Divisional charts are the keys to understanding horoscopes as they unlock that h

idden door which refuses to open, even after the astrologer has examined the ent
ire spectrum of variables for analyzing a bhava. So once a bhava has been put un
der the gaze, and its rasi and the planets housing it and aspecting it, its lord
and its dispositor, its strengths and its Nava?sa, its aru?ha padas and special
lagnas, its karakas and yogas, argalas and d???is, have all been inspected from
every possible angle, and yet clarity is not achieved, divisional charts come t
o the fore to dispel the clouds of obscurity. Kalya?a Varma has said that withou
t divisional charts, one cannot take a step forward in astrology. It illuminates
a bhava where darkness prevails and enables the astrologer to examine bhava spe
cific queries in its minutest detail.
Varga Charts
Divisional charts (D-Charts) are the manifold divisions or vargas of the twelve
signs of the zodiac. Each rasi is divided into x parts or a?sas, such as 2, 3, 4
, 7, 9, 10, 12 etc., wherein the positions of the planets are mapped in each a?s
a accordingly. This spatial or a?sic position of planets are transformed into a
variety of rasi charts, generating a string of diagrams which are nothing but ma
ps of the various divisional representation of the planets. These charts depict
diverse aspects of the natives life, like marriage, children, profession, wealth,
spouse, spirituality, ancestral lineage, education, troubles and ill health, pa
st life etc.
At another level divisional charts may be contemplated as possibilities and prob
abilities. The bha-chakra as created by the Kalpuru?a is a dynamic four-dimensio
nal model wherein the twin concepts of time and space have been harmonized. Ordi
nary horoscopes though two-dimensional, take into account linear time and the ve
rtical declinations of the planets. If one considers degrees to represent time,
then every division of the zodiac has a corresponding division of time. Hence ev
ery division is locked in specific time grids. If the rasi is the only reality,
the true mean, or the satya, then the divisional charts are nothing by projectio
ns in multiple time zones and are illusory, like maya. In so far they are projec
tions of the mind, they represent possibilities, which might occur in different
time frames, from whence one may learn lessons and receive signals, in order to
pursue the dictat of the rasi chart in a more meaningful way.
The nomenclatures of the charts are derived in a variety of ways. Some are based
on the division numbers like Sapta?sa and ?a??ia?sa, which are the 7th and 60th
divisions of a sign, while others are based on their usage and focus like Siddh
a?sa, which is specifically for determining the level of siddhi or higher knowle
dge and wisdom that the native may or may not have the potential to achieve. Yet
others have multiple names, like the 16th divisional chart, which is known both
as ?o?a?a?sa and Kala?sa, the 12th divisional chart known as Dvadasa?sa and Sur
ya?sa or the 4th divisional chart, known as Chaturtha?sa or Turiya?sa. In daily
parlance the divisional charts are often referred to by their divisional numbers
such D-3, D-4 or D-9. The following table enlists the twenty basic divisional c
harts, their nomenclature and purpose.
