What is Vimshottari dasha?
Short answer
Vimshottari dasha is the main timing system of Vedic astrology. It divides life into a 120-year cycle of nine planetary periods called Mahadashas. The first period is set by the lord of your birth nakshatra, and each Mahadasha is split into sub-periods called Antardashas.
The nine periods and their length
The Mahadashas always run in the same order and add up to 120 years: Ketu 7 years, Venus 20, Sun 6, Moon 10, Mars 7, Rahu 18, Jupiter 16, Saturn 19 and Mercury 17.
Where your cycle starts
Your first Mahadasha belongs to the lord of the nakshatra the Moon occupied at birth. How far the Moon had already travelled through that nakshatra decides how much of the first period remained — the dasha balance at birth. Most people therefore begin part-way through their first dasha.
Mahadasha, Antardasha and beyond
Each Mahadasha is divided into nine Antardashas (also called bhuktis) in the same order, beginning with the Mahadasha lord itself. Each Antardasha can be divided again into Pratyantardashas. Astrologers read the period lords’ placement, strength and house rulership in your chart to describe what each period brings.
Common questions
- Why is it called Vimshottari?
- Vimshottari means “one hundred and twenty” in Sanskrit, the length of the full cycle in years.
- Is a Saturn Mahadasha always difficult?
- No. Results depend on where Saturn sits in your chart, which houses it rules and its strength. For some charts Saturn’s period is the most productive of all.
Sources and further reading
Jyotish is a traditional system for reflection. Interpretations vary between schools; this guide describes common practice.