणेशाऽश्वि-यमाहयाः ॥ १५ ॥

Verse 15
  1. Dwadasamsha : 'द्वादशांश' The Dwadasamsha calculation should be made from the same sign onwards: The Lords of these Dwadasamshas are Ganesh, Ashwini Kumar, Yama and Sarpa (who repeat their lordship thrice in each sign).

अज-सिंहाऽश्वितो ज्ञेया षोडशांशाश्चरादिषु ।
अज-विष्णू हर: सूर्यो ह्योजे युग्मे प्रतीपकम् ॥ १६ ॥

Verse 16
  1. षोडशाशं Shodasamsha: Shodasamsha should be known as commencing from Aries in movable signs, from Leo in fixed signs and from Sagittarius in dual signs: Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva, Surya are respectively the Lords of these Shodasamsha, in odd signs, and the same in reverse order in even signs and these repeat their lordship four times in each sign.

Dwadasamamsha Chakra

द्वादशांश चक्र DWADASHAMSHA CHAKRA
S.N. Lord विषय स्वामी Sign राशि ARI मेष TAU वृषभ GEM मिथुन CAN कर्क LEO सिंह VIR कन्या LIB तुला SCO वृश्क्षिक SAG धनु CAP मकर AQA कुम्भ PIS मीन
1. GAN गणेश 2°-30' 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
2. ASH अश्विनी कुमार 5°-00' 2 3 4 5 5 7 8 9 10 11 12 1
3. YAM यम 7°-30' 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 1 2
4. AHI अहि 10°-00' 4 5 6 7 5 9 10 11 12 1 2 3
5. GAN गणेश 12°-30' 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 1 2 3 4
6. ASH अश्विनी कुमार 15°-00' 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 1 2 3 4 5
7. YAM यम 17°-30' 7 8 9 10 11 12' 1 2 3 4 5 6
8. AHI अहि 20°-00' 8 9 10 11 12 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
9. GAN गणेश 22°-30' 9 10 11 12 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
10. ASH अश्विनी कुमार 25°-00' 10 11 12 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
11. YAM यम 27°-36' 11 12 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
12. AHI अहि 30°-00' 12 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11
Read BPHS — the source itselfBPHS 7.17–53 · The Sixteen Divisions of a Sign:
While you read, watch for: The remaining divisions and the varga groupings. Read for what each is *for*, not how to build it. You are looking for the shape of the scheme: finer divisions, more specific subject matter.

अथ विंशतिभागानामधिपा ब्रह्मणोदिताः ।
क्रियाच्चरे स्थिरे चापान् मृगेन्द्राद् द्विस्वभावके ॥ १७ ॥

काली गौरी जया लक्ष्मीर्विजया विमला सती ।
तारा ज्वालामुखी श्वेता ललिता बगलामुखी ॥ १८ ॥

प्रत्यङ्गिरा शची रौद्री भवानी वरदा जया।
त्रिपुरा सुमुखी चेति विषमे परिचिन्तयेत् ॥ १९ ॥

समराशौ दया मेधा छिन्नशीर्षा पिशौचिनी ।
धूमावती च मातङ्गी बाला भद्राऽरुणानला ॥ २० ॥

पिङ्गला छुच्छुका घोरा वाराही वैष्णवी सिता ।
भुवनेशी भैरवी च मङ्गला ह्यपराजिता ॥ २१ ॥

Verse 17–21

17-21 'विशांश' Vimsamasha: The reckoning of Vimsamasha commences from Aries in movable signs, from Sagittarius in fixed ones and from Leo in signs of dual nature. In odd signs the Lords of Vimsamasha are respectively Kali, Gauri, Jaya, Laxmi, Vijaya, Vimla, Sati, Tara, Jwalamukhi, Shaveta, Lalita, Bagla, Pratyangira, Shachi, Raudri, Bhavani, Varda, Jaya, Tripura and Sumukhi; and in even signs the presiding deities are respectively Daya, Medha, Chhinna Shirsha, Pishachini, Dhoomavati, Matangi, Bala, Bhadra, Aruna, Anala, Pingla Chhuchchhuka, Ghora, Varahi, Vaishnavi, Sita, (सिता) Bhuvaneshi, Bhairavi, Mangla and Aparajita.

सिद्धांशकानामधिपाः सिंहादोजभगे ग्रहे ।
कर्काद्युग्मभगे खेटे स्कन्दः पर्शुधरोऽनलः ॥ २२ ॥

विश्वकर्मा भगो मित्रो मयोऽन्तकवृषध्वजाः ।
गोविन्दो मदनो भीमः सिंहादौ विषमे क्रमात् ॥
कर्कादौ समभे भीमाहिलोमेन विचिन्तयेत् ॥ २३ ॥

Verse 22–23

22-23 सिद्धांश *Siddhamsha :*In odd signs from Leo and in even signs from Cancer commences the counting of Siddhamshas and Skanda, Parashudhara, Anala, Vishwakarma, Bhaga, Mitra. Maya, Antaka, Vrishdhwaja, Govinda, Madana and Bhima, repeated twice in each sign, are to be known the presiding deities of odd signs Leo etc., respectively and; in even signs Cancer etc., the presiding deities are the same in reverse order (i.e. beginning from Bhima) and repeated twice.

भांशाधिपाः क्रमाद्दस्वयमवह्निपितामहाः ।
चन्द्रेशादितिजीवाहिपितरो भगसंज्ञिता: ॥ २४ ॥

अर्यमार्कत्वमच्छाग्निमित्रवासवा ।
निर्ऋत्युदकविश्वेऽजगोविन्दो वसवोऽम्बुपः ॥ २५ ॥

ततोऽजपादहिर्बुध्न्यः पूषा चैव प्रकीर्तिताः ।
नक्षत्रेशास्तु भांशेशा मेषादिचरभक्रमात् ॥ २६ ॥

Verse 24–26

24 - 26. भांश Bhamsha : The presidng deities of Bhamshas are respectively Dastra (Ashwini Kumara) Yama, Agni, Brahma, Chandra Isa, Aditi, Jiva, Abhi, Pitara, Bhaga, Aryama, Surya, Tvashta, Maruta, Shakragni, Mitra, Vasava, Rakshasa, Varuna, Vishwadeva, Govinda, Vasu, Varuna, Ajapat, Ahirbudhanya and Pusha. Thus the presiding deities of the Nakshatras are also the presiding deities of Bhamshas. These Bhamshas commence from Aries and other movable signs (in all signs).

त्रिंशांशेशाश्च विषमे कुजार्कीज्यज्ञभार्गवाः ।
पंचपंचाष्टसप्ताक्षभागानां व्यत्ययात् समे ॥ २७ ॥

वह्निः समीरशकौ च धनदो जलदस्तथा ।
विषमेषु क्रमाज्ञेयाः समराशै विपर्ययात् ॥ २८ ॥

Verse 27–28

27 - 28. 'त्रिंशाश' Trimshamsha : In odd signs the lords of Trimshamsha are Mars, Saturn, Jupiter, Mercury and Venus each of them in order rules 5, 5, 8, 7, and 5 degrees. The same should be considered the lords of Trimshamsha in even signs, though in reverse order. The deities presiding over the Trimshamsha respectively are Agni, Vayu, Indra, Kubera and Varuna in the case of odd signs and, the same should be known the presiding deities over even signs in reverse order.

