Panchaang

Panchaanga (Pronounced Punch + aanga)
Panch means five and Anga means Body parts (Limbs).
Panchaanga in Jyotish refers to the Almanac cum ephemeris published in India.
The five limbs are
Vaara - Weekday
Tithi - Sinodic day
Nakshatra - Asterism
Karana - half of a Tithi
Yoga - Union or Addition 

The Pancha mahaabhuta (five elements or states of matter) are mapped onto the Panchaanga as below:
Vaara is Agni, fire
Tithi is Jala, liquid
Karaana is Prithvi, solid
Nakshatra is Vaayu, gaseous
yoga is Aakaasha, Space

These elements are the state in which various forms of matter are formed.
The body is also made up of these five elements and hence the importance of Panchaanga.


Vaara: The weekdays are (We all know this)
Ravivaara -Sunday ruled by Surya.
Somavaara- Monday ruled by Chandra (Soma is another name of Chandra).
Mangalvaara- Tuesday ruled by Mangal.
Budhavaara- Wednesday Ruled by Budha.
GuruVaara- Thursday Ruled by Guru.
Shukravaara- Friday Ruled by Shukra.
Shanivaara- Saturday ruled by Shani.

The weekday starts from Sunrise in Vedic Calendar and not at midnight as in the civil calendar and we Jyotishis should always reckon the weeday to change from sunrise.
There are various definations of Sunrise.*
1)The tip of Surya is apparently visible on the eastern horizon.
2)The tip of Surya is truly on the eastern horizon.
3)THe center of Surya is on the eastern horizon.

*The first is caused due to refraction of the atmosphere and this causes the image of the tip to appear just before the actual or true tip becomes visible.

There are different schools of thought on taking which one of the above as the time of Sunrise. The learner may well experiment with the different methods and try to find that which she/he feels is right and works.

The Vaara is reckoned from the time of Sunrise and hence the element of fire (the transforming energy) is the ruler of this Anga.
The fire here is linked to the digestive fire (Jataraagni) and Jataraagni is esential for a good healthy life as the digestion is strong and gives a strong and robust physique.
Thus we see that The vaaresh (the weekday lord is very important in judging the health aspect of a horoscope.
Weakness or affliction either by malefics (paapa) or being placed in a trik (6,8,12) or other such bad Bhaava gives weak digestive fire and causes weakness in health.
As a general rule, Guruvaara (Thursday) and Shukravaara (friday) born Natives are lucky in the sense that they have the blessings of the two Gurus as protection from illhealth.
Shukra gives the ability to rise they say from the dead because of the Mrityunjaya Sanjeevani. Shukra rules the Agni kona in the dig chakra (we will learn about this in the future lesson). Thus fever is something that burns away disease. It shows rejuvenation of the body (Kaaya kalpa).
Guru is a blessing because where Guru is death cannot enter (this is one of the reason of debilation of Guru, Makara is a crematorium -Smashaana- and Guru is at its weakest there, whereas Mangal is very strong in Makara, some food for thought).
The Vaaresh in Kendra is a good placement as it gives high energy levels.

Tithi
A lunar month marks the time from one full moon to the next (or one new Moon to the next). The lunar month is divided into 30 parts, called lunar days, or tithis. The tithis are simply the different phases of the moon. Thus the first tithi starts at the moment when the moon is full -- that is, when the angle between the moon and the sun is 180 degrees and it continues until the angle has increased 12 degrees. Then, that much less of the moon seems bright to us: the moon is no longer completely full.
Now the second tithi starts, and it continues until the angle between the sun and moon has increased 12 degrees more. Slightly more of the bright side of the moon now has its back to us, and so the moon is even less full.
When 15 such tithis have passed, the angle between the sun and the moon has increased by 180 degrees. This time the bright side of the moon cannot be seen at all, and so we have a new moon.
Then 15 more tithis gradually pass, and the moon again becomes full. When 30 tithis have thus passed, the month ends.
The period when the moon wanes, or decreases in size, is called krishna paksha ("the dark fortnight"), and the period when it waxes, or increases, is called shukla paksha.

Some lunar calendars start the month from the 0-degree position -- that is, directly after the new moon. Such calendars are called Amanta. Other calendars, start directly after the full moon, with the Krishna paksa. Such calendars are called Suklaanta.

Except for the new moon and the full moon, the names of the tithis are simply counting words: pratipada, dviteeya, triteeya (first, second, third), etc. These names are the same for the tithis occurring during Krishna paksha (the dark period of the moon) and the Shukla paksha (the bright period). The new moon is called amaavasya, and the full moon poornima.


