Vimshottari Dasha #1

Overview

A study of the finest udu dasa system taught by Parasara and other authors of classical jyotish literature. Let us pray to Sarasvati with the following Sarasvati Gäyatri Mantra from the Rig Veda (Man...

Vimshottari Dasha #1

A study of the finest udu dasa system taught by Parasara and other authors of classical jyotish literature. Let us pray to Sarasvati with the following Sarasvati Gäyatri Mantra from the Rig Veda (Mandala-1.Hymn-3.Mantra-10) before starting the lesson.

पावका नः सरèवती वाजेिभवार्िजनीवती। यज्ञं वçटु धीया वसुः॥

pāvakā naḼ sarasvatč vājebhirvājinčvatč| yajùaᚁ vaᚣᚭu dhčyā vasuḼ||

Word meanings

Sarasvati: derived from ‘Sarasah’ meaning (a) full of Rasa or nectar (Sa+Rasa). There are seven Rasa’s which lead to the physical creation of all beings. These seven Rasa are the Lords of the saptämsa (one-seventh division) of a sign. Thus, Sarasvati is the mother of all creation and is also referred to as BHU Devi or the Earth Mother. (b) Commendable enlightening speech borne from perfect knowledge and truthful countenance. Thus, Sarasvati is the giver of such exemplary speech [arising from truthful countenance and knowledge (of all arts, crafts and sciences)].

Pavaka: Pure, clear, bright and shining like Agni (fire); illuminating; n. Pavakä illuminator. The Best Udu Dasä

Paräsara teaches that Vimsottari is the foremost Udu Dasä because in Kaliyuga[1] the maximum period of the Vimsottari dasä system (120 years) is equal to the Pürna Äyus (Full longevity: 120 years) of the human being.

BPHS:

This complete longevity of 120 years is represented by 120 degrees of the zodiac based on the Time-space equation from Manu [2] Smriti [3] whereby one day of the Deva is equal to a year in the life of human beings. By the term Deva (derived from Diva [4]) the Sun is referred to and its average daily motion of one degree in the zodiac. Thus 120 human /earth years would correspond to 120 degrees in the zodiac. There are three Brahma Nabhi [5] in the zodiac at zero degree Aries, Leo and Sagittarius. These navels are 120 degrees apart. These navel represent the end or a new beginning and is conceptualized as Gandänta. Their separation of 120 degree is the longevity span of the human being. There are other dictums which refer to other transits of the Sun as the 21/2 Degree transit. However, these shall refer to beings other than human or for other purposes.

<strong>Lesson #01:</strong> The first step in Vimsottari dasä is to determine the Param Äyus (maximum longevity) of any body, both animate and inanimate.

Nakshatra

The angular span of 120 degrees is divided into nine mansions of the Moon called Nakshatra or simply constellation. Each Nakshatra has an angular span of 13o20’ (or 800’) and is composed of four parts called Pada. Each Pada, being one-fourth of a constellation is 3°20\' (or 200’). The first Nakshatra is Aswini which is reckoned from zero degree Aries and spans the range 0°–13°20’ Aries. The second Nakshatra starts from 13°20’ Aries and extends till 26°40’ Aries. In this manner nine Nakshatra cover the span of 120° from 0° Aries to 30° Cancer. Similarly two other sets of nine-Nakshatra span the space from 0° Leo to 30° Scorpio and 0° Sagittarius to 30° Pisces respectively (Fig1-1). The Navagraha in the order of Ketu, Venus, Sun, Moon, Mars, Rähu, Jupiter, Saturn & Mercury are the lords of the nine constellation as reckoned from Aswini. This order of planets also determines the lordship for the other two complimentary sets of nine constellation (Table 1-1).

Dasä Period

Dasä periods have been spelt out by Paräsara[6] for the planets as Sun – 6 years, Moon – 10

years, Mars – 7 years, Rähu – 18 years, Jupiter – 16 years, Saturn – 19 years, Mercury – 17 years, Ketu – 7 years and Venus – 20 years. These have also been indicated in the Table 1-1.

