1

Time measures: ZST – Zonal standard time; LMT – Local mean time; IST –
Indian standard time.
Within India:
1. A place in the West (Delhi side) of standard meridian of India,
i.e., a place having longitude less than 82° 30`.
To find L M T from I S T - - deduct correction.
To find I S T from L M T—add correction.
2. A place in the East (Calcutta side) of standard meridian of India,
i.e., a place having longitude more than 82° 30`.
To find L M T from I S T - - add correction.
To find I S T from L M T— deducted correction.
3. Correction is 4 minutes per degree (and 4`` per minute of longitude)
for difference of longitude of the place and 82° 30`.
4. Correction for principal cities is given on page 146 of ephemeris for
2011.
Greenwich Time vis-à-vis India:
Z S T and L M T at Greenwich are same. India is towards right side (East) of
Greenwich. Time is to be added in Greenwich Time to find to Indian time.
Z S T of India is + 5 ½ hours. (If summer time correction is needed, then 4 ½
hours).
Therefore
1. To find I S T of any place in India from Greenwich Time – add 5 ½
hours.
2. To find Greenwich Time from I S T of any place in India– deduct 5 ½
hours.
3. To find L M T of any place in India from Greenwich Time – add
correction straightaway by multiplying the longitude in degrees of
Indian place by 4 (the result is in as many minutes)
4. To find Greenwich Time from L M T of any place in India – deduct
correction straightaway by multiplying the longitude in degrees of
Indian place by 4 (the result is in as many minutes)
To find corresponding timings from places East of Greenwich and West
of Greenwich and vice-versa.
1. It may be noted that Z S T and L M T at Greenwich is same.
2. First find out corresponding time in Greenwich.
3. Add Z S T in this time if we are to go east, i.e. on the right direction
on the map.
4. Subtract Z S T in this time if we are to go west, i.e. on the left direction
on the map.
5. For L M T timings, add multiplication of longitude by 4 for places
towards East (right side) and subtract multiplication of longitude by 4
for places towards West (left side of map).
 1

Notes for Praveen I:

Planetary permanent relationships:
Planet Friends Enemies Neutral
Sun Moon, Mars, Jupiter Saturn, Venus Mercury
Moon Sun Mercury None Mars, Venus, Jupiter, Saturn
Mars Jupiter, Moon, Sun Mercury Saturn, Venus
Mercury Sun, Venus Moon Saturn, Mars, Jupiter
Jupiter Sun, Moon, Mars Venus, Mercury Saturn
Venus Mercury, Saturn Moon, Sun Mars, Jupiter
Saturn Venus, Mercury Mars, Moon Jupiter
Rahu Mercury, Saturn, Venus Sun, Jupiter, Mars
Moon
Kethu Jupiter, Sun, Moon Mercury Saturn, Venus
Temporary friendship: Planets posited in 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 10th, 11th, 12th from another planet become friendlier towards that planet. When
posited in other houses, i.e, 5th to 9th, they tend to turn inimical: friend turns neutral, neutral turns enemy and an enemy turns still worse.

Planet Exaltation Debilitation Mooltrikona Own house

Sun Aries 10° Libra 10° Leo 0° to 20° Leo
Moon Taurus 3° Scorpio 3° Taurus 3° to 30° Cancer
Mars Capricorn 28° Cancer 28° Aries 0° to 12° Aries, Scorpio
Mercury Virgo 15° Pisces 15° Virgo 15° to 20° Gemini, Virgo
Jupiter Cancer 5° Capricorn 5° Sagittarius 0° to Sagittarius, Pisces
10°
Venus Pisces 27° Virgo 27° Libra 0° to 15° Taurus, Libra
Saturn Libra 20° Aries 20° Aquarius 0° to 20° Capricorn,
Aquarius
Rahu Taurus 20° Scorpio 20° - -
Ketu Scorpio 20° Taurus 20° - -

Planet Aspects Natural Gender

Sun 7 Malefic (kroor) Male
Moon 7 Benefic Female
Mars 4, 7, 8 Malefic Male
Mercury 7 Benefic Eunuch, impotent
Jupiter 5, 7, 9 Benefic Male
Venus 7 Benefic Female
Saturn 3, 7, 10 Malefic Eunuch, impotent
Rahu - Malefic -
Kethu - Malefic -

Nature of planets vis-a vis various Lagna (signs of the zodiac):

 2
Ascendant Benefics Malefic Neutral Yoga karaka Maraka
Aries Sun, Mar, Jup Mer, Ven, Sat Moon Sun Venus
Taurus Sun, Sat, Mer Mo, Jup. Ven. Venus Saturn Mars
Gemini Venus Sun, Mar, Jup Moon, Mer Venus, Merc. Moon, Mars, Jup.
Cancer Mo, Mar, Jup Mer, Venus Sun, Sat Mars, Jup. Sun, Sat, Merc.
Leo Sun, Mar Mer, Venus Jup, Mo, Sat Mars, Jup. Moon, Sat, Merc.
Virgo Venus Jup, Mo, Mar Sat, Sun, Mer Mercury Venus Jup., Mars, Venus
Libra Mar, Mer, Ven Mo, Jup, Sun - Saturn Jup. Mars, Venus
Scorpio Sun, Mo, Jup Mer, Venus Sat, Mars Sun, Moon Mercury, Venus
Sagittarius Sun, Mars Mer, Ven, Sat Jup, Moon Jup. Sun, Merc. Venus, Saturn
Capricorn Mer, Sat, Ven Mer, Mo, Jup Sun Ven., Mars, Jup Mars, Jupiter
Aquarius Ve, Su, Sa, Ma Jup, Moon Mercury Venus Jupiter, Sun, Mars
Pisces Moon, Mars Su, Me, Sa, Ve Jupiter Mars, Moon Sat. Merc. Venus

Factors of shadbala of planets:

