The main birth chart (D1, or Rashi chart) shows the whole picture. Divisional charts (vargas) zoom in on one area of life by dividing each sign into smaller parts. Brihat Parashara Hora Shastra describes sixteen of them, the Shodashavarga. Beginners need to know two: the D9 and the D10.
This article is part of our Vedic astrology guide.
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Each sign is divided into nine parts of 3°20′, the same size as a Nakshatra pada. That's why each pada maps to one Navamsa sign.
- Marriage and partnership: the 7th house and 7th lord of the D9, and Venus's position, are read alongside the main chart. See marriage timing in astrology.
- Dharma and the second half of life: many astrologers see the D9 as showing what grows stronger in a person over time.
- The real strength of a planet: a planet exalted in D1 but debilitated in D9 delivers less than it seems to. A planet weak in D1 but strong in D9 improves. When in doubt, D9 is the tie-breaker.
- Vargottama: a planet in the same sign in D1 and D9 is called Vargottama and is considered stable and reliable. The Lagna can be Vargottama too.
The D10 Dasamsa: career
Each sign is divided into ten parts of 3°. The D10 is used for profession, status and achievements.
- Read the 10th house and 10th lord of the D10 together with the 10th house of the main chart. Never read it alone.
- If the planets that describe career in D1 are also strong in D10, the career promise is reliable.
- The D10 Lagna and its lord add detail about how the person works.
More in career prediction in Vedic astrology.
The 16 vargas at a glance
| Chart | Name | Used for |
|---|---|---|
| D1 | Rashi | The whole life, body |
| D2 | Hora | Wealth |
| D3 | Drekkana | Siblings, courage |
| D4 | Chaturthamsha | Property, fortune, home |
| D7 | Saptamsha | Children |
| D9 | Navamsa | Spouse, dharma, planet strength |
| D10 | Dashamsha | Career, status |
| D12 | Dwadashamsha | Parents |
| D16 | Shodashamsha | Vehicles, comforts |
| D20 | Vimshamsha | Spiritual practice |
| D24 | Chaturvimshamsha | Education, learning |
| D27 | Saptavimshamsha (Bhamsha) | Strengths and weaknesses |
| D30 | Trimshamsha | Misfortunes, difficulties |
| D40 | Khavedamsha | Maternal lineage effects |
| D45 | Akshavedamsha | Paternal lineage, character |
| D60 | Shashtiamsha | Past karma (given high weight by Parashara) |
The catch: birth time
The finer the division, the faster it changes:
- The D9 changes on average every 13 minutes.
- The D10 changes about every 12 minutes.
- The D60 changes every 2 minutes or so.
A birth time rounded to "around 6:30" can easily give a wrong D9 or D10, so it's best to read vargas beyond the D9 only when the birth time is reliable or has been rectified. If the D1 and a divisional chart disagree and you aren't sure of the time, trust the D1.
How to use them without getting lost
- Form a view from the D1 first.
- Check the relevant varga: D9 for relationships and planet strength, D10 for career.
- Look for agreement. Agreement confirms the reading; disagreement softens it.
- Don't pick the varga that gives the answer you want.