Vedic Astrology  - Glossary

This page explains some of the terms used in this site and Astrology Notes. All these terms are used in the site somewhere or the other. This page is intended to be a reference, please keep this page open along with the rest of the site.We have tried to keep the definitions simple and concise. Please drop us a line if you would like me to add some more terms and details to this page.

A
Adi
Adi is the Sanskrit term for beginning. In the context of horoscope compatibility, it is one of three types of Nadis.
Aditya
Sanskrit term for Sun.
Adra
One of the 27 nakshatras. Its ruler is Rahu.
Amanta
Hindu calendar variant where a month begins on the new moon day.
Amavasya
Sanskrit term for the new moon day.
Antardasha
In Vimshattori dasha system, this is the inner planetary period as opposed to Mahadasha - the outer or main planetary period.
Antya
Sanskrit word for end. In the context of horoscope compatibility, it is one of three types of Nadis.
Anuradha
One of the 27 nakshatras.Its ruler is Saturn.
Artha
In this site, this Sanskrit term refers to money or economy.
Ashlesha
One of the 27 nakshatras.Its ruler is Mercury.
Ashtakoot guna system
The eight point system that is used to judge compability between two horoscopes.
Ashtamsha
It is one of the divisional charts in Vedic Astrology that is used to judge the longivity of the person.
Aswini
One of the 27 nakshatras. Its ruler is Ketu.
Avatar
Incarnation. In the context of the astrology notes in this site, Rama and Krishna are avatars of Vishnu. Rama is considered to be Maryada Purushottam (best among human beings) and Krishna is poorna (complete) avatar of Sri Vishnu.
Awastha
Sanskrit term for state, a condition or position of being.
Ayanamsha
The mathematical and spatial difference between the sidereal and tropical zodiacs.

B
Badhak
When a planet assumes properties of becoming a hinderance to whatever it influences in the horoscope of a person, it is called a Badhak.
Bala
Sanskrit term for strength.
Bharani
One of the 27 nakshatras. Its ruler is Venus.
Bhukti
Same as Antardasha.
Budhaditya Yoga
Auspicious combination of Sun and Mercury by them being in the same house in a horoscope chart.
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C
Chandra
Sanskrit term for Moon.
Chaturamsha
It is one of the divisional charts in Vedic Astrology that is used to judge prosperity of the individual and the assets he/she is destined to own.
Chitrapaksha Ayanamsha
The ayanamsha that is recognized as official by the Government of India.
Chitta
One of the 27 nakshatras. Its ruler is Mars.

D
Dakshina
Sanskrit term for the fee paid to a teacher in return to the knowledge he/she imparts to an individual.
Dasha
Sanskrit term for state, a condition or position of being. In the context of the Vimshottari system of predictive astrology, dasha is the period when a planet influences the life of a person.
Dashamsha
It is one of the divisional charts in Vedic Astrology that is used to judge career of an individual.
Dev
Sanskrit term for God. In the context of horoscope matching is it one of the ganas assigned to person based on the longitudnal degree of the Moon.
Dhanishtha
One of the 27 nakshatras. Its ruler is Mars.
Dharma
Sanskrit term for righteousness or principles. Sometimes, it is loosely (and incorrectly) translated as religion in the English language.
Drishti
Sanskrit term for vision or sight. In the context of Vedic Astrology, drishti refers to the influence a planet can have on a house relative to its current positions.
Dusthana
Sanskrit term for a bad place. It refers to houses that not considered good in Vedic Astrology. E.g. sixth house, which is the house for enemies, twelfth house, which is the house for loss etc.
Dwadashamsha
It is one of the divisional charts in Vedic Astrology that is used to judge parents of an individual.
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E
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F

