Parts of Panchang-Karana

Panchang is the Indian calendar popularly used by astrologers. A panchang is widely used in determining auspicious and inauspicious time as it indicates positions of planets and nakshatras along with their influences on human lives. The Panchang literally means five-parts. The parts are Rashi, Nakshatra, Tithi, Yoga, Karana. In this article we will discuss Karana. Astrology says that a yoga is formed by the combination of 2 Karanas thus a Karana is made from half yoga. In total there are 11 Karanas.

1. Bav Karana
People born in this Karana are religious and like to be involved in sacred tasks. They are honest and believe in giving their best to any work thats assigned to them. They keep their distance from illegal and impious activities. They have a sharp brain and are firmly grounded to reality. Thats why do not take flights of fancy. They are respected and loved for their qualities by everybody.

2. Balav
Like the previous Karana this also gives a religious nature to the native. Persons born in this Karana may do pilgrimage and spend a large part of their life doing religious activities. They are well-educated and lead a very successful life.

3. Kaulav
Person born in this Karana are very sociable. This Karana gives its natives some of the finest qualities like love and caring. Their friends circle is really very big and the native usually gets favours from his or her friends. These people have a very strong self-esteem and no matters what happens they do not bow down before others.

4. Taitil Karana
People born in this Karana are very fortunate. They have an affluent life and become an owner of buildings and assets. Love has a vital role in their life and perhaps this is the reason they treat people impartially.

5. Gar
Astrology says that native of Gar Karana are hard working. They believe in their ability not fate. They achieve their desired objective by hard work and labour. People of this Karana are proficient in agricultural and domestic works.

6. Vanij
Natives of this Karana are intelligent. It is seen that they have a keen interest in business and take this vocation for earning livelihood. They love to travel and may have to travel a lot for business purposes. Their intelligence is basically business oriented.

7. Vishti
In astrology the Vishti Karana is not considered auspicious. This Karana cast its malefic nature on the native due to which the native might have a suspicious character. They may engage in immoral activities. The striking quality of the natives of this Karana is that they can go to the extreme to take revenge on their enemy.

8. Shakuni
Natives of this Karana are the followers of law and justice. They are very prudent in resolving conflicts. That means they can be very proficient in dismissing a quarrel with their intelligence. They take interest in medicine and may become a doctor or a physician.

9. Chatushpad
This Karana imparts religious inclinations to its natives. People born in this Karana respect learned people and serve animals. They are normally very fond of animals and know how to treat animals with medicine. They can become successful veterinary doctors.

10. Nag
Astrology regards this Karana as an inauspicious one. People born in this Karana may be have unfortunate incidents. Their life may be full of conflicts and difficulties. They will get results only through hard work and effort, and not through luck. People of Nag Karan are usually very impatient.

11. Kimstughna
Natives of this Karana are very fortunate. They aggressively pursue humanitarian work. They will get every type of happiness in their life. They also receive quality education and lead a prosperous life.

Although it is essential to have the knowledge of arithmetical calculations to understand Indian Astrology, but for the benefit of the common people, astrologers have devised a calendar (Panchang) with the help of which, and simple arithmetical calculations, one can have knowledge about planets, good or bad for him. It is not necessary for a common man to be an astrologer in order to understand the Panchanga. But for a smooth and systematic running of life, one should know how to interpret 'Phalita'. Panchang means five organs to understand the Phalita. These five things are 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Tithi (Date) Nakshatra (Group of stars) Yoga (an auspicious moment) Karan (Half of the part of Tithi) Vaar (days of the week)

TITHI Tithi is considered as the first phase or portion (Kala) of the 16 phases of the Moon. The 15 days, commencing from Amavasya (the last day of the dark half of a lunar month) to Purnima (Full moon), are called the Tithis of the Shukla-Paksha (brighter phase) and the days commencing from Purnima to Amavasya are called Krishna Paksha (darker phase). In Indian Astrology, the calculation of the Tithis starts from Pratipada (The first day in each half of the lunar month) of the Shukla-Paksha. They are: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. Pratipada. Dwitiya. Tritiya. Chaturthi. Panchami. Shashthi. Saptami. Ashtami. Navami. Dashami. Ekadasi. Dwadashi. Trayodashi. Chaturdashi. Purnima.

Similarly, in the Krishna-Paksha, starting from Pratipada till Chaturdashi, all the dates are same; the only difference being the fifteenth day which is Amavasya (Moonless night) These fifteen days have been given five names. NANDA 1st day 6th day 11th day Friday BHADRA 2nd day 7th day 12th day Wednesday JAYA 3rd day 8th day 13th day Tuesday RIKTA 4th day 9th day 14th day Saturday PURNA 5th day 10th day 15th-30th Thursday

If the above mentioned days falls on the given Tithis it is considered as auspicious and the work taken in hand in successfully accomplished. For example (if, 1st, 6th 11th falls on Friday, 2nd, 7th, 12th falls on Wednesday etc.)

