Archive | June, 2011

July Panchanga

30 Jun
                                                               Om Gurubyo Namaha
 

                      July 2011 – Monthly Panchanga

                                                 Khara Samvatsara – Uttarayana/Dakshinayana
                                                             Greeshma Ritu –Ashada Masa
 
 
Important events for the month of July is appended below for information and guidance
01 July 2011
  • New Moon
  • Solar Eclipse
  • Not visible in India
12 July 2011
  • Mahapradosha
14 July 2011
  • Satyanarayana Pooja
15 July 2011
  • Full Moon
  • Guru Poornima
17 July 2011
  • Sun enters Cancer. Sun is good in 3,6,10 & 11 from natal Moon
  • Dakshinayana Punyakala begins
18 July 2011
  • Sankasta Chaturthi
20 July 2011
  • Mercury enters Leo. Mercury is good in 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 & 11 from natal Moon
23 July 2011
  • Venus enters Cancer. Venus is good in all places except 6 &10 from natal Moon
25 July 2011
  • Mars enters Gemini. Mars is good in 3, 6 & 11 form natal Moon
28 July 2011
  • Pradosha
29 July 2011
  • Ashad – Aadi Shukravara
  • Lakshmi pooja
30 July 2011
  • New Moon
  • Jyothir Bheemeshwar Vrata

Disclaimer: This Almanac is published as an advisory only. Individuals are requested to use their Free will / discretion and consequently  the author is not responsible for any damage / loss suffered by them.
 

Guru Poornima

30 Jun
                                                              Om Gurubyo Namaha

Guru Poornima (गुरु पूर्णिमा) is celebrated as Homage to the teacher or guru. This festival falls on the Full Moon day in the month of Ashada. Guru Poornima day is dedicated to teachers, parents, mentors or anyone who has guided us at different stages.
 
The Guru Poornima day is also known as “Vyasa Poornima”.Vyasa, (also called Krishna Dvaipayana or Vedavyasa) is traditionally credited with composing  the Mahabharata. According to legend, Vyasa was the son of the ascetic Parashara and the princess Satyavati and grew up in forests, living with hermits who taught him the Vedas. Thereafter he lived in the forests near the banks of the river Sarasvati, becoming a teacher and a priest, fathering a son and disciple, Shuka, and gathering a large group of disciples. Late in life, living in caves in the Himalayas, he is said to have divided the Vedas into the four traditional collections, composed Puranas, and, in a period of two and a half years, composed his great epic, the Mahabharata,  dictating it to his scribe, Ganesha, the elephant god.
 
Hindus celebrate it in the honour of the great sage Vyasa, who is seen one of the greatest gurus in ancient Hindu traditions, and a symbol of Guru-Shishya Parampara, the Guru – disciple tradition. The festival is common to all spiritual traditions in Hinduism, where it is dedicated to the expression of gratitude towards the teacher by his/her disciple.
 
Also traditionally the festival is celebrated by Buddhists in honour of lord Buddha who gave His first sermon on this day at Sarnath, Uttar Pradesh, India.
 
This year Guru Poornima is celebrated on Saturday, 12th July 2014.
 
 

Aridra Pravesha

29 Jun
                                                                Om Gurubyo Namaha
                                                     Sarve Janaha Sukhinobhavanthu
 
                                    Aridra Pravesha – Rainfall Prediction
 
 
The ancient Vedic method of weather forecast is broadly done by analyzing following data:
1. Sun’s ingress into a Rashi / Nakshatra at any point of time, like month, day etc.
2. Study of Nadi / Nakshatra Chakras.
3. Particularly the Monsoon / rainfall prediction is done by analyses of a chart erected for the time when the Sun enters “Aridra’ Nakshatra for the prime city, mostly the capital of the country. The lunar date, day, Lunar Nakshatra and planetary combinations prevailing at that time give holistic information about coming weather patterns.

