Respected gurus...

I recently came across the horoscope of a friend of mine.

Her Saturn is exalted in Libra, yet on shadbala analysis saturn is the weakest of all her planets.... 5.26 is the strength of saturn in rupas. just above the required strength. I told her Saturn is weak in her chart.

But it seems her astrologers have always told her Saturn is the most powerful planet in her horoscope....

can anyone give insight into this...?

In other words, is the Shadbala the definitive index of planetary strength...? or are dignities like exaltation and combustion to be given more importance than a numerical value, however composite.

Jayantha,

Since you indicated that you are a serious learner of jyotish, I will not spoon feed you :-)

The answer is very basic (the very first step in Jyotish almost) and very clearly given in Brihat Parashar Hora Shastra where he deals with shad bala determination!

Then there is the qualitative property of exaltation, like the pakshabala of moon.

RR


[quote="I_seek_the _truth"]Respected gurus...

I recently came across the horoscope of a friend of mine.

Her Saturn is exalted in Libra, yet on shadbala analysis saturn is the weakest of all her planets.... 5.26 is the strength of saturn in rupas. just above the required strength. I told her Saturn is weak in her chart.

But it seems her astrologers have always told her Saturn is the most powerful planet in her horoscope....

can anyone give insight into this...?

In other words, is the Shadbala the definitive index of planetary strength...? or are dignities like exaltation and combustion to be given more importance than a numerical value, however composite.[/quote]

Sorry rohiniji.....

I read BPHS today, and as you say, Exaltation or Uccha Bala is indeed a component of Shadbala.

Therefore shadbala has to be a better predictor of planetary strength in this case, isn't tht right...? i think it must be so.

But What abt my original query....??!

Nowhere in shadbala is planetary combustion accounted for. How do I reconcile the fact that Saturn in my horoscope is quite strong by Shadbala, yet is combust...?

Do I have a strong Saturn or a weak one...?

"I have yet to see an example that clearly puts the blame of affliction in a nativity on combustion! Until I see a clear evidence of combustion being the culprit, I view that tenet (combustion renders a planet powerless or malefic) with suspicion.

Examples have been forwarded over the years and in each case there were other strong negative influences. In other words the evidence was confounded!"

Sounds familiar Rohiniji...??!!

I have just quoted you from this forum. So, do you hold the same views now too...? please tell me. Because one of the major problems I have when analyzing charts, especially mine is how to account for this effect called combustion.

I have already given my DOB, TOB, and POB in this forum, but here it is for you especially....   3rd Sep 1979, 09.45 PM, and 78 53 E 09 22 N.

[quote="I_seek_the _truth"]"I have yet to see an example that clearly puts the blame of affliction in a nativity on combustion! Until I see a clear evidence of combustion being the culprit, I view that tenet (combustion renders a planet powerless or malefic) with suspicion.

Examples have been forwarded over the years and in each case there were other strong negative influences. In other words the evidence was confounded!"

Sounds familiar Rohiniji...??!!

I have just quoted you from this forum. So, do you hold the same views now too...? please tell me. Because one of the major problems I have when analyzing charts, especially mine is how to account for this effect called combustion.

I have already given my DOB, TOB, and POB in this forum, but here it is for you especially....   3rd Sep 1979, 09.45 PM, and 78 53 E 09 22 N.[/quote]

I still believe that to be the case. Why do you think that your saturn is weak or malefic due to combustion? Another hint, you may have chosen a wrong example to convince me that combustion weakens a planet :-) You know why I am saying this, of course, now that you have opened BPHS!

Also give me the name of place of birth if you want me to look at this for starters...

RR