I think I just had a breakthrough on this, so I'm looking for clarification. LA deal more with bhavas the planet rules, so it's ability really targets what we really want. DA deal with the conjunct and aspected bhavas, so these are like the side gigs the planet attends to.
Hypothetical: Sun in 10th with lousy LA but exalted and aspecting the 2nd bhava cusp (not sure that's possible, but whatever). Maybe I want to be a movie star, but that never happens, but I do make a great living with tv commercials. If that's the gist, I think I get how the two avasthas work hand-in-hand. Am I on the right track?
Not really. Lajjitaadi avasthas indicated the fulfillment the planet gives and that means to the house its in, the sign its in, the house it rules and the houses it aspects. Is the person happy or feeling empty.
Deeptaadi Avasthas show the ability to overcome the challenges presented by the above. In doing anything, there is always the challenging state, that is the deeptaadi avastha.
Got it! That makes even more sense : )