Reading Star Strength (Tara Bala)

Tara Bala (Star Strength)

This is the first of a two-part series on Tara Bala (Star Strength). The Tara Bala is based upon Nakshatras. “Tara” means star and “bala” means strength. When Vedic Astrologers refer to Tara Bala, they are referring to the placement of the planets in certain Nakshatras from that of the Moon. To determine Tara Bala, it is essential to know your Moon’s Nakshatra and its planetary ruler. You must know the Nakshatra your Moon falls within. If you know your Moon’s sidereal position within a sign, then the table below will help you find your Moon’s Nakshatra.

1. Ashwini is 0° - 13°20 Aries and is ruled by Ketu.
2. Bharani is 13°20 - 26°40 Aries, ruled by Venus.
3. Krittika is 26°40 Aries - 10° Taurus, ruled by the Sun.
4. Rohini is 10° - 23°20 Taurus, ruled by the Moon
5. Mrigashira is 23°20 Taurus - 6°40 Gemini, ruled by Mars
6. Ardra is 6°40 - 20° Gemini, ruled by Rahu
7. Punarvasu is 20° Gemini - 3°20 Cancer, ruled by Jupiter
8. Pushya is 3°20 - 16°40 Cancer, ruled by Saturn
9. Ashlesha is 16°40 - 30° Cancer, ruled by Mercury
10. Magha is 0° - 13°20 Leo, ruled by Ketu
11. Purva Phalguni is 13°20 - 26°40 Leo, ruled by Venus
12. Uttara Phlaguni is 26°40 Leo - 10° Virgo, ruled by the Sun
13. Hasta is 10° - 23°20 Virgo, ruled by the Moon
14. Chitra is 23°20 Virgo - 6°40 Libra, ruled by Mars
15. Swati is 6°40 - 20° Libra, ruled by Rahu
16. Vishaka is 20° Libra - 3°20 Scorpio, ruled by Jupiter
17. Anuradha is 3°20 - 16°40 Scorpio, ruled by Saturn
18. Jyeshtha is 16°40 - 30° Scorpio, ruled by Mercury
19. Mula is 0° - 13°20 Sagittarius, ruled by Ketu
20. Purva Ashadha is 13°20 - 26°40 Sagittarius, ruled by Venus
21. Uttara Ashadha is 26°40 Sagittarius - 10° Capricorn, ruled by the Sun
22. Sravana is 10° - 23°20 Capricorn, ruled by the Moon
23. Dhanishtha is 23°20 Capricorn - 6°40 Aquarius, ruled by Mars
24. Shatabishak is 6°40 - 20° Aquarius, ruled by Rahu
25. Purva Bhadrapada is 20° Aquarius - 3°20 Pisces, ruled by Jupiter
26. Uttara Bhadrapada is 3°20 - 16°40 Pisces, ruled by Saturn
27. Revati is 16°40 - 30° Pisces, ruled by Mercury

Janma Nakshatra or Birth Star
The Janma Nakshatra is simply the Nakshatra the natal Moon is placed in. It is your Birth Star. It is number 1 in the Table below. For purposes of Tara Bala, the Janma Nakshatra is also all of the Nakshatras that have the same planetary ruler as your birth Nakshatra. For example, if your birth Nakshatra is Purva Bhadra, then your planetary ruler is Jupiter. Therefore, Vishaka and Punarvasu are also considered to be your Janma Nakshatra and any natal planets in these Nakshatras are said to be conjunct the Moon and in your birth star or Janma Nakshatra.

Meanings of the Nine Tara:

Tara #1: This is the Janma Nakshatra, the Nakshatra of the natal Moon including the other two Nakshatras who have the same planetary ruler as the Moon. Description: Beginnings, ideas, body. The Janma Nakshatra is equivalent to the Lagna (Ascendant). Planets here have a marked influence upon the appearance and personality.

Tara #2: Sampat Nakshatra, the 2nd Nakshatra from the Moon and from all Nakshatras ruled by the same planetary ruler as the Moon. Description: Accomplishment, good care of responsibilities, wealth, receptivity.

