12 Houses (Bhavas) in Vedic Astrology
While planets (Grahas) represent the actors and signs (Rashis) describe their costumes and temperaments, houses (Bhavas) constitute the stage upon which life’s drama unfolds. Each of the twelve houses governs a distinct domain of human experience—from physical body to final liberation.
The Sanskrit term Bhava means “state of being” or “becoming”—indicating that houses represent not static life areas but dynamic arenas where karma manifests and evolves. Understanding the house system transforms chart reading from planetary description to life-path analysis.
This page serves as the central reference for all house (Bhava) analysis in Vedic astrology on JagannathHora.com. Use it to understand the foundational house system—classifications, lordship principles, and interpretation methods—then explore detailed analyses of individual houses through the linked deep-dive pages throughout this guide.
The 12 houses (Bhavas) in Vedic astrology are twelve divisions of the horoscope that represent specific life areas such as self, wealth, relationships, career, and liberation. Houses show where planetary energies manifest, while signs show how they express. This house system forms the foundation for planetary interpretation, yogas, dashas, and all predictive astrology.
| House | Sanskrit Name | Core Significations |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | Tanu / Lagna | Self, body, personality, vitality |
| 2nd | Dhana | Wealth, family, speech, food |
| 3rd | Sahaja | Siblings, courage, communication |
| 4th | Sukha | Mother, home, happiness, property |
| 5th | Putra | Children, intelligence, creativity |
| 6th | Shatru | Enemies, disease, service, debts |
| 7th | Kalatra | Spouse, marriage, partnerships |
| 8th | Randhra | Longevity, transformation, occult |
| 9th | Dharma | Fortune, father, higher learning |
| 10th | Karma | Career, status, public reputation |
| 11th | Labha | Gains, income, elder siblings |
| 12th | Vyaya | Loss, liberation, foreign lands |
🖥️ JHora Quick Check: House Analysis Tools
To examine house positions in Jagannath Hora:
Rashi Chart: Charts → Rashi — Standard sign-based house display. Bhava Chalit: Charts → Bhava Chalit — Cusp-based house boundaries showing where planets actually operate. For KP analysis, use KP Horoscopy → Cuspal Positions to view exact cusp degrees with sub lords.
🏛️ The Foundation: Houses vs. Signs
A fundamental distinction separates the house system from the zodiac. Signs (Rashis) are 30° divisions of the ecliptic based on fixed star positions—they exist independent of birth time and location. Houses (Bhavas) are divisions based on the ascendant degree at the moment and place of birth—they rotate through the zodiac roughly once every 24 hours.
The Ascendant Creates the Houses
At the exact moment of birth, a particular zodiacal degree rises on the eastern horizon. This Lagna (Ascendant) becomes the starting point of the 1st house. The remaining eleven houses follow in sequence. Two individuals born on the same day but at different times will have the same planetary positions in signs but entirely different house placements—producing vastly different life experiences despite similar planetary energies.
This explains why birth time accuracy matters profoundly in Vedic astrology. Approximately four minutes of time shifts the ascendant by about one degree near the equator (this rate varies by latitude). Over the course of two hours, the entire ascendant sign changes, completely reorganizing which planets rule which life areas.
The Three Dimensions of Chart Analysis
Complete interpretation requires understanding all three components:
- Planet: The actor—what energy is being expressed (e.g., Mars = action, aggression, courage)
- Sign: The costume—how that energy expresses (e.g., Mars in Libra = diplomatic action)
- House: The stage—where in life that energy manifests (e.g., Mars in 7th house = action in partnerships)
📊 House Classifications
Vedic astrology organizes the twelve houses into functional categories that determine how planets behave when placed in or ruling those houses. Mastering these classifications provides the foundation for all house-based analysis.
🔷 Kendra (Angular)
Houses: 1, 4, 7, 10
The pillars of the chart. Planets here gain strength and visibility. Kendras represent action, manifestation, and concrete results. Benefics in kendras protect; malefics in kendras can dominate.
