Division refers to an orderly division of the 30 degrees of a sign into parts called Āṁśa. The charts constructed on the basis of the ownership of these divisions¹ are called Divisional Charts or simply D-Charts. The sign is divided into ‘N’ number of parts where ‘N’ refers to the Varga number. Each part is called an Āṁśa and maps into a specific sign of the D-N Chart. If any planet or Lagna is placed within an Āṁśa, then it is also in the mapped sign of the D-Chart.

To understand this, let us consider the chart of a person born on the 7^th of August 1963. Some of the planetary positions are Lagna 14⁰ Pisces, Jupiter 26⁰ 07’ Pisces, Moon 19⁰57’ Aquarius and Saturn 26⁰50’ Capricorn. The Rāśi (D-1 Chart) will have Jupiter and Ascendant in the first house in Pisces, Moon in the 12^th house in Aquarius and Saturn in the 11^th house in Capricorn. Let us attempt to determine the Drekkāṇa divisions and D-3 chart. Here ‘N’ = 3 and each sign of 30° longitude is divided into three parts of 10° each. Each of these divisions is called an ‘Āṁśa’ and more specifically a Drekkāṇa or ‘Trine division’. The three Drekkāṇa of all signs would be in the longitude range (1) 0-10°, (2) 10°-20° and (3) 20°-30°. The first Drekkāṇa of a sign is mapped to itself, the second is mapped to the sign in the fifth from it and the third is mapped to the sign in the ninth from it.

Figure 4: D-Chart construction

Thus, Lagna at 14⁰ Pisces is in second Drekkāṇa and is mapped into Cancer the fifth house from Pisces. Jupiter at 26⁰ is in the third Drekkāṇa of Pisces and this is Scorpio in the D-3 Chart. Moon is in the second Drekkāṇa of Aquarius and is placed in Gemini in D-3 Chart. Saturn at 27⁰ is in the third Drekkāṇa of Capricorn and is mapped to the ninth house from Capricorn (i.e. Virgo) where it is placed in the D-3 Chart.

Nomenclature

The divisions of the zodiac and the divisional charts constructed on the basis of ownership of these divisions are named on various criteria. These include:

• The division number: This is the number by which the sign is divided into parts. For example ‘Saptāṁśa’ composed from Sapta meaning seven and āṁśa meaning portion. Thus, this is the one-seventh division of a sign.
• Other reference numbers: For example, it is well known that there are 27 Nakshatra. Hence the name Nakshetrāṁśa coined from Nakshatra and Āṁśa (portion) refers to the one – twenty seventh (¹/₂₇) division or the divisional chart prepared from this division occupied by the Lagna and nine planets.
• Usage and focus: Every divisional chart (or division) has a specific use and a clearly defined focus on a specific area of activity. For example, Siddhāṁśa is coined from Siddha referring to that body of knowledge which a person learns and achieves perfection in and Āṁśa means portion. So, Siddhāṁśa refers to the division/divisional chart where we study the learning process. This is the 24^th division (D-24 Chart). This is also called the Bhāṁśa from the word ‘Bha’ (as in Bha-chakra which is the primary representation of the zodiac as composed of 27 Nakshatra.
• Multiple names: Divisions (D-charts) can have multiple names from either of the three aforementioned methods. For example the 16^th division is called ṣoḍasāṁśa [Shodas (sixteen) Āṁśa (portion)]. This is also called Kalāṁśa based on the 16 Kala’s in a 24-hour day.
• Standard Method: The nomenclature introduced by modern Vedic astrologers refers to each divisional chart directly by its division number. For example, the Siddhāṁśa is simply called the D-24 Chart or just D-24 when the division in the Rāśi chart is being referred to.

Table 3: Nomenclature

• Other systems: There are other totally different Varga Charts based on other criteria. Example – Astakavarga: The Varga charts constructed on the basis of the contribution of Rekha² and Bindu³ by the eight factors (Lagna and seven planets from Sun to Saturn).

