The Use of Multiple Dasa Systems in Vedic Astrology
Jyotish, as most of us know, has a wide variety of techniques that can be used for predictive purposes. It has been estimated by some that, including the dasa systems attributed to Jaimini Jyotish (which some consider a subset of Parasara's teachings, and others consider a separate system of astrology) there are approximately one hundred discrete mahadasa systems which can be utilized in Jyotish. Some of the better known predictive dasa systems are, of course, the very well-known Vimshottri Dasa system (often erroneously referred to by beginners -- myself included a few years ago -- as the dasa system); the Yogini Dasa system, a dasa which repeats every thirty-six years; the Jaimini Chara ("movable") dasa system, a relatively simple to calculate sign-based mahadasa system used with Jaimini padas and karakas; and the Kalachakra Dasa, a sign-based system which Parasara praises as the most accurate mahadasa system.
There are limitations with all of these systems, however. There is controversy on nearly every level of the correct interpretation of Jyotish. There are disagreements regarding the number of days in a year to be used, and even disagreements among various astrologers as to which calculational methodology should be used to determine the duration or sequencing of some of the dasa systems. (The so-called "Jaimini" dasas seem to be sparking the most controversy in this area recently.) Even in the Kalachakra dasa system, there is disagreement regarding which system, South Indian or North Indian should be used. And there are enormous differences and differences in date sensitivities in the different methodologies used for the Kalachakra dasas.
Because of the differences in minutiae, I often encourage people who study with me to look at the simpler Jyotish dasas and other predictive modalities first. There does not seem to be much controversy around the use of, let us say, planetary maturity, or even some of the Bhrigu progression methodologies, perhaps because not that many astrologers have studied them or have found contradictions about them n different texts. Inevitably, I believe, as greater light gets cast on these lesser known areas, we will see intense disagreement as to how they should be used and how they should be calculated. As a matter of fact, I predict it. Keep in mind that in any field as varied as this, we will inevitably see different interpretations of methodologies. As we gain more knowledge, some of the less accurate or reliable systems may be dropped or modified...but Jyotish is one of those fields which seems endless, so I don't think that final agreement will be reached that soon.
The predictive systems I would like to focus on now are two lesser known dasas (the Karaka and Naisirigka dasas), one better known dasa (Yogini) and two progression type systems (the Surdarshan "dasa" and the Bhrigu progressions. One of the reasons I like these systems is because they are simple to understand, they work, and they have, thus far, been spared the controversy that have affected other dasa systems. Some are also more general then other dasa systems, but, to use an example from geography, it is better to know that Denmark is in Europe, not in South America. The simpler dasa systems at least put you in the right general area, sometimes with rather stunning results.
The Karaka dasa is a dasa system which uses the Karakas used in "Jaimini" Jyotish in order to develop a sequence of events, and it is very very easy to calculate and interpret. In order to calculate the mahadasas, start from the ascendant, and count to the karakas in question. So, using my own chart as an example (October 1, 1952; 8:29 AM, EST; Fall River, Massachusetts ). I have a Libra rising sign. Mars is atmakaraka and is in Scorpio. Jupiter is Amatya Karaka in Aries; Saturn is Bhatri Karaka in Virgo; Mercury is Matri Karaka, in Virgo; Moon is Putri/Pitri Karaka in Aquarius; Sun is Gnati Karaka in Virgo; Venus is Dara or Stri Karaka. Please note that I am excluding Rahu from this example because of my training and also because it will not change the sequencing of this particular dasa sequence because of Rahu's specific location in my chart. In the interests of completeness, Rahu, being placed at roughly 27 degrees Capricorn would be my lowest degree planet, and so would come at the end of this sequence because Brihat Parasara Hora Sastra states, if Rahu is used in this scheme, the degrees are subtracted from thirty degrees in order to ascertain Rahu's role in the Karaka scheme.
The sequencing of the Karaka Dasa is very simple and straightforward. The dasa sequence starts with the Atma Karaka planet, and is then followed by the Amatya Karaka, and so on, until the Dara Karaka is reached. The dasa sequence repeats when the karakas time spans have been spent. To calculate the duration of the dasas simply count non-inclusively (don't count the position from which you are starting) from the Ascendant to the location of the Karakas. In case the Karaka is in the ascendant, simply count to twelve. The dasa sequence for my chart would therefore be:
Mars (count from Libra to Scorpio) 1 sign away. The dasa lasts from 1952-1953.
Jupiter (count from Libra to Aries) 6 signs away. The dasa lasts from 1953-1959.
