Introduction to Mahadasha

 Introduction

The state of life is called ‘Dasha’ in Sanskrit. As there are many lairs of ruling planets, the 1st lair who has maximum period and great control amongst the other lairs is marked as ‘Maha’ and here comes the word is ‘Mahadasha’. 

A particular stretch of time in an individual's lifespan is ruled by a particular planet. This time period is known as the Mahadasha of that planet. A particular sequence of planets is followed for their Mahadasha. Events and happenings are outlined on the basis of the strength and disposition of a planet having its Dasha, Antar-dasha, etc. Besides the Mahadasha the result will also depend upon the interrelated influences of Dasha Lord, conjunction and aspects in the birth chart.

All the Dashas are based on Nakshatras. Mostly 27 Nakshatras are considered in Dasha but there are some Dashas where 28 Nakshatras are counted including Abhijit Nakshatra. In some Dashas even all the 9 planets (including Rahu-Ketu) are not considered. There will be exception of one or two planet in some particular Dashas. 

 Maharshi Parashara has mentioned about 32 types of Dashas but not all of them are acceptable by common consensus. Only few like Vimshottari, Ashtottari, Kalachakra, Chara, Yogini, Shool, Ashtakwarga, etc. are used in different parts of India. Vimshottari is the most popular and used Dasha throughout the country. 

Anshaja Dasha has not been mentioned in some editions but the word ‘Tathanshi’ from 10th shlok gives an idea of a Dasha which needs to be considered. 

1	Vimshottari	17	Yogartha
2	Ashtottari	18	Kendra
3	Shadshottari	19	Karaka
4	Dwadashottari	20	Mandooka
5	Panchottari	21	Shoola
6	Shatabdika	22	Trikon
7	Chaturashiti	23	Driga
8	Dwisaptam-sama	24	Lagnadi - Rashi
9	Shashthi Hayani	25	Panchaswara
10	Shat Trimsha -Sama	26	Yogini
11	Kaal	27	Pinda -Amsa
12	Chakra	28	Naisargik
13	Kaal -chakra	29	Ashtakvarga
14	Chara	30	Sandhya
15	Sthira	31	Panchaka
16	Brahma Graha	32	Tara

For the purpose of calculation further we need Bhabhoga & Bhayaata. Let us understand what is the meaning of it? And how to find it? 

Every person has a Dasha at the time of birth and we can find out which planet’s Dasha was at the time of birth (Calculation given in each Dasha system) but we need to find out the exact Dasha period expired and the period which native has to experience / go through from the time of birth.    

Calculation

• Bhabhoga: The total time period required by Moon to transit a complete single Nakshatra is called Bhabhoga. This Bhabhoga is the Dasha period for a particular Nakshatra’s Lord. Moon’s speed of motion is 13.2 Deg each day but the time required to transit this distance vary day to day. Some times it completes the transit through a Nakshatra within 22 hrs. and some time it takes more than 26 hrs. We can get exact time taken to transit a Nakshatra on a particular day with the help of Panchang. In Panchang it is clearly mentioned the time Nakshatra of the day started on and ended at time (in many Panchang the time mentioned is the ending time. So the ending time of the previous day’s Nakshatra is the starting time of the next day’s Nakshatra. Confirm that whether it is starting or ending time mentioned in Panchang.)

• This time of Nakshatra from starting and to the end is the Bhabhoga. Now we need to convert these hours and minutes in to Ghati and Pala. 

                    1 hrs. = 2.5 Ghati 

                    1 min = 2.5 Pala 

                    1 Ghati = 60 Pala

• For example: On a particular day Moon was at 102 Deg, transiting Pushya (3) Nakshatra starting from 03:10 am (early morning) and ending 01:00 am (next day early morning), so total time Moon transited Pushya Nakshatra within 22:10 min. Then the Ghati & Pala conversion will be as follows

                    1 hrs. = 2.5 Ghati = 22 x 2.5 = 55 Ghati

                    1 min = 2.5 Pala = 10 x 2.5 = 25 Pala

So the Bhabhoga time for that particular Nakshatra is 55 Ghati & 25 Pala. 

