Dasa Year: Fixed, Solar & Lunar Calendars

October 10, 2001

Namaste friends,

There are 3 different calendars that may be used in Vedic astrology.

(1) Fixed Calendar: Kaala (Time) stands on its own, without help from

Sun or Moon. An hour (hora) is a basic unit here. This "hour" has

nothing to do with solar or lunar motion. It has the same length

always. Hours are ruled by the seven planets in the decreasing order

of their average speeds (Saturn, Jupiter, Mars, Sun, Venus, Mercury,

Moon). After every 24 hours, a new day starts. Ruler of the first

hour is the ruler of the day. After every 30 days, a new month

starts. Ruler of the first day is the ruler of the month. After every

12 months, a new year starts. Ruler of the first month is the ruler

of the year.

The basis for this calendar is in Parasara's definition of Kaala bala

under Shadbala. Temporal strength of Shadbalas is based on this

calendar. These 360 day years are also known as "Savana" years.

(2) Solar Calendar: In solar calendar, time is measured in terms of

solar longitude. There are 360 solar days in a solar year. A solar

day is the time in which Sun moves by 1 degree. When dividing a

period into sub-periods in certain proportions (when using these

years), we should measure the time in terms of Sun's longitude and

NOT in terms of hours and minutes (that would be *mixing up* fixed

and solar calendars!). For example, Sun moves by 180 degrees in a Sun-

Moon antardasa. If we want the length of first Moon pratyantardasa in

this antardasa, it is the time in which Sun moves by 180*10/120=15

degrees. During the next 10.5 degree motion of Sun, it is Mars

pratyantardasa. And so on. The length of a period is measured in

terms of the angle swept by Sun in that period. Sun may take 31 days

to sweep an angle of 30 degrees once and may take 29 days to sweep an

angle of 30 degrees at another time. When we go to sookshma and prana

dasas, this becomes important.

What is the basis for this calendar? Tradition! Moreover, common

sense. If we want to use Sun's motion as the measure of time, we

should do it completely.

(3) Lunar Calendar: This is based on Moon-Sun longitude differential

(Mind cannot stand on its own. It needs soul too). A tithi is the

basic Vedic day and Moon-Sun longitude differential increase by

exactly 12 deg during a tithi. Again, to divide a period into sub-

periods in a certain proportion, we should use the angle swept by the

longitude differential as the measure of time and not fixed time. A

lunar year is a period of 360 tithis.

Seasons are based on Sun's motion. To synchronize the lunar calendar

with the solar calendar, we have the concept of adhika maasas (extra

months) in lunar calendar. However, they are not supposed to be used

when we use lunar years in dasas. In other words, one solar-

synchronized lunar year may have 360 tithis and another may have 390

tithis. Though solar-synchronized lunar years have their own

importance, a lunar year to be used in dasas is always a period of

360 tithis (this is the solar-UNsynchronized lunar year used by

Islam).

What is the basis? In Mahabharata, Arjuna comes out of hiding

(ajnaata vaasa) and Duryodhana says that 13 years are not over and so

Pandavas lose the bet and have to start 12 years of jungle life and

one year of hiding all over again. Bhishma, epitome of dharma and

purity, says that the correct definition of year is not based on Sun,

but based on 360 tithis. He says that *excluding* the extra months

(adhika maasas) and extra days until then, 13 years have just been

finished. "That's why Arjuna must've come out" says Bhishma. Both

Bhishma and Dharmaraja considered 360 tithis as a year.

Clarification: In my view, solar calendar must be used for dasas that

show environment, physical matters, soul matters etc (e.g. rasi dasas

like Narayana dasa, Shoola dasa and Atma karaka kendradi rasi dasa

etc), while lunar calendar must be used for dasas related to Moon

(e.g. nakshatra dasas). Pt. Sanjay Rath prefers the solar year (360-

degree year) in Vimsottari dasa. But he indicated in a mail on

varahamihira that 360-tithi years may be used in some nakshatra dasas

like Ashtottari dasa, Yogini dasa and Kalachakra dasa. But I strongly

recommend the 360-tithi years in Vimsottari dasa too.

May Jupiter's light shine on us,

Narasimha

October 10, 2001

Interesting matters, thank you Narasimha.

I know all these things you mention in some detail having programmed

them all here or there in software. Very interesting to see these things

used sensitively based on different types of dashas, indeed, a sortof

personalization of the dashas to their applications etc., so the types

of time counting also personalized to suit. Very interesting.

