The five limbs are: Lunar day (Tithi) Week day (Vaaram) Constellation (Nakshatra) Yoga Karana

LUNAR DAY (TITHI)

Tithi is the name given to the various angles formed by the Sun and the Moon. When the Sun and Moon are together at the same degree it is called the new Moon (amavashya). As Moon moves away from the Sun at each 12 difference a new Lunar day is formed. Mathematically. Lunar day (tithi) = (Moon's longitude - Sun's longitude)/12 The 30-day lunar month is divided into a dark half, Krishna Paksha and a bright half, Shukla Paksha. Each half is further divided into 15 parts, which are called lunar days or tithis. A Lunar day is the daily spread of distance between the Sun and the Moon, which is 12 degrees. The lengths of Lunar days may differ as the amount of space covered by a lunar day varies from time to time. There are 30 Lunar days out of which 15 are in the bright half (Shukla Paksha) when Moon moves towards the Sun.

BRIGHT HALF In Auspicious Part Starting 24min

Moon - Sun Tithi

0 0 -12 0 12 0 -24 0 24 0 -36 0 36 0 -48 0 48 0 -60 0 60 0 -72 0 72 0 -84 0 84 0 -96 0 96 0 -108 0 108 0 -120 0 120 0 -132 0 Pratipada Dwitiya Tritiya Chaturthi Panchami Shasthi Saptami Ashtami Navami Dashami Ekadashi

Group Nanda Bhadra Jaya Rikta Poorna Nanda Bhadra Jaya Rikta Poorna Nanda

Nature IA IA IA IA IA M M M M M F.S

In Auspicious Part

First 3h 12min Ending 24min First 3h 36min First 5h 36min First 10hrs Ending 24min Starting 24min

132 0 -144 0 144 0 -156 0 156 0 -168 0 168 0 -180 0

Dwadashi Triyodashi Chaturdashi Purnima

Bhadra Jaya Rikta Poorna

F.S F.S F.S F.S

First 4hrs First 2hrs Ending 24min

I A: Inauspicious M: Medium F.S: Full Strength Rikta Lunar days are generally considered inauspicious. DARK HALF
Moon - Sun Tithi Group Nature In Auspicious Part In Auspicious Part

180 0 -192 0 192 0 -204 0 204 0 -216 0 216 0 -228 0 228 0 -240 0 240 0 -252 0 252 0 -264 0 264 0 -276 0 276 0 -288 0 288 0 -300 0 300 0 -312 0 312 0 -324 0 324 0 -336 0 336 0 -348 0 348 0 -360 0

Pratipada Dwitiya Tritiya Chaturthi Panchami Shasthi Saptami Ashtami Navami Dashami Ekadashi Dwadashi Triyodashi Chaturdashi Amavashya

Nanda Bhadra Jaya Rikta Poorna Nanda Bhadra Jaya Rikta Poorna Nanda Bhadra Jaya Rikta Poorna

S S S S S M M M M M IA IA IA IA IA First 2hrs Ending 24min First 4hrs First 5hrs 36min First 10hrs First 3hrs 36min First 3h 12min Ending 24min

The time from one new Moon to another new Moon is called a lunar month.

Muhurta The lunar days are classified into five groups. (M.C.-Shubhashubha Prakaranam 4) Nanda (Delightful) ..... 1 st , 6 th , 11 th , of both dark and bright half Bhadra (Auspicious/Cow) ...2 nd , 7 th , 12 th , of both dark and bright half Jaya (Triumph/Victorious)...3 rd , 8 th , 13 th , of both dark and bright half Rikta (empty/Emptied) .....4 th , 9 th , 14 th , of both dark and bright half Poorna (Full/Filled) .......5 th , 10 th , 15 th , 30 th of both dark and bright half.

The first five lunar days of bright half are considered inauspicious (because Moon is weak), next five Lunar days medium, and the next five, full strength. In the dark half, first five - full strength, second five are medium, third weak.

