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Understanding Dasas and Bhuktis

Ronnie Gale Dreyer


In the following excerpt from her latest book, Vedic Astrology: A Guide to the Fundamentals of Jyotish,
one of New York’s best known astrologers reveals how she interprets Vedic planetary cycles.

Eastern and Western forecasting techniques (the Hindu Dasa system vs. Western transits and progressions) are as dissimilar in
their methodologies as they are in their mathematical calculations. Rather than predict actual events, contemporary Western
astrologers tend to describe future trends and behavior patterns which recur throughout life. They encourage clients to make their
own choices based on a thorough understanding of the self (the natal horoscope) and an awareness of their planetary life cycles
(transits and progressions).
While the jyotishi also guides his or her clients by helping them reach their own conclusions through an understanding of
individual cycles, there is a narrower framework than in the West and client's decisions are made due, in part, to a firmer
acceptance of fate and the law of karma. As a result, there is a greater emphasis on the timing of events than on a deep,
psychological grasp of their significance.
In order to facilitate the accuracy of his lifetime predictions, the Hindu astrologer employs the Dasa system in combination
with the current transits. Traditionally, his first task is to calculate whether the client will live to an early, middle or late age.
While the astrologer doesn’t usually relay these results to a client, he will nonetheless use this information to assess the degree of
seriousness during certain obstacle-ridden periods. Although several chapters in many ancient astrological texts are devoted to the
determination of life expectancy, I advise using them cautiously, if at all. Since these texts were written in an era when there was
little medical knowledge, the application of principles regarding illness and death can be irrelevant and/or misleading.

Maha Dasa Rulers


The favored method for assessing each Maha Dasa is to evaluate the strength or weakness of its planetary ruler. Rather than
merely determining whether the Dasa will bring either “good” or “bad” results, I advocate defining the quality of each Maha Dasa
based on its ruler's general description and individual significance. Based on the characteristics of each planetary ruler, the
following delineations emphasize the general issues which will be important during each Maha Dasa.
Sun Maha Dasa. There will be involvement with public life and the focus will be on the finances, career, travel, education,
and acquisition of land. The affairs of the house the Sun rules and/or occupies in the birth chart will be emphasized in this period.
If the Sun occupies the 6th, 8th or 12th house or is otherwise poorly placed, there may be loss of position, illnesses related to the
eyes or teeth, and difficulties with the authority figures, the father or anything connected with the paternal line, including
inheritances.
Moon Maha Dasa. If the Moon is well placed in the natal chart, this Maha Dasa will be fortunate for one's mother, partner
and children. It is a good time to begin a new business or commercial venture, attain literary success and achieve relative
harmony. If the Moon is not well placed, there may be vacillation as to professional ventures, emotional ups and downs, and
misunderstandings between friends and relatives. The sign and house position of the Moon will also affect these issues.
Mars Maha Dasa. With Mars positively positioned in the birth chart, there is the opportunity to apply strong will, action, and
determination to any project undertaken. Health will be excellent; this will be the perfect opportunity to develop an exercise
program or engage in a sport or hobby involving physical skills. It may be a time for travel or any other new enterprise or
adventure. Friends will be helpful during this period. Conversely, a poorly placed Mars will bring fevers, colds, chronic ailments
and accidents if one is not careful. There may be marital problems, misunderstandings between friends and colleagues, general
impatience, argumentativeness, as well as restlessness and independence which could lead to changing jobs and/or residences.
Rahu Maha Dasa. Although the malefic Rahu has no opportunity of becoming individually benefic, it may be well-placed in
the horoscope nonetheless. Positively positioned in the chart, Rahu will set up conditions whereby the native may be successful,
acquire money and travel frequently. Otherwise, one may expect professional setbacks, loss of work or friends and the possible
breakup of a marriage.
Jupiter Maha Dasa. Jupiter's Dasa will often be a period of excess. If it is well-placed, one will attract people and generally
fortuitous circumstances. There will be luck and harmony, marriage, the births of children and success in one's chosen profession.
There may also be interest in Jupiterian subjects such as the law, philosophy, theology and teaching during this period. If Jupiter
is well-aspected in the horoscope, there will be unlimited success and prosperity in this period. If, however, Jupiter is not well
placed, there will be extravagance, greed and laziness which may result in the loss of opportunities, job or finances.
Saturn Maha Dasa. If Saturn is well placed, this period may bring the success one has worked so hard to achieve. With
continued patience and effort, this period may also see the successful conclusion of action begun in another cycle. If Saturn is
poorly placed or aspected, there will be illness, depression, loneliness and obstacles which may be beyond control or jurisdiction.
Mercury Maha Dasa. Mercury's period lends itself to changes of residences, jobs or partners. This Dasa is extremely
conducive to returning to school, pursuing a degree, staring a business, or embarking on a career in writing, communications,
accounting or sales. If well-placed, Mercury Dasa will bring successful business ventures, expanded horizons through writing,
reading and travelling. It is a good time to consider seeing a therapist and/or participating in those activities which may lead to
selfunderstanding. If Mercury is not well-placed, there will be a period of depression, anxiety, pessimism, disappointments and
delayed business ventures.
Ketu Maha Dasa. Like Rahu, Ketu cannot become individually benefic by virtue of house rulership. If, however, it is well-
placed, new career opportunities may present themselves or there may be a promotion at your present job. This may also be a time
of spiritual awareness and meditation. If Ketu is ill-placed by aspect or house position, the affairs of the house it occupies may
suffer dramatic losses. There may be monetary setbacks, personal unhappiness, and/or a feeling of alienation which can result in
the need to withdraw.
Venus Maha Dasa. It is obvious that, in addition to influencing whatever Venus represents in the birth chart, this period will
be one that focuses on love and the attainment of desires. Relationships with spouses, lovers, siblings, friends, and/or colleagues
should command undivided attention. If Venus is well-placed, there will be successful relationships, acquisitions, travels, births
of children and generally harmonious times when social life is fulfilling. If it is ill-placed, Venus Maha Dasa will be a period when
one may spend too much money, be taken advantage of and quarrel with family and friends.

