Vimshottari Dasha: The Cornerstone of Timing
Vimshottari Dasha is the most widely used timing system in Parashari Jyotish. It divides life into periods ruled by each of the nine planets (including nodes) over a 120-year cycle. The name comes from "vimshotta" (20) and "tari" (passed/completed), suggesting 20 years as an approximate average duration.
The 27 Nakshatras (Lunar Mansions)
The zodiac is divided into 27 nakshatras (constellations), each of 13° 20' (one-27th of 360°). Each nakshatra is ruled by one of the nine planets in a repeating cycle:
| Nak | Degrees | Lord | Nak | Degrees | Lord |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ashwini | 0–13:20 | Ketu | Anuradha | 213:20–226:40 | Saturn |
| Bharani | 13:20–26:40 | Venus | Jyeshtha | 226:40–240 | Mercury |
| Krittika | 26:40–40 | Sun | Mula | 240–253:20 | Ketu |
| Rohini | 40–53:20 | Moon | Purv. Ashadha | 253:20–266:40 | Venus |
| Mrigashira | 53:20–66:40 | Mars | Uttara. Ashadha | 266:40–280 | Sun |
| Ardra | 66:40–80 | Rahu | Shravana | 280–293:20 | Moon |
| Punarvasu | 80–93:20 | Jupiter | Dhanishta | 293:20–306:40 | Mars |
| Pushya | 93:20–106:40 | Saturn | Shatabhisha | 306:40–320 | Rahu |
| Aslesha | 106:40–120 | Mercury | Purv. Bhadra | 320–333:20 | Jupiter |
| Magha | 120–133:20 | Ketu | Uttara. Bhadra | 333:20–346:40 | Saturn |
| Purva. Phalguni | 133:20–146:40 | Venus | Revati | 346:40–360 | Mercury |
| Uttara. Phalguni | 146:40–160 | Sun | |||
| Hasta | 160–173:20 | Moon | |||
| Chitra | 173:20–186:40 | Mars | |||
| Swati | 186:40–200 | Rahu | |||
| Visakha | 200–213:20 | Jupiter | |||
The Dasha Sequence and Years
The nine planets are allocated the following durations (in years) for their mahadasha (major period):
| Planet (Dasha Lord) | Years |
|---|---|
| Ketu | 7 |
| Venus | 20 |
| Sun | 6 |
| Moon | 10 |
| Mars | 7 |
| Rahu | 18 |
| Jupiter | 16 |
| Saturn | 19 |
| Mercury | 17 |
The 120-Year Cycle
From the day of birth, the Vimshottari cycle begins and repeats. However, not from the 1st dasha (Ketu); it starts from the dasha lord of the Moon's nakshatra.
Logic: The Moon represents the mind and emotional constitution. Its nakshatra (which of the 27 is the Moon located in) determines the starting dasha. The sequence always follows the same order: Ketu → Venus → Sun → Moon → Mars → Rahu → Jupiter → Saturn → Mercury → (back to Ketu).
Balance of the First Dasha
Critically, the first dasha is almost never complete. It is a "balance" (balansh) calculated from the Moon's position within its nakshatra:
Formula:
Balance = (Nakshatra Length - Moon's Distance from Nakshatra Start) / Nakshatra Length × Dasha Lord's Years
Each nakshatra is 13° 20' (13.333°). If the Moon is at 8° into its nakshatra, it has progressed 8/13.333 ≈ 60% through. The balance is 40% of the dasha lord's years.
Worked Example: Birth Moon in Rohini Nakshatra at 48°
Step 1: Identify Moon's Nakshatra
Rohini spans 40–53:20°. Moon at 48° is in Rohini. Rohini is ruled by Moon.
Step 2: Find Moon's Position Within Nakshatra
Moon is 48 - 40 = 8° into Rohini. Nakshatra length = 13:20° = 13.333°.
Progress = 8 / 13.333 ≈ 60% through Rohini.
Step 3: Calculate Balance of Moon's Dasha
Moon's dasha = 10 years. Balance = (1 - 0.60) × 10 = 0.40 × 10 = 4 years.
Step 4: Dasha Sequence from Birth
Moon is the 4th in the sequence (Ketu, Venus, Sun, Moon, ...). From Moon, the next dasha is Mars (7 years), then Rahu (18 years), etc.
Birth Dasha: Moon (balance 4 years) → Mars (7 years) → Rahu (18 years) → ...