Dashas: Time Periods in Vedic Astrology

In the world of Vedic astrology, time is not linear; it is cyclic. It keeps shifting and repeating itself in fixed patterns in the form of “Dasha”—which is the time period that shows when the planetary energies of specific planets will influence particular areas of life. 

You can consider your natal chart to be like a blueprint of your life path and the dashas activate specific houses of your chart from time-to-time, which triggers certain life events. Understanding dashas is crucial to interpreting the timing of unfolding of important life events and decoding favourable and unfavorable periods for matters such as a job search, family planning, initiating a business, buying a new car, and many other life events. Dashas can also help you predict when your life’s struggles and progress are likely to manifest.

While there are more than 40 different dasha systems recognized by the classical texts, Vimshottari Dasha is the most popularly used and is believed to be the most accurate by astrologers. Every dasha has its own unique significance and influence on your life. So, let us explore a few most common dasha systems and understand their importance.

 

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Purpose of Dasha Systems

In Sanskrit, the word “dasha”, literally translates to “condition”. Different dashas divide the life of a person into multiple episodes where different planets play the leading role, which could be constructive or destructive, depending on the placement and strength of the planet. The main purpose of the dashas is to deliver the results of our past karmas.

The dasha of a well-placed and strong planet usually brings growth and success, making you prosperous and content. However, the dasha of a weak or afflicted planet may bring health challenges, financial struggles, legal troubles, and misunderstandings between family members.

The main purpose of interpreting dashas is to predict the exact timing of events like marriage, career growth, health issues, asset creation, financial gains or losses, and so on. A deeper analysis of the dashas can also uncover the quality of experiences during a particular period and reveal the karmic debts of a person.

Different dasha systems offer a unique analysis about different types of charts and situations. Some dashas are calculated on the basis of the position of the Moon in different nakshatras, some are calculated according to the position of different planets, and some others rely upon the calculation of houses in your chart.

 

Sub-classification of Dashas

Each main dasha (known as mahadasha) is further classified into sub periods known as antardashas. And antardashas are further sub divided into pratyantar, sukshma, and prana dashas. Every mahadasha goes through 9 different antardashas of the 9 planets. Each planet is designated a specific number of years to show its influence. So, every mahadasha has 9 antardashas, one of each planet; every antardasha has 9 pratyantar dashas and so on.

Where mahadashas describe the major themes of a person’s life for a decade or more, antardashas talk about upcoming 1-2 years. The pratyantar dashas last for a few months and sukshma dashas last for a few days. The prana dasha, however, can reveal the events that will happen in a few hours.

The mahadasha and antardashas can be accurately detected by a person’s birth date and approximate birth time. However, for the prediction of pratyantar dashas and further, the exact time of the birth of a child down to seconds is necessary.

 

Interpreting Dashas

When a planet’s dasha operates, it activates the house it owns, occupies, and aspects. It also brings results of its natural significations (karakatva) and the yogas or doshas (issues) it is involved in. For example, Jupiter Mahadasha brings guidance, knowledge, children, marriage, and prosperity if well placed in the natal chart. But if Jupiter is afflicted, it can bring legal battles, ego or health issues.

 

Vimshottari Dasha

Vimshottari dasha is the most commonly used dasha system by the astrologers, since it is most accurate and relatable. The calculation of Vimshottari dasha is done on the basis of nakshatras and the dashas begin from the nakshatra that the Moon is placed in during the birth of a child. This dasha spans over a total of 120 years that are distributed among the 9 main planets in astrology. They run as follows— Ketu – 7 years, Venus– 20 years, Sun – 6 years, Moon – 10 years, Mars – 7 years, Rahu – 18 years, Jupiter – 16 years, Saturn – 19 years, and Mercury – 17 years.

The first dasha that you are born in is decided by the degree of the Moon in a particular nakshatra at the time of your birth. For instance, if someone is born in the middle of Vishakha nakshatra, ruled by Jupiter, they will be in the middle of Jupiter Mahadasha as soon as they are born.

Why is Vimshottari dasha the most accurate? Well, that’s because it is based on the Moon and the nakshatras. The Moon governs our subconscious mind and emotions; therefore, the principles of Vedic astrology revolve around the Moon, which influences the basics of human existence. By timing events on the basis of the Moon’s movement through the nakshatras, Vimshottari dasha becomes psychologically, and karmically precise.

 

 

Ashtottari Dasha

Ashtottari dasha is also based on nakshatras and has a total span of 108 years. It doesn’t include the planet Ketu and can be applied only when the Moon is in a nakshatra of Sun, Moon, Mars, or Jupiter at the time of birth. It is more commonly used in north India and shows religious or spiritual life.

Since there are only 8 planets included in this dasha, the distribution of the timeline of different planets is as follows: Sun – 6 years, Moon – 15 years, Mars – 8 years, Mercury – 17 years, Jupiter – 19 years, Venus – 21 years, Saturn – 20 years, and Rahu – 2 years. The dasha will initiate with the ruling planet of the nakshatra of the Moon at the time of birth.

