Guest guest Posted August 9, 2004 Report Share Posted August 9, 2004 ALMANACS ain^dhu karaththanai yAnai mukaththanai in^dhin iLampiRai pOlum eyiRRanai n^an^dhi makanRanai nyAnak kozun^dhinai pun^dhiyil vaiththaDi pORRukin REnE. Pan-changa, a Sanskrit word, means "five limbs," which refers to the fact that every panchangam includes the five basic elements of tithi (lunar day), naksatra (the constellation the moon is aligned with), karana (half-day), yoga (a particular angle of the sun and moon) and vara or vasara (solar weekday). We are all well aware of the concepts of "good timing" and "bad timing" and how at certain times everything seems to be flowing along smoothly, while at other moments things "just don't come together." The calendar provides knowledge to understand such phenomena, so that one can take advantage of auspicious moments and avoid new undertakings when the creative forces are on the wane. DIVISIONS OF TIME Telling time has been refined to a science in the Hindu culture. And nowhere is time given greater prominence than in the Hindu temple. THE YEAR-SAMVATSARA In India there are numerous era systems in use. The Kali Era, Vikrama Era, and the Saka Era are several of the era systems being followed today. The Hindu year for the Kali Era system begins when the Sun enters the sign of Mesha (Aries). It is a day of great importance, and a time of celebration, marking the dawn of a New Year cycle. THE NAME OF THE YEAR In all, there are sixty names, which repeat in a sixty-year cycle based on the time it takes Jupiter to orbit the sun five times. The names of the years are: Prabhava, Vibhava, Sukla, Pramoda, Prajapati, Angiras, Srimukha, Bhava,Yuvan, Dhatri, Isvara, Bahudhanya, Pramathin, Vikrama, Vrisha, Chitrab-hanu, Subhanu, Tarana, Parthiva, Vyaya, Sarvajit, Sarvadharin, Virodhin,Vikrita, Khara, Nandana, Vijaya, Jaya, Manmatha, Durmukha, Hemalamba, Vilamba, Vikarin, Sarvari, Plava, Subhakrit, Sobhana, Krodhin, Vis-vavasu, Parabhava, Palavanga, Kilaka, Saumaya, Sadharana, Virodhakrit,Paridhavin, Pramadin, Ananda, Rakshasa, Anala (or Nala), Pingala,Kalayukta, Siddharthin, Raudra, Durmati, Dundubhi, Rudhirodgarin,Raktaksha, Krodhana and Kshaya (or Akshaya). HALF-YEAR-AYANA Each year is divided into two halves, known as ayana. Uttarayana begins on the day of the winter solstice, normally December 21, when the sun begins its apparent northward journey. Dakshinayana begins on the first day of the summer solstice, normally June 21, marking the sun's southward movement. The two days commencing the two ayanas are considered sacred and known as punya kala, "times of great merit. THE SIX SEASONS-RTAU In the West we are familiar with four seasons-spring, summer, autumn and winter. In India, there are six seasons. Each season is two months (masa) duration. 1)The new year begins with Vasanta Rtau, the season when the trees and plants are blossoming, which begins on the first day of Mesha Mase (mid-April). 2) Grishma Rtau, commencing at the start of Maithuna Mase (in mid- June), is the "hot summer." 3) The rainy season, Varsha Rtau, begins in Simha Mase (mid-August). 4) Sara Rtau, the season of fruits, begin in Thula Mase (mid-October). 5) Hemantha Rtau, the cold season, begins in mid-December. 6) Sisir Rtau, the last season of the year, begins in Kumbha Mase (mid-February), when trees and plants begin sprouting new leaves. Each season a different textbook is studied. They are as follows: 1) Nartana Ritau, the season of Dancing with Siva, begins on Hindu New Year. This is the period of creation, the warm season, from mid- April through mid-August. 2) During Jivana Ritau, the rainy season, from mid-August to mid December, Living with Siva: Hinduism's Contemporary Culture is the primary text. 3) The third period of the year, Moksha Ritau, the cool season, is from mid-December to mid-April. THE MONTH-MASA-SOLAR AND LUNAR In India, several states use a solar-year calendar while others use the lunar-year calendar. In all states the lunar calendar is used for determining the dates of religious festivals and for selecting auspicious times for beginning many socio-religious activities. Vedic Calendar uses both the solar month and the lunar month and would be known as a "luni-solar calendar." For business purposes and modern convenience we also use the Gregorian year which follows neither a solar month nor a lunar system. SOLAR MONTHS The Hindu astronomical text, Surya-Siddhanta, defines the solar month as the time it takes the sun to traverse one rasi (Zodiac sign), measured from the time of entry into one rasi (this point is known as a samkranti) and the next. The point when the sun enters Mesha (Aries) rasi is widely accepted as the beginning of the year. Thus the first solar month is called Mesha in Sanskrit. The Sanskrit names of the solar months are listed in Vedic Calendar. Each is named after the sign of the zodiac that the sun is in. Their names are Mesha(Aries), Vrshabha (Taurus), Mithuna (Gemini), Kataka (Cancer), Simha (Leo),Kanya (Virgo), Thula (Libra), Vrschika (Scorpio), Dhanus (Sagittarius), Makara(Capricorn), Kumbha (Aquarius) and Meena (Pisces). LUNAR MONTHS The lunar month is measured either by the period covered from one new- moon to the next, known as the amanta or mukhya mana system, or from one full-moon to the next one, known as the purnimanta or gauna mana system. Vedic Calendar uses the purnimanta lunar month system. PAKSHA One month is the duration of one orbit of the moon around the earth. In Hindu measuring of time, this period is divided in two parts, the light fortnight, called shukla paksha (or sudi), and the dark fortnight, called krishna paksha (orvadi). Shukla Paksha is the period when the moon is waxing, beginning on the new moon (Amavasya) and extending to the full moon (Purnima). Krishna pak-sha, the period when the moon is waning, begins after the full moon and extends to the new moon. Knowing whether the moon is waxing or waning is helpful in understanding the moon's current influence. Under the waxing moon, we are generally more energetic, as moon's forces are on the rise, indicating growth and development. THE MOON SIGN OR RASI In Vedic Calendar the rasi names the Zodiac sign the moon is currently passing through. It lists the degree of the sign of the moon at 6:00 AM. For example, "Kataka (Cancer) Rasi 1.4" means that the moon is at 1.4 degrees Cancer at6:00 in the morning. The moon travels approximately 12º per day. For gardening, the moon sign is useful in determining planting, harvesting, fertilizing gardening activity dates. The moon takes a little over two and one-half days to traverse one zodiac sign. The rasis are Mesha (Aries), Vrshabha (Taurus), Mithuna (Gemini), Kataka (Cancer),Simha (Leo), Kanya (Virgo), Thula (Libra), Vrschika (Scorpio), Dhanus (Sagittar-ius), Makara (Capricorn), Kumbha (Aquarius) and Meena (Pisces). THE DAY-SOLAR AND LUNARTHE SOLAR DAY-VARA In addition to observing the lunar day, or tithi (discussed in the next section), the traditional Hindu calendar also recognizes the solar day, or vara. The vara begins with sunrise and ends with sunrise the next day, based on the rotation of the earth on its axis. (The time of sunrise and sunset are listed in Vedic Calendar.) Each solar day is divided into 24 horas (hours), and the horas are assigned to the planets in their "descending side-real period." There are seven days in the week, and each is most strongly influenced by a particular planet as follows. In Vedic calendar, vara is listed after the English weekday notation. Solar Day (vara) Bhanu (or Ravi) vara Sunday Sun Indu (or Soma) vara Monday Moon Mangala vara Tuesday Mars Budha vara Wednesday Mercury Guru (or Brihaspati) vara Thursday Jupiter Sukra vara Friday Venus Manta (or Sani) vara Saturday Saturn KALI ERA LUNAR DAYS-30 TITHIS Days are also designated by the Kali Era measurement, known as the tithi. A tithi is an exact lunar day, which is approximately one- thirtieth of the time it takes the moon to orbit the earth. A tithi may vary in length from day to day. There are 15 tithis in each fortnight. Their names are: Prathama, Dvitiya, Tritiya,Chaturthi, Panchami, Shasthi, Saptami, Ashtami, Navami, Dasami, Ekadasi, Dvadasi, Trayodasi, Chaturdasi and Amavasya/Purnima. Purnima, full-moonday, is