Saptanadi Chakra

1. Saptanadi Chakra is very useful in prediction of weather, especially for rainfall. There are two variants based on two ancient sources of Saptanadi Chakram: Narapati Jayacharyā and Krishi-Parāshara and all later texts are based on them. The original source of Saptanadi Chakra was a Tantric text titled ‘Yāmaleeya-Svarodaya’.
2. There are 27 Nakshatra for the purpose of astro-meteorology. Apart from these, the 28th Nakshatra ‘Abhijit’ is also allotted a space towards the end of Uttarashada.
3. These Nakshatras are subdivided into 7 Nadis starting from ‘Krittika’ (3rd Nakshatra) as ‘Vat Nadi’ followed by ‘Ativat’, ‘Dahan’, ‘Soumya’, ‘Neera’, ‘Jala’ and ‘Amrita’ and the sequence continues as shown in the diagram below. The sequence follows a serpentine pattern. This is called ‘Saptanadi Chakra’
 
Saptanadi Chakra
4. Vat produces windy weather, Ativat produces cold, Dahan increases temperature, and Soumya, Neera, Jala and Amrita nadis are rain producing.
 
Parashara method of prediction
 • Each Samvatsara has Nava Nayakas and a particular planet as a ruler, another planet as a minister, and another planet as ruler of cloud, and depending on the formation of these grouping of planets; one can study the amount of rainfall.
• The following chart gives the results of different planets being the Ruler of the year.
 
• If the entry of Sun in Aridra Nakshatra happens after sunset and before the next Sun rise, it is good for rainfall and weather.
• All other times are considered inauspicious. Solar entry in Aridra Nakshatra between sunrise and 12 noon is especially bad and points towards coming famine.
• Sun entering Ardra during late evening or night indicates widespread and plentiful rainfall leading to good crops and easy availability of food grains.
 
Varahmihir’s Principles of Weather forecast:
 •Aswini, Krittika, Rohini, Purvabhadra, Uttarabhadra, Anuradha, Sravana, Punarvasu and Pushya are masculine Nakshatras.
• Bharani, Hasta, Chitra, Swati, Visakha, Purva, Uttara, Aslesha, Magha, Jyeshta, Aridra, Dhanista, Purvashadha and Revati are feminine Nakshatras.
• Satabhisha, Mrigasira and Moola are neutral.
• When the Sun and the Moon are in neutral Nakshatras there will be winds.
• When they are in feminine Nakshatras there will be lightning and thunderstorms.
• When the Sun occupies a feminine Nakshatra and the Moon a masculine one or vice-versa there will be rains.
• When many planets are in one Rashi, preferably in one Nakshatra, it affects the weather.
• When many planets gather in one Rashi with Mars and Sun joining them and Mars is with Rahu, there can be a terrible downpour.
• When there is concentration of planets in one Rashi, the weather begins to fluctuate and if Moon joins them, there will be heavy downpour.
• When Mars transits from one Rashi into another within two days there is a perceptible change in weather and in the rainy season there will be good rainfall. Mars is the most powerful planet causing rainfall.
• Cancer, Pisces and Capricorn are full watery signs; Taurus, Leo and Aquarius are half watery signs; Aries, Libra and Scorpio are quarter watery signs while Gemini, Virgo and Sagittarius are non watery signs.
• Moon and Venus are full-blown watery planets.
• During Dakshinayana malefic planets (Saturn, Sun, and Mars) transiting through the Amrita, Jala and Neera Nadi, would give rise to ordinary rains.
• If benefic planets transit the above constellations, there will be plenty of rain.
 
Predictions for the Year 2011

For this we have to cast a chart when the Sun enters Aridra Nakshatra. In this year Sun entered Aridra Nakshatra at 1606 hrs on 22 June 2011 and the chart below is cast for New Delhi for that day and time.               

                     

Lagna: Libra, Moon: P’Bhadra 2, Mars: Krittika 4, Mercury: Aridra 4, Jupiter: Ashwini 3, Venus: Rohini 4, Saturn: Hasta 2 and Rahu: Jyeshta 4 / Ketu: Mrigashira 2
 
Placement in Saptanadi Chakra
 
Sun, Mercury & Saturn: Soumya Nadi, Moon: Neera Nadi, Mars: Vat Nadi,  Jupiter ,Venus & Rahu: Ativat Nadi and Ketu: Dahan Nadi
 
