ASHT in Sanskrit means eight.

Ashtakvarga denotes eight types ofenergies,

which every planet in a horoscope generates with reference to itself, lagna and
six other planets (Rahu & Ketu excluded). The energies released can be benefic
or malefic. Ashtakvarga, though by itself, an independent system is an offshoot
of Parashari system.
It is easy to comprehend and gives snapshot, accurate and correctpredictions by
pinpointing the main events in a horoscope. Its main strength is in timing of
events by assessment of results of planets in transit.
Calculation of AshtakVarga:
The figures in Ashtakavarga of each planet are subject to two types
of reductions. These reductions are made for calculating longevity and making
other predictions.
Its Reduction Rules:-
There are two types of reductions called Trikona and Ekadhipatya reduction
which goes one after another i.e. Trikona then Ekadhipatya reduction.This
order cannot be reversed.
Twelve rashis are divided into four groups of trine (Trikona) rashis.
Aries (1) its trine Leo (5) and Sagittarius (9) is 1st group called Fiery sign.
Taurus (2)its trine Virgo(6) and Capricorn(10) is 2nd group called Earthy sign
Gemini (3) its trine Libra (7) and Aquarius (11) is 3rd group called Airy sign.
Cancer (4) its trine Scorpio (8) & Pisces (12) is 4th group called Watery Sign.
Rules for Trikona (1st) Reduction:-
1. If the figures in three signs are unequal, deduct lowest from all the three and
retains the remainder.
2. No reduction is to be carried out if any one of the three signs have '0'.
3. If there are on figures in two signs then make third also '0'.
4. If figures in all signs are equal then eliminate all; make them equal to '0'.
Rules for Ekadhipatya (2nd) Reduction:-
After trikona reduction has been carried out, this would be next reduction.
Ekadhipatya means ownership of two signs by a planet. Sun and Moon own
one sign each, Cancer (4) & Leo (5). Therefore no reduction is to be carried out
in these two signs.
1. No reduction is to be done
If there are planets in both the signs owned by a planet.
If there is a '0' (zero) in one of the two signs whether occupied or not.
2. If one sign is occupied and the other is not, then do one of the following:-
If the number in the occupied one is greater than that in the unoccupied one or
equal to, then eliminate the latter. Make it '0' in unoccupied one.
If the number in the occupied is lesser than that in the unoccupied one, then
make the latter equal to the former.(Equal to occupied one)
If the number is equal, eliminate the number in the unoccupied one to '0'.
3. If both the signs are unoccupied then:-
If the numbers are equal in both signs,eliminate the number & make it '0'
If the numbers are not equal then convert the lager into smaller one.
Caution:-
1, Apply 2b or 3b only when 1b is not applicable.
2, Rahu & Ketu are not taken into consideration as planets for this purpose.
Shodhya Pinda:-
After two reductions have been carried out the below two processes are to be
carried out.
1. Rasi Gunakara or Rasi Multiplier:- Each rashi has a fixed number allotted to
it. This is constant and cannot be changed.
2. Graha Gunakara:- Each planet(grah) has a constant planetary factor which
also cannot be changed, and bindus after second reduction have to be
multiplied with these factors.
In each horoscope the number of bindus left in each rashi after two reductions
is to be multiplied by the above two factors. First by rashi gunkara and the by
separately by graham gunakara or planetary factor. The products of these two
have to be added to get Shodhya Pinda.
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SarvashtakVarga, Total Bindus : 337/386
The controversy relates to the use of 337 or 386 bindus as the total points of
SAV (Sarvashtakvarga). The difference comes up due to the inclusion or
exclusion of Lagnashtak bindus, whose total points are 49, if added into 337 it
becomes 386 points.
There are two arguments viz;
It should be included:
Some Astrologers say that Rishi Prashar has given the Ashtakvarga of Lagna
also just as he has given for seven planets, to make it a complete ASHTAK i.e.
Eight.
Ashtakvargas of the 7 planets does not make duplication since in Lagnashtak,
the bindus are contributed by the planets in auspicious place from themselves
rather than from Lagna.
Lagnashtakvarga is necessary to determine total longevity since
the years granted by each planet have to be supplemented by the years granted
by Lagna also.
It should not be included:
In the BAV of each planet the auspicious place from Lagna has also been taken
and the bindu added to it with each planet. Lagnashta bindus are almost the
same as per given in table. If we include Lagnashtak bindu into SAV bindus
then Lagna would be contributing twice which is an unwanted duplication.
Lagna is a fixed point and does not transit from one sign to another like the
planets do.