Saturn (count from Libra to Virgo) 11 signs away. The dasa lasts from 1959-1970.
Mercury (count from Libra to Virgo) 11 signs away. The dasa lasts from 1970-1981
Moon (count from Libra to Aquarius) 4 signs away. The dasa lasts from 1981-1985
Sun (count from Libra to Virgo) 11 signs away. The dasa lasts from 1985- 1996.
Venus (count from Libra to Libra) 12 signs away. The dasa lasts from 1996-2008
Rahu (if used) (count from Libra to Capricorn) 3 signs away. The dasa lasts
from 2008-2011.
The antardasa sequence is not indicated in the G.S. Kapoor translation of the BPHS Volume II, but we can assume that the antardasa sequence would start in the same way that Vimshottri dasa would so the antardasa sequence in the Jupiter Mahadasa would be, for example, Jupiter, Saturn., Mercury, Moon, Sun, Venus,(Rahu), Mars, etc. The general sequence of the mahadasa does seem to fit the details of my life, particularly if one wished to view a time of struggles starting in 1985. That year, consistent with my Jaimini Pisces (sixth house) mahadasa, produced great struggles, losses, but also heralded the start of my involvement in astrology and my serious devotion to spiritual disciplines. And please, when you try any mahadasa sequence, try it on yourself FIRST. This is not just for reasons of ego stroking. Basically, you are the most familiar of anybody with your life; you can see how your life is affected by the sequencing of the mahadasas, and whether your life was easy or difficult at that time, and this gives you the foundation to check the mahadasas against other charts.
Naisarigka (Fixed) Dasa
This dasa system is really a very simple dasa which seems the basis of the
planetary maturity system used in Jyotish. To simplify, planetary maturity
is a concept that I first encountered in James Braha's Ancient Hindu Astrology
for the Modern Western Astrologer. This is really a landmark system, similar
in concept to the Dasa system mentioned in Brihat Jataka of Varaha Mihira
(which I will discuss in another article). The dasa system (in simplified
terms), shows Jupiter as hitting maturity in the individual's sixteenth year;
the Sun as attaining maturity in the person's 21st year; the Moon as attaining
maturity in the individual's 24th year; Venus in one's 25th year; Mars in
the person's 28th year; Mercury in the 33rd year of life; Saturn in the 34th
- 36th year; Rahu in the 42nd year; and Ketu in the 48th year.
Let's look at the chart of the Governor of the State of Minnesota. Jesse Ventura was born James George Janos on July 15, 1951, 3:00 AM CST, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. This gives him a Gemini rising sign with Mars and Sun in the first house. This combination of two "hot" planets in the first house gives him a bald head, a dominating personality, and a strong athletic disposition. The ruler of the first house (his thoughts) are in the second house (the house of speech) so he says what he thinks and is identified through his speech. The placement of Venus in the third house of skills (along with the unpredictable South Lunar Node, also known as Ketu) gives him a very strong ability to get people to like him (Other notable charts which have Ketu conjunct a powerful benefic planet, are those of Princess Diana (the 7:45 PM birth time) and Adolph Hitler.). Venus is also the ruler of Jesse's fifth house, a house of past life credit, so all his accomplishments and acclaim are the result of good actions he had performed in previous lives. Mr. Ventura has been in the public eye since 1984 (when his Venus mahadasa began, and when his Saturn matured), even more famous than many wrestlers because of his off camera commentary, then he made the transition to films (another Venus related field); then to politics in 1991 when he upset an 18 year incumbent in a mayor's race. Jesse's unexpected acquisition of the mayoralty in 1991 coincided with his Rahu maturity -- Rahu is usually capable of giving great fame and recognition in its maturity or dasa. This gave Jesse the landslide upset which made him Mayor. In 1998, Jesse's Ketu hit maturity. This planet in a chart creates upsets and unexpected results. The fact that Mr. Ventura won is one thing; but his win is doubly significant in that Jesse was the first individual from H. Ross Perot's Party who won a nationally recognized position. In Vimshottri mahadasa, he won during a Venus Mahadasa, Saturn sub period. Venus and Saturn are special friends in this system, and this produced a very strong popular feeling for Mr. Ventura. His Venus and Ketu conjunction allowed him to link with the people (the woman who moderated the debate mentioned that Mr. Ventura managed to connect with the people of Minnesota in a very basic way, like an old time politician), and his Venus/Saturn period thrust him into a position of authority (Saturn is the authority giving planet in Vedic Astrology and Saturn is placed in the fourth house, aspected by a powerful Jupiter in its own sign, giving high status.). Mr. Ventura's chart shows great potential for recognition, and he has certainly accomplished that (from the most unexpected background). Other epochs and events in Mr. Ventura's life are almost textbook examples of the way planetary maturity works. Also keep in mind that, according to Vedic Astrology, Mr. Ventura has a great many combinations which show high levels of intelligence and leadership, and these certainly figure in his success as well.
