What is Vimshottari Dasha?

Vimshottari is the main planetary-period system of Vedic astrology: a 120-year cycle divided among nine planets in a fixed order - Ketu 7 years, Venus 20, Sun 6, Moon 10, Mars 7, Rahu 18, Jupiter 16, Saturn 19 and Mercury 17. The planet whose period you are in colours that stretch of life.

How is my first Mahadasha decided?

By the Nakshatra the Moon occupied at birth. Each Nakshatra is ruled by one of the nine planets, and the part of the Nakshatra the Moon had already crossed is treated as already elapsed - so you are born partway through that planet's Mahadasha, with the remaining 'balance' shown in your result.

What are Antardasha and Pratyantardasha?

Each Mahadasha is divided into nine Antardashas (sub-periods, also called Bhuktis) in the same order, starting with the Mahadasha lord itself, each in proportion to its years. Each Antardasha is divided again into nine Pratyantardashas. Astrologers time events by reading all three levels together.

Why are my dates slightly different on another website?

Two reasons: the birth time (one hour moves the Moon about half a degree, shifting all dates by weeks to months) and the year length. This calculator uses the sidereal year of 365.25636 days, Drik Panchang's default; sites using 365.25 days end a 20-year Mahadasha about three hours earlier.

Which Mahadasha is the best?

None is good or bad on its own. A Mahadasha delivers according to the planet's strength, its houses of ownership and placement in your chart. Jupiter or Venus can disappoint if weak, and Saturn or Rahu can bring great success when well placed.

Dasha Calculator - Mahadasha & Antardasha Dates

The nine Mahadashas

Ketu Mahadasha · 7 years
Seven years that turn attention inward - detachment, research, spirituality and sudden endings that clear space for something truer.
Antardashas, effects & remedies →
Venus Mahadasha · 20 years
Twenty years of relationships, comfort, the arts and prosperity. Marriage, vehicles, luxury and creative success often feature.
Antardashas, effects & remedies →
Sun Mahadasha · 6 years
Six years that put the spotlight on self-confidence, authority, the father and government matters. Recognition comes through responsibility.
Antardashas, effects & remedies →
Moon Mahadasha · 10 years
Ten years focused on the mind, the mother, home and public life. Emotional well-being and travel near water are common themes.
Antardashas, effects & remedies →
Mars Mahadasha · 7 years
Seven years of drive, courage and competition - property, siblings, sport and technical work come forward. Energy needs a clear target.
Antardashas, effects & remedies →
Rahu Mahadasha · 18 years
Eighteen years of ambition, the unconventional and the foreign - sudden rises, new technology and travel abroad are typical, along with restlessness.
Antardashas, effects & remedies →
Jupiter Mahadasha · 16 years
Sixteen years of growth through wisdom, teachers, children and dharma. Often a time of expansion in family, learning and finances.
Antardashas, effects & remedies →
Saturn Mahadasha · 19 years
Nineteen years of steady effort and maturity. Rewards come through discipline, service and patience; shortcuts rarely work.
Antardashas, effects & remedies →
Mercury Mahadasha · 17 years
Seventeen years favouring learning, commerce, writing and communication. Adaptability and skill turn into income.
Antardashas, effects & remedies →

Dasha and transits together

A Dasha promises; transits deliver the timing. Saturn's Sade Sati during a Saturn or Rahu period, for example, is read very differently from the same transit during Jupiter. See your planets' birth positions in your free Kundli and your Lagna to understand which houses each Dasha lord activates.

Guides to read with your result

Frequently asked questions

What is Vimshottari Dasha?: Vimshottari is the main planetary-period system of Vedic astrology: a 120-year cycle divided among nine planets in a fixed order - Ketu 7 years, Venus 20, Sun 6, Moon 10, Mars 7, Rahu 18, Jupiter 16, Saturn 19 and Mercury 17. The planet whose period you are in colours that stretch of life.
How is my first Mahadasha decided?: By the Nakshatra the Moon occupied at birth. Each Nakshatra is ruled by one of the nine planets, and the part of the Nakshatra the Moon had already crossed is treated as already elapsed - so you are born partway through that planet's Mahadasha, with the remaining 'balance' shown in your result.
What are Antardasha and Pratyantardasha?: Each Mahadasha is divided into nine Antardashas (sub-periods, also called Bhuktis) in the same order, starting with the Mahadasha lord itself, each in proportion to its years. Each Antardasha is divided again into nine Pratyantardashas. Astrologers time events by reading all three levels together.
Why are my dates slightly different on another website?: Two reasons: the birth time (one hour moves the Moon about half a degree, shifting all dates by weeks to months) and the year length. This calculator uses the sidereal year of 365.25636 days, Drik Panchang's default; sites using 365.25 days end a 20-year Mahadasha about three hours earlier.
Which Mahadasha is the best?: None is good or bad on its own. A Mahadasha delivers according to the planet's strength, its houses of ownership and placement in your chart. Jupiter or Venus can disappoint if weak, and Saturn or Rahu can bring great success when well placed.

More free Vedic calculators

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What does your Dasha mean for you?

The same Mahadasha plays out very differently from chart to chart. A reading connects your running Dasha to your houses and transits, with timing for career, marriage and family.

Book a consultation About the 5-Year Dasha Forecast

Vimshottari Dasha Calculator: Mahadasha & Antardasha