What is Vimshottari Mahadasha?

Vimshottari Mahadasha is the primary timing system of Vedic astrology — a 120-year cycle divided into 9 planetary periods (Mahadashas). Each period is ruled by one of the 9 grahas: Ketu (7 years), Venus (20), Sun (6), Moon (10), Mars (7), Rahu (18), Jupiter (16), Saturn (19), and Mercury (17). The starting Mahadasha is determined by the Nakshatra occupied by the natal Moon at birth, and the remaining portion is calculated from the Moon's exact position within that Nakshatra.

How do I find my current Mahadasha?

Your current Mahadasha is calculated from the Moon's Nakshatra at birth. AstroShri computes the exact Mahadasha sequence from your birth date, time, and place — showing both the major period (Mahadasha) and the sub-period (Antardasha) active right now, along with their start and end dates.

What is the difference between Mahadasha and Antardasha?

A Mahadasha is the major planetary period, lasting 6–20 years. Within each Mahadasha, there are 9 sub-periods called Antardashas (or Bhuktis), each ruled by one of the 9 planets in sequence. The Antardasha lord modifies the Mahadasha lord's themes — a difficult Mahadasha can have a productive Antardasha, and vice versa. Further sub-divisions (Pratyantardasha, Sookshma, Prana) offer even finer timing.

Vedic Astrology

Vimshottari Mahadasha

The Vimshottari system divides life into 9 planetary periods totalling 120 years — each ruled by a graha that colours every area of life with its own quality. Your birth Nakshatra determines which planet you start with.

Dasha Timing

9Mahadashas

120Year Cycle

81Antardashas

27Seed Nakshatras

The 120-Year Cycle

☋♀☀☽♂☊♃♄☿

Ketu (7yr)Venus (20yr)Sun (6yr)Moon (10yr)Mars (7yr)Rahu (18yr)Jupiter (16yr)Saturn (19yr)Mercury (17yr)

☋7 yrs

Ketu

Ketu Mahādaśā

Sudden detachment, karmic release, and spiritual acceleration

DetachmentSpiritualityPast-life karma

→

♀20 yrs

Venus

Śukra Mahādaśā

The longest Mahadasha — 20 years of beauty, abundance, and desire

LoveWealthCreativity

→

☀6 yrs

Sun

Sūrya Mahādaśā

Six years of authority, focus, and identity crystallisation

AuthorityIdentityGovernment

→

☽10 yrs

Moon

Candra Mahādaśā

Ten years of emotional depth, nourishment, and the mother's influence

EmotionsMotherhoodHome

→

♂7 yrs

Mars

Maṅgala Mahādaśā

Seven years of action, courage, property, and physical drive

ActionCourageProperty

→

☊18 yrs

Rahu

Rāhu Mahādaśā

18 years of ambition, illusion, foreign realms, and karmic acceleration

AmbitionForeignTechnology

→

♃16 yrs

Jupiter

Bṛhaspati Mahādaśā

16 years of wisdom, expansion, abundance, and divine grace

WisdomAbundanceChildren

→

♄19 yrs

Saturn

Śani Mahādaśā

19 years of discipline, karma, patience, and slow-built permanence

DisciplineKarmaPatience

→

☿17 yrs

Mercury

Budha Mahādaśā

17 years of intellect, communication, commerce, and analytical mastery

IntelligenceCommunicationCommerce

→

Quick Reference

Order	Planet	Duration	Seed Nakshatra	Key Themes
1	☋Ketu	7 years	Ashwini, Magha, or Mula	Detachment, Spirituality, Past-life karma
2	♀Venus	20 years	Bharani, Purva Phalguni, or Purva Ashadha	Love, Wealth, Creativity
3	☀Sun	6 years	Krittika, Uttara Phalguni, or Uttara Ashadha	Authority, Identity, Government
4	☽Moon	10 years	Rohini, Hasta, or Shravana	Emotions, Motherhood, Home
5	♂Mars	7 years	Mrigashira, Chitra, or Dhanishtha	Action, Courage, Property
6	☊Rahu	18 years	Ardra, Swati, or Shatabhisha	Ambition, Foreign, Technology
7	♃Jupiter	16 years	Punarvasu, Vishakha, or Purva Bhadrapada	Wisdom, Abundance, Children
8	♄Saturn	19 years	Pushya, Anuradha, or Uttara Bhadrapada	Discipline, Karma, Patience
9	☿Mercury	17 years	Ashlesha, Jyeshtha, or Revati	Intelligence, Communication, Commerce

Explore the Vedic System

Graha9 Planets Rashi12 Zodiac Signs Nakshatra27 Lunar Mansions Lagna12 Ascendants Yoga25 Yogas DoshaAfflictions

Find your current Mahadasha

AstroShri computes your exact Mahadasha and Antardasha from your birth details — showing the complete 120-year sequence with start/end dates and active period interpretation.

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