Planetary Periods (Dasha)

Dashas are time periods when a planet's influence is strongest.

10 min readLesson 4 of 25

The dasha system divides your life into periods ruled by different planets. This is one of Vedic astrology's most powerful timing tools.

The Vimshottari Dasha is the most commonly used - a 120-year cycle

Sun (Surya): 6 years
Moon (Chandra): 10 years
Mars (Mangal): 7 years
Rahu: 18 years
Jupiter (Guru): 16 years
Saturn (Shani): 19 years
Mercury (Budha): 17 years
Ketu: 7 years
Venus (Shukra): 20 years

Your birth Moon's nakshatra determines which dasha you start with and when each period begins. This is why your exact birth time matters so much.

Within each Mahadasha (major period) there are

Antardasha (sub-period): Each planet within the major period
Pratyantar dasha: Even finer timing

For example, if you are in Jupiter Mahadasha and Mercury Antardasha

Jupiter's themes dominate: wisdom, growth, education, children
Mercury colours it: communication, intellect, business

Transits overlay on top of your dasha - so the same dasha can feel different in different years. Understanding your current Mahadasha and Antardasha helps you work with the energy rather than against it.

Key takeaway

Dasha periods explain why different life phases feel so different - timing is everything in Vedic astrology.

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