Reference
Glossary for the terms inside your chart and reports.
Plain-language definitions of the terms used across SahiKundli’s charts and readings.
- Abhijit Muhurta(Solar noon auspicious window)
The most auspicious window of the day, spanning 24 minutes either side of solar noon. Classically considered universally favourable for new undertakings. Not observed on Wednesdays per classical convention.
- Anuradha(following Radha, success that follows)
Ruled by Saturn in the middle of Scorpio, Anuradha is governed by Mitra — the nakshatra of friendship, loyalty, and the covenant that holds through difficulty.
- Ardra(the moist one, the storm)
Ruled by Rahu and presided over by Rudra, Ardra brings the electric charge of the storm — destruction that clears the air and intelligence that cuts through illusion.
- Ashlesha(the clinging star, the embrace)
Ruled by Mercury and presided over by the Nagas, Ashlesha occupies the final degrees of Cancer — a nakshatra of depth, serpent wisdom, and the penetrating intelligence that sees beneath the surface.
- Ashtakoota(Eight-factor compatibility)
The classical Vedic compatibility framework, also called Guna Milan, that compares two birth charts across eight factors — Varna, Vasya, Tara, Yoni, Graha Maitri, Gana, Bhakoot, and Nadi — each weighted differently. The eight factors carry a maximum of 36 points in total. The system is read as a distribution across all eight factors, not as a single score.
- Ashwini(born of the horse)
The first nakshatra, spanning the opening degrees of Aries, governed by Ketu and the twin divine physicians — a constellation of initiation, healing, and swift movement.
- Atmakaraka(Soul significator)
In Jaimini Jyotish, the planet that has advanced furthest in its zodiac sign — measured by degree within the sign — among all chart planets. Classical texts describe the Atmakaraka as the indicator of the soul’s primary direction and the themes the chart returns to repeatedly. SahiKundli uses the 8-karaka scheme, which includes Rahu alongside the seven traditional planets.
- Ayanamsa(Tropical-sidereal correction)
The angular difference between the tropical zodiac (used in Western astrology, anchored to the vernal equinox) and the sidereal zodiac (used in Vedic astrology, anchored to the fixed stars). Because the Earth’s axis precesses slowly, the two zodiacs drift apart at roughly 50 arcseconds per year. SahiKundli uses the Lahiri ayanamsa — India’s official standard, specified by the Calendar Reform Committee in 1955 — to convert tropical positions to sidereal.
- Bharani(the bearer)
The second nakshatra, ruled by Venus and presided over by Yama, holds the paradox of creative force and dissolution in the same span of sky.
- Brahma Muhurta(Pre-sunrise auspicious window)
The auspicious window beginning 96 minutes before sunrise and ending 48 minutes before sunrise. Classically recommended for study, meditation, and the first acts of the day. Computed fresh each day from the exact local sunrise time.
- Budha(Mercury)
Mercury in Vedic astrology — the karaka of intelligence, communication, and skill; ruler of Mithuna (Gemini) and Kanya (Virgo).
- Chandra(Moon)
The Moon in Vedic astrology — the karaka of mind, emotions, and nourishment; ruler of Karka (Cancer).
- Chandrashtama(Moon in the eighth)
The period when the transiting Moon moves through the nakshatra that falls eighth from a person’s natal Moon nakshatra. Classical Muhurta tradition identifies Chandrashtama days as periods requiring care with new undertakings, important decisions, and travel. The effect typically lasts for the roughly 24 hours the Moon transits that nakshatra.
- Chitra(the brilliant, the bright jewel)
Spanning Virgo into Libra, Chitra is ruled by Mars and governed by Vishwakarma — the nakshatra of the brilliant craftsman, where beauty, precision, and the mastery of form converge.
- Dhanistha(the wealthiest, the most famous)
Bridging Capricorn and Aquarius, Dhanistha is ruled by Mars and governed by the eight Vasus — a nakshatra of rhythm, wealth, and the confidence of one who moves to their own pulse.