the fifteenth tithi of the bright fortnight, and Amavasya, new-moon day, is the fifteenth tithi of the dark fortnight. (On many panchangams, the new moon is numbered as the thirtieth tithi.) RETREAT DAYS Certain tithis are not conducive for study or beginning new efforts. In Gurukulas (schools) and aadheenams (monasteries) these are times of retreat. As they occur in pairs four times per moon, they are roughly parallel to the modern "weekend", though, of course, they do not necessarily fall on Saturday and Sun-day. The retreat tithis are Ashtami, Navami, Amavasya, Prathama and Purni-ma. Each has its own special nature. Purnima (full-moon day) is especially good for worship. Amavasya (new moon day) is conducive to meditation. For many de-vout Hindus, Amavasya and Purnima are times of vrata, observing religious vows. Prathama, the tithi following both Purnima and Amavasya, is generally a good day for seminars and philosophical discussions. Ashtami and Navami are ideally reserved for rest and relaxation. Ashtami is traditionally a day for fasting and not a good day for learning. (In western as-trology, Ashtami would be recognized as a square aspect between the sun and the moon, a configuration which can make for a difficult day.) Ashtami is considered inauspicious for beginning new activities because of the inharmonious energies existing due to the relationship between the sun and moon. THE HALF-DAY-KARANAA Karana is half of a tithi or lunar day. There are sixty karanas in one lunar month, but only eleven distinct names are used. The first karana ends at the middle of the tithi and the second karana ends with the ending of that tithi. Like the yoga, the karana is a factor used by astrologers for determining the auspicious-ness of the day for a given activity. The names of the karanas are: Bava, Balava, Kaulava, Taitila, Gara, Vanij, Visti, Sakuni, Chatuspada, Naga and Kimtughna. THE CONSTELLATION OF THE DAY-NAKSHATRA Nakshatras imply means star cluster. In Hindu astrology the term nearly al-ways refers to 27 specific star-clusters, or constellations, which lie along the ecliptic. The ecliptic is the apparent yearly path of the sun as seen from the earth. These constellations happen to be at approximately equal distances apart. Each naksatra embodies particular ideas, powers and forces of nature. When a planet comes into alignment with one of these star clusters (from the view of an individual standing on the earth), the rays of the stars combine with those of the planet to influence the earth. All of the planets, one after another, pass through the ecliptic and align with each of the 27 Nakshatras. The most important "naksatra" is the one the moon is currently aligned with, as the swift-moving moon's influence is the most significant to daily life on Earth. All the nakshatras given in Vedic Calendar are for the moon. This means that the naksatra currently in effect is the one that the moon has "conjoined."(Similarly, the current rasi, Zodiac sign, is the one that the moon has conjoined.) THE IMPORTANCE OF NAKSHATRA Each naksatra exerts its own unique energies upon the planets within its influence. The nakshatras are considered so important that constellational or naksatra astrology is a field of Hindu astrology in itself. Naksatra consideration is a critical element in Muhurtham- discerning the nature of a given period and choosing auspicious times for various activities. The twenty-sevennakshatras are: Asvini, Bharani, Krittika, Rohini, Mrigasira, Ardra, Punarvasu, Pushya,Aslesha, Magha, Purvaphalguni, Uttaraphalguni, Hasta, Chitra, Svati,Visakha, Anuradha, Jyeshtha, Mula, Purvashadha, Uttarashadha, Sravana,Dhanishtha, Satabhishaj, Purvaprostapada, Uttaraprostapada and Revati. ENDING TIMES The ending time for each tithi, naksatra and yoga is listed in column after each item, respectively. Usually the tithi ending time is the same as the karana ending time. If this is the case, the ending time for the evening karana is listed, and you can assume that the morning karana ends on the tithi ending time. EIGHT DAYTIME PERIODS-THE KALAS The period between sunrise and sunset each day is divided into eight periods. Each period, or kala, lasts approximately one and one-half hours, depending on the total duration of sunlight. Three of the eight kalas are considered most important. Rahu Kala, Yama Kala and Gulika Kala-known collectively as the trinisamayam. Rahu Kala is considered malefic for commencing new undertakings.Yama is also an interfering current, but is less influential than Rahu. Yama Kala is considered an auspicious time for antyesti (funeral) rites. Gulika is the most auspicious time of the day for commencing new activities. Each kala occurs at approximately the same time on each particular day of the week. Thus, Gulika Kala occurs at approximately 7AM every Friday. If you've ever wondered why Monday mornings are so infamous, note that Rahu Kala is generally between 7:30 and 9AM every Monday. The trini samayam are listed at the top of column three for each day. THE TWENTY-SEVEN YOGAS Yoga is a planetary configuration, union or relationship. Yoga, like the tithi, is an angle of the sun and the moon (the earth being the point of the angle). Yogas are another factor in determining the auspiciousness of the day. Just as there are twenty-seven nakshatras, there are twenty-seven yogas, known as the Yoga Taras of Nakshatras. They are: Vishakambha, Priti, Ayushman, Saubhagya, Sobhana, Atiganda, Sukarma,Dhriti, Sula, Ganda, Vriddhi, Dhruva, Vyaghat, Harshana, Vajra, Siddhi,Vyatipatha, Variyan, Parigha, Siva, Siddha, Sadhya, Subha, Sukla, Brahma, Indra and Vaidhriti. ROUTINE OR CREATIVE WORK DAYS-AMRITADI YOGAS The resultant of the waves propagated by the planets and the stars on the human psyche are indicated in four degrees. In the Vedic calendar, this esoteric yoga is listed in bold type in the left column of each day's designations. AMRITA YOGA-CREATIVE WORK: Very good for creative types of work and auspicious undertakings. SIDDHA YOGA-CREATIVE WORK: Good for creative types of work and auspicious undertakings. MARANA YOGA-ROUTINE WORK: Should be avoided for new under-takings and beginning travel. Routine work only. PRABALARSHTA YOGA-ROUTINE WORK: Should be absolutely avoided for new undertakings and beginning travel. Routine work only. THE COLOR OF THE DAY Each day has a color (listed in the fifth column), indicating the general subconscious or astral vibration of the day. This is the vibration caused by the moon rasi. DEITY CLOTHING COLORS Each day lists the appropriate color of clothing for dressing the Deity in Vedic ages of Lord Siva, Lord Muruga and Lord Ganesha in temples and home shrines. The colors of Lord Siva and Lord Ganesha generally change about every three days, while Lord Muruga's color changes about once a month. THE GEM OF THE DAY Gems, known in Sanskrit as ratna, are the most potent representatives of the mineral world and are frequently objects of great veneration. Gems are the congealed influences of the planets and heavenly bodies, the crystallized products of invisible rays operating within the crust of the earth. They, therefore, retain the powers of the planets in a highly concentrated form. Gems are believed to have the power to cure diseases, to increase strength and counteract negative influences. They are worn as amulets against sickness and are sometimes (though rarely) powdered and imbibed in liquid concoctions. On each day of Vedic Calen-dara gem is indicated. The gem of the day can be used to adorn the Deities in the temple or the home shrine. There is one gem for each day of the week as follows: Sunday-ruby, Monday-pearl, Tuesday-coral, Wednesday-emerald, Thurs-day-topaz, Friday-diamond, Saturday-sapphire. FESTIVALS AND OTHER SPECIAL DAYS PRADOSHA VRATA DAYS One of the special days noted on your calendar is the Pradosha Vrata, liter-ally "evening vow." This is a traditional observance among devout Saivites, a day of fasting, worship and meditation. Pradosha is a daily 3 hour period from 11/2hours before sunset until 11/2hours afterwards as day dissolves into night. Pradosha time on Trayodasi (the 13th tithi) is especially special, hailed for Siva worship and meditation. If the 13th tithi ends before sun-set, then the Pradosha