चत्वारिंशद्वभागानामधिपा विषमे क्रियात् ।
समभे तुलतो ज्ञेयाः स्वस्वाधिपसमन्विताः ॥ २९ ॥

विष्णुश्चन्द्रो मरीचिश्च त्वष्टा धाता शिवो रविः ।
यमो यक्षश्च गन्धर्वः कालो वरुण एव च ॥ ३० ॥

Verse 29–30

29-30. खवेदाशं Khavedamsha or Chatvarimsamsha: The knowledge of the Lords of Khavedamsha in respect of odd signs is to be got commencing from Aries and in that of even signs from Libra. Vishnu, Chandra, Marichi, Twashta, Dhata, Shiva, Ravi, Yama, Yakshesha, Gandharva, Kala and Varuna repeat successively as the presiding deities in the same order for all signs.

तथाक्षवेदभागानामधिपाश्चरभे क्रियात् ।
स्थिरे सिंहाद् द्विभेचापात् विधीशविष्णवश्चरे ॥ ३१ ॥

ईशाच्युतसुरज्येष्ठा विष्णुकेशाः स्थिरे द्विभे ।
देवा: पंचदशावृत्त्या विज्ञेया द्विजसत्तम ! ॥ ३२ ॥

Verse 31–32

31 - 32 Aksha Vedamsha : The 'अक्ष वेदांश' Aksha Vedamsha of the signs commences with Aries in movable signs, Leo in fixed signs and, Sagittarius in dual signs. In movable signs Brahma, Shiva and Vishnu; in fixed signs Shiva, Vishnu, Brahma and; in dual signs Vishnu, Brahma and Shiva respectively are the Lords and they repeat their Lordship in each sign 15 times.

Khavedamsha Chakra

खवेदांश चक्र KHAVEDAMSHA CHAKRA
S.N. क्रम Lord विषय स्वामी Sign राशि ARI मेष TAU वृषभ GEM मिथुन CAN कर्क LEO सिंह VIR कन्या LIB तुला SCO वृश्क्षिक SAG धनु CAP मकर AQA कुम्भ PIS मीन
1. VIS विष्णु 0°-45' 1 7 1 7 1 7 1 7 1 7 1 7
2. CHA चन्द्र 1°-30' 2 8 2 8 2 8 2 8 2 8 2 8
3. MAR मरीचि 2°-15' 3 9 3 9 3 9 3 9 3 9 3 9
4. TWA त्वष्टा 3°-00' 4 10 4 10 4 10 4 10 4 10 4 10
5. DHA धाता 3°-45' 5 11 5 11 5 11 5 11 5 11 5 11
6. SHI शिव 4°-30' 6 12 6 12 6 12 6 12 6 12 6 12
7. RAV रवि 5°-15' 7 1 7 1 7 1 7 1 7 1 7 1
8. YAM यम 6°-00' 8 2 8 2 8 2 8 2 8 2 8 2
9. YAK यक्षेश 6°-45' 9 3 9 3 9 3 9 3 9 3 9 3
10. GAN गंधर्व 7°-30' 10 4 10 4 10 4 10 4 10 4 10 4
11. KAA काल 8°-15' 11 5 11 5 11 5 11 5 11 5 11 5
12. VAR वरुण 9°-00' 12 6 12 6 12 6 12 6 12 6 12 6
13. VIS विष्णु 9°-45' 1 7 1 7 1 7 1 7 1 7 1 7
14. CHA चन्द्र 10°-30' 2 8 2 8 2 8 2 8 2 8 2 8
15. MAR मरीचि 11°-15' 3 9 3 9 3 9 3 9 3 9 3 9
16. TWA त्वष्टा 12°-00' 4 10 4 10 4 10 4 10 4 10 4 10
17. DHA धाता 12°-45' 5 11 5 11 5 11 5 11 5 11 5 11
18. SHI शिव 13°-30' 6 12 6 12 6 12 6 12 6 12 6 12
19. RAV रवि 14°-15' 7 1 7 1 7 1 7 1 7 1 7 1
20. YAM यम 15°-00' 8 2 8 2 8 2 8 2 8 2 8 2
21. YAK यक्षेश 15°-45' 9 3 9 3 9 3 9 3 9 3 9 3
22. GAN गंधर्व 16°-30' 10 4 10 4 10 4 10 4 10 4 10 4
23. KKA काल 17°-15' 11 5 11 5 11 5 11 5 11 5 11 5
24. VAR वरुण 18°-00' 12 6 12 6 12 6 12 6 12 6 12 6
25. VIS विष्णु 18°-45' 1 7 1 7 1 7 1 7 1 7 1 7
26. CHA चन्द्र 19°-3O' 2 8 2 8 2 8 2 8 2 8 2 8
27. MAR मरीचि 20°-15' 3 9 3 9 3 9 3 9 3 9 3 9
28. TWA त्वष्टा 21°-00' 4 10 4 10 4 10 4 10 4 10 4 10
29. DHA धाता 21°-45' 5 11 5 11 4 11 5 11 5 11 5 11
30. SHI शिव 22°-30' 7 12 6 12 6 12 6 12 6 12 6 12
31. RAV रवि 23°-15' 8 1 7 1 7 1 7 1 7 1 7 1
32. YAM यम 24°-00' 8 2 8 2 8 2 8 2 8 2 8 2
33. YAK यक्षेश 24°-45' 9 3 9 3 9 3 9 3 9 3 9 3
34. GAN गंधर्व 25°-30' 10 4 10 4 10 4 10 4 10 4 10 4
35. KAA काल 26°-15' 11 5 11 5 11 5 11 5 11 5 11 5
36. VAR वरुण 27°-00' 12 6 12 6 12 6 12 6 12 6 12 6
37. VIS विष्णु 27°-45' 1 7 1 7 1 7 1 7 1 7 1 7
38. CHA चन्द्र 28°-30' 2 8 2 8 2 8 2 8 2 8 2 8
39. MAR मरीचि 29°-15' 3 9 3 9 3 9 3 9 3 9 3 9
40. TWA त्वष्टा 30°-00' 4 10 4 10 4 10 4 10 4 10 4 10

राशीन् विहाय खेटस्य द्विघ्नमंशाद्यमर्कहृत् ।
शेषं सैकं च तद्राशेर्भपाः षष्ट्यंशपाः स्मृताः ॥ ३३ ॥

घोरश्च राक्षशो देव: कुबेरो यक्ष-किन्नरौ ।
भ्रष्टःकुलघ्नो गरलो वह्निर्माया पुरीषक: ॥ ३४ ॥

अपाम्पतिर्मरुत्वांश्च काल: सर्पामृतेन्दुकाः ।
मृदुः कोमल-हेरम्ब - ब्रह्म-विष्णु-महेश्वराः ॥ ३५ ॥

