Dasha (astrology)
Dasha (Devanagari: दशा, Sanskrit,daśā, 'planetary period'.) The dasha pattern shows which planets will be ruling at particular times in Jyotisha.[1]
 |
Overview
Dashas provide a system to judge the effects of the planets throughout a person's life, by indicating how the planets distribute their effects throughout a lifetime. Each dasha is controlled by one planet, and the quality and relative benevolence of each period is determined by the condition and position of that planet in the natal chart.
There are nine planets or grahas which may rule dashas: the seven classical planets, plus the north node, Rahu, and south node, Ketu, of the Moon.
There are at least 43 different dasha systems, Some of which are as follows- 1 Vimshottari dasha 2 Ashtotari dasha 3 Yogini dasha 4 Kaalchakra dasha 5 Panchottari dasha 6 DwisaptatiSama dasha 7 Shasthiyayni dasha 8 Dwadashottari dasha 9 Shodashottari dasha 10 Shatabdika dasha 11 Chara dasha 12 Sthira dasha 13 Varnada dasha 14 Shoola dasha 15 Brahma dasha 16 Kaal dasha 17 Chakra Dasha 18 Karaka Dasha 19 Manduka Dasha 20 Kendra dasha 21 Navamsa Dasha 22 Drig Dasha
Vimshottari Dasha
Vimshottari Dasha is a 120 year long cycle of planetary positions based on the position of the Moon in one of the 27 divisions, or lunar mansions, called nakshatras. In this system, each planet is assigned a different mahadasha or major period, ranging from six to twenty years. For example, the mahadasha of Shukra (Venus), lasts twenty years and is believed to bring wealth, good fortune and luxury to the person who has it well positioned in their horoscope.
Each of the seven planets and the two lunar nodes (making the nine navagraha) has its own period or mahadasha in the cycle. Each graha is the lord (or ruler) of three of the twenty seven nakshatras (3 x 9), which, together with the position of the moon, determine how the system operates. The order and times of the mahadashas are shown in the following table:
| Graha | Mahadasha | Lord of Nakshatras | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ketu (south node) | 7 Years | Ashwini | Magha | Mula |
| Venus | 20 Years | Bharani | Purva Phalguni(pubba) | Purva Ashadha |
| Sun | 6 Years | Krittika | Uttara Phalguni(uttara) | Uttara Ashadha |
| Moon | 10 Years | Rohini | Hasta | Shravana |
| Mars | 7 Years | Mrigashirsha | Chitra | Dhanishtha |
| Rahu (north node) | 18 Years | Ardra | Swati | Shatabhishak |
| Jupiter | 16 Years | Punarvasu | Vishakha | Purva Bhadra |
| Saturn | 19 Years | Pushya | Anuradha | Uttara Bhadra |
| Mercury | 17 Years | Ashlesha | Jyestha | Revati |
Position of the moon
For each individual the order of the mahadashas depends upon the placement of the moon in the nakshatras. The nakshatra in which the moon is occupant at birth determines the first mahadasha of the person's life, depending on which of the graha is its lord. For example, if the moon is in Punarvasu at birth, the Vimshottari cycle for that person will begin with the mahadasha of Jupiter, the lord of Punarvasu.
However, the exact position of the moon in the nakshatra also determines the proportion of the first mahadasha that there is to run. In other words, if the moon is 1/4 of the way through the nakshatra Punarvasu, then 1/4 of the time is taken from the first mahadasha, giving only 12 years (3/4) left for the Jupiter period to run. The person would thus come under the influence of the next mahadasha (Saturn) at only 12 years old, despite the Jupiter mahadasha normally lasting 16 years.