Analysis
 
1. For Kharanama Samvatsara, ruler of the year is Moon, Mantri is Jupiter and Megadhipa is Mercury and this combination should give heavy rains and good harvest.
2. In the chart, Lagna is Libra, a quarter watery sign and Lagna Lord is Venus is a full watery planet. Due to its placement in 8th house the rainfall may not be full / heavy. Also Lagna is in Papakartari yoga surrounded by Rahu & Saturn. Jupiter a benefic aspecting Lagna will bring some relief. Eastern region will get good rains.
3. Moon being a watery planet posited in Aquarius and Neera Nadi indicates plenty and timely rainfall. In Navamsha chart, Moon though posited in Navamsha Lagna and in Taurus, a half watery sign, might not give enough rains because of its placement in 8th Amsha vis-à-vis Rashi Lagna.
4. The south west direction has as many as five planets in Aridra Pravesha chart. Mars, Venus, Ketu, Sun and Mercury there will give erratic monsoon for the places in this direction. Kerala, Karnataka, Goa and Maharashtra may not have good rains because malefic planets overweigh benefic planets.
5. Mars and Saturn aspect on Rahu indicates heavy rains for North eastern region.
6. As per Saptanadi Chakra, 5 planets in first three Nadis (Vat, Ativat & Dahan), three in Soumya Nadi and only one planet Moon in last three Nadis (Neera, Jala & Amrita) indicates high winds and arid conditions and we may not see heavy rains during next one month.
7. Over the period of next three months we have to watch the transit of Sun, Moon, Mars, Mercury and Venus to gauge the total rainfall. Usually charts are cast for ingress of Sun into different sign and interpretation has to be made for each month.
 
Author’s Note
 
Mundane Astrology is a vast subject and encompasses an array of topics like prediction of weather, rainfall, earthquakes, national disasters like floods / fires /major accidents, epidemics etc. What I have touched upon is only the rainfall aspect and serious students have to do concerted and diligent research to master the subject in toto. Following classic / books may be used for reference:

1. Brihat Samhita by Varahamihira

2. Applied Astrology by KN Rao

3.Time Tested Techniques of Mundane Astrology by MS Mehta and A Radhika

4. Astrology in Predicting Weather and Earthquakes by BV Raman.

5. Mundane Astrology by KB Gopalakrishnan.

6. Raphael’s Mundane Astrology by Raphael

7. Mundane or National Astrology by HS Green

Aide Memoire for Mahurtha

21 Jun
   Om Gurubyo Namaha

Aide Memoire for Mahurtha

While selecting a suitable day and time for any undertaking, the prevalent Thithi (Lunar day), Nakshatra (Star constellation in which the Moon is placed at that time) and the Yoga (auspiciousness) are taken into consideration. If you don’t have an astrologer to guide you, the following basic information will help you. Please note that in Vedic Astrology everything has its functional use. Some days may be auspicious for some things, but inauspicious for other things. The following points will help you to fix simple Mahutha.

15 Thithis

1. From Sun rise to next day Sun rise is one Thithi.
2. The Thithi prevailing at the time of Sun rise will be taken as the Thithi for the day.
3. There are 30 Thithis in a month counted as 15 of Shukla Paksha and 15 of Krishna Paksha.
4. The Thithis are classified as follows:
  • 1, 6 & 11 – Nanda
  • 2, 7 & 12 – Bhadra
  • 3, 8 & 13 – Jaya
  • 4, 9 & 14 – Rikta
  • 5,10 &15 – Poorna
5. The names indicate the effects of these Thithis. The result of the work done on these days is according their names.
6. Rikta means empty signifying that important work done on these days do not fructify / there is no success.
7. Business undertakings or negotiations started on Poorna Thithi will bear positive results.
8. From Shukla Paksha to 5th Thithi is inauspicious because Moon is powerless.
9. From 6th to 10th Thithi the Moon is medium strength.
10 From 11th to 15th (Poornima) the Moon is of full strength.
11. Reverse is the case for Thithis in Krishna Paksha.
 