The "Natural" Mahadasa System of the Brihat Jataka
There is another "fixed" mahadasa system that is actually mentioned in one of the most highly regarded astrological texts -- the Brihat Jataka of Varahamihira. Although, in all candor, I am not quite as bowled over by this text as some of my teachers have been, I do find sections of it to be absolutely brilliant. The section on Drekkanas (or Dreshkonas) is extremely fascinating and forms the foundation for the work of many highly-regarded Jyotishis. Still, it has gained a prominent place in the astrological canon, and there must be a reason for this. It seems to me, however, it possesses many transgressions from Parasara, and the text uses what appear to be blatantly Western techniques. While neither of these qualifications means that the text is erroneous, I have had some trouble using its techniques.
There are a couple of dasa systems proposed in the Brihat Jataka is one of a kind. There are no references or corroborations of these in other Jyotish texts -- a very rare occurrence indeed. One dasa system takes its commencement from the strongest of those between the Ascendant, the Sun and the Moon. Sub periods are determined based upon the distances of the planets from the dasa lord mathematically somewhat confusing system, but worthy of further research. The dasa system I would like to discuss is very simple and, in its construction at least, has the most in common with the Naisirigka Dasa. The dasa system, called a "natural dasa" by Varahamihira, is as follows:
x The first year of life is governed by the Moon;
x The second to third year of life is governed by Mars;
x The fourth through twelfth year of life is governed by Mercury;
x The next twenty years -- thirteenth through thirty-second years -- are governed
by Venus;
x The thirty-third through fiftieth years are ruled by Jupiter;
x The fifty-first through seventieth years are ruled by the Sun;
x The seventy-first year through the 120th year are ruled by Saturn; and
x after the period of 120 years, the dasa of the Lagna prevails.
There are no explicit rules for sub period calculation given in this dasa
system by the Brihat Jataka, but we can perhaps imagine that the sequence
is similar in principle to that implied by the Yogini and Vimshottri dasa
system. Using a complicated system like that denoted in the other Brihat Jataka
dasa system would be counterintuitive here. So, for example, during the Jupiter
dasa we would have a sequence that would start with Jupiter, go to the Sun,
then to Saturn, then the Moon, then Mars, then Mercury and Venus. This could
explain why the mid-thirties are typically a time of expansion, social responsibility
(joining clubs, preparing a foundation for children, mortgages and conforming
to society's expectations). Since we also must assess the bhuktis based upon
the planet's position in the natal chart, we can also look at major difficulties
or successes in a person's life in terms of planetary placements. The Venus
period at the end of the Jupiter mahadasa also explains why, for some folks,
the mid forties become a time of status seeking, Porsches, facelifts, and
for some, divorces. Note the enormity of the Saturn Mahadasa, implying a similar
proportional length of the sub periods.
In interpreting this dasa system, Brihat Jataka notes that if the sub period
lord is in lagna, in a friendly sign, in a benefic varga Drekkanas, navamsa
or varga) or if it is in the third, sixth, 10th or 11th from the planet having
its main dasa it gives good results. With minor variations (planets in the
sixth from the dasa lord are not considered favorable in Vimshottri dasa)
this has certain similarities to the way beneficence of sub periods is assessed
in the use of Vimshottri Mahadasa. Brihat Jataka also gives instructions for
the types of events that will occur during the period of the planet in question.
Again, these are not radically different from the significations contained
in Brihat Parasara Hora Sastra.
There is a special interpretive principle that involves the Moon. If the Moon at the time of the commencement of a sub period occupies its own sign, it will be conducive to honor, wealth and comforts. If it occupies a sign of Mars, it indicates some flaw in a wife's character. If in any sign of Mercury, it indicates the acquisition of education friends and wealth. If in Leo, it brings about agricultural operation in forests, jungles and on the wayside. If in a sign of Venus it indicates a gain of grain. If in Capricorn or Aquarius it indicates a bad wife. If in Sagittarius and Pisces she indicates the acquisition of honor, wealth and comforts. (taken from P. S. Sastri's translation -- not verbatim). I would take the indications about bad "wives" to mean business partners as well, by the way.
