Vedic Tithi
What is Tithi in Panchanga
From one sun rise to the sun rise of the next day is one tithi. The tithi prevailing at the time of sunrise will be taken as the tithi for that day till the next days sunrise. The auspiciousness of the day(tithi) depends on the kalaas of the Moon.
Tithi is based on Lunar/Chandra masas (month). : It starts from shukla pratipada (1st day of the bright half of the month which starts after the new Moon i.e. when the Moon crosses over the Sun and the difference between the two starts increasing from 0 degree Multurta Prakarana 31 onwards, say, 0.001) and ends at amavasya (the last day of the dark half of the month i.e. when the Sun and the Moon are together in a rashi exactly at the same degree). This mas relates to the Moon.
There are 30 tithis in a month (including both krishna paksha and shukla paksha) but counted as 15 of shukla paksha and 15 of krishna paksha. The tithis are divided in five catageories as given below:
1, 6, 11 Nanda
2, 7, 12 Bhadra
3, 8, 13 Jaya
4, 9, 14 Rikta
5, 10, 30 Poorna
Table of Hindi names of Tithis :
- Pratipada
- Dwiteeya
- Triteeya
- Chaturthi
- Panchmi
- Shashthi
- Saptami
- Ashtami
- Navami
- Dashmi
- Ekadashi
- Dwadashi
- Triyodashi
- Chaturdashi
- Poornima and
Amavasya.
Pratipada is called ‘Vriddhi Prada or one giving rise, Dwitiyais Mangala Pradaorone giving auspicious events, Tritiyais ‘Balaprada’ or one giving strength; Chaturthi is Khala; Panchamiis “Laxmiprada” or one giving wealth, Shasthiis “Yasha Prada” or one giving fame, Saptami is Mitra of friendly; Ashtami is Dwandwa or conflict giving; Navamiis ‘Ugra’; or aggressive; Dasami is Saumya or sober Ekadashi is ‘Anandaprada’; or one giving enjoyments; Dwadashiis ‘Yasha Prada’ or one giving fame; Triyodashi is ‘Jayaprada’ or one giving victory; Chaturdashi is Ugra or aggressive; Poomima is Saumya or sober and Amavashya represents ancestors.
Tithi plays role in Muhurat calculations. There are Auspicious (Shubha) Tithi and inauspicious (Ashubha) Tithi
(i) Tithi Nanda (Lord Venus)
Is auspicious to use for new clothes, do works related to music and dance, farming, attend parties or celebrations, home-related works or household affairs, practice of sculpturing joy giving).
(ii) Bhadra (Lord Mercury)
Marriage, upanayana, travel, making of ornaments and their use, learning of arts and works related to elephants, horses and vehicles can be done.
(iii) Jaya (Lord Mars)
Training of the army, solidifying the army, making of weaponry, travel, giving big parties, starting construction of a new house, entering a new house, taking of medicines, and business dealings can be done.(iv) Rikta (Lord Saturn)
Defeating enemies and taking them into captivity, poisoning, use of weapons, killing with sharp metallic weapons, burning etc. – all cruel works – can be done.
(v) Poorna (Lord Jupiter)
Marriage, yajyopaveeta (thread ceremony), coronation of the king, coming and going, and shanti paushtikakarya can be done
Dagdha Tithi, Vish Tithi and Hutashan Tithis
