The classical vargas approach (divisions)

After years of studying vargas , testing different

calculations, techniques, and thoroughly investigating what is said in the classics about it,
the conclusion I came to was that the use ofvargas as individual maps is a modern
approach. If we refer to the Bṛhat jātaka or even to more recent texts such as the Jātaka
pārījāta, it is evident through these that vargas were used only as divisions of a sign and
not as individual maps with houses, conjunctions and looks among the grahas .

Basically, the techniques mentioned among the classic authors revolve around the
following:

(1) Specify in more detail the results of a graha by combining the sign occupied in
the rāśi with
the horā ,drekkāṇa , saptāṁśa , navāṁśa , dvadaśāṁśa , ṣoḍaśāṁśa ,triṁśāṁśa or ṣaṣṭyā
ṁśa occupied by it. In the case, special emphasis on
the horā , drekkāṇa , navāṁśa , triṁśāṁśa andṣaṣṭyāṁśa are found in the classics. As for
the other vargas, or are mentioned in some rare cases, or even find examples of their
application.

(2) To analyze the situation of the dispositor of the navāṁśa , drekkāṇa or

other varga occupied by agraha , in order to better delineate its results. A classic example
is to note the lord of the navāṁśaoccupied by the lord of the ten and from there to
delineate the type of career that the individual will tend to follow. If the lord of the ten
occupies a navāṁśa of sagittarius or fish, eg, the themes of Guru will influence his career
and therefore, one can note the position of Guru in the jātaka for an even more accurate
delineation. This technique of dispositor analysis is especially used in relation
to navāṁśa , being rarely considered with othervargas .

(3) The technique known as rāśi- tulya- navāṁśa , in which the sign occupied
by graha not only in therāśi but also in the navāṁśa is taken as reference in the rāśi to
better judge its general effects.
(4) Calculate the force of a graha based on the viṁśopaka or vaiśeṣikāṁśa of that, that is,
take his position in the vargas and thus assign a certain score according to the dignities he
obtains or loses in them.

(5) Use the deities of each varga to characterize the effects of a graha . In the case, Jātaka
pārījāta, Sarvārtha chintāmaṇi and Phaladīpikā gave special importance to the divinities
of ṣaṣṭyāṁśa , which may be krūra (cruel) or saumya (gentile).

(6) Differentiation of twins and individuals who are born with the same positions of
the grahas andlagna , basing themselves on the changes that occur in
the vargas occupied by the lagna , which are more subtle. Even the vargas occupied
by lagna are also used as a reference for time correction, based on the behavioral and
physical characteristics of the individual, as pointed out in the Sārāvalī of Kalyāna.

(7) The use of svāṁśa or kārakāṁśa-lagna , a lagna used in the rāśi , but which takes by
reference thenavāṁśa of ātmakāraka and which is extensively used in Jaimini jyotiṣa .

These are some of the techniques that take the vargas by reference , obviously there are
others, but these are the main ones, so I noticed in the course of my study and practice. It
is even important to mention that vargas follow different types of counting, for example,
the saptāṁśa , navāṁśa , daśāṁśa, ṣoḍāśāṁśa , viṁśāṁśa and saptaviṁśāṁśa follow par
ivṛtti , a regular zodiacal calculation, while the other vargas escape this
pattern. The drekkāṇa , eg, follows the order of the triplicity ( trikoṇa ) of each element,
while thetriṁśāṁśa part of the irregular divisions governed by the tareas , the grahas that
preside over the five elements (Maṅgala, Śani, Guru, Budha and Śukra). Thus, there are
different patterns used in vargas calculations , some of which are unique to a
particular varga . This raises some questions about the functionality of such calculations,
for there are certain calculations that completely break with the zodiacal order or any
other possible order, as is the case of dvadaśāṁśa ,chaturviṁśāṁśa , kavedhāṁśa, and
other less popular vargas , which are completely asymmetrical.This has caused countless
variations in thevargas have developed over time, which has created a real maze of
possibilities, something quite discouraging.
My practical experience, therefore, leads me to believe that, based on all these problems
and nebulous issues in which vargas are enveloped, it is easier to look at the use
of navāṁśa , horā , drekkāṇa ,triṁśāṁśa and ṣaṣṭyāṁśa , as pointed out by the classical
authors, while in relation to the other vargas , much research has yet to be done so that
new techniques can be discovered. However, I must point out that I am more and more
convinced that the vargas, in fact, they are not individual maps with conjunctions,
aspects, and houses, for lack of substantial classic references, inclusive. If they are used
nowadays as individual maps, of course, it is a modern approach, which does not
necessarily make it incorrect, although there is a good chance that it is rather incorrect to
approach Vargas in this way - something I have come to realize throughout all these
years of study and practice.