Vedic Astrology derives superlative precision in predictive techniques due to concept of divisional charts. The term ‘division’ refers to the division of a rashi (sign) into parts. Each such fractional part of a sign is known as an amsa, and bears a special arena of significance and influence associated with it.
Traditionally, there are sixteen vargas, or divisional charts used in Vedic Astrology.
D-1: It is also known as Rashi Chart or Kshetra Chakra.
D-2: It is known as Hora Chart, and in this divisional chart, each rashi is divided into 2 equal parts of 15° each.
D-3: It is known as Drekkana.
Each rashi is divided into 3 equal parts of 10° each.
Bodies in the first 10° of a rashi are placed in drekkana chart in the same rashi.
Bodies in the middle 10° of a rashi are placed in drekkana chart in the 5th from the rashi.
Bodies in the last 10° of a rashi are placed in drekkana chart in the 9th from the rashi.
D-4: It is known as Chaturthamsa or Turyamsa.
In this divisional chart, each rashi is divided into 4 equal parts of 7.5° each.
Bodies in the first, second, third and fourth 7.5° arc of a rasi are in the 1st, 4th, 7th and 10th from that rashi, respectively.
D-5: It is known as Panchamsa.
In this divisional chart, each rashi is divided into 5 equal parts of 6° each.
Bodies in the 5 parts of an odd rashi go into Aries, Aquarius, Sagittarius, Gemini and Libra respectively.
Bodies in the 5 parts of an even rashi go into Taurus, Virgo, Pisces, Capricorn and Scorpio respectively.
D-6: It is known as Shashtamsa.
In this divisional chart, each rashi is divided into 6 equal parts of 5° each.
If the rashi is odd, bodies in the 6 parts of a rashi go into the 6 rashis starting from Aries
If the rashi is even, bodies in the 6 parts of a rashi go into the 6 rashis starting from Libra
D-7: It is known as Saptamsa.
In this divisional chart, each rashi is divided into 7 equal parts of 4° 17′ 8.57”.
Bodies in the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th and 7th parts of a rashi go into the 7 rasis starting from the rashi itself (if its an odd sign).
Or starting from the 7th sign from it, if it is an even rashi.
D-8: It is known as Ashtamsa.
In this divisional chart, each rashi is divided into 8 equal parts of 3° 45′ each.
Bodies in the eight parts of a rashi go into the 8 rashis starting from Aries if the rashi is movable.
Bodies in the eight parts of a rashi go into the 8 rashis starting from Sagittarius if the rashi is fixed.
Bodies in the eight parts of a rashi go into the 8 rashis starting from Leo, if the rashi is dual.
D-9: It is known as Navamsa or Dharmamsa.
In this divisional chart, each rashi is divided into 9 equal parts of 3° 20′ each.
Bodies in the 9 parts of a rashi go into the 9 rashis starting from Aries, Capricorn, Libra or Cancer, based on whether the rashi is a fiery, earthy, airy or watery sign.
Fiery signs: Aries, Leo, Sagittarius
Earthy Signs: Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn
Airy signs: Gemini, Libra, Aquarius
Watery signs: Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces
D-10: It is known as Dasamsa or Swargamsa or Karmamsa.
In this divisional chart, each rashi is divided into 10 equal parts of 3° each.
Bodies in the 10 parts of a rashi go into the 10 rashis starting from the rashi itself or the 9th from it, based on whether the rashi is odd or even.
D-11: It is known as Rudramsa or Ekadasamsa.
In this divisional chart, each rashi is divided into 11 equal parts of 2° 43′ 38” each.
We have to count rashis from Aries to the rashi being divided, in the zodiacal order.
After this we have to count the same number of rashis antizodiacally 11 from Aries.
Bodies in the 11 parts of the rashi go into the 11 rashis starting from the rashi found by this method.
D-12: It is known as Dwadasamsa.
In this divisional chart, each rashi is divided into 12 equal parts of 2° 30′ each.
Bodies in the 12 parts of a rashi go into the 12 rashis starting from the rashi itself.
D-16: It is known as Shodasamsa or Kalamsa.
In this divisional chart, each rashi is divided into 16 equal parts of 1° 52′ 30” each.
Bodies in the 16 parts of a rashi go into the 16 rashis starting from Aries, Leo and Sagittarius, based on whether the rashi is movable, fixed or dual.
D-20: It is known as Vimsamsa.
In this divisional chart, each rashi is divided into 20 equal parts of 1° 30′ each.
Bodies in the 20 parts of a rashi go into the 20 rashis starting from Aries, Sagittarius and Leo, based on whether the rashi is movable, fixed or dual.
D-24: It is known as Chaturvimsamsa or Siddhamsa.
In this divisional chart, each rashi is divided into 24 equal parts of 1° 15′ each. Bodies in the 24 parts of a rashi go into the 24 rashis starting from Leo or Cancer, based on whether the rashi is odd or even.
D-27: It is known as Saptavimsamsa or Bhamsa or Nakshatramsa.
In this divisional chart, each rashi is divided into 27 equal parts of 1° 6′ 40” each.
Bodies in the 27 parts of a rashi go into the 12 rashis starting from Aries, Cancer, Libra and Capricorn based on whether the rashi is a fiery, earthy, airy or watery rashi.
D-30: It is known as Trimsamsa.
Odd Rashis:
Bodies in 0°-5° are placed in Aries
Bodies in 5°-10° are placed in Aquarius
Bodies in 10°-18° are placed in Saggitarius
Bodies in 18°-25° are placed in Gemini
Bodies in 25°-30° are placed in Libra
Even Rashis:
Bodies in 0°-5° are placed in Taurus
Bodies in 5°-12° are placed in Virgo
Bodies in 12°-20° are placed in Pisces
Bodies in 20°-25° are placed in Capricorn
Bodies in 25°-30° are placed in Scorpio
D-40: It is known as Khavedamsa or Chatvarimsamsa.
In this divisional chart, each rashi is divided into 40 equal parts of 45′ each. Bodies in the 40 parts of a rashi go into the 40 rashis starting from Aries or Libra, based on whether the rashi is odd or even.
D-45: It is known as Akshavedamsa or Pancha-chatvarimsamsa.
In this divisional chart, each rashi is divided into 45 equal parts of 40′ each. Bodies in the 45 parts of a rashi go into the 45 rashis starting from Aries, Leo or Sagittarius, based on whether the rashi is a movable, fixed or dual rashi.
D-60: It is known as Shashtyamsa.
In this divisional chart, each rashi is divided into 60 equal parts of 30′ each. Bodies in the 60 parts of a rashi go into the 60 rashis starting the rashi itself.
In the next post, I would discuss about significations of each of the divisional chart.
