Although our destiny is pre-defined and although we are incapable of drastically altering that which is meant to transpire, we have been blessed by the great sages of the past with the knowledge of Muhurta, a measure of time (48 minutes) used in the Vedic system of time measurement, which can be used to positively impact the outcome of a particular activity performed during that time. This thought of choosing a time for the performance of an activity and thus influencing the result may seem contradictory to the idea of destiny. Still, the magic of the cosmos is such that all contradictory theories find perfect balance among them.
To understand this better let us take an example of a person desiring to start a business. Say the Lagna kundli of a person has the favourable yogas to achieve success in business undertakings to a moderate extent, the planets suggest that any business undertaken will be profitable in millions but not in billions. Now this person decides to start a business and does so without looking for an auspicious time in the Panchang and without checking whether that particular time is conducive for him in accordance with his own birth chart ( a process known as lagna Shuddhi) or not. The business could either become successful or drastically fail, and the layman would simply call it luck. However, the influence of the planets must always be taken into consideration. Just like the planetary alignment at the time of our birth forms our birth chart and influences our entire life, similarly the planetary alignment at the time when a particular activity is performed or started, will form the ‘Birth Chart’ of that activity and influence the results of the activity performed. The only difference between the two is that we are not able to influence the timing of our birth (although that too may be arguable, now that C-sections are performed and one may choose the time of birth), but we definitely have the possibility of choosing the time to start an important work. Therefore, by choosing to start an activity during the most conducive time ensures that the full potential of an activity may be reached. One cannot exceed to the benefits promised in the chart but one can maximise the possible benefit that a person may have in life by using the system of muhurta and choosing an auspicious time to start a particular activity.
In order to find a suitable time to start an activity, the learned astrologer will consult the Panchang and choose an appropriate day and time. This is done by taking into consideration 5 different parameters. Panch means five and ang means limbs, the five limbs of finding the right muhurta are vaar (weekday), Tithi (lunar day), nakshatra (lunar mansion), yoga and karana. Certain days of the week are considered good for certain activities based on the planet ruling that day. Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays are considered to be good for gentle-natured work like marriages, starting new ventures, friendships, making art and so forth. Sundays may also be considered auspicious for certain activities like work and music. Tuesdays and Saturdays are generally avoided for performing auspicious activities but may be opted for activities like surgeries, filing lawsuits etc. The next consideration is the tithi, or the lunar day. There are a total of sixteen tithis, 14 tithis (named the same in the bright fortnight and dark fortnight), new moon and full moon. The 4th, 9th and 14th tithis of both the fortnights are generally avoided for any auspicious work as they are known as rikta tithis (blank) and do not bring fruition to the activities carried out during these tithis. The rest are considered auspicious but not all tithis for all activities, rather certain tithis are good for certain specific activities, while other tithis will be good for other work. Thereafter the nakshatras are taken into consideration. There are a total of 27 nakshatras and an extra nakshatra known as Abhijit nakshatra which is always considered auspicious. Of these, the nakshatras are divided into various categories based on their natures and the type of results they give and different activities are to be carried out while taking into consideration which nakshatra is favourable for that particular activity. The various yogas and karanas are also taken into consideration to ensure a positive yoga and karana are running during the muhurta selected for a particular activity.
Along with these five limbs of muhurta calculation, there are other considerations as auspicious and inauspicious times and combinations, like the sarvartha siddhi yoga, Ravi yoga, Rahu kaal, Bhadra and so on. These must also be taken into consideration while selecting a time.
The aforementioned process of finding an auspicious time is very important and can ensure auspiciousness for the activity performed during that time. These muhurtas can and are calculated by priests as well. However astrologers take it one step ahead and take into consideration a few additional parameters. These are Chandra and tara balam and lagna Shuddhi. The transit of the moon in relation to the natal moon can produce either positive or negative results. Certain signs and nakshatras are auspicious for certain natal moon signs while the other nakshatra and rashis may be detrimental. This is a very important consideration and an apparent auspicious muhurta may not prove to be as beneficial if that nakshatra is not favourable to the natal nakshatra of the performer of the task, even if the rest of the parameters are being met. After all these considerations come the most potent of all, Lagna Shuddhi. Drawing up the chart of the particular moment when the activity is to be performed and judging the outcomes based on the chart of that time. Auspicious placement of planets in this chart will ensure a positive outcome while unfavourable planetary positions may indicate obstacles and failure despite the time being otherwise auspicious from the perspective of panchang. This lagna Shuddhi is considered to be the most important part of muhurta calculation.
This leads to the question that does such a time even exists where all these requirements are met in their entirety. The simple answer to this question is NO. Such a time is very rare if not non-existent. And therefore the astrologer has to use their discretion and intuition to find the most suitable time which satisfies the majority of the parameters. When the entire process of finding the suitable time is performed and the muhurta thus calculated is sure to maximise the benefits that one can derive from any activity.
Therefore, anyone who wishes to make the best use of a situation must certainly use muhurta calculation to their full advantage.