Division Name Subject
D-1
Rasi
Physical Body, Name, Fame, Personality, Self
D-2
Hora
Wealth
D-3

Drekka?a
Co-born, Sexuality, Skills,
D-4
Chaturtha?sa (Turiya?sa)
Home, Property, Fortunes
D-5
Pachama?sa
Fame, Power
D-6
?a??ha?sa (Kaulaka)
Health
D-7
Sapta?sa
Progeny
D-8
A??ama?sa
Unexpected troubles
D-9
Nava?sa (Dharma?sa)
Spouse, Dharma, Destiny
D-10
Dasa?sa (Swarga?sa)
Work, Career, Profession, Karma
D-11
Eksdasa?sa (Rudra?sa)
Death
D-12
Dvadasa?sa (Surya?sa)
Parents
D-16
?o?a?a?sa (Kala?sa)
Vehicles, Luxuries, Happiness
D-20
Vi?sa?sa
Spirituality, Dik
D-24
Chaturvi?sa?sa (Siddha?sa)
Higher Learning, Education, Siddhi
D-27
Nak?atra?sa (Bha?sa)
Strengths and Weaknesses
D-30
Tri?sa?sa
Evils
D-40

Khaveda?sa (Svaveda?sa)
Matrilineal legacy
D-45
Ak?aveda?sa
Patrilineal legacy
D-60
?a??ia?sa
Past karma
Harmonics
The twelve signs therefore, are divided and sub-divided in different fractions,
the sequence of which gets repeated after every twelve divisions. Each cycle of
twelve divisions represent a harmonic depicting the various levels of consciousnes
s, both gross and subtle, which exists in the life of a person. The first cycle
of divisional charts from D-1 to D-12 represent the physical plane. They cover t
he various aspects of the physical realities of a person such as the body itself
(D-1, Rasi), wealth (D-2, Hora), co-born or siblings (D-3, Drekka?a), propertie
s and fortune (D-4, Chaturtha?sa), progeny (D-7, Sapta?sa), spouse (D-9, Nava?sa
), profession, career and work (D-10, Dasa?sa) and parents (D-12, Dvadasa?sa). O
f these, the Rasi (D-1), Drekka?a (D-3) and Nava?sa (D-9) are considered to be t
he most important in analyzing a horoscope.
The next cycle is the first harmonic of the previous cycle, covering divisions f
rom D-13 to D-24. This represents the conscious plane, depicting the various exi
stential conditions of a person. Although technically 12 divisions are possible
in each cycle, Parasaras format of ?o?a?avarga or the 16 kinds of divisions of ea
ch sign is being followed here. In this format, the three divisions of Kala?sa (
D-16), Vi?sa?sa (D-20) and Chaturvi?sa?sa or Siddha?sa (D-24) are generally used
, as the primary divisions to be studied in this cycle. Kala?sa is the first har
monic of the Chaturtha?sa showing luxuries, vehicles and mental happiness. Vi?sa
?sa deals with the spiritual life of a person while Chaturvi?sa?sa deals with hi
gher learning. This cycle therefore refers to the higher existential activities
of a person after crossing the first rung of gross material conditions.
The third cycle or the second harmonic, covering D-25 to D-36, relates to the su
b-conscious plain. These explore the factors, which lie in the sub-conscious reg
ion and unconsciously influence the mind. They represent inherent weaknesses and
strengths (D-27, Nak?atra?sa) and all forms of evils that might besiege a perso
n (D-30, Tri?sa?sa).
The fourth cycle or third harmonic ranging from D-37 to D-48 deals with past kar
ma, which is inherited as ancestral legacy. The important divisions in this cycl
e are D-40 or Khaveda?sa representing matrilineal legacy and D-45 or Ak?aveda?sa
representing patrilineal legacy. This is the super-conscious plane.
The final harmonic is that of the supra-conscious plane from D-49 to D-60. This
shows the accumulated karma from past births, which a person carries with him li
ke a legacy. In this context ?a??ia?sa or D-60 is the most relevant division.
Varga Schemes
The varga charts are clustered in separate groups or schemes for purposes of spe
cific predictions, such as ?a?varga, saptavarga, dasavarga, ?o?a?avarga and a??a
kavarga. ?a?varga is a group used in Prasna including the following six division
s: Rasi, Hora, Drekka?a, Nava?sa, Dvadasa?sa and Tri?sa?sa. The saptavarga clust
ers, used for mundane astrology, include Rasi, Hora, Drekka?a, Sapta?sa, Nava?sa
, Dvadasa?sa and Tri?sa?sa. Dasavarga is used universally in horoscopy comprisin
g Rasi, Hora, Drekka?a, Sapta?sa, Nava?sa, Dasa?sa, Dvadasa?sa, ?o?a?a?sa, Tri?s

a?sa and ?a??ia?sa. Finally ?o?a?avarga, the varga scheme adopted by Parasara an
d commonly followed in predictive astrology include the following divisions: Ras
i, Hora, Drekka?a, Chaturtha?sa, Sapta?sa, Nava?sa, Dasa?sa, Dvadasa?sa, ?o?asa?
