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Vargas: the divisional charts of Jyotish

A varga is a chart in which each sign is divided into equal parts and the planets are placed in the “divisional” sign. Each varga answers for its own topic: D9 for marriage, D10 for career, D7 for children. The classics describe sixteen main vargas (shodashavarga).

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In short

D1 rashi is the main chart; every varga is read from it.
D9 navamsha — marriage and planetary strength; D10 dashamsha — career.
D7 saptamsha — children; D12 dwadashamsha — parents; D2 hora — wealth.
The finer the division, the more accurate the birth time must be.
Vimshopaka bala sums a planet's dignity across the vargas.

Why divide the signs

The main chart answers “what is there in life at all”. The vargas zoom into particular topics like a magnifying glass. D1 may show that career is important; D10 shows in what field and with what status. The classics advise: a promise of D1 is fulfilled when the matching varga confirms it.

The main vargas

D2 hora — wealth and resources. D3 drekkana — siblings, courage. D4 chaturthamsha — home and property. D7 saptamsha — children. D9 navamsha — marriage, dharma, planetary strength. D10 dashamsha — career and status. D12 dwadashamsha — parents. D16 — vehicles and comfort, D20 — spiritual practice, D24 — education, D30 trimshamsha — difficulties, D60 shashtiamsha — past karma (requires an almost perfect time).

How to read a varga

In a varga, look at its lagna, the lagna lord, the house of the topic and the position of the karaka. For career in D10: the 10th house and its lord, plus the Sun, Saturn and Mercury. Strong planets in the vargas (own signs, exaltation, vargottama) support the topic.

Birth-time accuracy

The D9 lagna changes about every 13 minutes, the D10 lagna every 12 and the D60 lagna every 2. So the finer vargas are used carefully without a verified birth time. Positions of slow planets in the vargas are more reliable than the varga ascendants.

Questions

How many vargas are there?

Parashara describes 16 main ones (shodashavarga); there are additional ones too. In practice D1, D9, D10, D7 and D12 are used most.

Which varga is for career?

D10, the dashamsha, together with the 10th house of the main chart.

Can vargas be read without a birth time?

Planetary positions partly; the varga ascendants, no.

What is vimshopaka bala?

A combined score of a planet's dignity across the vargas on a 20-point scale.

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