History of Dharmashastra (Ancient and Mediaeval Religious and Civil Law in India) v6.c82.702

v6.c82.702

The four kinds of months, Cāndra, Saura, Sāvana and Nākṣatra¹⁰³⁴ have already been described (p. 657) when speaking of the Cāndra and other years. As observed by the Kṛtyaratnākara (p. 80) the nākṣatra month is not required in Dharmaśāstra, but is known only in Jyotiṣa-śāstra. Pañcāṅgas are generally prepared for each year. They contain separate1034a pages for the two pakṣas (fortnights) of each of the twelve months (or 13 months if there be an intercalary month). The five important parts of the Indian calendar are¹⁰³⁵ *tithi*, week day, *nakṣatra*, *yoga* and *karaṇa*. The Muhūrtadarśana¹⁰³⁶ says that it may have six parts if the signs of the zodiac are given and seven if the positions of the planets are mentioned. Vāra (weekday) is the period of time between one sunrise and the next and not much will have to be said about it except about the origin of week days. A great deal has already been said about tithis and nakṣatras What remains to be said about these, if at all, and the treatment of Yoga and Karaṇa will be dealt with later on. We must revert to the topic of nakṣatras.