INAUSPICIOUS DAYS The following days (Tithis) are considered to be inauspicious, and there is a fear of hurdles, obstructing the accomplishment of the work. The names of these auspicious days have been given as follows: 1. 2. 3. DAGDHA VISHA HUTASHAN

The dates are considered to be inauspicious if it falls on the following days

DAGDHA VISHA HUTASHAN

SUN. 12th 4th 12th

MON. 11th 6th 6th

TUE. 5th 7th 7th

WED. 3rd 2nd 8th

THUR. 6th 8th 9th

FRI. 8th 9th 10th

SAT. 9th 7th 11th

If 12th day and 4th day of the months falls on Sunday and 11th & 6th falls on Monday and 5th & 7th falls on Tuesday respectively, they are considered as inauspicious. NAKSHATRA (CONSTELLATION) A group of stars is called Nakshatra. Just as the units used for measuring the distance is miles or kilometers in the same way the space (Akash Mandal) is measured in terms of Nakshatras (group of stars). The whole space has been divided into 27 parts and each part has been given the name of Nakshatra. They are as follows 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24. 25. 26. 27. ASHWINI. BHARANI. KRITIKA. ROHINI. MRIGASHIRA. AARDRA. PUNARVASU. PUSHYA. AASLESHA. MAGHA. PURVA PHALGUNI. UTTARA PHALGUNI. HASTA. CHITRA. SWATI. VISHAKHA. ANURADHA. JYESHTHA. MOOLA. POORVAASHADHA. UTTARAASHADHA. SHRAVANI. DHANISTHA. SHATABHISHA. PURVA BHADRAPADA. UTTARA BHADRAPADA. REVATI.

The Indian astrologers believe that the combination of the last 15 Ghati of 'Uttarashadha Nakshatra' and the first 4 Ghati of the Shravani Nakshatra i.e. 19 Ghatis in all, constitute the 'Abhijeet Nakshatra' and this particular Nakshatra is considered to be very auspicious to begin a good work. (One Ghatika is equal to 24 minutes) PANCHAKA NAKSHATRA: The following group of five Nakshatras are considered as having five defects (Panchakadosha). They are Dhanistha, Shatabhisha, Purvabhadrapada, Uttarabhadrapada and Revati. MOOLA NAKSHATRA: A child taking birth in this Nakshatra, which consists of Jyestha, Aashlesha, Revati, Mool, Magha and Ashwini Nakshatra are not considered as auspicious. Therefore, for the

pacification of this 'Moola Nakshatra', some specific rites are performed 27th days after the birth when the same Nakshatra returns. Out of these six Nakshatras, which constitute Moola Nakshatra, Jyeshtha and Moola are called 'Gandant Moola' and Aashlesha is called as 'Sarpa Moola'.

