In Vedic astrology, each planet rules over a fixed number of years in a person’s life — its Dasha or planetary period. Together, the nine planets’ periods add up to a full human lifespan of 120 years, forming the Vimshottari Dasha system used to time the events of life. This guide lists the exact time period of each planet and what each Dasha typically brings.
What Is the Vimshottari Dasha?
The Vimshottari Dasha divides life into nine major planetary periods (Mahadashas), each ruled by a different planet in a fixed order and for a fixed number of years. The order of the planets is Sun, Moon, Mars, Rahu, Jupiter, Saturn, Mercury, Ketu and Venus — and the period you’re born into depends on the nakshatra (star) of your Moon at birth.
The Time Period of Each Planet
Here are the exact Dasha years for all nine planets.
Vimshottari Dasha Years Table
| Planet | Dasha Years | What the Period Broadly Signifies |
|---|---|---|
| Sun (Surya) | 6 years | Authority, confidence, career, ego |
| Moon (Chandra) | 10 years | Emotions, mind, home, comfort |
| Mars (Mangal) | 7 years | Energy, courage, property, drive |
| Rahu | 18 years | Ambition, sudden change, foreign gains |
| Jupiter (Guru) | 16 years | Wisdom, wealth, marriage, growth |
| Saturn (Shani) | 19 years | Discipline, karma, hard work, delays |
| Mercury (Budh) | 17 years | Intellect, business, communication |
| Ketu | 7 years | Detachment, spirituality, sudden shifts |
| Venus (Shukra) | 20 years | Love, luxury, relationships, comfort |
| Total | 120 years | A full human lifespan |
Note that the same planet’s period feels very different from person to person, depending on where that planet sits in the individual’s birth chart.
Sub-Periods (Antardashas)
Each major period (Mahadasha) is further divided into smaller sub-periods called Antardashas (Bhuktis), during which all nine planets take turns ruling in sequence. This layering is what allows astrologers to time events precisely — for example, Mercury’s Antardasha within Saturn’s Mahadasha (19 × 17) lasts about 2 years, 8 months and 9 days.
Why Rahu and Ketu Instead of Uranus and Neptune?
Classical Hindu astrology uses Rahu and Ketu — the two lunar nodes — rather than Uranus and Neptune, which were unknown to the ancient sages. The nodes carry great importance in Vedic astrology, with Rahu’s long 18-year and Ketu’s 7-year periods often marking major turning points in life.
How Your Dasha Shapes Your Life
The planet whose Dasha is running acts like the “theme” of that phase of your life. A Jupiter period may bring growth and opportunity, a Saturn period may demand discipline and patience, and a Venus period may highlight love and comfort — always coloured by that planet’s strength and placement in your own chart.
Explore More at AstroKapoor
Learn how these periods time your life in our timing of events in astrology guide, get a personalised reading with our unique birth chart prediction, and explore various yogas in Vedic astrology.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the Vimshottari Dasha years for each planet?
The Vimshottari Dasha years are: Sun 6, Moon 10, Mars 7, Rahu 18, Jupiter 16, Saturn 19, Mercury 17, Ketu 7 and Venus 20 years — adding up to a total of 120 years, which represents a full human lifespan.
Which planet has the longest Dasha period?
Venus has the longest Dasha period at 20 years, followed by Saturn at 19 years and Rahu at 18 years. The Sun has the shortest at 6 years. These fixed periods together form the 120-year Vimshottari Dasha cycle.
What is an Antardasha?
An Antardasha (or Bhukti) is a sub-period within a major planetary period (Mahadasha). During each Mahadasha, all nine planets rule in sequence as Antardashas, which allows astrologers to time events more precisely within the larger period.
How is the Dasha period calculated?
The Dasha period is based on the nakshatra (star) of the Moon at birth, which determines the starting planetary period. Each Mahadasha lasts a fixed number of years, and sub-periods are calculated by multiplying the major and sub-period planets’ years and converting to months and days.
Why does Vedic astrology use Rahu and Ketu instead of Uranus and Neptune?
Classical Vedic astrology uses Rahu and Ketu, the two lunar nodes, because Uranus and Neptune were not known to the ancient sages. The nodes carry great significance, with Rahu’s 18-year and Ketu’s 7-year periods often marking major turning points in life.
