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PRAYER
Let us pray to Saraswati with the following Saraswati Gayatri Mantra from the Rig Veda (Mandala-1.Hymn-3.Mantra-10) Mantra

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Transliteration Om Pavakaa nah Saraswati vajebhirvajinivati. Yagyam vastu Word meanings

Saraswati: derived from Sarasah meaning (a) full of Rasa or nectar (Sa+Rasa). There are seven Rasas which lead to the physical creation of all beings. These seven Rasa are the Lords of the saptamsa (one-seventh division) of a sign. Thus, Saraswati 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, Saraswati 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. Pavakaa illuminator.

THE BEST UDU DASA

Parasara teaches that Vimsottari is the foremost Udu Dasa because in Kaliyuga1 the maximum period of the Vimsottari dasa system (120 years) is equal to the Purna Ayus (Full longevity: 120 years) of the human being. BPHS:

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This complete longevity of 120 years is represented by 120 degrees of the zodiac based on the Time-space equation from Manu2 Smriti3 whereby one day of the Deva is equal to a year in the life of human beings. By the term Deva (derived from Diva4) 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 Nabhi5 in the zodiac at zero degree Aries, Leo and Sagittarius. These navels are 120 degrees apart. These navel represent the end or a new
1

Kaliyuga refers to one of the four eons which is the present Age of Iron. It started with the disappearance of Bhagavan Sri Krishna in 3102 B.C. 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 Maharishis) 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
2

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beginning and is conceptualized as Gandanta. Their separation of 120 degree is the longevity span of the human being. There are other dictum 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.

Lesson #01: The first step in Vimsottari dasa is to determine the Param Ayus (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 13020 (or 800) and is composed of four parts called Pada. Each Pada, being one-fourth of a constellation is 3020, (or 200). The first Nakshatra is Aswini which is reckoned from zero degree Aries and spans the range 0 013020 Aries. The second Nakshatra starts from 13020 Aries and extends till 26o40 Aries. In this manner nine Nakshatra cover the span of 1200 from 00Aries to 300Cancer. Similarly two other sets of nineNakshatra span the space from 00 Leo to 300 Scorpio and 0o Sagittarius to 30o Pisces respectively (Fig1-1). The Navagraha in the order of Ketu, Venus, Sun, Moon, Mars, Rahu, 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).

DASA PERIOD
Dasa periods have been spelt out by Parasara6 for the planets as Sun 6 years, Moon 10 years, Mars 7 years, Rahu 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 DASA
The dasa follows a definite sequence in the regular order of the constellations. The Dasa are furnished by the planets owning the constellations. For example, if the first dasa is reckoned from Bharani (2), then the first dasa 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 Dasa shall be Venus (Bharani), Sun (Krittika), Moon (Rohini), Mars (Mrigasira), Rahu (Ardra), Jupiter (Punarvasu), Saturn (Pusya), Mercury (Aslesha) and Ketu (Makha).

APPLICABILITY
Parasara has advised the use of this Vimsottari dasa for all purposes as it is the best Udu dasa. Whereas he has given a very specific rule (Criteria-1) for the use of Ashtottari Dasa (108 years) by stating74 that Rahu in a quadrant or trine from the Lord of Lagna determines the applicability of Ashtottari dasa, subsequently he gives the following advise (Criteria-2):-

If birth is at day in Krishna Paksha8 or at night in Sukla Paksha9, the use of Ashtottari dasa is advised. If this advise is to be taken at face value, then by implication the Vimsottari dasa would apply only if birth is at night in Krishna Paksha or at day in Sukla Paksha. Considering Criteria-1 & 2 together, Ashtottari dasa will be applicable in about 25% charts. Thus, Vimsottari dasa is applicable in about 75% birth charts. Summing up, check the following:1) Whether Rahu is placed in a Kendra or Trikona from Paka Lagna (i.e. the sign occupied by the Lord of Lagna). 2) Whether birth at day time is in Krishna Paksha, OR Whether birth at night time is in Sukla Paksha.

