Astrology Education
Vedic astrology has its own precise vocabulary — terms that don't translate directly into English concepts. This glossary gives you authoritative, example-driven definitions to build a genuine understanding.
लग्न
The ascendant sign — the zodiac sign rising on the eastern horizon at the exact moment and place of birth.
Full definition →Vedic Astrologyजन्म राशि
Moon sign — the zodiac sign the Moon was in at the moment of birth.
Full definition →Vedic Astrologyनक्षत्र
Lunar mansions — the 27 equal divisions of the zodiac (13°20′ each) used in Vedic astrology.
Full definition →Vedic Astrologyमहादशा
Major planetary period — one of the 9 planetary periods in the Vimshottari Dasha system, each ruling a phase of life.
Full definition →Panchangपंचांग
The Vedic almanac — a five-element daily calendar (Tithi, Vara, Nakshatra, Yoga, Karana) used for auspicious timing.
Full definition →Vedic Astrologyनवांश
The 9th divisional chart (D9) — the most important chart after the birth chart, showing the deeper soul purpose and dharma.
Full definition →Vedic Astrologyआत्मकारक
The planet with the highest degrees in the birth chart — the 'soul significator' that represents your deepest karmic lesson.
Full definition →Vedic Astrologyअंतर्दशा
The sub-period within a Mahadasha — the second planetary period layer in the Vimshottari Dasha system.
Full definition →Vedic Astrologyकुंडली
The Vedic birth chart — a map of the sky at the moment of birth showing all planetary positions and house placements.
Full definition →Vedic Astrologyसाढ़े साती
The 7.5-year Saturn transit — the most closely watched planetary period in Vedic astrology.
Full definition →Vedic Astrologyगोचर
The real-time movement of planets through the zodiac signs, affecting all individuals based on their natal chart positions.
Full definition →Vedic Astrologyयोग (ज्योतिष)
A planetary combination or configuration in the birth chart that produces a specific quality of life experience — positive or negative.
Full definition →Vedic Astrologyअष्टकवर्ग
A system of numerical scoring (0–8 bindus per house) that quantifies a planet's or house's overall strength based on contributions from all planets and the Lagna.
Full definition →Vedic Astrologyदशा
The Vedic planetary period system: 9 planets rule sequential life periods (totaling 120 years) based on the Moon's nakshatra at birth.
Full definition →Vedic Astrologyअस्तंगत / मौड्यमी
When a planet comes too close to the Sun in the zodiac, its individual qualities are said to be 'burnt away' by solar heat — temporarily weakening its significations.
Full definition →Panchangतिथि
A lunar day in the Hindu calendar — the time taken for the Moon to advance 12° from the Sun. There are 30 tithis in each lunar month.
Full definition →Vedic Astrologyकारक
A significator — a planet that naturally represents a specific area of life. Each planet is the Karaka for specific life domains.
Full definition →Vedic Astrologyयोगकारक
The most beneficial planet for a given ascendant — one that owns both a trikona (1st, 5th, 9th) and a kendra (1st, 4th, 7th, 10th) house simultaneously.
Full definition →Vedic Astrologyविंशोत्तरी दशा
The 120-year planetary period system used in Vedic astrology — the most widely used predictive tool, based on the Moon's Nakshatra at birth.
Full definition →Vedic Astrologyउपचय
The 'growing' houses — the 3rd, 6th, 10th, and 11th houses, where malefic planets can actually give positive results over time.
Full definition →Vedic Astrologyभाव
A house in the Vedic birth chart — there are 12 bhavas, each governing a specific domain of life.
Full definition →Vedic Astrologyवर्गोत्तम
A planet occupying the same sign in both the natal chart (D1) and the Navamsa chart (D9), greatly strengthening that planet.
Full definition →Vedic Astrologyषड्बल
The six-fold strength system that quantifies a planet's total power in the birth chart, used to assess which planets are strong enough to give their promised results.
Full definition →Vedic Astrologyदिग् बल
Directional strength — each planet is strongest when positioned in a specific house (direction) in the birth chart.
Full definition →Vedic Astrologyबाधक
The 'obstructing' planet — the lord of a specific house that creates hidden obstacles for each ascendant, linked to past-life karma.
Full definition →Vedic Astrologyराहु–केतु अक्ष
The nodal axis — Rahu and Ketu are always in exactly opposite signs, creating a karmic polarity that defines the soul's evolutionary direction in this lifetime.
Full definition →Vedic Astrologyअस्त
A planet is combust (Asta) when it is too close to the Sun, its light obscured, weakening its ability to deliver results.
Full definition →Vedic Astrologyपरिवर्तन योग
A mutual exchange of signs between two planets — each occupying the sign ruled by the other — creating a powerful bond between the two planets and their houses.
Full definition →Vedic Astrologyग्रह दृष्टि
Planetary aspects in Vedic astrology — each planet casts a full sight (drishti) on the house 7th from it; Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn have additional special aspects.
Full definition →Vedic Astrologyहोरा
The second divisional chart (D2) — divides each sign into two halves, used specifically to assess wealth, financial potential, and material accumulation.
Full definition →Vedic Astrologyउच्च
A planet in its exaltation sign is at its strongest — producing results with maximum effectiveness and grace.
Full definition →Vedic Astrologyनीच
A planet in its debilitation sign is at its weakest — struggling to deliver its significations, though Neecha Bhanga can reverse this into exceptional power.
Full definition →Vedic Astrologyवक्री
A planet appears to move backward in the zodiac from Earth's perspective — in Vedic astrology, Vakri planets are considered unusually powerful and inward-focused.
Full definition →Vedic Astrologyकेन्द्र
The four angular houses (1st, 4th, 7th, 10th) — the pillars of the chart; planets here are powerfully positioned and deliver their results with maximum strength.
Full definition →Vedic Astrologyत्रिकोण
The three auspicious trine houses (1st, 5th, 9th) — associated with dharma, Lakshmi energy, past-life merit, and divine grace; the most spiritually beneficial positions.
Full definition →Vedic Astrologyयुति
Two or more planets in the same house — their energies blend, creating a complex composite influence on the significations of both planets and the shared house.
Full definition →Vedic Astrologyदुःस्थान
The inauspicious houses (6th, 8th, 12th) — associated with obstacles, transformation, and dissolution; though planets here can give material struggle, spiritual depth often compensates.
Full definition →Vedic Astrologyउपचय
The growing houses (3rd, 6th, 10th, 11th) — malefic planets improve here with time; these are positions where struggle becomes strength and effort accumulates into lasting gain.
Full definition →See These in Your Chart
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