- Gulika Kalam(Inauspicious period)
A daily inauspicious window associated with Gulika, a sub-planet derived from Saturn. Calculated via the same 8-part day division as Rahu Kalam and Yamaganda, with its position varying by weekday.
- Guru(Jupiter)
Jupiter in Vedic astrology — the karaka of wisdom, expansion, and dharma; ruler of Dhanu (Sagittarius) and Meena (Pisces).
- Hasta(the hand)
The Moon's nakshatra in Virgo, Hasta is the nakshatra of the skilled hand — craft, healing touch, humor, and the practical intelligence that works through making things.
- Jala(Water Element)
One of four tattvas (elements) in Vedic sign classification.
- Jyeshtha(the eldest, the most senior)
Closing Scorpio's final degrees, Jyeshtha is ruled by Mercury and governed by Indra — the nakshatra of the eldest, who carries the weight of authority and the responsibility of protection.
- Kaal Sarp(Serpent axis configuration)
A chart configuration in which all seven traditional planets — Sun, Moon, Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, Venus, and Saturn — fall within the half of the zodiac hemmed between Rahu and Ketu. Classical texts treat this as a significant concentration of planetary energy rather than a uniformly adverse pattern. Partial forms and cancellation conditions are recognised depending on which side of the axis the planets fall.
- Karana(Half-tithi)
Half of a tithi — each tithi is divided into two karanas, each spanning 6° of Sun-Moon separation. There are 11 karanas in classical panchanga, four fixed and seven repeating. Karana at sunrise determines the day's karana value.
- Ketu(South Node of the Moon)
The south node of the Moon — a shadow planet associated with detachment, spiritual inquiry, and deeply ingrained patterns.
- Krittika(the cutters)
Bridging Aries and Taurus, Krittika is ruled by the Sun and presided over by Agni — a nakshatra of fire, cutting precision, and the purification that follows.
- Lagna(Ascendant)
The zodiac sign rising on the eastern horizon at the moment of birth — the most personal point in a Vedic chart.
- Magha(the mighty one, the great)
Opening Leo's royal sign, Magha is ruled by Ketu and governed by the Pitris — the nakshatra of ancestral power, inherited dignity, and the throne that must be earned.
- Mangal Dosha(Mars configuration)
A chart configuration arising when Mars occupies the 1st, 2nd, 4th, 7th, 8th, or 12th house from the Lagna, Moon, or Venus. Classical texts associate this with strong Mars energy in the relationship axis. Numerous cancellation conditions are recognised — including Mars in its own sign, Jupiter aspecting Mars, or both partners carrying the same configuration. SahiKundli reports it as present, cancelled, or absent, with cancellations named explicitly.
- Mangala(Mars)
Mars in Vedic astrology — the karaka of courage, action, and conflict.
- Mrigashira(deer's head)
Spanning Taurus into Gemini, Mrigashira is ruled by Mars but carries the gentle, seeking quality of its deity Soma — a nakshatra of the eternal search.
- Mula(the root)
Opening Sagittarius at 0°, Mula is ruled by Ketu and presided over by Nirriti — the nakshatra that dismantles in order to reach the root, where dissolution and liberation are the same movement.
- Naga Dosha(Sarpa Dosha)
A classical chart configuration arising when Rahu or Ketu occupies specific houses from the Lagna — typically the 1st, 2nd, 5th, 7th, 8th, or 12th. Classical texts treat this as a pattern for attention rather than a verdict, and several cancellation conditions are recognised depending on planetary positions. SahiKundli reports it as present, cancelled, or absent, with the cancellation condition named where it applies.
- Nakshatra(Lunar mansion)
One of 27 equal divisions of the ecliptic, each spanning 13°20', through which the Moon transits over a sidereal month. The Moon's nakshatra at sunrise anchors the day's nakshatra value.
- Panchanga(Five-limb Vedic almanac)
The classical Vedic almanac, built from five elements — tithi, nakshatra, vara, yoga, and karana — that together describe the astronomical and traditional character of a day. Every value is sunrise-anchored and location-specific.
