Dasha

Dasha system is the foundation of Vedic Astrology, commonly known as Jyotisha Shastra. "Dasha" means the major period of a planet. Dasha method is an ideal method of progression through Navagrahas or Rashis. Dasha system is an exclusive technique to assess a particular planet's influence on each of the moon signs or nakshatras.

It is a time period ruled by a certain planet that unfolds during one's lifetime. They denote good and bad effects on the planet. There are over 42 distinct types of Dasha systems formulated by Maharishi Parashara in his great work called Brhat Parashari Hora Shastra (BPHS).

Among them, Vimshottari occupies a very prominent place as most Jyotishis of the current time using this. However, it is said that there are many more Dasa systems, 42 of them which Maharishi Parashara narrated in his immortal work Brhat Parashari Hora Shastra (BPHS). Here is an attempt to bring all these Dasa systems in one place for the knowledge of avid learners of this discipline.

Although barring one or two dasa systems, not many are accepted in general usage nowadays. It is important to know that their utility in the current age has not diminished. They are as useful as before, but one needs to understand their right usage.

Significance of Dasha

Dashas provide a clear overview of predicting the effects of the planets throughout a person's life. Dasha can also indicate how every planet coordinates with other planets that come into contact. Each dasha is controlled by a specific planet, and other planets influence the quality and nature of that dasha.

The relative benevolence of each period is calculated by the position of that specific planet in the individual's natal chart. Understanding Dasha systems unfold every dimension of life, life events, and exact period of occurrence

Dashas, in short, are timing methods to predict the accuracy of planets and planetary effects on a native. There are about 42 kinds of dasha frameworks.

Commonly used Dasha Methods

Vimshottari

This is the most popular and accurate dasha system amongst other ones. It is also an extensive method based on the precise position of the moon in its Nakshatra. The Nakshatras or constellations are mapped with 9 planets that project the movement of the dasha. Every one of the ninth planets is doled out the different range of life span, which aggregate as long as 120 years. The period and the sequence of each Dashas are as follows,

Here is the list of mahadasha for each planet

Ashtottari 

This Dasha system is suggested when planet Rahu does not involve the ascendant but involves a quadrant or Trine to the Lord of the ascendant. According to Mansagari, Vimshottari is appropriate for one conceived in the Krishna Paksha phase, and Ashtottari is relevant for those from the Shukla Paksha phase. Especially when Rahu possesses Kendra from ascendant, Ardradi Ashtottari Dasa is significant. Again, when Rahu involves Trine from ascendant, Krttikadi Ashtottari Dasa is applicable. The dasa span in this method is 

Sun 6 years, Moon -15 years, Mars- 8 years, Mercury 17 years, Saturn- 10 years, Jupiter- 19 years, Rahu- 12 years, Venus- 21 years. 

Shodashottari

This Dasha method is prescribed when (1) the native is born during the daytime in Krishna Paksha, or around dusk in Shukla Paksha, or (2) when ascendant rises in moon Hora during Krishna Paksha or Sun Hora in Shukla Paksha. Count the number of the Nakshatras from Pushya to the Janma Nakshatra /birth star. Divide this number by 8. The reminder denotes the Dashas period. In this system, the Dasha period for each planet is,  

Sun 11 years, Mars 12 years, Jupiter 13 years, Saturn 14 years, Ketu 15 years, moon 16 years, Mercury 17 years and Venus 18 years. 

Dvadashottari

This dasha method is suggested when the ascendant occupies a Navamsa of Venus or Sukra. Count from Janma Nakshatra to Revati nakshatra. Divide this number by 8. The remainder shows the Dasha of the planets. The dasha duration in this method is  

Sun 7 years, Jupiter 9 years, Ketu 11 years, Mercury 13 years, Rahu 15 years, Mars 17 years, Saturn 19 years, Moon 21 years.

