Vedic Panchang: Tithi Nakshatra Yoga Karana Vaar

Reviewed by Dr. Meenakshi Sharma, M.A. Sanskrit & Vedic Studies, Varanasi — as of May 2026.

The Vedic Panchang is the most comprehensive time-management system developed in ancient India — a five-dimensional almanac that encodes lunar phases, planetary weekdays, stellar positions, combined solar-lunar energies, and half-day quality markers into a single daily entry. As of 2026, the Vedic Panchang remains the authoritative reference for religious ceremonies, medical timing, agricultural planning, and daily auspicious decisions across South Asia. The Surya Siddhanta, composed around 400 CE, provides the definitive mathematical formulae for all five limbs and remains the computational backbone of every traditional Panchang in use today. For live readings, visit /panchang or check your /birth-chart-calculator for personalized planetary positions.

> Answer capsule: The Vedic Panchang comprises five limbs (Pancha Anga): Tithi (lunar day by 12-degree arc), Vara (weekday and planetary ruler), Nakshatra (Moon's asterism out of 27), Yoga (Sun+Moon longitude divided into 27 arcs), and Karana (half-Tithi period). The Surya Siddhanta provides the primary mathematical authority for all five calculations.

Tithi is calculated as the Sun-Moon angular difference divided into 12-degree arcs. The Surya Siddhanta formula: Tithi number = (Moon's longitude − Sun's longitude) / 12, taking the integer quotient + 1.

Shukla Paksha (Waxing / Bright Fortnight): 1. Pratipada — New energy; moderately auspicious for starts. 2. Dvitiya — Travel, arts, auspicious. 3. Tritiya — Good for most activities; ruled by Mars. 4. Chaturthi — Ganesh day; mixed — good for removing obstacles, moderate for other new starts. 5. Panchami — Medical treatments, ruled by serpents; auspicious for healing work. 6. Shashthi — War, courage; moderate. 7. Saptami — Travel, vehicles; excellent for journeys. 8. Ashtami — Durga; mixed — power but turbulence. 9. Navami — Mixed; ruled by serpents. 10. Dashami — Very auspicious for most activities. 11. Ekadashi — Sacred fasting Tithi; excellent for spiritual work, moderate for worldly. 12. Dvadashi — Vishnu's Tithi; auspicious for donations and contracts. 13. Trayodashi — Good for most activities. 14. Chaturdashi — Shiva; powerful but avoided for most new ventures. 15. Purnima (Full Moon) — Maximum benefic energy; ceremonies, celebrations.

Krishna Paksha (Waning / Dark Fortnight): Mirrors the Shukla Paksha numbering 1–14, with decreasing lunar brightness. Activities in Krishna Paksha are more suited to consolidation, inner work, and completing existing projects. Krishna Chaturdashi is one of the most inauspicious Tithis for any new venture. 30. Amavasya (New Moon) — Ancestor rites (Pitru Tarpana), internal reflection; strongly avoided for new starts.

> Answer capsule: The 30 Tithis divide the lunar month into 15 bright-fortnight (Shukla) and 15 dark-fortnight (Krishna) days. Dashami, Dvadashi, Trayodashi, and Purnima are among the most auspicious Tithis for new starts. Ashtami, Chaturdashi, and Amavasya are avoided for major new ventures.

Each Vara is governed by one of the seven visible planets. The Brihat Samhita by Varahamihira systematically categorizes activities by Vara:

Vara | Planet | Best Activities | Avoid

• Ravivara (Sun) — Surya — Government, authority, father, health — Routine trade
• Somavara (Mon) — Chandra — Travel start, emotional decisions, farming — Confrontation
• Mangalavara (Tue) — Mangala — Surgery, physical labor, real estate — New partnerships
• Budhavara (Wed) — Budha — Writing, accounts, education, trade — Heavy labor
• Guruvara (Thu) — Guru — All new starts, contracts, education, religion — Nothing — the most universally favorable
• Shukravara (Fri) — Shukra — Marriage, arts, luxury, relationships — Conflict resolution
• Shanivara (Sat) — Shani — Construction, farming, service, discipline — Quick new starts

The first Hora (planetary hour) of each day always belongs to the day's ruling planet — this alignment between Vara and the opening Hora makes the very first hour of sunrise on each day especially resonant with the day's planetary quality.

> Answer capsule: The 7 Varas assign each weekday to a planetary ruler. Thursday (Jupiter/Guru) is universally auspicious for new ventures. Wednesday (Mercury) supports education and commerce. Saturday (Saturn) rewards discipline and slow-build work. The day's planet sets the dominant energy from sunrise onwards.