Order of Dasä

The dasä follows a definite sequence in the regular order of the constellations. The Dasä are furnished by the planets owning the constellations. For example, if the first dasä is reckoned from Bharani (2), then the first dasä shall be initiated from Venus, the lord of Bharani. The order of the constellations are Bharani(2)-Krittika(3)-Rohini(4)-Mrigasira(5)-Ardra(6)-Punarvasu(7)- Pusya(8)-Aslesha(9)-Makha(10) etc. Thus, the order of the Dasä shall be Venus (Bharani), Sun (Krittika), Moon (Rohini), Mars (Mrigasira), Rähu (Ardra), Jupiter (Punarvasu), Saturn (Pusya), Mercury (Aslesha) and Ketu (Makha).

Applicability

Paräsara has advised the use of this Vimsottari dasä for all purposes as it is the best Udu dasä. Whereas he has given a very specific rule (Criteria-1) for the use of Ashtottari Dasä (108 years) by stating[7]4 that Rähu in a quadrant or trine from the Lord of Lagna determines the applicability of Ashtottari dasä, subsequently he gives the following advise (Criteria-2):

“If birth is at day in Krishna Paksha[8] or at night in Sukla Paksha[9], the use of Ashtottari dasä is advised.” If this advise is to be taken at face value, then by implication the Vimsottari dasä would apply only if birth is at night in Krishna Paksha or at day in Sukla Paksha. Considering Criteria-1 & 2 together, Ashtottari dasä will be applicable in about 25% charts. Thus, Vimsottari dasä is applicable in about 75% birth charts[10]. Summing up, check the following:-

1) Whether Rähu is placed in a Kendra or Trikona from Paka Lagna (i.e. the sign occupied by the Lord of Lagna).

1) Whether birth at day time is in Krishna Paksha, OR Whether birth at night time is in Sukla Paksha.

1) If both of (1) or (2) above is applicable, then use Ashtottari dasä, else apply Vimsottari dasä.

Determination of Starting Dasä

It has become a common practice to initiate the Vimsottari dasä from the constellation occupied by the Moon. However specific rules exist for determining the starting constellation. Determine the following five constellations: -

1) Lagna Nakshatra: the constellation, which houses the rising degree of the ascendant.

1) Janma Nakshatra: the constellation, which is occupied by the Moon in the horoscope (Birth chart).

1) Name Nakshatra: the constellation/Pada indicated by the first letter in the name of the person (refer Table – at Appendix I).

1) Prasna Nakshatra: the constellation occupied by the Moon at the time of query or examination of a chart, and,

1) Utpanna[11] Nakshatra[12]: the fifth constellation counted from the constellation occupied by the Moon in the birth chart.

Lesson # 2:

1. stronger amongst Name Nakshatra and Prasna Nakshatra is used to determine the dasä related to a horary (Prasna) chart, and

1. the stronger amongst Lagna Nakshatra, Janma Nakshatra and the Utpanna Nakshatra is used to determine the dasä’ s for natal chart (horoscope).

Although there maybe many methods to determine the relative strength of constellation, a few rules are given here.

1) Determine the number of planets in Kendra (quadrants) to the signs occupied by the constellation[13]7. Larger number of planets in quadrant shall determine the stronger.

1) If they are equal or if the constellations are in mutual quadrant, then the association or aspect of Jupiter, Mercury or Lord of the constellation is a source of strength[14].

<strong>Lesson # 3:</strong> Whenever in doubt prefer the Moon constellation in Manushya Jataka(horoscope/charts relating to human beings) as the Mana (Mind) signified by the Moon shall determine the fortune.

<strong>Lesson # 4:</strong> In case there are four or more planets in quadrant to Lagna, then Tara dasä (a modification of Vimsottari dasä) shall apply.

In the case of Tara[15] dasä, the strongest planet in Kendra initiates the dasä, which is followed by other planets in the Kendra[16]. Thereafter planets in Panapara[17] and Apoklimas[18] furnish the dasä. The dasä periods are the same as for Vimsottari dasä.

Calculation of Dasä Balance

After having determined the strongest constellation that will initiate the Vimsottari dasä, the next logical step is to determine the balance of dasä.