There are six factors. 1. Positional strength (sthana bala) 2. Directional strength (dig
or dik bala) 3. Temporal strength (kala bala) 4. Motional strength (cheshta bala), 5. Natural
strength (naisargika bala) 6. Aspectual strength (drik bala).
Directional (dik-bala) strength:
Mercury and Jupiter are strong in the east, i.e. in lagna.
Sun and Mars are strong in the south, i.e. in 10th house.
Moon and Venus are strong in the north, i.e. in 4th house.
Saturn is strong in the west, i.e. in 7th house.
Drig –bala: It is the strength of a planet attained by the aspect. By strength of position is
sthan-bala, by strength of motion is chestha-bala, by strength according to time is kala-bala.
The strength of a planet lies not necessarily in its exaltation, Moolatrikona, vargottama,
etc. nor does a planet become weak due to debilitation, affliction by Mars, Saturn or nodes, or
combustion in the Sun. the planet’s potency in variably depends on its shadbala and secondarily
vargabala. Even if a malefic planet gains good shadbala it can be auspicious and a benefic
planet in poor shadbala is not effective for the good.
Natural strength:
This is the same for all charts. The Sun is the strongest planet, then the Moon, Venus,
Jupiter, Mercury, Mars, and Saturn, in line with their apparent brightness as seen from the earth.
Avasthas of planets: The avasthas are the states a graha can be in. The avasthas are one of
the prime indicators of the strength or influence of a planet. For further details see pages 292-294
of the book Practical Vedic Astrology.
Vimshopaka bala of a planet: Varga bala is a constituent of sthana bala or positional strength of a
planet. It is derived through dividing the house in which the planet is situated into specific number of
equal parts and finding out in which part it is situated. A planet in exaltation or in own house gets 20
points of this bala, 18 points if posited in the sign of a intimate friends, 15 points if posited in a
friend’s sign, 10 points if in the sign of a neutral, 7 points if in inimical sign and 5 points if in a sign
of bitter enemy. 6, 2, 4, 5, 2 & 1 points are assigned in D/1, D/2, D/3, D/9, D/12 and D/30 charts in
shadavarga system. 5, 2, 3, 4½, 2, 1 & 2½ points are assigned in D/1, D/2, D/3, D/9, D/12, D/30 &
D/7 charts in saptavarga system.
Dispositor: The dispositor of a planet is the lord of the sign where the planet is posited.
Vargottama: A planet in same sign both in rasi chart and D/9 chart is called vargottama.
Ruling planet: Ruling planet at birth depends upon the elongation of Moon in particular
asterism. It is the lord of constellation in which Moon is posited in the birth chart.
 3
Different kinds of times:
1. Standard time: It is a sort of uniform or synchronized clock time, based upon a certain
Geographical meridian (longitude) passing through the country or zone. It is chosen by the
government and is meant for common use. For example, the Indian standard time (IST) is 5 ½
hours faster than Greenwich Mean Time (GMT). The reference meridian for I.S.T. is 80° 30` E.
Standard time is based on various “Time Zones” measured east and west of Greenwich,
England.
Standard Time Zone:
It is the area designated as a certain number of hours behind or ahead of the time at
Greenwich, i.e., Greenwich Mean Time. Zone changes after every 15° of longitude: They
decrease by one hour for every 15° east of Greenwich, and increase by one hour for western
longitudes.
2. Local mean time (L M T)
It is the real time of place. Note the difference between the longitude of the place of birth
and the longitude to which I. S. T. is fixed (i.e. 82°-30`E in India). This difference is multiplied
by four minute. This time is added (if longitude of birthplace is more than 82°-30`E) or
subtracted if the longitude of birthplace is less than (82°-30`) to the time noted (i.e. I.S.T.). This
new time is called L.M.T.
3. Sidereal Time (star time):
Sidereal time, in a true sense, is astrological time. It is the time calculated through star
observation, and is based on the sidereal day. The actual time required for the earth to rotate on
its axis, measured between two successive transits with reference to a particular star over the
meridian of a particular place, is called sidereal day. The sidereal day is almost four minutes
shorter than the 24 hours or solar day.
Sidereal time is the key factor in determining the ascendant and other houses of a chart.
4. Day light saving time (DST) or summer time (ST):
In many countries (or zones) it is customary to set their clocks ahead by one hour in the
spring, and one-hour back again in the fall. This advanced time goes by nomenclature D. S. T., or
S.T.
If D. S. T. is in effect when a person is born, one hour must be subtracted from the
standard time when calculating the LMT & Sidereal time.
5. War time:
During the years of Second World War, many countries moved their clocks ahead of the
standard time in adoption throughout the year. This is known as wartime. In India, the clock was
accordingly put forward by exactly one hour and wartime was legal form 1-9-1942 to 14-10-
1945.
If a person is born in India during this period, one hour must be subtracted from the
standard time when calculating the LMT & Sidereal time.
6. Indian Unit of time:
In Vedic Astrology, a day is divided into 60 equal parts, each part is known as ‘Ghati’.
The ‘Ghati’ is further divided into 60 equal part and each part is known as ‘pal’, further a
pal is divided into 60 equal parts and this is known as ‘Vipal’.
The relation between hours and ghatis is:
1 hour = 60 ghatis
1 hour = 60/24 = 2.5 ghatis = 2 ghatis 30 pal
1 minute = 150/60 = 2.5 pals = 2 pals 30 Vipala
 4
Ishta Kaal:
The time of birth in Vedic Astrology is recorded in ghati-pal-vipal unit is known as Ishta
Kaal.
To calculate the IK, first of all one should know the time of Sunrise at the place where
birth occurred. Then we take the difference between the standard time of birth and standard time
of Sunrise of that place in hours, minutes and seconds. By multiplying it with 2.5 all the three
units we will get IK.
Vedic sunrise and sunset correspond to the time when the center of the Sun’s disc is on
the horizon. This differs from place to place. Normally the times of sunrise and sunset are given
in local papers as these are based upon the Sun’s disc being completely below the horizon.
Dinamrityu: The 1st quarter of Dhanishta and Hasta, the 2 nd quarter of Vishakha and Aslesha,
and 3rd quarter of Uttarabhadra and Aslesha, and 4th quarter of Bharani and Moola for day birth.
Dinaroga: The 1st quarter of Aslesha and Uttarabhadra, the 2nd quarter of Bharani and Moola, 3rd
quarter of Uttaraphalguni and Sravana, and 4th quarter of Swati and Mrigashira for day birth.
Note: Dinamrityu and Dinaroga are devoid of evil for night birth.
Vishaghti: Period of four ghatis in each nakshatra are Vishaghtis, e.g., Aswini 51-54, Bharani
25-28, Krittika 31-34, Rohini 41-44, Mrigashira 15-18, Aridra 22-25, Punarvasu 31-34, Pushya
21-24, Aslesha 33-36, Magha 31-34, Poorvaphalguni 21-24, Uttaraphalguni 19-22, Hasta 22-25,
Chitra 21-24, Swati 15-18, Vishakha 15-18, Anuradha 11-14, Jyestha 15-18, Moola 57-60,
Poorvashadha 25-28, Uttarashadha 21-24, Sravana 11-14, Dhanishta 11-14, Satabhisha 19-22,
Poorvabhadra 17-20, Uttarabhadra 25-28, Revati 31-34.
Example: 51st, 52nd, 53rd and 54th ghatis of Aswini are Vishaghatis.
(Dinamrityu, Dinaroga and Vishagati are taken from Sloka 8, Adhyaya 13 of Phala Deepika).

Key planets of various lagnas

S.no. Lagna Benefics Malefics Marakas Yogakarakas
1. Aries Sun, Jup Mer, Ven, Ven -
Mars Sat
(i) Mere conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn (9th and 10th lords) does not
produce a rajayoga.
(ii) Jupiter becomes malevolent if ill-associated.
(iii) Mars tends to behave as a benefic on account of the lagna lordship.
2. Taurus Sun, Sat Moon, Jup, Mars Sat
Ven (Mon,Jup,Ven)
(i) Mercury is partly beneficial.
(ii) Even Venus is not too good for Taurus ascendant.
3. Gemini Ven Sun, Mars, Moon -
Jup
(i) Combination of Saturn (9th lord) and Jupiter (7th and 10th lord) does
not produce a rajayoga.
(ii) Jupiter as a benefic is the lord quadrants (excluding the lagna). It is
particularly liable to the blemish of Kendra lordship. Such blemish is
applicable to Mercury and Jupiter only.
(iii) Mercury is neutral. Saturn may give mixed results.
4. Cancer Moon,Mars, Mer,Ven Sat Mars
Jup
7 Sun acts as a benefic or malefic depending upon its association.
 5

5. Leo Sun,Mars, Mer, Ven Sat Mars

Jup Sat
(i) Combination of Jupiter (5th lord) and Venus (10th lord) does not
produce a rajayoga.
(ii) The Moon (12th lord) gives results depending upon its association.
6. Virgo Mer,Ven Moon,Mars, Ven -
Jup
(i) Association of Venus (9th lord) and Mercury (10th lord and lagna
lord) produces a rajayoga.
(ii) The Sun (12th lord) gives results based on its association.
(iv) Mercury as lagna lord and lord of the 10th house (the most powerful quadrant)
becomes a benefic while Jupiter (4th and 7th lord) suffers from the
blemish of lordship of two kendras.
7. Libra Mer,Sat Sun,Mars, Mars Sat
Jup
(i) Venus is neutral.
(ii) Combination of the Moon (10th) with Mercury (9th lord) produces rajayoga.
8. Scorpio Moon,Jup Merc,Ven, Ven -
Sat
(i) Mars is neutral ( Venus for Taurus lagna).
ii (ii) Sun - Moon (10th lord and 9th lord respectively) association produces
a rajayoga.
9. Sagittarius Sun, Mars Ven Ven, Sat -
(i) Jupiter is neutral as is the Moon.
(ii) Sun - Mercury (9th and 10th lords) association produces a rajayoga.
10. Capricorn Merc,Ven Moon,Mars, Mars(and Ven
Jup other malefics)
(i) The Sun is a neutral.
(ii) Saturn (2nd lord) itself is not a maraka as it is the lord of the lagna also.
11. Aquarius Ven, Sat Moon,Mars, Sun,Mars, Ven
Jup Jup
Mercury is mediocre, perhaps more beneficial than harmful.
12. Pisces Moon,Mars, Sun,Merc, Merc, Sat -
Jup Ven,Sat
(i) Mars is not a maraka despite being the second lord (Venus for
Virgo ascendant).
(ii) Association of Mars 9th lord) and Jupiter (10th lord as well as lagna
lord) produces a rajayoga.
In a nutshell:
i. Functional benefics are – lords of 1st, 5th and 9th house.
ii. Functional malefics are – lords of 3rd, 6th and 8th house.
iii. Yogakarakas are – lord of Kendra and kona, lords of 4th, 7th and 10th if natural malefic.
iv. Marakas are – lords of 2nd and 7th; and lords of 4th, 7th, 10th if natural benefic.
v. Neutral are – lord of 2nd and 12th.

