Vedic Hindu Astrology

Vedic Hindu astrological system evolved in ancient India as an original study concerning the position of celestial bodies in the outer universe and their influence over the earthly beings. It is also referred to as 'Jyotish Shastra' which implies the study or wisdom of enlightenment. As Jyotish Shastra belongs to the Vedanta, an integral component of Vedas, hence it is referred to as Vedic astrology. There are significant differences between Vedic Hindu astrology and Western astrology; however, the major difference comes with the notion of using zodiac symbols. While the former uses Sidereal system or permanent or unchanging zodiac symbols, the later considers Tropical system or dynamic or changing zodiac symbols. The variation between both zodiacs (Ayansmsa) is around 23 which reflect almost an entire sign. This implies that the Sun-sign you have seen in the newspaper or magazine is not same as your Vedic Sun-sign. In fact, it is usually one sign back compared to Western astrological system. For example, if you are having Libra as your zodiac sign according to Western astrological system, quite likely you are having Virgo as your zodiac sign according to Vedic Hindu astrological system.

Another significant difference is marked since Western astrology primarily deals with one's dynamics of psyche and personality pattern, but Vedic Hindu astrology interacts on the basis of one's karmic patterns.

Fundamental Components of Vedic Hindu Astrology

The most fundamental components of Vedic Hindu astrological study includes the understanding of nine planets or heavenly bodies as well as 12 zodiac signs and 12 houses of the astrological chart. Vedic Hindu Astrology is truly based on the rich heritage of ancient Hindu culture and philosophy. A clear understanding and expertise in Sanskrit language is strongly recommended for taking the optimum advantage of this study in question. Before considering this area of astrology, we will expound few terminologies that are typical to the knowledge of Sanskrit and Vedic Hindu astrology. The word 'planet' is referred to as 'graha', zodiac is 'rashi' and house is 'bhava' or 'sthana'.
The nine grahas as used in Vedic Hindu astrological system are defined as follows:

Common Name	Sanskrit Name
Sun	Ravi
Moon	Chandra
Mars	Kuja or Mangala
Mercury	Budha
Jupiter	Guru
Venus	Shukra
Saturn	Shani
	Rahu
	Ketu

The 12 signs, their lords or Adhipatis and their traits are described as follows:

Sun Sign	Sanskrit Name	Lord (Adhipati)	Nature (Prakriti)	Sex (Linga)	Motion (Gati)
Aries	Mesha	Mars	Fire	M	Dynamic
Taurus	Vrishaba	Venus	Earth	F	Steady
Gemini	Mithuna	Mercury	Air	M	Common
Cancer	Karkata	Moon	Water	F	Dynamic
Leo	Simha	Sun	Fire	M	Steady
Virgo	Kanya	Mercury	Earth	F	Common
Libra	Thula	Venus	Air	M	Dynamic
Scorpio	Vrischika	Mars	Water	F	Steady
Sagittarius	Dhanus	Jupiter	Fire	M	Common
Capricorn	Makara	Saturn	Earth	F	Dynamic
Aquarius	Kumbha	Saturn	Air	M	Steady
Pisces	Meena	Jupiter	Water	F	Common

However, the Vedic Hindu astrological chart is divided into two segments. It is believed that these differences in the pattern of the development of these two types of chart arise from the notion of Aryans and non-Aryans people, now characterized as North-Indian style and South-Indian style respectively.

Each sthana qualifies for a span of 30?, hence the entire astrological chart comprises of 360? altogether.
There is a wide array of astrological charts obtained from the primary astrological chart, referred to as Rashi chart. These may include –
Rashi Chart – The Fundamental One
Hora
Drekkana
Chaturthamsha
Sapthamsha
Astamsha
Navamsha Kundali – this one is very important in the perspective of astrological calculation and it is taken into consideration along with Rashi Chart.
Dashamsha
Shodashamsha
Vimshamsha
Chaturvimshamsha
Bhamsha
Thrimshamsha
Khavedamsha
Akshavedamsha
Shastyamsha

The Significance of Sthana (House)

