Bhava Arudhas (House Arudha Padas)
Bhava Arudhas are the Arudha Padas of the 12 houses (bhavas) in a birth chart. They represent the illusion or maya associated with the matters signified by each house. While houses show the reality of various aspects of life, their Arudha Padas show how these aspects are perceived in the material world.
Computation of Bhava Arudhas
According to Parasara, Arudha Padas of all the 12 houses in all divisional charts are calculated as follows:
- Take the sign containing the house of interest in the divisional chart.
- Find the sign occupied by the lord of that house.
- Count signs from the house of interest to the sign containing its lord (in zodiacal direction).
- Count the same number of signs from the sign containing the lord and find the ending sign.
- Exception: If the sign found in step 4 is in the 1st or 7th from the original sign in step 1, then take the 10th sign from the sign found in step 4.
- The resulting sign contains the Arudha Pada of the house of interest.
Note: For houses falling in Aquarius or Scorpio, take the stronger lord between Saturn/Rahu and Mars/Ketu respectively.
| Arudha | Specific Names | Significance |
|---|---|---|
| A1 | Arudha Lagna (AL), Pada Lagna | How the native is perceived in the material world; status and public image |
| A2 | Dhanarudha, Vittarudha | Perception of wealth and resources |
| A3 | Bhratrudha, Vikramarudha | Perception of courage, siblings, and communication |
| A4 | Matri pada, Sukharudha | Perception of happiness, mother, vehicles, and property |
| A5 | Mantrarudha, Putrarudha | Perception of intelligence, children, and creativity |
| A6 | Rogapadha, Satrupadha | Perception of diseases, enemies, and debts |
| A7 | Darapada, Dararudha | Perception of relationships and the kind of people one associates with |
| A8 | Mrityu pada, Kashtarudha | Perception of obstacles, longevity, and hidden matters |
| A9 | Bhagyarudha, Pitri pada | Perception of fortune, father, higher learning, and spirituality |
| A10 | Karmarudha, Rajya pada | Perception of career, actions, and authority |
| A11 | Labharudha | Perception of gains, income, and fulfillment of desires |
| A12 | Upapada Lagna (UL), Gaunapada | Perception of losses, expenses, marriage, and spiritual liberation |
Key Bhava Arudhas
Arudha Lagna (AL)
While lagna stands for true self, Arudha Lagna (AL) stands for the maya associated with self. It shows how the native is perceived in the material world and their status. A timid individual may be perceived as a strong leader - that is the maya associated with their personality, shown by AL.
Planets in relation to AL can indicate material success. For example, natural malefics in the 3rd and 6th houses from AL show someone who is perceived as bold and who hits enemies hard, leading to material success. Natural benefics in these houses make one gentle and restrained in public behavior.
Upapada Lagna (UL)
Upapada Lagna (UL) is the Arudha Pada of the 12th house and is specifically used to analyze marriage and spouse. Planets in UL show the kind of marriage one has and the nature of one's spouse.
The 8th house from UL shows the longevity of marriage, while the 2nd and 7th houses from UL show potential end of marriage. Malefics like Mars, Saturn, and nodes in these houses can indicate troubles in marriage or even divorce.
Darapada (A7)
Darapada (A7) shows the illusion associated with relationships, i.e., the kind of people one usually interacts with. Based on the kind of people one deals with, others perceive the nature of one's relations.
In different divisional charts, A7 shows different types of associates. In D-10 (career chart), it may show professional associates; in D-24 (education chart), it may show friends at college; in D-20 (religious chart), it may show colleagues in religious activities.
Bhava Arudhas should be interpreted in the context of "desa" (place), "kaala" (time), and "paatra" (nature and class of persons involved). The things that drive the world's perceptions can vary significantly from one place to another, from one age to another, and from one class to another.
Intelligent use of Arudhas requires an astrologer to understand the world that the native lives in and to apply these principles with discernment rather than mechanically.