Birth star: It is the constellation in which Moon is posited in the natal chart. E.g. if Moon is in
15° of Libra, it is in constellation of Swati ruled by planet Rahu. The birth star is Swati, ruled by
planet Rahu. (it also indicates that the birth in Rahu dasa).

Important glossary:
 6
1. Upachaya houses - 3, 6, 10, and 11.
2. Apachaya houses - 1, 2, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, 12
3. Trik; dusthana (leena sthanas)-6, 8, 12 strength is in order of 6, 12, 8 (maximum).
4. Kendra (angular) - 1, 4, 7, 10 strength in increasing order
5. Trikona or kona or trinal - 1, 5, 9 ” ” ” ”
6. Succeedant houses (panaphara) - 2, 5, 8, 11 ” ” ” ”
7. Cadent houses (apokalimas) - 3, 6, 9, 12 ” ” ” ”
8. Marakasthanas - 7, 2; ( 2 is stronger);
9. Badhakasthana – 11th house (sign) for movable lagnas, 9th house (sign) for fixed lagnas
and 7th for dual lagnas. Their lords are called badhakapatis.
10. Longevity houses - 3, 8
11. Chaturasras chaturastra - 4, 8;
12. Shatakona -6, 11.
13. Trishadyadhipatis Lords of 3, 6, 11.
14. Venus Mercury- Always remains within 48°, 28° respectively from Sun.
15. Combustion range (in degrees for planets) from Sun - Moon-12°; Mars-17°; Merc.14°
(R 12°); Jupiter 11°(R - 8°), Ven-10° (R 8°), Saturn-16°.
16. Sheershodaya signs: Gemini, Leo, Virgo, Libra, Aquarius.
17. Prishtodaya signs: Aries, Taurus, Cancer, Scorpio, Sagittarius, Capricorn.
18. Ubhayodaya sign: Pisces.
19. Directions of the planets: Sun – east; Moon – north west; Mars – south; Mercury –
north; Jupiter – north east; Venus – south east; Saturn – west; Rahu – south west.
20. Directions of signs: Aries, Leo, Sagittarius – east; Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn – south;
Gemini, Libra, Aquarius – west; Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces – north.
21. Saumya grahas are natural benefics {Jup, Ven, Mercury, Moon (8th shukla to 8th
krishna) }.
22. Krura grahas are natural malefics (Sun, Mars, and nodes, waning Moon, bad Mercury).
23. Subha grahas are functional benefics (owners of houses other than 3, 6, 8, 12).
24. Papa grahas are functional malefics (owners of houses 3, 6, 8, 12).
25. Visible half of zodiac-1/2 of zodiac from 180° to lagna Cusp.
26. Invisible half of zodiac - other half of the visible half.
27. Oriental or eastern signs or northern signs- chakrardha -Aries to Virgo.
Occidental or western signs or southern signs- chakranta - Libra to Pisces.
28. Below the horizon -1st to 6th house;
Above the horizon - 7th to 10th house.
Planets in “below the horizon” are less powerful than “above the horizon”.
29. Uttarayan - Sun’s northerly course - Capricorn to Gemini.
Dakshinaayan - Sun’s southerly course - Cancer to Sagittarius.
30. Uttara gola – Sun in signs Aries to Virgo.
Dakshina gola – Sun in signs Libra to Pisces.
31. Vargotama - when a planet occupies same sign both in rasi & navamsa.1st
navamasa of movable, middle of fixed & last of common signs is vargottama.
32. Rikta sandhi - Last portions (3°.20') of Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces.
33. Transit - Gochara - Is passage of a planet through zodiac at judgement time.
34. Aroha -When a planet moves from his debilitation sign to exaltation one.
35. Avaroha -When a planet moves from his exaltation sign to debilitation one.
36. Uchchabhilashi - A planet in one sign prior to his exaltation sign.
37. Neechabhilashi - A planet in one sign prior to his debilitation sign.

