What is Karana?
A karana is half of a tithi β the fifth limb of the Panchang. There are 11 karanas, used to fine-tune the timing of activities.
Karana explained
Each tithi is divided into two karanas, so a karana covers 6Β° of the moon's movement ahead of the sun (half a tithi). Across a lunar month there are 60 karana-slots, filled by 11 distinct karanas.
Of the 11, seven are "movable" (chara) and repeat through the month β Bava, Balava, Kaulava, Taitila, Garaja, Vanija and Vishti (also called Bhadra). Four are "fixed" (sthira) and occur once β Shakuni, Chatushpada, Naga and Kimstughna.
Vishti (Bhadra) is regarded as inauspicious; auspicious work is avoided during it. The karana adds the finest layer of timing detail to the Panchang.
Spiritual significance
The karana refines our sensitivity to time, reminding us that auspiciousness is not only in the day but in the hour and half-hour β that mindfulness of the moment matters.
Why it matters in daily life
Karanas are consulted for short-duration activities and to avoid the inauspicious Vishti (Bhadra) karana when scheduling important tasks, alongside tithi, nakshatra and yoga.
The Bhagavad Gita connection
The Gita's call to act at the right moment, without anxiety, applies even to the half-tithi: do your duty in its proper time, and leave the rest to the Lord of Time.
βYou have a right to your action alone, never to its fruits.β
See Karana in today's Panchang
Now that you understand it, see it live in today's Panchang for your city β and ask Krishna what today is inviting you toward.