How To Read Antardasha In Vedic Astrology

Introduction

Before analyzing the Antardasha, it’s essential to first understand the Mahadasha.

The Mahadasha sets the overall tone of life during its period like the stage on which all events unfold.

It defines the broader life themes, the direction of efforts, and the kind of experiences a person will attract.

Antardasha works under the influence of the Mahadasha.

It cannot override or contradict it.

Even if the Antardasha lord is a strong benefic, it will not deliver consistently good results if the Mahadasha is ruled by a functional malefic or is afflicted in the birth chart.

Likewise, even if the Antardasha planet is weak or unfavorable, its negative impact will be limited if the Mahadasha is strong, well-placed, and functionally benefic.

Read more on How To Read Mahadasha In Vedic Astrology

That’s why Antardasha results must always be interpreted in context—not in isolation.

You’re not just reading a new planet’s timeline.

You’re reading how that planet behaves within the larger framework and agenda of the ongoing Mahadasha.

If you miss this connection, your interpretation will always fall short no matter how strong the Antardasha planet looks on paper.

Despite the fact that antardasha cannot give results beyond the scope of the mahadasha, it is must to analysis the lord of the antardasha in detail because then only you will be able to tell and mark which antardasha will give important events in life.

For example, a Horoscope with Aries ascendant with Rahu mahadasha in 7th house will surely get married in this mahadasha, but when and in which antardasha??

Similarly, questions like when business will start or pick up, when will be aboard travel happen, when will be the child birth.

All these questions are important for the user and a Astrologer should relies always relies on antardasha to make successful predictions.

Let's see an example Horoscope which belongs to a guy who has reached the age of 36 and was not to find a suitable match for himself.

He approached me in 2024 and he is running in the mahadasha of Venus which is placed in the 1st house.

In the image given below you can see that he was in antardasha of Sun until August 2024 and Sun is placed in the 1st house of navamsha (capable to give marriage).

For her the mahadasha and antardasha Lord is planet Mercury which is going to give her more success in near future.

"The next Antardasha lord is Ketu, which is exalted in the 12th house with Jupiter, and it shows major spiritual revelations during Ketu Antardasha."

Check which houses are ruled by the Antardasha planet, because the intent of the Antardasha period is driven by this alone.

You can’t ignore this step.

Even if the planet is exalted or placed well, if it rules difficult houses, the results will reflect those challenges.

This shows what the Antardasha wants to deliver not how it delivers it (which comes from placement and strength).

If the Antardasha lord rules over auspicious houses like the 1st (self), 5th (intelligence and merit), 9th (luck and protection), or 10th (career and karma), then the period is more likely to bring opportunities, clarity, and progress especially if the Mahadasha is also supportive.

But if the Antardasha planet rules malefic houses like the 6th (enemies, illness, debts), 8th (sudden events, hidden issues), or 12th (loss, isolation, expense), then even in a good Mahadasha, it can drag the chart into setbacks, health drains, unnecessary expenses, or mental pressure.

Even when the Mahadasha is strong and pointing towards gains or success, the rulership of the Antardasha lord over a Trik house can ruin the party.

Given below is the table in which you can see the rulership of all planets for all rising ascendant sign:

The native might be expecting good things, but instead they get obstacles, delays, or internal unrest.

This is especially true when the Antardasha planet rules two houses and one of them is a Trik or Maraka house.

For example:
→ If Mercury is the Antardasha lord for Aries ascendant, it rules the 3rd and 6th houses.

Even if Mercury is placed well in the 10th house, the 6th house rulership means that issues related to competition, debts, or hidden enemies can come during its Antardasha.

→ If Saturn is the Antardasha lord for Cancer ascendant, it rules the 7th and 8th houses.

Even in a stable Mahadasha like Jupiter or Venus, the Antardasha may bring tension in relationships, financial uncertainties, or emotional withdrawal because of its 8th house ownership.

This is why you can’t predict an Antardasha just by looking at the planet’s sign or dignity.

Its house rulership decides its core agenda.

