Mahadashas in Vedic Astrology

To make accurate predictions in Vedic Astrology, mahadasha cycles provide an invaluable tool.

What are mahadashas?
Mahadasha means major period of a planet. The period of time in which each planet exercises his influence on the person.

Are all mahadashas equal in length?

NO. Each mahadasha is of different length.

Ketu- 7 years
Shukra (Venus)- 20 years
Surya (Sun)- 6 years
Chandra (Moon)- 10 years
Mangal (Mars)- 7 years
Rahu- 18 years
Guru (Jupiter)- 16 years
Shani (Saturn)- 19 years
Budha (Mercury)- 17 years

Why do all the mahadashas total 120 years?

Ancient sages in India when they constructed the Mahadasha Tables intuitively knew that a human being should live to 120 years provided he/she lives their life in a simple and well regulated manner. In the world we live in today this is not possible due to illness, disease, stress, pollution, alcohol, smoking and meat consumption. All of these stress the body and as a result man/woman cannot live to 120. Hence a person will not be able to live through all the planetary periods.

How are mahadashas calculated?

Mahadashas are calculated based on the Chandra (Moon) position in the horoscope at birth. There are 27 nakshatras (lunar mansions) in which Chandra can reside and each of those lunar mansions is owned by a planet who is considered lord of that nakshatra. In whoseever nakshatra Chandra is in at birth, that lords Mahadasha will be operating at birth.

These are the 27 Nakshatras and their lord

1. Ashwini- Ketu
2. Bharini- Shukra
3. Krittika- Surya
4. Rohini- Chandra
5. Mrigasira- Mangal
6. Ardra- Rahu
7. Punarvasu- Guru
8. Pushya- Shani
9. Ashlesha- Budha
10. Magha- Ketu
11. Poorva Phalguni- Shukra
12. Uttar Phalguni- Surya
13. Hasta- Chandra
14. Chitra- Mangal
15. Swati- Rahu
16. Vishakha- Guru
17. Anuradha- Shani
18- Jyestha- Budha
19- Moola- Ketu
20. Poorva Ashad- Shukra
21. Uttar Ashad- Surya
22. Shravan- Chandra
23. Dhanishtha- Mangal
24. Satabhistha- Rahu
25. Poorva Bhadrapada- Guru
26. Uttar Bhadrapad- Shani
27. Revati- Budha

Example: If a person is born with his Chandra placed in Karka (Cancer) rashi in Pushya Nakshatra then his 1st mahadasha cycle would be Shani. Budha mahadasha would follow then Ketu then Surya... and the last one would be Guru Mahadasha.

Similarly if a person is born with his Chandra placed in Mesh (Aries) rashi in Ashwini Nakshatra then his 1st mahadasha cycle would be Ketu. Shukra mahadasha would follow then Surya then Chandra... and the last one would be Budha Mahadasha.

What are the finer points in calculating Mahadashas?

There are 12 signs in astrology. Each sign contains 30 degrees. Each degree contains 60 minutes. Each nakshatra occupies 13 degrees and 20 minutes of each sign. Thus all 27 nakshatras cover all 360 degrees of the zodiac.

To demonstrate how mahadashas are calculated I will give you an example. This will simplify everything. Let's say 2 people (Person A and Person B) both have their Chandra placed in Bharini Nakshatra in Mesh rashi. Person A has his chandra placed at 14 degrees and Person B has his Chandra placed at 20 degrees at birth. Both people will start with the operating period of Shukra because Bharini Nakshatra is ruled by Shukra. However, only Person A will go through the entire 20 year mahadasha of Shukra whereas Person B will endure approximately 10 years of the Shukra Mahadasha.

At least now you know the basics. Mahadasha calculation comes with practice so give it time.