Week 5 · Unit 2 · Strength, Karakas and Interpretive Tools
Milestone 2 of 5: What strength actually measures
Six Kinds of Strength
What Ṣaḍbala actually measures — and the distinction that most changes how a beginner reads a chart.
Assumes you have done: Week 1's dignity, and the benefic/malefic classification
Why this matters
There is one idea in this unit that matters more than the technique it is attached to. Strength, benefic nature, and dignity are three different things, and almost everyone collapses them at first. A strong malefic is more effectively malefic, not less. An exalted planet can be weak. Hold the three apart and a great deal that looked contradictory in BPHS turns out to be consistent — including several things you have already met and probably smoothed over.
Learn
There is a technique in this unit and there is an idea, and the idea is worth more.
The idea first
Strength, benefic nature and dignity are three different things.
Almost every beginner collapses them into a single good-to-bad axis, and doing so makes BPHS look inconsistent when it is not. Take them apart:
Benefic nature asks what kind of thing does this planet do? Jupiter protects and expands; Saturn contracts and delays. Chapter 3 verse 11 settled this in Week 1 and it does not change from chart to chart.
Dignity asks is this planet at home where it is sitting? Exalted, Mūlatrikoṇa, own, friendly, neutral, enemy, debilitated. Chapter 3 verses 49–54, also from Week 1, and it changes with the placement.
Strength asks how much force can this planet bring to bear? Six independent measures, Chapter 29, and it is neither of the other two.
No implication runs between any pair of them. In particular:
- An exalted planet can be weak. Exaltation contributes to Sthāna Bala and nothing else. A planet exalted but poorly placed for direction, badly timed, slow, and unaspected by benefics can total low.
- A strong malefic is more effectively malefic. This is the one that matters most, and Parashara said it outright in Week 1 — inauspicious effects are quite the reverse with reference to these houses. Strength amplifies whatever a planet is. It does not improve it.
- A weak benefic is not harmful — it is simply unable to deliver much. The protection was promised and does not arrive, which is a different problem from active harm.
The technique, understood rather than computed
Chapter 29 gives six strengths, and they measure six genuinely different things.
Sthāna Bala — positional. Built from dignity, but across the divisional charts rather than the rashi alone, plus contributions from being in an odd or even sign, from the Kendra/Paṇaphara/Āpoklima classification, and from the Drekkāṇa. This is where exaltation actually pays.
Dig Bala — directional. Each planet has a house it is strongest in: the Sun and Mars measured from the 10th, Jupiter and Mercury from the Lagna, Venus and the Moon from the 4th, Saturn from the 7th. Strength falls off with angular distance from that point.
Kāla Bala — temporal. Day birth or night birth, the waxing or waning Moon, the season, and several other time-based factors. This is the component most sensitive to birth data.
Cheṣṭā Bala — motional. How a planet is moving: retrograde motion scores high here, which is one of the reasons retrogression is not straightforwardly bad.
Naisargika Bala — natural. A fixed ranking by planet, the same in every chart, from the Sun down to Saturn.
Dṛg Bala — aspectual. What the planet receives from others, using the Sphuṭa Dṛṣṭi machinery from the last unit.
Six answers, and the total conceals them. A planet with high Sthāna and low everything else tells a different story from one with the same total distributed evenly, and the component breakdown is more informative than the sum.
Do not compute this by hand. The arithmetic is long, mechanical and error-prone, and performing it teaches you nothing about interpretation. Software produces all six in a fraction of a second. Your job is knowing what they mean and when they change an answer.
Iṣṭa and Kaṣṭa, and what all this is for
Chapter 30 opens by saying exactly why the strength apparatus exists: now I speak of the benefic and evil natures of the planets according to which they give the good or bad effects of their daśās.
That sentence is worth stopping on. Ṣaḍbala is not an end in itself. It is the machinery that makes timing meaningful. When Week 8 tells you that what a Mahādaśā delivers depends on the planet’s condition, this is what condition means.
Iṣṭa Bala and Kaṣṭa Bala then split a planet’s force into its auspicious and inauspicious portions, computed from the planet’s distance from exaltation and from its motional state. A planet can be strong and mostly Kaṣṭa — which is precisely the case the “strong malefic” discussion above describes, given a number.
Using strength honestly
Two rules, and they will carry you a long way.
Use strength to decide how loud, not what. Strength tells you how much weight a factor carries in the argument. It does not tell you what the factor is saying. That comes from the planet’s nature, from what it rules, and — next week — from whether it is functionally benefic for this particular ascendant.
Do not let a number end an argument. A Ṣaḍbala figure is one input, computed from a birth time you may or may not trust, on a scale whose components measure incommensurable things. It is genuinely useful for separating two factors that are otherwise evenly matched. It is not a verdict, and a reading that consists of comparing totals has stopped reasoning.
Next: three tools that change what a house means, one of which is the hardest thing in the first half of the book.
Read BPHS
This is the source itself. The teaching above prepares you for it; it does not replace it.
Show the full passage — 22 verses
अथ स्पष्टबलं वक्ष्ये स्थान-कालादिसम्भवम् ।
नीचोनं खचरं भार्धाधिकं चक्राद् विशोधयेत् ॥ १ ॥
भागीकृत्य त्रिभिर्भक्तं लब्धमुच्चबलं भवेत् ।
1-1/1-2. Now I speak of the strengths of the planets which is derived by them due to their position and time. Deduct from the longitude of the planet its deep debilitation point. If the remainder is less than 6 signs, consider it as it is, if it exceeds six signs, it is deducted from 12 signs. The remainder is converted into degrees etc and it is divided by 3. The quotient is the Uchcha Bala or exaltation strength (in Vrupas).
स्वत्रिकोण स्वगेहाधिमित्रमित्र समारिषु ॥ २ ॥
अधिशत्रुगृहे चापि स्थितानां क्रमशो बलम् ।
भूताब्धयः खाग्नि-नखास्तिथ्यो दश युगाः कराः ॥ ३ ॥
एवं होरादुकाणाद्रि-भागांक-द्वादशांशजम् ।
त्रिंशांशजं तदैक्यञ्च सप्तवर्गसमुद्भवम् ॥ ४ ॥
2-4. SAPTAVARGAJA BALA : The strength of the planets situated in their Mooltrikona signs, own signs, extreme friends' signs', friend's sign, neutrals' signs, enemies' signs and, extreme enemies' signs is respectively 45, 30, 20, 15, 10, 4 and 2 Virupas. Similiarly these values occur for Hora, Drekkana, Saptamamsha, Navamsha, Dwadashamsha and Trimshamsha. All these are added together and from the sum of these emerges the saptavargaja Bala of the planets.
शुक्रेन्द्र समभांशेऽन्ये विषमेऽङ्घ्रिमितं बलम् ।
4 1/2 YUGMAYUGMA BHAMSHA OR OJHAYUGMA RASHIAMSHA BALA: Venus and the Moon in even signs and even Navamamsha and the other planets in odd signs and odd Navamamsha acquire 1/4th of Rupa (ie 15 virupas) strength.
केन्द्रादिषुस्थिताः खेटाः पूर्णाऽर्धाऽर्ङ्घिमितं क्रमात् ॥ ५ ॥
Verse 5- KENDRADI BALA : A planet gets full strength in an angle, half strength in a succudent and, one fourth strength in a cadent
आद्यमध्यावसानेषु द्रेष्काणेषु स्थिता: क्रमात् ।
पुंनपुंसकयोषाख्या दद्युरङ्घ्रियिमितं बलम् ॥ ६ ॥
- DREKKANA BALA: Male, Hermaphrodites and, female planets respectively acquire 1 charana (a quarter or 1/4 Rupa) strength according to situations in the First, Second and Third decanates.
सूर्यात् कुजात् सुखं जीवाज्ज्ञाच्चाऽस्तं लग्नमार्कितः ।
दशमं च भृगोश्चन्द्राद् हित्वा षड्भाधिके सति ॥ ७ ॥
चक्राद् विशोध्य तद्भागास्त्रिभिर्भक्ताश्च दिग्बलम् ।
Verse 7½7-7 1/2 DIGBALA : Deduct the 4th House from the Longitudes of the Sun and Mars; the 7th House from those of Jupiter and Mercury; the 10th House from those of Venus and the Moon and, the Ascendant from that of Saturn. If the difference is more then 180 degrees, deduct it from 360. (If it is less than 180 degrees then it is not deducted from any amount). The sum arrived at in either way is to be divided by 3 and thus is obtained the Dig Bala or Directional strength.
इष्टावधि निशीथात्तून्त्रतं त्रिंशच्चयुतं नतम् ॥ ८ ॥
चन्द्रभौम-शनीनां च नतं द्विध्वं कलादिकम् ।
षष्टिशुद्धं तदन्येषां सदा रूपं बुधस्य हि ॥ ९ ॥
8-9. KAALA BALA OR TEMPORAL STRENGTH : The difference between the Ishta Kaala (the time of birth) and midnight is called Unnata. If Unnata is deducted from 30 ghatis the difference is cal Nata. If the Ghatis etc of the the Nata are doubled it gives the strength (Kaala Bala) of the Moon, Mars and Saturn. And if the Nata is deducted from 60 it gives the Natonnata Bala (Both Nata and Unnata Balas) of the Sun, Jupiter and Venus. But the Natonnata Bala of Mercury is always full (1 Rupa or 60 virupas).
