Planet Strength Concepts
A planet's ability to deliver its results, whether positive or negative, depends heavily on its strength. This page explains the key factors that determine planetary power.
Exaltation & Debilitation (Ucha & Neecha)
This is the most important factor in determining a planet's strength. Every planet has one sign where it is most powerful (Exalted) and one sign where it is weakest (Debilitated).
- Exaltation (Ucha): A planet in its exaltation sign is at the peak of its power and functions in its highest and best expression. It is capable of giving outstanding positive results.
- Debilitation (Neecha): A planet in its debilitation sign is weak and struggles to express its natural qualities. It can indicate challenges or a flawed expression of that planet's energy.
Example: The Sun is exalted in Aries, giving strong leadership, while it is debilitated in Libra, where its ego is compromised by the need for balance and approval.
How this is used in our app:
The `IsPlanetExalted` and `IsPlanetDebilitated` flags are major inputs into our scoring algorithm. An exalted planet receives a significant boost in its Individual Planet Score (IPS), while a debilitated planet receives a penalty.
Own Sign (Swakshetra) & Moolatrikona
When a planet is in a sign that it rules, it is considered to be in its "own sign." This is a position of great strength and comfort.
- Swakshetra (Own Sign): A planet in its own sign is like being "at home." It is comfortable, confident, and able to express its natural qualities easily and effectively. E.g., Mars in Aries.
- Moolatrikona: This is a specific portion of a planet's own sign where it is exceptionally strong, almost as powerful as being exalted. It's the planet's "office," where it is focused and effective.
How this is used in our app:
The `IsPlanetInOwnSign` and `IsPlanetInMoolatrikona` flags provide a substantial boost to a planet's IPS in our scoring model.
Friendly vs. Enemy Sign
Vedic astrology defines a complex web of relationships between the planets. A planet can be in a sign ruled by a friend, a neutral planet, or an enemy.
- Friendly Sign: A planet here is like staying at a friend's house. It is supported and able to function well.
- Enemy Sign: A planet here is in a hostile environment. It feels uncomfortable and struggles to give good results.
How this is used in our app:
Our scoring engine uses the `IsPlanetInFriendSign` flag to award a moderate strength increase to a planet's score, reflecting the supportive environment.
Combustion
When a planet gets too close to the Sun, it becomes "combust." The Sun's overwhelming glare essentially burns away the planet's ability to function independently. A combust planet is considered very weak and unable to deliver its promised results.
How this is used in our app:
The `IsPlanetCombust` flag triggers a significant penalty in the planet's score, as its ability to act is severely hampered.
Other Strength Factors
The app also considers other, more subtle strength parameters provided by the vendor API, including:
- Shadbala: A complex mathematical calculation of six different sources of planetary strength. A high Shadbala score indicates a planet is powerful overall.
- Vargottama: When a planet occupies the same sign in both the main chart and the important Navamsha (D9) divisional chart, it becomes very strong and stable, regardless of its sign placement.
- Avastas (States): Planets are also described as being in various states (like `Mudita` - happy, or `Kshudita` - hungry/agitated). These states provide clues about the planet's condition and ability to give results. The app specifically rewards a planet in a `Mudita` (happy) state.
By combining all these factors, the app builds a detailed picture of each planet's true strength before calculating its impact on the final score.