Vedic astrology glossary

How to use this glossary

These definitions explain how terms are used in Vedik Club’s educational guides. They describe a traditional astrological framework, not established scientific causes of personality or life events. Astronomical inputs such as time, location, and celestial coordinates can be calculated; attaching personal meaning to them is interpretation. For that boundary, see NASA’s explanation of constellations and the calendar and Berkeley Understanding Science’s overview of astrology.

Core chart terms

Birth chart

A birth chart, also called a natal chart, is a calculated map of selected celestial positions for a recorded date, time, and location. In Vedic astrology, the chart is then read through a traditional interpretive system. Start with How a Vedic birth chart works for the calculation and interpretation sequence.

Ascendant or lagna

The ascendant is the zodiacal point rising at the eastern horizon for a place and moment. Because it changes comparatively quickly, it is one reason a recorded birth time can materially affect a calculated chart. It is a calculated coordinate before it becomes an interpretive chart factor.

Ayanamsha

An ayanamsha is an angular offset used by sidereal zodiac calculations. Different software or traditions can select different sidereal modes. Vedik Club identifies calculation settings rather than treating one setting as proof of an interpretation; the Swiss Ephemeris manual documents sidereal modes, including Lahiri-related configuration.

Graha

Graha is a traditional Sanskrit term commonly rendered as “planet,” though the category conventionally includes the Sun, Moon, and lunar nodes as chart factors. The word names a role in the interpretive system; it does not state a scientific mechanism.

House or bhava

A house is one of the chart’s twelve sectors. House systems divide the local sky or chart framework in different ways. A house placement is calculated from chosen settings; what that placement means is an interpretive question.

Rashi or sign

A rashi is one of twelve zodiacal divisions in the traditional framework. Sidereal and tropical zodiacs use different reference conventions. The labels should not be confused with the modern astronomical boundaries of constellations, which NASA describes as sky patterns and formally defined areas of sky.

Nakshatra

A nakshatra is one of 27 lunar mansions used in many Vedic astrological techniques. A nakshatra assignment is calculated from the Moon’s selected longitude. Traditional methods may use it in dasha starting-balance calculations; see Vimshottari dasha.

Divisional chart or varga

A divisional chart is a derived chart made by dividing signs according to a stated traditional rule. It is not a separate set of observed planets. A reproducible calculation should name the division and software settings before any interpretation is discussed.

Dasha terms

Dasha

A dasha is a traditional planetary-period framework. The word is often used broadly, while a named dasha system specifies its own sequence and rules. In this library, “dasha” does not mean a guaranteed event schedule.

Vimshottari dasha

Vimshottari is a 120-year traditional dasha framework with a fixed sequence of planetary rulers. Chapter 46 of the R. Santhanam translation of Brihat Parashara Hora Shastra discusses the system and its starting balance. Read the Vimshottari dasha guide for the calculation sequence and limits.

Mahadasha

A mahadasha is the larger period in a nested dasha system. In Vimshottari, its nominal duration depends on its traditional ruler. It is a period label, not evidence that a particular outcome must occur.

Antardasha

An antardasha is a subperiod within a mahadasha. Readers sometimes call it a bhukti. The label identifies a nested interval calculated under stated dasha rules. See Mahadasha versus antardasha for a step-by-step comparison.

Starting balance

The starting balance is the remaining portion of the first dasha at birth under a specified traditional method. It depends on the Moon’s calculated position and the selected nakshatra boundaries. It should be checked before reading later dates.

Saturn-cycle terms

Saturn transit

A Saturn transit is Saturn’s calculated position over time relative to a reference chart or zodiac. An ephemeris can provide the position; the significance assigned to it is traditional interpretation.

Sade Sati

Sade Sati is a traditional Saturn-transit framework centered on Saturn’s movement through the sign before, the same sign as, and the sign after the natal Moon’s selected sidereal sign. It is commonly described as spanning about seven and a half years, subject to calculation settings and retrograde motion. It is not a diagnosis, warning, or forecast of harm. Read Sade Sati without fear claims.

Saturn return

A Saturn return is a different reference: Saturn returning near its natal longitude. It is not interchangeable with Sade Sati because one references the natal Moon’s sign and the other references natal Saturn. See Sade Sati versus Saturn return.

A practical reading checklist

• Record the date, clock time, location, time zone, ephemeris, zodiac, and ayanamsha used for a calculation.
• Keep the calculated output separate from the traditional interpretation attached to it.
• Treat changed inputs or settings as a reason to recalculate, not as a reason to force a preferred reading.
• Use Vedik Club’s methodology to understand the service’s calculation and AI boundaries.
• If you want an app-generated chart and report, visit Life Report; educational pages do not replace professional medical, legal, or financial advice.