अथ पक्षबलं वक्ष्ये सूर्य चन्द्राद् विशोध्य विशोध्य च ।
षड्भाधिके विशोध्यार्काद् भागीकृत्त्य त्रिभिर्भजेत् ॥ १० ॥
पक्षजं बलमिन्दुज्ञशुक्रेज्यानां तु षष्टितः ।
विशोध्य तद्बलं ज्ञेयं पापानां पक्षसंभवम् ॥ ११ ॥
10-11 PAKSHA BALA: Deduct from the longitude of the Moon that of the Sun. If the difference in more than 6 signs deduct it from 12. Now the remainder is converted into degrees and is divided by 3 to get the Paksha Bala of the Benefic planets and Paksha Bala of the Benefic Planets is to be deducted from 60 to arrive at the Paksha Bala of the remaining planets.
दिनत्र्यंशेषु सौम्यार्क-शनीनां, निट्त्रिभागके ।
चन्द्रशुक्रकुजानां च बलं पूर्ण सदा गुरोः ॥ १२ ॥
- Tribhaga Bala should be mentioned here. The first one third part of the day bestows full strength to Mercury, the second one to the Sun and, the third, one to Saturn. And similarly, the first one third part of the night bestows full strength to the Moon, the Second one to Venus and, the third one to Mars. Jupiter has this strength (full strength) at all times.
वर्षमासदिनेशानां तिथ्यस्त्रिंशच्छरार्णवाः ।
होरेशस्य बलं षष्टिरुक्तं नैसर्गिकं पुरा ॥ १३ ॥
- VARSHA MASA, DINA AND HORA BALA: 15, 30, 45 and 60 Virupas are respectively the Balas (strengths) bestowed on Varsha, Masa, Dina and Hora Lords. The Naisargika Bala (the Natural strength) has been spoken of and explained already (in sloka 38 Chapter 2).
सावनोद्युगणस्सूर्याद्धिन मासाब्द पास्ततः ।
सपृभिः क्षयितश्शेषः सूर्याद्यो वासरेश्वर ।।
मासाब्द दिन संख्याप्तौ द्वित्रिध्नौ रूप सयुंतौ ।
सप्तोद् धृतावशेषौ तु विज्ञेयौ मास वर्ष पौ ॥
That is, Dinapati, Masapati and Varshapati should be known by counting from the Sun to the number of Saavana days. This number is divided by 7 and the remainder counting from the Sun is the Dinapati.
If the number of saavana days is divided respectively by the number of Masa and Varsha and the quotients are multiplied respectively by 2 and 3 and one is added to the product and the sums are divided by 7. The remainders are counted from the Sun in the order of the days, respectively the Masapati and Varshapati.
The number of Saavana days from the beginining of the creation to the Ishta Kaala (the time of birth) is called 'Ahargana. The time from one Sunrise to another is called one saavana day. It is these saavana days that are referred to in the slokas. The method of knowing the Ahargana is very difficult and even a slight mistake will result in spoiling the labour of hours. Therefore it is not practicable to do such a big calculation. For this purpose are available 'Karan grantha' and Tables by which this calculation becomes easy. We too have used the table of this type which is being given here. There are the aberviated Aharganas in the table. The learned Astrologer Mahavir Prasad Srivastava, in the Vigyan Bhashya of his Surya Siddhanta, has calculated the saavana days of the Aharganas of the year 1979 Vikrami upto the 5th Tithi (Panchmi) of the Shukla Paksha (the Bright half of the Month) of Maagha month. This number of Saavana days is 7,14,40,41,31,603. In order to know the Frist day of the Saavana Varsha (the Astrological year) of the year of the birth of the native, the Aharganas from the beginining of the creation to the day of the birth of the native are divided by 360. The resultant Quotient is the number of Saavana years that have passed. These are multiplied by 3 and 1 (one) is added to the product which in turn is divided by 7. The reason is that in the case of Varshapati the order of the Lords according to the days changes every 4th day and after 7 years again the same order begins anew. The Lord of the Saavana Varsha is the Lord of the day that comes as the remainder.
In the example given by us the date of birth is 2-6-1951. Therefore we have taken the abbreviated Ahargana of January O, 1951 which is 53089. The days from January O to the date of birth are 153 which are added to it. The Sum is the number of abbreviated days (abbreviated Aharganas) from the beginning of creation to the date of birth. The total sum comes to 53242. It is divided by 360. The remainder is ignored. The quotient 147 is multiplied by 3 which comes to 441. One is added to it which gives 442. It is divided by 7. The remainder comes to be 1. Therefore the number will be of Sunday. But the birth of the native took place on the first day of the year on, Monday. When there is a situation like this, one should be deducted from or added to it because such a situation generally arises.
In order to know Masapati the same Ahargana is divided by 30. The quotient is doubled and one is added to it. The sum arrived at in this way is divided by 7 and the remainder will indicate the first day of the month.
The same Ahargana, if it is divided by 7, the figure that comes as the remainder will indicate the day of the birth. Thus when 53242 is divided by7 the remainder is Zero. Therefore the day will be of saturday.
The Lord of Hora: The day has been named on the name of the planet who is the Lord of the first hour of the day (Hora of the day). The planet who is the Lord of the first hour of the day is also regarded as the Lord of the day. In the same way the Lord of day which falls in the beginning of the Saavana Masa is regarded as the Lord of the Saavana Masa also. And the Lord of the day which falls in the beginning of the Saavana Varsha is regarded as the Lord of the Saavana Varsha. Thus, if the Lord of the First hour of Sun day is the Sun, then he is the Lord of the day also. The Saavana Masa which begins with Sunday will be Lorded by the Sun and the saavana Varsha which begins with Sunday will also have the Sun as its Lord.
In order to know as to which planet is the Lord of a particular hour the order in which the Lords of the hours change is to be understood. The planet Saturn is farthest away from the earth. Nearer than Saturn is Jupiter, then nearer than Jupiter is Mars, then nearer than Mars is the Sun, then nearer than the Sun is Venus, then nearer than Venus is Mercury, and then nearer than Mercury is the Moon. The Lords of Hora change in this very order. If the Lord of the Ist hour is Saturn, that of the 2nd will be Jupiter, of the third Mars, of the 4th, the Sun, of the 5th Venus, of the 6th Mercury and of the 7th, the Moon and that of the 8th again Saturn and so on in the same order. Hora should always be known by the local time.
The Hora of any hour of the day may be easily known from the chart easily, that is, it may be known as to which planet is the Lord of the Hora of a particular hour.
Speculum of Abbreviated Ahargana for January 0
| Yr. | Ahargana | Yr. | Ahargana | Yr. | Ahargana |
| 1800 | 458 | 1813 | 2686 | 1826 | 7434 |
| 1801 | 823 | 1814 | 3051 | 1827 | 7799 |
| 1802 | 1188 | 1815 | 3416 | 1828* | 8164 |
| 1803 | 1553 | 1816* | 3781 | 1829 | 8530 |
| 1804* | 1918 | 1817 | 4147 | 1830 | 8895 |
| 1805 | 2284 | 1818 | 4512 | 1831 | 9260 |
| 1806 | 2649 | 1819 | 4877 | 1832* | 9625 |
| 1807 | 494 | 1820* | 5242 | 1833 | 9991 |
| 1808* | 859 | 1821 | 5608 | 1834 | 10356 |
| 1809 | 1225 | 1822 | 5963 | 1835 | 10721 |
| 1810 | 1590 | 1823 | 6338 | 1836* | 11086 |
| 1811 | 1955 | 1824* | 6703 | 1837 | 11452 |
| 1812* | 2320 | 1825 | 7069 | 1838 | 11817 |
| Yr. | Ahargana | Yr. | Ahargana | Yr. | Ahargana |
| 1839 | 12182 | 1875 | 25334 | 1911 | 38479 |
| 1840* | 12547 | 1876* | 25696 | 1912* | 38844 |
| 1841 | 12913 | 1877 | 26062 | 1913 | 39210 |
| 1842 | 13278 | 1878 | 26427 | 1914 | 39575 |
