upa grahas and vargas

Upagrahas (sub-planets)
Sun-based Upagrahas
Five upagrahas called Dhuma, Vyatipaata, Parivesha, Indrachaapa and Upaketu are defined based on Sun's longitude. The exact formulas are given in Table 6. All these upagrahas are very malefic in nature. Any houses occupied by them in rasi chart or divisional charts are spoiled by them.
Table 6: Sun-based Upagrahas
Upagraha Longitude FormulaDhuma Sun's longitude + 13320'Vyatipaata 360º – Dhuma’s longitudeParivesha Vyatipata's longitude + 180Indrachaapa 360º – Parivesha’s longitudeUpaketu Indrachaapa’s longitude + 1640'= Sun's longitude – 30It may be noted that Dhuma and Indrachaapa are apart by 180 and Vyatipaata and Parivesha are apart by 180.
Other Upagrahas
Six upagrahas called Kaala, Mrityu, Arthaprahaara, Yamaghantaka, Gulika and Maandi are more difficult to compute. Kaala is a malefic upagraha similar to Sun. Mrityu is a malefic upagraha similar to Mars. Arthaprahaara is similar to Mercury. Yamaghantaka is similar to Jupiter. Gulika and Maandi are similar to Saturn.
A day starts at the time of sunrise and ends at the time of sunset. A night starts at the time of sunset and ends at the time of next day’s sunrise. Depending on whether one is born during the day or the night, we divide the length of the day/night into 8 equal parts.
Daytime births: The first part is ruled by the lord of weekday and then we cover planets in the order of weekdays. The part after the one ruled by Saturn is lord-less. After that, Sun’s part comes. For example, the first 1/8th of the daytime on a Thursday is ruled by Jupiter. Next part is ruled by Venus. The 3rd part is ruled by Saturn. The 4th part is lord-less. The 5th part is ruled by Sun. The 6th part is ruled by Moon. The 7th planet is ruled by Mars. The 8th part is ruled by Mercury.
Table 7: Ruling planets
Rulers of the 8 parts of the DAYWeekday 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th 7th 8thSun Sun Moon Mars Merc Jup Ven Sat —Mon Moon Mars Merc Jup Ven Sat — SunTue Mars Merc Jup Ven Sat — Sun MoonWed Merc Jup Ven Sat — Sun Moon MarsThu Jup Ven Sat — Sun Moon Mars MercFri Ven Sat — Sun Moon Mars Merc JupSat Sat — Sun Moon Mars Merc Jup VenRulers of the 8 parts of the NIGHTWeekday 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th 7th 8thSun Jup Ven Sat — Sun Moon Mars MercMon Ven Sat — Sun Moon Mars Merc JupTue Sat — Sun Moon Mars Merc Jup VenWed Sun Moon Mars Merc Jup Ven Sat —Thu Moon Mars Merc Jup Ven Sat — SunFri Mars Merc Jup Ven Sat — Sun MoonSat Merc Jup Ven Sat — Sun Moon MarsNight time births: The first part is ruled by the 5th planet from the lord of weekday and then we cover planets in the order of weekdays. For example, the first 1/8th of a Thursday night is ruled by the 5th planet from Jupiter, i.e. Moon (Jupiter, Venus, Saturn, Sun, Moon – that’s the 5th one). Next part is ruled by Mars. The 3rd part is ruled by Mercury. The 4th part is ruled by Jupiter. The 5th part is ruled by Venus. The 6th part is ruled by Saturn. The 7th planet is lord-less. The 8th part is ruled by Sun.
Table 7 gives the list of the ruling planets of all the eight parts of the daytime and night time on all weekdays.
Once we divide the day/night of birth into 8 equal parts and identify the ruling planets of the 8 parts, we can find the longitudes of Kaala etc upagrahas using the following procedure:
(1) Kaala rises at the middle of Sun’s part. In other words, we find the time at the middle of Sun’s part and find lagna rising then. That gives Kaala’s longitude.(1) Mrityu rises at the middle of Mars’s part.(1) Artha Praharaka rises at the middle of Mercury’s part.(1) Yama Ghantaka rises at the middle of Jupiter’s part.(1) Gulika rises at the middle of Saturn’s part.(1) Maandi rises at the beginning of Saturn’s part.
Suppose one is born on Thursday night and we want Yamaghantaka’s longitude in his chart. Suppose night starts at 6 pm and ends at 6 am on the next day. We see from the table that Jupiter rules the 4th part of a Thursday night. Each part is 12/8 = 1.5 hours. The 4th part starts 4.5 hours after sunset, i.e. at 10:30 pm, and ends 1.5 hours later. So Jupiter’s part extends from 10:30 pm to midnight. The middle point of this part is at 11:15 pm. We find lagna rising at 11:15 pm and that will be Yama Ghantaka’s longitude.

