Pañcāṅga: the five limbs of Time
In the tradition of Jyotish, time is not just a measurement but a living, breathing reality. One of the tools used to understand the quality of time is the pañcāṅga (pañca means five, while āṅga means limb).
The pañcāṅga offers a way to attune ourselves to the energetic atmosphere of a moment or a day. It is foundational to muhūrta (electional astrology), and it is also used in the analysis of natal charts, including your very own.
The five limbs of the Pañcāṅga
Each limb reveals a different aspect of time.
Vāra (Day of the Week)
Each day is ruled by a planet, and that planet lends its qualities to the day:
Sunday is ruled by the Sun: clarity, authority, vitality
Monday is ruled by the Moon: emotion, nurturing, intuition
Tuesday is ruled by Mars: energy, courage, action
Wednesday is ruled by Mercury: communication, intellect, adaptability
Thursday is ruled by Jupiter: wisdom, teaching, expansion
Friday is ruled by Venus: love, beauty, creativity
Saturday is ruled by Saturn: discipline, structure, endurance
The vāra sets the general tone for the day, and can be seen as the foundation on which the rest of the pañcāṅga rests.
Tithi (Lunar Day)
The tithi is determined by the angle between the Sun and Moon, indicating the Moon’s phase. There are 30 tithis in a lunar month, each reflecting a different mood or tendency, from fullness to dissolution.
Tithis are essential in determining emotional climate, ritual timing, and are especially important for personal spiritual observances and offerings.
Nakṣatra (Lunar Constellation)
The nakṣatra refers to the lunar mansion the Moon occupies on a given day. There are 27 nakṣatras, each with a unique symbolic, mythological and energetic flavour.
The nakṣatra influences the subtle emotional energy of the day, and is one of the most important factors in Jyotiṣa, central in understanding the natal chart.
Karana
A karana is half of a tithi. There are 11 types that repeat in a predictable cycle. Though more subtle, karanas describe the practical effectiveness or workability of the time. Some karanas are considered stable and supportive, others more unpredictable or unstable.
Karanas are especially noted in muhūrta, when determining whether an action is likely to produce lasting results.
Yoga
In this context, yoga refers to a specific sum of the longitudes of the Sun and Moon. There are 27 yogas, each of which describes a general atmosphere or psychological flavor present on the day.
Yoga reflects deeper mental and energetic tendencies that are activated by the solar-lunar relationship.
The use of Pañcāṅga in Electional Astrology
Muhūrta, or electional astrology, is the practice of choosing an auspicious moment to begin something meaningful, whether it’s starting a new job, launching a project, holding a ceremony, travelling or even having an important conversation. The pañcāṅga is central to this process as it reveals the energetic texture of any given day.
When we study the layers of the pañcāṅga together, we gain a refined sense of timing: when conditions support clear action, when it’s better to start something new, and when patience or preparation will lead to better outcomes. Instead of moving through life on autopilot, the pañcāṅga helps us meet each moment with intention and alignment, making our choices more attuned to the natural rhythms of time.
Your personal Pañcāṅga
In natal astrology, the pañcāṅga at the moment of your birth forms a subtle but powerful foundation for your chart. These elements describe the underlying emotional, mental and energetic qualities you carry into this lifetime.
The birth vāra (weekday) influences the vitality and resources available to you, how your physical energy manifests as well as your relationship with prosperity.
The birth tithi (lunar day) reflects your emotional tone, your capacity for connection, as well as the way you navigate closeness, boundaries and attachment in relationships.
The birth nakṣatra (lunar mansion) shapes your mental and intuitive strengths, your temperament, and the deeper patterns that inform how you think, feel and respond to life. It is often one of the most revealing parts of the chart, offering insight into your psychological landscape and the karmic themes you are here to explore.