Krsna paksa                         Shukla paksa
Tithi   Name                        Tithi   Name

 1   Pratipat                     1   Pratipat
 2   Dvitiya                      2   Dvitiya
 3   Trtiya                        3   Trtiya
 4   Caturthi                     4   Caturthi
 5   Pancami                    5   Pancami
 6   Sasti                          6   Sasti
 7   Saptami                     7   Saptami
 8   Astami                       8   Astami
 9   Navami                      9   Navami
10   Dasami                    10   Dasami
11   Ekadasi                    11   Ekadasi
12   Dvadasi                   12   Dvadasi
13   Trayodasi                 13   Trayodasi
14   Caturdasi                  14   Caturdasi
15   Amavasya (new moon)           15   Purnima (full moon) 


Because the speed of the moon in relation to that of the sun is not constant but varies, a tithi is not a fixed duration of time. Its length fluctuates between 19 and 26 hours. Therefore, since a lunar tithi does not correspond to the 24-hour solar day, a tithi may start at any time of the day.
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.
The rulerships of the Tithis are:
Surya rules Pratipada and Navami.
Chandra rules Dwiteeya and Dashami
Mangal rules Triteeya and Ekaadashi
Budha rules Chaturthi and Dwaadashi
Guru rules Panchami and Trayodashi
Shukra rules Shashtti and Chaturdashi
Shani rules Saptami and Poornima
Raahu rules Ashttami and Amaavasya

Calculation of Tithi: To see which tithi is running at any time find the Angular distance Chandra Has progressed from Surya and divide it by 12 the quoteint plus one will give the Tithi.
Normally any vedic Astrology software will display the Tithi at birth for the native.
Tithi is Jala (liquid) and Vaara is Agni (fire). Hence if a native is born when a Graha rules the Vaara as well as the Tithi then it has to represent two opposing forces (Fire and water are enemies). This causes Tatwa Dosha (Flaw due to the elements).
The Bhaavas owned by the Graha as well as the bhaava it is placed in suffers due to this.
Tithi are the interaction of the Surya and Chandra. The most visible effect of this are the tides.
There are two high tides and two low tides each day for a particular day.
The two High tides fall at an interval of 12 hours and 24 minutes. Chandra rises approximately 48 minutes later each day from the previous day.
Thus the Rishis defined this time of 48 minutes as a Muhurtha and the half of this as a Ghathika.
60 Ghathika made one full Day and each Ghathika was again divided into sixty parts called Vighathika.

What are the different types of Tides
When the sun and moon are aligned, there are exceptionally strong gravitational forces, causing very high and very low tides which are called spring tides, though they have nothing to do with the season. When the sun and moon are not aligned, the gravitational forces cancel each other out, and the tides are not as dramatically high and low. These are called neap tides.
Spring Tides
When the moon is full or new, the gravitational pull of the moon and sun are combined. At these times, the high tides are very high and the low tides are very low. This is known as a spring high tide. Spring tides are especially strong tides (they do not have anything to do with the season Spring). They occur when the Earth, the Sun, and the Moon are in a line. The gravitational forces of the Moon and the Sun both contribute to the tides. Spring tides occur during the full moon and the new moon.

Neap Tides
During the moon's quarter phases the sun and moon work at right angles, causing the bulges to cancel each other. The result is a smaller difference between high and low tides and is known as a neap tide. Neap tides are especially weak tides. They occur when the gravitational forces of the Moon and the Sun are perpendicular to one another (with respect to the Earth). Neap tides occur during quarter moons.
The Proxigean Spring Tide is a rare, unusually high tide. This very high tide occurs when the moon is both unusually close to the Earth (at its closest perigee, called the proxigee) and in the New Moon phase (when the Moon is between the Sun and the Earth). The proxigean spring tide occurs at most once every 1.5 years.
The Jala (liquid) Tatwa rules the Tithis but the various tithis are sub divided again into the five Tatwas.
The nomenclature used is:
Nanda, Bhadra, Jaya, rikta and Poorna.
Nanda means Playful, playing, joy , delight , happiness. The tatwa is Jala and the Tithis are, 1st,6th and 11th.
Bhadra means blessed , auspicious , fortunate , prosperous , happy, good, gracious , friendly , kind. The Tatwa heare is Prthvi (solid) and the Tithis are 2nd, 7th and 12th.
Jaya means conquest , victory , triumph , winning , being victorious. The Tatwa is Agni (Fire) and the Tithis are 3rd, 8th and 13th.
Rikta means emptied, empty, void, bared, hollow , hollowed, poor , indigent, idle, worthless. The Tatwa is Vaayu (Air) and the Tithis are 4th, 9th and 14th.
Poorna means filled, full, filled with or full of, abundant , rich, fulfilled , finished , accomplished , ended , past, concluded (as a treaty) ,complete , all , entire, satisfied, contented. The Tatwa is Aakaasha (Space) and the Tithis are 5th, 10th and 15th or 30th (Purnimaa and Amaavasyaa).
The Rishis have taken special attention to certain Tithis and given the birth during these Tithis Dosha criteria.
These are Caturdashi of Krishna Paksha and Amaavasyaa.
A birth occurring during these two Tithis are said to suffer some flaw, independent of the other strengths in the chart. Mahaarishi Paraashara has given two separate chapters to spell out the effect as well as the remedies to be done for this.
Tithis are Jala Tatwa and the Grahas representing Jala Tatwa are Chandra and Shukra. This gives us a clue as to the area of life affected by Tithis.
Chandra is a Kaaraka for Bhakti (Devotion) and Shukra is a Kaaraka for marriage and married life. The lord of the Tithi at birth tells us a great deal about married life of the native.

