PANCHANG & MUHURAT

Basics about the Vedic Days

PART 1.
Understanding the energies of the Lords of the Days and using the knowledge for personal benefit in everyday life.

VAISHNAV SANGH U.K. Presentation prepared by Rajan D. Pitamber 15/Aug/10

PANCHANG & MUHURAT

SYNOPSIS: theme of talk and basic points to be covered: ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------What are the Vaishnava scriptural references about TIME? What is TIME astronomically and why important astrologically? How ancient rishis perceived time and what they concluded? Quality versus Quantity and conception of Muhurat by Vedic sages? Relevance of Muhurat and understanding its benefits for mundane life? CHOGADHIA system of Muhurat in daily practice. PANCHANG - The 5 "limbs of time" given in Vedic scriptures. The 1st limb being Day of the Week The 2nd limb being the Tithi We shall explore in detail these most commonly known components of Panchang, yet little understood! What secrets do Puraanic scriptures reveal about the origins of Vaars, who are actually eternal deities governing different aspects of our everyday existence on this earthly plain? How can we structure and schedule our daily life appropriately to be in tune with our Karmic destiny and reap maximum benefit?
Finally. why should we all bother to learn about this mysterious knowledge? Isn't seva, jaapa or meditation enough?! Vedas say that with knowledge of Time (panchang) the person becomes free from all sins and gains moksha

Introduction references from scriptures

The Supreme Lord said: "Time I am, the great destroyer of the worlds engaged here in destroying all people, except for you [brothers] only, will all the soldiers who are situated on both sides, find their end. (Bhagavad Gt 11.32)

Purnas - stories that have been told to make the philosophy of yoga and self-realization accessible and pleasant. Lord Krishna is the one who said "I am the time" three times in the Bhagavad Gt. Thus relating to time is relating to Him. __________________________________________ We know from the Vedic scriptures the superhuman controlling power to be the TIME. God is in the beyond, or right in front of us, just the messenger of or chastiser for the morality of keeping the soul in rhythm with Time. In keeping respect with the Time of the Lord we automatically keep respect for Him and win His grace (kripa), because He clearly identifies Himself with that Time. KAAL PURUSH

Introduction: TIME references from scriptures

Shreemad Bhagvat 1.8: 4 Lord Krishna together with the munis there pacified the shocked and affected family who had lost their friends and family members, by showing how each is subject to the Time that cannot be avoided S.B. 1.13:17-20 Insurmountable, imperceptible eternal time supremely surpasses all those who are mad and engrossed in their thoughts of attachment to family affairs. Vidura, knowing this well, said to Dhritarshthra: 'O king, please withdraw yourself from here without delay, just see how fear has taken over. In this material world there is no remedy of any measure or anyone as that fear concerns the Supreme Lord of eternal time who arrives for all of us. When a person has to give up life dear as it is to everyone, because it is certainly overtaken by the pull of this time - then what to think of the other things he has acquired? S.B. 1.13:46 How can this body and mind made up of the five elements [fire, water, air, earth and ether] that is under the control of time, action and the material modes of nature [kla, karma and gunas] protect others when it is as well bitten by that snake as all others? S.B. 6.1: 42 The divinity of the sun, the fire, the sky, the air, the gods, the moon, the evening, the day and the night, the directions, the water and the land; all these are Dharma personified verily thus bearing witness to the embodied living entity. S.B. 6.1; 47 Just as the present time is evidence of the past and an indication for the future, is even so this birth indicative of the dharma and adharma of ones past and future births.

Introduction: TIME references from scriptures

Bhagvat Gita. 17: 22 That charity which is given at the wrong place, the wrong time and to unworthy persons and as well is given without respect and proper attention - that is said to be in the mode of ignorance. S.B. 2.5:11 From the light of the radiating world [called brahmajyoti] I do manifest just like the sun and the fire, as well as the moon as also the firmament with its planets among the stars. S.B. 3.6:15 As His eyes, the sun, the local ruler of light entered the gigantic of which to the forms the experience of the part of the eyesight came into being. S.B. 3.6:24 Also the heart of the Universal Being Chandra manifested, the rule of the moon, that entered as the controlling power over the mental activity by which the living entity decides and transacts. S.B. 3.7:33 How are the periodical offerings of respect regulated, o brahmin, to the created of the forefathers and how are the time durations determined to the planets, the stars and luminaries? S.B. 3.11: 11-13 The aggregate of such a 'day' and 'night' is called an ancestral [traditional and solar] month with two of them forming a season of which there are six [resp. 'cold' or hentanta, 'dew' or shirshira, 'spring' or vasanta, 'warm' or grishma, 'rainy' or varsha and 'autumn' or sarad, counted from the 22 of dec.] according the movement of the sun going through the southern and the northern sky This movement of the sun is said to form one day of the demigods and is called a vatsara [a tropical year] of twelve months. The duration of life of the human being is estimated to be of a great many of those years [see also table]. The planets, the heavenly bodies [like the moon] and the stars all rotate along with the atoms in the universe completing their orbits as a conclusion of years in the Almighty [or cyclic] of the eternal of time.