ADHOMUKHA NAKSHATRA: As the name of this Nakshatra implies, works like digging a well, or lying a foundation is considered as auspicious. This particular Nakshatra is itself constituted by Nakshatras. They are: Moola, Aashlesha, Vishakha, Kritika, Purvaphalguni, Purvashadha, Purvabhadrapada, Bharani and Magha DAGDHA NAKSHATRA: For commencement of any work, this Nakshatra is considered as inauspicious. Therefore, commencing any work in this Nakshatra is prohibited if the days on which, this Nakshatra falls are as underSunday - Bharani Monday - Chitra Tuesday - Uttarashadha Wednesday - Dhanishtha Thursday - Uttaraphalguni Friday - Jyeshtha Saturday - Revati YOGA (COMBINATIONS) There are 27 Yogas in all. They are as under 1) VISHAKUMBHA, 2) PREETI, 3) AAYUSHMAN, 4) SAUBHAGYA, 5) SHOBHANA, 6) ATIGANDA, 7) SUKARMA, 8) DHRITI, 9) SHOOLA, 10) GAND, 11) VRIDDHI, 12) DHRUVA, 13) VYAGHAATA, 14) HARSHANA, 15) VAJRA, 16) SIDDHI, 17) VYATIPAATA, 18) VARIYAANA, 19) PARIGHA, 20) SHIVA, 21) SIDDHA, 22) SADDHYA, 23) SHUBHA, 24) SHUKLA, 25) BRAHMA, 26) INDRA, 27) VAIDHRITI. KARANA Half of the part of a Tithi is called a Karana i.e. There are two Karanas in a Tithi. There are 11 Karanas altogether. They are: 1) BALA, 2) BAALAVA, 3) KAULAVA, 4) TAITIL, 5) GARA, 6) VANIJA, 7) VISHTI, 8) SHAKUNI, 9) CHATUSHPADA, 10) NAAGA, 11) KINSTUGHNA The first 7 of these Karanas are movable (Chara) i.e. it cannot be predetermined as to on which dates, these are going to occur, but the last 4 Karanas are fixed (Sthira), and hence can be predetermined. VISHTIKARANA is also called 'Bhadra' and commencing any work during this time is prohibited. Bhadra is marked very clearly in every panchanga. VAAR (DAYS) There are 7 days i.e. Sunday (Ravivaar), Monday (Somavaar), Tuesday (Mangalvaar), Wednesday (Budhvaar), Thursday (Brihaspativaar), Friday (Shukravaar) and Saturday (Shanivaar). The counting of days begins from the sunrise of the first day to the sunrise of the second day. In astrology, this system is known as 'AHORATRA', which means day and night taken together. Omitting the first letter 'A' and the last three letters 'T','R','A', the word 'HORA' is coined from which, the English word 'HOUR' originated. There are 24 HORAS in all. Now the question arises, why is the day coming after Sunday is named Monday, Why not other day. To understand this, we will first have to understand the positions of the planets, in the space. In astrology, the respective position of the planets are given as under Saturn, Jupiter, Mars, Sun, Venus, Mercury and Moon. Therefore, Saturn is the highest or the farthest planet. Below the Saturn is Jupiter, below Jupiter is Mars, below the Mars is Sun, below the Sun is Venus, below Venus is Mercury, and below Mercury is Moon. All the planets are revolving around the Sun in their respective orbits. Since there are 24 Horas in a day combined with night, therefore, each Hora consists of an hour. The Lord of each Hora is a planet from the nearest lower orbit. The Lord of the first HORA is the Sun. In the beginning of the creation, the Sun was visible first of all and for that very reason, it has been considered as the lord of the first Hora and also the first day has been named after it. The next Hora is named after 'Shukra' (Venus, which is the lord of the second HORA, and whose orbit is just below the Sun. The lord of the third Hora is 'Budha' (Mercury) whose orbit is just below that of Shukra (Venus). The lord of the fourth orbit is the Moon (Chandrama), whose orbit is below that of Venus and so on. In this way, the lord of the 24th HORA is again Mercury and the Moon (Chandrama). The following chart clearly shows the positions of the planets (horizontally) in order, and the days of the week (vertically) in order. From the Hora chart, it is quite clear that the Moon is the lord of the first Hora (Hour) of the second day(Monday), hence the next day after Sunday is called Monday. Similarly, the lord of the first Hora of the third day is Mars (Tuesday), the lord of the first Hora of the fourth day is Mercury (Wednesday), the lord of the

first Hora of the fifth day is Jupiter (Thursday), the lord of the first Hora of the sixth day is Venus (Friday) and the lord of the first Hora of the Seventh day is Saturn (Saturday). Therefore, the name of the days in order are Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday. GENTLE DAYS: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday are considered as the 'gentle' days. These days are considered auspicious for commencing any good work. CRUEL DAYS: Tuesday, Sunday and Saturday are considered as 'cruel' days. Saturday is considered an auspicious day for undergoing operation. Thursday is considered auspicious for starting education. Wednesday is considered auspicious to start any business.

According to Vedic Astrology, the nature of a person depends on his/her birth Tithi, Vaar, Karan, Rashi and Yogas. Here we are discussing about the influence of Yogas on the natives nature. When we talk about the nature of a person we just look at his external personality. However, in reality it is a contribution of various elements. Let us see how the yoga in which you are born influences your behavior. Vish Kumbha Yoga Vishkumbha yoga is considered as an inauspicious yoga in Vedic Astrology, but a person born in Vishkumbha yoga will be fortunate and enriched with good qualities. He will never face economic problems and will get all the material pleasures in his life. He will have an influential personality. He will have many friends in his life. He will also be very intelligent and virtuous. Preeti Yoga Preeti Yoga is very auspicious. A person born in this yoga will be very enthusiastic and lively. He will be very knowledgeable and passionate about his work. This person will also be a beauty-lover. He will be attracted towards opposite sex. Natives of this yoga are also very clever and know how to manipulate things in their favor. Ayushman Yoga Persons born in Ayushman Yoga will be blessed with longevity. They also love poetry and music. They are wealthy and powerful, and can defeat their enemies. Saubhagya Yoga A person born in Saubhagya Yoga will be fortunate. He will be very lucky, talented and enriched with good qualities. He will get respect for his qualities. He will also have great interest for opposite sex. He gets attracted to beautiful women or handsome men. Shobhan Yoga A person of Shobhan Yoga will have good and attractive appearance. He fulfills his tasks with complete perseverance. He will get a beautiful and virtuous wife. His children will obey him and he will get happiness from them. He also likes to perform in war. Atigand Yoga Atigand yoga is considered as one of the malefic Yogas in Vedic Astrology. It is said that a person born in Atigand Yoga causes harm to his family values and respect. His mother also bears problems and difficulties. The person may also become a criminal if he is born during the Gandant Yoga in the Atigand Yoga. Sukarma Yoga A person of Sukarma Yoga is very generous and believes in spirituality. His nature is calm and composed. He has love and affection for all. He is virtuous and gets respect in the society. He lives a luxurious life.

