the dasas shows how our karmas unfold in astrology. The main dasa system is the vimshottari dasa system.
DASA SYSTEM IN VEDIC ASTROLOGY
The dasa shows how our karma unfolds
in astrology
Dasa Periods and the Cycles of
Unfolding Karma
The
dasa shows how our karma unfolds in Astrology. There are
many dasa systems in Vedic Astrology that allow us to se
karma unfolding here on Earth. The most prominent is the
Vimshottari dasa system. It is a system that uses a 120
year cycle where each planet rules a certain number of
years, which is also broken down into sub periods from
there. The sub periods (called bhuktis) are in the same
order and divided relative to the dasa length below. For
instance Ketu dasa starts with Ketu / Ketu, then Ketu /
Venus, then Ketu / Sun, etc. Very accurate results are
possible using this dasa system to predict what karmas will
unfold at what time.
The
planetary dasas in the Vimshottari dasa system unfold in
this order.
1. Ketu 7 years
2. Venus 20 years
3. Sun 6 years
4. Moon 10 years
5. Mars 7 years
6. Rahu 18 years
7. Jupiter 16 years
8. Saturn 19 years
9. Mercury 17 years
There is much speculation about why they are in this order.
I have heard many theories and I like them all. There is a
strange harmony to this dasa order that seems to work. It
is relevant to view the dasa system as a microcosm of the
human life.
The dasa system starts with Ketu, as it is the planet where
we are closest to God, where the soul is not yet rooted in
the body as we often observe in very young children. Ketu
is the dasa where we become aware of all that we do not
need. Just as the infant only needs breath and minimal
sustenance, beyond that he is more essence than substance.
Relative human age 0-1 years
Venus dasa is when this baby is nurtured and cared for by
Venus, the nurturer. Venus is the dasa that feeds the fat
baby. Hers is the longest dasa as on Earth as we come here
to learn to care for each other, in a body first. So this
body needs care and courtesy while it is learning. This is
the most important time in our lives, when our mind and
perceptions about the world are forming. Relative human
age 1 -3 years
Sun dasa shows the emergence of our individual identity,
ready to shine from his light, no longer feeling the need
to be supported by others. This necessary ego-centricity
allows a healthy sense of self to emerge, a healthy ego is
one where we feel positively empowered, not allowing others
to run over our boundaries or us to over run theirs.
Relative human age 4-12 years
Moon dasa is the need to connect this individual experience
with others in a meaningful way. It is no longer enough to
just feel ourselves shine; we must learn to see ourselves
as a reflection through the eyes and experiences of others
and reflected back to us in society. We become sensitive
like the awkward teenager in the Moon dasa. Relative
human age 13 - 19 years
Mars dasa is when we learn to compete with others in the
world and learn to make allies instead of enemies out of
our competitors; through courage and disciplined action we
test our principles in a world of consequence through the
gregarious and raucous energy of Mars. Relative human
age 20 - 27 years
Rahu shows our worldly life and our material existence.
With the exuberance of youth behind us we are in the world,
enmeshed in Maya and accumulation. Marriage, Children,
career, and all the trappings of adult worldly life and its
ability to veil our higher intelligence is the soul in Rahu
dasa. Relative human age 28 -
40
Jupiter dasa is where we can reclaim our inherent wisdom
after Rahu runs us crazy! It is a time when we feel our
load has been lightened or at least we feel back in control
of our mind. Jupiter comes to provide insight, maturity and
life lessons, as he is also Guru, teacher, so we can share
some of our wisdom with others. Relative human age
40-55
Saturn dasa is when we will become aware of our limitations
and learn to be practical about them. After the enthusiasm
of Jupiter, Saturn will bring us back to Earth and make us
face reality. Reality is not the optimism of Jupiter it is
the cold hard facts of Saturn. Those facts are the death of
our body and the temporal nature of all material life.
Saturn will give us the time to work through our karma in
isolation. Relative human age 55 - 65
Mercury dasa is when we can become like a child again,
playful and non-judgmental, but through knowledge and clear
thinking, not through ignorance. After the practical
heaviness of Saturn our mind is clear and open and capable
of discrimination, jnana yoga. Relative human age 65 -
?
