Jaimini Chara Dasha Calculation : How to Calculate (Part 2)

By Bavishyavani Research Team | Jaimini Division Updated: January 8, 2026

Welcome back to the classroom.

In Part 1, we did the fun part. We met the characters (the Karakas). You know that your Atmakaraka is the King and your Darakaraka is the Spouse. But characters need a stage to perform on.

If you have not read Part 1 – Jaimini Chara Dasha Part 1

In Jaimini Chara Dasha, the “Stage” is the Timeline. We need to know when the Aries period starts and when it ends.

This is the part where most students drop out. They open a classical text like Brihat Parasara Hora Shastra, and they see verses about “Padakrama” and “Manduka Gati” (Frog Jump). Their eyes glaze over. They close the book.

I don’t blame them. The Sanskrit rules are dense. But today, I am going to teach you the “Napkin Method.” This is the simplified, logic-based method used by the masters at Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan. It cuts through the confusion and gets you the right dates, every time.

We are going to treat this Jaimini Chara Dasha calculation like planning a road trip.

1. The Route: Are we driving Forward or Backward?

2. The Stopover: How many years do we stay in each city?

Grab a pen, a notebook, and your birth chart. Let’s do the math.

Jaimini Chara Dasha Calculation: The Direction 

In the standard Vimshottari system, the order is boringly fixed. Sun always leads to Moon. Moon always leads to Mars. It never changes.

In Jaimini Chara Dasha calculation, the order depends on YOU. specifically, on your Rising Sign (Lagna).

Imagine the Zodiac is a clock with 12 numbers (Aries is 1, Pisces is 12).

• Some people live their lives Clockwise (Forward).

• Some people live their lives Counter-Clockwise (Backward).

Jaimini Chara Dasha Calculation : Savya vs. Apasavya

To find your order, you just need to check which “Team” your Ascendant belongs to.

Team A: The Forward Group (Savya)

• The Signs: Aries, Leo, Virgo, Libra, Aquarius, Pisces.

• The Logic: If your Ascendant is one of these, your life flows in the natural zodiac order.

• The Sequence: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5…

  • Example (Aries Lagna): Aries -> Taurus -> Gemini -> Cancer -> Leo…

  • Example (Libra Lagna): Libra -> Scorpio -> Sagittarius -> Capricorn…

Team B: The Backward Group (Apasavya)

• The Signs: Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Scorpio, Sagittarius, Capricorn.

• The Logic: If your Ascendant is one of these, your life flows in Reverse.

• The Sequence: 10, 9, 8, 7…

  • Example (Cancer Lagna): Cancer -> Gemini -> Taurus -> Aries -> Pisces…

  • Example (Scorpio Lagna): Scorpio -> Libra -> Virgo -> Leo…

Teacher’s Note: Please pause here. Do not scroll down until you have written the sequence of the 12 signs for your specific chart on a piece of paper. (Hint: If you are confused, look at the 9th House. Generally, if the 9th house is an Even sign, you go backward. If it’s Odd, you go forward. But just using the list above is safer for beginners).

Jaimini Chara Dasha Calculation: The Duration

Okay, you have your list. You know you started life in the Cancer period. But how long does the Cancer period last? Does it last 10 years? Or just 2 years?

In Jaimini Chara Dasha calculation, the length of the period is not fixed. It depends entirely on where the Lord of the Sign is hiding.

We play a game of “Catch the Lord.” We need to count how many steps it takes for the Sign to catch its Owner.

The Formula for Jaimini Chara Dasha Calculation

(Count from Sign to Lord) minus 1 = Number of Years.

Simple, right? But there is a critical rule that trips everyone up. The Direction of the Count.

The “Sign Rule” (Read Twice)

When counting, you must ignore your Ascendant. Look ONLY at the Dasha Sign you are calculating.

• If the Dasha Sign is in Team Forward -> Count Forward to the Lord.

• If the Dasha Sign is in Team Backward -> Count Backward to the Lord.

(Note: The list of teams is the same as Phase 1. Aries, Leo, Virgo etc. are Forward. Taurus, Gemini, Cancer etc. are Backward).

Let’s practice this with real scenarios, because this is where errors happen.

Jaimini Chara Dasha Calculation: Calculating a “Forward” Sign

Let’s calculate the length of the Leo Dasha.

• Sign: Leo.

