Hindu Predictive Astrology Chapter 32: Muhurtha or Election - A Modern Guide
A chapter-by-chapter modern English guide to the classical Vedic astrology textbook by B.V. Raman, first published in 1938.
Chapter 32 of 36 · Topics: Selecting auspicious times, marriage muhurtha, travel, business, medicine, Rahukala
Muhurtha means "auspicious" — and in astrology, it refers to the science of selecting the right moment to begin any important undertaking. Raman explains that success in any venture depends significantly on the moment it is commenced, because the invisible influences embedded in Time itself can either support or obstruct our efforts.
"Even though a man may possess the best advantages, he will not be successful in the end if he commences the work in an inauspicious time."
This profound statement challenges the modern assumption that success depends solely on skill, resources, and effort. Muhurtha reveals that timing is an independent variable—equally important to what you do and how well you do it.
1. The Principle Behind Muhurtha
The fundamental idea is that each moment carries a unique planetary signature. When you begin something at a favorable moment, the ethereal currents released by the planets at that time work in your favor — they influence the minds of others to help you succeed.
"Muhurtha, as a matter of fact, helps us to determine, when exactly the influences contained in Time are well disposed, when they are ill-disposed, what combinations of planets produce beneficial influences and how the invisible currents could be made to flow easily, after a business is started in an auspicious moment."
HOW IT WORKS: Imagine launching a business. At an auspicious moment, potential customers feel inexplicably drawn to your offerings, investors are more receptive, partners are more cooperative, and obstacles mysteriously dissolve. At an inauspicious moment, the reverse occurs—people are reluctant, delays multiply, and frustrations compound.
"If we start an event in a favourable time, the ethereal currents, liberated from the planets at that particular moment, will work in the minds of others and make them help the person to attain success."
A favorable moment is called Shubha Lagna (auspicious ascendant), and an unfavourable one is called Ashubha Lagna (inauspicious ascendant).
EXTRAORDINARY CLAIM: Even the most dire indications in a horoscope—such as threatened widowhood—can potentially be averted by selecting a highly auspicious marriage muhurtha. This suggests that electional astrology can override birth chart afflictions to some degree.
"Even in marriages, if in the girl's horoscope widowhood is threatened, it can be averted by selecting a very auspicious moment for celebrating the marriage."
2. Muhurtha Rules for 17 Specific Activities
Raman provides detailed guidelines for selecting auspicious times for 17 different activities. Understanding these requires grasping several concepts: favorable weekdays, lunar days (tithis), constellations (nakshatras), and rising signs (lagnas).
Good days: Sunday, Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday
Avoid: Saturday and Tuesday
Planetary positions: Benefics should be in quadrants (1st, 4th, 7th, 10th houses); malefics in the 6th, 8th, and 12th from the Ascendant
Good constellations: Anuradha, Mrigasira, Revati, Rohini, Chitta, Uttara, Uttarashadha, Sravana, Dhanishta, Satabhisha, Punarvasu, Swati, Aswini, Hasta
For surgical operations: Find the time when Saturn, Sun, and Mars are in quadrants on Saturday, Sunday, and Tuesday respectively
WHY: Medicine's effectiveness depends partly on the body's receptivity, which varies with time. Administering treatment when benefic influences are strong enhances healing; malefic timing can worsen outcomes.
Good constellations: Visakha, Hasta, Mrigasira, Punarvasu, Dhanishta, Aswini, Aridra, Pubba, Jyeshta, Poorvashadha, Poorvabhadra
Avoid: Leo rising at the time of transaction
Avoid: Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, New Moon day, 4th, 9th, and 14th lunar days
APPLICATION: This applies to buying or selling domestic animals, but the principles extend to any significant purchase or sale. The timing affects both the quality of the goods acquired and the fairness of the transaction.
Good constellations for ploughing: Revati, Hasta, Makha, Uttara, Uttarashadha, Rohini, Uttarabhadra, Mrigasira, Sravana, Dhanishta, Satabhisha, Pushyami, Chitta
Avoid days: Tuesday, Wednesday, Saturday
Good rising signs: Pisces, Taurus, Gemini, Virgo
Avoid: New Moon, Full Moon, 8th, 9th, and 14th lunar days of the dark half
TRADITIONAL WISDOM: Starting agricultural work at the right time ensures good yields, favorable weather, and protection from pests and disease.
For securing water: Begin digging when Aquarius or Taurus is rising
Little water: Scorpio, Libra, Gemini rising
No water: Other signs
Planetary positions matter: Quadrants occupied by malefics produce no water; Venus and Moon in quadrants produce abundant water
Rock in well: When wells are dug in the sign occupied by the Sun
PRACTICAL TEST: This is one of the most empirically testable muhurtha rules. Dig wells at different times and compare water yield to verify these principles.
Good months: Magha, Phalguna, Vaisakha, Jyeshta
Good days: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday
Good constellations: Uttarashadha, Uttarabhadra, Rohini
Avoid: Sun in Aquarius, Cancer, or Gemini
Avoid: Constellations occupied by malefics, and generally avoid Hasta, Swati, Pushyami, Aswini, Sravana, Punarvasu
WHY IT MATTERS: The moment of entering a new home sets the tone for all future experiences there. An inauspicious entry invites persistent problems; an auspicious one brings lasting harmony.
Avoid: 4th, 14th, 16th lunar days, New Moon and Full Moon days
Good constellations: Pushyami, Punarvasu, Revati, Hasta, Sravana, Dhanishta, Mrigasira, Aswini, Chitta, Swati, Satabhisha, Jyeshta
REASONING: Cutting of hair means loss of vitality. To minimize this, favorable days must be selected when the body's recuperative powers are strongest.
