V. K.

Shridhar is author of
compendium on Vedic Muhurt
astrology titled Hindu Electional
Astrology. A voluminous book
containing all aspects of Muhurta
that cannot be found in any other
book. His work has received rave
reviews and has been proclaimed as
the best work on Muhurta so far
compiled by any Indian author. Mr K
N Rao has written the foreword for
the book, which is available only on
Saptarishis Astrology Book store
http://shop.saptarishisastrology.com
He can be contacted at
besttime.election@gmail.com
By
V K Shridhar, India
Editor: Maurcio Avila, Brazil
ithi - lunar day - is a
fundamental and important
component of Hindu Panchanga.
No election is thought possible without
considering its suitability; it lays down
the foundation of a selected Muhurta.
Tithi is related to lunars energy, and
lunar energy represents mental energy
and the status of the mind. Samhita
Pradeep opines that Tithi personifies the
body, the Moon personifies the mind,
Lagna the soul and the other elements
are also considered as body parts of the
Muhurta. Sanctified Tithi forms the
basis which supersedes even a strong
Ascendant, Moon or Nakshatra. Tithi
inculcates its nature of
increasing/expanding the work done in
an election, consistent to the increasing
rays of the Moon in Bright Half and
vice versa.
Tithi indirectly refers to Moons
strength, and this strength acts as a
T
foundation on which other planets structure their own power and give their effects
(Vasist Samhita). In general, the 1
st
to 5
th
Tithi of Bright Half (Full Moon) and the 11
th

to 15
th
Tithi (New Moon) of Dark Half are considered malefic in nature. From 6
th
to
10
th
of both Bright and Dark Half of Moon gives medium effect; and rest of the Tithis
are considered as benefics/auspicious in good elections.
Poorna Tithis (viz. 5
th
, 10
th
, 15
th
tithis with New Moon tithis practically not included)
are the most beneficial for Manglik types of activities. Jaya Tithis (3
rd
, 8
th
and 13
th
)
bestow victory and advancements. Nanda Tithis (1
st
, 6
th
and 11
th
) grant prosperity and
happiness while Bhadra Tithis (2
nd
, 7
th
and 12
th
) are middling. Rikta Tithis are used for
crushing enemies and similar activities. In general, the 2
nd
, 3
rd
, 5
th
, 7
th
, 10
th
, 11
th
and 13
th

tithis of Bright Half and the 1
st
tithi of Dark Half are considered benefics/auspicious
tithis. Based on the activity, the tithis prevailing at the time of Sunrise, Mid-day or
the activity itself are selected.
Paksharandhra/Chidra Tithis (viz. 4
th
, 6
th
, 8
th
, 9
th
, 12
th
and 14
th
of both the halves),
Galgraha Tithis (1
st
, 13
th
, 14
th
and 30
th
), Parva Tithis (Full Moon, New Moon, 14
th
and 8
th

of Dark Half), Anadhayaya Tithis (study of Vedas are prohibited), Maas Shunya Tithis,
Manvadi Tithis, Yugadi Tithis, Tithi Shunya Nakshatra, Tithi Shunya Lagna, Dagdha
Tithis, Kshaya Tithis, Vridhi Tithi, Pradosha Tithis, Ghaat Tithis for various Janma
Rashis and Ashtak Tithis are some which are avoided in various elections. Readers can
obtain details of these Tithis and their respective prohibited activities in election
treatises.
The length of time during which the difference of increment between longitudes of
the Sun and the Moon amounts to the multiple of 12 degrees is called a Tithi. From the
exact time of New Moon, the first Tithi starts and ends when the difference between
the Sun and the Moon reaches 12 degrees. Tithi is a celestial phenomenon, starting and
ending moments of Tithis are the same at all places in the world. But Kshaya
(diminutive) and Vridhi Tithi (intercalary) is a regional phenomenon based on the
local sunrise. If a Tithi starts after the Sunrise of one day and ends before the Sunrise
of the next day (same day), it is called Kshaya Tithi (diminutive), while in a Vridhi
Tithi, the tithi starts before the sunrise of one day and ends after the sunrise of the
next. During a Vridhi Tithi there are two sunrises, while during the currency of a
Kshaya Tithi there is no sunrise. If in a lunar half two Kshaya Tithis occurs, then that
full half becomes unsuitable for any auspicious activity. Similarly, a lunar half
hemmed by two eclipses must be shunned.
Each Tithi has its own nature, electional significance, tutelary lord, poisonous part and
a host of other factors forming the basis for the selection of initiation of a particular
activity. A work prescribed for starting during a specific Nakshatra can also be done in
a Tithi if the lord of the Nakshatra and the Tithi is the same or they have a
harmonious relationship. For instance, a work allocated to Ardra Nakshatra, ruled by
Lord Shiva, can be also initiated in the 3
rd
Tithi (ruled by Goddess Gauri), 4
th
(ruled by
Lord Ganesh) or 9
th
tithi (ruled by Goddess Durga). Tithis are further sub-divided in 15
parts called Kshana Tithis: First part is ruled by the Tithi itself - a work prescribed in a
specific Tithi can also be initiated in its sub-division. Furthermore, for each activity, a
specific set of Tithis, Nakshatras and Weekdays have been separately prescribed. A
luminous and expanding Moon during Bright Half signifies expansion and
developments, subject to a host of factors.
Muhurt Yogas are formed through the combination of Tithi and Weekday; Tithi and
Nakshatra; and Tithi, Weekday and Nakshatra. Such Yogas are the hallmark of Vedic
Electional Astrology. Tithis get sanctified when favourable Muhurta Yogas are present.
However, when the intensity of malefic factors is very high then a favourable Yoga
does not act as antidote. Like when Vishti Karana and Rikta Tithi coincide, even if
favourable Yogas formed by Tithi-Weekday-Nakshatra combinations are prevailing,
the doer dies on initiating auspicious (shubha) works (Brp.S.-3/24).
On 4
th
(of Brighter Half) and 14
th
(of Darker Half) tithis, Rikta and Bhadra Tithis
coincide, moreover, the 14
th
tithi of Dark Half is held as the most malefic Tithi (Moon
is combust). Thus, the first half of 14
th
Tithi (Dark Half) must always be avoided in
all benefics elections. During malefics Weekdays coinciding with Rikta (viz. 4
th
, 9
th

