3/26/2020 Strength of Planets: The Shadbala - I

Varahamihira
Varahamihira
The pages here would contain articles on various topics of Jyotish. Please visit
regularly as I shall update these pages frequently. I express my gratitude to Sri
Jagannath Center (SJC) & Pt. Sanjay Rath, my Guru for helping me advancing in
my Jyotish Studies.

Strength of Planets: The Shadbala - I

- July 30, 2004

1. INTRODUCTION
As the name suggests Shadbala means six fold strength. Although these strengths are
combinedly used for nding the effect of planets on the lives of the natives, there is
more use of the strengths and we get the clue of those uses from their names. If they
were to be used combinedly, then such speci c names were unnecessary. Moreover, this
is more logical to think that, a planet when strong, might not be so for in uencing all
affairs in our lives. A planet which might give good status might not be good to show the
direction of your life. So we must construe, the special signi cance hidden in the names
given to the six sources of strengths. These strengths need not be used only predicting
the results of the dasa, however, can be used for normal horoscopic interpretation. For
illustration, the kendradi bala is used in ayur calculation etc. One can understand their
use more and more by understanding their name and their basis of calculation.

Shad Bal consists of the following strengths

1. Sthan Bal (Positional strength)
2. Dig Bal (Directional strength)
3. Kaal Bal (Temporalstrength), inclusive of Ayan Bal (Equinoctial strength)
4. Chesht Bal (Motional strength)
5. Naisargika Bal (Natural strength)
6. Drik Bal (Aspectual strength)

These strengths are computed for the seven Grahas from Sun to Saturn. The nodes are
not considered.

https://varahamihira.blogspot.com/2004/07/strength-of-planets-shadbala-i.html 1/12
3/26/2020 Strength of Planets: The Shadbala - I

2. STHANA BALA (Maximum: 480 virupa = 8 rupas)

Varahamihira
Sthana means place and hence the sthana bala is calculated based on the placement of
the planets in different signs on various parameters, such as how far are they placed
from their exaltation sign etc. More follows below:

2.1 Uccha Bal (Maximum: 60 virupa = 1 rupa)

Uccha means exaltation. When a planet is placed in its highest exaltation point, it is of
full strength and when it is in its deepest debilitation point, it is devoid of any strength.
When placed at other places, it has middling strength proportionately dependent on the
distance these planets are placed from the highest exaltation or deepest debilitation
point.

Find the difference between a planet's longitude and the deepest debilitation point.
Divide the difference by 3 and the result so obtained is the uccha bala in Virupas. When a
planet is in highest exaltation point, the difference happens to be 180 deg and hence the
uccha bala for such planet becomes 60 virupa (180/3). However, when a planet is placed
in the deepest debilitation, the difference becomes zero and hence also the bala is zero.

2.2 Sapt Vargaj Bal (Maximum: 45*7 = 315 virupas = 5.25 rupas)
Rasi, Hora, Dreshkan, Saptamsa, Navamsa, Dwadashamsa and Trimsamsa constitute
the Sapta varga. The strength of the planets in these seven divisional charts based on
their placements in moolatrikona, own sign, friendly sign etc. constitute the sapta varaj
bala. The method of their calculation is as follows:

In the following rasis, the planets gets the corresponding Virupa of strength. Although
maharishi gave the strength in terms of the avasthas they are place in, he gave the
association of these avasthas with the placement of the planets in different rasis in the
following chapter on the avasthas (Ch 45). The friend's, neutral and enemical signs are
based on the compound relationship and hence the term, great friend and great enemy
has been used in this context.

Moolatrikona Sign- 45 Virupas

Swakshetra (Svasth) - 30 Virupas
Great Friend's Sign (Pramudit) - 20 Virupas
Friendly Sign (Shant) - 15 Virupas
Neutral Sign (Din) - 10 Virupas
Inimical Sign (Duhkhit) - 04 Virupas
Great Enemy's sign (Khal) - 02 Virupas

https://varahamihira.blogspot.com/2004/07/strength-of-planets-shadbala-i.html 2/12
3/26/2020 Strength of Planets: The Shadbala - I

2.3 Oja-Yugma Rasi-Amsa Bala (Maximum: 30 Virupa= 0.5 Rupa)

Varahamihira
Oja means Odd signs and Yugma means Even signs. Thus, as the name imply, this
strength is derived from a planet's placement in the odd or even signs in the Rasi and
Navamsa. Moon and Venus are female planets and get strength of 15 virupas each while
placed in the even signs in the rasi or navamsa. Other planets gets this strength, while
they are placed in Odd (Male) signs in Rasi or Navamsa.

