Each rasi has many divisions. Sage Parasara defined 16 different divisions of rasis. Jaimini and Tajaka writers mentioned 4 more divisions. It is possible that Parasara also dealt with these 4 special divisions in sections that are perhaps missing today. In addition, there are more higher and finer divisions that are normally not used.
Based on the rasis occupied by planets in various divisions, “divisional charts” are drawn. As we have seen before, we need to know the rasis occupied by planets, upagrahas, lagna, and special lagnas to draw any chart. In every division, we divide the rasi into different parts, find the part containing each planet, and see the rasi to which that part is mapped. Then we place the planet in that rasi in the chart corresponding to that division. We can draw a chart for each division. A planet can occupy different rasis in different divisions.
Chart of each division is called a divisional chart. Each divisional chart can be treated as a different chart and interpreted differently. Different aspects of life are seen in different divisional charts. Rasi chart is simply a special case of divisional charts. If we divide each rasi into just one part (i.e. in effect, no division), we get rasi chart.
Computing Divisional Charts
We will explain the computation of 20 divisional charts in this section.
Rasi Chart (D-1):
A simple example of divisions is the rasi chart itself. It is also called “kshetra chakra". It is denoted by D-1. Longitudes in the range 0°-30° are mapped to Aries, 30°-60° to Taurus and so on, as mentioned earlier. We can find the rasi occupied by a body based on its longitude. By “body” here, we mean planets, upagrahas, lagna or special lagnas – basically a physical or a mathematical point in the zodiac that has a longitude associated with it.
Hora Chart (D-2):
Each rasi is divided into 2 equal parts of 15° each. Bodies in the first 15° of odd rasis are in Sun’s hora. Bodies in the second 15° of odd rasis are in Moon’s hora. Bodies in the first 15° of even rasis are in Moon’s hora. Bodies in the second 15° of even rasis are in Sun’s hora.
Drekkana Chart (D-3):
Each rasi is divided into 3 equal parts of 10° each. Bodies in the first 10° of a rasi are placed in drekkana chart in the same rasi. Bodies in the middle 10° of a rasi are placed in drekkana chart in the 5th from the rasi. Bodies in the last 10° of a rasi are placed in drekkana chart in the 9th from the rasi.
Example: Let us say Mercury, Jupiter, and Venus are together in Gemini in the rasi chart. Mercury is at 3°. Jupiter is at 19°. Venus is at 21°.Then Mercury is in the first 10° (0°-10°), Jupiter is in the middle 10° (10°-20°) andVenus is in the last 10° (20°-30°). So Mercury is placed in Gemini itself in Drekkanachart; Jupiter is placed in Libra (5th from Gemini) in drekkana chart; and, Venus is placed in Aquarius (9th from Gemini) in drekkana chart.
Chaturthamsa Chart (D-4):
Each rasi is divided into 4 equal parts of 7.5° each. Bodies in the first, second, third and fourth 7.5° arc of a rasi are in the 1st, 4th, 7th and 10th from that rasi (respectively) in chaturthamsa. In other words, planets in 0°-7.5° in a rasi go into 1st from that rasi; planets in 7.5°-15° go into 4th from that rasi; planets in 15°-22.5° go into the 7th from that rasi; and, planets in the 22.5°-30° go into the 10th from that rasi.
This chart is also known as Chaturamsa or Turyamsa.
Example: Let us say Mercury, Jupiter and Venus are together in Taurus. Mercury is at 3°, Jupiter is at 14° and Venus is at 23°.
Mercury is in 0°-7.5° arc, i.e. the first 7.5° arc, of Ta. So he is in Ta (1st from Ta) in
D-4.
Jupiter is in 7.5°-15° arc, i.e. the second 7.5° arc, of Ta. So he is in Le (4th from Ta)
in D-4.
Venus is in 22.5°-30° arc, i.e. the fourth 7.5° arc, of Ta. So he is in Aq (10th from Ta)
in D-4.
Panchamsa Chart (D-5):
Each rasi is divided into 5 equal parts of 6° each. Bodies in the 5 parts of an odd rasi go into Ar, Aq, Sg, Ge and Li (respectively). Bodies in the 5 parts of an even rasi go into Ta, Vi, Pi, Cp and Sc (respectively).
