Vedic Astrology Glossary
A comprehensive reference of key Sanskrit terms used in Jyotish — from Arudha to Yoga. Pronunciations, definitions, and context for the language of Vedic astrology.
Vedic Astrology Glossary
A reference guide to the Sanskrit terms and technical vocabulary of Jyotish (Vedic astrology). Terms are listed alphabetically with pronunciation guides and concise definitions.
Arudha (ah-ROO-duh) — A shadow or reflection of a house, calculated by projecting the house lord’s distance from the house. Arudha Lagna (AL) represents how others perceive you, as opposed to who you actually are.
Ashtakavarga (AHSH-tuh-kuh-VAHR-guh) — A point-based system that assigns scores (0–8) to each sign based on the combined contributions of seven grahas and the Lagna. Used to assess the strength of transiting planets through different signs.
Atmakaraka (AHT-muh-KAH-ruh-kuh) — The planet at the highest degree in any sign in the birth chart. It represents the soul’s deepest desire in this lifetime and plays a central role in the Jaimini system of astrology.
Ayanamsha (ah-yah-NAHM-shuh) — The angular difference between the tropical and sidereal zodiacs, currently approximately 24°. The most commonly used value is the Lahiri ayanamsha, which is the Indian government’s standard.
Bhava (BHAH-vuh) — A house in the astrological chart. The twelve bhavas represent the twelve domains of life, from the body (1st) to liberation (12th). See The 12 Bhavas.
Bhukti (BHOOK-tee) — A sub-period within a Dasha. Also called Antardasha. Each major dasha period is subdivided into nine bhuktis, one for each graha, allowing more precise timing of events.
Chandra (CHUHN-druh) — The Moon. Governs the mind, emotions, mother, and public perception. The Moon’s sign, house, and nakshatra are among the most critical placements in Vedic astrology.
Chara (CHUH-ruh) — Cardinal or movable quality. The four chara rashis (Mesha, Karka, Tula, Makara) initiate action and represent beginnings.
Dasha (DUH-shuh) — A planetary period system used for timing predictions. The most widely used is Vimshottari Dasha, a 120-year cycle determined by the Moon’s nakshatra at birth. Each graha rules a period of specific length during which its themes dominate. See Dasha Systems.
Debilitation (Neecha) — A planet’s weakest sign placement. Each graha has one sign of debilitation where its significations are undermined: Sun in Libra, Moon in Scorpio, Mars in Cancer, Mercury in Pisces, Jupiter in Capricorn, Venus in Virgo, Saturn in Aries.
Drishti (DRISH-tee) — Aspect. In Vedic astrology, all grahas aspect the 7th house from themselves. Additionally, Mars aspects the 4th and 8th, Jupiter aspects the 5th and 9th, and Saturn aspects the 3rd and 10th. Rahu and Ketu follow special rules depending on the tradition.
Dusthana (DOOSH-tuh-nuh) — The difficult houses: 6th, 8th, and 12th. These houses deal with enemies, transformation, and loss — challenging but essential for growth.
Dwiswabhava (DWEE-swuh-BHAH-vuh) — Mutable or dual quality. The four dwiswabhava rashis (Mithuna, Kanya, Dhanu, Meena) are adaptable and carry qualities of two modes.
Exaltation (Uccha) — A planet’s strongest sign placement. Each graha has one sign of exaltation where it expresses its highest potential: Sun in Aries, Moon in Taurus, Mars in Capricorn, Mercury in Virgo, Jupiter in Cancer, Venus in Pisces, Saturn in Libra.
Graha (GRAH-huh) — Literally “that which seizes.” The nine celestial forces of Vedic astrology: Surya, Chandra, Mangal, Budha, Guru, Shukra, Shani, Rahu, and Ketu. Distinct from the Western concept of “planet” — grahas are understood as karmic forces, not merely physical bodies. See The 9 Grahas.
Guru (GOO-roo) — Jupiter. The great benefic, teacher, and guide. Rules wisdom, expansion, children, wealth, dharma, and spiritual knowledge. Also the word for a spiritual teacher.
Janma (JUHN-muh) — Birth. Janma Rashi is the Moon’s sign at birth. Janma Nakshatra is the Moon’s nakshatra at birth — the most personally significant star in your chart.
Jyotish (JYO-tish) — The science of light. The traditional Sanskrit name for Vedic astrology. One of the six Vedangas (limbs of the Vedas), Jyotish was originally developed for determining auspicious timing for rituals.
Karaka (KAH-ruh-kuh) — Significator. Each graha naturally signifies certain life themes. For example, Venus is the karaka for marriage, Jupiter for children, and Saturn for longevity. Houses also have natural karakas.
Kendra (KEN-druh) — The angular or quadrant houses: 1st, 4th, 7th, and 10th. Grahas in kendras gain directional strength and prominence. Kendra lords play a crucial role in determining functional benefic and malefic status.
Ketu (KAY-too) — The Moon’s south node. A shadow planet representing spiritual liberation, detachment, past-life karma, and mystical insight. Ketu strips away material attachment wherever it sits.