The maximum strength which can be derived from this is 30 virupas (Venus/ Moon
placed in Even sign in both rasi and Navamsa; other planets placed in the odd signs in
both rasi and navamsa.)

2.4 Kendradi Bala (Maximum: 60 virupa = 1 rupa)

The name itself implies how to compute this strength. A planet in a Kendra (Quadrant: 1-
4-7-10) gets full strength, while one in Panaphara (Succedent: 2-5-8-11) Bhava gets half
and the one in Apoklima(Preceedent: 12-3-6-9) Bhava gets a quarter or a rupa. One rupa
equals 60 virupa, thus in virupas, the kendradi bala equals:

Kendra: 60 Virupa
Panaphara: 30 Virupa
Apoklima: 15 Virupa

2.5 Dreshkan Bala (Maximum: 15 virupa = 0.25 rupa)

due to placement in rst, second, or third dreshkanaof a sign. Male, female and
hermaphrodite Grahas, respectively, get a quarter Rupa (15 virupa) according to
placements in the rst, second and third dreshkana.

From this we can infer that the male planets are stronger in the beginning of a sign,
female planets are stronger in the middle part and neutral planets gains strength in the
ending part of a sign.

3. KALA BALA:
3.1 Natonnata Bala: (Maximum 60 virupa = 1 rupa)
Natonnata is composed of two terms nata and unnata. Unnata is the difference between
midnight and the apparent birth time. Unnata when deducted from 30 Ghatikas gives
Nata. Moon, Mars and Saturn are stronger at night, whereas Sun, Jupiter and Venus are
stronger during the day. Mercury is stronger both during day and night. Hence, the nata
bala is seen for Moon, Mars and Saturn and unnata bala is seen for Sun, Jupiter and
Venus. Irrespective of day or night Mercurygets the bala of 60 virupa or 1 rupa.

https://varahamihira.blogspot.com/2004/07/strength-of-planets-shadbala-i.html 3/12
3/26/2020 Strength of Planets: The Shadbala - I

AtVarahamihira
midnite, which marks the peak of night, the diurnal planets are weaker. Thus at that
time the unnata bala of the diurnal planets Sun, Jupiter and Venus is zero, whereas the
nata bala of the nocturnal planets Moon, Mars and Saturn is full 60 virupas. At the noon
hr. when the day is at peak and the Sun is placed exactly on the meridian, the unnata
bala of the Sun, Jupiter and Venus is full 60 virupas and the nata bala of Moon, Mars and
Saturn is zero. At other time the bala is proportionate.

At Surise and Sunset, which marks the junction of the day and the night, the natonnata
bala for all the planets (excluding Mercury, whose bala is always 60), is the same, i.e., 30
Virupas.

Also note the formula Nata Bala+ Unnata Bala = 60 virupas

The uctuation of the Natonnata bala for the planets can be seen as follows:
Diurnal Planet Nocturnal Planet
Sunrise 30 30
Noon 60 00
Sunset 30 30
Midnite 00 60

3.2 Paksha Bal

Paksha can be loosely translated as a fortnite. However in Jyotish term, Paksha is the
duration between conjunction and opposition of the Luminaries. The duration from
Conjunction to Opposition is the time when the Phase of Moon increase and is termed
as Waxing Moon, which in Jyotish parlance known as the Sukla Paksha. Whereas the
duration from opposition to conjunction, the phase of Moon decreases and is termed as
Waning Moon, which in Jyotish Parlance known as Krsna Paksha.

The Bene cs are stronger in the Sukla Paksha and the Male cs are stronger in the Krsna
Paksha. This forms the basis for calculation of the paksha bala. The bene cs are
Jupiter, Venus, well associate Mercury, whereas the male cs are Sun, Mars and Saturn.
The paksha bala of the Moon is 2 rupas (120 virupas) at the end time of Full Moon and
New Moon. The Paksha bala of the Moon goes down to 60 virupas, during the middle of
the pakshas.