| 1843 | 13643 | 1879 | 26792 | 1915 | 39940 |
| 1844* | 14008 | 1880* | 27157 | 1916* | 40305 |
| 1845 | 14374 | 1881 | 27523 | 1917 | 40671 |
| 1846 | 14739 | 1882 | 27888 | 1918 | 41036 |
| 1847 | 15104 | 1883 | 28253 | 1919 | 41401 |
| 1848* | 15469 | 1884* | 28618 | 1920* | 41766 |
| 1849 | 15835 | 1885 | 28984 | 1921 | 42132 |
| 1850 | 16200 | 1886 | 29349 | 1922 | 42497 |
| 1851 | 16565 | 1887 | 29714 | 1923 | 42862 |
| 1852* | 16930 | 1888* | 30079 | 1924* | 43227 |
| 1853 | 17296 | 1889 | 30445 | 1925 | 43593 |
| 1854 | 17661 | 1890 | 30810 | 1926 | 43958 |
| 1855 | 18026 | 1891 | 31175 | 1927 | 44323 |
| 1856* | 18391 | 1892* | 31540 | 1928* | 44688 |
| 1857 | 18757 | 1893 | 31906 | 1929 | 45054 |
| 1858 | 19122 | 1894 | 32271 | 1930 | 45419 |
| 1859 | 19487 | 1895 | 32636 | 1931 | 45784 |
| 1860* | 19852 | 1896* | 33001 | 1932* | 46149 |
| 1861 | 20218 | 1897 | 33367 | 1933 | 46515 |
| 1862 | 20583 | 1898 | 33732 | 1934 | 46880 |
| 1863 | 20948 | 1899 | 34097 | 1935 | 47245 |
| 1864* | 21313 | 1900 | 34462 | 1936* | 47610 |
| 1865 | 21679 | 1901 | 34827 | 1937 | 47976 |
| 1866 | 22044 | 1902 | 35192 | 1938 | 48341 |
| 1867 | 22409 | 1903 | 35557 | 1949 | 48706 |
| 1868* | 22774 | 1904* | 35922 | 1940* | 49071 |
| 1869 | 23140 | 1905 | 36288 | 1941 | 49437 |
| 1870 | 23505 | 1906 | 36653 | 1942 | 49802 |
| 1871 | 23870 | 1907 | 37018 | 1943 | 50167 |
| 1872* | 24235 | 1908* | 37383 | 1944* | 50532 |
| 1873 | 24601 | 1909 | 37749 | 1945 | 50898 |
| 1874 | 24966 | 1910 | 38114 | 1946 | 51263 |
| Yr. | Ahargana | Yr. | Ahargana | Yr. | Ahargana |
| 1947 | 51628 | 1965 | 58203 | 1983 | 64777 |
| 1948* | 51993 | 1966 | 58568 | 1984* | 65142 |
| 1949 | 52359 | 1967 | 58933 | 1985 | 65508 |
| 1950 | 52724 | 1968* | 59298 | 1986 | 65873 |
| 1951 | 53089 | 1969 | 59664 | 1987 | 66238 |
| 1952* | 53454 | 1970 | 60029 | 1988* | 66603 |
| 1953 | 53820 | 1971 | 60394 | 1989 | 66969 |
| 1954 | 54185 | 1972* | 60759 | 1990 | 67334 |
| 1955 | 54550 | 1973 | 61125 | 1991 | 67699 |
| 1956* | 54915 | 1974 | 61490 | 1992* | 68064 |
| 1957 | 55281 | 1975 | 61855 | 1993 | 68430 |
| 1958 | 55646 | 1976* | 62220 | 1994 | 68795 |
| 1959 | 56011 | 1977 | 62586 | 1995 | 69160 |
| I960* | 56376 | 1978 | 62951 | 1996* | 69525 |
| 1961 | 56742 | 1979 | 63316 | 1997 | 69891 |
| 1962 | 57107 | 1980* | 63681 | 1998 | 70256 |
| 1963 | 57472 | 1981 | 64047 | 1999 | 70621 |
| 1964* | 57837 | 1982 | 64412 | ||
| * Leap Years. |
| Date | Days | Date | Days | Date | Days |
| Jan.0 | 0 | May.0 | 120 | Sept.0 | 243 |
| Feb.0 | 31 | June.0 | 151 | Oct.0 | 273 |
| Mar.0 | 59 | July.0 | 181 | Nov.0 | 304 |
| April.0 | 90 | Aug.0 | 212 | Dec.0 | 334 |
| Date | Days | Date | Days | Date | Days |
| Jan.0 | 0 | May.0 | 121 | Sept.0 | 244 |
| Feb.0 | 31 | June.0 | 152 | Oct.0 | 274 |
| Mar.0 | 60 | July.0 | 182 | Nov.0 | 305 |
| April.0 | 91 | Aug.0 | 213 | Dec.0 | 335 |
| Hora | Sun | Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat |
| 1. | Sun | Moon | Mars | Merc | Jup | Ven | Sat |
| 2. | Ven | Sat | Sun | Moon | Mars | Merc | Jup |
| 3. | Merc | Jup | Ven | Sat | Sun | Moon | Mars |
| 4. | Moon | Mar | Merc | Jup | Ven | Sat | Sun |
| 5. | Sat | Sun | Moon | Mars | Merc | Jup | Ven |
| 6. | Jup | Ven | Sat | Sun | Moon | Mars | Merc |
| 7. | Mars | Merc | Jup | Ven | Sat | Sun | Moon |
| 8. | Sun | Moon | Mars | Merc | Jup | Ven | Sat |
| Hora | Sun | Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat |
| 9. | Ven | Sat | Sun | Moon | Mars | Merc | Jup |
| 10. | Merc | Jup | Ven | Sat | Sun | Moon | Mars |
| 11. | Moon | Mars | Merc | Jup | Ven | Sat | Sun |
| 12. | Sat | Sun | Moon | Mars | Merc | Jup | Ven |
| 13. | Jup | Ven | Sat | Sun | Moon | Mars | Merc |
| 14. | Mars | Merc | Jup | Ven | Sat | Sun | Moon |
| 15. | Sun | Moon | Mars | Merc | Jup | Ven | Sat |
| 16. | Ven | Sat | Sun | Moon | Mars | Merc | Jup |
| 17. | Merc | Jup | Ven | Sat | Sun | Moon | Mars |
| 18. | Moon | Mars | Merc | Jup | Ven | Sat | Sun |
| 19. | Sat | Sun | Moon | Mars | Merc | Jup | Ven |
| 20. | Jup | Ven | Sat | Sun | Moon | Mars | Merc |
| 21. | Mars | Merc | Jup | Ven | Sat | Sun | Moon |
| 22. | Sun | Moon | Mars | Merc | Jup | Ven | Sat |
| 23. | Ven | Sat | Sun | Moon | Mars | Merc | Jup |
| 24. | Merc | Jup | Ven | Sat | Sun | Moon | Mars |
तन्मानं सप्तहूतषष्टिरेकाद्येकोत्तरैर्हता ।
शमंबुगुशुचंरादिखेटानां क्रमतो द्विज ! ॥ १४ ॥
- NAISARGIKA BALA: The quotient that is obtained by dividing 60 Kalas by 7 is multiplied by 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 and it gives the Naisargika Bala of respectively Saturn, Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, Venus the Moon, and the Sun.
पञ्चाब्धयः सुराः सूर्याः खण्डकांशाः क्रमादमी ।
सायनग्रहदोराशितुल्यखण्डयुतिश्च सा ॥ १५ ॥
भागादिकहतादेष्यात् त्रिंशल्लब्धयुता लवाः ।
स्वमृणं तुलमेषादौ शनीन्द्वोश्च त्रिराशिषु ॥ १६ ॥
तथाऽऽरार्केज्यशुक्राणां व्यस्तं, ज्ञस्य सदा धनम् ।
तद्भागाश्च त्रिभिर्भक्ता ज्ञेयमायनजं बलम् ॥ १७ ॥
15-17.AYANA BALA: For calculating Ayana Bala there are 3 Khandas, 45, 33 and 12. Add Ayanamsha to the planet and find out the Bhuja. Add the figure corresponding to the sign (of the Bhuja) to the Bhuja. Then the degrees etc of the Bhuja be multiplied by the figure corresponding to the higher of the remaining Khandas and it be divided by 30. Add the quotient degrees etc to the sum obtained earlier and convert it into degrees etc. If it is more than 30 it is converted into signs etc. If Saturn and the Moon are in 6 signs beginning with Libra onwards, then it is added to 3 signs. And if they are in 6 signs beginning with Aries etc then the earlier resultant is subtracted from 3 signs. If the Sun, Mars, Jupiter and Venus are in the 6 signs beginning with Aries onward, then add 3 signs to the sum obtained earlier; and if they are in the 6 signs beginning with Libra onwards, then subtract 3 signs from it. If Mercury is in the 6 signs beginning with Aries onwards or in the 6 signs beginning with Libra onwards, then, always add 3 signs to it. The signs etc. that are obtained in this way are to be converted into degrees etc. These degrees etc. are divided by 3 and the quoient thus obtained will be the Ayana Bala.
Notes: In order to know the Ayana Bala it is absolutely necessary to have the Sukshma Kranti of planet.
The rule to make the Bhujamsha (degrees of Bhuja) is as follows: If the planet is with in 3 signs then his Bhujamsha will be the same. If he is with in more than 3 signs and less than 6 signs, then Bhuja will be obtained by subtracting the planet from 6 signs. If the planet is with in more than 6 and less than 9 signs then Bhuja will be obtained by subtracting 6 signs from the planet. And if he is with in more than 9 signs then the Bhuja is obtained by subtracting the planet from 12 signs.
In the Modern Panchangas we can find out the Kranti of even the smallest planets. The following is also a method of obtaining Ayana Bala.
The Northern or Southern Kranti of Mercury should always be added to 24. The Southern Kranti of Saturn and the Moon should be added to 24, and the Northern Kranti is to be deducted from 24. The Southern Kranti of the Sun, Mars, Mercury and Venus is to be deducted from 24 and the Northern, Kranti is to be added to 24. In this way the plus or minus Kranti that will be obtained should be divided by 48 to get the Ayana Bala.
Suppose the Northern Kranti of the Sun is: 13\11\25
| This is added to 24 | = 13\11\25 | |
| 24 | ||
| 37\11\25 ÷ 48 = | 37\11\25 |
0\46\13 Ayana Bala.
