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Sanskrit Glossary

Every Sanskrit term taught in the course so far, compiled from each lesson's own "Key Terms" table (§6 of the Lesson Template, the course's internal lesson template). Alphabetical by transliteration. Grows lesson by lesson — no placeholders for terms not yet taught.

A note on homonyms: a few transliterations recur with a genuinely different technical meaning in a later chapter (e.g., Hora the predictive branch of Jyotisha vs. Hora the two-division Varga; Krura/Saumya at the planet level vs. the sign level). These are listed as separate entries, each flagged, per this course's own discipline against merging distinct systems that happen to share a name (see Field Manual entry 6).

Jump: A · B · C · D · G · H · I · J · K · L · M · N · P · R · S · T · U · V · Y


A

Sanskrit Transliteration Meaning Definition BPHS Ch./Verse Lesson Related
अधिमित्र / अधिशत्रु Adhimitra / Adhishatru Great friend / great enemy The two extreme tiers of the five-fold compound relationship Ch.3 v.57–58 S1-M2-L5 Pañcadhā Sambandha
अहंकार Ahaṁkāra "I-ness" The Sānkhya principle of individuation; produces devas, senses, and elements in three streams Ch.1 v.16–19 S1-M1-L1 Mahātattva, Guṇa
अंश Aṁśa / Amsha Portion, share Two senses, same word: (1) a fractional carrying of a larger whole — jīva-/paramātmā-aṁśa (Ch.1); (2) one division within a Varga, e.g. one Navamsha (Ch.7) Ch.1 v.22–24; Ch.7 throughout S1-M1-L1; S1-M5-L3 Paramātmā, Varga
अन्तर्दशा Antardasha Sub-period 1/12 of a main Varnada Dasha; finer-grained timing within it Ch.6 v.26 S1-M5-L2 Varnada Dasha
आत्मा Ātmā Soul The Sun's core signification; root of the Sun-as-soul karaka doctrine Ch.3 v.12 S1-M2-L2 Paramātmā, Jīvātmā
अवस्था Avastha State, condition A planet's condition (youthful, old, asleep, dead, etc.) — forward-referenced here, fully taught at Ch. 47 (Semester 2) Ch.13 v.14–16 Notes; full treatment Ch.47 S1-M7-L1 House prosperity/affliction rule
अवतार Avatāra Descent An incarnation of Viṣṇu; links each graha to a mythic character Ch.2 v.1–7 S1-M1-L2 Pūrṇāvatāra, Janārdana
अयनांश Ayanamsha Precession offset The value separating Saayana (tropical) from Nirayana (sidereal) planetary positions Ch.5 throughout S1-M4-L1 Swodaya, Lankodaya

B

Sanskrit Transliteration Meaning Definition BPHS Ch./Verse Lesson Related
भाव Bhava House Any of the twelve chart houses; the basic unit Ch. 13 organizes Ch.13 throughout S1-M7-L1 Kendra, Trikona, Trik-sthana
भाव लग्न Bhava Lagna House-Ascendant Ascendant recomputed every 5 Ghatis from sunrise; an alternate D1-style chart Ch.6 v.2–3 S1-M5-L1 Hora Lagna, Ghati Lagna
भयात / भभोग Bhayaata / Bhabhoga Nakshatra passed / Nakshatra's full span The two Nakshatra-based time values that refine the Moon's exact position Ch.5 v.5–9 S1-M4-L1 Nakṣatra

C

Sanskrit Transliteration Meaning Definition BPHS Ch./Verse Lesson Related
चालन Chaalana Correction, movement The Yaata/Aishya adjustment applied to Pankti almanac data to correct it to the exact birth moment Ch.5 v.2–4 S1-M4-L1 Ishta Kaala
चन्द्र लग्न Chandra Lagna Lunar Ascendant The Moon treated as an alternate Ascendant, for 1st/4th/2nd/9th/11th house matters Ch.8 v.40 S1-M5-L4 Surya Lagna
चर / स्थिर / द्विस्वभाव Chara / Sthira / Dwiswabhāva Movable / Fixed / Dual The three modal qualities of signs Ch.4 v.5 S1-M3-L1 Kālapuruṣa