Find the angular distance between Sun and Moon. If the angular duration exceeds 180
degrees, deduct the same from 360. The degrees so obtained when divided by 3, which
will indicate the Paksha Bala of each of the bene c Grahas. The Paksh Bal of bene c
https://varahamihira.blogspot.com/2004/07/strength-of-planets-shadbala-i.html 4/12
3/26/2020 Strength of Planets: The Shadbala - I

should be deducted from 60, which will go to each male c, as Paksh Bal.
Varahamihira
3.3 Tribhaga Bala
Tribhaga means three parts. This strength has gained its name from the fact that the
day and night are divided into three parts each. The Planets which gain 1 virupa of
strength during different part of a days is a as follows:

Mercury- First 1/3 part of day

Sun- Middle 1/3 part of day
Saturn- Last 1/3 part of day
Moon- First 1/3 part of Night
Venus- Middle 1/3 part of Night
Mars- Last 1/3 part of Night
Jupiter gets this Bal at all times.

3.4 Varsha (Abda) - Maasa- Dina- Hora Bal

Varsha-Maasa-Dina-Hora Bal. 15, 30, 45 and 60 Virupas are in order given to Varsh Lord,
Maas Lord, Dina Lord and Hora Lord.

3.4.1 Varsha Bala: The Varsha mentioned here is the solar year or the samvatsara, which
commences when the Sun moves to the rst sign on the zodiac, Mesha. This is the
weekday lord of the day in which the Sun has transited to Mesha. If Sun has moved after
00:00 hrs of civil calendar, the previous weekday has to be taken.

3.4.2 Maasa Bala: Like Varsha Lord, each saurya masa (Solar Month) commences when
the Sun transits each sign of the zodiac. Take the weekday lord on which Sun has moved
to a new sign as the lord of the Masa. If Sun has moved after 00:00 hrs of civil calendar,
the previous weekday has to be taken.

3.4.3 Dina Bala: Dina is weekday. The lord of the weekday is the lord of the day.

3.4.4 Hora Bala: Hora means planetary hour. Each day from sunrise to next sunrise is
divided into 24 equal parts of one hour. These Horas are ruled by the 7 Grahas from Sun
to Saturn. The rst Hora of the day is ruled by the Lord of the week day. The 2nd one is
ruled by the Lord of the 6th week day, counted from the rst ruler. The 3rd Hora is ruled
by the Lord of the 6th week day, counted from the 2nd Hora Lord. Similarly it proceeds in
the same manner, till the rst Hora of the next day is taken over by the Lord of that day
himself. At a particular time, the lord of a particular hora gets the Hora bala of 60
Virupas.

https://varahamihira.blogspot.com/2004/07/strength-of-planets-shadbala-i.html 5/12
3/26/2020 Strength of Planets: The Shadbala - I

Varahamihira
From the strength of the Varsa, Maasa, Dina and Hora lord, we can see that Hora lord
gets the maximum strength, i.e., 60 Virupas, highlighting the importance of the hora lord
over the other lords at any time.

3.5 Ayan Bala

The Earth's equitorial plane when projected to the celestial spehere (a hypothetical
sphere which has shows the visible stars and planets), is known as the celestial equator.
The planets which we see, can be above, below or placed on the celestial equator at any
point of time. The angle which they make with respect to the plane of celestial equator
measured from center of earth is called the declination or Kranti. The Declination of Sun
is maximum, i.e., 23°27’ during the solstices where the Sunrises either on Tropic of
Cancer or Capricorn, whereas during the equinoxes, the declination becomes zero.

The calculation of the ayana bala is complecated, however the same can be
accomplished using a simple formula: Ayan Bal = 60*(23°27’ ± Kranti)/(46°54’) =
(23°27’± Kranti)*1.2793. Now a days with the advent of computers, things have become
easier for the Jyotishis.

When Moon or Saturn have southern Kranti (placed below the equitorial plane) or, when
Sun, Mars, Jupiter, or Venus have northern Kranti (Placed above the equitorial plane),
take plus and otherwise minus. As far as Merucry is concerned, it is always plus. Krantis
can be ascertained from a standard modern ephemeris.

Sun's Ayana Bal is again multiplied by 2 whereas for others the product arrived in Virupas
is considered as it is.

3.6. Yudhdh Bala

When two planets are placed inside each other's orbs of in uence, they are supposed to
be in war or yuddha. Should there be a war between the planets, the difference between
the Shad Balas of the two should be added to the victor’s Shad Bal and deducted from
the Shad Bal of the vanquished.