Vargas (divisional charts)
Divisions of A Rasi
Each rasi has many divisions. Divisions of rasis are again mapped to rasis. For example, a rasi may be divided into 4 parts and each part may be mapped to a different rasi. Ar may be divided into 4 parts and the 4 parts may be mapped to Ar, Cn, Li and Cp. Then the 4 parts of Ta may be mapped to Ta, Le, Sc and Aq. And so on. Like this, we may divide all rasis into 4 parts and map the 4 parts to different rasis. We may also divide rasis to 9 parts and map each part into a rasi. We can have many different divisions.
Sage Parasara defined 16 different divisions of rasis. Jaimini and Tajaka writers mentioned 4 more divisions. It is possible that Parasara also dealt with these 4 special divisions in sections that are perhaps missing today. In addition, there are more higher and finer divisions that are normally not used.
Based on the rasis occupied by planets in various divisions, “divisional charts” are drawn. As we have seen before, we need to know the rasis occupied by planets, upagrahas, lagna and special lagnas to draw any chart. In every division, we divide the rasi into different parts, find the part containing each planet and see the rasi to which that part is mapped. Then we place the planet in that rasi in the chart corresponding to that division. We can draw a chart for each division. A planet can occupy different rasis in different divisions.
Chart of each division is called a divisional chart. Each divisional chart can be treated as a different chart and interpreted differently. Different aspects of life are seen in different divisional charts. Rasi chart is simply a special case of divisional charts. If we divide each rasi into just one part (i.e. in effect, no division), we get rasi chart.
In the rest of this book, everything we describe will be applicable to all divisional charts, unless we explicitly state a chart. We can apply all the principles to all the divisional charts, but we should see only specific matters in a divisional chart. The list of matters to be seen in each divisional chart will be given after the details of computation are presented.
In this book, D-n will denote the divisional chart based on the nth division of rasis, i.e. based on dividing rasis into n parts.
Divisional Chart Significations
Each divisional chart signifies a particular area of life and throws light on it. Table 8 gives the list of these areas.
Table 8: Divisional Chart Significations
Divisional Chart Symbol Area of life to be seen from itRasi D-1 Existence at the physical levelHora D-2 Wealth and moneyDrekkana D-3 Everything related to brothers and sistersChaturthamsa D-4 Residence, houses owned, properties and fortunePanchamsa D-5 Fame, authority and powerShashthamsa D-6 Health troublesSaptamsa D-7 Everything related to children (and grand-children)Ashtamsa D-8 Sudden and unexpected troubles, litigation etcNavamsa D-9 Marriage and everything related to spouse(s), dharma (duty and righteousness), interaction with other people, basic skills, inner selfDasamsa D-10 Career, activities and achievements in societyRudramsa D-11 Death and destructionDwadasamsa D-12 Everything related to parents (also uncles, aunts and grand-parents, i.e. blood-relatives of parents)Shodasamsa D-16 Vehicles, pleasures, comforts and discomfortsVimsamsa D-20 Religious activities and spiritual mattersChaturvimsamsa D-24 Learning, knowledge and educationNakshatramsa D-27 Strengths and weaknesses, inherent natureTrimsamsa D-30 Evils and punishment, sub-conscious self, some diseasesKhavedamsa D-40 Auspicious and inauspicious eventsAkshavedamsa D-45 All mattersShashtyamsa D-60 Karma of past life, all mattersInsights on Divisional Charts
Divisional charts based on divisions between 1 and 12 operate in the physical plane. They show physical matters. Body, wealth, residence, wife, children, parents – these are all matters relating to the physical self.
Divisional charts based on divisions between 13 and 24 (i.e. D-16, D-20 and D-24) operate in the mental plane. They show matters that exist at the mental plane. Sense of pleasure and unhappiness, religiousness, learning and knowledge – these are all matters relating to the mind and intellect.
Divisional charts based on divisions between 25 and 36 (i.e. D-27 and D-30) operate in the plane of sub-consciousness. One’s strengths, weaknesses, inherent nature, evils, certain psychological imbalances – these are all matters relating to the sub-conscious self.
Divisional charts based on divisions above 36 (i.e. D-40, D-45 and D-60) operate in a kaarmic plane of existence that is above physical self, mind and sub-conscious self. Based on the karma from previous lives, we all have an existence at a level that goes beyond the levels of body, mind and sub-consciousness. Existence at that level has a considerable role in deciding the pattern of one’s life, along with existence at the physical, mental and sub-conscious levels. Higher divisional charts like D-40, D-45 and D-60 throw light on this subtle aspect of chart analysis.
Using Divisional Charts
It is very important to memorize Table 8. We should choose the divisional chart to analyze, based on the matter we are interested in. If we want to know something about one’s career, for example, we should analyze one’s dasamsa chart (D-10). If we want to know something about one’s luxuries and pleasures, we should analyze one’s shodasamsa (D-16). Based on the matter of interest, we decide which area of life is relevant and analyze the corresponding divisional chart.
