An algorithm for analysing a horoscope in Vedic astrology

The various components of a horoscope are studied in the following way.

To understand what a planet represents, the following factors must be considered:

• the house in which the planet is placed;
• the houses it rules;
• the natural karakatvas of the planet;
• its functional duties;
• the strength of the planet;
• its mahadasha and the subperiods;
• the transits of other planets over its natal position;
• the aspects the planet receives;
• the dispositor of the planet.

Before beginning the analysis, check that you have the following charts:

• the birth chart (Janma-kundali);
• the lunar chart (Chandra-kundali);
• the chart of the house boundaries (Bhava-kundali);
• the Navamsha D9 chart, by which the strength of the planets and of the yogas is determined;
• the appropriate divisional charts (Saptamsha D7 for questions about children, Dashamsha D10 for the career and so on)
• the Varshaphala chart (the annual horoscope);
• the chart of the planetary transits at the moment of the analysis.

The astrologer also needs the following data for the analysis

• the longitudes of all the planets and of the house cusps (they are used to determine the strength of the planets, the aspects, the placements in the nakshatras, the aspects of the Tajaka system and so on);
• the current planetary period and subperiods, their rulers, the dates and the balance of the dasha;
• the transit positions of the planets at the moment of the analysis of the chart relative to the Lagna of birth.

The sequence in which a horoscope is studied

1. First the house itself is considered:

• the natural significations of the house (the karakatvas);
• the planets placed in it;
• the aspects on the house and on the planets standing in it;
• the condition of the lord of the house and its placement relative to the Lagna;
• whether the ruler is well placed relative to its own house.

2. Next comes the analysis of the condition of the lord of the house:

• in which sign and house it is placed;
• the aspects to the ruler of the house and their nature;
• which planets are joined to the lord of the house;
• its significations (karakatvas);
• whether it is in exaltation, in debilitation, in a friendly or a hostile sign;
• whether it undergoes combustion, defeat in a planetary war, or weakness for other reasons.

3. Next we study the karaka of the house

To have an idea of what fruits a particular house will bring, all three of these groups of factors must be analysed together: the house, its ruler and its karaka.

4. To determine the general strength of the horoscope we study the condition of the Lagna, of the Lagnesha, of its dispositor, its conjunctions with other planets and the aspects. After that one should pay attention to the 9th house and its lord. Then assess the Lagna and the 9th house from the Moon. By means of this analysis the strength of the horoscope can be determined.

5. The well-being of a person may be judged by the following factors:

• the Lagnesha of the natal chart;
• the ruler of the Lagna of the Navamsha chart;
• the lord of the nakshatra of birth;
• their dispositors.

The ruler of the Janma-tara is the name given to the lord of the nakshatra of the Lagna or of the Moon, depending on which of them is the stronger. Usually the strength of the Moon and of the Lagnesha is compared on the basis of their Shadbala figures, but if it is not accuracy but speed of calculation that matters, then such parameters as exaltation, placement in one’s own sign, Vargottama and so on will help to determine approximately the stronger of the two.

The placement, condition and strength of four factors are subject to assessment: the Lagnesha, the Lagnesha of the Navamsha, the lord of the nakshatra of birth and their dispositors.

If all four components are sufficiently strong, the person will possess an enviable potential; if their condition is mediocre, the person will be less successful. When two factors out of the four are well placed in the chart, the person will attain moderate success, and if only one of the elements has strength, the person’s position will be a very modest one. When all the indicators are weak, the person’s life will be unremarkable.

6. It should be noted that any promises present in the divisional charts, in the annual horoscope or in the chart of transits, but not marked in the birth chart, are unlikely to be realised in actuality. Without the natal Rashi chart the other charts have no force.

Sri Govind Swarup Agarwal — «Vedic Astrology»