If the birth chart shows what can happen, the Vimshottari Dasha shows when. It is the most widely used timing system in Vedic astrology.
A 120-year cycle
The cycle runs for 120 years and is divided among the nine planets — each ruling a "Mahadasha" of fixed length (e.g. Saturn 19 years, Venus 20, Sun 6). Your starting point depends on the Moon's nakshatra at birth.
Mahadasha and Antardasha
Each Mahadasha is further divided into sub-periods (Antardashas) ruled by all nine planets in turn. The combination of the running Mahadasha and Antardasha lord colours that phase of your life.
Your free Janam Kundli calculates your full dasha timeline and highlights the period you are running right now.