4. DIK BALA
The planets gains full Dikbala in the following houses:
1st (Lagna Bhava) - Jupiter and Mercury (Ethery and Earthy element)
10th (Karma Bhava) - Sun and Mars (Fiery element)
4th (Sukha Bhava) - Venus and Moon (Watery element)

https://varahamihira.blogspot.com/2004/07/strength-of-planets-shadbala-i.html 6/12
3/26/2020 Strength of Planets: The Shadbala - I

7th (Jaya Bhava ) - Saturn (Airy element)

Varahamihira
When the planets are placed away from the bhava where they get the full dik bala, there
strength is proportionately reduced. The maximum strength attained here is 60 virupa or
1 rupa. To compute the dikbala nd the angular distance of the planet and the 7th of
bhava where they get the full dik bala. If the angular distance is more than 180 then,
subtract it from 360. The result when divided by 3, gives the dikbala of the planets. The
longitude of the bhava is same as the Lagna cusp as per the equal house distribution.

5. NAISARGIKA BALA
Naturally the planets are stronger in the order of Saturn, Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, Venus,
Moon and Sun in the ascending order. There natural strength is computed by dividing
one Rupa by 7 and multiply the resultant product by 1 to 7 separately to obtain the
strength of Saturn, Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, Venus, Moon and Sun respectively.

This happens to be
Planet In virupas In rupas

Sun            60.00 1.00
Moon       51.43     0.86
Mars         17.14     0.29
Mercury 25.70    0.43
Jupiter    34.28     0.57
Venus      42.85     0.71
Saturn     08.57     0.14

6. DRIG BALA
Drig is derived from Dris, which is the root of the verb "to see". So this strength is gained
by the virtue of the aspect (Graha Drsti) of different planets on a planet. The aspect of
bene cs are considered to be strength and the aspect of male cs are considered to be
weaknesses. For calculation of this strength, the partial aspects are also taken into
consideration.

The aspects of planets are given hereunder

7th- All planet aspect with full sight

4th/8th- Mars aspects with full sight while others aspect with 3/4th of their sight
5th/ 9th- Jupiter aspect with full sight and others aspect with 2/4th of their sight
https://varahamihira.blogspot.com/2004/07/strength-of-planets-shadbala-i.html 7/12
3/26/2020 Strength of Planets: The Shadbala - I

3rd/ 10th- Saturn aspect with full sight and others aspect with 1/4th of their sight
Varahamihira
From the drik balas of a planet we can judge what is the strength of aspects of the
bene cs and male cs on it and their combined in uences. Aspect of bene cs promote
the house owned by the planet, by rendering the lord strong. It also enhances the house
of which the said planet is a karaka.

The calculation is cumbursome and shall be given in subsequent article. This might be
of some academic interest.

7. CHESTA BALA
Chesta means to move or to try. This strenth is attained by the planets, excluding the
lumeries by the the virtue of their kind of movement. For Sun, the Ayana Bala becomes
its chesta Bala, whereas for Moon, the Paksha Bala becomes the chesta Bala. For other
planets, eight kinds of motions are attributed to they. These are:

• Vakra (retrogression)
• Anuvakra (entering the previous sign in retrograde motion)
• Vikal (devoid of motion)
• Mand (somewhat slower motion than usual)
• Mandatar (slower than the previous)
• Sama (neither fast nor slow)
• Char (faster than Sama)
• Atichar (entering next sign in accelerated motion)
The strengths, allotted due to such 8 motions are 60, 30, 15, 30, 15, 7.5, 45 and 30
virupas.

8. OTHER CONSIDERATRIONS:
8.1 Shad Bal requirements:
390, 360, 300, 420, 390, 330 and 300 Virupas are the Shad Bal Pindas, needed for Sun,
Moon, Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, Venus and Saturn etc. to be considered strong. If the
strength exceeds the above-mentioned values, the Grah is deemed to be very strong. A
strong graha shall protect its houses and karakakatva and is more capable of giving its
results. However, the nature of the results shall be in uenced by the ownership,
placements and the yogas the planet involved in. However, it is important to know what
is the strength of each of the elements of the shadbala, to know the exact nature of the

https://varahamihira.blogspot.com/2004/07/strength-of-planets-shadbala-i.html 8/12
3/26/2020 Strength of Planets: The Shadbala - I

result
Varahamihira
8.2 Requirement of strength of individual elements of Shadbala
Jupiter, Mercury and Sun are strong, if each of their Sthana Bala, Dig Bala, Kaala Bala,
Cheshta Bala and Ayana Bala are, respectively, 165, 35, 50, 112 and 30 Virupas. The
same required for Moon and Venus are 133, 50, 30, 100 and 40. For Mars and Saturn
these are 96, 30, 40, 67 and 20.