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Tara #3: Vipat Nakshatra, the 3rd Nakshatra from the Moon and from all Nakshatras ruled by the same planetary ruler of the Moon. This relates to the 3rd House. Description: Hindrance, prevention, death, self-will, hard work, travel, siblings, competition

Tara #4: Kshema Nakshatra, the 4th Nakshatra from the Moon and from all Nakshatras ruled by the same planetary ruler of the Moon. This Tara relates to the 4th and 5th Houses. Description: Things that create security, property, home, security of progeny and creativity.

Tara #5: Pratyak Nakshatra, the 5th Nakshatra from the Moon and from all Nakshatras ruled by the same planetary ruler of the Moon. Relates to the 6th House. Description: Averted, missed. Obstacles. Conflict, enemies.

Tara #6: Sadhaka Nakshatra, the 6th Nakshatra from the Moon and from all Nakshatras ruled by the same planetary ruler of the Moon. This Tara relates to the 7th House. Just as our spouse completes us and is useful to us and helps our life become more efficient, so does the 6th Tara manifest these specific qualities. Perfecting, useful and efficient

Tara #7: Vadha Nakshatra, the 7th Nakshatra from the Moon and from all Nakshatras ruled by the same planetary ruler of the Moon. This Tara relates to the 8th House. Description: Slayer, destroyer, destruction, change.

Tara #8: Maitra Nakshatra, the 8th Nakshatra from the Moon and from all Nakshatras ruled by the same planetary ruler of the Moon. Relates to the 9th and 10th Houses. Description: Friendly, helpful, dharmic, dutiful, actions, what the person gives to the world.

Tara #9: Parama Maitra Nakshatra, the 9th Nakshatra from the Moon and from all Nakshatras ruled by the same planetary ruler of the Moon. This Tara relates to the 11th House. Description: Best or highest, most useful, producing a lot of good in life.

As an example, think of the Taras in this way: if Venus is in the second Nakshatra from the Janma Nakshatra, then the person will create and grow wealth in their life through the use of Venusian qualities, such as art, music decoration or comforting. If Venus was in the third Nakshatra (Vipat), then there would be a lot of competition within the person’s love life. If Venus is in the 4th Nakshatra from the Janma Nakshatra then the person derives security from art, music, romance, etc. The native will have a beautiful home and love to create beautiful things. Do you get the idea? The 3rd, 5th and 7th Taras produce challenges and create obstacles and setbacks. The 9th Tara is the best and yields excellent results. The ruler of the 9th Tara, the planetary ruler of the Param Maitra Nakshatra and any planets within the 9th Tara will yield extremely beneficial results in its dasas and bhuktis. The 1st, 2nd,4th, 6th, and 8th Taras will also give good effects.

The Moon as the Mind
In Vedic Astrology the Moon is the most important planet. This is because it represents the Mind. The Mind takes the light of the Soul (the Sun) and reflects it into manifested creation. It differentiates the light of the Sun through waxing and waning. So it naturally follows that the sign and especially the Nakshatra that the Moon falls within will have an enormous bearing on the personality characteristics of the individual. The relationship the Moon has with the other planets will reflect a person’s attitude and whether they grow stability or change within their individual consciousness. I like to use the words “stability or change” instead of “success or failure” because in the ancient world, change was often equated with failure. A person could not just get up and decide he is moving across the country, changing careers and starting over. Cultural and economic conditions prevented these events from taking place. So, more often than not, the person going through major changes would face ruination. Please keep in mind that in modern times, the more difficult Taras are related to change and obstacles. Destruction and ruination must be seen from all aspects of the horoscope.

Reading Tara Bala is a great way to make predictions without having an exact birth time or being unsure of the birth time.

Laura Barat is a professional, practicing Vedic Astrologer in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado. She is a graduate of the American College of Vedic Astrology and a regional teacher for Dirah Academy International. Please visit her website at www.laurabarat.org/.

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