Varshaphala Part 11: Sahams — The 35 Sensitive Points That Pinpoint Life Events
In Parts 9–10, we mastered all 16 Tajaka Yogas. Now we explore the system of Sahams — precise mathematical points that zero in on individual life events with pinpoint accuracy.
Part 11 of 21 • Yogas & Sahams • Covers: Chapter 8 — On Sahams (Articles 78–81)
While each Bhava (house) covers a broad range of life matters, a Saham is a mathematically computed point in the zodiac that relates to exactly one specific event — marriage, children, disease, fortune, death, foreign travel, and so on.
Sahams are computed using a simple formula that manipulates the longitudes of specific planets and the ascendant. Different Tajaka authors list different numbers: Nilakantha describes 50 Sahams, Venkatesa lists 48, and Kesava identifies 21. B.V. Raman presents the 35 most important ones in his exposition.
Each Saham targets one specific life event. The Punya Saham covers fortune. The Vivaha Saham covers marriage. The Putra Saham covers children. By checking whether a Saham is well-aspected, conjoined with benefics, and supported by its lord, you can predict whether that specific event will occur during the year.
General formula pattern: Saham = Planet A − Planet B + Ascendant (with a day/night reversal for most Sahams)
The Critical 30° Correction Rule
Before computing any Saham, you must understand this rule:
After computing the formula (Minuend − Subtrahend + Ascendant), add an additional 30° if the Ascendant does NOT fall between the positions of the Minuend and Subtrahend in the zodiac. If the Ascendant does fall between them, no correction is needed. This rule applies to every Saham calculation and failure to apply it will produce incorrect results.
Day vs Night formulas: Unless specifically stated otherwise, for Sahams computed during nighttime births, the subtrahend and minuend positions should be reversed from the daytime formula. A few Sahams (like Bhratru and Vyapara) use the same formula for both day and night.
The 35 Important Sahams
The Sahams below are organized by life domain. All formulas shown are for daytime births. For nighttime, reverse the subtrahend and minuend unless marked "same for day and night."
| # | Saham | Meaning | Formula (Day) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Punya | Fortune, merit | Moon − Sun + Asc |
| 2 | Vidya | Learning, education | Sun − Moon + Asc |
| 3 | Yasa | Fame, reputation | Jupiter − Punya + Asc |
| 5 | Mahatmya | Greatness | Punya − Mars + Asc |
| 6 | Asha | Desire | Saturn − Mars + Asc |
| 7 | Samartha | Ability, competence | Mars − Asc Lord + Asc |
| 9 | Gaurava | Respect, honor | Jupiter − Moon + Sun |
| 28 | Sraddha | Devotion | Venus − Mars + Asc |
| 29 | Preeti | Love, affection | Sastra − Punya + Asc |
| # | Saham | Meaning | Formula (Day) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | Mitra | Friends | Jupiter − Punya + Venus |
| 8 | Bhratru | Brothers | Jupiter − Saturn + Asc (same day/night) |
| 10 | Pitru | Father | Saturn − Sun + Asc |
| 12 | Matru | Mother | Moon − Venus + Asc |
| 13 | Putra | Children | Jupiter − Moon + Asc |
| 19 | Bandhu | Relatives | Mercury − Moon + Asc |
| 26 | Vivaha | Marriage | Venus − Saturn + Asc |
| 23 | Paradara | Adultery | Venus − Sun + Asc |
| # | Saham | Meaning | Formula (Day) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11 | Raja | King, authority | Saturn − Sun + Asc |
| 15 | Karma | Action, profession | Mars − Mercury + Asc |
| 22 | Artha | Finance, wealth | II cusp − Lord of II + Asc |
| 24 | Vanik | Trade, commerce | Moon − Mercury + Asc |
| 25 | Karyasiddhi | Success in undertakings | Saturn − Sun + Lord of Sun-sign |
| 31 | Vyapara | Business | Mars − Saturn + Asc (same day/night) |
| # | Saham | Meaning | Formula (Day) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 14 | Jeeva | Livelihood, vitality | Saturn − Jupiter + Asc |
| 16 | Roga | Disease | Asc − Moon + Asc |
| 20 | Mrityu | Death | VIII cusp − Moon + Asc |
| 30 | Jadya | Chronic disease | Mars − Saturn + Mercury |
| 35 | Apamrityu | Accidental death | VIII cusp − Mars + Asc |
| # | Saham | Meaning | Formula (Day) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 17 | Kali | Strife, conflict | Jupiter − Mars + Asc |
| 18 | Sastra | Science, learning | Jupiter − Saturn + Mercury |
| 21 | Paradesa | Foreign country | IX cusp − Lord of IX + Asc |
| 27 | Santapa | Sorrow, grief | Saturn − Moon + VI cusp |
| 32 | Satru | Enemies | Mars − Saturn + Asc |
| 33 | Jalapathana | Sea voyage | Cancer 15° − Saturn + Asc |
| 34 | Bandhana | Imprisonment | Punya − Saturn + Asc |
Timing Events via Sahams
Computing a Saham tells you whether an event is indicated. But when will it happen? B.V. Raman presents two timing methods:
Method 1: Standard Progression
Convert the Saham's position within its sign into a proportional fraction of the year. This uses the concept of Vighatis and sign duration. Raman notes this method sometimes gives results that are "far from the actual date of the event."
Method 2: Raman's Preferred Method RECOMMENDED
Progress the Saham or its lord to the lord of the 11th house from the Saham — both direct and converse — at the rate of one day per degree. Raman found this method yields better results.
Worked Example — Putra Saham (Children):
In the Standard Horoscope, Putra Saham falls at 277°42' (Capricorn). The lord of the 11th from the Saham is Mars.
The arc of direction (converse) between the Saham and Mars = 83°10'.
At one day per degree: 83 days 4 hours from the year's commencement (9 August 1935).
Predicted date: 2 November 1935.
Actual event: A son was born in the early morning of 2 November 1935. ✓
Raman's Honest Assessment
"Theoretically, the Sahams or sensitive points are very useful as each Saham touches only one event. But in actual practice, many of the Sahams do not work. It may be that considerable research has to be done before rejecting the theory of Sahams."
Raman is characteristically candid: some Sahams produce strikingly accurate results (as demonstrated by the Putra Saham example above), while many others simply don't work in practice. He considers this a vast and fertile field for research, and encourages students to test the methods and select whichever approach they find satisfactory.
Practical Guidance:
Focus on the Sahams most directly relevant to the question at hand. The Punya Saham (Fortune), Putra Saham (Children), Vivaha Saham (Marriage), Roga Saham (Disease), and Mrityu Saham (Death) are the most commonly used and the ones Raman found most reliable in his practice.
What's Next?
With the technical toolkit complete — aspects, strengths, Year Lord, Dasas, Muntha, Yogas, and Sahams — we're ready for the most valuable chapter of all: B.V. Raman's practical hints for judgment, distilled from over 30 years of applying these techniques to real charts.
The cardinal rule, how planets become benefic or malefic, the favorable Bhukti table, Raman's observations on Kendra power, event timing, and the role of intuition.
Based on
Varshaphala or The Hindu Progressed Horoscope
by B.V. Raman | 13th Edition (1992)