The mahadashas
Each of the mahadashas will have an effect on the individual's life by highlighting the effects of the planet concerned for its duration, both in terms of its general nature, and by the exact nature of the planet's placement in the person's horoscope (eg. easy or difficult). Thus the exact effect of each mahadasha can vary greatly from person to person. In general terms, however, the effects of each mahadasha can be described as follows:
- Ketu (7 Years)
In this period life will give the person only what is needed and will take away everything that is not. Also, any success during this dasha usually ends when the dasha itself does. When Ketu is strong it indicates sudden bursts of energy, discretion, liberation, universality, idealism, psychic ability, compassion, spirituality and self sacrifice. The effects of Ketu can be harsh and cruel when taking things away - generally it tends to strip away materialism and force a more spiritual perspective and a simpler existence. If Ketu is weakly placed it indicates possible health problems such as wounds, injuries, diseases of the spine and nervous system, ulcers, inflammations, fevers, intestinal diseases, low blood pressure, mental instability and skin diseases.
- Venus (20 Years)
This is a time when the person seeks worldly happiness, and themes of marriage, love and children are prominent. Wealth, prosperity, luxury, beauty and sensual pleasures are indicated and psychic ability is increased. Success in all these areas depends on how well Venus is placed in the individual horoscope - a badly placed Venus can bring unhappiness to these areas instead. During this mahadasha friendliness and relations with others are important, and charm, care and courtesy to others and towards the person concerned will be centre stage. If Venus is weakly placed then health problems could include venereal diseases, diabetes, anemia, kidney and bladderstones, weakness of sexual organs and impotence, paralysis, and asthma.
- Sun (6 Years)
This is a time when the urge to be true to him or herself burns more strongly than usual in the individual, and greater energy will be put into the search for the person's real identity. It may be a crisis of confidence which spurs the need to seek inner truth, and purge the self of false influences. Education, spirituality, politics, medicine, business, high office in government and all forms of public success and acclaim are prominent. Astrologically, the sun is the planet of strength and power which can bring success if the person's true nature is expressed and they follow their own path, but this period can also force the person to make sacrifices and separate from those who do not support them in achieving that goal. If the sun is badly placed in the horoscope there may be an inability to project confidence and charisma. Weak placing of the sun can lead to health problems such as weak eyesight, headaches, erratic blood circulation, blood pressure, bone fractures and cancer, fevers, dental problems and weak immune system.
- Moon (10 Years)
This is the period when the person seeks connection to others through marriage, family and parenthood, which will all be themes of this time. Also indicated are starting a business, buying a home, and otherwise staking a claim in the world - in other words, themes of nurturing, security and putting down roots. It also indicates increased sensitivity, receptivity, imagination, good memory and the development of sound habits. If the moon is weakly placed in the horoscope it may mean that connections to family and children are absent, with feelings of exclusion from 'normal' family life. It is also a time when memories of childhood and upbringing are revisited and old issues faced, perhaps through seeing the evolution of the person's own family. In extreme cases this period may also see episodes of mental illness and instability. Other health problems include sleep disorders, lung problems, mouth problems, digestive complaints, neurological disorders, enlargement of spleen and frequent coughs and colds.
- Mars (7 Years)
This is a time to pursue goals with energy and passion, and a sense of energy and excitement is present. Courage, a thirst for action and physical strength will be increased. There is a desire in the person to better themselves during this time, and sports and competitions are prominent. Buying a home may also feature during this time as Mars rules property issues in Vedic astrology. If Mars is weakly placed in the horoscope, there may be a lack of courage, strength, inability to improve the life circumstances, and a lack of help and comfort from family. This may bring complacency and stagnation, or else power struggles and arguments with others. Possible health problems include inflammations, wounds, burns, accidents, liver complaints, skin rashes, and cancer in muscular parts of body when in close conjunction with Rahu.
- Rahu (18 Years)
This period brings to the fore the degree of material attachment the person possesses and compels them to develop the qualities that are most lacking in the person's life. This often happens at an unconscious level and can put the person in mysterious and unforeseen circumstances. However, this mahadasha can bring enormous success as it brings focus and determination to the process, but it can also leave the person feeling out of control and chaotic, as things are accumulated and experienced without a proper sense of wisdom and understanding. Occupations indicated include diplomatic jobs, jobs requiring manipulation of facts, computing, engineering, pilots, and dealing with poison and drugs. When Rahu is weak it indicates health problems with diseases of phlegm, intestines, skin, nervous system, ulcer, blood pressure, mental disturbances and cancer.