Technical terms

Like every other system, there are various technical terms used in the examination of Divisional charts. Getting accustomed to the verbiage helps in understanding and using the system.
1) Varga: Division or Divisional Chart in general usage.

1. Āṁśa means portion and generally refers to the division of a sign. It also refers to individual D-charts when used in conjunction with the reference to the division. Example: Navāṁśa – Nav (Nine) + Āṁśa (division) refers to the one-ninth portion of a sign and the D-9 Chart specifically.
2. Yoga means union and refers to the association of two bodies, whether mobile planets/Lagna or static signs in any of the four methods of Sambandha⁴. Any planet that brings about an association between the Lagna, Horā Lagna and Ghatika Lagna by ownership, placement or aspect is termed a Yogada.
3. Subhapati: Subha means benefic and specifically refers to the Moon, as it is the sustainer of this life. Subhapati is the dispositor of the Moon and its dignity in the various divisional charts is examined to determine the health and longevity of the native. If the Subhapati aspects or conjoins the Lagna or Atmakaraka, it is elevated to the position of a Kevala. In addition if it associates with the Horā Lagna (HL) or Ghatika Lagna (GL) it is further elevated to a Kevala Yogada and if both HL and GL are also associated with the Kevala, then it is a Kevala Mahayogada.
4. Karya Rāśi is the house, which is the center of focus of the activity related to a Divisional chart. A D-chart may have many important houses like a Dasāṁśa where the sixth house is examined for service related matters or the seventh house is examined for business, but the focus is the tenth house and for the Dasāṁśa, the tenth house is the Karya Rāśi. The Lord of the Karya Rāśi in the Rāśi Chart should be well placed in the concerned divisional chart for the activity (Karya) to prosper.
5. Karyesh is the significator of the Karya (activity) and will vary from one chart to another depending on the activity involved. For example, in the Dasāṁśa (profession) a person can have many Karyesh depending on the activities he is involved in. As an example let us consider President Bill Clinton. He is a politician and also a lawyer. The Karyesh for politics is the Sun (note – Moon is for Bureaucracy) and that for a legal profession is Jupiter. Depending on the placement and strength of these planets in the Dasāṁśa, the rise or fall or changes in career can be studied and predicted. The concept of Argala is vital to determine as to which of these Karyesh shall bloom or perish at any point of time as the daśā’s change.
6. Karaka means significator and are classified into the three categories of Naisargika, Chara and Sthira karaka. Details about Karaka and other basic principles like Rāśi & Graha drishti, Argala etc, can be learnt from any standard book.

Harmonics

Since the twelve sign division is the primary division, it follows that all sub-division of the sign will fall in a sequence that repeats after every twelve divisions. Thus, for example, the D-16 Chart (ṣoḍasāṁśa or Kalāṁśa) will be the first harmonic (or second cycle) of the D-4 Chart (Chaturthāṁśa). This can be expressed mathematically as 16 = (12 x 1)+ (4); where 1 represents the first harmonic. Similarly, the D-40 (Khavedāṁśa) Chart is the third harmonic (or 4^th cycle) of the D-4 Chart as 40 = (12 x 3) + (4).

