Divisional Charts

Vargas or Subtle Divisions

It's clear to see how any particular sign lasts an average of two hours, plus or minus a few minutes, on the horizon. This means that everyone born during that time period will have the same planetary alignment in their horoscopes. Also, on the next day, a given sign rises on the horizon at nearly the same time (with a 4-minute difference). Even if two births occurred a day apart, the planetary disposition as well as the rising sign may stay unaltered. Segregation of the natives becomes problematic in the event of twins, where the rising signs and planetary placements are likely to be comparable.

One of the brilliant methods of overcoming the difficulties mentioned above is the use of Vargas or subtle division. Each sign is divided into specific number of parts. Thus, the lagna or rising sign falls in a specific area of the division. Rishi Parashra describes sixteen divisions called as the Shodashavargas. These Vargas not only help segregate the apparently similar charts, they also specifically deals with the specific area & apos s of the native life. Thus, the use of Vargas is vital in order to make accurate and specific predictions.

Sixteen Vargas of Parashara are as follows:

1. Rashi or complete sign of 30deg
2. Hora or one-half of sign(15deg)
3. Drekkana or one-third of a sign (10deg)
4. Chaturthamsha or one-fourth of a sign (7deg30')
5. Saptamansha or one-seventh of a sign (4deg 20')
6. Navamsha or one-ninth of a sign (3deg 20')
7. Dashamsha or one-tenth of a sign (3.00deg)
8. Dwadashamsha or one-twelfth of a sign(2deg 30')
9. Shodashamsha or one-sixteenth of a sign(1deg 52'3")
10. Vimshamsha or one-twentieth of a sign(1deg 30')
11. Chaturvimshamsha or one-twenty-fourth of a sign(1deg 15')
12. Sapta-Vimsha or one-twenty-seventh of a second(1deg 6'40")
13. Trimshamsha or one-thirtieth of a sign(1deg 00")
14. Khavedamsha or one-fortieth of a sign(0deg 45')
15. Aksha-Vedamsha or one-fortieth of a sign(0deg 40')
16. Shashtyamsha or one-sixtieth of a sign(0deg 30')

Purpose of Sixteen Vargas of Parashara are:

Graha Bala or the strength of Planets

Planet produce their results depending upon their strength or weakness in a horoscope. Determination of the exact strength of the planets demands an elaborate mathematical exercise. It is customary to express the strength of the planets in Rupas and Shashtyamshas (i.e. units or subunits) make a Rupa (a unit).

Shadbala or Six-fold Strength

Six different sources of strength combine to give planets its actual strength. These six sources of strength, also known as shadbala, are:

1. Sthana Bala or Positional Strength
2. Dig-Bala or Directional Strength
3. Kaala Bala or Temporal Strength
4. Chesta Bala or Motional Strength
5. Naisargika Bala or Inherent Strength
6. Drig Bala or Aspectual Strength

The Dashas or operational periods of the planets

Vedic astrology's use of the dasha system is a particularly great aspect. The dasha adds a dynamic component to the horoscopic chart, which presents a static picture of the native with its planetary positions. When a suitable dasha operates, the promise stated in a horoscope comes true. As a result, the dashas aid in event timing.

There are numerous dashas system given in Vedic Astrology. The two widely used are:

1. The Vimshottari dasha, with a cycle of 120 years; and
2. The yogini dasha, with the cycle of 36 years.

Vimshottatri, Ashtotari, and Kaal Chakra Dasha are three other well-known dasha systems. There are a few more dasha systems that are only used in a few places of India. The parashri dashas are usually based on nakshatras. That is to say, they are determined by the birth nakshatra or the Moon's nakshatra in the birth chart. The Vimshottari is the most extensively utilised of the various dashas described above.