1. Maitreya said. O Venerable Maharishi Parashar! You are omniscient. There is no subject, with which you are not conversant. Therefore now please favour me with guidance about the different kinds of Dashas (periods) of the various Grahas.

2-5. Maharishi Parashar replied. O Brahmin! Dashas are of many kinds. Amongst them Vimshottari is the most appropriate for the general populace. But the other Dashas, followed in special cases, are Astottari, Shodshottari, Dwadashottari, Panchottari, Shatabdik, Chaturashiti-sama, Dwisaptati-sama, Shastihayani, Shat-trimshat-sama. Our ancients have described these different kinds of Dashas, based on Nakshatras.

6-11. O Brahmin! Some Maharishis have made a mention of Kala and Chakr Dasha, but they have recognized the Kala Chakr Dasha, as supreme. The other kinds of Dashas, propagated by the sages, are Char, Sthir, Kendr, Karak, Brahma Grah, Manduk, Shul, Yogardh, Drig, Trikon, Rasi, Panchswara, Yogini, Pind, Nausargik, Asht Varg, Sandhya, Pachak, Tara etc. But in our view all these Dashas are not appropriate.