Bhāva
Encyclopedia
Bhāva is a term in Jyotisha
denoting a fixed zodiacal division of the sky from the perspective of an observer. It corresponds to the concept of "house
" in Western astrology
. A natal chart
is called bhāvacakra (Sanskrit
: , 'wheel'.)
, or the longitudinal point of the zodiac that was rising in the East at birth.) The house in which the Lagna falls is always the first house of the chart, and the other houses follow it, counter-clockwise, in the sequence of the zodiac.
Each of the twelve houses signifies a region of the concerns of life, and the identity of the sign of that house colors what may be expected from that life.
More than one system to align houses with signs are recognized in Jyotisha. The most common method is described above, a method that Western astrologers call the whole sign house system; another is Sripathi, introduced by Sripati
, akin to a Porphyry house system. The modern Krishnamurti Paddhati also incorporates a Placidus
house system.
The principle of House Division introduced in Sripathi Bhāva System is described as follows: "In the Sripathi system the 1st house cusp is the Lagna, and the 7th house cusp is the Descendant opposite it, the 10th house cusp is at the MC (Medium Coeli or Madhya Lagna), i.e. Zenith, and the 4th house cusp is at the IC (Imum Coeli or Patala Lagna) i.e. Nadir. The four quarters divided thus should be divided into three equal parts each, and thus we find the 12 house cusps in Sripathi system. To find the Bhava Sandhis (meeting points of houses) we should divide the distance between the house cusps into halves."
Succedent
houses are called pāṇaphara (from Greek ἐπαναφοραἱ), and cadent
houses are called āpoklima (Gk. ἀποκλἰματα).
Jyotisha
Hindu astrology , also Jyotish or Jyotisha, from Sanskrit , from "light, heavenly body") is the ancient Indian system of astronomy and astrology...
denoting a fixed zodiacal division of the sky from the perspective of an observer. It corresponds to the concept of "house
House (astrology)
Most horoscopic traditions of astrology systems divide the horoscope into a number of houses whose positions depend on time and location rather than on date. In Hindu astrological tradition these are known as Bhāvas. The houses of the horoscope represent different spheres of life, described in...
" in Western astrology
Astrology
Astrology consists of a number of belief systems which hold that there is a relationship between astronomical phenomena and events in the human world...
. A natal chart
Natal chart
In astrology, a natal chart is a stylized map of the universe with the "native" at the center. It is calculated for the exact time and location of the native's birth for the purposes of gaining insight into the native's personality and potential...
is called bhāvacakra (Sanskrit
Sanskrit
Sanskrit , is a historical Indo-Aryan language and the primary liturgical language of Hinduism, Jainism and Buddhism.Buddhism: besides Pali, see Buddhist Hybrid Sanskrit Today, it is listed as one of the 22 scheduled languages of India and is an official language of the state of Uttarakhand...
: , 'wheel'.)
Overview
In almost all traditional practice, the twelve houses (bhāva) of an astrological chart have the same boundaries as the twelve signs in the chart; in other words, each sign is a house in the chart. The beginning of each house is the 0th degrees of the sign and the end is the 30th degree of the sign. What varies from chart to chart is the enumeration of these houses, i.e., which sign is the first house, which is the second, and so forth. This is determined by the position of the Lagna (the AscendantAscendant
The ascendant , or rising sign, is the zodiacal sign and degree that was ascending on the eastern horizon at the specific time and location of an event. According to astrological theory, celestial phenomena reflect or determine human activity on the principle of 'as above so below'...
, or the longitudinal point of the zodiac that was rising in the East at birth.) The house in which the Lagna falls is always the first house of the chart, and the other houses follow it, counter-clockwise, in the sequence of the zodiac.
Each of the twelve houses signifies a region of the concerns of life, and the identity of the sign of that house colors what may be expected from that life.
More than one system to align houses with signs are recognized in Jyotisha. The most common method is described above, a method that Western astrologers call the whole sign house system; another is Sripathi, introduced by Sripati
Sripati
Śrīpati was an Indian astronomer and mathematician, the author of Dhikotidakarana , a work of twenty verses on solar and lunar eclipses; Dhruvamanasa , a work of 105 verses on calculating planetary longitudes, eclipses and planetary transits; Siddhantasekhara a major work on astronomy in 19...