If Lagnashtak bindu is added to SAV bindus then total points become 386 and
the average points for each house will be 32 whereas if we take 337 points
average points will be 28, which is accepted to most Astrologers and classical
books as a magic figure. We have seen that if the native is running a good dasha
and Saturn is transiting in a house with 25 points, we consider that transit will
not be bad.
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Rashi Chart v/s Bhava (Chalit) Chart
Some astrologers say that Ashtakvarga should be calculated from Bhava Chart
rather than the Rashi Chart. This view has been advocated by Kalyan Verma
and Gunakar. The exact degree of Lagna is middle of house and the
house extends to 150 in bothdirections.
This concept initiated by Shripati, often changes the house occupiedby the
planet in the bhava chart, more specially if the Lagna is in either low or
high degrees. They say that how can the native has the same fate if Lagna with
10 or 290 is rising at the time of birth. Will the events experienced by both be
the same? If not so, Ashtakvarga should be calculated on the basis of Bhava
Chart and not Rashi Chart.
Certain Yogas are formed with the help of Bhava alone and not Rashi, like Gaj
Kesari Yoga etc.The case of twins born a few minutes apart enjoying different
fates will be the example.
The majority of astrologers does not pay much attention to Bhava Chart and
give off their predictionsby seeing the Rashi Chart and the Divisional Chart.
Ashtakvarga of Rahu
Rishi Parashar has not taken into consideration Rahus Ashtakvarga since it is a
shadowy planet and has not been allotted ownership of any sign. Probably for
this reason, Rahu has not been included in the SAV along with other 7 planets
nor has been given lordship of any KAKSHYA.
At a later stage only in Shambhu Hora Prakash and some Yavanacharya
advocated for it. And one wonders why these acharyas have not given any
importance to Ashtakvarga of Ketu.
Nevertheless, the BAV of Rahu could be used to see the transit of Rahu and also
its Dasha, Antardasha as it commands a dasha of 18 years. But it should not be
included in the SAV of 7 planets as it is only a shadowy planet.
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Importance of Prastharashtaka Varga And Its Kakshya:
Prasthar means spread, when we divide the sign in 8 parts. Each part is called a
Kakshya of 30-45/ each and has been assigned a lord in the order of Saturn,
Jupiter, Mars, Sun, Venus, Mercury, Moon and Lagna.
The order of planets is as per their motion in the zodiac starting from Saturn the
slowest.When a Planet enters a sign, it first traverses in Saturns Kakshya, and
then it enters Jupiters and so on. A total benefic point in a sign is called BAV,
total bindus contributed by each planet. Whereas Prastar Chakra reveals which
planet has contributed a bindu and which has not.
A slow moving planet like Saturn takes 2.5 years to traverse a sign. Does it
mean that the entire 2.5 years period will be bad if Saturn is not associated with
goodnumber of benefic points in that sign? No, Saturn will produce good
results when passing through the Kakshya of those planets, which have
contributed a bindu.
Prastharashtakaka Varga can be used for the delineation of Dasha results and
predicting the effectsof transit. The timing of events can be narrowed down to
as brief as possible with the help of Prastharashtakaka Varga and its Kakshya.
Best Examples are Pt. J.L. Nehru when he became PM on 15.08.1947 or
J.F. Kennedy of USA, when he became President on 05.11.1960. and many more.
Importance of Muhurta in AshtakVarga:
Ashtakvarga is the study of benefic / malefic positions of planet from eight
different points. For example, when we say Ashtakvarga of Moon, it actually
means a study of benefic positions of Moon from its position and other six
sources i.e. Sat. Jup. Mars, Sun, Ven. Merc. And Lagna.
Ashtakvarga is used to judge the strength of planet in transit taking natal
chart as base, whether planet A is in favourable position from majority of other
planets and Lagna.
Classical writers even go to the extent of saying that even if a planet is placed in
unfavourable position from natal Moon, it will give benefic results if it is strong
in Ashtakvarga. This is because Ashtakvarga will take into account not only the
favourable position from natal Moon but from other planets position also in
the natal chart.
For Muhurta purposes, one can prepare BAV and SAV from the Muhurta
Horoscope and see that activity related houses should be strong in BAV and
SAV. For marriage purpose one should ensure the strength of Lagna and 7th
house. Similarly one should extend the rule for other Muhurta also.
