The Importance of Karana in Muhurtha by Iranganti Rangacharya

Article by Iranganti Rangacharya

The Panchanga comprises of the 5 elements Tithi, Vara, Nakshatra, Yoga and Karana. That Karana is given the last place in the five indicates its rather small role in Muhurtha. A layman can think about the Tithi and Vara and whether they are good or evil. It is only astrologers who can look into Nakshatra too. Then, does it not appear peculiar if a Tithi which scores only one point (Titheraka Gunam Proktam) is mostly used ignoring Karana that notches up 16 points (Karanam Shodashanvitam).

The Karanas are eleven in number in order of 1. Bava 2. Balava 3. Kaulava 4. Taitula 5. Garaja 6. Vanija 7. Vishti (Bhadra) 8. Sakuni 9. Chatuspada 10. Naga and 11. Kimstghna. The first seven are cardinal while the remaining four are fixed. In Andhra Pradesh, Tithi, Vara and Nakshatra are shown in calendars, but Panchangas show all the five. One half of a Tithi is called Karana. In most Panchangas only one Karana of a Tithi is shown.

How to calculate Karana? Divide the Tithi number of Krishna Paksha (dark fortnight) by 7. The remainder shows the Karana in the first half of the Tithi. Double the Tithi number of Sukla Paksha (bright fortnight) and divide it by 7. The remainder is the Karana.

Example:

The first half of Panchami of Sukla Paksha is Bava while the 2^nd half is Balava. The first half of Panchami of Krishna Paksha is Kaulava while the 2^nd half is Taitula.

The first six cardinal Karanas are allowed in auspicious functions while Vishti (Bhadra) is prohibited. The last four fixed Karanas are allowed in oblations or sacrifices offered to the deceased ancestors or obsequial rites. The use of Karanas are as follows.

Bava                     ­ Nutritive works.

Balava               ­ Reading, teaching, performing Yajna etc.

Kaulava               ­ Making friendship or any work concerning women.

Taitula                 ­ Used for a married un-widowed woman.

Garaja                  ­ Ploughing and seed-sowing.

Vanija                  ­ Business.

Vishti                  ­ Setting fire, poisoning, war and for all evil acts.

Sakuni              ­ Making and taking of medicines.

Chatuspada        ­ Ruling the country, swearing-in ceremonies.

Naga                    ­ Evil deeds.

Kimstughna         ­ Auspicious ceremonies.

But in practice, we find no astrologer considering any of the Karanas. A detailed knowledge of Vishti (Bhadra) is necessary for use in Muhurtha.

The following Tables help to locate Bhadra in the Tithis:

Bhadra in the second half is good in the day and Bhadra in the 1^st half is good in the night.

The following Table shows the residence of Vishti according to the Moon-sign in the Zodiac:

4 ­ Cancer; 5 ­ Leo; 11 ­ Aquarius etc.

Frontal faced Bhadra in Martya Loka should be prohibited for auspicious activities and for travel.

The following Table shows the direction of Vishti according to the Tithi:

Travel should be prohibited in the direction according to the corresponding Tithi­Vishti. Bhadra’s head and tail are shown in Praharas in the following Table. About 3 hours make a Prahara:

In Sukla Paksha, Bhadra­tail and in Krishna Paksha, Bhadra­head are allowed in Muhurtha. The count of Prahara should be from the beginning of a Tithi and not from sunrise.

Limbs of Bhadra

 The last three Ghatis of Bhadra are permissible for auspicious activities. Bhadra of dark fortnight is called Scorpion and Bhadra of bright fortnight is called Serpent. The tail of Scorpion­Bhadra and the face of Serpent­Bhadra should be necessarily abandoned for auspicious activities.

Exceptions:

Bhadra in the day is permissible for auspicious ceremonies in the night while the Bhadra in the night is permissible in the day. Bhadra in the evening is not evil. In the Solar Ingress in Pisces, in the worship of Shiva and Ganapati, in Devi Pooja and worship of Vishnu and the Sun, Bhadra is not evil (Jyotirvidabharana). But the pity is that in practice not many astrologers identify and make use of Bhadra in chosen Muhurthas.

About Author: Iranganti Rangacharya is one of the oldest authorities on Jaimini alive today, born in 1927, he started astrology at the age of 25 in 1952. Later in 1960 he started meticulous study of Jaimini astrology & thus has 48 rich years of experience in Jaimini at this age of 81. Author of numerous articles since 4 decades, 9 books & an extremely humble soul who inspite of weak health contributes to the cause of Jaimini. His work Jaimini Sutramritam published by Sagar Publications, New Delhi is considered a classic by the serious student of Jaimini Astrology.