Tara Dasa
By
A graduate in Mechanical Engineering
from University of Roorkee (Now IIT
Roorkee). U K Jha has produced over 100
thought provoking articles in several
astrological journals and is a known name in
the academic foray of this science. He is
known for his innovative ideas, one point
sharp logic, acute rationality and scientific
approach for dealing with the things. He is
the author of the book "Utopia and
Anarchy of Stars" and his commentaries on
Yoga-Pushpanjali and Phala Deepika is a
master piece for absorbing reading. His
another book "Lost Horizon of Vaidik
Astrology" and a book on ‘Tara Dasa’ is
likely to come out soon. Presently he is busy
writing commentary on Brihat Parasara
Hora Shasta (BPHS). His vast knowledge of
Tantra and esoteric psychology finds
conspicuous reflection in all of his works.
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U. K. Jha, India
Readership Level: Very Advanced
R esearch work on any topic in any
subject comprises of the massively
industrious efforts on the part of
the researcher and the outcome of the hard
labour involved therein needs to be viewed
with immense esteem, even in the braggart
freedom of our thought. Our endeavours
need to be appropriately and
comprehensively collated with the result
in terms of its freshness and active
applicability. The Tara Dasa being
discussed hereunder is just another
example of such labour of the scribe. As a
matter of fact the scribe in his quest for
obsolete and unknown Dasa systems from
the pandits residing in far flung corners of
our vast country came across with five
types of Dasa - all being called as Tara
Dasa but differed completely in method of
computation. In the subsequent essays
some more unknown Dasas such as
Bhuvaneshwari Dasa, Maheshwar Dasa,
Karak-Navamsha Dasa etc shall be
discussed that the scribe learnt from
different sources, mainly from Tantrik
scholars who were also great adepts in the
science of astrology. The current technique
of calculating Tara Dasa was learnt from a
Tantrik -Astrologer whom the scribe met
with in Kanak Durga temple at Vijayavada
(AP) and latter became his disciple.
 This is basically a Rasi Dasa and its description is not found in any of the known
standard classical works of astrology. But astrology is such an old subject that many
principles and techniques are still quite unknown. Every one was quite surprised when few
rare techniques/predictive tools were unearthed by late C S Patel from Deva-Keralam and
other Nadi texts viz. Bhrigu Bindu and Sun-Mercury-Venus arc; now rechristened after his
name as CSP Arc by few of his disciples. As such, the discerning readers are requested to
apply and test the efficacy of this form of Tara Dasa by themselves on several charts and see
the results. Even if it works on 40% cases its efficacy stands proved as there is no single
Dasa system dealt in the texts that can deliver more than 60% accurate results. There is also
another type of Rasi Dasa under the same name of Tara Dasa which is a conditional Dasa
and the same would be discussed separately in the subsequent issue of Saptarishis Astrology.

This Dasa takes the lead from VDS (Vimshottari Dasa System) for initiating the
process of computation but does not later follow the course of VDS and finally gets
converted into a Rasi Dasa. Thus it begins from Graha (planet) and moves to Rasi (sign) for
delineation of effects which is quite noteworthy because it comprises of the blending of
pulsations from planets and signs. It is not a conditional Dasa and can be applied freely on
any natal chart.
In this Dasa System, first of all, Tara Lagna is calculated with the help of elapsed
period of the planet operating at birth in VDS. The Dasa commence from the sign identical
with Tara Lagna or the 7th sign reckoned therefrom; whichever is stronger between the two.
The Tara Lagna for this and another type of Tara Dasa (Rasi type) as mentioned above is calculated
differently and; as such, the students need not get confused in this respect.

Evaluation of Tara Lagna:

Following steps are taken to work out the Tara Lagna in any birth map for this (type
of) Tara Dasa

1. Note down the planet operating at birth as per VDS and find out the sign occupied by
that planet in the natal chart. These are called Stambh Graha and Stambha Rasi
respectively.
2. Note down the elapsed period of that planet at birth as per Vimshottari Dasa System
(VDS).
3. Exclude the number of years elapsed at birth and convert the months into days
considering 30 days in each month.
4. Divide the total number of days thus obtained by the Maha Dasa period of that planet
(Stambha Graha) as given in VDS.
5. Add one in the quotient and expunge 12 or its multiple in case the quotient is more than
12.
6. Count as many sign away in direct or reverse order from the sign occupied by the planet
operating at birth (stambha graha) as per VDS i.e. from stambha Rasi.
7. The sign thus obtained is known as Tara Lagna and the 7th sign reckoned from there is
called Prati-Tara Lagna.
8. The Tara Dasa shall commence with stronger between Tara Lagna and Prati-Tara Lagna.
9. Remainder is used to work out the balance period of Tara Dasa at birth.

