Ashtottari

Ashtottari is a system of Vedic astrology used primarily for determining the timing of events and understanding planetary influences throughout a person's life. It is one of several dasa (planetary period) systems available in Jyotish, the Indian system of astrology. The name Ashtottari itself translates to "eighty and over," referring to the total number of years covered by its primary cycles.

The Ashtottari dasa system is based on the birth star (Nakshatra) of an individual. Each of the 28 Nakshatras is assigned a ruling planet, and the sequence of these ruling planets forms the dasa periods. The length of each dasa period varies depending on the Nakshatra. For example, the dasa of the Moon lasts for 10 years, while that of the Sun lasts for 6 years. The entire cycle of Ashtottari dasa covers 100 years, with some planets repeating their periods within this century.

Unlike some other dasa systems, such as Vimshottari, Ashtottari's calculation of the start of the first dasa is slightly different. It is determined by the position of the Moon within the birth Nakshatra at the time of birth. The Ashtottari dasa is considered by some astrologers to be more suitable for certain types of horoscopes or for analyzing specific life events. Its application often depends on the traditional lineage and preferences of the astrologer.