Panchottari

This is recommended when ascendant rises in Karka or cancer sign and cancer Dvadashāńśa. Count from Anuradha nakshatra till the Janma Nakshatra and divide the number by 7. The remainder number indicates the Dasha planet and computes the order from that particular planet. The order and duration for this Dasha system are

Sun 12 years, Mercury 13 years, Saturn 14 years, Mars 15 years, Venus 16 years, Moon 17 years, and Jupiter 18 years. 

Shatabdika

This Dasha is preferred when the ascendant is in Vargottama. When a planet is placed in the same sign in both the birth chart and navamsa chart, it is called Vargottama. In this dasha method, begin the counting from Revati to the Janma Nakshatra and divide this number by 7. The remainder number indicates the beginning Dasha planet. The order of the Dasha is

Sun 5 years, Moon 5 years, Venus 10 years, Mercury 10 years, Jupiter 20 years, Mars 20 years, and Saturn 30 years. 

Chaturashiti Sama 

This dasha system is recommended when the 10th lord occupies the tenth house. Count from Swati nakshatra to the Janma Nakshatra and divide this number by 7. The remainder numeral indicates the Dashas. Here is the order of the Dasha Lords – Sun, Moon, Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, Venus, and Saturn- with each Dasha duration of 12 years.

Dvisaptati Sama

This Dasha is preferred when the ascendant Lord occupies the ascendant or the seventh house- Saptama Bhava. Count from Mula nakshatra to the Janma Nakshatra and divide the number by 8. The remainder number indicates the beginning Dasha planet. The order of the Dasha planets- Sun, moon, mars, mercury, Jupiter, Venus, Saturn, and Rahu. Each planetary dasha duration is of 9 years. 

Shastihayani Dasa

This Dasha is preferred when the planet Sun occupies the ascendant. The Janma nakshatra decides the first planetary dasha of the dasha system. The order of Dasha Lords is Jupiter, Sun, Mars, Moon, Mercury, Venus, Saturn, and Rahu. The Dasas of Jupiter, Sun, and Mars are of 10 years. And rest of the planets have a duration of 6 years each.  

Here is the list of Graha and Nakshatra maps, 

Jupiter: Ashvini, Bharani, Kritika, Punarvasu. 

Sun: Rohini, Mrigashirsha, Ardra, U.Ashadha 

Mars: Pushya, Aslesha, Magha, Revati 

Moon: Poorva Phalguni, Uttara Phalguni, Hastha 

Mercury: Swati, Vishakah, Anuradha,  

Venus: Jyeshtha, Mula, Purva Ashadha 

Saturn: Chitta, Shravan, Dhanishtha 

Rahu: Shatabhisha, Purva Bhadra, Uttara Bhadra. 

Shattrimshat Sama

This is prescribed when the native's birth time is during the day and ascendant rises in Sun Hora, or birth time is from the nighttime and ascendant rises in Moon's Hora. Count from Shravana nakshatra to the Janma Nakshatra and divide the number by 8. The remainder denotes the Dasas. The order of the Dasha Lords and duration is  

Moon 1 year, Sun  2 years, Jupiter  3 years, Mars  4 years, Mercury  5 years, Saturn  6 years, Venus  7 years, and Rahu  8 years. 

Chakra Dasa

This is a Dasha system with a general purpose and is applied to all scenarios. For night birth, the Dasha commences from the ascendant sign. For birth in the Sandhya Kala, the Dasa commences from the rashi falling in the 2nd house. Dasa of each sign is of 10 years.

Kaalachakra Dasa

This Dasha system is based on sign and Nakshatra and is appropriate to all horoscopes. This is well known to be effective in timing special events of life. This is a comprehensive dasha framework based on the exact location of the Moon in the Nakshatra Pada. In this Dasha technique, the nakshatras are classified into Savya (zodiacal), and Apasavya (reverse), and two specific rashis are specifically identified as Deha and Jeeva. Computing this Dasha method is too intricate and is also precise to time health hazards, disasters, and death. 

