The Five Limbs of Pañcāṅga

Dr. Anmol Kapoor · 2025-05-23T10:15:56.956Z

Jai Śrī Mahākāla ji — the eternal ruler of Time, under whose gaze the Pañcāṅga reveals the rhythm of cosmic intelligence. ⸻ *The Five Limbs of Pañcāṅga – A Detailed Study* The word Pañcāṅga (पञ्चाङ्ग) is derived from pañca (five) and aṅga (limb), meaning the “five limbs” or components of time as conceived in the Vedic calendrical system. It is not merely a calendar but a sacred chronogram used in Jyotiṣa Śāstra to align human life with the pulse of cosmic rhythms. These five limbs are: 1. Tithi (तिथि) – Lunar Day 2. Vāra (वार) – Weekday 3. Nakṣatra (नक्षत्र) – Lunar Mansion 4. Yoga (योग) – Lunisolar Angular Yoga 5. Karaṇa (करण) – Half Tithi Let us explore each limb in depth. ⸻ 1. Tithi (तिथि) – The Vibration of the Mind • Definition: The angular distance between the Sun and the Moon. Each 12° separation creates one Tithi, totaling 30 in a lunar month. • Types: Divided into Śukla Pakṣa (waxing phase) and Kṛṣṇa Pakṣa (waning phase), each with 15 tithis. Notable tithis include Ekādaśī (for purification), Pūrṇimā (for fulfillment), and Amāvasyā (for inner withdrawal). • Symbolism: Tithi governs emotional and mental states. Hence, it is central to muhurta, mantra initiation, and festival observance. Each Tithi is ruled by a devatā and has a presiding planetary lord. For example, Trayodaśī is associated with Lord Śiva and is ideal for worship and renunciation. ⸻ 2. Vāra (वार) – The Planetary Pulse of the Day • Definition: The solar day governed by one of the seven grahas (excluding Rāhu and Ketu). • List: Ravi (Sunday), Soma (Monday), Maṅgala (Tuesday), Budha (Wednesday), Guru (Thursday), Śukra (Friday), Śani (Saturday). • Application: Vāra tells us the dominant graha’s mood for the day. This limb is pivotal in choosing auspicious days for specific deeds (e.g., Monday for Moon-related activities like healing and devotion). • Link to Health and Karma: Vāra impacts both daily psychology and physiological rhythms (e.g., Tuesday may bring heat and aggression due to Maṅgala’s nature). ⸻ 3. Nakṣatra (नक्षत्र) – The Celestial Gateway of Karma • Definition: The position of the Moon against the backdrop of one of the 27 fixed stellar constellations (with Abhijit as a hidden 28th). • Classification: Based on gati (movement), yoni (animal), varna (caste), and guna (quality), each nakṣatra represents karmic signatures and psycho-spiritual themes. • Importance: Nakṣatra governs subtle traits of consciousness. Marriage matching, mantra selection, and birthtime predictions are deeply tied to this limb. • Examples: Rohiṇī symbolizes creativity and nourishment; Mūla represents karmic uprooting and transformation. Nakṣatra is the bridge between the Moon’s movement and the soul’s journey. Without Nakṣatra, Jyotiṣa becomes blind to nuance. ⸻ 4. Yoga (योग) – The Synthesis of Sun and Moon • Definition: The sum of the longitudes of the Sun and the Moon divided into 27 equal parts of 13°20′ each. • Types: 27 Yogas (like Siddhi, Dhṛti, Vyatīpāta, Parigha), each with unique auspicious or inauspicious qualities. • Deeper Role: Yoga governs the unseen fruits of one’s actions. It is a subtle current, influencing outcome rather than the nature of the action itself. Vyatīpāta and Vaidhṛti Yogas are considered highly inauspicious in Muhūrta, though they are spiritually potent for destruction of karmic bondage. ⸻ 5. Karaṇa (करण) – The Moment of Action • Definition: Half of a Tithi, totaling 60 in a lunar month. • Types: • Fixed (sthira): Kiṃstughna, Śakuni, Nāga, Catuṣpada • Recurring (cara): Bava, Bālava, Kaulava, Taitila, Gara, Vaṇija, Viṣṭi • Importance: Karaṇa is tied to karma yoga—the power and appropriateness of action. Certain karaṇas (like Bava, Gara) are auspicious for beginnings; others (like Viṣṭi or Bhadrā) are avoided in Muhūrta. Pañcāṅga Suddhi demands careful alignment of all five limbs, but especially Tithi, Nakṣatra, and Karaṇa. ⸻ Why Study the Pañcāṅga? The Pañcāṅga is Time as Divinity. Each day becomes a dhāraṇā (concentration), aligning the microcosm of our life with the macrocosm of the cosmos. It is the astrologer’s gateway into Muhurta (electional astrology), Prāśna (horary), and annual prediction through Tithi Praveśa charts. One who masters the Pañcāṅga understands: • How to live ritually and rhythmically. • When to act, rest, give, or pray. • How each day’s configuration imprints consciousness. ⸻ Join Our New Batch – Learn Vedic Astrology from the Roots We are delighted to announce that a new batch of students will soon begin their journey into Vedic Astrology under our guidance. This course delves deeply into foundational concepts of Vedic Astrology / Jaimini Astrology, or Both as they Enroll. If you aspire to not just read charts but truly see the Light of Time (Kāla Jyoti), then this sacred science awaits you. Come, walk the path of the Ṛṣis. Let us decode destiny together. For enrollment details, kindly contact us directly. +91 8909000095 https://www.astrotwelve.com ⸻ Shubham Bhavatu – “May all your moments be in tune with the cosmic rhythm.”

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