Vimshopaka Bala

sanskrit: विंशोपक बल (Vimsopaka Bala)

Definition

Vimshopaka Bala (vimsa, "twenty"; bala, strength) is the twenty-point measure of how consistently a planet holds dignity across the divisional charts (varga, a chart drawn from one division of a sign). Each scheme you pick — Shadvarga, Saptavarga, Dasavarga or Shodasavarga — splits twenty points among its charts. A planet in its own sign earns the full score, which falls by dignity grade to nothing when debilitated; the per-chart figures then combine into one number. Narasimha Rao reads it as a planet's overall effectiveness across life, not its strength in any single chart.

In Tradition

Classical and modern Jyotish texts agree on a graded, dignity-weighted score. A planet in its own division holds the full 20 points, and the figure steps down by dignity — 18 in a great friend's varga (divisional chart), then 15, 10, 7 and 5 for a friend's, an equal's, an enemy's and a great enemy's. You read the combined total on a band of results: weakest below five, and wholly favourable in the fifteen-to-twenty range.

In Practice

An astrologer computes this to judge how dignified a planet stays across the divisional charts. The dignity-grade factor (the Varga Viswa — 20, 18, 15, 10, 7 or 5) goes into the formula (Swaviswa x Varga Viswa) / 20. Cole weights the rashi (sign) chart and the D-60 most heavily, since they bear most on the life. You read the total on bands: below 5 brings inauspicious or no effects; 5-10, some good or minute results; 10-15, mediocre or medium; and 15-20, wholly favourable. BPHS also sorts the total into eight grades, from Atiswalpa to Atipoorna, and uses it to call the results of a dasa (planetary period). A related count, Dwaadasa Vargeeya Bala, tallies how many of the twelve charts D-1 to D-12 a planet is strong versus weak in. The top Vaiseshikamsa grades — Gopura, Simhasana, Paravata, Devaloka — name the most distinguished placements, and Raman makes such high varga-dignity a condition of his combinations for wealth, speech and food.

Historical Origin

The twenty-point measure is laid out in the Brihat Parasara Hora Sastra, Chapter 7, in R. Santhanam's translation, while the higher divisional-dignity grades are named in Vaidyanatha Dikshita's Jataka Parijata (V. Subramanya Sastri's translation). Modern authors carry it forward: B.V. Raman, who works Vaiseshikamsa into his combinations; Cole's Science of Light; and Narasimha Rao's integrated treatment.

Definition

In Tradition

In Practice

Historical Origin

Further Reading