LORDS OF Lunar dayS Tithi Pratipada Dwitiya Tritiya Chaturthi Panchami Shasthi Saptami Ashtami Navami Dashami Ekadashi Dwadashi Triyodashi Chaturdashi Poornima Amavashya

Nature Vriddhi (Increase) Auspicious Happening Power giving Khala Lakshmi (wealth) Fame giving Friendly Conflict Aggressive Sober Enjoyment Fame and good qualities Victory Aggressive Sober

Lords Agni (Fire) Brahma (God of creation) Gauri (Goddess wife of Lord Shiva) Ganesh -god of fulfillment. Naga (serpents) Kartikeya (Lord of Valor) Sun Shiva (lord of destruction) Durga (goddess of power) Yama (god of death) Viswedeva Vishnu Kama Deva (God of sex) Shiva (god of destruction) Moon Pitara (ancestors)

Some of the prescribed or prohibited activities in the Lunar day s are as follows: 1 st : Marriage, Upanayana, travel, installation of deity, first feeding, tonsure, house construction, house warming, etc. are commended. 2 nd : Installation of deity, travel, marriage, upanayana and other auspicious activities are followed, but oil bath is prohibited. 3 rd : Music, education, Seemanta, tonsure and other auspicious activities mentioned in the 2 nd lunar day. 4 th : Experiment with Weapons, jail activities etc. 5 th : All auspicious activities, but giving loan is prohibited. 6 th : Activities belonging to architecture, war, house construction etc. but oil bath is prohibited. 7 th : All auspicious activities mentioned for the 2 nd , 3 rd and 5 th lunar days. 8 th : Battles, Government activities, writing, dance, ornaments etc. but taking meat is prohibited. 9 th : Activities mentioned for the 4 th lunar day. 10 th : Activities, mentioned for 2 nd , 3 rd , 5 th , 7 th , but oil bath is prohibited. 11 th : Temple activities, house construction, preparation of liquors, travel, wearing new clothes and ornaments etc. 12 th : Upanayana, marriage and other auspicious activities, but house-construction, house -warming and travel are prohibited. 13 th : All auspicious activities mentioned above, but oil bath, wearing new clothes and ornaments and yajnopaveeta dharana are prohibited. 14 th : All evil activities - but hair cutting and travel are prohibited. Poornima: Marriage, installation of deities, architectural work, yagna and propitiation etc. allowed. AMAVASYA: Giving oblations is commended, but sexual union with woman is prohibited.

CONSTELLATION (Nakshatra) The Constellation is the Moon sign. From the starting point of the sidereal zodiac if we divide the zodiac into 27 equal parts then each part will be of 13 deg 20 min and is called a Constellation. Each Constellation is further divided into four sub-sections of 3 deg 20 min called pada (foot). When Moon transits in a particular division of 13 deg 20 min it is called constellation of that moment. Out of the five components of the panchanga, constellation is given maximum importance.

The constellations are classified into seven major groups according to their nature. They are: 1. Fixed and constant (Dhruva and Sthira) 2. Movable (Char-chala) 3. Aggressive-cruel (Ugra-Kroora) 4. Mixed and ordinary ( Mishra-sadharana) 5. Short and dynamic (Kshipra-laghu) Gentle-friendly ( Mridu-maitra) Ferocious and bitter ( Teekshana-daruna). According to direction, constellations are divided into three major groups, they are: Upward looking ( Urdhwa mukha) Downward looking ( Adho mukha) Straight looking (Triyung mukha)

Constellation Star Appearance English Sanskrit Arietus Ashwini N1 3 Horse's face

Lord/Deity Ashwini Kumaras (Celestial twin Physicians)

Category Shortdynamic

Direction Straight Looking

Arietisa Tauri Aloyoni Tauri Aldeboran Orionis Orionis

Bharani N2 Krittika N3 Rohini N4

3 6 5

Vagina Knife Shakat

Yama (lord of death) Agni (Fire) Brahma

Mrighshira N5 Ardra N6

3 1

(Bullock cart) (God of Creation) Face of deer Chandhra (Moon) Mani or Jewel Rudhra (Lord of destruction) Aditi (mother of Devas) Guru

Aggressive- Downward Cruel Looking FixedDownward constant Looking GentleUpward friendly Looking Ferocious And bitter Movable Straight Looking Upward Looking Shortdynamic Straight Looking

