Kundali

Kundali is a chart prepared using a person's birth date, exact birth time and birth location.

A Janam Kundali represents the positions of the Sun, Moon, planets and lunar nodes at the time of birth. In Vedic astrology, the chart is interpreted through houses, signs, Nakshatras, planetary relationships, Dashas and other traditional techniques.

The planetary map calculated for the exact moment and place of birth.

Birth chart is another commonly used English term for Janam Kundali. It contains the Ascendant, houses, zodiac signs and planetary placements.

The zodiac sign rising on the eastern horizon at the time of birth.

Lagna is the starting reference point of a Vedic birth chart. The sign rising on the eastern horizon at the exact birth time becomes the Ascendant. The first house is counted from this point.

Why important: Lagna determines the house structure of the Kundali and is one of the primary reference points for interpreting the chart.

The zodiac sign rising on the eastern horizon at birth.

Ascendant is the English term commonly used for Lagna. It is highly sensitive to birth time because the rising sign changes relatively quickly.

Why important: A small difference in birth time can sometimes affect the Ascendant and consequently the house placements.

The zodiac sign occupied by the Moon at birth.

Moon Sign is determined by the position of the Moon at the time of birth. In Vedic astrology, Moon is traditionally associated with the mind, emotions, habits and subjective experience.

The zodiac sign occupied by the Sun at birth.

Sun Sign is based on the position of the Sun at the time of birth. Traditional astrology associates the Sun with identity, vitality, confidence, authority and self-expression.

The exact angular position of a planet within a zodiac sign.

Each zodiac sign covers 30 degrees. A planet may therefore be located at a specific degree and minute within that sign.

Why important: Conjunction strengthNakshatraPadaPlanetary proximitySome Dosha calculations

A house in the Kundali representing a particular area of life.

A Vedic birth chart is divided into twelve houses. Each Bhava represents a different area of life. Planets placed in or influencing a house are traditionally interpreted in relation to that area's themes.

Why important: The same planet can have different interpretations depending on the house in which it is placed.

The planet that rules the zodiac sign occupying a particular house.

The sign placed in a house determines its lord according to the traditional planetary rulership scheme. The house lord's placement, strength and relationships are then considered during interpretation.

Example: If Aries occupies the first house, Mars becomes the Lagna Lord.

The house of self, personality and physical identity.

The house traditionally associated with wealth, family and speech.

The house traditionally associated with courage, communication and siblings.

The house traditionally associated with home, mother, property and emotional foundations.

The house traditionally associated with creativity, education, children and intelligence.

The house traditionally associated with health challenges, competition, debts and service.

Astrology-based health interpretations should not be used as medical diagnosis.

The house traditionally associated with marriage, spouse and partnerships.

The house traditionally associated with transformation, uncertainty, inheritance and hidden matters.

The house traditionally associated with fortune, dharma, higher learning and long-distance journeys.

The house traditionally associated with career, profession, status and public reputation.

The house traditionally associated with gains, income, networks and fulfilment of desires.

The house traditionally associated with expenses, foreign connections, isolation and spirituality.

The angular houses of the Kundali.

The 1st, 4th, 7th and 10th houses are traditionally called Kendras. They are considered important structural houses in Vedic astrology.

The trinal houses of the Kundali.

The 1st, 5th and 9th houses are traditionally called Trikona houses and are associated with self, creativity/intelligence and dharma/luck respectively.

A traditional classification for certain challenging houses.

The 6th, 8th and 12th houses are commonly grouped as Dusthana houses. They are associated with challenges, transformation, losses, service, obstacles and withdrawal depending on the house.

Houses traditionally associated with growth through effort and experience.

The 3rd, 6th, 10th and 11th houses are traditionally classified as Upachaya houses. Their themes are often considered to develop through effort, time and experience.

A planetary or lunar-node indicator used in Vedic astrology.

The commonly used Navagraha are Surya, Chandra, Mangal, Budh, Guru, Shukra, Shani, Rahu and Ketu.

Rahu and Ketu are lunar nodes rather than physical planets.

Surya

Chandra

Mangal

Budha

Guru

Shukra

Shani

The north lunar node.

Rahu is a mathematical lunar node, not a physical planet.

The south lunar node.

Ketu is a mathematical lunar node, not a physical planet.

One of the twelve zodiac signs.

One of the 27 lunar divisions used in Vedic astrology.

The zodiac is traditionally divided into 27 Nakshatras, each spanning 13°20'. Each Nakshatra is further divided into four Padas.

One of the four quarters of a Nakshatra.

Each Nakshatra contains four Padas, each spanning 3°20'. The Moon's exact longitude determines the birth Nakshatra and Pada.

Why important: Pada provides a more specific subdivision of the Nakshatra.

The Nakshatra occupied by the Moon at the time of birth.

Why important: It is traditionally important for Dasha calculations, naming conventions and several compatibility and Muhurta systems.

A planetary period used for traditional timing analysis.

Dasha systems divide a person's life into planetary periods. Vimshottari Dasha is one of the most widely used systems in Vedic astrology.

Different Dasha systems use different rules and durations.

A major planetary period.

In Vimshottari Dasha, each of the nine Grahas is assigned a specific Mahadasha duration. The planet's natal condition and other chart factors are traditionally considered when interpreting the period.

A sub-period operating within a Mahadasha.

A Mahadasha contains smaller planetary periods called Antardashas. Traditional astrologers combine Mahadasha and Antardasha when analysing timing.

A smaller planetary period within an Antardasha.

It provides a further level of timing detail within the Vimshottari Dasha hierarchy.