9. USE OF SHADBALA
The individual elements of the shadbala show different aspects in our life. They are as
follows:
1. Sthana Bala: This planet is the giver of position and status. This also shows which
positions are most auspicious for us and where shall we be most comfortable.
2. Dig Bala: This shows the direction which shall be good for us for growth in the career
or self development.
3. Kaala Bala: This shows which time is best suitable for us for undertaking an activity.
4. Cheshta Bala: This shows what drives us, our inherent desires and purpose of our
struggle in this life.
5. Naisargika Bala: This is of lesser consquence as this remains constant all through
out. This is to be used in conjunction with other strengths. This indicate which planets
are naturally more able to dictate their results.
6. Drik Bala: This shows which planet shall be favourable all through out in the life of
native as this is based on the aspect of bene cs on the planet.

10. CONCLUSION
This is still a nacent area and require more researches to nd out the exact use of each
of the elements of the shadbala, rather than using the total values of the shadbala for
analysing the dasas. We must understand that, each point of time is in uenced by one or
other planets with varying extents and we can judge these subtle in uences, by
analysing which planets are stronger at which point of time.

One good use I found with these balas is nd the directional in uences. For illustration,
at this point of time while I am writing this article, Sun is having highest kala bala and
highest chesta bala. In my rasi chart, Sun is the 9th lord placed in the 9th house with
10th lord, where as in the siddhamsa it is placed in the 12th house being the 6th lord.
Chesta bala shows what are my desires or what am I trying to do at this point of time.
Sun being the 9th lord shows teaching (with AK Mars shows that the desire is very
strong); in the siddhamsa, being the 6th lord in the 12th, it shows the attitude of service
(6th) without any motivation to gain (12th). In the dasamsa it is placed in the 8th house
https://varahamihira.blogspot.com/2004/07/strength-of-planets-shadbala-i.html 9/12
3/26/2020 Strength of Planets: The Shadbala - I

being the 6th lord and I am here sitting, without going to my o ce, writing this mail.
Varahamihira
The kala bala is also highest that of Sun, shows that I should be doing Sun's activity at
this point of time. As Sun also shows that chesta as mentioned above, I am able to do
something which I crave for. When I go further, I see that more strength (Kaala bala) is
coming from the Ayana Bala, showing that, this is also helping me achieving the
direction (Ayana) of my life. If the strength was due to Hora Bala, then I would have done
something, which was directed by my environment and circumstances, like sitting in a
Jyotish class or in a conference.

What I have written, is only the tip of the iceberg, just hinting, how much is there below
the water, unexplored. So lets explore the potencies of this beautiful scheme of strength
given by Maharishi Parasara.

Zero said…
Hi,

Looks like we share an interest in astrology.

Friday, November 03, 2006 8:14:00 PM

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Marriage Compatibility
- October 06, 2004

Marriage compatibility is an important contribution of Jyotish to the

world as only it can foresee any problems in the married life of a couple
and can precisely determine which area shall the problem root from. …

https://varahamihira.blogspot.com/2004/07/strength-of-planets-shadbala-i.html 10/12
3/26/2020 Strength of Planets: The Shadbala - I

Varahamihira READ MORE

Progeny in Jyotish II: Number & sex of children

- August 26, 2005

Number of children1. The number of children can be found out by counting the Navamsa
gained by the 5th lord.For example, the 5th lord is placed in Virgo Rasi and Gemini
Navamsa. Counting from Gemini (Navamsa) to Virgo Rasi [Virgo (6) - Gemini (3) = 3], we…

READ MORE

Lagna Bhava I: Lagna lord in different houses

- September 19, 2004

Lagna represents the ideals of the native and his intelligence. Wherever the Lagna lord is
placed, the native’s ideals and intelligence is focused on that area of life, represented by
the concerned house.These results will also apply to the Lord of the constellation and …

READ MORE

Powered by Blogger

Theme images by Galeries

VARAHAMIHIRA

https://varahamihira.blogspot.com/2004/07/strength-of-planets-shadbala-i.html 11/12
3/26/2020 Strength of Planets: The Shadbala - I

Its di cult to say who I am. Different

Varahamihira
people see me in so many different
ways. From my perspective, I am a soul
trapped inside the world of illusion!

VISIT PROFILE

Archive

Labels

Report Abuse

https://varahamihira.blogspot.com/2004/07/strength-of-planets-shadbala-i.html 12/12