Shashthamsa Chart (D-6):
Each rasi is divided into 6 equal parts of 5° each. Bodies in the 6 parts of a rasi go into the 6 rasis starting from Ar or Li, based on whether the rasi is odd or even.
Example: Let us say Mercury is at 11° in Ge and Jupiter is at 19° in Sc. We see that 11° is in the 3rd part of the rasi and 19° is in the 4th part of the rasi. Ge is an odd rasi and counting starts from Ar. The 3rd from Ar is Ge. So the 3rd part in Ge goes into Ge in D-6. On the other hand, Sc is an even rasi and counting starts from Li. The 4th from Li is Cp. So the 4th part of Sc goes into Cp in D-6. So Mercury is in Ge and Jupiter is in Cp in D-6 for this example.
Saptamsa Chart (D-7):
Each rasi is divided into 7 equal parts of 4° 17' 8.57''. Bodies in the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th and 7th parts of a rasi go into the 7 rasis starting from the rasi itself, if it is an odd rasi, or starting from the 7th sign from it, if it is an even rasi.
Example : Let us say Mercury is at 10° in Ge and Jupiter is at 19° in Vi. We see that 10° is in the 3rd part of the rasi and 19° is in the 5th part of the rasi. Because Ge is an odd rasi, the 3rd part in Ge goes into the 3rd from Ge, i.e. Le. On the other hand, Vi
is an even sign and counting starts from the 7th from it, i.e. Pi. The 5th from Pi is Cn. So the 5th part of Vi goes into Cn. So Mercury is in Le and Jupiter is in Cn in D-7 for this example.
Ashtamsa Chart (D-8):
Each rasi is divided into 8 equal parts of 3° 45' each. Bodies in the eight parts of a
rasi go into the 8 rasis starting from Ar, Sg or Le, based on whether the rasi is a
movable, fixed or dual sign.
Example: Let us say Mercury is at 10° in Ge and Jupiter is at 19° in Sc. We see
that 10° is in the 3rd part of the rasi and 19° is in the 6th part of the rasi. Because Ge is
a dual rasi, counting starts from Le. The 3rd from Le is Li. So the 3rd part in Ge goes
into Li in D-8. On the other hand, Sc is a fixed sign and counting starts from Sg. The
6th from Sg is Ta. So the 6th part of Sc goes into Ta in D-8. So Mercury is in Le and
Jupiter is in Ta in D-8 for this example.
Navamsa Chart (D-9):
Each rasi is divided into 9 equal parts of 3° 20' each. Bodies in the 9 parts of a rasi
go into the 9 rasis starting from Ar, Cp, Li, or Cn, based on whether the rasi is a fiery,
earthy, airy or watery sign. This chart is also known as Dharmamsa. It is the most popular chart after Rasi chart and some astrologers simply refer to it as “Amsa” (division).
Example: Let us say Mercury is at 11° in Ge and Jupiter is at 19° in Sc. We see
that 11° is in the 4th part of the rasi and 19° is in the 6th part of the rasi. Because Ge is
an airy rasi, counting starts from Li. The 4th from Li is Cp. So the 4th part in Ge goes
into Cp in D-9. On the other hand, Sc is a watery sign and counting starts from Cn.
The 6th from Cn is Sg. So the 6th part of Sc goes into Sg in D-9. So Mercury is in Cp
and Jupiter is in Sg in D-9 for this example.
Dasamsa Chart (D-10):
Each rasi is divided into 10 equal parts of 3° each. Bodies in the 10 parts of a rasi go
into the 10 rasis starting from the rasi itself or the 9th from it, based on whether the
rasi is an odd or even sign.
This chart is also known as Dasamaamsa or Karmamsa or Swargamsa.
Example: Let us say Mercury is at 10° in Ge and Jupiter is at 19° in Sc. We see
that 10° is in the 4th part of the rasi and 19° is in the 7th part of the rasi. Because Ge is
an odd rasi, counting starts from Ge itself. The 4th from Ge is Vi. So the 4th part in
Ge goes into Vi in D-10. On the other hand, Sc is an even sign and counting starts from the 9th from it, i.e. Cn. The 7th from Cn is Cp. So the 7th part of Sc goes into Cp in D-10. So Mercury is in Vi and Jupiter is in Cp in D-10 for this example.