Everything else, placement, aspects, dignity only affects how that agenda will be carried out.

Where the Antardasha lord sits in the birth chart is a key factor in timing results.

Each house has specific domains, and the placement of the Antardasha planet there shows where the events will unfold and how easily or painfully they’ll come.

→ 1st House:
When the Antardasha lord is placed in the Lagna, it brings personal changes.

This could be a shift in appearance, mindset, health focus, or how others perceive you.

If it’s a functional benefic, this can be a confident, growth-oriented period.
But if the planet is weak or malefic, it can lead to identity confusion, health issues, or ego-related stress.

→ 2nd House:
This Antardasha often activates finances, family matters, and speech.

You may gain or lose money depending on the strength and dignity of the planet.

Issues with savings, food habits, or family clashes can arise if the planet is afflicted.

But a strong Antardasha lord here improves stability and value-based decisions.

→ 3rd House:
Results are tied to efforts, communication, siblings, and short travel.

A strong planet here makes you bold and proactive.
It supports skill-building, marketing, writing, and personal courage.

But if the planet is malefic or under pressure, you may act impulsively or face setbacks due to overconfidence or sibling-related issues.

→ 4th House:
Focus shifts to home life, property, emotional peace, and mother.

This placement can bring real estate gains, relocation, or inner stability if the planet is well placed.

But an afflicted Antardasha lord here may cause emotional instability, domestic conflict, or issues related to property and vehicles.

→ 5th House:
This often triggers creativity, love life, children, and education.

You may feel drawn to hobbies, romance, or speculative gains.
A benefic here can bring joyful moments or childbirth.

But a weak planet can bring instability in love matters, disappointments in education, or delays in conceiving children.

→ 6th House:
One of the more difficult placements.

It activates health, enemies, debts, and daily struggle.

You may feel constantly challenged.

Even if the planet is benefic, results often come after effort.

Legal issues, disputes at work, or toxic environments can show up if the planet is weak or malefic.

→ 7th House:
Relationships, marriage, and business partnerships become the focus.
A strong planet here can bring marriage, expansion through others, or growth via public dealings.

But a malefic or afflicted planet may lead to clashes, breakups, or betrayal from close associates.

Balance in one-on-one dynamics becomes critical during this time.

→ 8th House:
Another difficult placement.

This brings unpredictability, hidden issues, surgery, joint assets, or in-laws.
You may face mental pressure, sudden changes, or power struggles.

If the Antardasha lord is strong and forms Vipreet Rajyoga, it can still lead to transformation and hidden gains.

Otherwise, losses, chronic issues, or fear may dominate this phase.

→ 9th House:
This can be a supportive period if the planet is benefic.

Focus turns to father, gurus, dharma, and long-distance travel.

Fortune may improve, especially through learning or guidance.

If the planet is malefic or afflicted, it can bring ideological clashes, disputes with father/teachers, or wasted travel.

→ 10th House:
Highly career-focused.

A strong planet here can bring promotions, recognition, or new responsibilities.

Public reputation becomes sensitive during this time.

A weak or malefic Antardasha lord may bring workplace politics, pressure from seniors, or sudden career instability.

→ 11th House:
The house of gains, network circles, and fulfillment of desires.

If the Antardasha lord is strong, this period can bring income boosts, support from friends, or goals finally materializing.

But a weak or afflicted planet may cause delays, bad alliances, or feeling let down by social circles.

→ 12th House:
This is the house of loss, isolation, and expenditure.

A spiritual or introspective phase may begin.

Expenses increase, foreign travel may happen, or sleep/rest patterns may change.

If the Antardasha lord is weak or under malefic influence, this period can feel draining.

But if the planet is naturally benefic and strong, it can bring peace through detachment, foreign opportunities, or spiritual growth.

You have seen above the possible effects of antardasha Lord in different houses and now you will be seeing a holistic way to judge the antardasha Lord.

Strength Dignity and Influence Of the Antardasha Lord

Just knowing the house where the Antardasha lord is placed isn’t enough.

You also need to check the condition of the planet.

