Panaphara is an astrological term with reference to horoscopes in Hindu astrology. The twelve bhavas (starting from the lagna or ascendant) in a horoscope are given names like kendras (or kantakas or catustayas), panapharas and apoklimas.
The places or houses numbering 1, 4, 7 and 10 from the lagna are called the kendras. The places or houses numbering 2, 5, 8 and 11 are known as panapharas. The third, sixth, ninth and the twelfth houses are named apoklimas.
In addition, the fourth place is called hibukam, patalam, and sukham. The seventh place is called astam, and the tenth, mesuranam and karmam. The fifth place is called trikonam.
The kendras, namely, 1, 4, 7, and 10 are very powerful houses or locations; the houses 2, 5, 8, 11 (panapharas) are less powerful; and the houses 3, 6, 9, and 12 (apoklima), the least powerful ones.
Of the panaphara houses, the second gives indications about one’s family, capacity for speech and financial position. The fifth refers to progeny, jnana (knowledge), and mantra; the eighth about longevity and death; and the eleventh about all types of gain and good behavior. The houses 3, 6, 10 and 11 are referred to as upacayas.