Glossary

Twenty words come up again and again in a kundali and in our readings. Each is explained here in one plain line, with the same word in Hindi beside it. Where a word has a full guide in the Learn library, the line links to it. All positions on this site are calculated on the sidereal zodiac with the Lahiri ayanamsa.

Lagna लग्न

The ascendant; the sign rising in the east at birth — the first house. Read more →

Rashi राशि

A zodiac sign; in common use, the Moon sign. Read more →

Nakshatra नक्षत्र

One of 27 lunar mansions; each 13°20′, four padas. Read more →

Bhava भाव

A house of the chart; twelve, counted from the lagna. Read more →

Graha ग्रह

A planet or node used in jyotish: Surya, Chandra, Mangal, Budha, Guru, Shukra, Shani, Rahu, Ketu. Read more →

Dasha दशा

A planetary period; Vimshottari is the 120-year system used here.

Mahadasha / Antardasha महादशा / अंतर्दशा

The major period and its sub-period.

Ayanamsa अयनांश

The offset between the tropical and sidereal zodiacs; Lahiri is used here. Read more →

Navamsa (D9) नवांश (D9)

The ninth divisional chart; read for marriage and the strength of planets.

Kendra केंद्र

Houses 1, 4, 7, 10 — the pillars of the chart. Read more →

Trikona त्रिकोण

Houses 1, 5, 9 — the houses of fortune. Read more →

Dusthana दुःस्थान

Houses 6, 8, 12 — the houses of difficulty. Read more →

Uchcha / Neecha उच्च / नीच

Exaltation / debilitation of a planet. Read more →

Vakri वक्री

Retrograde motion. Read more →

Asta अस्त

Combustion — too close to the Sun. Read more →

Vargottama वर्गोत्तम

The same sign in D1 and D9.

Sade Sati साढ़े साती

Saturn's 7½-year transit around the natal Moon. Read more →

Mangal dosha मंगल दोष

Mars in houses 1, 4, 7, 8 or 12 — a matching consideration, with many cancellations. Read more →

Panchang पंचांग

The five limbs of the Hindu calendar: tithi, vara, nakshatra, yoga, karana. Read more →

Mulank / Bhagyank मूलांक / भाग्यांक

Birth number / life-path number in Indian numerology.