Prediction about any event in an astrology chart is done by looking at either

transits of planets (gochara) or by referring to a dasha period. Dasha period

system is the more important of prediction systems in use. There are various dasha
periods used within Indian Astrology � Vimshottari, Sodashottari, Dwadashattari,
Ashtottari etc. Within these dasha systems also, Vimshottari dasha system is marked
as the most important one in the ancient texts. The birth chart application in this
site displays the Vimshottari dasha.

Vimshottari means 120. The dasha is called as such because of the period of effect
of various planets adds up to 120. Dasha periods are always calculated according to
the position of Moon in the chart. Janma Nakshatra therefore plays an important
part in calculating the starting dasha period in the chart, which is determined by
the lord of the nakshatra that the Moon falls in at the time of birth.

Considering the overall spread, this is the extent of the dashas:

Ketu Mahadasha : 7 years

Venus Mahadasha : 20 years
Sun Mahadasha : 6 years
Moon Mahadasha : 10 years
Mars Mahadasha : 7 years
Rahu Mahadasha : 18 years
Jupiter Mahadasha : 16 years
Saturn Mahadasha : 19 years
Mercury Mahadasha : 17 years
Total : 120 years
Although it looks that the dasha starts from Ketu and ends with Mercury, it is
really not so. As mentioned earlier, this dasha system operates from Moon and the
longitude of moon as calculated in a janma kundali dictates where the dasha starts
for an individual. That is why a parameter called �balance of dasha� is displayed
with rashi chart & navamsha chart. It moves like a cycle, but this order is
maintained. Therefore, for an individual the very first dasha period may be
different, but then onwards, every individual will get Mars dasha followed by Rahu
dasha.

Within each of these dasha periods, we have an �antar dasha� or �bhukti� of a

planet. e.g. Ketu mahadasha will start with Ketu bhukti and them go on till
Mercury. The extent is maintained as the same ratio. The sublevel of bhukti is
called pratyantar dasha etc.

The main dasha period is called the mahadasha. This period is further divided into
sub periods � antardasha and further sub periods � pratyantar dasha, sukshama dasha
and finally the prana dasha. Without going into details of how these periods are
calculated, if the span of the main period is of order of years, the duration of
prana dasha is of the order of days or even hours. Errors in recording the time of
birth are magnified quite a lot while calculating these innermost dasha periods. It
is a pretty good reason for astrologers not to use sukshama dasha and prana dasha
while making predictions.

Each planet will give results as per its natural and temporal placement in the
chart. Results from various planets are arrived at by looking at their natural or
acquired traits in the chart. In their own or friendly house or navamsha, planets
give good results. Similar results should be expected from planets that are have
shadbala, vargottama or in a square or a trine position from lagna or Janma rashi.
Planets involved in various yogas give results as described in the yoga.
Debilitated planets, planets in enemy signs, naturally cruel planets give bad
results during their dasha periods. Generally speaking, all planets do not give
good results towards the end of their dasha periods.
Effects of various planetary combinations (yogas), whether good or bad, rajyogas or
dhana yogas or nirdhana yoga etc. and corresponding predictions should be looked at
from dasha periods of the associated planets. Essentially, the laws of :

characteristics of planets in the chart,

friendship between planets,
yogas,
strength of planets and
retrogression
are the classical ones, some of which we have discussed earlier in this site and
read in the books. Please refer to them while trying to make predictions for a
particular period in a person�s life.

For ascertaining results related to affairs of a particular house or bhava, the

lord of the house, planets situated in the house and those influencing the house by
a drishti are considered important. This is required to predict an event in a
person�s life � e.g. job, change of place, marriage and birth of children. Let us
take an example of child birth. Fifth house (and also the 9th house, by principles
of bhavat-bhavam) either from Lagna or Moon is important for children and
childbirth. In the period of 5th house lord, putrakaraka, and a benefic planet
affecting 5th house, one can expect childbirth in a family. In the period of
malefic planets, e.g. Saturn or a lord of a malefic house affecting fifth house, it
will be difficult for a couple to have children, even if all other putrakaraka
elements in the chart are really strong. Rahu is said to have a positive bearing on
putrayoga, so one can predict childbirth.

When antardasha and other sub-periods are looked at, combination and relationships
between various period lords also come into picture. If the mahadasha lord and sub-
period lord are friends either naturally or temporally in a chart, we should see
good results. A 5/9 relationship, i.e. when two planets are situated in 5th and 9th
position from each other, is considered auspicious. Similarly, a 2/12 or 6/8
relationship between the planets is not considered good when the dasha period
operates.

All the planets that may influence a house will give their effect as main dasha
period rulers or one of antardasha rulers. Per Dr. Raman, antardasha rulers are
more important in giving result. When both rulers affect a house, the results
should be considered complete. When main dasha ruler does not affect the house in
any way but inner dasha ruler does, the results are less and limited. When only the
outer dasha ruler is concerned with the house and antardasha ruler is not, the
results will be extremely limited.