Gemini Plollux Cancri Hydrae Leaonis Regular Leonis Corvi Virginis Spiica Boothis Arcturus Librae

Punarvasu N7 Pushya N8 Ashlesha

House

3 5

Arrow Wheel House Stage Cot Hand Pearl

N9 Magha N 10 5 P.falguni N 11 U. Falguni N12 Hasta N13 Chitra N14 2 2 5 1

Ferocious- Upward bitter Looking Sarpa (serpents) Aggressive- Downward cruel Looking Pitri (ancestors) Aggressive Downward Bhaga (Name of FixedSun) constant Aryama (Name of Sun) Sun Viswakarma (Architect of gods) Vaayu (Air) Shortdynamic Gentlefriendly Movable Looking Downward Looking Upward Looking Straight Looking Straight Looking Gentlefriendly Straight Looking

Swati N15

Coral

Scorpionis Vaishakha N16 Antaras

Torana a Flag Indra- agni Pinda Ear rings Stage Elephant's teeth Stage Triangle Vaamana (Three foot steps) Mridanga Mitra (Name of Sun) Indra Rakshasa Jala (water) Vishawadeva Brahma Vishnu

Mixedordinary Gentlefriendly Ferociousbitter Ferociousbitter

Downward Looking Straight Looking Straight Looking Downward

Anuradha N 4 17

Scorpionis Jyeshtha N18 3 Sagittanis Moola N 19 11 Sagittaris P.shada N20 2 Sagittaris U.shada N 21(a) N21 Abhijit 2 3 3

N 21(a) Aquailate Shravana N 22

Looking Aggressive- Upward cruel Looking FixedUpward constant Looking ShortUpward dynamic Looking Movable Upward Looking

Dellphini Dhanishtha N 4 23 Aquari Pegasi

Vasu Varuna

Movable Movable

Upward Looking Upward

Satabhisha N 100 Circle 24 P.bhadrapadN 2 25 Stage

Looking Ajcharan Aggressive- Downward cruel (Name of Rudra) Looking Ajagapada Ahirbhudhnya Fixedconstant Upward Looking Straight

Pegase Andreda Pocium

U.bhadrapad 2 N26 Revati N 27 32

Twins Mridanga

(Name of Rudra) Pusha Gentlefriendly (Name of Sun) looking

(The lords of the Nakshatras-M.C.-Nakshatra Prakaranam-1)

The Constellations are suitable for various activities depending on their nature. A rough guide is given below.

Understanding the energies of the stars Fixed and constant (Dhruva-Sthira): Works of fixed nature like laying foundations, digging a well, house building, agriculture, and starting service are done in this category. (M.C.-Nakshatraprakaranam-2)

Movable (Char Chala): All movable activities like riding on vehicles, horses, elephants and journeys and any other activity needing motion can be done in this constellation. (M.C.-Nakshatraprakaranam3)

Aggressive-cruel (Ugra-Kroora): It is suitable for killing, cheating, works involving use of fire, theft, poisoning, research on poisonous medicines, purchase sale and use of arms. (M.C.-Nakshatraprakaranam4)

Mixed-ordinary (Mishra-Sadharana): Good for fireworks, welding, melting, gas works, fabrications, preparing medicines etc. (M.C.-Nakshatraprakaranam-5) Short and dynamic (Kshipra-Laghu): Suitable for construction and starting a shop, selling, sex, starting education, making and wearing ornaments, fine arts, learning and display of arts etc., (M.C.-Nakshatraprakaranam-6)

Gentle-friendly (Mridu-Maitra): Singing, learning music, making and wearing clothes, playing, learning game skills, making friends, making and wearing ornaments etc., can be done in these. (M.C.-Nakshatraprakaranam-7)

Ferocious and bitter (Teekshana-Daruna): Killing, black magic, aggressive and deadly deeds, to divide others, to train animals and control animals etc. (M.C.-Nakshatraprakaranam-8)

According to direction: Upward looking: Suitable for construction of house, temples, multistoried buildings, horticulture etc, where the activity needs looking upward. (M.C.-Nakshatraprakaranam-9)