देवादौ कलिनाशश्च क्षितीश-कमलाकरौ ।
गुलिको मृत्युकालश्च दावाग्निर्घोरसंज्ञकः ॥ ३६ ॥

यमश्च कण्टकसुधाऽमृतौ पूर्णनिशाकरः ।
विषदग्धकुलान्तश्च मुख्यो वंशक्षयस्तथा ॥ ३७ ॥

उत्पातकालसौम्याख्या: कोमलः शीतलाभिधः ।
करालदंष्ट्रचन्द्रास्यौ प्रवीण: कालपावकः ॥ ३८ ॥

दण्डभुन्निर्मलः सौम्य: क्रूरोऽतिशीतलोऽमृतः ।
पयोधिभ्रमणाख्यौ च चन्द्ररेखा त्वयुग्मपाः ॥ ३९ ॥

समे भे व्यत्ययाज्ज्ञेयाः षष्ट्यंशेशाः प्रकीर्तिताः ।
षष्ट्यंशस्वामिनस्त्वोजे तदीशाद् व्यत्पयः समे ॥ ४० ॥

शुभषष्टयंशसंयुक्ता ग्रहाः शुभफलप्रदाः ।
क्रूरषटयंशसंयुक्ता नाशयन्ति खचारिणः ॥ ४१ ॥

Verse 33–41

33 - 41. षष्टयशं 'Shastiamsha' : Ignore the sign position of a planet and take the degrees etc. it traversed in that sign, multiply that figure by 2 and divide the degrees by 12 and add 1 to the remainder. The resultant no. is the sign from the sign whose Shastiamsha is to be known in which the Shastiamsha falls and the Lord of that sign will be the Shastiamsha Lord. The names of Shastiamshas in odd signs are: Ghora, Rakshasa, Deva, Kubera, Yaksha, Kinnara, Bharashta, Kulaghna, Garala, Vahni, Maya, Purishaka, Apampathi, Marut, Kaala, Sarpa, Amrita, Indu, Mridu, Komala, Heramba, Brahma, Vishnu, Maheshwara, Deva, Ardra, Kalinasa. Kshitishwara, Kamalakara, Gulika Mrithyu, Kaala, Davagani, Ghora, Yama, Kantaka, Sudha, Amrita, Poornachandra, Vishadagdha, Kulanasa, Vamsa Kshaya, Utpata, Kaala, Saumaya, Komala, Sheetala, Karala damshtra, Chandramukhi, Praveena, Kala Pavaka, Dandayudha, Nirmala, Saumya, Kroora, Ati Sheetala, Amrita, Payodhi, Bhramana and Chandralekha.

In odd signs Ghora, Rakshasa etc. and in even signs Chandrelekha, Bhramana etc. in reverse order are the presiding deities by auspicious shashtiamsas. The signs occupied by auspicious Shashtiamsas are givers of beneficial or auspicious effects and those occupied by inauspicious ones are bringers of destruction.

वर्गभेदानहं वक्ष्ये मैत्रेय ! त्वं विधारय ।
षड्वर्गाः सप्तवर्गाश्च दिग्वर्गा नृपवर्गकाः ॥ ४२ ॥

भवन्ति वर्गसंयोगे षडवर्गे किंशुकादयः ।
द्वाभ्यां किंशुकनामा च त्रिभिर्व्यञ्जनमुच्यते ॥ ४३ ॥

चतुर्भिश्चामराख्यं च छत्रं पञ्चभिरेव च ।
षड्भिः कुण्डलयोगः स्यान्मुकुटाख्यं च सप्तभिः ॥ ४४ ॥

सप्तवर्गेऽथ दिग्वर्गे पारिजातादिसंज्ञकाः ।
पारिजातं भवेद्द्वाभ्यामुत्तमं त्रिभिरुच्यते ॥ ४५ ॥

चतुर्भिर्गोपुराख्यं स्याच्छरैः सिहांसनं तथा ।
पारावतं भवेत् षड्भिर्देवलोकं च सप्तभिः ॥ ४६ ॥

वसुभिर्ब्रह्मलोकाख्यं नवभिः शक्रवाहनम् ।
दिग्भिः श्रीधामयोगः स्यादथ षोडशवर्गके ॥ ४७ ॥

भेदकं च भवेद्द्वाभ्यां त्रिभिः स्यात् कुसुमाख्यकम् ।
चतुर्भिर्नागपुष्पं स्यात् पंचभि: कन्टुकाह्वयम् ॥ ४८ ॥

केरलाख्यं भवेत् षड्भिः सप्तभिः कल्पवृक्षकम् ।
अष्टभिश्चन्दनवनं नवभिः पूर्णचन्द्रकम् ॥ ४९ ॥

दिग्भिरुच्चैःश्रवा नाम रुद्रैर्धन्वन्तरिर्भवेत् ।
सूर्यकान्तं भवेद् सूर्यैर्विश्वैः स्याद्विद्रुमाख्यकम् ॥ ५० ॥

शक्रसिंहासनं शक्रैर्गालोकं तिथिभिर्भवेत् ।
भूपैः श्रीवल्लभाख्यं स्याद्वर्गा भेदैरुदाहताः ॥ ५१ ॥

स्वोच्चमूलत्रिकोणस्वभवनाधिपतेः शुभाः ।
स्वारूढात् केन्द्रनाथानां वर्गा ग्राह्या: सुधीमता ॥ ५२ ॥

अस्तंगता ग्रहजिता नीचगा दुर्बलाश्च ये ।
शयनादिगतास्तेभ्य उत्पन्ना यागनाशकाः ॥ ५३ ॥

Verse 42–53

42-53. Varga-Classification: Parasara Said, "O Maitreya, Listen to me, now I explain to you the classifications of Vargas. There are Shadvarga, Saptha Varga, Digvarga or Dashavarga and Nrapavarga or Shodasavarga. In the shadavarga classification the combination vargas, are designated as kimshuka etc. The combination of 2 varga is called Kimshuka, of 3 Vayanjana, of 4 Chaamara, of 5 Chhatra and of 6 Kundala. In the Saptavarga classification, the Varga designations will be the same upto the combination of 6 Vargas, it will be Mukuta in the case of the combination of 7 vargas. In the Digavarga or Dashavarga classification, the combination of Vargas are designated as Parijata etc. Thus the combination of 2 Vargas is called Parijata, of 3 uttama, of 4 Gaupur, of 5 Simhasana, of 6 Paravata, of 7 Devaloka, of 8 Brahmaloka, of 9 Shakra vahana and of 10 Shridhama. In the shodasa varga classification the combinations are called Bhedaka etc. The combination of 2 vargas is designated as bhedaka, of 3 as kusuma, of 4 as Naga pushpa, of 5 as Kanduka, of 6 as Kerala, of 7 as Kalpavraksha, of 8 as Chandanavana, of 9 as Poornachandra, of 10 as Uchcheshrava, of 11 as Dhanavantri, of 12 as Suryakant, of 13 as Vidruma of 14 as Shakra simhasana of 15 as Gauloka and of 16 as Shrivallabha. It is in this way that the Classification of Varga have been described. Of these divisions, the divisions falling in the planet's exaltation sign, Mooltrikona sign, own sign are auspicious. And the divisions falling in the signs owned by the lord of angles from its own Arudha are all to be considered as good vargas by the learned astrologers. While the divisions of the planets that are combust, defeated in the planetary war and in their debilitation and are weak and planets gone in their shayanadi Avastha (that is, the planets who are in their bad Avansthas like shayan or sleeping etc.) are yoganashkas or destroyers of auspicious combinations.

