Jyotish Term
Navamsha — नवांश
Short answer. Navamsha (D9) is the most important divisional chart in Vedic astrology — each rashi is divided into nine equal parts, and the position of every planet in this finer grid produces a second chart used to read marriage, dharma, and the inner strength of natal placements.
While the rashi chart (D1) shows the broad structure of life, the navamsha (D9) shows what is happening beneath the surface — particularly with regard to relationships, marriage, the spouse, and the dharmic axis. Each 30° rashi is divided into nine 3°20' segments (matching the four padas of three nakshatras), and the planet's position in this finer division places it in a new rashi in the D9 chart. A planet that appears strong in the D1 but weak in the D9 is said to be 'hollow' — outwardly impressive but inwardly thin. A planet weak in the D1 but strong in the D9 is said to be 'mature' — its strength reveals itself with time. Marriage timing and the nature of the spouse are most reliably read by examining the 7th house, its lord, and the position of Venus (for men) or Jupiter (for women) in the D9 chart, alongside their D1 positions.
Related terms
- Bhava — Bhava is the Vedic term for a house in the birth chart — one of twelve life-domain divisions. Each bhava governs a specific set of life themes: the 1st rules self, the 7th rules marriage, the 10th rules career, and so on.
- Rashi — Rashi is the Vedic term for a zodiac sign — one of twelve 30° divisions of the sidereal zodiac. Each rashi has a ruling planet, an element, and a quality that shapes how planets in that sign behave.
- Nakshatra — A nakshatra is one of 27 lunar mansions — sub-divisions of the zodiac, each 13°20' wide, used in Vedic astrology to read finer-grained character, compatibility, and timing. The Moon occupies one nakshatra at any moment.
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