Vimshottari Dasha

The 120-year planetary period system originating in the Brihat Parashara Hora Shastra. The default Dasha system in modern Vedic practice; calculated from the Moon's Nakshatra at birth.

Related terms

• Mahadasha

  A 'major period' — the planetary lord whose influence dominates a span of years in the Vimshottari Dasha cycle. The 9 grahas each get a Mahadasha; the cycle totals 120 years. The current Mahadasha is the single most consulted operative timing tool in Vedic astrology.

• Nakshatra

  One of 27 lunar mansions — finer-grained subdivision of the zodiac than Rashi. The Moon's Nakshatra at birth governs the structure of the Vimshottari Dasha system and is read as a strong indicator of personality and disposition.