 
Details of each Thithis are as follows:

1st Thithi – Pratipath – The presiding deity of the first Thithi in Brahma / Agni and is good for all types of auspicious and religious ceremonies.
2nd Thithi – Dwitiya – Vidhata / Brahma rules this Thithi and is good for the laying of foundations for buildings and other things of a permanent nature.
3rd Thithi – Tritiya – Vishnu / Gauri is the lord of this day and is good for the cuttings of one’s hair and nails and shaving.
4th Thithi – Chaturthi – Ganesha / Yama is the lord of the 4th Thithi, which is good for the destruction of one’s enemies, the removal of obstacles, and acts of combat.
5th Thithi – Panchami – The Moon / Sarpa rules this day, which is favourable for administering medicine, the purging of poisons, and surgery.
6th Thithi – Shasti – Karthikeya presides over this day and is favourable for coronations, meeting new friends, festivities, and enjoyment.
7th Thithi – Sapthami – The 7th Thithi is ruled by Indra /Ravi one may begin a journey, buy conveyances, and deal with other such things as a movable nature.
8th Thithi – Asthami –  The Vasus / Shiva rule this day, which is good for taking up arms, building of one’s defenses and fortification.
9th Thithi – Navami – The Serpent / Durga rules this day, with is suitable for killing enemies, acts of destruction and violence.
10th Thithi – Dashami – The day is ruled by Dharma and is auspicious for acts of virtue, religious functions, spiritual practices and other pious activities.
11th Thithi – Ekadashi – Rudra / Viswa Devas rules this day; fasting, devotional activities, and remembrance of the Supreme Lord are very favourable.
12th Thithi – Dwadhashi – The Savitri / Vishnu rules this day, which is auspicious for religious ceremonies the lighting of the sacred fire and the performance of one’s duties.
13th Thithi – Trayodashi – The day is ruled by Cupid and is good for forming friendships, sensual pleasures, and festivities.

14th Thithi – Chaturdashi – Kali / Shiva rules this day suitable for administering poison and calling of elementals and spirits.

15th Thithi – Amavasya or Poornima – The Vaisva-devas / Moon rule the New Moon and is suitable for the propitiation of the Devas and performance of austerities.
Note: There are 4 important tithis which do not require any Mahurtha, since each of the entire tithi is considered good. Any important work like wedding etc. can be done on these tithis. These are:
    1 Chaitra Shukla Pratipath (Prathama)
    2 Akshaya Tritiya
    3 Vijaya Dashami
    4 Karthika Shukla Pratipath (Prathama)

27 Nakshatras

The Nakshatra are divided into following categories:
 
 
1. Dhruva /Sthira (Fixed): Rohini, Uttaraphalguni, Uttarashada, and Uttarabhadrapada are in this category and are favourable for digging wells, laying foundations or cities, expiatory rituals, planting trees, coronations, buying lands, meritorious deeds, sowing of seeds, installation of Deities, the building of a temple, or any other activity desirous of a lasting or permanent effect.
2. Mridu / Maitreya (Soft / Gentle): Mrigasira, Chitra, Anuradha, and Revati belong to this category and are good for fine arts, learning, making friendships, sensual pleasures, decorations, sexual union, wearing new apparel, marriage, singing and dancing, processions, auspicious ceremonies, festivities, dealings of agriculture, and journeys.
3. Kshipra / Laghu (light / Swift): Ashwini, Pushya, and Hasta are good for sports, enjoying items of luxury, starting industries, skilled Labour, medical treatments, starting education, starting journeys, seeing friends, buying and selling, the performance of spiritual activities, decorations, fine arts, exercise, and for giving or receiving loans.
4. Teekshna / Daruna (Dreadful): Aridra, Aslesha, Jyeshta, and Moola are suitable for success in warfare, invocation of elementals and other spirits, imprisonment, separations, acts of destruction, and the breaking of alliances with superiors.
5. Chara / Chala (Movable / Quick): Punarvasu, Swati, Shravana, Dhanista and Satabhisha are stars favourable for undertaking travel, acquiring conveyances, gardening, going on processions, visiting friends, and anything of a temporary nature.
6. Ugra / Kroora Fierce / Cruel): Bharani, Magha, Purvaphalguni, Purvashadha, and Purvabhadrapada are suitable for acts of evil, deceit, and conflict, destruction of enemies, incarceration, poisoning, arson, battle, setting fire, acts of destruction, ill-repute, and cruelty.
7. Mishra / Sadharana (Mixed): Krittika and Visakha are good for routine duties, one’s professional responsibilities, and any activities of day-to-day importance.
 
