Chapter 4 - The various kinds of Strengths of Planets and Houses

In warding off evil and in promoting auspicious effects Jupiter is the most powerful of all planets. Venus possesses half of the auspicious effects of Jupiter and Mercury possesses only half of that of Venus. But the Moon's strength is the foundation of the strength of all the planets.
source - phaladeepika

Chapter 4 - The various kinds of Strengths of Planets and Houses

The Naisargik or natural friendship and enmity etc. of the planets is more fully effective and preferable to their corresponding Tatkalik or temporal ones as the latter is only of changing nature and not of permanent one.
source - phaladeepika

Chapter 4 - The various kinds of Strengths of Planets and Houses

The aspect from the 7th house is the only one that should be considered as most effective in all cases. But some learneds are of the view that the special aspects of Jupiter (to the 5th and the 9th), of Mars (to the 4th and the 8th) and of Saturn (to the 3rd and the 10th) are equally competent in producing effects in all Yogas and the like.
source - phaladeepika

Chapter 4 - The various kinds of Strengths of Planets and Houses

The planets are vested with full positional strength in the Ascendant (first house), 3/4th strength in the 7th house, 1/2 in the 10th house and 1/4 in the 4th house. This is how a distinction has been drawn by the astrologers amongst the four kendras.
source - phaladeepika

Chapter 4 - The various kinds of Strengths of Planets and Houses

If a planet is in his sign of exaltation he gets one Rupa of positional strength (Sthana Bala). He gets 3/4 of this strength in his Moolatrikona Rasi, 1/2 Rupa in his own sign and 1/4 Rupa in his friend's sign. He gets very little strength when he is in his enemy's sign. If a planet is in his sign of depression or is combust, he gets no positional strength at all.
source - phaladeepika

Chapter 4 - The various kinds of Strengths of Planets and Houses

The first house gets one Rupa of strength if it is a triped sign. If it be Vrischika it gets 1 /4 Rupa as its strength. In any other sign the strength will be 1/2 Rupa.

The strength of the Ascendant (Lagna) is equal to that of its Lord and is very powerful when the lord occupies an Upachaya house (3, 6, 10, 11). It is also very powerful when it .is aspected by its lord Jupiter or Mercury or when it is occupied by Venus and is at the same time without the conjunction or aspect of any other planet.

The day signs are strong in births during day time and the night signs in birth during night time.
source - phaladeepika

Chapter 4 - The various kinds of Strengths of Planets and Houses

All planets are strong when they are posited in their sign of exaltation. The Moon is strong and auspicious when she has her full Paksha Bala. The Sun has his full Dik Bala when he is in the 10th house. The other five non-luminous planets are strong when they are retrograde.

Rahu is strong in Cancer, Taurus, Aries, Aquarius and Scorpio and Ketu is strong in Pisces, Virgo, Taurus and the latter half of Sagittarius and in Partvesha and Indrachapa when the Sun and the Moon are together in the same sign.
source - phaladeepika

Chapter 4 - The various kinds of Strengths of Planets and Houses

Even if a planet be in his sign of debilitation or debilitated Navamsa, he is vested with full strength if he is retrograde and if his rays are full and brilliant.
Like the Moon, a planet will be treated as weak if his rays are eclipsed (on account of being near the Sun) even though he may be posited in his sign of exaltation, in his own or a friend's sign or Navamsa. This means that even if the Moon be in Taurus or Cancer, if she is very near or with the Sun, she will be considered weak. A debilitated Moon when she is full (on Pooran masi night) will be treated as strong. This principle applies to other planets also.
source - phaladeepika

Chapter 4 - The various kinds of Strengths of Planets and Houses

A planet gets Sthana Bala (positional strength) according to position in his sign of exaltation, in his own sign, in his friend's sign or in the six vargas.
A planet obtains one Rupa of strength in a Kendra, 1/2 Rupa in a Panaphara house and 1/4 in an Apoklima house.

The hemaphrodite planets are strong in the middle of the sign (11° to 20°), male planets in the first part of a sign (1° to 10°) and female in the last part of the sign (21° to -30°).

