Shambhu Hora Prakash

Directional Strength of the Planets

This section describes Dik-bala, the strength a planet gains by being positioned in a specific compass direction within the birth chart.

Naturally stronger is the one who possesses directional strength. In the Ascendant the 1st House, representing the East, Jupiter, the Moon, and Venus are powerful. Mars and the Sun reach their full strength in the 10th House the Midheaven, representing the South. Mercury and the Sun original: "Ravijno" are also considered strong there. This is what the wise call "Directional Strength" Dik-bala.

28 Venus and the Moon are endowed with vigor when they occupy feminine signs Taurus, Cancer, Virgo, Scorpio, Capricorn, and Pisces. In masculine signs, the other planets are considered strong. When the lords of these signs are themselves powerful and auspicious, the planets they host also flourish; otherwise, they are considered weak or "failing."

Planetary Motion and Retrogression

This refers to the visual phenomenon where a planet appears to move backward in the sky, known as "Vakra" or retrograde motion.

When Mars the "Red Planet" is retrograde or moving in the northern declination, it is said to possess great strength. In planetary conjunctions when two planets appear very close together, if they are in the same degree, their individual strengths must be weighed.

The Five Stages of Planetary Age

The "Avasthas" or states describe the maturity of a planet's energy, often compared to the human life cycle.

31 The Moon is powerful during the night, and its strength is calculated based on its distance from the Sun. The benefic planets—Mercury, Jupiter, and Venus—are naturally strong in the bright half of the lunar month.

Regarding their ages:

• Mars is considered a Youth.
• Mercury is considered an Infant or Child.
• Venus and the Moon are considered Middle-aged or in their prime.
• Saturn, Jupiter, and the Sun are regarded as Old or Elderly.

32 A planet is also strong when it resides in its own division Vargottama, or when it is placed in its own sign, its trine, or a friendly sign. If it is joined by the Moon or an auspicious planet, its power is increased; if joined by a "cruel" malefic planet, it is diminished.

The Appearance of the Deities

Ancient Indian astrology assigns physical traits to each planet. These were used by physicians and astrologers to identify which planet dominated a person's constitution.

The Sun is described as having a body that is dark-red, with eyes like honey. He is courageous and of a steady nature.
Jupiter has honey-tawny eyes original: "Madhu-pinga-netra" and a large, golden-hued body; he is wise and possesses a deep, resonant voice.

2 Venus is joyful and possesses a beautiful body and lovely eyes. Mars is fierce, with a youthful but powerful frame, and a reddish complexion. Saturn is lean and tall, with dark hair, and is associated with wind and phlegm the humors of the body. The Moon is wise and has a slender but beautiful form, reflecting the nature of its phase.