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G
Gaja Kesari Yoga
Gaja Kesari Yoga is caused by Moon and Jupiter coming together in a chart by being in Kendras (1st, 4th, 7th, or 10th) from each other.
Gana
In Checking Horscopoe Compatibility, it is an indicator of three basic qualities of nature: sattva (dev, God) , rajas (manushya, human) and tamas (rakshasa, demon).
Gochara
Method of prediction in Vedic Astrology that uses the current position of planets in space in relation to the position of planets in the horoscope of a person.
Gomed
Gemstone, Garnet.
Graha
Sanskrit term for a planet.
Graha Maitri
In checking horoscope compatibility, it is an indicator of friendship between the rashi lords of bride and groom.
Guna
Sanskrit term for quality. Sadguna - good qualities and Durguna - bad qualities.
Guna Milap
Horoscope compatibility procedure.
Guru
Sanskrit term meaning teacher. It is also used to denote Jupiter as Jupiter is the teacher of Gods in Hindu mythology.
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H
Hasta
One of the 27 nakshatras. Its ruler is Moon.
Heera
Gemstone, Diamond.
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I
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J
Jyesta
One of the 27 nakshatras. Its ruler is Mercury.
Jyotish
Astrology.
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K
Kaliyuga
One of the four great ages that are enumerated in Hinduism. The current world age is Kaliyuga, when righteousness is on the wane. The Kaliyuga is supposed to have started in 3102BCE with the death of Krishna and would continue for 432000 years.
Kartika
One of the 27 nakshatras. Its ruler is Sun.
Kendra
Sanskrit term for center. In Vedic Astrology, it refers to houses 1, 4, 7 and 10 that are the four central houses in a horoscope.
Kendradhipati
The ruler or lord of a kendra.
Krishna Paksh
The portion of a lunar month in a Hindu calendar when Moon is on a wane.
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L
Lagna
Ascendant.
Lahsuniya
Gemstone, Cat's eye.
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M
Maanik
Gemstone, Ruby
Madhya
Madhya is the Sanskrit term for middle. In the context of horoscope compatibility, it is one of three types of Nadis.
Magha
One of the 27 nakshatras. Its ruler is Ketu.
Mahadasha
In Vimshottari dasha system, this is the outer or the main planetary period as opposed to Antardasha - the inner planetary period.
Mahapurusha
Great men.
Manav
Human
Moh-maya
Term that refers to infatuation to worldly pleasures. This is the stuff the saints keep away from.
Moksha
The final liberation when a soul breaks the cycle of birth and death and becomes one with the Paramatma, the Supreme Being.
Moola
One of the 27 nakshatras. Its ruler is Ketu.
Moolatrikona
A moolatrikona sign is defined for each of the planets in the chart. It is a position of strength, one level below the exaltation position, for the planet.
Moti
Sanskrit term for pearl.
Mrigshira
One of the 27 nakshatras. Its ruler is Mars.
Muhurta
Auspicious time, usually calculated of marriage and other matters.
Munga
Red coral.
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N
Nadi
Literally means pulse. According to the nakshatra, there are three kinds of nadis : Adi (beginning), Madhya (middle) and Antya (end). In checking horoscope compatibility, the husband and wife should have different nadis to get 8 points towards overall compatibility.
Nakshatra
Constellation.
Namakarana
The ceremony of naming a child after birth.
Navamsha
It is one of the divisional charts in Vedic Astrology that is used to judge general well being and spouse.
Neechabhanga
This is the combination where a powerless planet gains power, due to its position.
Neelam
Blue sapphire.
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O
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P
Paksh
In the context of Vedic astrology, this is one half of a lunar month.
Panchamsha
It is one of the divisional charts in Vedic Astrology that is used to judge the past life of an individual.
Panna
Emerald.
Parashari
Pertaining to the great Vedic rishi - Parashar.
Pukhraj
Yellow Sapphire
Punarvasu
One of the 27 nakshatras. Its ruler is Jupiter.
Purnima
Full moon.
Purnimanta
Beginning of month of the Hindu calendar, based on purnima.
Purva Ashadha
One of the 27 nakshatras. Its ruler is Venus.
Purva Bhadprada
One of the 27 nakshatras. Its ruler is Jupiter.
Purva Falguni
One of the 27 nakshatras. Its ruler is Venus.
Pushya
One of the 27 nakshatras. Its ruler is Saturn.
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Q
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R
Rajas
One of the three qualities of nature that is related to energy.
Rajyog
Planetary combination in a person chart that bestows fortune like kings on him/her.
Rajyoga karaka
The planet that is capable of bestowing a raj yoga on a person.
Rakshasa
Demon
Revati
One of the 27 nakshatras. Its ruler is Mercury.
Rohini
One of the 27 nakshatras. Its ruler is Moon.
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S
Samskar
Cultural etiquettes in Hinduism. Necessary ceremonies like marriage, naming of a child are referred to samskar in Hinduism.
Sanatana Dharma
The all pervading religion - Hinduism.
Sandhi
Sanskrit term for conjunction. In astrology, sandhi is most commonly referred to in the context of rashi-sandhi when a planet is situated at a point where rashis meet, i.e. one rashi ends and other begins.
Saptamsha
It is one of the divisional charts in Vedic Astrology that is used to judge progeny.
Sattva
One of the three qualities of nature that is related to purity of nature.
Saumya graha
The planet that is generally good and not harmful to an individual as per its position in a horoscope chart.
Shadbala
Strength of a planet in the horoscope.
Shahstamsha
It is one of the divisional charts in Vedic Astrology that is used to judge diseases and health.
Shatabhisha
One of the 27 nakshatras. Its ruler is Rahu.
Shodashamsha
It is one of the divisional charts in Vedic Astrology that is used to judge vehicles and pleasure due to conveyances.
Shravana
One of the 27 nakshatras. Its ruler is Moon.
Shukla paksh
The bright half of a lunar month when Moon is steadily gaining brightness.
Sthana Bala
Positional strength. A source of strength based on planets position in the zodiac.
Swati
One of the 27 nakshatras. Its ruler is Rahu.
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T
Tamas
One of the three qualities of nature that is related to darkness and evil.
Tithi
Date.
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U
Uttara Ashadha
One of the 27 nakshatras. Its ruler is Sun.
Uttara Bhadprada
One of the 27 nakshatras. Its ruler is Saturn.
Uttara Falguni
One of the 27 Nakshatras. Its ruler is Sun.

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V
Vaar
Day of the Week. like Sunday, Monday etc.
Varga
Divisional charts like Navmasha. They are harmonics of the main Rashi Chart.
Varna
Caste. According to vedic system,there are four varnas, Brahmin, Kshatriya, Vaishya and Shudra.
Varshaphal
Based on the transits of planets during a year, varshaphal refers to the predictions for an individuals or a set of individuals who share a sign.
Vashya
Control. In Checking horoscope compatibility ,this factor shows who among the bride and the groom will have more control, in other words, who would dominate the relationship.
Vikram Samvat
The official calendar system in Nepal/India.
Vimshamsha
It is one of the divisional charts in Vedic Astrology that is used to judge how much religious an individual would be.
Vimshottari
Cycle of 120 years.
Vishaka
One of the 27 nakshatras. Its ruler is Jupiter.

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W

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X

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Y
Yoga
Sanskrit term for combination. In this context of Panchanga, it means it means a particular combination of Moon and Sun. This combination is said to affect a person's health. In the context of horoscopes, planetary combinations or yogas are central to the effects they bestow on the individual.
Yoni
In checking horoscope compatibility, yoni is an indicator of attraction between husband and wife.