Saturn, Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, Venus, the Moon and the Sun are in their order for increasing natural or inherent strength (Naisargik Bala). This means Mars is stronger than Saturn, Mercury is stronger than Mars, Jupiter is stronger than Mercury, Venus is stronger than Jupiter; the Moon is stronger than Venus and the Sun is stronger than the Moon. The Sun is the strongest and the Saturn is the weakest in inherent strength or Naisargika Bala.
source - phaladeepika

Chapter 4 - The various kinds of Strengths of Planets and Houses

The Moon gets Chesta Bala when it is full. The Sun gets this strength when he is on the northern course. The other planets get Chesta Bala when they are in retrograde motion.

The planets are victorious in the planetary course when they are in the north and are not combust. A planet is said to possess full Uchcha Bala when he is in deep exaltation position.
As regards directional strength or Dik Bala the Sun and Mars get this strength when they are in the 10th house. Mercury and Jupiter get directional strength when they are in the 1st house (Lagna), Saturn gets this strength in the 7th house and the Moon and Venus in the 4th house.

Mercury, Saturn and the Moon get Ayana bala when they are on the Southern course. The rest are vested with Ayana bala when they are on the northern course.
source - phaladeepika

Chapter 4 - The various kinds of Strengths of Planets and Houses

The benefics are strong during the bright half of the month (Shukla Paksha) and the malefics are strong during the dark half of the month (Krishna Paksha).

Planets when they are lords of the year, month, day and house get 1/4, 1/2, 3/4, and 1 Rupa of strength respectively.
source - phaladeepika

Chapter 4 - The various kinds of Strengths of Planets and Houses

Bhava Bala (The strength of houses or Bhavas)
In working out the strength of houses the strength of the following has to be calculated :
(1) The strength of the lord of the house.
(2) The Dik Bala of the house
(3) The strength of the benefic aspects.


Bhava Dik Bala

(a) Gemini, Virgo, Libra and first part of Sagittarius are biped signs. If these signs be in the Lagna, they obtain one Rupa of strength. If they be in the 7th, the strength will be nil. For the intervening houses, the strength has to be worked out proportionately.

(b) Aries, Taurus, Leo, the latter half of Sagittarius and the first half of Capricorn are quadruped signs. If they represent the 10th house, they achieve one Rupa of strength. In the 4th house, their strength will be nil. In between other houses the strength has to be calculated proportionately.

(c) Cancer and Scorpio are Keeta signs. If they represent the 7th house, they get one Rupa of strength. In the first house, their strength will be nil. For the intervening houses, the strength has to be calculated proportionately.

(d) Pisces and the latter half of Capricorn are watery signs (Jala Rasis). If they represent the fourth house, they obtain one Rupa of strength. In the 10th house their strength will be nil. For the intervening houses the strength will have to be calculated proportionately.

Auspicious and Inauspicious Drishti (as per Bold)

If there be more of benefic aspect on a house, deduct quantum of malefic aspect from it and the strength of the lord of the house and add Bhawa Dik Bala to it. The result will be the total strength of the house.
If the malefic aspects are more than the benefic aspects, deduct the quantum of the latter from that of the former. Further deduct the result from the total of the strength of the lord of the house and Bhava Dik Bala. The net result will be the strength of the house (Bhava) concerned.

Please refer to Jataka Padhati by Bhu Deva for determining the quantums of malefic and benefic aspects. Keshavi Jataka and Sripati Padhati will also be helpful.
source - phaladeepika

Chapter 4 - The various kinds of Strengths of Planets and Houses

Drig Bala

This kind of strength is derived from aspect. If a planet is aspected by benefic planets , the aspect is considered as benefic (favourable). To work out the strength of aspect, the difference in degrees etc., of the aspecting and aspected planet has to be worked out arithmetically.

If any planet is aspected by malefic planets, the aspect is treated as malefic (unfavourable). The strength of the aspect is to be worked out arithmetically. For details see Sripati Padhati.
source - phaladeepika

Chapter 4 - The various kinds of Strengths of Planets and Houses

Naisargik Bala (Inherent strength)
This strength is inherent in the planet and never changes.

