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AntarDasha Prediction

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What is Antar Dasha in Vedic Astrology?


In Vedic astrology, Antar Dasha (also called sub dasha or sub-period) is a crucial phase within a larger period known as the Mahadasha. While Mahadasha represents a long-term planetary influence on your life, Antar Dasha zooms in and reveals the more detailed effects during that timeframe.

Antar Dashas help explain:

  • Why life events change even under the same Mahadasha
  • Which specific planetary energies are active in the present
  • How a person’s experiences evolve over time

Understanding the Dasha System

The Dasha system is a predictive tool in Vedic astrology that breaks down a person's life into phases ruled by different planets. The most commonly used Dasha system is the Vimshottari Dasha, which spans a total of 120 years. Each planet governs a specific number of years:

  • Sun (Surya) - 6 years
  • Moon (Chandra) - 10 years
  • Mars (Mangal) - 7 years
  • Rahu - 18 years
  • Jupiter (Guru) - 16 years
  • Saturn (Shani) - 19 years
  • Mercury (Budh) - 17 years
  • Ketu - 7 years
  • Venus (Shukra) - 20 years

The Role of Antar Dasha

Every Mahadasha contains nine Antar Dashas, one for each planet in the Vimshottari cycle. Each of these sub-periods brings its own energy, experiences, and events. The combination of Mahadasha and Antar Dasha reveals how two planetary influences blend together to shape your life's circumstances.


For example:
  • If you're in Moon Mahadasha and Mars Antar Dasha, emotions (Moon) and action or aggression (Mars) may dominate.
  • If you're in Venus Mahadasha and Saturn Antar Dasha, love and beauty (Venus) may be tested by restriction or responsibility (Saturn).

Duration and Calculation

The duration of each Antar Dasha is proportional to the Mahadasha it belongs to. It’s calculated based on the individual's birth chart, particularly the placement of the Moon at birth (Nakshatra). Using a Vimshottari Dasha calculator, you can find the exact start and end dates of each Antar Dasha.

Why Antar Dasha Matters

Antar Dasha allows astrologers to:

  • Understand the timing of events like marriage, job changes, health issues, or spiritual growth.
  • Predict the rise or fall in specific areas of life during particular planetary combinations.
  • Guide personal decisions using planetary influences that are active at a given time.

How Antar Dasha Affects Your Life

The Antar Dasha planet modifies the effect of the Mahadasha planet. If both planets are strong in your natal chart, this period can be extremely fruitful. However, if either or both are malefic or weak, challenges may arise. The Antar Dasha determines the short-term trends and flavor of your life—emotionally, professionally, and spiritually.

Quick Summary

  • Antar Dasha = Sub-period within Mahadasha
  • Reveals short-term planetary effects
  • Changes every few months to a few years
  • Key to accurate predictions in Vedic astrology