"Navamsa" (Navmansh, Navansh, Navamsha, Ninth Harmonic) literally means "Ninth Division". Vedic Astrologers have always given a great deal of importance to the Navamsa chart. The Navamsa chart is treated as the primary basis along with Rasi chart, for judging a planet's strength. Kalyana Varma in Saravali, Mantreswara in Phaladeepika, Baidyanath Dixit in Jatak Parijat, Varahamihira in Brihat Jatak, Parashar in Brihat Parashar Hora Shastra, all refer to the importance of Navamsa in chart analysis. Even a relatively recent astrologer like the late B.V. Raman states that "the strength of a planet should be judged after a careful study of its disposition in Rasi and Navamsa".
Why is the Navamsa so important? Well, the 9th house in any horoscope is considered the most auspicious house, its lord is considered the greatest benefic to a chart. The 9th is the house of fortune, of luck, and of Dharma. A strong 9th house can often go a long way in countering the other malefic aspects in a horoscope. The house whose lord is placed in 9th house usually prospers. The Navamsa is therefore the "fortune" chart. It can make or break your luck. A strong Rasi chart has to be backed by a strong Navamsa, or it may not live up to its potential. The Rasi chart is like a radio. A strong Navamsa is like a strong signal, which ensures that you hear your favourite station. A weak Navamsa is like a weak signal, even if your radio is of excellent make, you can't hear anything!
The Rasi chart is your physical existence, the circumstances that you live in, the things that you do. The Moon chart is your mental world, how you see things and how you react. The Navamsa is the hidden force, the invisible hand of destiny that decides what the result of your efforts will be.
Reading a Navamsa Chart
There are some simple rules for judging the strength of a planet using Navamsa.
1. "Vargottama" is the division where the planet is in the same sign in Rasi and Navamsa. Such a planet is extremely powerful to give results; its Dasa will most definitely be eventful. ( A lot of astrologers simply look at the Avastha of a planet and deem it weak. Sun in infancy in Aries when Vargottama is extremely powerful, I will not call it weak. )
2. A planet in its exaltation or own sign in Navamsa is to be considered strong, and usually gives good results pertaining to its lordship or Karaka signification. A planet in its debilitation in Navamsa is weak, unless that is offset by Neechbhanga.
3. A planet involved in exchange of signs (Parivartana) in the Navamsa should be considered strong.
4. The lord of a house, whether in Rasi or Navamsa, conjunct or aspected by a Karaka in the Navamsa gives good results. For e.g., If the 7th lord of the Rasi or Navamsa is conjunct Venus, it gives good results pertaining to spouse.
5. Drishti ascribed to Jupiter (5,7,9), Mars (4,7,8) and Saturn (3,7,10) is also to be considered for the Navamsa chart.
6. Affliction to a planet by the Nodes in the Navamsa gives peculiar or warped results. For e.g.., Jupiter afflicted by Rahu in the Navamsa may not necessarily mean harm to children; it could indicate some problems in the relationship or simply an indifferent attitude towards them.
7. The Navamsa is *the* chart for marriage and spouse. It is the best indicator of how a person's marital life will turn out to be. A malefic in 7th in Rasi is bad, but in Navamsa it is worse. Afflictions to 7th lord or Venus in the Navamsa chart are bad for marriage; this applies irrespective of the said planets' disposition in Rasi.
8. For planets that are not in their own or exaltation Navamsas; the position, strength and Rasi lordship of the Navamsa dispositor is a major influence. The planet acquires the "flavour" of its Navamsa disposition. For e.g., 10th lord in Mercury-ruled Navamsa could indicate a career in communications or accountancy. 10th lord in Mars-ruled Navamsa could mean a career in surgery, or the army, or engineering.
9. The planets that are in conjunction or opposition in Navamsa should be given priority while predicting results. For e.g., Consider the following position: Mars opposite Venus in Navamsa, aspected by Saturn via 10th Drishti. Here the Venus opposition is more important than the Saturn aspect. Indicates a sibling (since Mars is Karaka for siblings), female, with artistic inclinations (significations of Venus).
Some Observations
Mars conjunct Rahu or Ketu in Mercury's Navamsa gives skin or stomach problems.
Venus conjunct Rahu or Ketu in Navamsa indicates marriage to a person outside of the native's community. Also gives problems in relationships.
Saturn conjunct Moon in Navamsa indicates stinginess, or an obsession with money.
Moon and Mars conjunct in Navamsa indicate gynaecological problems in women and blood-related problems in men.This is especially true when the conjunction occurs in Cancer or Scorpio.
Venus, though Vargottama in Jyeshtha, can still give relationship problems.
Jupiter in exaltation or own sign in Navamsa usually gives a sound financial position to the native, especially as age increases.
Saturn in Leo Navamsa is almost always bad, except when Vargottama.
Natives with Sun in Aries Navamsa go bald sooner than most people. They also tend to have large foreheads.
Mars in Venus Navamsa gives a taste for the good life. If afflicted, will give vices. Venus in Mars Navamsa gives an aggressive, emotional outlook in relationships. A Mars-Venus exchange in Navamsa could indicate failure of marriage, or, a love-interest not leading to marriage. It could also indicate unfaithfulness or a multiplicity of relationships.
Summing Up
All these rules have to be applied without undermining the importance of the Rasi chart. The results of planets with respect to their Nakshatra placement and their lordship are paramount. The Navamsa should be looked at as a tool that complements the Rasi, not as something that does away with it! The Navamsa is a window to the Divine within us, it is the measure of our fortune, our destiny.