This tells you how well it can operate in that house.

If the Antardasha lord is exalted, results come faster and more smoothly. Its qualities become dominant, and even if it's placed in a challenging house like the 6th or 8th, it can still bring power, authority, or breakthrough after struggle.

For example, exalted Mars in the 6th can bring victory over enemies, strong discipline, and success in competitive fields during its Antardasha.

If the planet is in its own sign, results are stable and reliable. It won’t create unnecessary drama, and the results of that house come with consistency.

Own sign placement supports dignity even in neutral houses.

If the planet is retrograde, then the results may get delayed, repeated, or show up in a strange or indirect way.

Retrograde Antardasha planets can bring inner doubt, backtracking, or situations that require reworking.

This doesn’t always mean bad results, but it does slow things down or make them come through roundabout means.

If the planet is placed in an enemy sign, then its ability to give clean results goes down.

You may still get the results of the house it sits in, but with effort, frustration, or instability.

For example, Venus in Virgo (debilitated) in the 7th house can still bring marriage, but the quality of relationship may suffer coldness, dissatisfaction, or lack of mutual support.

Finally, if the Antardasha lord is conjunct with other planets, that completely changes how the house behaves.

Conjunction with benefics can support the results.

But conjunction with malefics like Saturn, Mars, or Rahu can distort the outcomes or delay them, especially if the Antardasha planet is naturally soft like Moon or Venus.

Always judge placement, strength, and condition together.

A planet placed in a good house but under pressure won’t give full results.

A planet in a difficult house but with strength and dignity may still give useful outcomes, especially if it's forming a yoga.

Anatardasha Of Debilitated Planets

The period of debilitated antardasha planet is the time when native experiences the most unexpected results.

The antardasha brings challenges in the natural significations of the planet.

For example, the debilitated Mars antardasha reduces the courage of the native and causes blood related issues.

Even if the planet rules good houses, its capacity to deliver those results is weakened.

It may still try to activate its house rulerships, but the outcome may not be very good.

Debilitated planets in Antardasha create situations where the native struggles to use the qualities of that planet correctly.

For example:
→Debilitated Mercury brings poor judgment, communication breakdown, or nervous instability.
→Debilitated Mars leads to anger issues, poor execution, or wasted efforts.
→Debilitated Venus creates dissatisfaction in relationships, lack of comfort, or financial instability.

The Antardasha may still bring events, but the quality of those events suffers. Marriage may happen, but with great obstacles and difficulty.

A job offer may come, but the role may not match your capability.

Plans may move forward, but with regret, confusion, or compromise.

The most striking part is that the mental state during this time debilitated planets becomes very low and it disturbs confidence also.

The native may either overreact or withdraw completely, depending on the planet and house involved.

If the planet is also combust or conjunct malefics, the effects are harsher.

However, if the debilitated planet forms Neechabhanga Rajyoga, or if it's supported by strong aspects or conjunctions, the results can shift.

In that case, the Antardasha can still bring success but only after setbacks, effort, or a situation that forces growth.

Bottom line:
Don’t expect smooth outcomes during the Antardasha of a debilitated planet.

There will be delays, rework, or instability.

If the Mahadasha is strong, it can offer some protection.

Give below is the table which states the debilitated signs and degrees for all planets.

Anatardasha Of  Exalted Planets

When the Antardasha lord is exalted in the birth chart, the results come faster, clearer, and with more impact.

An exalted planet has full directional strength and confidence, it knows what it wants to deliver and how to deliver it.

Even if the planet rules a neutral or slightly malefic house, its exaltation often improves the execution of those results.

Exalted planets bring authority, visibility, and control during their Antardasha.

The native feels more assertive and focused in the areas governed by that planet.

If the Mahadasha is also supportive, this becomes a breakthrough period where recognition, growth, or life-changing shifts can happen.

Examples:
→ Exalted Mars in Capricorn gives disciplined actions, successful execution, and leadership results.
→ Exalted Mercury in Virgo sharpens skills, improves decision-making, and supports business or education.
→ Exalted Venus in Pisces can bring high emotional satisfaction, luxury, or fulfilling relationships especially if ruling good houses.

