Pañcāṅga: the five limbs of Time
In the tradition of Jyotish, time is not just a measurement — it is a living, breathing reality. One of the tools used to understand the quality of time is the pañcāṅga, a Sanskrit word that means “five limbs.”
The pañcāṅga offers a way to attune ourselves to the energetic atmosphere of a moment or a day. By studying the pañcāṅga, we gain a subtle understanding of timing: when to act, when to rest, when to initiate, and when to wait. It brings a level of intelligence and intention to how we meet each day.
It is foundational to muhūrta, or electional astrology — the art of choosing an auspicious moment to begin something significant.
The five limbs of the Pañcāṅga
Each limb reveals a different aspect of time’s nature. Together, they create a holistic and dynamic view of how energy is moving on any given day.
Vāra (Day of the Week)
Each day is ruled by a planet, and that planet lends its qualities to the day:
Sunday – ruled by the Sun: clarity, authority, vitality
Monday – ruled by the Moon: emotion, nurturing, intuition
Tuesday – ruled by Mars: energy, courage, action
Wednesday – ruled by Mercury: communication, intellect, adaptability
Thursday – ruled by Jupiter: wisdom, teaching, expansion
Friday – ruled by Venus: love, beauty, creativity
Saturday – ruled by Saturn: discipline, structure, endurance
The vāra sets the general tone for the day — it 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 receptivity to 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. It is also 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.
Your personal Pañcāṅga
In natal astrology, the pañcāṅga at the time of your birth reveals much about your inner temperament, emotional landscape, karma, and even your spiritual tendencies.
Your birth vāra impacts our health.
Your birth tithi tells us how you engage with feelings and relationships.
Your birth nakṣatra shapes your mental and emotional nature.
Karana & Yoga give further nuance, offering insight into how you process experiences and carry out actions.