Shadbala - Planetary Strength Calculator
Computes the full classical 6-fold planetary strength (Shadbala) with per-component breakdown - Sthana, Dig, Kala, Cheshta, Naisargika, Drik - plus Vimshopaka Bala across 7 vargas.
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Shadbala (Sanskrit: षड्बल, "six-fold strength") is the classical Vedic system for measuring how powerfully each planet can deliver its significations. Rather than a single number, it decomposes planetary strength into six distinct components - each measuring a different dimension of strength. A planet must cross the minimum Rupa threshold in Shadbala before its yoga or house promises can fully materialize.
Sivayan computes all six Shadbala components per planet using Swiss Ephemeris precision, along with Vimshopaka Bala - a composite score of a planet's dignity across the 7 classical divisional charts (D1 through D30). Together, these two metrics give the complete picture of a planet's capacity to deliver results.
The six Shadbala components
Sthana Bala (Positional)
Combines Uccha (exaltation), Saptavargaja (varga dignities), Kendradi (angular vs. cadent), Ojayugma (odd/even sign), and Drekkana Bala. The largest single component.
Dig Bala (Directional)
Each planet has a preferred direction (quadrant) where it draws maximum strength - Jupiter and Mercury in the East (1st house), Sun and Mars in the South (10th), Saturn in the West (7th), Venus and Moon in the North (4th).
Kala Bala (Temporal)
Strength from time: birth during day/night, bright/dark fortnight (Paksha Bala), hora of birth, day of week, month, and Ayana (solstice half). Changes with every birth moment.
Cheshta Bala (Motional)
Strength from planetary motion. Retrograde planets gain maximum Cheshta Bala; direct-moving planets gain strength proportional to deviation from mean motion. Yuddha (planetary war) modifies this component.
Naisargika Bala (Natural)
The fixed inherent strength each planet carries. Hierarchy: Saturn < Mars < Mercury < Jupiter < Venus < Moon < Sun. This component does not change between charts.
Drik Bala (Aspectual)
Strength or weakness from the full aspects received from other planets. Natural benefic aspects increase Drik Bala; natural malefic aspects decrease it. Special aspects (Mars 4th/8th, Jupiter 5th/9th, Saturn 3rd/10th) apply at reduced weight.
Common questions
Classical minimums (in Rupas = Virupas / 60): Sun 390, Moon 360, Mars 300, Mercury 420, Jupiter 390, Venus 330, Saturn 300. A planet below its minimum struggles to fully deliver its promises; above it, the planet is considered "strong" (bali). These are displayed in the Virupas column.
Vimshopaka Bala (max 20 points) measures a planet's dignity across 7 classical divisional charts with weighted contributions: D1 (3 points), D2 (1.5), D3 (1.5), D7 (1.5), D9 (5), D12 (2.5), D30 (2.5). A score above 12 is considered strong; below 5 is weak. It captures how consistently a planet is dignified across life domains.
Planetary War (Graha Yuddha) occurs when two visible planets (Mars through Saturn) come within approximately 1° of each other. The planet with higher ecliptic latitude wins and gains enhanced Cheshta Bala; the losing planet has its Cheshta Bala reduced. A "War" tag appears on the planet row when this applies.
Rahu and Ketu are shadow planets (Chaya Grahas) - they have no physical body, no retrograde/direct motion in the classical sense, and no Dig Bala quadrant. Classical Parashari Shadbala applies only to the seven visible planets (Sun through Saturn). Rahu/Ketu influence is measured through other systems like Ashtakavarga and dosha analysis.
First identify your chart's strongest planets (highest Shadbala + Vimshopaka) - these will most reliably deliver their significations. Then check whether the planets ruling the houses you care about (career, marriage, wealth) are strong or weak. Finally, overlay the Mahadasha timing: a strong planet's dasha delivers; a weak planet's dasha requires more effort and patience.