Nakshatra (नक्षत्र)
A Nakshatra is one of 27 lunar mansions in Vedic astrology, each spanning 13°20' of the ecliptic. The zodiac is divided into 27 equal segments, and the Moon's position at birth determines your Janma Nakshatra (birth star). Nakshatras are considered more personally significant than the 12 Rashi (zodiac signs) in classical Jyotish, as they provide finer-grained insight into personality, karma, and timing. Each Nakshatra is further divided into 4 padas (quarters) of 3°20' each, giving 108 padas total — one for each bead of a mala. The 27 Nakshatras are: Ashwini, Bharani, Krittika, Rohini, Mrigashira, Ardra, Punarvasu, Pushya, Ashlesha, Magha, Purva Phalguni, Uttara Phalguni, Hasta, Chitra, Swati, Vishakha, Anuradha, Jyeshtha, Mula, Purva Ashadha, Uttara Ashadha, Shravana, Dhanishtha, Shatabhisha, Purva Bhadrapada, Uttara Bhadrapada, and Revati.
Related: Rashi · Pada · Janma Nakshatra
Lagna (लग्न) — Ascendant
The Lagna is the zodiac sign rising on the eastern horizon at the exact moment and location of birth. It is the most important single point in a Vedic birth chart, determining the first house (physical body, self, appearance) and establishing the lord sequence for all 12 houses. Unlike Western astrology, which often emphasises the Sun sign, Vedic Jyotish treats the Lagna lord as the chart ruler. Calculating the Lagna accurately requires both the exact birth time (to within minutes) and the birth location's latitude and longitude. A one-hour error in birth time can shift the Lagna by an entire sign.
Related: Rashi · Kundali · House
Vimshottari Dasha (विंशोत्तरी दशा)
Vimshottari Dasha is the most widely used planetary period system in Vedic astrology. "Vimshottari" means 120, referring to the total cycle length of 120 years. The system assigns ruling periods to each of the 9 planets (Navagraha) in a fixed sequence based on the Moon's Nakshatra at birth. The sequence and durations are: Ketu (7 years), Venus (20), Sun (6), Moon (10), Mars (7), Rahu (18), Jupiter (16), Saturn (19), Mercury (17). Each Mahadasha (major period) is subdivided into Antardashas (sub-periods) and further into Pratyantar Dashas. The starting point is calculated from the Moon's exact degree in its Nakshatra at birth. Vimshottari Dasha is the primary tool for timing events in a person's life.
Related: Mahadasha · Antardasha · Nakshatra
Mahadasha (महादशा)
A Mahadasha is a major planetary period in the Vimshottari Dasha system. Each of the 9 planets rules a Mahadasha of a fixed duration (e.g., Saturn rules 19 years, Jupiter 16 years, Rahu 18 years). During a Mahadasha, the ruling planet's significations, house lordships, and natal strength heavily influence a person's life events and themes. Mahadashas are subdivided into Antardashas (also called Bhukti), which are sub-periods of each planet within the main period.
Related: Vimshottari Dasha · Antardasha · Navagraha
Antardasha (अन्तर्दशा) — Sub-period
An Antardasha (also called Bhukti) is a sub-period within a Mahadasha in the Vimshottari system. Each Mahadasha is divided into 9 Antardashas, one for each planet, in the same sequence as the Mahadasha order but starting from the Mahadasha lord itself. For example, during a Jupiter Mahadasha, the Antardashas run Jupiter–Saturn–Mercury–Ketu–Venus–Sun–Moon–Mars–Rahu. Antardasha durations are proportional to the planet's Mahadasha length relative to the 120-year cycle.
Related: Mahadasha · Vimshottari Dasha
Brihat Parashara Hora Shastra (बृहत् पाराशर होरा शास्त्र)
Brihat Parashara Hora Shastra (BPHS) is the foundational scripture of Vedic astrology, attributed to Maharishi Parashara. It is the most comprehensive and authoritative text in Jyotish, containing rules for chart interpretation, planetary dignities, house significations, yogas, Dasha systems, and remedies. BPHS is structured as a dialogue between Parashara and his disciple Maitreya, and covers thousands of astrological principles across approximately 100 chapters. Most classical Vedic astrology practiced today derives its methodology directly from BPHS.
Related: Yoga · Dasha · Jyotish
Lahiri Ayanamsa (लाहिड़ी अयनांश)
Ayanamsa is the angular difference between the tropical zodiac (used in Western astrology, referenced to the vernal equinox) and the sidereal zodiac (used in Vedic astrology, referenced to the fixed stars). As the equinoxes precess westward at approximately 50.3" per year, this difference grows over time. The Lahiri ayanamsa (also called Chitrapaksha ayanamsa) is the official ayanamsa adopted by the Indian government's Rashtriya Panchang and is the most widely used value for Vedic Jyotish. As of 2024, the Lahiri ayanamsa is approximately 24°07'. 9Grah uses Lahiri ayanamsa exclusively, calculated via Swiss Ephemeris for maximum precision.