Introduction: TIME references from scriptures

Other types of time-respect do not carry His grace according to the Purna that states that deceitful religiousness with an ulterior motive is rejected by the Vedic scripture. Thus the scripture of Knowledge, the Bhagavad Gt explicitly states that such worship of 'other gods' - read: forms of time-respect - is though confirmed as a form of devotion, is simply wrong (B.G. 9.23). The respect of Time must be according His nature, in fact your own nature shared with Him, or else one runs into danger of being alienated (B.G. 3.35). From this we may conclude that the effort to control the time, outside of His will, outside of the nature of our own planet and position in the sky, is a fundamental source of discord. The Gt (18.66) on top of that confirms this negative attitude in saying: 'abandon all forms of religion (and other association) and surrender to Me only'. Any human accord of time not in tune with His nature is thus, fundamentally seen, as nothing but an obstruction. Only He and what is His, the divine ordinance and the person thereof, is vedically to be considered correct. Since He identifies with the natural manifestation of time (see again time-quotes) the truth of religion is thus a scientific affair. He is also thus the original scientist of the scientists. In simple language: the TIME of Nature is a very powerful and mystical phenomenon.

Introduction: to nature of TIME

What is Time? What is a month? day? hour?.... How ancient rishis perceived time and what they concluded? TIME => Quantity vs. Quality ~ Science vs. Rishis VAAR => Turn, rotation, go round AHORATRA => Day and night = Hora >>Divya+Ratri Take the English word "hour". Phonetically it should be pronounced "h o u r" ("h" being not silent) or "h o a r". At one time the word indeed must have been pronounced "hoar". "Hora-sastra" is the name of a science in Sanskrit, "hora" being from "ahoratram" (day and night). "Hora" is two and half nadikas or one hour. The English "hour" is clearly from this word. In the same way "heart" is from "hrd". There are so many words like this which could be traced to Sanskrit. It must have taken a long time for words in other languages to evolve into their present form !! ASTRONOMICAL/Mathematical concept of time is self-evident. An hour consists of a certain number of minutes, a day of hours and a year of days. But we rarely think about the fundamental nature of time. Time is passing non-stop, and we follow it with clocks and calendars. Yet we cannot study it with a microscope or experiment with it. And it still keeps passing. We just cannot say what exactly happens when time passes? Time is represented through change, such as the circular motion of the moon around the earth. 7

Introduction: to nature of TIME

According to the general Theory of Relativity, space, or the universe, emerged in the Big Bang some 13.7 billion years ago. Before that, all matter was packed into an extremely tiny dot (Bindu). That dot also contained the matter that later came to be the sun, the earth and the moon the heavenly bodies that tell us about the passing of time. Before the Big Bang, there was no space or time? as we know it. In the theory of relativity, the concept of time begins with the Big Bang the same way as parallels of latitude begin at the North Pole. You cannot go further north than the North Pole, says Kari Enqvist, Professor of Cosmology. One of the most peculiar qualities of time is the fact that it is measured by motion and it also becomes evident through motion. 8

Jyotisha and nature of TIME

TIME Quality vs. Quantity JYOTI is Light and ISHA is Ishwar or God. Lord of Light or Science of Light is Jyotisha. Jyotisha is the science of all sciences. It is the Science of Time, Space and Causality. Everything occurs in time and space due to some reason. A child is born at a particular place at a particular time due to some reason. The "experience" is in life. The life span is called longevity. Experience whether good or bad is between two points of time i.e. birth and death. Time and Space is also beyond the capacity of imagination of the mind. This is called "Anantham" (Infinity) i.e. without beginning or end. Time and space are interconnected There is no Time without Space and no Space without Time. The first breath is the beginning of the life span. The interval between these two points of time is called Life. Experience is Life. Life is a continuity of experiences recorded in the life span.

Jyotisha and nature of TIME

Ancient sages saw a relationship between movement of planets and happenings in the lives of human beings. Time moves on. It is a relentless march. The beautiful dawn heats itself to become noon and then wanes away to be mellow dusk. The night dies to be born a fresh day. Time marches on steadily, softly and relentlessly. Man sees his future becoming the present and his present rolling into an endless abyss of the past. The present is forever contemplating plans and carrying out endless manoeuvers to brighten the future. It is here that Jyotisha [Panchang & Muhurat] steps in it prepares one to match steps with the strides of time. Jyotisha is a harmoniser interfacing between a person and his destiny. It is the one that can spot the "Golden Deer" of Lust and Greed and save the abduction of Sita like wisdom. This fascinating "Vedanga" explains that "Bharata" is "Karmabhoomi" made strong, "adhyatmic" and imperishable by our Sages, Rishis and Gurus doing "Tapas", Japas and Teerthas.
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Jyotisha, Time and Panchang

Limbs of Vedas - There are 6 limbs of Vedas of which astrology is the most important and considered to be the eyes of Vedas. These limbs are in themselves independent sciences and very voluminous. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. CHANDAS the legs of Vedas: VYAKARANA - the face: KALPA - the hands: JYOTISHA - the eyes SHIKSHA - the nose: NIRUKTA - the ears. meter, pada, syllables. grammar rituals, ceremonial customs. astrology. pronunciation, phonetics. Etymology, derivatives, history of words.

