Eighth House (Ayu Bhava) in Vedic Astrology

The Eighth House (Ayu Bhava) is the eighth house of the Vedic birth chart. Its natural sign is Scorpio, ruled by Mars, and its karaka is Saturn. It governs longevity, sudden events, inheritance. Here is what the Eighth House means, the results of a strong or afflicted Eighth House, and how to read it.

Quick facts

Natural signScorpio
Natural lordMars
Karaka (significator)Saturn
House typeDusthana
Body part (Kalapurusha)Genitals, excretory organs

What it governs

  • Longevity and death
  • Sudden events, upheavals and transformation
  • Inheritance, insurance and others' money
  • The occult, research and hidden matters

When it is strong

A strong 8th house can grant long life, sudden gains or inheritance, deep research ability and interest in the mystical and transformative.

When it is afflicted

An afflicted 8th house can bring chronic ailments, sudden losses, obstacles and unexpected upheavals.

Planets in this house

Which planets sit in this house, and the strength of its lord, decide the actual outcome. As a rule, natural benefics (Jupiter, Venus, Mercury, a waxing Moon) support the house, while malefics (Saturn, Mars, Rahu, Ketu, the Sun) stress it — except in the upachaya houses (3, 6, 10, 11), where malefics often do very well.

How to read it

To read the Eighth House in your own chart, look at three things: the sign on the house, the planet that rules that sign (and where it sits), and any planets placed in the house. Generate your free birth chart to see all three for every house.