vrata begins on the 12th tithi. For example, if you look at your panchangam and it says: "Wednesday, Trayodasi (tithi 13) until 3:19 PM" you can see that it ends before sunset on Wednesday. Therefore the Pradosha vrata begins the previous day (Tuesday) as the 13th tithi will actually begin sometime Tuesday evening. PRADOSHA FASTING If you wish to fast once each month, observe the vrata on the Krishna Pak-sha Pradosham. If you wish to fast twice each month, then you may observe this fast on both Pradosha days-one during each paksha. The most orthodox devotees will fast on water all day and only take light temple prasadams or fruits and milk in the evening. No cooked food is taken until the following day. A less strict observance is to fast during the day on just water, herb teas or fruits and milk and then take one's normal food in the evening after the temple pujas and your meditations are finished. The strictness of one's fasting will depend entirely on one's inner goals, health and daily activities. For those interested in integrating their yoga sadhana with the pan-changam, the Pradosha days of both pakshas are considered very special for intensification of meditation. After fasting all day and observing the auspicious worship of God Siva at sunset, a vigil is kept in the evening, at which time one performs Raja Yoga, meditating on inner light and Lord Siva. The Pradosha day of the Sukla Paksha is especially conducive to good meditation. The Pradosha day of the Krishna Paksha is considered the last day of the Krishna Paksha when the moon will help you in your yoga. It is advisable to do a vigil then to absorb the last of the moon's power. THE SCIENCE OF GOOD TIMING-MUHURTHA In this section a vast area of Hindu astrology known as Muhurtha, the choosing of auspicious times is touched upon briefly. First is a simple summary of auspicious times for new ventures, followed by a description of the nature of the 27 nakshatras. A WORD ABOUT AUSPICIOUS BEGINNINGS. Here it may be helpful to mention the idea behind auspicious beginnings. Just as each person has an astrological nature which is determined by the configuration of the stars and planets at his time of birth, so do buildings, businesses, countries and communities. In fact, each and every endeavor is influenced by the nature of the moment of its conception and continues to reflect that nature throughout its existence. With this in mind, it becomes clear why one would, for example, wish to wait for the "right day" to wear new clothing for the first time, to plant a tree or set a foundation stone for a new building. MARRIAGE, HOME-BLESSINGS AND NEW VENTURES Below are listed auspicious nakshatras, tithis and rasis for marriage, blessing a new home, starting a new business, and for gardening. Optimum timing occurs when a day that has all three- suitable naksatra, suitable rasi and suitable tithi-for the desired activity. BEST TIMES FOR MARRIAGESUITABLE NAKSHATRAS: Rohini, Uttaraphalguni, Uttarasadha, Uttara-prostapada, Anuradha, Mrigasira, Hasta, Svati, Magha. The first pada of Magha and Mula and the last quarter of Revati are inauspicious. Those notmentioned should be avoided. SUITABLE TITHIS: Tithis 2, 3, 5, 7, 10, 11 and 13 of the bright half are good. One should avoid the 1st, 6, 9, 14 and the full moon. Tithis not suitable during Krishna Paksha are 8, 11, 12, 13, 14 and the new moon (Amavasya). SUITABLE RASIS FOR MARRIAGE: Mithuna, Kanya and Thula. OK are Vr-ishabha, Kataka, Simha, Dhanus and Kumbha. The rest are inauspicious. BEST TIMES FOR NEW BUSINESSBEST NAKSHATRAS: Asvi, Pushya, Uttaraphalguni, Svati, Ardra, Satab-hishak, Uttaraprostapada BEST RASIS: Mesha, Mithuna, Simha, Thula, Makara, MeenaBEST TITHIS: Panchami, Saptami, Dasami, Ekadasi, And Trayodasi BEST TIMES FOR HOUSE WARMINGBEST NAKSHATRAS: Anuradha, Mrigasira, Revati, Punarvasu, Satab-hishak, Pushya, Hasta, Ardra Rohini, Uttarasadha, Uttaraphalguni, Uttara-prostapada. BEST RASIS: Vrishabha, Mithuna, Simha, Kanya, Thula, Dhanus, Kumbha, Meena BEST TITHIS: Dvadasi, Panchami, Saptami, Dasami, Ekadasi, Trayodasi,Tritiya BEST TIMES FOR GARDENINGBEST NAKSHATRAS: Planting seeds and plants: Rohini, Uttaraphalguni,Uttarashadha and Uttaraprostapada. Caring for an existing garden: Shravana, Dhanishta, Svati, Satabishak, Punarvasu. BEST TITHIS: Planting is best done during the tithis of shukla paksha, and weeding should be done during krishna paksha. NAKSHATRA CONSIDERATION In this section, the nature of the nakshatras are described. One must keep in mind, of course, that naksatra is only one of the factors involved in determining the nature of a given day. Certainly, it is one of the most important elements but for a complete picture, other influences must be considered as well. NAKSHATRAS OF FIXED ENERGY Rohini, Uttaraphalguni, Uttarasadha and Uttaraprostapada. These nakshatras are auspicious times for permanent works-planting seeds, moving into anew home, house blessings, making vows, laying foundations, etc. Anything started at this time may have good and lasting results. Uttaraphalguni and Uttara-prostapada are especially good for starting a new business. NAKSHATRAS OF SOFT ENERGY Chitra, Mrigashira, Anuradha, Revati. These nakshatras are considered auspicious for the first wearing of new clothes, sexual union for conception, dancing, art, cultural performances and ceremonial rites. Mrigashira, Anuradha and Revati are also good days for house warming. Mrigashira and Anuradha are suit-able for marriage ceremonies, but Chitra and Revati are not. NAKSHATRAS OF LIGHT ENERGY Asvi, Pushya, Hasta.When the Moon is in these stars, activities such as decorations, pleasure outings, sports, starting businesses, undertaking travels and administering medicines are recommended. Hasta is also suitable for marriage ceremonies. Asvi and Pushya are the best stars for starting new businesses. Pushya and Hasta are also good for house blessings. NAKSHATRAS OF SHARP ENERGY Mula, Jyestha, Ardra, Aslesha. When the Moon is in any of these stars, ac-tions like separating oneself from others, engaging in debate, and chanting of powerful mantras are more successful than at other times. These are good days for activities requiring a harsh or strong, cutting force. Ardra is also good for starting a new business or blessing a new home. NAKSHATRAS OF MOVABLE ENERGY Sravana, Dhanishta, Svati, Satabishak, Punarvasu. When the Moon is in these stars, gardening, traveling, acquisition of vehicles & good deeds of a non-permanent nature are recommended. Svati is also suitable for marriage ceremonies and good for starting a new business. Satabhishak is also good for starting a new business or house blessing. Punarvasu is good for house blessings. NAKSHATRAS OF HARSH ENERGY Purvaphalguni, Purvasadha, Bharani, Purvaprostapada, Magha: These nakshatras are considered earthly in nature because they stir the mind in one way or another. They are not good days to begin something new. Purvaphalguni is a harsh naksatra but lucky by nature. Its influence gives the ability to sway others; gives courage, fire and enthusiasm, but may cause the mind to become lusty. Pur-vasadha, earthly in quality, indicates an influence causing people to do what they like without considering others' opinions. Bharani can cause the mind to become entangled in the material world. It can hide or eclipse insight, causing struggle. Purvaprostapada (also called Purvabhadrapada) may cause the mind to be passionate, unstable and impetuous. It is a good time for penance. NAKSHATRAS OF MIXED ENERGY Krittika, Visakha. During these nakshatras, routine actions and daily duties may be performed but no new important works should be undertaken. These are excellent days for meditation and absorbing the shakti. BEST TIMES FOR TRAVEL To choose an appropriate day to begin a journey, look in the Calendar for a Siddha Yoga day or a Devaloka day. Avoid nakshatras followed by an asterisk in the Calendar. These are not good days to begin a journey. The time of your departure is also important. Gulika Kala is best. Avoid leaving during the periods of Rahu and Yama. Begin with a puja to invoke the blessings of all three worlds. YOGA CONSIDERATION Inauspicious yogas for beginning new things are: Vyaghat, Parigha, Vajra,Vyathipatha, Dhriti, Ganda, Athiganda, Shula, Vishakabha. HINTS FOR LEARNING TO USE THE CALENDAR If you are just warming up to the Vedic Calendar, you will want to know where to start, as there are so many factors to consider. The best time to refer to the calendar to learn about the current day is in the morning, before you begin your morning worship or sadhana. Begin by asking yourself the following: 1)Which of the four yogas is indicated for the day, e.g. "SiddhaYoga-Creative Work"?2)What is the nakshatra, and what is its nature?3)What is the tithi and its nature? 