Ayana Bala may also be known by another easy method. But to arrive at the Ayana Bala by this method also the above rule (the rule regarding adding or subtracting 24 to the Krantis or the planets) will have to be remembered. Another thing to be kept in mind is that it is the Ayana Bala of the Sun obtained by this method only that is to be doubled. The Ayana Bala of the other planets will remain as it is
| Ayana Bala: | 23' − 27" + Kranti | × 60 |
| 46' − 54" |
23' 27" Plus or minus Kranti × 1.2793. A Table is being given below to know Ayana Bala. When Kranti is known, Ayana Bala may be known easily.
| Kranti + 23° 27’ | Ayana Bala | Kranti + 23°27’ | Ayana Bala | Kranti + 23°27’ | Ayana Bala |
| ° ' | ° ' | ° ' | |||
| 0 0 | 0.0 | 2 35 | 3.3 | 5 10 | 6.6 |
| 0 5 | 0.1 | 2 39 | 3.4 | 5.14 | 6.7 |
| 0 9 | 0.2 | 2 44 | 3.5 | 5 19 | 6.8 |
| 0 14 | 0.3 | 2 49 | 3.6 | 5 24 | 6.9 |
| 0 19 | 0.4 | 2 54 | 3.7 | 5 28 | 7.0 |
| 0 23 | 0.5 | 2 58 | 3.8 | 5 33 | 7.1 |
| 0.28 | 0.6 | 3 3 | 3.9 | 5 38 | 7.2 |
| 0 33 | 0.7 | 3 8 | 4.0 | 5 42 | 7.3 |
| 0 38 | 0.8 | 3 12 | 4.1 | 5 47 | 7.4 |
| 0 42 | 0.9 | 3 17 | 4.2 | 5 52 | 7.5 |
| 0 47 | 1.0 | 3 22 | 4.3 | 5 56 | 7.6 |
| 0 52 | 1.1 | 4 26 | 4.4 | 6 1 | 7.7 |
| 0 56 | 1.2 | 3 31 | 4.5 | 6 6 | 7.8 |
| 1 1 | 1.3 | 3 36 | 4.6 | 6 11 | 7.9 |
| 1 6 | 1.4 | 3 40 | 4.7 | 6 15 | 8.0 |
| 1 10 | 1.5 | 3 45 | 4.8 | 6 20 | 8.1 |
| 1 15 | 1.6 | 3.50 | 4.9 | 6 25 | 8.2 |
| 1.20 | 1.7 | 3 55 | 5.0 | 6 29 | 8.3 |
| 1 24 | 1.8 | 3.59 | 5.1 | 6 34 | 8.4 |
| 1 29 | 1.9 | 4 4 | 5.2 | 6 39 | 8.5 |
| 1 34 | 2.0 | 4 9 | 5.3 | 6 43 | 8.6 |
| 1 38 | 2.1 | 4 13 | 5.4 | 6 48 | 8.7 |
| 1 43 | 2.2 | 5 18 | 5.5 | 6 53 | 8.8 |
| 1 48 | 2.3 | 4 23 | 5.6 | 6 57 | 8.9 |
| 1 53 | 2.4 | 4 27 | 5.7 | 7 2 | 9.0 |
| 1 57 | 2.5 | 4 32 | 5.8 | 7 7 | 9.1 |
| 2 2 | 2.6 | 4 37 | 5.9 | 7 11 | 9.2 |
| 2 7 | 2.7 | 4 41 | 6.0 | 7 16 | 9.3 |
| 2 11 | 2.8 | 4 46 | 6.1 | 7 21 | 9.4 |
| 2 16 | 2.9 | 4 51 | 6.2 | 8 26 | 9.5 |
| 2 21 | 3 | 4 55 | 6.3 | 7 30 | 9.6 |
| 2 25 | 3.1 | 5 0 | 6.4 | 7.35 | 9.7 |
| 2 30 | 3.2 | 5 5 | 6.5 | 7 40 | 9.8 |
| Kranti + 23° 27’ | Ayana Bala | Kranti + 23°27’ | Ayana Bala | Kranti + 23°27’ | Ayana Bala |
| ° ' | ° ' | ° ' | |||
| 7 44 | 9.9 | 10 24 | 13.3 | 13 3 | 16.7 |
| 7 49 | 10.0 | 10 28 | 13.4 | 13 8 | 16.8 |
| 7.54 | 10.1 | 10 33 | 13.5 | 13 13 | 16.9 |
| 7 58 | 10.2 | 10 38 | 13.6 | 13 17 | 17.0 |
| 8 3 | 10.3 | 10 43 | 13.7 | 13.22 | 17.1 |
| 8 8 | 10.4 | 10 47 | 13.8 | 13 27 | 17.2 |
| 8 12 | 10.5 | 10 52 | 13.9 | 13 31 | :7.3 |
| 8 17 | 10.6 | 10 57 | 14.0 | 13.36 | 17.4 |
| 8 22 | 10.7 | 11 1 | 14.1 | 13 41 | 17.5 |
| 8 27 | 10.8 | 11 6 | 14.2 | 13 45 | 17.6 |
| 8 31 | 10.9 | 11 11 | 14.3 | 13 50 | 17.7 |
| 8 36 | 11.0 | 11 15 | 14.4 | 13 55 | 17.8 |
| 8 41 | 11.1 | 11 20 | 14.5 | 14 0 | 17.9 |
| 8 45 | 11.2 | 11 25 | 14.6 | 14 4 | 18.0 |
| 8 50 | 11.4 | 11.29 | 14.7 | 14 9 | 18.1 |
| 8 55 | 11.4 | 11 34 | 14.8 | 14 14 | 18.2 |
| 8 59 | 11.5 | 11 39 | 14.9 | 14 18 | 18.3 |
| 9 4 | 11.6 | 11 44 | 15.0 | 14 23 | 18.4 |
| 9 9 | 11.7 | 11 48 | 15.1 | 14 28 | 18.5 |
| 9 13 | 11.8 | 11 53 | 152 | 14 32 | 18.6 |
| 9 18 | 11.9 | 11 58 | 153 | 14 37 | 18.7 |
| 9 23 | 12.0 | 12 2 | 15.4 | 14 42 | 18.8 |
| 9 27 | 12.1 | 12 7 | 15.5 | 14 46 | 18.9 |
| 9 32 | 12.2 | 12 12 | 15.6 | 14 51 | 19.0 |
| 9 37 | 12.3 | 12 16 | 15.7 | 14.56 | 19.1 |
| 9 42 | 12.4 | 12 21 | 15.8 | 15 0 | 19.2 |
| 9 46 | 12.5 | 12 26 | 15.9 | 15 5 | 19.3 |
| 9 51 | 12.6 | 12 30 | 16.0 | 15 10 | 19.4 |
| 9 56 | 12.7 | 12 35 | 16.1 | 15 15 | 19.5 |
| 10 0 | 12.8 | 12 40 | 16.2 | 15 19 | 19.6 |
| 10 5 | 12.9 | 12 44 | 16.3 | 15 24 | 19.7 |
| 10 10 | 13.0 | 12 49 | 16.4 | 15 29 | 19.8 |
| 10 14 | 13.1 | 12 54 | 16.5 | 15 33 | 19.9 |
| 10 19 | 13.2 | 12 59 | 16.6 | 15 38 | 20.0 |
| Kranti + 23° 27’ | Ayana Bala | Kranti + 23°27’ | Ayana Bala | Kranti + 23°27’ | Ayana Bala |
| ° ' | ° ' | ° ' | |||
| 15 43 | 20.1 | 18 22 | 23.5 | 21 2 | 26.9 |
| 15 47 | 20.2 | 18 27 | 23.6 | 21 6 | 27.0 |
| 15 52 | 20.3 | 18 32 | 23.7 | 21 11 | 27.1 |
| 15 57 | 20.4 | 18 36 | 23.8 | 21 16 | 27.2 |
| 16 1 | 20.5 | 18 41 | 23.9 | 21 20 | 27.3 |
| 16 6 | 20.6 | 18 46 | 24.0 | 21 25 | 27.4 |
| 16 11 | 20.7 | 18 50 | 24.1 | 21 30 | 27.5 |
| 16 16 | 20.8 | 18 55 | 24.2 | 21 34 | 27.6 |
| 16 20 | 20.9 | 19 0 | 24.3 | 21 39 | 27.7 |
| 16 25 | 21.0 | 19 4 | 24.4 | 21 44 | 27.8 |
| 16 30 | 21.1 | 19 9 | 24.5 | 21 49 | 27.9 |
| 16.34 | 21.2 | 19 14 | 24.6 | 21 53 | 28.0 |
| 16 39 | 21.3 | 19 18 | 24.7 | 21 58 | 28.1 |
| 16 44 | 21.4 | 19 23 | 24.8 | 22 3 | 28.2 |
| 16 48 | 21.5 | 19 28 | 24.9 | 22 7 | 28.3 |
| 16 53 | 21.6 | 19 33 | 25.0 | 22 12 | 28.4 |
| 16 58 | 21.7 | 19 37 | 25.1 | 22 17 | 28.5 |
| 17 2 | 21.8 | 19 42 | 25.2 | 22 21 | 28.6 |
| 17 7 | 21.9 | 19 47 | 25.3 | 22 26 | 28.7 |
| 17 12 | 22.0 | 19 51 | 25.4 | 22 31 | 28.8 |
| 17.16 | 22.1 | 19 56 | 25.5 | 22 35 | 28.9 |
| 17 21 | 22.2 | 20 1 | 25.6 | 22 40 | 29.0 |
| 17 26 | 22.3 | 20 5 | 25.7 | 22 45 | 29.1 |
| 17 31 | 22.4 | 20 10 | 25.8 | 22 49 | 29.2 |
| 17 35 | 22.5 | 20 15 | 25.9 | 22 54 | 29.3 |
| 17 40 | 22.6 | 20 19 | 26.0 | 22 59 | 29.4 |
| 17 45 | 22.7 | 20 24 | 26.1 | 23 4 | 29.5 |
| 17 49 | 22.8 | 20 29 | 26.2 | 23 8 | 29.6 |
| 17 54 | 22.9 | 20 33 | 26.3 | 23 13 | 29.7 |
| 17 59 | 23.0 | 20 38 | 26.4 | 23 18 | 29.8 |
| 18 3 | 23.1 | 20 43 | 26.5 | 23 22 | 29.9 |
| 18 8 | 23.2 | 20 48 | 26.6 | 23 27 | 30.0 |
