Mars Mahadasha: 7 Years of Mangala

Mangala, Mars, holds the third major period of the vimshottari cycle, after the Moon and before Rahu, and it extends over seven years. These major periods of constant length are called mahadashas, and each is divided into antardashas, sub-periods held by a second planet. If your natal Moon is in Mrigashira, Chitra or Dhanishta, your life began under Mars.

Look to your natal Mars. It supports the period exalted, in moolatrikona, in its own sign, in a kendra, strengthened in house 11 or 2, or accompanied by a benefic. The areas that awaken are recognition by those in power, land, dealings abroad and good relations with brothers and sisters. A powerful Mars in a kendra or in house 3 leads to success through bravery, with adversaries overcome; even so, the end of the period is said to be harder. Debilitated, weakened, in 6, 8 or 12, joined or aspected by malefics, Mars reverses this reading.

Another criterion applies: the function of Mars according to your Lagna, the sign rising on the horizon. For the Karka and Simha Lagnas, Mars is yogakaraka, and it is excellent for Mina and for Dhanu. In another method, where periods do not follow the vimshottari, the Lagna plays no part. The period then covers combat, the brother and land, and on the other side aversion toward relatives and educated people, harsh speech and doubtful company.

A rule common to all periods fixes the timing: according to the drekkana, the third of a sign occupied by Mars, effects show up at the beginning, in the center or at the end of the period, in reverse order if it is retrograde.

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