Author: Sanjay Rath

The word Hora is derived from Aho-Rātra, in which the first letter “A” and the last letters “Tra” are removed. The word Aho means day, and Rātra means night, indicating the division of time into day and night.

The ruler of the day is the Sun, and the ruler of the night is the Moon, as they are the brightest celestial bodies in the sky during their respective times. Now, consider the seven physical planets (from Sun to Saturn), which are also the rulers of the days of the week.

The calculations for the special Lagnas were made by Maharishi Parashara, and we begin by understanding the meaning of the word “Vishesh,” which means special, unique. These special Lagnas differ from the Lagna in that they have a completely circular motion at a uniform speed. This motion, relative to the average motion of the Lagna, determines the house to which they are associated. For example, the Lagna (ascendant) moves through the 12 signs in 24 hours of the day, and its “average speed” is 2 hours per sign. The Bhava Lagna (BL) also has a similar speed of 2 hours per sign. Therefore, the Bhava Lagna is associated with the first house. It is followed by the Pranik Hora Lagna (HL) and Ghatika Lagna (GL).

A Naksatra or lunar mansion is one of the 27/28 divisions of the sky, identified by the prominent star(s) in them, used in Vedic astrology. Historical (medieval) Hindu astrology enumerated either 27 or 28 naksatras depending on the system of usage. It is generally always 27 unless sarvatobhadra.or such chakra is being used. Each naksatra is divided into quarters or padas of 3’20.