Rudramsa Chart (D-11):
Each rasi is divided into 11 equal parts of 2° 43' 38'' each. Count rasis from Ar to the
rasi being divided, in the zodiacal order. Count the same number of rasis antizodiacally
11 from Ar. Bodies in the 11 parts of the rasi go into the 11 rasis starting
from the rasi found thus.
This chart is also known as Ekadasamsa.
Example : Let us say Mercury is at 11° in Ge and Jupiter is at 19° in Sc. We see
that 11° is in the 5th part of the rasi and 19° is in the 7th part of the rasi. In the case of
Ge, it is the 3rd rasi from Ar. The 3rd rasi from Ar in the reverse order is Aq. So
counting starts from the Aq. The 5th from Aq is Ge. So the 5th part in Ge goes into Ge
in D-11. In the case of Sc, it is the 8th rasi from Ar. Counting the 8th rasi from Ar in
the reverse order, we get Vi. So the counting starts from Vi. The 7th from Vi is Pi. So the
7th part of Sc goes into Pi in D-11. So Mercury is in Ge and Jupiter is in Pi in D-11
for this example.
Dwadasamsa Chart (D-12):
Each rasi is divided into 12 equal parts of 2° 30' each. Bodies in the 12 parts of a rasi
go into the 12 rasis starting from the rasi itself.
Example: Let us say Mercury is at 11° in Ge and Jupiter is at 19° in Sc. We see
that 11° is in the 5th part of the rasi and 19° is in the 8th part of the rasi. The 5th from
Ge is Li. So the 5th part in Ge goes into Li in D-12. The 8th from Sc is Ge. So the 8th
part of Sc goes into Ge in D-12. So Mercury is in Li and Jupiter is in Ge in D-12 for
this example.
Shodasamsa Chart (D-16):
Each rasi is divided into 16 equal parts of 1° 52' 30'' each. Bodies in the 16 parts of a
rasi go into the 16 rasis starting from Ar, Le and Sg, based on whether the rasi is
movable, fixed or dual. When counting rasis from a given rasi, we go zodiacally.
After going over the 12 rasis from a rasi, we get the same rasi as the 13th rasi. So the
13th, 14th, 15th and 16th rasis from a rasi are simply the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th rasis.
This chart is also known as Kalamsa.
Example: Let us say Mercury is at 11° in Ge and Jupiter is at 19° in Sc. We see
that 11° is in the 6th part of the rasi and 19° is in the 11th part of the rasi. Ge is a dual
rasi and we start counting from Sg. The 6th from Sg is Ta. So the 6th part in Ge goes
into Ta in D-16. On the other hand, Sc is a fixed sign and we start counting from Le.
The 11th from Le is Ge. So the 11th part of Sc goes into Ge in D-16. So Mercury is in
Ta and Jupiter is in Ge in D-16 for this example.
Vimsamsa Chart (D-20):
Each rasi is divided into 20 equal parts of 1° 30' each. Bodies in the 20 parts of a rasi
go into the 20 rasis starting from Ar, Sg and Le, based on whether the rasi is
movable, fixed or dual.
Example: Let us say Mercury is at 11° in Ge and Jupiter is at 19° in Sc. We see
that 11° is in the 8th part of the rasi and 19° is in the 13th part of the rasi. Because Ge
is a dual rasi, we start counting from Le. The 8th from Le is Pi. So the 8th part in Ge
goes into Pi in D-20. On the other hand, Sc is a fixed sign and the counting starts
from Sg. The 13th from Sg is Sg itself (13th = 1st, after removing 12). So the 13th part
of Sc goes into Sg in D-20. So Mercury is in Pi and Jupiter is in Sg in D-20 for this
example.
Chaturvimsamsa Chart (D-24):
Each rasi is divided into 24 equal parts of 1° 15' each. Bodies in the 24 parts of a rasi
go into the 24 rasis starting from Le or Cn, based on whether the rasi is odd or even.
This chart is also called Siddhamsa.
Example: Let us say Mercury is at 11° in Ge and Jupiter is at 19° in Sc. We see
that 11° is in the 9th part of the rasi and 19° is in the 16th part of the rasi. Ge is an odd
rasi and counting starts from Le. The 9th from Le is Ar. So the 9th part in Ge goes
into Ar in D-24. On the other hand, Sc is an even rasi and counting starts from Cn.
