Vimshottari Dasha: the nine Mahadashas
Vimshottari Dasha divides a 120-year life into nine planetary periods, each called a Mahadasha. They always run in the same order - Ketu, Venus, Sun, Moon, Mars, Rahu, Jupiter, Saturn and Mercury - and your starting point is set by the nakshatra the Moon occupied at birth.
Each Mahadasha is divided into nine Antardashas (sub-periods) in the same order, beginning with the Mahadasha lord itself, and each of those into shorter Pratyantardashas. A reading such as Venus / Rahu / Mercury names all three levels.
| Period | Length | Traditional focus |
|---|---|---|
| Ketu Mahadasha | 7 years | Spiritual deepening and resolving past karma |
| Venus Mahadasha | 20 years | Relationships, creative expression, and material pleasures |
| Sun Mahadasha | 6 years | Leadership, recognition, father, and government matters |
| Moon Mahadasha | 10 years | Mind, emotions, home life, and the mother |
| Mars Mahadasha | 7 years | Initiative, property, siblings, and technical work |
| Rahu Mahadasha | 18 years | Foreign connections, technology, and karmic amplification |
| Jupiter Mahadasha | 16 years | Expansion, learning, children, and spiritual growth |
| Saturn Mahadasha | 19 years | Structured effort, karmic lessons, and long-term building |
| Mercury Mahadasha | 17 years | Communication, commerce, and intellectual activity |
Questions
Which Mahadasha am I running now?
It depends on the Moon's exact position at birth. The free birth chart on KaraKundali shows your current Mahadasha and Antardasha with their dates.
How long is the Vimshottari Dasha cycle?
120 years across the nine planetary periods.