Encyclopedia of Vedic Astrology: Tajik Shastra and Annual Horoscopy: The Planetary Strengths/ Balas, Chapter III, Part - 1

Dr. Shanker Adawal

The Planetary Strengths/ Balas

1. Strength of Planets

It is well known principle of astrology that only strong planets are capable of giving good/ favourable results. The weak planets not only fail to deliver timely good results of their significations but spoil the results the Brava where they are posited or the Bhavas they influence. The strength of planets have no be judged in horary, birth, and Varshphal charts. In Parashari system, there is an elaborate system of measuring the strengths of planets by making use of divisional charts (Vargas). The correct timing of events and successful predictions by Vedic astrologers are because of the extensive use of these Vargas. In Parashari, Shadbalas and 16 types of Vargas are used to measure the Bala of any planet. The Tajika writers have used three types of Balas for measuring relative strength of planets. These are at little variance with Parashari System. Of these the most elaborate though less often employed is Dwadasvargiya Bala. The simplest to determione is the Harsha Bala. But the most important and popular in use is the Panchvargiya Bala. There is, however, no calculation for finding out the strength of Rahu and Ketu in any of the Tajika system of measuring strength of planets. However it is seen that they do affect the result/ predictions.

2. Dwadasvariya Bala:

The 12-sub-divisions of a sign constitute 12 different Vargas of first harmonics or physical plane and determine the 12 sources of strength to a planet depending upon its position in these Vargas. In Tajika System, unlike in Parashari, each Varga is given equal importance, while assessing the strength of a planet. Moreover, these Vargas are used only for this purpose and not for delineating a chart. These Vagas are:

1.	Rasi or Varshphal chart	D-1 comprising one full sign of 30 degrees.
2.	Hora or D-2 chart	Half of a sign or of 15 degrees each.
3.	Drekkana or D-3	One third of a sign or 10 degrees each.
4.	Chaturthamsha/ D-4	One fourth of a sign or 7-30’ each.
5.	Panchamsha/ D-5	One fifth of a sign or 6 degrees each.
6.	Shashtamsha/ D-6	One sixth of a sign or 5 degrees each.
7.	Saptamsha/ D-7	One seventh of a sign or 4-17’ each.
8.	Ashtamshua/ D-8	One eighth of a sign or 3-45’ each.
9.	Navamsha/ D-9	One ninth of a sign or 3-20’ each.
10.	Dasamsha/ D-10	One tenth of a sign or 3 degrees each.
11.	Ekadasaamsha/ D-11	One eleventh of a sign or 2-43’-38” each.
12.	Dwadasamsha/ D-12	One 12th of a sign or 2-30’ each.

It can be seen that out of the 12 Vargas, only eight (D-1, D-2, D-3, D-4, D-7, D-9, D-10 and D-12) are out of Parashar’s 16 vargiya scheme. The balance four (D-5, D-6, D-8 and D-11) are of sage Jaimimni or of Yavanacharya scheme; but together they complete all the 12 possible charts of first harmonics. No Varga of second or third harmonics are considered in Tajika system. The results  of a planet would depend upon the sign wherein it is placed and its relations with the depositor sign lord.

3. Casting of the Vargas (divisions)

1. Rasi Chart (D-1): This is the basic and the most important chart and represents the birth or the annual chart. The zodiac is divided into 12 signs of 30 degrees each starting from Aries. The mutual relationship of the planets herer determines whether a planet is benefic, malefic or neutral.

2. Hora Chart (D-2): It is the division of a sign into two parts of 15 degrees each. In odd signs (1, 3, 5, 7, 9, & 11), the first 15 degrees goes to the Hora of Sun, while the last 15 degrees goes to the Hora of Moon. In case of even signs (2, 4, 6, 8, 10, & 12), the first 15 degrees goes to Moon, while the last 15 degrees goes to Sun. Whether a planet is in a benefic, malefic or neutral Hora, is decided by its relationship with the Hora Lord (the Sun or the Moon).

3. Drekkana (D-3): In a given sign, the first 10 degrees belong to the same sign; the next 10 degrees belong to the sign 5^th from it; and the last 10 degrees to the sign placed in the 9^th from it. The lords of the respective signs become the Drekkana lords. A planet’s relationship with its Drekkana lord decides whether it is a benefic, a malefic or a neutral in effect according to its Drekkana position.

4. Chaturthamsha (D-4): In a given sign, the first 7-30’ belong to the same sign, the next 7-30’ (i.e. upto 15 degrees) belong to the sign falling in the 4^th house from it; the next 7-30’ (Up to 22-30’) to the sign in 7^th from it; and the last 7-30’ to the sign falling in the 10^th from it. The planets behave as benefic, malefic or neutral, depending on their disposition towards their Chaturthamsha lord.

5. Panchamsha (D-5): In add odd sign, the first six degrees belong to Mars; the next six degrees to Saturn; the next six to Jupiter; the next six to Mercury; and the last six to the Venus. In the even signs, this order of lordship gets reversed with Venus, Mercury, Jupiter, Saturn and Mars, in this order, owning the six successive degrees in a sign. Please note that the planetary order here is similarl to the Trimashma of the Parashari system, though the degree wise allotment here is uniform.

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Shanker Adawal

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