Table 4: Divisional Charts Cycle

The first cycle of divisional charts from Rāśi chart (D-1) to Dwadasāṁśa (D-12) rules over the physical plane and covers such matters as physical body (D-1), material wealth (D-2), brothers & sisters (D-3), immovable properties (D-4), children (D-7), authority over others (D-5), spouse (D-9), work (D-10) and parents (D-12). The second cycle or first harmonic rules over the conscious plane. Technically it covers charts D-13 to D-24, but Parāśara has restricted the scope to the three primary areas of mental activity namely ṣoḍasāṁśa or Kalāṁśa (D-16) ruling over matters of general mental happiness, luxuries, vehicles etc; Vimsāṁśa (D-20) wherein spiritualism, occult studies etc are examined and Chaturvimsāṁśa (D-24) for all kinds of learning (which is actually considered a heritage from the society). The third cycle or second harmonic rules over the sub-conscious plane covering charts D-25 to D-36. Parāśara advises us to focus on two charts in this group, namely, Nakshetrāṁśa (D-27) for strengths & weaknesses and Trimsāṁśa (D-30) for all evils. For example if the Moon is exalted and placed in a quadrant in the D-27 Chart, we can infer that the native is mentally very strong. A weak Mercury in this chart can show speaking disorders or a weak speech. The fourth cycle or third harmonic rules over the super-conscious plane covering charts D-37 to D-48. However, the good & bad accruing to the destiny of the individual due to the Matrilineal karma (seen from Khavedāṁśa D-40 Chart [as 40 = (12×3) + 4] and that from the Patrilineal Karma (seen from the Akshavedāṁśa D-45 Chart [as 45 = (12×3) + 9] are considered important in the ṣoḍasavarga scheme of Parāśara. The fifth cycle or fourth harmonic rules the supra-conscious plane covering the charts D-49 to D-60. At this level, the heritage (equivalent of D-12) of the karma from past births is relevant and the Shastyāṁśa (D-60 Chart) is vital. Parāśara gives the highest weightage to this chart in the ṣoḍasavarga scheme. There are much higher planes of Consciousness and some other divisional charts like the Nava-Navāṁśa (D-81), Ashtorrāṁśa or Navāṁśa-Dwadasāṁśa (D-108) and Dwadasāṁśa-Dwadasāṁśa (D-144) are used.

Om Tat Sat

1 The ownership of individual divisions & signs by planets has been mentioned in traditional literature: “Mars, Venus, Merc, Moon, Sun, Merc, Ven, Mars, Jup, Saturn, Saturn & Jupiter are the lords of the 12 Rasi’s reckoned from Aries. These planets (in the said order also) lord the Āṁśa’s (Divisions).” Vyankatesh Sharma – Sarvartha Chintamani (Sloka 1.06); Also Kalyan Verma (Saravali Sloka 3.11)
2 Rekha lit. vertical line
3 Bindu lit. Dots. Thus, Rekha and Bindu refer to marks and dots contributed by the individual planets (and Lagna).
4 Two planets can associate by (a) conjunction (b) mutual aspect (c) exchange of signs or constellations, or (d) aspect/placement in each others signs.

Translation: The most prominent and important [sixteen divisions] are kṣetra, horā, dreṣkāṇa, turyāṁśa, saptamāṁśa, navāṁśa, daśamāṁśa, sūryāmśa, ṣoḍaśāṁśa, viṁśāṁśa, vedavāhvaṁśa, bhāṁśa, triṁśāṁśa, khavedāṁśa, akṣavedāṁśa and ṣaṣṭhyaṁśa.

Manas

Manas is said to be in five levels in every creature and the extent of its manifestation depends on the body of the creature as manas is like a coat fitting the body. A dog cannot have the manas like that of man. Manas is at five levels of increasing subtlety in consciousness.

1. Physical consciousness: awareness of people and things that have a form or physical body. Normally we group then as our body (D1), wealth of various kinds (D2), siblings and karmic experiences (D3), property and home (D4), children and dependants (D7), spousal relationships (D9), work related objects and people (D10) and family elders (D12). Then numbers in parenthesis relate to divisional charts, hence the prefix ‘D’ which we learn in this course at a later date. [Parāśara – 8 chakra important]
2. Mental consciousness: knowledge of things like subjects or objects that may not have a form. It is the total knowledge related to anything which can include its nature, attributes, utilitarian value etc. Mental awareness of anything that is of utilitarian value in our lives (D16), spiritual evolution and transformations (D20) and learning and perfection of any material or spiritual knowledge (D24). [Parāśara – 3 chakra important]
3. Subconscious Mind: gray area or border between awareness and the hidden facets of the mind. It is knowledge of some action or karma as bad and still doing it like drugs or marginal knowledge of things like a vague memory or reason. Diseases and suffering first unravel in this plane before they manifest (D30). Strength and weakness of the body and mind are in this subconscious plane (D27). [Parāśara – 2 chakra important]
4. Super-consciousness: This is the area of the outside world related to the lineage and provides the background to everything. Of these the parental background is very important and the matrilineal karma (D40) and patrilineal karma (D45) needs to be studied for blessings and curses. [Parāśara – 2 chakra important]
5. Supra-consciousness: This is the background to previous incarnations of everything including the most important previous incarnation of the self which is impacting the present life experiences (D60). This is the proof of transmigration of soul and the concepts of karma carried over. It is the most important chart for fortune.