The 16th from Cn is Li (16th = 4th, after removing 12). So the 16th part of Sc goes into
Li in D-24. So Mercury is in Ar and Jupiter is in Li in D-24 for this example.
Nakshatramsa Chart (D-27):
Each rasi is divided into 27 equal parts of 1° 6' 40'' each. Bodies in the 27 parts of a
rasi go into the 12 rasis starting from Ar, Cn, Li, and Cp based on whether the rasi is
a fiery, earthy, airy, or watery rasi.
This chart is also called Saptavimsamsa or Bhamsa.
Example: Let us say Mercury is at 11° in Ge and Jupiter is at 19° in Sc. We see
that 11° is in the 10th part of the rasi and 19° is in the 18th part of the rasi. Because
Ge is an airy rasi, counting starts from Li. The 10th from Li is Le. So the 10th part in
Ge goes into Le in D-27. On the other hand, Sc is a watery sign and counting starts
from Cp. The 18th from Cp is Ge (18th = 6th, after removing 12). So the 18th part of
Sc goes into Ge in D-27. So Mercury is in Le and Jupiter is in Ge in D-27 for this
example.
Trimsamsa Chart (D-30):
D-30 positions of planets are computed based on the following rules:
Odd Rasis:
• Bodies in 0°-5° in odd rasis are placed in Ar in D-30.
• Bodies in 5°-10° in odd rasis are placed in Aq in D-30.
• Bodies in 10°-18° in odd rasis are placed in Sg in D-30.
• Bodies in 18°-25° in odd rasis are placed in Ge in D-30.
• Bodies in 25°-30° in odd rasis are placed in Li in D-30
Even Rasis:
• Bodies in 0°-5° in even rasis are placed in Ta in D-30.
• Bodies in 5°-12° in even rasis are placed in Vi in D-30.
• Bodies in 12°-20° in even rasis are placed in Pi in D-30.
• Bodies in 20°-25° in even rasis are placed in Cp in D-30.
• Bodies in 25°-30° in even rasis are placed in Sc in D-30.
Khavedamsa Chart (D-40):
Each rasi is divided into 40 equal parts of 45' each. Bodies in the 40 parts of a rasi go
into the 40 rasis starting from Ar or Li, based on whether the rasi is odd or even.
This chart is also called Chatvarimsamsa.
Example: Let us say Mercury is at 11° in Ge and Jupiter is at 19° in Sc. We see
that 11° is in the 15th part of the rasi and 19° is in the 26th part of the rasi. Because
Ge is an odd rasi, counting starts from Ar. The 15th from Ar is Ge (15th = 3rd, after
removing 12). So the 15th part in Ge goes into Ge in D-40. On the other hand, Sc is
an even rasi and counting starts from Li. The 26th from Li is Sc (26th = 2nd, after
removing multiples of 12). So the 26th part of Sc goes into Sc in D-40. So Mercury is
in Ge and Jupiter is in Sc in D-40 for this example.
Akshavedamsa Chart (D-45):
Each rasi is divided into 45 equal parts of 40' each. Bodies in the 45 parts of a rasi go
into the 45 rasis starting from Ar, Le or Sg, based on whether the rasi is a movable,
fixed, or dual rasi.
This chart is also called Pancha-chatvarimsamsa.
Example: Let us say Mercury is at 11° in Ge and Jupiter is at 19° in Sc. We see
that 11° is in the 17th part of the rasi and 19° is in the 29th part of the rasi. Because
Ge is a dual rasi, we start counting from Sg. The 17th from Sg is Ar (17th = 5th, after
removing 12). So the 17th part in Ge goes into Ar in D-45. On the other hand, Sc is a
fixed rasi and counting starts from Le. The 29th from Le is Sg. So the 29th part of Sc
goes into Sg in D-45. So Mercury is in Ar and Jupiter is in Sg in D-45 for this
example.
Shashtyamsa Chart (D-60):
Each rasi is divided into 60 equal parts of 30' each. Bodies in the 60 parts of a rasi go
into the 60 rasis starting the rasi itself.To see the part occupied by a body,
we can take its longitude from the beginning of the occupied rasi, multiply it by 2, take degrees and ignore minutes, add 1 to it.