The Naisargik Bala of the Sun is 60 Shastayamsa, of the Moon 51.3, of Venus 42.85, of Jupiter 34.28, of Mercury 25.70, of Mars 17.14 and of Saturn 8.57 Shastayamsa.
source - phaladeepika

Chapter 4 - The various kinds of Strengths of Planets and Houses

Chesta Bala

The Sun and the Moon are never retrograde in their motions. The remaining planets viz. Mars, Mercury, Jupiter. Venus and Saturn have both direct and retrograde motions. The strength which the planets obtain by virtue of their motions is called Chesta Bala (Motional strength). To work out this strength the facts regarding Mandoucha, Kshetra and Kendra etc., have to be worked out. This involves lot of arithmetical calculations. It is not possible to give those details here for lack of space. Still some information in this regard is given below —

(a) If the planet is retrograde he gets 60 Shastayamsa (one Rupa) of strength.
(b) If he is Anuvakra he gets 30 Shastayamsa of strength.
(c) If he is Vikala, he gets 15 Shastayamsa of strength.
(d) If he is in Samagama, he gets 30 Shastayamsa of strength.
(e) If he is Manda (This means motion be increasing but be less than the medium motion) and direct he gets 15 Shastayamsa of strength.
(f) If he is Mandatara (The motion be decreasing but be more than the medium motion) and direct, he gets 15 Shastayamsa of strength).
(g) If the motion be fast and be direct, he gets 45 Shastayamsa of strength.
(h) If motion be faster, and direct, he obtains 30 Shastayamsa of strength.
source - phaladeepika

Chapter 4 - The various kinds of Strengths of Planets and Houses

Yudha Bala

(9) This is the ninth kind of strength under the heading 'Kala Bala'. Besides the Sun and the Moon if amongst the other planets (Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, Venus and Saturn) any two be in the same Rasi, degree and minute, they are considered to be at war. For the method to work out Yudha Bala, refer to Sripati Padhati, Keshavi Jataka or Brihat Parasara Hora Shastra.
source - phaladeepika

Chapter 4 - The various kinds of Strengths of Planets and Houses

Ayana Bala

(8) From the centre line of the sky some planets are in the north. Then they are said to have northern declination. If they are in the South they are said to have southern declination. One exactly on the centre line has no declination.

(a) If the Sun, Moon, Jupiter and Venus have 24° of northern declination they get 1 Rupa of Ayana Bala. This strength is nil if they have 24° of southern declination. For the intervening declinations, the strength has to be looked proportionately.

(b) The Moon and Saturn get one Rupa of Ayana Bala when they have 24° of Southern declinations. For the intervening declinations, the strength has to be worked out proportionately.

(c) Mercury has been given special consideration in this respect. He gets 30 Shastayamsa of Ayana Bala if his declination is 0 degree. The strength increases with the increase in declination from 0°-24° and he will get one Rupa of Ayana Bala when he has 24° of northern declination. He also gets one Rupa of strength when his southern declination is 24°. For the intervening degrees of northern and southern declinations, the strength has to be calculated proportionately.

(d) The Ayan Bala obtained by the Sun is to be doubled because the Sun is always direct and never retrograde. As he does not get any Chesta Bala, his Ayana Bala is doubled.
source - phaladeepika

Chapter 4 - The various kinds of Strengths of Planets and Houses

Kala Bala

(1) (a) The Sun, Jupiter and Venus get 1 Rupa of strength exactly at mid- noon. Exactly at mid-night they are devoid of any strength. For the intervening periods the strength has to be calculated proportionately.
(b) The Moon, Mars and Saturn get one Rupa of strength if the birth is exactly at mid-night. Exactly at mid-noon, their strength is nil. For the intervening periods, the strength has to be calculated proportionately.
(c) Mercury gets one Rupa of strength if the birth be at any time during the day time.


(2) (a) When the Sun and the Moon are at a distance of 180° from each other, the benefics get one Rupa of strength. When they are together the benefics get no strength at all. For the intervening distances, the strength has to be calculated proportionately.
The Moon, Mercury, Jupiter and Venus are benefics. Keshavi Jatak is of the view that Mercury if associated with a malefic becomes a malefic. But some Acharyas are of the view that for determining kala Bala Mercury should be treated as a benefic.

