What is the Panchang (Panchanga) ?
Panchang is know as the collection of Tithi, Yog, Karna, Nakshatra and Day. Hence, collective of these five is called Panchang. Panchang originally developed as an essence of time keeping and tracking of Moon and the Sun cycles. From ages in the ancient Vedic traditions of India, Panchang has find its purpose and use accompanied with rituals and cultural celebrations.
Panchang is however remains as the basic astronomical information codified into its five parts.
- Vaar OR Varana OR Weekday
- Tithi OR Lunar phase
- Nakshatra OR Lunar constellation
- Karan
- Yog
Before mentioning further details on these five elements which collectively forms Panchang. Let’s go through some quick FAQs on Panchang.
Some FAQs on Panchang
What does word ‘Panchang’ means ?
Answer: The word ‘Panchang’ means ‘five body part’. Panch = five, Ang = any body part. Many translations or interpretations of these word says it means ‘five limbs’. But to the very dept of its meaning, keeping in mind the context, it should mean - five parts of something. Which in this case is Hindu method of timekeeping. So it collectively means five essential parts in Hindu timekeeping.
On what basis the dates of Hindu festivals are decided ?
Answer: The dates of Hindu festivals mostly rely on Panchang. For example - Ganesha Chathurthi is celebrated on 4th tithi of Shukla Paksha (waxing moon) in the Hindu month of Bhādrapada (Bhadra). Diwali is celebrated on Amavasya OR new moon of Hindu month Ashvin.
What is a Hindu day ?
Answer: A Hindu day generally referred to Hindu Solar day is the time period between one Sunrise and the next Sunrise. Which is not exactly but approximately of 24 hours. While in Hindu tradition of timekeeping days can be either lunar or solar. A Hindu lunar day is the time it takes for Moon to traverse either one Tithi or one Nakshatra.
What is a Lunar month ?
Answer: A Lunar month is either the time it takes for Moon to pass through all twelve signs of the zodiac, which is known as a sidereal month, or the time it takes for Moon to go from one new Moon to the next new Moon, which is known as synodic month. Sidereal month is approximately of 27.3 days and Synodic month is approximately of 29.5 days.
What is a tropical year ?
Answer: A tropical year is a time taken by Sun to pass from one vernal equinox to the next vernal equinox. It is approximately the time of 365.242 days. The adoption of tropical year makes the addition of leap year, every five year.
What is a sidereal year ?
Answer: A sidereal year is a time taken by Sun to pass from all the twelve zodiac signs. It is approximately the time of 365.256 days. The sidereal year is about twenty minutes longer than the tropical year.
Tithi
Tithis in Panchang are known to give information about the current phase of The Moon and are widely connected to ancient traditions of Hindu culture. But all and all they play a very crucial role in tracing the Moon cycle. The Moon is allotted 30 different tithis to the 29.5 days of its synodic lunar month. Out of 30 tithis in cycle one is New Moon known as Amavasya and other is Full Moon known as Purnima.
The 15 tithis of Moon’s waxing cycle when Moon grow bigger and brighter each day is known as Shukla Paksha.
And the 15 tithis of Moon’s waning cycle when Moon wanes in size and brightness is known as Krishna Paksha.
The 15th tithi of Shukla Paksha is known as Purnima.
Tha 15th tithi of Krishna Paksha is known as Amavasya.
Following are the names of remaining 14 tithis in each Pakshas. (In ascending order)
- 1st tithi - Pratipat
- 2nd tithi - Dvitiya
- 3rd tithi - Tritiya
- 4th tithi - Chaturthi
- 5th tithi - Panchami
- 6th tithi - Shashti
- 7th tithi - Saptami
- 8th tithi - Ashtami
- 9th tithi - Navami
- 10th tithi - Dashami
- 11th tithi - Ekadashi
- 12th tithi - Dvadashi
- 13th tithi - Trayodashi
- 14th tithi - Chaturdashi
- 15th tithi - Either Purnima or Amavasya
Karan
Every tithi is divided into two parts and each part is called as Karan or Karana. And eleven different Karanas are used to make up the sixty-karan monthly cycle.
