How to Determine Good and Bad Dashas in Astrology?

 In Vedic astrology, dashas (planetary periods) show the timing of events in your life. Whether a dasha is good or bad depends on:

1. Planet’s Functional Nature (Benefic/Malefic).

• Functional benefics (lords of good houses like 1st, 5th, 9th, 10th) generally give good results in their dasha.
• Functional malefics (lords of 6th, 8th, 12th) can give challenges during their dasha.
• Natural benefics (Jupiter, Venus, Mercury, Waxing Moon) tend to give softer results.
• Natural malefics (Saturn, Mars, Sun, Rahu, Ketu) may give harsh lessons, but if well-placed, can give strength and growth.

2️. Planet’s House Placement.

• A planet in Kendra (1,4,7,10) or Trikona (1,5,9) often gives positive results.
• A planet in Dusthana houses (6,8,12) may give struggles during its dasha.
• Exalted or own sign planets tend to give better results.
• Debilitated or combust planets may give weaker or problematic results.

3️. Planet’s Strength in the Birth Chart.

• Check Shadbala, ashtakavarga, or dignity for the planet.
• Strong planets give better outcomes in their dasha.
• Weak or afflicted planets may give troubles.

4️. Relationship with the Lagna and Moon.

• If the dasha planet is friendly to the Lagna lord and Moon, it is generally smoother.
• If the dasha planet aspects or is with benefic planets, results improve.

5️. Aspects and Conjunctions.

• Check which planets aspect or conjoin the dasha lord.
• Benefic aspects can reduce malefic results.
• Malefic aspects can reduce benefic results.

6️. Transits During Dasha.

• Transits of Saturn, Jupiter, Rahu, and Ketu during the dasha can modify results.
• Even a good dasha can feel tough if transits are heavy, and vice versa.

7️. Antardasha and Pratyantar Dasha.

• The sub-period (bhukti/antardasha) lord significantly impacts how the main dasha plays out.
• For example, a good Venus dasha may give problems during the Mars antardasha if Mars is a malefic for your chart.