4)What is the paksha (is the moon waxing or waning)? 5)What are the most auspicious (Gulika Kala) and inauspicious times (Rahu and Yama) of the day? Then intuitively put the answers together and pray to the Deities for guidance and blessings throughout the day. By becoming aware of and attuning your-self to these indicators, you will be better prepared for the energies you are likely to face. If all of the above factors are positive, you know this is an exceptionally good day for beginning new ventures. NAKSHATRA Observe how you feel and behave during different nakshatras. Keep a record on those days so you'll know what to expect from your nature. Your nature will incline you to behave in a pattern. If you are aware of it, you can "catch" your-self and be able to monitor your behavior. By doing this you allow your soul nature to come forth. Panchangam helps us to look for those times when we need to work harder. What does that mean? We are aware of our outer nature, and we consciously make an effort to overcome it. We practice the qualities of the soul nature. YOGAS Amrtha yoga: These days can be very productive. Use them to push pro- jects ahead to completion or to start them. Watch for those rare periods when am-rita yoga falls over a period of several days. Siddha yoga: These days are also good for moving ahead with projects. There may not be the zing present of the amrita yoga days. Prabhalarishta yoga: Never begin new projects on these days without of prayer and puja. Perform very routine work. Better yet is to take the day off and go to the temple. The inauspicious effects of the working yogas can be softened through prayer, archanas and specific pujas. We set ourselves up at the beginning of the day according to the pan- changam. Just as we put on outer clothing according to the weather, we prepare ourselves to work with our own individual nature and its concomitant effect on those we live and work with during the day PERSONAL ASTROLOGY It is also very helpful to become familiar with your own birth chart. Theday is just one small but significant part of your own life pattern. Knowing your birth chart, just the simple and basic three things-lagna (rising sign), moon and sun signs-helps you to monitor your emotions, your reactions and habit pat-terns. KALAS Rahu kala: Rahu is most important to be aware of. Windows are closed. Doors are closed-inwardly, that is. Be careful of confrontation, encounters, negotiations, deals, contracts and agreements during this time. For example, it may not be a good idea to have lunch with a client on Wednesday. Rahu Kala starts at noon. This is a time when karmas are intensified, whether good or bad, and the focus is on the karmas instead of the project at hand. A general formula to deter-mine rahu kala when you don't have a calendar handy is to memorize the following jingle: "Mother saw father wearing the turban suddenly." Mother Monday 7:30-9:00AM saw Saturday 9:00-10:30AM father Friday 10:30-12:00AM wearing Wednesday 12:00-1:30PM the Thursday 1:30-3:00PM turban Tuesday 3:00-4:30PM suddenly Sunday 4:30-6:00PM Gulika is a good time to do business, call that vendor who wants to be paid. Hash over a business problem, talk to your son about his grades in school, or to your daughter about her role in the school play. Yama kala is noted as a goodtime for inauspicious events such as funerals. SADHANA Check the panchangam in the morning during puja. Note down what you think the day will be like. At the end of the day, review the day's actual events. See if there were any rough spots which could use improving upon and note the various factors involved for future reference. We wish you well with your use of Vedic Calendar. May it help you to al-ways be in tune with God Siva's Cosmic Energy. We welcome your suggestions and comments on ways to improve the calendar year after year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 9, 2004 Report Share Posted August 9, 2004 Very useful information. Can you please tell us how lunar month is calculated. Regards Muruli drjperumalphd [drjperumalphd] Tuesday, August 10, 2004 2:47 AM ALMANACS ALMANACS ain^dhu karaththanai yAnai mukaththanai in^dhin iLampiRai pOlum eyiRRanai n^an^dhi makanRanai nyAnak kozun^dhinai pun^dhiyil vaiththaDi pORRukin REnE. Pan-changa, a Sanskrit word, means "five limbs," which refers to the fact that every panchangam includes the five basic elements of tithi (lunar day), naksatra (the constellation the moon is aligned with), karana (half-day), yoga (a particular angle of the sun and moon) and vara or vasara (solar weekday). We are all well aware of the concepts of "good timing" and "bad timing" and how at certain times everything seems to be flowing along smoothly, while at other moments things "just don't come together." The calendar provides knowledge to understand such phenomena, so that one can take advantage of auspicious moments and avoid new undertakings when the creative forces are on the wane. DIVISIONS OF TIME Telling time has been refined to a science in the Hindu culture. And nowhere is time given greater prominence than in the Hindu temple. THE YEAR-SAMVATSARA In India there are numerous era systems in use. The Kali Era, Vikrama Era, and the Saka Era are several of the era systems being followed today. The Hindu year for the Kali Era system begins when the Sun enters the sign of Mesha (Aries). It is a day of great importance, and a time of celebration, marking the dawn of a New Year cycle. THE NAME OF THE YEAR In all, there are sixty names, which repeat in a sixty-year cycle based on the time it takes Jupiter to orbit the sun five times. The names of the years are: Prabhava, Vibhava, Sukla, Pramoda, Prajapati, Angiras, Srimukha, Bhava,Yuvan, Dhatri, Isvara, Bahudhanya, Pramathin, Vikrama, Vrisha, Chitrab-hanu, Subhanu, Tarana, Parthiva, Vyaya, Sarvajit, Sarvadharin, Virodhin,Vikrita, Khara, Nandana, Vijaya, Jaya, Manmatha, Durmukha, Hemalamba, Vilamba, Vikarin, Sarvari, Plava, Subhakrit, Sobhana, Krodhin, Vis-vavasu, Parabhava, Palavanga, Kilaka, Saumaya, Sadharana, Virodhakrit,Paridhavin, Pramadin, Ananda, Rakshasa, Anala (or Nala), Pingala,Kalayukta, Siddharthin, Raudra, Durmati, Dundubhi, Rudhirodgarin,Raktaksha, Krodhana and Kshaya (or Akshaya). HALF-YEAR-AYANA Each year is divided into two halves, known as ayana. Uttarayana begins on the day of the winter solstice, normally December 21, when the sun begins its apparent northward journey. Dakshinayana begins on the first day of the summer solstice, normally June 21, marking the sun's southward movement. The two days commencing the two ayanas are considered sacred and known as punya kala, "times of great merit. THE SIX SEASONS-RTAU In the West we are familiar with four seasons-spring, summer, autumn and winter. In India, there are six seasons. Each season is two months (masa) duration. 1)The new year begins with Vasanta Rtau, the season when the trees and plants are blossoming, which begins on the first day of Mesha Mase (mid-April). 2) Grishma Rtau, commencing at the start of Maithuna Mase (in mid- June), is the "hot summer." 3) The rainy season, Varsha Rtau, begins in Simha Mase (mid-August). 4) Sara Rtau, the season of fruits, begin in Thula Mase (mid-October). 5) Hemantha Rtau, the cold season, begins in mid-December. 6) Sisir Rtau, the last season of the year, begins in Kumbha Mase (mid-February), when trees and plants begin sprouting new leaves. Each season a different textbook is studied. They are as follows: 1) Nartana Ritau, the season of Dancing with Siva, begins on Hindu New Year. This is the period of creation, the warm season, from mid- April through mid-August. 