Major planetary aspects

 7
Planets Aspect
th
Sun, Moon, Mercury, Venus 7
Mars 4th 7th 8th
th th
Jupiter, Rahu, Kethu 5 7 9th
Saturn 3rd 7th 10th
All planets aspect the seventh sign from the sign in which they are located.
An aspect is an angle formed on the earth by the beams of two planets. The term is
employed, in astrology, to refer to angular distance measured in degrees and minutes of celestial
longitude between two points in the zodiac. According to western astrologers, aspects are formed
between two planets or between a planet and a point in the horoscope. The cusp of a house
(bhava), say ascendant or M.C. etc. are cusps which may be defined as the edge of a house, i.e.,
the exact beginning of a house (which is also the end of the previous house) reckoned in degree
and minutes of celestial longitude. The aspects caused by planets placed at some angular
distances from the cups as well as other planets do produce varied results that are significant in
the lives of natives as well as nations. A planet is considered to be in aspect with another planet
or a sensitive point in the zodiac only when it is placed from the planet or the sensitive point by a
certain longitudinal distance.
In Vedic astrology a planet posited in any degree of a rasi is deemed to cast its full effect
(through aspect) on the planets situated in any degree of the rasi opposite to it or as given in the
beginning. A planet at 28° in Aries shall aspect a planet posited at 1° in Libra. Vedic astrology
does not take into account the degreewise distance.
The aspecting planet often indicates the changes/modifications in the nature of the
results; and it becomes the cause for such a change and also the source, which brings about such
a change. The planet receiving the aspect produces such results that it may indicate along with
the modifications made by the aspecting planet.
Jupiter’s aspect is always good. Saturn’s aspect is always critical; it delays and afflicts the
aspected planets and/or signs. The aspect of Venus is good and that of a yogakarka planet of a
chart produces agreeable results. Aspect of a strong planet is always good. When a planet aspects
his own house, it produces good result by strengthening its own aspected house. The aspect of a
planet to his friend’s house is good while to his enemy is bad. The interchange of aspects in
between two inimical planets neutralises the evil effects of both and that of the friendly planets
pour more favourable results for the native.
The astrological system bases its predictions on the aspect, which exist between the
planets in a chart. By the theory of aspects, planets project their influence to other planets or
houses on which they cast their aspects. The aspects represent a relationship between the planets.
The nature of this relationship depends upon the nature of the planets involved.
In Vedic astrology, the planetary nature is very useful for determining the effects of its
aspects. An aspect from a great malefic like Saturn indicates difficulties, whatever they are. An
aspect from a great benefic like Jupiter will tend to be helpful, whatever it may be. The detailed
way of determining the status of planets by nature and house rulership provides a similarly
detailed way of judging the qualities of aspects. Both functional and natural quality of planet is
to be seen to judge exactly the effect of its aspect on a planet or a house. Once we have
ascertained the nature of a planet and its action in the different domains of life, its aspects will
reflect the same.
The aspectual positions of planets differ in Vedic, Western, Tajik and Jaimini systems of
astrology. In every system aspects do play an important part that thrusts great effects on the
houses or the signs aspected by planets. A benefic aspect may change the results from otherwise
evil position to a favourable one and likewise, a malefic aspect may change the results from
otherwise good position to an unfavourable one.
 8
Western astrology, the aspects are degreewise and are termed as square, trine or sextile
etc., In Tajik astrology the aspects are 1/7, 3/11, 4/10 etc. In Jaimini astrology signs aspect other
signs including the planets posited therein.
When a planet is retrograde, the aspect is towards right; when motion is direct and swift
aspect is towards left and when it is mean one the aspect is towards front.
Mutual aspect of planets: When a planet ‘A’ aspects another planet ‘B’ and at the same time
planet ‘B’ aspects planet ‘A’, the planets are said to aspect each other mutually. E.g. planet Sun in
sign Aries and planet Jupiter in sign Libra aspect mutually with 7th aspect. Planet Mars in sign
Leo and planet Saturn in sign Scorpio aspect mutually because Mars aspects its 4 th place and
Saturn aspects 10th place from their own places.
Mutual exchange of houses: When a planet ‘A’ is posited in the sign owned by a planet ‘B’ and
at the same time planet ‘B’ is deposited in the sign owned by planet ‘A’, then these two planets
are said to have mutually exchanged their houses. The houses that they exchange are the houses
coinciding with the signs where they are posited. E.g. if a planet Sun is in house 6 in sign
Scorpio owned by Mars and at the same time planet Mars is in house 3 in sign Leo owned by
Sun, then Sun and Mars are said to have exchanged 3rd and 6th houses mutually.
Days:
i. Apparent solar day or Solar day – It is the period intervening two successive risings of
Sun. It is longer than sidereal day by 4`.
ii. Saavan day (it is solar day) – It is the period intervening two successive risings of Sun at
equator reckoned from one Sunrise to next Sunrise.
iii. Mean solar day – It is reckoned by considering average length of all the days in a year
and is = 24 hours.
iv. Sidereal day – It is the time taken by earth to rotate once on its axis w.r.t. any fixed star. It is
= 23 hrs. 56 minutes 4 sec. (it is 4 minutes less than Mean solar day).
v. Lunar day or tithi – It is the average time taken by Moon from one tithi to next tithi. It
is 12° difference of Moon from Sun after conjunction of Sun and Moon.
vi. Civil day – Its duration is from one mid night to succeeding midnight.
Months:
1. Solar Month (Saur Maan) – It is time period taken by Sun in a sign (from one sankranti
to next sankranti). Its duration is not uniform. If the angular velocity of Sun is more, the
Sun crosses the rasi early. Average time of solar month is = 30.438 days. Average time of
solar day = 24 hrs. 26 minutes 16.8``.
2. Lunar month (Chandra Maan) – It is = 30 lunar days. It is the time period taken by
Moon to sojourn from one New Moon to next New Moon. (i.e. from one amavasya to
next amavasya). It is = 29 days 12 hrs. 44 mts. These are named after the nakshatra in
which full Moon occurs in that month. At same places it is measured from full Moon to
full Moon. Also known as synodical month.
3. Mean Lunar month – It is average period of all Lunar months. It is =29 days 12 hrs.
4. Anomalistic month – It is time taken by Moon to move from one Perigee to next
Perigee. It is = 27. 5546 mean Solar days.
5. Nodical month – It is the time required by Moon to move from ascending node to next
ascending node and is = 27.2122 Mean Solar days. It is smaller than sidereal month
because ascending node moves backwards.
Years:
1. Saavan year – It is = 360 Mean Solar days.
2. Sidereal Year – It is the Mean period of one revolution of earth around Sun with
reference to any fixed star and it is =365 days 6 hrs. 9 minutes 9.8``.
3. Lunar Year – It is = 12 x Lunar month = 354 Mean Solar days. It starts from amavasya
of Chitra month.
 9
4. Nakshatra Year – It is duration during which Moon covers all 27 nakshatras. It is = 324
Mean Solar days.
5. Calendar Year or Civil year – It is the mean length of a year and it is = 365 days 5 hrs.
49 minutes 12``.
6. Tropical Year – It is the period between two successive passages of Sun across 0° Aries
sayana and it is = 365 days 5 hrs. 48 minutes 45``. It is passage of Sun from one vernal
equinox to the next V. E. because V. E. slips to west so this year is less than calendar year.
7. Anomalistic year – It is the duration between two successive passages of the perihelion
of earth. It is = 365 days 6 hrs. 13 minutes 48``.

