Astrology Glossary
What is Bhava?
भाव - Bhava (House)
The 12 Houses in Vedic Astrology
Bhava Definition
Bhava (Sanskrit: भाव, "state of being") means house in Vedic astrology. The birth chart is divided into 12 Bhavas, each governing specific life areas. The 1st Bhava starts from your Lagna (Ascendant) and subsequent houses follow the zodiac order. Planets placed in each Bhava influence those life areas.
The 12 Bhavas
| Bhava | Sanskrit Name | Governs |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | Tanu Bhava | Self, body, personality, health, appearance |
| 2nd | Dhana Bhava | Wealth, family, speech, food, early education |
| 3rd | Sahaja Bhava | Siblings, courage, short travel, communication |
| 4th | Sukha Bhava | Mother, home, property, happiness, vehicles |
| 5th | Putra Bhava | Children, intelligence, creativity, romance, education |
| 6th | Shatru Bhava | Enemies, disease, debts, service, competition |
| 7th | Kalatra Bhava | Spouse, marriage, partnerships, business |
| 8th | Ayu Bhava | Longevity, transformation, occult, inheritance |
| 9th | Dharma Bhava | Fortune, father, religion, higher education, travel |
| 10th | Karma Bhava | Career, status, authority, public image |
| 11th | Labha Bhava | Gains, income, friends, aspirations, elder siblings |
| 12th | Vyaya Bhava | Losses, foreign lands, spirituality, moksha |
House Categories
Kendra (Angular)
1st, 4th, 7th, 10th - Most powerful houses, pillars of the chart
Trikona (Trine)
1st, 5th, 9th - Most auspicious houses, bring fortune and dharma
Upachaya (Growth)
3rd, 6th, 10th, 11th - Improve over time, malefics do well here
Dusthana (Difficult)
6th, 8th, 12th - Challenging houses, bring obstacles and transformation
Usage Examples
"Jupiter in the 5th Bhava indicates blessings with children and intelligence."
"The 7th Bhava lord is weak, suggesting delays in marriage."
"Multiple planets in the 10th Bhava indicate a strong focus on career."
Related Terms
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