Houses (Bhavas)
Sixth House (Ari / Roga Bhava)
Also known as 6th house, Roga Bhava.
By MyPanditji Editorial · Updated June 17, 2026 · Methodology
The Sixth House, called Ari Bhava or Roga Bhava, governs enemies, debts, disease, daily work and service, and the obstacles a person must overcome to progress in life. It is one of the three dusthana (difficult) houses alongside the Eighth and Twelfth, reflecting friction, litigation, and competition. Classical texts including Brihat Parashara Hora Sastra treat it as the primary house for health matters, service to others, and the capacity to defeat adversaries.
- Sanskrit name
- Ari Bhava (house of enemies) / Roga Bhava (house of disease); a dusthana house
- Body parts
- Lower digestive system, intestines, waist region
- Natural significator (karaka)
- Mars (Mangala) as karaka of enemies and conflict; Saturn for chronic disease and service
Significations
- Enemies, rivals, and those who obstruct the native
- Disease, illness, and health challenges
- Debts, loans, and financial obligations
- Daily work, employment, and service to others
- Litigation, legal disputes, and competition
- Obstacles, struggles, and the tests life presents
- Intestines and the lower digestive tract as body correspondences
What a planet here tends to do
Despite its dusthana classification, the Sixth House is a place where strong or exalted planets — especially malefics — can perform very well. A powerful Mars, Saturn, or Sun here is classically associated with the ability to defeat enemies, overcome disease, and succeed in competitive fields such as law, medicine, or the military. This principle underlies the concept of Vipareeta Raja Yoga, where the lords of difficult houses can produce unexpected success through hardship. Benefics placed here may soften conflict but can also weaken the native's ability to fight back against adversity.
Key life areas governed
- Health maintenance and vulnerability to specific ailments
- Relationship with co-workers, subordinates, and employers
- Debt management and the burden of financial obligation
- Capacity for hard work, routine discipline, and service
- Success or failure in legal matters and open competition
Classical sources
- — Brihat Parashara Hora Sastra — Ari/Roga Bhava significations
- — Phaladeepika — Sixth House results and dusthana classification
- — Classical bhava significations (Ari Bhava, Vipareeta Raja Yoga concept)
Frequently asked
Is the Sixth House always bad?
Not at all. While the Sixth House is classified as a dusthana (difficult house), it governs important life skills: the ability to overcome obstacles, maintain health, and serve effectively. Strong planets here, particularly natural malefics, are often found in the charts of fighters, doctors, athletes, and competitive professionals.
Which house shows disease — the Sixth or the Eighth?
Both are relevant but in different ways. The Sixth House indicates the tendency toward illness, acute ailments, and the general health struggle. The Eighth House governs chronic, life-altering, or potentially serious conditions, surgery, and the timing of critical health events. They are read together for a full health assessment.
Can a strong Sixth House help someone win court cases?
Classical texts associate litigation with the Sixth House, and a strong Sixth House lord combined with favorable planetary support can indicate success in legal disputes. However, the Seventh House (open opponents) and the strength of both parties' charts are also considered — no single house is read in isolation.
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