How to Read Your Kundli

A Kundli (Janma Kundali, or birth chart) is a map of the sky at the exact moment and place you were born. Once you generate yours, it can look like a wall of numbers and symbols — this guide walks through what each part actually means.

The Lagna (Ascendant)

The Lagna is the zodiac sign that was rising on the eastern horizon at your birth. It sits in House 1 and anchors the entire chart — every other house is counted relative to it. Your Lagna sign broadly shapes your personality and how you approach the world.

The Twelve Houses

Each of the 12 houses represents a life area — House 1 is self and body, House 2 is wealth and family, House 4 is home and mother, House 7 is partnerships and marriage, House 10 is career, and so on. A planet's house placement tells you where in life its influence shows up.

Planets and Signs

Each planet (Graha) sits in one of the 12 zodiac signs at a specific degree. The sign a planet occupies colors how that planet expresses itself. Our Kundli tool also shows each planet's dignity (Exalted, Debilitated, Own Sign, or Neutral), a quick signal of how comfortably that planet is placed.

Nakshatras

Beyond signs, each planet also falls within one of the 27 Nakshatras (lunar mansions), further divided into four Padas. The Moon's Nakshatra in particular is central to Vimshottari Dasha timing and to compatibility matching.

Divisional Charts (Vargas)

The main chart (D1, or Rashi chart) shows the big picture. Divisional charts zoom into specific life areas — D9 (Navamsa) for marriage and spiritual strength, D10 (Dashamsa) for career, and so on up to D60. Our Kundli tool lets you switch between all of them.

Where to Start

If you're new to reading your own chart, start with your Lagna sign, then look at where your Moon and Sun sit, then check the Yoga & Dosha tab for any notable combinations. From there, a consultation with one of our astrologers can help connect these pieces to your specific questions.