Glossary

Plain-language definitions of Jyotish and calendar terms.

Amavasya (New Moon): The lunar day when the Sun and Moon are in the same sign, marking the beginning of Shukla paksha. Amavasya is traditionally avoided for new ventures but is considered auspicious for ancestor rituals (
Antardasha (Sub-period): The second level of the Vimshottari dasha hierarchy, nested inside the Mahadasha. Each Mahadasha is divided into nine Antardashas following the same planetary order, each proportional to the planet's
Atmakaraka (Soul Significator): The planet with the highest degree (ignoring sign) in the natal chart, according to the Jaimini system. Considered the significator of the soul's purpose and deepest desires across lifetimes.
Choghadiya: A Gujarati/Rajasthani timing system dividing the day (sunrise to sunset) and night into eight equal parts each, named Amrit, Shubh, Labh (auspicious), Chal (neutral) and Udveg, Kaal, Rog (inauspicious
Combustion (Maudhya): When a planet comes within a certain angular distance of the Sun (varying by planet), it is said to be combust or maudhya. A combust planet is traditionally considered weakened, its significations sub
Exaltation (Uccha): Each planet has a specific sign and degree where it is considered strongest (uccha). For example, the Sun is exalted in Aries (highest at 10°), the Moon in Taurus (3°), Jupiter in Cancer (5°). In the
Hora (Planetary Hour): A division of the day and night into twelve parts each, ruled in the Chaldean order (Saturn, Jupiter, Mars, Sun, Venus, Mercury, Moon) starting from the weekday's ruling planet. Used for selecting the
Karana: Half a tithi. There are eleven karanas — four fixed (Shakuni, Chatushpada, Naga, Kimstughna) and seven repeating (Bava, Balava, Kaulava, Taitila, Garaja, Vanija, Vishti/Bhadra). Karanas are one of the
Mahadasha (Major Period): The outermost, longest layer of the Vimshottari dasha cycle. The nine planet periods sum to 120 years: Ketu 7, Venus 20, Sun 6, Moon 10, Mars 7, Rahu 18, Jupiter 16, Saturn 19, Mercury 17 years. Only
Muhurat (Auspicious Time): A window of time considered auspicious for beginning an important activity such as a wedding, business launch, travel or property purchase. Determined by checking the tithi, nakshatra, weekday, yoga a
Navamsa (D9 Divisional Chart): The ninefold divisional chart, obtained by dividing each sign into nine equal parts of 3 degrees 20 minutes. Widely used for assessing marriage, partnerships and inner spiritual strength. Planets in n
Pratyantar Dasha (Sub-sub-period): The third and finest level of the Vimshottari dasha hierarchy. Each Antardasha is subdivided into nine Pratyantardashas. At this level periods can be as short as a few days, allowing precise timing an
Purnima (Full Moon): The fifteenth tithi of Shukla paksha when the Sun and Moon are 180 degrees apart. Purnima is considered highly auspicious, associated with completeness and the peak of lunar energy. Many festivals fal
Rahu and Ketu (Lunar Nodes): The ascending (Rahu) and descending (Ketu) nodes of the Moon — mathematical points where the Moon's orbit intersects the ecliptic. They are not physical planets but are treated as shadow grahas in Jyo
Sade Sati: A 7.5-year period when Saturn transits through the sign before, the sign of, and the sign after the natal Moon. Traditionally viewed as a period of tests and slow but significant transformation. The e
Yoga (Panchang): One of the five elements of the Panchang, distinct from planetary yogas in a chart. The 27 panchang yogas are named (Vishkambha through Vaidhriti) and are computed from the sum of the Sun's and Moon's