A summarized description of Divisional Charts and their Importance
Divisional charts in astrology have a major or to say a dormant role to play in analyzing a horoscope for predictions. The basic birth chart is a referral chart which speaks about the broader parameters of a horoscope, like general information and conditions of the birth of a person. Most of the books on astrology do make a mention of divisional charts, but mostly it is seen that much is not mentioned about their utility in detail. BrihatPrashara Hora Shastra, BrihadJatka, Mansagari, Saravalli, Jataka Bharnametc, have elaborately mentioned about the strategic utility of the divisional charts in astrology.
Parashar Rishi while prescribing the usages of the divisional charts, has mentioned the secrets of these divisional charts, relating to a particular facet of life. Every divisional chart gives a subtle result in respect of one’s happenings of life, particularly when linked with the sequence of running dash.
Each divisional chart has its significance in deciphering the root values of the planets, in correlation with the main birth chart and the dasha sequence.
These divisional charts are 60 in number which includes the basic birth chart too, ranging from D-1 to D-60, by nomenclature.
It needs to be mentioned here that any sign rising at the eastern horizon remains in operation for about an average time span of two hours. It means that persons born during that time slot will have almost similar planetary placements in their birth charts. It may mean difficulty in the proper analysis of their birth charts, in respect of the individual destiny of each such person, which cannot be same. Similarly, in the case of twin’s births, where the rising sign and the planetary positions are likely to be the same, the delineation of their destiny, because of the similar planetary positions of these birth charts, will be a tough task, or even difficult.
The brilliant side of astrology provides the assistance of the divisional charts in all such cases, when with the use of subtle divisional charts, the situation of the quality and the composition of the individual birth charts can be ascertained with full assessments.
Sage Parashar, mentions 16 divisional charts, known as ‘Shodashvargas’. These divisional charts (Vargas), provide help in segregating the apparently similar birth charts. All the individual charts in these 16 Varga charts, specifically show the specific areas and facets of one’s life and its limbs. As such the use of the divisional charts is very much essential to make specific predictions.
Shodashavarga( 16 divisional Charts).
| Varga | Characteristics | Part of a sign | Weightage |
| Lagna D-1 | Physical characetrics of a person | 30 degrees complete | 3.5 |
| Hora, D-2 | Wealth and Prosperity | 1/2 of sign, 15 degrees | 1 |
| Drekkna, D-3 | Siblings and their well beings | 1/3rd of sign, 10 degrees | 1 |
| Chaturthamsha, D-4 | Luck and residential status | 1/4th of sign, 7deg-30min | 0.5 |
| Saptamsha, D-7 | Children and grand children | 1/7th of sign, 4deg-17min-8.5sec | 0.5 |
| Navamsha, D-9 | Spouse | 1/9th of sign, 3 deg-20min | 3 |
| Deshmasha, D-10 | Profession | 1/10th of sign, 3 deg | 0.5 |
| Dwadeshmasha, D-12 | Parents | 1/12th of sign, 2 deg-30 min | 0.5 |
| Shodashmasha, D-16, | Pleasures and troubles from vehicles | 1/16th of sign, 1 deg-52 min-30 sec. | 2 |
| Vimshamsha, D-20 | Spiritual pursuits | 1/20th of sign, 1 deg-30 min. | 0.5 |
| Chaturvimshamsha, D-24 | Education and leaning | 1/24th of sign, 1 deg-15 min. | 0.5 |
| Bhamsha, D-27 | Strength and weakness | 1/27th of sign, 1 deg-6 min-40 sec. | 0.5 |
| Trimshamsha, D-30 | Misfortunes and misiries | 1/30th of sign, 1deg-00min | 1 |
| Khavedamsha, D-40 | Auspicious and inauspicious happenings | 1/40th of sign, 00 deg-45 min. | 0.5 |
| Akshavedamsha, D-45 | All situations of life combined | 1/45th of sign, 00 deg-30 min. | 0.5 |
| Shastyamsha, D-60 | All asepcts of life | 1/60th of sign, 00 deg-30 min. | 4 |
| Total | 20 Points |
Well versed astrologers may not always use the 16 vargas for predictions as mentioned above. Out of this further grouping has been recommended to be considered for using as tools for predictions.Thus commonly four groups have been suggested to be considered. In each group the individual and the relative significance of these varga charts varies, along with weightage part of each Varga. It is customary to consider the combined value of the various varga charts in any of the four groups as equal to 20 points.