2. Downward looking: Digging for wells and ponds, digging for foundation laying, underground constructions, mining, sever works are done in these constellations where one has to face downwards. (M.C.-Nakshatraprakaranam-9)

3. Straight looking: Activities facing straight like riding, driving, journeys, construction of roads etc. Each and every constellation has a specific shape, number of stars in it and a lord ruling it. Their suitability to various activities can also be decided by the above characteristics. (M.C.-Nakshatraprakaranam-9)

WEEK DAY ( Vaaram ) The period from one Sunrise to another Sunrise is called a day. Each day is allotted a planet. Ex. Sunday-Sun; Monday-Moon; Tuesday-Mars; Wednesday-Mercury; ThursdayJupiter; Friday-Venus; Saturday-Saturn. Each day is considered for the influence brought about by the ruling planet. Out of these Tuesday and Saturday are malefic. Sunday is partially malefic. These are classified as constellations as follows:

Sunday Monday Tuesday

Fixed-constant Movable Aggressive-cruel

Dhruva-Sthira Char-chala Ugra-kroora

Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

Mixed Short and dynamic Gentle and friendly Volatile

Mishra-sadharana Kshipra-laghu Mridu-maitra Teekshana-daruna

Like the constellations the weekdays are also judged by their nature and are selected for the activity. Ex: Sunday for tasks of fixed nature and so on.

Combination (YOGA or NITYA YOGA): The relative position of the Sun and the Moon in the zodiac gives the yoga. The word yoga means the union or celestial relationship between the longitudes of the Sun and the Moon. There are 27 yogas and a specific interpretation is allotted for each of them. To put it mathematically, Yoga = (Moon's longitude - Sun's longitude)/1320min The quotient gives us the number of the yoga prevailing. Their names give an indication of benefic/malefic nature of the yoga. The malefic yogas are: 1.Vishkumbha 6.Atiganda 9.Shoola 10.Ganda 13.Vyaghat 15.Vajra 17.Vyatipata 19.Parigha 27.Vaidhriti. Vishkumbha 10. Ganda 19. Parigha Preeti 11. Vriddhi 20. Shiva Ayushmana 12. Dhruva 21. Siddha Saubhagya 13. Vyghata 22. Sadhya Shobana 14. Harshana 23. Shubha Atiganda 15. Vajra 24. Shukla Sukarama 16. Suddhi 25. Brahma Dhriti 17. Vyatipaata 26. Indra Shoola 18. Variyana 27. Vaidhriti

Malefic portions of yogas to be avoided Vishkumbha Ganda Vyghata Parigha Vyatipata Atiganda Shoola Vajra Vaidhriti First 3 ghatis First 6 ghatis First 9 ghatis First 30 ghatis Full 60 ghatis First 6 ghatis First 5 ghatis First 3 ghatis Full 60 ghatis 1 hr 12 min 2 hrs 24 min 3 hrs 36 min 12 hrs 24 hrs 2 hrs 24 min 2 hrs 1hr 24 min 24 hrs

(M.C.-Shubhashubhaprakaranam-35)

If on a particular day Vishkumbha yoga prevails for 25 hours then inauspicious period will be. (3*25)/24 = 75/24 3 ghatis and 7 and a 1/2 vighatis.

KARANA Karana is one half of a lunar day. Totally there are eleven karanas. Out of them four are fixed and seven are movable. The four fixed karanas are considered inauspicious and their names are as follows: 1.Shakuni 2.Chatushpada 3.Naga 4.Kimstughna. The seven movable karanas are 1.Bava 2.Balava 3.Kaulava 4.Taitila 5.Gara 6.Vanija 7.Vishti.

Karanas give us a more exact description of the nature of the favorable and unfavorable influences occurring around us at a specific time of the day.

How to find out the karana: If it is the dark fortnight, double the lunar day's number and divide it by 7. The remainder gives you the name of the Karana in the first half of the lunar day. The next Karana would be in the 2 nd half of the lunar day.