- Pitru Dosha(Ancestral configuration)
A classical chart configuration arising when the Sun occupies the same house as Rahu or Ketu, or when the Sun falls in the 8th or 12th house from the Lagna. Cancellation conditions are recognised — including Jupiter’s 7th aspect on the Sun, or the Sun in Leo or Aries. SahiKundli reports it as present, cancelled, or absent.
- Punarvasu(return of the good light, restoration)
Ruled by Jupiter and blessed by the limitless Aditi, Punarvasu is the nakshatra of return — the restoration of light, belonging, and abundance after difficulty.
- Purva Ashadha(first invincible one)
Ruled by Venus in the heart of Sagittarius, Purva Ashadha is governed by Apas the water deity — a nakshatra of invincible confidence, purification, and the pride of one who cannot be defeated.
- Purva Bhadrapada(first of the auspicious feet)
Bridging Aquarius and Pisces, Purva Bhadrapada is ruled by Jupiter and governed by the fierce Aja Ekapada — a nakshatra that holds spiritual aspiration and fierce intensity in the same span.
- Purva Phalguni(first reddish one, first fig tree)
Ruled by Venus in the heart of Leo, Purva Phalguni is the nakshatra of pleasure, creative expression, and the rest that comes after great effort — the hammock between exertions.
- Pushya(the nourisher)
The most auspicious of all nakshatras according to classical texts, Pushya combines Saturn's discipline with Brihaspati's wisdom to produce a nakshatra of profound nourishment.
- Rahu(North Node of the Moon)
The north node of the Moon — a shadow planet associated with worldly ambition, desire, and unconventional paths.
- Rahu Kalam(Inauspicious period)
A daily inauspicious window, traditionally avoided for new or important undertakings. Calculated by dividing the day (sunrise to sunset) into eight equal parts — the Rahu-ruled part varies by weekday.
- Revati(the wealthy one, the abundant)
The final nakshatra, closing Pisces at 30°, Revati is ruled by Mercury and governed by Pushan — the nakshatra of completion, safe arrival, and the nourishing abundance that awaits at journey's end.
- Rohini(the red one, the growing one)
The Moon's own nakshatra in Taurus, Rohini is associated with beauty, abundance, and the deep pull of desire — the nakshatra the Moon most loves to occupy.
- Sade Sati(Saturn over the Moon cycle)
The roughly seven-and-a-half-year period when Saturn transits the sign before, the sign of, and the sign after a person’s natal Moon. Classical tradition marks this as a period of increased responsibility, structural change, and tested endurance — not a period of uniform misfortune. The quality of the cycle depends heavily on Saturn’s natal dignity and the dasha period running at the time.
- SahiMeter
Two deterministic 1–10 checks used in selected reports. Period Support reads the running Mahadasha and Antardasha and is domain-neutral. Foundation reads natal strength for one area of life from Shadbala. Both are computed before report prose is written.
- Shadbala(Sixfold planetary strength)
The classical six-part measure of a planet's positional, directional, temporal, motional, inherent, and aspectual strength. SahiKundli compares each classical planet's total with that planet's own classical minimum when computing Foundation.
- Shani(Saturn)
Saturn in Vedic astrology — the karaka of discipline, endurance, and structure; ruler of Makara (Capricorn) and Kumbha (Aquarius).
- Shatabhisha(hundred healers, hundred physicians)
Ruled by Rahu in Aquarius and governed by Varuna of the cosmic waters, Shatabhisha is the nakshatra of the healer — occupied by a hundred stars, concerned with the subtle channels through which life force flows.
- Shravana(the ear, to hear)
The Moon's nakshatra in Capricorn, Shravana is governed by Vishnu the preserver — a nakshatra of deep listening, the transmission of knowledge, and the connection that spans distance.
- Shukra(Venus)
Venus in Vedic astrology — the karaka of beauty, desire, and relationship; ruler of Vrishabha (Taurus) and Tula (Libra).
