The word "Panchang" literally means "five limbs" in Sanskrit (Pancha = five, Anga = limb). Each of these five components provides crucial information about the cosmic state of any given day. Understanding them is fundamental to Vedic astrology.
✦ 1. Tithi (Lunar Day)
Tithi is the first and most important limb. It represents the angular distance between Sun and Moon. Each tithi spans 12 degrees of this distance.
Calculation Moon - Sun longitude = 12° = 1 tithi Total: 30 tithis per lunar month (29.5 days)
Two Pakshas - **Shukla Paksha** (Tithi 1-15): New Moon to Full Moon (Bright fortnight) - **Krishna Paksha** (Tithi 16-30): Full Moon to New Moon (Dark fortnight)
Five Tithi Categories 1. **Nanda** (1, 6, 11): Joy, celebration 2. **Bhadra** (2, 7, 12): Strength, work 3. **Jaya** (3, 8, 13): Victory, achievement 4. **Rikta** (4, 9, 14): Empty, avoid new starts 5. **Purna** (5, 10, 15): Complete, full
✦ 2. Nakshatra (Lunar Mansion)
The 27 nakshatras divide the zodiac into 13°20' segments. They represent the constellations through which the Moon transits.
Categories of Nakshatras
By Nature: - Light (Laghu): Ashwini, Pushya, Hasta, Abhijit - Soft (Mridu): Mrigashira, Chitra, Anuradha, Revati - Sharp (Tikshna): Ardra, Ashlesha, Jyeshtha, Mula - Mixed (Misra): Krittika, Vishakha - Movable (Chara): Punarvasu, Swati, Shravana, Dhanishtha, Shatabhisha - Fixed (Sthira): Rohini, Uttara Phalguni, Uttara Ashadha, Uttara Bhadrapada - Fierce (Ugra): Bharani, Magha, Purva Phalguni, Purva Ashadha, Purva Bhadrapada
Importance - Determines suitable activities - Influences child's nature (Janma Nakshatra) - Used in marriage compatibility (Nakshatra matching)
✦ 3. Yoga (Astronomical Combination)
Yoga is the angular sum of Sun and Moon longitudes divided by 13°20'. There are 27 yogas.
Calculation (Sun longitude + Moon longitude) ÷ 13°20' = Yoga number
Auspicious Yogas (15) Priti, Ayushman, Saubhagya, Shobhana, Sukarma, Dhriti, Vriddhi, Dhruva, Harshana, Siddhi, Variyana, Shiva, Siddha, Sadhya, Shubha, Shukla, Brahma, Indra
Inauspicious Yogas (9) Vishkambha, Atiganda, Shoola, Ganda, Vyaghata, Vajra, Vyatipata, Parigha, Vaidhriti
Special Yogas - **Sarvartha Siddhi**: Combination of nakshatra + day for great success - **Amrit Siddhi**: Excellent for nectar-like results - **Ravi Pushya**: Sunday + Pushya — extremely auspicious
✦ 4. Karana (Half-Tithi)
Each tithi is divided into 2 karanas. There are 11 karanas, divided into:
Movable (Chara) Karanas - 7 1. Bava 2. Balava 3. Kaulava 4. Taitila 5. Garaja 6. Vanija 7. Vishti (Bhadra) - **AVOID for any auspicious work**
Fixed (Sthira) Karanas - 4 1. Shakuni 2. Chatushpada 3. Naga 4. Kimstughna
Cycle Movable karanas cycle 8 times (56 karanas) Fixed karanas appear once each at month-end (4 karanas) Total: 60 karanas per month
Vishti/Bhadra The 7th karana (Vishti) is considered extremely inauspicious. Avoid it for any new venture, journey, or important activity.
✦ 5. Vaara (Day of Week)
The seven days of the week, each ruled by a planet:
| Day | Hindi | Planet | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sunday | रविवार (Ravivara) | Sun | East |
| Monday | सोमवार (Somavara) | Moon | Northwest |
| Tuesday | मंगलवार (Mangalavara) | Mars | South |
| Wednesday | बुधवार (Budhavara) | Mercury | North |
| Thursday | गुरुवार (Guruvara) | Jupiter | Northeast |
| Friday | शुक्रवार (Shukravara) | Venus | Southeast |
| Saturday | शनिवार (Shanivara) | Saturn | West |
Best Activities by Day - **Monday**: Travel, water-related work, meditation - **Tuesday**: Land deals, sports, courage-building (avoid soft work) - **Wednesday**: Education, business, communication - **Thursday**: Religion, education, marriage (most auspicious) - **Friday**: Beauty, arts, marriage, luxury - **Saturday**: Justice, hard work, longevity matters - **Sunday**: Authority, government work, leadership
✦ How They Work Together
A truly auspicious moment requires: 1. Good Tithi (Shukla Paksha preferred) 2. Good Nakshatra (matched to activity) 3. Auspicious Yoga 4. Non-Vishti Karana 5. Suitable Vaara (day of week)
If even one of these is unfavorable, the muhurat is considered weakened.
✦ Practical Application
When checking today's panchang, look for: - Are at least 4 of 5 elements favorable? - What activities are this day suited for? - Which time periods (Choghadiya) are best? - What should be avoided?
✦ Conclusion
The five limbs of Panchang form an interconnected system that captures the cosmic state of each day. Understanding them empowers you to make informed decisions aligned with universal rhythms. Use our daily Panchang tool to see all five limbs for any date and your specific location.