Transition Periods Between
Dasas
When these dasas change, major shifts in energy occur. This
is why people seem to change overnight, the dasa are what
change. To prepare us for these radical shifts the
preceding bhukti period is always a preparatory time, whose
energy is similar to the next dasa period. Observe:
The last Bhukti of Ketu dasa is Ketu / Mercury. Mercury
Bhukti prepares the worldly mind for the approaching Venus
dasa, as Mercury is the builder and the planet that wants
to tangibly manifest a worldly life, he helps to bridge the
otherworldly Ketu to worldly Venus.
The last Bhukti of Venus dasa is Venus / Ketu. Ketu Bhukti
prepares the mind for the purgative nature of the Sun dasa.
After 20 years of accumulation in Venus dasa the last 14
months Ketu starts to take the things away we no longer
need.
The last Bhukti of Sun dasa is Sun / Venus. Venus Bhukti
prepares the mind for the Moon Maha dasa, as the Moon is
where we will seek worldly connection and happiness through
family and the public and the Sun dasa is where we may have
been reclusive or interested in more soul (and sole)
pursuits.
The Last Bhukti of Moon dasa is Moon / Sun. Sun Bhukti
helps to prepare the mind for the upcoming Mars dasa, as
the independent nature of the Sun is similar to that of
Mars. Mars is the time when we will find our worldly
strength and courage; the Sun Bhukti begins that fiery
transformation in the mind.
The Last Bhukti of Mars dasa is Mars / Moon. Moon Bhukti
prepares the material mind for the approaching Rahu dasa
and his attachment to the world. The Moon is the archetype
of the Soul's descent into form, Rahu is the subconscious
attachment to materiality and its ability to eclipse the
mind, (the Moon) thus the Moon is helpful here.
The last Bhukti of Rahu dasa is Rahu / Mars. Mars Bhukti
prepares the inspired and gracious mind for Jupiter with
his courage and discipline. The end of Rahu illusions is
spent with the general of God's army clearing a path
through courage, clarity and mental innocence so Jupiter
will have the room to teach us his higher lessons.
The last Bhukti of Jupiter dasa is Jupiter / Rahu. Rahu
Bhukti prepares the practical and realistic mind for Saturn
by reattaching itself to stress and worldly concerns.
Jupiterian optimism must give way to Saturn realism.
Rahu represents our worldly attachments and bring the
stress of Saturn in a subconscious
way.
The last Bhukti of Saturn dasa is Saturn / Jupiter. Jupiter
Bhukti prepares the mind for the Mercury dasa through
increased optimism and hope. This renewed optimism clears a
path for Mercury through which he can use to develop our
skills, experiment and play. Mercurial play is how we learn
about the world.
The last Bhukti or Mercury dasa is Mercury / Saturn. Saturn
Bhukti prepares for the approaching Ketu dasa by focusing
and constricting the energy of Mercury. Much has been built
and discovered in the 17 years of Mercury dasa, we must
learn to focus in Ketu, Saturn teaches us to
concentrate.
Then it starts over again.
The Moon in the Dasa
Scheme.
The start of the first planetary dasa
cycle is reckoned from placement of the Moon at birth. The
Lord of the Nakshatra (corresponding star in the Moon sign)
will determine the 1st dasa period. The percentage of the
amount of distance traversed by the Moon through that
Nakshatra is deducted from the balance of the mean dasa
length to determine the first dasa length. Example - if the
Moon had traveled ¼ through the Nakshatra of Bharani, ruled
by Venus, then ¼ of the length of Venus dasa would be
deducted from it's mean length of 20 years. Thus the first
dasa would be Venus for 16 years.
The Vimshottari dasa is shown from the Moon because it is
from the Moon that everything grows, first in our
consciousness then later in the world. The Moon is the
consciousness; it is the mind that has been with us for
time immemorial. It is where our deep mental impressions
(called samsaras) reside. When a planetary dasa runs, first
we get the samsaras from that planet, based on our past
karma with it, and then we act upon those samsaras,
creating new karma. If we have misused that planet's energy
in past lives or this one, we get those difficult samsaras
when the dasa runs, thus attracting the experiences we must
in order to experience our mistakes and learn from them. If
we have used that planet well, we get those samsaras
also.
