Planetary Strength API (Shadbala)

Overview

Shadbala is a sophisticated system that calculates planetary strength through six different parameters. A planet needs sufficient strength to deliver positive results during its periods.

The Six Strengths (Shadbala)

1. Sthana Bala (Positional)

Strength from sign placement - exaltation, own sign, friendly signs, etc.

2. Dig Bala (Directional)

Strength from house position - each planet is strong in specific houses.

3. Kala Bala (Temporal)

Strength from time factors - day/night, hora, weekday, month, year.

4. Chesta Bala (Motional)

Strength from planetary motion - retrogression, speed, direction.

5. Naisargika Bala (Natural)

Inherent strength of each planet (Sun highest, Saturn lowest).

6. Drik Bala (Aspectual)

Strength from aspects received from benefic/malefic planets.

Request

cURL

curl -X POST "https://api.vedika.io/v2/astrology/planetary-strength" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -H "x-api-key: YOUR_API_KEY" \
  -d '{
    "datetime": "1990-05-15T10:30:00+05:30",
    "latitude": 28.6139,
    "longitude": 77.2090
  }'

JavaScript

const response = await fetch('https://api.vedika.io/v2/astrology/planetary-strength', {
  method: 'POST',
  headers: {
    'Content-Type': 'application/json',
    'x-api-key': 'YOUR_API_KEY'
  },
  body: JSON.stringify({
    datetime: '1990-05-15T10:30:00+05:30',
    latitude: 28.6139,
    longitude: 77.2090
  })
});

const data = await response.json();

Python

import requests

response = requests.post(
    'https://api.vedika.io/v2/astrology/planetary-strength',
    headers={
        'Content-Type': 'application/json',
        'x-api-key': 'YOUR_API_KEY'
    },
    json={
        'datetime': '1990-05-15T10:30:00+05:30',
        'latitude': 28.6139,
        'longitude': 77.2090
    }
)

data = response.json()

Parameters

Parameter	Type	Required	Description
`datetime`	string	Required	Birth date/time in ISO 8601 format
`latitude`	number	Required	Birth latitude (-90 to 90)
`longitude`	number	Required	Birth longitude (-180 to 180)
`ayanamsa`	string	Optional	Ayanamsa (default: "lahiri")

Response

{
  "success": true,
  "data": {
    "planets": [
      {
        "name": "Sun",
        "symbol": "Su",
        "shadbala": {
          "total": 458.23,
          "required": 390,
          "ratio": 1.175,
          "strength": "strong",
          "components": {
            "sthanaBala": {
              "value": 165.5,
              "subComponents": {
                "uchaBala": 45.2,
                "saptavargajaBala": 78.3,
                "ojayugmaRashiBala": 15.0,
                "kendradiBala": 15.0,
                "drekkhanaBala": 12.0
              }
            },
            "digBala": {
              "value": 48.7,
              "optimalHouse": 10,
              "currentHouse": 11,
              "percentage": 81.2
            },
            "kalaBala": {
              "value": 124.8,
              "subComponents": {
                "nathonathaBala": 30.0,
                "pakshabala": 28.5,
                "tribhagaBala": 15.0,
                "varshaBala": 15.0,
                "masaBala": 15.0,
                "dinaBala": 15.0,
                "horaBala": 6.3
              }
            },
            "chestaBala": {
              "value": 35.6,
              "motionType": "direct",
              "speed": "normal"
            },
            "naisargikaBala": {
              "value": 60.0,
              "rank": 1
            },
            "drikBala": {
              "value": 23.63,
              "beneficAspects": ["Jupiter"],
              "maleficAspects": ["Saturn"]
            }
          }
        },
        "ishta": 42.5,
        "kashta": 17.8,
        "interpretation": "Sun is strong and capable of giving good results during its dasha/antardasha periods. Leadership abilities and father's influence are favorable."
      },
      {
        "name": "Moon",
        "symbol": "Mo",
        "shadbala": {
          "total": 412.67,
          "required": 360,
          "ratio": 1.146,
          "strength": "strong",
          "components": {
            "sthanaBala": { "value": 142.3 },
            "digBala": { "value": 35.2 },
            "kalaBala": { "value": 156.7, "paksha": "Shukla", "pakshaStrength": "strong" },
            "chestaBala": { "value": 28.4 },
            "naisargikaBala": { "value": 51.43 },
            "drikBala": { "value": -1.36 }
          }
        },
        "ishta": 38.2,
        "kashta": 21.4,
        "interpretation": "Moon is strong with good paksha bala. Mind is stable, mother's influence positive."
      },
      {
        "name": "Mars",
        "symbol": "Ma",
        "shadbala": {
          "total": 298.45,
          "required": 300,
          "ratio": 0.995,
          "strength": "moderate",
          "components": {
            "sthanaBala": { "value": 98.2 },
            "digBala": { "value": 45.8 },
            "kalaBala": { "value": 89.3 },
            "chestaBala": { "value": 42.1, "motionType": "retrograde" },
            "naisargikaBala": { "value": 17.14 },
            "drikBala": { "value": 5.91 }
          }
        },
        "ishta": 28.7,
        "kashta": 31.2,
        "interpretation": "Mars is slightly below required strength. Energy and courage may need conscious development."
      }
      // ... Mercury, Jupiter, Venus, Saturn
    ],
    "summary": {
      "strongestPlanet": { "name": "Sun", "ratio": 1.175 },
      "weakestPlanet": { "name": "Saturn", "ratio": 0.85 },
      "planetsAboveRequired": ["Sun", "Moon", "Jupiter", "Venus", "Mercury"],
      "planetsBelowRequired": ["Mars", "Saturn"],
      "overallChartStrength": "good"
    },
    "recommendations": [
      {
        "planet": "Saturn",
        "concern": "Below required strength",
        "remedy": "Donate black sesame seeds on Saturdays",
        "gemstone": "Blue Sapphire (consult astrologer first)"
      },
      {
        "planet": "Mars",
        "concern": "Slightly weak, retrograde",
        "remedy": "Recite Hanuman Chalisa on Tuesdays",
        "gemstone": "Red Coral"
      }
    ]
  },
  "metadata": {
    "requestId": "req_strength_abc123",
    "calculatedAt": "2026-01-07T12:00:00Z",
    "ayanamsaUsed": "lahiri",
    "cost": 0.005
  }
}

Strength Interpretation

Ratio	Strength	Meaning
> 1.5	Very Strong	Excellent results during dasha periods
1.0 - 1.5	Strong	Good results, planet delivers promises
0.8 - 1.0	Moderate	Mixed results, may need remedies
< 0.8	Weak	Struggles to deliver, remedies recommended

Required Minimums: Sun/Mars need 390, Moon 360, Mercury 420, Jupiter 390, Venus 330, Saturn 300 for adequate strength.

Related Endpoints

POST /bhava-bala

House strength analysis

POST /vimshottari-dasha

Dasha periods timeline

POST /birth-chart

Birth chart positions

Planetary Strength API