2) During Jivana Ritau, the rainy season, from mid-August to mid December, Living with Siva: Hinduism's Contemporary Culture is the primary text. 3) The third period of the year, Moksha Ritau, the cool season, is from mid-December to mid-April. THE MONTH-MASA-SOLAR AND LUNAR In India, several states use a solar-year calendar while others use the lunar-year calendar. In all states the lunar calendar is used for determining the dates of religious festivals and for selecting auspicious times for beginning many socio-religious activities. Vedic Calendar uses both the solar month and the lunar month and would be known as a "luni-solar calendar." For business purposes and modern convenience we also use the Gregorian year which follows neither a solar month nor a lunar system. SOLAR MONTHS The Hindu astronomical text, Surya-Siddhanta, defines the solar month as the time it takes the sun to traverse one rasi (Zodiac sign), measured from the time of entry into one rasi (this point is known as a samkranti) and the next. The point when the sun enters Mesha (Aries) rasi is widely accepted as the beginning of the year. Thus the first solar month is called Mesha in Sanskrit. The Sanskrit names of the solar months are listed in Vedic Calendar. Each is named after the sign of the zodiac that the sun is in. Their names are Mesha(Aries), Vrshabha (Taurus), Mithuna (Gemini), Kataka (Cancer), Simha (Leo),Kanya (Virgo), Thula (Libra), Vrschika (Scorpio), Dhanus (Sagittarius), Makara(Capricorn), Kumbha (Aquarius) and Meena (Pisces). LUNAR MONTHS The lunar month is measured either by the period covered from one new- moon to the next, known as the amanta or mukhya mana system, or from one full-moon to the next one, known as the purnimanta or gauna mana system. Vedic Calendar uses the purnimanta lunar month system. PAKSHA One month is the duration of one orbit of the moon around the earth. In Hindu measuring of time, this period is divided in two parts, the light fortnight, called shukla paksha (or sudi), and the dark fortnight, called krishna paksha (orvadi). Shukla Paksha is the period when the moon is waxing, beginning on the new moon (Amavasya) and extending to the full moon (Purnima). Krishna pak-sha, the period when the moon is waning, begins after the full moon and extends to the new moon. Knowing whether the moon is waxing or waning is helpful in understanding the moon's current influence. Under the waxing moon, we are generally more energetic, as moon's forces are on the rise, indicating growth and development. THE MOON SIGN OR RASI In Vedic Calendar the rasi names the Zodiac sign the moon is currently passing through. It lists the degree of the sign of the moon at 6:00 AM. For example, "Kataka (Cancer) Rasi 1.4" means that the moon is at 1.4 degrees Cancer at6:00 in the morning. The moon travels approximately 12º per day. For gardening, the moon sign is useful in determining planting, harvesting, fertilizing gardening activity dates. The moon takes a little over two and one-half days to traverse one zodiac sign. The rasis are Mesha (Aries), Vrshabha (Taurus), Mithuna (Gemini), Kataka (Cancer),Simha (Leo), Kanya (Virgo), Thula (Libra), Vrschika (Scorpio), Dhanus (Sagittar-ius), Makara (Capricorn), Kumbha (Aquarius) and Meena (Pisces). THE DAY-SOLAR AND LUNARTHE SOLAR DAY-VARA In addition to observing the lunar day, or tithi (discussed in the next section), the traditional Hindu calendar also recognizes the solar day, or vara. The vara begins with sunrise and ends with sunrise the next day, based on the rotation of the earth on its axis. (The time of sunrise and sunset are listed in Vedic Calendar.) Each solar day is divided into 24 horas (hours), and the horas are assigned to the planets in their "descending side-real period." There are seven days in the week, and each is most strongly influenced by a particular planet as follows. In Vedic calendar, vara is listed after the English weekday notation. Solar Day (vara) Bhanu (or Ravi) vara Sunday Sun Indu (or Soma) vara Monday Moon Mangala vara Tuesday Mars Budha vara Wednesday Mercury Guru (or Brihaspati) vara Thursday Jupiter Sukra vara Friday Venus Manta (or Sani) vara Saturday Saturn KALI ERA LUNAR DAYS-30 TITHIS Days are also designated by the Kali Era measurement, known as the tithi. A tithi is an exact lunar day, which is approximately one- thirtieth of the time it takes the moon to orbit the earth. A tithi may vary in length from day to day. There are 15 tithis in each fortnight. Their names are: Prathama, Dvitiya, Tritiya,Chaturthi, Panchami, Shasthi, Saptami, Ashtami, Navami, Dasami, Ekadasi, Dvadasi, Trayodasi, Chaturdasi and Amavasya/Purnima. Purnima, full-moonday, is the fifteenth tithi of the bright fortnight, and Amavasya, new-moon day, is the fifteenth tithi of the dark fortnight. (On many panchangams, the new moon is numbered as the thirtieth tithi.) RETREAT DAYS Certain tithis are not conducive for study or beginning new efforts. In Gurukulas (schools) and aadheenams (monasteries) these are times of retreat. As they occur in pairs four times per moon, they are roughly parallel to the modern "weekend", though, of course, they do not necessarily fall on Saturday and Sun-day. The retreat tithis are Ashtami, Navami, Amavasya, Prathama and Purni-ma. Each has its own special nature. Purnima (full-moon day) is especially good for worship. Amavasya (new moon day) is conducive to meditation. For many de-vout Hindus, Amavasya and Purnima are times of vrata, observing religious vows. Prathama, the tithi following both Purnima and Amavasya, is generally a good day for seminars and philosophical discussions. Ashtami and Navami are ideally reserved for rest and relaxation. Ashtami is traditionally a day for fasting and not a good day for learning. (In western as-trology, Ashtami would be recognized as a square aspect between the sun and the moon, a configuration which can make for a difficult day.) Ashtami is considered inauspicious for beginning new activities because of the inharmonious energies existing due to the relationship between the sun and moon. THE HALF-DAY-KARANAA Karana is half of a tithi or lunar day. There are sixty karanas in one lunar month, but only eleven distinct names are used. The first karana ends at the middle of the tithi and the second karana ends with the ending of that tithi. Like the yoga, the karana is a factor used by astrologers for determining the auspicious-ness of the day for a given activity. The names of the karanas are: Bava, Balava, Kaulava, Taitila, Gara, Vanij, Visti, Sakuni, Chatuspada, Naga and Kimtughna. THE CONSTELLATION OF THE DAY-NAKSHATRA Nakshatras imply means star cluster. In Hindu astrology the term nearly al-ways refers to 27 specific star-clusters, or constellations, which lie along the ecliptic. The ecliptic is the apparent yearly path of the sun as seen from the earth. These constellations happen to be at approximately equal distances apart. Each naksatra embodies particular ideas, powers and forces of nature. When a planet comes into alignment with one of these star clusters (from the view of an individual standing on the earth), the rays of the stars combine with those of the planet to influence the earth. All of the planets, one after another, pass through the ecliptic and align with each of the 27 Nakshatras. The most important "naksatra" is the one the moon is currently aligned with, as the swift-moving moon's influence is the most significant to daily life on Earth. All the nakshatras given in Vedic Calendar are for the moon. This means that the naksatra currently in effect is the one that the moon has "conjoined."