NAVAMSA CHART
If we divide each Nakshatra into four quarters (or padas in Hindu concept), we have 27 x 4 = 108 quarters for all the 27 Nakshatras. We know that each Nakshatra is of 13°:20˘ arc and therefore each quarter (pada) measures 3°:20˘. As each Rasi is of 30° arc measure, it is immediately apparent that in a Rasi, we can have 9 quarters (9 padas) corresponding to a little more than two Nakshatras per Rasi. 9 padas will complete a Rasi. (3°:20˘ x 9 = 30°). When each Rasi of 30° is divided into 9 parts (navamsas), each navamsa measures 3°:20˘ arc. This is the basis of Navamsa divisional (Division by 9) chart.
The planets’ positions can also be written by mentioning the Rasi name and the exact degree within the Rasi. For example, let us say the longitude of Ravi is 248°:36˘. It is seen from the Tables 2 and 4 that this degree falls in Dhanu Rasi, Moola Nakshatra. We also know that Dhanu Rasi starts at 240°. Ravi is at 8°:36˘ from the beginning of Dhanu Rasi. Instead of expressing the absolute longitude of Ravi, we can also write Ravi’s relative position as Dhanu-8°:36˘. As Dhanu is the 9th.Rasi in the zodiac, this can also be written as
(No. of the zodiac sign – 1)-relative position from that zodiac sign.
In the above example of Ravi, its position can be written as 8s-8°:36˘. That is, RA is at 8°:36˘ after 8 signs of zodiac (8 x 30 = 240°).
Now what is the Nakshatra in which RA is placed?
From the Table 4 we have the answer as Moola.
In which quarter of Moola Nakshatra is Ravi placed?
We know that each Nakshatra measures13°:20˘. Each quarter measure is therefore 3°:20˘ (3°:20˘ x 4 = 13°:20˘). The first quarter of Moola ends at 3°:20˘ of Dhanu Rasi. The second quarter ends at 6°:40˘. The third quarter ends at 10°. RA is at 8°:36˘ in Dhanus. That is in the third quarter of Moola Nakshatra as this value falls in between 6°:40˘ and 10°. We can therefore give Ravi’s position also as Moola 3rd.quarter. However, it should be mentioned that this does not give the exact position of Ravi. It only says that Ravi is in between 6°:40˘ to 10° of Dhanu Rasi. But this information is useful in deriving the Navamsa Divisional Chart for planets and Houses from the horoscope.
Navamsa chart can be constructed from the birth chart (horoscope) in different ways. We will describe here three ways of construction: one from the absolute longitude of the planet or House (bhava); second from the “Nakshatra knowledge method”; and third from “Rasi knowledge method”. We shall take the above example of Ravi’s position in Dhanu Rasi and explain all the methods.
Absolute method: Ravi’s position is given as 248°:36˘. As mentioned above each navamsa division measures 3°:20˘. Calculate how many navamsas are there in 248°:36˘. The answer is 75th.navamsa (248°:36˘/3°:20˘ = 74.58 that is 75th.navamsa).
Now first navamsa is placed in Mesha Rasi, the second in Vrishabha Rasi and so on upto the 12th.navamsa in Meena Rasi. 13th.navamsa is placed again in Mesha Rasi and the cycle is continued till all the navamsas are covered. Proceeding like this, the 75th.navamsa is placed in (75/12 remainder is 3) third Rasi from Mesham, which is Mithunam. Hence in the navamsa chart Ravi is shown in Mithuna Rasi against Dhanu Rasi in the birth horoscope.
Nakshatra knowledge method: From the given position of planet, find out which Nakshatra and quarter (pada) is the planet placed.
For Nakshatras belonging to KE, CH or GU, navamsa Rasi is from Mesham to Karkatakam depending on which quarter (pada) of Nakshatra is the planet placed in the birth chart.
For Nakshatras belonging to KU, SU or SA, navamsa Rasi is from Simham to Vrischikam depending on which quarter (pada) of Nakshatra is the planet placed in the birth chart.
For Nakshatras belonging to RA, BU or RH, navamsa Rasi is from Dhanus to Meenam depending on which quarter (pada) of Nakshatra is the planet placed in the birth chart.
In the example given above, it was shown that RA is in Moola Nakshatra 3rd.quarter. Moola Nakshatra belongs to KE (see Table 4). Hence the navamsa Rasi sequence starts from Mesham and navamsa Rasi for RA is Mithunam as it is 3rd.quarter.
Rasi knowledge method: Find out the nature of the Rasi, in which the planet is placed. Also find out in which navamsa of that Rasi is the planet place. We know each Rasi is of 30° measure and has 9 navamsas, each navamsa measuring 3°:20˘.
If the nature of Rasi is Fiery type, then the navamsa sequence starts from Mesham and ends at Dhanus.
If the nature of Rasi is Earthy type, then the navamsa sequence starts from Makaram and ends at Kanya.
If the nature of Rasi is Airy type, then the navamsa sequence starts from Thula and ends at Mithunam.
If the nature of Rasi is Watery type, then the navamsa sequence starts from Karkatakam and ends at Meenam.
In the example, RA is in Dhanu Rasi 3rd.quarter (navamsa or pada). Dhanus is a fiery Rasi. Hence the navamsa sequence starts from Mesham. As it is 3rd.navamsa, RA is placed in Mithuna Rasi in navamsa chart.
Let us take another example of CH at 300°:40˘. This degree falls in Kumbham, Dhanista Nakshatra 3rd.quarter. But it is in the 1st.navamsa in Kumbha Rasi.
300°:40˘ corresponds to 91st.navamsa (300°:40˘/3°:20˘ = 90.2 that is 91st.navamsa). Hence the navamsa Rasi is the remainder of 91/12 = 7. That is 7th.Rasi from Mesham. Hence the navamsa Rasi is Thula.
Dhanista Nakshatra belongs to Kuja. And the position corresponds to 3rd.quarter of Dhanista. The navamsa Rasi is to be counted from Simha Rasi. It is again Thula for 3rd.quarter of Nakshatra.
Kumbham is an Airy Rasi and it is the first navamsa in Kumbham (airy nature). Hence the navamsa Rasi starts from Thula and because it is first navamsa, the navamsa Rasi is again Thula.
Find out the Nakshatra, pada, lord of Nakshatra and also calculate the navamsa Rasi for KU with longitude of 328° by all the three methods.
(Answer: Purvabhadra, 3rd.quarter, GU and Mithunam)
It is customary in Hindu astrology to give the navamsa chart also along with the birth chart. The navamsa chart is one of the most important charts, which is referred to along with the birth chart for any analysis. In this book, navamsa chart is not given separately. But the planetary and Bhava positions in their navamsas are shown enveloping the main birth chart. This has been done purely because of convenience, easy referral and economy. The Rasi against which the planet or the bhava is shown is the navamsa Rasi for that planet or Bhava.