1. Starting with Bhinna Ashtakavarga of the Sun

To understand how the Ashtakavarga chart is constructed, let’s walk through a real example, using the Sun as our reference planet.

We begin by drawing eight simple charts, each with Scorpio as the Ascendant. In the first chart, we mark the position of the Sun in Aries, which is the 6th house from the Ascendant. In the second chart, we place the Moon in Leo, the 10th house. In the third, Mars is also in Leo in the 10th. In the fourth, Mercury is placed in Pisces, which is the 5th house—and so on for the rest of the planets.

Next, we start plotting bindu—the beneficial points. The first chart represents the Sun’s Ashtakavarga relative to itself. From classical rules, we know the Sun gives beneficial results in the 1st, 2nd, 4th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th, and 11th houses from its own position.

So, from Aries (where the Sun is placed), we count and mark the following signs as beneficial: Aries, Taurus, Cancer, Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius, Capricorn, and Aquarius. These are given the symbol “0” (bindu), while the rest are marked with a dash “–” (rekha) to show non-beneficial influence.

2. Repeating the Process for the Other Charts

We repeat this process in the second chart—this time measuring from the Moon’s position in Leo. Since Mars is also in Leo in this example, Leo becomes the first house in that chart. Accordingly, we place the “0” symbols in the houses where the Sun gives beneficial aspects: Leo, Virgo, Scorpio, Aquarius, Pisces, Aries, Taurus, and Gemini.

This same procedure is applied to all eight charts—one for each contributing factor (the seven planets plus the Ascendant). Once completed, we compile these into a single chart known as the Bhinna Ashtakavarga of the Sun.

This final chart shows the cumulative total of bindu for each sign, derived from all eight individual charts. Each number in this summary chart tells us how many beneficial points a given sign has received.

3. Interpreting the Bhinna Ashtakavarga

With the Bhinna Ashtakavarga in hand, we can now judge how favourable or challenging the Sun’s transit through each zodiac sign will be.

Here’s the rule: if a sign contains more than four bindu (i.e., five or more), then the house represented by that sign is strong in the Sun’s Bhinna Ashtakavarga, and its transit through that sign will yield beneficial results.

However, there’s one important exception—Saturn. For Saturn’s transits, the rule is reversed: a sign is considered more favourable when it has fewer than four bindu.

In total, the Sun’s Bhinna Ashtakavarga should contain exactly 48 bindu points. This sum ensures the chart has been calculated correctly.

4. The Samudaya Ashtakavarga

Once we’ve compiled all the Bhinna Ashtakavargas for each planet—Sun, Moon, Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, Venus, and Saturn—we bring them together to form the Samudaya Ashtakavarga, or cumulative chart.

This grand chart contains the total number of bindu that each zodiac sign receives from all seven planets. When we add up all the values across the twelve signs, the total should equal 337. This number remains constant in every horoscope and acts as a check to confirm the accuracy of the charts.

The Samudaya Ashtakavarga is one of the most powerful tools for assessing the relative strength of each house in the horoscope. It allows astrologers to make refined predictions, especially regarding planetary transits.

Building the Ashtakavarga Chart: A Practical Guide Using the Sun

1. Starting with Bhinna Ashtakavarga of the Sun

To understand how the Ashtakavarga chart is constructed, let’s walk through a real example, using the Sun as our reference planet.

We begin by drawing eight simple charts, each with Scorpio as the Ascendant. In the first chart, we mark the position of the Sun in Aries, which is the 6th house from the Ascendant. In the second chart, we place the Moon in Leo, the 10th house. In the third, Mars is also in Leo in the 10th. In the fourth, Mercury is placed in Pisces, which is the 5th house—and so on for the rest of the planets.

Next, we start plotting bindu—the beneficial points. The first chart represents the Sun’s Ashtakavarga relative to itself. From classical rules, we know the Sun gives beneficial results in the 1st, 2nd, 4th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th, and 11th houses from its own position.

So, from Aries (where the Sun is placed), we count and mark the following signs as beneficial: Aries, Taurus, Cancer, Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius, Capricorn, and Aquarius. These are given the symbol “0” (bindu), while the rest are marked with a dash “–” (rekha) to show non-beneficial influence.

2. Repeating the Process for the Other Charts

We repeat this process in the second chart—this time measuring from the Moon’s position in Leo. Since Mars is also in Leo in this example, Leo becomes the first house in that chart. Accordingly, we place the “0” symbols in the houses where the Sun gives beneficial aspects: Leo, Virgo, Scorpio, Aquarius, Pisces, Aries, Taurus, and Gemini.

This same procedure is applied to all eight charts—one for each contributing factor (the seven planets plus the Ascendant). Once completed, we compile these into a single chart known as the Bhinna Ashtakavarga of the Sun.

This final chart shows the cumulative total of bindu for each sign, derived from all eight individual charts. Each number in this summary chart tells us how many beneficial points a given sign has received.

3. Interpreting the Bhinna Ashtakavarga

With the Bhinna Ashtakavarga in hand, we can now judge how favourable or challenging the Sun’s transit through each zodiac sign will be.

Here’s the rule: if a sign contains more than four bindu (i.e., five or more), then the house represented by that sign is strong in the Sun’s Bhinna Ashtakavarga, and its transit through that sign will yield beneficial results.

However, there’s one important exception—Saturn. For Saturn’s transits, the rule is reversed: a sign is considered more favourable when it has fewer than four bindu.

In total, the Sun’s Bhinna Ashtakavarga should contain exactly 48 bindu points. This sum ensures the chart has been calculated correctly.

4. The Samudaya Ashtakavarga

Once we’ve compiled all the Bhinna Ashtakavargas for each planet—Sun, Moon, Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, Venus, and Saturn—we bring them together to form the Samudaya Ashtakavarga, or cumulative chart.

This grand chart contains the total number of bindu that each zodiac sign receives from all seven planets. When we add up all the values across the twelve signs, the total should equal 337. This number remains constant in every horoscope and acts as a check to confirm the accuracy of the charts.

The Samudaya Ashtakavarga is one of the most powerful tools for assessing the relative strength of each house in the horoscope. It allows astrologers to make refined predictions, especially regarding planetary transits.