But don’t confuse exaltation with guarantee.

If the exalted planet is afflicted, conjunct malefics, combust, retrograde, or hemmed between harmful planets it will still give results, but with pressure or backlash.

Success may come, but it might demand more emotional or physical effort.

Also remember: exalted planets increase the desires and  expectations. 

So if the planet rules the 6th, 8th, or 12th, even exaltation won’t stop the struggles, but the native might handle them better or come out stronger in the end.

If the planet forms a Rajyoga while being exalted, the Antardasha becomes extremely powerful capable of bringing major shifts in career, recognition, or life status.

Bottom line:

Antardasha of an exalted planet activates strength, speed, and clarity.

But final results still depend on rulership, placement, aspects, and Mahadasha support.

If everything aligns, this is the kind of period where major goals can be achieved.

assess Rajyoga Formed by the Antardasha Lord

If the Antardasha lord is involved in a Rajyoga (like combining with a Kendra and Trikona lord), its Antardasha can activate the yoga and bring success, recognition, or gains, especially in career and finance.

A Rajyoga in the birth chart may lie dormant for years, but when the Antardasha of the yoga-forming planet begins especially within a supportive Mahadasha, it can finally produce visible results.

If the planet is strong by dignity (own sign, exaltation, or friendly sign) and not afflicted, then its Antardasha becomes one of the most fruitful periods in life.

Opportunities open up, your name starts getting recognized, and results come with less resistance.

For example, if Jupiter is the 9th lord and combines with the 10th lord Venus in a Kendra, then during Jupiter Antardasha in a Venus Mahadasha, this Rajyoga can get activated and lead to promotions, fame, or smooth breakthroughs in profession.

Even if the yoga is formed in the 6th, 8th, or 12th house, its effects can still come through with struggle.

But remember, the strength of the yoga, the house it’s formed in, and the dignity of the planets involved these all matter.

Don’t expect magic just because there’s a yoga on paper.

The chart has to support it and the Antardasha must activate it under a compatible Mahadasha.

For example:

→ Leo Ascendant: If Mars (4th and 9th lord) is placed in the 10th house under aspected of ascendant Lord Sun is forming a Rajyoga, then Mars Antardasha in Sun Mahadasha can activate this yoga. This can lead to career elevation, land/property gains, and strong public image.
→ Libra Ascendant: If Saturn (4th and 5th lord) is placed in the 10th house in Cancer with Jupiter (6th and 3rd lord), then during Saturn Antardasha in Mercury Mahadasha, this yoga can bring career changes through effort and struggle, but with long-term gains and responsibility.
→ Capricorn Ascendant: If Venus (5th and 10th lord) is placed in the 7th house with Mercury (6th and 9th lord), then Venus Antardasha in Mercury Mahadasha can bring marriage, fame through partnership, or recognition through business deals.
→ Taurus Ascendant: If Saturn (9th and 10th lord) is placed in the 4th house and combines with Moon (3rd lord), then during Saturn Antardasha in Mercury Mahadasha, the Rajyoga can bring government support, vehicle/property purchase, or stable growth through career efforts.

Some of the most surprising turnarounds in Antardasha happen when the planet is involved in Neechabhanga Rajyoga or Vipreet Rajyoga.

These yogas don’t promise easy beginnings, but when activated, they can deliver powerful results often after a period of struggle or reversal.

→ Neechabhanga Rajyoga: This yoga happens when a debilitated planet is canceled or supported by specific combinations.

Read more on Neecha Bhanga Rajyoga

If the Antardasha lord is in debilitation but forms Neechabhanga Rajyoga, its period can bring dramatic rise, often from a point of loss or failure.

But timing is everything the Mahadasha has to support the yoga’s activation.

Example – Cancer Ascendant: Jupiter debilitated in Capricorn in the 7th house, but if Saturn is also placed there (its own sign), then Jupiter forms Neechabhanga.

