Vedic · Reference
Divisional charts
All sixteen vargas in classical Vedic astrology — the Shodashavarga system. Each varga zooms in on one life domain by subdividing every sign of the birth chart and re-mapping the planets accordingly.
A divisional chart (varga) is a sub-chart computed by dividing each 30° sign of the Rasi into N equal or weighted parts. The 9-fold division produces the Navamsa (D9); the 10-fold the Dasamsa (D10); the 60-fold the Shashtiamsa (D60). Each re-mapping creates a chart that classical sources read as a zoom into one specific life domain — marriage, career, education, parents, vehicles, past-life karma.
Modern practice usually consults the Rasi, the D9, and one or two specialised vargas relevant to the question being read. Serious traditional practice consults all sixteen. The reference below covers each varga’s computation, life domain, and how a working practitioner reads it.
Foundational — read on every chart
D1
Rasi
Birth Chart
The full chart at face value — the body, the personality, the broad strokes of life.
D9
Navamsa
Marriage Chart
Each sign split in nine — the most-consulted divisional chart, governing marriage, dharma, and the second half of life.
Major specialisations
D10
Dasamsa
Career Chart
Each sign split in ten — the chart of career, public status, and visible accomplishment.
D30
Trimsamsa
Misfortunes Chart
Each sign split in thirty — the chart of misfortunes, evils, and difficult experiences.
D60
Shashtiamsa
All Karma Chart
Each sign split in sixty — the most subtle divisional chart, governing past-life karma and the deepest layer of the reading.
Specialised — consult when their domain is in question
D2
Hora
Wealth Chart
Each sign split in two — the chart of accumulated wealth and material flow.
D3
Drekkana
Siblings Chart
Each sign split in three — the chart of siblings, courage, short journeys, and self-effort.
D4
Chaturthamsa
Fortune Chart
Each sign split in four — the chart of property, fortune, fixed assets, and emotional foundation.
D7
Saptamsa
Progeny Chart
Each sign split in seven — the chart of children, progeny, and creative legacy.
D12
Dwadasamsa
Parents Chart
Each sign split in twelve — the chart of parents, ancestry, and inherited disposition.
D16
Shodasamsa
Vehicles Chart
Each sign split in sixteen — the chart of conveyances, vehicles, and the comforts of moving through the world.
D20
Vimsamsa
Spirituality Chart
Each sign split in twenty — the chart of spiritual life, deity, and devotional practice.
D24
Chaturvimsamsa
Education Chart
Each sign split in twenty-four — the chart of education, learning, and intellectual achievement.
D27
Saptavimsamsa
Strength Chart
Each sign split in twenty-seven — the chart of strength, weakness, and resilience.
D40
Khavedamsa
Auspiciousness Chart
Each sign split in forty — the chart of auspicious and inauspicious results across the lifespan.
D45
Akshavedamsa
Character Chart
Each sign split in forty-five — the chart of character, ethical disposition, and inner nature.
Common questions
About divisional charts
What is a divisional chart?
A divisional chart (varga or amsha) is a sub-chart computed by dividing each 30° sign of the birth chart (Rasi / D1) into N equal or weighted parts. The 9-fold subdivision produces the Navamsa (D9); the 10-fold produces the Dasamsa (D10); the 60-fold produces the Shashtiamsa (D60). Each varga re-maps every planet to a new sign based on which part of its original sign it occupies, and the resulting chart is read as a zoom into one specific life domain.
Why are there sixteen divisional charts?
Classical Vedic astrology codified sixteen vargas in what is called the Shodashavarga ('sixteen-fold') system. The number itself is canonical, attributed to Sage Parashara, and corresponds to the sixteen domains classical practice considered worth zooming into separately: overall life, wealth, siblings, fortune, progeny, marriage, career, parents, vehicles, spirituality, education, strength, misfortunes, auspiciousness, character, and past-life karma. Modern practitioners often use a subset; serious traditional practice uses all sixteen.
Which divisional charts should I start with?
After the Rasi (D1) itself, learn the Navamsa (D9) — the most-consulted varga in modern practice, governing marriage, dharma, and the second half of life. Then the Dasamsa (D10) for career, the Trimsamsa (D30) for difficulties, and the Shashtiamsa (D60) for the deepest karmic layer. The other vargas are specialised; consult them when their specific life domain is the subject of the reading.
Why is birth time so important for divisional charts?
Higher-numbered vargas are highly sensitive to birth time. The D9 shifts every 3°20' of zodiacal motion, which corresponds to roughly 13 minutes of birth time at average latitudes. The D60 shifts every 30', or about 2 minutes of birth time. A four-minute error in birth time can shift a D60 placement by a full sign. Serious varga analysis (especially of D27, D40, D45, D60) requires either a reliably-recorded birth time or a formal birth-time rectification. Without that, deep varga readings are unreliable.
Do all sixteen vargas matter equally?
No. Classical sources weight them differently. The Rasi (D1) and Navamsa (D9) are foundational and are read on every chart. The D10, D30, and D60 are major specialised vargas. The other eleven are consulted when their specific domain is in question. A reading that mentions every varga without context is usually performative; a reading that consults the right varga for the question at hand is what mature Vedic practice looks like.