General:
Synodic Period – It is the duration, which elapses between two oppositions in case of an outer
planet. It is also the duration between two inferior conjunctions of an inner planet. It is also the
duration of two superior conjunctions of an inner planet.
Sidereal Time – It is the local time reckoned according to the apparent rotation of celestial
sphere, or the time reckoned with respect to the sidereal day. It is the ‘Zero’ hour when
first point of Aries in sayana system, i.e. the vernal equinox crosses the observer’s
meridian. In astronomy it is defined to be the West hour angle of vernal equinoctial point
from the upper meridian of the place. It is kept by a sidereal or astronomical clock in an
observatory. It shows 0 hour 0 minute 0 second when the first point of Aries is on the
meridian and shows 24 hours 0 minute 0 second when the first point of Aries comes on
the meridian.
Fill in the blanks:
i. Sun’s declination, longitude and right ascension at V.E. on 21st March are = 0°.
ii. Sun’s declination at summer solstice on 21 st June is = 23°. 28` (N), its longitude and
Right Ascension are = 90°.
iii. Sun’s declination at winter solstice on 21st December is = 23°. 28` (S), its longitude and
Right Ascension are = 270°.
iv. Sun’s declination at autumnal equinox on 21st September is = 0°, its longitude and Right
Ascension are = 180°.
v. Latitude of Sun is always = 0° because it is always on ecliptic.
vi. Right Ascension & declination are considered with respect to the planes of celestial
equator and celestial poles.
vii. Celestial longitudes & latitudes are considered w. r. t. planes of ecliptic and ecliptic poles.
viii. Angle between plane of ecliptic & equator = 23°. 28`.
ix. Altitude or (elevation) of celestial pole at any place is = latitude of that place.
x. Altitude of celestial pole at equator is = 0°.
xi. Ecliptic is at the middle of zodiac belt. Ecliptic is also spoken as Zodiac.
xii. Sidereal and watch (mean time) are different for different places.
xiii. Sidereal or mean time (watch time) is same for all places on same longitude.
xiv. 24 hours of clock time (mean time) 24 hrs. 4 minutes (app.) of sidereal time.
xv. Sidereal time for a particular place increases at the rate of 24 hours + 3m. 56.55536``.
xvi. Zonal Standard Time, Local Mean Time and sidereal time at Greenwich are SAME.
xvii. Indian Standard Time and Local Mean Time at 82° 30` longitude are SAME.
xviii. To find sidereal time we apply a correction of about 10 seconds for every hour.
xix. Sayana longitudes of planets are measured from 1st point of Aries, viz. the V.E.
xx. The four great circles are celestial equator, celestial poles, ecliptic and ecliptic poles.
xxi. Latitude of a planet on its node is 0°.
xxii. Latitude of Moon at ascending node or descending node (Rahu/Kethu) is 0°.
 10
xxiii. Declination of Sun at vernal equinox is 0°.
xxiv. Horizontal great circle is called horizon.
xxv. Altitude of a planet during day is greatest at 12.00 noon LMT of that place.
xxvi. Most luminous planet excluding Sun and Moon is Venus.
xxvii. Highest latitude in north to see Sun in zenith at noon is 66°. 32` N at summer solstice.
xxviii. Highest latitude in south to see Sun in zenith at noon is 66°. 32` S at winter solstice.
xxix. Planets Sun, Moon, Mars, Mercury, Venus, Jupiter and Saturn can be seen with naked eye.
xxx. Mercury and Venus are seen with naked eye just before Sunrise or Sunset and are called
morning star or evening star.
xxxi. Lunation is a lunar month.
xxxii. Altitude of a star is greatest when it is on the meridian.
xxxiii. There are 24 sidereal hours in one sidereal day.
xxxiv. Length of 1° latitude at equator is 68.704 miles, and of 1° longitude at equator is 69 miles.
xxxv. Great circle on earth is called earth’s equator or terrestrial equator.
xxxvi. Ayanamsha is the angular distance between the fixed Zodiac & variable Zodiac.
xxxvii. Sum of longitudes of Sun & Moon on any day gives yoga.
xxxviii. Difference of longitudes of Sun & Moon on any day gives tithi.
xxxix. The portion of ecliptic within which planets remain in motion is called Zodiac.
xl. The equinoctial point is slowly moving backward due to precession of equinoxes.
xli. When Moon comes between Sun & earth we get solar eclipse.
xlii. When Earth comes between Sun & Moon we get lunar eclipse.
xliii. The mean plane of the earth’s orbit around Sun is called ecliptic.
xliv. The period between two successive meridian passages of the 1 st point of Aries is tropical
year.
xlv. The period between two successive meridian passages of the perihelion by Sun is
anomalistic year.
xlvi. The period between two successive meridian passages of the perigee by earth is
anomalistic month.
xlvii. The period between two successive meridian passages of the ascending node by Moon is
Nodical month.
xlviii. The period between two successive passages of the one new Moon to next new Moon is
lunar month.
xlix. The angular distance measured north or south (or above and below) from or along ecliptic
is celestial latitude of a planet.
l. The angular distance measured north or south (or above and below) from or along
celestial equator is declination of a planet.
li. The angular distance measured along the celestial equator is right ascension.
lii. The angular distance measured along the ecliptic is longitude of a planet.
liii. The period taken by earth to rotate once is called sidereal day.
liv. Nakshatra and tithis represent the stages of actual motion of heavenly bodies but yogas
are the results of mathematical conception.
lv. Terrestrial equator divides the earth into two hemispheres.
lvi. Mean times (clock times) and sidereal times are different for different places.
lvii. All places on same meridian have same sidereal time.
lviii. Mean times of all the places on same meridian are same, but local time (it is the time in
the clock of a particular locality) vary.
lix. The period between two successive passages (transits) of Sun across meridian of a place
solar day.
lx. The period between two successive passages of Sun on first point of Aries across
meridian of a place is sidereal day.
 11
lxi. The period between two successive transits of Sun over the meridian of a place is
apparent day.
lxii. 365 ¼ solar days are = 366 ¼ sidereal days.
lxiii. One solar day is in excess of a sidereal day by nearly 4 minutes.
lxiv. Solar days vary but mean solar days are of uniform length.
lxv. Our clocks give solar mean time.
lxvi. Sidereal time at Moon is same as R. A. of the meridian at Moon.
lxvii. R. A. is expressed in degrees and 15° are = one hour of sidereal time.
lxviii. When Sun starts moving northward it is called Uttarayana.
lxix. When Sun starts moving southward it is called Dakshinayana.
lxx. If a New Moon occurs within 18°. 36` of Moon’s node, there will be eclipse of Sun.
lxxi. If a Full Moon occurs within 12°. 24` of Moon’s node, there will be eclipse of Moon.
lxxii. If New Moon or Full Moon occurs within 5° of Moon’s node, eclipse will be full.
lxxiii. 24 hours of mean time (clock time) are = 24 hours 4 minutes of sidereal time.
lxxiv. Calendar year is mean length of year which is = 365.24 days = 365 days 5 hrs. 49` 12``.
lxxv. At summer Solistic Sun makes an angle of 90° with tropic of Cancer and North Pole is
towards Sun.
lxxvi. At winter solistic Sun makes an angle of 90° with tropic of Capricorn and South Pole is
towards Sun.
lxxvii. Moon’s orbit is inclined to the ecliptic at an angle of 5°. 9`.
lxxviii. Direct Inferior Planets set in the east and rise in the west.
lxxix. Retrograde Inferior Planets set in the west and rise in the east.
lxxx. Outer or Superior Planets set in the west and rise in the east.
lxxxi. Retrograde outer planets do not set.
lxxxii. The planets in retrogression are nearer to the earth.
lxxxiii. Niryana longitude + Ayanamsha = Sayana longitude.
lxxxiv. Retrograde motion of equinoxes is reduced by 0”. 11 each year is called planetary
precession.
lxxxv. Venus is maximum bright when its elongation angle (angle subtended by the sun and the
Venus at the earth) is 40°.
lxxxvi. The first contact in Solar eclipse occurs in the east while in lunar eclipse it occurs in the
west.
lxxxvii. Moon combusts (sets) on Krishna Paksha Chaturdashi in the east and rises in the west on
Shukla Paksha Dwitiya.
lxxxviii. A planet in east means its longitude is less than the longitude of Sun.
lxxxix. The three types of celestial coordinate systems are a. Celestial Longitude and celestial
latitude; b. Right Ascension and Declination; and c. Altitude and Azimuth.
lxxxx. A retrograde planet comes closest to the earth.
lxxxxi. Sun becomes Uttarayana near about 15th of January.
lxxxxii. Sun becomes Dakshinayana on 15th of July.
lxxxxiii. The parallels are the Tropic of Cancer and Tropic of Capricorn.
lxxxxiv. Distance of 1° longitude or latitude is approximately 110 Kms.
lxxxxv. The distance of the sun from the earth becomes maximum on 4 th January because on
this day obliquity of the ecliptic is maximum at 23°28’.
vci. Inferior planets become retrograde near about heliacal setting in the west and direct near
about heliacal rising in the east.
vcii. Inferior planets remain retrograde during the time of inferior conjunction with sun.
vciii. Superior planets remain in retrogression near about the time of opposition to the sun.
vciv. Superior planets always set in west of the Sun (in western horizon) and rise in the east of
Sun (in eastern horizon).
 12
vcv. Inferior conjunction occurs in case of inferior planets while they are retrograde and fall
between sun and earth.

Axis of Nodes – A straight line joining the ascending node with the descending node.
Line of Nodes – A straight line joining the ascending node with the descending node.
Ascending node – It is the crossing point of the path of Moon or any planet when it crosses
the ecliptic while going from South to North.
Descending node – It is the crossing point of the path of Moon or any planet when it crosses
the ecliptic while going from North to South.
Shukla Ashtami – 8th tithi of shukla paksha.
Krishna Ashtami – 8th tithi of Krishna paksha.
Sidereal period – Sidereal period of a planet is the time taken by it to make a complete
revolution with respect to fixed stars. It is also the time taken by a planet (except Mercury and
Venus) to complete one cycle in the Zodiac.
Periodic Time – Periodic time of a planet is the time taken by it to make a complete
revolution with respect to fixed start.
Superior Conjunction – For an inner planet it is when Sun comes in between earth and the
planet. For an outer planet when it is on the far side of the Sun.
Meteonic Cycle – It is the duration of 19 years or 235 lunar months after which all phases of
Moon are repeated on the same days of the month.
Opposition – A superior planet is in opposition when earth is in between Sun and the planet.
Inferior Conjunction – For an inner planet it is when the inner planet comes in between
earth and Sun. Any outer planet can not have this conjunction because it will never come in
between Sun and earth.
Synodic Period – It is the duration that elapses between two oppositions in case of an outer
planet. It is also the duration between two inferior conjunctions of an inner planet. It is also the
duration of two superior conjunctions of an inner planet.
Sidereal Time – It is the local time reckoned according to the apparent rotation of celestial
sphere, or the time reckoned with respect to the sidereal day. It is the ‘Zero’ hour when first point
of Aries in sayana system, i.e. the vernal equinox crosses the observer’s meridian. In astronomy
it is defined to be the West hour angle of vernal equinoctial point from the upper meridian of the
place.
Parallels of Latitudes – These are the imaginary concentric circles on the surface of the
earth whose planes are all parallel to the plane of earth’s equator.
Meridians of Longitudes – These are the imaginary concentric circles on the surface of the
earth whose planes are all perpendicular to the plane of earth’s equator.
The lunar Vikrami year begins from the 1st tithi of Chaitra Shukla (shukla pratipada) according
to the krishanadi system prevalent in North India. A significant characteristic of the Vikrami
calendar is that neither its beginning nor its end follows a specific date or point of time. Being
lunar in character like the Hejira, it remains dissimilar year after year. In 2000 A.D. Vikrami year
started on Chaitra shukla pratipada coinciding with 5th April.
In Vikrami year, the names of solar months are same as for saka year but the starting day is
different. These months start on sankranti days when Niryana Sun enters a new sign. When it
enters Capricorn, month is of Magha, when it enters Aries then month of Vaisakha starts. The
twelve months are fixed, as they are solar.
 1
Astronomical data of planets:
Name of Sidereal period Period of transit in Daily Mean distance from Sun Equatorial Diame
planet one rasi motion (in miles) (in miles) (app.)
Sun 1 year 1 month 1° - 8,65, 000
Moon 27.3217 days 2 ¼ days 12°-15° 239, 000 from earth 2,160
Mars 687 days 1 ½ month 31`-44`` 141,5 00,000 4,200
Mercury 88 days 1 month 66`.100` 36,000,000 3,033
Jupiter 11.86 years 1 year 5` - 15`` 483,300,000 88,700
Venus 224.7 days 27 days 62`-82` 67,200,000 7,700
Saturn 29.46 years 2 ½ years 2` 886,100,000 75,100
Nodes 18 years 1 ¼ years 3` - -
Uranus 84.01 years 7 years 42`` 1,783,000,000 29, 300
Neptune 164.79 years 14-24 years 24`` 2,793,000,000 31,200
Pluto 247.7 years 22 years 13``-14`` 3,667,000,000 3,800
Earth 365 ¼ days - - 92,957,000 8,000