The remaining portion of the starting Mahadasha at birth.

In Vimshottari Dasha, the starting planetary period and its remaining duration are calculated from the Moon's position within the birth Nakshatra.

A planet placed in the sign traditionally considered its exaltation sign.

Exaltation is a traditional dignity concept. It is generally treated as a supportive placement for the planet, although the complete chart context is still considered.

A planet being exalted does not automatically guarantee positive results in every area of life.

A planet placed in the sign traditionally considered its debilitation sign.

Debilitation is a traditional planetary dignity concept. It indicates a sign placement considered less comfortable for that planet.

A debilitated planet should not be interpreted in isolation. Other factors such as aspects, house placement, dignity and cancellation conditions may modify the interpretation.

A planet placed in a zodiac sign it traditionally rules.

Planetary rulership gives certain planets ownership of specific zodiac signs. Placement in an own sign is traditionally considered supportive for planetary dignity.

A sign ruled by a planet traditionally considered friendly to the placed planet.

Vedic astrology uses traditional planetary friendship relationships when evaluating planetary dignity.

A sign ruled by a planet traditionally considered an enemy of the placed planet.

This is a traditional dignity factor used along with other chart conditions.

A period when a planet appears to move backward against the zodiac from Earth's perspective.

Retrograde motion is an apparent astronomical effect caused by relative orbital motion. In astrology, retrograde planets receive additional interpretive significance.

Retrograde does not mean that a physical planet literally reverses its orbit around the Sun.

A traditional condition in which a planet is very close to the Sun.

When a planet comes within a traditionally defined angular distance from the Sun, it may be considered combust. Exact combustion limits vary by planet and tradition.

Why important: Traditional astrologers may consider combustion when evaluating planetary strength.

Two or more planets occupying the same sign or closely placed region of the chart.

The interpretation of a conjunction depends on the planets involved, their exact degrees, sign, house, dignity and other aspects.

Example: Sun and Mercury together are commonly described as a Sun-Mercury conjunction.

A traditional relationship in which a planet influences another house or planetary placement.

Vedic astrology has specific rules for planetary aspects. Certain planets are traditionally assigned additional special aspects.

Why important: Aspects can modify the interpretation of houses, planets, Yog and Dosha.

The planet ruling the sign in which another planet is placed.

Why important: The dispositor's strength and placement can be considered when interpreting the planet occupying its sign.

Example: If Jupiter is placed in Aries, Mars is the dispositor because Mars traditionally rules Aries.

A traditional condition involving close angular proximity between certain planets.

Classical Jyotish texts describe Graha Yuddha primarily among certain visible planets when their longitudes are very close. Different calculation conventions exist.

Sun, Moon, Rahu and Ketu are treated differently from the planets involved in classical Graha Yuddha.

A planet's traditional influence on a particular house through its aspect.

In Vedic astrology, planets can aspect specific houses according to traditional Drishti rules. The resulting influence is interpreted together with the house lord and other factors.

The ninth divisional chart, commonly called the D9 chart.

Navamsa divides each zodiac sign into nine parts. In traditional Vedic astrology, the D9 chart is used to refine planetary strength and is especially associated with marriage and deeper chart interpretation.

D9 should generally be interpreted together with the main birth chart rather than independently.

The main birth chart used as the primary foundation for Kundali interpretation.

D1 represents the twelve zodiac signs and houses calculated from the birth details.

A divisional chart traditionally associated with career and professional matters.

The D10 is used by many Vedic astrologers to refine career-related interpretation alongside the main birth chart.

Its interpretation depends on the astrology tradition and should not be treated as a standalone prediction.

A specific planetary combination described in traditional astrology.

When planets form particular relationships through houses, signs, lords or aspects, traditional Jyotish texts may classify the combination as a Yog.

The presence of a named Yog does not guarantee a particular real-world outcome. Strength and context matter.

A traditional astrological condition considered challenging or requiring additional interpretation.

Different schools define Doshas differently. A Dosha may depend on planetary conjunctions, house placements, aspects, signs or other chart conditions.

Dosha definitions are not universally standardized and should be interpreted in the context of the complete chart.

A traditional condition involving the placement of Mars in certain houses.

A commonly used Vedic astrology rule considers Mars in houses 1, 4, 7, 8 or 12 from the Ascendant. Some traditions also include the 2nd house and may assess the condition from the Moon or Venus.

Rules for Manglik Dosha and its cancellation vary significantly among traditions.

A traditional condition involving the seven classical planets being enclosed between the Rahu-Ketu axis under certain definitions.

Different schools use different rules for determining whether a complete Kaal Sarp condition exists. The exact positions of Rahu, Ketu and the seven classical planets are considered.

There is no universally accepted single definition or interpretation.

A broad traditional term for challenging Saturn-related conditions.

Shani Dosha does not have one universally accepted definition. Saturn's house, sign, dignity, aspects, conjunctions, Dashas and transits may all be considered.

A traditional astrological concept associated with ancestral themes and affliction involving factors such as the Sun, Rahu, Ketu or the ninth house.

Different Jyotish traditions use different combinations to identify Pitra Dosh. The Sun, ninth house, ninth lord and Rahu/Ketu are commonly considered.

Pitra Dosh is a traditional astrological concept and is not scientifically established.

A traditional condition involving the Sun or Moon with Rahu or Ketu.

Common formulations include Sun-Rahu, Sun-Ketu, Moon-Rahu and Moon-Ketu conjunctions, with exact degree proximity and other chart factors sometimes used to assess strength.

Formation rules and degree thresholds vary by tradition.