Shatabdika Dasha in Vedic Astrology Explained: JFK’s Fate & Gwyneth Paltrow’s Oscar Win
- Raveesh Shrivastava
- 20 hours ago
- 6 min read
Case study 1 - John Fitzgerald Kennedy (May 29, 1917 – November 22, 1963), also known as JFK, was the 35th president of the United States, serving from 1961 until his assassination in 1963. He was the youngest person elected president at 43 years.
Chapter 47, Shlokas 32–34, describes the Shatabdika Dasha, applicable for Vargottama Lagna (same sign in Rashi and Navamsa charts). The dasha periods are: Sun (5 years), Moon (5 years), Venus (10 years), Mercury (10 years), Jupiter (20 years), Mars (20 years), Saturn (30 years), totaling 100 years. The dasha at birth is determined by the Moon's Nakshatra at birth. Count the Nakshatras from Revati to the birth Moon’s Nakshatra, divide by 7, and use the remainder to select the dasha from the sequence: Sun, Moon, Venus, Mercury, Jupiter, Mars, Saturn.
For example, in John F. Kennedy’s chart, with the Moon in Purvaphalguni (12th Nakshatra from Revati), dividing 12 by 7 yields a remainder of 5. Counting from Sun (1), Moon (2), Venus (3), Mercury (4), Jupiter (5), the dasha at birth is Jupiter.
Presidential Election (November 8, 1960):Per Brihat Parashara Hora Shastra (BPHS), Chapter 41, Shloka 27, a planet aspecting Lagna, Navamsa Lagna, and Dreshkone Lagna forms a potent Rajayoga. In John F. Kennedy’s chart, Jupiter aspects Rashi Lagna (Virgo), Navamsa Lagna (Virgo), and is placed in Dreshkone Lagna, creating a strong Rajayoga. During the election, Kennedy was under Shatabdika Dasha: Saturn-Jupiter-Mars.
Saturn (Maha Dasha): 5th Lord (authority, chief minister), well-placed in the 11th house (gains, success) in Rashi chart, indicating significant gains.
Jupiter (Antar Dasha): 7th Lord (position, status), forming a Rajayoga by aspecting Rashi and Navamsa Lagna and placed  in the  Dreshkone Lagna, signifying Pada Prapti (attainment of position). The Antar Dasha of Jupiter was active on the election day, amplifying the Rajayoga’s effects.
Mars (Pratyantar Dasha): 3rd and 8th Lord, placed in the 8th house in Rashi chart, aspecting the 11th house (gains), reinforcing success. As per Phaldeepika, Mars as 8th Lord in the 8th house forms Sarala Yoga, granting victory over enemies, supporting the election win.
In Navamsa (D-9), Saturn (5th Lord) conjuncts Venus (9th Lord), forming another Rajayoga. Jupiter, as 7th Lord in the 5th house (house of Mukhya Mantri), strengthens Pada Prapti. Mars, the Pratyantar Dasha Lord, is in its own sign in the 3rd house of D-9, conjunct the 11th Lord Moon (all-round gains), clearly signaling victory. The dasha combination—Saturn (5th Lord in 11th in Rashi chart), Jupiter (7th Lord with Rajayoga per BPHS), and Mars (Sarala Yoga and aspecting 11th in Rashi chart, strong in D-9 with 11th Lord Moon)—justifies Kennedy’s election victory.
Assassination (November 22, 1963)During Kennedy’s assassination, he was under Shatabdika Dasha: Saturn-Jupiter-Venus.
Saturn (Maha Dasha): 5th Lord (authority), placed in the 11th house in Rashi chart, but as 6th Lord (enemies, attacks), it indicates potential for conflict or harm.
Jupiter (Antar Dasha): 7th Lord, responsible for the Rajayoga that granted Kennedy the presidency by aspecting Rashi and Navamsa Lagna and being placed in Dreshkone Lagna. However, its debilitation in Capricorn in Navamsa weakens its ability to sustain the position, indicating vulnerability.
Additionally, Jupiter is conjunct the 12th Lord Sun (conspiracy, secret plots) in the Rashi chart. The Sun, as 12th Lord and sign Lord of  Leo, is further afflicted as the Moon in Leo is in Mrityu Bhaga (death-inflicting degree), intensifying maleficence related to 12th house themes of secrecy, plots, and loss.
Venus (Pratyantar Dasha): Involved in a Nakshatra exchange with Mars, which is placed in the 8th house (sudden events, death) and aspected by Saturn (6th Lord, attacks). This Saturn-Mars connection, as noted by Sh K.N. Rao, is notorious for violent or tragic death.
In Navamsa (D-9), Saturn (Maha Dasha Lord) and Venus (Pratyantar Dasha Lord) are both in the 12th house (secret plots, loss), reinforcing the conspiracy theme. Jupiter, as 7th Lord (Maraka), is debilitated in Capricorn, aspecting the Navamsa Lagna, further indicating vulnerability.
The dasha combination—Saturn (6th Lord aspecting Mars in 8th), Jupiter (debilitated in D-9, conjunct 12th Lord Sun with Moon in Mrityu Bhaga in Rashi), and Venus (Nakshatra exchange with Mars in 8th, 12th house in D-9)—confirms the tragic assassination, marked by violence, hidden plots, and the inability to sustain the presidency due to Jupiter’s weakened state in Navamsa and the malefic Saturn-Mars-8th house connection.