These eleven Karanas are :
- Bava
- Balava
- Kaulava
- Taitila
- Gara
- Vanija
- Vishti (Bhadra)
- Shakuni
- Chatushpada
- Naga
- Kinstughna
Yog
Yog literally means combination and yogas is plural for it. Yog has the root meaning - ‘to join’. The twenty-seven soli-lunar yogas or combinations are generated from the position of Sun and Moon relative to one another.
The following are 27 Soli-lunar yogas with the best possible translations of their names :
- Vishkambha - Supported
- Priti - Fondness
- Aayushman - Long lived
- Saubhagya - Good Fortune
- Shobhana - Splendor
- Atiganda - Large-cheeked
- Sukarma - Virtuous
- Dhriti - Determination
- Shula - Spear
- Ganda - Cheek
- Vriddhi - Growth
- Dhruva - Constant
- Vyaghata - Beating
- Harshana - Thrilling
- Vajra - Diamond
- Siddhi - Success
- Vyatipata - Calamity
- Variyana - Comfort
- Parigha - Obstruction
- Shiva - Auspicious
- Siddha - Accomplished
- Sadhya - Amenable
- Shubha - Auspicious
- Shukla - Bright White
- Brahma - Priest or God
- Indra - Chief
- Vaidhriti - Poor support
The following are the best possible meanings and explanations of 27 Soli-lunar yogas :
- Vishkambha - prevails over others, victorious over enemies, obtains property, wealthy
- Priti - well-liked, attracted to the opposite sex, enjoys life with contentment
- Aayushman - good health and longevity, energetic
- Saubhagya - enjoys a comfortable life full of opportunities, happy
- Shobhana - lustrous body and demeanour, sensualist, obsessed with sex
- Atiganda - difficult life due to numerous obstacles and accidents, revengeful and angry
- Sukarma - performs noble deeds, magnanimous and charitable, wealthy
- Dhriti - enjoys the wealth, goods and spouses of others, indulges in the hospitality of others
- Shula - confrontational and contrary, quarrelsome, angry
- Ganda - flawed morals or ethics, troublesome personality
- Vriddhi - intelligent, opportunistic and discerning; life constantly improves with age
- Dhruva - steady character, able to concentrate and persist, wealthy
- Vyaghata - cruel, intent on harming others
- Harshana - intelligent, delights in merriment and humour
- Vajra - well-off, leacherous, unpredictable, forceful
- Siddhi - skilful and accomplished in several areas; protector and supporter of others
- Vyatipata - prone to sudden mishaps and reversals, fickle and unreliable
- Variyana - loves ease and luxury, lazy, lascivious
- Parigha - encounters many obstacles to progress in life; irritable and meddlesome (interfering)
- Shiva - honoured by superiors and government, placid, learned and religious, wealthy
- Siddha - accommodating personality, pleasant, nature, interest in rituals and spirituality
- Sadhya - well behaved, accomplished manners and etiquette
- Subha - lustrous body and personality, but problems with health; wealthy, irritable
- Shukla - garrulous and flighty, impatient and impulsive; unsteady and changeable mind
- Brahma - trustworthy and confidential, ambitious, good discernment and judgement
- Indra - interest in education and knowledge; helpful, well-off
- Vaidhriti - critical, scheming nature; powerful and overwhelming (mentally or physically)
Nakshatra
There are total of 27 Nakshatras in zodiac. The Nakshatra keeps prime importance not only in Panchanga and but even Vedic astrology. As they hold some rich meaning and characteristic values to them.
1) Ashwini
The person born In Ashwini will be fond of decoration, handsome, popular, skilful and intelligent.
Ashwini: Rules the Head and brain of kaalpurush.
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2) Bharani
One born in Bharani will be determined, truthful, healthy, skilful and happy.
Bharani: Rules some part of Head, brain eyes and eye vision of kaalpurush.
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3) Krittika
The person born in Krittika will be a voracious enter, fond of other’s wives, attractive and renowned.
Krittika: Rules face, Neck, Tonsillitis, lower Jaw, back part of the head of kaalpurush.
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4) Rohini
Rohini makes a man truthful, clean, following religious and moral principles, sweet in speech, fixed mind and handsome.
Rohini: Rules face, mouth, tongue, neck bone of kaalpurush.
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5) Mrigasira
Capricious, skilful, cowardly, good speaker, hopeful, rich and enjoying.
Mrigasira: Rules face, chin, cheek, tonsils and aalpurush.