• Team: Leo is Team Forward (Savya). So we count Forward.

• Lord: Sun.

• Position: Let’s say the Sun is in Scorpio.

The Calculation: Start at Leo. Count forward to Scorpio. Leo (1) -> Virgo (2) -> Libra (3) -> Scorpio (4).

• The Count is 4.

• Apply Formula: 4 – 1 = 3 Years.

• Result: The Leo Dasha runs for exactly 3 years.

Jaimini Chara Dasha Calculation: Calculating a “Backward” Sign

Let’s calculate the length of the Cancer Dasha.

• Sign: Cancer.

• Team: Cancer is Team Backward (Apasavya). So we count Backward.

• Lord: Moon.

• Position: Let’s say the Moon is in Aries.

The Calculation: Start at Cancer. Count backward to Aries. Cancer (1) -> Gemini (2) -> Taurus (3) -> Aries (4).

• The Count is 4.

• Apply Formula: 4 – 1 = 3 Years.

• Result: The Cancer Dasha runs for 3 years.

Teacher’s Tip (The Finger Method): Do not try to do “Backward Counting” in your head. You will make a mistake. Use your fingers. If you are counting from Sagittarius to Leo (Backward): Tap thumb (Sagittarius is 1). Tap index (Scorpio is 2). Tap middle (Libra is 3). Tap ring (Virgo is 4). Tap pinky (Leo is 5). Count is 5. Formula: 5-1 = 4 Years. This “Indian School” method never fails.

Jaimini Chara Dasha Calculation: The Exceptions

If you strictly follow the “(Count – 1)” formula, you will be right 90% of the time. But Jaimini has two special rules for the remaining 10%.

Exception 1: The “At Home” Rule

What if the Lord is sitting in its Own Sign?

• Example: You are calculating the Aries Dasha. Mars is in Aries.

• Count = 1.

• Formula: 1 – 1 = 0.

• Problem: A Dasha cannot be 0 years.

The Rule: If the Lord is in its own sign, the Dasha is 12 Years. (Just memorize this. Own Sign = 12 Years).

Exception 2: The Exalted/Debilitated Adjustment

This is a fine-tuning rule used by experts.

• If the Lord is Exalted (e.g., Sun in Aries), Add 1 Year to your final calculation.

• If the Lord is Debilitated (e.g., Sun in Libra), Subtract 1 Year from your final calculation.

Why? Because a strong king rules longer, and a weak king falls sooner. It’s logical.

Jaimini Chara Dasha Calculation: The Dual Lordship Crisis (Scorpio & Aquarius)

Here is the curveball. In Vedic Astrology, two signs have Two Lords.

1. Scorpio: Owned by Mars AND Ketu.

2. Aquarius: Owned by Saturn AND Rahu.

When you calculate the length of the Scorpio Dasha… who do you count to? Mars or Ketu?

The Rule: Count to the Stronger Lord.

How do we decide who is stronger? You cannot just guess. You must follow this strict Tie-Breaker Checklist in order. Stop as soon as you find a winner.

1. The “Company” Rule Is one planet sitting with other planets?

• Example: Mars is alone. Ketu is with Venus.

• Winner: Ketu (He has company).

2. The “Strength in Numbers” Rule If both have company, who has more friends?

• Example: Mars is with Sun. Ketu is with Venus and Mercury.

• Winner: Ketu (2 friends vs 1 friend).

3. The “Exaltation” Rule If both are alone (or equal), is one Exalted?

• Example: Mars is in Capricorn (Exalted). Ketu is in Taurus (Debilitated).

• Winner: Mars.

4. The “Degree” Rule (The Final Tie-Breaker) If everything else is equal, look at the degrees.

• Example: Mars is at 10°. Ketu is at 25°.

• Winner: Ketu (Higher degree wins).

Teacher’s Example: Let’s calculate Aquarius Dasha.

• Lords: Saturn and Rahu.

• Saturn: In Virgo (Alone). 15 degrees.

• Rahu: In Libra (With Moon). 5 degrees.

• Winner: Rahu. (Why? Because Rahu is with the Moon. Saturn is alone. Company beats Solitude).

• Calculation: Count from Aquarius to Rahu.

Jaimini Chara Dasha Calculation: A Full “Masterclass” Workshop

Let’s put it all together. We are going to build the timeline for a fictional client named Priya.

