Quick Answer: Start with Lagna (rising sign), Moon sign, and the 9 planets. Then look at houses (areas of life) and the relationships between planets and houses. Don’t try to interpret everything at once.
What is a Kundli?
A Kundli (birth chart) is a map of the sky at the time and place of your birth. In Jyotish (Vedic astrology), this map is used to understand patterns — tendencies, strengths, challenges, and timing — rather than fixed fate.
The 4 building blocks you need
- Signs (Rashi): the zodiac signs where planets sit.
- Houses (Bhava): life areas (career, relationships, health, etc.).
- Planets (Graha): the “actors” — Sun, Moon, Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, Venus, Saturn + Rahu/Ketu.
- Aspects & relationships: how planets influence each other and houses.
Step 1: Find your Lagna (rising sign)
Your Lagna (लग्न) sets the chart’s orientation. It’s the sign rising on the eastern horizon at birth, and it determines house placement. Think of Lagna as “how life meets you” — your approach, outer expression, and baseline temperament.
If you only have time for one thing: learn your Lagna, and which planets occupy or aspect the 1st house.
Step 2: Find your Moon sign and Nakshatra
The Moon represents mind, emotional patterns, and how you experience daily life. In Jyotish, Moon sign often feels more personally accurate than Sun sign for many people.
Your Nakshatra (lunar mansion) adds nuance — a deeper “tone” that shapes instincts and motivations.
Step 3: Scan planets by function
A simple beginner method is to ask: where is each planet, and what does it rule (houses owned)? The same planet can be supportive in one chart and challenging in another depending on house ownership and placement.
- Sun: vitality, confidence, authority, purpose
- Moon: mind, emotions, nurture
- Mars: drive, courage, conflict
- Mercury: thinking, communication, trade
- Jupiter: wisdom, growth, grace
- Venus: relationships, aesthetics, comfort
- Saturn: discipline, delays, mastery
- Rahu/Ketu: obsession & detachment themes
Step 4: Read houses like “life rooms”
Houses describe where life experiences unfold. A practical approach:
- 1st: identity and health
- 4th: home and inner stability
- 7th: relationships and partnerships
- 10th: career and public life
Start with these. Once comfortable, explore the rest.
A beginner-friendly order of interpretation
- Lagna + planets in 1st house
- Moon sign + nakshatra
- 10th house + its lord (career)
- 7th house + its lord (relationships)
- Jupiter & Saturn placement (growth + discipline themes)
What about Dashas?
Dashas (like Vimshottari) answer “when” a theme is activated. They are powerful, but can confuse beginners if you’re still learning the base chart. Once you have a basic sense of your chart, dashas add timing clarity.
If you want to start now, read: How to Read Your Dasha Periods.
Discover your Kundli with Paramarsh
Paramarsh generates accurate charts (Swiss Ephemeris) and helps you interpret them with clear visuals and AI guidance. Start with Shishya (free) and explore your Lagna, Moon, and key houses step-by-step.