Vedic astrology · Reference
Panchanga glossary: understanding Yoga and Karana
What do Ganda, Gara or Vishti mean? This glossary explains all 27 Nitya Yogas and all eleven Karanas shown in the Vedic day.
The keywords describe a traditional basic quality. They are not a stand-alone daily forecast: Tithi, Nakshatra, Vara, Yoga and Karana are read together, and schools may weight a term differently for a particular purpose.
The five limbs
Tithi
The lunar day: one of 30 segments of 12° separation between Moon and Sun.
Nakshatra
The lunar mansion: one of 27 sidereal sky segments of 13°20′.
Vara
The Vedic weekday from local sunrise to the following sunrise.
Nitya Yoga
One of 27 daily qualities from the sum of the sidereal longitudes of Sun and Moon.
Karana
Half a Tithi, and therefore a 6° segment between Moon and Sun.
The 27 Nitya Yogas
Nitya Yoga is formed from the sum of the sidereal longitudes of Sun and Moon. The circle is divided into 27 segments of 13°20′.
1Vishkambha
Support or obstruction. Traditionally a resistant quality that asks for patience and persistence.
2Priti
Affection. Associated with connection, agreement and friendly exchange.
3Ayushman
Long life. Points to endurance, development and plans that may be given time.
4Saubhagya
Good fortune. A lighter, connecting quality for joy, meetings and celebration.
5Shobhana
Splendour or beauty. Emphasises design, appearance, art and visible expression.
6Atiganda
Great knot. Traditionally signals friction; careful action matters more than speed.
7Sukarma
Good action. Supports constructive work, helpful steps and sound execution.
8Dhriti
Steadiness. Favours patience, reliability and holding a clear course.
9Shula
Spear or point. A sharp, intense quality; useful for separating, less so for harmony.
10Ganda
Knot. Makes complications visible and invites untangling before pushing ahead.
11Vriddhi
Growth. Associated with increase, learning and expansion.
12Dhruva
Constant. Supports stability, care and plans intended to last.
13Vyaghata
Blow or disruption. Allows for interruptions and suits correction better than force.
14Harshana
Joy. An enlivening quality for confidence, creativity and shared activity.
15Vajra
Thunderbolt or diamond. Powerful and focused, but also potentially rigid or confrontational.
16Siddhi
Accomplishment. Associated with skill, completion and applying experience successfully.
17Vyatipata
Upheaval. A restless, difficult-to-plan quality; major new steps call for extra care.
18Variyana
Pleasant or excellent. Supports refinement, rest and a calmer rhythm.
19Parigha
Bar or gate. Draws attention to limits, delays and what must be opened first.
20Shiva
Beneficent. A calm, balancing quality for clarification, reconciliation and gentle renewal.
21Siddha
Accomplished. Favours execution, practice and completing what is already prepared.
22Sadhya
Achievable. Supports learning, planning and realistic steps towards a goal.
23Shubha
Auspicious. Associated with harmony, support and a friendly course.
24Shukla
Bright or clear. Emphasises overview, cleansing and an unburdened fresh approach.
25Brahma
Creative order. Supports study, knowledge, conceptual work and conscious creation.
26Indra
Leadership. Emphasises responsibility, visibility, resolve and the use of influence.
27Vaidhriti
Division or separation. A tense quality; differences and fault lines need attention.
The eleven Karanas
A Karana is half a Tithi: each 6° of separation between Moon and Sun. Seven movable names repeat; four fixed ones occur only once in the lunar cycle.
Bava
Becoming and arising. A movable Karana for starting, developing and getting things moving.
Balava
Strength. Supports building, effort and tasks that need stamina.
Kaulava
Community or family. Emphasises relationships, agreements and acting together.
Taitila
Practical work. Associated with craft, resources and steady progress.
Gara
Firmness. Supports building, ordering, grounding and reliable routines.
Vanija
Trade. Emphasises exchange, negotiation, buying, selling and sober assessment.
Vishti · Bhadra
Also called Bhadra. Traditionally an obstructive Karana; important new ventures are usually avoided.
Shakuni
Bird or omen. A fixed Karana for strategy, observation and solving entangled questions.
Chatushpada
Four-footed. Associated with animals, care, physical practical matters and stability.
Naga
Serpent. An intense quality for what is hidden, release and deep transformation.
Kimstughna
Destroying the small. Marks closure, clearing and the transition into a new lunar cycle.
Sources and context
Astrological meanings are traditional symbolic language, not a scientific forecast.