Read BPHS — the source itselfBPHS 8.33–43 · Divisional Consideration:
While you read, watch for: Short and essential. Verses 33–36 give the Kendra / Paṇaphara / Āpoklima classification; 37–38 name the twelve houses; 39–43 introduce reading houses from the Sun as well as from the Lagna.

अथाऽन्यदपि वक्ष्यामि मैत्रेय ! श्रृणु सुव्रत ! ।
लग्नतुर्यास्तवियतां केन्द्रसंज्ञा विशेषतः ॥ ३३ ॥

द्विपंचरन्ध्रलाभानां ज्ञेयं पणफराभिधम् ।
त्रिषष्ठभाग्यरिष्फानामापोक्लिममिति द्विज ! ॥ ३४ ॥

लग्नात् पंचमभाग्यस्य कोणसंज्ञा विधीयते ।
षष्ठाष्टव्ययभावानां दुःसंज्ञास्त्रिकसंज्ञकाः ॥ ३५ ॥

चतुरस्त्रं तुर्यरन्ध्र कथयन्ति द्विजोत्तम ! ।
स्वस्थादुपचयर्क्षाणि त्रिषडायाम्बराणि हि ॥ ३६ ॥

Verse 33–36

33-36. O Suvrata Maitreya, Listen to me, I tell you of other things also. Lagna, the Fourth, Seventh and Tenth Houses have the designation of Kendras (Angles): the Second, Fifth, Eighth and Eleventh are to be known by the designation of Panaphara (succedents) and; the remaining, the Third, Sixth, Ninth and Twelfth Houses, O Brahmin have their designation as Apoklima (cadents) The fifth and ninth houses from the ascendant are called Kone or trine. The Sixth, Eighth and Dwadasha-these three are designated as Dusa Houses and Trika sthanas (Evil Houses) The Fourth and Eighth houses, O excellent Brahmin, are called (चतुरस) Chaturasras, The Third, Sixth, Tenth and Eleventh Houses are referred to by the name of (उपचय) upachaya (Vridhhi).

तनुर्धनं च सहजो बन्धुपुत्रारयस्तथा ।
युवतीरन्ध्रधर्माख्यकर्मलाभव्ययाः क्रमात् ॥ ३७ ॥

संक्षेपेणैतदुदितमन्यद् बुद्धयूनुसारतः ।
किञ्चिद्विशेषं वक्ष्यामि यथा ब्रह्ममुखाच्छ्रुतम् ॥ ३८ ॥

Verse 37–38

37 - 38. Tanu, Dhan, Sahaja, Bandhu, Putra, Ari, Yuvati, Randhra, Dharma, Karma, Laabha and Vyaya are in order the names of the 12 houses. I explain these to you in brief. Other things than these should be understood according to one's own intelligence. Now I will tell you of some new things which I heard from the speech of Lord Brahma.

नवमेऽपि पितुर्ज्ञानं सूर्याच्च नवमेऽथवा ।
यत्किञ्चिदशमे लाभे तत्सूर्याद्दशमे भवे ॥ ३९ ॥

तुर्ये तनौ धने लाभे भाग्ये यच्चिन्तनं च तत् ।
चन्द्रात्तुर्येतनौ लाभे भाग्ये तच्चिन्तयेद् ध्रुवम् ॥ ४० ॥

लग्नाद् दुश्चिक्यभवने यत्कुजाद्विक्रमे ऽखिलम् ।
विचार्य षष्ठभावस्य बुधात् षष्ठे विलोकयेत् ॥ ४१ ॥

पुत्रस्य च गुरोःपुत्रे, जायायाःसप्तमे भृगोः ।
अष्टमस्य व्ययस्यापि मन्दान्मृत्यौ व्यये तथा ॥ ४२ ॥

यद्भावाद्यत्फलं चिन्त्यं तदीशात्तत्फलं विदुः ।
ज्ञेयं तस्य फलं तद्धि तत्र चिन्त्यं शुभाऽशुभम् ॥ ४३ ॥

Verse 39–43

39-43. The Ninth house from the Ascendant and the ninth house from the Sun give us knowledge about one's father. Whatever matters are to be considered from the study of the 10th and the 11th houses from the ascendant may also be known from the 10th and 11th from the Sun. The matters that are considered from the first, fourth, second, ninth and eleventh houses from the Ascendant those must also be considered from the first, fourth, Second, ninth and eleventh houses from the Moon. All those matters that are to be considered from the third house from the ascendant are also to be analysed from the third house from Mars. The consideration of those matters that are known from the 6th house from the ascendant is also to be done from the 6th house from Mercury. The consideration of Progeny is to be made from the fifth house from Jupiter, that of spouse from the seventh house from Venus and, that of death and longevity from the 8th house from Saturn. Expenditure is to be known from the 12th house from Saturn also. The effects that are considered from the study of a particular house are also to be known from the study of the Lord of that house. The effect of it should be known from that and it may be thought of as auspicious or inauspicious accordingly.

Read BPHS — the source itselfBPHS 8.1–32 · Divisional Consideration:
While you read, watch for: Divisional consideration and Viṁśopaka Bala — a scoring scheme that weighs a planet's dignity across several vargas at once. Read it for what it attempts. The worked example has a grading inconsistency in it; you are not expected to reconcile it.
Show the full passage — 16 verses, 1 diagram

अथ षोडशवर्गेषु विवेकं च वदाम्यहम् ।
लग्ने देहस्य विज्ञानं होरायां सम्पदादिकम् ॥ १ ॥

द्रेष्काणे भ्रातृजं सौख्यं तुर्यांशे भाग्यचिन्तनम् ।
पुत्रपौत्रादिकानां वै चिन्तनं सप्तमांशके ॥ २ ॥

नवमांशे कलत्राणां दशमांशे महत्फलम् ।
द्वादशांशे तथा पित्रोश्चिन्तनं षोडशांशके ॥ ३ ॥

सुखाऽसुखस्य विज्ञानं वाहनानां तथैव च ।
उपासनाया विज्ञानं साध्यं विंशतिभागके ॥ ४ ॥

विद्याया वेदबा भांशे चैव बलाउबलम् ।
त्रिंशांशकेऽरिष्टफलं खवेदांशे शुभाऽशुभम् ॥ ५ ॥

अक्षवेदांशके चैव षष्ट्यंशेऽखिलमीक्षयेत् ।
यत्र कुत्रापि सम्प्राप्तः क्रूरषष्ट्यंशकाधिपः ॥ ६ ॥

तत्र नाशो न सन्देहो गर्गादीनां वचो यथा ।
यत्र कुत्रापि सम्प्राप्तः कलांशाधिपतिः शुभः ॥ ७ ॥

तत्र वृद्धिश्च पुष्टिश्च गर्गादीनां वचो यथा ।
इति षोडशवर्गाणां भेदास्ते प्रतिपादिताः ॥ ८ ॥

Verse 1
  1. The Hora of the Moon at the time of birth is a good indication of wealth. The native will have handsome, attractive appearance, will be popular among women. If there are benefics in Hora Lagna the native will be fortunate, wise, intelligent will have good conversation style, will be of jovial nature and will have magnetic attraction in personality. The Hora of the Moon and the falling of an even sign in the Ascendant will make the native acquire wealth and money with less labour and effort.