sa, Vi?sa?sa, Chaturvi?sa?sa, Nak?atra?sa, Tri?sa?sa, Khaveda?sa, Ak?aveda?sa an
d ?a??ia?sa. Originally the ?o?a?avargiya scheme was reserved for royal horoscop
y and has now become the universally adopted model. A slightly different scheme,
which has numerical representations, is the a??akavarga where dots and dashes a
re used to delineate the placement of planets and to determine their relative st
rengths as well as that of the signs. The complete set of twenty divisional char
ts includes Pachama?sa, ?a??ha?sa, A??ama?sa and Eksdasa?sa in addition to the ex
isting ?o?a?avarga arrangement.
Methods of Construction
There are no fixed methods of calculating divisional charts. The standard method
followed is that of Parasara, a sequential counting procedure which may or may
not be regular. The more uncommon method is that followed by modern researchers
like Mantresvara, where the zodiac is divided by multiples of twelve or by the n
umber of the division.
Parasaras method of construction is both regular and irregular. The regular order
is known as the order of Brahma as it follows the perfect order of nature and i
s therefore synchronous. This order is applicable to those areas, which pertain
to the living being, as it is the order of creation. For example, Nava?sa and Sa
pta?sa are atypical Brahma divisions. In Sapta?sa, each sign is divided into sev
en parts. For odd signs, the counting begins from the same sign and for even sig
ns it begins from its 7th sign. In the case of Nava?sa, the signs are divided in
to nine parts or the 108 padas of the 27 nak?atras. The counting begins from th
e same sign for odd signs, from the 9th for even signs and from the 5th for dual
signs.
The irregular or jumping movement is appropriate for those divisions, which pertai
n to the non-living world, the soulless, inanimate objects which men relentlessl
y pursue. For example, in Drekka?a, where the sign is divided into three parts,
the first part is the sign itself, the second is the 5th form it and the third,
the 9th from it. In Chaturtha?sa, where a sign is divided in four parts, the cou
nting is done from the sign, followed by the 4th, 7th and 10th signs from it. Th
ese therefore do not belong to the Brahma division, which is the regular order o
f counting, as they do not relate to issues, which follow the natural rhythms of
the universe.
A significant point to note is that many of the divisions have multiple methods
of construction, like the Hora and the Drekka?a. Drekka?a may be constructed in
four different ways, namely, the abovementioned Parasari method, the Pariv?ttitr
aya Drekka?a, the Somnath Drekka?a and the Jagannath Drekka?a. The Somnath and P
ariv?ttitraya Drekka?a follow a regular pattern of counting while the Jagannath
Drekka?a is a different form of the Parasari method. These different Drekka?as m
ay be used for distinct purposes. Although the Drekka?a is to be seen for the co
-born, it can also be seen for the self. In that case, the Pariv?ttitraya Drekka
?a would be suitable for inquiry of the self while the Parasara Drekka?a would b
e more applicable while analysing relations with siblings. This is because each
bhava is karaka for miscellaneous factors and if one wishes to fine-tune the div
isional chart, then the appropriate method of construction will clarify the matt
er further.
Following Parasara, the sixteen commonly used divisional charts are as follows:
Hora: Hora is the division of each sign in two halves or Horas, ruled alternativ
ely by the Sun and the Moon. Based on the distance between the Sun and the earth
, the zodiac is divided in half across 0Leo and 0Aquarius, into equal halves of li
ght and darkness or solar and lunar halves. The solar half or Surya Hora is from

Leo to Capricorn and the lunar half or the Chandra Hora is from Cancer to Aquar
ius in an anti-zodiacal direction. The Hora charts are constructed by assigning
the first half of odd signs, 0-15 to the lordship of the Sun and the second half,
16-30, to the rulership of the Moon. For even signs, the first half is the Chandra
Hora and the second half is the Surya Hora. The Sun and Moon therefore own adjo
ining signs in their Horas. The Hora chart is used for seeing the wealth of the
native.