Lagna (LAH-gnuh) — The Ascendant. The rashi rising on the eastern horizon at the moment and place of birth. The Lagna determines the first house and sets the entire house framework. It represents the self, the body, and one’s approach to life.
Mangal (MUHN-guhl) — Mars. Governs energy, courage, property, siblings, and the capacity for action. Also associated with conflict, accidents, and surgery when afflicted.
Marana Karaka Sthana (muh-RUH-nuh KAH-ruh-kuh STAH-nuh) — A specific house placement where a graha becomes extremely weakened, as if “dead.” For example, Saturn in the 1st house, or Mars in the 7th house. These placements can indicate deep suffering related to that planet’s significations.
Moksha (MOHK-shuh) — Spiritual liberation. The houses 4, 8, and 12 form the moksha trikona — the triangle of liberation in the chart, associated with inner transformation and the dissolution of worldly attachment.
Nakshatra (NUHK-shuh-truh) — A lunar mansion. The 27 nakshatras divide the zodiac into segments of 13°20’ each, providing a finer and more ancient layer of interpretation than rashis. Each has a presiding deity and planetary lord. See The 27 Nakshatras.
Neecha Bhanga Raja Yoga (NEE-chuh BHUHN-guh RAH-juh YOH-guh) — Cancellation of debilitation. When a debilitated planet meets specific conditions (e.g., its debilitation lord is strong or aspects it), its weakness is converted into a source of strength — often producing remarkable results.
Rahu (RAH-hoo) — The Moon’s north node. A shadow planet of obsession, illusion, foreignness, and worldly ambition. Rahu amplifies and distorts whatever it touches, driving insatiable desire in the house and sign it occupies.
Rashi (RAH-shee) — A zodiac sign. The twelve rashis divide the sidereal zodiac into 30° segments, each ruled by a specific graha. See The 12 Rashis.
Sade Sati (SAH-day SAH-tee) — The 7.5-year transit of Saturn over the natal Moon (through the 12th, 1st, and 2nd houses from the Moon). One of the most significant and commonly discussed transit periods in Vedic astrology, associated with karmic reckoning, maturity, and restructuring.
Shadbala (SHUHD-buh-luh) — The six-fold strength calculation for grahas. Combines positional strength, directional strength, temporal strength, motional strength, natural strength, and aspectual strength into a composite score used to assess planetary power. See Shadbala: Six-Fold Strength.
Shukra (SHOOK-ruh) — Venus. Governs beauty, love, marriage, luxury, arts, diplomacy, and creative expression. The guru of the asuras (demons) in mythology, Shukra has deep knowledge of rejuvenation and material mastery.
Sthira (STEE-ruh) — Fixed quality. The four sthira rashis (Vrishabha, Simha, Vrischika, Kumbha) stabilize, sustain, and resist change.
Surya (SOOR-yuh) — The Sun. Represents the atma (soul), authority, father, government, vitality, and self-identity. The Sun’s placement reveals one’s core sense of purpose.
Trikona (tree-KOH-nuh) — The trine houses: 1st, 5th, and 9th. The most auspicious houses in the chart. Trikona lords are considered functional benefics regardless of their natural planetary status.
Upachaya (oo-PUH-chuh-yuh) — Growth houses: 3rd, 6th, 10th, and 11th. Planets in upachayas deliver results that improve with time and effort. Natural malefics tend to perform well here.
Varga (VUHR-guh) — A divisional chart. Vedic astrology uses up to 16 divisional charts (called Shodasha Vargas), each created by subdividing the 30° signs into smaller segments. Key vargas include Navamsha (D9, marriage and dharma), Dashamsha (D10, career), and Dreshkana (D3, siblings and courage). See Divisional Charts.
Vimshottari Dasha (vim-SHOH-tuh-ree DUH-shuh) — The 120-year planetary period system. The most widely used dasha in Vedic astrology. The starting point is determined by the Moon’s nakshatra at birth, and the cycle proceeds: Ketu (7), Venus (20), Sun (6), Moon (10), Mars (7), Rahu (18), Jupiter (16), Saturn (19), Mercury (17). See Dasha Systems.
Yoga (YOH-guh) — A specific planetary combination that produces defined results. Vedic astrology catalogs hundreds of yogas — from highly auspicious (Raja Yoga, Dhana Yoga) to challenging (Kemadruma Yoga, Daridra Yoga). A yoga forms when specific conditions of sign, house, or aspect between grahas are met. See Classical Yogas.
Yogakaraka (YOH-guh-KAH-ruh-kuh) — A single planet that rules both a kendra and a trikona house, making it exceptionally beneficial for that particular Lagna. For example, Saturn is the yogakaraka for Taurus and Libra ascendants, ruling both a kendra and a trikona.
This glossary covers the foundational vocabulary of Vedic astrology. As you explore Vedtara’s chart analysis and reports, these terms will appear throughout — each one a window into the precise, layered language that Jyotish uses to describe the forces shaping a life.