Dagdha Nakshatras: The following Nakshatras are considered inauspicious for commencing any new work or venture, if they fall on the days as given below:
Sunday – Bharani
Monday – Chitra
Tuesday – Uttarashadha
Wednesday – Dhanishtha
Thursday – Uttaraphalguni
Friday – Jyeshtha
Saturday – Revati
 

27 Yogas

Yogas are of two types:
1. Naisargika Yoga
2. Tatkalika Yoga
 
Naisargika Yogas:
!. Vishkambha (Supported) — prevails over others, victorious over enemies, obtains property, wealthy.
2. Priti (Fondness) — well-liked, attracted to the opposite sex, enjoys life with contentment.
3. Ayushman (Long-lived) — good health and longevity, energetic.
4. Saubhagya (Good Fortune) — enjoys a comfortable life full of opportunities,
5. Shobhana (Splendor) — lustrous body and demeanor, sensualist, obsessed with sex.
6.  Atiganda (Danger or obstacles) — difficult life due to numerous obstacles and accidents; revengeful and angry.
7. Sukarma (Virtuous) — performs noble deeds, magnanimous and charitable, wealthy.
8. Dhriti (Determination) — enjoys the wealth, goods and spouses of others; indulges in the hospitality of others.
9. Shoola (Spear, Pain) — confrontational and contrary, quarrelsome, angry.
10. Ganda (Danger or obstacles) — flawed morals or ethics, troublesome personality.
11. Vriddhi (Growth) — intelligent, opportunistic and discerning;
life constantly improves with age.
12. Dhruva (Constant) — steady character, able to concentrate and persist, wealthy.
13. Vyaghata (Beating) — cruel, intent on harming others.
14. Harshana (Thrilling) — intelligent, delights in merriment and humor.
15. Vajra (Diamond, Thunderbolt) — well-off, lecherous, unpredictable, forceful.
16. Siddhi (Success) — skillful and accomplished in several areas; protector and supporter of others.
17. Vyatipata (Calamity) — prone to sudden mishaps and reversals, fickle and unreliable.
18. Variyan (Comfort) — loves ease and luxury, lazy, lascivious.
19. Parigha (Obstruction) — encounters many obstacles to progress in life; irritable and meddlesome.
20. Shiva (Auspicious) — honored by superiors and government, placid, learned and religious, wealthy.
21. Siddha (Accomplished) — accommodating personality, pleasant nature, interest in ritual and spirituality.
22. Sadhya (Amenable) — well behaved, accomplished manners and etiquette.
23. Shubha (Auspicious) — lustrous body and personality, but problems with health; wealthy, irritable.
24. Shukla (Bright White) — garrulous and flighty, impatient and impulsive; unsteady and changeable mind.
25. Brahma (Priest, God) — trustworthy and confidential, ambitious, good discernment and judgment.
26. Indra (Chief) — interest in education and knowledge; helpful, well-off.
27. Vaidhriti (Poor Support) — critical, scheming nature; powerful and overwhelming mentally or physically.
 
 
Note:
1. Naisargika Yogas remain in the same order and is operative for each day.
2. Vyatipata and Vaidhriti should be avoided for all auspicious occasions.
 
 
Tatkalika Yogas
 
1. Takalika Yogas are formed by a special combination of thithi-vara-nakashatra.
2. These yogas give results according to the meanings of their names. For example, Siddhi, Amrita, Dagdha, Visha, Mrithyu, yamagandka etc.,
3. Bhadra Thithi (2, 7 & 12) on Wednesday gives Siddhi Yoga
4. Jaya Thithi (3, 8 &13) on Wednesday gives Amrita Yoga
5. Trithiya on Wednesday causes Dagdha Yoga
6. Dwitiya on Wednesday causes Visha Yoga

Shadbala – An Overview

15 Jun

Om Gurubyo Namaha

Shadbala – An Overview

It is well known fact that the planets in the chart have to be strong to give good results. In order to assess the strength of planets we have a system called Shadbala which is in existence from the times of Sage Parashara

