Part 15: Summary and Quick Reference
The Complete Framework
We've journeyed through 14 parts exploring planetary and house strength calculations. This reference chapter distills the entire Shadbala system into quick-lookup formulas—your field manual for practical astrology.
"Shadbala comprises of six sources of strength, namely Sthanabala, Digbala, Kalabala, Chestabala, Naisargikabala and Drikbala." — B.V. Raman
This part serves as your permanent bookmark. Keep it open while calculating charts—all essential formulas, point values, and thresholds in one place.
I. Sthanabala (Positional Strength)
Five sub-components measure a planet's positional advantage:
1. Ochchabala (Exaltation Strength)
Formula: (Planet's Longitude − Debilitation Point) ÷ 3
Maximum: 60 shashtiamsas at exact exaltation point
2. Sapthavargajabala (Varga Strength)
Point System:
- Moolathrikona: 45 points
- Swavarga (Own sign): 30 points
- Adhimitra (Intimate friend): 22.5 points
- Mitra (Friend): 15 points
- Sama (Neutral): 7.5 points
- Satru (Enemy): 3.75 points
- Adhisatru (Bitter enemy): 1.875 points
Sum across Rasi, Hora, Drekkana, Saptamsa, Navamsa, Dwadasamsa, Trimsamsa
3. Ojayugmarasibala (Odd/Even Sign Strength)
Odd signs & navamsas: Sun, Mars, Jupiter, Mercury, Saturn → 15 each
Even signs & navamsas: Moon, Venus → 15 each
4. Kendrabala (Angular Strength)
Kendras (1,4,7,10): 60 shashtiamsas
Panaparas (2,5,8,11): 30 shashtiamsas
Apoklimas (3,6,9,12): 15 shashtiamsas
5. Drekkanabala (Decanate Strength)
1st Drekkana: Sun, Jupiter, Mars → 60 each
2nd Drekkana: Saturn, Mercury → 60 each
3rd Drekkana: Moon, Venus → 60 each
II. Digbala (Directional Strength)
Cardinal Directions:
- East (1st house): Jupiter, Mercury
- South (10th house): Sun, Mars
- West (7th house): Saturn
- North (4th house): Moon, Venus
Formula: (Planet's Longitude − Depression Point) ÷ 3
Depression point = 180° from power point
III. Kalabala (Temporal Strength)
Nine time-based components:
1. Nathonnathbala (Diurnal/Nocturnal)
Diurnal (Sun, Jupiter, Venus): Birth Time (degrees) ÷ 3
Nocturnal (Moon, Mars, Saturn): (180° − Birth Time) ÷ 3
Mercury always gets 60
2. Pakshabala (Lunar Fortnight)
Waxing Moon: (Moon − Sun) ÷ 3 for benefics
Waning Moon: (Sun − Moon) ÷ 3 for malefics
3. Tribhagabala (Daily Thirds)
Day: 1st third (Mercury), 2nd third (Sun), 3rd third (Saturn) → 60 each
Night: 1st third (Moon), 2nd third (Venus), 3rd third (Mars) → 60 each
Jupiter always gets 60
4-7. Lord Strengths (Varsha/Masa/Dina/Hora)
Abdabala (Year lord): 15 shashtiamsas
Masabala (Month lord): 30 shashtiamsas
Varabala (Weekday lord): 45 shashtiamsas
Horabala (Hour lord): 60 shashtiamsas
Requires Ahargana calculation from epoch
8. Ayanabala (Declination Strength)
Formula: (24° ± Declination) ÷ 48 × 60
Add: Sun, Jupiter, Mars, Venus in North; Moon, Saturn in South
All planets get 30 at equator
9. Yuddhabala (Planetary War)
Occurs when: Two planets within 1° (except Sun/Moon)
Winner: Planet with lesser longitude
Formula: (Sum of winner's balas − loser's balas) ÷ (Disc diameter difference)
IV. Chestabala (Motional Strength)
General Formula:
(Seeghrochcha − Average of True & Mean Longitudes) ÷ 3
Retrograde planets gain extra strength. Sun/Moon have special formulas.
