Vargottam planets in Vedic astrology refer to the condition when a planet occupies the same Rashi sign in the D1 and Varga charts. Usually, the term vargottam is applied to a planet when it occupies the same sign as Rashi (D1) and Navamsa (D9) charts.
Chara Rashis or Movable signs like Aries, Cancer, Libra and Capricorn have vargottam degrees on their first 3.20 degrees, which means that any planet situated under 0 to 3.20 in these Rashi signs will become vargottam or be placed in the same sign under the Navamsa.
Similarly, Sthira Rashis or fixed signs like Taurus, Leo, Scorpio and Aquarius have a vargottam effect between 13.20 to 16.40 degrees.
Dwichara Rashis or Dual signs like Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius and Pisces have vargottam between 26:40 to 30:00 degrees.
A planet that becomes vargottam will become the most powerful planet. Sage Parashara and many other prominent scholars like Varahamihira have mentioned the importance of the Vargottam planet, and they have placed it on top of the order while judging the strength of a planet. When a person has more planets in vargottam status, they can expect results equivalent to powerful raja yoga. According to Phaladeepika by Mantreshwara, in Chapter 9, ver 20, a Vargottam planet behaves as if it is in its own sign.
Similar results are given by a planet when it occupies some particular spot (specific degree in a Rashi) in the zodiac, known as Pushkar Navamsa. There are 108 divisions or Padas in a Zodiac, and each pada is 3.20 degrees (3.20 deg x 108 = ~360). Out of these 108 divisions, there are 24 optimized spots where a planet enters into pushkaramsa or Pushkar Navamsa. All the Puskhara Navamsa Rashis are ruled by natural benefic planets (Jupiter, Venus, Mercury and Moon)
Following Nakshatra, padas are further classified as highly auspicious as it falls under both vargottam and Puskhkara Navamsa category:
- Rohini, Pada 2
- Punarvasu, Pada 4
- Uttara Ashada, Pada 1
So a planet which is located under the above-mentioned Nakshatras will be very powerful in a person’s birth chart. Also, a person born in one of this Nakshatra pada as their Janma Nakshatra will strongly display the character associated with that Nakshatra.
Below is the table detailing the pushkara navamsa degree of a Rashi
| Rashi Sign in D1 Chart | Pushkara Navamsa Degrees | Resultant Rashi sign in Navamsa |
| Aries | 20° 00″ to 23° 20″ | Libra |
| Aries | 26° 40″ to 30° 00″ | Sagittarius |
| Taurus | 6° 40″ to 10° 00″ | Pisces |
| Taurus | 13° 20″ to 16° 40″ | Taurus |
| Gemini | 16° 40″ to 20° 00″ | Pisces |
| Gemini | 23° 20″ to 26° 40″ | Taurus |
| Cancer | 00° 00″ to 3° 20″ | Cancer |
| Cancer | 06° 40″ to 10° 00″ | Virgo |
| Leo | 20° 00″ to 23° 20″ | Libra |
| Leo | 26° 40″ to 30° 00″ | Sagittarius |
| Virgo | 06° 40″ to 10° 00″ | Pisces |
| Virgo | 13° 20″ to 16° 40″ | Taurus |
| Libra | 16° 40″ to 20° 00″ | Pisces |
| Libra | 23° 20″ and 26° 40″ | Taurus |
| Scorpio | 00° 00″ to 3° 20″ | Cancer |
| Scorpio | 06° 40″ to 10° 00″ | Virgo |
| Sagittarius | 20° 00″ and 23° 20″ | Libra |
| Sagittarius | 26° 40″ to 30° 00″ | Sagittarius |
| Capricorn | 06° 40″ to 10° 00″ | Pisces |
| Capricorn | 13° 20″ to 16° 40″ | Taurus |
| Aquarius | 16° 40″ to 20° 00″ | Pisces |
| Aquarius | 23° 20″ and 26° 40″ | Taurus |
| Pisces | 00° 00″ to 3° 20″ | Cancer |
| Pisces | 06° 40″ to 10° 00″ | Virgo |
A planet becomes more refined and powerful in giving its results while sitting in Pushkar Bagha. This highly optimized spot is within a pushkara navamsa and is determined by specific degrees. So, in other words, Pushkara Bagha means the best out of pushkara Navamsa.
When a planet exactly occupies the below-mentioned degree in respective Rashi, it is in Pushkara Bagha:
- 21 degree in Aries, Leo and Sagittarius.
- 14 degrees in Taurus, Virgo, and Capricorn.
- 24 degrees in Gemini, Libra, and Aquarius.
- 7 degrees in Cancer, Scorpio, and Pisces.