Vedic Astrology Glossary
Horary Astrology - Answering a Specific Question
Prashna is the Vedic practice of casting and interpreting a horoscope for the exact moment a question is asked - rather than for a person's birth. The prashna chart reveals the answer to a specific question using Jyotish principles, making astrological guidance possible even without a precise birth time.
Prashna literally means 'question' in Sanskrit. It is the Vedic equivalent of horary astrology - a branch of Jyotish where a chart is drawn not for a person's birth, but for the moment a question is earnestly posed to an astrologer or astrological system.
Why prashna matters: In traditional Jyotish, many people do not have reliable birth times. Prashna solves this by making the astrologer-client interaction itself the starting point for chart analysis. The cosmic configuration at the moment the question is sincerely asked is considered a mirror of the situation the querent is navigating.
How prashna works: A prashna chart is read like a birth chart, but with the question as the interpretive lens:
Common prashna questions:
Prashna vs. natal chart: The natal chart (kundali) is the map of a person's entire life karma. The prashna chart is a snapshot focused on a single question in the present moment. The two are complementary: a natal chart astrologer uses transits, dashas, and natal placements to assess the same question longitudinally, while prashna gives an immediate, question-specific answer.
Classical texts: The primary text for prashna astrology is Prashna Marga (circa 17th century), a detailed Kerala tradition text covering hundreds of question types and interpretive methods. Hora Sara and Brihat Prashna Marga also cover prashna methodology extensively.
Prashna in Kerala Jyotish: The Kerala school of Vedic astrology (associated with Prasna Marga) is particularly renowned for its prashna mastery. Kerala practitioners developed elaborate prashna systems involving not just the chart but also the querent's gestures, which hand they used, what they were touching when they asked - all considered part of the prashna context.
Stellr uses the natal chart, dasha timing, and current transits to answer specific life questions - functionally applying prashna-style focused analysis to your personal chart rather than a real-time question moment.
Concept map
7 terms
Ascendant / Rising Sign
Lagna is the degree of the zodiac rising on the eastern horizon at the exact moment of birth. It sets the first house of the chart, determines house rulerships, and acts as the chart's structural foundation - the body, self-expression, and life path.
Planetary Period System
A dasha is a planetary period in Vedic astrology that governs a specific phase of your life. Each planet rules a slice of the 120-year Vimshottari cycle. During its dasha, that planet's themes, strengths, and karmic patterns become the dominant story.
Planetary Transits
Gochara refers to the current positions of planets as they move through the zodiac, and how those transits interact with your natal birth chart. In Vedic astrology, transits are measured from the natal Moon sign rather than the rising sign, which produces more psychologically precise predictions.
Birth Chart / Natal Horoscope
Kundali (also spelled kundli or horoscope) is the Vedic birth chart - a diagram showing the exact positions of the Sun, Moon, and planets at the moment and place of your birth. It is the foundational tool of Jyotish, mapping personality, relationships, career, health, and timing across your entire life.
Electional Astrology
Muhurta is the Vedic practice of selecting an auspicious moment to begin an important activity. By choosing a moment when planetary positions are favorable, Jyotish practitioners aim to give an action - a wedding, business launch, surgery, travel - the most propitious cosmic support possible.
The Science of Light
Jyotish is the Sanskrit name for Vedic astrology - literally 'the science of light' (jyoti = light; isha = lord). It is one of the six Vedangas (limbs of the Vedas) and one of the oldest predictive sciences in continuous use. Jyotish combines astronomical observation with karmic philosophy to interpret birth charts, time life events, and understand the soul's trajectory.
Lunar Mansion
A nakshatra is one of 27 lunar mansions that divide the zodiac into equal 13°20′ segments. The moon's placement in a nakshatra at birth reveals personality nuances, emotional rhythms, and karmic themes that the broader rashi (zodiac sign) cannot capture.
Prashna astrology (from the Sanskrit word for 'question') is the practice of casting a horoscope for the exact moment a question is asked, rather than for a person's birth. The resulting prashna chart is interpreted through Jyotish principles to answer the specific question. This is the Vedic equivalent of Western horary astrology. Prashna is particularly valuable when an accurate birth time is unavailable, since it doesn't require one - the moment of the question itself becomes the chart's foundation.
Yes - prashna is designed specifically to answer 'will this happen?' questions. The prashna chart is analyzed by examining the ascendant lord (representing the querent), the lord of the house governing the question topic (7th house for relationships, 10th for career, etc.), the Moon's applying aspects, and planetary strengths. A favorable prashna shows the questioned matter proceeding positively; afflictions suggest delays, obstacles, or negative outcomes. Classical texts cover hundreds of specific question types and their interpretive rules.
A natal birth chart (kundali) is calculated from your birth date, time, and location - it maps your entire life karma, personality, and timeline. A prashna chart is calculated from the moment you ask a specific question - it answers only that question. You can use both together: a natal chart shows long-term timing and karmic tendencies, while a prashna chart gives immediate, question-specific guidance. Neither requires the other, but they are often complementary in traditional Jyotish practice.
Birth Chart Report
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