| 18 13 | 23 3 | 20 52 | 26.7 | 23 32 | 30.1 |
| 18 17 | 23.4 | 20 57 | 26.8 | 23 36 | 30.2 |
| Kranti + 23° 27’ | Ayana Bala | Kranti + 23°27’ | Ayana Bala | Kranti + 23°27’ | Ayana Bala |
| ° ' | ° ' | ° ' | |||
| 23 41 | 30.3 | 26 21 | 33.7 | 29 0 | 37.1 |
| 23 46 | 30.4 | 26 25 | 33.8 | 29 5 | 37.2 |
| 23 50 | 30.5 | 26 30 | 33.9 | 29 9 | 37.3 |
| 23 55 | 30.6 | 26 35 | 34.0 | 29 14 | 37.4 |
| 24 0 | 30.7 | 26 39 | 34.1 | 29 18 | 37.5 |
| 24 5 | 30.8 | 26 44 | 34.2 | 29 23 | 37.6 |
| 24 9 | 30.9 | 26 49 | 34.3 | 29 28 | 37.7 |
| 24 14 | 31.0 | 26 53 | 34.4 | 29 33 | 37.8 |
| 24 19 | 31.1 | 26 58 | 34.5 | 29 38 | 37.9 |
| 24 23 | 31.2 | 27 3 | 34.6 | 29 42 | 38.0 |
| 24 28 | 31.3 | 27 7 | 34.7 | 29 47 | 38.1 |
| 24 33 | 31.4 | 27 12 | 34.8 | 29 52 | 38.2 |
| 24 37 | 31.5 | 27 17 | 34.9 | 29 56 | 38.3 |
| 24 42 | 31.6 | 27 22 | 35.0 | 30 1 | 38.4 |
| 24 47 | 31.7 | 27 26 | 35.1 | 30 6 | 38.5 |
| 24 51 | 31.8 | 27 31 | 35.2 | 30 10 | 38.6 |
| 24 56 | 31.9 | 27 36 | 35.3 | 30 15 | 38.7 |
| 25 1 | 32 0 | 27 40 | 35.4 | 30 20 | 38 8 |
| 25 5 | 32.1 | 27 45 | 35.5 | 30 24 | 38.9 |
| 25 10 | 32.2 | 27 50 | 35.6 | 30 29 | 39.0 |
| 25 15 | 32.3 | 27 54 | 35.7 | 30 34 | 39.1 |
| 25 20 | 32.4 | 27 59 | 35.8 | 30 38 | 39.2 |
| 25 24 | 32.5 | 28 4 | 35.9 | 30 43 | 39.3 |
| 25 29 | 32 6 | 28 8 | 36.0 | 30.48 | 39.4 |
| 25 34 | 32.7 | 28 13 | 36.1 | 30 53 | 39.5 |
| 25 38 | 32.8 | 28 18 | 36.2 | 30 57 | 39.6 |
| 25 43 | 32.9 | 28 22 | 36.3 | 31 2 | 39.7 |
| 36 48 | 33.0 | 28 27 | 36.4 | 31 7 | 39.8 |
| 25 52 | 33.1 | 28 32 | 36.5 | 31 11 | 39.9 |
| 25 57 | 33.2 | 28 37 | 36.6 | 31 16 | 40.0 |
| 26 2 | 33.3 | 28 41 | 36.7 | 31 21 | 40.1 |
| 26 6 | 33.4 | 28 46 | 36.8 | 31 25 | 40.2 |
| 26 11 | 33.5 | 28 51 | 36.9 | 31 30 | 40.3 |
| 26 16 | 33.6 | 28 55 | 37.0 | 31 35 | 40.4 |
| Kranti + 23° 27’ | Ayana Bala | Kranti + 23°27’ | Ayana Bala | Kranti + 23°27’ | Ayana Bala |
| ° ' | ° ' | ° ' | |||
| 31 39 | 40.5 | 34 19 | 43.9 | 36 58 | 47.3 |
| 31 44 | 40.6 | 34 24 | 44.0 | 37 3 | 47.4 |
| 31 49 | 40.7 | 34 28 | 44.1 | 37 8 | 47.5 |
| 31 54 | 40.8 | 34 33 | 44.2 | 37 12 | 47.6 |
| 31 58 | 40.9 | 34 38 | 44.3 | 37 17 | 47.7 |
| 32 3 | 41 0 | 34 42 | 44.4 | 37 22 | 47.8 |
| 32 8 | 41.1 | 34 47 | 44.5 | 37 27 | 47.9 |
| 32 12 | 41.2 | 34 52 | 44.6 | 37 31 | 48.0 |
| 32 17 | 41.3 | 34 56 | 44.7 | 37 36 | 48.1 |
| 32 22 | 41.4 | 35 1 | 44.8 | 37 41 | 48.2 |
| 32 26 | 41.5 | 35 6 | 44.9 | 37 45 | 48.3 |
| 32 31 | 41.6 | 35 11 | 45.0 | 37 50 | 48.4 |
| 32 36 | 41.7 | 35 15 | 45.1 | 37 55 | 48.5 |
| 32 40 | 41.8 | 35 20 | 45.2 | 37 59 | 48.6 |
| 32 45 | 41.9 | 35 25 | 45.3 | 38 4 | 48.7 |
| 32 50 | 42.0 | 35 29 | 45.4 | 38 9 | 48.8 |
| 32 54 | 42.1 | 35 34 | 45.5 | 38 13 | 48.9 |
| 32 59 | 42.2 | 35 39 | 45.6 | 38 18 | 49.0 |
| 33 4 | 42.3 | 35 43 | 45.7 | 38 23 | 49.1 |
| 33 9 | 42.4 | 35 48 | 45.8 | 38 27 | 49.2 |
| 33 13 | 42.5 | 35 53 | 45.9 | 38 32 | 49.3 |
| 33 18 | 42.6 | 35 57 | 46.0 | 38 37 | 49.4 |
| 33 23 | 42.7 | 36 2 | 46.1 | 38 42 | 49.5 |
| 33 27 | 42.8 | 36 7 | 46.2 | 38 46 | 49.6 |
| 33 32 | 42.9 | 36 11 | 46.3 | 38 51 | 49.7 |
| 33 37 | 43.0 | 36 16 | 46.4 | 38 56 | 49.8 |
| 33 41 | 43.1 | 36 21 | 46.5 | 39 0 | 49.9 |
| 33 46 | 43.2 | 36 26 | 46.6 | 39 5 | 50.0 |
| 33 51 | 43.3 | 36 30 | 46.7 | 39 10 | 50.1 |
| 33 55 | 43.4 | 36 35 | 46.8 | 39 14 | 50.2 |
| 34 0 | 43.5 | 36 40 | 46.9 | 39 19 | 50.3 |
| 34 5 | 43.6 | 36 44 | 47.0 | 39 24 | 50.4 |
| 34 10 | 43.7 | 36 49 | 47.1 | 39 28 | 50.5 |
| 34 14 | 43.8 | 36 54 | 47.2 | 39 33 | 50.6 |
| Kranti + 23° 27’ | Ayana Bala | Kranti + 23°27’ | Ayana Bala | Kranti + 23°27’ | Ayana Bala |
| 3938 | 50.7 | 42 8 | 53.9 | 44 38 | 57.1 |
| 39 43 | 50.8 | 42 13 | 54.0 | 44 43 | 57.2 |
| 39 47 | 50 9 | 42 17 | 54.1 | 44 47 | 57.3 |
| 39 52 | 51.0 | 42 22 | 54.2 | 44 52 | 57.4 |
| 39 57 | 51.1 | 42 27 | 54.3 | 44.57 | 57.5 |
| 40 1 | 51.2 | 42.31 | 54.4 | 45 1 | 57.6 |
| 40 6 | 51.3 | 42 36 | 54.5 | 45 6 | 57.7 |
| 40 11 | 51.4 | 42 41 | 54.6 | 45 11 | 57.8 |
| 40 15 | 51.5 | 42 45 | 54.7 | 45 16 | 57.9 |
| 40 20 | 51.6 | 42 50 | 54.8 | 45 20 | 58.0 |
| 40 25 | 51.7 | 42 55 | 54.9 | 45 25 | 58.1 |
| 40 29 | 51.8 | 43 0 | 55.0 | 45 30 | 58.2 |
| 40 34 | 51.9 | 43 4 | 55.1 | 45 34 | 58.3 |
| 40 39 | 52.0 | 43 9 | 55.2 | 45 39 | 58.4 |
| 40 43 | 52.1 | 43 14 | 55.3 | 45 44 | 58.5 |
| 40 48 | 52.2 | 43 18 | 55.4 | 45 48 | 58.6 |
| 40 53 | 52.3 | 43 23 | 55.5 | 45 53 | 58.7 |
| 40 58 | 52.4 | 43 28 | 55.6 | 45 58 | 58.8 |
| 41 2 | 52.5 | 43 32 | 55.7 | 46 2 | 58.9 |
| 41 7 | 52.6 | 43 37 | 55.8 | 46 7 | 59.0 |
| 41 12 | 52.7 | 43 42 | 55.9 | 4612 | 59.1 |
| 41 16 | 52.9 | 43 46 | 56.0 | 46 16 | 59.2 |
| 41 21 | 52.9 | 43 51 | 56.1 | 46 21 | 59.3 |
| 41 26 | 53.0 | 43 56 | 56.2 | 46 26 | 59.4 |
| 41 30 | 53.1 | 44 0 | 56.3 | 46 31 | 59.5 |
| 41 35 | 53.2 | 44 5 | 56.4 | 46 35 | 59.6 |
| 41 40 | 53.3 | 44 10 | 56.5 | 46 40 | 59.7 |
| 41 45 | 53.4 | 44 15 | 56.6 | 46 45 | 59.8 |
| 41 49 | 53.5 | 49 19 | 56.7 | 46.49 | 59.9 |
| 41 54 | 53.6 | 44 24 | 56.8 | 46 55 | 60.0 |
| 41 59 | 53.7 | 44 29 | 56.9 | ||
| 42 3 | 53.8 | 44 33 | 57.0 |
यद्रवेरायन वीर्य चेष्टाख्यं तावदेव हि ।
विधो: पक्षबलं यावत् तावच्चेष्टाबलं स्मृतम् ॥ १८ ॥
- MOTIONAL STRENGTH OF THE SUN AND THE MOON: The cheshta Bala of the Sun (or the motional strength) will be the same as his Ayana Bala. The Cheshta Bala of the Moon should be known as corresponding to her Paksha Bala.
