Muhurtha Basics

I. Panchanga is the most important thing to see while looking for the right muhurtha. Panchanga means
five parts/ organs of any time and control different elements of time. The panchanga is made up of
(i) Vara- Agni Tattva- shows the life/ longevity of the undertaking. Check how the vara lord placed, this
shall indicate the longevity of the event for which the Muhurtha being determined. The Vara should be
determined by the horosocope of the main person involved. The day lord should preferably be as per
the lord of the house which signifies the muhurtha.
Vara lord should never be a planet squarely opposed to Karaka as per the zodiac sign ownership. Thus
Marriage should not happen on Tuesday as Mars is totally opposed to Venus. Mars is Brahmacharya, It is
finished when marriage takes place. Merc is opposed to Jup as their signs are opposite. Also Sun is
oppsed to Rahu and Moon to Saturn.
Chose the day as per the naisargika (natural) karakatva (significations) of the day lord, such as
-> Start learning Jyotisha or Vedas on a Thursday.
-> First feeding of child should be done on a Monday
(ii) Karana- Prithvi Tattva- This shows the accomplishments/ achievements/ final outcome of the event
for which the muhurtha is being determined.
Karana is half of a Tithi. Thus a lunar month which consists of thirty tithis, have 60 Karanas. There are
altogether 11 karanas, out of which 7 are movable and 4 are fixed. The fixed Karanas occur only once
in a lunar month. They are as follows:
1.
2.
3.
4.

Shakuni: 2nd half of Krishna Chaturdasi.

Chatuspada: 1st half of Amavasya.
Naga: 2nd half of Amavasya.
Kimstughna: 1st half of Shukla Pratipad

This shows that nothing should be undertaken between 2nd half of K14 to 1st Half of S01. That's why
Gurudev says that these tithes are cursed.
(iii) Nakshatra- Vayu Tattva- This shows different kinds of experiences the person will pass through
during the muhurtha. The Nakshatra should not be
a. A bad Nakshatra as per the Navatara Chakra (If the Lagna is stronger, Navatara starts from Moon and
if Moon is stronger, the Navatara shall start from Lagna)
b. A Nakshatra which causes Vedha to the Janma Nakshatra
The Vedha Causing Nakshatras to each other is as follows:
* Aswini and Jyeshta;
* Bharani and Anuradha;
* Krittika and Visakha;
* Rohini and Swati;
* Ardra and Sravana
* Punarvasu and Uttar-ashadha;
* Pusayami and Poorv-ashadha;
* Aslesha and Moola;
* Makha and Revati;
* Purva-Phalguni and Uttara-bhadrapada;
* Uttara-Phalguni and Purva-bhadrapada;
* Hasta and Satabhisha,
* Mrigasira, Dhanishta and Chitra

(iv) Tithi- Jala Tattva- Shows the financial prosperity/ difficulties a person shall have during the event.
The lord of a tithi is easy to find. The first tithi, Pratipada of both the Paksha is ruled by Sun and all
the subsequent tithis are ruled by planets in the order of weekday lords (Sun, Moon, Mars, Merc, Jup,
Ven, Sat, Rahu). The 8th Tithi is ruled by Rahu and so also the Amavasya, however the Purnima is ruled
by Saturn. Ketu has no lordship over any tithi.
(v) Yoga- Akasha Tattva- Shows how different elements in the event shall be bonded to each other. This
shows the nature of relationships between different members involved in the event. Check how well
the Yoga Lord placed and also the nature of the Yoga.
II. The Moon should be strongly and well placed in the Muhurtha Chart.
III. The Karaya Bhava (Singnifying house) should be empty. For studies, 4th is the karaka bhava and it
should be empty.
IV. The Karaka should be well placed, either in the Lagna or in the Kendra to the Lagna. But, it should
not be placed in Karya Bhava. However, it does not apply for 6H / 11H matters i.e in evil matters ( war
etc. ) planets in Karya Bhava are good. In addition, Karaka should not be in Marana Karaka Avastha. The
houses where the planets becomes marana avastha are:
Sun- 12th
Moon- 8th
Mars- 7th
Mercury- 7th
Jupiter- 3rd
Venus- 6th
Saturn- Lagna
Rahu- 9th
Ketu- Nowhere, as it doesn't have body and hence cannot physically suffer.
IV. There should not be any malefics in the Sukha Trikona (4th/8th/12th). Malefics in the 8th should be
avoided in all circumstances.
V. The Malefics should preferably be placed in the Upachayas (3/6/10/11).
VI. Check the Hora and the Kala. The Hora shows the focus of the activity at any time, take both the
natural significations and temporal significations of the Hora lord at any time to find the different
events likely to happen in that muhurtha. Hora of the 8th house lord and badhakesh from the
signification house (of the principle person involved in muhurtha) is prohibited.
Kala represents the atma of the Kalapursha and influence on it shall show the influence of different
persons during that muhurtha.
The various directions governed by the planets and the directions of the lord of the kalas as per the
Kalachakra is as follows.
Dir. - Dir. Lord -Kala Lord
-----------------------------------------E - Sun - Sun
S.E - Venus - Mars
S - Mars - Jupiter
S.W - Rahu - Mercury
W - Saturn - Venus
N.W - Moon - Saturn
N - Mercury - Moon