, akin to a Porphyry house system. The modern Krishnamurti Paddhati also incorporates a Placidus
Placidus
Placidus is Latin for "placid, gentle, quiet, still, calm, mild, peaceful" and can refer to:*Flavius Arcadius Placidus Magnus Felix , Consul of Rome*Placidus de Titis , 1603–1668, astrolger...
house system.
The principle of House Division introduced in Sripathi Bhāva System is described as follows: "In the Sripathi system the 1st house cusp is the Lagna, and the 7th house cusp is the Descendant opposite it, the 10th house cusp is at the MC (Medium Coeli or Madhya Lagna), i.e. Zenith, and the 4th house cusp is at the IC (Imum Coeli or Patala Lagna) i.e. Nadir. The four quarters divided thus should be divided into three equal parts each, and thus we find the 12 house cusps in Sripathi system. To find the Bhava Sandhis (meeting points of houses) we should divide the distance between the house cusps into halves."
The houses
The names of the 12 houses and the areas of life represented by them are:- Lagna - Nature of Native, Appearance, Health, Character, Purpose of Life, behavior, birth, limbs, head
- Dhana - Wealth, Family, Domestic Comforts, Early Education, Inheritance, Speech, moveable asssets
- Parakrama - Younger Brothers and Sisters, Communication (Talking, Writing, Business Documents), Intelligence, fine arts Short Journeys, "great prowess (physical and mental)," hands, arms, shoulders
- Suhṛda - Mother, Emotions, Education, Home, Property and Land, Surrounding in Old Age, vehicles, the chest
- Suta - Children, Lovers, Recreation Devotion, Speculation and Gambling, the belly, accumulated karma
- Ripu/Roga - Diseases, Maternal uncle and aunt, Litigation, Servants, Mental Worries, Enemies, Foreigners, small intestine,
- Kāma - Spouse, Business Partner, Death, Respect, passion, groin
- Mṛtyu - Death & Longevity, Obstacles, Suffering, Sexual organs and sexual attractiveness, Occult, Dowry, Inheritance, Imprisonment, Excretory organs, accidents
- Bhāgya - Father, Luck, Higher learning, Philosophy & Religion, Mentor or Guru, Prosperity, Travel, "deeds of virtue"
- Karma - Profession, Status & fame, Power, Father, Mother-in-law, Government, Clothes, Commerce, knees
- Āya - Friends, Hopes, Earnings, Club or Social Activities, Elder Brothers and Sisters, Daughter/Son-in-law, calves, shins and ankles
- Vyaya - Expenses, Sleep (and convalescence), Sexual pleasures, Spirituality, Travel & Pilgrimage, Secret Enemies, Imprisonment, Hospitals, Asylums, Liberation, loss foreign residency, feet
Classifications
In general houses are classified into four categories:- Kendra: the angular houses, that is the first, fourth, seventh and tenth houses. (kendra, from Greek κἐντρα, also describes the relationship between any houses or grahas which are about 90 degrees apart.) These are very strong houses for grahas to occupy.
- TrikonaTrikonaTrikona is a Sanskrit word which signifies a triangle and is one of the widely used mythical geometric symbol. It is used to assist in meditation, and in different yantras. Different positions of trikona are believed to impart different types of properties and attributes to the symbol...
: the houses forming a triangle within the chart with the first house, about 120 degrees apart from one another, that is the first, fifth and ninth. These are the most auspicious houses. (From Greek τρἰγωνα.) - Dusthāna: the less fortunate houses which tend to rule unhappy areas. These houses make no clear geometric connection to the Lagna. Dusthanas include the sixth, eighth and twelfth houses.
- Upachaya: "growth" or "remedial" houses, where malefic planets tend to improve, include the third, sixth, tenth and eleventh houses.
Succedent
Succedent house
Succedent house is an astrological term for the houses that follow the angular houses in an Astrological chart. “Succedent” derives from the Latin succedens meaning "subsequent" or "succeeding"...
houses are called pāṇaphara (from Greek ἐπαναφοραἱ), and cadent
Cadent house
In astrology, a cadent house is the last house of each quadrant of the zodiac. A quadrant begins with an angular house, proceeds to a succedent house and ends with a cadent house...
houses are called āpoklima (Gk. ἀποκλἰματα).