Having the Hora of the Sun in his birth chart the native will earn much wealth with his own efforts. If there is an odd sign in the Ascendant and the Hora is of the Sun and male planets are situated in it, then the native will be surprisingly wealthy with his own diligence and efforts; gets success and triumph in politics: is venturesome and courageous, strong and wrathful. The reverse happens in the case of Jupiter, because in the Hora of the Moon he makes the native noble and kind hearted and gives him prestige and, in the Hora of the Sun gives him disease relating to Liver and upper part of abdomen.

Drekkana: If in a horoscope the third house is occupied by a male sign, the Lord of the third house is situated in a male sign, there are male planets in the third house and the third house is aspected by male planets and Mars who is the significator of younger brother is also strong, then this combination gives younger brother to the native. If the Drekkana Ascendant and the third house from this ascendant has also all these conditions, then it can be predicted with certainty that the native will be blessed with a younger brother. The younger brother's health, habits or nature and longevity may also be correctly guessed. The presence of the Lord of the Drekkana Ascendant, the Lord of the third house from the Drekkana Ascendant together and Mars getting Vimshopaka strength in between 15 and 20 Vishwa, is a positive point.

The use of Drekkana is made in Predictive Astrology extensively in a number of things, the exhaustive description of which has been made in our Book 'Parasara and the Sixteen Divisions'. It will not be out of place to give here some additional information.

The Drekkana (Decanate) has some peculiar names such as

Verse 1

1.Ayudha Drekkana: It is as follows in various signs :

Name of the sign Order of the Drekkana
1. Aries I and III
2. Gemini II and III
3. Leo I,II and III
4. Sagittarius III
5. Aquarius I, II and III
6. Pisces I and II
Verse 2

2.Sarpa Drekkana : In various signs in I, II and III order the Sarpa Drekkana is distributed in the following way:

Name of the sign Order of the Drekkana
1. Taurus II
2. Cancer II and III
3. Scorpio I and II
4. Pisces III
Verse 3

3.Nigada (Bedi) Drekkana: Only the first Drekkana of Capricorn is Nigada Drekkana.

Verse 4

4.Pakshi Drekkana: It is found in various signs in the following way:

Name of the sign Order of the Drekkana
Gemini II
Leo I
Virgo I, II and III
Libra I and II
Sagittarius I
Capricorn I
Verse 5

5.Chatushpada Drekkana: The various Drekkanas in various signs are in the following order:

Name of the sign Order of the Drekkana
Aries I and II
Taurus I, II and III
Gemini I
Cancer I
Leo I and III
Libra III
Scorpio III
Capricorn I, II and III
Verse 6

6.Varaha Drekkana: The first Drekkana of the sign of Cancer is the Varaha Drekkana.

Verse 7

7.Pasha (Phansi or hanging): The second Drekkana of Scorpio is called Pasha Drekkana.

Besides these, the Drekkana of the malefic planets are called Agni Drekkanas.

The Drekkana of benefic planets are called Jala (Watery) Drekkanas.

The Drekkanas of both benefic and malefic planets or three aspected by both benefic and malefic planets are called Mixed Drekkanas.

The Drekkana falling in the 8th House is called the death bringing Drekkana.

Drekkanas should be considered necessarily when starting on a journey. Thus, if Ayudha Drekkana is situated with or is aspected by malefic planets, journey should not be made in the Ayudha Drekkana because its effect will be litigation, defeat in Test Matches and competitions. The effect of the situation or aspect of benefic planets in this Drekkana signifies triumph.

Making journey in Sarpa (Bhujanga) Drekkana or in Nigada (Pasha) Drekkana results in getting the native arrested.

Making journey in Sarpa (Bhujanga) Drekkana or in Nigada (Pasha) Drekkana results in getting the native arrested.

The beginning of the case under Article 302 or Verdict (judgement) of the case in the Pasha Drekkana means getting death punishment by hanging.

If there is the Chatushpada Drekkana and it has the aspect of malefic planets, it causes death of the cattle in the native's house. There should be no purchase of cattle in such Drekkana.

Effects of Drekkanas :

Name of the sign Order of the Drekkana Designation Effect
5,1,11,8,10 I Kroor Evil or wicked minded, of roving (wandering) nature, engaged in wicked, sinful deeds & quarrelsome
5,7,8,12 III
4,8 II
4,12 I Watery Giver of alms, pleasure loving, kind hearted, getting wealthy by farming, watery objects (Fish etc.) merchant navy etc., large bodied and emotional.
12,6 II
2,3 III
1,2,9,10,11 II Saumya Happiness, wealth, having son, kind hearted, handsome body.
7,3,6 I
6,9,11 III
1,4,10 III Mixed Of bad conduct and character, traversing another’s wife, stern, evil eyed and volatile soul or nature.
2,9 I
3,5,7 II

All the Drekkanas have their own peculiar features or qualities (which are used in knowing the features of a thief.

The use of Chaturthamsha is made to study the destiny of the native in the context of getting physical pleasures. The native obtains an important end or a valuable object easily or with difficulty. this is also considered from this Varga or division because the lucky person has not to make much efforts and gets desired end or objects with ease.

The Fourth House, its Lord and its significators, the Chaturthamsha Lagna and the fourth house from the chaturthamsha lagna in a birth chart are studied to know the destiny of the native in the context of worldly physical pleasures and conveniences.

The Saptamamsha Lagna and the fifth and Ninth house from it, the fifth house from the Ascendant (Lagna) and the Lord of the 5th House, significators of progeny (issues) and the position of Jupiter are studied for the consideration of progeny.

In the same way, the prediction of the effects of all the Vargas is to be made after considering the Ascendant, the Varga (Divisional) Chart and the Significator planets. The planet gives auspicious effect when he is in his exaltation sign, Mooltrikona and auspicious sign. The planet situated in Kendra in his rise and situated in benefic Vargas also gives auspicious effect.

The planets that are combust, defeated in planetary war, in their debilitated sign, weak and sleeping (are in Sayanavastha) give inauspicious effects.