Drekka?a: Drekka?a, otherwise known as the trine division, is the one third divi
sion of a sign. Hence there are 36 Drekka?as measuring 10 degrees each. The 1st
Drekka?a is owned by the sign itself, the 2nd by the sign fifth from it and the
3rd by the sign 9th from it. So for Aries lagna, the first three Drekka?as will
be Aries, Leo and Sagittarius and the next three will be Taurus, Virgo and Capri
corn. Drekka?a charts are seen for co-born and siblings as well as for the self.
Chaturtha?sa: This is the one fourth division of a sign, with each division meas
uring 7 30. The first division is the sign itself, the second is the sign fourth f
rom it, the third is the 7th sign and the fourth is the 10th sign. So for Aries
lagna, the first four divisions will be Aries, Cancer, Libra and Capricorn. Chat
urtha?sa is useful for a variety of matters such as home, property, mother, happ
iness, vehicles and formal education. Alternatively this division is also known
Turiya?sa.
Sapta?sa: Each sign is divided into seven divisions of 4 17. The counting is seque
ntial, starting from the sign itself for odd signs and from the 7th sign for eve
n signs. For Aries lagna, the first seven divisions will be from Aries to Libra
and the next seven from Scorpio to Taurus. The division is used for seeing proge
ny.
Nava?sa: The most important division after the rasi, Nava?sa is the one ninth di
vision of a sign. Each sign is divided into nine divisions of 3 20 each. The count
ing begins from the sign itself for movable signs, from the 9th sign for fixed s
igns and from the 5th sign for dual signs. So for Aries it will begin from Aries
, for Taurus from Capricorn and for Gemini from Libra. Nava?sa is renowned for b
eing the rasi of the spouse but more importantly, it delineates the spiritual de
velopment of the native by identifying his path and objects of worship. Hence it
is also known as Dharma?sa.
Dasa?sa: Dasa?sa or Swarga?sa is the tenfold divisions of a sign, measuring 3 eac
h. The counting begins from the same sign for odd signs and from the 9th sign fo
r even signs. So for Aries it will begin with Aries and for Taurus it will comme
nce with Capricorn. Dasa?sa is an important division as it deals with the natives
work, career and profession.
Dvadasa?sa: This is the one twelfth division of a sign of 230 each. For every sign
, the counting begins with the sign itself and proceeds sequentially. So for Ari
es it will begin with Aries and end with Pisces and then begin again with Taurus
for the next sign. Also known as Surya?sa, this division deals with parental li
neage.
?o?asa?sa: Also known as Kala?sa, this is the one sixteenth division of a sign,
measuring 15230". The counting begins from Aries for movable signs, from Leo for f
ixed signs and from Sagittarius for dual signs. Kala?sa is used for seeing vehic
les, luxuries and mental happiness.
Vi?sa?sa: Vi?sa?sa is the twentieth division of a sign, 130 each. The counting is
done from Aries for movable signs, from Sagittarius for fixed signs and from Leo
for dual signs. Vi?sa?sa is used to determine the spiritual inclinations and sc
ope for occult studies of the native.

Siddha?sa: Alternatively known as Chaturvi?sa?sa, this varga chart shows the 24

divisions of a sign of 115 each. The counting begins from Leo for odd signs and fr
om Cancer for even signs. So for Aries, the 24 divisions will begin with Leo and
end with Cancer and then begin with Cancer again for the next sign. For Taurus
it will begin with Cancer and end with Gemini and then begin with Leo for the ne
xt sign. Siddha?sa denotes higher learning and knowledge, wisdom and siddhi of t
he highest order.