(b) When the Sun and the Moon are In the same sign and the same degree, the malefics get 60 Shastayamsa (one Rupa of Kala Bala). If they are (the Sun and the Moon) 180° away from each other, the Kala bala of the malefics will be nil In the intervening distances, the strength is to be worked out proportionately. The Sun, Mars and Saturn are malefics.
This strength is known as Paksha Bala which comes under the purview of Kala Bala.

(c) The Paksha Bala of the Moon should be doubled (the Moon is never retrograde. Therefore it never gets Chesta Bala. Therefore, Paksha Bala of the Moon is doubled).


(3) (a) Divide the Dinamana (the time between Sunrise and Sunset) into three parts, if the birth is during the day. If the birth be in the first part Mercury will get one Rupa of Paksha Bala. If the birth be in the second part of Dinamana, the Sun will get one Rupa of Paksha Bala. If the birth be in the 3rd part, Saturn will get one Rupa of this strength.
(b) Divide the Ratrimana (the time between Sunset and Sunrise) into three parts, if the birth be during the night. If the birth be in the first part, the Moon will get one Rupa of strength. If the birth be in the second part, Venus will get one Rupa of this strength, and if the birth be in the third part Mars will get similar quantum of strength.
(c) Jupiter will get one Rupa of this strength if the birth be at any time during the 24 hours.

(4) One year is of 360 days and one month is of 30 days Find out the day of the week from which the year commences, the lord of that day becomes the lord of the year. The lord of the year gets 15 Shastayamsa of strength.


(5) Similarly find out the day of the week from which the month commences, the lord of that day gets 30 Shastayamsa of strength.


(6) The lord of the day in which birth takes place, gets 45 Shastayamsa of strength.


(7) The planet in whose hora the birth takes place gets one Rupa of strength.
source - phaladeepika

Chapter 4 - The various kinds of Strengths of Planets and Houses

Drik bala (Directional strength)

(a) Amongst the Sun and Mars, whoever Is the 10th Bhava madhya (South) gets 1 Rupa strength. Their strength is nil if they are located in the 4th Bhava madhya. In the intervening locations, the strength has to be calculated proportionately.

(b) Amongst the Moon and Venus, whoever is in 4th Bhava madhya (North) gets 1 Rupa of strength. Their strength is nil if they are located in the 10th Bhava madhya. In the intervening locations their strength has to be calculated proportionately.

(c) Amongst Mercury and Jupiter, whoever is in the Bhava madhya of the 1st Bhava (Lagna) (East) get 1 Rupa of strength. Their strength is nil if located in 7th Bhava madhya (West).

(d) If Saturn is in the 7th Bhava madhya, he gets 1 Rupa of strength. In the 1st Bhava madhya his strength is nil. In the intervening locations the strength has to be calculated proportionately.
source - phaladeepika

Chapter 4 - The various kinds of Strengths of Planets and Houses

Sthan Bala Contains twelve type of strength contributing factors or kinds of Sthan bala exist as follows :
(1) Uchcha Bala —A planet at his deep exaltation point, is allotted 1 Rupa (60 Shastayamsa). If he is at his deep debilitation point, his strength is nil. At the intervening positions the strength are given as follows. This is known as Uchcha Bala.

(2) If a planet is in his Moolatrikona Rasi he gets 36 Shastayamsa of strength. In the Rasi of Adhimitra he gets 22.5 Shastayamsa and 15 Shastayamsa if he is in the sign of a friend. He gets 7.5 Shastayamsa in a neutral Rasi, 3.75 in the Rasi of an enemy and 1.875 Shastayamsa in the Rasi of Adhishatru.

(3) He gets 30 Shastayamsa in his own Hora, 22.5 Shastayamsa in the Hora of Adhimitra, 15 Shastayamsa in the Hora of a friend, 7.5 Shastayamsa in the Hora of a neutral, 3.75 Shastayamsa in the Hora of an enemy and 1.875 Shastayamsa only in the Hora of a Adhishatru.

(4) He gets 30 Shastayamsa strength in his own decanate, 22.5 Shastayamsa in the decanate of an Adhimitra, 15 Shastayamsa in the decanate of a friend, 7.5 Shastayamsa in the decanate of a neutral, 3.75 Shastayamsa in the decanate of an enemy and 1,875 Shastayamsa in the decanate of Adhishatru.