We should remember which planets, rasis and houses show a particular matter and find links between them in the divisional chart of interest.
Suppose we want to see when one would go abroad. It is related to residence and fortune and we should analyze one’s chaturthamsa (D-4). The 9th and 12th houses show foreign residence. Rahu signifies foreign residence. We should now look for links. If 12th lord is with Rahu in the 9th house in D-4, it can suggest that one would live abroad, probably during the periods of Rahu or 12th lord or 9th house.
Suppose we want to see when one would get a promotion at the office. Because D-10 shows one’s career and achievements, we should analyze D-10. Because GL (ghati lagna) shows power and authority, planets or rasis giving a promotion are usually connected with GL. They are in GL or aspect GL. Because AL shows status, planets associating with AL or the5th or the 10th from it are favorable. If the lord of AL is in the 10th from it and aspects GL, probably his period will give a promotion.
In this manner, we should analyze the divisional chart that signifies the sphere of life that we are interested in and analyze the houses that show the matter of interest. This is the key to correct chart analysis. We will see many examples of this in coming chapters.
Varga Grouping and Amsabala
We have several varga groups, i.e. groups of divisional charts.
If a planet is in its moolatrikona or an own rasi or its rasi of exaltation in a chart, it makes the planet very strong in that chart. In each group of divisional charts, we can count the divisional charts in which a planet occupies its moolatrikona or an own rasi or its rasi of exaltation. Based on the count of such good divisional charts for the planet, we say that the planet is in a particular amsa (the higher this number is, the stronger the planet is).
Shadvarga
“Shadvarga” literally means “six divisions”. Shadvarga is a group of the following divisional charts: (1) Rasi chart, (2) D-2, (3) D-3, (4) D-9, (5) D-12, and, (6) D-30.
The amsa said to be occupied by a planet and the corresponding count of divisional charts – from the above list – in which it occupies its moolatrikona, rasi of exaltation or an own rasi is listed below:
Kimsukaamsa – 2, Vyanjanaamsa – 3, Chaamaraamsa – 4, Chatraamsa – 5, Kundalaamsa – 6.
Sapta varga
“Sapta varga” literally means “seven divisions”. Sapta varga is a group of the following divisional charts: (1) Rasi chart, (2) D-2, (3) D-3, (4) D-7, (5) D-9, (6) D-12, and, (7) D-30.
The amsa said to be occupied by a planet and the corresponding count of divisional charts – from the above list – in which it occupies its moolatrikona, rasi of exaltation or an own rasi is listed below:
Kimsukaamsa – 2, Vyanjanaamsa – 3, Chaamaraamsa – 4, Chatraamsa – 5, Kundalaamsa – 6, Mukutaamsa – 7.
Dasa varga
“Dasa varga” literally means “ten divisions”. Dasa varga is a group of the following divisional charts: (1) Rasi chart, (2) D-2, (3) D-3, (4) D-7, (5) D-9, (6) D-10, (7) D-12, (8) D-16, (9) D-30, and, (10) D-60.
The amsa said to be occupied by a planet and the corresponding count of divisional charts – from the above list – in which it occupies its moolatrikona, rasi of exaltation or an own rasi is listed below:
Paarijaataamsa – 2, Uttamaamsa – 3, Gopuraamsa– 4, Simhaasanaamsa – 5, Paaraavataamsa – 6, Devalokaamsa – 7, Brahmalokamsa – 8, Airaavataamsa – 9, Sreedhaamaamsa – 10.
NOTE: This group is very important and some yogas – special combinations – make use of these amsas. For example, lagna lord or ghati lagna lord in Simhaasanaamsa would make one very famous. A quadrant lord with good amsabala in dasavarga makes one very successful. Readers should memorize the above amsas.
Shodasa varga
“Shodasa varga” literally means “sixteen divisions”. Shodasa varga is a group of the following divisional charts: (1) Rasi chart, (2) D-2, (3) D-3, (4) D-4, (5) D-7, (6) D-9, (7) D-10, (8) D-12, (9) D-16, (10) D-20, (11) D-24, (12) D-27, (13) D-30, (14) D-40, (15) D-45, and, (16) D-60.
The amsa said to be occupied by a planet and the corresponding count of divisional charts – from the above list – in which it occupies its moolatrikona, rasi of exaltation or an own rasi is listed below:
Bhedakaamsa – 2, Kusumaamsa – 3, Nagapurushaamsa – 4, Kandukaamsa – 5, Keralaamsa – 6, Kalpavrikshaamsa – 7, Chandanavanaamsa – 8, Poornachandraamsa – 9, Uchchaisravaamsa – 10, Dhanvantaryamsa – 11, Sooryakaantaamsa – 12, Vidrumaamsa – 13, Indraasanaamsa – 14, Golokaamsa – 15, Sree Vallabhaamsa – 16.