Nak?atra?sa: This is the 27th division of a sign comprising 1640" and is also know
n as Bha?sa. This division is based on an elemental construction. For the three
fire signs, Aries, Taurus and Sagittarius, the counting begins from Aries. For t
he earth signs, Taurus, Virgo and Capricorn, it begins from Cancer. For the air
signs, Gemini, Libra and Aquarius, it begins from Libra and for the water signs,
Cancer, Scorpio and Pisces, it begins from Capricorn. This division is used for
analysing the inherent strengths and weaknesses of a sign.
Tri?sa?sa: This is the thirty fold division of a sign showing all evils that mig
ht fall upon the native. The counting for this division is slightly different fr
om the aforementioned ones and dependant upon the degree placement of the planet
s. There are two sets of placements for odd and even signs. For odd signs, plane
ts in the first 5 degrees are placed in Aries, those in the next 5 degrees are p
laced in Aquarius, those in the next 8 degrees are placed in Sagittarius, those
in the next 7 degrees in Gemini and those in the last 5 degrees are placed in Li
bra. For even signs, planets in the first 5 degrees are placed in Taurus; those
in the next 7 degrees are placed in Virgo, those in the next 8 degrees in Pisces
, those in the next 5 degrees in Capricorn and those in the last 5 degrees in Sc
orpio.
Khaveda?sa: This is the 40th division of a sign measuring 45 each. The counting b
egins from Aries for odd signs and from Libra for even signs. So for Aries it wi
ll begin with Aries and eventually end with Cancer, with the next sign commencin
g from Libra. Khaveda?sa shows inherited karma through matrilineal lineage.
Ak?aveda?sa: This is the 45th division of a sign with each part measuring 40. The
counting begins from Aries for movable signs, from Leo for fixed signs and from
Sagittarius for dual signs. Aries will therefore begin with Aries and ultimatel
y end with Sagittarius and then Taurus will begin with Leo ending up with Aries
and Gemini will start with Sagittarius. This division shows inherited karma thro
ugh patrilineal legacy.
?a??ia?sa: ?a??ia?sa digresses from the above methods by calculating according t
o the degree positions of the planets. The degree of a planet is multiplied by 2
and then divided by 12. The remainder is the sign from which the counting for ?
a??ia?sa will begin. ?a??ia?sa is the division, which shows past karma and the c
ause of re-birth in this life. In that sense, ?a??ia?sa is the rasi chart of the
immediate past birth and is the key to understanding the karmic implications of
the present birth. It is in fact, the key to understanding divisional charts an
d is perhaps the most important division of all.
General Principles
The main principles, which should be kept in mind while analysing divisional cha
rts, are the karya rasi, karyesa and the karaka. Karya rasi is the sign of the h
ouse, which is the significator of the ruling activity. Karyesa is the lord of t
he concerned house in the rasi chart. This lord will have to be well placed in b
oth the rasi and the concerned divisional chart in order to yield beneficial res
ults. For instance if the karyesa is placed in a trine in both rasi and the conc
erned division, the bhava will flourish. Similarly, the appropriate karaka will
also have to be well placed. The Naisargika, Sthira and Chara karakas will all n
eed to be examined. To analyse co-born in a Drekka?a chart, both the 3rd lord an
d karaka Mars will need to have good situational strength to show any beneficenc

e from siblings. If Mars is placed in the 12th house, it will indicate losses in
these matters.
Following the above guidelines for methods of construction and principles, one c
an discern the basic characteristics of a divisional chart. For example, Sapta?s
a is a regular Brahma division, following a perfect lunar order like creation, a
s it is the varga, which deals with progeny. The karyesa is the 5th lord and the
karaka is Jupiter. Nava?sa too is a perfect Brahma division, relating to spouse
and dharma. The 7th house, which is the 11th from the 9th, shows the spouse or
dharmapatni. Hence the 7th lord is the karyesa and Venus is the karaka, with Jup
iter being an additional karaka for women. Alternatively, Nava?sa is referred to
as Dharma?sa. Dasa?sa, concerning a natives work, career and profession is the r
ealm of Siva. All beings follow the Sun in their activities. Hence there is a br
eak in order to show that Sivas principles are being followed and not Brahmas. The
counting is done from the first house for odd signs and from the 9th house for
even signs, showing this break or irregularity. Dasa?sa is also known as Swarga?