Table 2: Overview of Manas Divisions

Maharṣi Parāśara teaches:
Maitreya do listen to my benevolent monologue of [the knowledge of] sixteen divisional charts (varga) which has travelled from the creator (Brahmā) who is the grand-sire of the seven worlds.

Commentary

vargā – divisions, divisional charts; ṣoḍaśa – sixteen; yānā – journey, travelled; brahmā – creator; loka – seven regions of light, sapta-loka; pitāmaha – grandfather, grand-sire, figurative for Jupiter; tāna – mono-tone, monologue; ahaṁ – I (Parāśara refers to himself); sam – benevolent; pravakṣyāmi – from प्रवक्तव्य (pravaktavya) meaning to be announced or imparted or taught or explained

Expansion

That one which is the rāśi chart is now expanding into sixteen charts with each chart like one of the rays of the Moon (Moon has sixteen kalā). This expansion leads
to the complete understanding of the manifested universe influencing the individual. It is called viśvarupa (universal form). (1) This expansion is shown by Śrī Kṛṣṇa to Arjuna in battlefield of Kurukṣetra as taught in the Bhagavat Gītā.
It also refers to (2) A name of the Śiva, (3) The yoked horses of Bṛhaspati, (4) Tri-siras the three-headed son of Tvaṣṭṛ-Āditya, and (5) One of the seven tongues of Agni (fire god)

Viśvarupa Importance

Importance of this Viśvarupa form has been taught by Lord Śiva in the Padma purāṇa. Read the teachings and importance of reciting the eleventh chapter of Bhagavad Gītā seven times every day. You must understand why you are doing this. So download and read the teachings of Lord Śiva.

As a jyotiṣa you need to develop the purity to be of help to the people who are suffering and in order to have the spiritual purity, you need to do the Viśvarupa sādhanā. Yogi Karve of Maharashtra worshipped Śrī Viśvarupa (Kṛṣṇa universal form) and developed the vision to see the birth time of any person who had only the birth date to start with. The particular form of Śrī Jagannāth is called dāru-brahma (wood-universal form) as the idol of Jagannāth is made of wood only. Jagannāth is a synonym for Jagat-Iśvara which has been used by Lord Śiva. The Viśvarupa sādhanā is required to develop the vision to fathom the universe as it expands through the ṣoḍaśa-varga. One chart is enough to make the mind of a good astrologer perplexed, then what to talk of the capability required to fathom the depth of the sixteen divisions. You are born in a human body with this capacity which is in a latent form. Unleash your potential by doing the Viśvarupa sādhanā.

Viśvarupa Sādhanā

Step 1: Recite Guru vandanā, light lamp for Jagannāth. Get a picture or wooden idol of Jagannāth Mahāprabhu. Those who can, should do pūjā of Śrī Jagannāth Kṛṣṇa.
Step 2: Recite Bṛhaspati Gāyatrī [10 repetitions minimum, 108 preferred]

Step 3: Recite Viṣṇu Gāyatrī [10 repetitions minimum, 108 preferred]

Step 4: Recite Bhagavat Gītā Chapter-11 [7 repetitions] Seven repetitions of the Bhagavat Gītā are also indicated by Parāśara in the word ‘lokapitāmahaḥ’ [sapta-loka] i.e. one repetition for each loka will remove sins of all seven loka.

Consider buying a copy of the Bhagavat Gītā (pocket edition) which you can carry all the time