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भाव
bhāva
House; the twelve houses of the natal chart, each governing a sphere of life — 1st (self), 4th (home), 7th (marriage), 10th (career), etc.
भाव; जन्मकुंडली के द्वादश भाव।
Hindu thought is built from a vocabulary of carefully-distinguished terms. Words like bhava are not loose translations — each has a precise scriptural genealogy, a specific role in ritual or philosophy, and often a counterpart that completes its meaning. Many of the major Hindu darśanas (Sāṅkhya, Yoga, Vedānta, Mīmāṃsā, Nyāya, Vaiśeṣika) refined their vocabulary over centuries; the same Sanskrit term can carry different shades in different schools.
Bhava sits within a cluster of related concepts — lagna, rashi, kundli. Reading these together gives you the actual texture of the idea, rather than treating it as an isolated definition. Each Sanskrit term in this glossary is cross-linked to the others it presupposes.
Where useful we cite the primary scriptural source — the Upaniṣad, sūtra, or smṛti passage where the term is given its classical sense — alongside trusted modern dictionaries (Monier-Williams, V.S. Apte, Sanskrit Heritage). For practical questions about usage in pūjā or daily life, ask a paṇḍita in your tradition.
The ascendant; the rashi rising on the eastern horizon at birth. Determines the first house and is the most personal point of the chart.
Zodiac sign; one of 12 (Mesha, Vrishabha, Mithuna, Karka, Simha, Kanya, Tula, Vrishchika, Dhanu, Makara, Kumbha, Meena). Each spans 30 degrees. Corresponds to Western signs (Aries-Pisces).
Birth chart; a circular or square diagram showing the placement of the nine grahas across twelve bhavas at the moment of birth. Foundation for all Vedic astrology.
Planetary period; the timing system in Vedic astrology. Vimshottari is the most-used (120-year cycle). Maha-dasha (major period) has antar-dashas (sub-periods) within.
Planet; the nine grahas (Navagraha): Surya (Sun), Chandra (Moon), Mangala (Mars), Budha (Mercury), Brihaspati (Jupiter), Shukra (Venus), Shani (Saturn), Rahu (north node), Ketu (south node).
'Science of light' — astronomy + astrology. The eye (chakshu) of the Vedas. Three branches: Siddhanta (mathematical), Samhita (mundane astrology), Hora (natal astrology).
Birth chart; a circular or square diagram showing the placement of the nine grahas across twelve bhavas at the moment of birth. Foundation for all Vedic astrology.
The ascendant; the rashi rising on the eastern horizon at birth. Determines the first house and is the most personal point of the chart.
Awaiting paṇḍita verification before final publication. If you spot an inaccuracy in the Sanskrit, IAST, or interpretation, please write to us.