Importance of Birth Chart

The birth chart or natal chart in Sanskrit is then called "Janma Kundali". By definition a horoscope depicts the position of all the planets in heaven for given date, time and sun sign. The horoscope indicates the position of each planet with respect to the 12 zodiac signs. Each Zodiac sign represents 30 degrees of movement for each planet and the 12 Zodiac signs represent 360 degrees movement of each planet. Ascendant or Lagna: Saturn is the slowest planet among Vedic astrology planets. Every place on the surface of the earth has a unique ascendant sign and ascendant degree among the 12 zodiac signs at any given date and time of birth. The Ascendant point signifies the exact eastern horizon at the exact date, time and place of birth of a person. The Ascendant sign in the chart is also known as the first house of the chart. If the Ascendant sign is Aries in a horoscope chart, then the next zodiac sign in the anticlockwise direction is Taurus. Similarly each of the 12 zodiac signs will then represent 12 houses in the chart. So the natal horoscope chart signifies the individual planet positions in different zodiac signs and the ascendant and 12 houses in the chart based on the date, time and place of birth. Dasha Chart: Every birth chart has a dasha chart, which starts from the date and time of birth and is unique for every individual. Once the starting point is computed from the birth chart, then it must follow the sequence given above. To analyze smaller time durations in a person's life, the Dasha system (Planet Main Period) can be further sub-divided into Antar Dasha (sub-period) or it can be further divided into 3 rd level of Pratyantar Dasha (sub-sub periods). Theoretically we can create charts even to 5th level covering few hours of a person's life, which is called Sukshma Dasha.
Besides there are different opinions among Vedic astrologers on which moment during birth constitutes the actual birth time. The dasha system reflects that planets deliver their natal promises during their period, sub-period and sub-sub periods as per the person's chart.