sa and is applicable whether a native works or not. Dvadasa?sa too, is a regular
order with a tiny break and is hence not a regular Brahma division. Dvadasa?sa
concerns the parents of a native, and the karyesa is consequently, the 4th and t
he 9th lords with Sun and Moon as the karakas. The position of the Sun will thus
reveal the nature of the natives parentage, whether he is born into royalty or i
s a posthumous child. The karakas for paternal grandparents are Jupiter and Ketu
and the karakas for maternal grandparents are Venus and Mercury respectively.
For finer analysis, the dignities of the planets representing karyesa and the ka
raka will need to be examined. Their exaltation or debilitation, their placement
in a friendly or inimical sign in the divisional charts will independently illu
minate a situation. This should be combined with their rasi position to achieve
a composite understanding. The only exception is the Nava?sa where planets can g
et both uccha and nicha bha?ga depending on the relative rasi and Nava?sa positi
ons.
Apart from dignities and sign placements of planets, the relationships between p
lanets will also need to be taken into account. These relationships are varied,
like yogas, sambandhas, yoga?as (any planet that brings out an association betwe
en lagna, Hora lagna and Gha?ika lagna by ownership, placement or aspect), keval
as (subhapati joining lagna or Atmakaraka), kevala yoga?as (subhapati associated
with lagna and Gha?ika lagna or lagna and Hora lagna) and kevala mahayoga?as (a
ssociation of Hora and Gha?ika lagna with kevala). This implies that the subhapa
ti and its relationships with other planets in the different divisions play a si
gnificant role.
These abovementioned factors and principles and their relational dynamics will h
ave to be reckoned while exploring divisional charts. These when computed with t
he rasi chart findings will yield accurate results and provide a holistic pictur
e of the life of the native.
Higher Divisional Charts
Although astrologers stop short at ?a??ia?sa when using divisional charts, there
is an entire range of higher harmonics, which remain untapped. This is primaril
y due to the fact that not enough research has been undertaken in the potential
and use of these divisions. They include the following:
D-72 A??a Nava?sa
D-81 Nava Nava?sa
D-108 A??ottara?sa
D-144 Dvadasa Dvadasa?sa

D-150 Na?ia?sa
D-300 Ardha Na?ia?sa
These higher divisions operate at an ethereal level, dealing with esoteric matte
rs such as dreams and the higher spirit self. The cognitive development of divis
ional charts can only be in further research in the direction of these higher ha
rmonics, which perhaps carry the seed of unveiling the mysteries of the souls jou
rney on this earth.
Beyond the apparent sectoral allocations, divisional charts embody directives fo
r the native to pursue the lessons of the soul. It contains correctives for rede
eming past karma and to prevent repetitions of errors. It forewarns about the tr
eacherous paths and indicates the curative alternatives. The study of divisional
charts will therefore enable the native to make choices, to probe deeper into h
is psyche and his self and fathom the purposes of his existence. Take for instan
ce ?o?asa?sa, which deals with vehicles, luxuries and mental happiness. The conj
oining of the Rahu-Ketu axis show that to escape the nodal bind of rebirth, the
pleasures or the happiness apparently indicated by this division may be ephemera
l. True bliss or happiness, which can only occur with the dissolution of the sel
f in the Paramatma, should therefore be the only goal, while the promise of ?o?a
sa?sa is only maya. The yoking of the nodal axis in ?o?asa?sa is the coded messa
ge that the happiness of ?o?asa?sa is illusory and that true happiness lies else
where, beyond the entrapment of the nodes, wherein fledgling lives are ensnared.
Similarly, one should be able to analyse and discover the message behind each o
f the divisional charts. Therein lies the true meaning of vargas
OM SATYAM OM