Fundamental Concepts in Vedic Astrology

This write up lays the foundation for understanding Vedic astrology’s principles, introducing key terms and concepts necessary for chart interpretation and prediction.

Grahas (Planets): The nine celestial bodies, or grahas, play a pivotal role in Vedic astrology. These include the Sun (Surya), Moon (Chandra), Mars (Mangal), Mercury (Budh), Jupiter (Guru), Venus (Shukra), and Saturn (Shani), along with two shadow planets, Rahu and Ketu, which represent the north and south lunar nodes, respectively. While Rahu and Ketu don’t have physical bodies, their influence is considered significant.

Rasis (Signs): The zodiac is divided into 12 rasis or signs, each measuring 30 degrees. These signs are ruled by different planets and are crucial for determining planetary placements in a birth chart. The zodiac signs, starting with Aries (Mesha) and ending with Pisces (Meena), form the structural foundation for interpreting planetary positions.

Bhavas (Houses): In astrology, the 12 houses, or bhavas, represent various life areas such as health, wealth, relationships, career, and spirituality. The first house, or the Lagna (ascendant), is the most critical, as it is the reference point from which the rest of the chart is mapped. Each house has its significance and meaning, representing different facets of life.

Chakras (Charts): An astrological chart, or chakra, is a graphical representation of the planets positioned in the 12 zodiac signs at a particular moment. There are different styles used for chart drawing: the South Indian, North Indian, and East Indian charts, though the planetary placements remain the same across styles.

Varga Chakras (Divisional Charts): The varga or divisional charts are additional charts derived from the main birth chart to provide a more detailed analysis of specific life areas. Some key divisional charts include the Navamsa (D9), which is used for relationships and spiritual growth, and the Dasamsa (D10), which focuses on career.

Nakshatras (Constellations): The zodiac is divided into 27 nakshatras or lunar constellations, each measuring 13°20′. Nakshatras are a unique aspect of Vedic astrology, providing deeper insights into the nature of planetary effects. Each planet’s position within a nakshatra adds layers of meaning to its influence.

Solar and Lunar Calendars: The two calendars—solar and lunar—are important in timing astrological events. The solar calendar tracks the Sun’s journey through the zodiac, while the lunar calendar follows the phases of the Moon in relation to the Sun. The lunar calendar is divided into 30 tithis (lunar days), which are used to measure time in astrology.

Yogas and Karanas: Yogas are specific combinations of the Sun and Moon’s positions that can create unique influences in an individual’s life. Karanas, being half of a tithi, further subdivide the lunar month into smaller time periods, often affecting daily activities and decision-making.

Hora: A hora is a one-hour segment of time, with each day divided into 24 horas. Each hora is governed by a different planet, starting from the planet that rules the weekday. This system is used for determining favorable times for various activities.

Panchaanga: The panchaanga is a traditional Hindu almanac used in Vedic astrology, detailing the daily positions of tithis, nakshatras, yogas, and karanas. It is an essential tool for astrologers to calculate auspicious times.

Ayanamsa: Ayanamsa is the difference between the tropical (Sayana) and sidereal (Nirayana) zodiac systems, caused by the Earth’s axial precession. Vedic astrology uses the sidereal system, and having an accurate ayanamsa is crucial for proper planetary positioning in charts.

Together, these concepts provide a framework for understanding the intricacies of Vedic astrology, forming the foundation for chart interpretation and predictive astrology.