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How the Mahadasha is calculated

Mahadashas are calculated based on the Chandra (Moon) position in the horoscope at birth. There are 27 nakshatras (lunar mansions) in which Chandra can reside and each of those lunar mansions is owned by a planet who is considered lord of that nakshatra. In whoseever nakshatra Chandra is in at birth, that lords Mahadasha will be operating at birth.

The degree of the Moon will decide how much of the Mahadasha completed before birth and How much will be due after the birth.

There are 12 signs in astrology. Each sign contains 30 degrees. Each degree contains 60 minutes. Each nakshatra occupies 13 degrees and 20 minutes of each sign. Thus all 27 nakshatras cover all 360 degrees of the zodiac.

To demonstrate how mahadashas are calculated I will give you an example. This will simplify everything. Let's say 2 people (Person A and Person B) both have their Chandra placed in Bharini Nakshatra in Mesh rashi. Person A has his chandra placed at 14 degrees and Person B has his Chandra placed at 20 degrees at birth. Both people will start with the operating period of Shukra because Bharini Nakshatra is ruled by Shukra. However, only Person A will go through the entire 20 year mahadasha of Shukra whereas Person B will endure approximately 10 years of the Shukra Mahadasha.

Here is list of Nakshtra and Swami

Sr	Nakshatra	Swami
1	Ashvini	Ketu
2	Bharani	Shukra
3	Krittika	Surya
4	Rohini	Chandra
5	Mrigashira	Mangal
6	Ardra	Raahu
7	Punarvasu	Guru
8	Pushya	Shani
9	Ashlesha	Budh
10	Magha	Ketu
11	Purva Phalguni	Shukra
12	Uttara Phalguni	Surya
13	Hasta	Chandra
14	Chitra	Mangal
15	Swati	Raahu
16	Vishakha	Guru
17	Anuradha	Shani
18	Jyeshtha	Budh
19	Mula	Ketu
20	Purva Ashadha	Shukra
21	Uttara Ashadha	Surya
22	Shravana	Chandra
23	Dhanishtha	Mangal
24	Shatabhisha	Raahu
25	Purva Bhadrapada	Guru
26	Uttara Bhadrapada	Shani
27	Revati	Budh