उदयादिषु भावेषु खेटस्य भवनेषु वा।
वर्गविंशोपकं वीक्ष्य ज्ञेयं तेषां शुभाऽशुभम् ॥ ९ ॥

अथातः सम्प्रवक्ष्यामि वर्गविंशोपकं बलम् ।
यस्य विज्ञानमात्रेण विपाकं दृष्टिगोचरम् ॥ १० ॥

गृहविंशोपकं वीक्ष्यं सूर्यादीनां खचारिणाम् ।
स्वगृहोच्चे बलं पूर्णं शून्यं तत्सप्तमस्थिते ॥ ११ ॥

ग्रहस्थितिवशाज्ज्ञेयं द्विराश्यधिपतिस्तथा ।
मध्येऽनुपाततो ज्ञेयं ओजयुग्मर्क्षभेदतः ॥ १२ ॥

Verse 9–12

9 - 12. After considering the Vargavimshopakam (the 20 point strength) of the planets in the 12 houses like the Ascendant etc, and in the signs are to be known their good and bad effects Therefore, now I explain to you the Vargavimshopakam or the 20 point strength of divisions just by the knowledge of which the good and bad effects become clearly visible. The Vargavimshopakam of the Sun and the other planets is to be seen in this way. The strength of the planet is full when he is situated in his exaltation sign or in his own sign; he is bereft of strength when he is situated in a house seventh from it. The strength of the planets having Lordships over two signs is to be known according to their situation in the signs and it is to be seen whether the sign is odd or even when such a planet is situated some where between his two signs his strength is to be found out as per proportion.

सूर्यहोराफलं दद्युर्जीवार्कवसुधात्मजाः ।
चन्द्रास्फूजिदर्कपुत्राश्चन्द्रहोराफलप्रदाः ॥ १३ ॥

फलद्वयं बुधो दद्यात् समे चन्द्रं तदन्यके ।
रवेः फलं स्वहोरादौ फलहीनं विरामके ॥ १४ ॥

मध्येऽनुपातात् सर्वत्र द्रेष्काणेऽपि विचिन्तयेत् ।
गृहवत् तुर्यभागेपि नवांशादावपि स्वयम् ॥ १५ ॥

सूर्यः कुजफलं धत्ते भार्गवस्य निशापतिः ।
त्रिंशांशके विचिन्त्यैवमत्रापि गृहवत् स्मृतम् ॥ १६ ॥

Verse 13–16

13-16. Jupiter, the Sun and Mars give (pronounced) effects in the Hora of the Sun, the Moon, Venus and Saturn in the Hora of the Moon and; Mercury in the hora of both. There is the pronounced effect of the Hora of the Moon in even signs and that of the Sun in odd signs. The effect of Hora divison is full in the beginning and becomes nil in the end. In the middle the effect should be considered proportionately. The effect of Drekkana Vargas and of others should be considered in the same manner. And the effect in the Chaturthamsha and Navamsha etc, should be understood like that in the Houses. In Trimsamsha the Sun gives the effect of Mars and the Moon that of Venus. Here also, that is, in Trimsamsha, the effects should be understood as they are in the Signs.

Jupiter, the Sun and Mars, being male planets, get pronounced strength in the Hora of the Sun (the odd sign Leo). Therefore, they give the effect of the Sun's Hora: on the contrary, the female planets the Moon, Venus and Saturn are happy and are pronouncedly strong in female signs, therefore they give special effect in the Hora of the Moon. Mercury is neither male nor female for it is said that this planet gives the effect of that planet with whom he accompanies. Therefore, he is the giver of effects in both kinds of Hora. In the last line of Verse 16 (श्लोक १६). the Sage gives clear instruction that Chaturthamsha, Navamamsha and Trimsamsha etc. will be studied like the 12 houses in the birth chart.

लग्नहोरादृकाणांकभागसूर्यांशका इति ।
त्रिंशांशकश्च षड्वर्गा अत्र विंशोपकाः क्रमात् ॥ १७ ॥

रसनेत्राब्धिपंचाश्विभूमयः सप्तवर्गके ।
ससप्तमांशके तत्र विश्वका: पंच लोचनम् ॥ १८ ॥

त्रयः सार्द्ध द्वयं सार्द्धवेदा द्वौ रात्रिनायकः ।
स्थूलं फलं च संस्थाप्य तत्सूक्ष्मं च ततस्ततः ॥ १९ ॥

Verse 17–19

17 - 19. Vimshopaka Strength: Lagna, Hora, Drekkana, Dwadashamsha and Trimshamsha are the Shadavargas. The Vimshopaka or 20 point strength of these is respectively 6, 2, 4, 5, 2, 1. With the addition of Sapthamamsha, these are the Saptavargas. In the Saptavargas the Vimshopaka strength is respectively 5, 2, 3, 212, 412, 2,1. These are sthool or gross strengths (or of the middle of the Vargas). The subtle strengths of the planets is to be known by their exact positions.

दशवर्गां दिगंशाढ्या: कलांशाः षष्टिभागकाः ।
त्रयं क्षेत्रस्य विज्ञेयाः पंचषष्ट्यशंकस्य च ॥ २० ॥

सार्द्धेकभागाः शेषाणां विश्वकाः परिकीर्तिता ।

Verse 20

20-20.1/2. Dashamsha, Shodashamsha and Shastiamsha, when added to the Saptavargas give us the Dashavarga division. The Vimshopaka Bala in the Dashavarga division is 3 for Lagna 5 in Shastiamsha and 1.1/2 for each of the 8 vargas.

अथ वक्ष्ये विशेषेण बलं विंशोपकाह्वयम् ॥ २१ ॥

क्रमात् षोडशवर्गाणां क्षेत्रादीनां पृथक् पृथक् ।
होरात्रिंशांशक्काणे कुचन्द्रशशिनः क्रमात् ॥ २२ ॥

कलांशस्य द्वयं ज्ञेयं त्रयं नन्दांशकस्य च ।
क्षेत्रे सार्द्ध च त्रितयं वेदाः षष्ट्यंशकस्य हि ॥ २३ ॥

अर्द्धमर्ध तु शेषाणां हयेतत् स्वीयमुदाहृतम् ।
पूर्णं विंशोपकं विंशो धृतिः स्यादधिमित्रके ॥ २४ ॥

मित्रे पंचदश प्रोक्तं समे दश प्रकीर्तितम् ।
शत्रौ सप्ताधिशत्रौ च पंचविंशोपकं भवेत् ॥ २५ ॥

Verse 20

20.1/2-25. Nowl tell you of the Vimshopaka Bala respectively of the Shodasavargas such as Kshetra (Lagna). Hora, Trimshamsha and Drekkana have the Bala or strength of 1 each, Shodashamsha 2, Navamamsha 3, Kshetra (Lagna or Graha) 312, Shashtiamsa 4, and the remaining nine vargas have each the Bala or strength of 12. The Vimshopaka Bala remains as 20 when the planet is in his own vargas, in the varga of extreme friend it is 18, in that of friend 15, of equal 10, of enemy 7, of extreme enemy 5. (These figures are known as Varga Vishwas).

