> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.jyotiguide.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Frequently Asked Questions About the Jyoti Guide App

> Answers to the most common questions about the Jyoti Guide chart engine, its Vedic conventions, and how to get the most from your birth chart.

Whether you are new to Vedic astrology or comparing results with another program, the questions below cover the conventions and design choices that affect what you see in your chart. If your issue isn't listed here, head to the [Troubleshooting](/help/troubleshooting) page.

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Why is my Sun (or Moon) in a different sign than I expected?">
    Because Jyoti Guide uses the **sidereal** zodiac, not the tropical zodiac used by most Western astrology software. The two frameworks differ by about 24° today, which means many people's sidereal Sun sits in the sign *before* their familiar Western one. This is expected and correct — it is not an error. Read more at [Why sidereal?](/introduction/why-sidereal).
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Which ayanāṁśa does the app use?">
    The app defaults to **Lahiri**, with **Raman** and **Pushya** also available. Switching ayanāṁśa recomputes the entire chart, because every sidereal position shifts together. See [Ayanāṁśa options](/reference/ayanamsa) for a full comparison of the three.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="What house system does the app use?">
    **Whole-sign houses** — the sign containing your Lagna becomes the entire 1st house, and each subsequent sign becomes the next house in order. This is the oldest and most widely used system in classical *jyotiṣa*. Learn more in [The sidereal sky](/concepts/the-sidereal-sky).
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Does the app use the mean node or true node for Rāhu and Ketu?">
    It uses the **mean node**, which is the most common convention in *jyotiṣa*. Ketu is placed exactly opposite Rāhu. If you are comparing with a program that uses the true node, expect a small difference in Rāhu/Ketu's degree position.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="How important is my birth time?">
    Very important. The Moon's sign and most planetary positions change slowly across a day, but the **Lagna** (rising sign) changes roughly every two hours, and the twelve houses are anchored to it. Divisional charts and Vimśottarī daśā start dates are also highly time-sensitive. If your birth time is uncertain, see [Troubleshooting → I don't know my exact birth time](/help/troubleshooting#birth-time-uncertainty).
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Do I need to convert my birth time to UTC before entering it?">
    No. Enter the **local clock time** at the birthplace exactly as recorded. The app looks up the time zone for the place you select and converts to UTC internally, accounting for historical offsets and daylight-saving rules.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="What do 'rūpas' and 'virūpas' mean in Shadbala?">
    These are the units of planetary strength used in the Shadbala system: **1 rūpa = 60 virūpas**. A planet's total virūpa score is divided by its minimum threshold to produce a **strength ratio** — a ratio of 1.0 or above means the planet meets the classical standard for full strength. See [Shadbala](/guides/shadbala) for the full computation.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Why do my Shadbala numbers differ from another program?">
    Several steps within Shadbala have more than one accepted method. Before comparing numbers, make sure the **reading school** (Raman, Classical BPHS, or Custom) and the **ayanāṁśa** both match between the two programs. See [Shadbala → Reading schools](/guides/shadbala#reading-schools) for details on what each school changes.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="What is the difference between Shadbala and Ashtakavarga?">
    They measure different things. [Shadbala](/guides/shadbala) measures the inherent strength of each **planet** using six weighted components. [Ashtakavarga](/guides/ashtakavarga) maps benefic-point support onto each **sign and house** and is especially useful for evaluating transits. The two systems are complementary — a strong planet in a weak house, or vice versa, tells its own story.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Is a high Ashtakūṭa compatibility score enough to confirm a match?">
    No. The Ashtakūṭa total is a useful screening tool, but it does not stand alone. Doshas such as Bhakūṭa, Nāḍī, and Mangal carry their own weight and can override an otherwise good total. You should also examine the D1 and D9 marriage houses for both charts. See [Assessing a match](/examples/assess-a-match) for a full walkthrough.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Why did a festival move by a whole month between years?">
    The Hindu calendar is **luni-solar** and inserts an intercalary leap month — **Adhika māsa** — roughly every three years to stay aligned with the solar year. When a leap month falls before a festival's normal lunar month, the festival shifts accordingly. The Panchāng detects and reports this automatically. See [Panchāng → the leap month](/guides/panchang#the-leap-month-adhika-masa).
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Does the app tell me what will happen, or what I should do?">
    No. Jyoti Guide computes your chart and calculates the classical measurements — Shadbala scores, daśā periods, transits, compatibility points, and so on. **Interpretation is yours.** The app does not predict specific events, recommend actions, or give personal life advice of any kind.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="How do I save or share a chart?">
    You have four options on every chart view:

    * **Copy share link** — a URL that re-opens the exact chart in anyone's browser.
    * **Full report (PDF)** — a formatted document you can save or print.
    * **Copy chart** — a Markdown summary of every computed value, handy for notes or comparisons.
    * **Offline copy** — a self-contained snapshot for use without an internet connection.

    See [Exports & sharing](/reference/exports) for step-by-step instructions. Keep in mind that birth data is personal — share links thoughtfully.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>