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 Counting for Tara Lagna

The counting as suggested at point 6 above is made from the Stambha Rasi. If this sign
is placed in the bright half of the horoscope that is from Janma Lagna (birth ascendant) to
8th house the counting would be direct. In case the Stambha Rasi is located in the darker
half that is between 2nd to 7th house, the counting shall be in reverse order.
It is quite inexplicable to take bright and dark half of the horoscope for reckoning
because it does not straight away say about day or night births; albeit, the rational seems to
be hinged on the same concept only. Why the link with VDS for computation of Tara
Lagna has been kept is also not known. Few such oddities can be clearly observed in this
system but it is hard to give reasons for any Dasa and its pattern of operation.

Order of Maha Dasa (Main Period)

Tara Lagna and Prati-Tara Lagna are determined as per the procedure described above
and their respective strength is evaluated. The Tara Dasa would begin with the stronger
between the two. After that the order of other signs are to be determined which depends
upon the odd or even nature of the sign with which the Dasa has commenced. If the Dasa
commencing sign is odd the order of Dasa would run in direct manner or zodiacal and if it is
an even sign the Dasa would proceed in reverse way.
For example, when the Dasa starting sign is odd, say Gemini the Dasa would proceed
as - Gemini, Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius, Capricorn, Aquarius, Pisces,
Aries and Taurus. But if the Dasa begins with some even sign, say Capricorn, the order of
Dasa would be Capricorn, Sagittarius, Scorpio, Libra, Virgo, Leo, cancer, Gemini, Taurus,
Aries, Pisces and Aquarius.

Speculum for Sequence of Dasa

S.N Starting dasa Order Of Succession Of Signs

1 Aries Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Libra, Scorpio,
Sagittarius, Capricorn, Aquarius, Pisces.
2 Taurus Taurus, Aries, Pisces, Aquarius, Capricorn, Sagittarius,
Scorpio, Libra, Virgo, Leo, Cancer, Gemini
3 Gemini Gemini, Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius,
Capricorn, Aquarius, Pisces, Aries, Taurus.
4 Cancer Cancer, Gemini, Taurus, Aries, Pisces, Aquarius,
Capricorn, Sagittarius, Scorpio, Libra, Virgo, Leo.
5 Leo Leo, Virgo, Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius, Capricorn,
Aquarius, Pisces, Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer
6 Virgo Virgo, Leo, Cancer, Gemini, Taurus, Aries, Pisces,
Aquarius, Capricorn, Sagittarius, Scorpio, Libra.
7 Libra Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius, Capricorn, Aquarius, Pisces,
Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo, Virgo.
8 Scorpio Scorpio, Libra, Virgo, Leo, Cancer, Gemini, Taurus, Aries,
Pisces, Aquarius, Capricorn, Sagittarius.
9 Sagittarius Sagittarius, Capricorn, Aquarius, Pisces, Aries, Taurus,
Gemini, Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Libra, Scorpio.
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 10 Capricorn Capricorn, Sagittarius, Scorpio, Libra, Virgo, Leo, Cancer,
Gemini, Taurus, Aries, Pisces, Aquarius.
11 Aquarius Aquarius, Pisces, Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo,
Virgo, Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius, Capricorn.
12 Pisces Pisces, Aquarius, Capricorn, Sagittarius, Scorpio, Libra,
Virgo, Leo, Cancer, Gemini, Taurus, Aries.

Judgement of Strength

Stronger of the Tara Lagna and the Prati-Tara Lagna is taken here for the
commencement of Dasa but the criteria for assessment of the strength is completely baffling
because it is decided on the basis of Argala. Out of the two houses under consideration here
whichever has better Argala is deemed stronger in this case. This is a unique approach in
working out the comparative strength of the two houses.
Since the use of Argala for the purpose of evaluation of strength is found no where the
scribe could not remain silent and wanted to know the rationality but his preceptor could not
also provide a convincing answer. It is presumed that Argala stops the dissipation of energy
from any house and thereby it becomes stronger in comparison to the house which is not
equipped with Argala because the free drainage of energy renders it weak. That can be the
only possible reason for considering the Argala for evaluation of strength of a house. This;
however, indicates the importance of Argala in the horoscope.
The scribe personally feels that the judgement of the strength of the house should be
made on the basis of the provisions available in Jaimini Astrology but here the discussion is
confined strictly to what was taught to him (scribe) by his preceptor. This technique has
been used on several birth charts over many years and satisfactory results have been
obtained. Hence only Argala shall be considered here for the evaluation of comparative
strength between the Tara Lagna and Prati-Tara Lagna to decide the commencement of
Dasa.