If Jupiter Antardasha runs in Saturn Mahadasha, this yoga can bring major upliftment through marriage, partnership, or public success even if Jupiter is debilitated.

Example – Virgo Ascendant: Venus debilitated in Virgo but placed in Lagna, with Mercury (the dispositor) strongly placed in 10th house.

During Venus Antardasha in a friendly Mahadasha like Mercury or Saturn, this yoga can activate and bring success in creative work, relationships, or finance despite initial failures or rejection.

→ Vipreet Rajyoga: This yoga forms when the lords of the 6th, 8th, or 12th houses are placed in one of these Trik houses.

It brings gains through adversity meaning Antardasha may start with problems but end with power, healing, or hidden opportunities.

Example – Pisces Ascendant: Saturn as 11th and 12th lord placed in the 8th house.
If Saturn Antardasha runs in a Mahadasha like Jupiter (9th lord), the native may face sudden changes in career, but long-term rewards or transformation can follow.

Saturn here forms Vipreet Rajyoga by being 12th lord in the 8th house.

Example – Sagittarius Ascendant: Mercury (7th and 10th lord) placed in the 6th house.

If Mercury Antardasha runs in Venus Mahadasha, the native may rise through conflict or win over competitors.

Initially it may look like a legal problem, workplace politics, or health issue, but results can shift positively as the dasha progresses.

There are many kind of Rajyoga in vedic astrology which one can refer to you can read about them here. 

Read more on Yoga in Vedic Astrology

Calculate Afflictions on the Antardasha Lord

This step is very important because that is where we can decide on the quantum of the good or bad results of the antardasha of planet.

A afflicted antardasha Lord can minimize the good effects and increase the negative ones.

Affliction can also make native not enjoy the results of the Rajyoga present in the Horoscope.

If the Antardasha lord is heavily afflicted by malefics (like Saturn, Mars, Rahu, or Ketu) or combust by the Sun, it can weaken the positive results, even if the planet is otherwise good.

Affliction shows that the planet is under pressure.

It’s like having potential but no space to act freely.

You may expect results related to that planet, but they’ll come with stress, delays, or compromise.

Sometimes the results show up, but with a cost of emotional exhaustion, health setbacks, or instability in key areas of life.

There are multiple ways in which the Antardasha lord can be afflicted:

1→ Combustion: If the planet is too close to the Sun (within 6 degrees for most planets), its strength is reduced.

You may see blocked expression, health issues, or delayed results. Mercury combustion, for example, can bring anxiety and scattered thinking.

2→ Conjunction with Malefics: If the Antardasha lord is conjunct with Mars, Saturn, Rahu, or Ketu especially in close degrees, it can corrupt or suppress the natural qualities of the planet.

A Venus-Saturn-Rahu conjunction can bring cold relationships, manipulation, or lack of comfort even during Venus Antardasha.

3→ Hemmed Between Malefics (Pap Kartari Yoga): If the Antardasha planet is placed between two malefics in adjacent houses, its ability to function gets blocked.

This is a classic situation where opportunities feel close, but never fully materialize.

4→ Aspect from Malefics: Even if the Antardasha planet is not conjunct, heavy aspects (especially from Saturn or Mars) can cause fear, pressure, fatigue, or delays.

A 10th aspect of Saturn on the Moon, for instance, during Moon Antardasha can result in emotional numbness and lack of peace.

5→ Placement in Dusthana (6th, 8th, or 12th House): These are natural houses of loss, suffering, and transformation.

A planet placed here may give delayed or disturbed results in its Antardasha especially if it's also weak by sign or afflicted.

6→ Enemy Sign or Debilitation: If the Antardasha lord is placed in its enemy sign or is debilitated (e.g., Jupiter in Capricorn, Venus in Virgo), its ability to deliver good results is naturally weakened unless there’s Neechabhanga or other strong supporting factors.

7→ Retrogression with Affliction: A retrograde Antardasha lord, especially when under malefic influence, can lead to confusion, repetition of karmic patterns, or back-and-forth progress. Results become inconsistent and mentally draining.

