Shad Bala (Planetary Strengths Calculation and Application)

Planetary Strengths is the first book on Shad Bala and Bhava Bala which deals with detailed calculation bases on Vedic Classical Principles and Aplication of Balas for delineation of Horoscopes. RThe book covers Sthana Bala, Dig Bala, Kaala Bala, Cheshta Bala, Naisargik Bala and Drik Bala. An attempt has also been made to add Vimshopaka Bala and Rashmi Bala as well as Ishta Bala and Kashta Bala. The Aspects of the Planets have been explained with graphs in a lucid and novel way. A number of example Horoscopes hav been analysed from the point of view of profession, health, marital life and prosperity based on these Balas. It provides a base for further research on this aspect of Astrology.

S.K. Duggal, B. Text Tech., M.A., LL.B., Jyotish Visharada, Jyotish Kovid, Managing Director North India Technical Consultancy Organisation Ltd. (NITCON); Chairman, India COUNCIL OF Astrological Sciences (ICAS) – Chandigarh Chapter; Vice-President International Council of Astrology and Allied Science; Member and Hon. Advisor of International Federation of Astrology And Spiritual Sciences. He is a Textile Technologist having more than 40 years experience in the Textile industry. He started learning Astrology in 1963 in a traditional way from various Jyotish Gurus in Punjab. He has been practicing Astrology for the past 35 years. Presently, he is the Chairman of Chandigarh Chapter of ICAS and is teaching General Astrology, Dasa and Transit, Medical Astrology, Marriage and Mundane Astrology Astro-Meteorology. He has a special interest in the mathematical part of various aspects of Astrology. This interest has prompted him to write this book on Planetary Strengths and their practical application.

Neerja Taneja, M.Sc., B.Ed., Jyotish Visharada, is Senior Faculty Member, Indian Council of Astrological Sciences (ICAS) – Chandigarh Chapter. She was a brilliant Student and won a gold medal in Jyotish Praveena. She teaches various subjects in Astrology viz. Mathematical Astrology, General Astrology, Panchang, Delineation and Dynamic Configuration, Dasa and Transit, Judgement of Bhavas and Longevity, She has a special interest in Shadbala and has been teaching this subject for the past 4 years. She has analytically studied various classical texts for the presentation of this book.

Vedic Astrology is based on the Planetary system. Modern Astronomy has been able to calculate the movement and direction of planets very précised and accurately. Yet sometimes the prediction do not come upto one’s expectations.

There are a number of books available dealing with Astrology and Horoscopes. One important factor whichnormally is not taken into account at the time of delineation of Horoscope is the strength of the Planets and the Bhavas.

Shadbala is the system of calculating the strength of the Plane’s viz. Sthana Bala , Cheshta Bala, Naisargika Bala and Drik Bala. Bhava Bala is the system of calculating the strength of the Bhavas viz. Bhava Adhipati Bala, Bhava Dig Bala, Bhava Drishti Bala, Bhava Dina Ratri Bala and Bhava Shuba Ashubha Bala.

Methods of calculating Shad Bala and Bhava Bala have been mentioned in classical literature quite in detail. It has also been desired that these strengths should be made use of while predicting the events, yet information has been given as to their exact application.

During the last decade, a number of books have been published in various languages which have simplified the procedure for calculating Shad Bala, Bhava Bala, Vimshopaka Bala, Ishta Phala, Kashta Phala, but all these books are silent on the procedures to be adopted for application of these strengths.

An attempt has made in a humble way to introduce methodology for application of Shad Bala, Bhava Bala and other strengths. For example, if a planet gets the required Sthana Bala, the details of the effects it will produce have been highlighted.

Drik Bala has been calculated in various books having different methodology, however, we have adopted the system given in Brihat Prashar Hora Shastra. Drig Bala has been further explained by various graphs and table which may it easier for the reader to understand.

Similarly, there are various methods adopted for calculation of Ishta Bala and Kashta Bala, but we have based the same on guidelines given in Brihat Prashar Hora Shastra.

The use of Planetary strength in delineating vargas is not much in vogue. We have also added a chapter on Vimshopaka Bala, which we feel will go a long way in making this study useful.

Planetary Rays is another aspect, which needs more insight. A chapter on this subject will highlight its importance.

We have tried to explain the analysis of Horoscopes using various strengths with the help of a examples. We hope this will go a long way in making the subject matter more clear.

During our study of various books on the subject, we have found different methods being used for calculating Shad Bala, Bhavna Bala and particularly Ishta Bala and Kashta Bala. The various controversies have been discussed in a separate chapter which will highlight the differences.

We have made use of calculation by computers frequently. The two software packages used by us are Geo Vision 4.03 and Future Point Leo 99. There may be some difference in manual calculations as compared to the results obtained by the computers and as such we request the readers to ignore minor differences.

We hope this books will serve the purpose for which it has been presented to the aspirants of Astrological knowledge.