Ancient measurements of TIME given by Rishis: Paramanu is the smallest unit of time. Two Paramanus constitute one anu . 3 Anu's = 1 Thrasarenu; 3 Thrasarenu's = 1 Thrudi; 100 Thrudi's = 1 Talpara; 30 Talpara's = 1 Nimesha; 3 Nimesha's = 1 Kshana; 6 Kshana's = 1 Kashta(3.2 sec); 15 Kashtas = 1 Laghu; 15 Laghu's = 1 Ghadi(24 minutes); 2 Ghadi's = 1 Muhurta; 7.5 Ghadi's = 1 Yama(Prahara); 4 Yama's = 1 Day time(12 hours); 8 Yama's = 1 Ahoratra(24 Hours); 15 Ahoratra's = 1 Paksha; 2 Paksha's = 1 Month; 2 Month = 1 Ritu; 6 Months = 1 Ayana; 2 Ayana = 1 Samvatsara(1 Year);
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Jyotisha, Time and Panchang

1 Samvatsara = 1 Deva Dina; 360 Devadina = 1 Devavarsha; 12,000 Devavarsha = 1 Chaturyuga; 1000 Chaturyuga = 1 Kalpa; 2 Kalpa = 1 Bramha Dina = 14 Manvantaras; 1 Manvantaras = 71 Chaturyuga; 2*30*12*120Kalpa's = 1 Bramha's life time; 1200 Devavarsha(4,32,000 ManushyaVarsha's) = Kaliyuga; 2400 Devavarsha(8,64,000 Manushyavarsh's) = Dwaparayuga; 3600 Devavarsha(12,96,000 Manushyavarsha's) = 1 Tretayuga; 4800 Devavrsha(17,28,000 Manushyavarsha's) = Kritayuga; 12,000 Devavarsha = 1 Mahayuga; 1000 mahayuga = 1 Day time of Bramha(this is called a Kalpa); 100Bramha Varsha(Para) = 36,000 Bramha Dina's = 1 Mahakalpa(Mahapralayam);

There are time periods which are particularly effective and there are those which are disadvantageous. Ancient sages saw a relationship between movement of planets and happenings in the lives of human beings
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Jyotisha, Time and Panchang

Panchang/Muhurat IMPORTANCE OF TIMING Whether it's in the telling of a joke or striking a business deal, there's nothing more important than timing. What you do is important but when you do it is just as important. Even little kids understand the importance of timing. When they want their next cool toy, they catch their dads in a good mood and butter them up! Ancient sages saw a relationship between movement of planets and happenings in the lives of human beings. There are time periods which are particularly effective and there are those which are disadvantageous. Each day of the week reflects the characteristics of the Lord who rules the day. Thus each day has its own speciality. By knowing these specialities we can structure our daily schedule appropriately for maximum effect. Just as timing is important in the material world, it's important in Spirituality too. The efficacy of one's spiritual practices can be increased greatly by timing it according to rules. One who wants to transcend time must know the connection between timing and karma completely. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Panchang 5 limbs of the Hindu calendar, for measurement of time. Vedas say that with knowledge of Panchang the person becomes free from all sins: Vara prolongs life -strength, agni tattva Tithi brings prosperity, wealth -fulfilment of desires, jala Karana success in all actions -accomplishment, prithvi Nakshatraremoves sins -disposition of mind, mana, vayu Yoga immunity from diseases -co-operation, sambandha 13

Muhurat, Time and Panchang

Panchang/Muhurat IMPORTANCE OF TIMING Within any given day, there are certain time periods which are particularly spiritually potent. We will mention three such time periods in every day: Brahma Muhoortham: the three hour time period culminating at dawn; assuming a 6 a.m. sunrise, this would be between 3 a.m. and 6 a.m. everyday. Abhijit Muhoortham: high noon when the sun is at its zenith; assuming a 6 a.m. sunrise, this would be at 12 noon 2pm. It is Sri Hari Vishnu's time. When you don't have any muhurtham you can use this time if its not overlapped by any adverse chogadhia, etc.. Nitya Pradosha Kaalam: one and a half hours before dusk and half an hour thereafter; assuming a 6 p.m. sunset, this would be between 4:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. everyday. These times are also known as sandhi kaalam, junction times within a day. The first is when the night meets the day, the second is when morning meets afternoon and the third is when day meets night. The Rishis say that spiritual activities conducted during these time periods are particularly effective. Spiritual aspirants should make use of these potent time periods for rapid spiritual advancement. Within any given day, there are also certain time periods which are inauspicious (for mundane activities). Two of these are Raahu Kaalam and Yama Gandam. The Rishis say that it's ideal if we can use these times totally for worship. If these time periods are used for worship and not for material activities, they yield manifold spiritual benefits 14

Muhurat or Muhurta
Panchang/Muhurat IMPORTANCE OF TIMING Muhurta is essentially (1) a measure of time equal to 48 minutes and also (2) refers to the application of Vedic astrology wisdom in determining the auspicious time for starting an event. Since we know that the future of an enterprise can be safely predicted using its birth time, then it would be a wise decision to choose an auspicious time for its inception. Muhurta is a time measure of 48 minutes reckoned from sunrise as a part of definition of linear time concepts (based on the speed of light as in the Rig Veda 1.50).