• Bhayaata: The Transit completed (expired period), out of the total transit period required by Moon to transit a single Nakshatra is called Bhayaata. 

• While continuing with the above example, let us assume a native born on that particular day at 11:15 pm. 
• So it is still 2:55 min to end the Moon’s transit through Pushya Nakshatra. The native’s birth Nakshatra will be Pushya as Moon is in this Nakshatra that day. Now let’s calculate the expired period of the Dasha:
• From 03:10 am (early morning) to 11:00 pm (night) the total transit comes to 20:05 hrs. Now we have to convert it in to Ghati and Pal with the above formula

                    1 hrs. = 2.5 Ghati = 20 x 2.5 = 50 Ghati

                    1 min = 2.5 Pala = 05 x 2.5 = 12 Pala

So the Bhayaata time for that native for Pushya Nakshatra is 50 Ghati & 12 Pala.

Or we can say at the time of birth of the native the Moon completed its transit in Pushya Nakshatra up to 50 Ghati & 12 Pala out of the total transit 55 Ghati & 25 Pala.

Lets see the calculation of each type of Mahadasha in next post....

(These are my study notes referred from Brihat Parashara Hora Shastra)

Jaimini

 Jaimini

There are some fix rules of Jaimini as follows: 

• Every count starts from Lagna
• Counting is done forward or reverse 
• If the Rashi number is odd the Dasha order will be direct / forward like Mesh Vrushabh, Mithun…
• If the Rashi number is even the order of Dasha would be reverse like Mesh, Meen, Kumbh…
• forward or reverse is decided by the Rashi number in Lagna or 9th house

KARAKAS

Pantes and there Karakatwas 

• Sun Atma – Lagna, native
• Moon Matru – mother 
• Mars Bhatru & Gnyati – siblings, step mother
• Mercury Amatya – Maternal uncle & aunt
• Jupiter Putra – Paternal grand parents
• Venus Dara – spouse’s parents, maternal grand parents

1. Atma Karaka: it controls the mind and soul of the native. The planet in Kundali having highest degree is know as Atma Karaka. The strength or weakness of Atma karaka reflects in the entire Kundali. The natural Atma karaka of is Sun. 
2. Amatya Karaka: sections like education, career or karakas of 3rd & 10th house are linked with Amatya Karaka. Degree wise the planet which is 2nd highest is called Amatya karaka. Mercury is called its natural karaka
3. Bhatru Karaka: Bhatru means elder brother. Planet’s degree next to Amatya karaka is called Bhatru karaka. That means that planet will behave like a elder brother and karak of elder brother. Mars is the natural karaka for Bhatru karaka.
4. Matru Karaka: the lord of 4th house karaka like mother is defined by the degrees of a planet less than Bhatru karaka. Moon is the natural karaka of this.
5. Putra Karaka: the lord of children and 5th house karaka is known as Putra karaka. Natural karak of Putra karaka is Jupiter.
6. Gnyati Karaka: the lord of relations, the planet having lesser degrees than Putra karaka is called Gnyati Karaka. Again Mars is called natural karaka for this. 
7. Dara Karaka: lord of spouse or 7th house is Dara Karaka. The planet with least degree is called Dara Karaka. Venus is its natural karaka. 

Exceptions: 

• If two or more planets have same longitudinal degrees then all these planet will fall in one karaka only. 
• Hence there will be shortage for the further Karakas according to the number of planets gathered in one karaka.
• In this case the vacant karaka will be leaded by Rahu. Here Rahu becomes the Karaka to fill the gap, as more than one planet fall in one karaka.
• Rest of the sequence will follow as it is. 

