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Measuring Strength: Dignity, Shadbala, Ashtakavarga
How Jyotish decides whether a health signal is loud or quiet.
Two charts can contain the same placement and mean very different things, because strength decides volume. Three classical instruments measure it.
Dignity (by sign): every planet has signs where it is exalted (peak expression), in its own sign (comfortable), in a friendly, neutral or enemy sign, or debilitated (weakest). A debilitated 6th lord whispers where an exalted one speaks clearly. Combustion (too close to the Sun) and retrogression modify this further.
Shadbala (sixfold strength): the heavyweight formula. It totals six components - positional, directional, temporal, motional, natural and aspectual strength - into rupas, then compares the total against each planet's classical minimum. On AstroPal this is the 0-100 score you see under Kundali, Planetary Strength. Above 60 we call strong, 40-60 moderate, under 40 weak.
Ashtakavarga (benefic dots): each sign holds 0 to 8 contribution points per planet, and each house a total (SAV). A house with 30+ dots absorbs affliction well; one with under 22 has thin walls. For health, the SAV of houses 1, 6 and 8 matters most.
Why this matters for the rest of the course: the Markesh module ahead grades every maraka planet by exactly these measures. A "scary" maraka with weak credentials is a mild signal; a strong malefic maraka in high dignity earns real respect and a real self-care plan.
The strength math tempers fear with proportion. What it never does is overrule a lab report. When the chart and a doctor disagree, the doctor is right.
Key Takeaway
A signal is only as serious as the strength math behind it - always check dignity and Shadbala before worrying.