Hindu Predictive Astrology Chapter 12: Dasas and Bhuktis - A Modern Guide
A chapter-by-chapter modern English guide to the classical Vedic astrology textbook by B.V. Raman, first published in 1938.
Chapter 12 of 36 · Topics: Vimshottari Dasa system, 120-year cycle, Dasa table, Bhukti sub-periods, balance at birth
How do you predict when an event will happen? The horoscope shows the potential, but timing is determined by the Dasa system -- the uniquely Hindu method of planetary periods. Chapter 12 introduces the Vimshottari Dasa, the most widely used timing system in Vedic astrology, along with its sub-periods (Bhuktis).
"The vexed question of timing events is solved to a great extent by the Dasa system in vogue among the Hindus."
1. The Vimshottari Dasa System
While many Dasa systems exist in Hindu astrology, the Vimshottari (meaning "120") is the most reliable and widely used. The total cycle of all nine planetary periods adds up to 120 years, considered the natural human lifespan.
"In the choice of any particular type of Dasa, the criterion must be that of experience and Vimshottari has answered this test."
The Moon's constellation at birth determines which Dasa is running at the time of birth. Each of the 27 Nakshatras is assigned to one of the nine planets as its lord, and that planet's Dasa is the one operating at birth.
2. Table of Dasas: The 120-Year Cycle
| Nakshatras (Constellations) | Dasa Lord | Years |
|---|---|---|
| Krittika, Uttara, Uttarashadha | Sun | 6 |
| Rohini, Hasta, Sravana | Moon | 10 |
| Mrigasira, Chitta, Dhanishta | Mars | 7 |
| Aridra, Swati, Satabhisha | Rahu | 18 |
| Punarvasu, Visakha, Poorvabhadra | Jupiter | 16 |
| Pushyami, Anuradha, Uttarabhadra | Saturn | 19 |
| Aslesha, Jyeshta, Revati | Mercury | 17 |
| Makha, Moola, Aswini | Ketu | 7 |
| Pubba, Poorvashadha, Bharani | Venus | 20 |
Total: 6 + 10 + 7 + 18 + 16 + 19 + 17 + 7 + 20 = 120 years.
Notice how each group contains three Nakshatras spaced exactly 9 apart in the 27-star cycle. After the current Dasa ends, the next one begins in the sequence shown above (Sun, Moon, Mars, Rahu, Jupiter, Saturn, Mercury, Ketu, Venus, then back to Sun).
3. Calculating the Dasa Balance at Birth
If the Moon is at the very beginning of a constellation, the full Dasa period runs from birth. But usually the Moon has already traversed part of the constellation, so you need to calculate how much of the Dasa period remains.
Method 1: Using the Almanac (Ghatis)
Find the total duration of the constellation in ghatis. Use proportional calculation:
If total ghatis give the full Dasa years, then ghatis elapsed give the expired portion.
Subtract the expired portion from the total Dasa to get the balance.
Example: Moon in the 1st quarter of Mrigasira (Mars Dasa = 7 years). Total duration of Mrigasira = 57 ghatis 16 vighatis. Time elapsed in Mrigasira = 8 ghatis 1 vighati.
Expired period = (7 x 8 1/60) / 57 1/16 = 11 months, 23 days.
Balance of Mars Dasa at birth = 6 years, 0 months, 7 days.
Method 2: Using Degrees
Find how many degrees the Moon has passed in the constellation (each constellation = 13 deg 20 min).
Use proportional calculation:
If 13 deg 20 min give the full Dasa years, then degrees passed give the expired portion.
Example: Moon at Taurus 25 deg 10'. Mrigasira starts at 23 deg 20' Taurus.
Moon has passed 1 deg 50' in Mrigasira.
Expired = (7 x 1 deg 50') / 13 deg 20' = 11 months 16 days.
Balance = 6 years, 0 months, 14 days.
4. Bhukti (Sub-period) Tables
Each major Dasa period is subdivided into nine Bhuktis (sub-periods), one for each planet. The Bhukti sequence always starts with the Dasa lord's own sub-period and follows the standard Vimshottari order.
