Vedic astrology glossary
The twelve houses
What each of the 12 bhavas governs — from the self to moksha.
- 1st HouseTanu Bhava, Lagna Bhava, Ascendant houseThe 1st house (Tanu Bhava) is the house of the self — your body, appearance, vitality, temperament and overall direction of life. It is anchored by the Lagna (Ascendant), the sign rising at your birth.
- 2nd HouseDhana Bhava, house of wealthThe 2nd house (Dhana Bhava) governs accumulated wealth, family, speech, food and values — what you hold and how you express yourself.
- 3rd HouseSahaja Bhava, house of courageThe 3rd house (Sahaja Bhava) governs courage, initiative, younger siblings, communication, skills and short journeys.
- 4th HouseSukha Bhava, Bandhu Bhava, house of homeThe 4th house (Sukha Bhava) governs the mother, home, land and property, vehicles, foundational education and inner contentment.
- 5th HousePutra Bhava, house of childrenThe 5th house (Putra Bhava) governs children, intelligence, creativity, romance, education and purva punya — merit carried from past lives.
- 6th HouseAri Bhava, Roga Bhava, house of enemiesThe 6th house (Ari or Roga Bhava) governs enemies, disease, debts, litigation, competition and daily service or employment.
- 7th HouseYuvati Bhava, Kalatra Bhava, house of marriageThe 7th house (Yuvati or Kalatra Bhava) governs marriage, the spouse, long-term partnerships and business alliances — everything that sits directly opposite the self.
- 8th HouseRandhra Bhava, Ayu Bhava, house of transformationThe 8th house (Randhra Bhava) governs longevity, sudden events, transformation, inheritance, joint assets, research and the occult.
- 9th HouseDharma Bhava, Bhagya Bhava, house of fortuneThe 9th house (Dharma or Bhagya Bhava) governs fortune, dharma, the father, the guru, higher learning, philosophy and long journeys or pilgrimage.
- 10th HouseKarma Bhava, house of careerThe 10th house (Karma Bhava) governs career, profession, public status, authority and one's visible actions in the world.
- 11th HouseLabha Bhava, house of gainsThe 11th house (Labha Bhava) governs gains, income, the fulfilment of desires, friends, networks and elder siblings.
- 12th HouseVyaya Bhava, house of loss and mokshaThe 12th house (Vyaya Bhava) governs expenditure, losses, endings, sleep, isolation, foreign lands and moksha — spiritual liberation.