By Pt. Narendra Sharma
Detailed guide to what Yogini Dasha is, the eight Yoginis, Moon based calculation, Yogini Dasha effects and remedies for difficult periods

Many people hear about Vimshottari dasha and accept it as the main timing tool, yet very few take the time to understand what is yogini dasha and why some astrologers rely on it so deeply. Life does not always move in slow long cycles. Sometimes events come in sharp bursts, almost like rapid chapters in a short book. Yogini dasha speaks exactly to that pattern.
Yogini dasha is a lunar based dasha system with a total span of only thirty six years. Vimshottari covers one hundred and twenty years. Because Yogini periods are short, they tend to show fast and clear results when used correctly. The entire system is built on the nakshatra of the Moon at birth, which makes it very sensitive to changes in mood and circumstance.
Anyone who wants to judge subtle turns of destiny, especially in present life events, benefits from understanding yogini dasha effects as a separate yet complementary layer to Vimshottari.
The full cycle of Yogini dasha is thirty six years divided into eight main periods. Each period is ruled by one Yogini and each Yogini is linked to a specific planet. The same nine planets that shape the rest of Vedic jyotish carry the core of this system as well.
The table below shows the eight Yogini dashas with their lords, duration and general nature.
| Yogini | Ruling planet | Duration (years) | General nature |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mangala | Moon | 1 | Comfort, relationships, sensitivity, attraction |
| Pingala | Sun | 2 | Struggle, authority, ego, tests |
| Dhanya | Jupiter | 3 | Wealth, growth, opportunities, expansion |
| Bhramari | Mars | 4 | Travel, movement, courage, conflict |
| Bhadrika | Mercury | 5 | Goodwill, contacts, learning, progress |
| Ulka | Saturn | 6 | Challenges, delay, discipline, hard lessons |
| Siddha | Venus | 7 | Success, happiness, ease, good news |
| Sankata | Rahu | 8 | Tests, confusion, deep change |
Each main period also carries sub periods, which are called sub dashas or antar dashas. This creates a double timing layer. The running Yogini gives the background of the years and the sub Yogini within it decides how intense, mixed or balanced those years feel in daily life.
Yogini dasha is fully anchored in the Moon and the nakshatra of birth. The starting Yogini is chosen from the lunar mansion of the natal Moon, which means the mind is the doorway into this system.
The Moon stands for mind, emotion and daily responses. When the entire timing method is based on this planet, it naturally becomes very sharp in showing how inner experience changes. People feel the shift in Yogini dasha not only through events but through the way they react to those events.
This is one reason why many practitioners say is yogini dasha accurate for present life prediction. When the Moon and its nakshatra are read carefully, the Yogini sequence often lines up very closely with emotional and situational turning points.
The descriptions below are general. Real results always depend on the whole chart, other dashas and transit support. Still, they give a clear sense of how each Yogini colours a phase.
Mangala is the first Yogini in the sequence. It runs for one year and is ruled by the Moon. Traditional verses describe this as a supportive period that can bring happiness and comfort.
During Mangala, people often see better domestic peace, softness in relationships and a stronger pull toward emotional bonding. Attraction toward the opposite gender can grow. Prospects for marriage may strengthen or an existing bond may become deeper. When the sub dasha is also gentle, this year can feel like a phase of wishes being quietly fulfilled.
Because the Moon rules this period, sensitivity is also high. Those with a weak or troubled Moon in the chart must pay more attention to emotional balance and rest.
Mantra and practical focus
Pingala is the second Yogini, lasts two years and is ruled by the Sun. The Sun is a hard teacher when misused and a noble guide when respected.
This period often brings conflict with authority, questions of pride and situations that force a person to see their strength and weakness clearly. Physical strain, inner tension, financial loss, disputes over land and separation from family can appear. The two years do not stay uniform, because sub periods can bring patches of ease in between.
The key lesson is to avoid impulsive decisions. Acting without thought can lead to losses or broken relations. Since the Sun stands for the father and male figures, it is wise to keep an eye on their health and wellbeing in this time.
Mantra and practical focus
Dhanya is the third Yogini. It runs for three years and is ruled by Jupiter. The name itself points to abundance and being blessed.
In many lives this period brings growth in work, revival of business, new clients, promotions and expansion of income. Old stuck patterns often move when Dhanya begins. Those looking for employment may find better roles if the rest of the chart agrees.
This period also tends to grow inner optimism and faith. Journeys, help from teachers or seniors and expansion in learning are common. When sub dashas are also supportive, these three years can build a new foundation of stability.