There are 30 muhurtas in a nakshatra ahoratra (sidereal day and night reckoned from one sunrise to the next sunrise). = 24 Hours The period from sunrise to noon is divided into 7 Muhurta as is the period between noon and sunset. In a similar manner the period from sunset to midnight and midnight to the next sunrise is divided into 7 Muhurta each (7 Muhurta x 4 = 30 muhurta). These 4 points of time - Sunrise, Noon, Sunset and Midnight are the 4 Gayatri padas. Spiritually potent and auspicious periods for prayers, japa, seva, puja etc..

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CHOGHADIA MUHURAT
CHOGADHIA: Disha shool in vastu shastra forbids travel in certain directions on certain days. **Eastward travel on a Saturday is ill-omened. **And if you are headed Northwards, dont go on a Tuesday. Indias Marwaris and Gujaratis have great faith in astrology and vastu shastra and they benefit from it. They always choose an astrologically propitious time to take business decisions, whether its to start a factory or make an investment. So much so that they are great respecters of Chogadhia, a Hindu belief, which divides a day into 7 equal parts: three are good, two are so-so, and three are bad. The good parts are shubh, laabh, and amrit, which means auspicious, profit, and elixir. The so-so ones are chanchal or chara, which means erratic. The three bad timeperiods are rog (illness), udveg (tension), and kaal (disaster). Traditionally chogadia is used only for travel muhurthas but due to simplicity it is used widely for any muhurtha People may consider disha shool hocus-pocus, but Marwari businessmen have travelled for many centuries according to disha shool. When GD Birla first went to Calcutta to make his fortune, his family got a learned sadhu to decide on a right day for his eastward journey.

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CHOGHADIA & MUHURAT

CHOGADHIA: The word ghadi means "time". During the Ancient times in India, day and night were measured in ghadi instead of hours or minutes. From this ghadi, the time showing device evolved into what is known as a watch, a portable mechanical timepiece. In the Indian language, a watch is also called ghadi or ghadiyal. The ghadi is equal to exactly 22.5 minutes (approx. 24 min), while the word cho means "four." There are many like words beginning with "cho" (four), such as chokhunn (four corners), chogath (four knotted), chogatho (fourfold), chogannu (four times), chogam (four directions), chogdarm (all sides), chogan (all around), etc. Similarly, "chogadiyun" means "four ghadis." The beating of four drums at every fourth ghadi also means choghadia. It clearly suggests that the term chogadiyun or chogadia embodies a dual significance: on one hand, it means four ghadis; on the other hand, it means four drums. Under this computation, the term "choghadiyun" represents duration of 90 minutes. Water Clocks were regulated to measure the time and ghadiyal or gong to announce the hour to the people in principal towns. Generally, a day is also divided into 8 parts, each part contains 1 hour and 30 minutes. The first part starting with the sunrise on that day, and last part ending on sunset on that day approximately for the day times. 17

CHOGHADIA & MUHURAT

CHOGADHIA: Similarly, there are 8 parts starting with sunset of current day and ending at sunrise next day. There are 7 types of time periods of which 4 are considered auspicious: amrit (nectar), shubh (luckiest), labh (benefit) Char or Chanchal (unstable so so period, not bad) and 3 are inauspicious, viz. rog (disease), kaal (death) and udvegh (fear). These seven kinds of time periods are also known as chogadiyun in the Indian society, or the seven moments in a day. These good and bad moments were associated with each day, such as Monday (amrit), Tuesday (udvegh), Wednesday (rog), Thursday (shubh), Friday (labh), Saturday (kaal) and Sunday (char). The astrologers say that works which are undertaken during auspicious moments generally have a positive result and those undertaken during inauspicious moments have a negative result. Indians were firm in their conviction that everything in their mundane existence was determined and controlled by the movement of the planets and stars. 18