LAGNAS 

Arudha, Bhava, Hora, Varnada, Ghatika and Nisheka

1. Arudha Lagna or Bhava Padas aereo find out the Arudha 

• First we have count the gap between house and the house lord is placed. 
• Then count the same number of houses from the house where house-lord is placed.
• That will be the Arudha Lagna for that Kundali

For example 

• A Kundali with Sinha Lagna 
• & Lagna lord Sun placed in Mithun sign.
• From Lagna to the house where Lagna lord is placed the count comes to 11
• Now we have to count 11 signs from Mithun sign which is Mesh
• So the Arudha for Sinha Lagna is Mesh sign

• Same way Arudha or Pada can be found of all the houses
• There are names given for each house like
• Ascendant - Lagna Arudha / Pada
• 2nd house –Dhana Arudha / Pada
• 3rd house – Vikrama or Bhratra Arudha / Pada
• 4th house – Mantra or Sukha Arudha / Pada
• 5th house – Mantra or Putra Roga or Shatru Arudha / Pada
• 6th house – Roga or Shatru Arudha / Pada
• 7th house – Kama or Kalatra Arudha / Pada
• 8th house – Mrityu Arudha / Pada
• 9th house – Pitra Arudha / Pada
• 10th house – Karma Arudha / Pada
• 11th house – Laabha Arudha / Pada
• 12th house – Vyaya Arudha / Pada

• Consider Kumbha as Rahu’s sign and Vrishchik as Ketu’s sign for calculating Arudha.  

Exceptions 

• Planet in own house: In case planet occupies own house, only 10 signs to be counted and the 10th sign will be the Arudha for that planet placed in own sign 
• 7th from own sign: if a planet falls in to 7th sign from its own sign, count 10 signs from the planet
• 4th from the sign: if a planet is placed in the 4th house from its own house then the 4th house sign will become Arudha for that planet
• If more than one house is owned by a planet then the stronger sign to be considered for counting. 
• If more than one planet owns the sign then the strongest planet to be considered

Effects 

• If in 11th house from Lagna Arudha / Pada is situated or any planet has aspect from that house – native will be happy and reach, wealth will come through moral ways if combination is benefic
• The wealth obtained will be questionable if the combination is malefic.
• If the combination of both malefic and benefic, native will get wealth by both the means. 
• If planet in own sign or in friend’s sign native gets much happiness and gains
• If aspects of all the planets to 11th house from the Arudha house, then native will be either a equal to king 
• Uninterrupted gains will be obtained if the 11th house from the Pada is aspected by all the planets and 12th house remains unaspected from it.
• If 11th house from Pada has multicity of the combination of planets and aspects, then  

    2. Hora Lagna: Divide the birth time by 2.5 Ghatis. The quotient + one to be counted from Lagna according to whether the Lagna is forward or reverse.   

    3. Bhava Lagna: Divide the birth time by 5 Ghatis. The quotient + one to be counted from Lagna according to whether the Lagna is forward or reverse.

    4. Varnada Lagna: there are three steps to find Varnada Lagna. 

        a. If Lagna is odd Rashi then count Mesh to Lagna Rashi. If Lagna is even Rashi then count from Meen to Lagna Rashi. This count should be considered as = A

        b. Similarly count for Hora Lagna according to odd or even Hora Rashi. This count should be considered as = B

        c. Getting answer

            i. If Janma & Hora Lagna are both even or both odd we will sum up A + B

            ii. If one is odd and one is even from Janma & Hora Lagna then we have to take difference by deduction A – B = C

        d. Now take the value of C and count that number forward or reverse according to Janma Lagna and that Rashi is called Varnada Lagna

        5. Ghatika Lagna: Divide the birth Ghatis by 12. The remainder + 1 to be counted from Janma Lagna gives the Ghatika Lagan.

        6. Nisheka Lagna: this Lagna is not in practice and terminology is not clear so Dr. B V Raman sir has not written any method of calculation. 