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Interpretation of Horoscope through Ashtak Varga:
While giving predictions in Ashtakvarga we have to see the bindus contributed
by the planets as well as bindus contained in the rashis. If a planet has more
than 5 bindus and rashi has more than 28 bindus in Sarvashtakvarga it gives
excellent results by the house concerned. More bindus the planet has, better are
the results. A planet even though it might be exalted or in its own house, cannot
confer full benefits unless it has requisite number of bindus in the Ashtakvarga.
Classical books say that when planets transit in the following houses they will
give good results from Lagna, Moon and Sun lagnas:
Sun in 3 - 6 - 10 - 11 houses,
Moon in 1 - 3 - 6 - 7 - 11 houses,
Mars in 3 - 6 - 11 houses,
Mercury in 2 - 4 - 6 - 8 - 10 - 11 houses,
Jupiter in 2 - 5 - 7 - 9 - 11 houses,
Venus in 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 8 - 9 - 11 - 12 houses,
Saturn in 3 - 6 - 11 houses,
Rahu and Ketu in 3 - 6 - 11 houses.
What happened if these above houses do not have good strength? To check the
strength of the houses and Planets we use Ashtaka Varga to find out the
strength.
SAV is also known as Pindashtak varga or Sakalashak varga or Akhilashak
varga or Vyuhashak varga or Mahashak varga or Samudayashak varga.
Important Points:
1. Total points in SAV are 337 and if we divide this figure by 12 then 28 points
comes for each house.
a) Any house is good if it has more than 30 points. If it has, less than 25 points,
then that house becomes weak and will not give good result, when any planet
transit in it.
b) If points are in between 25 to 30 then it is neither good nor bad.
2. If first, nine, ten and eleven houses having 30 or more than 30 points in these
houses, then native will be wealthy. Some classical books say that native
will become wealthy at the age of 37 years.
3. If Lagna and fourth houses having 33 points and its lords have exchanged
the house, then native will be wealthy.
4. Some says that number of points in the Lagna will be the age of years for the
native to rise in life.
5. If 2nd house has more points from 12th house, then native is hardly
spending any money for his enjoyment. He may making/ hoarding up his bank
balance.
6. If 11th house has more points than the 10th house and 12th house has fewer
points than the 11th house, moreover, lagna has more points than the 12th
house, then the native enjoys all the material happiness in the life.
7. The native will be beggar if the lagna, 9th , 10th , 11th houses are having
less than 25 points in each house and malefics are in Trines houses.
8. Some classical books say that, add the points of lagna + 2 + 4 + 9 + 10 + 11
houses, if the total is more than 164, then native is wealthy. Same way, add the
points of 6 + 8 + 12 houses. If the points are less than 76 then the income is more
than the expenditure.
It is not true now a days in our observation because 6th house is for competition
or to fight back to gain some things, 8th house is for black money or inherited
property, lottery, unearned income or gain all of sudden from shares etc and
12th house is gain from foreign country or multinational company.
9. If 12th house has more points than 11th house, then it means (1) more
expenses than earning, which means taking loans etc. (2) earning from foreign
sources or country or working in multi-national company.
A native goes out of country only if his 4th house and its lord is afflicted and
has PAC with 12th house or its lord.
10. Note down the points of Lagna and 7th house and see which house is
stronger in between the two. Stronger house will control the partner.
11. Add the points of lagna + 4 +5 + 7 + 9 + 10 houses. This group is called
inner self and add points of other group 2 + 3 + 6 + 8 + 11 + 12 houses; this
group is called outer self.
See which group has more points, if it is inner self, then native will make
money and become wealthy by his good deeds, learning, knowledgeable and
charitable. If outer self is stronger, then native, is greedy, deceitful, worried
man and do cheating.
12. If Mars and Venus are in exalted sign, Saturn and Jupiter in Trikona house
and lagna has 40 or more than 40 points, then native live like a king.
13. If lagna, Moon lagna, 10th and 11th houses have 30 points each and Jupiter
having aspect on lagna or Moon lagna, then native lives like a king.
14. If Sun is in lagna with exalted sign and Jupiter with 40 points in 4th house,
then native lives like a king.
15. If Sun and Jupiter are in exalted sign with 30 points and lagna has more
points than other houses, then native will live like a king.
16. If 4th and 11th houses have 30 points each, then native will rise at the age
of 40 years of life.
17. If Lagna and 9th house have 30 points, then native will rise at the age of 28
years of life.
18. If Mars and Venus are in exalted sign, Saturn in Aquarius Rashi and Jupiter
with 40 points in Sagittarius Rashi in lagna, then native lives like a king.
19. If lagna, Moon Lagna and Sun lagna have 30 points, then native will rise
by his own efforts.