Double the Lunar day's number and subtract 2 from it and then divide it by 7, if it is the bright fortnight. The remainder gives you the name of the Karana in the 1 st half of the lunar day. The next Karana would be in the 2 nd half of the lunar day. Example -1: The Lunar day is 5 th in the dark half. So 2x5/7 = 10/7 R=3 so the karana is Kaulava in the first half of the Lunar day. In the 2 nd half, it is Taitila. Example -2: The Lunar day is 5th in the bright half. So, 2x5 = 10; 10-2=8, and 8/7, R=1 So, the Karana Bava is the 1 st half of the Lunar day and Balava is the 2 nd half of the Lunar day.

Uses of the karanas: Bava: Nutritive works Balava: Reading , teaching, in performing yogas. Kaulava: Making friendship or any work concerning women. Taitila: For married and not widowed women Garaja: Ploughing and seed - sowing Vishti: Setting fire, poisoning, war and for all evil acts.

Sakuni: Making and taking of medicine. Chatushpada: Ruling the country; swearing - in ceremonies. Naga: Evil deeds. Kimstughna: Auspicious activities.

Bright half Sl.No First half 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 Of Lunar day Kimstughna Balav Taitila Vanija Bav Kaulava Gar Vishti Balava Taitila Vanija Bav Kaulava Gar Vishti

Second half of Lunar day Bava Kaulava Gar Vishti Balav Taitila Vanija Bav Kaulava Gar Vishti Balav Taitila Vanija Bav

Dark half Sl.N First half 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 Of Lunar day Balav Taitila Vanija Bav Kaulava Gar Vishti Balava Taitila Vanija Bav Kaulava Gar Vishti Chatushpada

Second half of Lunar day Kaulava Gar Vishti Balav Taitila Vanija Bav Kaulava Gar Vishti Balava Taitila Vanija Sakuni Naga

Bhadra: When Vishti karana prevails, it is considered inauspicious in election. It is called Bhadra. (M.C.-Shubhashubhaprakaranam 43) When Bhadra is in the daytime, the auspicious ceremonies are approved in the night, when the Bhadra is in the night, the auspicious ceremonies are allowed in the daytime. Bhadra is not evil in the evening. Bhadra is considered auspicious for cutting the umbilical chord, Jaatkarma Samskara, barter transaction, cooking, Yagna, to present something to the king, propitiation of Lord Shiva and Parvati, 'Haritalika pujan' and Holika'.

Bhadra is not evil during the solar ingress in Pisces, in the worship of Shiva and Ganesh, in Devi Pooja and in the worship of Vishnu and Sun God. (Jyotirvidabharanam)

Tithis

Shukla 4 Krishna 14 Starting 2hrs

Shukla 8 Krishna 10 From 3 rd hr To

Shukla 11 Krishna 7 From 6 th to

Shukla 15 Krishna 3 From 9 th To 11 th hour

Bhadra Mouth Of Vishti Karana Bhadra Tail Ending 1hr 12min

8 th hour 5 th hour From 1hr 48min To 3 rd hour

From 4hrs 48min From 7hr 48 min to to 6 th hour 9 th hour.

The above table: M.C.-Shubhashubhaprakaranam44

The living and the effects of Bhadra: When the Moon is in the signs of Aquarius, Pisces, Cancer or Leo Bhadra lives in the Mrityuloka (on earth); when Moon is in the Aries, Taurus, Gemini, or Scorpio, Bhadra lives in Swargaloka (abode of gods); when Moon is in Virgo, Sagittarius, Libra, and Capricorn, Bhadra lives in Pataalloka (the under world). The effects of Bhadra are felt in the loka it resides. (M.C.-Shubhashubhaprakaranam-45)

STEPS IN FIXING A MUHURTA : PRELIMINARY ANALYSIS:

1. General for any purpose on any chart There are many doshas that an astrologer seeks to avoid in the muhurta chart, irrespective of the specific activity and individual chart, for which he is doing the job. After eliminating maximum number of doshas stated in the list, one should check for the

malefic combinations that prevail due to the combinations of various components of the Panchanga. Malefic combinations are avoided while the presence of benefic combinations is preferred. A list of these is given later at the end.

2. Specific to the individual chart Chandra bala (natal moon check) Tara bala (strength of star)

After eliminating all malefic days in a particular period, we get some days free from those effects. With those days in hand we move on from the preliminary analysis to the main step of fixing the muhurta now.

