Learn · Vimshottari Dasha
Vimshottari Dasha — the timing dimension
A birth chart describes the astrological configuration; Dasha systems are used to assess when particular planetary themes may become prominent. Vimshottari is the most widely used of them in Parashari Jyotisha.
The word Vimshottari refers to 120, because one complete cycle consists of planetary periods totalling 120 years across nine Grahas, in a fixed repeating order: Ketu, Venus, Sun, Moon, Mars, Rahu, Jupiter, Saturn and Mercury.
The Nakshatra occupied by the Moon at birth determines which Mahadasha a person begins life within, and the Moon's exact position within it determines how much of that period remains.
The 120-year cycle
Ketu
Ketu
7 years
Venus
Shukra
20 years
Sun
Surya
6 years
Moon
Chandra
10 years
Mars
Mangala
7 years
Rahu
Rahu
18 years
Jupiter
Guru
16 years
Saturn
Shani
19 years
Mercury
Budha
17 years
Nakshatra lords follow the same sequence
The nine-Graha order repeats three times across the 27 Nakshatras — beginning again with Magha under Ketu.
- Ashwini — Ketu
- Bharani — Venus
- Krittika — Sun
- Rohini — Moon
- Mrigashira — Mars
- Ardra — Rahu
- Punarvasu — Jupiter
- Pushya — Saturn
- Ashlesha — Mercury
The five nested levels
- Level 1
Mahadasha
The major planetary period — the broadest timing framework.
- Level 2
Antardasha / Bhukti
Nine sub-periods within every Mahadasha. Bhukti is another name for the same level.
- Level 3
Pratyantardasha
A third layer subdividing each Antardasha into nine narrower windows.
- Level 4
Sookshma Dasha
A fine subdivision of the Pratyantardasha, dependent on accurate birth data.
- Level 5
Prana Dasha
The finest traditional subdivision; rarely appropriate for general guidance.
Pages in this section
- The principal timing system of Parashari Jyotisha
Vimshottari Dasha
Vimshottari Dasha divides life into planetary periods totalling 120 years. It supplies the timing dimension of a horoscope: the chart describes the configuration, the Dasha indicates when particular planetary themes may become prominent.
Read more → - The broadest planetary time framework
Mahadasha
The Mahadasha is the major planetary period of the Vimshottari cycle, running from six years for the Sun to twenty for Venus. It sets the broad planetary tone of a phase of life, but its results depend entirely on the natal horoscope.
Read more → - Nine sub-periods within every Mahadasha
Antardasha / Bhukti
Every Mahadasha is divided into nine Antardashas, commonly also called Bhuktis. Their length is proportional to each planet's allocation within the 120-year cycle.
Read more → - A narrower window inside the Antardasha
Pratyantardasha
Each Antardasha divides into nine Pratyantardashas, giving a third layer of timing. Three planetary influences are then active together and must be read in relation to the natal chart, not simply added up.
Read more → - The finest traditional subdivisions
Sookshma & Prana Dasha
Sookshma and Prana are the fourth and fifth levels of Vimshottari. They produce extremely narrow timing windows, and their reliability depends heavily on exact birth data.
Read more → - How timing is combined with the natal and divisional charts
Dasha, Vargas & Transit
A Dasha provides timing; it does not independently create a promise that has no support in the horoscope. Disciplined interpretation looks for agreement between the natal chart, the relevant Varga, the running Dasha and transit.
Read more →
A Dasha provides timing; it does not independently create a promise that has no support in the horoscope. Disciplined interpretation looks for agreement between the natal chart, the relevant divisional chart, the running Dasha and Antardasha, and the transit.
Astrological interpretations are traditional guidance frameworks and should not replace professional medical, legal, financial or other specialist advice.