Ashtakavarga - Eight Sourced Strengths

Analyzing a chart and making correct predictions requires mixing many different principles and making
fine compromises and judgments. Sage Parasara said that it is difficult for even great Maharshis. In Kali
Yuga, human beings become sinful and the sins kill their intelligence. Parasara said that the intellectual
pygmies of Kali Yuga cannot cope with too many complicated principles and presented ashtakavarga as
a simple technique that lets them make reasonable predictions without much fuss. Ashtaka means
“consisting of eight” and varga means “a group”. Ashtakavarga is the system of analyzing a chart with
respect to a group of 8 reference points.
When we analyze the positions of planets with respect to lagna, we have the concept of good and bad
placements. For example, Jupiter in the 9th from lagna will be well placed and Jupiter in the 3rd will be
badly placed. Mars in the 3rd from lagna will be well placed and Mars in the 9th will be badly placed.
However, lagna is not the only reference point in a chart. We have Sun and Moon. In fact, all the
planets serve as reference points in a chart and they represent the sources of various energies that are
present in a native. Based on the houses in which different planets are placed in transit, they can be
benefic with respect to some energy sources and malefic with respect to some. If a transiting planet is
benefic with respect to more energy sources, then it brings good results.
So ashtakavarga is essentially a system that tells us the benefic positions of lagna and seven planets
with respect to each other. This can be used to analyze the strength of a natal chart, but it is much
more important in analyzing transits.