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Shadbala (“six strengths”) is the classical attempt to put a number on how strong each planet truly is. A planet can be well-placed by sign yet weak overall once direction, time, motion, and aspects are factored in — or it can be modest by sign but compensate through other sources. Shadbala adds up six independent components into a single total, which you then compare against a planet-specific minimum requirement to judge whether it can deliver on its chart promises. This page explains how to read every section of the Shadbala panel; the full computation formulae are at Shadbala computation.

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The unit: rūpas and virūpas

Strength is measured in rūpas. Each rūpa subdivides into 60 virūpas (also called Ṣaṣṭiāṁśas), so the relationship is simply:
1 rūpa = 60 virūpas
The panel always shows both: a planet’s total in virūpas (for example 584.26) and the equivalent in rūpas (9.74). The virūpa figure is the one used for arithmetic comparisons; rūpas are easier to read at a glance.

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Reading the totals table

The table ranks the seven classical planets from strongest to weakest. Here is what a typical chart looks like: 
Rank  Planet    Total (virūpas)  Rūpas   Min req   Ratio
1     Sun       584.26           9.74    300       1.95
2     Jupiter   482.56           8.04    390       1.24
3     Mercury   469.50           7.83    420       1.12
4     Venus     453.49           7.56    330       1.37
5     Mars      442.08           7.37    300       1.47
6     Moon      326.50           5.44    360       0.91
7     Saturn    295.16           4.92    300       0.98
Min req is the classical minimum strength a planet should reach, expressed in virūpas. These thresholds are fixed by tradition — Sun 300, Moon 360, Mars 300, Mercury 420, Jupiter 390, Venus 330, Saturn 300 — and correspond to the values in B. V. Raman’s Graha and Bhava Balas. Ratio is simply the planet’s total divided by its minimum requirement. A ratio at or above 1.0 means full strength. In the sample above the Sun is exceptionally strong at 1.95×, while the Moon (0.91) and Saturn (0.98) fall just short of their individual thresholds.
The minimum requirements differ by planet because the expected strength differs. Mercury is held to a higher bar (420 virūpas) than the Sun (300). A planet below its threshold is not inherently malefic — but it may struggle to fully manifest the significations and house topics it governs.

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The six balas

The overall total is the sum of six independent components. The table below identifies each one; you can find every formula spelled out in Shadbala computation.
BalaStrength from…
Sthāna-balaPosition — exaltation, sign dignity across the vargas, odd/even sign placement, and angular strength.
Dig-balaDirection — each planet has one compass direction (house) where it is strongest.
Kāla-balaTime — day/night cycle, fortnight, year/month/day/hour rulerships, planetary war, and more.
Cheṣṭā-balaMotion — retrograde and slow-moving planets gain additional “motional” strength.
Naisargika-balaNatural — a fixed, unchanging value per planet, from brightest (Sun) to dimmest (Saturn).
Dṛk-balaAspect — the net of benefic minus malefic aspects falling on the planet.
Click Show six-bala breakdown inside the panel to expand the per-component figures for every planet and inspect exactly where a planet’s strength is coming from (or where it is leaking).

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Reading schools

Several steps in the Shadbala calculation have more than one accepted classical method. The panel lets you choose which convention to apply:
Follows B. V. Raman’s conventions as set out in Graha and Bhava Balas. This is the default and the most widely cited modern treatment. Use it when comparing results with standard textbooks or other Jyotish software that cites Raman.
Because reading schools differ, two applications can report slightly different Shadbala totals for the identical chart and both be correct — they are using different conventions. Before comparing numbers across sources, confirm that both are using the same reading school.

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How to use it

1

Sanity-check a planetary promise

Before leaning on a planet — say, the 10th-house lord for career matters — check that its ratio clears 1.0. A strong, dignified lord delivers on its house; a weak one tends to underperform even when other indications look promising.
2

Find the chart's anchor

The planet with the highest total (here the Sun at 1.95×) often dominates the native’s personality and the life themes associated with the houses it rules or occupies. It is a useful anchor when the chart seems to pull in several directions.
3

Pair with Ashtakavarga

Shadbala measures the strength of each planet; Ashtakavarga measures the support of each sign and house. Reading both gives you strength from two independent angles — one centred on the planet, one on the terrain it moves through.
For every formula that underpins these numbers, continue to Shadbala computation.