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Krishna means dark; Paksha means fortnight. Thus Krishna Paksha means Dark fortnight or waning phase of Moon. Sukla means bright; Paksha means fortnight. Thus Sukla Paksha means Bright fortnight/waxing phase.

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3) If either of (1) or (2) above is not applicable, then use Vimsottari dasa, else apply Ashtottari dasa.

DETERMINATION OF STARTING DASA

It has become a common practice to initiate the Vimsottari dasa from the constellation occupied by the Moon. However specific rules exist for determining the starting constellation. Determine the following five constellations: (i)Lagna Nakshatra: the constellation, which houses the rising degree of the ascendant. (ii) Janma Nakshatra: the constellation, which is occupied by the Moon in the horoscope (Birth chart). (iii) Name Nakshatra: the constellation/Pada indicated by the first letter in the name of the person (refer Table at Appendix I). (iv) Prasna Nakshatra: the constellation occupied by the Moon at the time of query or examination of a chart, and, (v) Utpanna Nakshatra: the fifth constellation counted from the constellation occupied by the Moon in the birth chart.

Lesson # 2: (a) stronger amongst Name Nakshatra and Prasna Nakshatra is used to determine the dasa related to a horary (Prasna) chart, and (b) the stronger amongst Lagna Nakshatra, Janma Nakshatra and the Utpanna Nakshatra is used to determine the dasa s for natal chart (horoscope).
Although there maybe many methods to determine the relative strength of constellation, a few rules are given here. (i) Determine the number of planets in Kendra (quadrants) to the signs occupied by the constellation107. Larger number of planets in quadrant shall determine the stronger. (ii) 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 strength11.

Lesson # 3: 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. Lesson # 4: In case there are four or more planets in quadrant to Lagna, then Tara dasa (a modification of Vimsottari dasa) shall apply.
In the case of Tara12 dasa, the strongest planet in Kendra initiates the dasa, which is followed by other planets in the Kendra13. Thereafter planets in Panapara14 and Apoklimas15 furnish the dasa. The dasa periods are the same as for Vimsottari dasa.

Calculation of Dasa Balance

After having determined the strongest constellation that will initiate the Vimsottari dasa, the next logical step is to determine the balance of dasa.
Constellations could span over two signs and the position of the Lagna or Moon should be the deciding factor about the sign being 0 0 referred to. For example if the Constellation is Punarvasu (Gemini 20o to Cancer 3 20), and if the Moon is in Cancer 2 , then the sign for checking planets in quadrants is Cancer. 11 Similar to the second source of strength given by Jaimini and later explained by Varahamihira (Brihat Jataka). 12 Tara is the spouse of Jupiter (Brihaspati) who, is the Guru of Vimsottari Dasa. 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 (Sukracharya) is the Guru of Ashtottari dasa as the periods of the Sun (6) and Moon (15) equal the period of Venus (21) in Ashtottari dasa. 13 st th th th Kendra are the Cadent houses i.e. the 1 , 4 , 7 & 10 house. 14 nd th th th Panapara are the Succeedent houses i.e. the 2 ,5 , 8 & 11 houses. 15 th rd th th Apoklimas are the precedent houses i.e. the 12 ,3 ,6 & 9 houses.
10

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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 13o20' 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 dasa is obtained by multiplying the dasa period of the lord of the constellation with the ratio of balance of constellation to be covered (Step 3) and complete span i.e. Dasa Balance = Dasa period X {13020' - (M-N)} / 13020' or, Dasa Balance = Dasa period X { 1- [(M-N)/13020'] }

ILLUSTRATIONS
Example 1 Let us determine the starting dasa, dasa balance and Vimsottari Dasa of Male born on 12 November 1934 at 6:20' PM IST at Lat: 20N30', Long:85E50', India. The birth chart as follows:7, , $:3 443 ,78 07. :5 '03 $,9 #, : , !48 9 43 $9,7
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(iv) Lagna Nakshatra: Rohini (4) in Taurus. (v) Janma Nakshatra: Uttar Sadha (21) in Capricorn (vi) Utpanna Nakshatra: 5th from Janma Nakshatra: Poorvabhadra (25) in Aquarius. Six 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 dasa at birth.
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Calculation Dasa Balance.