Notes:
i. All planets are revolving round the Sun from East to West nodes move from West to East.
ii. The earth is rotating on its axis from West to East.
iii. The maximum distance of earth from Sun is 94,600, 000 miles and minimum is
91,400,000 miles.
iv. The maximum distance of Mars from Sun is 153,000,000 miles and minimum is
127,000,000 miles.
v. The maximum distance of Mercury from Sun is 43, 000, 000 miles and minimum is
28,000,000 miles.
vi. The maximum distance of Moon from Earth is 252,700 (apogee) miles and minimum is
221,460 (perigee) miles.

Some observations:
1. Sell property when Moon is exalted and buy property when Moon is debilitated.
2. Don’t take loan on Tuesday and don’t give loan on Wednesday.
3. Shares go up when Mercury becomes very weak and also is under the grip of Rahu.
4. If boy & girl are first-born issues, marriage in Jyestha month or their Janama maas,
Janama naksharta & janama tithi is prohibited.
5. Marriage of a girl is not to be celebrated within 6 th months of the marriage of her brother,
or the mundana of a child in the family in three generations.
6. Two real brothers should not be married to two real sisters.
7. When Jupiter and/or Venus are combust, don’t do Vastu, Yaatra, Yagya, temple activity,
upnayana, karanvedha, horticulture, digging of wells, entering new house or new town,
marriage (tara dooba hai), tonsure, vidyarambha, resolve etc.
8. Good muhurtas are prohibited 3 days on either side of an eclipse or rising and setting of
Jupiter and Venus.
9. Never give loan on tithi 5.
 2
Sayana System of measurement of Zodiac
1. The Zodiac, which reckons the first point
of Aries from V.E., is called Sayana
Zodiac or movable Zodiac or tropical
Zodiac or Zodiac of the signs
2. The first point of Aries is the vernal
equinox i.e., the point where the ecliptic
intersects the celestial equator.
3. The longitudes measured with respect to
this fixed point of Aries do not have a
permanent position on the ecliptic.
4. Due to the attraction of the Sun and the
Moon on the bulging equator of earth,
this first point of Aries moves slowly in
the direction opposite to that of the
yearly motion of Sun. As this point
precedes by about 50.3`` each year
so the Zodiac is not fixed but is
changeable or movable.
5. It belongs to Sayana system and is
adopted by western astrologers.
6. The distances of planets East-West are
measured from the retrogressed position
of the first point of Aries.
7. The starting point of Zodiac is the
moveable first point of Aries.
8. The first house commences from the
ascendant degree and ends at the cusp of
2nd house.
Niryana System of measurement of Zodiac
1. The Zodiac which reckons the first point
of Aries from a particular star in Revati
group of stars is called Niryana Zodiac
or fixed Zodiac or sidereal Zodiac or
Zodiac of the constellation.
2. The first point of Aries is always fixed
in the nakshatra i.e., it is always at an
angle of 180° to Chitra star.
3. The longitudes measured with respect to
this fixed point of Aries have a per-
manent position on the ecliptic fixed
among the stars.
4. The 1st point of Aries is with respect to
the nakshatras, which are fixed, and
hence it is fixed Zodiac.
5. It belongs to Niryana system & is
adopted by Hindu astrology.
6. The distances of planets East-West are
measured from the fixed position of the
first point of Aries.
7. The starting point of Zodiac is the fixed
first point of Aries.
8. The first house is the whole sign in
which ascendant lies, irrespective of its
starting degree in the sign.
 Important notes
Orbit – Sun moves in the ecliptic while Moon & planets move in orbits, which are
slightly inclined to the ecliptic. It is the path in which a celestial body moves
round the center of gravity of the system to which it belongs in the case of a body
in the solar system, the orbit is an ellipse. It is the curved course of a planet,
comet, satellite etc. round another heavenly body. All planets move round the Sun
in nearly circular orbits almost coinciding with the ecliptic. The heavenly body in
the orbit of another heavenly body becomes its satellite. Moon orbits round earth
in elliptical way. This orbit is just a path of a heavenly body around another
heavenly body.
Apparent Noon – Mid-day, local mean time of a place when Sun transits the meridian of
that place.
Longitude – It is angular distance of a place, east or west, from the meridian of
Greenwich or any other standard meridian to that place.
Heliocentric Longitude – Longitude of a heavenly body as measured with respect to the
center of the Sun.
Geocentric Longitude – Longitude of a planet or a place as measured with respect to the
center of the Earth.
Topocentric Longitude – Longitude of a planet or a place as measured from the surface
of earth.
Geographic Longitude – The longitudes of places shown in any ordinary atlas are
geographical longitudes that are marked considering the earth to be a perfect sphere.
Geographic and geocentric latitudes – The latitudes of places shown in any ordinary
atlas are geographical longitudes, which are marked considering the earth to be a perfect
sphere. Because they are calculated on the supposition that the earth is a perfect sphere,
while on the other hand the flattened ends at the two poles make the earth a spheroid.
The latitudes measured from the true center of this spheroid are the actual or geocentric
latitude. For astrological purposes, it would be hardly worthwhile making any distinction
whatsoever between the geocentric and geographic latitude. For instance the geographic
latitude of Chandigarh is 30°. 44` and the geocentric is 30°.35` which difference is
negligibly small for our calculations. We can therefore, adopt the former alone for
astrological purposes.
Apparent Time, Solar Time – Time of day indicated by the apparent movement of Sun,
as shown on a Sundial. Apparent noon occurs when the Sun’s centre crosses the local
meridian.
Mean Time – Day of 24 hours. The daily interval between successive transits of Sun
over a meridian at noon is not uniform, hence average day is used.
Mean Longitude – It is the position of a planet it would have attained at the uniform rate
of motion on the assumption that orbits of planets are concentric circles and not elliptical
ones; also known as madhya of a graha.
Nutation – Moon’s pull on the equatorial bulge of earth is not constant and is not in the
same direction always. It is because Moon’s attraction of earth varies due to its position
being either above the ecliptic or below the ecliptic. It results in the oscillation of the
celestial pole towards or away from the ecliptic pole. This oscillation of the celestial pole
is nutation. It may be termed as oscillation of earth’s axis nutation. The effect of nutation
is that the precession of equinoxes is same times more or same time less than its mean
value by about 9 seconds of arc to either side in a period of about 18 2/3 years (i.e. the
period in which nodes make one complete revolution in the heavens).
Q. What are lunar and solar years. Explain?
Lunar year: One lunar month is = 30 lunar days. It is the time period taken by
Moon to sojourn from one New Moon to next New Moon. (i.e. from one amavasya to
next amvasya). It is = 29 days 12 hrs. 44mts. at some places it is measured from full