D

Sanskrit Transliteration Meaning Definition BPHS Ch./Verse Lesson Related
धातु Dhātu Ingredient, metal The bodily tissue a planet governs; also a Horary category (mineral lordship) Ch.3 v.31, v.47 S1-M2-L3 Mūla, Jīva
दिग्बल Digbala Directional strength A planet's strength by house-direction; the seed of the full Shadbala system (Ch. 29, Semester 2) Ch.3 v.35, Notes S1-M2-L3 Shadbala (forward reference)
ध्रुवांक Dhruvanka Constant, fixed number The portion-number shortcut used when computing Gulika Ch.3 v.66–70, Notes S1-M2-L6 Gulika
द्रेष्काण Drekkana Third-sign The 3-division Varga; governs siblings Ch.7 v.7–8; Ch.8 v.2 S1-M5-L3 Varga
दृष्टि Drishti Sight, aspect The influence one sign/planet/house exerts on another; foundational to nearly every later technique Ch.9 throughout S1-M6-L1 Rashi Drishti, Graha Drishti
दृक्गणित Dṛkgaṇita Observational computation The method for computing exact planetary positions; referenced here (Ch.3 v.8) but detailed in Ch. 5 Ch.3 v.8 S1-M2-L1 Ishta Kaala (Ch.5 method)

G

Sanskrit Transliteration Meaning Definition BPHS Ch./Verse Lesson Related
गर्भाधान Garbhādhāna Conception The event Nisheka Lagna estimates the timing of Ch.4 v.25, Notes S1-M3-L3 Nisheka Lagna
गणित / सिद्धान्त Gaṇita / Siddhānta Computation The astronomical/mathematical branch of Jyotisha, distinguished from the predictive branch Ch.1 v.2 S1-M1-L1 Horā (branch), Saṁhitā
घटी लग्न Ghati Lagna Ghati-Ascendant Ascendant recomputed every 1 Ghati from sunrise; an alternate D1-style chart Ch.6 v.6–8 S1-M5-L1 Bhava Lagna, Hora Lagna
ग्रह Graha "Seizer"; planet Two senses, same word: (1) a conscious divine agent carrying paramātmā-aṁśa, the central object of the whole course (Ch.1); (2) technically, a continuously-moving luminous body with predictive significance, distinguished from fixed Nakshatras (Ch.3) Ch.1 v.23; Ch.3 v.2–3 S1-M1-L1; S1-M2-L1 Paramātmā, Nakṣatra
ग्रह दृष्टि Graha Drishti Planetary aspect The house-count-based graduated aspect system (¼/½/¾/full) Ch.9 v.10–16 S1-M6-L1 Rashi Drishti, Paada
गुलिक Gulika (Saturn's shadow point) A computed shadow point from day/night duration, 8ths, and Saturn's portion; a widely used timing/strength point Ch.3 v.66–70 S1-M2-L6 Upagraha, Dhruvanka
गुण Guṇa Quality The three qualities of nature — Sattva/Rajas/Tamas — basis for later planetary-nature classification Ch.1 v.13, Notes S1-M1-L1 Sattva/Rajas/Tamas

H

Sanskrit Transliteration Meaning Definition BPHS Ch./Verse Lesson Related
होरा Horā / Hora Two senses, same word: (1) the predictive branch of Jyotisha, named foremost of three skandhas — the branch BPHS itself belongs to (Ch.1); (2) the two-division Varga (D2), ruled by Sun/Moon, governing wealth (Ch.7–8). Do not conflate. Ch.1 v.2–3; Ch.7 v.5–6, Ch.8 v.1 S1-M1-L1; S1-M5-L3 Gaṇita/Siddhānta, Varga
होरा लग्न Hora Lagna Half-sign Ascendant Ascendant recomputed every 2½ Ghatis from sunrise; the required input for Varnada Dasha Ch.6 v.4–5 S1-M5-L1 Varnada, Bhava Lagna

