Divisional Charts (Vargas) Explained

The main birth chart (D-1, or Rashi chart) shows the whole life. Divisional charts, called vargas, divide each sign into smaller parts and build a new chart from them. Each one looks at a single subject more closely.

The most used divisional charts

• D-2 Hora — wealth and resources.
• D-3 Drekkana — siblings, courage and effort.
• D-4 Chaturthamsa — home, property and fixed assets.
• D-7 Saptamsa — children.
• D-9 Navamsa — marriage, the spouse, and the inner strength of every planet.
• D-10 Dashamsa — career and achievements.
• D-12 Dwadashamsa — parents.
• D-16 Shodashamsa — vehicles and comforts.
• D-20 Vimshamsa — spiritual practice.
• D-24 Chaturvimshamsa — education and learning.
• D-60 Shashtyamsa — the deepest layer, used with great care.

Why the Navamsa matters most

The Navamsa divides each sign into nine parts of 3°20'. It is read alongside every birth chart. A planet that is weak in the main chart but strong in the Navamsa often improves with time; a planet strong in the main chart but weak in the Navamsa may promise more than it delivers. When a planet is in the same sign in both charts, it is called vargottama and is considered strengthened.

How to use them

Read a divisional chart only for its own subject, and always together with the main chart. The main chart shows whether something is indicated; the divisional chart shows its quality and detail.

Birth time sensitivity

The higher the division, the faster it changes. The D-60 changes about every two minutes. If the birth time is not exact, give more weight to the main chart and the Navamsa, and less to the high divisions.

How a divisional chart is made — the Navamsa example

Each sign of 30° is cut into nine parts of 3°20'. The first part of each sign begins from a fixed starting sign:

• For movable signs (Aries, Cancer, Libra, Capricorn), counting starts from the sign itself.
• For fixed signs (Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, Aquarius), it starts from the 9th sign from it.
• For dual signs (Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius, Pisces), it starts from the 5th sign from it.

So a planet at 5° Aries falls in the second part of Aries and goes to Taurus in the Navamsa. A planet at 5° Taurus falls in the second part of Taurus; counting starts from Capricorn (the 9th from Taurus), so it goes to Aquarius.

A worked example of reading the Navamsa

Venus is in Virgo (its debilitation) in the main chart, which can suggest a slow start in relationships. In the Navamsa, Venus is in Pisces (its exaltation). Astrologers read this as a weakness that improves: the person may have early hesitation or disappointment but finds a good, lasting relationship later. Reading the main chart alone would have missed this.

The Dashamsa for career

In the D-10, look at the 10th house, its lord and the planets in kendras. A strong Sun suggests government or leadership roles; a strong Mercury, business and communication; a strong Saturn, steady service and technical work. When the dasha lord is strong in the D-10, career growth in that period is more likely.

Common mistakes

• Reading houses of a varga for every subject. Use each divisional chart for its own subject.
• Trusting high divisions with a doubtful time. The D-60 can change every two minutes.
• Ignoring the main chart. A varga refines; it does not replace the D-1.

Frequently asked questions

Which divisional charts should a beginner learn? Start with the Navamsa (D-9), then the Dashamsa (D-10). Together with the main chart they cover most questions.

What is vargottama? A planet in the same sign in the main chart and the Navamsa. It is considered steady and strong.