Karana is the fourth of the five Pancha Angas. It is defined as half a Tithi — the time it takes for the angular distance between the Moon and Sun to increase by 6°. Since a full Tithi spans 12°, each Tithi contains exactly two Karanas. A lunar month of 30 Tithis therefore has 60 Karana occurrences. Karana provides finer timing resolution within a Tithi, and it is particularly used in detailed Muhurtham calculations.
There are 11 Karanas in total, divided into two groups. The 4 fixed (Sthira) Karanas occur only once per lunar month at specific positions: Shakuni (in the second half of the 14th Krishna Paksha Tithi), Chatushpada (first half of Amavasya), Naga (second half of Amavasya), and Kimstughna (first half of the 1st Shukla Paksha Tithi). The 7 movable (Chara) Karanas — Bava, Balava, Kaulava, Taitila, Garaja, Vanija, and Vishti — cycle repeatedly through the remaining 56 Karana slots, each appearing 8 times per month.
The most important Karana in daily practice is Vishti (also called Bhadra). It is the most inauspicious of all Karanas and is avoided for any auspicious ceremony. Vishti Karana occurs 8 times per lunar month. Traditional almanacs mark Vishti prominently alongside Rahu Kalam as a window to avoid for new auspicious work. The second and fourth day of each fortnight are especially noted when Vishti Karana falls during daytime hours.
Among the favourable Karanas, Bava, Balava, Kaulava, Taitila, Vanija, and Garaja are considered auspicious for ceremonies. Astrologers selecting a Muhurtham time will prefer a window that falls in one of these Karanas. Kimstughna (fixed, first half of Shukla Pratipada) is also considered relatively benign and is sometimes used for starting new ventures.
In practical Muhurtham work, knowing the Karana at the exact minute of ceremony commencement allows for the finest level of auspiciousness verification. A wedding Muhurtham, for example, is selected so that the moment of the ceremony (typically marked by the tying of the Mangalsutra or the Saptapadi) falls in a favourable Tithi, auspicious Nakshatra, good Yoga, and a non-Vishti Karana — all simultaneously.
All 11 Karanas — Reference Table
The table below lists all 11 Karanas with their Tamil name, type, quality, and a short note on their significance in Muhurtham selection.
| # | Karana Name | Tamil Name | Type | Quality | Short Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bava | பவம் | Movable | Auspicious | Presided by Surya; good for all ceremonies, new ventures, and important work. |
| 2 | Balava | பாலவம் | Movable | Auspicious | Presided by Chandra; favourable for weddings, travel, and auspicious beginnings. |
| 3 | Kaulava | கௌலவம் | Movable | Auspicious | Presided by Mangala; suitable for ceremonies, trade, and beginning new activities. |
| 4 | Taitila | தைதுலம் | Movable | Auspicious | Presided by Brihaspati; auspicious for learning, religious acts, and celebrations. |
| 5 | Garaja | கரசம் | Movable | Auspicious | Presided by Shukra; good for routine work, farming, and daily auspicious activities. |
| 6 | Vanija | வணிசம் | Movable | Auspicious | Presided by Shani; favourable for trade, commerce, and business-related work. |
| 7 | Vishti | பத்திரை | Movable | Inauspicious | Also called Bhadra; presided by Rahu — the most inauspicious Karana, strictly avoided for all auspicious ceremonies. |
| 8 | Shakuni | சகுனி | Fixed | Inauspicious | Occurs in the second half of Krishna Chaturdashi (29th Tithi); generally inauspicious. |
| 9 | Chatushpada | சதுஷ்பாதம் | Fixed | Inauspicious | Occurs in the first half of Amavasya (30th Tithi); inauspicious for new work. |
| 10 | Naga | நாகவம் | Fixed | Inauspicious | Occurs in the second half of Amavasya (30th Tithi); inauspicious, associated with serpents. |
| 11 | Kimstughna | கிம்ஸ்துக்னம் | Fixed | Neutral | Occurs in the first half of Shukla Pratipada (1st Tithi); considered relatively benign. |
Key: Auspicious Neutral Inauspicious · Movable Fixed