🔶 Trikona (Trinal)
Houses: 1, 5, 9
The fortune houses representing Dharma (purpose), Purva Punya (past merit), and Bhagya (luck). Planets here and lords of these houses become functional benefics regardless of natural status.
⚠️ Dusthana (Difficult)
Houses: 6, 8, 12
Houses of challenge, transformation, and dissolution. Planets placed here struggle to express positively. However, malefics in dusthanas can produce Viparita Raja Yoga under specific conditions.
📈 Upachaya (Growth)
Houses: 3, 6, 10, 11
Results improve with time and effort. Malefics actually perform well here, converting obstacles into achievements. The native “grows into” these house significations through life experience.
⚫ Maraka (Death-Inflicting)
Houses: 2, 7
Lords of these houses can trigger health crises or endings during their dasha periods. They are 12th from the 3rd and 8th houses, which are associated with vitality and longevity—making them termination points.
Panaphara (Succedent): Houses 2, 5, 8, 11 — Following the kendras, these houses support and stabilize kendra matters. Planets here give results in the middle portion of dashas.
Apoklima (Cadent): Houses 3, 6, 9, 12 — Falling away from kendras, these houses represent transition and preparation. Planets here give results toward the end of dashas.
Moksha Trikona: Houses 4, 8, 12 — The liberation triangle representing the journey from emotional security (4th) through transformation (8th) to final dissolution (12th).
Artha Trikona: Houses 2, 6, 10 — The wealth triangle representing accumulated resources (2nd), service/competition (6th), and career achievement (10th).
Kama Trikona: Houses 3, 7, 11 — The desire triangle representing initiative (3rd), partnership (7th), and fulfillment of wishes (11th).
Why Classifications Matter
A planet’s functional nature for a specific ascendant depends heavily on house lordship:
- Trikona lords (1, 5, 9): Always beneficial regardless of natural status
- Kendra lords: Kendradhipati Dosha—natural benefics ruling kendras lose beneficence; natural malefics ruling kendras lose maleficence
- Dusthana lords (6, 8, 12): Generally malefic for the ascendant
- Maraka lords (2, 7): Neutral but carry death-inflicting potential during their periods
🏠 The Twelve Bhavas: Complete Overview
Each house governs a specific domain of life experience. The following provides the essential significations—detailed analysis of individual houses is available through the linked deep-dive pages.
1st House: Lagna (Ascendant)
The seed from which the entire chart grows. Governs physical constitution, personality, general health, vitality, and the native’s approach to life. The ascendant lord becomes the chart’s most important planet.
Natural Significator: Sun
2nd House: Dhana Bhava
Accumulated wealth, family of origin, speech and voice quality, food intake, facial features (especially mouth and right eye), early childhood, and death (as maraka).
Natural Significator: Jupiter
3rd House: Sahaja Bhava
Courage, initiative, younger siblings, short journeys, communication skills, hands and arms, writing, neighbors, and self-made efforts.
Natural Significator: Mars
4th House: Sukha Bhava
Mother, emotional peace, home and property, vehicles, formal education, heart, chest, ancestral land, and the final resting place.
Natural Significator: Moon
5th House: Putra Bhava
Children (especially first child), creative intelligence, speculation, romance, past-life merit (Purva Punya), mantras, disciples, and stomach.
Natural Significator: Jupiter
6th House: Shatru Bhava
Enemies, diseases, debts, obstacles, service, daily work, maternal uncle, pets, and digestive system. The house of struggle and competition.
7th House: Kalatra Bhava
Spouse, marriage, business partnerships, public dealings, foreign travel, sexual union, and death (as primary maraka). The “other” in all forms.
Natural Significator: Venus
8th House: Randhra Bhava
Death and rebirth, longevity, hidden matters, occult knowledge, inheritance, research, chronic illness, reproductive organs, and sudden events.
