Positional strength: five classifications to distinguish
Sthana bala is how this passage classifies a planet’s placement using five named conditions. Own sign and own Navamsha are different entries in that list.
STEP 1
Recognize the five terms
Stanza 19 names these conditions without giving a numerical score for them.
| Term | What the label refers to |
|---|---|
| Exaltation sign | The planet’s designated exaltation sign. |
| Friendly sign | A sign classified as friendly for that planet under the relationship rules being used. |
| Mulatrikona | A separately named sign category in the text. |
| Own Navamsha | A Navamsha named for a sign ruled by that planet. |
| Own sign (swakshetra) | A rashi ruled by that planet. |
STEP 2
Separate the two uses of “own”
Own sign concerns the planet’s rashi placement. Own Navamsha concerns its derived Navamsha placement. The Chapter I notes give the same rulers to named rashis and Navamshas, so a Navamsha named Leo belongs to the Sun. Simply having a Navamsha position does not make it the planet’s own.
STEP 3
See how labels can overlap
The Chapter II notes name Aries as the Sun’s exaltation sign and Leo as its Mulatrikona. They also identify the Sun as Leo’s ruler. This shows why Mulatrikona and own sign are distinct labels even when the text assigns both to the same sign.
STEP 4
Record the basis for each label
For a chart entry, record the rashi, its ruler and the Navamsha separately. Identify which source or relationship rule supplies any further label. The notes refer elsewhere for relative values; the five names alone do not tell you to add points or rank the conditions.
This guide explains the classifications stated in these passages. It does not calculate a complete planetary-strength score.