Maharishi Parashara has given numerous dasa systems to time events in Vedic astrology. Many of the dasas can be applied only on charts where some specific conditions are met. For example if the lagna lord is in the seventh house or the seventh lord is in the lagna, Maharishi Parashara prescribes Dwisaptatisama Dasa. If all the planets are in Kendras, Tara dasa can be used. There are many such dasas given by Parashara. These conditional dasas are applicable in exceptional horoscopes only. But, some dasas given by Maharishi Parashara can be used in all horoscopes. One of the dasa which is very prominently used is the Yogini dasa and the most popular dasa is the Vimshottari dasa. Both, these dasas are based on Nakshatra.

Generally, many astrologers like to cross check Yogini dasa results with Vimshottari dasa results to correctly time an event. The Yogini dasa is the finest, shortest and the most effective tool for prediction. The greatest advantage of this dasa is that small error in calculation of degree of the Moon do not affect the predictable results significantly. In the Kaala Chakra dasa difference of one minute in Moon’s degree can make a difference of six months and difference of 10 minutes can give error of 5 years. However, in Yogini dasa the mistake of even 20 minutes can cause difference of few months in Sankata dasa and few days in Mangala dasa. Therefore, many experienced astrologers especially of North India, particularly in Himalayan states refuse to give prediction unless the Yogini dasa is calculated first.

Yogini dasa can be easily calculated even mentally within a few minutes. We will see below how Yogini Dasa can be easily calculated below:

As per Brihat Parashara Hora Shastra, Yogini dasa was revealed by Lord Shiva to Goddess Parvati. There are eight types of Yogini. The order in which these eight Yoginis operate, their lords and the dasa periods are given below. After the end of first cycle of Yogini the next cycle of Yogini again starts with Mangala.

Order of Yoginis, their lords and dasa periods

S. No	Yogini	Lord	Period
1.	Mangala	Moon	1 year
2.	Pingala	Sun	2 years
3.	Dhanya	Jupiter	3 years
4.	Bhramari	Mars	4 years
5.	Bhadrika	Mercury	5 years
6.	Ulka	Saturn	6 years
7.	Siddha	Venus	7 years
8.	Sankata	Rahu	8 years
		Total Period	36 years

Like Vimshottari dasa, the Yogini dasa is also Nakshatra based dasa. In the major period of each Yogini, sub-periods of all Yoginis operate according to their proportional period in the natural order starting from its own sub period.

Calculation of Yogini Dasa:

Note down the Nakshatra number of the Moon, taking Ashwini as Nakshatra number 1. Add three to it. Divide by eight. The reminder represents the Yogini dasa operative at the time of birth.

Reminder	Dasa
1	Mangala
2	Pingala
3	Dhanya
4	Bhramari
5	Bhadrika
6	Ulka
7	Siddha
8 or 0	Sankata

Example: A native is born with his Moon in Libra. The Nakshatra of the Moon is Swati 8°26’41’’ (15^th Nakshatra). So according to the formula:

The balance of dasa is dependent on the degrees remaining to be traversed by the Moon in its Nakshatra.

Calculate the balance of degrees to be covered by the Moon in its Nakshatra. Multiply by the period of dasa operative at the time of birth. Divide by full span of Nakshatra i.e., 13°20’. The result represents the balance of the Yogini dasa operative at the time of birth.

Yogini Dasa Balance can be calculated using the following formula:

In the above example Moon longitude is 8°26’41″ in Libra and the extent of Swati Nakshatra is till 20°00’ in Libra. The balance to be covered by the Moon in Swati Nakshatra is 20°00’ – 8°26’41” = 11°33’19”

The dasa operative is of Pingala (Sun) for 2 years.

According to the formula, the balance of Pingala dasa

= 1 year 8 month 24 days

We will start the counting dasa from Pingala and after ending of first cycle restart the cycle starting again from Mangala dasa to arrive at the current running dasa.

Yogini dasa can be applied following the same astrological principles as we use any other planetary dasa from the lagna chart itself. However, some writers like Sri V. P. Goel advocates using of Progressed Lagna for more precise understanding of the Yogini dasa results. I would advice the readers to do their independent research on the subject as well.