Example: Let us say Jupiter is at 222° 58' , i.e. 12° 58' in Scorpio. Multiplying
12° 58' by 2, we get 25° 56'. Taking degrees and ignoring minutes, we get 25.
Adding 1, we get 26. So 12° 58' is in the 26th part of rasi (where each part is 1/60th of
rasi, i.e. 30'). So we have to count the 26th rasi from Sc. Removing multiples of 12
from 26, we get 2. The 2nd rasi from Sc is Sg. So Jupiter is in Sg in D-60 in this
example.
Divisional Chart Significations
Each divisional chart signifies a particular area of life and throws light on it. The below table
gives the list of these areas.
Divisional Chart Significations
Divisional Chart | Symbol | Area of life to be seen from it |
Rasi | D-1 | Existence at the physical level |
Hora | D-2 | Wealth and money |
Drekkana | D-3 | Everything related to brothers and sisters |
Chaturthamsa | D-4 | Residence, houses owned, properties and fortune |
Panchamsa | D-5 | Fame, authority and power |
Shashthamsa | D-6 | Health troubles |
Saptamsa | D-7 | Everything related to children (and grand-children) |
Ashtamsa | D-8 | Sudden and unexpected troubles, litigation etc |
Navamsa | D-9 | Marriage and everything related to spouse(s), dharma (duty and righteousness), interaction with other people, basic skills, inner self |
Dasamsa | D-10 | Career, activities and achievements in society |
Rudramsa | D-11 | Death and destruction |
Dwadasamsa | D-12 | Everything related to parents (also uncles, aunts and grand-parents, i.e. blood-relatives of parents) |
Shodasamsa | D-16 | Vehicles, pleasures, comforts and discomforts |
Vimsamsa | D-20 | Religious activities and spiritual matters |
Chaturvimsamsa | D-24 | Learning, knowledge and education |
Nakshatramsa | D-27 | Strengths and weaknesses, inherent nature |
Khavedamsa | D-40 | Auspicious and inauspicious events |
Akshavedamsa | D-45 | All matters |
Shashtyamsa | D-60 | Karma of past life, all matters |
Trimsamsa | D-30 | Evils and punishment, sub-conscious self, some diseases
|
Insights on Divisional Charts
Divisional charts based on divisions between 1 and 12 operate in the physical plane.
They show physical matters. Body, wealth, residence, wife, children, parents – these
are all matters relating to the physical self.
Divisional charts based on divisions between 13 and 24 (i.e. D-16, D-20 and D-24)
operate in the mental plane. They show matters that exist at the mental plane. Sense
of pleasure and unhappiness, religiousness, learning and knowledge – these are all
matters relating to the mind and intellect.
Divisional charts based on divisions between 25 and 36 (i.e. D-27 and D-30) operate
in the plane of sub-consciousness. One’s strengths, weaknesses, inherent nature,
evils, certain psychological imbalances – these are all matters relating to the subconscious
self.
Divisional charts based on divisions above 36 (i.e. D-40, D-45 and D-60) operate in
a kaarmic plane of existence that is above physical self, mind and sub-conscious
self. Based on the karma from previous lives, we all have an existence at a level that
goes beyond the levels of body, mind and sub-consciousness. Existence at that level
has a considerable role in deciding the pattern of one’s life, along with existence at
the physical, mental and sub-conscious levels. Higher divisional charts like D-40, D-
45 and D-60 throw light on this subtle aspect of chart analysis.
Using Divisional Charts
It is very important to memorize the divisional chart significations. We should choose the divisional chart to analyze, based on the matter we are interested in. If we want to know something
about one’s career, for example, we should analyze one’s dasamsa chart (D-10). If
we want to know something about one’s luxuries and pleasures, we should analyze
one’s shodasamsa (D-16). Based on the matter of interest, we decide which area of
life is relevant and analyze the corresponding divisional chart.
We should remember which planets, rasis, and houses show a particular matter and
find links between them in the divisional chart of interest.
Suppose we want to see when one would go abroad. It is related to residence and
fortune and we should analyze one’s chaturthamsa (D-4). The 9th and 12th houses
show foreign residence. Rahu signifies foreign residence. We should now look for
links. If the 12th lord is with Rahu in the 9th house in D-4, it can suggest that one would
live abroad, probably during the periods of Rahu or 12th lord or 9th house.