CHOGHADIA & MUHURAT

CHOGADHIA: During the tilaka or magni, that is, betrothal ceremony or a formal recognition when the parties agreed to the wedding of the future bride and bridegroom. A grand mandapa (a tree-trunk studded with valuable stones and covered with green twigs, surrounded by pillars of sandal-wood and covered with a roof) was constructed and a scarlet cloth was spread on the floor. Wedding wreaths of flowers or festoons of mango leaves were hung before the door. The parents would draw a square on the ground in front of the door, known as door worship (duar puja). The square was also equally divided into 12 parts, indicative of the lunar months. The drummers would sit at the four corners of the square and play the drums at the time propounded by the astrologers. The beat of drums was known as the chogadia. The moment was considered so propitious in the society that the people would start their new business, shift from old to new houses, proceed on travel, preparing and taking medicines, sowing seeds, planting trees, taking and giving loans, etc. on that hour. The special songs being chanted at the time of chogadiyun became known as "chogadia" in the Indian culture. In ancient times, during the proclamation of the new kingdom, the singers and poets were invited to sing songs to announce the new kingdom of the regions under the kings sway. From the palace or temple, a trumpet was blown at an interval of four ghadis during the day to glorify the new kingdom. The first sound was blown at dawn and the last at dusk. The singing of the songs or blowing of the trumpet was also called the chogadia. Sometimes, the drums (mrdangam) with ankle bells (gejai) were beaten at four corners of the palace, known as char naqara or char dhol. 19

Chogadhia - example
Chogadia For 15 August, 2010 Harrow U.K. Start Time End Time 5:34:50 AM Chogadia 7:16:17 AM Chogadia 8:57:45 AM Chogadia 10:39:12 AM Chogadia 12:20:39 PM Chogadia 14:2:7 PM Chogadia 15:43:35 PM Chogadia 17:25:2 PM Chogadia 19:6:29 PM Chogadia 20:25:2 PM Chogadia 21:43:35 PM Chogadia 23:2:7 PM Chogadia 0:20:40 AM Chogadia 1:39:12 AM 7:16:17 AM 8:57:45 AM 10:39:12 AM 12:20:39 AM 14:2:7 PM 15:43:35 PM 17:25:2 PM 19:6:29 PM 20:25:2 PM 21:43:35 PM 23:2:7 PM 24:20:39 PM 1:39:12 AM 2:57:45 AM Chogadia Udveg Chara Laabh Amrit Kaal Shubh Rog Udveg Shubh Amrit Chara Rog Kaal Laabh Details Inauspicious Auspicious Auspicious Auspicious Inauspicious Auspicious Inauspicious Inauspicious Auspicious Auspicious Auspicious Inauspicious Inauspicious Auspicious

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Tithi Lunar Days - Introduction

Humans, according to Sage Mahatapas the great ascetic, are born from the Hiranyagarbha, the cosmic womb in their different forms to the world we live in. They represent separate principles of creation, all being distinct yet the same. Each person is connected to the Atma, the eternal soul that never dies. A portion of this eternal soul comes through the Hiranyagarbha to earth in the form of the Jiva Atma, the living soul. Sun is atma and Moon is Jiva atma. The daily distance between the Sun and Moon is a tithi. The principles of divinity are the deities that rule the tithis. These are Agni, Ashwini Kumaras, Gauri, Ganapati, Nagas, Kartikeya, Aditya, Matrs, Durga, Diks, Kubera, Vishnu, Yama, Rudra, Chandra and Pitris. Birth on the tithi will show what divine principle you are working with and how to deal with and get the best out of it. Tithis represent the different natures of human life if when properly understood give us the opportunity to preserve our precious amrita that the soul has gathered over its previous lifetimes. It shows our weaknesses, our strengths as well as the connections to the deities. Each tithi is a personification of a deity and reflects how we face the law of karma and guard the soul.

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Tithi Lunar Days - Introduction

Day 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15/ 30/ Tithi Pratipada Dwitiya Tritiya Chathurthi Panchami Shashti Saptami Ashtami Navami Dashami Ekadashi Dwadashi Trayodashi Chaturdashi Purnima Amavasya Quality one giving rise Auspicious strength and power negative Laxmi/wealth Fame Friendly Conflict Aggressive Soft Happiness Fame Victory Aggressive Soft inauspicious Deity Agni Ashwini Kumar/ Brahma Gauri/Parvati- wife of Shiva Ganapati Naga Kartika- Mangal Sun/Surya Narayan Shiva/ Matrgana Durga Yama- /Diks , goddesses of 10 directions Vishwedeva/ Kubera/ Vayu Vishnu Kamdeva/ Dharma Shiva/ Rudra/ Kali Soma Pitris

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Tithi Lunar Days

*Bright Fortnight (Shukla Paksha) sud *Dark Fortnight (Krishna Paksha) vad 1st. Pratipada (First Crescent) 2nd. Dvitiya 3rd. Tritiya 4th. Chaturthi 5th. Panchami 6th. Shashthi 7th. Saptami 9th. Navami 10th. Dashami 11th. Ekadashi 12th. Dvadashi 13th. Trayodashi 14th. Chaturdashi 15th. PURNIMA (Full Moon) 15th. AMAVASYA (New Moon)
Please remember that Indian date does not change at midnight 0:00 hours. the day is from one sunrise to another sunrise. In vedic timekeeping, a tithi is a lunar day, or the time it takes for the longitudinal angle between the moon and the sun to increase by 12. degrees Tithis begin at varying times of day and vary in dates the duration varies. The second tithi is the next 12 degrees of the Moon away from the Sun, 12 to 24 degrees. A particular day is ruled by the tithi at sunrise, but the tithi can change anytime of the day or night as it is not based on the solar day. Tithis vary in duration from approximately 19 to 26 hours, according to the movement of the Moon. Each tithi has a name, a ruling planet, and can be used in muhurta (picking a proper time ).