वर्गविश्वाः स्वविश्वघ्नाः पुनर्विंशतिभाजिताः ।
विश्वाफलोपयोग्यं तत्पञ्चोनं फलदो न हि ॥ २६ ॥

तदूर्ध्वं स्वल्पफलदं दशोर्ध्वं मध्यमं स्मृतम् ।
तिथ्यूर्धं पूर्णफलदं बोध्यं सर्वं खचारिणाम् ॥ २७ ॥

Verse 26–27

26-27. Vimshopaka Proportional Evaluation: When the Vimshopaka Bala of all the Vargas is multiplied by the Vimshopaka Bala (varga vishwa) mentioned in the house varga of extreme friend etc and is divided by 20, it gives the exact Vimshopaka Bala or strength to predict the effect of all the vargas. It it is below 5 then it is not capable of giving auspicious results; if it is above 5 but below 10, the planet gives some auspicious effect, it being 10 to 15 the auspicious effect will be mediocre and, wholly favourable result will be yielded if it is 15 to 20.

As per verse (श्लोक) no. 17, there are respenctively 6, 2, 4, 5, 2, 1 Vimshopaka Bala in Shadavarga i.e., a planet gets 6 Vimshopaka Bala in Lagna, 2 in Hora, 4 in Drekkanna, 5 in Navamamsha, 2 in Dwadashamsha and 1 in Trimshamsha. This Bala (Strength) is called Swavishwa

A planet gets in his own sign and in his sign of exaltation all the 20 points (or full of Vimshopaka strength), 18 in that of his extreme or intimate friend, 15 in that of his friend, 10 in that of his nautral friend, 7 in that of his enemy and 5 in that of his sworn or exreme enemy. This Bala (Strength) is called Varga viswa. Therefore as per formula the

Vimshodapaka Bala=Swavishwa×Vargavishwa20

In the above example, in the Lagna the Sun will get Vimshopaka Bala of 6 Swavimsha. In the Lagna chart the Sun is in the sign of Mercury who is his extreme or intimate friend. Therefore the Sun will get 18 Varga vishwa.

Therefore,

6 × 1820= 5.4 is the Vimshopaka Bala

In the same way in Hora the Sun will get 2 Swavishwa. In the Hora chart the Sun is in the sign of the Sun. Therefore he will get 18 Vargavishwa. Thus 2 × 1820=1.8

In the same way in

Drekkana 4 × 1020 = 2.00

Navamsha 5 × 1020 = 2.5

Dwadashamsha 2 × 1020 = 1

Trimshamsha 1 × 1020 = 0.5

Adding all these - 5.4 + 1.8 + 2 + 2.5 + 1 + 0.5 = 13.2. Thereofore, the Sun's Vimshopala Bala in shadavarga comes to 13.2.

अथाऽन्यदपि वक्ष्येऽहं मैत्रेय ! त्वं विधारय ।
खेटा: पूर्णफलं दधुः सूर्यात् सप्तमके स्थिताः ॥ २८ ॥

फलाभावं विजानीयात् समे सूर्यनभश्चरे ।
मध्येऽनुपातात् सर्वत्र ह्युदयास्तविंशोपकाः ॥ २९ ॥

Verse 28–29

28-29. Other sources of strength: O Maitreya ! consider it, now I tell you of other sources of strength. A planet falling 7th from the Sun will yield his full effect and one in the same latitude in comparison to the Sun's will be fully ineffective. In between these two extreme positions a planet gives proportionate effect. In the context of all the planets the consideration of rising and setting is to be made in the Vimshopaka Bala or 20 point strength of the planets.

वर्गविंशोपकं ज्ञेयं फलमस्य द्विजर्षभ! |
यच्च यत्र फलं बुद्ध्वा तत्फलं परिकीर्तितम् ॥ ३० ॥

वर्गविंशोपकं चादावुदयास्तमतः परम् ।
पूर्णं पूर्णेति पूर्णं स्यात् सर्वदैवं विचिन्तयेत् ॥ ३१ ॥

हीनं हीनेति हीनं स्यात् स्वल्पेऽल्पात्यल्पकं स्मृतम्
मध्यं मध्येति मध्यं स्याद्यावत्तस्य दशास्थितिः ॥ ३२ ॥

Verse 30–32

30-32. Dasa effects with Vimshopaka strength: O Excellent of the Brahmins! After assessing the Vimshopaka strength of the various vargas of the planets the effect thereof, whatever and wherever it is, should be predicted. The rising and setting of the planets, along with the varga Vimshopaka is also to be considered. The varga Vimshopaka is classified as under. In the Poorna Vimshopaka it is Poorna and Ati Poorna, in Madhya, Madhya and Ati Madhya, in Ileena - Heena and Ati Heena and in Swalpa - Swalpa and Ati Swalpa - these are the two kinds of each. The effects of Dashas and Antardashas of the planets should also be considered according to their Vimshopaka strength.

Practice

Understanding · 1

What is a divisional chart? Answer in a way that does not use the phrase "another chart".

Write your answer down before opening the explanation.

Show the answer and why

Answer: It is the same chart at higher magnification. Each sign is cut into a number of parts, each part is assigned to a sign, and a planet's varga position records which part of its sign it occupies.

This is the correction that has to land. A Navāṁśa is not a separate life or a second horoscope or a chart of the soul as distinct from the body. It is a finer reading of exactly the same planetary positions — thirty degrees of a sign resolved into nine steps of 3°20' each, and each step relabelled with a sign name so that the vocabulary you already have can be applied to it. The whole zodiac has 108 navāṁśas. Nothing new has entered the chart; the resolution has increased.

Source: BPHS 7.12

Application · 2

A planet is at 8° Taurus. Which Navāṁśa sign is it in? Work it, do not recall it.

Write your answer down before opening the explanation.

Show the answer and why

Answer: Capricorn.

Taurus is a fixed sign, so counting begins from the 9th sign from Taurus, which is Capricorn. Each navāṁśa is 3°20'. 8° falls in the third navāṁśa (0°–3°20' is first, 3°20'–6°40' second, 6°40'–10° third). Third from Capricorn counting Capricorn as the first: Capricorn, Aquarius, Pisces — so Pisces. Check your own working against that carefully: the commonest slip is counting the starting sign as zero rather than one.

Source: BPHS 7.12

Recall · 3

Name the four Kendras, the three Trikoṇas, and the three Duḥsthānas.

Write your answer down before opening the explanation.

Show the answer and why

Answer: Kendras: 1, 4, 7, 10. Trikoṇas: 1, 5, 9. Duḥsthānas (Trika): 6, 8, 12.

The first house is both a Kendra and a Trikoṇa, which is part of why it carries so much weight. Note also what is left over: the 2nd, 3rd, 5th, 8th and 11th are Paṇaphara or Āpoklima by the Chapter 8 scheme, and the classifications overlap rather than partitioning the houses neatly. That overlap is deliberate and becomes the four-tier framework of Chapter 36 in Week 6.

Source: BPHS 8.33–36

Comparison · 4

Which classifications does the 6th house belong to?

Show the answer and why

Answer: Duḥsthāna, Āpoklima and Upachaya.