(Similarly, the current rasi, Zodiac sign, is the one that the moon has conjoined.) THE IMPORTANCE OF NAKSHATRA Each naksatra exerts its own unique energies upon the planets within its influence. The nakshatras are considered so important that constellational or naksatra astrology is a field of Hindu astrology in itself. Naksatra consideration is a critical element in Muhurtham- discerning the nature of a given period and choosing auspicious times for various activities. The twenty-sevennakshatras are: Asvini, Bharani, Krittika, Rohini, Mrigasira, Ardra, Punarvasu, Pushya,Aslesha, Magha, Purvaphalguni, Uttaraphalguni, Hasta, Chitra, Svati,Visakha, Anuradha, Jyeshtha, Mula, Purvashadha, Uttarashadha, Sravana,Dhanishtha, Satabhishaj, Purvaprostapada, Uttaraprostapada and Revati. ENDING TIMES The ending time for each tithi, naksatra and yoga is listed in column after each item, respectively. Usually the tithi ending time is the same as the karana ending time. If this is the case, the ending time for the evening karana is listed, and you can assume that the morning karana ends on the tithi ending time. EIGHT DAYTIME PERIODS-THE KALAS The period between sunrise and sunset each day is divided into eight periods. Each period, or kala, lasts approximately one and one-half hours, depending on the total duration of sunlight. Three of the eight kalas are considered most important. Rahu Kala, Yama Kala and Gulika Kala-known collectively as the trinisamayam. Rahu Kala is considered malefic for commencing new undertakings.Yama is also an interfering current, but is less influential than Rahu. Yama Kala is considered an auspicious time for antyesti (funeral) rites. Gulika is the most auspicious time of the day for commencing new activities. Each kala occurs at approximately the same time on each particular day of the week. Thus, Gulika Kala occurs at approximately 7AM every Friday. If you've ever wondered why Monday mornings are so infamous, note that Rahu Kala is generally between 7:30 and 9AM every Monday. The trini samayam are listed at the top of column three for each day. THE TWENTY-SEVEN YOGAS Yoga is a planetary configuration, union or relationship. Yoga, like the tithi, is an angle of the sun and the moon (the earth being the point of the angle). Yogas are another factor in determining the auspiciousness of the day. Just as there are twenty-seven nakshatras, there are twenty-seven yogas, known as the Yoga Taras of Nakshatras. They are: Vishakambha, Priti, Ayushman, Saubhagya, Sobhana, Atiganda, Sukarma,Dhriti, Sula, Ganda, Vriddhi, Dhruva, Vyaghat, Harshana, Vajra, Siddhi,Vyatipatha, Variyan, Parigha, Siva, Siddha, Sadhya, Subha, Sukla, Brahma, Indra and Vaidhriti. ROUTINE OR CREATIVE WORK DAYS-AMRITADI YOGAS The resultant of the waves propagated by the planets and the stars on the human psyche are indicated in four degrees. In the Vedic calendar, this esoteric yoga is listed in bold type in the left column of each day's designations. AMRITA YOGA-CREATIVE WORK: Very good for creative types of work and auspicious undertakings. SIDDHA YOGA-CREATIVE WORK: Good for creative types of work and auspicious undertakings. MARANA YOGA-ROUTINE WORK: Should be avoided for new under-takings and beginning travel. Routine work only. PRABALARSHTA YOGA-ROUTINE WORK: Should be absolutely avoided for new undertakings and beginning travel. Routine work only. THE COLOR OF THE DAY Each day has a color (listed in the fifth column), indicating the general subconscious or astral vibration of the day. This is the vibration caused by the moon rasi. DEITY CLOTHING COLORS Each day lists the appropriate color of clothing for dressing the Deity in Vedic ages of Lord Siva, Lord Muruga and Lord Ganesha in temples and home shrines. The colors of Lord Siva and Lord Ganesha generally change about every three days, while Lord Muruga's color changes about once a month. THE GEM OF THE DAY Gems, known in Sanskrit as ratna, are the most potent representatives of the mineral world and are frequently objects of great veneration. Gems are the congealed influences of the planets and heavenly bodies, the crystallized products of invisible rays operating within the crust of the earth. They, therefore, retain the powers of the planets in a highly concentrated form. Gems are believed to have the power to cure diseases, to increase strength and counteract negative influences. They are worn as amulets against sickness and are sometimes (though rarely) powdered and imbibed in liquid concoctions. On each day of Vedic Calen-dara gem is indicated. The gem of the day can be used to adorn the Deities in the temple or the home shrine. There is one gem for each day of the week as follows: Sunday-ruby, Monday-pearl, Tuesday-coral, Wednesday-emerald, Thurs-day-topaz, Friday-diamond, Saturday-sapphire. FESTIVALS AND OTHER SPECIAL DAYS PRADOSHA VRATA DAYS One of the special days noted on your calendar is the Pradosha Vrata, liter-ally "evening vow." This is a traditional observance among devout Saivites, a day of fasting, worship and meditation. Pradosha is a daily 3 hour period from 11/2hours before sunset until 11/2hours afterwards as day dissolves into night. Pradosha time on Trayodasi (the 13th tithi) is especially special, hailed for Siva worship and meditation. If the 13th tithi ends before sun-set, then the Pradosha vrata begins on the 12th tithi. For example, if you look at your panchangam and it says: "Wednesday, Trayodasi (tithi 13) until 3:19 PM" you can see that it ends before sunset on Wednesday. Therefore the Pradosha vrata begins the previous day (Tuesday) as the 13th tithi will actually begin sometime Tuesday evening. PRADOSHA FASTING If you wish to fast once each month, observe the vrata on the Krishna Pak-sha Pradosham. If you wish to fast twice each month, then you may observe this fast on both Pradosha days-one during each paksha. The most orthodox devotees will fast on water all day and only take light temple prasadams or fruits and milk in the evening. No cooked food is taken until the following day. A less strict observance is to fast during the day on just water, herb teas or fruits and milk and then take one's normal food in the evening after the temple pujas and your meditations are finished. The strictness of one's fasting will depend entirely on one's inner goals, health and daily activities. For those interested in integrating their yoga sadhana with the pan-changam, the Pradosha days of both pakshas are considered very special for intensification of meditation. After fasting all day and observing the auspicious worship of God Siva at sunset, a vigil is kept in the evening, at which time one performs Raja Yoga, meditating on inner light and Lord Siva. The Pradosha day of the Sukla Paksha is especially conducive to good meditation. The Pradosha day of the Krishna Paksha is considered the last day of the Krishna Paksha when the moon will help you in your yoga. It is advisable to do a vigil then to absorb the last of the moon's power. THE SCIENCE OF GOOD TIMING-MUHURTHA In this section a vast area of Hindu astrology known as Muhurtha, the choosing of auspicious times is touched upon briefly. First is a simple summary of auspicious times for new ventures, followed by a description of the nature of the 27 nakshatras. A WORD ABOUT AUSPICIOUS BEGINNINGS. Here it may be helpful to mention the idea behind auspicious beginnings. Just as each person has an astrological nature which is determined by the configuration of the stars and planets at his time of birth, so do buildings, businesses, countries and communities. In fact, each and every endeavor is influenced by the nature of the moment of its conception and continues to reflect that nature throughout its existence. With this in mind, it becomes clear why one would, for example, wish to wait for the "right day" to wear new clothing for the first time, to plant a tree or set a foundation stone for a new building. MARRIAGE, HOME-BLESSINGS AND NEW VENTURES Below are listed auspicious nakshatras, tithis and rasis for marriage, blessing a new home, starting a new business, and for gardening. Optimum timing occurs when a day that has all three- suitable naksatra, suitable rasi and suitable tithi-for the desired activity. BEST TIMES FOR MARRIAGESUITABLE NAKSHATRAS: Rohini, Uttaraphalguni, Uttarasadha, Uttara-prostapada, Anuradha, Mrigasira, Hasta, Svati, Magha. The first pada of Magha and Mula and the last quarter of Revati are inauspicious. Those notmentioned should be avoided. SUITABLE TITHIS: Tithis 2, 3, 5, 7, 10, 11 and 13 of the bright half are good. One should avoid the 1st, 6, 9, 14 and the full moon. Tithis not suitable during Krishna Paksha are 8, 11, 12, 13, 14 and the new moon (Amavasya). SUITABLE RASIS FOR MARRIAGE: Mithuna, Kanya and Thula. OK are Vr-ishabha, Kataka, Simha, Dhanus and Kumbha. The rest are inauspicious. BEST TIMES FOR NEW BUSINESSBEST NAKSHATRAS: Asvi, Pushya, Uttaraphalguni, Svati, Ardra, Satab-hishak, Uttaraprostapada BEST RASIS: