Ashtakavarga

Ashta means eight; varga means division or set. Ashtakavarga is a system of accumulated strength scores derived from eight sources — the seven classical planets plus the ascendant — each casting benefic points (bindus) into houses based on their positions relative to each other.

The result is a numerical picture of each house's total benefic support. Rather than relying solely on the qualitative assessment of a house (which planets aspect it, what sign occupies it, how strong the lord is), Ashtakavarga adds a numerical layer: exactly how many bindus support this house from these eight sources?

How Bindus Are Generated§

For each of the eight reference points (Sun, Moon, Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, Venus, Saturn, and the ascendant), a fixed set of house positions is defined as beneficial. When the reference point transits one of these positions in relation to another planet's natal position, it contributes one bindu to that house.

The rules are traditional and fixed — each planet has a specific list of houses from itself from which it contributes bindus. For example, the Sun contributes a bindu to a house if the Moon is in one of twelve specific positions counted from the Sun's natal position. These rules were established by the classical texts and are not subject to interpretation.

Sarvashtakavarga§

Each planet has its own Bhinnashtakavarga (individual point chart) showing how many of the eight sources support each house for that planet. The total of all eight individual charts, house by house, gives the Sarvashtakavarga — the grand total of all bindu support for each house across all eight sources.

Sarvashtakavarga score	General reading
30 or above	Strong house — well-supported; planets transiting here tend to produce positive results
25–29	Average; mixed results depending on the transiting planet's own nature
Below 25	Weak house — transits here tend to be difficult; natal planets here may struggle to deliver

The maximum possible Sarvashtakavarga score is 56 (8 sources × 7 potential contributions each). Average is around 28.

Uses in Practice§

Transit analysis: When Jupiter or Saturn transits a house with a high Sarvashtakavarga score, positive results are more likely, even if the house itself is a dusthana. Low scores reduce the effectiveness of otherwise favorable transits.

Comparing houses: Two houses may look similar in the D1 chart — similar planetary aspects, similar strength of lords — but their Ashtakavarga scores can reveal which is more robustly supported. The house with more bindus tends to produce better-sustained results.

Predicting the better half of a dasha: When a mahadasha lord is in a house with high bindus, the early part of the dasha (when the lord activates its own house) tends to be stronger. When antardasha lords also have high bindu placements, those sub-periods are boosted.

Individual Planet Scores§

Beyond the house totals, each planet's individual score in its own Bhinnashtakavarga matters for transit interpretation. A Saturn with fewer than 4 bindus in a house will tend to produce more difficulty transiting there; Saturn with 5 or more bindus tends to produce better outcomes.

The useful threshold for individual planet scores per house:

• 5+ bindus: Strong — transit tends to produce the planet's better results
• 4 bindus: Average — variable results
• 0–3 bindus: Weak — transit tends to be difficult for that planet's matters

Kaksha Division§

An advanced sub-technique divides each sign into 8 equal segments (kaksha) of 3°45' each, assigning one of the eight Ashtakavarga sources to each segment. As a transiting planet moves through a sign, it passes through each source's kaksha. When the transiting planet moves through the kaksha of a source that contributed a bindu, a smaller, shorter benefic window opens within the larger sign transit. This provides precision timing within the 2.5-year Saturn or 1-year Jupiter transit.

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Ashtakavarga is one of Jyotish's most systematic tools — it reduces some of the subjectivity of house analysis to arithmetic. It doesn't replace qualitative reading, but it adds a quantitative check: before confidently predicting good results from a transit or placement, checking the bindu score tells you whether the chart's architecture supports that prediction. It is most useful alongside gochara (transit analysis) and Vimshottari Dasha timing. See houses overview for the house classification framework Ashtakavarga scores sit within.