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Astrology Lessons - Sixth House (Shastha Bhava)


The Sixth House signifies the challenges, struggles, and adverse conditions we face in life. In astrological terminology, it is known as a 'Trik Sthana' or 'Dusthana' (6, 8, 12). Primarily, it is the house of 'Rina-Roga-Shatru' (Debts, Diseases, and Enemies). However, it is also an Upachaya Sthana (Growth House). This means that by bravely confronting the problems indicated here, the native grows stronger and rises in life.

Classification of Primary Significations

The Sixth House governs various types of difficulties as well as service. To understand these better, let's look at them in categorized form:

Category Significations and Description
1. Health & Diseases (Roga) Illness: All types of diseases, origin of ailments, injuries, and surgery.
Specific Ailments: Heat-related issues, phlegmatic disorders, glands, skin diseases, secret diseases, mental illness (Unmada), and fear of poisoning.
2. Financial & Legal Debt (Rina): Taking loans and financial hardships.
Legal: Court cases (Litigation), imprisonment, blame/scandals, and fear of theft.
3. Enemies & Mental State Enemies (Shatru): Open and secret enemies, animosity, and competition.
Mental State: Fear, anger, sorrow, mean-mindedness, and addictions.
4. Relationships & Service Relatives: Primarily the Maternal Uncle (Matula), maternal aunts, and paternal cousins.
Service: Servants, laborers, employees, and tenants.
Profession: Service-oriented careers such as police, military, and medical services.
Other: Small pets.

Bhavat Bhavam - Derived Significances

The Sixth House also reveals certain adverse matters related to other relatives:

  • Illness or Expenditure of Spouse: The 7th house is the house of the spouse. The 12th (Expenditure/Hospitalization) from it is the 6th house. Thus, it indicates the illness of the partner or losses through them.
  • Wealth of the First Child: The 5th house is the house of progeny. The 2nd (Wealth) from it is the 6th house (5+2-1 = 6). Hence, it indicates the financial status of the first child.
  • Death/Troubles of Friends: The 11th house represents friends. The 8th (Longevity/Death) from it is the 6th house, indicating troubles or hardships for friends.

Medical Astrology Indicators

Note: In the Kalapurusha wheel, Virgo is the 6th sign. It rules the waist/hips, small intestines, and the lower part of the digestive system. If the Sixth House is severely afflicted, issues such as ulcers, appendicitis, or hernia may occur.

Synonyms of the Sixth House

The following technical terms are used for this house in classical texts:

Shatru Sthana
Roga Sthana
Rina Sthana
Ripu Sthana
Vairi Sthana
Seva Sthana
Kshata Sthana
Dwesha Sthana



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