1) The document discusses the 16 divisional (varga) charts in Vedic astrology as described by Sage Parasara, including how each division is calculated and the aspects of life they represent such as wealth, happiness, fortune, sons, spouse, power, parents, benefits, worship, learning, strength, evil effects, and general indications. 2) It provides details on the calculation and interpretation of each of the 16 divisional charts. 3) The document emphasizes that studying the divisional charts along with the birth chart can help astrologers interpret various facets of life with greater precision.

1. SHODAS VARGAS - THE USE OF DIVISIONAL CHARTS IN DELINIATION
By Anthony Writer
1
SHODAS VARGAS - THE USE OF DIVISIONAL CHARTS IN DELINIATION
“Now I will explain the use of these sixteen divisions. The physique from Lagna, wealth from
Hora, happiness through co-born from Dreshkana, fortunes from Chaturthansa, sons and
grandsons from Saptamsa, spouse from Navamsa, power (and position) from Dashansa,
parents from Dvadasha, benefits and adversities through conveyances from Shodashans,
worship from Vimshams, learning from Chaturvimshams, strength and weakness from
Saptavimshans, evil effects from Trimshansa, auspicious and inauspicious effects from
Khavedans and all indications from both Akshavedans and Shashtians: these are the
considerations to be made through the respective Vargaas. The House, whose Lord is in a
malefic Shashtians, will diminish; so say Garga and others. The House, whose Lord is in a
benefic Shodashans, flourish. This is how the 16 Vargaas are to be evaluated.”
Brihat Parasara Hora Sastra:Ch. VII, 1 – 8)
SIDEREAL OR NIRAYAN Astrology, now popularly riding the crest of a
popular wave under the name of Vedic astrology, intends to concentrate on
the complexities and reveal the various aspects of human life various Lagnas,
Varga Charts or divisional charts, Dasha systems etc. with the main aim to
understand the manifested and hidden dimensions of life.
The natal chart reveals in a broad way : Along with the Samvat/Shake, Vaar,
Tithi, Yoga, Karan, Nakhatras, Signs as per Elements, Quality and Polarity and
Houses (as per Kendra, Trikon, Trik, Upachaya, Panaphara and Apoklim of Rasil
chart and Graha as per Bhava Karaka, Sthir Karaka and Char karaka.,etc. are
considered.
Further, strengths of Graha are revealed through the Shadbala (Six fold strengths) : i)
Sthana Bala or Positional strength ii) Dig Bala or Directional Strength iii)Kala Bala or
Temporal Strength iv) Chesta Bala or Motional Strength v) Naisargika Bala or
Inherent Strength vi) Dig Bala or Aspectual Strength (strength derived from
aspects of other planets.
The natal chart seen through the above and studied along with respective
lagna, graha, varga (divisional) charts, etc. will enable the learned astrologer
to interpret the various facets of life with greater precision.