I

Sanskrit Transliteration Meaning Definition BPHS Ch./Verse Lesson Related
इष्टकाल Ishta Kaala Desired/exact time The precise elapsed time from sunrise to the birth moment; the master time input for all of Ch. 5's method Ch.5 v.1 S1-M4-L1 Chaalana

J

Sanskrit Transliteration Meaning Definition BPHS Ch./Verse Lesson Related
जनार्दन Janārdana "Reliever of people" A name of Viṣṇu; the source from which the graha-avatāras incarnate Ch.2 v.3 S1-M1-L2 Avatāra
जीव Jīva Living being A Horary category (living-being lordship), used in Horary chart classification Ch.3 v.47 S1-M2-L3 Dhātu, Mūla
जीवात्मा Jīvātmā Individual soul The portion of soul specific to one being; the contrast term for paramātmā Ch.1 v.21–22 S1-M1-L1 Paramātmā
ज्योतिष Jyotiṣa Science of light The Vedāṅga governing celestial bodies and their effects; names the whole discipline this course studies Ch.1 v.2 S1-M1-L1 Horā, Gaṇita, Saṁhitā

K

Sanskrit Transliteration Meaning Definition BPHS Ch./Verse Lesson Related
कालपुरुष Kālapuruṣa Time Personified The zodiac conceived as Vishnu's cosmic body; basis for the sign-to-body-part mapping Ch.4 v.2, Notes S1-M3-L1 Chara/Sthira/Dwiswabhāva
केन्द्र Kendra Angle 1st, 4th, 7th, 10th houses; structural/prominence houses that neutralize a planet's natural tendency Ch.8 v.33 S1-M5-L4 Trikona, Trik-sthana
केन्द्राधिपत्य दोष Kendradhipatya Dosha Angular-lordship blemish The neutralizing effect angular lordship has on a natural benefic — why Jupiter/Venus can "go bad" for certain ascendants Ch.36 v.2, Notes S1-M8-L1 Kendra, Yoga Karaka
क्रूर / सौम्य Krūra / Saumya Cruel / Gentle Two systems, same words: (1) planet-level natural malefic/benefic classification, sorting the 9 grahas (Ch.3); (2) sign-level benefic/malefic, independent of the planet-level system (Ch.4). Never conflate — a Krūra sign does not make an occupying benefic planet malefic. Ch.3 v.11; Ch.4 v.5 S1-M2-L1; S1-M3-L1 Kṣīṇa Chandra
क्षेपक Kshepaka Trisected portion One-third of the arc between two known house cusps; derives the remaining 10 house cusps from the Ascendant and 10th House Ch.5 v.23–24 S1-M4-L1 Swodaya, Lankodaya
क्षीण चन्द्र Kṣīṇa Chandra Weak/waning Moon The Moon's malefic phase-window (8th dark tithi → 8th bright tithi); the precise rule behind the Moon's conditional benefic/malefic status Ch.3 v.11, Notes S1-M2-L1 Krūra/Saumya, Paksha Bala

L

Sanskrit Transliteration Meaning Definition BPHS Ch./Verse Lesson Related
लग्न Lagna Ascendant The sign rising on the eastern horizon at a given moment — "the most important factor in a horoscope" Ch.3 v.6 S1-M2-L1 Bhava Lagna, Hora Lagna, Ghati Lagna
लंकोदय Lankodaya Equatorial rising A sign's rising-time at zero latitude (the equator); used to find the 10th House Ch.5 v.20–22½ S1-M4-L1 Swodaya