Shad Bala as the name suggests means six-fold strength and is made up of the following components:

  • Sthana Bala (Positonal strength)
  • Dig Bala (Directional strength)
  • Kala Bala (Temporal strength)
  • Chesta Bala (Motional strength)
  • Naisargika Bala (Natural strength)
  • Drik Bala (Aspect strength)

STHANA BALA

  • Uccha Bala: Uccha means exaltation. When a planet is placed in its highest exaltation point, it is of full strength and when it is in its deepest debilitation point, it is devoid of any strength. When in between the strength is calculated proportionately dependent on the distance these planets are placed from the highest exaltation or deepest debilitation point.
  • Sapta Vargiya Bala: Rashi, Hora, Drekkana, Saptamsha, Navamsha, Dwadasamsha and Trimsamsha constitute the Sapta Varga. The strength of the planets in these seven divisional charts based on their placements in Mulatrikona, own sign, friendly sign etc. constitute the Sapta vargiya bala.
  • Oja-Yugma Rashi-Amsha Bala: Oja means odd signs and Yugma means even signs. Thus, as the name imply, this strength is derived from a planet’s placement in the odd or even signs in the Rashi and Navamsha.
  • Kendradi Bala: The name itself implies how to compute this strength. A planet in a Kendra (1-4-7-10) gets full strength, while one in Panapara (2-5-8-11) gets half and the one in Apoklimas (12-3-6-9) gets quarter strength.
  • Drekkana Bala: Due to placement in first, second, or third Drekkana of a sign, male, female and hermaphrodite planets respectively, get a quarter strength according to placements in the first, second and third Drekkana.

DIG BALA

  • The planets gains full Dig bala in the following houses:
  • 1st (Lagna Bhava) – Jupiter and Mercury
  • 10th (Karma Bhava) – Sun and Mars
  • 4th (Sukha Bhava) – Venus and Moon
  • 7th (Kalatra Bhava ) – Saturn
  • When the planets are placed away from their Dig Bala position, their strength is proportionately reduced.

KALA BALA

  • Natonnata Bala: Natonnata is composed of two terms Nata and Unnata. Moon, Mars and Saturn are stronger at night, whereas Sun, Jupiter and Venus are stronger during the day. Mercury is stronger both during day and night. Hence, the Nata bala is seen for Moon, Mars and Saturn and Unnata bala is seen for Sun, Jupiter and Venus.
  • Paksha Bala: Paksha i.e.  Shukla Paksha & Krishna Paksha. The Benefics are stronger in the Shukla Paksha and the Malefics are stronger in the Krishna Paksha.
  • Tribhagiya Bala: Tribhaga means three parts. This strength hasderived its name from the fact that the day and night are divided into three parts each. The Planets gain strength during different part of a day like first third, second third or the last third part of the day.
  • Varsha (Abda) – Maasa- Dina- Hora Bala:
    • Varsha Bala: The Varsha mentioned here is the solar year or the Samvatsara, which commences when the Sun moves to the first sign on the zodiac, Mesha. This is the weekday lord of the day in which the Sun has transited to Mesha.
    • Maasa Bala: Like Varsha Lord, each Solar Month commences when the Sun enters each sign of the zodiac. Take the weekday lord on which Sun has moved to a new sign as the lord of the Masa.
    • Dina Bala: Dina is weekday. The lord of the weekday is the lord of the day.
    • Hora Bala: Hora means planetary hour. Each day from sunrise to next sunrise is divided into 24 equal parts of one hour. These Horas are ruled by the 7 planets from Sun to Saturn. At a particular time, the lord of a particular Hora gets the Hora bala.
    • Ayana Bala: The Earth’s equatorial plane when projected on to the celestial sphere is known as the celestial equator. The planets which can be above, below or placed on the celestial equator at any point of time. The angle which they make with respect to the plane of celestial equator measured from center of earth is called the Declination or Kranti. The Declination of Sun is maximum, i.e., 23°27’ during the solstices where the Sunrises either on Tropic of Cancer or Capricorn, whereas during the equinoxes, the declination becomes zero. Planets position with respect to celestial equator gives them either plus or minus strength.
    • Yuddha Bala: When two planets are placed inside each other’s orbs of influence, they are supposed to be at war or yuddha. Should there be a war between the planets, the difference between the Shad Balas of the two should be added to the victor’s Shad Bal and deducted from the Shad Bal of the vanquished.