Pratham Sthana (First House)
The first house or pratham sthana is referred to as lagnasthan, tanusthan which represents life, endurance, personality, wellbeing and appearance of the original. This house is responsible for facial appearance, vivacity, pains, and profits to younger siblings and close companions. It influences head and face predominantly.
Ditiyo Sthana (Second House)
The second house or ditiyo sthana influences inflow of finances, financial stability, and condition of right eye, family dynamics, early childhood, and spiritual orientation. When located on this house, it indicates income, damage of materialistic possessions, and loss of grandfather or maternal figure. It predominantly influences domestic harmony, right eye condition, issues concerning inheritance, legal matters and throat condition in general. This sthana is referred to as dhana sthana, kutumb sthana.
Tritiyo Sthana (Third House)
This is referred to as bhatru sthana, parakram sthana. It is assumed to govern the relationship between younger brothers and sisters. Characterized with courageous behavior, intellect, academics to medium level, writing skills, limited travels, this sthana is responsible signing contracts and documentations. Arms, right ear, shoulders etc are influenced by this sthana.
Choturtha Sthana (Fourth House)
This sthana is known as matru sthana, sukha sthana. This sthana is responsible to create influence over mother, possessions, transportation, domestic choirs and environments and contentment. In addition, this sthana governs elderly surroundings, confidential dealings, civic, heritage, counterfeit accusations, farming land and its produce. The body parts representing this sthana include breasts, chest, lung, stomach, elbow joints etc.
Pancham Sthana (Fifth House)
This sthana is referred to as vidya sthana, putra sthana. Responsible for influencing offspring, rumor, academic condition and destiny, this house integrally governs the areas associated with enjoyment, love affairs, affections, lady love, legal or illegal enjoyments, abduction, rape and sexual abuse, etc. The bodily areas influenced under this sthana are stomach, heart, liver, and spleen.
Shastha Sthana (Sixth House)
This sthana is known as ripu sthana, rog sthana. This sthana governs events and activities related to rivals, physical condition, profession, close relatives and paternal relatives. This sthana is particularly responsible for any occurrences concerning foodstuffs, assistants, liabilities, obstructions facing in life, psychological anxieties and stresses, robbery and catastrophe etc. Kidney, large intestine, uterus and anus are the most affected body parts of this sthana.
Saptam Sthana (Seventh House)
This sthana is referred to as bharya sthana, maraka sthana. The position of this sthana is crucially important for marital balance and success. Almost all the critical aspects including spouse understanding, companionship between spouses, health of external sex organs, marital satisfaction and pleasure are governed by this sthana. In addition, this sthana also influences love connections, litigations, divorce, reputation and status in foreign country. This sthana influences the hidden and private body parts including uterus, glands etc.
Ashtam Sthana (Eighth House)
This sthana is referred to as mrutyu sthana. This sthana is directly associated with our various diseases, life span, quality of life, internal sex organs, psychological disorders, dowry, inheritance or gifts from in-laws, death, incarceration, anxieties and stresses. Scrotum, pelvis, seminal vesicles, external and genitalia are influenced by this sthana.
Nabam Sthana (Ninth House)
This sthana is referred to as bhagya sthana and is directly linked up with destiny of an individual. This sthana influences foreign travel, exposure, preceptor, higher edification, scholarship, plus reliance, wisdom, wealth, powers of prudence, spiritual organizations, fortunate help, etc. This sthana influences hips, and thighs.
Dasham Sthana (Tenth House)
This sthana is known as karma sthana, pitru sthana. This sthana integrally governs the areas associated with fatherly figures, life status, outdoor activities, excitements, honor, authoritative power, authority favor, business, leadership qualities, adoption in family. This sthana also answers all the queries related to materialistic activities and burden. Knees, joints, bones, hairs and back are the influential body parts.
Ekadash Sthana (Eleventh House)
This sthana is referred to as labha sthana. As its name suggests, this sthana is associated with accumulation of wealth, siblings' relationships, unpredictable fortune, club or social activities, emotional relationships and attachments, romantic relationships, friends, admiration, shared success etc. Legs, left ear, teeth, ankle etc. are mostly governed by this sthana.
Dadash Sthana (Twelfth House)
This sthana is known as vyaya sthana. This sthana characterizes hidden rivals, sexual pleasure, legal issues, incarceration, spiritual enlightenment, hospitalization, non-marital sexual relationship, pains, and liabilities. Feet, left eye, teeth etc. are the body parts mostly influenced by the position of this sthana.

Chart Prediction

Essentially there are two ingredients of chart. One is casting the astrological chart by analyzing different necessary components such as date of birth, time of birth, place of birth. The second ingredient is of course prediction of chart which includes future prediction of the concerned individual on the basis of the analyzed birth chart.
The casting portion predominantly includes mathematical and astronomical understanding where the movements or gati of the grahas are taken under consideration. Depending on the planetary position or grahabasthana of the birth time, the casting of the chart is conducted. On the other hand, prediction of astrological chart involves an in-depth study of the influences of different grahas or planets in different rashis or zodiacs.
During the prediction of the astrological chart, the combined influence of different planets or grahas is taken into consideration. If any sthana or house is inhabited by more than one grahas, it offers a combined influence in that particular sthana.