Jupiter Mahadasha: 16 Years of Guru

Guru, Jupiter, is the great benefic and the preceptor of the gods. Its mahadasha, the major period of constant length assigned to it, extends over sixteen years and holds fifth rank in the vimshottari order, after Rahu and before Shani. It divides into antardashas, sub-periods each handed to a second planet. It is the first period of life if the natal Moon is in Punarvasu, Vishakha or Purva Bhadrapada.

Jupiter supports these sixteen years when it is, in your chart, exalted, in its own sign, in moolatrikona, or in houses 10, 5 or 9. You then see great bliss and the esteem of those in power, along with devotion, the regard of sages and rites carried through to the end. Debilitated, combust, joined to malefics, or in house 6 or 8, it brings worry; the home becomes a sensitive area and a pilgrimage comes up. In this case the hardest part comes at the start, then the rest of the period clears.

In a second method, Jupiter's condition does not count and happy effects mingle with setbacks. The period then runs through worship, knowledge, generosity and diplomatic sense, as well as friendship with people of very high rank and the learning of trades that call for ingenuity. There are also conflicts with ill-intentioned people. The first method judges the quality of a period by the position and rank of the planet at birth and at the start of the period. The second uses quality names that depend on the climb toward exaltation or the descent toward debilitation.

One last point concerns timing: according to the drekkana, that is, the third of a sign where your Jupiter stands, effects arrive at the beginning, in the middle or toward the end, in reverse order if the planet is retrograde.

To read about the graha itself, open the Guru guide.