Significance of Dasa Rulers


The significant issues which may arise during a particular Maha Dasa are influenced by the house(s) the Dasa lord occupies
and rules in the natal chart. The relative strength and weakness of the planet determines whether the issues at stake during these
periods will reap rewards or present difficulties. The following represent some of the concerns of the Dasa when the planetary
lord rules or occupies these houses:
1st. Professional and personal fulfillment, adjustments to health and appearance.
2nd. Addition to the family, earning power, eloquence in speech, early educational matters.
3rd. Brothers and sisters, risk-taking, recognition for attempts, travel, literary efforts, change.
4th. Family matters, mother, acquisition of land or purchase of home, promotion.
5th. Children, indulgence, creative projects, sports, taxes, higher education, investments.
6th. Health, daily job, service to others, domestic animals, litigation, marital woes.
7th. Marriage, contracts, forming partnerships.
8th. Debts, quarrels with friends, anxiety, partner's finances, business ventures, investments, interpersonal relationships.
9th. Prosperity, higher education, travel, publishing, rewards for efforts, timely opportunities.
10th. Complete undertakings, professional success or failure, father, political concerns.
11th. Happiness, prosperity, ideals and goals fulfilled, community service, social concerns.
12th. Extravagances, isolation, alienation, foreign travel, emigration, spiritual practice, research.

Marriage Cycles
One of the most important functions of the Dasa system for the Hindu astrologer has traditionally been to see which periods are
most conducive for marriage and ultimately childbearing. As unofficial matchmaker, the Hindu astrologer is responsible for
advising the best time to marry, and approving prospective brides and grooms. Since many parents heed the astrologer's advice,
it's not certain if most marriages would have indeed occurred on the predicted dates had they not been arranged by the astrologer
himself.
The following method is one of many which an astrologer utilizes to determine a marriage date. Before the time can be set, the
nature of the relationship must be assessed by thoroughly examining the 7th house and its ruler, and Venus, the karaka for
relationships. In addition, the Navamsa chart must be evaluated before reaching a final decision. According to Phaladeepika,
marriage may take place during the Dasa of one of the following planets:
l. Planet in the 7th house
2. Planet aspecting the 7th house
3. Planet owning the 7th house
4. When lord of lagna transits the 7th house

Cycles for Childbirth


It's quite common for the Hindu astrologer to arrange a marriage during a Dasa which is conducive for childbirth. He has a
wide span of years from which to choose this date since many Hindu women marry when still in their teens to men at least ten
years older than they are. Like choosing a marriage date, there is more than one method of calculation used to determine periods
conducive for childbirth. Before a date can even begin to be considered, the 5th house, the 5th house ruler and Jupiter (karaka for
children) must be painstakingly assessed along with an evaluation of the Saptamsa divisional chart. According to Phaladeepika,
the birth of a child may be expected during the Dasa of one of the following planets:
l. Lord of lagna
2. Lord of the 7th house
3. Lord of the 5th house
4. Jupiter
5. Planet aspecting or occupying the 5th house
Though this method is still practiced in India, predicting pregnancy and the birth of a child is extremely difficult in the East as
well as in the West. Due to sophisticated methods of birth control and the added possibility of choosing legal abortions,
contemporary women have mastery over their biological destinies. Even if the exact moment of conception and pregnancy could
be predicted, the use of birth control precludes this from occurring. If the chart does point to delay in childbirth or the possibility
of infertility, advances in corrective surgery and an infinite variety of fertilization techniques available to promote pregnancies
make it almost impossible to predict conception based on natural cycles.
I recommend using the Hindu Dasa System to suggest, rather than predict, various periods which may be conducive for
marriage and childbirth, applying common sense and logic to planetary indications. In order to actually pinpoint precisely what to
expect during a given planetary period, it is also necessary to assess the condition of the Dasa lord in the divisional charts and to
evaluate the effect of particular transits.

Excerpted with permission from Vedic Astrology: A Guide to the Fundamentals of Jyotish by Ronnie Gale Dreyer, foreward by
James Braha, Samuel Weiser, Inc., York Beach, ME, 1997. This is a revised, updated version of Ronnie’s earlier sold-out book,
Indian Astrology: A Western Approach to the Ancient Hindu Art. Ronnie is also the author of Venus: The Evolution of the
Goddess and Her Planet and is a contributor to Astrology for Women: Roles and Relationships. She received the prestigious
Jyotish Kovid Award from the Indian Council of Astrological Sciences in 1994. Ronnie can be reached at P.O. Box 8034, FDR
Station, New York, NY 10021, (phone) 212/799-9187, (e-mail) RGDreyer@prodigy.com.

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