Case study 2 - Gwyneth Paltrow, 54, won the Oscar for best actress for her role in "Shakespeare in Love" in 1999, when she was 26.
Chapter 47, Shlokas 32–34 of Brihat Parashara Hora Shastra (BPHS), the Shatabdika Dasha applies for Vargottama Lagna (same sign in Rashi and Navamsa charts). Gwyneth Paltrow’s chart (AA-rated from Astrodatabank) has Aquarius Lagna and Aquarius Navamsa, making Shatabdika Dasha applicable.
Her chart mirrors that of Amitabh Bachchan, the Bollywood superstar, with Aquarius Lagna, Sun, Mercury, and Mars in the 8th house, and Saturn in the 4th house, indicating a similar astrological foundation for fame and success. Below, we analyze her Best Actress Oscar win on March 21, 1999, under Shatabdika Dasha.
Why Gwyneth Paltrow is in Acting: Mars, the 3rd Lord (talent, creativity), sits in the 8th house with Mercury (5th Lord: acting, smarts; 8th Lord), looking at its own 3rd house (Aries, talent). This boosts her artistic skills, with Mars giving energy and creativity, and Mercury sharpening her acting and thinking abilities. Also, the Moon (arts, feelings) swaps signs with Venus (4th Lord: comfort, creativity; 9th Lord: luck, performing arts) and aspects the 10th house (career), supporting her success in acting.
Â
Best Actress Oscar Win (March 21, 1999)Paltrow’s chart features a Kendra-Trikona Rajayoga with Mars (3rd Lord: talent; 10th Lord: occupation) conjunct Mercury (5th Lord: acting; 8th Lord) and Sun (7th Lord) in the 8th house.
During her Oscar win, she was under Shatabdika Dasha: Mars-Jupiter-Saturn.
Mars (Maha Dasha): 3rd and 10th Lord, placed in the 8th house, aspecting the 11th house (awards, gains). Its conjunction with Mercury (5th Lord, acting; 8th Lord) and Sun (7th Lord) forms a Kendra-Trikona Rajayoga, amplifying professional success.
Mercury, as 8th Lord in the 8th house, forms Sarala Yoga as per Phaldeepika, granting fame, wealth, long life, and victory over enemies, akin to Amitabh Bachchan’s chart with a similar 8th house configuration.
Jupiter (Antar Dasha): Placed in the 11th house (gains, awards) in its own sign, Sagittarius, amplifying its strength and beneficence. Conjunct Rahu (illusions, fame), it enhances visibility and success in the film industry, significantly contributing to Paltrow’s recognition and Oscar win.
Saturn (Pratyantar Dasha): Lagna Lord in the 4th house, aspecting the 10th house (honor, career). Saturn is in a Rajayoga due to an indirect conjunction with Venus (Lagna Lord and 9th Lord: luck) via a sign exchange with the Moon, boosting fortune and recognition.
In Navamsa (D-9), Mars (10th Lord) is strongly placed in the Lagna, reinforcing career prominence. Jupiter (Antar Dasha Lord) aspects the 11th house (awards), amplifying gains. Saturn (Pratyantar Dasha Lord) in the 8th house (sudden events) is under a Rajayoga due to the aspect of Venus (9th Lord, luck), indicating unexpected success.
The dasha combination—Mars (10th Lord in Rajayoga, aspecting 11th), Jupiter (in 11th in own sign with Rahu), and Saturn (Lagna Lord in Rajayoga, aspecting 10th)—coupled with Mercury’s Sarala Yoga in the 8th house, mirrors Amitabh Bachchan’s chart dynamics and justifies Paltrow’s Oscar win, reflecting fame, talent, and professional triumph.
Conclusion - The Shatabdika Dasha, as outlined in Brihat Parashara Hora Shastra (Chapter 47, Shlokas 32–34), provides a profound framework for analyzing significant life events in Vargottama Lagna charts. In John F. Kennedy’s case (Virgo Lagna and Navamsa), the dasha accurately reflects his rise to the U.S. Presidency in 1960 under Saturn-Jupiter-Mars, driven by Jupiter’s potent Rajayoga and Mars’ Sarala Yoga, yet his tragic assassination in 1963 under Saturn-Jupiter-Venus was marked by Jupiter’s debilitation in Navamsa, the Saturn-Mars-8th house connection, and malefic influences like the Moon in Mrityu Bhaga.
Similarly, Gwyneth Paltrow’s chart (Aquarius Lagna and Navamsa), mirroring Amitabh Bachchan’s, showcases her 1999 Oscar win under Mars-Jupiter-Saturn, fueled by Mars’ Kendra-Trikona Rajayoga, Mercury’s Sarala Yoga, and Jupiter’s strength in its own sign with Rahu in the 11th house.
These case studies explained Shatabdika Dasha’s precision in delineating fame, success, and tragedy, underscored by Rajayogas, planetary placements, and yogas like Sarala, affirming its efficacy in Vedic astrology for Vargottama charts.
Written and researched by Astrologer Sunil Dutt - New Delhi, India
Published in Express Star Teller -December 2025.