M

Sanskrit Transliteration Meaning Definition BPHS Ch./Verse Lesson Related
महत्तत्त्व Mahātattva Cosmic intellect The first evolute of creation; root of the Sānkhya chain Ch.1 v.16–17, Notes S1-M1-L1 Ahaṁkāra
मारक Maraka Killer A planet capable of triggering death or severe difficulty — typically a 2nd or 7th lord, or otherwise afflicted Ch.36 v.19–44, throughout S1-M8-L2 Yoga Karaka (forward reference: Ch.46)
मूल Mūla Root A Horary category (plant-lordship), used in Horary chart classification Ch.3 v.47 S1-M2-L3 Dhātu, Jīva
मूलत्रिकोण Mūlatrikoṇa Root-triangle A specific degree-range within a planet's own sign; the second-strongest dignity, distinct from both exaltation and plain own-sign Ch.3 v.51–54 S1-M2-L4 Ucca, Svakṣetra

N

Sanskrit Transliteration Meaning Definition BPHS Ch./Verse Lesson Related
नैसर्गिक मैत्री Naisargika Maitrī Natural friendship Fixed friend/enemy/neutral status, computed by Mooltrikona house-count — same for every chart Ch.3 v.55 S1-M2-L5 Tātkālika Maitrī, Pañcadhā Sambandha
नक्षत्र Nakṣatra Star, asterism A fixed-position division of the zodiac (27 total); distinguished from the moving grahas Ch.3 v.2–3, v.7 S1-M2-L1 Graha, Bhayaata/Bhabhoga
नवग्रह Navagraha Nine planets The full graha set (7 classical + Rahu/Ketu); confirms Rahu/Ketu's inclusion from Ch. 2 onward Ch.2 v.3, v.6–7 S1-M1-L2 Graha
नवांश Navamamsha Ninth-division The 9-division Varga (D9); governs spouse, and is the foundation of Karakamsha (S3-M23) Ch.7 v.12; Ch.8 v.3 S1-M5-L3 Varga, Amsha
नीच Nīcha Low, debilitated A planet's weakest sign placement — the 7th sign from its exaltation Ch.3 v.49–50 S1-M2-L4 Ucca
निषेक लग्न Niṣeka Lagna Conception Ascendant The computed Ascendant at the moment of conception; a backward-timing technique Ch.4 v.25–30 S1-M3-L3 Garbhādhāna, Spashta

P

Sanskrit Transliteration Meaning Definition BPHS Ch./Verse Lesson Related
पाद Paada Foot, quarter The unit of graduated aspect strength (¼, ½, ¾, full) Ch.9 v.11–16 S1-M6-L1 Graha Drishti
पक्ष बल Paksha Bala Lunar-phase strength The Moon's benefic/malefic quality varying by lunar day; refines the Moon's natural-benefic classification Ch.36 v.8–10 Notes S1-M8-L1 Kṣīṇa Chandra
पलभा Palbha Shadow-value The midday equinox-shadow measurement encoding a place's latitude; basis for all Ascendant/10th-House arithmetic in Ch. 5 Ch.5 v.10–11 S1-M4-L1 Swodaya
पञ्चधा सम्बन्ध Pañcadhā Sambandha Five-fold relationship The combined natural+temporary relationship figure actually used in judgment Ch.3 v.57–58 S1-M2-L5 Naisargika/Tātkālika Maitrī, Adhimitra/Adhishatru
पञ्च महाभूत Pañca Mahābhūta Five elements Fire=Mars, Earth=Mercury, Ether=Jupiter, Water=Venus, Air=Saturn; basis for element-based Dasha reasoning Ch.3 v.20 S1-M2-L2 Sattva/Rajas/Tamas
परमात्मा Paramātmā Supreme Soul The universal, undivided consciousness; the grahas' predominant nature Ch.1 v.21–24 S1-M1-L1 Jīvātmā, Aṁśa
पराश्रय Parashraya "Dependent" The 12th-2nd-8th house group; effects given by association rather than fixed valence — requires checking conjunctions Ch.36 v.5–7 S1-M8-L1 Kendra, Trikona, Trishadaya
प्राणपद Pranapada "Foot of life" A computed point testing a birth's auspiciousness Ch.3 v.71–74 S1-M2-L6 Upagraha, Gulika
प्रवृत्ति / पूर्ति Pravritti / Poorti Onset / Completion The 15°-before and 15°-after zone around a house cusp; governs how strongly a house's effect applies by degree Ch.6 v.10–12 S1-M5-L1 Bhava Lagna
पृष्ठोदय Prishthodaya Back-rising A sign whose latter portion rises first; slower, more delayed results Ch.4 v.7, etc. S1-M3-L2 Shirshodaya, Ubhayodaya
पूर्णावतार Pūrṇāvatāra Complete incarnation Wholly Paramātmāṁśa, no jīvāṁśa admixture — marks Sun/Moon/Mars/Rahu as a distinct tier of avatāra Ch.2 v.2 S1-M1-L2 Avatāra

