Ashtakavarga and Shadbala

Two of the most detailed calculations in Vedic astrology measure how well placed each planet and sign is: Ashtakavarga, a points system based on mutual support between planets, and Shadbala, a six-part measure of planetary strength. Both come from the Brihat Parashara Hora Shastra, and both turn the qualitative art of chart reading into numbers.

Part 1: Ashtakavarga

The eight sources

Ashtaka means “group of eight”. The system takes eight reference points — the seven planets from the Sun to Saturn plus the ascendant — and asks, for each planet, which signs receive support from each reference point. Rahu and Ketu are not included in the classical scheme.

Bhinnashtakavarga: each planet’s own table

For each of the seven planets, the texts list the houses, counted from each of the eight reference points, where that planet receives a beneficial point, called a bindu or rekha. Adding these up gives the planet’s Bhinnashtakavarga (BAV): a score from 0 to 8 for each of the twelve signs. A sign with many bindus in, say, Jupiter’s table is one where Jupiter is said to work well, especially when it transits there.

Each planet has a fixed total number of bindus, whatever the chart:

Sarvashtakavarga: the combined table

Adding the seven tables sign by sign gives the Sarvashtakavarga (SAV), which always totals 337 bindus. The average per sign is about 28. Signs, and therefore houses, with more than 28 bindus are traditionally considered well supported; those with notably fewer are said to need more effort. Because the total is fixed, a strong area in one part of the chart is always balanced by a quieter one elsewhere.

Using Ashtakavarga for transits

Ashtakavarga’s best-known use is in judging transits (gochara). When a slow planet such as Saturn or Jupiter moves into a sign, astrologers look at that planet’s bindus in that sign:

• 5 to 8 bindus — the transit is traditionally considered supportive.
• 4 bindus — mixed or neutral.
• 0 to 3 bindus — a period that may ask for more patience.

Each sign is further split into eight kakshyas of 3°45′, ruled in turn by Saturn, Jupiter, Mars, the Sun, Venus, Mercury, the Moon and the ascendant. When a transiting planet passes through a kakshya whose ruler contributed a bindu, that stretch is considered particularly helpful. This allows quite fine timing within a single transit.

Classical texts also describe reductions (shodhana) that refine the raw scores before certain calculations. Different software applies these differently, which is one reason figures can vary between sources. Our Ashtakavarga calculator shows each planet’s table and the combined SAV.

Part 2: Shadbala

Six sources of strength

Shad means six and bala strength. Shadbala adds up six kinds of strength for each of the seven planets, measured in virupas (also called shashtiamshas); 60 virupas make one rupa.

1. Sthana bala (positional strength) — from exaltation, own or friendly signs, dignity across the divisional charts, odd or even signs, placement in angles, and drekkana.
2. Dig bala (directional strength) — each planet has a direction where it is strongest: Jupiter and Mercury in the 1st house (east), the Sun and Mars in the 10th (south), Saturn in the 7th (west), and the Moon and Venus in the 4th (north).
3. Kala bala (temporal strength) — from the time of birth: day or night, the Moon’s phase, the part of the day, the lords of the year, month, weekday and hour, the Sun’s declination, and planetary war.
4. Cheshta bala (motional strength) — linked to a planet’s apparent speed and retrograde motion. A retrograde planet, closest to the Earth, receives high cheshta bala, which is why Jyotish often treats retrograde planets as strong.
5. Naisargika bala (natural strength) — a fixed value for each planet, from the Sun (60 virupas) down through the Moon, Venus, Jupiter, Mercury and Mars to Saturn (about 8.6).
6. Drik bala (aspectual strength) — gained from benefic aspects and reduced by malefic ones, using degree-based aspects.

Reading the totals

The six parts are added and converted into rupas. Each planet has a minimum it should reach to be considered adequately strong. The values our calculator uses are the Sun 5, Moon 6, Mars 5, Mercury 7, Jupiter 6.5, Venus 5.5 and Saturn 5 rupas; some authors give 6.5 for the Sun. Astrologers compare each planet’s total with its requirement, usually as a ratio, rather than comparing raw totals between planets. A planet comfortably above its requirement is said to deliver its significations more fully, especially during its dasha.

Ishta and kashta phala

From the Shadbala figures, two further values can be derived: ishta phala (the capacity for favourable results) and kashta phala (the capacity for testing results). Together they give a sense of how a planet’s strength is likely to be expressed, not just how much there is.

Bhava bala

A related calculation, bhava bala, measures the strength of each house from its lord’s Shadbala, its direction and the aspects it receives. It helps answer which areas of life the chart emphasises.

Using the two together

Shadbala describes how capable a planet is in itself; Ashtakavarga describes how well supported each sign is, and how a planet fares as it moves through the zodiac. A typical approach is to use Shadbala to judge the planets in the birth chart and their dashas, and Ashtakavarga to judge transits within those periods. Try the Shadbala calculator alongside the Ashtakavarga calculator to see both for your chart.

A balanced view

These systems are impressive pieces of classical arithmetic, but they are aids to judgement rather than verdicts. Numbers can hide nuance: a planet with high Shadbala can still be difficult if it rules challenging houses, and a low-scoring planet can still bring good results through yogas or a supportive dasha. Different software may also show slightly different values because of variations in calculation rules. Use the scores to ask better questions, not to label any planet or period as good or bad.

Frequently asked questions

What is a good Sarvashtakavarga score for a house?

Around 28 is average. Above about 30 is traditionally considered strong, and below about 25 a house that rewards extra effort.

Why are Rahu and Ketu missing?

Parashara’s Ashtakavarga and Shadbala cover only the seven visible planets. Some later authors suggest schemes for the nodes, but they are not standard.

Do I need an exact birth time?

For the planets’ own tables, approximate times are often enough. The ascendant’s contributions, Dig bala and Kala bala are more time-sensitive.

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