These four groups and their relative values of Varga constituting them are mentioned as follows.,
(a), Shadvargas (6 divisional Charts),
(b),Saptavargas (7 divisional charts),
(c), Dashvargas (10 divisional charts) and
(d), Shodashavargas (16 divisional charts).
All the individual varga charts in these groups of various divisional charts are allotted weightage points by the Sage Parashara.
(a), Shadvargas( 6 Divisional Charts)
| Vargas | Weightage |
| Rashi, D-1 | 6 |
| Hora, D-2 | 2 |
| Drekkana, D-3 | 4 |
| Navamsha, D-9 | 5 |
| Dwadashmsha, D-12 | 2 |
| Trimshamsha, D-30 | 1 |
| Total | 20 Points |
(b),Saptavargas (7 Divisional charts),
| Vargas | Weightage |
| Rashi, D-1 | 5 |
| Hora, D-2 | 2 |
| Drekkana, D-3 | 3 |
| Saptamsha, D-7 | 2.5 |
| Navamsha, D-9 | 4.5 |
| Dwadashmsha, D-12 | 2 |
| Trimshamsha, D-30 | 1 |
| Total | 20 Points |
(c),Dasgvargas(10Divisional charts),
| Vargas | Weightage |
| Rashi, D-1 | 3 |
| Hora, D-2 | 1.5 |
| Drekkana, D-3 | 1.5 |
| Saptamsha, D-7 | 1.5 |
| Navamsha, D-9 | 1.5 |
| Dashmasha, D-10 | 1.5 |
| Dwadashmsha, D-12 | 1.5 |
| Shodashmsha, D-16 | 1.5 |
| Trimshamsha, D-30 | 1.5 |
| Shastiyamsha, D-60 | 5 |
| Total | 20 Points |
Shodashavarga( 16 divisional Charts).
| Varga | Weightage |
| Lagna D-1 | 3.5 |
| Hora, D-2 | 1 |
| Drekkna, D-3 | 1 |
| Chaturthamsha, D-4 | 0.5 |
| Saptamsha, D-7 | 0.5 |
| Navamsha, D-9 | 3 |
| Deshmasha, D-10 | 0.5 |
| Dwadeshmasha, D-12 | 0.5 |
| Shodashmasha, D-16, | 2 |
| Vimshamsha, D-20 | 0.5 |
| Chaturvimshamsha, D-24 | 0.5 |
| Bhamsha, D-27 | 0.5 |
| Trimshamsha, D-30 | 1 |
| Khavedamsha, D-40 | 0.5 |
| Akshavedamsha, D-45 | 0.5 |
| Shastyamsha, D-60 | 4 |
| 20 Points |
Planets occupying benefic positions in different Vargas, like in its exalted sign, Mool-Trikona sign, own sign or in its friends sign, give very good results.
As per sage Parashara, a planet occupying its exalted sign, its Mool-Trikona sign, its own sign in various vargas, will be give benefic results.
Planets in a debilitated position, in the inimical signs, or in combust position or having lost in planetary war should be treated as malefic planets and give malefic results.