- Jupiter (16 Years)
This is a period that always teaches something to the individual and it usually brings honor and recognition. It is a period of faith, hope and optimism when personal growth and a greater sense of fulfillment occurs, including marriage and children. It is a good period for opportunities for growth, and teachers and guides will play a useful role. There is a greater sense of morality, ethics and conscience in this mahadasha. Top political, business and administrative positions are indicated, such as bankers, presidents/kings, and lawyers. If Jupiter is weak however, there may also be unrealistic, over-optimistic, arrogant attitudes, and a misplaced sense of entitlement. There may be bad teachers and guides who lead the person astray. If Jupiter is difficultly placed then good health and wealth may be withheld, forcing a deeper fulfillment. Such health problems could include lymphatic and circulatory congestion, thrombosis, anemia, tumors, jaundice and other liver complaints, asthma, and diabetes. During this period the person may also meet people, or experience some random event that will change their life for the better.
- Saturn (19 Years)
This is a period when the person faces their limitations, and becomes aware of the possibility of their own mortality. Detachment from worldy concerns, spirituality, concentration, dutifulness, honesty, sincerity and constancy will be emphasised. Ill health, death of loved ones and/or the fear of those things will occur. The more attached the person is to material things and pleasures the more difficult the Saturn mahadasha will be. But great success is also possible as Saturn gives responsibility, ambition, practicality and perseverance. Hospitals, old people, legacies and inheritance, wills and money matters will be prominent. This period can bring pressure and suffering in order for the person to face reality and have compassion for others and spiritual growth. If Saturn is weakly placed then health problems could include chronic and painful diseases, cancer, skin diseases, paralysis, arthritis, gout, emaciation, indigestion, dyspepsia, insanity, impotence in men, asthma, retention of urine and intestinal obstruction.
- Mercury (17 Years)
This mahadasha is a time of learning, curiosity, experimentation and the pursuit of the person's own interests. But sometimes this can be excessive. This mahadasha is a time when the person's career and worldly life could succeed hugely, or else fail totally. Either the person devises an effective and clever plan which allows them to ascend to greater heights, or they become overwhelmed by the many tasks and details of life, leading to mental escapism, indecisiveness, lethargy and fantasy. The position of Mercury in the person's horoscope will show how they go about things - will they say the right things, talk to the right people, get the details right - or not. At its best Mercury allows the person to see all possibilities at once, assess them accurately and discriminate between them. Qualities of good communication, intelligence, rationality, wit, shrewdness, judgment, dexterity and flexibility will also be emphasised if Mercury is well placed. If Mercury is badly placed then health problems could include psychic diseases, insomnia, nervous breakdown, skin diseases, loss of memory or speech, deafness, asthma, dyspepsia.
Bhukti
Each mahadasha is also subdivided into planetary periods called Bhukti, which run in the same order as the mahadashas, and with the same proportional length. For example, the first bhukti of Ketu is Ketu/Ketu, the second is Ketu/Venus, the third Ketu/Sun and so on. It is believed that this subdivision allows a much more detailed examination of the influence of each mahadasha, and a much clearer indication of what events are expected to occur and when.
The last bhukti of each mahadasha is considered to be a preparatory time for the major shift which the next mahadasha will bring. Thus, the last bhukti of the Sun mahadasha is Sun/Venus, which prepares for the coming Moon mahadasha by emphasising relationships and family matters. Similarly, the last bhukti of Jupiter is Jupiter/Rahu which prepares the mind for the practical and realistic Saturn mahadasha by reattaching it to stress and worldly concerns.
References
- ^ Sutton, Komilla (1999). Fundamentals of Vedic Astrology, The Wessex Astrologer Ltd, England, p.211.