Related: Swiss Ephemeris · Rashi
Rashi (राशि) — Zodiac Sign
A Rashi is one of the 12 signs of the Vedic zodiac, each spanning exactly 30° of the ecliptic. Unlike Western Sun-sign astrology (where "your sign" means your Sun's position), in Vedic Jyotish your primary Rashi is typically the Moon sign (Chandra Rashi) — the zodiac sign occupied by the Moon at birth. The 12 Rashis are: Mesha (Aries), Vrishabha (Taurus), Mithuna (Gemini), Karka (Cancer), Simha (Leo), Kanya (Virgo), Tula (Libra), Vrischika (Scorpio), Dhanu (Sagittarius), Makara (Capricorn), Kumbha (Aquarius), Meena (Pisces). Rashi positions are calculated using the sidereal zodiac with Lahiri ayanamsa, which shifts all signs approximately 24° earlier than Western tropical positions.
Related: Nakshatra · Lagna · Lahiri Ayanamsa
Kundali / Kundli (कुंडली) — Birth Chart
A Kundali (also spelled Kundli, also called Janma Patrika or Janma Kundali) is a Vedic birth chart — a diagram showing the positions of all 9 planets (Navagraha) across the 12 houses and 12 signs at the exact moment, date, and place of a person's birth. Kundali is calculated using the sidereal zodiac with Lahiri ayanamsa. The chart format varies by region: North Indian charts use a diamond-grid layout with fixed house positions; South Indian charts use a square grid where the signs are fixed and the Lagna moves. 9Grah calculates Kundali using Swiss Ephemeris for astronomical precision to 0.001°.
Related: Lagna · Navagraha · Vimshottari Dasha
Navagraha (नवग्रह) — Nine Planets
Navagraha means "nine planets" in Sanskrit. In Vedic astrology, the nine celestial bodies are: Surya (Sun), Chandra (Moon), Mangala (Mars), Budha (Mercury), Guru (Jupiter), Shukra (Venus), Shani (Saturn), Rahu (North Node of the Moon), and Ketu (South Node of the Moon). Rahu and Ketu are mathematical points (lunar nodes), not physical bodies, but are treated as planets in Jyotish because of their powerful karmic and predictive significance. Each graha has natural significations, owns one or two Rashis, and achieves exaltation, debilitation, or neutrality in specific signs.
Related: Rashi · Kundali
Yoga (योग) — Planetary Combination
In Vedic astrology, a Yoga is a specific combination of planetary positions, house placements, or mutual relationships that produces a defined result in a person's life. BPHS describes hundreds of Yogas. Major categories include Raj Yogas (combinations indicating power, success, leadership), Dhana Yogas (wealth combinations), Pancha Mahapurusha Yogas (five great person yogas formed when a planet is in its own sign or exaltation in a Kendra house), and malefic Yogas like Kemadruma (Moon without flanking planets) or Grahan Yoga. Whether a Yoga is active depends on the Dasha period of its participating planets.
Related: Brihat Parashara Hora Shastra · Dosha · Mahadasha
Dosha (दोष) — Malefic Combination
A Dosha in Vedic astrology is a malefic planetary combination or affliction in the birth chart that can create challenges in specific life areas. The most widely discussed doshas are: Mangal Dosha (Mars in the 1st, 2nd, 4th, 7th, 8th, or 12th house, believed to create conflict in marriage), Kaal Sarp Dosha (all planets hemmed between Rahu and Ketu), and Pitra Dosha (Sun or Moon afflicted by Rahu/Ketu, associated with ancestral karma). The severity and effects of a dosha depend on multiple chart factors and are heavily influenced by the current Dasha period.
Related: Yoga · Navagraha · Mangal Dosha
Swiss Ephemeris
Swiss Ephemeris is a high-precision astronomical calculation library developed by Astrodienst AG in Switzerland. It is used by professional astronomers, astrologers, and space agencies worldwide to calculate precise planetary positions. The library is accurate to 0.001° (approximately 3.6 arc-seconds) and covers a 10,800-year range (2999 BCE to 7800 CE). It is the gold standard for astronomical precision in astrology software. 9Grah uses Swiss Ephemeris for all planetary calculations to ensure that every birth chart is astronomically exact.
Related: Kundali · Lahiri Ayanamsa
Pada (पाद) — Nakshatra Quarter
Each of the 27 Nakshatras is subdivided into 4 equal quarters called Padas, each spanning 3°20'. There are 108 Padas in total (27 × 4), corresponding to the 108 beads of a mala. Each Pada falls in one of the 12 Navamsa signs, giving additional detail about planetary significations. For example, the Moon in Rohini Nakshatra, 2nd Pada, is in a different Navamsa sign than the Moon in Rohini 3rd Pada, affecting the reading. Pada analysis adds precision to Nakshatra interpretation and is a key tool for understanding chart nuance.
Related: Nakshatra · Navamsa
Whole-Sign House System
The Whole-Sign house system is the primary house division method used in Vedic Jyotish. In this system, each house corresponds exactly to one Rashi (zodiac sign), and the Lagna sign becomes the entire first house. For example, if your Lagna is in Scorpio, then the first house is the entire sign of Scorpio, the second house is Sagittarius, the third house is Capricorn, and so on. This differs from Western quadrant-based systems (Placidus, Koch) where houses are unequal in size. 9Grah uses whole-sign houses because it is the standard in the Parashara tradition.
Related: Lagna · Rashi