Astrology dictionary: 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
Chandra (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
