How to Read a Kundli (Birth Chart) — Beginner's Guide

Reading a Kundli (birth chart) is a foundational skill in Vedic astrology. A Kundli is a 12-house diagram showing planetary positions at the time of birth.

Step 1 — Identify the Lagna (Ascendant): The number in the first house (top center in North Indian chart) is your rising sign. This sets the framework for all 12 houses.

Step 2 — Locate the Moon: Your Moon sign (Rashi) determines your emotional nature and is used for daily Rashifal predictions.

Step 3 — Check each planet's house placement: Benefic planets (Jupiter, Venus, Mercury, Moon) in angles (1,4,7,10) and trines (1,5,9) are excellent. Malefic planets (Saturn, Mars, Rahu, Ketu) in 3rd, 6th, 11th houses give good results.

Step 4 — Assess planetary strength: Exalted planets are strongest. Debilitated planets are weakest. Combust planets (too close to Sun) lose power.

Step 5 — Check Doshas: Look for Mangal Dosha (Mars in 1,2,4,7,8,12), Kaal Sarp Dosha (all planets between Rahu-Ketu), and Sade Sati (Saturn transiting Moon sign).

Step 6 — Read Dasha periods: Your current Mahadasha and Antardasha indicate which planet's energy dominates your life right now.