Vimshottari dasha, explained in plain words

Ask an astrologer "when" and the answer usually comes from your dasha. Here is how the Vimshottari system works.

Nine periods in a fixed order

Vimshottari means "of 120". The nine planets rule in this order, for these many years: Ketu 7, Venus 20, Sun 6, Moon 10, Mars 7, Rahu 18, Jupiter 16, Saturn 19 and Mercury 17, adding up to 120 years. Each main period is a mahadasha; after Mercury the cycle starts again with Ketu.

Where your dasha starts

Your birth nakshatra decides the first period. Each of the 27 nakshatras is ruled by one of the nine planets (Ashwini, Magha and Mula by Ketu; Bharani, Purva Phalguni and Purva Ashadha by Venus, and so on). How far the Moon has already travelled through that nakshatra at birth decides how much of the first mahadasha is left: the dasha balance written in every jathakam.

Antardasha and pratyantar dasha

Each mahadasha is split into nine sub-periods (antardasha or bhukti) in the same order, starting with its own planet, each in proportion to its years. For example, Jupiter–Saturn lasts 16 × 19 ÷ 120 = 2.53 years. Each antardasha splits again into pratyantar dashas, for finer timing.

How a dasha is read

A period gives the results of its planet: the houses it rules and occupies in your chart, its strength and dignity, the yogas it joins, and how the sub-period lord relates to it. Transits of Jupiter and Saturn then show when within the period things are more likely to happen.

Why dasha dates can differ between apps

Small differences come from the ayanamsa (we use Lahiri), the exact birth time, and the length of the dasha year. Our Life Report uses a 365.2425-day year; some traditional patrikas use 365.25 or 360 days, which moves dates by days or weeks over a lifetime. See how we calculate for details.

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Questions

Which dasha am I running now?

It depends on your birth nakshatra and the Moon's exact degree at birth. The Vedic Life Report gives every mahadasha and antardasha of your life with dates.

Which mahadasha is the best?

There is no universally good or bad dasha. The same planet's period can be excellent in one chart and hard in another, depending on what that planet rules and how strong it is.

What is dasha balance at birth?

The part of the first mahadasha still left when you were born, worked out from how far the Moon had travelled through your birth nakshatra.

Traditional Vedic astrology, explained for guidance and reflection. See how we calculate.