Shadbala and Its Conceptual Details Part II

(b). The second one is called Saptavargaja Bala. To calculate this we will have to look at the following seven divisional charts: Rasi, Hora, Drekkana, Saptamsa, Navamsa, Dwadasamsa and Trimsamsa. In all these charts we look at what kind of sign a certain planet is located. If a planet occupies in the rashi chart its Moolatrikona sign it gets 45 Shashtiamsas (this is a special rule for the rashi chart only), if it is in its own sign (of whatever varga or division) it gets 30 Shashtiamsas, in the sign of a great friend 22.5 Shashtiamsas, in the sign of a friend 15 Shashtiamsas, in a neutral sign 7.5 Shashtiamsas, in the sign of an enemy 3.75 Shashtiamsas and in the sign of a great enemy 1.875 Shashtiamsas. The concept of friends and enemies is taken from the basic vedic astrological system. This is one of the most important parts of Shadbala because Saptavargaja( Seven Types of Divisional details) bala can give a lot of Shashtiamsas.

(c). Ojayyugma Bala The idea behind this concept is that a planet gains strength because it is in an even or odd sign or navamsa. The Moon and Venus get 15 Shashtiamsas when they are in an even sign. These planets also get 15 Shastiamsas when they are in an even navamsa. In totality the Moon or Venus may gain 30 Shashtiamsas if they are located in an even sign AND even navamsa. The reason behind this is that the Moon and Venus are female planets and are strong when they are in female (even) signs or navamsas. Sun, Mars, Jupiter, Mercury and Saturn get 15 Shastiamsas when they are in an odd sign. They also can get 15 Shashtiamsas when they are in an odd navamsa. These planets are male or neutral and are strong in male (odd) signs.

(d). Kendra Bala A planet in a kendra house (1,4,7 and 10) gets 60 Shashtiamsas, a planet in the house 2,5,8 or 11 gets 30 Shashtiamsas, a planet in the house 3,6,9 or 12 gets 15 Shashtiamsas. The reasoning is that planets in Kendra houses can easily express themselves and are therefore strong.

(e) Drekkena Bala (Drekkana means third divisional part) To calculate this the planets are divided into masculine planets (Sun, Jupiter and Mars), neutral planets (Saturn and Mercury) and female planets (Venus and the Moon). If a male planet is in the first drekkana (0-10 degrees) of whatever sign it gets 15 Shashtiamsas. If a neutral planet is in the middle drekkana of whatever sign (that means it is located between 10-20 degrees of whatever sign) it gets 15 Shashtiamsas. If a female planet is located in the last drekkana (the last 10 degrees) of whatever sign it gets 15 Shashtiamsas. The reasoning is that the first drekkana of each sign is good for male planets, the middle drekkana for neutral planets and the last drekkana for female planets. Now we have to add up all the Shashtiamsa values. The result is the total Sthana Bala. You are in the priviliged position that you do not have to calculate all this by hand. You can see it on the computer printout. When you know what the different strengths and weaknesses mean you can easily assess the strengths and weaknesses of your chart just by looking at the Shadbala printout.

To Be Contd/-....

ShadBala and its Conceptual Details

SHADBALA
In Vedic astrology there are methods which especially in this age of computers can give a quick insight in the state of planets and houses. One such method is explained here. This is the method of Shadbala. It gives a value to each planet. The more points a planet gets in Shadbala the stronger it is. It is important to have some insight in how the Shadbala value is calculated. The understanding of the concept of “Shadbala” is obviously more important than actually calculating it. Further you can employ some methods to calculate the values of “Shadbalas”.Only if you know the method followed by this system of calculation you can have an opinion about the value of it. There are slight variances on how Shadbala is calculated. The method of the late B.V. Raman as explained in his book `graha and bhava balas', is by far the most accurate.
It is possible that other astrologers in the future will develop their own version of Shadbala. New and innovative approaches are always welcome. However, before we can develop something new we should exactly know What are the Basics and how the traditional system works.

The word “SHAD” means Six and, “BALA” means Energy. Thus “ShadBala” means Six types of Energies of Planets. Most of the energies of Planets are found by this method, for example Positional Strength, Exaltation Strength, Debilitation Strength, Divisional Strength etc. Numerical values are given to the “Energies” found, by a Point Rating system. For finding out the Energies one need to have a prior knowledge of Planetary Energy States like their Exaltation, Debilitation, Combust, Mool Trikon (75% Enegy State) and Neutral, as laid out in Standard Vedic Sripts

1. STHANA BALA
Sthana means place or position. We start with calculating the sthana bala of a planet. This is the positional strength of a planet. Sthana Bala consists of five components: Under “Sthana Bala” there are further 4 types of “Balas’

(a) The first one is called Oocha Bala. “Oocha” means Exaltation.All planets have exact degrees of exaltation. Like the Moon is exalted at 3 degrees Taurus. When a planet occupies it exact degree of exaltation the planet gets 60 Shashtiamsas (Shashtiamsas are points). When it occupies the opposite point, its exact point of fall, it does not get any Shashtiamsas. Of course most of the time a planet will occupy a position somewhere in between these points. In that case the points that it will get will be calculated according to its position from the point of exaltation and fall.

Example: The Moon at 3 degrees Scorpio will get 0 Shashtiamsas. The Moon at 3 degrees Leo will get 30 Shashtiamsas (this is exactly between 3 degrees Scorpio and 3 degrees Taurus).

