Karana Calculation Method: The Influence of Time Hidden in the Half of the Tithi

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On the pages of the Panchang, alongside the tithi, vaar, and nakshatra, there is another important limb — Karana. Many perhaps do not pay particular attention to this word as it passes before their eyes. But in astrological philosophy the importance of Karana is immense. For Karana is the subtlest measure of time — one half of a tithi. Varahamihira's Brihat Samhita gives a separate work for each Karana. For instance — in 'Bava' Karana auspicious and lasting work, in 'Vanija' Karana trade, and in 'Vishti' or Bhadra no auspicious act at all.

Today we shall learn what Karana really is, how it is calculated, the scriptural classification and nature of the 11 Karanas, and the importance of Karana in astrology — all in simple English, in the language of astrological philosophy.

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What Is Karana? The Definition in Astrological Philosophy

Karana is the half of a tithi. Dividing the time-span of a tithi into two parts, each part is called a Karana. That is, in 30 tithis there are a total of 60 Karanas. But these 60 Karanas are known by only 11 names. Because some Karanas repeat, and some Karanas come only on specific tithis.

The half of a tithi is called Karana, and it is used for the subtle determination of action.

According to Sankhya philosophy, Karana is the representative of the ether-element. Like the ether, Karana is subtle, all-pervading, and profound in effect. It points to that portion of time which is not caught by ordinary sight, but plays an important role in determining the fruit of an action.

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The Scriptural Classification of the 11 Karanas

There are 11 Karanas in all. In the scriptures they are divided into two groups — Chara Karana (movable) and Sthira Karana (fixed). This classification indicates the nature of the Karanas' repetition.

Chara Karanas (7)

These Karanas revolve regularly in the Karana-cycle. Each Karana comes once, then the cycle begins again. The Chara Karanas are —

The presiding deity and suitable work of each Karana here are taken from the 99th chapter (Tithi and Karana) of Varahamihira's Brihat Samhita —

The Cycle of Chara Karanas: Bava → Balava → Kaulava → Taitila → Gara → Vanija → Vishti → again Bava — in this order the Chara Karanas revolve.

Sthira Karanas (4)

These Karanas come on specific tithis. They are not part of the Karana-cycle, but stand fixed on particular tithis.

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The Scriptural Method of Karana Calculation

The Basic Formula

The Surya Siddhanta (Spashtadhikara) and the Brihat Samhita (Chapter 99) give the order of Karana — from the second half of Krishna Chaturdashi, four fixed Karanas, then seven Chara Karanas eight times in a month. In modern language the formula is —

Half-tithi number = ⌊(Moon's longitude − Sun's longitude) ÷ 6°⌋  (0 to 59)

Here the ⌊ ⌋ symbol denotes the floor function — only the integer part of the quotient. When the Moon advances 6° from the Sun, one Karana ends, so there are 60 Karanas in one lunar month. The count begins at the end of Amavasya, when the Moon-Sun distance is 0° — that is, from the Pratipada of the Shukla Paksha.

Step-by-Step Calculation

Step 1: Take the sidereal longitudes of the Moon and the Sun. Compute Moon − Sun; if the result is negative, add 360°.

Step 2: Divide this distance by 6° and take the integer part — this is the half-tithi number (0 to 59).

Step 3: If the number is 0, it is Kimstughna; if 57, Shakuni; if 58, Chatushpada; if 59, Naga — these four fixed Karanas.

Step 4: If the number is 1 to 56, it is a Chara Karana: subtract 1 from the number and divide by 7. Remainder 0 = Bava, 1 = Balava, 2 = Kaulava, 3 = Taitila, 4 = Gara, 5 = Vanija, 6 = Vishti.