It is important to note that assessing dasa periods in a
general way can be dicey. There are as many possibilities
with dasas as there are charts. Venus for instance is a
first rate benefic, yet as a dusthana lord or debilitated,
her periods can seem like hell. This is because of what is
mentioned above. A debilitated planet will show the
difficult karma associated with it. In that case the themes
stated below will be the areas of loss and suffering
experienced. As an example if Venus is harmed we will
especially feel pain in relationships, wealth, happiness,
etc, when her dasa runs, because those are the things she
rules. The planets have an innate quality and energy and
when their period runs we will feel that energy for good or
ill. When referring to these dasa periods we are also
referring to their sub periods
Ketu - 7 years. First and foremost the Ketu's
job is help us complete the karmas we are finishing in this
life. His job is to give us only what we need and take
everything we do not need in order for our soul to develop.
Worldly success is just as possible in Ketu dasa as any
other, but much of the time they are things that only last
through his dasa and no further. Again, this is because he
gives it so we can finish with it, then he takes it when
his dasa is finished. Of course losing things in life
usually does not feel very good, so many times on either
end of Ketu dasa, people are suffering, as something is
about to end. But Ketu only hurts us if we are too attached
to things that are unnecessary. Ketu supports esoteric and
healing careers like Astrology, Yoga or other sacred
healing practices. Mostly though, his dasa is hot and
fast and can make life seem out of control. People should
always avoid making long-term commitments at the end of
Ketu dasa, as life is about to change drastically. If we
are too attached to a meaningless life of materiality, Ketu
can hurt us deeply. His dasa follows Mercury who is a very
worldly planet and a builder, so often times the worldly
gains of Mercury are parsed by the South node and his need
for a Spartan existence. Ketu is a malefic planet and a
cruel one so his energy will feel harsh, even when he is
giving good things.
Medical indications: Ketu can give Mars type of
accidents and diseases as well as mysterious illnesses,
muscular or nervous system disorders. Psychologically he
gives self-doubt as well as a hyper criticism of all he is
associating with.
Venus - 20 years. Venus is a time when we will
mainly seek worldly happiness and a loving partnership.
Coming after Ketu dasa, Marriage is often a theme in Venus
dasas or a marriage that has more loving qualities of
Venus. Wealth is also an important theme as are Women,
children and other people in general. Venus as a benefic
will want to give things to us and we must be careful not
to fall into the worldly quality of her charms and sensual
pleasures. Although Venus is Mother Lakshmi, the Goddess of
beauty and wealth, Venus is also the great caretaker and
her dasa will make us take better care of people or
ourselves or make us aware that we are not doing a good job
in that area of life or that we are not being treated with
the courtesy and respect that we deserve. She is a Brahmin,
a teacher, and she would like to teach us in a gentle way,
but unfortunately, we do not learn life's deep lessons when
we are happy in the world, as Venus would like us to be. We
generally only learn when we are suffering. In being a
caretaker she would like us to be of service and that also
means service to God, as Venus is also the main planet of
devotion and a higher path of surrender. This great benefic
would like to give us the kingdom of God an a silver
platter (with a good meal!) Even when we suffer during her
dasa there are lessons to learn and it is as gentle as
possible.
Medical indications: As a kapha planet she can give
illnesses related to internal organs, mainly of the
reproductive system, STD's, as well as the kidneys,
diabetes.
Sun - 6 years. The Sun dasa shows the time
when the Souls energy burns deeply into the life. We would
like to purify and hone our expression down to only that
which serves to take us to the heights we have imagined. It
is the time when we are finding our true selves. We may
experience a crisis of confidence, which spurs the need to
seek inner truth. Education, spirituality, politics,
business, affecting the world in a big way, can also be
themes of the Sun dasa. If the Sun in weak, we will feel
hurt by the inability to project the confidence we need to
blaze a path to truth and light that we have envisioned.
The Sun is the planet of confidence and charisma, and also
the planet with the most inherent strength as he lights up
the entire chart. His strength and forbearance will likely
have us sacrifice something, especially after the excess
and hedonism of Venus dasa. The nature of the Sun as a
cruel Graha is that he will separate us from those things
extraneous and in the way. Power is the theme of the Sun
dasa, the power to shine as truth and to express our unique
Soul nature. But we may also suffer, as the Sun will burn
the impurities we have gathered along the way and separate
us from those who do not support or comprehend our new and
unique path.
