Shadbala — Six-Source Planetary Strength

Sthana Bala

Positional strength — a planet's dignity in its current sign. Uccha (exaltation), Moolatrikona, own sign, friend sign, neutral sign, and debilitation each contribute a specific Rupa value.

Dig Bala

Directional strength — each planet has a preferred angular house where it attains peak directional strength. Jupiter and Mercury excel in the 1st; Sun and Mars in the 10th; Saturn in the 7th; Moon and Venus in the 4th.

Kala Bala

Temporal strength — derived from time of birth (day/night), lunar fortnight, Moon phase, hour lord, and more. A daytime planet placed in a daytime birth chart gains temporal strength; Rahu gains at night.

Cheshtha & Naisargika Bala

Motional strength rewards retrograde planets with extra weight. Natural strength (Naisargika Bala) assigns fixed inherent strength — Sun highest, Saturn lowest — regardless of chart placement.

What is the minimum required Shadbala for a planet?

Classical texts specify minimum required Shadbala (Ishta Bala minimums) by planet. In Rupas: Sun ≥ 5, Moon ≥ 6, Mars ≥ 5, Mercury ≥ 7, Jupiter ≥ 6.5, Venus ≥ 5.5, Saturn ≥ 5. A planet below its minimum is considered functionally weak — unable to fully deliver its significations regardless of house placement.

What is Ishta and Kashtha Phala?

Ishta Phala (benefic units) and Kashtha Phala (malefic units) are derived from Shadbala. A planet with high Ishta and low Kashtha strongly promotes its natural and functional significations. High Kashtha indicates stress around those significations. The ratio (Ishta/Kashtha) is more diagnostic than the raw Rupas total.

Is a planet in exaltation always strong in Shadbala?

Not necessarily. Exaltation (Uccha) contributes strongly to Sthana Bala, but a debilitated Dig Bala, weak Kala Bala at night, and very low Cheshtha Bala (slow motion) can leave the total Shadbala below minimum despite exaltation. Shadbala reveals the full composite — exaltation is one of six sources, not the whole picture.