Prediction through Dasha System is the chief objective of Predictive Astrology. Maharshi Parashar has mentioned 43 types of Dashas in his "Brihat Parashar Hora Shastra". Here in this book the Vimshottari Dasha has been mentioned elaborately in particular, which is used extensively. Besides, the Ashtottari and Yogini Dashas have also been narrated briefly. Vimshottari Dasha system is based on constellation. This system is used throughout India and recognized by all. It is based on the lordship of planet. The native can have result according to the house of which the planet is the lord. So, it is essential to know the Karakatva of the house and the merit of the lord of it. The book has been composed keeping in view the problems of the students of All India Federation of Astrologers' Societies on the inspiration of Mr. Arun Kumar Bansal. This book explains the method of prediction on the basis of Dasha in any easy to understand manner. A learned astrologer has to make study of the three different parts of a horoscope - 1. Yoga, the combination of planets and Lords, 2. Period-sub-period i.e. dasha, 3. Gochar that is, transit. All the three parts are the supplements of each other. Yoga is most important among all the three parts. Period-sub-period i.e. dasha may prove to be futile if there is no Yoga in a horoscope. For example, Period-sub-period that of Lord of fifth house or of Karaka planet cannot bless a native with a child if there is no Santan Yoga in his horoscope. Likewise, Gochar too cannot do anything if there is no Yoga in a horoscope. So, all the three parts are essential to have the result.

This book deals with the fundamentals of Jaimini Astrology. Second to 'PARASHAR; JAIMINI' is the greatest giant of Vedic Astrology. Parashar laid down the great principle of Vedic Astrology, while Jaimini went a step further and refined them. "JAIMINI UPDESH SUTRAS" were composed by Maharishi Jaimini. "SUTRAS" are very short sanskrit Stanzas with very vast and profound meaning. They are like a ball of thread. The more they are opened out, the more meaning they reveal, and they are so brief that they can even be memorised. Who was Jaimini Maharishi? No one knows for sure! Some learned men think that he was a disciple of the famous Maharishi Ved Vyas, who was Parashar's Son. They also feel that he is the famous author of 'Poorva Mimansa' and 'Jaimini Bharat'. Others feel that he is a later author who was very familiar with mantras. Whoever he was! His genious is reflected in the sutras he composed. These sutras are probably five thousand years old. They have stood the test of time and time has turned them into beautiful Gems of prediction. The centuries have proved their authenticity and soundness. These sutras are 936 in number, spread over four Adhyayas. The Greatest principle of Jaimini System is that the Study of Lagna is not enough. Apart from, studying the horoscope from the regular Lagna, Moon and Sun; one must study it in the light of karakamsa Lagna, Arudha, Up-pada, Hora lagna and the different karakas. In this way the personality of the Jatak is split up into its fundamentals and studied. Next is the karakatvas of the planets and houses. Parashar allotted permanent karakatvas to planets and houses. He also gave conditional karakatvas to the planets according to their lordship over different houses. Jaimini made prediction simpler, sharper and quicker by establishing limits of these karakatvas through the different char karakas. Another striking feature Jaimini is the Jaimini Drishti or Aspects. Every student of Astrology knows that both planets and Rashis affect us and yet we consider the aspects of only the planets! What about the Rashis ? This factor was taken into account by Jaimini. He established that the rashis also aspected each other and the planets placed in them also cast their Aspects along with their respective rashis. These aspects are quite different from Parashari aspects. Apart from these main features Jaimini has its own Yogas, Argalas and dashas. The most popular dasha for General use is Char dasha. Some of the other dashas as are Sthir dasha, Mandook dasha, Trikona dasha, Nirayan shoola dasha, Brahma dasha, Varnada dasha and Yogardha dasha. Some of them are conditional dashas while the others are used for a specific purpose. We shall be confining ourselves to Char dasha only in this book. On the face of it, it may appear that Jaimini contradicts Parashar. This is a misconception. If studied in-depth, it becomes clear that Jaimini is only a refinement of Parashari principles. Traditional Astrologers mostly use Jaimini for 'Ayurdaya' or assessment of longevity. The time is ripe for us to make an effort to revive this great system, so that it can be used for the entire reading of the horoscope and for bringing fineness or sookshmata in prediction. The main purpose behind introducing Jaimini Astrology is to encourage the use of composite techniques of prediction. These have been adopted superbly by shri Mahadeva pathak in his Jatak Tatva.He has used Jaimini principles alongside the Parashari principles to produce very good composite Techniques. In the end I would like to point out that most of the Astrological classics stress more on Negativity. As modern Astrologers we need to conduct researches to bring out the positive aspects of these principles and to modify and update them.

The notion that astrologers can unfold lives and reveal what waits at the next bend is a thought that comes to all and populist claims have inspired the author to come up with a series of books that will discuss the various aspects in astrology, putting together the research and findings by various groups and the experience gained during his journey. The purpose of the encyclopedia is an attempt to put a clear understanding of the process of astrology, taking into account the first basic principles and dealing with different topics. The encyclopedia which would consist of over eighteen books, is intended to be brought out over a period of two years. These would cover the basics in astrology and then go on to the predictive techniques, the nadi astrology, tajik, yogas, nakshatras, rectification of birth time, vargas, dashas, mundane prashna, muhurta, remedy and other aspects of interest. The advantage of this would be that both students and those who want to pursue research can progress the understanding of this science in a systematic manner. Also the complete set will be of great value to those in India and abroad who want to understand various levels and will give them the flexibility of dwelling into the complexities in a coherent manner. With the growing interest to learn this science in various countries, the readers there will find this series of books very useful. This is the first book in the series and is the most important. The foundation is based on the principles of basic astrology propounded by various schools of thought. The book covers signs, their impact, the planetary impact in each sign, the role of depositors, details on each planet and their relationship when in aspect and in the divisional charts as also the complexities they can pose. This book attempts at conveying that the basic importance has to be given to the planets, their placement and various relationship as a result of the same. The yogas, dasha, nakshatras etc. will be dealt in the other books that follow, but all have to be applied keeping in mind the first basic principles that are being enumerated in this book.