Natural Significator: Saturn
9th House: Dharma Bhava
Father, guru, luck, higher education, philosophy, religion, long journeys, pilgrimage, grandchildren, and one’s ethical foundation.
10th House: Karma Bhava
Career, profession, public status, authority, government, father (in some traditions), knees, and one’s contribution to society.
Natural Significator: Sun (primary), Saturn, Mercury, Jupiter (varies by tradition)
11th House: Labha Bhava
Income, gains, elder siblings, friends, social networks, fulfilled desires, ankles, and the rewards of one’s efforts.
Natural Significator: Jupiter
12th House: Vyaya Bhava
Losses, expenditure, foreign lands, isolation, hospitals, ashrams, moksha (liberation), sleep, feet, and the dissolution of the ego.
👑 House Lords: The Governing Principle
Each house is “ruled” by the planet that owns the sign occupying that house. The house lord becomes the agent responsible for delivering that house’s significations. Where the lord is placed, and its condition, determines how effectively those significations manifest.
The Lord-House Relationship
When analyzing any house, examine three factors: (1) Planets occupying the house, (2) The lord of the house and its placement, (3) Aspects on the house and its lord. The lord carries the house’s karma to wherever it sits—a 7th lord in the 12th house, for example, may indicate spouse from foreign land or loss through partnership.
Ascendant-Based Lordship
Since house boundaries depend on the ascendant, lordship varies by rising sign. For an Aries ascendant, Mars rules the 1st house; for Taurus ascendant, Venus rules the 1st. This is why the same planet behaves differently for different ascendants—Saturn is a yoga karaka (highly beneficial) for Taurus and Libra ascendants because he rules both a kendra and a trikona, but proves challenging for Leo and Cancer ascendants where he rules the 6th/7th and 7th/8th respectively.
| Ascendant | Most Beneficial Lords | Challenging Lords |
|---|---|---|
| Aries | Sun (5th), Jupiter (9th), Mars (1st) | Mercury (3rd, 6th), Saturn (10th, 11th) |
| Taurus | Saturn (9th, 10th), Mercury (2nd, 5th) | Mars (7th, 12th), Jupiter (8th, 11th) |
| Gemini | Venus (5th, 12th), Saturn (8th, 9th) | Mars (6th, 11th), Jupiter (7th, 10th) |
| Cancer | Mars (5th, 10th), Jupiter (9th), Moon (1st) | Saturn (7th, 8th), Venus (4th, 11th) |
| Leo | Mars (4th, 9th), Sun (1st), Jupiter (5th) | Saturn (6th, 7th), Venus (3rd, 10th) |
| Virgo | Mercury (1st, 10th), Venus (2nd, 9th) | Mars (3rd, 8th), Saturn (5th, 6th) |
| Libra | Saturn (4th, 5th), Mercury (9th, 12th) | Mars (2nd, 7th), Jupiter (3rd, 6th) |
| Scorpio | Moon (9th), Jupiter (5th), Sun (10th) | Venus (7th, 12th), Mercury (8th, 11th) |
| Sagittarius | Mars (5th, 12th), Sun (9th), Jupiter (1st) | Venus (6th, 11th), Saturn (2nd, 3rd) |
| Capricorn | Venus (5th, 10th), Mercury (6th, 9th) | Mars (4th, 11th), Jupiter (3rd, 12th) |
| Aquarius | Venus (4th, 9th), Mars (3rd, 10th) | Jupiter (2nd, 11th), Moon (6th) |
| Pisces | Moon (5th), Mars (9th, 2nd), Jupiter (1st) | Saturn (11th, 12th), Venus (3rd, 8th) |
🖥️ JHora Lordship Analysis
Path: Charts → Rashi — Right-click on any planet to see its house lordship for the current chart. Basics → Planet Details displays a complete lordship summary. For functional benefic/malefic classification, consult Basics → Graha Bala.
