Star–Sub–Sub Structure
Prof. Krishnamurti discovered that every nakshatra (13°20') can be sub-divided into nine smaller segments called Subs, each ruled by a different planet in the Vimsottari dasha order. The arc of each sub is proportional to that planet's Vimsottari dasha years out of the 120-year total.
This yields 249 unique sub-positions across the 360° zodiac (27 × 9 = 243, but the cycle continues seamlessly). Each sub can itself be divided into sub-subs for ultra-fine precision.
The Four-Tier Hierarchy
Sign (Rasi)
Count: 12
Span: 30°
The broadest division — indicates general life domain
Star (Nakshatra)
Count: 27
Span: 13°20'
Identifies the subject matter via the star lord's house significations
Sub
Count: 249
Span: Variable
Decides whether the house promise is granted or denied — the most critical tier in KP
Sub-Sub
Count: 2193
Span: Very fine
Used for ultra-precise timing; rarely needed in day-to-day analysis
Sub Arc Widths Within One Nakshatra
Each nakshatra spans 800 arc-minutes. The sub arc = (dasha years / 120) × 800 minutes.
| Sub Lord | Dasha Years | Arc (degrees) | Arc (minutes) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ketu | 7 | 0°47' | 46.67' |
| Venus | 20 | 2°13' | 133.33' |
| Sun | 6 | 0°40' | 40.00' |
| Moon | 10 | 1°07' | 66.67' |
| Mars | 7 | 0°47' | 46.67' |
| Rahu | 18 | 2°00' | 120.00' |
| Jupiter | 16 | 1°47' | 106.67' |
| Saturn | 19 | 2°07' | 126.67' |
| Mercury | 17 | 1°53' | 113.33' |
How to Identify the Sub Lord of a Point
- Convert the tropical longitude to sidereal (subtract Ayanamsa).
- Identify which nakshatra the point falls in (each nakshatra = 13°20', starting from Ar 0°00').
- Within the nakshatra, measure how many arc-minutes from its start the point lies. Call this offset.
- Walk through the sub arcs in Vimsottari order (Ketu → Venus → Sun → …) accumulating minutes. The sub whose cumulative arc first exceeds the offset is the sub lord.
- Repeat the same walk for sub-subs if ultra-fine timing is required.