The Nakshatra given in a Panchaanga is the one occupied by Chandra. Great importance is attached to this.
The Nakshatra occupied by Chandra at birth is called the Janma Nakshatra (birth Nakshatra) and being Vaayu Tatwa (Air element) it has avery great importance in longevity judgement.
The Life span is counted as the number of breaths alloted to a person and as soon as it is used there is demise of the person.

The nakshatra rulers are as per the Vimshottari reckoning.
Ashwini is ruled by Ketu.
Bharani is rules by Shukra.
Krittika is ruled by Surya.
Rohini is ruled by Chandra.
Mrigashira is ruled by Mangal.
Aardra is ruled by Raahu.
Punarvasu is ruled by Guru.
Pushya is ruled by Shani.
Aashlesha is ruled by Budha.

There after again the Grahas repeat as rulers in the same order.
Magha is ruled by Ketu.
Poorva Phalguni is ruled by Shukra.
Uttar Phalguni is ruled by Surya.
Hasta is ruled by Chandra.
Chitra is ruled by Mangal.
Swaati is ruled by Raahu.
Vishaakha is ruled by Guru.
Anuraadha is ruled by Shani.
Jyestha is ruled by Budha.

Again the cycle repeats.
Moola is ruled by Ketu.
Poorva Ashaadha is ruled by Shukra.
uttara Ashaadha is ruled by Surya.
Sravana is ruled by Chandra.
Dhanista is ruled by Mangal.
Satabhisaj is ruled by Raahu.
Poorva Bhaadrapada is ruled by Guru.
Uttar Bhaadrapada is ruled by Shani.
Revati is ruled by Budha.

Gandaanta Dosha.
Gandaanta means an evil junction.

Gandaanta is the junction of the Water (Jala Raashi) and fire (Agni Raashis).
The two Tatvas – Water and Fire are inimical to each other and hence births during this period suffer from a Tatva Dosha.
This not only applies to Chandra but also to Lagna if it so placed.

There are three such junctions.
The Junction of Karka and Simha. The last Pada of Aashlesha and first pada of Makhaa.

The junction of Vrischika and Dhanu. The last Pada of Jyestha and the first pada of Moola.

The Junction of Meena and Mesha . The Last Pada of Revati and the first Pada of Ashwini.

Birth during these padas are said to suffer from this Dosha.
Amongst these three, birth between Meena and Mesha Gandaanta is called Swa (Self) Gandaanta. This is of least intensity.
Birth during Kark and Simha Gandaanta is called Maatri (Mother) Gandaanta. This is of middling intensity.
Birth during Vrischika and Dhanu Gandaanta is called Piri (Father) Gandaanta this is of the most intensity. The reason for this is that the deities of these two Nakshatras are Indra (for Jyestha) and Nirriti (for Moola). Indra is a Deva (God) and Nirriti is a Raakshsa (Demon) and in Vedic Mythology these two are always fighting each other. This Gandaantar Dosha is discussed in great detail in the classical texts and the students are advised to read more about it.

The example chart given previously has Chandra placed in the Last Pada of Revati and hence the Horoscope suffers from Gandaantar dosha.

Eka Nakshatra Dosha.
If in a family people share the same Nakshatra then it is a Dosha.
For example two or more siblings are born in the same Nakshatra. One of the Parent and child has the same Nakshatra. The Dosha is called Eka Nakshatra Dosha.
The younger of the two suffers because of this and the suffering starts after they start living separately or independently.
The suffering is felt in money and health matters if it is the same Nakshatra but, if the Pada of the Nakshatra is also the same then it affects the health severely.
Remedies have been suggested by Maharishi Paraashar and a studious learner should be aware of it.