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Tithi Lunar Days

Bright Fortnight (Shukla Paksha) sud Dark Fortnight (Krishna Paksha) vad 1st. Pratipada (First Crescent) 2nd. Dvitiya 3rd. Tritiya 4th. Chaturthi 5th. Panchami 6th. Shashthi 7th. Saptami 9th. Navami 10th. Dashami 11th. Ekadashi 12th. Dvadashi 13th. Trayodashi 14th. Chaturdashi 15th. PURNIMA (Full Moon) 15th. AMAVASYA (New Moon)

In the traditional Vedic calendar system the tithis are used as dates, so one's birthday would be on the same tithi as they were born, the relationship between the Sun (Father) and Moon (Mother) would be the same on one's birthday as it was the day of birth. In this way, the Gregorian dates have no astrological relevance. The tithi is ruled by Jala Tattva (the water element/Venus) and shows the state of the mind; whether it is excited, bored, nervous, afraid, agitated or calm. The tithi is used to see if an event will be successful. It also shows whether people will cooperate with the project or not.

Planet
Sun Moon Mars Mercury Jupiter Venus Saturn Rahu

Tithi
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

Tithi
9 10 11 12 13 14 15 0

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Tithi Lunar Days

Bright Fortnight (Shukla Paksha) sud Dark Fortnight (Krishna Paksha) vad 1st. Pratipada (First Crescent) 2nd. Dvitiya 3rd. Tritiya 4th. Chaturthi 5th. Panchami 6th. Shashthi 7th. Saptami 9th. Navami 10th. Dashami 11th. Ekadashi 12th. Dvadashi 13th. Trayodashi 14th. Chaturdashi 15th. PURNIMA (Full Moon) 15th. AMAVASYA (New Moon)

The rulership of the tithis is based on the days of the week; Sunday (Sun) rules the 1st day, Monday (Moon) rules the 2nd , Tuesday (Mars) rules the 3rd tithi, Wednesday (Mercury) rules the 4th tithi, etc. Fasting on EKADASHI will get one over anger, because Mars rules it. Vaishnavas fast on the 11th tithi to be perfect peaceful Vaishnavas. No one will fight with the one who has done this fast for some time. Fasting on Ashtami will make it so you never cheat anyone, so YOU will also not get cheated. Fasting on the full Moon will give you truth as it removes the negative effects of Saturn.

Planet
Sun Moon Mars Mercury Jupiter Venus Saturn Rahu

Tithi
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

Tithi
9 10 11 12 13 14 15 0

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Tithi Lunar Days

These fifteen tithis are also broken down into five groups given below: Trittya tithi (3rd ) is ruled by Mars but as it is Jaya (ruled by akash/Jupiter) so it will bring two people together, as akash is the binding force (that keeps the jiva in the body). Ekadasi tithi (11th ) is ruled by Mars and it is Nanda (ruled by fire-Mars) so the fighting is very strong. Mars is passionate, energetic, and creates conflict, it is not good for marriage, though it is good for war and leadership. Nanda Tithi Bestows happiness, enjoyment.
Planet Tithi
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Nanda Fire 1, 6, 11

Bhadra

Earth

2, 7, 12

Jaya

Akash

3, 8, 13

Rikta

Water

4, 9, 14

Purna

Vayu

5, 10, 15

Tithi
9 10 11 12 13 14 15 0

Bhadra Tithi - Auspicious for stating new work Jaya Tithi - Auspicious for winning over enemies. Rikta Tithi To be avoided for any important work. Poorna Tithi Auspicious to complete all jobs.

Sun Moon Mars Mercury

Jupiter Venus Saturn Rahu

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Tithi Lunar Days

Nanda Tithi Bestows happiness, enjoyment. Bhadra Tithi - Auspicious for starting new work Jaya Tithi - Auspicious for winning over enemies. Rikta Tithi To be avoided for any important work. Poorna Tithi Auspicious to complete all jobs.

In the same way there are certain combinations that are inauspicious, where there will be hurdles in accomplishing works. These inauspicious Days have been called Dagdha, Visha, and Hutashan.

SUN. MON.

TUE.

WED.

THUR.

FRI. SAT.