R

Sanskrit Transliteration Meaning Definition BPHS Ch./Verse Lesson Related
राजयोग Raja Yoga Royal combination The elevated-status outcome a Yoga Karaka combination produces Ch.36 v.12, throughout S1-M8-L2 Yoga Karaka
राशि Rāśi Sign One of the 12 equal zodiac divisions; the basic unit planets move through Ch.3 v.5 S1-M2-L1 Kālapuruṣa
राशि दृष्टि Rashi Drishti Sign aspect The movable/fixed/dual triplicity-based full-aspect system Ch.9 v.1–9 S1-M6-L1 Graha Drishti

S

Sanskrit Transliteration Meaning Definition BPHS Ch./Verse Lesson Related
संहिता Saṁhitā Collection, code The mundane/omen branch of Jyotisha, distinguishing collective from individual prediction Ch.1 v.2, Notes S1-M1-L1 Horā, Gaṇita
सत्त्व / रजस् / तमस् Sattva / Rajas / Tamas The three guṇas Sattvika = Sun, Moon, Jupiter; Rajasika = Venus, Mercury; Tamasika = Mars, Saturn — direct continuation of Ch.1's guṇa framework Ch.3 v.22 S1-M2-L2 Guṇa, Pañca Mahābhūta
शीर्षोदय Shirshodaya Head-rising A sign whose head-end rises first; quicker results Ch.4 v.9, etc. S1-M3-L2 Prishthodaya, Ubhayodaya
षोडशवर्ग Shodasavarga Sixteen-varga(-set) The complete set of all sixteen Vargas together; the full toolkit for fine-grained prediction Ch.7 v.42–51 S1-M5-L3 Varga
शूल दशा Shoola Dasha (forward reference only) A separate Dasha system, fully described in Ch. 48 (Semester 3), used alongside Varnada for affliction/longevity timing Ch.6 v.19–20 Notes; full treatment Ch.48 S1-M5-L2 Varnada Dasha
स्फुट Spashta Exact, precise A planet's or point's precise computed longitude Ch.4 v.27–29, Notes S1-M3-L3 Nisheka Lagna
सूर्य लग्न Surya Lagna Solar Ascendant The Sun treated as an alternate Ascendant, for father and 10th/11th house matters Ch.8 v.39 S1-M5-L4 Chandra Lagna
स्वक्षेत्र Svakṣetra Own field, own sign A planet's own-ruled sign, outside the Mooltrikona range; the third-strongest dignity Ch.3 v.51–54 S1-M2-L4 Ucca, Mūlatrikoṇa
स्ववेश Swavishwa Own-strength The fixed point-allocation per Varga in the Vimshopaka Bala formula; one of its two components Ch.8 v.17–25 S1-M5-L4 Vargavishwa
स्वोदय Swodaya Own-rising(-time) A sign's local rising-time at the birthplace's latitude; used to find the Ascendant Ch.5 v.12–19½ S1-M4-L1 Lankodaya