Moon to full Moon. Lunar month under sukladi system (prevalent in Maharashtra, Gujrat,
A.P. W.B and Karnataka) commences from pratipada of kartika month krishna paksha.
Lunar month under krishnadi system (prevalent in north west India, UP, MP. Bihar,
Rajsthan and Orissa) commences from pratipada of Chaitra month shukla paksha. When a
lunar month is considered to begin at the end of amavasya tithi (at the point of
conjunction of Sun and Moon) it referred as Amaanta or Shukladi (sudi) system and is
also known as Mukhyamana. When a lunar month is considered to begin at the end of
pournima tithi (at the point of opposition of Sun and Moon) is referred as Poornimaanta
or Krishnadi (vadi) system and is also known as Gaunamana. In Poornimaanta the month
starts 15 days before the New Moon and ends on full Moon i.e., Pournima
Lunar year is duration of 12 lunar months. The lunar Vikrami year begins from
the 1st tithi of Chaitra Shukla (shukla pratipad) according to the krishanadi or Chaitradi
system prevalent in North India, and from the 1 st tithi of Kartika Shukla (shukla pratipad)
according to the shuklaadi or Kartikadi system prevalent in Gujarat and some states in
south India A significant characteristic of the Vikrami calendar is that neither its
beginning nor its end follows a specific date or point of time. Being lunar in character
like the Heijra, it remains dissimilar year after year. In 2000 Vikrami started on Chaitra
shukla pratipad coinciding with 5th April and on 28th October under Kartikadi System.
This year is comprised of 12 lunar months and some times 13 lunar months. After about 3
year an additional month is added in order to adjust it with solar years.
Lunar month is named after the nakshatra in which full moon occurs in that
months.
Solar year: One Solar Month is time period taken by Sun in a sign (from one
sankrati to next sankrati). Average time of solar month is = 30.438 days. It is the duration
taken by Sun in going from 0° Aries to next 0° Aries. As regards solar year is
concerned, it is available in both Vikrami and Saka systems which are explained as
under:-
i. In Vikrami Samvat year, the names of solar months are same as for saka year as
given below but the starting day is different. These months start on sankaranti days when
Niryana Sun enters a new sign. The solar year commence from Niryana Sun’s entry into
Aries and starts from the month of Vaisakha followed by Jyestha and others. The month
of Vaishakha starts on or near 13th April. It starts from Chaitra Purima. When it enters
Capricorn, month is of Magha, when it enters Aries month is of Vaisakh starts. Vikram
Samvat (solar) began on 14th January in 2000 A.D when Niryana Sun entered sign Aries
and the name of the month is Magha.
ii. In Saka system, solar year starts when Sayana Sun enters sign Aries. It is = 360
Mean Solar days. This year comprises of 12 months only. This year starts from
22nd March (or 21st March in leap year) with Vaisakha month followed other
months.
The months and the number of days assigned to each month are as under: -
Name of month No. of days Starts w.e.f.
Chaitra 30 (31 in a leap year) March 22, (March 21 in a leap year)
Vaisakha 31 April 21
Jyaistha 31 May 22
Asadha 31 June 22
Sravana 31 July 23
Bhadra 31 Aug. 23
Asvina 30 Sep. 23
Kartika 30 Oct. 23
Margashirsha 30 Nov. 22
Pause 30 Dec. 22
Magha 30 Jan. 21
Phalgun` 30 Feb. 20
In 2000 A. D. Saka year started with effect from 21.3.2000.
Gregorian Calendar or Civil Calendar (English Calendar): It is from 1st January to 31st
December. It is based on solar system movements. This calendar has come into
worldwide use for civil purposes.
Q. Why we use Niryana system?
Ans. In Niryana systems all measurements are taken with respect to a particular star in
the Revati group of stars, which is fixed. In Sayana system the measurements are made
from equinoctial point of Aries 0° which is not fixed and so the placement of planets and
cusps vis-à-vis zodiac cannot be relied upon. Fixed zodiac is related to the constellations,
which are fixed. The Indian adepts in the celestial science, realising that the degrees of
the fixed zodiac have a permanent relation with the star points and the movable zodiac
does not give us a definite position both for observation and experiment and to arrive at
logical conclusions, they have been advocating the Niryana positions of planets for all
predictive purposes.
In 285 A.D. vernal equinox coincided with fixed star in the constellation Aries
that marked the beginning of sign Aries. But till today vernal equinox has retrograded
away from this point in the heavens through an arc of more than 23°. There is, therefore,
no scientific or logical excuse for continuing to use the vernal equinox point as the
starting point of sign Aries, since at best this point is purely imaginary intersection
between two imaginary great circles, the ecliptic and the celestial equator. On the other
hand fixed stars are real and stationary and their apparent motion is the result of
processional motion of the earth. Hindu astrologers therefore continue to use, as they
have through thousands of years, the fixed Zodiac, which was same then and will always
be the same.
 Even Varahamihira perpetuated and carried on the teaching of his far more ancient
predecessor in marking the distinction between the two zodiacs and referred all the
astrological observations to the fixed zodiac. He stated that at one time the summer
solstice coincided with the middle of the Aslesha though it coincided with the first
degrees of Cancer in his time. It is thus proved that the movable zodiac can not be
depended upon for astrological purposes. Of late there is a movement in the western
astrological circles in favour of the Niryana zodiac and many leading astrologers have
shown their preference for Niryana System.
Q. Why is Ayanamsa necessary?
Ans. It is necessary to know Ayanamsa values to find out Niryana values. The longitudes
of the houses (bhava Sphutas), rasimanas (oblique ascensions) and other important
calculations are all computed for Sayana rasis. From these Ayanamsa is subtracted and
the Niryana Bhavas etc. are obtained. In other words, every one of the Hindu astrological
calculations, which is at first based upon the Sayana rasis is eventually subjected to
Niryana reduction. All these indicate the absolute necessity for Ayanamsa.
Q. How difference in lunar and solar years is adjusted in our panchangas.
or
Note on luni-solar year.
A. In order to adjust 13 months in a year, the principle followed by our
panchang makers is as under:-
One Lunar month = 29. 5306 days = 30 tithis.
One Lunar year = 29. 5306 x 12 =354. 3672 days.
One Solar month = 30. 438 ( average value) days.
( Solar month is of 28, 29, 30, 31 days)
One Solar year = 30. 438 x 12 = 365. 256 days.
Thus there is a difference of about 11 days between a Solar year and a lunar year. So after
about every 3 solar years we have an increase of one Lunar month. So in one particular
Solar year we have 13 Lunar months. The difference between the solar and lunar years is
adjusted by having an additional lunar month in every third solar year. This additional
lunar month is called adhik maas or malamaas.
If two consecutive amavasayas end in one solar month, the month which follows
the 1 amavasaya is repeated again after the 2nd amavasaya. Thus there will be two lunar
st

