Varga (astrology)

The term varga in Indian astrology (Jyotisha) refers to the division of a zodiacal sign ("rāśi") into parts. Each such fractional part ("IAST|aṃśa") of a sign has a source of influence associated with it, so that these sources of influence come to be associated with collections of regions around the zodiac. The rules of association lead to Divisional charts (vargas) which are unique to Jyotisha, such not being found in other systems of astrology.

The "IAST|Bṛhat Parāśara Horāśāstra" defines sixteen divisional schemes [BPHS,6,1-53] , each named according to the denominator of the fraction specific to the division. (Thus, the integral fraction is division by 1, which yields, trivially, 12 regions of the zodiac corresponding to the 12 signs themselves: perforce this "varga" scheme is named "rāśi". [Similarly, a divisor of 2 defines 24 regions; the name "horā", derived from Greek, is etymologically related to the analogous 24 hours in a day. The divisor of 3 is related to the Decans of Chaldean horology.] )

Four other vargas are attributed to Jaimini:

Besides Rāshi (D-1), Navamsha (D-9), Dreshkana (D-3), Dasamsa (D-10) and Trimsamsa (D-30) are considered significant divisional charts.

Notes

ee also

*Jyotiṣa