Specifics on Muhurta:
When certain Tithis line up with specific Varas (days) they are considered auspicious and therefore work on those days is accomplished successfully. If Pratipat (1st ), Shashti (6th ), or Ekadashi (11th ) fall on a Friday, it is considered auspicious.
DAGDHA 12th 11th 5th 3rd 6th 8th 9th

VISHA

4th

6th

7th

2nd

8th

9th

7th

HUTASHA 12th 6th N

7th

8th

9th

10th 11th

NANDA 1st day 6th day 11th day Friday

BHADRA 2nd day 7th day 12th day

JAYA 3rd day 8th day 13th day

RIKTA 4th day 9th day 14th day Saturday

PURNA 5th day 10th day 15th-30th Thursday Vish Yoga and Hutashan yoga are inauspicious. The poisonous nature of vish yoga is reflected by its name. It destroys a natives auspicious Karma. People who are working on new projects should pay special attention to vish and hutashan yogas. New assignments and works should not be commenced on a day which has either of these. Besides these, foundation of house or shop must not be laid during these malefic yogas. Vish and hutashan yogas are inauspicious for journeys as they may provide negative results.

Wednesda Tuesday y

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Tithi Lunar Days - summary

TITHI 1 TITHI - NAME 1- PRATIPAT NATURE OF RESULTS IN RELATION TO EVENTS RELIGIOUS CEREMONIES, MARRIAGE, FESTIVALS AND RITUALS. TRAVEL IS FORBIDDEN. THE PERSON IS GOOD IN NATURE BUT LACKS ENJOYMENT. DO NOT MIX WITH THE WRONG PEOPLE ON THIS DAY. CONSTRUCTION IS NOT FAVORABLE. NATURE IS VRIDDHI (INCREASE) AND THE LORD IS AGNI (FIRE) LAYING OF FOUNDATIONS FOR HOUSES IS FAVORABLE. PERMANENT NATURE. GIVES SUCCESS WHILE TRAVELING. THE PERSON WILL HAVE DUAL NATURE. OFTEN LACKS LOVE, AFFECTION AND FRIENDSHIPS. NOT CAPABLE OF UNDERSTANDING THE TRUTH NATURE IS AUSPICIOUS HAPPENINGS AND THE LORD IS BRAHMA (GOD OF CREATION) HAIR CUT- AND PERSONAL BEAUTY CARE. GOOD HEALTH AND OTHER BENEFICIAL RESULTS. MAY BE UNMOTIVATED AND LAZY, LACKING IN ACTION, CONFUSED AND RESTLESS. CONSTRUCTIONS IS FAVORABLE. GIVES GOOD HEALTH & WEALTH AND BENEFICIAL RESULTS. DIRECTION NORTH EAST. NATURE IS POWER GIVING AND THE LORDS IS GAURI (GODDESS -WIFE OF SHIVA) DESTRUCTION OF COMPETITORS AND OBSTRUCTIONS. ACTS OF COMBAT. MAY CAUSE FEAR OF DEATH WHILE TRAVELING. DIRECTION WEST. CONSTRUCTION IS NOT FAVORABLE. NATURE IS KHALA AND THE LORD IS GANESH (GOD OF FULFILLMENT) TAKING MEDICATION, FOR THE FIRST TIME. GOOD QUALITIES, EDUCATION AND WEALTHY. SURGERY. TRAVEL IN THIS TITHI GIVES ALL ROUND SUCCESS AND VICTORY. CONSTRUCTION IS FAVORABLE. NATURE IS LAXMI (WEALTH) AND THE LORDS ARE NAGA (SERPENTS) MAKING NEW FRIENDS, CORONATION, FESTIVITIES etc. LIKES TO WANDER AIMLESSLY. FAME and SPOT- LIGHT. BEING AGGRESSIVE AND DEBATES. TRAVELING IN THIS TITHI MAY CAUSE LOSSES. CONSTRUCTION WORK IN THIS TITHI GIVES MODERATE SUCCESS. NATURE IS FAME GIVING AND THE LORDS ARE KARTIKEYA (LORD OF VAL OUR)