Yoga
Yoga means to add, join or unite.
Amongst the five limbs, Yoga is Aakaash Tatva, The space. Space is a prime requsite for any matter to exist. Infact, it binds matter toghether.
Tithi is Jala and Jala Tatwa Grahas Chandra and specifically Shukra rule Tithis. Shukra is the Raakshasha Guru.
Yoga on the other hand is Aakaasha and this Tatwa is ruled by Guru (Also called Brihaspati - the lord of expansion). Brihaspati is the Guru of Devas.    
Yoga is a benefic state that is said to exist at any instance of time. There
are 27 yogas just like the 27 Nakshatras (This gives us a clue of some strong relationship between the two).

Yoga at any instance of time is best explained by the method of calcula-
tion. Yoga is determined by the sum total of the positions of Sun and Moon.
Each yoga is represented by 13° 20' degrees (A circle of 360 degrees
divided by 27 units gives 13° 20' per unit). Therefore, the sum total of the
positions of Moon and Sun is counted in intervals 13° 20' degrees to arrive
at the Yoga. [Whenever the total exceeds 360°, 360° is subtracted from the
total for the calculation purpose. example: Sun 270° + Moon 200° = 470° -
360° = 110°
110° divided by 13°20' gives a quoteint of 8 and remainder of 3°20' which means the ninth Yoga was ruling at that time, which is Shoola.
The yogas and their Graha rulers are:

1 Vishkumbha - Shani

2 Preethi- Budha

3 Aayushman - Ketu

4 Soubhaagya - Shukra

5 Shobhana - Ravi

6 Athiganda - Chandra

7 Sukarman - Mangal

8 Dhruthi - Raahu

9 Shoola - Guru

10 Ganda - Shani

11 Vruddhi - Budha

12 Dhruva - Ketu

13 Vyaaghaatha - Shukra

14 Harshana - Ravi

15 Vajra - Chandra

16 Siddhi - Mangal

17 Vyathipaata - Raahu

18 Vareeyaan - Guru

19 Parigha - Shani

20 Shiva - Budha

21 Siddha - Ketu

22 Saadhya - Shukra

23 Shubha - Ravi

24 Shukla - Chandra

25 Brahma - Mangal

26 Aindra - Raahu

27 Vydhruthi - Guru 

The ruler of the various Yogas are in the order of the vimshottari system of reckoning the Nakshatra lords. The first Yoga is ruled by Shani because the count of Yoga starts from Pushya Nakshatra.
Pushya's deity is Brihaspati another name for Guru Graha and we know that Yoga is ruled by Aakaash Tatwa represented by Guru.
The ruler of the Yoga at birth is called as 'Yogi Graha' or simply- Yogi.
This Graha plays a great role in the Horoscope to bring Yoga (Good results).
In fact there is a whole system based on the Yogi and its opposite - the Avayogi propounded by the Late Sheshadri Iyer and made very popular in the western countries by Hart deFouw ji. It is called as the Iyer's system.
Not going into this system we will learn only the Traditional approach to the Yogi.
Karana:
Karana means to do or to act. This is the Prithvi tatwa (solid or Earth element). This shows the actions required for manifesting a desire.
Karana is half a Tithi hence also called the child of the Tithi and is measured in the span of 6 degrees.  
There are 11 karans in all of which 7 are char (movable) and the rest four are Sthira (fixed) Karans.
The chara Karanas are so called because they repeat cyclically. They are:
1.Bava
2.Baalava
3.kaulava
4.Taitila
5.Gara (Some name it as Garija)
6.Vanija
7.Vishtthi  

The rulers of these Karanas are in the order of the weekday lords.

The First Karana (Bava) starts from the second half of  Shukla Paksha Prathami (second half of the first Tithi in the waxing phase of Chandra), followed by Baalava in the first half of Shukla Paksha Dwiteeya and so on till First half of  Krishna Paksha Chaturdashi (First half of  trhe fourteenth Tithi in the Waning phase of Chandra) which if you count properly you will get to Vistthi.

The Sthira Karanas are:
1.Shakuni, lorded by the Lord of the first Bhaava – the Lagna Lord.
2.Chatuspada, Lorded by the lord of the fourth Bhaava.
3.Naaga, lorded by the lord of the seventh Bhaava.
4.Kistughna, lorded by the lord of the tenth Bhaava of the Horoscope.