(5) He gets 30 Shastayamsa in his own Saptamsa, 22.5 in the Saptamsa of Adhimitra, 15 in the Saptamsa of a friend, 7.5 in the Saptamsa of a neutral, 3.75 in the Saptamsa of an enemy and 1.875 Shastayamsa in the Saptamsa of an Adhishatru.

(6) He gets 30 Shastayamsa of strength in his own Navamsa. 22.5 in the Navamsa of an Adhimitra, 15 in the Navamsa of a friend. 7.5 in the Navamsa of a neutral, 3.75 in the Navamsa of an enemy and only 1.875 in the Navamsa of an Adhishatru.

(7) A planet gets 30 Shastayamsa of strength if he is in own Dwadasamsa, 22.5 in the Dwadasamsa of his Adhimitra, 15 in the Dwadasamsa of a friend, 7.5 in the Dwadasamsa of his neutral, 3.75 in the Dwadasamsa of his enemy and 1.875 in the Dwadasamsa of his Adhishatru.

(8) A planet gets 30 Shastayamsa in his own Trimsamsa, 22.5 in the Trimsamsa of his Adhimitra, 15 in the Trimsamsa of his friend, 7.5 in the Trimsamsa of his neutral, 3.75 in the Trimsamsa of his enemy and 1.875 in the Trimsamsa of his Adhishatru.

(9-10) (a) The Sun, Mars, Mercury and Saturn amongst those five whoever is in an Oja Rasi (viz. Aries, Gemini, Leo, Libra, Sagittarius and Aquarius) gets 15 Shastayamsa.
(b) Amongst the Moon and Venus, whoever is in Yugma (Taurus, Cancer, Virgo, Scorpio, Capricorn or Pisces) Navamsa, gets 15 Shastayamsas.

(11) A planet in Kendra Rasi gets 1 Rupa (60 Shastayamsa). That in a Panaphara Rasi gets 30 Shastayamsa and on an Apoklima Rasi gets 15 Shastayamsa.

(12) (a) Amongst the Sun, Mars and Jupiter whoever is in the first Drekkana gets 15 Shastayamsa of strength. In other Drekkanas they get no strength at all.
(b) Amongst Saturn and Mercury, whoever is in the 2nd Drekkana, gets 15 Shastayamsa of strength.
(c) Amongst the Moon and Venus, whoever is in the last Drekkana. gets 15 Shastayamsa of strength.

These 12 combinations are known as Sthan Bala. In Sanskrit they are called, (1) Uchcha Bala, (2) — (8) Saptavarga Bala, (9) Oja Yugma Rasi Bala. (10) Oja-Yugma navamsa Bala, (11) Kendradi Bala and (12) Dreshtakana Bala.
source - phaladeepika

Chapter 4 - The various kinds of Strengths of Planets and Houses

Six kinds of strength or Shadbala of planets is an important and very useful section in Hindu Astrology. According to our learned sages the six kinds of strengths are (1) Sthan Bala, (2) Drik Bala, (3) Kala Bala, (4) Chesta Bala, (5) Naisargik Bala, and (6) Ayana Bala.
source - phaladeepika

Chapter 1 - Information and characteristic features of the Signs (Rasis) and the houses (Bhavas)

The first thing is to ascertain the exact time of birth of the native minutely in Ghatikas, Vighatikas etc., on the basis of tool measurement or by the gnomonic shadow and other apparatus. Then the positions of the planets (longitude) in Rasi (sign), amsa (degrees), Kala (minutes), and Vikala should be worked out by actual observation and mathematical instruments. The assessment of results should be made thereafter by taking into account the longitudes of the various houses (Bhavaspast) and the strength of the houses and the planets.
source - phaladeepika

Chapter 14 - Diseases, Death, Past and Future births

It is from the lord of the 9th that all is ascertained about the native's past birth and all information about his future birth is signified by the lord of the 5th house. The particular caste, country and the direction of the person concerned in his past and future births should be deduced from the lords of the 9th and the 5th houses respectively.

If the planets referred to above be in their sign of exaltation, the abode should be declared as that of Gods (Devaloka). If they be in their sign of debilitation or in an inimical sign, the abodes of past and future birth should be declared to be foreign islands. If the above planets be in their own sign, friend's sign or a neutral's sign, such place would be India alone.

