Vimshottari Dasha: The 120-Year Cycle of Planetary Periods, Explained Simply
In Vedic astrology, life is divided into planetary periods (dashas). The cycle is 120 years and starts from the planet that rules the nakshatra the Moon was in at birth. Each mahadasha has nine antardashas, and each antardasha nine pratyantardashas — this is how timing questions such as "when will I get a job?" are answered.
| Mahadasha (in order) | Length | Starts at birth if Moon is in |
|---|---|---|
| Ketu | 7 years | Ashwini, Magha, Mula |
| Venus | 20 years | Bharani, Purva Phalguni, Purva Ashadha |
| Sun | 6 years | Krittika, Uttara Phalguni, Uttara Ashadha |
| Moon | 10 years | Rohini, Hasta, Shravana |
| Mars | 7 years | Mrigashira, Chitra, Dhanishta |
| Rahu | 18 years | Ardra, Swati, Shatabhisha |
| Jupiter | 16 years | Punarvasu, Vishakha, Purva Bhadrapada |
| Saturn | 19 years | Pushya, Anuradha, Uttara Bhadrapada |
| Mercury | 17 years | Ashlesha, Jyeshtha, Revati |
What Each Mahadasha Brings
Ketu Mahadasha (7 years)
The mahadasha of Ketu lasts 7 years. During this period, themes of spirituality, self-discovery, sudden change and release from old attachments come to the fore; it is considered a time of the inner journey.
Venus Mahadasha (20 years)
The mahadasha of Venus lasts 20 years, the longest of all. During this time, matters of love, marriage, vehicles, home, art and material pleasures stay prominent; it is considered a period of enjoyment and prosperity.
Sun Mahadasha (6 years)
The Vimshottari mahadasha (major planetary period) of the Sun lasts 6 years. During this time, matters of recognition, position, government work and the father come to the fore; the chances of hard work bearing fruit and of receiving honour increase.
Moon Mahadasha (10 years)
The Moon's mahadasha lasts 10 years. During this period, matters of the mind, family, home, the mother, travel and public dealings stay prominent; it is a time of emotional bonding and change.
Mars Mahadasha (7 years)
The mahadasha of Mars lasts 7 years. During this time, courage, property, siblings, competition and technical work come to the fore; it is a period of hard work and action.
Rahu Mahadasha (18 years)
The mahadasha of Rahu lasts 18 years. During this period come sudden opportunities, foreign connections, technology, big desires and new turns in life; it is considered a time of change and expansion.
Jupiter Mahadasha (16 years)
The mahadasha of Jupiter lasts 16 years. During this period, opportunities arise for education, marriage, children, growth of wealth, pilgrimage and rising respect in society; it is generally considered a time of expansion.
Saturn Mahadasha (19 years)
The mahadasha of Saturn lasts 19 years. This period is a time of hard work, responsibility, patience and the fruits of karma; whoever works honestly finds lasting success in this dasha.
Mercury Mahadasha (17 years)
The mahadasha of Mercury lasts 17 years. During this period, education, trade, communication, writing and the growth of new skills stay prominent; it is considered a time of earning through intellect.
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Antardasha length = mahadasha years × antardasha planet's years ÷ 120. The balance of the first dasha depends on how far the Moon has travelled through its birth nakshatra.