CHESTA BALA

  • Chesta means to move / motion . This strength is attained by all planets by the virtue of their kind of movement. Sun and Moon are excluded from this strength. For Sun, the Ayana Bala becomes its Chesta Bala, whereas for Moon, the Paksha Bala becomes its Chesta Bala. There are eight kinds of motions:

• Vakra (retrogression)
• Anuvakra (entering the previous sign in retrograde motion)
• Vikala (devoid of motion)
• Manda (somewhat slower motion than usual)
• Mandatara (slower than the previous)
• Sama (neither fast nor slow)
• Chara (faster than Sama)
• Atichara (entering next sign in accelerated motion)

NAISARGIKA BALA

  • Naisargika Bala is the natural strength of the planets. This strength does not depend on the specific chart but is fixed for all charts.
  • Naturally the planets are stronger in the order (ascending) of Saturn, Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, Venus, Moon and Sun. The seven planets  get relative strength according to their position in that order. Sun has the highest luminosity, Saturn is the darkest planet; other planets get portions of strength according to their position in that order.

DRIG BALA

  • This strength is gained by the virtue of the aspect (Graha Dristi) of different planets on other planet. The aspect of benefics is considered to be strength and the aspect of malefics is considered to be weaknesses.
  • For example, all planets have 7th aspect which gives full, Mars has 4th/8th which gives ¾ strength, Jupiter has 5th/9th which gives ½ strength and Saturn has 3rd/10th which gives ¼ strength.

Putting all together

  • By summing up all the six component values we get the Shadbala for a particular planet.
  • Unit for measurement of Shadbala is Rupa/ Virupa
  • One Rupa is equal to 60 Virupa
  • For a planet to be considered strong it must have a certain minimum strength. 390, 360, 300, 420, 390, 330 and 300 Virupa are the Shadbala strength needed for Sun, Moon, Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, Venus and Saturn respectively.
  • If the strength exceeds the above-mentioned values, the planet is deemed to be very strong.
  • A strong planet shall protect its houses and Karakakatva and is more capable of giving good results.
    • Jupiter, Mercury and Sun are considered strong, if each of their Sthana Bala, Dig Bala, Kaala Bala, Chesta Bala and Ayana Bala are165, 35, 50, 112 and 30 Virupa, respectively.
    • For Moon and Venus the required values are 133, 50, 30, 100 and 40 respectively.
    • For Mars and Saturn these are 96, 30, 40, 67 and 20 respectively.

Use of Shadbala

  • Sthana Bala:This aspect of planet indicates the best position and status that suits you.
  • Dig Bala: This shows the direction which is good for growth in the career or self development.
  • Kaala Bala: This shows the best time suitable for undertaking an activity.
  • Chesta Bala: This shows what drives us, our inherent desires and purpose of our struggle in this life.
  • Naisargika Bala: This is of lesser consequence as this remains constant all throughout
  • Drik Bala: This shows which planet shall be favourable all through the life of native as this is based on the aspect of benefics on the planet.

Conclusion

  • I have tried to give an insight into the vast realms of Shadbala.
  • Working out Shadbala involves lot of calculations and at times cumbersome.
  • Manual calculations take anywhere between an hour or two for an expert astrologer. However today computer can churn out the same in few seconds.
  • This subject is several centuries old yet remains an under studied and less understood aspect of planetary strength.
  • Most astrologers use total Shadbala values to analyse the effects during Dasha & Bhukti and rarely use individual components.
  • I advise serious students to do more research to find the exact use of these components and expand their horizons.
  • The following classic / books are recommended for research and further studies.
    • Brihat Parashara Hora Shastra
    • Graha & Bhava Balas by BV Raman
    • Shad Bala Planetary Strengths Calculation & Prediction by SK Duggal
    • Text Book For Shadbala Grahas & Bhava Bala by VP Jain
    • Shadbala: Planetary Strengths (Calculation and Application) by SK Duggal & Neerja Taneja.

 

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