Concept of Argala

The planet occupying 2nd, 4th and 11th positions reckoned from any house constitute
Argala for that house. The planets placed in 12th, 10th and 3rd position from a house works to
destroy or obstruct the Argala of that house. If the 3rd position is occupied by three malefic
planets it forms Argala for that house. Similarly the planets located in 5th position produce
Argala and it is obstructed by the planets placed in the 9th position from the house under
consideration.
If house has Argala from three positions and obstruction from two positions it shall be
deemed as having Argala. If the Argala producing houses have more number of planets than
the obstructing place, the Argala is considered to be operative. The Argala produced from 3rd
position is called ‘Nirbhasargala’.

Duration of Maha Dasa & Antar-Dasa

Each sign has a duration of 9 years in main period (Maha Dasa) and 12th part of the
same that is 9 months is the duration of Antar-dasa or Bhukti (sub-period) for each sign.
Thus, the total Dasa period in this system of Tara Dasa is 108 years.
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 Order of Antar Dasa (Sub-period)

The order of signs in sub-period again depends upon the location of Stambha Graha in
Sampad or Visampad rasi. Sampad Rasis are Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Capricorn, Aquarius and
Pisces and the Visampad Rasis are Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Libra, Scorpio and Sagittarius. If
the Stambha Graha is situated in the odd sign of Visampad group of Rasi (sign) the sub-
period would run in direct order but if in even sign of same group it would be in reverse
way.
For example, suppose the sub-period under Gemini Dasa is to be worked when the
Stambha Graha in the natal chart is located in Libra which is an odd sign of the Visampad
group. So the sub-period under any Dasa will run direct as - Gemini, Cancer, Leo, Virgo,
Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius, Capricorn, Aquarius, Pisces, Aries and Taurus. But suppose the
Stambha Graha in the same case is placed in Taurus which is an even sign of the Visampad
group the sub-period will proceed in reverse way as - Gemini, Taurus, Aries, Pisces,
Aquarius, Capricorn, Sagittarius, Scorpio, Libra, Virgo, Leo and Cancer.
Similarly the Antar- Dasa would be direct if the Stambha Graha is located in the even
sign of the Sampad group and would run reverse if placed in the odd sign of the same Rasi-
group. For example, suppose the Stambha Graha in above case placed in Cancer which is an
even sign of the Sampad group the Dasa would be direct as - Gemini, Cancer, Leo, Virgo,
Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius, Capricorn, Aquarius, Pisces, Aries and Taurus. But if the
Stambha Graha is placed in Aquarius which is an odd sign of the Sampad group the sub-
period would be reverse as - Gemini, Taurus, Aries, Pisces, Aquarius, Capricorn, Sagittarius,
Scorpio, Libra, Virgo, Leo and Cancer.
Here due care needs to be taken as it is not exactly as per suggestions found elsewhere
in Jaimini. It should also not be mistaken as a Jaimini Dasa.

Now let us see the application of this Dasa on few charts.

Chart No. 1: A B Vajpayee, Ex-PM Of India

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 Planet operating at birth - Mercury; Balance of Dasa- 09yr 04month 05days

Mercury is placed in Sagittarius; As such;

Stambha Rasi - Sagittarius which an odd sign of the Visampad group

Stambha Graha - Mercury

Elapsed period of Mercury at birth - 07yr 07month 25 days

Excluding years, total number of days; 7 X 30 + 25 = 235 days

Dasa Period of Mercury - 17 yrs; After dividing 235 by 17, we get

Quotient - 13; and Remainder - 14

Add one to quotient; 13+1 = 14

Expunge multiples of 12; 14-12 = 2

Stambha Graha Mercury is placed in the darker half of the natal chart. So the counting
from the Stambha Rasi (Sagittarius) shall be reverse. Counting two signs away from
Sagittrius in reverse direction gives Scorpio. Therefore; Scorpio is the Tara Lagna and
Taurus is Prati-Tara Lagna. Readers may note that sign Scorpio being Tara Lagna is
supposed to be playing quite effective role in the life of the native and many astrologers
believe that he (Vajpayee) was born in Scorpio Lagna on the basis of certain qualities
observed in him.
Dasa would start from the stronger of the Scorpio and Taurus. This shall be decided
on the basis of Argala here
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 Sn Argala Position Tara Lagna Prati-Tara Lagna
1 2nd place Jupiter, Sun, Mercury NIL
2 4th place NIL NIL
3 11th place NIL Mars
4 5th place Mars NIL

