For those who aren’t familiar with my background – I belong to a family with a long line of experts in the field of occult. I grew up in a home where the knowledge of the Panchanga as well as the cosmic world was discussed regularly. While a lot of people consider it a taboo or feel self-conscious to mention that they consult an astrologer for guiding their decisions or life trajectories; we, as a family, were obsessively checking for concurrence with the universe for our everyday life events. My family was never buying a fridge or going on a holiday trip without consulting the Panchanga. We had to know if the day, the month or the year was right for planning the life that we hoped and wished for, knowing that we had ample karma of different lifetimes that were being payed off by our present actions. Panchanga cannot pull you out of what is destined for you, it only makes things easier – so that you can have more energy and peace in life to deal with what is of prime importance.
I understand, not everyone grows up in such households. I knew that my unusual upbringing was raising me to contribute to the world in unusual ways. That’s why I’m here, sharing some family secrets about one of the most powerful gifts of ancient India – Panchanga. Why? Because I understand that if the cosmos isn’t supporting you, you are not ‘going with the flow’ at all. In fact, you are then walking in the exact opposite direction and that will only yield more strife and drudgery. It’s so simple to align to the cosmos and I want you to have this ease in your life in whatever you pursue.
Now, you’d wonder –
What makes the Hindu calendar so special?
Why can’t one refer to a Georgian calendar that is more commonly used by everyone?
And, how can a calendar have so much power and wisdom (even more than my own sense of judgement) to guide my life decisions?
To me, this ancient Hindu calendar is not merely a record of dates and times—it is a living guide, a cosmic mirror reflecting the subtle movements of planets, stars, and energies that influence us all. Over the years, the Panchanga has become my trusted companion in planning important events, understanding my moods, and staying aligned with the rhythm of the universe. Let me tell you ‘how’.
What is Panchanga?
The word Panchanga comes from Sanskrit, where ‘Pancha means “five” and Anga means “limbs.”
True to its name, it consists of five ‘limbs’ or five key elements:
- Tithi – the lunar day, based on the Moon’s position relative to the Sun.
2. Vara – the weekday, each ruled by a specific planet.
3. Nakshatra – the constellation the Moon occupies.
4. Yoga – a particular angular relationship between the Sun and Moon.
5. Karana – half of a tithi, which further refines the quality of the day.
Together, these five limbs create a detailed map of the cosmic climate for any given time. Just as a weather forecast helps us prepare for rain or sunshine, the Panchanga helps us tune into the energetic atmosphere that surrounds us on daily basis.
Why Panchanga Matters: People often ask me why I rely so much on the Panchanga when we already have modern calendars and apps to manage our schedules.
My answer is simple: While the Gregorian calendar tells me the date, the Panchanga tells me the quality of time. It reveals when energies are supportive, when they are unstable, and when they are ideal for rest, reflection, or new beginnings.
For example, if I see that the Tithi is the Ekadashi (11th lunar day), I naturally lean towards fasting or engaging in spiritual practices, because this tithi amplifies clarity of mind. On the other hand, if the day falls under a Pushya Nakshatra, I know it is highly auspicious for initiating long-term commitments, whether in business or personal life.
This alignment with cosmic timing doesn’t mean I avoid challenges—it means I walk into them prepared, with awareness of the larger forces at play.
Planning with Panchanga
Whenever I am about to make an important decision—be it starting a new project, signing an agreement, or even scheduling a medical procedure for a family member—I consult the Panchanga.
Let me share a few ways I use it in daily life:
– Starting New Ventures: I look for a waxing moon phase (Shukla Paksha), supportive tithis like Dvitiya, Tritiya, or Panchami, and auspicious nakshatras such as Rohini, Uttara Phalguni, or Uttara Ashada. Beginning something new under these influences tends to bring smoother growth.
– Travel: Before planning a journey, I check the Vara and Nakshatra. Mondays, ruled by the Moon, are often gentle for short trips, while Thursdays, ruled by Jupiter, favor spiritual or learning-related travel. If the Nakshatra is Ashlesha, I usually avoid starting long journeys, as it tends to bring delays or deception.
– Health and Well-being: On certain Yogas like Vyatipata or Vaidhriti, I advise my clients against making health-related commitments or undergoing medical procedures, as these times are considered unstable. Instead, I use those days for rest and meditation.
– Personal Harmony: By noting which nakshatra the Moon is passing through, I can anticipate my emotional tone for the day. For instance, when the Moon is in Chitra, I feel more creative and ambitious, but also more restless. Being aware of this helps me channel the energy productively instead of feeling overwhelmed.
Using the Panchanga is not about superstition—it is about synchronization. Just as farmers plant seeds when the soil and season are right, I try to act when time itself is fertile.
Over years of practice, I have noticed the following benefits:
– Clarity and Confidence: When I choose the right muhurta (auspicious time) based on Panchanga, I step into new endeavors with confidence. There is a sense of support from the cosmos. Your astrologer can help you with insights into favourable dates and timings for you, so please consult an expert for the same.
– Reduced Friction: Actions taken during unfavorable yogas or nakshatras often meet resistance. By avoiding them, I save myself from unnecessary stress and delays.
– Better Emotional Balance: Observing the Moon’s movement through nakshatras helps me understand my inner tides. Instead of fighting my moods, I flow with them.
– Deeper Connection: Living with the Panchanga makes me feel less like an isolated individual and more like a participant in the grand dance of time and cosmos.
Interestingly, the Panchanga not only shapes how I plan big events but also how I navigate everyday moods. Some days, the planetary energies make me naturally reflective, while others encourage activity and communication. When I recognize this in advance, I avoid judging myself harshly. If my energy is low during a Krishna Paksha (waning moon), I don’t force productivity—I allow rest and introspection.
This self-compassion has been one of the greatest gifts of living by the Panchanga. It transforms ordinary days into meaningful experiences, each with its own flavor and lesson.
To me, the Panchanga is more than a calendar—it is a sacred guide to living in harmony with time itself. It reminds me that every moment is infused with cosmic intelligence, and by honoring it, I bring more alignment, peace, and success into my life. I often tell people: just as you would not ignore the weather before stepping out, don’t ignore the Panchanga before stepping into important actions. With awareness of these five limbs of time, you can transform not only your schedule but also your state of mind.
