Shubh Yoga — the third and extremely important of the five panchang elements. In Sanskrit, "Yoga" means "union" — and in astrology, it is based on the sum of the longitudes of Sun and Moon. There are 27 yogas total — some auspicious, some inauspicious. Activities started in shubh yoga are more fruitful.
The concept of yoga has been coming down from the Vedic period. The Rigveda and Atharvaveda mention all 27 yogas. The duration of each yoga is approximately 24 hours, but due to differences in Sun-Moon speeds, some are smaller, some larger. In this article, we will study all 27 yogas in detail — auspicious-inauspicious classification, uses, and specific significance.
✦ Computation of Yoga
Yoga computation is simple. Add the sidereal longitudes of Sun and Moon. Divide the result by 13°20' (= 800 minutes). Limit the integer quotient to 27 — this is the "yoga number". 1 = Vishkumbha, 2 = Priti, 3 = Ayushman, etc.
Example: If Sun sidereal longitude is 10° (Aries) and Moon is 100° (Cancer) — yoga = (10 + 100) / 13.333 = 8.25. Integer part 8 = Dhriti yoga. 0.25 remains — 25% of yoga has elapsed, 75% remaining. Calculate the end time by examining yoga's daily duration.
Yoga change time is given in the panchang. Some yogas run 19-20 hours, some 28-29 hours — due to differences in Moon's orbital speed. Therefore, two yogas can fall in one day.
✦ Complete List of 27 Yogas
1. Vishkumbha — inauspicious. Prohibited for new work. 2. Priti — auspicious. For love, friendship. 3. Ayushman — auspicious. Longevity-producer, health work. 4. Saubhagya — extremely auspicious. Prosperity, fortune work. 5. Shobhana — auspicious. Beauty, art, marriage.
6. Atiganda — inauspicious. Avoid harsh work. 7. Sukarma — auspicious. Good karmas, religious work. 8. Dhriti — auspicious. Patience-work, stable work. 9. Shoola — inauspicious. Avoid intense work, conflict. 10. Ganda — inauspicious. Problem-solving prohibited.
11. Vriddhi — auspicious. Growth, prosperity-work. 12. Dhruva — extremely auspicious. Permanent work, griha pravesh. 13. Vyaghata — inauspicious. Disruption-causing. 14. Harshana — auspicious. Joy-giving, celebration. 15. Vajra — inauspicious. Intense conflict.
16. Siddhi — best auspicious. Sarva-karya-siddhi. 17. Vyatipata — extremely inauspicious. Completely prohibited (ancestral work exception). 18. Variyan — auspicious. Best work, high position. 19. Parigha — inauspicious. Obstacle-causing. 20. Shiva — auspicious. Spiritual work.
21. Siddha — auspicious. Siddhi-giving. 22. Sadhya — auspicious. Sadhana-work. 23. Shubh — auspicious. Auspicious work. 24. Shukla — auspicious. Purity, white-work. 25. Brahma — best auspicious. Brahma-work, knowledge. 26. Indra — auspicious. Leadership, royal work. 27. Vaidhriti — extremely inauspicious. Completely prohibited.
✦ 8 Auspicious Yogas — Maha-Shubh
Most auspicious 8 yogas: 1. Siddhi (16th) — success in all work. 2. Brahma (25th) — knowledge work. 3. Saubhagya (4th) — prosperity. 4. Shobhana (5th) — beauty work. 5. Dhruva (12th) — stability. 6. Variyan (18th) — best work. 7. Indra (26th) — leadership. 8. Shiva (20th) — spiritual.
Work done in these 8 auspicious yogas is considered "siddhi-giving". Marriage, griha pravesh, naming, sacred thread, business inception — selecting these yogas is auspicious for all. If other panchang-elements (tithi, nakshatra, karana, vaara) are also auspicious — then "maha-shubh combination" is formed.
Special significance of Siddhi yoga: As the name itself — "Siddhi" means success. Best for auspicious work, mantra-sadhana, tantric-sadhana, meditation, exam-beginning. Brahma yoga is extremely auspicious for knowledge-initiation, guru-shishya relationship, swadhyaya.
✦ Vyatipata and Vaidhriti — Maha-Inauspicious Yogas
Vyatipata (17th yoga) is universally prohibited — starting any auspicious work in it is extremely inauspicious. According to scriptures, work done in Vyatipata is destroyed — entire effort wasted. Travel, marriage, griha pravesh — completely prohibited.
Vyatipata exception: Pitru-tarpan, shraddha, mrita-karya extremely auspicious in Vyatipata. According to scriptures, deceased ancestors receive maximum satisfaction in this yoga. Pitru Paksha's Vyatipata tithi is best.
Vaidhriti (27th yoga) is also extremely inauspicious like Vyatipata. New work completely prohibited. Traveling in Vaidhriti is considered "vidhi" (misfortune) — traditionally.
Other inauspicious yogas: Vishkumbha, Atiganda, Shoola, Ganda, Vyaghata, Vajra, Parigha. Avoid special auspicious work in these too — though not as strict as Vyatipata-Vaidhriti.
✦ Practical Use of Yoga
Check daily panchang: Each day's yoga is given in the panchang — from what time to what time which yoga. If today's entire day is not in one yoga — view two yogas by time.
Selection of important work: If work is universally auspicious (marriage, griha pravesh), choose auspicious yoga (Siddhi, Brahma, Saubhagya, etc.). If work is neutral (daily meeting, short travel), avoid inauspicious yogas (Vyatipata, Vaidhriti). Can do ordinary work in medium-inauspicious yogas (Vishkumbha, etc.).
Combination of yoga and other panchang-elements: Yoga alone is not decisive. View combination of all five — tithi-nakshatra-yoga-karana-vaara. Example: Auspicious yoga + inauspicious nakshatra = mixed. Auspicious yoga + auspicious nakshatra + auspicious tithi + auspicious vaara = maha-auspicious.
📚Sources & References
Content in this article is verified against the following classical and modern authoritative sources. Readers may independently verify against the original sources.
- ▪Surya Siddhanta — classical Sanskrit astronomical text (~5th century CE)
- ▪Brihat Parashara Hora Shastra — foundational text on Vedic astrology by Maharishi Parashara
- ▪Muhurta Chintamani by Ram Daivajna (16th century) — standard reference for muhurat selection
- ▪Astronomical Algorithms by Jean Meeus (Willmann-Bell, 1998) — basis for all astronomical computations on this site
- ▪Lahiri Ayanamsa — standard sidereal reference adopted by the Indian Calendar Reform Committee (1955)
✦ Frequently Asked Questions
When does Vyatipata yoga occur?▼
Vyatipata occurs about once a month — especially when Moon is full (around Purnima). Check Vyatipata dates of 2026 in panchang — our site has the updated list. Pitru Paksha's Vyatipata tithi is especially auspicious for shraddha.
Can marriage be done in Brahma yoga?▼
Yes. Brahma yoga is universally auspicious — marriage, griha pravesh, all work auspicious. However, also check other panchang-elements (tithi, nakshatra, karana). Brahma yoga + Pushya nakshatra + auspicious tithi = maha-auspicious combination.
How to know yoga change time?▼
In panchang, "yoga start" and "yoga end" times are given for each day. Our panchang calculator gives local computation for 200+ cities — accurate to the minute.
🔗Related Topics
Note: This content is published for educational and cultural reference. For personal religious or astrological decisions, please consult a qualified pandit or jyotishi.