Mahadasha and Timing of Events in Astrology

By Suchitra Das

Dashas have special importance in Vedic Astrology. There are numerous Dashas of which some Dashas are conditional Dashas and are applicable in those charts fulfilling the specific conditions. The conditional Dashas are more effective in precisely predicting timing of events. Amongst all the Dashas, Vimshottari Dasha is commonly known Dasha and popularly in use. When we speak of Mahadasha it generally refers to Vimshottari Mahadasha. Specific events, either good or bad, take place in an accentuated manner during the running of a Mahadasha according to its natal promises. For example, Mahadasha of 10th house generally gives start of career/job/profession/professional elevation/promotion, etc. but with variation at grades and levels. Mahadasha of an exceptionally strong 10th house may take one to an elite Civil Service/Defence Service/Foreign Service, etc. whereas that of a weak Mahadasha of 10th house may end up in giving subordinate service of clerical nature.

I now with the help of the following chart of our late Prime Minister Smt. Indira Gandhi drawn in tabular format would try to interpret a few important events took place in her life at the time of running matching Mahadasha.

Disease

During Rahu Mahadasha, she suffered from Tuberculosis at an age of around 21/22 but recovered. TB was considered one of the hard diseases during those days when the medical science was not so advanced as of now. Rahu in the 6th house of diseases associated with Venus, who is 6th lord from Rahu and 4th lord from Lagna as well as Jupiter (4th lord) from Dasha lord in 6th house clearly shows the same. She underwent treatment in abroad because Rahu is the natural significator of foreign and being in 6th house signifying treatment in foreign country. Mars, the 12th lord from Rahu is aspecting the 9th house of foreign matters/immigration from Lagna and posited in 9th house with reference to Dasha Lord Rahu. Quick recovery was possible because of the involvement of 11th house in exchange of house relationship with 6th lord. Moreover, Lagna Lord aspecting Lagna and 6th lord aspecting 6th house from its retrograde position made the healing process smoother and faster. 9th lord in 11th house and Sun involved in Dhan Yoga clearly indicates the ability of her father, Jawaharlal Nehru to foot the bill of her foreign medical expenses.

Marriage

She married in March 1942 at an age of 24/25 years during Rahu – Saturn. In birth horoscope, Antardasha Lord Saturn is 7th lord aspecting 7th house and also in exchange of house relationship with Lagna Lord Moon clearly indicating its strength to solemnize marriage. In Navamsha horoscope, Saturn is in 11th house aspecting 5th house and 7th lord Mercury in 8th house indicating love marriage. Rahu, the Mahadasha lord, is the marriage giver is conjoined with Venus, the natural karaka of marriage in 6th house of the birth horoscope indicating marriage during the period. Affliction to 7th house and Venus and running of Rahu Mahadasha clearly indicates marriage out of her own caste. But aspect of Jupiter on 7th houses of her birth chart and Navamsha Chart helped to have had the marriage according to her own religious rituals.

Birth of Rajiv Gandhi Her eldest son Rajiv Gandhi was born on August 20, 1944 during Rahu – Saturn. In Birth Horoscope, the sign dispositor of Rahu is Putrakaraka/child-giver Jupiter who in turns aspecting the 5th house of progeny. In Navamsha chart, Saturn is in 11th house aspecting 5th house of progeny. Saturn is also aspected by Jupiter, the natural significator of children thus fulfilling the Mahadasha promises.