MAIN ANALYSIS

Till now we have only avoided or eliminated certain days etc. Hereafter we will actually evaluate and consider certain days and ascendants for the muhurta. This involves the following four steps: Finding the days having the suitable combination of the five components (pancha + anga= five limbs/components). Finding a suitable ascendant depending upon the activity. Ensuring the Strength and Appropriateness of Dasa, antardasa, and Significator of the activity Finding the most auspicious moments within the ascendant chosen/ Amsha charts etc Miscellaneous/Special considerations for various activities like marriage etc

Now I will outline and enumerate these steps below.

 Finding the days having the suitable combination of the five components: The first and the foremost requirement to fix a muhurta is the availability of the suitable five components. Depending upon the activity we first check whether the five components of panchanga, prevailing on the days free from malefic effects, suit the activity for which the muhurta is desired. The process of evaluating those energies is part of the initial evaluation. It is a process of choosing a good lunar day, weekday, Constellation, yoga and Karana. The marks allotted are as follows according to the 'Phalita Navaratna Samgraha': Lunar day = 1, Weekday = 8, Constellation = 4 Yoga = 32, Karana = 16 Chandrabala = 100 Tarabala = 60 Now we move to the second step.

2. Fixing a suitable ascendant depending upon the activity. Depending upon the nature of the activity, one should choose fixed, dual or movable signs as ascendants. After fixing a particular ascendant we should make sure of its strength and check whether it is free from certain malefic effects. This process can further be divided into three stages.

a.) Avoiding malefic combinations of the ascendent The five major malefic effects that we should try to avoid with respect to an ascendant are given below. Udayastha shuddhi (Ensuring Benefic Asc and 7 th houses) Kartari (Malefics Scissoring)

 Bhrigu Shatka (Venus in 6 th in fixed sign etc) Moon in 6,8,12 Sagraha Chandra (Conjunctions with Moon)

b.) Quantitative Evaluation of the Ascendant This is a process of checking the placement of planets with respect to that ascendant to make sure they add strength. For that we have two main methods are quantitative (marks can be allotted). They are:

Panchestika evaluation In this step, we check whether five important planets in the muhurta chart are well placed. The five important planets that should be happy are: the lord of time (kaladhipa), ascendant lord, Jupiter, Moon and Sun. These planets are, in other words, like five bricks/panchestika that support a wall and make it strong.

Vimshopaka evaluation This is different from the Vimshopaka bala of varga charts. This is more like rasi balam in that it allots points based on the positions of various planets in houses/rasis in the rasi chart. Each planet is decided to give positive, negative or neutral results depending upon its placement from the lagna. This varies from activity to activity, as each activity needs a different kind of energy. 3. Ensuring the Strength and Appropriateness of Dasa, antardasa, and Significator of the activity After evaluating the ascendant in the above two ways we then check whether the signification house and the planet pertaining to the activity are happy; if possible, the dasa and the antara dasa lords should also be well placed in the chart.

4. Finding the most auspicious moments within the ascendant chosen/ Amsha charts etc

After making sure that we have an auspicious lagna in hand we proceed to the other subtle factors, which play an important role in the auspiciousness of a muhurta. For this, we use varga or divisional charts. Main points checked in this stage are: Papa shadvarga Pushkaramsa Kunavamsa Shodasa or Shadvargas (whichever is feasible)

Now I will enumerate the most important doshas to be avoided in the preliminary analysis. Hope you remember that I skipped this enumeration there to do list them here. This is actually part of the preliminary analysis. Preliminary Doshas and malefic considerations 1. Combustion 1. Jupiter in Leo 2. Jupiter in Capricorn 3. Solar ingress 4. Adhika masa 5. Kshaya masa 6. Eclipse 7. Kakracha yoga 8. Samvartaka yoga 9. Dagdha yoga 10. Madhusarpisha yoga 11. Hatashana yoga 12. Dagdha yoga 13. Yamghantha yoga 14. Kaal danda yoga 15. Dhumra yoga 16. Dhwansha yoga 17. Vajra yoga 18. Mudgara yoga 19. Padma yoga 20. Lumba yoga 21. Utpaata yoga 22. Mrityu yoga 23. Kaana yoga 24. Musala yoga

