The meaning of Panchanga is five parts. These five parts are date, day, nakshatra, yoga and karana. A Panchanga is prepared on the basis of these five criterion. The calculation of these is based on mathematical formulas. You can understand the method of calculating the five parts of Panchanga in an easy and simple way in this chapter.

(1) Nakshatra

The Nakshatra present in moon at the time of birth of an individual is known as Janam Nakshatra. Nakshatra present in moon during the course of any activity is known as Nakshatra of that time. You have studied about Nakshatras in previous chapters. There are 27 Nakshatras in total. The total number of  Nakshatras including Abhijeet is 28.

Method of calculating Nakshatrsas

Look at the position of moon at the time of birth or when any other activity is happening and note down the Bhogansha of moon. Let us assume that moon is in the ninth sign and its Bhoganha is 6 degrees 5 minutes. We will now convert it into minutes. After converting it into minutes we get 16,565 minutes. We will divide this number by 800. After dividing the number by 800, we get 20.70625. This means that 20 Nakshatras are completed and the 21st Nakshatra is running. The 21st Nakshatra is Uttara Ashadha Nakshatra. In this way, you can calculate the other Nakshatras also. The digit before decimal represents the number of Nakshatras which are passed. If 5 comes before the decimal, then it means that 5 Nakshatras are passed and the sixth Nakshatra is running.

(2) Vaar (Day)

A Vaar (day) is from one sunrise to another sunrise. All the days including Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday are known as Vaars. The number of days are 7.

(3) Tithis

The calculation of Tithi is also based on mathematical activity. A Tithi is the angle between Sun and the moon. The angle of 12 degrees makes one Tithi. Sun and moon both are always in motion. The moon appears to be growing when it goes away from Sun. The period of moon when it goes away from Sun is known as Shukla Paksha. The moon appears to be decreasing in size when it comes near to Sun. This period is known as Krishna Paksha. Hence, a rule to calculate the Tithi is evolved which is as follows:

• Tithi  = (Bhogansha of moon - Bhogansha of Sun)/12

The Tithi is calculated on the basis of the formula given above. Note down the Bhogansha of moon and Sun of the day for which you want to find out the Tithi. Now, subtract the Bhogansha of Sun from the Bhogansha of moon and divide the difference by 12. The quotient thus obtained will be the Tithi of the desired date. If the quotient obtained is between 1 to 15, then the Tithis will be of Krishna Paksha. If the quotient obtained is more than 15, then the Tithis will be of Shukla Paksha. Let us assume that we have got 17 after calculating with this method, this means that it is the Dwadashi Tithi of Shukla Paksha.

It should be noted that the beginning of a month in northern India is considered from Krishna Paksha.

(4) Yoga

The fourth part of a Panchanga is Yoga. The basis of calculating this is the position of Sun and moon. The mathematical calculation is done to find out Yoga. The Yogas are of 27 kinds. These Yogas give results according to their names. We will add the Bhogansha of Sun and Bhogansha of moon to calculate the Yoga. We will then divide the sum by 13 degrees 20 minutes. Converting 13 degrees 20 minutes into minutes we get 800 minutes. Divide 800 minutes by the number thus obtained.

Let us go through this once again. Add the Bhogansha of moon and Sun of the day for which you want to find the Yoga. Divide the sum obtained by 800 minutes or 13 degrees 20 minutes. The quotient which you get after the division will be the Yoga for the day. If we are getting 15.56 as a result, then it means that the 15 Yogas are passed and the 16th Yoga is running. The 16th Yoga is Sidhi Yoga. Hence, the Yoga for the day will be Sidhi Yoga.   
The names of 27 Yogas are as follows:

1. Vishkumbha
2. Priti
3. Ayushman
4. Saubhagya
5. Shobhan
6. Atiganda
7. Sukarma
8. Dhriti
9. Shula
10. Ganda
11. Vridhi
12. Dhruv
13. Vyaghata
14. Harshan
15. Vraj
16. Sidhi
17. Vyatipata
18. Variyana
19. Parigha
20. Shiva
21. Shidha
22. Sadhya
23. Shubha
24. Shukla
25. Bhramha
26. Indra or Aindra
27. Vraidhiti

(5) Karana

This is the fifth part of a Panchanga. The calculation of Karana is also done mathematically. Karana is the half of a Tithi. Hence, there are two Karana in a Tithi. The total number of Karanas are 11. The fixed Karanas come once in a month. A repetition of 7 Karanas occur. These Karanas occur for 8 times in a month.

Fixed Karanas

These are 4 in number. These 4 inauspicious Karans are as follows:

1. Shakuni
2. Chatushpada
3. Naga
4. Kishtugna

Movable Karanas

These are 7 in number. Among these a small part of Bhadra is considered inauspicious. The seven Karanas are as follows:

1. Bava
2. Balava
3. Kaulava
4. Taitila
5. Gara
6. Vanija
7. Vishti or Bhadra