Astrology Glossary

The following is the glossary of the astrological terms used in the Indian Vedic astrology. Please note that in the Sanskrit language several of these words have other meanings but here only the relevant astrological meaning is given.

Abhijit: An “extra”, 28th Nakshatra which is taken in to consideration in the olden days.

Ahargana: Days since creation

AK: Abbreviation for Atma karaka

Amatyakaraka: The planet with the second highest degree in the birth chart.

AmK: Abbreviation for Amatya karaka

Amshas: Divisional charts such as Navamsha and Saptamsha

Anuradha: One of the 27 nakshatras

Ardra: One of the 27 nakshatras

Argala: Obstruction

Ari: 6th house

Ashlesha: One of the 27 nakshatras

Ashtakavarga: A system of determining the effects of planets in transit, and the strength of houses in the birth chart.

Ashwini: One of the 27 nakshatras

Atma Karaka: The planet with the highest degree in the birth chart

Avastha: “State” there are several kinds of states that planets can bein.

The Avasthas: Conditions of the planets calculated based on different criteria and give a more precise understanding of how the planet in question behaves in the chart.

Ayana Bala: A source of strength due to the planet’s declination. Each planet is strongest either North or South of the equator. Ayana Bala in one of the components of Kala Bala.

Ayanamsha: The difference between the Tropical and sidereal zodiac in degrees.

Bala: Strength

Balava: One of the Karanas (half-lunar days)

Bhandu: 4th house

Bharani: One of the 27 nakshatras

Bhava: House

Bhava chart: A chart cast using unequal houses. (this chart is different from the Bhava Lagna chart)

Bhava Karaka: The “house significator”; the planet that represents or signifies a house

Bhava Lagna: One of three special ascendants, mathematically derived from the time from sunrise to birth. This chart is different from the Bhava chart, which used the regular ascendant.

Bhava Madya: The midpoint of a house

Bhava Sandhi: Junction of two houses

Bhavat bhavam: The house which is as far from the house concerned, as the concerned house is from the ascendant; for example the 4th from the 4th (7th house), or the 9th from the 9th (5th house)

Bhayat: The expired portion of the Nakshatra; the part that is already past through. This is used for calculating the dasha balance at birth

Bindu: A benefic dot, used in ashtakavarga

Binnashtakavarga: The individual bindus (points) that a planet gains in the 12 signs.

BK: Abbreviation for Bhratru karaka

Brahma: A special qualification for that planet that meets the Brahma requirements. Brahma is used to determine the first dasha in the Sthira dasha system.

Buddh (Bu): Mercury

Chakra: Chart

Chandr (Ch): Moon

Chapa (Cp): One of the Upa Grahas

Chara dasha: A sign based dasha system where the length of each dasha period is variable, dependant on the particular location of the planets in one’s chart. (Chara means movable or changeable)

Chara Rashi: Movable sign: Aries, Cancer, Libra and Capricorn