Author: Sanjay Rath

In JyotiṣaŚāstra, the first house is also called the Lagna. It is the sign rising on the eastern horizon at a specific time and place on Earth. Although it includes a full zodiac sign, a bhāva consists of nine divisions (padas), each measuring 3°20′ (9 × 3°20′ = 30°). This may vary depending on the exact longitude of the Lagna. Generally, we consider the Lagna as a specific point in the zodiac, identified by a sign, a nakṣatra, and a precise degree within that nakṣatra.

The Lagna Bhāva, or Tanu Bhāva, refers to the house connected with the body (tanu means the physical body).

Upagraha is derived from ‘graha’, with ‘upa’ meaning inferior, such as Child, which is considered a minor planet and the offspring of one of the seven planets. Kaal and the other Upagraha are seven offspring of the planets that have similar genetic traits, but in more extreme forms.

It is said that even one of these satellites afflicting the Sun can destroy a person’s lineage (lineage, family), while the ascendant afflicted by the satellite blocks understanding and intellect. We have found this to be true of the satellite’s dispositor, not the satellite itself, but specifically of the nakshatra dispositor.

Aprakasha means devoid of light and represents the five points that destroy the light of the five elements. There are a total of twelve dark sub-planets, five of which are aprakasha planets and the other seven are upagraha. Parashara gives a very detailed explanation of the aprakasha planets, their calculations, and how to use them in charts.

It’s a good idea to perform these calculations once for your chart so you have firsthand knowledge of how they’re calculated.