Published in Times of Astrology

Nov. 2004
Author: Smt. Usha Saxena

TITHI SHOONYA DOSHA

At times, while giving predictions, we come across situations that horoscope
seems strong, planets and their navamsha seems beneficiary, dasha,
antardasha and gochar are also favorable but reality shows a very contrast
picture. One reason for such a case is ‘Tithi Shoonya’. This principle finds its
origin in ‘Drik Ganit Panchanga’ of South India.

A Panchanga, ‘Five-Limbed’, is a local mini-Ephemeris, describes five time-

related measurements, viz., Tithi, Karan, Vaar, Nakshatra and Yoga. The effects
of birth on the various Tithis on Jataka are different and have been described in
our Jyotish Shastras.

A tithi or lunar date is defined as the duration of time taken to change the
distance between the longitude of Sun and the longitude of Moon by 12° or a
multiple thereof. This distance is 0° on Amavasya when both of them rise on the
Eastern horizon at the same time. Thereafter, the angular distance increases
daily by about 12° till it becomes 180° on a Purnima or a full moon day and then
reduces progressively by about 12° to become 0° at the next Amavasya. This
cycle continues. The 15 increments (each of 12°) required to cover the angular
difference of 180° between an Amavasya and the next Purnima, make up 15
tithis, viz., Pratipada, Dwitiya, Tritiya, Chaturthee, Panchami, Shashthi, Saptami,
Ashtami, Navmi, Dashmi, Ekadashi, Dwadashi, Trayodashi, Chaturdashi, and
Purnima.

Literal meaning of Shoonya is null or zero and null or zero does not have any
effect. According to Tithi Shoonya principle, each tithi zeroes two rashis and their
lords or in other words, each tithi makes effects of two rashis and their lords
ineffective. However, tithi Charudasi zeros four rashis and tithi Amavasya and
Purnima zeros none. The table below summarizes tithi and the rashis it zeros:

Tithi Rashis Planets

Pratipada & Dwadashi Libra, Capricorn Venus, Saturn
Dwitiya & Ekadashi Sagittarius, Pisces Jupiter
Tritiya Leo, Capricorn Sun, Saturn
Chaturthee Taurus, Aquarius Venus, Saturn
Panchami & Ashtami Gemini, Virgo Mercury
Shashthi Aries, Leo Mars, Sun
Saptami Cancer, Sagittarius Moon, Jupiter
Navmi & Dashmi Leo, Scorpio Sun, Mars
Trayodashi Taurus, Leo Venus, Sun
Chaturdashi Gemini, Virgo, Mercury, Jupiter
Sagittarius, Pisces
Purnima & Amavasya - -

Interpretations of Shoonya Tithis:

1. Lords of Shoonya Rashis gives bad effects even though they are benefic
planets.
2. Planets situated in Shoonya Rashis become malefic even though they are
benefic planets.
3. Malefics situated in Shoonya Rashis produces benefic results in their
dasha.
4. Lords of Shoonya Rashis produces malefic results when they transit over
benefic planets and bhavas.
5. Shoonya planets (if not retrograde) produces benefic results when they
transit over 3rd, 6th, 8th & 12th house

Note: Readers may please note that the above is applicable for both Shukla and
Krishna paksha.
Exceptions to Tithi Shoonya Dosha:
 1. Lord of Tithi Shoonya rashi becomes benefic if placed in 3/6/8/12 from
ascendant or moon or is retrograde or is in conjunction with natural
malefic planet.
2. Rahu or Ketu when situated in Tithi Shoonya rashi gives good result of
that bhava.
3. Lord of Tithi Shoonya rashi becomes benefic if placed in Nakshatra of
Rahu or Ketu.

Results of Tithi Shoonya Planets:

1. Sun: Destroys health of the person indicated by the bhava in which it is

situated, e.g., if situated in 3rd, will affect health of younger brothers &
sisters or if in 4th, health of mother will be affected. If Sun is forming Yoga,
effects of that Yoga will be zeroed. Loss of esteem can also be predicted.
2. Moon: Native will have unpleasant relation with his mother and he will be
unhealthy.
3. Mars: Native will be lazy, devoid of younger brothers & sisters or will have
unpleasant relationships with them.
4. Mercury: Hindrances in education and loss in business may be predicted.
5. Jupiter: Native will be a non-believer in religion. Loss of wealth, loss of
esteem and troubles from children may also be predicted.
6. Venus: Results in opposition from spouse and polygamy.
7. Saturn: Native will be diseased and his decisions will cause losses to
himself.
Case Study:
1. Tithi Shoonya Dosha not getting nullified
DOB: 26-01-1976 Tithi: Dashmi
Birth Chart:
11 10
9 Ve
Me
12 Ju Su 8 Mo

1 7 Ra
Ke
2
Ma
4 6
3
5
Sa

Birth tithi of this native is Dashmi and it is zeroing Leo & Scorpio rashis and
8th and 11th bhavas. Lord of 11th house is situated in Pancham Trikona, which
is a very auspicious house and generally indicates “gains without pains”. If
tithi Shoonya principle is not accounted for, one may predict that native will
have sound financial health. But a reality in this case is absolutely contrast.
Native is struggling for his financial stability. This has happened due to the
fact that Labha bhava and its lord Mars is Shoonya, hence is unable to
provide benefic results.
I have mentioned above the effects of Sun being Shoonya. Since, in this
case, Sun is situated in Ascendant, native is suffering physically also and his
health is not sound. (Owing to native’s privacy concerns, I am refraining from
writing details on his health)

2. Tithi Shoonya Dosha getting nullified

DOB: 22-11-1975 Tithi: Chaturthi
Birth Chart:

2 12
Ju
3 Ma 1 11
Mo Ke
4 10
Sa R
5 7 9
6 Ra 8 Su
Ve Me
Tithi Chaturthi is zeroing Taurus and Aquarius rashis. But lord of Taurus, that is,
Venus, is in 6th from ascendant ad lord of Aquarius, that is, Saturn, is retrograde.
Hence, tithi Shoonya dosha is getting nullified and native is getting fruits of both
houses. Financial position of native is sound.

I have found this principle very accurate in many cases. Readers may also verify
this at their end and account for this principle while analyzing any horoscope.

Author: Smt. Usha Saxena