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Showing posts from June, 2025

Bhāvārtha Ratnākara: Vidyā Yoga

In the vast ocean of Jyotiṣa, few concepts are as profound and practically significant as Vidyā Yogas—the celestial combinations that illuminate the path of knowledge a soul is destined to traverse in this lifetime. The Sanskrit term "Vidyā" encompasses far more than mere academic learning; it represents the sacred pursuit of wisdom that transforms the seeker from within, bridging the gap between intellectual understanding and spiritual realization. These astrological combinations, meticulously catalogued by ancient sages through centuries of observation and empirical study, reveal the divine blueprint of intellectual inclination embedded within each individual's birth chart. Just as rivers naturally flow toward the ocean, the human mind, guided by planetary influences, gravitates toward specific domains of knowledge that resonate with its purpose and innate constitution. The beauty of Vidyā Yogas lies not only in their predictive accuracy but in their recognition of know...

Pañcāṅga Jyotiṣa: The Tithi

A Tithi is a lunar day in the traditional Hindu calendar system. It represents one-thirtieth of a lunar month and is based on the angular relationship between Surya and Chandra. Here's how it works: A Tithi begins when the longitudinal angle between Surya and Candra is a multiple of 12 degrees, and it ends when this angle increases by another 12 degrees. Since the Moon moves at varying speeds in its orbit, Tithis can range from about 19 to 26 hours in duration, unlike solar days which are consistently 24 hours. There are 15 Tithis in each lunar fortnight (Paksha). The waxing phase (Shukla Paksha) runs from the new moon to the full moon, while the waning phase (Krishna Paksha) runs from the full moon back to the new moon. Each Tithi has a specific name and significance in Hindu tradition. Image: Devī Lakṣmī Source: Pinterest Tithi Names Maharsi Parasara in his Parasaratantra gives different set of names for the Tithis. Those have been mentioned here in the table. Tithi Name Name (Pa...