Medical Indications: The Sun rules the basic
vitality and energy in the body, so if he is weak in the
chart his dasa period may show an overall decline in
vitality. Also he rules the heart and can give heart
attacks in his dasa period.
Moon - 10 years. The Moon dasa is a time when we
seek connection. Marriage, family and Motherhood
(especially for women) will be themes. But also activities
involving us with the public and other people will be
themes. Starting a business, buying a home, staking a claim
in the tangible world will be important. A strong or
well-supported Moon can make it s dasa the best time of our
lives. A weak Moon can make us feel that everyone else has
that "normal life" that we don't. If the connections to
family and children and home are absent, there could be
much suffering in Moon dasa. It is also a time when
memories of our own childhood can become major themes as
the Moon rules our memories. We will likely revisit our own
childhood through the evolution of our growing family or
lack of. How were nurtured and how we nurture others will
be played out and this possible loss experienced. If
indicated we may experience some deep mental crises at this
time as the Moon is the main planet of mental illness and
insanity. The Moon is a gentle Graha, so even if we are
suffering there is no cruelty to her energy. Yet she is
fickle and lovesick, needy and totally impressionable. Just
as the Moon itself is the most sensitive part of who we
are, so too the Moon dasa can be the most vulnerable part
of our life.
Medical Indications: The Moon shows the overall
constitution and water in the body, the water that
maintains our tissues. If the Moon is weak we will have
excess vata, which makes for nervousness and anxiety in her
dasa period. The Moon also rules the breasts and can show
breast cancer or tumors when harmed.
Mars - 7 years The Mars dasa is another hot and fast
dasa. It is a time when we will be involved in pursuing our
goals with energy and passion. There will likely be a sense
of excitement and energy during this time as well as a
daring course through the 7 years of Mars dasa. Sports,
competition and other interests will be important at this
time. Mars is the planet that makes us want to improve our
life through disciplined action. His dasa will either bring
us closer to that improvement, or when Mars is compromised,
we will suffer, noticing our lack of strength, courage and
inability improve. This will either bring complacency, or
bring us into conflict with others through arguments,
fighting and power struggles. It is the nature of Mars to
fight for what is right, but we will be overtaken by our
enemies, suffering due to our perceived powerlessness if he
is weak. Associates, allies and those that we do battle
with will also be themes in Mars dasa, as well as siblings
and business relationships and entanglements of all sorts
with them. Mars also rules landed property so buying a home
may be important. Mars is a malefic planet so even when he
gives things, there is a harsh quality to it.
Medical Indications: He brings stress, hypertension
and overexertion, so health problems like heart attacks and
other stress related ailments might appear during his dasa.
Also problems with the blood, like leukemia are possible as
Mars rules the marrow.
Rahu - 18 years. Rahu dasa is a time when our
material life can spin out of control. Rahu is the planet
of our material attachment. Rahu is associated by sign,
house and planetary conjunction and aspect with the
qualities we are most in need of developing in this
lifetime. As his energy eclipses our mind on a subconscious
level, his dasa period can feel like things we do not
understand are compelling us. Mysterious scenarios will
unfold and put us in places we would have never imagined.
Then unexpectedly, everything changes and we are doing
something totally different. His energy is similar to Ketu,
(the other half of the Node) but with Rahu it is our
subconscious obsessions that are controlling us, compelling
us to develop those parts of ourselves that are in need of
developing. Yet Rahu can bring enormous success during his
dasa period as he will be focused and determined to explode
the worldly quality of whatever he is associating with.
There is also psychic events and kundalini experiences
possible with Rahu. But in general, during his dasa periods
we are likely to feel out of control as we accumulate or
experience without wisdom or maturity.
Medical Indications: Rahu creates mysterious
illnesses, often time of the nervous system like weird
allergies, toxic poisonings and environmental diseases.
Physical ailments that occur during Rahu periods are
especially hard to cure because of the obscuring nature of
this node. Many times a person will not become cured until
Jupiter dasa, when suddenly something changes and they are
better.