पापद्वक्पादहीनं तच्छुभदुकपादयुक् तथा ।
बलैक्य ज्ञेज्यद्वमयुक्तमेवं खेटबलं भवेत् ॥ १९ ॥
- DRIGBALA (ASPECTUAL STRENGTH): Deduce one fourth of the Drishti yoga (Total Aspectual strength) if a planet has maletic aspects on him and add a fourth if he has benefic aspects on him. The entire aspect of Mercury and Jupiter is to be super added to the sum arrived at (by adding or deducting) in this way and this gives us the strength of a planet.
अथ तारग्रहाणां तु युद्धयतोश्च द्वयोर्मिथः ।
बलान्तरं विजेतुः स्वं, निर्जितस्य बले त्वृणम् ॥ २० ॥
- PLANETARY WAR : If there happens to be a war between two starry plenets, the difference between the shada balas of the two is to be added to the victor's shadabala and deducted from that of the vanquished. That is the Spashta Bala or the strength of the planet in question.
वक्रानुवक्रा विकला मन्दा मन्दतरा समा ।
चरा चाऽतिचरा चेति ग्रहाणामष्टधा गतिः ॥ २१ ॥
षष्टिर्वक्रगते वीर्यमनुवक्रगतेर्दलम् ।
पादो विकलभुक्तेः स्यात् तथा मध्यगतेर्दलम् ॥ २२ ॥
पादो मन्दगतेस्तस्य दलं मन्दतरस्य हि ।
चरभुक्तेस्तु पादोनं दलं स्यादतिचारिणः ॥ २३ ॥
21-23. PLANETARY MOTIONS (MARS TO SATURN): Vakra, Anu vakra, Vikala, Manda, Mandatara, Sama, Chara and Ati-chara, these are the eight kinds of motions of the planets. The strengths allotted to the vakra (Retrograde planet) is 60, to the Anu-Vakra 30, Vikala 15, Manda 15, Mandatara 7.30, Sama 30, Chara 45 and Ati chara 30
मध्यमस्फुटयोगार्धहीनं स्वस्वचलोच्चकम् ।
षड्भाधिकं च्युतं चक्राच्चेष्टाकेन्द्रं स्मृतं कुजात् ॥ २४ ॥
भागीकृतं त्रिभिर्भक्तं लब्धं चेष्टाबलं त्विति ।
स्थानादिक्कालद्वक्चेष्टानिसर्गोत्यं च षड्विधम् ॥ २५ ॥
24-25. MOTIONAL STRENGTH FOR MARS ETC : Deduce from the sheeghrochha of the planets the half (1/2) of the sum of the Madhyama spashta graha and the Vastwika spashta (The mean and the true longitudes of a planet). The resultant will be the cheshta kendra of the planets Mars etc. If it (the cheshta kendra) is more than 6 signs it is to be deduced from 12 and the remainder is converted into degrees etc, and is to be divided by 3 and in this way is obtained the Cheshta Balas. Thus there are the six kinds of Balas (strengths) which are Sthana bala, Dig Bala, Kaalabala, Drig bala, Cheshta Bala and Nisargabala.
एवं ग्रहबलं प्रोक्तम भावबलं श्रृणु ।
कन्यायुग्मतुलाकुम्भचापाद्यार्घाश्च सप्तमम् ॥ २६ ॥
गोऽजसिंहमृगाद्यार्ध चापान्त्यार्धात सुखं त्यजेत् ।
कर्कवृश्चिकतो लग्नं भृगान्त्यार्थाज्झषाच्च खम् ॥ २७ ॥
शोध्यमङ्गाधिकं चक्राच्च्युतं भागीकृतं त्रिहृत् ।
सदृष्टिपादयुक् - पापदृष्टिपादविवर्जितम् ॥ २८ ॥
ज्ञेज्यद्वष्टियुतं तच्च स्वस्वस्वामिबलान्वितम् ।
इति भावबलं स्पष्टं सामान्य च पुरोदितम् ॥ २९ ॥
26-29. It is in this way that I have spoken of the sphuta bala (strength) of the planets. Now listen to (about the method of knowing) the Bhava Bala (the strength) of the Houses. Deduct the spashta (the longitude) of the 7th House from the Bhava (House) if the Bhava happens to be in the first half of the signs of Virgo, Gemini, Libra, Aquarius or Sagittarius. If the Bhava happens to be in the first half of the signs of Aries, Taurus, Leo, Capricorn or in the latter half of Sagittarius, then deduct from the Bhava spashta the spashta of the 4th House. And if there are the signs of Cancer and Scorpio then deduct from it the spashta of the Ascendant, and if there happens to be the latter half of Capricorn and there is Pisces also then deduct the spashta of the 10th House from the Bhava spashta and convert the difference into degrees etc and then divide it by 3 and the quotient arrived at in this way is the Bhava bala (strength of the Bhava or House ). If the remainder is more than 6 signs, it is deducted from 12 signs and the remainder is converted into degrees etc and it is divided by 3. To the quotient thus arrived at should be added the one fourth of the aspects of the benefic planets on the Bhava or House, and one fourth of the aspects of the malefic planets on it is to be deducted from it. And if the aspect be of Jupiter or Mercury on it, then this aspect is also to be added to the Aspectual strength of the planet and, then the Bala or strength of the Lord of the Bhava is also added to it and it gives the spashta Bala of the Bhava (the strength of the given House). I have already spoken of the samanaya Bala (or the general strength).
बुधेज्ययुक्तभावस्य बलमेकेन संयुतम् ।
मन्दाररवियुक्तस्य बलमेकेन वर्जितम् ॥ ३० ॥
दिने शीर्षोदयो भाव: सन्ध्यायामुभयोदयः ।
निशि पृष्ठोदयाख्यश्च दद्यात् पादमितं बलम् ॥ ३१ ॥
30-31 SPECIAL RULES: The Bhava or house which is occupied by Mercury or Jupiter is to be added with 1 (one) Rupa to its Bala or strength and Rupa strength is to be deducted from the strength of the Bhava or House which is occupied by Saturn or Mars or the Sun. And if the birth occurs during the day time then the House occupied by a sheershodaya Rashi (a sign rising with its head), if it occurs in the evening then the House occupied by an ubhayodaya Rashi (a sign rising with both head and foot) and if it occurs during the night time then the House occupied by a Prish thodaya Rashi (or sign rising with its back), the bhava or House gets 15 Virupas strength.
अंकाग्नयोऽङ्गरामाश्च खाग्नया करसिन्धवः ।
नवाग्नयः सुरास्त्रिंशद् दशसंगुणिताः क्रमात् ॥ ३२ ॥
रव्यादीनां बलैक्यश्चेत् तदा सुबलिनो मताः ।
अधिकं पूर्णमेव स्याद् बलं चेद्वलिनो द्विज ! ॥ ३३ ॥
32-33. SHADA BALA REQUIREMENTS: If the shadabalas of the planets the Sun etc are respectively 390,360, 300, 420, 390, 330 and 300 they are considered to be Bali or strong and if these exceed the above figures then the planets are called to be fully strong.
गुरुसौम्यरवीणां तु भूतषट्केन्दवो द्विज ! |
पंचाग्नयः खभूतानि कर-भूमिसुधाकराः ॥ ३४ ॥
खाग्नयश्च क्रमात्स्थान-दिक्-चेष्टा-समयाऽयने ।
सितेन्द्वोस्त्रयग्निचन्द्राश्च खेषवः खाग्न्यः शतम् ॥ ३५ ॥
चत्वारिंशत् कला भोम-मन्दयोः षण्णव क्रमात् ।
त्रिंशत् खवेदाः सप्ताङ्गा नखाश्चेत्युदिता द्विज! ॥ ३६ ॥
34-36. If the Sthana bala, digbala, cheshta bala, kaalabala, and Ayana bala of Jupiter, Mercury and the Sun are respectively 165,35,50,112 and 30 Virupas, then they are regarded as strong. And if the above balas of Venus and the Moon are respectively 133,50,30, 100, and 40 Virupas, then they are considered as strong; and if these balas of Mars and Saturn happen to be respectively 96,30,40,67 and 20 Virupas, then they are considered as strong.