• Pranapada: it is based on the law of periodicity. We can find connections between Lagna and Pranapada Rashi. In north India it is used as a master key to determinate the exact time of birth. As per Parashara for birth rectification Pranapada, Chandra and Gulika all have to be in consideration  

Finding Pranapada – there are 3 different methods of calculation

• First we have to convert the birth time in Vighatis (by multiplying hrs x 60) and add the minutes to the vighatis. 
• Then make those vighatis double by multiplying it by 2 
• Here in third step there are 3 options. We can add these vighatis to
• Sun’s longitude
• Sun’s longitude + 240°
• Sun’s longitude + 120° depending upon the Sun is in Movable / Fixed / Dual sign
• Keep deducting 360° multiple times from the above answer until the value comes less than 360. The final answer is complete degrees 

For example answer is 121.12 = Karka Rashi ends at 120° so answer is Sinha Lagna at 1° 12’

(These are my study notes referred from the Book Jaimini by Dr. B. V. Raman sir)

Moola - Trikona & Exaltation of a Planet

Moola - Trikona 

Moola – Trikona is basically a zone in a sign. It is a specific zone in the degrees of a sign, where a planet feels great and give the best results. They are;

• Sun - Sun’s own sign is Leo and from 4° to 20° is the Moola Trikona degrees for Sun. After 20 degrees Sun will not be in the Moola Trikona zone.

• Moon - Moon’s Moola Trikona sign is Taurus. In Taurus Moon is exalted too. From 4° to 20° of Taurus is the Moola Trikona zone for Moon.

• Mars - Mars gets Moola Trikona house as Aries and Moola Trikona zone is 0° to 12°.

• Mercury - Mercury gets exalted in its own house Virgo. Its Moola Trikona zone is also in Virgo from 16° to 20° in Virgo itself.

• Jupiter - Sagittarius is the Moola Trikona sign of Jupiter and the first 10° of this sign is the Moola Trikona zone.

• Venus - Libra is the Moola Trikona sign for Venus. Moola Trikona zone is from 0° to 15° of Libra.

• Saturn - Saturn owns Aquarius and 0° to 20° is the Moola Trikona zone of Saturn.

You must notice that all the planets except Moon have Moola Trikona in own signs. Moon is exalted in Taurus, and it owns Cancer, but its Moola Trikona zone is in Taurus.

How should we consider Moola Trikona Planets?

When a planet is placed in its exaltation sign, it is expected to give good results. In Moola Trikona, the planet will be far more effective because they are in their own sign (other than Moon). They may perform with more power than going into an exalted mode.

What is Exaltation?

Each planet becomes powerful in a particular sign at a particular degree that is called Exaltation. It can be its own sign or friends or enemy’s sign, that doesn’t matter. Only Mercury has its own sign as its Exaltation sign – Kanya /Virgo.  

When the planet is exact 180° away from its Exaltation sign, that sign is called Debilitation sign for that planet, which is 7th sign from its Exaltation sign.

Difference between Exaltation and Moola Trikona  

In Moola Trikona the added advantage is that the planet is in its own house. So the best placement of a planet will be its Moola Trikona then comes the exaltation. The 3rd best placement would be its own sign.

There can be exceptions when the planet is placed without good effects in Shadbala. It’s natural that we may choose exalted planet over a Moola Trikona planet, but it’s always good to check how many planets are in their Moola Trikona signs. The planets should be in the exact degrees. After or before those degrees, the planets will be considered as they are in own house.

(These are my study notes taken from Brihat parashar Hora shastra, Jatak Parijata and some guidance through Astrplogy bogs and websites)

Planet Combustion

Combustion

A Planet is considered Combust when it follows the Sun closely. Each planet has its defined degrees at which it is considered combust. The list is given below:

a.    Moon 12 Deg

b.    Mars 17 Deg

c.    Mercury 14 Deg (Forward/Margi) 12 Deg          

      (Retrograde/Vakri) 

d.    Jupiter 11 Deg

e.    Venus 10 Deg (Forward/Margi) 8 Deg 

      (Retrograde/Vakri)

f.    Saturn 15 Deg

Planets are said to be combust if they are very close to the Sun. If the longitudinal distance between the Sun and the planet is less than 12°, 17°, 14°, 11°, 10° and 15° respectively for the Moon, Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, Venus and Saturn they are said to be in combustion. Mercury when retrograde can be as close to the Sun as 12° without getting combust. Similarly Venus when retrograde can be near the Sun up to 10° and above to avoid getting combust. Combustion makes the planets powerless as their rays are counteracted or neutralized completely by the rays from the Sun.

