
The divisions of the signs and the construction of Divisional charts from them are based on certain principles and bear certain characteristics.
Principle of equal span
The divisions of the signs are normally equal in size except for two very high divisions (Nāḍi and Ardha Nāḍi aṁśa i.e. the D-150 and D-300). For example, the Navāṁśa is the one-ninth division of a sign i.e. 1/9th portion of 30° = 3°20’. The span of every Navāṁśa is 3°20’ arc. This uniformity continues in all divisions except in the Nāḍi-aṁśa, which is based on the principle of Chandra Kala Nāḍi[1]. However, scholars are divided in this issue and a majority feels that the principle of equal span for all divisions is based on the mapping of time divisions with the divisions in geocentric zodiac and this will invariably produce uniformity in the size of the divisions. This issue has been discussed under Nāḍiāṁśa and the principle of equal span has been followed in all other divisions. The only Parāśara ṣoḍaśa varga that falls into the category of unequal divisions in the broad view is the trimśāṁśa (D30 Chart). Trimśāṁśa means 1° [1 rāśi ÷30 parts = 30°÷ 30= 1°] but the Parāśara trimśāṁśa works at the level of the tattva afflictions and has five spans of 5°+5°+7°+8°+5°. This is basically the ṣaṣṭāṁśa D6 chart of six equal 5° spans, converted into five unequal spans.
Regular and irregular ownership
The reckoning of the ownership of the divisions is normally regular in that the first division of a succeeding sign is in continuity with the last division ownership of the preceding sign. For example, the last Navāṁśa of Aries is Sagittarius and Taurus succeeds Aries. The first Navāṁśa of Taurus is Capricorn which is the sign following Sagittarius in the regular order of reckoning. Thus, the Navāṁśa is a regular division. However, the last Dasāṁśa of Aries is Capricorn and the first Dasāṁśa of Taurus is also Capricorn. Thus, the ownership of the Dasāṁśa divisions is not regular when proceeding from one sign to another. Hence, the Dasāṁśa is an irregular division. The exceptions have been explained in each of the subsequent chapters.
Kalyāṇavermā mathematical model
Kalyāṇavermā has given a simple mathematical model for determining the number of divisions advanced by any planet (or Lagna) in a sign. It maybe noted that this model merely helps to calculate the number of divisions advanced and the number arrived at finally is not the sign number (as has been erroneously used by some astrologers).
liptānāmaṣṭādaśaśatāni parivartanaiḥ svagṛhāt|| 3|17
Translation: …Each Rāśi has 1800 Kala[2] [since 30° x 60’ = 1800’].
अष्टादशशतभक्ता लब्धः स्यादीषिसतो वर्गः॥ ३।१८
lagnādināṁ liptā jñeyāḥ svagṛhādivargasaṁgaripatāḥ|
aṣṭādaśaśatabhaktā labdhaḥ syādīṣisato vargaḥ|| 3|18
To calculate the number of divisions advanced by any planet/Lagna its longitude (irrespective of signs) is converted into minutes of arc, multiplied by the D-Chart number and divided by 1800 (the total longitude of a sign). The quotient is converted into the next higher integer (irrespective of whether the remainder is more or less than half).
Illustration: Calculate the Horā (D-2), Drekkāṇa (D-3), Navāṁśa (D-9) and Dasāṁśa (D-10) of Jupiter placed at 26007’ in Pisces.
Step-1: Ignoring the sign placement in Pisces, we have the longitude as 26007’ = (26 x 60) + 7 = 1567’
Step-2: Multiply the longitude (1567’) by the D-Chart Number and divide by 1800.
Step-3: Whatever be the remainder, convert it to the next higher integer. This gives the division it is placed in.
Longitude × Division ÷ 1800 | = | Next Integer | Jupiter is in the… | |
1567 × 2÷1800 |
1.741 |
2.000 |
2nd Horā |
of Pi |
1567 × 3÷1800 |
2.612 |
3.000 |
3rd Drekkāṇa |
of Pi |
1567 × 9÷1800 |
7.835 |
8.000 |
8th Navāṁśa |
of Pi |
1567 × 10÷1800 |
8.706 |
9.000 |
9th Dasāṁśa |
of Pi |
Illustration: Determine the ṣoḍaśavarga of the Lagna having a longitude of 15°31’23” in Cancer.