Jupiter - 16 years. After 18 years of Rahu we get
the dasa of the great benefic Jupiter. As guru, Jupiter
will always teach us something and give us something. His
dasa periods bring children, marriage, wealth as well as
titles and honors. Jupiter is the planet of hope, faith and
optimism that allows us to keep going because we believe
our best days are yet to come. He can make us religious,
put us in touch with our Guru, and give the right moral
conduct and the awareness to do the good rather than the
bad. When Jupiter is weak his dasa may make us unrealistic,
overly optimistic or have a sense of self-entitlement or a
haughty view. He may bring bad teachers or problems with
them. Also when weak, Jupiter will deprive health, wealth,
children and many other things, forcing the native to find
a deeper fulfillment without them. However, Jupiter is a
gentle Graha and though we may suffer, he will give usually
give knowledge and right understanding of the problem. He
has a way of putting us into situations that increase our
understanding of life and our problems. Suddenly we will
meet a person who introduces us to our Guru, or some random
event will change our lives for the better. Jupiter is
God's grace, that ineffable force, that good karma that is
always leading us higher.
Medical indications: As a planet of expansion and a
kapha planet, Jupiter can create obesity. Also he has to do
with allergies and excess phlegm. As ruling tissue he can
be the excess mass that is shown by the body producing
cancer cells. Psychologically, Jupiter brings optimism
and
Saturn - 19 years. The expansive nature of Jupiter
gives way to the practical persevering quality of Saturn
dasa. Saturn dasa is a time when we will face our
limitations. The inescapable truth is that our limited body
and mind will perish one day. Saturn makes us aware of this
through the aches and pains in our body; the death of our
loved ones, chronic illness and the resulting fear of these
things getting worse. The more attached we are to worldly
gain and pleasures; the more Saturn dasa may hurt us.
However great success is also possible, as Saturn is a
planet of practical efforts and perseverance leading us
toward our goals. He gives a very responsible nature and
high levels of ambition. However, much of this external
focus is an avoidance of the inner work that must be done
in order for the mind and heart to settle. In such cases,
Saturn may bury us beneath a mountain of responsibility
until we relent or break down physically and emotionally.
His dasa can place us in hospitals; make us deal with old
people, death, legacies and inheritance. Insurance, wills,
banks, things attached to legacies and family history are
relevant. Saturn is the planet of pressure, internal and
external. He is the great karmic taskmaster who rules with
an iron grip, bringing suffering commensurate to our
avoidance of truth. As such, a Saturn dasa is also a time
when enormous spiritual growth and progress is possible
through perseverance and facing the truth alone, which is
the only possibility. He teaches us to thrive in isolation
rather than crave worldly distractions. He teaches us to
get by with less and simplify our lives. And, he teaches us
humility and sensitivity to others. Because when we suffer
we develop compassion for others who suffer.
Medical: Saturn is the indicator
of chronic illness. He is a vata planet that brings pain to
the joints and drying to the body. Arthritis, paralysis,
constipation, cancer as well as problems with the knees,
teeth and bones are possible in Saturn dasa.
Psychologically, he brings depression, anxiety, fear,
cynicism, bitterness and
depression.
Mercury - 17 years. The limitations and restrictions
that define Saturn dasa give way to the playful and curious
energy of Mercury dasa. Mercury dasa is a time of learning,
experimentation, curiosity, mental stimulation and pursuing
our interests. But he can also be a time of excessive
stimulation and unfocused action. The neutral quality of
Mercury is always a potential problem. He does not judge he
builds. It is his job to find the right details necessary
to succeed and build our life. Saying the right things,
making the right decisions, talking to the right people,
are what allow us to succeed, or not succeed as well as
show how we will go about it. Whatever is influencing
Mercury will show how we go about things and how they will
manifest in the world. Thus Mercury dasa is a time when our
career and worldly life could skyrocket or plummet. We can
either ascend to the heights by devising an effective plan
or become overwhelmed by the many tasks and details of
life, which can spiral into mental escapism, lethargy and
fantasy. He is the lightning fast quality of the mind. That
speed is necessary for the equanimity that he brings. The
capacity to see all possibilities at once and prioritize
and assess them accurately is what makes Mercury the God of
discrimination. More than any other planet, Mercury gives
us detachment from our emotions, which is truly
discrimination in action
Medical: Lungs, allergies, skin problems,
Speech defects, Mercury is a planet of the mind, like the
Moon, serious afflictions to him can manifest as mental
illness.
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