Understanding Vimshottari Dasa

To fix the possible time of happening of an event in the life of an individual is a difficult matter. Vimshottari dasa is a commonly used tool to do it. Parashar has given several dasas but he has himself expressed his view that of all dasas Vimshottari is the most suited one for our times. It is a very commonly used dasa among astrologers today.

It is essential to be clear about the principles involved and about the practice of those principles. These principles are universally applicable. The dasa gives astoundingly correct results when applied strictly according to these principles. The author has stated the principles very clearly. The reader will realize the ease with which this dasa can successfully be used when it is applied according to the principles stated in this book. A very large number of real life charts have been analyzed in the book to clarify the few principles that are involved.

Shri D S Mathur has been a prolific writer on Vedic astrology. He has been writing for the last two decades. Several books written by him are in the market and have been much appreciated. His approach to the subject has been ground breaking and practical.

Vedic astrology is strong in its predictive aspect and therein lies its utility. This distinguishes it from the occidental astrology.

A substantial part of current writings on Vedic astrology tends to dwell more on theory and much less on its application. Shri Mathur has been trying to correct this imbalance.

Shri Mathur has served as a member of the Indian Administrative Service since 1971. He has worked at various positions both in Madhya Pradesh and in the Government of India. He retired as Secretary to Government of India in 207. He now lives at Bhopal and devotes most of his time to study and practice of Vedic astrology.

Vimshottari dasa is the most commonly used tool in Vedic astrology to determine the course of life of a person. Parashar has given a large number of dasas for this purpose but he himself has expressed his opinion that Vimshottari dasa is the best suited dasa for our times.

The use of dasas varies from region to region. One or the other dasa has been in use in a particular part of the country for a long time and it is used in that region traditionally. Very many dasas given by Parashar have hardly ever been used as they were either very selective in applicability or were difficult to apply. It is heartening to see that some of these dasas have been taken up by modern day astrologers for study and experimental application. The use of these dasas given in Brihat Parashar Hora Shastra has however not caught on. They have not become a necessary part of the armory of a common astrologer. Jaimini dasas are being used to cross check findings arrived at by the use of Vimshottari dasa. It is found that the yield of Jaimini dasas is not as comprehensive as that of the Vimshottari dasa.

An astrologer uses a dasa with which he is comfortable and by which he gets the best results. Vimshottari dasa seems to come out a winner when judged from this criterion. It is therefore the commonest dasa in use. Yet its use is cloaked in mystery and hearsay. A myth has been perpetrated that there are certain unknown facets of Vimshottari dasa that are known only to a few select astrological traditions or paramparas and unless this knowledge is revealed by the guru to the budding astrologer he may not be able to effectively use the dasa. This is far from truth.

As the reader will proceed with this book it will be apparent to him that the use of Vimshottari dasa is based on very scientific and clear rules. These rules are just a few and they can be easily understood. There is no hidden knowledge involved in this dasa and if the rules are applied with a clear mind the astrologer would be able to determine the life of the person with reasonable accuracy. Birth charts have been analyzed at every step to clarify the application of rules. These charts are based on accurate data.

This book will, I am sure, carve out a niche for itself on account of its approach and clarity among a host of works on this subject.

I record my differentiation of the help my private secretary Shri Mohan Sharma has extended to me in preparation of this book.

Shri Narinder Sagar has taken pains over the production and get up of the book. His efforts are deeply appreciated.