Maybe you picked up this i.d.  due to the desire for certainty'

Nothing wrong.       Every one should have desires to confirm that we/they are human!!

RishiRahul

[quote="Certain"]It is a question which confuses me a lot about ascertaining the strength of planets. I know that Moola Dasha involves sequence of planets based on certain strengths. If RishiRahul ji or Vivek ji can shed light on one of the situations. Let us say, if in any horoscope Moon has maximum shadbala (1.38) more than any other planet in horoscope but moon is in 12th house. One of the theories in Moola dasha says that if moon is strong , dasha sequence can start from moon lagna.
So in this situation what should I take as reference point Moon lagna or ascendant as lagna. Ascendant doesnt have any planet it. And shadbala of lord of ascendant is 1.08

OR

we should disregard Shadbala and whatever is in 6th , 8th , 12th house should be taken as weaker one.
.
.[/quote]


Hi Certain,

I am not 'certain', if your question was a 'general' one or pertaining to a specific course-lesson related, here. If the latter, please stop reading my posting. If the former, then please read on...

Shadbala, though fairly comprehensive is simply ONE of many indicators of strength. The 'weight' or impact of a planet must also take into account at least vimshopak, ashtakavarga and sign-triad strength as stated in Jaimini system (common, fixed, movable order). There are other sources or indicators of strength also given in traditional jyotish which are used by some, but not by all. In situations where there are conflicting indications, perhaps it makes sense to bring all barrels into action, if you catch my drift. The relative importance of different measures of strength is a question that would logically arise in enquiring minds. Tradition has been vague and diverse (points of view) and can be confusing. Even more importantly, there exist different recommendations by different experts (ancient and modern) given for the methods of calculating some of these factors.

There is also the 'pithy' problem of qualitative vs quantitative strength. Exaltation, for instance, generally accepted as numerical or quantitative strength, but has been also seen to be an indicator of maleficience. Exalted malefics tend to take away the malefic edge of planets, whereas debility has the opposite effect on the 'nature' or guna of the planet.

A related situation would be better known for moon, for instance. Even if a moon has high shadbala, if it is weak in pakshbala, it becomes malefic (guna). If you reflect for a minute (or less) you will notice that exaltation-debilitation is a phasic strength too, just like the pakshbala (Krishna-Shukla) of moon!

Love, Lux, Learning,