Mesha, Mithuna, Simha, Thula, Makara, MeenaBEST TITHIS: Panchami, Saptami, Dasami, Ekadasi, And Trayodasi BEST TIMES FOR HOUSE WARMINGBEST NAKSHATRAS: Anuradha, Mrigasira, Revati, Punarvasu, Satab-hishak, Pushya, Hasta, Ardra Rohini, Uttarasadha, Uttaraphalguni, Uttara-prostapada. BEST RASIS: Vrishabha, Mithuna, Simha, Kanya, Thula, Dhanus, Kumbha, Meena BEST TITHIS: Dvadasi, Panchami, Saptami, Dasami, Ekadasi, Trayodasi,Tritiya BEST TIMES FOR GARDENINGBEST NAKSHATRAS: Planting seeds and plants: Rohini, Uttaraphalguni,Uttarashadha and Uttaraprostapada. Caring for an existing garden: Shravana, Dhanishta, Svati, Satabishak, Punarvasu. BEST TITHIS: Planting is best done during the tithis of shukla paksha, and weeding should be done during krishna paksha. NAKSHATRA CONSIDERATION In this section, the nature of the nakshatras are described. One must keep in mind, of course, that naksatra is only one of the factors involved in determining the nature of a given day. Certainly, it is one of the most important elements but for a complete picture, other influences must be considered as well. NAKSHATRAS OF FIXED ENERGY Rohini, Uttaraphalguni, Uttarasadha and Uttaraprostapada. These nakshatras are auspicious times for permanent works-planting seeds, moving into anew home, house blessings, making vows, laying foundations, etc. Anything started at this time may have good and lasting results. Uttaraphalguni and Uttara-prostapada are especially good for starting a new business. NAKSHATRAS OF SOFT ENERGY Chitra, Mrigashira, Anuradha, Revati. These nakshatras are considered auspicious for the first wearing of new clothes, sexual union for conception, dancing, art, cultural performances and ceremonial rites. Mrigashira, Anuradha and Revati are also good days for house warming. Mrigashira and Anuradha are suit-able for marriage ceremonies, but Chitra and Revati are not. NAKSHATRAS OF LIGHT ENERGY Asvi, Pushya, Hasta.When the Moon is in these stars, activities such as decorations, pleasure outings, sports, starting businesses, undertaking travels and administering medicines are recommended. Hasta is also suitable for marriage ceremonies. Asvi and Pushya are the best stars for starting new businesses. Pushya and Hasta are also good for house blessings. NAKSHATRAS OF SHARP ENERGY Mula, Jyestha, Ardra, Aslesha. When the Moon is in any of these stars, ac-tions like separating oneself from others, engaging in debate, and chanting of powerful mantras are more successful than at other times. These are good days for activities requiring a harsh or strong, cutting force. Ardra is also good for starting a new business or blessing a new home. NAKSHATRAS OF MOVABLE ENERGY Sravana, Dhanishta, Svati, Satabishak, Punarvasu. When the Moon is in these stars, gardening, traveling, acquisition of vehicles & good deeds of a non-permanent nature are recommended. Svati is also suitable for marriage ceremonies and good for starting a new business. Satabhishak is also good for starting a new business or house blessing. Punarvasu is good for house blessings. NAKSHATRAS OF HARSH ENERGY Purvaphalguni, Purvasadha, Bharani, Purvaprostapada, Magha: These nakshatras are considered earthly in nature because they stir the mind in one way or another. They are not good days to begin something new. Purvaphalguni is a harsh naksatra but lucky by nature. Its influence gives the ability to sway others; gives courage, fire and enthusiasm, but may cause the mind to become lusty. Pur-vasadha, earthly in quality, indicates an influence causing people to do what they like without considering others' opinions. Bharani can cause the mind to become entangled in the material world. It can hide or eclipse insight, causing struggle. Purvaprostapada (also called Purvabhadrapada) may cause the mind to be passionate, unstable and impetuous. It is a good time for penance. NAKSHATRAS OF MIXED ENERGY Krittika, Visakha. During these nakshatras, routine actions and daily duties may be performed but no new important works should be undertaken. These are excellent days for meditation and absorbing the shakti. BEST TIMES FOR TRAVEL To choose an appropriate day to begin a journey, look in the Calendar for a Siddha Yoga day or a Devaloka day. Avoid nakshatras followed by an asterisk in the Calendar. These are not good days to begin a journey. The time of your departure is also important. Gulika Kala is best. Avoid leaving during the periods of Rahu and Yama. Begin with a puja to invoke the blessings of all three worlds. YOGA CONSIDERATION Inauspicious yogas for beginning new things are: Vyaghat, Parigha, Vajra,Vyathipatha, Dhriti, Ganda, Athiganda, Shula, Vishakabha. HINTS FOR LEARNING TO USE THE CALENDAR If you are just warming up to the Vedic Calendar, you will want to know where to start, as there are so many factors to consider. The best time to refer to the calendar to learn about the current day is in the morning, before you begin your morning worship or sadhana. Begin by asking yourself the following: 1)Which of the four yogas is indicated for the day, e.g. "SiddhaYoga-Creative Work"?2)What is the nakshatra, and what is its nature?3)What is the tithi and its nature? 4)What is the paksha (is the moon waxing or waning)? 5)What are the most auspicious (Gulika Kala) and inauspicious times (Rahu and Yama) of the day? Then intuitively put the answers together and pray to the Deities for guidance and blessings throughout the day. By becoming aware of and attuning your-self to these indicators, you will be better prepared for the energies you are likely to face. If all of the above factors are positive, you know this is an exceptionally good day for beginning new ventures. NAKSHATRA Observe how you feel and behave during different nakshatras. Keep a record on those days so you'll know what to expect from your nature. Your nature will incline you to behave in a pattern. If you are aware of it, you can "catch" your-self and be able to monitor your behavior. By doing this you allow your soul nature to come forth. Panchangam helps us to look for those times when we need to work harder. What does that mean? We are aware of our outer nature, and we consciously make an effort to overcome it. We practice the qualities of the soul nature. YOGAS Amrtha yoga: These days can be very productive. Use them to push pro- jects ahead to completion or to start them. Watch for those rare periods when am-rita yoga falls over a period of several days. Siddha yoga: These days are also good for moving ahead with projects. There may not be the zing present of the amrita yoga days. Prabhalarishta yoga: Never begin new projects on these days without of prayer and puja. Perform very routine work. Better yet is to take the day off and go to the temple. The inauspicious effects of the working yogas can be softened through prayer, archanas and specific pujas. We set ourselves up at the beginning of the day according to the pan- changam. Just as we put on outer clothing according to the weather, we prepare ourselves to work with our own individual nature and its concomitant effect on those we live and work with during the day PERSONAL ASTROLOGY It is also very helpful to become familiar with your own birth chart. Theday is just one small but significant part of your own life pattern. Knowing your birth chart, just the simple and basic three things-lagna (rising sign), moon and sun signs-helps you to monitor your emotions, your reactions and habit pat-terns. KALAS Rahu kala: Rahu is most important to be aware of. Windows are closed. Doors are closed-inwardly, that is. Be careful of confrontation, encounters, negotiations, deals, contracts and agreements during this time. For example, it may not be a good idea to have lunch with a client on Wednesday. Rahu Kala starts at noon. This is a time when karmas are intensified, whether good or bad, and the focus is on the karmas instead of the project at hand. A general formula to deter-mine rahu kala when you don't have a calendar handy is to memorize the following jingle: "Mother saw father wearing the turban suddenly." Mother Monday 7:30-9:00AM saw Saturday 9:00-10:30AM father Friday 10:30-12:00AM wearing Wednesday 12:00-1:30PM the Thursday 1:30-3:00PM turban Tuesday 3:00-4:30PM suddenly Sunday 4:30-6:00PM Gulika is a good time to do business, call that vendor who wants to be paid. Hash over a business problem, talk to your son about his grades in school, or to your daughter about her role in the school play. Yama kala is noted as a goodtime for inauspicious events such as funerals. SADHANA Check the panchangam in the morning during puja. Note down what you think the day will be like. At the end of the day, review the day's actual events. See if there were any rough spots which could use improving upon and note the various factors involved for future reference. We wish you well with your use of Vedic Calendar. May it help you to al-ways be in tune with God Siva's Cosmic Energy. We welcome your suggestions and comments on ways to improve the calendar year after year. ------------------------ Sponsor --------------------~--> Domains - Claim yours for only $14.70 http://us.click./Z1wmxD/DREIAA/yQLSAA/C9XolB/TM --~-> ~! LIFE MEANS STRUGGLE, THE FITTEST WINS SURVIVAL !