Dasa Period of Sun = 6 Years Longitude of Moon = 10s 50 51' 13.00"= 3050 51'13"(M) Longitude of starting point of Uttar Sadha = 9s 260 40'=2960 40' (N) Thus, balance of dasa = Dasa period { 1- [(M-N)/ 13o20'] } = 6 X {1- [(3050 51'13" 296040')/13020']} = 6 X {1- [9011'13"/13020']} = 6 X {1- [33073/48000]} = 6 X 0.3109816 = 1.865875 = 1 Year 10 Months 11 Days 17hr-9min-36sec. Thus the Vimsottari dasa ending date of the Chart 1 is as follows: YMDHMS Birth: 1936 -11 12 18 20 00 Add, Sun Dasa Balance: 1- 10 11 17 936 (+) 1937 - 9 24 11 29 36 The starting date of the Moon Dasa is 24 September 1937 and starting time of 11-29'-36" AM should be noted separately for drawing the Dasa Pravesh Chakra (Dasa Initiation Chart).
16

This ratio is called Nakshatra Balance

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Vimsottari Dasa table of Standard Nativity (Chart1)

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Dasa 1 Janma 2 Sampat 3 Vipat 4 Kshema 5 Pratya 6 Sadha 7 Vadha 8 Mitra 9 Ati-mitra Planet Sun Moon Mars Rahu Jup Sat Merc Ketu Ven Period 1-10-11 10 7 18 16 19 17 7 20


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1936 1937 1947 1954 1972 1988 2007 2024 2031

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1937 1947 1954 1972 1988 2007 2024 2031 2054

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EXAMPLE 2 Determine the dasa 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 Time Zone: 5:30 East of GMT Longitude of Birth: 83 E 58 Latitude of Birth: 21 N 27 Vedic month : Sravana Vedic day (tithi):Krishna Tritiya Tithi balance: 0.590934 Nakshatra balance: 0.001157 Sun-Moon Yoga: Atiganda Sun-Moon Karana: Vanija Vara (weekday): Wednesday Ayanamsa = 23-20-38.76

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 Dasa is applicable in the chart. STEP 1: DETERMINATION OF THE STRONGEST PLANET The four planets in quadrants are Jupiter, Rahu, Ketu and Mars. The nodes Rahu & 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 Bala17 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 DASA The order of the dasa is based on Kendradi dasa. The planets in Kendra furnish the initial dasas on the basis of their strengths. This is followed by the dasas of planets in Panapara & then Apoklimas. Thus the order of Dasa for Chart 2 is Ketu, Rahu, 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 Dasa with the words that all the DASA function simultaneously (which includes the various types of Vimsottari). It is only a question of dominance of one over the other. To be continued in next lesson.

17

Refer to Graha & Bhava Bala by Dr B V Raman. Although some would suggest Graha Bala instead of Bhava Bala, this cannot be computed for the nodes.

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ASSIGNMENT
1. Calculate the Vimsottari dasa from (a) the Moon (b) Lagna (c) Utpanna Star (c) Kshema Star and (d) Adhana star in your chart and try to explain at least three important events with dates. 2. Female born on 26 November 1946 at 6:55 AM IST at 77E35; 12N59. Calculate the Dasa and antardasa. 3. Female born on 25 October 1977; 2:05 PM IST, Delhi India. Calculate her dasa and indicate the date of marriage. Female born on 4th September 1971 at 12:54 PM ;Zone 5:00 Hrs West; 77W03, 12S03. Does she have fortune in her birth place? If so why, and if not why not. When did she join a spiritual organization (try to indicate the organization) and where is she likely to settle in her life? Please use only Vimsottari dasa in these cases. No transits or any other dasa is allowed.

HARI OM TAT SAT