25. Gada yoga 26. Maatanga yoga 27. Raksha yoga 28. Gandantas 29. Masa-shoonya tithis 30. Masa shoonya Nakshatras 31. Masa shoonya rashis 32. Tithi shoonya rashis 33. Tithi shoonya Nakshatras 34. Tithi shoonya lagna 35. Tripushkara yoga 36. Dwipushkara yoga 37. Panchaka 38. Baana 39. Adal yoga 40. Vidal yoga 41. Afflicted constellations 42. Parva tithis 43. Galgraha tithis 44. Dagdha tithis 45. Chidra tithis As already stated earlier, expanding the above outlined steps, points and considerations, one may end up with a four hundred-page file. Instead of doing that, we could expand upon selected topics as required. Learned members on this list could also take up various topics. I will end this post by reiterating that knowledge of muhurta is a must to be a complete astrologer. A thorough understanding of the principles of Muhurta can actually help an astrologer appreciate the principles of traditional predictive astrology (Jataka) better and thereby make a better astrologer. In my next article I will introduce the five limbs/components of the panchanga/calendar, as also other variables like ayana, masa, etc for the benefit of a beginner. Postscript: After I posted this article on a discussion forum, a reader raised a question on Yoga. It is an interesting question raised in good spirit. Since both the question and the answer are quite useful to a student and practitioner, I am including them in the postscript. I will reproduce the content of the letter without the other details. "Thank you very much for your post on the above-mentioned subject. There is however a small clarification that I require: According to Atharvana Jyotisha, Chapter 7, Verse 21, "In the matter of their potency for bestowing benefits for rituals performed during their currency, the tithi ranks one-fold, the nakshatra four-fold, the Vaara eight-fold and the karana sixteen fold."

We find here that the Yoga is not given any weight age. Also in books on Muhurata, we find that the yoga is hardly ever given any consideration. But in your post, the yoga is given the maximum weight age of 32 points. May I know the rationale behind this? A couple of years ago there was a very good article in the Martand Panchanga ( a very popular Panchanga in North India ), entitled " Kya Panchang Vaastav mein Panchanga hai ?" Here too, the author questioned the relevance of the yoga as it was hardly ever used in the practice of selecting a good Muhurata. Your views, as well as those of the Gurus will be enlightening". Now read the contents of my reply to the above.

"Dear . I will answer your question as briefly as possible, as I am in a hurry since it is Monday morning. You raised a very interesting question by quoting the Hindi article. Why then do we call it 'PANCHA'nga if we are to use only four limbs? As opposed to what you say, every standard text discusses Yoga as an important limb of the Panchanga. Kalaprakasika? Narada Samhita? Phalita Navaratna Samgraha? Muhurta Chintamani? Muhurta Ganapati? All these texts discuss Yoga as an integral part of Muhurta.

The Kalaprakasika clearly says, " He who makes a study of the Panchangam-the tithi, the varam, the nakshatra, the yoga, the karana, of every day becomes free from all sins. Knowledge of tithi brings prosperity, knowledge of varam provides long life, knowledge of nakshatra causes the destruction of sins, knowledge of yoga gives immunity from disease; knowledge of karana leads to success in all endeavors. Thus Panchangam (the five angas or limbs) bestows five kinds of blessings".

Take the Narada Samhita now. After discussing the basics in the first three chapters, the next five chapters are devoted to the five limbs respectively. In fact the chapters are even referred to as: 4th chapter: 'Tithi'lakshanadhaya 5th chapter: 'Vara'lakshanadhyaya 6th chapter: 'Nakshatra'phaladhyaya 7th chapter: 'Yoga'adhyaya

8th chapter: 'Karana'dhyaya It is true that some texts discuss Yoga in just a few verses as compared to Nakshatra or Tithi. But Karana generally gets even less space compared to Yoga. Space is not a criteria anyway. Most texts (such as Muhurta Chintamani, Kalaprakasika etc)include the nine malefic naisargika yogas in the list of 21 evils or doshas to be avoided, while the remaining texts (such as Muhurta Sindhu, Poorva Kalamrtam etc) deal with the two most malefic Yogas. Even a text like Poorvakalamrtam which hardly deals with Karana, Yoga etc, specifically refers to Vyatipata and Vaidhriti yogas as MAHA doshas to be avoided. I could list the many references to Yoga in the standard texts. But since your question pertains to yoga as an **integral limb of the Panchanga, the treatment of the five limbs in five seperate chapters named after the very limb (anga), as done by Narada Samhita, is the best proof that I can give you, apart from Kalaprakasika's assurance of the five kinds of blessings arising from a study of the five limbs.