Mantra and practical focus
Bhramari is the fourth Yogini. It runs for four years and is ruled by Mars. The name suggests wandering or circling movement.
Under Bhramari, many people travel frequently. Some journeys bring gain and some bring tiredness or loss. Change of job, change of city or living away from home can occur. Emotional pressure can build and the temperament may grow sharp if energy is not guided properly.
The period tests how a person uses Mars. Used well, the same fire can fuel hard work and courage. Used badly, it can cause conflicts, breakups or hasty moves that are hard to reverse.
Mantra and practical focus
Bhadrika is the fifth Yogini. It lasts five years and is ruled by Mercury. The name points toward welfare and benefit.
This phase can bring recognition in society, chances to meet influential people and openings in education, trade, writing or analysis. Communication skills often become more visible. New contacts can support career growth if handled with integrity.
The same Mercury can also pull a person toward shortcuts or wrong company. If that happens, the time that was meant for progress can turn into a source of worry.
Mantra and practical focus
Ulka is the sixth Yogini. It runs for six years and is ruled by Saturn. It has the reputation of a difficult period, yet it can lay the strongest foundations when faced honestly.
During Ulka, issues related to work, health, relationships or finances often come to the surface. Delays, obstacles and demands increase. Still, not every result is negative. Some people rebuild their life pattern in this time and come out stronger, especially when the chart supports maturity.
Saturn’s message remains the same. Patience, truth in action and steady effort. Those who accept this message use Ulka as a training ground rather than a punishment.
Mantra and practical focus
Siddha is the seventh Yogini. It runs for seven years and is ruled by Venus. Venus brings grace, comfort and refinement when strong.
This period often supports new beginnings, decisions and growth in relationships. Work life can show clear progress through better roles, higher income or recognition. Marriage, childbirth or other happy family events can occur. Those in creative or aesthetic fields often see their work gain more acceptance.
With all the comfort, there is still a need to avoid overindulgence. Balance keeps the results of Siddha steady.
Mantra and practical focus
Sankata is the eighth and last Yogini. It runs for eight years and is ruled by Rahu. It is known as a period of trials and deep change.
Rahu carries themes of fear, illusion and sudden twists. Under Sankata, a person may face stress in career, health, relationships or inner peace. Senior support can reduce, goals may take more effort and organisational changes can create uncertainty.
This period asks for calm thinking. Decisions taken in panic can complicate life further. Some people face the loss of a loved one or deep emotional shocks. At the same time, if handled with awareness, Sankata can break old patterns that were no longer helpful.
Mantra and practical focus
The direct question many students ask is is yogini dasha accurate. The honest answer is that accuracy depends on how responsibly it is used.
Yogini dasha has some clear strengths. It is short, sharp and rooted in the Moon. When matched with Vimshottari dasha and transit, it often explains why one year feels completely different from the next even within the same major period. Many experienced astrologers find it especially useful for present life, event level prediction.
Still, no single system should be treated as a magic key. Yogini dasha works best when seen as one pillar among others. When all pillars show the same direction, prediction quality naturally rises.
For anyone who wants to really apply what is yogini dasha in daily life, a few simple guidelines are helpful.
When approached like this, Yogini dasha stops being a source of fear and becomes a map for timing effort with greater wisdom.
1 What is Yogini Dasha in simple terms
Yogini dasha is a Moon based timing system in Vedic astrology with eight periods that together span thirty six years. Each period is ruled by a Yogini linked to a planet and gives specific life themes.
2.How are Yogini periods calculated
The starting Yogini is chosen from the birth nakshatra of the Moon. From there, the sequence of eight Yoginis runs in a fixed order. Exact dates are calculated through standard algorithms used in Vedic astrology software.
3. Are Yogini Dasha effects stronger than Vimshottari
Yogini dasha is shorter, so its effects often feel sharper. Vimshottari shows the broad karmic backdrop. In practice, the best results come when both are read together and their common signals are respected.
4. Should everyone use Yogini Dasha for prediction
It is especially useful for those who want finer event timing and deeper insight into mental phases. Still it should be combined with Vimshottari dasha, transits and yogas instead of replacing them.
5. How to handle a difficult Yogini period like Sankata or Ulka
Avoid rushed decisions, stay polite in speech, keep your schedule disciplined and follow the suggested mantra and charity related to the ruling planet. Small steady steps are more helpful than big dramatic moves in such periods.
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