2. SHODAS VARGAS - THE USE OF DIVISIONAL CHARTS IN DELINIATION
By Anthony Writer
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Role and Significance of Varga (Divisional) Charts
Various Vargas or Divisions in Sidereal Astrology represents different
aspects of human life. A Divisional Chart is the extension of a certain house
for microscopic analysis and a planet becomes highly potent by occupying
certain divisions and the strength thus obtained by a planet is called Vargabal.
Mantreswara in Phaladeepika, Adhyaya III mentions about the Dasavargas
or the ten-fold divisions. Sage Parashara in his magnum opus, Brihat
Parasar Hora Sastra, known as the Bible of Astrology, mentions about
Shodasa Varaga or the sixteen divisional charts in chapters VI and VII. The
sixteen divisional charts, which are compared to the various diagnostic tests,
are mentioned below:
Chart
No
Chart name The formation of the Chart and its use in brief
D/1 Rashi or
Janmakundali
It comprises of 20 ° and is the basic horoscope and the planets
are placed in their respective signs they occupy in the zodiac.
D/2 Hora A sign is divided into 2 parts of 15° each, known as Hora. For
odd signs the first Hora belong to the Sun whereas for even
signs the first Hora belongs to the Moon and the second Hora
belongs to the Sun. This chart indicates the financial status,
personal appearance, speech, habits, etc. of the native.
D/3 Dreskhana A sign is divided into 3 parts of 10° each. The lords of the 1st
,
5th
and 9th
are the lords of the 3 respective dreskhanas. This
chart shows happiness from siblings and their influence on
the native.
D/4 Chaturthamsa It comprises of one-fourth of a sign, i.e., 7° 30` ; totally
forming 4 divisions. The first division falls in the same sign;
the second in the 4th sign; the third in the 7th
sign and the
fourth in the 10th
sign from it. This division shows fortune,
landed property, assets, liabilities, influence of the mother,
domestic life, mental peace, landed property and conveyance.
D/7 Saptamsha A sign of 30 degrees is divided into 7 equal part of
4° 17` 8.5” each. In odd signs, the seven parts belong to
the seven signs falling in regular order from the odd
sign concerned. In even signs, the first part belongs to
the sign seventh from it, and the remaining signs follow
in regular order. D/7 chart shows dynasty, sons,
grandsons, their property and social status.

3. SHODAS VARGAS - THE USE OF DIVISIONAL CHARTS IN DELINIATION
By Anthony Writer
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D/9 Navamsa A sign is divided into 9 equal parts of 3 ° 20` Lordship
of parts starts from signs A J G DA J G DA J G DA J G D matching fiery,
earthy, airy and watery signs. In Chapter VIII, shloka
3 Sage Parasar says: One should study the strong and
weak points of the wife, her physical and psychic
composition and characteristics in D/9 chart. Research
today shows that the Navamsa chart can be treated as
an independent chart to interpret various facets of life
as it is magnified nine times. The Prati Navamsa chart,
magnified 81 times can lead us to startling
interpretations as per the research on MEDITATIONS
UPON CERTAIN PRINCIPLES FROM BRIHAT PARASHARI -
OPERATING THROUGH NAVAMSHA: A DIVINE PLAN
by Sayanacharya, Shridhar Govind Joshi.
D/10 Dasamsa A sign is divided into 10 equal parts of 3° each. For odd
signs the lordship for various parts starts from the sign
itself and for even signs it starts from the 9th
there
from. It is an extension of the 10th
House and shows
livelihood, profession, social status, position, power,
authority, name, fame, etc.
D/12 Dwadasamsa This comprises of one-twelfth of a sign, equivalent to 2
°30 ` each. The first Dwadasama falls in the sign itself
and the subsequent Dwadasamsas fall in subsequent
signs in regular order. According to Sage Parasara this
chart considers the native’s relationship with parents
and also the influence and help from parents.
D/16 Shodashamsha The sign is divided into 16 divisions, comprising of 1°52 ` 30”
each. In moveable signs the Shodaasamsha starts from
AAAA in sequence and the last ends in D.D.D.D. In fixed signs
the Shodaasamsha starts from EEEE in sequence and the
last ends in H.H.H.H. In dual signs the Shodaasamsha starts
from IIII in sequence and the last ends in L.L.L.L.
Sage Parasara states in BPHS, Ch. 8 sh. 4:Know
happiness, misery and luxury of vehicle from
Shodashamsha. Eminent astrologers consider it as
extension of 4th
house – domestic harmony, peace of
mind, landed property, conveyance and happiness
from mother.