The Serial Table of Karanas (for Scriptural Calculation)

Example 1: Pratipada of Shukla Paksha, Distance 3°

• 3 ÷ 6 = 0.5 → integer part 0
• Half-tithi number 0 = Kimstughna Karana (fixed)

Example 2: Pratipada of Shukla Paksha, Distance 9°

• 9 ÷ 6 = 1.5 → integer part 1
• 1 − 1 = 0; 0 ÷ 7 remainder 0 = Bava Karana

Example 3: Dwitiya of Krishna Paksha, Distance 198°

• 198 ÷ 6 = 33 → half-tithi number 33
• 33 − 1 = 32; 32 ÷ 7 remainder 4 = Gara Karana — of the second half of Krishna Dwitiya (cross-check with the table below)

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Table of Karanas According to Tithi

The complete list of Karanas according to tithi is given below —

Karanas of the Shukla Paksha

Karanas of the Krishna Paksha

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The Practical Application of Karana

1. The Role of Karana in Auspicious Acts

In muhurat analysis the Karana is examined together with the tithi, nakshatra, yoga, and lagna — the auspicious time is not set by the Karana alone. The Brihat Samhita (99/3) says that work which the scriptures prescribe to be done in a deity's nakshatra may also be done in that deity's tithi and Karana.

In general auspicious acts the chief rule is just one — avoiding Vishti (Bhadra). Our Panchang, along with Vishti, also keeps Shakuni, Chatushpada, and Naga out of the time of general auspicious acts; for these three fixed Karanas the Brihat Samhita mentions only certain specific works (see the table above).

2. Vishti Karana (Bhadra)

Vishti Karana is Bhadra itself. The Muhurta Chintamani (Shubhashubha Prakarana) declares Bhadra to be avoidable in all auspicious acts, and also tells in which half of which tithi Bhadra falls — which matches exactly with the calculation above:

• Shukla Paksha: in the second half of Chaturthi and Ekadashi; in the first half of Ashtami and Purnima
• Krishna Paksha: in the second half of Tritiya and Dashami; in the first half of Saptami and Chaturdashi

That is, eight times in a lunar month, each time for about half a day.

3. Sthira Karanas

The four fixed Karanas come only once in a month, on either side of Amavasya. The Brihat Samhita gives a separate work for each of them (see the table above) — auspicious work proceeds in Kimstughna, but not in Naga.

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The Philosophical Perspective on Karana

Modern authors who align the five limbs of the Panchang with the five elements — depending on the author, Karana is matched with either the ether or the earth. But there is no disagreement that the effect of Karana is subtle. It points to that portion of time which is not caught by ordinary sight, but plays an important role in determining the fruit of an action.

Karana is the measurer of subtle time, which creates the tendency to grant the accomplishment of an action.

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Information Required for Karana Calculation

The following information is required for Karana calculation —

1. Tithi Information First one must know the tithi number and the tithi's degree of advancement.

2. Longitudes of the Moon and the Sun Tithi calculation requires the longitudes of the Moon and the Sun. This information is obtained from —

• Mathematical texts such as the Surya Siddhanta
• Modern astrological software
• A reliable Panchang

3. Time of Sunrise The Panchang writes the day's Karana according to the moment of sunrise, and when the Karana changes during the day it also gives the time of the change. Hence knowing the local sunrise time is essential.

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Conclusion: Karana — The Subtlest Measure of Time

The method of Karana calculation is not merely an astronomical computation. It is a marvellous illustration of ancient Indian astrological philosophy — where time is divided so minutely that information about the fruitfulness of an action is obtained. Auspicious and lasting work in Bava, trade in Vanija, avoidance of auspicious acts in Vishti — this rule of the Brihat Samhita and the Muhurta Chintamani is still used today in the muhurat analysis of the Panchang.

"Know the Karana and you will know the subtle gift of time —
In Bava and Balava, a hint of strength; in Naga and Vishti, beware."

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❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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📖 Announcement of the Next Post

Today we learned the method of Karana calculation — from the scriptural viewpoint. The detailed discussion of the five limbs of the Panchang — Vaar, Tithi, Nakshatra, Yoga, and Karana — has come to a close. We hope that by reading these serial posts you have gained a comprehensive understanding of the depth of the Panchang and the glory of astrological philosophy.