Vimshottari Dasha, explained

The order and length of the periods

Each graha rules a fixed number of years, and the sequence always runs in the same order as the nakshatra lords. The nine lords repeat three times around the 27 nakshatras, which is why the Moon’s nakshatra decides where the sequence starts.

Worked example: the balance at birth

Sub-periods (antardashas)

Each major period divides into nine sub-periods in the same order, starting with its own lord. A sub-period lasts major-period years × sub-lord years ÷ 120. In the example’s Venus period (20 years), the Sun’s sub-period is 20 × 6 ÷ 120 = 1 year.

The same rule repeats one level down for pratyantardashas. In the Android app, Seeker Plus adds antardashas to the app’s dasha timeline and Cosmic Premium adds deep dasha interpretation; the plan comparison lists what each includes.

Conventions that move the dates

• Year length: this page uses 365.2425-day years. Some practitioners use 360-day or 365.25-day years; over decades the boundaries move by days to weeks.
• Moon position: a few arcminutes of the Moon’s longitude — from birth-time error or another ayanamsha — change the balance by days.
• Boundaries: periods are half-open; the boundary instant belongs to the next period.
• Other systems: Vimshottari is one of several dasha systems in the Parashari tradition (others include Yogini and Ashtottari); this page covers Vimshottari only.

A dasha is a traditional way of dividing time and of asking which graha’s themes an astrologer should emphasise. It is not a scientifically validated forecast and does not guarantee any outcome in work, relationships, health or money.