It is obvious from above table that Argala formed to Tara Lagna (Scorpio) is more
potent than Argala produced to Prati-Tara Lagna (Taurus) and therefore; Tara Dasa would
start with Tara Lagna i.e. Scorpio. Since Scorpio is an even sign the Dasa would start in
reverse that is Scorpio, Libra, Virgo, Leo, Cancer, Gemini, Taurus, Aries, Pisces, Aquarius,
Capricorn and Sagittarius. Here the concept of Sampad and Visampad group does not apply.
They are used for the order of succession in Sub-periods.

Balance Of Tara Dasa at birth

In the above calculation, the remainder obtained was 14.

So, the Ratio; 14/17 = 0.823529

As such; Dasa balance at birth; 9 X 0.823529 = 7.41176 yrs

= 7 Yrs 04 month 28 days

Date of birth 25 - 12 - 1924

28 - 04 - 0007 Scorpio Dasa
____________________
23 - 05 - 1932
00 - 00 - 0063 upto Aries Dasa (7 X 9)
--------------------------
23 - 05 - 1995

Pisces Dasa started from 23-05-1995 and Vajpayee became PM in March 1998. Let us see
the Antar-Dasa or Bhukti (sub-period) details.
As Stambha Graha Mercury is placed in the odd sign (Sagittarius) of Visam pad
group, the sub-period would run direct

23 - 05 - 1995
00 - 09 - 0000 Pisces-Pisces
-------------------------
23 - 02 - 1996
00 - 27 - 0000 Pisces-Aries, Taurus, Gemini
-------------------------
23 - 05 - 1998
00 - 09 - 0000 Pisces - Cancer
_________________
23 - 02 - 1999
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 00 - 09 - 0000 Pisces - Leo
_________________
23 - 11 - 1999

Vajpayee first became P.M during Gemini Bhukti which signifies luck in his
horoscope. He again became PM in October 1999 when Leo Bhukti was in operation and to
true to the quality of gain (11th house) the post of PM was regained.

Chart. No. 2: Smt. Indira Gandhi

Sun was operating at birth in VDS and it is placed in Scorpio. Hence

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 Stambha Rasi - Scorpio; Stambha Graha - Sun

Balance of Sun Dasa at birth - 01 yr 11month 26days.

As such; Elapsed period - 04yrs 00month 04days

Total number of days, excluding years - 04 days

After dividing it by Dasa period (6) of Sun, we get quotient - 0; remainder - 04

Add one to quotient: 0 + 1 = 1

Hence Scorpio is Tara Lagna and Taurus is Prati-Tara Lagna; The Dasa would start
with the stronger between these two

Sn Argala Position Tara Lagna Prati-Tara Lagna

1 2nd place Venus, Rahu Ketu
2 4th place NIL Mars
3 11th place NIL NIL

Prati Tara Lagna Taurus has Argala from two positions and hence it is strong. The
dasa would start with Taurus. As Taurus is an even sign the Dasa would run reverse i.e.
Taurus, Aries, Pisces etc.

Balance Of Tara Dasa:

Remainder is 4. Hence, ratio = 4/6

Dasa balance at birth =04/06 X 9 = 6yrs 00 month 00 days

Her gruesome assassination took place in October 1984.

Date of birth 19 - 11 - 1917

00 - 00 - 0006 - Taurus Dasa
----------------------------
19 - 11 - 1923
00 - 00 - 0009 - Aries Dasa
-----------------------------
19 - 11 - 1932
00 - 00 - 0009 - Pisces Dasa
---------------------------
19 - 11 - 1941
00 - 00 - 0009 - Aquarius Dasa
-----------------------------
19 - 11 - 1950
00 - 00 - 0009 - Capricorn Dasa
-----------------------------
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 19 - 11 - 1959
00 - 00 - 0009 - Sagittarius Dasa
------------------------------
19 - 11 - 1968
00 - 00 - 0009 - Scorpio Dasa
-----------------------------
19 - 11 - 1977
00 - 00 - 0009 - Libra Dasa
----------------------------
19 - 11 - 1986

Libra Dasa started from 19th of November 1977. Libra is identical with the 4th house
and in astrology the 4th house also defines the exit from this world because it is the place for
realisation of the attributes of the 8th house that is death.
Let us see in Bhukti (sub-period) which sign was actually operating to bring about this
process of exit. Stambh Graha Sun is situated in Scorpio which is the even sign of the
Visam Pad group and hence, the Bhukti would run in reverse order i.e. Libra-Libra; Libra-
Virgo; Libra-Leo; Libra-Cancer etc