एवं कृत्वा बलैक्यञ्च ततश्चिन्त्यं फलं द्विज ! |
भावस्थानग्रहै: प्रोक्तयोगे ये योगहेतवः ॥ ३७ ॥
तेषां मध्ये बली कर्ता स एवाऽस्य फलप्रदः ।
योगेष्वाप्तेषु बहुषु नीतिरेवं प्रकीर्तिता ॥ ३८ ॥
37-38. BHAVA EFFECTS: O Brahmin,thus the balas (strengths) of the planets are to be added together and prediction of effects is to be made according to it. Whatever yogas or effects have been stated earlier with respect to the House or the situation of the planets, the strongest of the yoga karaka planets of that House will be the yoga karaka one and he will confer on the native the effects according to his attributes or qualities. When there are many yoga karaka grahas (effects giving planets) giving many effects in a house, it is this niti (rule) that is spoken about it.
गणितेषु प्रवीणो यः शब्दशास्त्रे कृतश्रमः ।
न्यायविद् बुद्धिमान् देशदिक्कालज्ञो जितन्द्रियः ॥ ३९ ॥
ऊहापोह - पटुर्होरास्कन्धश्रवणसम्मतः ।
मैत्रेय ! सत्यतां याति तस्य वाक्यं न संशयः ॥ ४० ॥
39-40. ELIGIBILITY TO ISSUE FRUITFUL PREDICTIONS: O Maitreya, doubtless and truthful effects may be predicted only by an astrologer that has achieved supreme skill in Mathematics, that has put in industrious effort in linguistics, that has the knowledge of Nyaya (or Justice), that is endowed with wisdom, that possesses the knowledge of time and space and geography, that has conquered his senses, that has ability in logic and that has studied Jataka Sastra(Astrology); And there is no doubt in it that the predictions of him will be truthful.
अथ चेष्टमनिष्टं च ग्रहाणां कथयाम्यहम् ।
यवशाच्च प्रयच्छन्ति शुभाऽशुभदशाफलम् ॥ १ ॥
- Now I speak of the benefic and evil natures of the planets according to which they give the good or bad effects of their dasas.
स्वनीचोनो ग्रहः शोध्यः षड्भाधिक्ये भमण्डलात् ।
सैको राशिर्भवेदुच्च-रश्मिर्द्विध्नांशसंयुतः ॥ २ ॥
- Exaltation Rays: Deduct the debilitation point of the planet concerned from the Graha Spashta. If the difference is more than 6 signs it should be deducted from 12 signs. Add 1 to the sign of the remainder and double the degrees etc. This will be the Uchcha Rashmi of the planet.
चेष्टाकेन्द्राच्च तद्रश्मिं साधयेदुच्चरश्मिवत् ।
चेष्टाकेन्द्रं कुजादीनां पूर्वमुक्तं मया द्विज ! ॥ ३ ॥
सायनार्कस्त्रिभोऽर्कस्य व्यर्केन्दुश्च विधोस्तथा ।चेष्टाकेन्द्र रसाल्पं तच्चक्राच्छोध्यं रसाधिके ॥ ४ ॥
3-4. CHESHTA-RASHMI: Cheshta Rashmis are to be calculated from cheshta Kendras similar to Uchcha Rashmi computation. O Brahmin, the Cheshta Kendras of the planets from Mars to Saturn have already been explained by me. The cheshta kendra of the Sun is obtained by adding 3 signs to the Sun with Ayanamsha or the saayana Sun, and the cheshta kendra of the Moon by deducting the Sun from the Moon. In case the Cheshta Kendra exceeds 6 signs it should be deducted from 12 signs and then 1 is to be added to remaining sign and the degrees etc are to be doubled to get the Cheshta Rashmi of a planet.
चेष्टोच्चरश्मियोगार्ध शुभरश्मि: प्रकीर्त्यते ।
अष्टभ्यक्ष विशुद्धोऽसावशुख्यश्च कथ्यते ॥ ५ ॥
- BENEFICIAL AND MALEFIC RAYS: One half of the summation of Uchcha Rashmi and Cheshta Rashmi is called Shubha Rashmi and if this (Summation) is deducted from 8, the remainder is called Ashubha Rashmi.
उच्चचेष्टाकरान् व्येकान् दिग्भिर्हत्वा तु योजयेत् ।
तदर्थमिष्टसंज्ञं स्यात् कष्टं तत्वष्टितश्चयुतम् ॥ ६ ॥
- ISHTA AND KASHTA (BENEFIC AND MALEFIC TENDENCIES): Deduct 1 from each Uchcha Rashmi and Cheshta Rashmi and multiply the remainder by 10. The summation of the products of both divided by 2 which gives the Ishta Bala (Benefic tendency) and if the Ishta Bala is deducted from 60 it will give Kashta Bala (Malefic tendency).
स्वोच्चे मूलत्रिकोणे च स्वभेऽधिसुहृदीष्टभे ।
समभे शत्रुभे चाधि-शत्रुभे नीचभे क्रमात् ॥ ७ ॥
षष्टिरिष्वब्धयस्त्रिंशदाकृतिस्तिथयो गजा: ।
चत्वारो द्वौं च शून्यं च शुभमेतत्फलं गृहे ॥ ८८ ॥
षष्टितः पतितं चैतच्छेषं स्यागशुभं गृहे ।
तदर्धमन्यवर्गेषु ज्ञेयं विप्र ! शुभाऽशुभम् ॥ ९ ॥
7-9. ISHTA KASHTA SAPTAVARGAJA PHALA: A planet, being placed in his exaltation sign mooltrikona sign, own sign, extreme friend's sign, friend's sign, equal's sign, enemy's sign, bitter enemy's sign and debilitation sign, has respectively 60, 45, 30, 22, 15, 8, 4, 2 and O Shubh-Grahankas (benefic points). If Shubha Grahankas are deduced from 60 the resultants will be their Ashubh Grahankas.
पञ्चस्विष्टफलं चाद्यात् समं षष्ठे ततः परम् ।
अशुभं त्रिषु विज्ञेयमिति शास्त्रेषु निश्चितम् ॥ १० ॥
- It has been decided in the Sastras (ancient classics of Astrology) that a planet is to be considered as shubha (auspicious) in his five places, exaltation sign, mooltrikona sign, own sign, extreme friend's sign, friend's sign; equal in the sixth (Equal's sign) and, inauspicious in the rest three signs, the enemy's sign, extreme, enemy's sign and debilitation sign.
दिग्बलं दिक्फलं तस्य तथा दिनफलं भवेत् ।
तयोः फलं शुभं प्रोक्तमशुभं षष्टितश्च्युतम् ॥ ११ ॥
शुभेऽधिके शुभं ज्ञेयमशुभं त्वशुभेऽधिके ।
दशाफलं नभोगस्य तथा भावफलं द्विज ! ॥ १२ ॥
11-12. NATURE OF EFFECT'S DUE TO DIG BALA ETC: A planet's Dig bala is to be regarded as his dika phala (directional strength) and his Dina Bala as Dina phala (Effects due to day).
Whatever amount of strength they have is spoken of as their auspicious effect and if it (auspicious effect) is deducted from 60, the remainder as inauspicious effect. O Brahmin, if the auspicious effect exceeds, then the Dasa phala and Bhavaphala of the planets should be known auspicious; and if the inauspicious effect exceeds then these (Dasa phala and Bhava phala) are to be known as Hinauspicious.
बलैः षड्भिः समेधित्वा बलैक्येन भजेत् पृथक् ।
तत्तद्बलफलानि स्युरशुभानि शुभानि च ॥ १३ ॥
शुभपापफलाभ्यां च हन्याद् दृष्टि बलं तथा ।
दृष्टि ते शुभपापाख्ये बले स्यातां तदाह्वये ॥ १४ ॥
13-14. *SAPTA VARGAJA BALA AND ISHTA-KASHTA (Continued):*The various effects (the effects of the other Shada vargas vide Slokas by 7-9 supra) should be multipled by their respective shada bala and the summation of their effects should be divided by the summation of their Shadabalas. The products and the quotients should be considered respectively their auspicious and inanspicious strengths and effects. And by multiplying their respective aspects and their respective strengths by their respective auspicious and inauspicious effects are to be taken respectively as their auspicious and inauspicious aspects and strengths.
भावानां च फले प्रोक्ते पतीनां च फले उभे ।
राशौ शुभनभोगश्चेद् भावसाधनसंभवम् ॥ १५ ॥
फलं तस्य शुभे युञ्ज्यादशुभे वर्जयेत् तथा ।
पापश्चेदन्यथा चैवं बले दृष्टयां तथैव च ॥ १६ ॥
युञ्जयादुच्चादिगे खेटे फलं नीचादिगे त्यजेत् ।
एवं शुभाऽशुभं ज्ञात्वा जातकस्य फलं वदेत् ॥ १७ ॥
अष्टवर्गफलं चैवं स्थाने च करणेऽन्यथा ।
राशिद्वयगते भावे तद्राश्यधिपतेः क्रिया ॥ १८ ॥
स्थानाधिकेन भावेन भावलाभः. प्रकीर्तितः ।
तत्समाने च तद्भावे तदानीं स्थानदान् ग्रहान् ॥ १९ ॥
संयोज्य स्थानसंख्याया दलमेतत्समं फलम् ।
एवं सखेटभावानां फलं ज्ञेयं शुभाऽशुभम् ॥ २० ॥
15-20. The auspicious and inauspicious effects of the Houses and their Lords have been spoken of. The actual effect will be the summation of the effect of the House and of its Lord. If there is a benefic in the House add the same to the auspicious effects and deduct it from the inauspicious effects and that will be the net auspicious and inauspicious effects respectively. If there is a malefic in the House, the process should be reversed (deduction from the auspicious and addition to the inauspicious effects) to know the auspicious and inauspicious effects: Similar is the case with respect to the aspects and strengths. And if the planet is in his exaltation sign etc. even then the effect is to be added to and deducted from the auspicious and inauspicious effects respectively. If he is in his debilitation sign etc the process is to be reversed. In Ashtaka vargas also add to the auspicious points and deduct from the inauspicious ones. If a House is occupied by two signs then the process of adding and subtracting should be done according to the lords of the two signs. In that case whichever sign has most Bindus (Ashtavarga Rekha) that sign will yield more favourable results concerning that House, and if both the signs have more auspicious Bindus (Rekha) then take the average. Thus the auspicious and inauspicious effects should be considered and then predictions should be made about the native.