I think it may be true, that perhaps another wrinkle may be that,

depending on the natives Guna, Karma, Varna, (or overall nature), and

what they seek- how they feel- what they feel is important in life,

actually therefore, individually, they may resonate more with one timing

system over another, even with the same dasha.

For myself for example, I really don't care at all in life usually,

about events, or what's "incoming" from the environment due to my karma.

Rather, I am a person who cares mostly simply about how I feel

internally, and this always with me relates only to how I feel about a

few matters alone, namely God, Work, and the few key people in my life.

Mainly about my Lord and Working for Him. So I'm a very Dharma focused

person, and sentitive/emotive type of Sevaka. That's what interests me

more than anything. Whether this karmic event or payoff or that one is

coming is less important to me than if I simply am internally happily

engaged and positive.

So see, somebody else might not be a sensitive person so much, but might

be more interested in when certain plans will fructify, certain material

events will happen or not happen. For them, the external is more

important than the internal.

For me, therefore, perhaps using a emotively fixed timing pattern such

as Tithis with Adhik expunged, as per Bhismas reasoning regarding the

Pandava exile, is perhaps more applicable. It is certainly the most

attractive timing system my mind prefers.

So perhaps depending on key placements, thus nature, the person may work

better, resonate with, find more accuracy for their own INTERESTS in

using one system over another.

--

Das Goravani

2852 Willamette St # 353

Eugene OR USA 97405

or

Fax: 541-343-0344

"Goravani Jyotish"

Vedic/Hindu Astrology Software

October 10, 2001

Dear Das,

Nice thoughts!

> I think it may be true, that perhaps another wrinkle may be that,

> depending on the natives Guna, Karma, Varna, (or overall nature),

and

> what they seek- how they feel- what they feel is important in life,

> actually therefore, individually, they may resonate more with one

timing

> system over another, even with the same dasha.

Yes, I will not be surprised if the Truth is far far more complex

than we can imagine. For all we know, the same dasa may necessitate

different dasa years to be used for timing different kind of events.

Thumbrules are just thumbrules. Only with deep philosophical

understanding can we judge these matters correctly.

Take care,

Narasimha

October 10, 2001

Dear Narasimha,

I have been wanting to clarify the significance of 'Vaara' for a

while and your post on Calendars prompted me to use this thread. As

you explained below hours are ruled by the seven planets. Ruler of

the first hour is the ruler of the day. So on a Sunday the first hour

is ruled by Sun followed by Venus, Mercury etc. After 7 hours, the

eighth hour is again ruled by Sun followed by Venus etc. After 21

hours, 22nd hour ruler - Sun, 23rd hour - Venus, 24th hour - Mercury.

The next day then starts with the ruler being Moon and it happens to

be a Monday. This cycle continues for 7 days till the following

Sunday. The cycle of 7 days constituting a 'Vaara' or week.

Everything fits so beautifully. Thanks for enlightening us on

the 'hora' rulership.

My question is: Once a cycle starts with the 'hora' rulership,

everything flows nicely. But when does the cycle start? What is the

physical significance of a day being a Sunday or a Monday etc.? Let

us say that after waking up after sleeping for 20 years, Rip Van

Winkle wanted to find out what day of the week it is. Can he look at

the position of the planets and say who is the ruler for that day?

Please enlighten us on this.

Thanks,

Ganesh

vedic astrology, pvr@c... wrote:

> Namaste friends,

>

> There are 3 different calendars that may be used in Vedic astrology.

>

> (1) Fixed Calendar: Kaala (Time) stands on its own, without help

from

> Sun or Moon. An hour (hora) is a basic unit here. This "hour" has

> nothing to do with solar or lunar motion. It has the same length

> always. Hours are ruled by the seven planets in the decreasing

order

> of their average speeds (Saturn, Jupiter, Mars, Sun, Venus,

Mercury,

> Moon). After every 24 hours, a new day starts. Ruler of the first

> hour is the ruler of the day. After every 30 days, a new month

> starts. Ruler of the first day is the ruler of the month. After

every

> 12 months, a new year starts. Ruler of the first month is the ruler

> of the year.

>

> The basis for this calendar is in Parasara's definition of Kaala

bala

> under Shadbala. Temporal strength of Shadbalas is based on this

> calendar. These 360 day years are also known as "Savana" years.

