Ashtakavarga
A scoring system that evaluates planetary strength across the 12 houses of a birth chart. Each planet receives points (bindus) from the other planets based on its position. The total score for each house indicates how supportive that area of life will be. It is used for transit predictions and overall chart strength assessment.
Ayanamsa
The angular difference between the tropical zodiac (used in Western astrology) and the sidereal zodiac (used in Vedic astrology). This difference, currently about 24 degrees, arises from the precession of the equinoxes. The most commonly used value is the Lahiri Ayanamsa, which is the official standard adopted by the Indian government. See Vedic vs Western Astrology for more details.
Bhava
A house in the birth chart. There are 12 Bhavas, each representing a different area of life such as personality (1st), wealth (2nd), siblings (3rd), home (4th), children (5th), health (6th), marriage (7th), longevity (8th), fortune (9th), career (10th), gains (11th), and spiritual liberation (12th). The Bhava system provides the framework for interpreting planetary placements.
Dasha
A planetary period system unique to Vedic astrology that divides life into chapters ruled by different planets. The most common system, Vimshottari Dasha, spans 120 years and assigns periods of varying length to each of the nine planets. Your Dasha sequence is determined by your Nakshatra at birth. See Understanding Your Birth Chart.
Dosha
An affliction or unfavorable combination in the birth chart. Common doshas include Mangal Dosha (Mars affliction affecting marriage), Kala Sarpa Dosha (all planets between Rahu and Ketu), and Pitru Dosha (ancestral affliction). Doshas indicate areas of challenge that may require remedial measures. Their presence does not guarantee negative outcomes but highlights areas of caution.
Gochara
Planetary transits, referring to the current real-time positions of planets as they move through the zodiac. Gochara analysis compares the transiting planets to your natal Moon sign to predict current trends and influences. It is commonly used for daily, weekly, and monthly predictions in Tamil astrology.
Graha
A celestial body or planetary influence used in Vedic astrology. The nine Grahas (Navagraha) include Sun, Moon, Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, Venus, Saturn, Rahu, and Ketu. The word "Graha" literally means "that which seizes or influences," reflecting the belief that planetary positions shape human experience.
Jathagam
A birth chart or horoscope document in Tamil astrology. The Jathagam records the positions of all nine planets at the exact moment and location of birth, along with the Lagna, Rasi, and Nakshatra. It is the foundational document used for all astrological consultations, predictions, and marriage matching.
Karanam
One of the five elements of the Panchangam. A Karanam is half of a Tithi, so there are 60 Karanams in a lunar month. Each Karanam has specific qualities that affect the auspiciousness of activities. There are 11 types of Karanams, with some considered favorable for specific undertakings and others best avoided.
Ketu
The south node of the Moon, representing the point where the Moon's orbit crosses below the ecliptic. Ketu is considered a shadow planet (not a physical body) that governs spiritual liberation, detachment, past life karma, and mystical experiences. It is the counterpart to Rahu and always sits exactly opposite to Rahu in the chart.
Lagna
The ascendant or rising sign, which is the zodiac sign that was rising on the eastern horizon at the exact moment of birth. The Lagna sets the framework for the entire birth chart, determining which sign governs each of the 12 houses. It changes approximately every two hours, making precise birth time essential. See Understanding Your Birth Chart.
Muhurtham
An auspicious time window selected for important events such as weddings, housewarming ceremonies, or starting a new business. A Muhurtham is chosen by analyzing the Panchangam elements, planetary positions, and the birth charts of the individuals involved. In Tamil culture, selecting the right Muhurtham is considered essential for the success of any major undertaking. See Auspicious Dates.
Nakshatra
One of 27 lunar mansions or star groups that divide the zodiac into segments of 13 degrees and 20 minutes each. Your birth Nakshatra is determined by the Moon's position at the time of birth and is more specific than your Rasi. Each Nakshatra has a ruling deity, planet, animal symbol, and set of personality traits. Nakshatras are central to marriage matching, naming conventions, and Dasha calculations.
Panchangam
The Vedic almanac that tracks five (pancha) elements (anga) for each day: Tithi (lunar day), Vaaram (day of the week), Nakshatra (Moon's star), Yogam (luni-solar combination), and Karanam (half of a Tithi). The Panchangam is used daily by practitioners to determine auspicious and inauspicious times for activities. It is the basis for the daily auspicious dates feature on this site.
Porutham
A marriage compatibility factor in the Tamil system. There are 10 poruthams that evaluate different dimensions of compatibility between two people based on their birth charts: Dina, Gana, Mahendra, Stree Dirgha, Yoni, Rasi, Rasiyathipathi, Vasya, Rajju, and Vedha. See How Tamil Marriage Matching Works.
Rahu
The north node of the Moon, representing the point where the Moon's orbit crosses above the ecliptic. Rahu is a shadow planet that governs worldly desire, ambition, obsession, and unconventional behavior. It amplifies the energy of whichever sign and house it occupies. Rahu also gives its name to Rahu Kalam, a daily inauspicious time period observed across Tamil Nadu.
Rasi
The Moon sign in Vedic astrology, determined by which of the 12 zodiac constellations the Moon occupied at the time of birth. The Rasi is the primary identity marker in Vedic astrology, equivalent to what the Sun sign is in Western astrology. It governs emotions, instincts, and the inner mental landscape. Daily horoscopes in Tamil tradition are based on Rasi rather than Sun sign. See Your Chart.
Tithi
A lunar day, defined by the angular distance between the Sun and Moon. There are 30 Tithis in a lunar month (15 in the waxing phase, 15 in the waning phase). Each Tithi has specific qualities: some are favorable for new beginnings, others for completion, and some are considered inauspicious. Tithi is one of the five elements of the Panchangam and plays a key role in selecting auspicious dates.
Yogam
A luni-solar combination that is one of the five elements of the Panchangam. There are 27 Yogams, each formed by the combined longitude of the Sun and Moon. Each Yogam has a specific quality and name, ranging from highly auspicious (such as Siddha Yogam) to inauspicious (such as Vyatipata). Yogam is considered when selecting auspicious times for important activities.
Further Reading
- What is Vedic Astrology? - a beginner's guide to Tamil Jothidam
- Understanding Your Vedic Birth Chart - Rasi, Nakshatra, and Lagna explained
- How Tamil Marriage Matching Works - the 10 Porutham system
- Frequently Asked Questions - common questions about Vedic astrology
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