Ashtottari Dasha
Ashtottari Dasha is perhaps the most popular dasha system in India after Vimsottari Dasha. Sage Parasara listed it as a conditional dasha applicable only in some charts, though the conditions for its applicability are highly controversial.
In this system, the sum of all dashas is 108 years. Ashtottari means "ashtottara sata," i.e., one hundred and eight. Because poornaayush (full life) of a man is 108 years, some scholars have suggested that Ashtottari Dasha is best used as an ayur dasha, i.e., a dasha that shows longevity.
Because only chara karakas, i.e., Rahu and the seven planets, have dashas under the Ashtottari Dasha scheme, it may also be suggested that it shows events related to sustenance, achievements, raja yogas, and moksha (just like chara karakas do). Some people, however, prefer to see all matters in Ashtottari Dasha.
Dasha Periods and Sequence
The Ashtottari Dasha system assigns specific years to each of the eight planets (excluding Ketu):
| Planet | Dasha Length (Years) | Arc Covered |
|---|---|---|
| Sun (Surya) | 6 | 53°20' (4 nakshatras) |
| Moon (Chandra) | 15 | 40°0' (3 nakshatras) |
| Mars (Mangal) | 8 | 53°20' (4 nakshatras) |
| Mercury (Budha) | 17 | 40°0' (3 nakshatras) |
| Saturn (Shani) | 10 | 40°0' (3 nakshatras) |
| Jupiter (Guru) | 19 | 40°0' (3 nakshatras) |
| Rahu | 12 | 53°20' (4 nakshatras) |
| Venus (Shukra) | 21 | 40°0' (3 nakshatras) |
| Total | 108 |
The sequence of dashas follows the order shown in the table. After Venus, we come back to Sun at the beginning of the table.
Calculation of Ashtottari Dasha
The calculation of Ashtottari Dasha involves the following steps:
- Identify the Arc: Each planet covers an arc of either 53°20' (4 nakshatras) or 40°0' (3 nakshatras) in the zodiac, as shown in the table.
- Find the First Dasha Lord: Note natal Moon's longitude and see which of the eight arcs it belongs to. The planet ruling the arc will rule the first dasha.
- Calculate Remaining Portion: The fraction of the arc that is yet to be traversed by natal Moon is calculated, and the same fraction of the dasha length of the first dasha lord is left at birth.
- Determine Subsequent Dashas: After that, dashas will come in the order shown in the table, and the length of a planet's dasha is the full dasha length given in the table.
Arcs Covered by Planets
- Sun: 66°40' – 120°0' (53°20')
- Moon: 120°0' – 160°0' (40°0')
- Mars: 160°0' – 213°20' (53°20')
- Mercury: 213°20' – 253°20' (40°0')
- Saturn: 253°20' – 293°20' (40°0')
- Jupiter: 293°20' – 333°20' (40°0')
- Rahu: 333°20' – 26°40' (53°20')
- Venus: 26°40' – 66°40' (40°0')
Example Calculation
Suppose Moon is at 24° in Leo. That is equivalent to 24°0' + 120°0' = 144°0'. We see that 144° is between 120°0' and 160°0'. So it is in the 2nd arc, which is ruled by Moon. The full dasha length is 15 years.
The part of the arc that is yet to be traversed by Moon is (160°0' – 144°0') = 16°. As a fraction of the arc length (40°), this is 16°/40° = 0.4. The same fraction of the full dasha length of Moon is 15 × 0.4 = 6 years.
The native will run Moon dasha of 6 years from birth. Then 8 years of Mars dasha will run. Then 17 years of Mercury dasha will run. Then 10 years of Saturn dasha will run. And so on.
Antardashas (Sub-Periods)
Each mahadasha (major period) is divided into eight antardashas (sub-periods), one for each planet:
- Order of Antardashas: The first antardasha belongs to the planet that comes in the table after the dasha lord. Then antardashas go in the same order as dashas, and the last antardasha belongs to the dasha lord.
- Example: Antardashas in Jupiter dasha go as: Rahu, Venus, Sun, Moon, Mars, Mercury, Saturn, and Jupiter. Antardashas in Moon dasha go as: Mars, Mercury, Saturn, Jupiter, Rahu, Venus, Sun, and Moon.
- Duration of Antardashas: The length of a dasha is divided into eight antardashas in the ratio of the dasha lengths.
- Example: Sun dasha is of 6 years. Moon antardasha in Sun dasha is of 6 × 15/108 = 0.8333 year = 10 months. Mars antardasha in Sun dasha is of 6 × 8/108 = 0.4444 year = 5 months 10 days. Mercury antardasha in Sun dasha is of 6 × 17/108 = 0.9444 years = 11 months 10 days. And so on.
Applicability of Ashtottari Dasha
There are three different views on the applicability of Ashtottari Dasha:
- Universal Application: Ashtottari Dasha is applicable in all charts.
- Rahu Position: Ashtottari Dasha is applicable if Rahu, who is not in lagna, is in a quadrant or a trine from lagna lord.
- Birth Time Condition: Ashtottari Dasha is applicable for daytime births in Krishna paksha (darker fortnight) and night time births in Sukla paksha (brighter fortnight).
Usage of Ashtottari Dasha
- Some people use Ashtottari Dasha as an ayur dasha and see longevity in it.
- Some other people use Ashtottari Dasha as a phalita dasha.
- Because only chara karakas, i.e., Rahu and the seven planets, have dashas under the Ashtottari Dasha scheme, it may also be suggested that it shows events related to sustenance, achievements, raja yogas, and moksha (just like chara karakas do).
- Some people, however, prefer to see all matters in Ashtottari Dasha.
Ashtottari Dasha is a popular dasha, but its applicability as well as application are controversial. Readers should keep this in mind and keep their minds open to alternative views. It's important to test this dasha system with known life events to determine its effectiveness for a particular chart.