The 27 Nakshatras are fixed star clusters spanning the 360-degree ecliptic in arcs of 13 degrees 20 minutes each. The Moon transits each Nakshatra in approximately 24 hours. The Taittiriya Brahmana and later the Brihat Samhita classify Nakshatras by nature:

Dhruva (Fixed) Nakshatras — Rohini, Uttara Phalguni, Uttara Ashadha, Uttara Bhadrapada: Best for permanent activities — houses, marriages, long-term investments.

Chara (Moveable) Nakshatras — Punarvasu, Swati, Shravana, Dhanishtha, Shatabhisha: Excellent for travel, changing jobs, exploration.

Ugra (Fierce) Nakshatras — Bharani, Magha, Purva Phalguni, Purva Ashadha, Purva Bhadrapada: Suited for confrontational activities — legal battles, demolition, aggressive action.

Tikshna (Sharp) Nakshatras — Ardra, Ashlesha, Jyeshtha, Mula: Avoided for most new starts; suited for magic, destruction, separations.

Mridu (Soft) Nakshatras — Mrigashira, Chitra, Anuradha, Revati: Good for arts, music, learning, clothing, jewelry.

Misha (Mixed) Nakshatras — Krittika, Vishakha: Moderate — assess other limbs carefully.

Laghu (Light) Nakshatras — Ashvini, Pushya, Hasta: Best for quick new starts, travel, medicine, skill work.

Pushya is universally the most auspicious single Nakshatra in Vedic tradition — the Brihat Samhita specifically states that Pushya overrides most other inauspicious conditions.

> Answer capsule: The 27 Nakshatras are classified into six groups by activity suitability: Fixed (best for permanent matters), Moveable (travel, change), Fierce (confrontation), Sharp (avoid for new starts), Soft (arts, learning), and Light (quick starts, medicine). Pushya Nakshatra overrides most other adverse Panchang conditions.

Yoga is calculated: (Sun's longitude + Moon's longitude) / 13°20', taking the integer position to identify which of the 27 Yogas is active. The complete list with their nature:

Inauspicious (Ashubha) Yogas — avoid new starts: 1. Vishkambha — obstructed, heavy 6. Atiganda — very destructive 9. Shoola — painful, sharp 10. Ganda — dangerous 13. Vyaghata — tiger-like, destructive 15. Vajra — lightning-like, unstable 17. Vyatipata — catastrophic (considered the single most inauspicious Yoga in many traditions) 19. Parigha — walls/barriers; everything hits resistance 27. Vaidhriti — no support; things fall apart

Most Auspicious Yogas: 3. Saubhagya — good fortune 4. Shobhana — brilliant, beautiful 5. Atiganda — NOTE: same number as above in some systems; regional variation exists 7. Sukarman — excellent for work 11. Vriddhi — growth, increase 14. Dhruva — stable, permanent 16. Siddhi — accomplishment, achievement 18. Variyan — great, expansive 20. Shiva — divine grace 21. Siddha — everything succeeds 22. Sadhya — achievable 24. Shubha — auspicious 25. Shukla — bright, pure 26. Brahma — knowledge, creation

The Surya Siddhanta (Chapter 9) provides the formula for Yoga calculation and notes that Vyatipata and Vaidhriti are the two Yogas most absolutely avoided for any auspicious work.

> Answer capsule: Of the 27 Panchang Yogas, 9 are inauspicious — with Vyatipata and Vaidhriti being the most severely inauspicious. Siddha, Shiva, and Amrit Yoga are the most powerfully auspicious. Yoga is calculated by summing the Sun's and Moon's sidereal longitudes and dividing into 27 equal arcs.

Karana is half a Tithi. Each lunar month of 30 Tithis contains 60 Karanas. Of these 60 positions: 1. The first Karana of the month (first half of Pratipada) is always Kimstughna (fixed). 2. Positions 2–57 cycle through the 7 moveable Karanas: Bava, Balava, Kaulava, Taitila, Garaja, Vanija, Vishti — in repeating cycle (8 complete cycles = 56 Karanas). 3. Positions 58–60 are the three remaining fixed Karanas: Shakuni, Chatushpada, Naga.

Fixed Karanas (appear once per month in fixed positions): 1. Kimstughna: First half of Shukla Pratipada. Mixed; used for starting routine work. 2. Shakuni: Second half of Krishna Chaturdashi. Inauspicious for most activities. 3. Chatushpada: First half of Amavasya. Inauspicious. 4. Naga: Second half of Amavasya. Inauspicious.