Aquarius Bhukti in Libra Dasa ended on 19-08-1984 and there after Capricorn (killer)
Bhukti came in operation

Commencement of Libra Dasa 19 - 11 - 1977

Upto Aquarius Bhukti 00 - 09 - 0006 (81 months)
--------------------------
19 - 08 - 1984
00 - 09 - 0000
--------------------------
19 - 05 - 1985

Capricorn being identical with the 7th house is imbued with strong killer currents and
under the Dasa of Libra (4th house) it became potentially dangerous.

Chart. No. 3

Here is the horoscope of a native who was a high positioned executive but was
suspended from the job on some serious charges of corruption in July 2005. He is still under
suspension and the inquiry is in progress.
Mars was operating at birth and it is placed in the sign Leo. Hence

Stambha Rasi - Leo; Stambha Graha - Mars.

Balance of Mars Dasa at berth as per VDS - 05yrs 11months 07days

Elapsed period of Mars - 01yr 00month 23days

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 Ignoring the year total number of days - 23

After dividing it by Dasa period(7) of Mars we get Quotient 3 and remainder 2.

Add one in quotient; 3 + 1 = 4

Stambha Graha Mars is located in brighter half hence counting from the Stambha Rasi
would be direct. It gives Scorpio sign. As such; Scorpio is Tara Lagna and Taurus is Prati-
Tara Lagna. Dasa will start from the stronger between these two

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 Sn Argala Position Tara Lagna Prati-Tara Lagna
1 2nd place NIL Sun, Mercury
2 4th place Ketu Mars, Rahu
3 11th place NIL NIL

The Argla of Prati-Tara Lagna is strong and therefore; Tara Dasa start with Taurus.
Since Taurus is an even sign, the Tara dasa would run in reverse order.

Balance of Tara Dasa

Remainder is 2; hence Ratio 2/7 = 0.2857

Dasa balance at birth - 9 X 0.2857

= 02yrs 06 months 26days
The native was suspended from job in July 2005 when Sagittarius Dasa was in
operation. Sagittarius is identical with 3rd house and is aspected by Rahu. Hence it is
severely imbued with the currents of damage and destruction.

Date of birth 01 - 07 - 1961

Taurus Dasa 26 - 06 - 0002
----------------------------
27 - 01 - 1964
Upto Capricorn Dasa 00 - 00 - 0036
---------------------------
27 - 01 - 2000

Sagittarius Dasa started from 27th of January 2000. Let us see the Bhukti of sign that
caused the manifestation of this event.
Stambha Graha Mars is placed in Leo which is an odd sign of the Sam pad group.
Therefore; Bhukti would run in reverse order i.e. Sagittarius, Scorpio, Libra etc.

Start of Sagittarius Dasa 27 - 01 - 2000

Upto Gemini Bhukti 00 - 03 - 0005 (7 X 9 = 63 months)
- ---------------------------
27 - 04 - 2005

The Taurus Bhukti started from 27th April 2005 and the suspension from job occurred
in July 2005. Taurus sign is identical with 8th house, hence is capable of producing bad
events like defeat, defamation, insult, injury etc. The event has occurred in line with the
same.
We may note here one interesting point with respect to VDS, just for comparison. In
VDS luck lord Mercury was operating under the Dasa of Yoga Karka Saturn. As such,
occurrence of such bad event as per VDS can be quite baffling. But Tara Dasa gives the clue
as it shows the play of destructive vibrations emanating from two bad houses 3rd and 8th.
Thus, possibility of bad events was almost unavoidable.

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 The method of calculation of this Dasa has been explained in detail and more examples
are with held as they can only increase the length of this essay. Readers may try this Dasa
and find out its efficacy by themselves. The scribe is using this Dasa since many years and
has got quite encouraging results.

...............Excerpts from author's forthcoming book - "Tara Dasa"

When Jupiter in his first round of transit touches Dragons Tail that is the year of
danger for the individual

In the 4th round of Jupiter’s transit development of house/landed property is

denoted.

The 5th round of Jupiter is for children and their developments or fall back
whereas the 6th round of Jupiter denotes the dangers to the native himself
When Saturn in transit sees the 8H from Jupiter or the planets therein or
sometimes the lord of the 8th house from Jupiter, then death or troubles to the
native’s is denoted.

Jupiter in Gemini, Sagittarius and Pisces, the life of the native will be very good
only after 41 years of age.

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