N.E - Jupiter - Rahu

One should not start any activity pertaining to a direction lord in the Kala of the corresponding Kala
lord. Thus in Rahu Kala, Jupiter's activity is prohibited and in Mars's kala, Venusian activity is prohibited
and so on.
The method to find the kala is: The Kala of the Vara lord starts at 6:00 am LMT and thereafter, each 1.5
hours, the kala of the planet rises in the following order: Sun-> Mars-> Jupiter-> Mercury-> Venus->
Saturn-> Moon-> Rahu. From 6:00 "pm" LMT, the kala of the planet, in the fifth from the vara lord starts
the sequence repeats in the order given.
VII. Check the Navamsa. Along with the Lagna, the Navamsa Lagna should be well placed in the
Muhurtha Chart. The Yoga-karakas in the Rasi Charts should be well placed in the Navamsa Chart.
VIII. Above all, do not ignore the Atmakaraka. The influences on the Atmakaraka shall help deciphering
many things that happen in a Muhurtha. Check how the Dharma Devata placed. His blessings shall show
how smooth the acitivity undertaken in a muhurtha would be.
IX. Be careful of all the major bad yogas such as Kalasarpa, Sarpa, Pishacha etc.
X. Last but not the least, the Arudha shall be well placed. Moon should not be placed in the 8th from
the Arudha Lagna.
XI. Study the Ghataka Chakra in Pt. Sanjay ji's website (www.srath.com). It is very informative on
Muhurtha.

The next line is Yoga. The Yoga name is followed by Y: The time next to the Yoga
indicates when it is going to end. The same rules for tithi timings applies to Yoga as
well. (Ganda 08:31:32). Unlike other online panchangam, all times presented in our
panchangam have been adjusted for daylight saving time for North
American/Candaian Panchangam. Please manually adjust for other places in the
world where daylight saving time applies.
Good Yoga: Please avoid Vyatipata, Vaidriti, Parigha, Vishkumbha, Vajra, Shoola,
Atiganda, Vyagata.

The next two lines are Karana. Karana name is indicated by K: There are two
karanas per thithi hence there are two lines for karana, where the time next to the
karana indicates when it is going to end. The same rules for tithi timings applies to
karana as well. (Balav 08:32:33). Please try to avoid vishti (Bhadra) karana in all
auspicious ceremonies. Unlike other online panchangam, all times presented in our
panchangam have been adjusted for daylight saving time for North
American/Candaian Panchangam. Please manually adjust for other places in the
world where daylight saving time applies.
Good Karana: Please avoid Vishti (Bhadra) Karana.

The next line if sun changes the sign or rasi that day it will have a line SN: which
means sun and the rasi after that is the rasi sun is changing to the time is the time
when sun will enter that rasi or sign on that day. (SN: Makara 4:36). This is also
known as samkranti. For example: Makara samkaranti is when sun enters makara
rashi (This also becomes Thai(Makara mase) month for tamil calendar). Likewise the
same rule applies to the other samkrantis. Sun's rasi names can be also names for
hindu solar month names. For example: Tamil calendar uses sun's rasi names as
their solar months. The Tamil calendar is a derivative of the old Hindu solar calendar
and is based on the sidereal year. Tamil solar month names are Chiththirai (Mesha),
Vaikasi (Vrishabha), Aani (Mithuna), Aadi (Karka), Aavani (Simha), Purattasi (Kanya),
Aippasi (Tula), Karthikai (Vrishika), Markazhi (Dhanu), Thai (Makara), Maasi
(Kumbha), Panguni (Mina).
Note for Muhurtha: Please avoid day of eclipse and the six hours before and after
from the time of samkranti for any good work / muhurtha. However this samkranti
time is good for donation, satyanaraya puja but not good for Weddings, Graha
Pravesha etc.