Practice
Name the six strengths and say in a phrase what each measures.
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Answer: Sthāna Bala — positional strength, from dignity across the vargas. Dig Bala — directional strength, from which house a planet prefers. Kāla Bala — temporal strength, from the time of birth. Cheṣṭā Bala — motional strength, from a planet's apparent motion. Naisargika Bala — natural, fixed strength by planet. Dṛg Bala — aspectual strength, from the aspects it receives.
Six genuinely different questions about the same planet: where it is, which direction it favours, when it was born, how it is moving, what it inherently is, and who is looking at it. Understanding that they are independent is most of what Ṣaḍbala is for — a planet can score high on one and low on another, and the total conceals which.
Source: BPHS 29
Give an example where dignity and strength come apart, and one where strength and benefic nature come apart.
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Answer: An exalted planet with poor Dig Bala, weak Cheṣṭā and no benefic aspects can have a low Ṣaḍbala total — dignified but weak. And an exalted Saturn is a natural malefic operating at full capacity — strong, and no less malefic for it.
These two examples are the whole unit. Dignity asks is this planet at home in this sign. Strength asks how much force can it bring to bear, on six independent measures. Benefic nature asks what kind of thing does it do. Three questions, three answers, and no implication runs between any two of them. Once you have that, several things you have read this course stop seeming contradictory.
Verse 1 of Chapter 30 says Iṣṭa and Kaṣṭa Bala are given so the astrologer knows the good and evil effects planets give in their daśās. What does that tell you about the purpose of the whole strength apparatus?
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Answer: That strength exists to be used at the moment of timing — to say what a planet will actually deliver when its period arrives.
This is the clearest statement in Volume 1 of why any of this matters. Chapters 29 and 30 are not an end in themselves; they are the machinery that makes daśā interpretation meaningful. When you reach Week 8 and are told that a Mahādaśā's result depends on the planet's condition, this chapter is what "condition" means. Reading Chapter 30's first verse now makes the whole of Module 5 more coherent.
Source: BPHS 30.1
Two indications about the same life area disagree. One rests on a planet with high Ṣaḍbala; the other on a planet with low Ṣaḍbala. Does the first win?
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Answer: Usually it carries more weight, but not automatically — you still need to know what each planet is delivering and whether it is functionally benefic for this ascendant.
A high-Ṣaḍbala planet that is functionally malefic and rules a Duḥsthāna delivers its difficulty forcefully. Strength amplifies whatever is there. So the correct move is two-step: use strength to decide how loud each voice is, and use nature and lordship to decide what each voice is saying. Week 6's Chapter 36 supplies the second half, which is why the two weeks sit together in one module boundary.
Why does this course put Ṣaḍbala computation firmly in the "software does it" category?
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Answer: Because the arithmetic is long, mechanical and error-prone, and no interpretive skill is developed by performing it.
Compare this with the balance-at-birth calculation in Week 8, which the course does ask you to do by hand once. The difference is that the balance calculation makes the nakshatra basis of Viṁśottarī concrete — doing it teaches you something about what the system is. Grinding out Kāla Bala teaches you arithmetic. The test for whether a calculation is worth doing manually is whether it changes your understanding of the concept, and Ṣaḍbala fails that test while several other calculations pass it.
Apply it to a chart
Chart B — Albert Einstein, the synthesis chart — A whole documented life, where the evidence pulls in more than one direction. · about 20 min
| Graha | Sign | House | Degree | Nakshatra | Condition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sun | Pisces | 10 | 1°20'30" | Purva Bhadrapada 4 | neutral |
| Moon | Scorpio | 6 | 21°47'54" | Jyeshtha 2 | debilitated |
| Mars | Capricorn | 8 | 4°44'52" | Uttara Ashadha 3 | exalted |
| Mercury | Pisces | 10 | 10°58'43" | Uttara Bhadrapada 3 | debilitated |
| Jupiter | Aquarius | 9 | 5°19'05" | Dhanishtha 4 | neutral |
| Venus | Pisces | 10 | 24°49'11" | Revati 3 | exalted |
| Saturn | Pisces | 10 | 12°01'26" | Uttara Bhadrapada 3 | neutral |
| Rahu | Capricorn | 8 | 9°18'36" | Uttara Ashadha 4 | not assigned in BPHS |
| Ketu | Cancer | 2 | 9°18'36" | Pushya 2 | not assigned in BPHS |
| Lagna | Gemini | 1 | 19°38'02" | Ardra | lord Mercury |
The best use of this unit is not to compute anything but to find a case where the three ideas come apart. Einstein's 10th house provides one immediately.
- In Chart B, Venus is exalted in the 10th and Mercury is debilitated in the same house. Both are natural benefics. Write down, for each, its dignity and its natural nature as two separate facts.
- Now add the third: which of the two is likely stronger in Ṣaḍbala? You cannot compute it, but you can reason about several components. Mercury and Venus are both in Pisces, in the 10th, in the same chart, so Sthāna and Kendrādi treat them similarly. What separates them?
- The Moon in this chart is debilitated in the 6th. Saturn is neutral in the 10th. Which of those two is in the better position, and by which measure? Notice that you have to say by which measure to answer at all.
- Find one place in this chart where a natural malefic is well placed. State what that means in the form: a strong X is more effectively X — and finish the sentence.
- On your own chart, if your software reports Ṣaḍbala: list the six figures for your Lagna lord and see which component is carrying the total.
Check your understanding
Answer from memory first. Looking back at the reading before you try turns a memory test into a copying exercise.
Which strength component varies with the direction a planet prefers, and which planets prefer which?
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Answer: Dig Bala. The Sun and Mars are strongest in the 10th, Jupiter and Mercury in the Lagna, Venus and the Moon in the 4th, Saturn in the 7th.
Note that BPHS states this as an angular difference from a house rather than as a compass direction — verse 7 subtracts the 4th house from the Sun and Mars, the 7th from Jupiter and Mercury, and so on. Reading the verse rather than a summary table is worth doing here, because summaries of Dig Bala vary in exactly which house each planet is measured from.
Source: BPHS 29.7
A student says "Jupiter is a benefic, so a strong Jupiter is good news." What is right and what is missing?
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Answer: The natural nature is right; what is missing is which houses Jupiter rules in this chart and whether it is functionally benefic for this ascendant.
For a Taurus ascendant Jupiter rules the 8th and 11th, and its behaviour is correspondingly complicated. Natural benefic nature is a fact about the planet; functional nature is a fact about the planet in this chart, and Chapter 36 next week is entirely about the difference. Meanwhile "strong" remains a third, separate question.
Where in BPHS would you look for what the six strengths are, and where for how benefic or malefic potency is measured?
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Answer: Chapter 29 for Ṣaḍbala; Chapter 30 for Iṣṭa and Kaṣṭa Bala.
Worth having separately because they answer different questions. Ṣaḍbala asks how much force a planet has; Iṣṭa and Kaṣṭa ask how much of that force is auspicious and how much is not. A planet can be strong and mostly Kaṣṭa.
Chapter 29 was the legacy project's designated checkpoint for whether BPHS assigns own signs to Rahu and Ketu. Does it?
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Show the answer and why
Answer: No. The Saptavargaja and other components are given for the seven grahas only.
So the position established in Week 1 stands unchanged: BPHS does not assign sign lordship to Rahu and Ketu, from Chapter 3 through Chapter 29 and, as you will see, through Chapter 36 as well. The common modern assignment of Aquarius to Rahu and Scorpio to Ketu is not Parashara's, and this course continues to say so rather than importing it. That is now checked at three separate points in the text rather than asserted once.
What you carry forward
Two things grow across the whole course. This unit adds to both.
To your chart-analysis process
- **Step 8 (opened) — assess dignity, strength, support and affliction.** Weigh factors rather than listing them. Keep strength, natural nature and dignity as three separate readings on every planet.
To your field manual
- Ṣaḍbala's six: Sthāna (positional, from dignity across vargas), Dig (directional), Kāla (temporal), Cheṣṭā (motional), Naisargika (natural, fixed by planet), Dṛg (aspectual).
- Dig Bala houses: Sun and Mars — 10th. Jupiter and Mercury — Lagna. Venus and Moon — 4th. Saturn — 7th.
- Iṣṭa and Kaṣṭa Bala measure how much of a planet's force is auspicious and how much is not. Ch. 30 verse 1 says explicitly that this is for judging daśā results.
- STRENGTH ≠ BENEFIC NATURE ≠ DIGNITY. A strong malefic is more effectively malefic. An exalted planet can be weak in Ṣaḍbala.
- Use strength to decide how loud a factor is; use nature and lordship to decide what it is saying.
- BPHS assigns no sign lordship to Rahu and Ketu — confirmed at Ch. 3, Ch. 29 and Ch. 36.
By now you should be able to
- Name the six components of Ṣaḍbala and say what each measures
- Distinguish strength, benefic nature and dignity, with an example of each pair coming apart
- Explain what Iṣṭa and Kaṣṭa Bala add that Ṣaḍbala does not
- Say when a Ṣaḍbala figure changes an answer and when it does not