Vimshottari Dasha Calculator

The Vimshottari system assigns each of the nine planets a fixed duration within the 120-year cycle: Ketu (7 years), Venus (20 years), Sun (6 years), Moon (10 years), Mars (7 years), Rahu (18 years), Jupiter (16 years), Saturn (19 years), and Mercury (17 years). These durations reflect each planet's relative strength and scope of influence in Vedic cosmology — Venus and Saturn, with the longest periods, exert the most extended influence on life circumstances.

The sequence is not arbitrary. It follows the order of Nakshatra lordships: Ashwini (Ketu), Bharani (Venus), Krittika (Sun), and so on through the 27 Nakshatras. Each group of three Nakshatras shares a planetary ruler, and the Dasha sequence follows this Nakshatra-planet mapping. The Moon's position in one of the 27 Nakshatras at birth determines the starting point in this cycle.

The most critical calculation in the Vimshottari system is determining the Dasha balance at birth. Each Nakshatra spans exactly 13 degrees and 20 minutes of the zodiac. The Moon's position within its birth Nakshatra determines what proportion of the first Mahadasha has already elapsed and what remains.

For example, if the Moon is at 10 degrees of Aries, it falls in Ashwini Nakshatra (0 to 13 degrees 20 minutes of Aries). The Moon has traversed 10 degrees out of 13 degrees 20 minutes, which is 75% of the Nakshatra. Since Ashwini is ruled by Ketu (7-year Mahadasha), 75% of 7 years (5.25 years) has elapsed, leaving 1.75 years of Ketu Mahadasha at birth. After that, the full Venus Mahadasha of 20 years begins, followed by the remaining planets in sequence. Kaala performs this calculation with the Moon's position accurate to arcseconds, ensuring Dasha balance is precise.

While Vimshottari is the most popular Dasha system, Vedic astrology has over 40 different Dasha systems. Yogini Dasha uses an 8-planet, 36-year cycle and is valued for its simplicity and accuracy in specific contexts. Chara Dasha (Jaimini system) uses sign-based periods rather than planet-based periods. Ashtottari Dasha uses a 108-year cycle and applies only to charts where Rahu is in a Kendra or Trikona from the Lagna lord.

Vimshottari Dasha is favored because it works universally (applies to all charts), has well-documented predictive rules spanning thousands of years of Jyotish tradition, and provides the most granular sub-period breakdown (five levels deep). Kaala uses Vimshottari as its primary Dasha system because of this universality and the depth of interpretive tradition available for AI-assisted analysis.

Once you have your Vimshottari Dasha timeline, you can correlate major life events with the Dasha periods that were active when they occurred. This retrospective analysis builds confidence in the system and helps you understand how each planet's Mahadasha manifested in your life. Marriage often occurs during Venus or Jupiter periods, career breakthroughs during Sun or Saturn periods, and spiritual awakenings during Ketu or Jupiter periods.

Prospectively, your Dasha timeline tells you which planetary themes will dominate the coming years. If you are entering Rahu Mahadasha, you can expect themes of ambition, unconventional paths, and worldly desire. If Saturn Mahadasha is approaching, prepare for discipline, responsibility, and karmic reckoning. Jyothi uses your specific chart placements to refine these general themes into personalized predictions for your career, relationships, finances, and health.