and 14
th
tithis), 6
th
or 12
th
tithis, and when malefic Ascendant are rising in Rashi or
Navamsha chart, no auspicious work should be initiated (Brp.S.-3/43). Starting 24
minutes of Nanda Tithis and beginning 24 minutes of Poorna Tithis should also be
avoided, being Sandhi Kaal (junction point).

The following activities are prohibited on various Tithis:
Neem paste (Melia azad-dirachta) should not be applied on 2
nd
, 10
th
and 13
th
Tithis;
Amla (EmblicmyrobalamPhyllanthusemblica) on 7
th
, 9
th
and the New Moon days;
Applying oil on 1
st
, 8
th
, 14
th
and the New Moon;
Eating meat on 8
th
;
Hair cutting on 14
th
;
Sex on the New & Full Moon;
Travel & Annprashan (First feeding) on 12
th
Tithi;
Lending money during 5
th
Tithi and shun all Punya related works during 8
th
Tithi.


Selection of Tithis for Elections
he election of different components of Panchanga (Hindu ephemeris) is a
holistic approach. Aspirants may consider the following criteria in its
selection with the aim of selecting an auspicious/sanctified Tithi:
Selection of Bright or Dark Half of Moon: For progressive and expanding works,
Bright Half is better than Dark Half. Also check if the selected half is favourable
for the aspirant in transit.
Allocation: Works which especially fructify in specific Tithis have been
prescribed, and also those to be avoided. Favourable /suitable Tithis for specific
Muhurta should be selected profitably.
Muhurta Yoga: Even a malefic Tithi becomes benefic or highly benefic when
concurrent with specific Weekdays or Constellations. Select a suitable Muhurta
Yoga with a suitable Tithi consistent with the works nature.
When the Moon has high luminosity the Tithi augers beneficence.
Natural beneficence: From the prescribed Tithis for the Muhurta, select a Tithi
which is in the auspicious/benefic triad. Rikta Tithis are the least effective for
auspicious works while Poorna Tithis bestow accomplishments.
Janma Rashi of the doer: Based on the sign occupied by the Moon in the Rashi chart
of the doer, favourable groups (Nanda, Bhadra and so on) for the native may be
preferably selected and others should be avoided, like Ghaata, Ghaata Maas Tithis,
etc.
Name of the doer: Based on first consonant of the doers name (Maatra Swar),
certain groups of Tithis (Nanda, Bhadra and so on) are Baal (Infant), Kumar
(Young), Yuva (Adult), Vridth (Old) and Mrityu (Dead). Their increasing order of
beneficence is: Dead, old, infant, young and adult.
Tutelary Lords: When tutelary lords of a Tithi are the same as that of the
Constellation/Weekday/Yoga, then works prescribed for these can be conducted in
the said Tithi.
Malefic Tithis: Tithis like Chidra, Maas-Shunya, Galgraha, etc. should be shunned or
avoided depending on their malefic nature and type of work.
Transit: When the Moon is benefic in transit regarding sign, constellation,
Navamsha, AshtakaVarga, etc. for the native, then coinciding Tithi becomes
favourable in election.
Sarvatobhadra Chakra: This unique system reveals when a particular Tithi is
afflicted (Vedha) by transit of benefics or malefics planets, making a particular
Tithi auspicious or unfit for election.
T
Unfavourable durations: Aspirants must shun Vish Ghatis, prohibited periods,
Gandanta (SandhiKaal - junction point), Pradosha etc. for selecting a Tithi.
Kshana Tithi: A suitable selection of a favourable Sub-Tithi on the guidelines
strengthens the election.
Emergency requirement: Provision has been made to use certain malefic Tithis
ignoring their poisonous/prohibited portions in situations of emergency. They
should be chosen provided the presence of antidotes and a fortified election chart.
Finally, after selecting a Tithi ensures that the election Ascendant is not Ghaat
Lagna for that selected Tithi.