VEDIC ASTROLGY LESSON 14

Having been introduced to the various basic concepts in Vedic astrology in the first 13 lessons,
let us now move into Preparation of horoscopes and analysis.
Planets or Grahas
The words “planet” and “star” are used in a slightly different sense in astrology than in
astronomy. For example, Sun (a star) and Moon (a satellite of earth) are called planets in
astrology, along with Mars etc. Basically, a graha or a planet is a body that has considerable
influence on the living beings on earth. Distant stars have negligible influence on us, but Sun,
Moon and planets in the solar system have a great influence on our activities. So the word
graha (or planet) is used to describe them. Seven planets are considered in Indian astrology.
They are – Sun, Moon, Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, Venus and Saturn. In addition, two “chaayaa
grahas” (shadow planets) are considered in Indian astrology – Rahu and Ketu. These are also
called “the north node” and “the south node” respectively (or the head and tail of dragon).
Rahu and Ketu are not real planets; they are just some mathematical points. Apart from these 9
planets, there are 11 moving mathematical points known as Upagrahas (sub-planets or
satellites). We also have lagna (ascendant), which is the point that rises on the eastern horizon
as the earth rotates around itself. In addition, we have some mathematical points known as
“special ascendants".
Rasis or Signs
The positions of all these planets, upagrahas, lagna and special lagnas in the zodiac are
measured in degrees, minutes and seconds from the start of the zodiac (which is a fixed point in
the sky). These positions are measured as seen from earth and they are called “geocentric
positions". For the positions (calculated in degrees, minutes and seconds) of planets, lagna,
special lagnas and upagrahas, we also use the words longitude and sphuta. When watched from
earth, the longitude of any planet in the skies can be from 0°0'0'' (0 degrees 0 minutes 0
seconds) to 359°59'59''. It should be noted that 0°0'0'' corresponds to the beginning of the
zodiac. Many western astrologers consider Sayana or tropical (moving) zodiac, whereas
Nirayana or sidereal (fixed) zodiac is considered in Vedic astrology. The zodiac (sky) lasts 360° as
mentioned above and it is divided into 12 equal parts. They are called “rasis” (signs). English
names, Sanskrit names, two-letter symbols and values of the start longitude and the end
longitude (in degrees, minutes and seconds) of all twelve rasis are given in Table 1.

Each rasi again has many kinds of divisions and they are called “vargas". They will be defined in
detail later.
Table 1: Definition of Rasis
Rasi name Sanskrit name Symbol Start End
Aries Mesha Ar 0°0'0'' 29°59'59''
Taurus Vrishabha/Vrisha Ta 30°0'0'' 59°59'59''
Gemini Mithuna Ge 60°0'0'' 89°59'59''
Cancer Karkataka/Karka Cn 90°0'0'' 119°59'59''
Leo Simha Le 120°0'0'' 149°59'59''
Virgo Kanya Vi 150°0'0'' 179°59'59''
Libra Thula Li 180°0'0'' 209°59'59''
Scorpio Vrischika Sc 210°0'0'' 239°59'59''
Sagittarius Dhanus Sg 240°0'0'' 269°59'59''
Capricorn Makara Cp 270°0'0'' 299°59'59''
Aquarius Kumbha Aq 300°0'0'' 329°59'59''
Pisces Meena Pi 330°0'0'' 359°59'59''
Notation: If a planet is at 221°37', then you can find from Table 1 that it is between 210°0'0''
and 239°59'59''. So, that planet is in Scorpio (or Vrischika). Its advancement from the start of
the rasi occupied by is 11°37'. Its position in the zodiac (221°37') is shown by some people by
the notation 11°37' in Sc or simply 11 Sc 37. This means “advanced by 11°37' from the start of
Sc (Scorpio)". Some people show it as 7s 11° 37'. This means “after completing 7 signs,
advanced by 11°37' in the 8th sign (which is Scorpio)".
Bhavas (houses)
Another important concept is “house” (Sanskrit name: bhava). In each chart, houses can be
found with respect to several reference points and the reference points most commonly
employed are lagna and special lagnas. Starting from the rasi occupied by the selected
reference point and proceeding in the regular order across the zodiac, we associate each rasi
with a house (first, second etc). Always the rasi containing the reference point chosen is the 1st
house. Next rasi is the 2nd house. The rasi after that is the 3rd house. We proceed until the
12th house like that. Just remember that when we encounter Pisces, we go to Aries after it. If
no reference point is specified when houses are mentioned, it means that lagna is used as the
reference. If, for example, horalagna is in Cn, first house with respect to horalagna is in Cn.
Second house is in Le (see Table 1). Third house is in Vi. Ninth house is in Pi. Tenth house is in
Ar. Eleventh house is in Ta. Twelfth house is in Ge.
Exercise 1: Jupiter is at 94°19'. Mercury is at 5s 17° 45'. Venus is at 25 Li 31. For each of these planets,
find (a) the rasi occupied and (b) the advancement from the start of the rasi occupied.

Exercise 2: (1) Lagna is in Cn, Sun is in Ar, Moon is in Ta and Mars is in Cp. Find the houses occupied by
Sun, Moon and Mars. (2) Repeat the exercise, taking Moon as the reference point when finding houses.

Different houses stand for different matters. Looking at the rasis and houses occupied by
various planets, we can say a lot of things about the person.
To be continued in Lesson 15