Muhurtha - An Auspicious Moment Of Time

Muhurtha (Electional Astrology) is a branch of Indian Astrology dealing with fixing of 'auspicious moments of time' for conducting important and sacred ceremonies. One can find Indians referring a 'Panchang' or consulting an astrologer for a 'muhurat' when they either want to conduct an important ceremony like marriage, 'upanayan' (thread ceremony for 'Brahmins'),'gruha pravesh' (house warming) etc. or when they would like to embark upon an important work. Even politicians and government departments would consult their pet astrologer and fix a muhurtha for oath-taking or inauguration ceremonies!

Astrology has a necessary relation with time. It deals with the effects of planetary motions including the sun and the moon. Its basic tenet is the confirmed scientific fact of the effects of radiation on all terrestrial phenomena. That the Hindus discovered it ages before is a testimony to the intelligence and accomplishments of that generation. The effect of sun's rays on biological activity and those of the moon on psychological processes is well-established. Agricultural activities like planting, cultivation, growth, maturity and harvest are all dependent upon seasonal changes and solar radiation.

What is muhurtha? Why is it important? This can be better understood with regard to its role in astrology. General horoscopy deals with predictions about a native with regard to the time he or she was born. It is static, fixed and beyond one's control or determination. On the other hand, muhurtha is dynamic. One can choose the most suitable or auspicious times at different stages of life where there are chances of changes in one's destiny. Thus a marriage performed on a particular day may change the course of one's life. This is not superstition. A marriage taking place at an inauspicious time can lead to disastrous consequences or divorce or life-long agony. According to the late Dr.B.V.Raman, the greatest Indian astrologer of the modern age, "While horoscopy prescribes, muhurtha remedies". Muhurtha is prescriptive as well as preventive. The deficiencies noticed in a natal chart can be overcome with the proper application of muhurtha. Thus a child diagnosed (astrologically) as weak in education can be initiated into alphabet learning or first sent to school at an auspicious moment.

Muhurtha, essentially means two 'ghatis' or forty-eight minutes. The essential elements comprise 'tithi'(lunar day),'vara'(weekday),'nakshatra' (constellation),'yoga'(joint motion of sun and moon amounting to multiples of 800 angular minutes) and 'karana'(half a lunar day). These five elements collectively are called 'panchang', that is, 'five limbs'. In considering 'tithi', generally the 4th,6th,8th,12th,14th,full moon('pournami') and new moon ('amavasya') are avoided. In some parts of South India, New Moon day is believed to be auspicious. In regard to 'vara', in general Tuesday and Saturday are considered inauspicious though they are valid for surgical operations. One should note that in Indian Astrology, the weekday is said to commence from sunrise. Of the twenty-seven 'nakshtras', Bharani and Krittika are avoided for all works as they are said to be presided over by Yama, the lord of death. In 'yoga', the 6th,9th,10th,17th and 27th are inauspicious. Of the 'karanas', 'bhadra' is the most unwanted while 'bava' and 'thaithula' are very auspicious.

After taking into account twenty-one 'mahadoshas'(great evils), the astrologer suggests good muhurthas attaching great importance to 'lagna' (ascendent or the rising cusp) and position of the moon. The moon is to be avoided in the 6th,8th and the 12th houses at any cost. Thus fixing a muhurtha is a time-consuming arduous task for an Indian astrologer. For normal purposes, people take into account one or more of 'tithi' or 'nakshatra' or 'chandra bala' or 'tara bala' or 'rahu kalam' or'durmuhurt' or 'thyaja kala'. While in Tamil Nadu, South India, reliance on 'Rahu Kalam' is very common, in North India, people follow a similar one called 'choughadia' for routine works. However, when a muhurta is fixed, the 'panchaka' (five-source energy) should be strong.