For example, if the Antardasha lord is Venus and it’s conjunct Saturn and Mars, then even though Venus rules comfort, relationships, and luxury, its Antardasha can bring emotional coldness, frustration in love life, or financial restrictions.

If Mercury is combust in a chart and its Antardasha runs, you may face communication issues, nervous tension, or sudden miscalculations in business even if Mercury is a benefic for your ascendant.

The Antardasha lord should have enough freedom to express itself.

If it’s hemmed between malefics, involved in Pap Kartari Yoga, debilitated, combust, or under heavy malefic aspect, then its ability to give good results goes down significantly.

These are the cases where Antardasha becomes difficult not because the planet is inherently bad, but because it's  weak, trapped, or overpowered to function properly.

Assesment Of Antardasha Lord In Divisional Chart

This step is very important because the Antardasha lord may look strong in the main birth chart (D-1), but unless it is supported in the relevant divisional charts, it won’t give sustained or focused results in that area of life.

You can't rely on the Rashi chart alone.

The divisional charts show where the planet can actually perform and whether it has the strength to deliver the promises made in the Lagna chart.

Start by checking its placement in D-3 (Drekkana) for physical strength, courage, and stamina.

This is especially useful when the Antardasha planet is connected to the 3rd house or Mars.

If it's weak or placed in a Dusthana in D-3, the period may bring physical exhaustion, lack of willpower, or frequent health issues even if D-1 looks fine.

Next, check D-7 (Saptamsha) if the Antardasha is related to children, partnerships, or family expansion.

This is especially important when the 5th or 7th house is involved, or if the native is expecting childbirth or marriage during that time.

If the planet is well placed in D-7, it supports family-related growth.

If not, results get delayed or come with emotional strain.

The D-9 (Navamsa) is non-negotiable.

It reflects the inner strength, karmic quality, and maturity of the planet.

Even if the planet is exalted in D-1 but weak or placed in a Dusthana in D-9, its results may not last or may come with dissatisfaction.

If it’s strong in D-9, it shows lasting impact, deeper stability, and real support from destiny.

Finally, assess D-10 (Dashamsha) for career-related matters.

If the Antardasha planet has anything to do with the 10th house, career changes, promotions, or work responsibilities, then its condition in D-10 becomes critical.

A strong placement here supports visibility, authority, and real career movement.

A weak or afflicted planet in D-10 may lead to office politics, demotion, or frustration at the workplace, no matter how good D-1 looks.

Bottom line is without checking the divisional charts, your Antardasha reading is incomplete.

You may predict events, but you won’t understand their quality, intensity, or lasting power unless you see how the planet is positioned across key Vargas.

Read more on Divisional Charts 

Mutual Position Of Mahadasha and Antardasha Lords

This is the final and often most decisive step.

You have to compare the Mahadasha and Antardasha lords side by side not just individually.

Check how they are placed with respect to each other in the birth chart.

This shows whether the Antardasha will support the direction of the Mahadasha or create friction and resistance.

If the Antardasha lord is placed in the 6th, 8th, or 12th house from the Mahadasha lord, it can weaken the good results even if the Antardasha planet is strong on its own.

This is where most predictions go wrong.

You see a planet exalted or forming a yoga, but the timing fails because its positional relationship with the Mahadasha planet is hostile.

These houses (6th, 8th, 12th from each other) create internal tension.

You may feel like you’re doing everything right, but nothing moves forward.

Results get delayed, misunderstood, or come with side effects like mental pressure, exhaustion, or waste of effort.

Now look at the natural relationship between the Mahadasha and Antardasha lords.
If they are mutual friends, then even if one is weak or placed in a neutral house, the Antardasha can bring relief or progress during a difficult Mahadasha.

The planets support each other’s goals.

This makes the native feel more in sync with life.

But if the two are natural enemies, then problems get worse during the Antardasha.

Even if both are benefics or both are ruling good houses, their clash in nature creates setbacks.

You should also consider their house placement from each other.

