Vimshottari Dasha: Signification, Calculation, and Uses

Introduction to Vimshottari Dasha

The Vimshottari Dasha system is the most widely used planetary time cycle system in Vedic Astrology. It is based on the Nakshatra (constellation) placement of the Moon at the time of birth and helps in predicting life events with precision.

The Vimshottari Dasha system is described in Brihat Parashara Hora Shastra (BPHS), Uttara Kalamrita, and Phal Deepika as the most important dasha system applicable to most horoscopes. It divides human life into different planetary periods (Dasha), each ruled by a specific planet.

Vimshottari Dasha System Overview

• Total Dasha Cycle: 120 years
• Number of Dashas (Planetary Periods): 9
• Order of Planetary Periods:
  1. Ketu Dasha – 7 years
  2. Venus (Shukra) Dasha – 20 years
  3. Sun (Surya) Dasha – 6 years
  4. Moon (Chandra) Dasha – 10 years
  5. Mars (Mangal) Dasha – 7 years
  6. Rahu Dasha – 18 years
  7. Jupiter (Guru) Dasha – 16 years
  8. Saturn (Shani) Dasha – 19 years
  9. Mercury (Budha) Dasha – 17 years

Each planet controls a specific time period and influences different aspects of life during its rule.

Calculation of Vimshottari Dasha

Step 1: Identify the Birth Nakshatra

The starting dasha at birth is determined by the Nakshatra (constellation) where the Moon is placed in the birth chart.

Step 2: Determine the Starting Planet

Each Nakshatra is ruled by a planet, as per the following sequence:

Step 3: Calculate Remaining Dasha Period at Birth

• Each dasha lasts for a specific number of years.
• The remaining portion of the first dasha at birth is calculated based on the exact degree of the Moon in the Nakshatra.
• Example:
  • If a person is born with the Moon in Bharani Nakshatra, they start with Venus Dasha (20 years total).
  • If the Moon is at 50% of Bharani, then 50% of Venus Dasha (10 years) has already passed.
  • The native will experience the remaining 10 years of Venus Dasha at birth before moving to Sun Dasha.

Effects of Vimshottari Dasha Periods

Each planetary Dasha period has specific effects depending on the planet’s placement, dignity, aspects, and conjunctions in the natal chart.

1. Ketu Dasha (7 Years) – Spiritual Growth & Losses

• Brings detachment, losses, spirituality, and sudden changes.
• Can lead to isolation, health issues, and karmic cleansing.
• Favorable for mysticism, research, and foreign travels.

2. Venus (Shukra) Dasha (20 Years) – Love, Luxury & Relationships

• Brings comfort, beauty, wealth, romance, and artistic success.
• Favors marriage, creativity, and materialistic pleasures.
• If Venus is weak, relationship issues, overindulgence, and financial losses may occur.

3. Sun (Surya) Dasha (6 Years) – Authority & Recognition

• Enhances confidence, leadership, power, and career growth.
• Gives fame, status, and self-realization.
• If afflicted, can lead to ego problems, conflicts with authority, and health issues.

4. Moon (Chandra) Dasha (10 Years) – Emotional Growth & Mind Stability

• Focuses on mental peace, family, emotions, and happiness.
• Brings maternal influence, creativity, and social connections.
• Afflicted Moon can cause emotional instability, mental stress, and insecurity.

5. Mars (Mangal) Dasha (7 Years) – Energy & Aggression

• Brings courage, energy, action, and motivation.
• Favors sports, military, and technical professions.
• If afflicted, can lead to aggression, accidents, and disputes.

6. Rahu Dasha (18 Years) – Transformation & Karmic Events

• Rahu brings sudden changes, desires, ambition, and foreign influence.
• Can lead to fame, innovation, and unconventional success.
• If negatively placed, can cause addictions, deception, and legal troubles.

7. Jupiter (Guru) Dasha (16 Years) – Wisdom & Expansion

• Brings knowledge, prosperity, and ethical growth.
• Favors education, spirituality, and good karma.
• If afflicted, can lead to overconfidence, laziness, and losses.

8. Saturn (Shani) Dasha (19 Years) – Hard Work & Discipline

• Brings karma, patience, struggles, and responsibilities.
• If well-placed, gives stability, success, and discipline.
• If afflicted, can cause delays, restrictions, and hardships.

9. Mercury (Budha) Dasha (17 Years) – Intelligence & Communication

• Enhances intelligence, speech, business, and analytical skills.
• If well-placed, favors writing, teaching, and financial success.
• If afflicted, can cause nervous disorders, miscommunication, and trickery.

Sub-Dashas (Antardasha) in Vimshottari Dasha

• Each major Dasha (Mahadasha) is divided into sub-periods (Antardasha) ruled by all 9 planets.
• Example:
  • Jupiter Mahadasha → Sun Antardasha → Moon Pratyantar Dasha
  • The result depends on planetary placements, aspects, and conjunctions in the birth chart.

Importance & Uses of Vimshottari Dasha

1. Predicting Life Events – Helps in analyzing marriage, career changes, financial gains/losses, and health issues.
2. Understanding Karmic Cycles – Shows past karma results and future challenges.
3. Timing of Important Events – Determines when good or bad periods will unfold.
4. Remedial Measures – Suggests mantras, donations, and spiritual practices to balance negative effects.

• Vimshottari Dasha is the most reliable tool for timing predictions in Vedic astrology.
• Each planetary period influences different aspects of life based on planetary strength.
• BPHS, Uttara Kalamrita, and Phal Deepika emphasize its importance in timing karmic events.

About Post Author

Anupam Shukla

anupam@astrosutras.in

https://astrosutras.in