Dirah Planetary strength an alternative to Shadbala

DIRAH PLANETARY STRENGTH
This is an example lesson
from the
advanced course Applied Vedic Astrology. For more information click
here.
roeland@dirah.org
Shadbala is a useful and interesting system. All kinds of different
strenghts are summarized in a single figure. We can look at the total
strength of a planet and analyze from which factors this strength comes
from.
However, calculation by hand is almost impossible.That makes it
extremely hard to find out how exactly some figures are calculated.
Also some factors may be more useful then others. Factors which I
consider to be especially interesting are Ocha Bala (1.1.),
Saptavargaja Bala (1.2), Kendra Bala (1.4), Dig Bala (2), Chesta
Bala (4), Drik Bala (6).
I also regret that there is no Shadbala factor which considers whether
a planet is in a dushtana house (houses 6,8 or 12) or not, while it is
generally known that this is very important for a planet.
Therefore I have designed an alternative for assessing the strength of
planets. This system is clear, easy to follow and calculation it by
hand is not difficult. It is called the Dirah system to assess
planetary strength. It is a more transparent alternative for
Shadbala.
Making the below calculations can give interesting insights into the dynamics of a chart.
To make manual calculations possible the system is kept as simple as possible.
Usually this is calculated for the 7 planets only, but it is possible to add Rahu and Ketu.
Start with zero (0) points.
1. STRENGH OF PLANET IN ITS SIGN
- Planet in fall subtract 45 points.
- Planet in sign of big enemy subtract 20 points.
- Planet in sign of enemy subtract 10 points.
- Planet in sign of neutral add 0 (zero) points.
- Planet in sign of friend add 10 points.
- Planet in sign of big friend add 20 points.
- Planet being in its own sign add 40 points.
- Planet in exaltation add 45 points.
- Note: if a planet is in fall, in exaltation or own sign ignore
the fact that it might be in the house of neutral, (big) friend or
(big) enemy. Only the highest dignity of a planet counts. For example
if Mercury is in Virgo this generates 45 points.
2. STRENGTH OF PLANET IN ITS HOUSE
- Planet in 8 or 12 subtract 25 points.
- Planet in 6 subtract 15 points.
- Planet in 5, 9, 11 add 20 points.
- Planet in 4 or 7 add 30 points.
- Planet in 1 or 10 add 40 points.
3. STRENGTH COMING FROM ASPECTS
- For each conjunction made by a natural benefic add 10 points.
- For each Parashari aspect made by a natural benefic add 5 points
- For each conjunction made by Mars, Saturn, Rahu or Ketu subtract 10 points.
- For each Parashari aspect made by Mars, Saturn, Rahu or Ketu subtract 5 points
Only the classical planets make Parashari aspects and conjunctions.
Therefore Uranus, Neptune and Pluto are not involved in this.
4. DIFFERENT DIGNITIES
- If a planet gets Dig Bala add 15 points
- If a planet is Vargottama add 5 points.
- If a planet is slow moving (less then 20% of its average speed) add 10 points.
- If you include Rahu and Ketu in the system they will receive 30 positive points when moving direct.
- If Mercury, Venus or Mars is retrograde subtract 15 points.
- If Jupiter or Saturn is retrograde subtract 10 points.
5. NAVAMSA
- If a planet is in its own sign or exalted in the navamsa add 10 points.
- If a planet is in fall in the navamsa subtract 10 points.
6. NEW MOON/FULL MOON (FOR MOON ONLY)
- In Vedic astrology a Moon that is well lit is regarded to be strong while a dark Moon is seen as weak.
- A Full Moon has a Sun/Moon angle of 180 degrees and a New Moon
has a Sun/Moon angle of 0 degrees. If the Moon is new the Moon receives
30 negative points. If it is full it receives 30 positive points.
- For manual calculations the below scores are used. When this is
calculated by computer it is possible to work with a sliding scale.
- Starting with 0 points when the distance is 60 degrees and 30 points when the distance is zero degrees.
- If the Moon is within 60-40 degrees from a Full Moon it receives 10 positive point.
- If the Moon is within 40-20 degrees from a Full Moon it receives 20 positive points.
- If the Moon is within 20-0 degrees from a Full Moon it receives 30 positive points.
- If the Moon is within 60-40 degress from a New Moon it receives 10 negative points.
- If the Moon is within 40-20 degrees from a New Moon it receives 20 negative points.
- If the Moon is within 20-0 degrees from a New Moon it receives 30 negative points.
7. EDGE OF A SIGN
- If a planet is between 0 to 3 degrees of a sign it is considered
to be weak. The weakness starts when a planet is within 3 degrees of a
sign and becomes larger when it is exactly at the edge of a sign in
which case it receives 30 negative points.
- For manual calculations the following scores are used. When this
is calculated by a computer it is possible to introduce a sliding
scale. Starting with 0 negative points when the distance is 3 degrees
and 30 points when the distance is zero
degrees.
- If a planet is between 0 - 1 ½ degree of a sign or 28 ½ - 30 subtract 30 points.
- If a planet is between 1½ - 3.00 degree of a sign or 27 - 28½ subtract 15 points.
The good news is that you do not have to do the calculations manually since it is part of the free Haydn's Jyotish online program.
copyright: Roeland de Looff, nothing on this site is allowed
to be reproduced without written permission of the author.
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