Sun's Dasa -- 6 Years
| Bhukti | Y | M | D |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sun | 0 | 3 | 18 |
| Moon | 0 | 6 | 0 |
| Mars | 0 | 4 | 6 |
| Rahu | 0 | 10 | 24 |
| Jupiter | 0 | 9 | 18 |
| Saturn | 0 | 11 | 12 |
| Mercury | 0 | 10 | 6 |
| Ketu | 0 | 4 | 6 |
| Venus | 1 | 0 | 0 |
Moon's Dasa -- 10 Years
| Bhukti | Y | M | D |
|---|---|---|---|
| Moon | 0 | 10 | 0 |
| Mars | 0 | 7 | 0 |
| Rahu | 1 | 6 | 0 |
| Jupiter | 1 | 4 | 0 |
| Saturn | 1 | 7 | 0 |
| Mercury | 1 | 5 | 0 |
| Ketu | 0 | 7 | 0 |
| Venus | 1 | 8 | 0 |
| Sun | 0 | 6 | 0 |
Mars' Dasa -- 7 Years
| Bhukti | Y | M | D |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mars | 0 | 4 | 27 |
| Rahu | 1 | 0 | 18 |
| Jupiter | 0 | 11 | 6 |
| Saturn | 1 | 1 | 9 |
| Mercury | 0 | 11 | 27 |
| Ketu | 0 | 4 | 27 |
| Venus | 1 | 2 | 0 |
| Sun | 0 | 4 | 6 |
| Moon | 0 | 7 | 0 |
Rahu's Dasa -- 18 Years
| Bhukti | Y | M | D |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rahu | 2 | 8 | 12 |
| Jupiter | 2 | 4 | 24 |
| Saturn | 2 | 10 | 6 |
| Mercury | 2 | 6 | 18 |
| Ketu | 1 | 0 | 18 |
| Venus | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Sun | 0 | 10 | 24 |
| Moon | 1 | 6 | 0 |
| Mars | 1 | 0 | 18 |
Jupiter's Dasa -- 16 Years
| Bhukti | Y | M | D |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jupiter | 2 | 1 | 18 |
| Saturn | 2 | 6 | 12 |
| Mercury | 2 | 3 | 6 |
| Ketu | 0 | 11 | 6 |
| Venus | 2 | 8 | 0 |
| Sun | 0 | 9 | 18 |
| Moon | 1 | 4 | 0 |
| Mars | 0 | 11 | 6 |
| Rahu | 2 | 4 | 24 |
Saturn's Dasa -- 19 Years
| Bhukti | Y | M | D |
|---|---|---|---|
| Saturn | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| Mercury | 2 | 8 | 9 |
| Ketu | 1 | 1 | 9 |
| Venus | 3 | 2 | 0 |
| Sun | 0 | 11 | 12 |
| Moon | 1 | 7 | 0 |
| Mars | 1 | 1 | 9 |
| Rahu | 2 | 10 | 6 |
| Jupiter | 2 | 6 | 12 |
Mercury's Dasa -- 17 Years
| Bhukti | Y | M | D |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mercury | 2 | 4 | 27 |
| Ketu | 0 | 11 | 27 |
| Venus | 2 | 10 | 0 |
| Sun | 0 | 10 | 6 |
| Moon | 1 | 5 | 0 |
| Mars | 0 | 11 | 27 |
| Rahu | 2 | 6 | 18 |
| Jupiter | 2 | 3 | 6 |
| Saturn | 2 | 8 | 9 |
Ketu's Dasa -- 7 Years
| Bhukti | Y | M | D |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ketu | 0 | 4 | 27 |
| Venus | 1 | 2 | 0 |
| Sun | 0 | 4 | 6 |
| Moon | 0 | 7 | 0 |
| Mars | 0 | 4 | 27 |
| Rahu | 1 | 0 | 18 |
| Jupiter | 0 | 11 | 6 |
| Saturn | 1 | 1 | 9 |
| Mercury | 0 | 11 | 27 |
Venus' Dasa -- 20 Years
| Bhukti | Y | M | D |
|---|---|---|---|
| Venus | 3 | 4 | 0 |
| Sun | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Moon | 1 | 8 | 0 |
| Mars | 1 | 2 | 0 |
| Rahu | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Jupiter | 2 | 8 | 0 |
| Saturn | 3 | 2 | 0 |
| Mercury | 2 | 10 | 0 |
| Ketu | 1 | 2 | 0 |
5. Quick Method to Calculate Any Bhukti
Raman provides a handy shortcut for calculating any sub-period without looking it up in the tables:
The Formula
Multiply the Dasa years of the major lord by the Dasa years of the Bhukti lord. Take the last digit of the product, multiply it by 3 -- this gives the days. The remaining digits give the months.
Example: Sub-period of Sun in Venus Dasa.
Venus = 20 years, Sun = 6 years.
20 x 6 = 120. Last digit is 0, so days = 0 x 3 = 0. Remaining digits = 12.
