The term varga (Sanskrit varga, 'set, division') in Indian astrology (Jyotisha) refers to the division of a zodiacal sign (rāśi) into parts. Each such fractional part of a sign, known as an aṃśa, has a source of influence associated with it, so that these sources of influence come to be associated with collections of regions around the zodiac.
There are sixteen varga, or divisional, charts used in Jyotisha.[1]
The Bṛhat Parāśara Horāśāstra defines sixteen divisional schemes[2], each named according to the denominator of the fraction specific to the division. Thus, the integral fraction is division by 1, which yields, trivially, 12 regions of the zodiac corresponding to the 12 signs themselves: perforce this varga scheme is named rāśi. Similarly, a divisor of 2 defines 24 regions; the name horā, derived from the word अहो-रात्र (aho-rātra) meaning day-night by removing the first अ (a) and last sounds त्र (tra) {Reference: Saravali by Kalyanaverma (Sanskrit Classic)}, is etymologically related to the analogous 24 hours in a day. The divisor of 3 defining 36 regions, named dreshkana, is similarly related to the Decans of Chaldean horology.
| Varga | Divisor | Chart | Area of Influence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rasi | 1 | D-1 | Body, Physical Matters and all General Matters |
| Hora | 2 | D-2 | Wealth, Family |
| Dreshkana | 3 | D-3 | Siblings, Nature |
| Chaturthamsa | 4 | D-4 | Fortune and Property |
| Saptamsa | 7 | D-7 | Children/Progeny |
| Navamsa | 9 | D-9 | Wife, Dharma and Relationships |
| Dasamsa | 10 | D-10 | Actions in Society, Profession |
| Dvadasamsa | 12 | D-12 | Parents |
| Shodasamsa | 16 | D-16 | Vehicles, Travelling and Comforts |
| Vimsamsa | 20 | D-20 | Spiritual Pursuits |
| ChaturVimsamsa | 24 | D-24 | Education, Learning and Knowledge |
| SaptaVimsamsa | 27 | D-27 | Strengths and Weakness |
| Trimsamsa | 30 | D-30 | Evils, Failure, Bad Luck |
| KhaVedamsa | 40 | D-40 | Maternal Legacy |
| AkshaVedamsa | 45 | D-45 | Paternal Legacy |
| Shastamsa | 60 | D-60 | Past birth or Karma |
Four other vargas are attributed to Jaimini:
| Varga | Divisor | Chart | Area of Influence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Panchamsa | 5 | D-5 | Fame & Power |
| Shasthamsa | 6 | D-6 | Health |
| Ashtamsa | 8 | D-8 | Unexpected Troubles |
| EkaDasamsa/Rudramsa | 11 | D-11 | Death and Destruction |
Besides Rāshi (D-1), Navamsha (D-9), Dreshkana (D-3), Dasamsa (D-10) and Trimsamsa (D-30) are considered significant divisional charts.