Vedic Astrology Glossary
120-Year Dasha Cycle
Vimshottari is the most widely used dasha system in Vedic astrology. It allocates 120 years across nine planets in a fixed sequence. The starting point is determined by the nakshatra the moon occupies at birth, making it unique to each individual's exact birth moment.
Vimshottari (Sanskrit: '120') is one of approximately 50 dasha systems described in classical Jyotish texts, but it has become dominant because of its accuracy for timing life events.
The complete sequence: Ketu (7) → Venus (20) → Sun (6) → Moon (10) → Mars (7) → Rahu (18) → Jupiter (16) → Saturn (19) → Mercury (17) = 120 years total.
How the starting point is calculated:
For example, if born with the moon at 50% through Rohini (moon-ruled), you begin life with 5 years remaining of your Moon mahadasha (half of 10 years). Then Mars mahadasha begins.
Divisional layers:
This layered system allows timing precision down to weeks or days, especially when correlated with simultaneous planetary transits.
You need your exact birth date, time, and location. The moon's longitude in the sidereal zodiac is calculated, its nakshatra identified, and the remaining portion of that nakshatra's lord's dasha computed. Apps like Stellr calculate this automatically.
Classical Jyotish works with the seven traditional planets (Sun, Moon, Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, Venus, Saturn) plus the two lunar nodes Rahu and Ketu — totaling nine. Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto were not known to classical Indian astronomers and are not included in traditional systems.
The Vimshottari dasha sequence always follows the same order: Ketu (7 years), Venus (20 years), Sun (6 years), Moon (10 years), Mars (7 years), Rahu (18 years), Jupiter (16 years), Saturn (19 years), Mercury (17 years) — totaling 120 years. The sequence cycles and repeats. Which period you begin in depends on your Moon's nakshatra at birth. The remaining portion of the Moon's nakshatra lord's dasha at birth becomes your starting period, with the full 120-year cycle continuing from there.
Birth Chart Report
