Varga (astrology)
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The term Varga (Sanskrit varga, 'set, division') in Indian astrology (Jyotisha) refers to the division of a zodiacal sign (rāśi) into parts. Each such fractional part of a sign, known as an aṃśa, has a source of influence associated with it, so that these sources of influence come to be associated with collections of regions around the zodiac.
There are sixteen varga, or divisional, charts used in Jyotisha.[1] These vargas form the basis of a unique system of finding the auspiciousness or inauspiciousness of planets.[2]
Hindu astrology divides the zodiac into several types of segments; these subtle divisions or divisional charts are called Vargas and are said to be the various micro-zodiacs created within the natural macro-zodiac, the Horoscope.[3]
The particular location of planets in the Varga charts materially influences the results of planets constituting a yoga. The two sets of vargas that are commonly used are – a) the Shadvarga i.e. the six-fold division of sign namely, the Rasi or sign, the Hora, the Drekkena or decanate, the Navamsa, the Dwadasamsa and the Trimsamsa, and b) the Saptavarga i.e. the seven-fold division, by tagging the Saptamsa to the Shadvargas.[4] Some follow the Dasavargas or the ten-fold division, and in his Bṛhat Parāśara Horāśāstra, Parasara speaks about the Shodasvarga or the sixteen-fold division of a rasi. Planets become more auspicious if they are in same zodiac sign in shodasa varga or 16 divisional charts. Accordingly, the status thus acquired by planets stands graded for easy identification etc. When a planet acquires two out of sixteen such vargas(divisional charts) or divisions then it is known to have gained the status called the Parijatamsa or Bhedakamsa, when three vargas are gained then the Uttamamsa or Kusumamsa or Vyanjanamsa, four – the Gopuramsa or Naagpushpamsa or Kimshukamsa or Chaamaramsa, five – the Simhasanamsa or Kundakamsa or Chhatramsa, six – the Parvatamsa or Keralamsa or Kundalamsa, seven – the Devalokamsa or Kalpavrkshamsa or Mukatamsa, eight – the Kumkumamsa or Brahmalokamsa or Chandanvanamsa, nine – the Iravatamsa or Poornachandramsa, ten – the Vyshnavamsa or Shridham or Ucchaishrvamsa, eleven – the Saivamsa Dhanvantriamsa, twelve – the Bhaswadamsa or Suryakantamsa, thirteen – the Vaisheshikamsa or Vidrumamsa, fourteen – the Indrasanamsa, fifteen – the Golokamsa, and sixteen – the Shrivallabhamsa (Bṛhat Parāśara Horāśāstra Slokas 42-51) (Sarvartha Chintamani St.32-35).
Divisional charts
The Bṛhat Parāśara Horāśāstra defines sixteen divisional schemes,[5] each named according to the denominator of the fraction specific to the division. Thus, the integral fraction is division by 1, which yields, trivially, 12 regions of the zodiac corresponding to the 12 signs themselves: perforce this varga scheme is named rāśi. Similarly, a divisor of 2 defines 24 regions; the name horā, derived from the word अहो-रात्र (aho-rātra) meaning day-night by removing the first अ (a) and last sounds त्र (tra) {Reference: Saravali by Kalyanaverma (Sanskrit Classic)}, is etymologically related to the analogous 24 hours in a day. The divisor of 3 defining 36 regions, named drekkana, is similarly related to the Decans of Chaldean horology.
| Varga | Divisor | Chart | Area of Influence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rasi | 1 | D-1 | Body, Physical Matters and all General Matters |
| Hora | 2 | D-2 | Wealth, Family |
| Drekkana | 3 | D-3 | Siblings, Nature |
| Chaturthamsa | 4 | D-4 | Fortune and Property |
| Saptamsa | 7 | D-7 | Children/Progeny |
| Navamsa | 9 | D-9 | Spouse, Dharma and Relationships |
| Dasamsa | 10 | D-10 | Actions in Society, Profession |
| Dvadasamsa | 12 | D-12 | Parents (Paternal and Maternal Legacies) |
| Shodasamsa | 16 | D-16 | Vehicles, Travelling and Comforts |
| Vimsamsa | 20 | D-20 | Spiritual Pursuits |
| ChaturVimsamsa | 24 | D-24 | Education, Learning and Knowledge (Academic Achievements) |
| SaptaVimsamsa | 27 | D-27 | Strengths and Weakness |
| Trimsamsa | 30 | D-30 | Evils |
| KhaVedamsa | 40 | D-40 | For auspicious and inauspicious effects in horoscope |
| AkshaVedamsa | 45 | D-45 | For all general indications (character and conduct of the native) |
| Shastiamsa | 60 | D-60 | For all general indications (Past birth or Karma of the native) |
Four other vargas are attributed to Jaimini:
| Varga | Divisor | Chart | Area of Influence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Panchamsa | 5 | D-5 | Fame & Power |
| Shasthamsa | 6 | D-6 | Health |
| Ashtamsa | 8 | D-8 | Unexpected Troubles |
| EkaDasamsa/Rudramsa | 11 | D-11 | Death and Destruction |
Besides Rāshi (D-1), Navamsha (D-9), Drekana (D-3), Dasamsa (D-10), Trimsamsa (D-30) and Sashtiamsa (D-60) are considered significant divisional charts.