This principle of interpretation has some similarity to a lecture that James Braha presented last year in which he gave principles for interpreting the Sade Sathi. In most of the graha mahadasa systems, the Moon is the primary trigger of karma. Apparently, it retains an important voice in this mahadasa system. Also, some of the rules for interpreting this mahadasa system can be swung back to other mahadasa systems (such as Vimshottri) for the purpose of evaluating major periods and sub periods. The placement of the Moon at the beginning of a period can be used to assess, at the very least, the emotional tenor of a period, and can even be used to develop a "progressed" mahadasa for the individual, a technique a bit beyond this lecture, but which can be used with great success.
The advantage of using a fixed mahadasa system is that it is, of course, very simple to memorize and calculate. The surface deficiency, is of course, the perception that these dasas are too impersonal and not as fine tuned as the Vimshottri or Yogini systems. However, these dasa systems are very useful when one realizes that the planets usually sit in different signs in individual charts, and when one realizes that, societally, we do actually have certain roles to fulfill, and that these roles are linked to our biological age. There is certainly diversity, even in this dasa system...but by being human, we do have certain commonalties._
Compressed dasas
One fascinating dasa variation that I have not seen discussed often is the
idea of compressed dasas. Basically, one can interpret dasas (such as Vimshottri
and Yogini and even the sign mahadasas) can be compressed to shorter periods
of time. The best known use of this is the Mudda Dasa used in Varshaphal or
solar return astrology, which is basically the Vimshottri dasa compressed
to a year based upon where the Moon is in the Varshaphal chart. Although there
are supposed to be modifications to this "annual dasa" according
to certain authorities, I have found an "unadjusted" mudda dasa
works very well for predictive purposes in this system. I have also experimented
with compressed Yogini and Chara dasas (I use these for an astrology column
I write every month) and have gotten great results with these. Although this
class has insufficient time to explain how to calculate these compressed systems
(or even standard Yogini or Chara dasas), most programs offer these as options.
And I know that at least one major program (Shri Jyothi) offers one year and
one month compressed dasas as a program option. I am sure that, at the very
least, you can get the starting dasa period from the other programs, then
use a paper and pencil and calculator to "shrink" the dasa proportionally
so they fit into one year (or one month). Sometimes it is a good idea to do
this as well...it puts us in tough with the mathematical roots of Jyotish
from time to time. As a matter of fact, I would recommend that you at least
gain a conceptual mathematical understanding as to how to calculate the mahadasas
with which you are working. It helps tie you to the dasas in a way I can not
quite explain, having had this experience several times.
Interpretation of Chara dasa is a bit complicated so I will not cover this now (and I have covered it in other presentations), but Yogini is actually quite simple. Just look at the house placement of the planet and the matters that the planet rules. For example, let us assume that Jupiter sits in the tenth house. So according to Yogini dasa, the Jupiter mahadasa will focus on career matters connected to Jupiter -- teaching, advising, guiding. That is it, and it will be consistent with Vimshottri, as I will show you at the conclusion of the lecture. As a matter of fact, for definition, I have often found the Yogini mahadasa startling in terms of its predictive accuracy, sometimes surpassing Vimshottri.
I am most familiar with 60 year and 80 year compressed mahadasas, although
the more accepted seems to be the 80 year period called "Tribhagi".
Again, Tribhagi is included as a software option in some programs, but since
it is two-thirds the length of Vimshottri mahadasa (upon which it is based)
it is relatively easy to compute with a calculator.
Tribhagi mahadasas can be used to look at Vimshottri mahadasas in terms of
the coloration of the mahadasa, or it can be used to analyze the chart without
reference to other mahadasas.
Basically, Tribhagi should be used to analyze planets using comprehensive
assessments of planets such as Vimshopak or even elements like the Sudarshan
chart (which we will be discussing shortly), then applying these strengths
to the natal chart and analyzing the chart according to Vimshottri mahadasa
principles. This mahadasa system will produce excellent results and I would
recommend extensive experimentation with it
Sudarshan Chakra Dasa
I am sure that most people are aware of the Sudarshan Chakra and what it means,
but in the interest of completeness, the Sudarshan is essentially three charts
circling each other; the lagna chart sits in the middle, surrounded by the
Moon chart, and surrounded in term by the Sun Chart. The Sudarshan is another
name for Vishnu's discus, and this chart within a chart is a particularly
impressive for seeing, at a glance, houses that have a lot of activity versus
houses that have very little activity. For example, an individual who would
originally have been thought to have no planets in the tenth may end up having
three or four planets in the tenth from the Moon or Sun. This kind of analysis
can reveal details about the strengths or activities of houses that do not
show up in a natal chart.