The next line is MN: which means moon sign changes, which means moon and the
rasi after that is the rasi moon is changing to the time is the time when moon will

enter that rasi or sign on that day. if moon occupies that rasi for whole day you'll
observe (full) right after the rasi name. (MN: Mithuna 20:38)
A Note on chandra bala in muhurtha: Chandra Balam is important in weddings, and
other rituals. Tarabalam is more subtle. Counting from your moon rashi (Hindu rashi)
to the day's chandra rashi if the count is 1,3,6,7,10,11 then that day will be good for
you.

The RK: means the Rahu kalam (Tamizh: Raghu kalam). The rising period of Rahu is
considered inauspicious in the South as he is considered a malefic for auspicious
functions. The time frame indicates rahu kalam duration. (RK:09:03-10:06). Please
avoid this time for your muhurtha.

The YM: means the Yamagandam kalam. Yamaganda is the son of Guru and he is
also considered inauspicious. The time frame indicates yama kalam duration.
(YM:11:09-12:12). Please avoid this time for your muhurtha.

The GK: means the Gulika kalam (Gulikai). Gulika is also called Mandi (i. e. the son
of Manda alias Shani). His rising period is also not auspicious. The time frame
indicates Gulika kalam duration. (GK:09:03-10:06). Please avoid this time for your
muhurtha. Rahu kalam, Yama kalam, Gulika (Kulika) needs to be avoided as they are
inauspicious times.

The AJ: means Abhijit Muhurtha (AJ: 12:30- 13:18). It is Sri Hari Vishnu's time.
When you don't have any muhurtham you can use this time if its not overlapped by
rahu kalam or durmuhurtham, or varjyam. On Wednesday abhijit muhurtham is bad
as its the same time as durmuhurtham, hence we gave only durmuhurtham time on
wednesday not the abhijit muhurtha time. For other days please check rahu kalam
as well.

The DM: means Durmuhurtha (DM:: 10:34- 11:22, 15:22- 16:10) means first
Durmuhurtham starts at 10:34 AM till 11:22 AM and the next one starts at 15:22 PM
to 16:10 PM. These times should be avoided for any good ceremonies.

The V:: means Varjyam or Vishagatika (V:30:00-31:37) means varjyam starts at

6:00 AM of following day and lasts till 7:37 AM of following day. There could be more

than one varjyam line. This time is not a good time. Please avoid in all muhurthams.
Please donot perform annaprasana samskara in this time as this this visha-gatika
time.

The AK:: means Amritkala (AK: 15:13- 16:53) means Amrita kala starts at 3:13 PM
till 16:53 period. This is a good time. There could be more than one Amrit kala line.
This time is good for annaprasanam samskara as well as other rituals.

About Rahu Kalam, Yamagandam and Gulika Kalam: What most online
panchangam, and other panchangam give rahukalam which is fixed for every day of
the week, for example Sunday 4.30 - 6.00, Monday 7.30 - 9.00, Tuesday 15.0016.30, Wed. 12.00 - 13.30, Thursday 13.30 - 15.00, Friday 10.30-12.00, Saturday
9.00-10.30. These times are given based on assumption that sun rises and set at
6:00 AM/PM. Which is completely wrong as the sun doesn't rise at 6:00AM and sets
at 6:00PM for most part of the world every day. People who live in North America,
Europe, Australia and other places where in summer sun rises at 4:00 AM (with the
daylight time added 5:00 AM) and sets at 8:00 PM, and in winter sun rises at 8:00
PM and sets at 3:45 PM this rahu kalam time given above is off by hours then
minutes (as one of my learned friend argued the world is not going to change if
rahukalam is off by minutes, we are not talking about minutes but hours. For
example in winter in certain places (America, Europe, Australia, etc..) if sun rises at
8:10AM and rahukalam duration is 7:30AM to 9:00 AM, sunrise doesn't happen till
8:10AM , so you are off by 40 minutes here (not some minutes, and it will not at at
9:00 could very well end just after 9:00AM).

Now on Thursdays, Yamagadam is from 6:00AM to 7:30AM(According to the fix

calculations assuming sun rises at 6:00 AM), and being winter sunrises at 8:10 AM,
so your yamagandam has already passed before sunrise? aren't you off by one and
half hour?. Rahukalam, Yamaganadam doesn't start till sunrise. Even in India if you
live further north, the sun will rise earlier than 6 AM in summer and will set after 6
PM. Check the sunrise and sunset time of your local newspapers and if not look into
our panchangam you'll notice that in 99% of the world sun will never rise at 6:00 AM
and will set at 6:00 PM most of time (99% of time). You be the judge which
rahukalam needs to be taken, precise or fix rahu kalam. Its your muhurtham, so you
be the judge. Even if you took the fix one the world is not going to end but if you
want to follow rahukalam why not the precise one?

