Shadbala Calculator: Six-Fold Planetary Strength
Shadbala measures a planet's strength from six separate sources and adds them up. This tool calculates each source for the seven planets and gives the totals in virupas and rupas.
The six strengths
Sthana bala is positional strength. Here it combines Uchcha bala (closeness to exaltation), Saptavargaja bala (dignity across seven divisional charts: D1, D2, D3, D7, D9, D12 and D30), Kendra bala (placement in angular, succedent or cadent houses) and Ojayugma bala (odd or even signs).
Dig bala is directional strength. Each planet is strongest in one of the four angles, such as Jupiter and Mercury in the first house or the Sun and Mars in the tenth, and weakest in the opposite one.
Kaala bala is temporal strength. It includes Natonnata bala (day or night birth), Paksha bala (the Moon's phase), Tribhaga bala (which third of the day or night) and Ayana bala (the planet's declination).
Chesta bala is motional strength and rewards slow or retrograde motion. Naisargika bala is a fixed natural strength, highest for the Sun and lowest for Saturn. Drig bala is aspectual strength: aspects from natural benefics add to it, and aspects from natural malefics take away from it.
Reading the result
For each planet the table shows the six components, the total in virupas and the same total in rupas, where 60 virupas make one rupa. A breakdown lists the parts of Sthana and Kaala bala. Ishta phala and Kashta phala, two related measures of a planet's capacity to give helpful or difficult results, appear alongside.
Classical texts set a different minimum total for each planet, from five rupas for the Sun, Mars and Saturn to seven for Mercury. A planet above its minimum is traditionally treated as able to deliver what it promises in the chart. Since this tool leaves out some sub-parts, a total near the minimum is better read as borderline than as a clear verdict.
Calculation settings
Positions are sidereal with the Lahiri ayanamsa, true nodes and whole-sign houses for Kendra bala. The figures follow Brihat Parashara Hora Shastra and are computed by an established open-source astrology library. Sunrise and sunset for Tribhaga bala come from MyAstroLuck's own engine.
Drekkana bala is not included in Sthana bala. Varsha, Masa, Dina, Hora and Yuddha bala are not included in Kaala bala. Totals can therefore run lower than in tools that include them. Where the Sun does not rise or set on the birth date, Tribhaga bala uses 06:00 and 18:00 instead.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a virupa and a rupa?
They are units of the same scale. One rupa equals 60 virupas.
Why are Rahu and Ketu not shown?
Classical Shadbala is defined for the seven planets from the Sun to Saturn only.
Why are my totals lower than in another program?
This tool leaves out Drekkana bala and the Varsha, Masa, Dina, Hora and Yuddha parts of Kaala bala, so its totals can be lower.
What minimum strength is each planet expected to have?
Classical texts give different minimums, from five rupas for the Sun, Mars and Saturn to seven rupas for Mercury.
Which ayanamsa is used?
The Lahiri ayanamsa, with true nodes and whole-sign houses.
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