Ashtakavarga — Transit Strength Scoring System

Bindu Scoring

Each planet contributes 1 bindu to signs where transits will be beneficial, as computed from 8 reference points (7 planets + Lagna). The sum for a sign is its Ashtakavarga score — 4+ favourable, 3 below average.

Sarvashtakavarga

The Sarvashtakavarga is the total of all 7 planets' bindus for each sign — giving a single 0–56 number. Signs with high totals indicate life areas where events naturally flow more easily.

Saturn Ashtakavarga

Saturn's Ashtakavarga (Shani Ashtakavarga) is the most closely watched — it determines the quality of Saturn's transit in each sign, refining Sade Sati analysis and flagging which signs Saturn will transit most strongly or weakly.

Transit Window Scoring

When a planet transits a sign, its bindu score for that sign gives an immediate quality assessment. AstroShri displays the current bindu score alongside every active transit.

What does a 0-bindu transit mean?

A 0-bindu transit is the weakest possible — the transiting planet receives no benefic points from any of the 8 reference positions. Classical texts treat 0-bindu transits as very challenging: the planet's significations are hindered rather than advanced during this period. Combined with a challenging Dasha, this can mark a difficult window.

How is the Ashtakavarga table constructed?

For each of the 7 planets, classical rules specify 8 reference points (the planet itself + 7 others). From each reference point, specific signs (positions) receive 1 bindu. The sum of all contributions across all 8 reference points for a given sign is that planet's Ashtakavarga score for that sign. AstroShri constructs the full 7×12 bindu matrix for your natal chart.

Can Ashtakavarga predict specific events?

Ashtakavarga is a transit scoring tool, not a predictive system by itself. It quantifies the strength of a transit rather than predicting specific events. Used alongside Dasha timing, it sharpens predictions: a favourable Dasha period is even stronger when the active planets have high bindu transits; a challenging Dasha's worst expression often correlates with 0–1 bindu transits of the relevant planets.