In Vedic astrology, horoscope is considered to be the mirror of a person’s life. The moment a person is born, his *ascendant* is determined by the zodiac sign rising on the eastern horizon. Through one’s horoscope, one can get information about one’s nature, personality, career, health, marriage, financial status and various events in life. While most people analyze their life only on the basis of their zodiac sign (Moon or Sun sign), astrologers consider *Lagna* to be the most important basis of the horoscope. Without *Lagna* it is considered impossible to analyze the chart correctly. In major Vedic astrology texts like *Brihat Parashar Hora Shastra* and *Phaldipika*, *Lagna* is considered the most important house of the chart. Come, in this series of “Kundli Rahasya” (*Secrets of Horoscope*) let us know what *Ascendant* is and how it is different from Rashi…
What is *ascendant*?
The Sanskrit word *lagna* means “attached” or “established”. According to astrology, the zodiac sign that rises in the east at the time of a person’s birth is called his birth *Lagna*. In English it is called ‘rising zodiac sign’. For this reason, two people born on the same day may have different *Lagna*, even if they have the same Sun or Moon sign.
Importance of *ascendant* in horoscope
In astrology, *Lagna* is considered the first house of the horoscope. It gives information about a person’s body, personality, behavior, thinking, self-confidence and direction in life. *Ascendant* is considered the basis of the birth chart; Without this it becomes difficult to calculate. While analyzing any birth chart, *Lagna* is studied first. The importance of *Lagna* has been described in detail in ancient astrological texts. As mentioned earlier, major texts like *Brihat Parashar Hora Shastra* and *Phaldipika* consider it to be the most important house.
In *Brihat Parashar Hora Shastra*, Maharishi Parashar has described *Lagna* as the basis of the birth chart. Verse:
*Tanam Rupam Cha Gyanam Cha Varnam Chaiva Bala-Balam.* A person’s nature and experiences of happiness and sorrow should be analyzed on the basis of ascendant house.
Meaning:
From the ascendant house, a person’s body, appearance, intelligence, complexion, strength and life energy, nature and experiences of happiness and sorrow can be assessed. In ‘Phaldeepika’, Acharya Mantreshwar says that Ascendant gives information about a person’s fame, respect, health, life energy and personality.
Verse:
*Body-components-saukhyani yasho manam ca jeevitam.*
*Swabhavam cha balam chaiva lagna-bhaavad specified.*
Many people get confused between Lagna and Rashi (Moon Sign), although these two are different. While the zodiac sign is determined by the position of the Moon at the time of birth, the ascendant is determined by the zodiac sign rising on the eastern horizon at that moment. As a result, a person’s zodiac sign and ascendant may differ. The Moon sign reflects the mind and emotions, while the Ascendant indicates the external personality, physical appearance and direction of life.
Lagna-based assessments include:
personality and behavior
physical appearance and attractiveness
health status
Opportunities and challenges in life
Career and social status
role of ascendant in marriage
Analyzing the birth chart only on the basis of Sun sign or Moon sign gives only general predictions. Knowing the ascendant is essential for accurate and personalized astrological analysis. A difference of even a few minutes in the time of birth can change the ascendant, thereby affecting the entire structure of the birth chart. This is why accuracy of time of birth is very important while making a birth chart.
How to determine your ascendant?
Just as there are 12 zodiac signs from Aries to Pisces, there are also 12 ascendants: Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius, Capricorn, Aquarius and Pisces. *Lagna* changes approximately every two hours; Therefore, even a slight mistake in the time of birth can change the *Lagna*. This is why accuracy of birth time is considered important in astrological calculations.
In Vedic astrology, *Lagna* means the zodiac sign rising in the east at the time of birth. The first house of the birth chart starts from this *Ascendant* sign; Therefore, it is considered the basis of the birth chart. For this, the exact time, place and date of birth should be known, because the horoscope is prepared on the basis of this information. In your birth chart, *Lagna* sign will appear in the upper part. You have to see what number is written there. If the number is written 1, then your ascendant is Aries. If the number is written ‘2’, then your ascendant is Taurus. Similarly, there can be numbers up to 12.
The fixed basis on which the ascendant is decided.
What information is required to arrange a marriage?
exact date of birth
exact time of birth
place of birth