Moveable Karanas (cycle through the month): 1. Bava: Auspicious; excellent for beginning auspicious ceremonies. 2. Balava: Generally auspicious; good for most activities. 3. Kaulava: Moderate; acceptable for routine work. 4. Taitila: Good for agriculture, sesame-related activities. 5. Garaja: Good for service-related activities. 6. Vanija: "Merchant" Karana — best for commercial transactions. 7. Vishti (Bhadra): The single most inauspicious Karana. Strictly avoided for starting any new auspicious work, travel, or ceremony.

The Brihat Samhita (Chapter 99) details the Karana cycle and specifically names Vishti Karana as "the destroyer of all good work begun within it."

> Answer capsule: The 11 Karanas divide into 4 fixed (appearing once per month) and 7 moveable (cycling throughout the month). Vishti Karana is the most inauspicious — the Brihat Samhita specifically warns against beginning any auspicious work within it. Vanija is best for commerce; Bava is best for ceremonies.

The concept of Pancha Shuddhi (five-fold purity) describes the ideal state where all five Panchang limbs are simultaneously clean and auspicious. Classical texts describe conditions for each:

1. Tithi Shuddhi: Tithi is auspicious (Pratipada through Trayodashi of Shukla Paksha, excluding Ashtami and Chaturdashi, plus Purnima). 2. Vara Shuddhi: Weekday is auspicious for the planned activity (Thursday for contracts, Wednesday for education, etc.). 3. Nakshatra Shuddhi: Moon is in a favorable Nakshatra for the purpose. 4. Yoga Shuddhi: None of the 9 inauspicious Yogas is active. 5. Karana Shuddhi: Vishti Karana is not active during the planned window.

When all five achieve Shuddhi simultaneously, the moment is called Sarvottama Muhurta — the supremely best moment. In practice, such moments are rare. Three clean limbs with no Vishti Karana constitute an acceptable Muhurta for most important activities.

> Answer capsule: Pancha Shuddhi requires all five Panchang limbs to be simultaneously auspicious. This state — called Sarvottama Muhurta — is rare and ideal for life-defining events. For most important activities, three clean limbs with no Vishti Karana is a sufficient standard, per classical Vedic astrology guidance.

The Surya Siddhanta provides the core calculation methodology. The key formulae:

Tithi: (Moon longitude − Sun longitude) ÷ 12 = Tithi number (integer part + 1)

Nakshatra: Moon longitude ÷ 13°20' = Nakshatra number (integer part + 1)

Yoga: (Sun longitude + Moon longitude) ÷ 13°20' = Yoga number (integer part + 1, modulo 27)

Karana: (Moon longitude − Sun longitude) ÷ 6 = Karana position (integer part, with fixed/moveable mapping applied)

Vara: Derived from Julian Day Number — the classical formula maps specific JDN values to weekdays in a perpetual cycle.

All longitudes are sidereal (nirayana) — measured from the fixed star backdrop rather than the tropical vernal equinox. The ayanamsha (currently approximately 23°52' using the Lahiri standard in 2026) is subtracted from the tropical longitude to obtain sidereal longitude. This is the fundamental distinction between Vedic Panchang calculations and Western calendar systems.

> Answer capsule: Vedic Panchang calculations use sidereal (nirayana) longitudes — the ayanamsha (approximately 23°52' in 2026 by Lahiri standard) is subtracted from tropical positions. Tithi, Nakshatra, and Yoga are all derived from these sidereal positions using the formulae in the Surya Siddhanta.

The Surya Siddhanta's calculation framework underpins all regional Panchangs, but regional traditions apply it with local variations:

North India: Follows the Purnimanta month-end system — the month ends at Purnima. The Lahiri ayanamsha is standard. Vikram Samvat is the primary year count.

South India: Follows the Amanta month-end system — the month ends at Amavasya. Some regional traditions use the Drik (observational) system. Shalivahana Shaka is common.

Maharashtra: Uses the Chitrapaksha ayanamsha — slightly different from Lahiri, resulting in small date variations.

Tamil Nadu / Kerala: The Drik Panchang system is dominant, emphasizing astronomical precision over traditional calculation.

Despite these regional differences, the five-limb structure and their interpretations remain consistent. A Vishti Karana warning in a Tamil Panchang carries exactly the same meaning as in a Rajasthani Panchang.

> Answer capsule: India's regional Panchang traditions — North India (Purnimanta), South India (Amanta, Drik), Maharashtra (Chitrapaksha) — differ in month-end conventions and ayanamsha choice but share the identical five-limb structure and interpretive system. Classical meanings of each limb are consistent nationwide.