The first of the Sthira Karana Shakuni lords the second half of Krishna Paksha Chaturdashi.
Followed by Chatuspada in the First half of Amaavasya (First half of New Moon).
Followed by Naaga in the second half of  Amaavasya.
Followed by Kistughna in the first half of  Shukla Paksha Prathami.

After this the Chara Karanas repeat in the cyclical order starting from Bava Karana.
The Chara Karanas repeat eight times in the full Soli-lunar month.

The Graha Ruling the limb of Karana is Budha, Budha is the primary Kaaraka of the Tenth Bhaava (Karma Bhaava). This gives us a lead as to the use of the Karana.
The lord ruling the birth karana plays a very important role in the Karma Yoga of the Native.
 
Vishtthi karana is also called Bhadra and is considered inauspicious. Birth during Bhadra is said to cause a flaw (dosha).
Vishtthi Karana repeats eight times in a month.
Chandra placed in Kark, Simha, Kumbha or meena and Vishtthi Karana coinciding is not good.
Bhadra falling in the first half of a Tithi at night is auspicious.
For example First half of Pournima (full moon day) is Vishtthi Karana. Birth during night at this time is auspicious.
bhadra falling in the second half of a Tithi at Day is auspicious.
The Three Sandhis which suffer from gandaantar Dosha are like an Abyss. It can be crossed over by Jumping like a Lion (Simha) or Like a horse (Dhanus and also Ashwini Nakshatra). Very often this is dangerous as there is a danger of a fall. Only the Strong survive.

The Gandaanta of Jyestha and moola are given special treatment by Jyotish classics. Maharishi Paraashara has three chapters detailing the results of such birth and also the remedial measures to be done in case of such birth.

Some more effects are given below:
Jyestha-Moola Gandaanta and the Lagan is a Chara (moveable) raashi then the residence of moola is said to be in Swarga Loka. If the Lagna is in Sthira (fixed) raashi then the residence is said to be  paataala (Hell) and for Lagna in Dwisvabhaava (common/ mutable) the residence is said to be in Mrityu loka. Birth when Moola resides in Mriyu loka is said to be the one most evil. The  dosha for the other two are middling.
Another method if birth falls in this gandaanta is:
Multiply the Nakshatra number by three. Add the result to number of birth tithi (counting from the Shukla Pratipada. To the sum of these add the number of the weekday (Sunday = 1, monday = 2 ......). The final number that is got by doing all the addition is to be divided by 8. The remainder shows some very specific results.
if the remainder is :
1) Moola gandaanta
result ascribed is Samoola vinaasha i.e. complete destruction.

2) Stanva Gandaanta
Dhana Naasha - destruction of wealth.

3)Twaccha gandaanta
Maatri Vinaasha - Destruction or problem to Mother.

4)Sakhaa Gandaantar
Aatma Shakti Vinaasha - Destruction of physical poweress and mental strength.

5)Patra gandaanta
maatula Naasha - destruction of maternal relations, actually destruction is too strong a word specially in these politically correct times, so trouble would be the right word. So the effect is read as trouble to Maternal relative/s.

6)Pushpa Gandaanta
Bhraatri Vinaasha
trouble to co borns.

7)Fhala Gandaanta
Pitri vinaasha - trouble to father.

8)Sheshna Gandaanta
Sarva vinaasha - all round troubles.

Tithi        General Description of Activities Prescribed Activity

1            Activities related to Fire and it's invocations. Marriage, Sacrifices etc.

2            Activities related to creation and other such Brahmnical activites.Laying foundations etc.

3            Activities related to Shakti/Gauri. Health, Beauty care etc

4            Activities related to destruction of obstacles and hurdles. Initiating a competitive tasks, fight etc.

5            Activities related to appeasement of Naaga or removal of ills. Taking first time medicines.

6            Activities related to making peace etc. Coronation, making new friends.

7            Activities related to material enjoyment. Purchases of new items like vehicles, Travel etc

8            Activities related to defending oneself. Health and healing.

9            Activities related to attacking evils etc. Removing competitors etc.

10          Activities related to gather good karma. Donations etc

11          Activities related to gathering knowledge and contemplation. Praying to Vishnu, learning etc

12          Activities related to sustenance and Vishnu worship. Trade, Any soft activities. Worship Vishnu.

13          Activities related to enjoyment. Making new friends, sex etc (Worship Shiva)

14          Activities related to destruction of evil. Aggressive activities.

15          Shukla Poornima: Activities related to Guru worship. Satya Narayan Vrata

15          Krishna Amavasya: Ancestor Worship. Shraadha ceremony.