In the horoscope cast by Nirayana system the ascending sign is known as the 'first house'. The next one to it is the 'second' and so on till the 12th house.

Vedic seers have classified these houses according to their benefic, malefic or inter mingling qualities. The ascendant/Lagna being the first, the 4th, 7th and 10th from it are kendra houses. These are the foundation pillars. The next in strength are the kona houses or trines viz. 5th and 9th. The next in order are Panaparas 2nd, 5th, 8th, and 11th (5th is both kona and panapara). Houses 3rd, 6th, 9th & 12th are apoklimas ( 9th is a kona also)

Panaparas mean houses of 'wealth'. 2nd House is self-earning, 5th is through children, 8th is inheritance and from unexpected sources, and 11th is all gains. THE HOUSES 3, 6,10 AND 11 ARE ALSO CALLED OOPACHAYAS OR HOUSES OF GROWTH. Kendras are strong houses and planets in them bestow health, wealth, happiness and prosperity (barring some exceptions).

Bhava Houses: - Similarly the horoscope is divided into 12 Bhava houses or mansions. (There are number of methods of house divisions which can be learnt from the astrological books). Late Dr B.V.Raman one of the greatest savants of Astrology states "The twelve Bhava houses represent the entire life history of the individual. By careful scrutiny of planetary combinations and aspects in the 12 houses, the whole life of a person can be predicted with sufficient accuracy. The relations and inter relations of planetary placements must be carefully scrutinized and then prediction ventured. Deterministic interpretation of combinations should not be given."

Signification's of the Bhavas: The '1st House'(Ascendant) also known as the Tanu Bhava (Tanu means body) shows the beginning of life, child hood, health, environment, personality, Physical appearance, Character and the general strength of the horoscope.

DETAILED EFFECTS OF THE LORDS OF EACH BHAVA PLACED IN DIFFERENT HOUSESARE GIVEN IN THE ASTROLOGICAL BOOKS OF BOTH ANCIENT AND MODERN WRITERS. THESE HAVE TO BE TAKEN NOTE OF BY THE VEDIC ASTROLOGER FOR CO-ORDINATING THE RESULTS.

The Second Bhava shows family, right eye, food, wealth, education, manner and source of death, self-acquisition and optimism.
The Third bhava Represents brothers, sisters, intelligence, courage, Short journeys, neighbors, printing, publishing, right ear and the chest
The Fourth Bhava shows Home life, Happiness, mother, relatives, Movable and immovable assets, education, neck and shoulders.
The Fifth Bhava shows intelligence, soul, Poorva punya (merits earned in the past life), children, fame and competitive examinations.
The Sixth Bhava signifies Enemies, thieves, cuts and wounds, disappointments, miseries, sorrow, debts, Divorce, court cases, departmental disciplinary actions, Diseases, battles etc
The Seventh bhava shows Marriage, spouse, marital happiness, sexual diseases, Diplomacy, travel, business, tact, and latent energies.
The Eighth Bhava is for Longevity, sexual organs, death, legacies, Gift and gains and unearned wealth got from races, lotteries etc, Cause of Death, wills, disgrace, degradation, defeat, insult, sorrow, servants and impediments.
The Ninth Bhava indicates Godliness, righteousness, preceptor or the Guru, Father, Grand children, Metaphysical studies, Intuition, religiousness, charity, Law, Judiciary, philosophy, Science and literature, press Media and publications, lasting fame, leadership, long journeys and foreign travel.
The Tenth Bhava signifies Occupation, Rank, Honor, success, Means of lively hood, self-respect, religious knowledge and dignity.
The Eleventh Bhava speaks of Means of Gains, accomplishments, friends and helping people, personality, ornaments, Freedom from misery and pain.
The Twelfth Bhava shows Misery, Loss, expenditure, Waste, extravagance, sympathy, Renunciation, emancipation (moksha), Forced confinements like in hospitals, asylums, jails etc. Permanent residence abroad.