Jyotish Term
Vimshottari Dasha — विंशोत्तरी दशा
Short answer. Vimshottari Dasha is the most widely used Vedic planetary period system, totaling 120 years across nine grahas. It is referenced by Sage Parashara as the dasha system suited to the current cosmic age and is calculated from the Moon's nakshatra at birth.
The name vimshottari means '120' — the total years across all nine planetary mahadashas (Ketu 7 + Venus 20 + Sun 6 + Moon 10 + Mars 7 + Rahu 18 + Jupiter 16 + Saturn 19 + Mercury 17 = 120). The sequence is fixed; only the starting point varies. The starting mahadasha is determined by the nakshatra lord of the Moon at birth — Krittika, Uttara Phalguni, and Uttara Ashadha are ruled by the Sun; Rohini, Hasta, and Shravana are ruled by the Moon; and so on. The fraction of the natal nakshatra already traversed determines how much of the first mahadasha has elapsed before birth. From there, the sequence rolls forward through life. Vimshottari is the standard dasha system referenced in modern Indian astrological practice; almost every classical and modern Vedic prediction is anchored in it.
Related terms
- Mahadasha — A mahadasha is a major planetary period in the Vimshottari Dasha system, ranging from 6 to 20 years in length depending on the planet. The current mahadasha lord is the dominant influence over a major chapter of life.
- Antardasha — An antardasha is a sub-period within a mahadasha, ruled by a secondary planet. It refines the timing of specific events within the longer mahadasha and is critical for short-window predictions.
- Nakshatra — A nakshatra is one of 27 lunar mansions — sub-divisions of the zodiac, each 13°20' wide, used in Vedic astrology to read finer-grained character, compatibility, and timing. The Moon occupies one nakshatra at any moment.
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