Tithi
A tithi is a lunar day. There are 15 tithis in the waxing cycle of the moon (shukla paksha), and there are 15 tithis in the
waning cycle of the Moon ( Krishna paksha). The tithi is based on a relationship between the Sun and the Moon. The
first tithi is 12 degrees of the Moon away from the Sun after the new Moon (Amavasya) or full Moon (Purnima). The
second tithi is the next 12 degrees of the Moon away from the Sun, 12 to 24 degrees. A particular day is ruled by the
tithi at sunrise, but the tithi can change anytime of the day or night as it is not based on the solar day.
Tithis vary in duration from approximately 19 to 26 hours, according to the movement of the Moon. Each tithi has a
name, a ruling planet, and can be used in muhurta (picking a proper time).
The names of the Tithis are given below:
1. Pratipada
2. Dwitiya
3. Tritiya
4. Chaturthi
5. Panchami
6. Shashthi
7. Saptami
8. Ashtami (Half Moon)
9. Navami
10. Dashami
11. Ekadasi
12. Dwadashi
13. Trayodashi
14 Chaturdashi
15. Purnima (Full Moon),
Amavasya (New Moon)
The waxing Moon is called Shukla Paksha,
the waning Moon is called Krsna Paksha.
Paksha is a half month or half lunar cycle.
Each Paksha has 15 Tithis, so Shukla Pratipat
is the first day of the waxing Moon and Krsna
Pratipat is the first day of the waning Moon.
In the traditional Vedic calendar system the
tithis are used as dates, so ones birthday
would be on the same tithi as they were born,
the relationship between the Sun (Father)
and Moon (Mother) would be the same on
ones birthday as it was the day of birth. In
this way, the Gregorian dates have no
astrological relevance.
In picking a Muhurta one must understand the difference between Nakshatra and tithi, both relate to the mind. The
tithi is ruled by Jala Tattva (the water element/Venus) and shows the state of the mind; whether it is excited, bored,
nervous, afraid, agitated or calm. The Nakshatra is ruled by Vayu Tattva (the air element/Saturn) and shows what the
mind will experience; whether it is going to be a pleasant or painful experience. The tithi is used to see if an event will
be successful. It also shows whether people will cooperate with the project or not.
When looking at the natal chart the tithi is ruled by Jala and connected to Venus. It shows things related to passions
and desires. One should see the birth tithi and see how the planet lording that tithi is placed in the natal chart. If it is
strong then relationships are smooth. If it is weak, then relationships are rough. The tithi will indicate the attitude
towards relationships
Planet
Tithi
Tithi
Sun
Moon
10
Mars
11
Mercury
12
Jupiter
13
Venus
14
Saturn
15
Rahu
The rulership of the tithis is based on the days
of the week; Sunday (Sun) rules the 1st day,
Monday (Moon) rules the 2nd , Tuesday
(Mars) rules the 3rd tithi, Wednesday
(Mercury) rules the 4th tithi, etc.
Fasting on Ekadashi will get one over anger,
because Mars rules it. Krsnas fast on the 11th
tithi to be perfect peaceful Vaisnavas. No one
will fight with the one who has done this fast
for some time. Fasting on Ashtami will make it
so you never cheat anyone, so will not get
cheated. Fasting on the full Moon will give you
truth as it removes the negative effects of
Saturn.
These fifteen tithis are also broken down into five groups given below:
Nanda
Fire
1, 6, 11
Badra
Earth
2, 7, 12
Jaya
Akash
3, 8, 13
Rikta
Water
4, 9, 14
Purna
Vayu
5, 10, 15
Trittya tithi (3rd ) is ruled by Mars but as it is Jaya (ruled
by akash/Jupiter) so it will bring two people together, as
akash is the binding force (that keeps the jiva in the
body). Ekadasi tithi (11th ) is ruled by Mars and it is
Nanda (ruled by fire-Mars) so the fighting is very strong.
Mars is passionate, energetic, and creates conflict, it is
not good for marriage, though it is good for war and
leadership.
For a person born in Nanda tithi, see whats placed in Aries and Scorpio, look at the planets,
and Arudhas. Tithi is about relationship, if Rahu is in Aries the person will have trouble from
a widow/foreigner/eccentric in relationships. It shows important learning experiences in life.
If a person is born in Nanda tithi, and Venus is in Scorpio, then the person will be likely have
relationships outside of marriage. If the A10 is there the person will likely come from their
work, A9 and it will be with Gurus, teachers, educators, if the A11 is there it will be with
friends, etc. The Arudha shows where the problem will come from or where the person comes
from. The house will also have a connection.
Specifics on Muhurta:
NANDA BHADRA
JAYA
RIKTA
PURNA
When certain Tithis line up
with specific Varas (days)
they are considered
auspicious and therefore
1st day
2nd day
3rd day
4th day
5th day
6th day
7th day
8th day
9th day
10th day
11th day
12th day
13th day 14th day 15th-30th
Friday
Wednesday Tuesday Saturday Thursday
work on those days is
accomplished successfully. If
Pratipat (1st ), Shashti (6th ),
or Dwadashi (12th ) fall on a
Friday, it is considered
auspicious.
SUN. MON. TUE. WED. THUR. FRI. SAT.
DAGDHA
12th
11th
5th
3rd
6th
8th
9th
VISHA
4th
6th
7th
2nd
8th
9th
7th
6th
7th
8th
9th
10th 11th
HUTASHAN 12th
In the same
way there are
certain
combinations
that are
inauspicious,
where there
will be hurdles
in
accomplishing
works. These
inauspicious
Days have
been called
Dagdha,
Visha, and
Hutashan.
Varahamihira connects each tithi to a deity. Understanding the significations of the deity will
also give a deeper meaning to each tithi, so that it can be used better in Muhurta.
#s
Tithi
Planet
Ruler
1, 16
Pratipada
Sun
Nanda
Brahm
2, 17
Dwitiya
Moon
Bhadra
Vidh (Hari)
3, 18
Tritiya
Mars
Jaya
Viu
4, 19
Chaturthi
Mercury
Rikta
Yama
5, 20
Panchami
Jupiter
Purna
Chandra
Division
Deity
6, 21
Shashthi
Venus
Nanda
Agni (Subrahmaya)
7, 22
Saptami
Saturn
Bhadra
Indra
8, 23
Ashtami
Rahu
Jaya
Vasus
9, 24
Navami
Sun
Rikta
Naga
10, 25
Dashami
Moon
Purna
Dharma (Aryam)
11, 26
Ekadasi
Mars
Nanda
Rudra
12, 27
Dwadashi
Mercury
Bhadra
ditya (Savitre)
13, 28
Trayodashi
Jupiter
Jaya
Manmatha (Bhaga)
14, 29
Chaturdashi
Venus
Rikta
Kali
15, 0
Purnima,
Amavasya
Saturn/
Rahu
Purna
Vishvadevas/
Pits
This is a nice visual, so one can connect the meanings with the actual phases of the Moon.