Suppose we want to see when one would get a promotion at the office. Because D-10
shows one’s career and achievements, we should analyze D-10. Because GL (ghati
lagna) shows power and authority, planets or rasis giving a promotion is usually
connected with GL. They are in GL or aspect GL. Because AL shows status, planets
associating with AL or the 5th or the 10th from it are favorable. If the lord of AL is in
the 10th from it and aspects GL, probably his period will give a promotion.
In this manner, we should analyze the divisional chart that signifies the sphere of life
that we are interested in and analyze the houses that show the matter of interest. This
is the key to correct chart analysis.
Varga Grouping and Amsabala
We have several varga groups, i.e. groups of divisional charts.
If a planet is in its moolatrikona or an own rasi or its rasi of exaltation in a chart, it
makes the planet very strong in that chart. In each group of divisional charts, we can
count the divisional charts in which a planet occupies its moolatrikona or an own rasi
or its rasi of exaltation. Based on the count of such good divisional charts for the
planet, we say that the planet is in a particular amsa (the higher this number is, the
stronger the planet is).
Shadvarga:
“Shadvarga” literally means “six divisions”. Shadvarga is a group of the following
divisional charts: (1) Rasi chart, (2) D-2, (3) D-3, (4) D-9, (5) D-12, and, (6) D-30.
The amsa said to be occupied by a planet and the corresponding count of divisional
charts – from the above list – in which it occupies its moolatrikona, rasi of exaltation
or an own rasi is listed below:
Kimsukaamsa – 2, Vyanjanaamsa – 3, Chaamaraamsa – 4, Chatraamsa – 5,
Kundalaamsa – 6.
Sapta varga:
“Sapta Varga” literally means “seven divisions”. Sapta Varga is a group of the
following divisional charts: (1) Rasi chart, (2) D-2, (3) D-3, (4) D-7, (5) D-9, (6) D-
12, and, (7) D-30.
The amsa is said to be occupied by a planet and the corresponding count of divisional
charts – from the above list – in which it occupies its moolatrikona, rasi of exaltation
or an own rasi is listed below:
Kimsukaamsa – 2, Vyanjanaamsa – 3, Chaamaraamsa – 4, Chatraamsa – 5,
Kundalaamsa – 6, Mukutaamsa – 7.
Dasa Varga:
“Dasa varga” literally means “ten divisions”. Dasa varga is a group of the following
divisional charts: (1) Rasi chart, (2) D-2, (3) D-3, (4) D-7, (5) D-9, (6) D-10, (7) D-
12, (8) D-16, (9) D-30, and, (10) D-60.
The amsa is said to be occupied by a planet and the corresponding count of divisional
charts – from the above list – in which it occupies its moolatrikona, rasi of exaltation
or an own rasi is listed below:
Paarijaataamsa – 2, Uttamaamsa – 3, Gopuraamsa– 4, Simhaasanaamsa – 5,
Paaraavataamsa – 6, Devalokaamsa – 7, Brahmalokamsa – 8, Airaavataamsa – 9,
Sreedhaamaamsa – 10.
Shodasa Varga:
Shodasa Varga” literally means “sixteen divisions”. Shodasa Varga is a group of the
following divisional charts: (1) Rasi chart, (2) D-2, (3) D-3, (4) D-4, (5) D-7, (6) D-
9, (7) D-10, (8) D-12, (9) D-16, (10) D-20, (11) D-24, (12) D-27, (13) D-30, (14) D-
40, (15) D-45, and, (16) D-60.
The amsa is said to be occupied by a planet and the corresponding count of divisional
charts – from the above list – in which it occupies its moolatrikona, rasi of exaltation
or an own rasi is listed below:
Bhedakaamsa – 2, Kusumaamsa – 3, Nagapurushaamsa – 4, Kandukaamsa – 5,
Keralaamsa – 6, Kalpavrikshaamsa – 7, Chandanavanaamsa – 8, Poornachandraamsa
– 9, Uchchaisravaamsa – 10, Dhanvantaryamsa – 11, Sooryakaantaamsa – 12,
Vidrumaamsa – 13, Indraasanaamsa – 14, Golokaamsa – 15, Sree Vallabhaamsa –
16.