- Sthira(Fixed Modality)
One of three svabhavas (modalities) in Vedic astrology, applied to four signs.
- Surya(Sun)
The Sun in Vedic astrology — the karaka of soul, authority, and vitality; ruler of Simha (Leo).
- Swati(the independent one, the sword)
Ruled by Rahu in the middle of Libra, Swati is the nakshatra of the wind — independent, dispersing, and aspiring toward something beyond its current position.
- Tarabalam(Star strength)
The daily relationship between the transiting Moon’s nakshatra and a person’s natal Moon nakshatra, classified across nine Tara categories — from Janma and Vipat (requiring care) to Sampat, Kshema, Sadhaka, Mitra, and Atimitra (favourable). The count repeats in cycles of nine through all 27 nakshatras. Tarabalam is one of the classical factors considered in Muhurta.
- The Twelve Houses(Bhava)
What the twelve bhavas represent in a Vedic birth chart, and how SahiKundli uses house placements in its readings.
- Tithi(Lunar day)
A lunar day, measured by the angular distance between Sun and Moon. Each 12° of separation equals one tithi, giving 30 tithis in a lunar month — 15 in the waxing phase (Shukla Paksha) and 15 in the waning (Krishna Paksha).
- Uttara Ashadha(second invincible one)
Crossing from Sagittarius into Capricorn, Uttara Ashadha is ruled by the Sun and governed by all the gods together — the nakshatra of the final, permanent victory that comes through universal principle.
- Uttara Bhadrapada(second of the auspicious feet)
In the heart of Pisces, Uttara Bhadrapada is ruled by Saturn and governed by Ahir Budhnya — the serpent of the cosmic deep, a nakshatra of profound patience, hidden wisdom, and nourishing depth.
- Uttara Phalguni(second reddish one)
Straddling Leo and Virgo, Uttara Phalguni is ruled by the Sun and governed by Aryaman — the nakshatra of the social contract, responsible partnership, and dignity earned through sustained service.
- Vara(Weekday)
The weekday in the Vedic calendar, each ruled by a planetary lord. Guruvara (Thursday) is ruled by Jupiter, Somavara (Monday) by the Moon, and so on. Vara is one of the five angas of the panchanga.
- Vikram Samvat(Hindu lunisolar calendar year)
The Hindu lunisolar calendar year, running approximately 57 years ahead of the Gregorian calendar. SahiKundli computes Vikram Samvat from the Gregorian date using the standard conversion, accounting for the Vedic new year in mid-April.
- Vimshottari Dasha(120-year planetary period system)
The most widely used dasha system in Vedic astrology, attributed to the Brihat Parashara Hora Shastra. The cycle runs 120 years across nine planetary periods — Ketu 7, Venus 20, Sun 6, Moon 10, Mars 7, Rahu 18, Jupiter 16, Saturn 19, Mercury 17 — each subdivided into Antardashas and Pratyantardashas. The starting point is determined by the Moon’s nakshatra at birth.
- Vishakha(the forked one, two-branched)
Bridging Libra and Scorpio, Vishakha is ruled by Jupiter and governed by the dual force of Indra-Agni — a nakshatra of burning ambition, the triumphal arch reached only after sustained effort.
- Vrischika(Scorpio Lagna)
Scorpio rising. Ruled by Mangala, water element, fixed modality.
- Yamaganda(Inauspicious period)
A daily inauspicious window, traditionally avoided for auspicious activities and travel. Calculated by the same 8-part day division as Rahu Kalam, with the Yamaganda portion varying by weekday according to classical tables.
- Yoga(Sun-Moon combination)
One of 27 daily yogas computed from the combined longitude of the Sun and Moon. Each yoga spans 13°20' of combined motion and carries a traditional quality — from Vishkumbha (inauspicious) to Siddhi and Shubha (auspicious). Distinct from the yogas formed by planetary combinations in a birth chart.