T

Sanskrit Transliteration Meaning Definition BPHS Ch./Verse Lesson Related
तात्कालिक मैत्री Tātkālika Maitrī Temporary friendship Chart-specific friend/enemy status, by a planet's actual house position — different in every chart Ch.3 v.56 S1-M2-L5 Naisargika Maitrī
त्रिकोण Trikona Trine 5th, 9th houses; always-auspicious lordship Ch.8 v.35 S1-M5-L4 Kendra, Trishadaya
त्रिकस्थान Trik-sthana Evil houses 6th, 8th, 12th houses (Ch.8's specific definition — narrower than Ch.13's 5-house translator gloss) Ch.8 v.35 S1-M5-L4 Trishadaya
त्रिषडाय Trishadaya The 3-6-11 group Houses whose lords are always inauspicious — a fixed malefic-lordship rule Ch.36 v.4 S1-M8-L1 Trik-sthana, Kendra, Trikona

U

Sanskrit Transliteration Meaning Definition BPHS Ch./Verse Lesson Related
उभयोदय Ubhayodaya Both-rising Rises with both head and back — Pisces only Ch.4 v.23; Notes after v.24 S1-M3-L2 Prishthodaya, Shirshodaya
उच्च Ucca High, exalted A planet's strongest sign placement; top of the dignity scale Ch.3 v.49–50 S1-M2-L4 Nīcha, Mūlatrikoṇa
उपग्रह Upagraha Sub-planet A shadow point computed from the Sun's longitude; interpretation deferred to Ch. 27 (Semester 2) Ch.3 v.61–65 S1-M2-L6 Gulika, Pranapada

V

Sanskrit Transliteration Meaning Definition BPHS Ch./Verse Lesson Related
वर्ग Varga Division, group Any of the sixteen sign-subdivisions; the general category the whole of Ch. 7–8 covers Ch.7 v.1–4 S1-M5-L3 Amsha, Shodasavarga
वर्गविश्वा Vargavishwa Varga-strength The friendship-based grade for a specific Varga placement; the other Vimshopaka Bala component Ch.8 v.25 S1-M5-L4 Swavishwa
वर्ण Varṇa Caste, class A quality-based social role (per the translator, not birth-caste) — the planetary caste classification Ch.3 v.21 S1-M2-L2 Guṇa
वर्णद Varnada Caste-giver (literal) The sign located by the direct/reverse counting procedure from the natal Ascendant and Hora Lagna Ch.6 v.13–16 S1-M5-L2 Hora Lagna, Varnada Dasha
वर्णदा दशा Varnada Dasha Varnada period The house-based (not planet-based) Dasha system whose durations derive from sign-distances to each house's Varnada sign Ch.6 v.17–27 S1-M5-L2 Varnada, Antardasha
वात / पित्त / कफ Vāta / Pitta / Kapha Wind / Bile / Phlegm The three Ayurvedic bodily humors, mapped to sign triplicities Ch.4 v.5, Notes S1-M3-L1 Chara/Sthira/Dwiswabhāva

Y

Sanskrit Transliteration Meaning Definition BPHS Ch./Verse Lesson Related
योगकारक Yoga Karaka Combination-maker A planet whose angle+trine lordship relationship elevates the native — the chapter's central concept Ch.36 v.11–13 S1-M8-L1 Kendradhipatya Dosha, Raja Yoga, Maraka

Not yet covered: the graha and rāśi proper names themselves (Sun/Sūrya, Moon/Chandra, Mars/Maṅgala, etc.) aren't in this glossary because no lesson's Key Terms table treats them as a defined term — they're used directly throughout. See the Foundations Handbook §1–2 for the full graha/rāśi reference tables instead.

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