2- DWITEEYA

3-TRITEEYA

4- CHATURTHI

5- PANCHAMI

6- SHASHTHI

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Tithi Lunar Days - summary

TITHI 7 TITHI - NAME 7- SAPTAMI NATURE OF RESULTS IN RELATION TO EVENTS CONSTRUCTION AND PURCHASE - VEHICLES & TRAVELING IS AUSPICIOUS. KNOWLEDGE, STUDYING. FORTUNATE WITH CHILDREN AND WEALTH. GOOD AT SALES. DIRECTION SOUTH. CONSTRUCTION IN THIS TITHI GIVES FAVORABLE RESULTS. NATURE IS FRIENDLY AND THE LORDS ARE SURYA NARAYAN GOOD TIME TO DEFEND YOURSELF. HEALTH AND HEALING. WILL PRODUCES MANY SOURCES OF MONEY for THE PERSON. RELIGIOUS AND SENSUAL SEEKERS. TRAVELING IN THIS TITHI GIVES ILL-HEALTH. DIRECTION SOUTH EAST. CONSTRUCTION NOT FAVORABLE. NATURE IS CONFLICT AND THE LORD ARE SHIVA (LORD OF DESTRUCTION) REMOVING OBSTRUCTIONS AND COMPETITORS/ENEMIES. TRAVELING ON THIS TITHI IS NOT GOOD THE PERSON MAY NOT RETURN.. FOND OF GODS AND THEIR WORSHIP. CONSTRUCTION GIVES MODERATE RESULTS. NATURE IS AGGRESSION AND THE LORDS ARE DURGA (GODDESS OF POWER) GOOD DEEDS, WORSHIP OF GODS OR HOLY PERSON. TRAVEL MAY GIVE GAINS - SALES OR PURCHASE OF LAND. WELL- LIKED PERSON AND HAPPY. HOMELY PERSON. DIRECTION NORTH WEST . GOOD POWER OF DISCRIMINATION BETWEEN RIGHT AND WRONG. CONSTRUCTION IS FAVORABLE. NATURE IS SOBER AND THE LORDS ARE YAMA (GOD OF DEATH) FASTING AND WORSHIP OF VISHNU. AUSPICIOUS RESULTS FROM TRAVELING. IMPARTS LEARNING AND GOOD FINANCIAL LUCK. INTELLIGENT AND PURE MINDED OFTEN HONORED BY THE SOCIETY. DIRECTION NORTH. CONSTRUCTION NOT FAVORABLE. NATURE IS ENJOYMENTS AND THE LORDS ARE VISHVEDEVAH FIRE SACRIFICES. MAY CAUSE LOSE OF WEALTH IN TRAVELING. GIVES MODESTY AND LEARNING. USUALLY RESTLESS AND LIKES TO WANDER. INCONSTANT, UNSTEADY MINDS. TRAVELING MAY CAUSE LOSS OF WEALTH. CONSTRUCTION IS -FAVORABLE---NATURE IS FAME & GOOD QUALITIES AND THE LORDS ARE VISHNU

8- ASHTAMI

9- NAVAMI

10

10- DASHAMI

11

11- EKADASHI

12

12- DWADASHI

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Tithi Lunar Days - summary

TITHI 13 TITHI - NAME 13-TRAYODASHI NATURE OF RESULTS IN RELATION TO EVENTS MAKING FRIENDS, ENJOYMENT OF PLEASURES. IMPARTS KINDNESS AND EDUCATION. HOSPITABLE, KIND AND CHARITABLE. TRAVEL ON TRAYODASI IS SUITED FOR ALLIANCES AND FRIENDSHIP. CONSTRUCTION WORK IS FAVORABLE. NATURE IS VICTORY AND THE LORDS ARE KAMADEVA (GOD OF LOVE) RELIGIOUS ACTIVITIES. BOLD AND DARING ACTIONS. MAY GET HONOUR FROM THE SOCIETY . TRAVELING IS FORBIDDEN AS A RULE. DIRECTION EAST. CONSTRUCTION WORK IS NOT FAVORABLE. NATURE IS AGGRESSION AND THE LORDS ARE SHIVA (GOD OF DESTRUCTION), KALI. RIGHTFUL ACTION, CEREMONIES AND HOUSEHOLD AFFAIRS- LUCK & VIRTUE. WEALTHY AND WISE AND BRIGHT AND HARDWORKING. VERY FOND OF FOOD, AND DEVELOP ROMANTIC ATTRACTIONS . TRAVEL IS FORBIDDEN. NATURE IS SOBER AND THE LORDS ARE CHANDRA DEVA. PROPITIATION OF THE ANCESTORS. TRAVELING IS NOT GOOD. MENTALLY AND PHYSICALLY MAY BE DISTURBED AND DECEPTIVE AND CRUEL. COURAGEOUS ACTIVITIES. DIRECTION SOUTH WEST. CONSTRUCTION WORK IS NOT FAVORABLE. THIS IS MAINLY FOR PITRIDEV (ANCESTORS).

14

14-CHATURDASHI

15

PURNIMA -15 FULL MOON

15

AMAVASYA -15 - NEW MOON

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PANCHANG & MUHURAT

SYNOPSIS: theme of talk and basic points to be covered:
What are the Vaishnava scriptural references about TIME? What is TIME astronomically and why important astrologically? How ancient rishis perceived time and what they concluded? Quality versus Quantity and conception of Muhurat by Vedic sages? Relevance of Muhurat and understanding its benefits for mundane life? CHOGADHIA system of Muhurat in daily practice. PANCHANG - The 5 "limbs of time" given in Vedic scriptures. The 1st limb being Day of the Week The 2nd limb being the Tithi We shall explore in detail these most commonly known components of Panchang, yet little understood! What secrets do Puraanic scriptures reveal about the origins of Vaars, who are actually eternal deities governing different aspects of our everyday existence on this earthly plain? How can we structure and schedule our daily life appropriately to be in tune with our Karmic destiny and reap maximum benefit?

Finally. why should we all bother to learn about this mysterious knowledge? Isn't seva, jaapa mantra or meditation enough?! Well the answer lies within ourselves do we really sincerely want ONLY spiritual liberation, or do we hanker after material desires and pursuits, even a tiny bit?? For the true Yogi and spiritual aspirant there is no need for anything! But when we are bound to Earthly life the rules are fixed (for all) whether we want them or not or whether we believe it or not. ************************************************************************************ 31

Zodiac + Lunar Mansions

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