Chara Dasa 

This is also one of the popular dasha methods with general purposes and is applied in all scenarios. This is mostly used in Jaimini astrology. The process is based on the sign in the 9th house being Vimsapada or Samapada. Dasa period: computation is extensive. The skeletal work goes like this. The duration of each planet is calculated by counting from the Rashi/sign to its Lord. If the Lord occupies its exalted sign, 1 is added, and 1 is subtracted if it occupies a debilitated sign.  

Sthira Dasa

This Dasha system is a Rashi-based Ayur Dasa and is very useful in timing ill health, threats to life, and death causes. This system is also prevalent in Jaimini astrology. Dasa period: In this dasa method, 7, 8, or 9 years are assigned to Chara, Sthira, and Dvisvabhava signs. The dasa commences from the sign occupied by the Brahma Graha and progresses in zodiacal direction/ order if the commencing rashi is "Odd" and goes in the reverse direction if it is "Even." 

Yogardha Dasa 

This also a Rashi based Dasa system, and the duration of a Dasa is the average of Chara and Sthira Dasas. The Dasa begins from the stronger of the ascendant or the Seventh house (Saptama bhava). Similar to Sthira Dasa, it moves in zodiacal order if the commencing sign is Odd and in reverse when it is Even. 

Lagna Kendradi Dasa

This is a rashi based Dasa system. The Dasa begins from the stronger of the Lagna or the seventh sign. Dasa progresses like Sthira Dasa. It moves in zodiacal order if the commencing sign is Odd and in reverse when it is Even. 

Shula Dasa:  

This is a sign-based Ayur Dasa method. This is efficiently used in timing ill-health, life threats, and death. The Dasa begins from the sign falling in the stronger of the 2nd- Dhana or 8th- Randhra Bhava/house. Dasa duration- Like Sthira Dasa, 7, 8, or 9 years are assigned to Chara, Sthira, and Dvisvabhava Rāśis. In this Dasa, death is likely to result during the Dasa of the strongest Maraka rashi. 

Manduka Dasa

This is also a Rashi based Dasa method. This dasha system is recommended in timing life struggles like clashes and fights, threats to life and death. The Dasa commences from the rashi falling in the stronger of ascendant or Saptama bhava- 7thhouse. Dasha order moves in the zodiacal direction when the beginning sign is Odd and reverses in the case of Even. Dasa duration: Like Sthira Dasa, 7, 8, or 9 years are relegated to Chara, Sthira, and Dvisvabhava Rāśis. 

Drig dasa

This is a Rashi based Phalita Dasa system. This is specifically valuable to calculate timings or period of spiritual fulfillments/ pursuits. Dasha begins from ninth house. Dasha progresses in this order- Rashi aspecting the Dharma Bhava-ninth house. Followed by the rashi occupying the Karma Bhava-tenth house and the sign aspecting it. Finally, the rashi occupying the Labha Bhava - eleventh house and rashis aspecting the house. Dasa duration: Like Chara Dasa, the span of each sign is landed by counting from the sign to its Lord. 

Yogini Dasa

This is a Nakshatra based dasa system. It is mentioned that this dasha system method was formulated by Lord Mahadeva. There are 8 Yoginis in this method- Mangala, Pingala, Dhanya, Bhramari, Bhadrika, Ulka, Siddha and Sankata. Chandra, Surya, Guru, Mangal, Budha, Shani, Shukra, and Rahu are born from these yoginis. Computation: Add 3 to the Janma Nakshatra and divide by 8. The remainder numeric indicates Yogini Dasa. Dasa duration: The Dasas are of numerical order of 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 years. Dasa at birth: similar to Vimshottari i.e., from last segment of Moon in the Janma Nakshatra. 

Tara Dasa:  

This dasha is a nakshatra based Phalita Dasa system and is very similar to Vimshottari Dasa. This is a conditional dasha and is prescribed only when there are planets in the Kendras/quadrant. The strongest planet in the quadrant marks the Dasha beginning, followed by planets in Panaphara and Apoklima. Progression follows the movement of Pindayu, Amsayu Dasa, and so on. The Dasa duration of each planet is the same as Vimshottari Dasa.