Step 1: Determine the exact longitude of the Lagna/Moon as the case maybe. (Say M)

Step 2: Expunge the longitude of the starting point of the constellation (Say N) from it. Thus we have (M-N) the progress in the constellation.

Step 3: Since the span of the constellation is 13°20\' or 800\', expunge the progress in the constellation determined from previous step from the span to determined balance of constellation to be covered i.e. 13o20\' - (M-N).

Step 4: the balance of dasä is obtained by multiplying the dasä period of the lord of the constellation with the ratio of balance of constellation to be covered (Step 3) and complete span

i.e. Dasä Balance = Dasä period X {13°20\' - (M-N)} / 13°20\' or, Dasä Balance = Dasä period X {1- [(M-N)/13°20\']}

Illustrations

Example 1 Let us determine the starting dasä, dasä balance and Vimsottari Dasä of Male born on 12 November 1934 at 6:20\' PM IST at Lat: 20N30\', Long:85E50\', India. The birth chart as

follows:-

Determination of Starting Dasä

1) Lagna Nakshatra: Rohini (4) in Taurus.

1) Janma Nakshatra: Uttar Sadha (21) in Capricorn

1) Utpanna Nakshatra: 5th from Janma Nakshatra: Poorvabhadra (25) in Aquarius.

Seven planets are placed in quadrant to the Moon sign and this is the strongest. Thus the Moon shall determine the starting constellation as Uttar Sadha (21). The lord of this constellation is the Sun, which shall furnish the first dasä at birth.

Calculation Dasä Balance. Dasä Period of Sun = 6 Years

Longitude of Moon = 10s 5° 51\' 13.00"= 305° 51\'13"(M)

Longitude of starting point of Uttar Sadha = 9s 26° 40\'=296° 40\' (N) Thus, balance of dasä = Dasä period ´ { 1- [(M-N)/ 13°20\'] }

= 6 X {1- [(305° 51\'13" – 296°40\')/13°20\']}

= 6 X {1- [9011\'13"/13°20\']}

= 6 X {1- [33073”/48000”]}

= 6 X 0.31098[19]

= 1.865875

= 1 Year 10 Months 11 Days 17hr-9min-36sec.

Thus the Vimsottari dasä ending date of the Chart 1 is as follows:

The starting date of the Moon Dasä is 24 September 1937 and starting time of 11-29\'-36" AM should be noted separately for drawing the Dasä Pravesh Chakra (Dasä Initiation Chart).

Vimsottari Dasä table of Chart1

|Starting Date Ending Date|||||||||

| :- | :- | :- | :- | :- | :- | :- | :- | :- |

|Dasa|Planet|Period|Y|M|D|Y|M|D|

|1 Janma|Sun|1-10-11|1936|11|12|1937|9|24|

|2 Sampat|Moon|10|1937|9|24|1947|9|24|

|3 Vipat|Mars|7|1947|9|24|1954|9|24|

|4 Kshema|Rähu|18|1954|9|24|1972|9|24|

|5 Pratya|Jup|16|1972|9|24|1988|9|24|

|6 Sadha|Sat|19|1988|9|24|2007|9|24|

|7 Vadha|Merc|17|2007|9|24|2024|9|24|

|8 Mitra|Ketu|7|2024|9|24|2031|9|24|

|9 Ati-mitra|Ven|20|2031|9|24|2054|9|24|

Example 2 Determine the dasä for Male born on 7 August 1963 at 9:15’ AM IST at Lat:21N28’

Long:84E01’, India.

The Rasi Chart is as follows: Date of Birth: August 7, 1963;

Time of Birth: 9:15:00 pm (21N28 84E01\')

In Chart 2, all four quadrants are occupied by four planets. Normally the conjunction of four or more planets in a Kendra gives Pravrajya (renunciation) Yoga and in this case, they are in separate signs and

as per Lesson#4, Tara Dasä is applicable in the chart. Step 1: Determination of the strongest planet

The four planets in quadrants are Jupiter, Rähu, Ketu and Mars. The nodes Rähu & Ketu are exalted in Gemini & Sagittarius respectively and are stronger than Jupiter in own sign (Pisces) or Mars in an inimical sign. Both nodes are equally aspected as per Rasi Drishti by Jupiter and are not conjoined any planets. In such a scenario we can use Bhava Bala[20] wherein the tenth house has a total strength of 10.53 Rupa and the fourth house has 9.37 Rupa. Thus Ketu is the strongest planet.

