Casting of horoscope

THIS writer follows the details of planetary positions, duration of birth-star etc. as given in Vasan Panchangam, drawn up in the Drik mode. Traditionally-cast horoscopes may indicate the time of birth referring to the Naazhigais elapsed after sunrise on the day of birth ("Surya Udhayaadhi Naazhigai".) Sixty Naazhigais (Ghatika-s) equal 24 hours, and each Ghatika is subdivided into 60 Vighatikas.

Thus an hour will comprise 2 1/2 Ghatikas; that is 24 minutes make one Ghatika (Naazhigai). One minute is made up of 2 1/2 Vighatika-s.

Let us consider a birth in Chennai at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, 01-02- 2000, with sunrise at 6.39 a.m. We can convert the birth-time into Surya Udhayaadhi Naazhigai thus:

The elapsed time from sunrise is 11h. 00m - 6h. 39m = 4 hours and 21 minutes. Converting 4 hours 21 minutes into Ghatikas and vighatikas, we get 10 Ghatikas and 52.50 Vighatikas.

Thus, "Surya Udhayaadhi Naazhigai" for the birth will be noted as 10 Ghatikas and 52.50 Vighatikas. When "Naazhigais" are mentioned, Vighatikas are called "Vinaadis." These comprising 24 seconds each, are not to be confused with the familiar seconds which we know are 1/60th parts of a minute.

Queries answered

What is meant by Vargottama?

R. Rajagopalan, Chennai-88.

We have touched on this point in our pieces explaining Rasi and Navamsa divisions in horoscopes.

When a planet is placed in the Rasi Chart and in the Navamsa Chart in one and the same Zodiacal Sign, it is said to enjoy Vargottama. For example, Mars may be placed in the Sign of Mesha in the Rasi Chart. If it is placed and in Mesha again in the Navamsa Chart too, planet Mars is said to be in Vargottama.

Vargottama planets are considered be sources of strength, generally speaking.

But for them to act favourably, they should be planets well- disposed towards the Lagna and towards the Lord of the Lagna.

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Good dates: February 7,9,10,11.

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Section  : Miscellaneous
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