Dhriti Yoga A person born in tDhriti Yoga is very patient and calm in nature. He is not aggressive and takes wise decisions in life. He is physically fit and lives a healthy life. He is a virtuous and intelligent person. He lives a happy and wealthy life. Shool Yoga According to Vedic Astrology, persons born in Shool Yoga will be spiritual in nature. They take keen interest in mythological studies and are very knowledgeable. They also know how to perform Yajnas. They are good in money savings. However, they bear problems and pain in life. A native of this yoga faces various difficulties in life. He faces many health related problems. He will also be short in height and have large head. He will be a powerful person. He is also stubborn in nature and sticks to their decisions Vridhi Yoga A person born in Vridhi Yoga will be good in appearance and nature. He will be rich and virtuous. His son and wife will also be good in nature. He will be enriched with courage and power. He will enjoy all material pleasures in his life. Dhruv Yoga A person born in Dhruv Yoga will be have a stable mind. He completely concentrates on his work. He will be strong and wealthy. He gets love from all and has a long life. Vyaghyat Yoga A person born in Vyaghyat Yoga will be sincere in his work. He will be virtuous. He will get respect and honor in the society. He becomes a renowned personality due to his innate qualities. Harshan Yoga Harshan Yoga is considered as an auspicious Yoga. A person born in Harshan Yoga will be fortunate. He will have knowledge of different subjects. He will be an expert of Shatras. He sticks to his decisions. He is wealthy and gets respect from famous personalities of the society. Vajra Yoga A person will be strong and powerful as Vajra if he is born in the Vajra Yoga. He has incredible power in his hands. He is perfect in different kinds of arts and is also an expert in using weapons. Generally he never faces financial loss in his life. He is also very brave and courageous. Siddha Yoga A person born in Siddha Yoga is an all rounder. He is perfect in almost every work. He performs all his tasks with dedication and sincerity. He has good appearance and enjoys blissful life. He is always ready to help others. He also contributes to charities for poor and helpless. He may face some health related problems and difficulties in his life. Vyatipat Yoga According to Vedic Astrology, a person born in Vyatipat Yoga faces many problems in his childhood. As he grows all his sorrows turn into happiness. In adolescence he enjoys a blissful life and gains fame. Variyan Yoga A person born in Variyan Yoga will have interests in music, dance and different types of arts. He will achieve success if he makes a career in these fields. He will achieve success in scripture arts. He will be strong and powerful. He also sticks to his decisions. Paridh Yoga A person born in Paridh Yoga is intelligent and knowledgeable. He has delicacy in his voice. He makes his family proud, with his good deeds and qualities. He lives a luxurious life.

Shiv Yoga A person born in Shiv Yoga is intelligent and loves to help others. He is not self-centered and he abandons his desires for others. He is an honest and kind-hearted person. He gets respect and honor in the society because of his simple nature. Siddha Yoga According to Vedic Astrology, a person born in Siddha Yoga has interests in secret arts and worships them. His wife will also be beautiful and virtuous. He will be a rich and well-to-do person. Sadhya Yoga A person born in Sadhya Yoga is a very strong decision-maker and he sticks to his decisions. He concentrates on his work and performs efficiently to achieve success in his work. He complete his tasks with patience and avoids hastiness in his life. Shubh Yoga As its name suggests, Shubh Yoga is very auspicious. A person born in this yoga will have a good appearance. He will also be very intelligent, knowledgeable and wealthy. He is generous and donates to charities. He serves and gives respect to Brahmans. Shukla Yoga Persons born in Shukla Yoga can perform various types of arts. They have interests in poetry and can be good poets as well. They are very knowledgeable, brave and courageous. They also have sound financial status. They can win the hearts of all with their affectionate nature and behavior. Brahma Yoga A person born in Brahma Yoga is well-informed. He has knowledge of various subjects and Vedas. He is also very good in different types of arts. He is a kind-hearted person and also has faith in God. Aindra Yoga According to Vedic Astrology, a native of Aindra Yoga will be wealthy, virtuous and fortunate. He will be rich and enjoy all material pleasure in his life. He will have many good qualities. But a native of Aindra Yoga may not have a long life. Vaidhiriti Yoga According to Vedic Astrology, a person born in Vaidhiriti Yoga is very enthusiastic and energetic in his work. He is very hard working and assiduous. He is always ready to help others. But he himself does not get respect, honor and love from his own people