Your birth chart, also known as Janam Kundli in Vedic astrology, is a celestial snapshot of the sky at the exact moment you were born. It maps the positions of the Sun, Moon, planets, and ascendant across the twelve houses and zodiac signs, revealing your personality traits, life path, strengths, and challenges.
In Vedic astrology, nine celestial bodies (Navagraha) govern different aspects of your life. The Sun represents the soul, the Moon governs the mind, Mars controls energy, Mercury rules communication, Jupiter brings wisdom, Venus governs love, Saturn teaches discipline, and Rahu/Ketu represent karmic destiny.
The twelve houses in your birth chart represent different areas of life. The 1st house governs self-identity, the 7th house relationships, the 10th house career, and so on. The sign and planets placed in each house influence how those life areas manifest for you.
Nakshatras are 27 lunar mansions that divide the zodiac into finer segments of 13 degrees 20 minutes each. Each nakshatra has a ruling deity, planet, and unique set of qualities that add depth and nuance to planetary placements beyond just the zodiac sign.
Your exact birth time determines your Ascendant (Lagna), which sets the entire framework of your chart. Even a few minutes difference can shift house placements and change interpretations significantly. If your birth time is unknown, noon is used as a default.