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6) Ardra
Dissimulating in self-interest, proud, ungrateful, cruel and sinful.
Ardra: Rules Neck, Hands, Shoulders, ears of kalpurush.
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7) Punarvasu
Religious endurance, happy, good, dull, sickly, thirsty and pleased with small gifts.
Punarvasu: Rules ear, throat, Shoulders, lungs of the kaalpurush.
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8) Pushya
Control over passions, popular, learned, rich and charitable.
Pushya: Rules Lungs, intestine, and Ribs of kaalpurush.
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9) Ashlesha
Dissimulator, clever in selfishness, sinful, ungrateful and a cheat.
Ashlesha: Rules lungs, intestine, food pipe, gall bladder of kaalpurush.
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10) Magha
Many servants and great wealth, enjoying, respector of elders and gods and very enterprising.
Magha: Rules the heart, back, plea of kaalpurush.
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11) Purva Phalguni
Sweet speech, liberal, handsome, fond of traveling and royal servant.
Purva Phalguni: Rules heart of kaalpurush.
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12) Uttara Phalguni
Popular, self-acquired property, enjoying and happy.
Uttara Phalguni: Rules intestine of kaalpurush.
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13) Hashta
Enterprising, intelligent or (shameless), drunkard, cruel and thievish.
Hasta: Rules Enzymes, bleeding glands, intestine of kaalpurush.
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14) Chitra
Using various clothes and garlands, good looks and limbs.
Chitra: Rules the belly, foetus, womb, of kaalpurush.
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15) Swati
Polite, merchant, kind hearted, not able to endure thirst, sweet tongued and generous.
Swati: Rules the skin, kidney, urinary tract, of kaalpurush.
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16) Vishakha
Jealous, avaricious, handsome, clever speaker and quarrelsome, or maker of money.
Vishakha: Rules the lower part of the belly, urinary bladder, kidneys of kaalpurush.
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17) Anuradha
Master or chief, living in foreign countries, not able to bear hunger and fond of traveling.
Anuradha: Ruled by Saturn and the body parts ruled by this constellation are urinary bladder, foetus, anus and hipbone of kaalpurush.
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18) Jyeshta
Few friends, contented, charitable, very irritable.
Jyeshtha: Ruled by Mercury and the body parts ruled by this constellation are ovary, vagina, large intestine, womb and rectum of kaalpurush.
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19) Moola
Proud, rich happy, good, steady and enjoying.
Mula: Ruled by Ketu and the body parts ruled by this constellation are the hips, thighs, buttocks, bone marrow and sciatica of kaalpurush.
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20) Purva Shadha
Good and pleasant wife, proud and a steady friend.
Purva Ashada: Ruled by Venus and the body parts ruled by this constellation are the thighs and hips of kaalpurush.
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21) Uttara Shadha
Polite, knowing, virtuous, many friends, grateful and popular.
Uttara Ashada: Ruled by the Sun and the body parts ruled by this constellation are the thighs, marrow, dermis, knee cap, arteries of kaalpurush.
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22) Shravana
Rich surroundings, learned, good and liberal or liberal to wife, wealthy and renowned.
Shravan: Ruled by Moon and the body parts ruled by this constellation are knees and skin of kaalpurush.
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23) Dhanishta
Liberal, rich, courageous, fond of music and money.
Dhanishtha: Ruled by Mars and the body parts ruled by this constellation are kneecaps, knee bones, calf muscles and hands of kaalpurush.
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24) Satabhishak
Plain and truthful, striken from sorrow through females, etc., killer of enemies, adventurous and irreconcilable.
Shatabhisha: Ruled by Rahu and the body parts ruled by this constellation are calf muscles, muscular tissues of kaalpurush.
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25) Purva BhadraPada
Sorrowful, loss of money through females, skilful and miserly.
Purva Bhadrapada: Ruled by Jupiter and the body parts ruled by this constellation are ankles, legs and thumb.
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26) Uttara BhadraPada
Good and witty speaker in society and meetings, happy, many children and grandchildren, successful over enemies and charitable.
Uttara Bhadrapada: Ruled by Saturn and the body parts ruled by this constellation are legs of kaalpurush.
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27) Revati
Well- developed organs, popular, courageous, clean and wealthy.
Revati: Ruled by Mercury and the body parts ruled by this constellation are legs and toes of kaalpurush.
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