How Vimshottari Dasha works
Vimshottari ("120") is the main timing system of Vedic astrology. Life is divided into nine planetary periods that always follow the same order and lengths:
- Ketu 7 years → Venus 20 → Sun 6 → Moon 10 → Mars 7 → Rahu 18 → Jupiter 16 → Saturn 19 → Mercury 17, then Ketu again.
- The starting point is the lord of the nakshatra the Moon was in at birth. Only the unfinished part of that first Mahadasha (the balance) is lived; it depends on how far the Moon had moved through its nakshatra.
- Antardashas divide each Mahadasha into nine parts in the same order, starting with the Mahadasha lord itself; their length is proportional to each planet's years. Pratyantar, Sookshma and Prana dashas repeat the division three more times.
A dasha gives the results of its lord as placed in your chart: its house, sign, strength and the houses it rules. That's why the same Saturn Mahadasha can be the making of one person and a struggle for another. Read more in dasha for marriage timing and when will I get married.
Frequently asked questions
What is Vimshottari Dasha?
The main timing system of Vedic astrology: a 120-year cycle of nine planetary periods (Ketu 7, Venus 20, Sun 6, Moon 10, Mars 7, Rahu 18, Jupiter 16, Saturn 19, Mercury 17 years). The period running at birth is set by the Moon's nakshatra.
How is the first dasha at birth calculated?
Each nakshatra is ruled by one of the nine lords. The dasha running at birth belongs to the lord of the Moon's nakshatra, and the part still to run (the balance) is in proportion to how much of that nakshatra the Moon has left to cross.
What are Antardasha and Pratyantardasha?
Each Mahadasha is divided into nine Antardashas (sub-periods) in the same order, starting with its own lord, and each Antardasha into nine Pratyantardashas. Sookshma and Prana dashas go two levels finer still.
Which dasha is good or bad?
No dasha is good or bad by itself. Results depend on the lord's strength, dignity and house in your chart, and on its relationship with the Mahadasha lord, which is why the same dasha can work very differently for two people.
Why do websites show slightly different dasha dates?
Because of the ayanamsa and the year length used. We use True Chitra Paksha and a year of 365.25 days; other sites may use Lahiri or a 360-day year, which shifts the dates by days or weeks.