Basic Components of Vedic Astrology

The basic components of vedic astrology are the rasis (signs), the nakshatras, the bhavas (houses), the grahas (planets), and the lagna.

The vedic chart represents the positions of the grahas in the sky as seen from the Earth. The ecliptic is the apparent annual path of the Sun around the Earth. The grahas zig-zag in a narrow zone, of about 8 degrees, around the ecliptic called the zodiac. The zodiac forms the backdrop for the chart.

Rasis and Nakshatras

The zodiac is divided into 12 rasis and 27 nakshatras. Therefore, the rasis and the nakshatras represent the environment in which the story of our life is enacted. For example, Aries is energetic and fiery. Any graha in this rasi will imbibe those qualities. Please click through to learn about the characteristics of the rasis and the nakshatras.

Grahas and Bhavas

The grahas and bhavas represent the different aspects of our lives. These can be the people in our life like our father, mother…, the physical objects in our lives like property, vehicles, job… , and our physical attributes like intelligence, courage….

Vedic astrology considers nine grahas. Seven of the nine are visible grahas – Sun, Moon, Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn. The other two Rahu and Ketu are mathematical points, where the Moon’s orbit cuts through the ecliptic on its northern and southern course. For example, Mars represents our younger siblings, property, and courage.

There are twelve bhavas in the chart, numbered one through twelve. For example, the fourth bhava represents our mother, property, and emotions.

Please click through to learn the significances of the bhavas and grahas.

The lagna

Finally, the lagna is the degree rising on the eastern horizon at the time and place of our birth. The lagna represent our self, or us. This is the single most important factor in the chart.

The study of astrology, in short, is to understand the interactions of these basic components of vedic astrology to help us gain a better understanding of our self and our destiny.

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