Hi there! You may have heard of Lagna Kundali and Chandra Kundali if you're interested in Vedic astrology. I remember the first time my Kundali was made—I was very confused! As though narrating a story, my mother sat down with me and shared it over a cup of tea. I'd like to explain that to you today in the simplest way possible, with examples. Let's keep it simple and use only the most important terms, as if we were having a friendly conversation.
What is Kundali?
A Kundali, or birth chart in Vedic astrology, is a star placement in the sky at the exact moment you were born. It’s a map showing where the planets and stars were hanging out, based on your birth date, time, and place. Well, it’s more than just a chart, it’s a guide to understand your personality, relationships, career, and even those unexpected twists life journey. From marriages to naming babies, Kundali is plays an imprtant role in our culture. And trust me, during wedding season, everyone suddenly turns into a Pandit!The Lagna Kundali and the Chandra Kundali are currently the two viewpoints to take into account with regard to this map. They both make use of the same data, but they highlight different points. Let’s see how.
Lagna Kundali: The “Outside” You
The Lagna Kundali is based on your lagna—the zodiac sign that was rising in the sky when you were born. We call this the ascendant. It’s like the first impression you give to the world. The Lagna Kundali starts with this sign as the first house, and then the other houses follow in order.For example:
- The first house shows your personality and how people see you.
- The second house is about money, the seventh about marriage, and so on.
Example: Meet Riya
Let’s say Riya’s lagna is Taurus. In her Lagna Kundali, the first house is Taurus, the second is Gemini, the third is Cancer, and so on. Now, if her Sun is in the fourth house (Leo) and Jupiter is in the ninth house (Capricorn), it means:- She might love her home and family a lot (Sun in the fourth house).
- She could be lucky with travel or studies (Jupiter in the ninth house).
Riya’s Lagna Kundali shows she’s someone who comes across as calm and steady (Taurus lagna), and she’s probably the kind of person who makes everyone feel at home. My sister is a Taurus lagna too, and she’s always the one hosting family get-togethers!
Chandra Kundali: The “Inside” You
The Chandra Kundali focuses on your Moon sign—the zodiac sign where the Moon was when you were born. In Vedic astrology, the Moon is all about your feelings and thoughts, the “inside” you. In this chart, the house with your Moon sign becomes the first house, and the rest of the houses are counted from there.Example: Riya’s Chandra Kundali
Let’s go back to Riya. Her Moon is in Scorpio, which is in her seventh house in the Lagna Kundali. In her Chandra Kundali, Scorpio becomes the first house, Sagittarius the second, Capricorn the third, and so on. Now, her Sun (which was in the fourth house in the Lagna Kundali) might shift to the tenth house, and Jupiter might move to the third house. This tells us:- Deep down, Riya feels things very strongly and cares a lot about relationships (Scorpio Moon in the first house).
- She might feel happiest when she’s achieving something big, like in her career (Sun in the tenth house).
- She could be great at sharing her ideas with others (Jupiter in the third house of communication).
So, while Riya seems calm on the outside (Taurus lagna), inside she’s super emotional and passionate (Scorpio Moon). I have a friend like that—she’s all chill until you get to know her, and then you see how deeply she feels everything!
How Are They Different?
Let’s make it super simple with a quick comparison:- What They Focus On:
- Lagna Kundali: Shows the “outside” you—how you act and what you’ll do in life.
- Chandra Kundali: Shows the “inside” you—your feelings and thoughts.
- Starting Point:
- Lagna Kundali: Starts with your lagna (ascendant sign).
- Chandra Kundali: Starts with your Moon sign.
- What They Tell You:
- Lagna Kundali: Good for understanding your personality, career, and big life events.
- Chandra Kundali: Good for knowing how you feel, what makes you happy, or why you react a certain way.
Why Look at Both?
You might wonder, “Why do we need two charts?” Well, they work together to give you the full picture. Let me tell you about my cousin Arjun.Arjun’s lagna is Capricorn, so his Lagna Kundali shows he’s hardworking and serious. He’s got Venus in his fifth house (Taurus), which means he’s super creative and loves art. And true enough, Arjun’s always painting or sketching something amazing.
But his Moon is in Libra, which is in his tenth house in the Lagna Kundali. In his Chandra Kundali, Libra becomes the first house, and Venus shifts to the eighth house. This means inside, Arjun really wants balance and peace (Libra Moon), but he sometimes feels worried about changes or secrets (Venus in the eighth house). I’ve seen this—Arjun’s so focused at work, but he gets stressed if things feel out of control.
Looking at both charts helped me understand him better. His Lagna Kundali shows his hardworking side, while his Chandra Kundali shows he needs calm and harmony to feel good.
Which One Should You Use?
It depends on what you want to know. If you’re thinking about your job, health, or how people see you, check your Lagna Kundali. For example, if you’re wondering about a new job, the Lagna Kundali’s tenth house will give you clues. But if you’re feeling emotional or trying to understand your relationships, the Chandra Kundali is better—it shows what’s going on in your heart.For me, I always look at my Lagna Kundali when I’m planning something big, like a trip. But when I’m feeling low, I check my Chandra Kundali to understand why I’m so moody—my Moon in Gemini makes me overthink everything!
Final Thoughts
So, that’s the difference between Lagna Kundali and Chandra Kundali! One shows the outside you, the other shows the inside you. Together, they help you understand yourself better—like two friends telling you different parts of your own story. In Hinduism, we use Kundali for everything, from finding a good match for marriage to picking the right time for a pooja. It’s a beautiful way to connect with the stars.If you want to see your own charts, you can try apps like AstroSage—just put in your birth details. It’s fun to explore! I hope this made things simple for you. Next time you hear about Lagna or Chandra Kundali, you’ll know exactly what’s going on. Let me know if you check yours—I’d love to hear about it!