20. If malefic planets Saturn, Rahu or Mars is placed in 8th house. The
corresponding no of the SAV will be the age, when native will have bad time.
21. Same way if benefices are placed in Kendra or Trikona, the corresponding
no of SAV will be the year of age when native will have good times.
22. If 11th house has more points than the 10th house, then native do less
struggle and get more gain and if 10th house has more points than the 11th
house then it means that native do more struggle but get less gain or he gets
opportunity but cannot avail it.
23. More difference of points in between two houses is not good. Native get
good jump in his position but in next transit of Saturn he will have fall. Best
example is of Rajiv Gandhi.
24. Moon sign of the couple should have more than 28 point in each other
horoscope to have happy married life.
25. Divide the horoscope into four groups and add the points of Dharam. Artha,
Karama and Moksha houses like
1) 1 + 5 + 9 house is called BANDHU,
2) 2 + 6 + 10 houses is called SEVAKA,
3) 3 + 7 + 11 houses is called POSHAKA and
4) 4 + 8 + 12 houses are called GHATAKA.
BANDHU: if this group has more points than the others, then native will be
wealthy, doing right Karma, charitable.
SEVAKA: native may be doing job, service, or money minded.
POSHAKA: may be indursitest or factory owner or employer
GHATAKA: native may be poor, beggar.
26. Divide the horoscope into three groups
1). Add the points of Pisces to Gemini Rashi. It is called Childhood.
2). Add the points of Cancer to Libra Rashi. It is called Young age.
3). Add the points of Scorpio to Aquarius Rashi. It is called old age.
Whereas other classical books says that divide the horoscope into following
way:-
1). Add the points of 1+2+3+4 houses. It is called childhood
2). Add the points of 5+6+7+8 houses. It is called young age
3). Add the points of 9+10+11+12 houses. It is called old age
Native will have comfort life, which group is stronger than the others are.
Whereas some others classical books say that add the points from Rashi Pisces
to Gemini, Cancer to Libra and Scorpio to Aquarius for Childhood, young age
and old age
27. Stronger direction is good to work from birthplace,
1) Add the points of 1+5+9 houses. It is called East direction
2) Add the points of 2+6+10 houses. It is called South direction
3) Add the points of 3+7+11 houses. It is called West direction
4) Add the points of 4+8+12 houses. It is called North direction
See which group has more points. If native goes towards that direction from his
birthplace, then native will have success in his job.
28. Moon signs of the couple should have more than 28 points in each others
horoscope in Rashi to have good and happy married life.
29. A native should take loan or medicine, when rising sign of the day is
having less point in SAV of his horoscope and then the next rising sign is
having more points to return the loan or recover fast.
30. Add the points from Lagna to Saturn or Lagna to Rahu or Lagna to Mars
and multiply by 7 and divide by 27. The reminder will be Nakshatra from the
Ashwini, native will have bad time, when Saturn transit on the same
Nakshatra.
Same way add the points from Lagna to Venus or Lagna to Jupiter or Lagna to
Moon for good result.
31. As per Mansaagri classical book and P.S. Sastrys book,
If any house has following points, It will give following result as per the nature
of the planets and Kartatva of the house. It started from 14 point to 48 point.
If 14 points: painful fear of death.
If 15 points: fear from the Govt.
If 16 points: Some misery.
If 17 points: Disease or loss of place
If 18 points: loss of money
If 19 points: Quarrelsome and troubles from relatives.
If 20 points: More expenditure, doing sinful acts.
If 21 points: Disease, loss of money and gains.
If22 points: loss of memory, weakness and troubles from relatives.
If 23 points: Many worries, pains, loss of gains
If 24 points: Loss of money all of sudden or over expenditure.
If 25 points: Misfortune from planets and house Kartatva nature.
If 26 points: Troublesome, dullness, fickle nature.
If 27 points: Over expenditure, worry, anxiety and unclear mind.
If 28 points: Gain of money but still not satisfied.
If 29 points: the native receives respect.
If 30 points: Auspicious results like native receives respect, honour and gain of
wealth.
If 31 to 33 points: the native does good things to others and receives respects
and honour.
If 34 to 40 points: Native gets all materials property.
If 41 points: great wealth and many sources of income.
If 42 points: Native gets all materials property, charitable, wealthy, loved by
people.
If 43 points: Native gets all materials property from many sources and
happiness.
If 44 to 45 points: Gains of wealth from many sources, receives honours and
respects.
If 46 to 47 points: Native has all best qualities, doing auspicious activities.
If 48 and above points: Native has best qualities like a ruler, shows kindness to
all, attached to Dharama, wise etc.