Dasha in Vedic Astrology: Meaning, Mahadasha, Antardasha & Effects

Do you know why some times of your life can be so changeable while others are so quiet and calm?

Dasha in Vedic Astrology refers to ‘Phases of Life,' and here we discuss the ‘Dasha System,' which is the division of life into different planetary periods.

Tracing the effects of planetary influences in a person’s life, astrologers study their Dasha in relation to the birth chart or Kundli of the person. A Kundli is a detailed chart prepared for a person at the time of their birth. While analyzing different aspects of life like the person’s career, relations, education, money etc. the astrologer will trace the various Dasha periods.

Dasha is a term used by astrologers for the various planetary periods that occur in the life of a person as per his or her Kundli, or birth chart. Each Dasha does not create experiences of an individual all by itself, but experiences occur in the life of an individual based on the complete Kundli and the planetary position and strength.

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What is Dasha in Vedic Astrology?

Dasha in Kundli is a word that is used to describe the period of influence of a planet in a birth chart. As per Vedic astrology, every planet has its own period or phase of life that can influence an individual.

However, Vimshottari Dasha (विंशोत्तरी दशा) is the most commonly practiced and understood system of calculating planetary periods, as mentioned earlier in the article.

A planet’s Dasha does not create an event. Rather, a Dasha of a planet creates an opportunity or draws attention towards certain aspect(s) of life and requires a detailed study of the birth chart of an individual, including the strength of the planet, aspects on it, houses which it rules and many more.

If a planet connected with the career houses of a birth chart is in a Dasha then the Dasha is analyzed for professional matters, but that does not mean that the same Dasha for another individual will have the same results.

Every Kundli is different. Thus, the study of Dasha in Kundli is studied as a whole chart analysis.

What Is Mahadasha?

Mahadasha refers to the major or main period of a particular planet’s influence. 

In Vimshottari Dasha system (most commonly used Vimshottari Dasha system for Pooja/horoscope calculation), there are 9 planets in the zodiac, 7 of which are normal planets (Sun, Moon, Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, Saturn, and Venus) and the remaining 2 are of Lunar Nodes or shadow planets (Rahu and Ketu) of the zodiac.

The Mahadasha planets for calculation in the Vimshottari Dasha system are Sun, Moon, Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, Saturn, Venus, Rahu and Ketu. 

Here is the duration of each Mahadasha in the Vimshottari system:

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Together, the Dasha periods of all 9 planets add up to 120 years, hence the name Vimshottari Dasha.

According to this order, Mahadasha for Ketu is first followed by that of Venus, then Sun, Moon, Mars, Rahu, Jupiter, Saturn and lastly Mercury.

What Is Antardasha?

The Mahadasha can further be subdivided into the Antardasha (sub-period) of other planets.

An easy way to understand this is:

Mahadasha = The main chapter of a book

Antardasha = A smaller chapter within that main chapter

So if a person is in a Jupiter Mahadasha and there is a current Venus Antardasha, both the Jupiter and the Venus will be taken into account when this phase is analyzed by an astrologer.

The Antardashas provide further detail on a Mahadasha. As mentioned above, there are even smaller periods called Pratyantardasha, which can be used for more precise timing in a particular Mahadasha.

What is Vimshottari Dasha?

Vimshottari Dasha is perhaps the most commonly used system for calculation of planetary periods in Vedic astrology.

A 120-year-long cycle of 9 planetary periods is followed by this Dasa system and hence called as Vimshottari Dasa. It starts from the Moon’s Nakshatra at the time of birth.

In Vedic Astrology, the zodiac is divided into 27 Nakshatras, or Lunar Houses. The Mahadasha of the first planet in the Vimshottari Dasha cycle starts from the Nakshatra in which the Moon was at the time of birth

The remaining portion of the first Mahadasha is also to be calculated on the basis of Moon’s position in the said Nakshatra at birth.

Vimshottari is calculated using the Moon’s position in the 27 Nakshatras of the zodiac. Thus, the same date can produce different Dasha’s based on different times and places of birth.

 Two individuals born on the same date will have different Dasha calculations if their exact birth time and place of birth result in a different lunar position.

One must note here that Dasha calculation is done based on the Moon’s Nakshatra and not the zodiac sign in which Moon is placed.

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How Do Dashas Influence Different Areas of Life?

In some cases, for studying different aspects of life of a person, different Dashas are considered but only in the context of various houses, planets and other related factors in his/her Kundali.

Career

Career-related questions are analyzed in relation to the Mahadasha and Antardasha currently running and the 10th house of career and the planet ruling it and other indicators of work and career in a birth chart.