Step-1: Longitude = 15°31’ 23” | |||||
Converted to Minutes = | 931.3833 | ||||
Step-2 |
Step-3 |
||||
Varga |
D-Chart |
Long x D |
Integer |
Lagna is in.. |
|
1800 |
|||||
Horā | 2 | 1.03487 |
2 |
2 |
Horā of Cancer |
Drekkāṇa | 3 | 1.552306 |
2 |
2 |
Drekkāṇa of Cancer |
Turyāṁśa | 4 | 2.069741 |
3 |
3 |
Turyāṁśa of Cancer |
Saptāṁśa | 7 | 3.622046 |
4 |
4 |
Saptāṁśa of Cancer |
Navāṁśa | 9 | 4.656917 |
5 |
5 |
Navāṁśa of Cancer |
Dasāṁśa | 10 | 5.174352 |
6 |
6 |
Dasāṁśa of Cancer |
Sūryāṁśa | 12 | 6.209222 |
7 |
7 |
Sūryāṁśa of Cancer |
Ṣoḍaśāṁśa | 16 | 8.278963 |
9 |
9 |
Ṣoḍaśāṁśa of Cancer |
Vimśāṁśa | 20 | 10.3487 |
11 |
11 |
Vimśāṁśa of Cancer |
Siddhāṁśa | 24 | 12.41844 |
13 |
13 |
Siddhāṁśa of Cancer |
Bhāṁśa | 27 | 13.97075 |
14 |
14 |
Bhāṁśa of Cancer |
Trimśāṁśa | 30 | 15.52306 |
16 |
16 |
Trimśāṁśa of Cancer |
Khavedāṁśa | 40 | 20.6974 |
21 |
21 |
Khavedāṁśa of Cancer |
Akṣavedāṁśa | 45 | 23.2845 |
24 |
24 |
Akṣavedāṁśa of Cancer |
ṣaṣṭiāṁśa | 60 | 31.0461 |
32 |
32 |
ṣaṣṭiāṁśa of Cancer |
Microscopic view of specific house in Rāśi Chart
The Rāśi chart is the body of the native and shows how he shall view this world and shall react to the various inputs from the environment. Other divisional charts as like a microscopic magnification of one of the aspects dealt with one specific house (at least) in the Rāśi Chart. For example, the Dasāṁśa (D-10 Chart) shows the working environment of the individual and his career. In the Rāśi Chart, the same is examined from the tenth house. Thus, the tenth house in the Rāśi chart has expanded into another complete chart making the examination of events easier. Such a simultaneous examination of the Rāśi Chart and any individual D-Chart is called the microscopic examination and essentially reveals hidden attributes and ways in which the native shall react to the inputs coming from the specific environment.
Independent view
The Divisional charts are independent aspects of the environment and hence, can be examined independent of the Rāśi Chart as well. Such an independent examination reveals details of how the matters concerned exist, influence and change with time. It shows the changes in the environment itself. Whether a person is on leave or holiday, his office may continue to function and people may continue to do the things the do. Various changes like new regulations, orders, colleagues joining and leaving continue. These changes may affect the native directly or indirectly and the Dasāṁśa shall reveal all these changes.
Independent planetary dignity
The dignity of a planet like placement in exalted, own, friendly or debilitated sign in the D-chart has an independent say in the affairs related to the concerned chart. Say a planet is exalted in a quadrant in the kṣetra (rāśi chart) and debilitated or in a duṣthāna[3] in the siddhāṁśa (D24) and say that the daśā of the said planet were to function in childhood. Then we would have one naughty child in our hands who would have excellent health, running around all the time and refusing to study (siddhāṁśa the D-24 chart shows the education environment and its impact).
However like the Navāṁśa[4] (D-9 Chart) the dignities of the planets in other varga charts shall also affect the Rāśi Chart. Man is not divorced from his environment. The environment is the varga chakra and the D1 chart is the assimilation of all these various influences. These include:
- Nīcabhañga: A planet placed in debility (Nīca) in the Rāśi chart, if exalted in the Navāṁśa results in Nīcabhañga or cancellation (Bhaṅga) of debility. It indicates a sudden rise in fortune.
- Uccabhañga: A planet placed in exaltation (ucca) in the rāśi chart, if placed in debility in the Navāṁśa chart results in uccabhañga or cancellation of exaltation. It indicates a sudden reversal in fortune.
- Vargottama: A planet/lagna placed in the same sign in the Rāśi and Navāṁśa is said to have the privileged status of being Vargottama and shall generally give very beneficial results.
- More to be taught in the course
[1] Hence the name of one of the important Nāḍi texts is Chandrakalā nāḍi.
[2] minutes
[3] Duṣthāna are the evil 6,8 & 12 house.
[4] Navāṁśa is also called the Dharma-āṁśa. After a person dies, only Dharma follows him to the next life. It is for this reason the Navāṁśa has the power to alter, upset or strengthen the Rasi chart based on the dignities and placement of planets in it. It gives the blessings or curses we have carried forward from an unclosed Karmic account.