Dashas

Dashas are a system in Hindu astrology for timing events in a person’s life by dividing it into sequential periods ruled by planets. Each dasha reflects a planet’s influence during that phase, shaping experiences and outcomes. Dashas are commonly used with other techniques such as transits and house analysis to map likely periods of growth, challenge, or change. Within each major dasha, sub-periods called antardashas refine the timing further.

The most widely used system is the Vimshottari dasha, a 120-year cycle named after nine planetary lords, including the luminaries and the shadow planets Rahu and Ketu. Each planet is assigned a specific portion of the cycle: Sun 6, Moon 10, Mars 7, Mercury 17, Jupiter 16, Venus 20, Saturn 19, Rahu 18, Ketu 7. The sequence proceeds in that order, and the dashas begin with the lord of the Nakshatra in which the Moon is located at birth. After a dash ends, the next planet’s dasha begins, continuing through the full cycle. Antardashas subdivide each dasha, creating a nested timeline of indicators.

Other dasha systems exist in historical and regional traditions. Examples include Yogini dasha and Ashtottari dasha, each with its own set of rulers and durations and without being simply a fixed 120-year cycle. These systems offer alternative frameworks for timing events and interpreting planetary meanings, though they are less universally adopted than Vimshottari.

Limitations and usage: Dashas provide a framework for timing but depend on accurate birth data and the astrologer’s judgment. They describe tendencies and potential outcomes rather than guarantees, and results are influenced by karma, current transits, and the strength of planets in the chart. Modern practice often uses dashas alongside other predictive techniques to arrive at nuanced readings.