Ashtakavarga: Scoring The Houses

Ashtakavarga is a scoring system. For each sign, every planet (and the ascendant) gives either a point (bindu) or no point, by fixed rules. The scores show how much support each sign has.

Two kinds of tables

• Bhinnashtakavarga (BAV) — a separate table for each planet, scoring the twelve signs from 0 to 8.
• Sarvashtakavarga (SAV) — the total of all the planets' tables. The scores of the twelve signs add up to 337.

Reading the totals

• An average sign has about 28 points in the SAV.
• Houses with more than 28 points tend to give their results more easily.
• Houses with fewer than 25 points tend to need more effort.

For example, a strong 10th and 11th house in the SAV supports career and gains; a high 12th house can mean high expenses.

Using it for transits

Ashtakavarga is especially useful for transits. When Saturn transits a sign where its own table has 4 or more points, the transit is usually easier; with 0–2 points it asks for more care. The same applies to Jupiter and the other planets.

Strengths and limits

Ashtakavarga is objective and easy to calculate, which makes it a good cross-check. But it does not replace the reading of houses, lords and dashas. TRAC shows both tables on the chart page and uses the scores as one voice among several.

How points are given

For each planet, classical rules list the houses (counted from each of the eight reference points — the seven planets and the ascendant) where it gives a point. For example, the Sun gives points in its own table in the 1st, 2nd, 4th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th and 11th houses from itself, and in fixed houses from each of the other reference points. Software does this counting instantly.

A worked example

In a chart, the 10th house has 34 points in the Sarvashtakavarga and the 12th house has 22. This suggests that career efforts give good returns and that expenses are moderate. If Saturn transits the 10th house where its own table has 5 points, the transit is likely to bring solid work results rather than pressure.

Kakshya: finer timing

Each sign is further divided into eight parts of 3°45', called kakshyas, ruled in order by Saturn, Jupiter, Mars, the Sun, Venus, Mercury, the Moon and the ascendant. When a transiting planet passes through a kakshya whose ruler gave a point, that part of the transit is supportive. This helps time events within a long transit.

Common mistakes

• Using the total alone. A house with average points can still be strong if its lord is excellent.
• Comparing scores across charts. Ashtakavarga is best used within one chart, to compare its own houses.

Frequently asked questions

Why is the total always 337? Because the number of points each planet gives is fixed by the rules; only their distribution changes.

Which is more useful, BAV or SAV? The SAV for judging houses; each planet's BAV for judging its transits.

Key points to remember

• Each planet gives points to signs; the total of all is 337.
• Houses above about 28 points give results more easily; below 25 need more effort.
• A planet's own table judges its transits; kakshyas refine timing within a sign.
• Use Ashtakavarga as a cross-check with houses, lords and dashas.