📐 Bhava Chalit: The House Boundary Question
A critical distinction in Vedic astrology separates the Rashi chart (sign-based) from the Bhava Chalit chart (cusp-based). Understanding when to use each prevents analytical errors.
Rashi Chart (Equal House)
In the Rashi chart, house boundaries coincide with sign boundaries. If Aries rises, the 1st house spans all of Aries (0°–30°), the 2nd house spans all of Taurus, and so forth. This system is used for:
- Determining house lordship (always based on sign)
- Analyzing planetary dignity (exaltation, debilitation)
- Assessing sign-based aspects (Rashi Drishti)
Bhava Chalit (Unequal House)
The Bhava Chalit chart calculates actual house boundaries based on the ascendant degree. If the ascendant is 15° Aries, the 1st house cusp begins at 15° Aries and ends at 15° Taurus. Houses become unequal in size at extreme latitudes. This system is used for:
- Determining which house a planet actually operates in
- Resolving planets near house boundaries
- All KP astrology house calculations
When Planets Shift Houses
A planet at 28° Aries with an ascendant at 10° Aries sits in the 1st house by Rashi chart (same sign as ascendant) but in the 2nd house by Bhava Chalit (past the 2nd cusp at 10° Taurus). Most practitioners interpret this planet as having 1st house lordship effects but 2nd house placement effects. The planet carries 1st-house responsibilities but delivers them through 2nd-house themes.
🖥️ JHora Bhava Chalit View
Path: Charts → Bhava Chalit — Displays the cusp-based house chart. Compare with the Rashi chart to identify planets that shift houses. The software highlights shifted planets in the chalit display.
🔮 Houses in KP Astrology
Krishnamurti Paddhati revolutionized house analysis through the cusp sub lord theory. Rather than analyzing planets in houses, KP primarily examines the sub lord of each house cusp to determine that house’s outcomes.
⭐ The Cusp Sub Lord Principle
Core doctrine: The sub lord of a house cusp determines whether that house’s matters will manifest favorably, unfavorably, or not at all. A marriage cusp (7th) with a sub lord signifying 6-12 may deny marriage despite other favorable indications.
Hierarchy: The cusp falls in a sign (sign lord), in a nakshatra (star lord), and in a sub division (sub lord). The sub lord’s house significations reveal the cusp’s true promise.
Key House Groupings in KP
| Matter | Houses to Analyze (KP Method) |
|---|---|
| Marriage | 2-7-11 (favorable); 1-6-10-12 (obstacles). The 7th cusp sub lord must signify 2-7-11 for marriage to occur. |
| Career Success | 2-6-10-11 (favorable); 5-8-12 (obstacles). The 10th cusp sub lord determines professional trajectory. |
| Children | 2-5-11 (favorable); 1-4-10 (obstacles). The 5th cusp sub lord must favorably signify 2-5-11. |
| Foreign Settlement | 3-9-12 (favorable). The 12th cusp sub lord indicates foreign residence potential. |
| Health/Longevity | 1-8 (vitality and longevity); 2-7 (maraka houses). Badhaka house varies by movable/fixed/dual signs. |
Significator Chain Analysis
In KP, a planet signifies a house through four levels:
- Occupation: The planet sits in the house
- Lordship: The planet rules the sign on the cusp
- Star lordship: The planet occupies the star of a planet connected to the house
- Sub lordship: The planet rules the sub of a cusp or occupying planet
🖥️ JHora KP Cusp Analysis
Cuspal Positions: KP Horoscopy → Cuspal Positions — Displays all 12 cusps with sign, star, and sub lords.
Significators: KP Horoscopy → Significators — Shows the complete signification chain for each planet, revealing which houses each planet promises results for.
🔍 House Interpretation Methods
Systematic house analysis follows a structured approach. Whether using Parashari or KP methods, the following framework ensures comprehensive interpretation.