>

> (2) Solar Calendar: In solar calendar, time is measured in terms of

> solar longitude. There are 360 solar days in a solar year. A solar

> day is the time in which Sun moves by 1 degree. When dividing a

> period into sub-periods in certain proportions (when using these

> years), we should measure the time in terms of Sun's longitude and

> NOT in terms of hours and minutes (that would be *mixing up* fixed

> and solar calendars!). For example, Sun moves by 180 degrees in a

Sun-

> Moon antardasa. If we want the length of first Moon pratyantardasa

in

> this antardasa, it is the time in which Sun moves by 180*10/120=15

> degrees. During the next 10.5 degree motion of Sun, it is Mars

> pratyantardasa. And so on. The length of a period is measured in

> terms of the angle swept by Sun in that period. Sun may take 31

days

> to sweep an angle of 30 degrees once and may take 29 days to sweep

an

> angle of 30 degrees at another time. When we go to sookshma and

prana

> dasas, this becomes important.

>

> What is the basis for this calendar? Tradition! Moreover, common

> sense. If we want to use Sun's motion as the measure of time, we

> should do it completely.

>

> (3) Lunar Calendar: This is based on Moon-Sun longitude

differential

> (Mind cannot stand on its own. It needs soul too). A tithi is the

> basic Vedic day and Moon-Sun longitude differential increase by

> exactly 12 deg during a tithi. Again, to divide a period into sub-

> periods in a certain proportion, we should use the angle swept by

the

> longitude differential as the measure of time and not fixed time. A

> lunar year is a period of 360 tithis.

>

> Seasons are based on Sun's motion. To synchronize the lunar

calendar

> with the solar calendar, we have the concept of adhika maasas

(extra

> months) in lunar calendar. However, they are not supposed to be

used

> when we use lunar years in dasas. In other words, one solar-

> synchronized lunar year may have 360 tithis and another may have

390

> tithis. Though solar-synchronized lunar years have their own

> importance, a lunar year to be used in dasas is always a period of

> 360 tithis (this is the solar-UNsynchronized lunar year used by

> Islam).

>

> What is the basis? In Mahabharata, Arjuna comes out of hiding

> (ajnaata vaasa) and Duryodhana says that 13 years are not over and

so

> Pandavas lose the bet and have to start 12 years of jungle life and

> one year of hiding all over again. Bhishma, epitome of dharma and

> purity, says that the correct definition of year is not based on

Sun,

> but based on 360 tithis. He says that *excluding* the extra months

> (adhika maasas) and extra days until then, 13 years have just been

> finished. "That's why Arjuna must've come out" says Bhishma. Both

> Bhishma and Dharmaraja considered 360 tithis as a year.

>

> Clarification: In my view, solar calendar must be used for dasas

that

> show environment, physical matters, soul matters etc (e.g. rasi

dasas

> like Narayana dasa, Shoola dasa and Atma karaka kendradi rasi dasa

> etc), while lunar calendar must be used for dasas related to Moon

> (e.g. nakshatra dasas). Pt. Sanjay Rath prefers the solar year (360-

> degree year) in Vimsottari dasa. But he indicated in a mail on

> varahamihira that 360-tithi years may be used in some nakshatra

dasas

> like Ashtottari dasa, Yogini dasa and Kalachakra dasa. But I

strongly

> recommend the 360-tithi years in Vimsottari dasa too.

>

> May Jupiter's light shine on us,

> Narasimha

October 14, 2002

Dear Narasimha,

some questions on time- in respect to Hora, some classics recommend

the following to calculate the Hora: The Hora in any day of the week is

reckoned beginning with that day i.e. its lord. The Hora on the night

of the week-day chosen is reckoned from the 5th weekday therefrom.

Which means that the Horas are of unequal length. What are your thoughts

on that.

Also, in addition to the three types of measurement so time you mention,

Surya Siddhanta mentions the siderial (nakshatra) day which is the

length of one turn of the nakshatras- which is actually the rotation of

the Earth once on its axis in reference to a fixed point on the

ecliptic. One of these days is 23 hours, 56 minutes and 4 seconds,

making a year of these days a little more than 359 western calander

days.

The Surya Siddhanta states what the Solar, Lunar and Savana times are to

be used for (though not stating that either is to be used for dasas),

however, it does not specify what the the sidereal (nakshatra) day is to

be used for. I have been experimenting with a year based on this applied

to dashas, and have had promising results, especially in respect to rasi

dasas. Have you ever considered this type of year?

Jai Ram,

Ernst Wilhelm

www.vedic astrology.net

Kala Vedic Astrology Software

pvr [pvr]

Wednesday, October 10, 2001 8:54 AM

vedic astrology

[vedic astrology] Dasa Year: Fixed, Solar & Lunar Calendars