If the Antardasha lord is placed in a Kendra (1st, 4th, 7th, 10th) or Trikona (5th, 9th) from the Mahadasha lord, it usually leads to smoother flow.

These positions support continuity of results.

The events during Antardasha complement the Mahadasha’s agenda, and life moves forward without major blocks.

This step is not optional.

If you skip the mutual positioning and relationship between the two Dasha lords, you’ll miss the real story behind the timing.

Strength of planets means nothing if they don’t cooperate.

Dasha is about timing, but timing works only when the planets are aligned with each other not just with the chart.

Let's see two examples to understand this in better and simple way.

Example 1: Strong Antardasha Fails Due to 8th-from-Mahadasha Placement

Chart: Virgo Ascendant
Mahadasha: Jupiter (5th and 8th lord)
Antardasha: Venus (2nd and 9th lord)

Venus is exalted in Pisces in the 7th house (a strong placement), while Jupiter is in Scorpio in the 3rd house.

On paper, Venus looks excellent—exalted, benefic planet for Virgo ascendant, and ruling the 9th house.

But the problem is that Venus is placed 8th from Jupiter.

So even though the native entered this period hoping for marriage, smooth foreign travel, or good luck, the results were stuck.

What actually happened:
→ Relationship talks broke down at the last minute.
→ Financial pressure increased due to unexpected spending on legal matters.
→ Despite spiritual interest and effort, peace of mind was missing.

Why? Because the Antardasha was working against the flow of the Mahadasha, not with it.

The 8th-from placement caused hidden issues, delays, and psychological strain even though Venus alone looked strong.

Example 2: Weak Antardasha Succeeds Due to Mutual Friendship and Good Placement

Chart: Taurus Ascendant
Mahadasha: Saturn (9th and 10th lord)
Antardasha: Mercury (2nd and 5th lord)

Mercury is placed in the 6th house in Libra, not a great house by default. You’d expect some health, debt, or competition-related issues.

But Mercury is a friend to Saturn, and it is placed 5th from Saturn.

More importantly, Saturn is strong in the 10th house in its own sign, Aquarius.

What happened:
→ The native cleared a competitive exam during Mercury Antardasha.
→ Got a government job offer (10th house activation).
→ Health remained stable despite workload.
→ Mercury also activated the 5th house (intelligence, preparation) and 2nd house (wealth, speech), helping with performance in interviews.

Even though Mercury was in the 6th house, its friendship with Saturn and 5th-from placement made all the difference.

The Mahadasha and Antardasha lords were aligned, and that’s why the results came through.

Conclusion

Reading Antardasha is not about memorizing results for each planet.

It’s about judging the actual role that planet plays in the chart and whether it has the freedom to deliver those results during its period.

Start with the Mahadasha because Antardasha can never cross the boundaries of what the Mahadasha allows.

Then check the rulership of the Antardasha lord to know what it wants to activate.

Don’t skip this.

A planet ruling the 7th will bring relationship matters.

A planet ruling the 10th will activate career, no matter where it sits.

After that, judge the house placement of the Antardasha lord in the birth chart.

This tells you where the results will play out and how easily they will manifest.

Layer this with its dignity is it exalted, debilitated, retrograde, combust, or conjunct malefics?

All of this decides the quality of outcomes.

Then, go into the divisional charts.

If the planet is weak in D-9 or D-10, the results may still come, but they won’t last or they’ll come with dissatisfaction.

Support in Vargas confirms long-term impact.

Finally, always check the relationship between the Mahadasha and Antardasha lords.

If they’re placed 6th, 8th, or 12th from each other, or if they’re enemies, the Antardasha can disrupt the Mahadasha flow.

But if they’re well placed and friendly, the Antardasha can repair damage or accelerate growth even in a tough Mahadasha.

Don’t just look at strength look at context.

A strong planet in isolation doesn’t guarantee good results.

Antardasha is about timing and alignment, and your job as an astrologer is to judge whether that alignment is happening or not.

That's how you read Antardasha practically, accurately, and without falling for surface-level assumptions.