To be Contd/...

Meaning of Argala (Continued)

Virodhargala (Obstruction) Virodhargala shows the obstruction of argala. Planets and houses in the 12th, 10th, 3rd and 9th houses from a house or planet cause virodhargala and obstruct the argala on it from the 2nd, 4th, 11th and 5th houses from it (respectively). For example, let us say Mercury, Jupiter, Venus and Saturn are in Ge, Pi, Ar and Vi respectively. Saturn is in the 4th from Mercury and Ge and he causes argala on them. With Saturn being a malefic, this is a paapaargala (malefic intervention). But Jupiter is in the 10th from Mercury and Ge. So he obstructs Saturn’s argala and averts the troubles. Venus is in the 11th from Mercury and Ge and so he causes argala on them. With Venus being a benefic, it is a subhaargala (benefic intervention). If Le (3rd from Ge) is empty, this argala is unobstructed. NOTE: If a sign contains Ketu, argalas and virodhargalas on it are counted anti-zodiacally. For example, let us say Ketu is in Vi. Then Le, Ge, Sc and Ta are the 2nd, 4th, 11th and 5th from Vi (counted anti-zodiacally) and planets in those signs cause argala on Vi and on the planets in Vi. Virodhargala is also counted similarly. Use of Argala Depending on the matter of interest, take the relevant house or the relevant karaka. Find argalas and virodhargalas on it. If there are both, see if more planets cause argala or virodhargala. If they are caused by the same number of planets, compare the strengths and decide whether argala dominates or virodhargala. Based on the signs, houses and planets involved, guess the meaning of the argala or virodhargala. Argala from the 2nd house shows the basic ingredient for the sustenance of a matter. For example, the 2nd house shows food and it is a basic ingredient for the sustenance of self (1st). The 5th house shows intelligence and it is a basic ingredient for the sustenance of learning (4th). Argala from the 4th house shows the basic factor that drives the mood, state and progress of a matter. For example, the 4th house shows comfort and it drives the mood and state of self (1st). The 7th house shows interaction and that drives one’s learning (4th). Argala from the 11th house shows the catalyst that can result in gains for a matter. For example, the 2nd house shows character, grooming and samskara and it is a catalyst in the process of learning (4th). Secondary argala from the 5th house shows the additional contributing factors. For example, the 5th house shows emotional situation and that contributes to the state of self (1st). The 8th house shows hard work and that contributes to one’s learning (4th). Using the above guidelines, we can understand the meaning of argalas on houses and karakas.

Meaning of ARGALA

Argala (Blocking or Intervention)

In addition to the influence caused by planets with graha drishti and rasi drishti, there is another influence called “Argala”. Argala is a very important concept in Vedic astrology. Argala on a house shows the influences that intervene in its affairs, decide some parts of it and close the bolt on it, so to speak. Planet having rasi drishti have a small influence. Planets having graha drishti have a more concrete influence. Planets with argala simply decide some parts of the matter signified by the house. The influence caused by argala is decisive.

A planet or house in the 2nd, 4th and 11th houses from a planet or house causes primary argala on the latter. Argala by a benefic planet is called a “subhaargala” (benefic intervention) and argala by a malefic planet is called a “paapaargala” (malefic intervention). This simple concept can be better appreciated if some examples are given.

The 4th house stands for education. The 2nd, 4th and 11th from the 4th house are 5th, 7th and 2nd houses respectively. One’s intelligence (5th), interaction with others (7th) and and overall character and samskara (2nd) make or break one education. If Jupiter is in 5th house, he will give intelligence and his subhargala (benefic intervention) on 4th will help one’s education. If Rahu is in 5th house, his papargala (malefic intervention) on 4th will cause obstacles in one’s education by way of poor intelligence. Similarly, benefics and malefics in the houses causing argala cause good and bad intervention. Basically, the point is that intelligence, interaction and samskara are the things that decide one’s education. They have a decisive role.

Let us take another example. Short journeys are seen from the 3rd house. What are the things necessary for a journey? One needs a vehicle (4th). One may need someone to serve one by driving the vehicle. Servants are seen from 6th. So, no wonder the 4th and 6th houses cause argala on the 3rd house, being the 2nd and 4th from it respectively! If one has papargala on 3rd from 4th, it may show trouble to the journey because of the vehicle. If one has papargala on 3rd from 6th, it may show trouble to the journey because of the driver.

Let us take another example. Domestic harmony, comfort, well-being and happiness are seen from the 4th house. What are the things that can make or break domestic harmony? Of course, wife, children and other family members! Each of them can intervene in one’s domestic harmony. No wonder the 5th, 7th and 2nd houses have an argala on the 4th house (being the 2nd, 4th and 11th respectively from the 4th house)! If a malefic in 5th has papargala on 4th, it may show domestic clashes and lack of sukha (comfort/happiness) on account of a child. If a benefic in 7th has subhargala on on 4th, it may show domestic happiness due to a caring partner.

Apart from the 2nd, 4th and 11th houses from a house, the 5th house from a house has a secondary argala on it. In the case of learning, argala of 8th house on 4th (8th is the 5th from 4th) shows the influence of hard work in learning. Hard work is another decider. In the case of journey, argala of 7th house on 3rd house (7th is the 5th from 3rd) shows the influence of partners in a journey.

To Be Continued ......