Result: 12 months, 0 days (= 1 year exactly).
Another example: Sub-period of Rahu in Jupiter Dasa.
Jupiter = 16, Rahu = 18.
16 x 18 = 288. Last digit is 8, so days = 8 x 3 = 24. Remaining digits = 28.
Result: 28 months, 24 days (= 2 years, 4 months, 24 days).
6. Antarams: Sub-divisions of Bhuktis
Each Bhukti (sub-period) can be further subdivided into nine Antarams (inter-periods), one for each planet. These inter-periods can be subdivided even further into antarantarams and so on, theoretically down to the level of a single breath.
"The Bhuktis are further sub-divided into still more minute divisions called the antarams or inter-periods; these into antarantarams and so on, till swara or the period necessary for the inhaling and the exhaling of breath is reached. Nevertheless, for all practical purposes the antaram (inter-period) will be found to be quite sufficient."
Formula for Calculating Antarams
To find an Antaram duration:
Antaram = (Bhukti duration in days) × (Antaram planet's Dasa years) / 120
Example: Required the antaram of Jupiter in the sub-period of Saturn in the major period of Ketu.
Ketu's period = 7 years.
Saturn's sub-period in Ketu = 1 year, 1 month, 9 days (= 13 months 9 days).
In 120 years, Jupiter's period = 16 years.
Calculation: (13 months 9 days) × 16 / 120 = 1 month, 23 days, and 4.8 hours.
Practical Note
Most modern astrologers work with Dasa and Bhukti levels only. Antarams are used for very precise timing when correlating specific events, but software can calculate these automatically when needed.
7. Finding the Ruling Bhukti at Birth
Just as we calculated the balance of Dasa at birth, we also need to determine which Bhukti (sub-period) is active at birth and how much of it remains. This tells us the very first planetary sub-period the newborn experiences.
The Method
- Find all the sub-periods (Bhuktis) in the birth Dasa
- Add together the Bhuktis from the beginning, one by one, until the total exceeds the expired portion of Dasa at birth
- Subtract the expired part from this aggregate to get the balance of the ruling Bhukti at birth
Example: A person is born with a balance of 5 years, 11 months, 28 days in Mars' Dasa. This means the expired period of Mars Dasa at birth = 7 years total − 5y 11m 28d balance = approximately 1 year, 0 months, 2 days (or more precisely, 11 months 16 days when accounting for the Moon's exact position).
The ruling period = Mars, 7 years total.
Expired period = 11 months, 16 days.
| Bhukti | Duration | Cumulative Total |
|---|---|---|
| Mars' Bhukti | 0-4-27 | 0-4-27 |
| Rahu's Bhukti | 1-0-18 | 1-5-15 |
The cumulative total (1 year, 5 months, 15 days) exceeds the expired portion (0 years, 11 months, 16 days). Therefore, Rahu Bhukti is the one running at birth.
Balance of Rahu Bhukti at birth = 1y 5m 15d − 0y 11m 16d = 5 months, 29 days.
This means the newborn starts life in Mars Dasa, Rahu Bhukti, with 5 months 29 days of Rahu's sub-period remaining before Jupiter's Bhukti begins.
Using Appendix Tables
Raman notes that the balance of Dasa at birth can be quickly found using ready-made tables (Appendix C in the original book). Modern software like VedAstro calculates this instantly and displays your complete Dasa timeline from birth onwards.
Key Takeaways
- Vimshottari = 120 years: Nine planetary periods totalling 120 years form the complete Dasa cycle, used for timing all life events.
- Moon's Nakshatra is key: The constellation occupied by the Moon at birth determines the starting Dasa and its balance.
- Two calculation methods: Use either ghatis (traditional Panchanga method) or degrees (modern method) to find the balance of Dasa at birth.
- Nine sub-periods (Bhuktis): Each Dasa is divided into nine Bhuktis following the same planetary sequence, allowing finer timing of events.
- Quick multiplication formula: Multiply both Dasa terms, take last digit × 3 for days, remaining digits for months -- no tables needed.
- Antarams for precision: Bhuktis can be further subdivided into inter-periods using the formula: Antaram = (Bhukti duration × Antaram planet years) / 120.
- Finding birth Bhukti: Add Bhuktis cumulatively from the start of the birth Dasa until exceeding the expired portion to identify which sub-period is active at birth.
- Practical over theoretical: Raman admits there is no known scientific basis for the specific year assignments, but the system has proven remarkably accurate in practice over centuries.
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Generate Your Birth ChartThe vexed question of timing events is solved by the Dasa system