Trimsamsa

Definition

The Trimsamsa is the thirtieth division of a sign — the D-30 varga (one of the harmonic sub-charts Vedic astrologers derive from the birth chart) — where each part spans a single degree, and it is the last of the six Shadvarga divisions. Unlike most vargas, it isn't split evenly: each sign is divided into five unequal parts owned by the five non-luminous planets — Mars, Saturn, Jupiter, Mercury and Venus, with no Sun or Moon. In an odd sign these five rule 5, 5, 8, 7 and 5 degrees in turn, and the order reverses in an even sign.

In Tradition

The classical and modern sources tell the same story about the Trimsamsa's five planetary lords and their unequal degrees. As the Phaladeepika puts it: "In an odd sign, the Trimsamsas or degrees, i.e., l/30th portions allotted to Mars, Saturn, Jupiter, Mercury and Venus are respectively, 5, 5, 8, 7 and 5. In an even sign, it is reversed." Several of these sources also read the division as bearing on misfortune.

In Practice

You'll see the Trimsamsa read chiefly to judge misfortune, evils and troubles, and the finer qualities of someone's character. The Brihat Jataka gives a result for each planet that sits in its own Trimsamsa. Varahamihira's text says, for instance, that "A person born when Mars occupies his own Trimsamsa will be a married man, will be powerful, will wear ornaments, will be generous, will be of bright appearance and will thoughtlessly engage in work," and that Jupiter in his own Trimsamsa makes the person rich, famous and free from disease. The division is also turned to women's horoscopy: in the Brihat Jataka the Trimsamsa of the rising sign — or of the Moon-sign — is taken to determine a woman's character, and the translators note that Varahamihira leans on the Trimsamsa especially in his chapter on the horoscopy of women.

Historical Origin

Varahamihira's Brihat Jataka defines the Trimsamsa and its lords at Ch.I Sl.7, gives the planetary results at Ch.XXI Sl.8-10, and applies it to women's character at Ch.XXIV Sl.3-5; the translation cited here is by Usha and Shashi. Mantreswara's Phaladeepika repeats the same degree-allotment at Ch.3 Sl.4, in V. Subrahmanya Sastri's translation. The modern authors carry it forward too — Raman in Hindu Predictive Astrology and Charak in Elements of Vedic Astrology.

Further Reading

• Varahamihira, Brihat Jataka
• Mantreswara, Phaladeepika
• Raman, Hindu Predictive Astrology
• Charak, Elements of Vedic Astrology