Frequently Asked Questions

Vedic astrology, also known as Jyotish (Sanskrit for "science of light"), is the traditional Hindu system of astrology, taking shape in ancient India some 3,500 years ago. It uses the sidereal zodiac, aligned to the actual positions of the stars, and a timing system called Vimshottari Dasha that maps planetary periods across your entire life.

Key texts include the Brihat Parashara Hora Shastra (BPHS), considered the foundational work of Vedic astrology, attributed to the sage Parashara.

Vedic astrology stands apart through several distinctive features:

• Sidereal zodiac, aligned to actual star constellation positions, using the Lahiri ayanamsa
• Moon sign emphasis: Vedic astrology reads the Moon sign first, ahead of the Sun sign
• Vimshottari Dasha system: a 120-year planetary period timeline that maps your life's chapters
• 27 Nakshatras: lunar mansions that divide the sky more finely than the 12 signs, giving your reading richer detail
• Whole sign houses: the traditional house system used in classical Jyotish

Learn more on our Vedic Astrology guide or try the calculator.

The Vimshottari Dasha system is one of the most widely relied-on timing tools in Vedic astrology. It divides your life into planetary periods totaling 120 years, each governed by a specific planet. The sequence is: Ketu (7y), Venus (20y), Sun (6y), Moon (10y), Mars (7y), Rahu (18y), Jupiter (16y), Saturn (19y), Mercury (17y).

Your starting dasha is determined by the Moon's position in a specific nakshatra at the time of your birth. Each major period (Mahadasha) is further divided into sub-periods (Antardasha), creating a detailed timeline of planetary influences throughout your life.

DashaFlow calculates your complete Vimshottari timeline and shows which planetary period you're currently in.

Nakshatras are 27 lunar mansions that divide the 360-degree zodiac into segments of 13 degrees 20 minutes each. Each nakshatra has a ruling planet, a presiding deity, and distinct characteristics. Your birth nakshatra (based on the Moon's position) is considered deeply significant in Vedic astrology, often read as more revealing than the Sun sign.

For example, if your Moon is at 318 degrees (sidereal), you fall in Shatabhisha nakshatra, ruled by Rahu, associated with healing, mysticism, and unconventional thinking.

DashaFlow uses the sidereal zodiac, which is aligned to the actual star constellations rather than the seasonal calendar. Due to Earth's axial precession (~24° over 2,000 years), sidereal sign placements often differ by one sign from what seasonal-based systems show.

The offset is called the ayanamsa. DashaFlow uses the Lahiri ayanamsa, the official standard of the Indian government and the most common correction in Vedic practice. The sidereal system reflects where the planets actually are relative to the stars, which is why Vedic astrologers have read the sky this way for thousands of years.

DashaFlow uses the Swiss EphemerisWe use the Swiss Ephemeris, the astronomy library professional astrologers use, with the Lahiri ayanamsa and whole-sign houses. Lahiri ayanamsa (the Indian government's official standard) and whole sign houses as the default system.

The accuracy of your chart depends heavily on the accuracy of your birth time. Even a few minutes can shift your Ascendant and house placements. If you know your birth time to within about 5 minutes, your chart stands on solid ground.

No. DashaFlow provides astronomical calculations and traditional Vedic interpretive frameworks. We present indicators, tendencies, and traditional associations, never definitive predictions about specific events.

A chart shows tendencies. What you do with a season is still yours to decide.

DashaFlow is for educational and entertainment purposes. It is not a substitute for professional medical, legal, or financial advice.

DashaFlow offers two tiers:

• Free ($0): Full birth chart, current dasha period, Moon nakshatra name, 1 saved chart
• Seeker ($9/mo or $96/year): Complete dasha timeline, full nakshatra analysis, Ashtakavarga, unlimited charts, PDF export

The core birth chart calculator is always free. View full pricing details.

Start with these three key placements:

1. Moon sign: Your emotional nature and inner self (most important in Vedic)
2. Ascendant (Lagna): How you present yourself; the lens through which your chart operates
3. Sun sign: Your core identity and ego expression

Then look at your current Mahadasha (major planetary period) and Antardasha (sub-period) to understand the themes traditionally active in your life right now.