 

Yogini Dasha

Yogini dasha is based on eight Yoginis (female energies) representing eight planets and has a cycle of 36 years. This dasha is used when the Moon is strong and full. This dasha is often looked up for spiritual progress, timing of marriage and career and mysterious events. The first Yogini dasha at the time of birth is determined by the nakshatra of the Moon. The 8 Yogini dashas along with their ruling planets and period length are:

Mangala- 1 year – Ruled by Moon

Pingala- 2 years – Ruled by Sun

Dhanya- 3 years – Ruled by Jupiter

Bhramari- 4 years – Ruled by Mars

Bhadrika- 5 years – Ruled by Mercury

Ulka- 6 years – Ruled by Saturn

Siddha- 7 years – Ruled by Venus

Sankata- 8 years – Ruled by Rahu

In general, these Yogini dashas are considered positive and negative in alternation. Like Mangala brings blessings, Pingala brings struggles and Dhanya brings blessings again and so on. Apart from this generic nature of the dashas, certain specific results can be expected from the Yogini dashas based on the strength of the planet related to the ongoing dasha. For example, if Saturn is positively placed in the chart, The Ulka dasha will bring mild challenges and smaller obstacles that can be resolved easily, However, if Saturn is afflicted in the birth chart, the intensity of the challenges will increase.

 

Kalachakra Dasha

The meaning of Kalachakra is “Wheel of Time." This dasha is extremely complex to understand and sensitive. It is also based on the Moon’s position in a particular nakshatra and divides time into multiple cycles. It is believed to give very accurate results and is often used for predictions about Mundane Astrology (world events, natural disasters, political trends). However, the interpretation of this dasha requires a lot of experience and a deep understanding of the principles of Vedic astrology.

The total duration of this dasha may vary depending upon certain specific conditions. Its timing is based on the pada/quarter of the nakshatra and its behavior is decided by the nature of the sign—whether it is movable, fixed, or dual. The interpretation of Kalachakra dasha requires careful calculations using tables provided in classical texts.

 

Chara Dasha

This dasha system was discovered by Sage Jaimini and is based on zodiac signs. It is calculated by considering the person’s Ascendant sign and is used widely in Jaimini astrology. This dasha is mostly useful in making predictions related to fame, politics, and public image. It focuses on the movement of signs instead of planets, and is important for making long-term predictions.

The total duration of the Chara dasha may vary and the timing of the events in Chara dasha is predicted by examining the Karakas (significators) in the birth chart. For example, Amatyakaraka stands for career growth, Darakaraka for spouse, Atmakaraka for soul’s desires), Putrakaraka for children, etc. The interpretation of this dasha involves assessing the sign related to the current dasha and its connection with the karakas.

 

Shoola Dasha

This lesser-known dasha system is mostly needed for predicting death or near-death experiences. It is a highly specialized dasha system and is used by expert astrologers with caution. This dasha is usually used alongside other dashas for confirmation of extreme events. The time duration of this dasha is also variable and is based on signs. Planets are only indirectly involved in this dasha.

In order to calculate the timing of a major threatening period according to Shoola dasha, an analysis of simultaneous periods of malefic influences and the danger houses, 6^th, 8^th or 12^th, are checked. This dasha is mostly used in combination with other dashas like Vimshottari and Kalachakra to give accurate prediction of events.

 

Sudarshana Chakra Dasha

Sudarshana dasha is described in some rare classical texts. This system sums up the dasha after analyzing the Ascendant sign (Lagna), nakshatra of the Moon, and the Sun charts, emphasizing the importance of all three in timing life events. It gives a more precise and holistic view of life events at the mental, physical, and cellular level.

 

Choosing the Right Dasha System

As we already discussed above, Vimshottari dasha is the most popular and applicable in Kaliyuga. However, other dasha systems could be used depending on the astrologer’s knowledge and lineage, nature of the birth chart, or to predict specific life events. More than one dasha system can also be used simultaneously for confirmation of events. Vimshottari dasha is often used for the prediction of most life events like career, job switch, health issues, marriage, and children. Chara dasha is used in reading political or fame-related events. Kalachakra dasha can be used for geopolitical forecasts or predicting world events. Yogini and Ashtottari are used in making spirituality related or karma-based readings.

 

Conclusion

Dashas are cosmic timeframes based on our karmic blueprint. Out of all the dashas, Vimshottari dasha has been proven to be widely famous since it is more relatable by people across the globe and easy to interpret. It has been validated by countless astrologers and has stood the test of time.

Dashas remind us that our destiny is fixed, and karma always makes a comeback. Time is cyclic, just like the seasons, and it brings various ups and downs in our life based on the dasha of strong and afflicted planets in one’s chart. Therefore, with the guidance of an experienced astrologer, understanding the dashas helps us predict our life path, empowering and aligning us with cosmic energies and the rhythms of life.