Importance of Dashas in Astrology
Dashas hold an importance place in astrology. They affect the incidents and situations in a person’s life. Dasha reflect the effects that various planets have on a person’s life. Among the calculations of Mahadashas, the dashas calculated on the basis of Nakshatras are quite popular. According to Vedang astrology, a day’s nakshatra is the one in which Moon resides on the particular day. Mahadasha of the lord of this nakshatra is believed to take place at the time of birth. Hence, Mahadasha of different planets and nakshatras can be seen throughout our lives.
The first one is Vinshottari dasha. This comprises of Antar dasha, Pratyantar dasha, Sookshma dasha and Pran dasha. During the period of Mahadasha, each planets passes through Antar dasha. Pran dasha is of the shortest duration and Mahadasha is the longest. One cycle of Mahadashas completes in 120 years. The first dasha is based on Janma Nakshatra.
The first dasha is determined by the lord of the Nakshatra in which a person takes birth. During the time of birth, it should not be assumed that you would receive all the effects of a planet. It might be possible that you receive only a certain percentage during the dasha of planets.
Effects of Dashas
According to astrology, all the planets give all sort of results during dasha or antar dasha. Planets have immense power and may give both auspicious or inauspicious results. It is true that planets give a hundred percent auspicious or inauspicious results during their dasha. Mahadasha is the period during which a planet is in its strongest state and gives auspicious or inauspicious results based on its position in a kundali. The duration of mahadasha of different planets is as follows : Sun - 6 years, Moon - 10 years, Mars - 7 years, Rahu - 18 years, Jupiter - 16 years, Saturn - 19 years, Mercury 17 years, Ketu - 7 years and Venus - 2- years.
During these years, Mahadasha of a prime planet also sees dasha of other planets. This is known as Antar dasha. Effects from both the prime planet and the Lord of Antar dasha are received. During the Mahadasha of a planet, Antar dasha of the same planet can be noted first. In order to be precise, Pratyantar dasha for the same planets is also calculated sometimes. One may get to know about auspicious and inauspicious incidents through these. During Mahadasha of a planet, Antar dasha of an enemy, malefic or debilitated planet is considered to be inauspicious. Antar dasha of an auspicious planet during the Mahadasha of an auspicious planet gives auspicious results.
Dasha of exalted or mooltrikon planets is considered to be auspicious. A lot of different dashas have been mentioned in Vedic astrology. But, Vinshottari dasha is the easiest, simplest and the most popular. Sun is the karak for soul, Moon for mind, Mars for strength, Mercury for intelligence, Jupiter for a human being, Venus for women and Saturn for age. Therefore, analysis of dasha of these planets should be done with accordance to the country, time and situation.
The effects of planets depends on various auspicious and inauspicious incidents of life. An exalted planet gives auspicious results like success and fame. On the other hand, an inauspicious planets gives obstacles and problems. It is important to notice the Nakshatra in which the Lord of dasha is from the Janma Nakshatra. If these are friendly toward each other, a person receives auspicious results.