1. What Is Ashtakavarga?

To truly grasp the essence of Ashtakavarga, one must understand that as planets journey through the zodiac, they cast different aspects—energetic influences—not only from their own natal position, but also toward the positions of other planets. Depending on these relationships, a planet can act in a beneficial or malefic manner.

The word Ashtakavarga translates to “eightfold division of strength.” It refers to eight sources of influence or “bindu points” attributed to each planet—plus the Ascendant (Lagna). The shadow planets, Rahu and Ketu, are not included in this system. Ashtakavarga serves two major purposes: static analysis (the natal chart) and dynamic analysis (transits).

2. How It Works

First, eight simple charts are created for each planet, showing the positions in which they grant beneficial results (bindu points). These individual charts are then combined into a summary chart called the Bhinna Ashtakavarga for each planet. Finally, all of these are merged into a master chart: the Sarva Ashtakavarga.

3. Sun’s Beneficial Positions

The Sun is considered beneficial in the 3rd, 4th, 6th, 10th, 11th, and 12th houses from the Lagna; in the 1st, 2nd, 4th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th, and 11th houses from itself; in the same houses from Mars and Saturn; in the 5th, 6th, 9th, and 11th houses from Jupiter; in the 3rd, 6th, 10th, and 11th from the Moon; in the 3rd, 5th, 6th, 9th, 10th, 11th, and 12th from Mercury; and in the 6th, 7th, and 12th from Venus. Total: 48 bindu points.

4. Moon’s Beneficial Positions

The Moon is auspicious in the 3rd, 6th, 10th, and 11th houses from Lagna; in the 2nd, 3rd, 5th, 6th, 9th, 10th, and 11th from Mars; in the 1st, 3rd, 6th, 7th, 10th, and 11th from itself; in the 3rd, 6th, 7th, 8th, 10th, and 11th from the Sun; in the 3rd, 5th, 6th, and 11th from Saturn; in the 1st, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 7th, 8th, 10th, and 11th from Mercury; in the 1st, 4th, 7th, 8th, 10th, 11th, and 12th from Jupiter; and in the 3rd, 4th, 5th, 7th, 9th, 10th, and 11th from Venus. Total: 49 bindu points.

5. Mars’ Beneficial Positions

Mars is positive in the 1st, 3rd, 6th, 10th, and 11th from Lagna; 3rd, 5th, 6th, 10th, and 11th from the Sun; 3rd, 6th, and 11th from the Moon; 1st, 2nd, 4th, 7th, 8th, 10th, and 11th from itself; 1st, 4th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th, and 11th from Saturn; 3rd, 5th, 6th, and 11th from Mercury; 6th, 8th, 11th, and 12th from Venus; and 6th, 10th, 11th, and 12th from Jupiter. Total: 39 bindu points.

6. Mercury’s Beneficial Positions

Mercury favours the 1st, 2nd, 4th, 6th, 8th, 10th, and 11th houses from Lagna; 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 8th, 9th, and 11th from Venus; 1st, 2nd, 4th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th, and 11th from Mars and Saturn; 6th, 8th, 11th, and 12th from Jupiter; 5th, 6th, 9th, 11th, and 12th from the Sun; 1st, 3rd, 5th, 6th, 9th, 10th, 11th, and 12th from itself; and 2nd, 4th, 6th, 8th, 10th, and 11th from the Moon. Total: 54 bindu points.

7. Jupiter’s Beneficial Positions

Jupiter is considered favourable in the 1st, 2nd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 9th, 10th, and 11th from Lagna; 1st, 2nd, 4th, 7th, 8th, 10th, and 11th from Mars; 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 7th, 8th, 10th, and 11th from itself; 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th, and 11th from the Sun; 2nd, 5th, 6th, 9th, 10th, and 11th from Venus; 2nd, 5th, 7th, 9th, and 11th from the Moon; 3rd, 5th, 6th, and 12th from Saturn; and 1st, 2nd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 9th, 10th, and 11th from Mercury. Total: 56 bindu points.

8. Venus’ Beneficial Positions

Venus gives positive results in the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 8th, 9th, and 11th houses from Lagna; 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 8th, 9th, 11th, and 12th from the Moon; 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 8th, 9th, 10th, and 11th from itself; 3rd, 4th, 5th, 8th, 9th, 10th, and 11th from Saturn; 8th, 11th, and 12th from the Sun; 5th, 8th, 9th, 10th, and 11th from Jupiter; 3rd, 5th, 6th, 9th, and 11th from Mercury; and 3rd, 5th, 6th, 9th, 11th, and 12th from Mars. Total: 52 bindu points.

9. Saturn’s Beneficial Positions

Saturn is benefic in the 1st, 3rd, 4th, 6th, 10th, and 11th houses from Lagna; 3rd, 5th, 6th, and 11th from itself; 3rd, 5th, 6th, 10th, 11th, and 12th from Mars; 1st, 2nd, 4th, 7th, 8th, 10th, and 11th from the Sun; 6th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th, and 12th from Mercury; 3rd, 6th, and 11th from the Moon; 6th, 11th, and 12th from Venus; and 5th, 6th, 11th, and 12th from Jupiter. Total: 39 bindu points.

10. The Grand Total and Interpretation

The grand total of all bindu points in the horoscope is always 337, no matter the individual planetary placements. Positions not listed above are considered non-beneficial. In charts and diagrams, benefic positions are usually marked with a “0”, while non-benefic positions are marked with a “–”.