So far we have seen some of the basic tools for reading a horoscope along the lines of Vedic astrology. These are just a few items picked at random out of the vast storehouse of equipments. Now we will get down to the business of knowing the secrets of a horoscope. Here we are not taking the methods and tools required for casing of a Nirayana birth chart. The methods and calculations have been explained in several books. Especially the Books written by late Dr B.V.Raman are very explicit and simple.

A birth chart contains birth data such as Name, Date of birth, Place of Birth, Time of Birth and Latitude and longitude of the place of birth, GMT, LMT, Sunrise local, Sunset local, Birth time in Ghatikas, Sidereal time, Birth Star and pada, and other Panchanga details such as Tithi, Vara, Nakshatra, Yoga and Karana, Ayanamsa used and difference of summertime etc. The birth chart shows the longitude of Lagna, the planets, and Mandi or gulikas position. See the sample chart below

The birth chart is like a folding telescope. The Rasi chart is the first chart .It is composite of 21 charts the other 20 sections hidden inside it. Each of them has a different utility. But all of them have to be read in correlation with the primary chart. These are commonly called as the Varga charts. They are there to give confirmation or otherwise of a conclusion drawn on the basis of the Rasi/Bhava charts. For each Lagna the planets become benefic, malefic, or neutral. Each sign has its own yoga karaka or important benefic, other benefics and malefic, Badhaka or worst malefic, and Marakas (death givers). All these are carefully noted. The retrograde planets, exalted planets, and debilitated planets are taken note of. Planetary conjunctions and combustion are also noted. (Planets when come with in the specified degrees from Sun are deemed combust or having lost their power). For predictive purposes the varga charts can be used with great advantage for instance Rasi chart for Body and general strength of the chart, Hora for wealth, Drekkana for brothers and sisters, Chathurthamsa to know about education, Saptamsa for children, Navamsa for spouse, Dasamsa for Occupation, Dwadasamsa for Parents, Shodashamsa for cherished desires, Vimsamsa to know scientific and spiritual attainments, Chatur vimsamsa for academic attainments, Bhamsa for Misfortunes, Khavedamsa for good and Bad, etc.

The following are the varga charts and their functions:

1) Rasi chart the main one has each division of 30 degrees.
2) Hora chart: - Each sign is divided into 15 degrees .In odd signs Sun rules the first half and Moon the second and in even signs Moon rules the first half and Sun the second.
3) Drekkana: - Each sign is divided into 3 parts of 10 degrees. The first decante is ruled by the owner of the Rasi himself, the second by the lord of the 5th Rasi from thee, and the 3rd by the lord of the 9th Rasi.
4) Chaturthamsa: Each sign is divided into 4 parts of 7 Degree and 30 Mts. The lord of first portion is the Rasi lord himself and the second is ruled by lord of 4th, 3rd by lord of 7th and last by lord of 10th
5) Saptamasa: Each sign is divided into 7 parts. The lords of first 7 signs will be the lord of each amsa in odd signs and the lord of 7th and following signs will be the saptamsa divisional lord in even signs.
6) The Navamsa: This is the most important varga chart. Each sign is divided into 9 divisions of 3degree and 20 "each.
7) The Dasamsa: each sign is divided into 10 parts of 3 degrees each. In odd signs the rulers of 10 parts are lord of the sign and the ones following it while in even signs the count is from the 9th sign onwards.
8) Dwadasamsa : Each sign is divided into 12 equal parts; the lords of each part beginning from the sign lord himself.
9) Shodasamsa: - Each sign is divided into sixteen equal parts. The lords are from Aries, Leo and Sagittarius for Movable, Fixed and common signs.
10) Vimsamsa: Each sign is divided into 20 equal parts. Counting of the lords same as in shodasamsa.
11) Chatur vimsamsa: - Each sign is divided into 24 equal parts. In odd signs the rulers are Leo onwards and in even signs they are from cancer onwards.
12) Bhamsa;- Each sign is divided into 27 equal parts. The sectional lords are reckoned from Aries = in regular order from Aries itself. In earthly signs the count is from cancer, In airy signs the count is from Libra and in watery signs the count is from Capricorn.
13) The Thrimsamsa: Each sign is divided into 30 equal parts .In odd signs the first5 are governed by Mars, the Next 5 by Saturn, The next 8 By Jupiter, The next 7 by Mercury, and the remaining by Venus. In even sign the order is reversed with Venus ruling 5 next 7 mercury and so on.
14) Khavedamsa: Each sign is divided into 40 equal parts. In odd signs the rulers are from Aries and in even signs it begins from Libra.
15) Akshavedamsa: Each sign is divided into 45 equal parts. Once again the rulers are counted from Aries, Leo and Sagittarius for Movable, fixed and common signs.
16) Sashtyamsa: - Each sign is divided into 60 equal parts
17) Panchamsa: - Each sign is divided into 5 equal parts
18) Sashtamsa: - Each sign is divided into 6 equal parts
19) Ashtamsa: each sign is divided into 8 equal parts
20) Ekadasamsa: Each sign is divided into 11 equal parts
21) Nadi amsa : - Each sign is divided into 150 nadi amsas. Each amsa covers a 12 minutes arc. That is each degree of zodiac contains 5 Nadi amsas. It takes the ascendant roughly 4 minutes to travel these 5 amsas. In one amsa is hidden the complete story of a human birth. That is to say the amsas change every 48 seconds and so is the life history of the individual. This clearly explains the different life of twins or multiplets. Since calculation of time has to be very accurate especially with regards to the sunrise of the place of birth it is a gigantic task to establish the correct nadi amsa of birth.

Vedic astrologers generally use the Shad Vargas or six fold divisions to know the strength of the planets. They are 1) Rasi 2) Hora 3) Drekkana 4) Navamsa 5) Dwadasamsa, and 6) Thrimsamsa.

Some others make assessment by Sapta vargaja bala or 7 vargas ie Rasi , Hora, Drekkana, Saptamsa, Navamsa, Dwadasamsa and Thrimsamsa. Some take the full sixteen divisions called the Shodasha Vargas to assess the horoscope viz Rasi ,Hora, Drekkana, Chathurthamsa Saptamsa Navamsa ,Dasamsa , Dwadasamsa, Shodasamsa, Vimsamsa, Chathur vimsamsa, Bhamsa, Thrimsamsa, Khavedamsa, Akshavedamsa Shashtiamsa.