Most people know about Tithi and Nakshatram, but the Panchangam has five limbs (angas): Varam (weekday), Tithi (lunar day), Nakshatram (star), Yogam (combined influence), and Karanam (half-Tithi). Understanding Yogam and Karanam gives you a more complete picture of each day's energy.

What Is Yogam?

Yogam is calculated by adding the longitudes of the Sun and Moon and dividing by 13°20′. There are 27 Yogams, identical in number to the Nakshatrams. Each Yogam has a quality: Vishkambha (first) is inauspicious, Priti is very auspicious, Siddha and Shubha are excellent for new work, while Vyatipata and Vaidhriti are highly inauspicious and should be avoided for all important activities.

What Is Karanam?

A Karanam is half a Tithi (approximately 6 hours). There are 11 Karanams in total — 4 fixed (Shakuni, Chatushpada, Naaga, Kinstughna) and 7 repeating (Bava, Balava, Kaulava, Taitila, Garaja, Vanija, Vishti/Bhadra). Vishti (also called Bhadra) Karanam is considered particularly inauspicious and is avoided for travel, new ventures, and ceremonies.

Using All Five Limbs Together

Expert Muhurtham selection considers all five Panchangam limbs together. A day where the Nakshatram is auspicious, the Tithi is Shukla, the Yogam is Siddha, and the Karanam is Bava or Balava is considered an excellent Muhurtham for any important event. The Mana Pandit Panchangam displays all five limbs daily.