months of the same name in that solar year. The two months are named as first and the
other as second. Shukla Paksha of the first and Krishna Paksha of the second are called
the adhik month.
In case of kshay month, one month is divided into two Pakshas and each month is
assigned one paksha only. The first month having krishna paksha is called kshay maas
and the other is normal maas. Kshay maas occurs rarely.
During the year 1999-2000, vikrami lunar year 2056 started from 18.3.1999. This
year was comprised of 13 lunar months. During the month of Jyestha, two consecutive
amavasyas fell within one solar month. So there was Jyestha Krishna paksha followed by
Jyestha Shukla paksha, than Jyestha Krishna paksha again followed Jyestha Shukla
paksha. In these four pakshas 2nd and 3rd portions were declared adhik maas. This is how
the period of lunar year and that of solar year is adjusted.
Since our early Vedic period, we have been following solar year with Lunar months
and a synchronised luni – solar year. Adhik maas is also known as intercalary month
Q. What is advantage of Sayana system:
Ans. We have two Zodiacs. One which reckons the first degree of Aries of V. E. which
recedes or slips backwards every year. This is moveable zodiac, is adopted by westerns,
and is called Sayana zodiac or tropical zodiac. Vedic system does not depend on this
shifting zodiac as its starting point. It advocates for fixed zodiac in which the first degree
of Aries is measured from a particular star in the Revati group of stars. This is known as
Indian, Niryana or sidereal Zodiac. The angular distance between first point of vedic
fixed zodiac & V. Equinox is called Ayanamsa.
There are two disputes regarding value of Ayanamsa:
i. The exact period when both movable and fixed Zodiacs coincided is not known.
ii. The rate at which the point of intersection of the ecliptic and the celestial equator
(ayanamsha) moves backwards. Different authorities have given different
values, which vary from 19° to 24°.
The main reason for the calculation of different years when the two zodiacs
coincided is that the star, which marked the first point, appears to have somehow
disappeared though some believe it to be 11` east of a star Pisces. Many dates are given
as the year of coincidence. The different scientists or astrologers consider the following
year when the two zodiacs coincided.
Cheiro.....388 BC, Brahmagupta….22nd March 645 AD;
Lahiri....285 AD: Pancha siddhantika….20th March 505 AD;
Dr. B.V. Raman.....397 AD: Kharegat ….. 345 AD.
Krishnamurthy.....291 AD;
Sepharial.....498 AD;
C.Fagan.....213 AD;
Aryabhatta ….498 AD;
The Calendar Reform Committee appointed by the govt. of India in 1952
recommended adoption of 285 AD. Or 207 Saka as the zero Ayanamsa year. This year
was derived from the data available from the Astronomisches Rechen Institute of
Hedelberg, Germany, the well-known international astronomical institute, being the
authority in regard to the position of stars. So We follow the year given by Lahiri
(Chitrapaksha) i.e. 285 A.D. but still a doubt lurks on its exact value.
Regarding second dispute, the astronomers differ in the rate of the precession of
equinoxes, i.e., at the rate at which the point of intersection of the ecliptic and the
celestial equator (ayanamsha) moves backwards.
According to Aryabhatta it is 46.3” per year;
Parasara....52.35``;
Varahmihira....50.0”,
Surya Siddhanta...54.0”,
Bhaskara....59.9”,
Krishnamurthy (New Comb)....50.239” annually.
Manjala ….. 57.615``.
Aryashta satika …… 54.25``.
This confusion arose because of different views of different authorities on the exact
longitude of Chitra (Spica) constellation. Values in their opinion varied from 179° to
180°.50` of the sidereal Zodiac.
 Thus the Indian astrologers are always in a fix which values should be adopted
and which are to be rejected to get correct value of Ayanamsha to arrive at correct degrees
of the planets and the cusps. This has been a matter of considerable doubt. No definite
proof is available in favour of any one of the date of coincidence of the two zodiacs and
on the rate of precession. The ayanamsha value has been baffling astrologers and makers
of panchang for the last 8 or 9 decades. In Sayana system there is no such problem
because the Sayana values are the true values of the planets as measured in the
astronomical laboratories. There is no contest regarding the first point of Sayana Aries
when the duration of day and night remains equal on whole of the earth during Sun’s
northerly course, it becomes first day of month of Sayana Aries. When declination of Sun
becomes 0° it becomes solar ingress moment of Sayana Aries sign. As a matter of fact
system of astronomy recognizes the movable Zodiac which is employed by western
astrologer for predictive purposes. Exact value of Ayanamsha is still a debatable matter
and so it is difficult to get at the correct value of Ayanamsha. Because there can not arise
any kind of doubt in Sayana values, so use of Sayana is advantageous over Niryana.

Precession of Equinoxes
By continuous observations our Rishis found out that the longitudes of the stars
are increasing continuously. The first point of Aries (which is the intersection of ecliptic
and the celestial equator) is shifting backward. They also observed that there was not any
appreciable change in the latitudes of the stars and hence they concluded that the ecliptic
was a fixed plane and the celestial equator and first point of Aries were moving in such a
way that the longitudes of the stars were increasing. It was deduced that vernal equinox is
moving in backward direction which caused increase in longitudes of planets. This
backward motion is mainly due to the attraction of Sun and Moon on the protuberant
portions of the earth at the equator. The earth has a slow ‘wobbling’ motion. Earth’s pole
(celestial pole) is revolving round the pole of the ecliptic in a small circle. As a result of
this, the equator plane is also changing and cutting ecliptic plane at shifting point. Thus
due to shifting of poles, the celestial equator also moves and in turn the position of vernal
equinox or the first point of Aries changes. Each years when the Sun reaches the vernal
equinox, the position of earth with reference to some fixed star is found to be nearly 50
1/3`` of arc of space farther west than the earth was at the same equinoctial moment of
the previous year. Therefore the vernal equinox (V.E.) point is receding back along the
ecliptic at this rate.
It has been observed astronomically and proved mathematically even that the V.E.
or the first point of Aries from where the Sayana longitudes of all the planets are
measured along the ecliptic is not a fixed point. Each year when Sun reaches the V.E., the
position of earth with reference to some fixed star is found to be about 50-1/3 seconds of
arc of space farther west than the earth was at the same equinoctial moment the previous
year. It is not merely the earth or the solar system, but the entire Zodiac is subjected to the
westward motion. The gravitational pull of Sun & Moon on earth is not uniform because
earth is not a perfect sphere. The pull of Sun, Moon on its bulging equator causes V. E. to
drift westwards on the ecliptic. Hence we always have a new V. E. or starting point of
Sayana zodiac every year. This slight retrograde motion of the equinox is known as the
precession of the equinoxes.
Q. Why there is variation between sidereal time and clock time?
In observatories we have astronomical clocks which register sidereal time. We
observe today a star at a certain place in the heavens and note down the time
according to this astronomical clock. If we observe the time the next day when the
same star reaches the same place we complete 24 hours of this clock. If we repeat this
exercise with Sun (instead of star) the astronomical clock will show the time to be
nearly 24 hours 4 minutes. The reason is that the Earth has two motions:
1. About its own axis; and
2. Along its orbit about the Sun.
The extra four minutes in the sidereal clock are accounted for by its orbit around Sun.
Equation of Time – Mean Sun and true Sun are not together always. Sometimes,
one is in advance of the other, and sometimes, behind. Thus Sun is sometimes before and
sometimes after the clock. The interval of time that must be added to the apparent or
Sundial time to get mean or clock time is the equation of the time. It is the differences
between true and mean time at any given moment.
An important note: We are not concerned with equation of time in erecting horoscope
according to western system. We want only mean time. Mean time or clock time and
sidereal time are same on 21st March. After that the Sun becomes slower by about 4`
daily. On 22nd March sidereal time is about 4` behind sidereal noon. Every month sidereal
time becomes 2 hours faster to the mean (clock) time. Sidereal time and mean time are
different for different places. However, all places on the same longitude have same mean
or sidereal time.
Q. Why do we take mean value of Rahu?
Motion of each planet is not uniform but varies slightly. It is because planets
move in elliptical orbits and the speed of a planet is maximum when it approaches
perihelion (nearest point to Sun) and is minimum when it approaches aphelion (farthest
distance from Sun). The motion is mean at the mean distance. The difference between the
mean & the maximum or minimum values are negligible as the ellipticities of the orbits
of the planets are small and so for the purpose of astrology, the mean motion is taken as
the actual motion.
True Rahu – Longitude of Rahu by considering the actual oval/elliptical shape of orbit
of Moon & the ecliptic.
Mean Rahu – Longitude of Rahu by considering the orbits of Sun and Moon as prefect
circles. As this value is not factually correct true Rahu is preferred.