What is Panchang ?

Panchang is the traditional hindu calendar which is of great importance in Vedic astrology. In this webcast, we will talk about the five different parts of a Panchang and their roles in vedic jyotish.

Tithi:

One phase of the Moon is called Tithi. A tithi is formed by having 12 degrees of difference between the Moon and the Sun. When the difference is 180 degrees, that time is called Poornima and when this difference is 0 or 360 degrees, that time is called Amavas. There are about 30 Tithi in a month. 15 of Krishna Paksha and 15th of Shukla Paksha. Their names are as follows: 1 Pratipada, 2 Dwitiya, 3 Tritiya, 4 Chaturthi, 5 Panchami, 6 Shashthi, 7 Saptami, 8 Ashtami, 9 Navami, 10 Dashami, 11 Ekadashi, 12 Dwadashi, 13 Trayodashi, 14 Chaturdashi and 15 Poornima. This is called Shukla Paksha. This is the 14th Tithi in Krishna Paksha, but the last date is known as Amavasya instead of Purnima.

Importance of Tithi in Panchang

There are 16 different Tithis. Purnima and Amavasya occur once every month. Other Tithis occur two times a month. These are : Pratipada, Dwitiya, Tritiya, Chaturthi, Panchami, Shashti, Saptami, Ashtami, Navami, Dashami, Ekadashi, Dwadashi, Trayodashi and Chaturdashi. Purnima is considered the 15th Tithi and Amavasya is considered the 30th Tithi. Hindu month has been divided into two parts on the basis of waxing or waning Moon. The first part is Shukla Paksha and the second part is called Krishna Paksha. Shukla Paksha begins with Pratipada and ends on the day of Chaturdashi. The 15th Tithi is Purnima.

Vaar:

The period from one sunrise to the sunrise of another day is called Vaar. There are seven strikes. 1. Sunday, 2. Monday, 3. Tuesday, 4. Wednesday, 5. Thursday, 6. Friday and 7. Saturday.

Importance of Vaar in Panchang

The fifth part of the Panchang is Vaar or weekday. Vaar is the time between one sunrise and the next. There are seven Vaars, i.e, Ravivaar, Somvaar, Mangalvaar, Buddhvaar, Brihaspativaar, Shukravaar and Shanivaar. Mangalvaar and Shanivaar are considered unlucky for any auspicious activity. Ravivaar is partially auspicious. Somvaar, Buddhvaar, Brihaspativaar and Shukravaar are considered good for auspicious works.

Nakshatra:

A group of stars is called a constellation. There are 27 constellations. Each Nakshatra has four charans and the combination of nine charans forms a zodiac. The names of the 27 Nakshatras are as follows, 1. Ashwini 2. Bharani 3. Krittika 4. Rohini 5. Mrigashira 6. Ardra 7. Punarvasu 8. Pushya 9. Ashlesha 10. Magha 11. Purva Phalguni 12. Uttara Phalguni 13. Hasta 14. Chitra 15. Swati 16. Vishakha 17. Anuradha 18. Jyeshtha 19. Moola 20. Purvashadha 21. Uttarashada 22. Shravan 23. Dhanishtha 24. Shatbhisha 25. Purva Bhadrapada 26. Uttara Bhadrapada 27. Revati.

Importance of Nakshatra in Panchang

Nakshatra is the first ang, or part of the Panchang. According to Indian Vedic astrology, there are 27 Nakshatras. In muhurtha astrology, a 28th Nakshatra is also counted, called the Abhijeet Nakshatra. Abhijeet Muhurtha is considered very lucky for all significant work. Hence if you include Abhijeet, the Nakshatra count becomes 28.

Each Nakshatra is considered good or suitable for a particular activity. These activities include marriage, shifting in a new house, buying a new vehicle, starting new education, laying the foundation of a building, etc.

Each Nakshatra has 13 degrees and 20 minutes on the 360 degree zodiac and is effective for around a day.

Yoga:

Yoga is formed by the combination of the Sun and Moon, these are also 27. Their names are as follows- 1. Vishkumbh, 2. Preeti, 3. Ayushman, 4. Saubhagya, 5. Shobhan, 6. Atigund, 7. Sukarma, 8. Ghriti, 9. Shool, 10. Gand, 11. Growth, 12. Dhrav, 13. Vyaghat, 14. Harshal, 15. Vaka, 16. Siddhi, 17. Vyatipat, 18. Variyan, 19. Paridhi, 20. Shiva, 21. Siddha, 22. Saadhya, 23. Auspicious, 24. Shukla, 25. Brahma, 26. Indra, 27. Vaighriti.

Importance of Yog in Panchang

Yog is the third part of the Panchang. Each Yoga is effective for a day in a person’s life. The 27 Yogas are : Vishkumbh, Preeti, Ayushmaan, Saubhagya, Shobhan, Atigand, Sukarma, Dhriti, Shool, Gand, Vriddhi, Dhruv, Vyaghaat, Harshan, Vajra, Siddhi, Vyatipaat, Variyaan, Parigh, Shiv, Siddh, Sadhya, Shubh, Shukla, Brahma, Indra and Vaidhriti.

These Yogas can be both auspicious and inauspicious. The name of each Yog reflects whether it’s lucky or unlucky. Out of the 27 Yogas, 9 Yogas are unlucky.

The calculation of Yog is done using the celestial longitude(Bhogansha) of the Sun and the Moon.

Karana:

Half of a Tithi is called Karana i.e. there are two Karanas in a Tithi. The names of the Karanas are as follows: 1. Bava, 2.Balav, 3.Kaulava, 4.Taitil, 5.Gara, 6.Vanijya, 7.Vishti (Bhadra), 8.Shakuni, 9.Chatushpada, 10.Nag, 11.Kinstughan.

Importance of Karan in Panchang

Karan is the fourth part of the Panchang. There are 11 Karans. Four Karans are stationary while seven are movable. Shakuni, Chatushpad, Naag and Kintughna are stationary while Bav, Balav, Kaulav, Taitil, Gar, Vanij and Vishti are movable. These Karans occur eight times in a lunar month. Each day consists of two Karans called the Purvardha and Uttarardha Karan.

The length of a Karan is half that of a Tithi. Shakuni, Chatushpad, Naag and Kimstughna are inauspicious Karans. They are not considered good for any auspicious work.