Step 2: Order of Dasä

The order of the dasä is based on Kendradi dasä. The planets in Kendra furnish the initial dasä’s on the basis of their strengths. This is followed by the dasä’s of planets in Panapara & then Apoklimas. Thus the order of Dasä for Chart 2 is as follows:-

Ketu, Rähu, Jupiter, Mars, (Kendra) Sun, Venus, Saturn (Panapara), Mercury, Moon (Apoklimas).

NOTE: This is the beginning of undoing the fixed concepts that many of you may have developed and in trying to make the mind more flexible to think. However, I will end this PART LESSON on Vimsottari Dasä with the words that all the DASÄ function simultaneously (which includes the various types of Vimsottari). It is only a question of dominance of one over the other.

1. Kaliyuga refers to one of the four eon’s which is the present Age of Iron. It started with the disappearance of Bhagavan Sri Krishna in 3102 B.C.
2. One of the fourteen sons of Brahma in one life of Brahma and the progenitor(s) of the Human race.
3. Vedic Literature can be broadly classified as the Smriti and Sruti. Sruti means that which was heard (by the Maharishi’s) and is the voice of God. These include the Veda etc. Smriti means that which is remembered and can be commented or generally adapted.
4. Diva means light and hence Deva is a giver of light of knowledge or enlightenment or a giver of energy. The Sun is the source of all energy in the solar system. Thus, it is not only the Deva, but also the Atmakaraka or soul personified.
5. navel of Brahma signifying a new beginning
8. Krishna means dark; Paksha means fortnight. Thus Krishna Paksha means Dark fortnight or waning phase of Moon.
9. Sukla means bright; Paksha means fortnight. Thus Sukla Paksha means Bright fortnight/waxing phase.
10. Let us see the Mathematics. If we use the Paksha Criteria, then 50% are for Vimsottari and the other for 50% Ashtottari. Now, for Ashtottari the second criteria is not in EXCLUSION, but in INCLUSION. Thus, out of the 50%, another half (Kendra + Kona=6 signs out of 12) shall be excluded as Rähu will not be in Kendra/Kona to Päka Lagna. Now 50% of 50% is 25% applicable for Vimsottari Däsa.

1. Kshema is the 4th Star, Ädhana is the 8th Star and Utpanna is the 5th Star/ Nakshatra as reckoned from the Nakshatra occupied by the Moon.
2. The Moon’s longitude is used for calculating the Däsa balance as these are only relative positions of the Nakshatra from their overlord - the Moon.
3. Constellations could span over two signs and the position of the Lagna or Moon should be the deciding factor about the sign being referred to. For example if the Constellation is Punarvasu (Gemini 20o to Cancer 3020’), and if the Moon is in Cancer 20, then the sign for checking planets in quadrants is Cancer.
4. Similar to the second source of strength given by Jaimini and later explained by Varähamihira (Bühat Jätaka).
5. Tara is the spouse of Jupiter (Bühaspati) who is the Guru of Vimsottari dasä. That is why the periods of the Sun & Moon are equal to the period of Jupiter {i.e. Sun (6) +Moon (10) = Jupiter (16)}. On the other hand Venus (Sukräcärya) is the Guru of AshÜottari dasä as the periods of the Sun (6) and Moon (15) equal the period of Venus (21) in AshÜottari dasä.
6. Kendra are the Cadent houses i.e. the 1st, 4th, 7th & 10th house.
7. Panapara are the Succeedent houses i.e. the 2nd, 5th, 8th & 11th houses.
8. Apoklimas are the precedent houses i.e. the 12th, 3rd, 6th & 9th houses.
9. This ratio is called Nakshatra Balance
10. Refer to Graha & Bhäva Bala by Dr B V Raman. Although some would suggest Graha Bala instead of Bhäva Bala, this cannot be computed for the nodes