Benefic planets are very powerful in doing good while exalted. They are weak if they are eclipsed by the Sun’s rays. According to one theory, the malefic are strong if they are debilitated or in combustion. In the Ayurdaya method of computing the life-span by assessing the number of years contributed by each planet towards longevity, combustion takes away half of the longevity contributed by a planet which is in the combination. Combustion is therefore malefic and capable of cutting short the power of a planet. The exceptions to this rule are Venus and Saturn, who if combined with the Sun, contribute the full span of life.

Cancellation of Combustion

When a planet is in its debilitated sign and it conjoins that sign Lord or the planet who’s that sign is exaltation sign it forms Neecha-bhanga Raj Yoga. This exemption conferred upon a direct link to the Principle of Neecha-bhanga getting introduced to combustion and resulting in Cancellation of combustion or the concept of cancellation of combustion. 

A planet is believed to be inauspicious if it:

º  Has some defect in the form of combustion or debilitation.

º  The aforesaid planet fails to obtain the aspect of a benefic.

The aspect of a benefic is curative in nature. One may even say it is preventive since it prevents the aforesaid weak planet from delivering bad results. In the absence of benefic aspect, the negative qualities of the planet are experienced by the native. Within the matrix of this doctrine there are certain exceptions.

Jatak Parijata says:

Planets which do not possess benefic aspect or other good influences prove to be inauspicious when they are debilitated, in inimical house, associated with malefic, combust, in junction points, have fewer points in Ashtakvarga or when they occupy the evil parts of a sign. 

A planet may be even badly placed or in an inimical Amsa or debilitated; it will nevertheless prove to be beneficial when the Navamsha or Rashi occupied it is its own or exaltation sign or of a friendly planet no less when a benefic aspect.

This verse highlights the dictum that the Navamsha plays an important role in predictive astrology. If combustion is seen from this angle, then even a combust planet could provide good results provided it is well placed in Rashi or Navamsha. Adding to the ambiguity, textbooks on astrology fail to distinguish between an exalted combust planet and a combust debilitated planet. The Sun-Jupiter conjunction in Cancer cannot be equated with the Sun-Jupiter conjunction in Capricorn. In the former case, both planets occupy a state of dignity. In the latter case, Sun occupies the house of his dire enemy Saturn, while Jupiter is debilitated. In that situation one cannot expect either of the planets to individually deliver positive results, let alone the prospects of this Yoga.

According to Varahamira

If the Sun conjoins the Moon, the person will be skilled in machinery and masonry. The Sun and the Moon in conjunction produce men skilled in making, handling or dealing with all machinery and under this head, we may bring in mechanics, engineers, chemists and other workmen.

According to Jatak Parijata

º  If a person is born in Amavasya, he will be credulous and devoted to the worship of the manes and the Gods

º  If the Sun is in conjunction with the Moon, the chart holder will be submissive to his wife and clever in every work he undertakes.

For Muhurtha

Auspicious events such as marriage, upanayana, ear piercing, and tonsure are to be avoided when Jupiter or Venus is combust while in transit. However, there are exceptions to this rule:

º  The evil effect of Jupiter’s combustion is overcome by Venus in the ascendant.

º  The evil effect of Venus in combustion is overcome by Jupiter in the Ascendant and malefic in the 3rd, 6th or 11th.

(These are my study notes taken from Brihat Parashara Hora Shastra, Jatak Parijata, Phaladipika and some guidance through Astrology blogs and websites. Image is referred from Google images)