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)