Varṣaphala ('fruit of the year') is the annual-return system that entered the Indian tradition through the Tājika lineage (synthesizing Arabic astrological techniques with Sanskrit śāstra, roughly 11th–13th century). BPHS Ch. 92 incorporates the Tājika varṣaphala into the Pārāśara mainstream, and the system has been canonical ever since.
The mechanics: each year, at the precise moment the Sun returns to its exact natal-longitude, you cast a fresh chart for the current location. This 'varṣaphala chart' represents the year's themes. The munthā (annual-progressed lagna) advances one sign per year, providing a year-by-year micro-lagna. The 16 classical sahams (translations: 'arrow-points') are derived sensitive points — e.g., the Saham of Profession is derived from a specific formula involving Sun, Moon, and 10th-house position.
The Tājika tradition has its own yoga-set — ikkavāla, induvāra, ithasala (a planetary 'applying-aspect' yoga), īsarapha (separating-aspect), and others. These are computed in the varṣaphala chart, not the natal chart, and condition the year's interpretation.
Practitioner use: varṣaphala provides year-resolution refinement over the multi-year cycles of Vimśottarī mahā-daśā. When you want 'what's the texture of this specific year?', varṣaphala is the primary tool. Our /varshaphala surface computes the annual chart, munthā, and major sahams; /sahams provides the dedicated saham-analysis.