Vedic Astrology Glossary & Encyclopedia
Comprehensive directory of foundational terms, Sanskrit terminology, planetary dynamics, and predictive concepts explained with clarity and real-world analogies.
Vedic Astrology (Jyotisha) is the “Science of Light” rooted in ancient Sanskrit astronomical treatises. It maps the celestial journey of the soul using 12 Bhavas (houses), 9 Grahas (planets), 27 Nakshatras (lunar mansions), and Vimshottari Dashas (time-lord cycles).
Essential Astrological TermsHigh Search Volume
Manglik Dosha (Kuja / Bhauma Dosha)
An astrological condition occurring when fiery Mars sits in the 1st, 2nd, 4th, 7th, 8th, or 12th house from the Lagna or Moon, affecting marital harmony and partnerships.
Shani Sade Sati (7.5-Year Saturn Transit)
The 7.5-year period during which transiting Saturn passes through the 12th, 1st, and 2nd houses relative to your natal Moon sign.
Kaal Sarp Dosha (The Serpent Axis Enclosure)
A planetary condition occurring when all seven visible planets are positioned on one side of the zodiac belt between the North Node (Rahu) and South Node (Ketu).
Rahu Kalam (Daily Inauspicious Window)
A daily period of approximately 90 minutes governed by Rahu. In Vedic astrology, initiating new ventures or journeys during this window is discouraged.
Navamsha Chart (D9 Harmonic Blueprint)
The 9th harmonic divisional chart of Vedic astrology where each 30° zodiac sign is divided into 9 equal parts of 3°20' (matching one Nakshatra Pada).
Ashtakoot Milan (36-Guna Matchmaking)
The classical 8-dimensional Vedic matchmaking algorithm evaluating 36 points across spiritual ego, attraction, health, physical intimacy, friendship, temperament, emotional bond, and genetics.
Sub-Lord (KP System 249 Division)
The ruler of one of the 249 unequal sub-divisions of the 27 Nakshatras in Krishnamurti Paddhati (KP) astrology, determining the ultimate outcome of a house cusp or planet.
Natal Root (Radix / Birth Chart)
The immutable snapshot of the celestial sky frozen at the exact second, minute, and location of your birth.
North Node (Rahu)
An astronomical intersection point where the Moon crosses north of the ecliptic. It is not a physical planet, but a potent energetic vortex.
South Node (Ketu)
The mathematical point 180° directly opposite the North Node where the Moon crosses southward across the ecliptic.
The Karmic Nodal Axis
The continuous 180-degree polarity connecting the North Node and South Node across opposite signs and houses.
Ascendant / Rising Sign
The precise degree of the zodiac sign rising over the eastern horizon at the exact moment and location you took your first breath.
Transits (Live Planetary Weather)
The real-time positions of the planets moving across the sky today and interacting with your stationary natal placements.
The 12 Houses (Life Arenas)
The 12 sectors of the celestial sphere projected onto the local horizon, each governing specific arenas of human existence.
Retrograde Motion (Rx)
An optical illusion observed from Earth where a planet appears to slow down, stop, and temporarily travel backward against the background stars.
Planetary Aspects & Drishti
Angular geometric relationships and sightlines cast by planets toward each other across the zodiac circle.
Vimshottari Dasha (Life Chapters)
The 120-year Vedic life cycle that activates different planets sequentially as the ruling "landlord" of your destiny.
Ayanamsha (Precision Zodiac Offset)
The astronomical angular distance (~24 degrees) accounting for Earth’s slow axial wobble between the Tropical (seasonal) and Sidereal (star-fixed) zodiacs.
Explore Terms Interactively in 3D
See aspects, retrogrades, house cusps, and transits rendered in 3D real-time space inside Siddhānta 3D.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are Sanskrit terms used in Vedic astrology?▼
Sanskrit terms convey multifaceted metaphysical concepts that have no exact single-word English equivalent (e.g. Dharma, Karma, Moksha, Graha, Bhava, Nakshatra, Dasha). Understanding their root meanings unlocks the spiritual and psychological depth of Jyotish.
What are the main branches of Vedic Astrology?▼
The three primary branches (Skandhas) are: 1) Siddhanta / Ganita (astronomical calculations and planetary ephemerides), 2) Samhita (mundane astrology, weather, and collective phenomena), and 3) Hora (individual natal horoscopy and predictive life timing).