In the Parashari system of Jyotish, Vargas or divisional charts are essential tools for analysis. While the Rashi chart (D1) gives a broad overview of a person’s life, the Vargas help an astrologer examine specific areas more closely. A planet may appear strong in the birth chart but reveal its real nature only through divisional charts.
Divisional charts are described in the Brihat Parashara Hora Shastra (BPHS), where 16 charts are listed along with their calculations. While BPHS doesn’t always assign each chart to a specific life area, later tradition and practice have connected these Vargas to topics like marriage, children, spirituality, and past life karma.
The Logic Behind Vargas
Each 30-degree Rashi is divided to create the Vargas. Smaller divisions reveal subtler aspects of life. While BPHS gives the rules for calculating each chart, later tradition assigns life areas to each chart:
- D1 (Rashi): Overall personality and physical life
- D2 (Hora): Wealth and food habits
- D3 (Drekkana): Siblings and courage
- D4 (Chaturthamsha): Property and assets
- D5 (Panchamsha): Fame and authority (rarely used)
- D7 (Saptamsha): Children and fertility
- D9 (Navamsha): Marriage and inner character
- D10 (Dashamsha): Career and status
- D12 (Dwadashamsha): Parents and ancestry
- D16 (Shodashamsha): Comforts and vehicles
- D20 (Vimshamsha): Spiritual progress
- D24 (Chaturvimshamsha): Education and knowledge
- D27 (Saptavimshamsha): Physical and inner strength
- D30 (Trimshamsha): Illnesses and misfortunes
- D40 (Khavedamsha): Meritorious karma (advanced use)
- D45 (Akshavedamsha): Spiritual inclinations (rarely used)
- D60 (Shashtiamsha): Past life karma (only use if birth time is exact)
Varga Bala (chart strength) and Vargottama (same sign in Rashi and Navamsha) are also important.
Accurate birth time is critical, especially for charts like D60. Even a two-minute error can change results.
Also, planets gain strength when they are well placed in several charts. Parashara outlines how to judge planetary dignity across Vargas using classifications like Parijata, Uttama, and others.
Summary Table: The 16 Vargas (as per BPHS)
| Chart | Name | Degrees per Division | Main Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| D1 | Rashi | 30° | Life overview |
| D2 | Hora | 15° | Wealth, food |
| D3 | Drekkana | 10° | Siblings, courage |
| D4 | Chaturthamsha | 7.5° | Property, assets |
| D5 | Panchamsha | 6° | Fame (rarely used) |
| D7 | Saptamsha | ~4.28° | Children |
| D9 | Navamsha | 3°33′ | Marriage, dharma |
| D10 | Dashamsha | 3° | Career |
| D12 | Dwadashamsha | 2.5° | Parents |
| D16 | Shodashamsha | 1°52’30” | Comforts, vehicles |
| D20 | Vimshamsha | 1°30′ | Spiritual life |
| D24 | Chaturvimshamsha | 1°15′ | Education |
| D27 | Saptavimshamsha | ~1°6’40” | Strengths |
| D30 | Trimshamsha | Uneven | Problems, bad habits |
| D40 | Khavedamsha | 45′ | Merit (advanced) |
| D45 | Akshavedamsha | 40′ | Spiritual insight (advanced) |
| D60 | Shashtiamsha | 0°30′ | Past life karma (exact time needed) |
How Each Divisional Chart is Used
D1: Rashi – Life Overview
This is the foundation chart. All other Vargas are read in relation to this. For more, see the dedicated article on D1.
D2: Hora – Wealth and Food
Used to check financial flow and the ability to earn and manage wealth.
D3: Drekkana – Siblings and Courage
Reveals relations with siblings, courage, and willpower. Malefics here may cause sibling issues.
D4: Chaturthamsha – Property and Assets
Covers house, land, real estate, and comforts from material possessions.
D5: Panchamsha – Fame and Position
Mentioned in classical texts but rarely used today. Can be checked for status and fame.
D7: Saptamsha – Children
Shows potential for children, quality of relationship with them, and fertility matters.
D9: Navamsha – Marriage and Dharma
Important for married life, spouse, and inner character. Also refines planetary dignity over time.
D10: Dashamsha – Career
Reveals profession, public reputation, and leadership in work.
D12: Dwadashamsha – Parents and Family Line
Reflects the karmic influence of parents and ancestral traits.
D16: Shodashamsha – Comforts and Vehicles
Shows luxury, transport, and material enjoyments.
D20: Vimshamsha – Spiritual Life
Covers meditation, devotion, and deeper spiritual practices.
D24: Chaturvimshamsha – Education
Shows formal learning, scriptural studies, and knowledge capacity.
D27: Saptavimshamsha – Strength and Constitution
Used to assess physical and mental strength and inner endurance.
D30: Trimshamsha – Difficulties
Used to understand illnesses, suffering, enemies, and internal challenges.
D40: Khavedamsha – Merit and Blessings
Advanced chart used to examine good karma and divine support.
D45: Akshavedamsha – Spiritual Potential
Rarely used, but studied for deep spiritual orientation.
D60: Shashtiamsha – Past Life Karma
This chart reveals deep karmic patterns. Use it only when the birth time is accurate to the minute.
How to Use Vargas
- Use along with the Rashi chart: Vargas never stand alone. Interpret them only by linking with the main birth chart.
- Pick the right chart for the topic: D9 for marriage, D10 for career, D7 for children, and so on.
- Check Lagna and its lord: A strong Lagna or Lagna lord shows good outcomes in that Varga area.
- Note if planets are Vargottama: When a planet is in the same sign in both Rashi and Navamsha, its results are amplified.
- Look at dashas: Vargas become most relevant when their ruling planets are active by dasha.
- Check dignity across charts: Favorable signs in many Vargas increase a planet’s effectiveness. Use Parijata and other strength scales.
- See if planets fall in Kendras or Trikonas: These house positions in a Varga show higher activation and support.
Conclusion
Vargas give a deeper view of a person’s chart. They don’t replace the Rashi chart but sharpen analysis. Without them, predictions stay general. A skilled astrologer uses Vargas regularly, especially during the relevant dashas.
