When it comes to Vedic astrology, we analyze the Ascendant chart, also known as the Lagna chart, or the Rashi chart of the person.
The person whose ascendant chart is being analyzed is referred to as the native or Jatak (male) or Jatika (female).
The ascendant chart can be generated by inputting the birth details of a person into an online Kundali or horoscope generator. Three details are needed to generate a Lagna chart or ascendant chart of a person:
- Birth date of the person (Date, Month, Year)
- Time of birth of the person (Hours, Minutes, Seconds)
- Place of birth of the person (City, Country)
An ascendant chart or Lagna chart shows the positions of the planets with reference to the birth place and time of the native as they were at that certain point of birth.
For example, if I was born at 00:23 (or 12:23 AM in the morning), then my Lagna chart would show the positions of the planets including Sun, Moon, Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Rahu (North Node), Ketu (South Node), Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto in the solar system at 12:23 AM in the morning relative to my place (city of birth).
Given below is the image of what a Lagna chart or ascendant chart looks like.
The above is the Lagna chart for a person born on 11th September, 1993 at 12:23 AM (morning) in New Delhi, India.
Don’t worry about whatever is written on the Lagna chart; I will explain them all one by one.
Firstly, we will begin by understanding the anatomy of a Lagna chart. An ascendant chart or Lagna chart has twelve (12) compartments which are commonly referred to as ‘Houses’ or ‘Bhav’.
Each house or bhav in the Ascendant chart or Lagna chart stands for a different component of our life. The illustration below visualizes each house’s areas of governance.
Important: Note that the houses or Bhavas are counted in an anti-clockwise direction.
Anatomy of a Lagna Chart
The 12 houses of an ascendant chart or Lagna chart are classified into the following categories:
- Angular Houses (also known as Kendras) – 1st House, 4th House, 7th House, 10th House
- Panapharas Houses (also known as Succedents) – 2nd House, 5th House, 8th House, 11th House
- Apoklima Houses (also known as Cadents) – 3rd House, 6th House, 9th House, and 12th House
Three other classifications are:
- Corner Houses (also known as Trines) – 5th House, 9th House
- Evil Houses (also known as Trikas) – 6th House, 8th House, and 12th House
- Upachaya House (also known as Houses of Growth) – 3rd House, 6th House, 10th House, and 11th House
The 12 houses may also be categorized as benefic or malefic houses.
| Benefic Houses | Malefic Houses |
| 1st House – Self/Appearance | 3rd House – Siblings/Short Journeys |
| 2nd House – Income/Communication | 6th House – Diseases/Debt/Enmity |
| 4th House – Domestic Happiness | 8th House – Death/Hidden Events |
| 5th House – Children/Speculation | 12th House – Losses/Expenses/Prison |
| 7th House – Marriage/Partnerships | |
| 9th House – Destiny/Dharma | |
| 10th House – Career/Social Image | |
| 11th House – Profits/Friends |
*The Kendras and Trines are always considered auspicious or benefic. If the lords of those houses are well-placed, the ascendant chart automatically gains power.
**The 6th, 8th, and 12th houses are known as the Dursthanas, and they are only helpful if malefic planets such as Mars, Saturn, Rahu, or Ketu inhabit them.
***The 3rd House and 11th House are exceptions because even malefic planets will give some degree of good result if placed in them.