But Dasha alone cannot predict anything for sure. However, it helps to understand the trends. Sometimes, a Dasha period can bring change in job, sometimes more responsibility and many a times new career opportunities.

Marriage and Relationships

Dasha for Marriage and Relationship: For understanding marriage and relationship of a person, astrologer considers 7th house, its lord along with Venus, Jupiter and other factor that can affect marriage of a person.

A Dasha does not have to mean that you will get married though. The Dasha is just one of many factors to consider for a timing forecast for marriage.

Money and Finances

Wealth-related houses and the planets placed in these houses are studied to determine the Kundli’s wealth potential.

The Mahadasha and Antardasha currently running can help the astrologer see which financial theme will be more apparent during the current period.

Education

The predictions related to the field of Education can be derived from Mercury, Jupiter, 4th and 5th houses and their respective lords.

This running dasa is also to be considered when the horoscopes of the students are cast to know their learning, their interests, their examinations etc.

Major Life Changes

Dashas are also traditionally used as a timing tool for the major events of life.

While major life changes are indicated by an astrologer using Dashas as a timing factor, the astrologer will also be looking at planet transits and other factors of the chart to see when changes will come to prominence.

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Is Every Mahadasha Good or Bad?

Yes and No. Because every Mahadasha is unique in every birth chart and that Mahadasha can be good or bad depending on various astrological parameters of that Kundli.

The results of a planetary period (such as good or bad) are decided upon a number of factors such as:

• The planet's placement in the birth chart
• The houses ruled by the planet
• The planet's strength
• Its Nakshatra
• Aspects and conjunctions
• The Ascendant
• The Antardasha operating within the Mahadasha
• The overall condition of the Kundli

For example, Saturn’s Mahadasha can be a demanding period for some people, whereas others can be of greater discipline, responsibility and steady progress during the same period.

Thus, same planetary period need not affect every one in same manner.

How Can You Find Your Current Dasha?

To calculate your Dasha accurately, you generally need:

• Date of birth
• Exact time of birth
• Place of birth

In Vimshottari Dasha system the Moon’s Nakshatra at the time of birth of the individual decides the Mahadasha that starts for that individual. The Moon’s exact position at the time of birth is calculated to find out the remaining portion of the first Mahadasha.

For understanding the current Mahadasha and Antardasha, one can use a Kundli or astrology calculator. The astrologer can interpret these for you in the light of your complete birth chart to understand their effects in your life.

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Conclusion

Understanding Dasha in Vedic Astrology will enable you to understand how the astrologer interprets the timing of various events occurring in a person’s life. A birth chart gives you the details of various planets placed at the time of a person’s birth and their corresponding interpretations but the Dashas help in determining the timing of various events of a person’s life.

A Mahadasha is the principal period of influence of a planet, which is in turn accompanied by an Antardasha (sub-period) of another planet. In the Vimshottari Dasha system of Dasha prediction, which is the most commonly used system for Dasha prediction, the Moon’s Star (Nakshatra) at the time of birth determines the commencement of the Dasha sequence in the first place.

Remember a Dasha should never be studied in isolation. It should be clubbed with the planet’s position, strength, the houses it rules, crosses, Asc and overall Kundli to arrive at the traditional interpretation of that particular influence.

Dasha, the Vedic timing system, is to be taken for what it’s worth. It is a tool that gives us an insight into various themes of the life of an individual that are to manifest at various times in a person’s life. Knowing your current Dasha and Antardasha and their impact on you can help you in understanding your present circumstances and to deal with all transitional phases of your life in a better way.

FAQs: 

Q1. What is Dasha in Vedic Astrology?
Ans. Dasha is a planetary period used to understand different phases and themes of life.

Q2. What is Mahadasha?
Ans. Mahadasha is the major period of a particular planet in the Dasha system.

Q3. What is Antardasha?
Ans. Antardasha is a sub-period that runs within a Mahadasha.

Q4. What is Vimshottari Dasha?
Ans. Vimshottari Dasha is a commonly used system that divides life into planetary periods over a 120-year cycle.

Q5. How is Dasha calculated?
Ans. In Vimshottari Dasha, the starting Mahadasha is determined by the Moon’s Nakshatra at birth.

Q6. Can Dasha predict life events?
Ans. Dasha is mainly used as a timing tool and is interpreted along with the complete Kundli.

Q7. What is needed to find your current Dasha?
Ans. Your date of birth, exact birth time, and place of birth are generally required. Pasted text

Q8. Does the same Dasha affect everyone equally?
Ans. No. Its interpretation depends on the individual’s complete birth chart and planetary positions. Pasted text

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