📖 Astrological Glossary

Quick reference for Sanskrit and Hindi terms used in Vedic astrology. Includes transliterations (IAST standard), English definitions, and usage examples.

How to Use This Glossary

This glossary covers the most common terms you'll encounter in Vedic astrology. Terms are organized alphabetically by their romanized (Latin script) forms. Sanskrit terms use IAST transliteration with diacritical marks (e.g., ā, ī, ū, ṛ, ṃ, ḥ).

Example entry:

Graha (ग्रह) n. — Planet; lit. "grasper" or "seizer." Refers to the nine celestial bodies used in Jyotish: Sun, Moon, Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, Venus, Saturn, Rahu, Ketu. Usage: "The grahas influence different life areas based on their house positions."

Core Terminology

General Terms

Jyotish (ज्योतिष): n. — Vedic astrology; lit. "science of light." The traditional Hindu system of astrology.
Jyotishi (ज्योतिषी): n. — Astrologer; practitioner of Jyotish.
Kundali / Kundli (कुण्डली): n. — Birth chart; horoscope. The circular or square diagram showing planetary positions at birth.
Rashi Chakra (राशि चक्र): n. — Zodiac wheel; the 12-sign division of the ecliptic.
Nirayana (निरयण): adj. — Sidereal (without ayana); the fixed-star zodiac used in Vedic astrology.
Sayana (सायन): adj. — Tropical (with ayana); the seasonal zodiac used in Western astrology.

Planets (Grahas)

Graha (ग्रह): n. — Planet; lit. "grasper." The 9 celestial bodies in Jyotish.
Surya (सूर्य): n. — The Sun. Represents soul, authority, father, vitality.
Chandra (चन्द्र): n. — The Moon. Represents mind, emotions, mother.
Mangala (मङ्गल): n. — Mars. Represents energy, courage, siblings, conflict.
Budha (बुध): n. — Mercury. Represents intellect, communication, commerce.
Guru (गुरु): n. — Jupiter; lit. "teacher." Represents wisdom, expansion, children.
Shukra (शुक्र): n. — Venus. Represents love, beauty, marriage, luxury.
Shani (शनि): n. — Saturn. Represents discipline, karma, obstacles, service.
Rahu (राहु): n. — North lunar node. Represents desire, worldly ambition, illusion.
Ketu (केतु): n. — South lunar node. Represents detachment, spirituality, moksha.
Navagraha (नवग्रह): n. — The nine planets (nava = nine, graha = planet).

Signs (Rasis)

Rasi / Rashi (राशि): n. — Zodiac sign; one of the 12 divisions of the ecliptic (30° each).
Mesha (मेष): n. — Aries (the Ram). Cardinal fire sign ruled by Mars.
Vrishabha (वृषभ): n. — Taurus (the Bull). Fixed earth sign ruled by Venus.
Mithuna (मिथुन): n. — Gemini (the Twins). Mutable air sign ruled by Mercury.
Karka (कर्क): n. — Cancer (the Crab). Cardinal water sign ruled by the Moon.
Simha (सिंह): n. — Leo (the Lion). Fixed fire sign ruled by the Sun.
Kanya (कन्या): n. — Virgo (the Maiden). Mutable earth sign ruled by Mercury.
Tula (तुला): n. — Libra (the Balance). Cardinal air sign ruled by Venus.
Vrishchika (वृश्चिक): n. — Scorpio (the Scorpion). Fixed water sign ruled by Mars.
Dhanu (धनु): n. — Sagittarius (the Archer). Mutable fire sign ruled by Jupiter.
Makara (मकर): n. — Capricorn (the Goat). Cardinal earth sign ruled by Saturn.
Kumbha (कुम्भ): n. — Aquarius (the Water-Bearer). Fixed air sign ruled by Saturn.
Meena (मीन): n. — Pisces (the Fish). Mutable water sign ruled by Jupiter.

Houses (Bhavas)

Bhava (भाव): n. — House; one of the 12 life areas in a chart. Lit. "state of being."
Lagna (लग्न): n. — Ascendant; the 1st house cusp. The rising sign at birth.
Kendra (केन्द्र): n. — Angular house (1st, 4th, 7th, 10th). Considered strong and foundational.
Trikona (त्रिकोण): n. — Trine house (1st, 5th, 9th). Considered auspicious and dharmic.
Dusthana (दुस्थान): n. — Difficult house (6th, 8th, 12th). Associated with challenges and obstacles.
Upachaya (उपचय): n. — Growing house (3rd, 6th, 10th, 11th). Improves over time.

Nakshatras (Lunar Mansions)

Nakshatra (नक्षत्र): n. — Lunar mansion; one of 27 (or 28) divisions of the ecliptic (13°20' each). The Moon's house.
Pada (पाद): n. — Quarter; each nakshatra is divided into 4 padas (3°20' each).
Nakshatra Lord: n. — The planetary ruler of a nakshatra (e.g., Ashwini is ruled by Ketu).

Aspects & Relationships

Drishti (दृष्टि): n. — Aspect; the glance or gaze of a planet onto another house or planet. Lit. "sight."
Yoga (योग): n. — Planetary combination; a specific configuration that produces a particular result.
Mitra (मित्र): n. — Friend; a planet with a friendly relationship to another.
Shatru (शत्रु): n. — Enemy; a planet with an inimical relationship.
Sama (सम): n. — Neutral; a planet with a neutral relationship.

Dignities & States

Uchcha (उच्च): adj. — Exalted; a planet in its sign of exaltation (maximum strength).
Neecha (नीच): adj. — Debilitated; a planet in its sign of debilitation (weakness).
Swa (स्व): adj. — Own sign; a planet in the sign it rules.
Moolatrikona (मूलत्रिकोण): n. — Root trine; a planet's primary dignity sign (between own and exalted).
Vakri (वक्री): adj. — Retrograde; a planet moving backward (apparent motion).
Asta (अस्त): adj. — Combust; a planet too close to the Sun (within orb, typically 6-17°).

Divisional Charts (Vargas)

Varga (वर्ग): n. — Divisional chart; a harmonic subdivision of the natal chart.
Rasi Chart (D1): n. — The natal chart; the main birth chart (1st division).
Navamsa (D9): n. — 9th division; the most important divisional chart for marriage and spiritual evolution.
Dasamsa (D10): n. — 10th division; the career and profession chart.
Shodashavarga (षोडशवर्ग): n. — The 16 divisional charts (shoda = sixteen, varga = division).

Timing & Predictions

Dasha (दशा): n. — Planetary period; a time-lord system for prediction (e.g., Vimshottari Dasha).
Antardasha (अन्तर्दशा): n. — Sub-period within a dasha (antar = within).
Gochara (गोचर): n. — Transit; the current movement of planets through the zodiac.
Muhurta (मुहूर्त): n. — Electional astrology; choosing auspicious times for events.
Pratyantardasha (प्रत्यन्तर्दशा): n. — Sub-sub-period within an antardasha.

Philosophical Terms

Karma (कर्म): n. — Action and its consequences; the law of cause and effect.
Dharma (धर्म): n. — Righteousness, duty, cosmic order.
Moksha (मोक्ष): n. — Liberation, spiritual freedom from the cycle of rebirth.
Maya (माया): n. — Illusion; the veil of material existence.
Atman (आत्मन्): n. — Soul, self, the eternal essence within.