If the planets referred to in verse 24 (lords of the 9th and the 5th). are posited in a fixed sign or Navamsa which is Prishtodaya and Adhomukha along with malefics, the past and future briths of the native should be taken as trees, plants and the like. If the lords of the 9th and the 5th houses occupy a Shirshodaya and an Urdhvamukha sign or a moveable sign or navamsa, and be associated with benefics, the past and future birth will be of an animal kind.

If the lord of the 9th or the 5th be in the sign of exaltation or own sign of the lord of the Lagna, it would mean that the native's previous or the future birth (as the case may be) will be that of a human being. If the lord of the 9th occupied a sign neutral to the lord of the Lagna, the native in the past birth was born as an animal.
If the lord of the 5th be in a sign neutral to the lord of the Lagna. the native in his future birth will be born as an animal.

If the lord of the 9th occupies the sign of debilitation of the lord of the Lagna or in an inimical sign, the native was born as a bird in his previous birth.
If the lord of the 5th be in such a situation, the native will be born as a bird in his next birth.
All these may also be declared with reference to the appearance of the decanates occupied by the lord of the 9th or the 5th.

If the lords of the 9th and the 5th be in the same sign, the past birth was in his own country and the future birth will also take place there.
If these two planets be of equal strength, the past and future birth would be in the same caste.
The colour and quality will also be similar to these belonging to the lords of the 9th and the 5th houses.

Prediction regarding all the rest should be similarly made by a reference to what has been stated in the Samgnadhyaya.
source - phaladeepika

Chapter 8 - Effects of planets in different houses

If the Sun be In the 1st house at birth, the native will have scanty hair. He will be lazy, of hot disposition, impetuous and tall In stature. He will have soiled eyes and a lean and thin body. He will be cruel, impatient and valourous. The Sun in the 1st house with Cancer as the Lagna will give the native cataract in the eyes with the Lagna as Aries, the Sun in the 1st house will cause eye disease. In Leo Lagna the Sun will cause night blindness. If the Lagna be Libra and the Sun occupies it, the native will be devoid of wealth and suffer from loss of children.

When the Sun is in the 2nd house at birth, the person concerned will be without any learning; he will be shameless and will be stammering.

Should the Sun occupy the 3rd house, the native will be powerful, valiant, wealthy and generous. He will have inimical relations with his kinsmen.

If the Sun be in 4th house, the native will be bereft of happiness and comfort, relations, lands, friends and house. He will be in Government service and will squander away his ancestral property.

When the Sun is in the 5th house from the Lagna, the person concerned will be short tempered and will be deprived of happiness, wealth and children. He will be intelligent and wander in forest regions.

If the Sun be in the 6th house, the native will become a king. He will earn renown and will be equipped with praiseworthy qualities. He will be wealthy and capable of overcoming his enemies.

When the Sun is in the 7th at birth, the person concerned will suffer from the wrath of the king. He will have deformed body and will have no wife. He will suffer humiliation from others.

With the Sun in the 8th house, the person born will be deprived of his wealth and friends. He will be short-lived and suffer from defective eyesight. He can be blind also.

Should the Sun be In 9th house at birth, the person concerned is likely to suffer from the loss of his father, but he will not be deprived of children and relations. He will have due respect of gods and Brahmins.

With the Sun in the 10th house, the native will be blessed with sons and will enjoy the comfort of conveyances. He will receive praise for his good conduct and will have Intelligence, wealth, strength and fame. He will be a king.

The Sun in the 11th house makes the native very wealthy and long lived. He will be a king with ever lasting happiness.

Should the Sun be in the 12th house at birth the native will have inimical relations with his father. His eyesight will be defective and he will be devoid of wealth and children.
source - phaladeepika

Chapter 15 - Assessment of houses

It is the view of learned Astrologers that the strength of a house such as the Lagna should be adequate and the house sufficiently beneficial if the 1st, 2nd, 4th, 5th, 7th, 9th and 10th from that house are occupied by auspicious planets or the lord of the house is free from the occupation by and aspect of malefics. The house concerned should be considered to deteriorate in its effects if the above houses are not so occupied and aspected. The effects will be mixed if such positions are influenced by occupation or aspect by both benefics and malefics.
source - phaladeepika