4. SHODAS VARGAS - THE USE OF DIVISIONAL CHARTS IN DELINIATION
By Anthony Writer
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D/20 Vimshamsha This is the twentieth division of a sign measuring 1°30 ` if the
arc. In moveable signs, it stars from A ; in fixed signs
from IIII and in dual signs from E.E.E.E.
Subsequent Vimshamshas belong to the signs falling
in their sequence. Astrologers use this chart to know
whether a person is hard working or easy going. It
shows meditation, worship, dedication, devotion,
study of scriptures, japas and upasnas.
D/24 Chaturvimshamsha
or Shidhamsa
This is the 24th
part of a sign and each division measures
1° 15. In odd signs the counting is from EEEE and in even
signs the counting starts from D.D.D.D. Subsequent
Chaturvimshamshas follow in regular order. This
divisional chart shows higher education, academic
achievement, learning, knowledge and mental power.
D/27 Saptavinamsha
or Bhamsha
This is the 27th
part of a sign and each division measures
1°6 `40 ”. In fiery signs the counting starts from AAAA; in
earthy signs it start from DDDD; in airy signs it starts from
GGGG and in watery signs it starts from JJJJ.
According to Sage Parashara, this chart “ shows
strength and weakness of the native” – the physical,
mental and spiritual strength of the native.
D/30 Trimshamsha Each sign is divided into 5 unequal parts. In odd signs : first
5° belong to u, the next 5° to wwww, the next 8° to
VVVV, the subsequent 7° to ssss and the last 5° to tttt.
In even signs this order gets reversed where tttt, ssss, vvvv,
wwww and uuuu owns 5, 7, 8, 5 and 5 degrees respectively in a
sign.
This chart shows that one achieves his goals and happiness in
life if planets are strong and benefic. Otherwise it indicates
misfortune, adversities and evil results. Some state that it
shows the manner of death.
D/40 Khavedamsha This is one –fortieth division of a sign. In odd sign the first
Khevdamsha starts from AAAA whereas in even signs
The counting starts from GGGG. The remaining divisions
follow in regular order in both the cases.
This chart reveals good and bad times, auspicious and
inauspicious of a horoscope. This chart should confirm
with the Rashi chart to subscribe to the views.

5. SHODAS VARGAS - THE USE OF DIVISIONAL CHARTS IN DELINIATION
By Anthony Writer
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D/45 Aksha Vedamsha Each sign is divided into 45 divisions of 0°.40’ of the arc.
Counting is moveable signs starts from A , in fixed signs
from E , and in dual signs from I . The remaining
divisions follow the usual regular order.
This chart shows general happiness and prosperity of the
native in confirmation with the indications given in the natal
or Rasi chart.
D/60 Shashtyamsha This is the sixtieth division of the chart and each division
measures 0°.30’ of the arc. The counting of the first
Shashyamsa starts from the same sign and subsequent
divisions follow the regular order.
If the birth time is correct then this chart can assess the
overall strength and promise of the horoscope. Some learned
astrologers say that it is also useful in the case of twin births.
Some schools of thought assert that a retrograde
malefic gains power, while a retrograde benefic loses
power. There is some merit to the different opinions on
the true effects of retrograde. The Shashtyamsha lord
help make the determination of good or difficult results
because the Shashtyamsha lord will either be malefic or
benefic, and this may help to settle the case
I feel proud to state that during our 120th
celebration of Jyotisha Bharati
(formerly known as Bombay Astrological Society), the use of the vargas or
divisional charts is being given greater importance in our Institute. Mr. G.B.
Forbes, the Principal of Jyotisha Bharati, has been kind enough to permit two
students, Prof. Meena Thaker and Mr. Sundeep Arora, a very prominent
Rotarian and social worker, who have successfully passed Jyotish Visharad
course, to complete their thesis in Sidereal Astrology on the topic of Profession
with reference to D/1, D/9, D/10 and D/24 charts in particular. Their pioneering
efforts will see the theories of Sage Parasara and other Rishis being expounded
through live case studies. It is my fond and earnest hope that many more
students will follow their footsteps in the future, where research will be given a
rightful place it deserves and thereby make Sidereal Astrology vibrant with a
scientific temperament. To find the richer veins of gold one has to dig deep into
the bowels of the earth. Unceasing and consistent efforts, by burning the
midnight oil, are absolutely necessary to unfold the rich heritage of Sidereal
Astrology.