V. Naisargikabala (Natural Strength)
Fixed Values (brightest to dimmest):
| Planet | Shashtiamsas | Rupas |
|---|---|---|
| Sun | 60.00 | 1.00 |
| Moon | 51.43 | 0.857 |
| Venus | 42.85 | 0.714 |
| Jupiter | 34.28 | 0.571 |
| Mercury | 25.70 | 0.428 |
| Mars | 17.14 | 0.286 |
| Saturn | 8.57 | 0.143 |
VI. Drikbala (Aspect Strength)
Six Angular Formulas:
- 30°–60°: (Angle − 30°) ÷ 2
- 60°–90°: (Angle − 60°) + 15
- 90°–120°: (120° − Angle) ÷ 2 + 30
- 120°–150°: 150° − Angle
- 150°–180°: (Angle − 150°) × 2
- 180°–300°: (300° − Angle) ÷ 2
Special Aspects (add to normal Drishti):
- Mars: 4th & 8th houses → +15
- Jupiter: 5th & 9th houses → +30
- Saturn: 3rd & 10th houses → +45
Benefic aspects add (+), malefic aspects subtract (−)
VII. Bhavabala (House Strength)
Three Components:
- Bhavadhipathi Bala: Total Shadbala of house lord
- Bhava Digbala: Based on Lagna type (Nara, Jalachara, Chatushpada, Keeta)
- Bhava Drigbala: Net aspects to house midpoint (Bhavamadhya)
Bhava Digbala Table: Varies by ascendant sign type. Nara Rasis (Gemini, Virgo, Libra, Aquarius, 1st half Sagittarius) give maximum 60 at 1st house; Jalachara (Cancer, Pisces, 2nd half Capricorn) at 4th; Chatushpada (Aries, Taurus, Leo, 2nd half Sagittarius, 1st half Capricorn) at 10th; Keeta (Scorpio) at 7th.
Minimum Strength Thresholds
B.V. Raman provides required minimum Shadbala for planets to function effectively:
| Planet | Min Shashtiamsas | Min Rupas | What Happens Below Threshold |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sun | 300 | 5.00 | Weak vitality, poor father relations, career struggles |
| Moon | 360 | 6.00 | Emotional instability, poor mother relations, mental weakness |
| Mars | 300 | 5.00 | Low energy, property issues, sibling conflicts |
| Mercury | 420 | 7.00 | Poor communication, business failures, learning difficulties |
| Jupiter | 390 | 6.50 | Lack of wisdom, children issues, poor fortune |
| Venus | 330 | 5.50 | Relationship problems, financial instability, low comforts |
| Saturn | 300 | 5.00 | Chronic obstacles, servant problems, longevity concerns |
Critical Note: A planet below minimum threshold cannot deliver positive results during its Dasa/Bhukti periods, even if it owns benefic houses. Its significations remain compromised throughout the native's life unless strengthened through remedial measures.
Using This Reference
For Chart Analysis:
- Calculate all six Shadbalas for each planet
- Sum to get Total Shadbala
- Compare against minimum thresholds
- Calculate Bhava Bala for relevant houses
- Compute Ishta/Kashta Phalas for prediction
For Dasa Prediction:
- Check Dasa lord's total Shadbala
- Calculate Ishta and Kashta Phalas
- Examine ratio (high Ishta = favorable period)
- Check strength of houses ruled/aspected by Dasa lord
- Combine with Bhukti lord's strength for sub-period timing
What's Next: Reference Tables
Parts 16-18 provide the astronomical calculation tables and technical term index:
- Part 16: Ahargana tables (1827-2000) and mean motion tables for Sun, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn
- Part 17: Mercury and Venus product tables with usage instructions
- Part 18: Complete index of Sanskrit technical terms with definitions
These serve as permanent reference materials for practical Shadbala calculations.