Priya’s Chart Details:

• Ascendant (Lagna): Scorpio.

• Mars: In Leo.

• Ketu: In Taurus.

• Moon: In Gemini.

• Sun: In Virgo.

Let’s do the Jaimini Chara Dasha calculation for the first 3 periods of her life.

Step A: Determine the Order

• Priya is Scorpio Lagna.

• Look at the Team List (Phase 1). Scorpio is Team Backward.

• The Order: Scorpio -> Libra -> Virgo -> Leo…

Step B: Calculate Dasha #1 (Scorpio)

• Sign: Scorpio (Team Backward).

• Lords: Mars (in Leo) vs. Ketu (in Taurus).

• Tie-Breaker: Both are alone. Check degrees. Let’s say Mars is 20°, Ketu is 10°. Mars Wins.

• The Count: Count Backward from Scorpio to Mars (Leo).

  • Sc(1), Li(2), Vi(3), Le(4).

• Count: 4.

• Formula: 4 – 1 = 3 Years.

• Timeline: Priya runs Scorpio Dasha from Birth to Age 3.

Step C: Calculate Dasha #2 (Libra)

• Sign: Libra (Team Forward).

  • Wait! Why Forward? Because Libra is a Forward Team sign. Even though Priya is counting her life backwards, the internal calculation of Libra follows Libra’s nature.

• Lord: Venus. (Let’s assume Venus is in Sagittarius).

• The Count: Count Forward from Libra to Sagittarius.

  • Li(1), Sc(2), Sa(3).

• Count: 3.

• Formula: 3 – 1 = 2 Years.

• Timeline: Priya runs Libra Dasha from Age 3 to 5.

Step D: Calculate Dasha #3 (Virgo)

• Sign: Virgo (Team Forward).

• Lord: Mercury. (Let’s assume Mercury is in Virgo).

• The Situation: Mercury is in its Own Sign.

• Exception Rule: If Lord is in Own Sign = 12 Years.

• Timeline: Priya runs Virgo Dasha from Age 5 to 17.

Priya’s Final Map:

• 0 – 3: Scorpio (Focus on Transformation/Health)

• 3 – 5: Libra (Focus on Trade/Balance)

• 5 – 17: Virgo (Focus on Intellect/Schooling)

Conclusion on Jaimini Chara Dasha Calculation :You Have the Map

Congratulations. You just performed a calculation that confuses 95% of astrology students. You now have a list of dates.

But dates are useless without meaning. Just because Priya is running the “Libra Period” doesn’t mean she buys a scale. Does Libra mean Marriage? Does it mean Career?

To answer that, we must overlay the Characters (from Article 1) onto this Map (Article 2). In the final part of this series, I will teach you the “Spotlight Technique” to predict exactly what happens in these years.

Your Homework for Jaimini Chara Dasha Calculation: Calculate the first 3 Dashas of your own chart. Write them down. You will need them for the prediction secrets in Part 3.

FAQs on Jaimini Chara Dasha Calculation

Q: Do I always subtract 1 from the count? A: Yes, in the standard K.N. Rao method of Jaimini Chara Dasha calculation, you always subtract 1. The only time you don’t is when the planet is in its Own Sign (where the length becomes 12 years automatically).

Q: What happens if I get a count of 1? A: If the count is 1 (meaning the Lord is in the adjacent house, and counting gives 1 step), then 1 – 1 = 0. In this rare case, classical texts suggest treating it as 12 years. However, usually, if the planet is in the next house, the count is 2 (Sign itself + Next Sign = 2 steps). 2 – 1 = 1 Year.

Q: Why does my software show different dates? A: There are two main methods of Jaimini Chara Dasha calculation: the Parashara method and the K.N. Rao method.

• Parashara often adds/subtracts years for Exaltation/Debilitation rigorously.

• K.N. Rao simplifies this for consistency.

• Also, the definition of “Scorpio/Aquarius Lord strength” varies in software settings. We recommend the method taught here (K.N. Rao) as it is empirically tested for accurate predictions.

Q: Can I use this for Divisional Charts (D9/D10)? A: Absolutely. Jaimini Chara Dasha calculation works perfectly on the Navamsha (D9) to time marriage and the Dasamsa (D10) to time career. The calculation rules remain exactly the same.

[Link to Part 3: How to Predict Marriage & Career with Jaimini]