Glossary
Dasha: meaning in astrology
A dasha is a planetary period. Vedic astrology divides a life into a sequence of periods, each governed by one graha, and reads events and themes through the planet whose period is running. The most widely used system is the Vimshottari dasha, but there are dozens of others.
Dashas are layered: a major period (mahadasha) contains sub-periods (antardashas), which contain smaller ones still. They describe themes for reflection, not fixed events.
Where does "Dasha" come up on this site?
127 guides use the term. The ones that use it most:
- Ardra nakshatra: Rudra, Rahu and the teardrop
- Purva Bhadrapada nakshatra: Aja Ekapād and Jupiter
- Uttara Phalguni nakshatra: Aryaman and the Sun
- Ketu in Aquarius: Vedic and Western readings
- Ketu in Aries: Vedic and Western readings
- Ketu in Cancer: Vedic and Western readings
- Ketu in Capricorn: Vedic and Western readings
- Ketu in Gemini: Vedic and Western readings
How we calculate
Is astrology a guarantee of what will happen?
No. These calculations locate celestial bodies; astrology is a reflection and timing tradition, not evidence of guaranteed health, financial or relationship outcomes.
How are these results calculated?
Positions come from Astronomy Engine, an open-source astronomy library, and are checked against Swiss Ephemeris in our methodology tests. Western readings use the tropical zodiac; Vedic readings subtract the Lahiri ayanamsa. Terms are defined in the glossary.
Next: compare your birth chart, see today's sky, or make a private vision board.