In 2026, the Vedic Panchang applies to decisions that previous generations used it for — but also to categories that classical texts could not have anticipated. The underlying logic is unchanged: align the nature of the activity with the cosmic quality of the moment.

Launching a mobile app: Thursday (Jupiter Vara), Shukla Dashami or Dvadashi (auspicious Tithi), Pushya or Rohini Nakshatra, Siddha or Shiva Yoga, Bava or Vanija Karana. Medical appointment for elective surgery: Avoid Vishti Karana, Mula Nakshatra, and any of the 9 inauspicious Yogas. Job interview: Wednesday or Thursday Vara, bright fortnight Tithi, favorable Nakshatra for Mercury or Jupiter depending on the role.

The /panchang tool generates the complete five-limb Panchang for your city and date, allowing direct application of these principles to your specific planning needs.

> Answer capsule: The Vedic Panchang's five-limb system applies to all modern decisions — business launches, medical procedures, interviews, travel — using the same logic: match the activity's nature to the cosmic quality of the moment. Thursday and favorable Nakshatras with Siddha or Shiva Yoga constitute the strongest combination for any major new venture.

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1. What is the difference between Vedic Panchang and the Gregorian calendar? The Gregorian calendar is purely solar — it tracks the Earth's orbit around the Sun. The Vedic Panchang is lunisolar — it tracks both the Moon's phases (Tithi) and the Sun's position, reconciling them through a 5-year intercalary cycle (Panchanga). The Panchang also encodes qualitative information (auspiciousness) that the Gregorian calendar does not.

2. How is the Vedic Panchang different from the Chinese calendar? Both are lunisolar systems and share some structural similarities, but the Vedic Panchang uses a completely different set of named time units (Tithi, Nakshatra, Yoga, Karana) derived from Indian astronomical texts. The Chinese calendar uses 28 lunar mansions (Xiu) instead of 27 Nakshatras, and its philosophy of auspiciousness is based on entirely different principles.

3. What is Ayanamsha and why does it matter for Panchang? Ayanamsha is the angular difference between the tropical zodiac (moving with the precession of equinoxes) and the sidereal zodiac (fixed against the stars). Currently approximately 23°52' (Lahiri standard, 2026). All Vedic Panchang calculations use the sidereal zodiac, so the correct ayanamsha is essential for accurate Tithi, Nakshatra, and Yoga computation.

4. Can I follow Panchang without belief in astrology? The Panchang is fundamentally an astronomical document — it tracks real celestial positions. The interpretive layer (which Tithi is auspicious, which Nakshatra favors travel) is a traditional overlay built over thousands of years of observation. One can use the astronomical data without accepting the interpretive framework, though the full value of the system emerges when both layers are used together.

5. How accurate are digital Panchangs? Modern digital Panchangs using ephemeris data (JPL DE-series or similar) are extremely accurate — their planetary position calculations are correct to within arc-seconds. The primary source of variation between different digital Panchangs is the choice of ayanamsha, not calculation error.

6. What is the Yoga Vishkambha and why is it inauspicious? Vishkambha is the first of the 27 Yogas. Classical texts associate it with blockages and obstacles — the name means "axle" or "obstruction." Activities begun during Vishkambha face structural resistance. The Surya Siddhanta lists it among the Ashubha (inauspicious) Yogas.

7. What is Chandrabala in relation to the Panchang? Chandrabala is a supplementary consideration in Vedic timing — it refers to the Moon's strength relative to your personal birth Moon sign. When the day's Moon is in the 1st, 3rd, 6th, 7th, 10th, or 11th sign from your natal Moon sign, Chandrabala is present and the day is personally favorable for you, even if the general Panchang is mixed.

8. How many Tithis can fall on a single solar day? Most solar days contain exactly one Tithi at sunrise. However, since Tithis are slightly shorter than 24 hours, some days can contain portions of two different Tithis — the first ending mid-day and the second beginning at that point. Rarely, a very short Tithi can begin and end within a single day (Tithi Kshaya — lost Tithi). A very long Tithi can span two solar days (Tithi Vriddhi — extended Tithi).

9. Which Nakshatra is best for starting a new job? Pushya, Rohini, Hasta, Ashvini, and Uttara Phalguni are among the best Nakshatras for starting a new job. Pushya specifically is associated with nourishment and growth in one's position. Hasta (ruled by Moon) is excellent for skilled and detailed work.

10. Where can I find the complete Vedic Panchang for today? AstroSight's Panchang calculator at /panchang provides the complete five-limb Vedic Panchang for any Indian city, calculated using Drik (observational) astronomy with the Lahiri ayanamsha standard.