How does one time these activities? Through the use of the Sudarshan Dasa. The Sudarshan dasa is almost ridiculously simple to compute. In the first year of life, the first house is the first dasa which lasts until age 2; then the second house dasa begins. This continues until the age of twelve when all the dasas have passed and at age 13, the first house dasa starts again. Sub periods are also simple to calculate. Start the year of the dasa with the house number of the year of the dasa. For example, in the 24th year a person would be in a twelfth house dasa; in the first month, the sub period would be the 12th house; in the second month, a first house dasa will occur; and in the third month a second house dasa will occur. It is very straightforward. And the dasa gives the emphasis of that particular year or month. It can be hand calculated with ridiculous ease, and it can give excellent results, especially if you wish to know the focus of the person's life for the year in question and what benefic or malefic influences (planets) exist for the year in question.
Bhrigu Progressions
The last area I would like to discuss are a relatively specialized area of
Jyotish called Bhrigu progressions. For a more detailed discussion of this
topic, I would recommend that you read Martin Gansten's article in Richard
Houck's excellent anthology Hindu Astrology Lessons.
There are certain signification differences in Bhrigu astrology from Parasara
and Martin specifically mentions that Mercury, not Mars, is the significator
for land in the Bhrigu system. Mars in Bhrigu astrology is the significator
for wife(!). Venus is the significator for wealth, who gives prosperity when
contacted by or contacting his friends Saturn, Mercury or Rahu. Jupiter, the
significator of life, can have accidents when afflicted by Ketu or Mars. Bhrigu
progressions work on three levels: the first level, similar to a mahadasa.
At the most important level, thirty degrees represents twelve years, or 2
degrees 30 minutes a year. The time of an event is determined by the exact
conjunction, opposition or trine of the progressed planet to the karaka planet.
The idea of working with progressions may be somewhat alien to those who have worked with Jyotish thus far.
New Ways to Interpret Vimshottri Mahadasa
The esteemed Vedic astrologer Narendra Desai laid the groundwork for this
technique with his work in Richard Houck's Hindu Astrology Lessons. This combines
that work with some of the observations of Narasimha Rao on the Internet,
some of R. G. Krishnan's research and some of the author's own observation
based upon his years spent working with Varga charts.
Vedic astrology has such a wide variety of subject areas that we often overlook ways of integrating our existing data. This technique helps combine a series of techniques which are pretty mainstream, but are great predictive models.
First of all, start with the Vimshottri mahadasa to determine the dasa in operation at the current time. Let us say for simplicity's sake, that the dasa is the Sun dasa. This is a six year dasa. Take the time of the dasa and divide it into twelve even divisions. Next, look at the sign that the planet is placed in; for argument's sake let us say that the Sun is placed in Aries. For the first six months of the mahadasa, the Sun will be in a bhukti of the sign Aries. The second six months it will be in the sign Taurus, and so on. You will notice, as the mahadasa progresses, good or evil effects based upon the planet's progression through the signs and the houses in which the signs are placed. Planets will show good results when placed own house or exalted placement, problems when passing through debilitated positions. Next look at the Sarvastakavarga strength of the houses:good effects will be maximized and evil effects will be minimized when the planet is passing through a strong (25 points or more) house; the lower the points the less effective the house. Also assess the effects of the dasa when the Sun is in a house with another planet.
Next look at the Navamsa chart. The movement of the planet through the signs in this dasa set-up will trigger certain effects during a reading, even from the navamsa position. Next look at the harmonic charts carefully. If you wish to know about career matters, for example look at the planet in the sign's progress through the dasamsa chart; look at children through the saptamsa chart; etc. All the ingredients you need for analysis using this modified Vimshottri dasas analysis system are immediately available. All that has to be done is to combine elements that are present in all Jyotish printouts, and you will find that you are really looking at the chart in a very holistic way; and this system integrates three techniques begging for union -- ashtakavarga, varga charts and a type of Vimshottri which uses both other system.
As always, I encourage any serious astrology student to go to the resource materials mentioned in this text and draw his or her own conclusion about the matters discussed in this presentation. Jyotish is a lifelong study and must be pursued with an open mind and a spirit of investigation. I hope that this presentation has piqued your curiosity and will help you to open the door to some of the less-traveled roads of Vedic astrology.
My thanks to a variety of individuals who have provided the resource materials for this paper, including:
Martin Gansten
Andrew Foss
Narasimha Rao
Narendra Desai
and many others too numerous to mention
© Gary Gomes 2002