And now to your doubt as to the rationale of assigning 32 points to Yoga and the verse from Atharvana Jyotisa that you quoted. If you observe closely, the number of points allotted to Tithi, Vara, Nakshatra and Karana are still the same in my post, as in Atharvana Jyotisa. Additionally Yoga, Chandra balam and Tarabalam are also dealt with. The points as allotted in my post is nothing but a verbatim application of what is given in the 'Phalita Navaratna Samgraha', not my opinion. And there is no contradiction between the two texts, as it may appear in the first look.

Take Vimpsopaka strengths for instance. The points allotted to various vargas varies in each scheme, depending on whether you are using Shadvargas or Dasavargas or Shodasavargas. The rasi which gets maximum weightage in Shadvarga scheme, occupies second place, the moment Shastyamsa is considered, as in Shodasavargas. Likewise when Yoga, Tarabala and Chandrabala are also considered, more weightage is given to them. In a general treatment of the limbs with no reference to a *SPECIFIC chart, Karana may get more marks. But when an individual chart is considered, TARABALA becomes the most important. What is the use if the tithi, vara and Nakshatra are generally good, but the Nakshatra is a Vipat, Pratyak or Naidhana tara with **reference to one's janma nakshatra? The weightage given to various factors keeps changing with the level of information and precision available. In a general sense, Karana is very important. But TARABALA is more important in an INDIVIDUAL chart. This is the rationale behind texts like 'Phalitanavaratna Samgraha'. At the same time they do not contradict Atharvana Jyotisa or any other text.

Moreover, even if one chooses a suitable nakshatra for an activity (not considering tarabala for a moment), if the yoga is malefic, it can mar the effects. So Yoga gets

prominence. As the Kalaprakasika states, "The YOGA of the Nakshatra of the day chosen for the activity should be beneficial; if so, the result will be satisfactory". Thus a malefic Yoga can mar the effects of a nakshatra. That is why in Kalaprakasika, knowledge of Yoga is said to give immunity from disease, probably in a symbolic way. Just as sickness can reduce or at times mar one's chances of succeeding, Mahadoshas like Vaidhriti or Vyatipata can mar a muhurta. Any of the nine malefic nitya yogas can spoil the muhurta.

Thus in *FULLFLEDGED work in fixing a muhurta, the Nakshatra emerges as the most important, among all the five limbs, by vitue of **TARA BALA, not Tithi, or Vara or Karana or Yoga. But when a person does not know his birth details, or much about the other limbs of the panchanga, then Vara or Weekday is considered. So whether they have their charts or not, even illiterate villagers avoid Tuesdays and Saturdays generally for any activity. But an astrologer may choose a Tuesday for a Kroora and Ugra activity , after a close study of the chart and the Panchanga, since Tuesday has an Ugra-Krura (Aggressive-Cruel) quality to it. So Tuesdays are considered for activities like 'roga mukta snana' (taking bath after recovering from illness), cultivation of land, acts involving killing of birds/animals etc (not that I approve such activities!). But this doesnt contradict the general verses that state that tuesdays are inauspicious, since the texts state elsewhere that tuesdays may be considered for *some activities. So quoting one verse and trying to justify a view that no standard text on muhurta supports is highly misleading.

As for the original question of whether Yoga is to be used as an integral part of the Panchanga, it has been used and SHOULD be used as an important limb of the Panchanga, as it was meant to be. Any attempt to distort this fact cannot be justified, as the standard texts unambigiously declare Yoga not only as an integral limb of the Panchangam, but also as a very important consideration, since it can spoil the effects of an otherwise carefully chosen muhurta.

Hope this clarifies your doubts. An interesting question though!