Vimshottari Dasha
The Vedic timing system
Vimshottari dasha is the most widely used planetary-period system in Vedic astrology — a 120-year cycle divided among the nine planets, calculated from your birth nakshatra. It is how Jyotish predicts when events unfold.
The nine Mahadashas
| Ketu | 7 years |
|---|---|
| Venus (Shukra) | 20 years |
| Sun (Surya) | 6 years |
| Moon (Chandra) | 10 years |
| Mars (Mangal) | 7 years |
| Rahu | 18 years |
| Jupiter (Guru) | 16 years |
| Saturn (Shani) | 19 years |
| Mercury (Budh) | 17 years |
Each Mahadasha subdivides into Antardashas (sub-periods) and further into Pratyantardashas, so timing can be read down to weeks. Which planet's period you were born into depends on your birth nakshatra's lord. Navagraha builds your full three-level dasha timeline visually and explains what each period emphasises.
Frequently asked questions
What is a Mahadasha?
A Mahadasha is a major planetary period in the Vimshottari system, ranging from 6 years (Sun) to 20 years (Venus). The full cycle spans 120 years.
How is my current dasha calculated?
Your dasha sequence starts from your birth nakshatra’s ruling planet and the Moon’s exact position. Navagraha computes your current Mahadasha, Antardasha and Pratyantardasha instantly.
Which dasha is good and which is bad?
No dasha is universally good or bad — it depends on how that planet is placed in your chart. Navagraha reads each period against your own chart.
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