Parashari Analysis Framework
Step 1 — House Condition: Is the house occupied? By benefics or malefics? Any aspects on the house?
Step 2 — Lord Analysis: Where is the house lord placed? In which sign and house? What aspects does it receive?
Step 3 — Karaka Analysis: Where is the natural significator (karaka) of the house placed? Is it strong or weak?
Step 4 — Bhava Strength: Calculate bhava bala if precision is needed. Consider Ashtakavarga points in the house.
Step 5 — Dasha Timing: When will house matters activate? During periods of the house lord, occupants, or aspecting planets.
Step 6 — Transit Trigger: Transits of slow planets (Saturn, Jupiter, Rahu/Ketu) over the house or its lord trigger events.
Common House Combinations
Certain planetary placements in houses produce recognizable patterns:
- Lord in own house: Strong results for that house—the planet works from its home base
- Lord in 6th, 8th, or 12th from its house: Weakened results—the agent is in a difficult position relative to its domain
- Mutual exchange (Parivartana): Two lords swap houses, creating powerful connection between both life areas
- Lord conjunct house karaka: Amplified results—the agent meets the natural significator
The Bhavat Bhavam Principle
Each house is also interpreted as the 1st house of a derived chart. The 5th house is the “1st of children” (Putra Bhava), so the 5th from 5th (the 9th house) becomes the “5th of children”—grandchildren. This Bhavat Bhavam (house from house) principle allows extended analysis:
- 7th from 7th (1st) = Self through partnership
- 8th from 8th (3rd) = Courage regarding transformation
- 4th from 4th (7th) = Home of spouse
- 10th from 10th (7th) = Career of partner
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
What is Kendradhipati Dosha and why does it matter?
Kendradhipati Dosha occurs when natural benefics (Jupiter, Venus, Mercury, Moon) own kendra houses (1, 4, 7, 10). Classical texts state these benefics lose their beneficence through kendra lordship alone. Conversely, natural malefics (Mars, Saturn, Sun) ruling kendras lose their malefic nature. This principle affects functional benefic/malefic classification—Jupiter ruling the 7th for Gemini ascendant becomes problematic despite being a natural benefic.
What is Karako Bhava Nashaya and when does it apply?
This principle states that when a karaka (significator) occupies its own karaka house, it can damage that house’s significations. Sun (father karaka) in 9th (father’s house) may harm the father. Jupiter (children karaka) in 5th may limit children. However, this principle applies inconsistently and is debated among scholars. It tends to manifest more when the karaka is also afflicted by malefics.
How do Badhaka houses work?
Badhaka (obstruction) houses vary by ascendant type. For movable signs (Aries, Cancer, Libra, Capricorn), the 11th house is badhaka. For fixed signs (Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, Aquarius), the 9th is badhaka. For dual signs (Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius, Pisces), the 7th is badhaka. The badhaka lord can create significant obstacles and is particularly examined in health analysis alongside maraka lords.
When should I use whole sign houses vs. Bhava Chalit?
Most Vedic astrologers use whole sign (Rashi) houses for lordship determination, dignity assessment, and aspect analysis. Bhava Chalit is used to see where planets actually deliver results—especially when planets are near house boundaries. KP astrology exclusively uses Bhava Chalit with Placidus-like cusp calculations. For practical purposes, check both charts when a planet is within 5° of a cusp boundary.
📚 Classical & Contemporary Sources
- Brihat Parashara Hora Shastra (BPHS) — Foundational house significations and lordship principles
- Phaladeepika by Mantreshwara — House effects and planetary placement results
- Uttara Kalamrita by Kalidasa — Comprehensive house portfolios
- Jataka Parijata — Detailed bhava analysis methodology
- Brihat Jataka by Varahamihira — Classical house doctrine
- KP Reader (Volumes I-VI) by K.S. Krishnamurti — Cuspal sub lord theory and house significator method