Multiply the past ghaṭikās of the pādas of the nakshatra in which a person is born by the existing ghaṭikās and palas and divide it by 15. The result will indicate the expired period of the Daśā in years, months etc. By deducting it from the total number of years allotted, we get the balance of Daśā at birth. The Daśā should be taken as commencing from that sign (rāśi).