Nomenclature of Planets occupying benefic positions in different Vargas:-
Saptavargas(7 Divisional Charts)
| Benefic in No. of Vargas | Nomenclature |
| 2 charts | Kimshuk |
| 3 charts | Vyanjan |
| 4 charts | Chamar |
| 5 charts | Chhatra |
| 6 charts | Kundal |
| 7 charts | Mukut |
Dasvargas (10 Divisional Charts)
| Benefic in No. of Charts | Nomenclature |
| 2 charts | Parijat |
| 3 charts | Uttam |
| 4 charts | Gopur |
| 5 charts | Simhasan |
| 6 charts | Paravat |
| 7 charts | Devlok |
| 8 charts | Brahamlok |
| 9 charts | Iravat |
| 10 charts | Sri Dham |
Shodashvargas (16 Divisional Charts)
| Benefic in No. of Charts | Nomenclature |
| 2 charts | Bhedak |
| 3 charts | Kusum |
| 4 charts | Nagpushpa |
| 5 charts | Kanduka |
| 6 charts | Keral |
| 7 charts | Kalpvriksh |
| 8 charts | Chadanvan |
| 9 charts | Full Moon |
| 10 charts | Uccheshrava |
| 11 charts | Dhanvantri |
| 12 charts | Suryakant |
| 13 charts | Vidrum |
| 14 charts | Indrasan |
| 15 charts | Golok |
| 16 charts | Srivallabh |
It is thus necessary to mention here that the divisional chart give to the point analysis of a horoscope, which derives its base from the finer Vargas of the birth chart sign up to 60 sub parts.
In this regard it is very much essential to have an accurate lagna, which has relevance to one’s correct time of birth.
Navamsha chart is a vital chart in this process of Varga charts which is always considered next to the birth chart. It can be seen from the weightage points, it gets in the Shedvargas ,Sapatavagas and the Shodashcargas, when its weightage ranges from 5, 4.5 and 3 in these groups of Varga Scheme.
It is equally important to note the importance of the Shashatamshiya, ( D-60) chart, as per the Dashvarga and the Shodashavargas, when it carries a good weightage points in these groups of Vargas.
Different harmonics of divisional charts are concerned with different level of consciousness within which the effect it shows.
The characteristics of the divisional charts when observed in the physical, conscious and super conscious forms, these get placed as under: –
Physical -Primary (D-1toD-12)
Conscious-Secondary/First Harmonic (D-13toD-24)
Sub-Conscious-Tertiary/Second Harmonic (D-25toD-36)
Super- Conscious- Quaternary/ Third Harmonic (D-37 to D-48)
Supra- Conscious- Pentenary/ Fourth Harmonic (D-49 to D-60)
Beyond Material Consciousness- Beyond Fourth Harmonic (>D-60)
Each such a harmonic represents the plane of awareness or consciousness in a person and shows the level and extent to which such an individual is influenced as per such divisional charts.
The first harmonic cycle of the divisional charts D1-D12, represents the physical plane. These cover the physical realities of a person, such as the body itself, wealth, coborns or siblings, properties and fortune, progeny, spouse, profession, career and work and parents.
The second harmonic covering D13-D24 represents the conscious plane, depicting various existential conditions of a person. In this cycle the three divisional charts
Kalamsa (D16), Vimsamsa (D20), and Chaturamsa (D24) or Siddamsa are generally used. Kalamsa (D16) shows luxuries, vehicles, and mental happiness etc. Vimsamasa (D20) deals with the spiritual life of a person, while Siddamsa or Chaturamsa (D24) depicts the education and the higher learning of a person. This cycle therefore refers to the higher existential activities of a person after crossing the first rung of gross material conditions.
The third harmonic cycle covering (D25- D36), represents the sub-conscious mental plane. These explore the factors, which lie in the subconscious region and consciously influence the mind. They represent mostly the inherent weaknesses and strengths, (D27, Nakshatarmsa) and all forms of evils that might besiege a person (D30-Trimamsa).
The fourth cycle ranging from (D37-D48), deals with the past karma, which is inherited as ancestral legacy. The important divisions in this cycle are (D40) called as Khavedamsa representing matrilineal legacy and (D45) called as Akshvedamsa, representing patrilineal legacy. This is the super conscious plane.
The final harmonic cycle is that of supra-conscious plane from (D49 – D60). This shows the accumulated karma of the past births, which a person carries with him as a legacy. In this contest, Shashtamsa (D60) is the most relevant division.
Divisional Chart Cycle
| Level | Cycle / Harmonic | Range |
| Physical | Primary/ First harmonic | D1-D12 |
| Conscious | Secondary/Second harmonic | D13-D24 |
| Sub-Conscious | Tertiary / Third harmonic | D25-D36 |
| Super- Conscious | Quaternary/Fourth harmonic | D37-D48 |
| Super-Conscious | Fifth harmonic | D49-D-60 |
