Complete Guide to Vedic Doshas
A dosha in Vedic astrology is a planetary affliction in your birth chart that creates specific obstacles in life. Understanding your doshas is the first step to mitigating them.
Select any dosha below to learn its causes, effects, exceptions, and step-by-step remedies — or use the Dosha Check to see which apply to your own chart.
🔍 Check My Birth Chart for Doshas7
Major Doshas
12
Doshas Scanned in Check
36
Ashtakoota Points (Nadi)
7.5 yrs
Sade Sati Duration
The 7 Major Vedic Doshas
Mangal Dosha
Highमंगल दोष · Mars (Mangal)
Mangal Dosha is a Vedic astrological condition formed when Mars occupies the 1st, 2nd, 4th, 7th, 8th, or 12th ...
Kaal Sarp Dosha
Highकाल सर्प दोष · Rahu & Ketu (Lunar Nodes)
Kaal Sarp Dosha forms when all seven visible planets (Sun, Moon, Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, Venus, Saturn) are he...
Pitru Dosha
Highपितृ दोष · Sun, Moon, Rahu, Saturn
Pitru Dosha is an ancestral debt in Vedic astrology caused by unsatisfied souls of deceased ancestors (Pitru)....
Shani Sade Sati
Variableशनि साढ़े साती · Saturn (Shani)
Shani Sade Sati is a 7.5-year transit period when Saturn moves through the 12th, 1st, and 2nd houses from the ...
Guru Chandal Dosha
Mediumगुरु चांडाल दोष · Jupiter (Guru) + Rahu
Guru Chandal Dosha forms when Jupiter (Guru) is conjunct or closely aspected by Rahu (the northern lunar node)...
Grahan Dosha
Highग्रहण दोष · Sun/Moon + Rahu or Ketu
Grahan Dosha forms when the Sun or Moon is conjunct Rahu or Ketu in a birth chart, mimicking a solar or lunar ...
Nadi Dosha
Highनाड़ी दोष · Lunar Mansions (Nakshatras)
Nadi Dosha is a critical compatibility factor in Ashtakoota (8-factor) Kundali matching that arises when both ...
What is a Dosha in Vedic Astrology?
In Vedic (Jyotish) astrology, a dosha is an unfavourable planetary combination in a birth chart (kundali) that indicates specific challenges, delays, or afflictions in the native's life. The word dosha (दोष) comes from Sanskrit meaning "fault" or "imbalance."
Doshas form when naturally malefic planets (Mars, Saturn, Rahu, Ketu) occupy sensitive houses or form afflicting conjunctions with benefic planets or luminaries. Each dosha has specific triggering placements, life-area effects, valid exceptions that cancel it, and prescribed remedies to mitigate its impact.
Importantly, having a dosha does not condemn a person — it is a karmic signal calling for awareness and action. Millions of people with major doshas lead fulfilling, successful lives by understanding and working constructively with their chart's challenges.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a dosha in Vedic astrology?▾
A dosha is an unfavourable planetary combination in your birth chart that creates specific obstacles or imbalances in life areas like marriage, career, or health. Each dosha has defined planetary triggers, exceptions that cancel it, and prescribed remedies.
How do I know which doshas I have?▾
Input your birth date, time, and location in our free Dosha Check tool. It analyses your chart for 12 major Vedic doshas simultaneously and shows which are present along with their severity and remedies.
How many doshas can a person have at once?▾
Theoretically, a chart can have multiple doshas simultaneously. Having more than 3–4 is uncommon in severe form. More importantly, the presence of benefic yogas and strong planets can offset multiple doshas, creating a complex but not necessarily defeated life path.
Are doshas permanent?▾
Birth chart doshas (like Mangal or Kaal Sarp) reflect permanent planetary placements. However, transit-based doshas like Sade Sati are temporary. Remedies do not change the chart but help you work with the energy more constructively, reducing its negative manifestations.
Check Your Own Birth Chart
Use our free tool to scan your kundali for all 12 major doshas instantly — no signup required.
🔮 Free Dosha CheckLast reviewed: March 2026 · Sources: Parashara Hora Shastra, Brihat Jataka, Saravali