In vedic astrology to check how, when and karma ripen we use the dasha system.The dasha shows how our karma unfolds in Astrology. In vedic astrology, the dasha system is used to predict the future. Our life is related to our karma with all the soul journey life to life time. We are not aware of our past karma but this universe knows all our bad or good karma of lifetime to life. According to our karma we are born and feel the effect of in our consciousness to evolve in this lifetime. In vedic astrology there is a dasha system which calculated from the nakshatra of the Moon at the time we were born and found out the order of the dashas that will be followed.
The Moon in the Dasa Scheme.
The start of the first planetary dasha cycle is started from placement of the Moon at the time of birth. The Lord of the Nakshatra (corresponding star in the Moon sign) will determine the 1st dasha period. The percentage of the amount of distance traversed by the Moon through that Nakshatra is deducted from the balance of the mean dasha length to determine the first dasha length. Example - if the Moon had traveled ¼ through the Nakshatra of Bharani, ruled by Venus, then ¼ of the length of Venus dasa would be deducted from it's mean length of 20 years. Thus the first dasa would be Venus for 16 years.
The Vimshottari dasha is shown from the Moon because the Moon is the mind and the thought first comes in the mind. According to our thoughts we take actions. The Moon is the consciousness and it is where our past life karma resides. When we run through planetary dasha, we get the effect from that planet based on our past karma with it and then we act upon it. If we have misused that planet's energy in past lives or in this, then we get a difficult effect. According to planetary dasha, we attract karma.
There are many dasha systems in vedic astrology that allow us to see karma unfolding in someone's life. The most prominent is the vimshottari dasha system. Vimshottari dasha have been found to be very simple and most accurate. It is a system that uses a 120 year cycle. Where each planet rules a certain number of years. which is also broken down into sub periods from there. The sub periods called bhuktis are in the same order and divided relative to the dasha length. The vimshottari dasha system gives very accurate results that predict what karmas will unfold at what time.
The planetary dasas in the vimshottari dasha system unfold in this order
1. Ketu 7 years
2. Venus 20 years
3. Sun 6 years
4. Moon 10 years
5. Mars 7 years
6. Rahu 18 years
7. Jupiter 16 years
8. Saturn 19 years
9. Mercury 17 years
All planets give results according to their signs, house they rule and in, and relationships with other planets in their vimshottari dasha. If the planet is good in the chart then, time will be good or if the planet is not in good dignity the time will be challenging.
Effect of planets during their mahadasha:
Ketu is the planet of detachment, non worldly and spirituality. Ketu is considered a malefic planet in vedic astrology. However, the result of Ketu depends on their placements in the birth chart. It could be malefic or beneficial depending on your birth chart. In general during Ketu dasha ketu attributes will be activated. Like disinterest in life, interested in spirituality, interested in metaphysics, astrology, and other subjects which have no scientific basis. Ketu is the planet where we are closest to divine energy.
Venus is the planet of self worth, wealth, happiness, love, marriage, and relationships. Venus is considered a benefic planet in the vedic astrology. During Venus mahadasha Venus gets activated. Venus is a time when we will mainly seek wealth, love, worldly happiness, and relationship. Marriage is often a theme in Venus dasha. Venus plays an important role to have fun on a material plane. Venus is the longest dasha in vimshotri dasha scheme.
Sun is the planet of our true and soul. Sun is mild malefic and it purifies the individual soul by giving some harshness during its mahadasha. Sun rules over father, power, position, and career. Sun dasha shows the emergence of our power, individual identity, ready to shine from his light, no longer feeling the need to be supported by others. It is the time when we are finding our true nature.
Moon is the planet of mind, memories, and pure motherly love in astrology. Moon is a benefic planet in vedic astrology. It rules over mother, public, nurturing and family. During Moon dasa we seek nurturing and pure connection with people. Family, motherhood, public, and other people will be themes in Moon mahadasha. It is also a time of memories of past life.
Mars is the planet of courage, individuality, action, war, siblings, cuts, burns, and passion. Mars is the first animal extinct within us who is ready to take action to protect us. Mars is a malefic planet in vedic astrology. During Mars dasha, all these things will be activated. We become competitive with others. Mars also rules landed property so one can buy property during its dasha.
Rahu is a worldly desire which we want to fulfill in this lifetime. Rahu is the planet of material attachment. Rahu dasha shows all the trappings of worldly life and its ability to explore our higher intelligence. Rahu is considered a malefic planet in vedic astrology. However, the result of Rahu depends on their placements in the birth chart. It could be malefic or beneficial depending on your birth chart. In general during Rahu dasha Rahu attributes will be activated.
Jupiter is the planet of guru, luck, joy, prosperity, higher learning, marriage, and children. Jupiter is the planet of hope, faith and optimism. Jupiter is the benefic planet in vedic astrology. In jupiter dasha all these things will be activated. Jupiter will always teach us something and give us something. His dasa periods bring children, marriage, wealth as well as titles and honors.
Saturn is the planet of pain, sorrow, responsibility, limitations, boundary, restriction and death. Saturn is a malefic planet in vedic astrology. In Saturn dasha we become aware of our responsibility, limitations and learn to be practical about them. Saturn gives loneliness during its dasha and it needs to understand life without people. Saturn will give us the time to work through our karma in isolation.
Mercury is the planet of communication, fun, and skill. Mercury rules over arms, short distance travelling, learning and the internet. Mercury is a neutral planet in astrology. In Mercury dasha is when we can become playful and non-judgmental. We learn and improve our skill, but through knowledge and clear thinking which is necessary to understand.
Transition Periods Between Dashas
When these Dashas change, major shifts in energy occur. This is why people seem to change overnight, the dasha is what changes. To prepare us for these radical shifts the preceding bhukti period is always a preparatory time, whose energy is similar to the next dasa period.
Observe the last Bhukti of Ketu dasa is Ketu / Mercury. Mercury Bhukti prepares the worldly mind for the approaching Venus dasa, as Mercury is the builder and the planet that wants to tangibly manifest a worldly life, he helps to bridge the otherworldly Ketu to worldly Venus.