~ Links Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 18, 2004 Report Share Posted August 18, 2004 Dear, Fasting on 13th lunar day as the trodashi may start evening time 3pm so we have to start fasting one day before till 3pm i just wanna clarify that. What poojas are to be performed on that day. Kindly also suggest prayers and rituals to be performed on nag panchami. Thanks Brijesh --- drjperumalphd <drjperumalphd wrote: > ALMANACS > > > > ain^dhu karaththanai yAnai mukaththanai > in^dhin iLampiRai pOlum eyiRRanai > n^an^dhi makanRanai nyAnak kozun^dhinai > pun^dhiyil vaiththaDi pORRukin REnE. > > Pan-changa, a Sanskrit word, means "five limbs," > which refers to the > fact that every panchangam includes the five basic > elements of tithi > (lunar day), naksatra (the constellation the moon is > aligned with), > karana (half-day), yoga (a particular angle of the > sun and moon) and > vara or vasara (solar weekday). > We are all well aware of the concepts of "good > timing" and "bad > timing" and how at certain times everything seems to > be flowing along > smoothly, while at other moments things "just don't > come together." > The calendar provides knowledge to understand such > phenomena, so that > one can take advantage of auspicious moments and > avoid new > undertakings when the creative forces are on the > wane. > DIVISIONS OF TIME > Telling time has been refined to a science in the > Hindu culture. And > nowhere is time given greater prominence than in the > Hindu temple. > THE YEAR-SAMVATSARA > In India there are numerous era systems in use. The > Kali Era, Vikrama > Era, and the Saka Era are several of the era systems > being followed > today. > The Hindu year for the Kali Era system begins when > the Sun enters the > sign of Mesha (Aries). It is a day of great > importance, and a time of > celebration, marking the dawn of a New Year cycle. > THE NAME OF THE YEAR > In all, there are sixty names, which repeat in a > sixty-year cycle > based on the time it takes Jupiter to orbit the sun > five times. > The names of the years are: > Prabhava, Vibhava, Sukla, Pramoda, Prajapati, > Angiras, Srimukha, > Bhava,Yuvan, Dhatri, Isvara, Bahudhanya, Pramathin, > Vikrama, Vrisha, > Chitrab-hanu, Subhanu, Tarana, Parthiva, Vyaya, > Sarvajit, > Sarvadharin, Virodhin,Vikrita, Khara, Nandana, > Vijaya, Jaya, > Manmatha, Durmukha, Hemalamba, Vilamba, Vikarin, > Sarvari, Plava, > Subhakrit, Sobhana, Krodhin, Vis-vavasu, Parabhava, > Palavanga, > Kilaka, Saumaya, Sadharana, Virodhakrit,Paridhavin, > Pramadin, Ananda, > Rakshasa, Anala (or Nala), Pingala,Kalayukta, > Siddharthin, Raudra, > Durmati, Dundubhi, Rudhirodgarin,Raktaksha, Krodhana > and Kshaya (or > Akshaya). > HALF-YEAR-AYANA > Each year is divided into two halves, known as > ayana. Uttarayana > begins on the day of the winter solstice, normally > December 21, when > the sun begins its apparent northward journey. > Dakshinayana begins on > the first day of the summer solstice, normally June > 21, marking the > sun's southward movement. The two days commencing > the two ayanas are > considered sacred and known as punya kala, "times of > great merit. > THE SIX SEASONS-RTAU > In the West we are familiar with four > seasons-spring, summer, autumn > and winter. In India, there are six seasons. Each > season is two > months (masa) duration. > 1)The new year begins with Vasanta Rtau, the season > when the trees > and plants are blossoming, which begins on the first > day of Mesha > Mase (mid-April). > 2) Grishma Rtau, commencing at the start of Maithuna > Mase (in mid- > June), is the "hot summer." > 3) The rainy season, Varsha Rtau, begins in Simha > Mase (mid-August). > 4) Sara Rtau, the season of fruits, begin in Thula > Mase (mid-October). > 5) Hemantha Rtau, the cold season, begins in > mid-December. > 6) Sisir Rtau, the last season of the year, begins > in Kumbha Mase > (mid-February), when trees and plants begin > sprouting new leaves. > Each season a different textbook is studied. They > are as follows: > 1) Nartana Ritau, the season of Dancing with Siva, > begins on Hindu > New Year. This is the period of creation, the warm > season, from mid- > April through mid-August. > 2) During Jivana Ritau, the rainy season, from > mid-August to mid > December, Living with Siva: Hinduism's Contemporary > Culture is the > primary text. > 3) The third period of the year, Moksha Ritau, the > cool season, is > from mid-December to mid-April. > THE MONTH-MASA-SOLAR AND LUNAR > In India, several states use a solar-year calendar > while others use > the lunar-year calendar. In all states the lunar > calendar is used for > determining the dates of religious festivals and for > selecting > auspicious times for beginning many socio-religious > activities. Vedic > Calendar uses both the solar month and the lunar > month and would be > known as a "luni-solar calendar." > For business purposes and modern convenience we also > use the > Gregorian year which follows neither a solar month > nor a lunar system. > SOLAR MONTHS > The Hindu astronomical text, Surya-Siddhanta, > defines the solar month > as the time it takes the sun to traverse one rasi > (Zodiac sign), > measured from the time of entry into one rasi (this > point is known as > a samkranti) and the next. The point when the sun > enters Mesha > (Aries) rasi is widely accepted as the beginning of > the year. Thus > the first solar month is called Mesha in Sanskrit. > The Sanskrit names of the solar months are listed in > Vedic Calendar. > Each is named after the sign of the zodiac that the > sun is in. Their > names are Mesha(Aries), Vrshabha (Taurus), Mithuna > (Gemini), Kataka > (Cancer), Simha (Leo),Kanya (Virgo), Thula (Libra), > Vrschika > (Scorpio), Dhanus (Sagittarius), Makara(Capricorn), > Kumbha (Aquarius) > and Meena (Pisces). > LUNAR MONTHS > The lunar month is measured either by the period > covered from one new- > moon to the next, known as the amanta or mukhya mana > system, or from > one full-moon to the next one, known as the > purnimanta or gauna mana > system. Vedic Calendar uses the purnimanta lunar > month system. > PAKSHA > One month is the duration of one orbit of the moon > around the earth. > In Hindu measuring of time, this period is divided > in two parts, the > light fortnight, called shukla paksha (or sudi), and > the dark > fortnight, called krishna paksha (orvadi). Shukla > Paksha is the > period when the moon is waxing, beginning on the new > moon (Amavasya) > and extending to the full moon (Purnima). Krishna > pak-sha, the period > when the moon is waning, begins after the full moon > and extends to > the new moon. Knowing whether the moon is waxing or > waning is helpful > in understanding the moon's current influence. Under > the waxing moon, > we are generally more energetic, as moon's forces > are on the rise, > indicating growth and development. > THE MOON SIGN OR RASI > In Vedic Calendar the rasi names the Zodiac sign the > moon is > currently passing through. It lists the degree of > the sign of the > moon at 6:00 AM. For example, "Kataka (Cancer) Rasi > 1.4" means that > the moon is at 1.4 degrees Cancer at6:00 in the > morning. === message truncated === New and Improved Mail - Send 10MB messages! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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