The fix rahu kalam is taken for ease of calculation, and simplicity. So it is important
to calculate rahukalam and other information by subtracting the sunset from sunrise
and divide by 8 and then use that as a kalam interval. The data provided here is
based on actual precise method of arriving Rahu Kalam, Yama kalam (Yama
Ganadam), and Gulika Kalam.

About Chogadia Table: Chogadia used for checking auspicious time to start new
work. Traditionally chogadia is used only for travel muhurthas only but due to
simplicity it is used widely for any muhurtha. There are four good chogadia to start
auspicious work -- Amrit, Shubh, Labh and Chal. Three bad chaugadia are Rog, kaal,
Udyog. Mostly people calculate chogadia from 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM which is wrong as
sun doesn't rise at 6:00 AM and doesn't set at 6:00 PM. The actual way is to
calculate dinamana and divide by 8 an each kala will be day chogadia's kala and
likewise divide ratrimana by 8 and each kala will be night's chogadia kala. We have
provided link with the chogadia table at the top of every panchangam presented
here and they are calculated based on that places' sunrise, and sunset.

Lagna Table. Lagna is the rising sign on the eastern horizon at a given time and a
given place. This changes from place to place, Hence we need longitude and
latitude of the place for correct lagna. That's the another reason why indian
muhurtham calculated for india can't be used outside of india, even after
subtracting the time difference. Lagna has very important role in muhurtham. Lagna
shuddhi removes most evils and without lagna shuddhi it gives all bad yogas. At the
time of muhurtha There shouldn't be any evil grahas / planets in kendra sthana of
muhurtha kundli. That is Sun, Mars, Saturn, Rahu and Ketu. The good planets should
be in kendra(1/4/7/10) and tikona sthana (5/9) Mercury, Jupiter, and Venus. This
lagna can be obtained by using lagna table calculated in our panchangam for each
place's panchang. This langna is the rasi in first house. For any place in the world,
the Sun will be always in the first house during the sunrise, during the midday sun
will be in the 10th house, during the evening sun will be in 7th house, and during
the midnight sun will be in the 4th house. Some astrologers even knowing this fact
makes the same mistake of subtracting appropriate time differences from indian
muhurtha and give out wrong muhurtha (unknowingly).
Good Lagna for Grahapravesha: Vrishabha (2), Mithuna, Simha, Kanya, Vrischika,
Dhanu, Kumbha, and Mina.

Panchaka Rahita Vidhi for Muhurtha - Important ceremonies such as marriage,

nuptials, entry into new houses, etc., this should be carefully looked into. There are
several methods by which panchaka is determined. The most common method is to
add following and divide by the number 9:
The number of the lunar day (from the 1st of the month). You can find the tithi in
our panchangam. It's marked with T:. The time after tithi is the time when the tithi
ends.

The number of the weekday, Sunday 1, Monday 2, Tuesday 3. etc.). You can find
the day in our panchangam. It's the top most header of the column. For the night
time muhurtha please don't change the day. Indian day is from one sunrise to
another sunrise.

The number of the constellation (from Aswini 1, Bharani 2, etc..). You can find the
nakshatra in our panchangam. It's marked with N:. The time after the nakshatra is
the time when the nakshatra ends.

The number of the Lagna (from Aries/Mesha 1, Tauras/Vrishabha 2, etc...). You can
find the lagna from our lagna table for your city.

Now add these together and divide the total by 9. If the remainder is 1,2,4,6, or 8
then it indicate bad results as follows:
1 (mrityu panchakam), it indicates danger.

2 (agni panchakam), risk from fire.

4 (raja panchakam), bad results.

6 (chora panchakam), evil happenings.

 8 (roga panchakam), disease.

If the remainder is 3, 5, 7 or zero then it is good.

Example: Let's consider Tithi: Krishna Paksha Dwitiya(2), Saturday (7), Moola/Mula
nakshatra(19), and Kumbha(11) lagna. Let's add these together. This gives us total
of 39. Now divide this total of 39 by 9 giving us the reminder of 3 hence it is good.
Please consult astrologer for advanced panchaka rahita vidhi.