This is the item that surprises people and it is worth sitting with. The 6th is a Duḥsthāna — a house of difficulty. It is also an Upachaya, a house of increase, where malefics are said to improve with time. Those two statements are not in conflict; they are describing different things about the same house. Difficulty that grows more manageable is exactly what an Upachaya Duḥsthāna would predict, and the 6th house's classical subjects — enemies, illness, service, debt — are all things that a person can genuinely get better at handling. The Upachaya houses are 3, 6, 10 and 11.

Source: BPHS 8.33–36

Application · 5

For which of these questions would you reach for which varga: (a) the quality of a marriage, (b) the shape of someone's working life, (c) children, (d) property and immovable assets?

Write your answer down before opening the explanation.

Show the answer and why

Answer: (a) D9, the Navāṁśa. (b) D10, the Daśāṁśa. (c) D7, the Saptāṁśa. (d) D4, the Chaturthāṁśa.

The organising logic is that each varga specialises. Parashara names the subject of each division as he gives its construction, and the ones above are the ones this course actually uses. Two things to hold: the varga confirms or qualifies the rashi chart, it does not overrule it; and the finer the division, the more it depends on an accurate birth time, which is why nobody serious builds a D60 from a birth time rounded to the hour.

Source: BPHS 7.9–14

Apply it to a chart

Chart B — Albert Einstein, the synthesis chart — A whole documented life, where the evidence pulls in more than one direction. · about 22 min

Albert Einstein — Navamsha (D9)Computed from birth-certificate data.
121234567891011RaSuKeMeSaJuMoMaVe
GrahaSignHouse
SunCancer5
MoonCapricorn11
MarsAquarius12
MercuryLibra8
JupiterScorpio9
VenusAquarius12
SaturnLibra8
RahuPisces1
KetuVirgo7
LagnaPisces1

Chart B is Einstein, and below is his Navāṁśa — the D9 — drawn from the same birth data as the rashi chart. Before you look at what it says, build one cell of it yourself, because doing it once by hand is the difference between believing a varga and understanding one.

  1. Einstein's Venus is at 24°49' Pisces. Pisces is a dual sign, so by verse 12 the Navāṁśa count starts from the 5th sign from Pisces. Work out which Navāṁśa division 24°49' falls in, count forward, and name the sign. Then check it against the D9 chart.
  2. Do the same for his Moon at 21°47' Scorpio. Scorpio is fixed, so counting starts from the 9th sign from Scorpio.
  3. Now compare the two charts as wholes. Venus is exalted in the rashi chart. Is it still well placed in D9? Write one sentence on what that comparison adds — and one sentence on what it does not license you to say yet.
  4. For your own chart: identify which house each of the four Kendras is, which are the Trikoṇas, and which are the Duḥsthānas. Add the classification to your Week 1 sheet.

Check your understanding

Answer from memory first. Looking back at the reading before you try turns a memory test into a copying exercise.

Recall · 1

Give the Sanskrit names of the 1st, 7th, 10th and 12th houses.

Write your answer down before opening the explanation.

Show the answer and why

Answer: Tanu, Yuvati, Karma, Vyaya.

The full sequence from verse 37: Tanu, Dhana, Sahaja, Bandhu, Putra, Ari, Yuvati, Randhra, Dharma, Karma, Lābha, Vyaya. Worth learning because BPHS uses these names rather than numbers in a great many later verses, and because each name is itself a compressed signification — Karma for the 10th is a much better description of that house than "career", and you will be reminded of that in Week 4.

Source: BPHS 8.37–38

Understanding · 2

Verses 39–43 say the 9th from the Sun tells you about the father, as well as the 9th from the Lagna. What principle is that an instance of?

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Show the answer and why

Answer: Re-anchoring the frame — the same technique you met with the special ascendants, applied to a planet rather than to a lagna.

The Sun is the natural significator of the father, so houses counted from the Sun speak to paternal matters with particular force. The same logic extends: the 4th from the Moon for the mother, the 7th from Venus for partnership. This is one of the most useful habits in practical reading and it is introduced here almost in passing.

Source: BPHS 8.39–43

Find it in BPHS · 3

You need to know how the Ṣaṣṭyāṁśa (D60) is constructed. Where do you look?

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Show the answer and why

Answer: Chapter 7, verses 33–41.

You are not going to use it, and knowing where it is remains worth something. Chapter 7 gives all sixteen divisions in ascending order of fineness, so any varga can be found by position in the chapter without hunting.

Source: BPHS 7.33–41

Interpretation · 4

A planet is exalted in the rashi chart and debilitated in the Navāṁśa. What does that combination tell you?

Write your answer down before opening the explanation.

Show the answer and why

Answer: That the two readings disagree, which is information — and that neither cancels the other.

The usual gloss is that such a planet promises more than it delivers, because the rashi shows the promise and the varga shows the substance behind it. That is a reasonable practitioner's reading and it is worth knowing, but be clear that it is a synthesis rather than a BPHS statement: Parashara gives you both positions and the Viṁśopaka scheme for weighing them across vargas, and does not supply this particular sentence. The defensible thing to say is narrower and more useful — the evidence here is mixed, and any conclusion drawn from the exaltation alone is weaker than it looks.

What you carry forward

Two things grow across the whole course. This unit adds to both.

To your chart-analysis process

  • **Step 3 (completed) — read the Lagna and the chart's overall shape.** Lagna sign and lord, its condition, the distribution of planets, and every house classified as Kendra / Paṇaphara / Āpoklima and as Trikoṇa / Duḥsthāna / Upachaya.
  • **Step 9 (opened) — examine the relevant vargas.** Know which division answers which question, and that a varga confirms or qualifies the rashi chart rather than replacing it.

See the process so far →

To your field manual

  • Kendra: 1, 4, 7, 10. Paṇaphara: 2, 5, 8, 11. Āpoklima: 3, 6, 9, 12.
  • Trikoṇa: 1, 5, 9. Duḥsthāna (Trika): 6, 8, 12. Upachaya: 3, 6, 10, 11. The classifications overlap — the 6th is Duḥsthāna, Āpoklima and Upachaya at once.
  • House names: Tanu, Dhana, Sahaja, Bandhu, Putra, Ari, Yuvati, Randhra, Dharma, Karma, Lābha, Vyaya.
  • Navāṁśa count starts from the same sign for movable, the 9th for fixed, the 5th for dual. Each navāṁśa is 3°20'.
  • Daśāṁśa count starts from the same sign for odd signs, the 9th for even. Saptāṁśa from the same sign for odd, the 7th for even.
  • Vargas in practical use: D1 the life; D9 marriage and underlying strength; D10 work and action; D7 children; D4 property; D3 siblings; D2 wealth.
  • Houses can be counted from any anchor: the 9th from the Sun for the father, the 4th from the Moon for the mother.

See the field manual →

By now you should be able to

  • State what a divisional chart is, in terms that do not treat it as a second natal chart
  • Construct a Navāṁśa by hand for at least one chart
  • Say what D9, D10, D7, D4, D3 and D2 are each used for
  • Classify any house as Kendra, Paṇaphara or Āpoklima, and as Trikoṇa, Duḥsthāna or Upachaya
  • Name the twelve houses in Sanskrit