While Tithi and Nakshatra get the most attention in daily Panchangam readings, two other elements — Yoga (యోగం) and Karana (కరణం) — play equally important roles in determining the quality of a given time period. These "hidden" elements are the fourth and fifth limbs of the Panchangam and are essential for muhurtam selection and daily planning.
Understanding Yoga (యోగం)
Yoga in the Panchangam context is not the physical practice of stretching and meditation
it is an astronomical calculation that reveals the combined influence of the Sun and Moon on a given time period. The word "Yoga" here means "combination" or "union."
How Yoga is Calculated
Take the sidereal longitude of the Sun, add the sidereal longitude of the Moon, and divide the result by 13 degrees 20 minutes (or 800 arc-minutes). The quotient (plus one) gives the Yoga number, ranging from 1 to 27. Each Yoga spans exactly 13°20' of the combined solar-lunar longitude.
The 27 Yogas and Their Natures:
Auspicious Yogas (శుభ యోగాలు): Priti (2), Ayushman (3), Saubhagya (4), Shobhana (5), Sukarma (7), Dhriti (8), Vriddhi (11), Dhruva (12), Harshana (14), Siddhi (16), Variyana (18), Shiva (20), Siddha (21), Sadhya (22), Shubha (23), Shukla (24), Brahma (25), Indra (26).
Inauspicious Yogas (అశుభ యోగాలు): Vishkambha (1), Atiganda (6), Shoola (9), Ganda (10), Vyaghata (13), Vyatipata (17), Parigha (19), Vaidhriti (27).
Mixed Yoga
Vajra (15) : good for some activities, challenging for others.
Among these, Vyatipata and Vaidhriti are considered particularly inauspicious and are called "Mahadoshas." Important ceremonies should be avoided during these yogas. Conversely, Siddhi, Amrita (another name for Siddha), and Shubha yogas are considered excellent for all auspicious activities.
Understanding Karana (కరణం)
A Karana is half of a Tithi. Since each Tithi spans 12 degrees of Moon-Sun elongation, a Karana spans 6 degrees. With 30 Tithis in a month, there are 60 Karanas.
Types of Karanas
There are 11 different Karanas in total:
7 Chara (Moving) Karanas that repeat 8 times each in a lunar month: Bava (బవ), Balava (బాలవ), Kaulava (కౌలవ), Taitila (తైతిల), Gara (గర), Vanija (వణిజ), Vishti (విష్టి/భద్ర).
4 Sthira (Fixed) Karanas that occur only once each per month: Shakuni (శకుని) — first half of Krishna Chaturdashi, Chatushpada (చతుష్పాద) — second half of Krishna Chaturdashi, Nagava (నాగవ) — first half of Amavasya, Kimstughna (కింస్తుఘ్న) — second half of Amavasya.
The Vishti (Bhadra) Karana
Among all Karanas, Vishti (also called Bhadra) deserves special attention. This Karana occurs 4 times in a lunar month, each lasting about 6 hours. Bhadra is the daughter of Surya and is considered malefic. Activities begun during Bhadra Karana are said to face obstacles and delays.
However, traditional texts note that Bhadra can be "tamed" in certain conditions: when Bhadra falls during nighttime, its negative effects are reduced; when Bhadra occurs in certain nakshatras, it may even become beneficial for specific activities; and when Bhadra is in the latter half of the Tithi (second Karana), its intensity is lessened.
Practical Application
For daily planning
Check the Yoga and Karana alongside Tithi and Nakshatra. A good Tithi with a bad Yoga does not constitute a truly auspicious time. For muhurtam selection, all five elements must align favorably. When the Panchangam shows Siddhi or Amrita Yoga combined with a good Tithi and Nakshatra, that time is considered especially powerful for new beginnings.
These two elements complete the picture of Vedic timekeeping. While they may seem complex, their practical message is simple: the quality of time is multi-dimensional, and the Panchangam captures this richness through its five interconnected elements.
Nitya Panchangam Editorial
Vedic Calendar & Astrology Editors
The Nitya Panchangam editorial team researches and writes on Vedic astronomy, traditional Panchangam calculations, Hindu festivals, and Muhurtam. All articles are reviewed against classical references including Surya Siddhanta, Muhurta Chintamani, and modern astronomical data (Lahiri Ayanamsa).
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