Sun should be in: Taurus, Cancer, Leo, Aquarius, Aries, Libra, Scorpio, Capricorn
Avoid: Period when Jupiter and Venus are in combustion (too close to the Sun)
Avoid months: Ashadha, Sravana, Bhadrapada, Aswija, Pushya
Good constellations: Anuradha, Moola, Aswini, Hasta, Mrigasira, Jyeshta, Swati, Chitta, Rohini, Uttarashadha, Uttara, Uttarabhadra
Planetary arrangement: Benefics must be in quadrants (not in the Ascendant), the 10th house must be occupied by Jupiter, Venus or Mercury, and malefics must be in the 3rd, 6th, and 11th
LONG-TERM IMPACT: A house begun at an auspicious time will stand strong, bring prosperity to inhabitants, and avoid structural problems.
Critical rule: The 7th house from the marriage Ascendant must be free of any planet
Mars: Should not occupy the 8th house
Venus: Must never be in the 6th house
Benefics: Jupiter, Venus, or Mercury should be in quadrants (except the 7th house)
Avoid: New Moon, Full Moon, 8th and 6th lunar days
Good months: Magha, Phalguna, Vaisakha, Jyeshta
Good constellations: Uttara, Uttarashadha, Uttarabhadra, Revati, Swati, Makha, Hasta, Rohini, Anuradha, Mrigasira, Moola
MOST IMPORTANT MUHURTHA: Marriage timing can mitigate even widowhood yogas in the birth chart. This is the muhurtha where greatest care should be taken.
Critical rule: No planets in the 8th house
Avoid days: Sunday, Saturday, Tuesday
Good rising signs: Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Libra, Aquarius, Sagittarius, Pisces
Avoid: New Moon, Full Moon, 14th, 6th, 8th, and 4th lunar days
Good constellations: Satabhisha, Hasta, Rohini, Sravana, Anuradha, Swati, Uttara, Uttarashadha, Moola, Uttarabhadra
NOTE: This is separate from the marriage ceremony itself and governs the first union of the couple.
Critical rule: The 8th house must be free of planets
Good days: Friday, Wednesday, Thursday, Monday
Good constellations: Anuradha, Sravana, Uttara, Uttarabhadra, Pushyami, Revati, Hasta, Aswini, Rohini, Mrigasira, Dhanishta, Uttarashadha
SIGNIFICANCE: The name given to a child at an auspicious moment carries vibrations that support the child's life journey.
Critical rule: The 10th house must be without any planet
Avoid: Lunar days 8, 12, 4, 6, 14, 9, New Moon and Full Moon
Good constellations: Sravana, Swati, Anuradha, Aswini, Hasta, Dhanishta, Pushyami, Punarvasu, Mrigasira
PURPOSE: The first solid food given to a child initiates digestive capacity; auspicious timing ensures lifelong good health and nutrition.
Critical rule: The 8th house must be free from planets
Good rising signs: Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Virgo, Libra, Pisces
Avoid constellations: Bharani, Krittika, Aridra, Aslesha, Makha, Pubba, Visakha, Jyeshta, Moola, Poorvashadha, Satabhisha, Poorvabhadra (perform in any of the remaining 15)
Good days: Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Monday
SPIRITUAL SIGNIFICANCE: Upanayana means initiation into the mysteries of the Supreme Intelligence. The timing affects the child's spiritual receptivity and capacity for higher learning.
| Direction | Bad Days | Good Days |
|---|---|---|
| East | Saturday, Monday | Tuesday |
| South | Thursday | Monday, Saturday |
| West | Sunday, Friday | Wednesday, Thursday |
| North | Tuesday, Wednesday | Friday, Sunday |
Good rising signs: Sagittarius, Taurus, Cancer, Leo, Libra
Good constellations: Mrigasira, Aswini, Pushyami, Anuradha, Hasta, Punarvasu, Revati, Moola, Sravana, Dhanishta
Best time universally: 12 noon (Abhijin Muhurtha) when the Sun is most powerful—this counteracts all evil influences
Alternative: Malefics must occupy 3rd, 6th, and 11th houses
PRACTICAL USE: For important journeys (business trips, pilgrimages, relocations), selecting the right time ensures safe passage and successful outcomes.
Critical rule: The 8th house must be without any planet
Good lunar days: 2, 3, 5, 7, 10, 11, 12, 13
Good days: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday
Good constellations: Punarvasu, Aswini, Chitta, Hasta, Swati, Anuradha, Jyeshta, Revati, Sravana
SIGNIFICANCE: The moment a child first receives the alphabets (Akshara = indestructible sound forms) determines their lifelong capacity for learning and intellectual development.
3. Strength of Constellation (Tara Bala)
This method determines whether a particular day is favorable for a specific person based on their birth constellation. It personalizes muhurtha beyond general rules.
"By this we will be able to ascertain whether a particular day is favourable to a particular person or not."
Procedure:
- Count from the birth constellation to the constellation of the particular day
- Divide the product by 9
- Check the remainder against the table below
| Remainder | Name | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Janma | Danger to body |
| 2 | Sampat | Wealth and prosperity |
| 3 | Vipat | Dangers, losses, accidents |
| 4 | Kshema | Prosperity |
| 5 | Pratyak | Obstacles |
| 6 | Sadhana | Good results and gains |
| 7 | Nidhana | Danger and death |
| 8 | Mitra | Good |
| 9 (or 0) | Parama Mitra | Very favourable |
Scenario: Birth star Mrigasira wants to interview a superior officer on 6-9-1933, 1 p.m. The constellation that day is Uttarabhadra (lasts until 2 p.m. in Bangalore).
Calculation: Counting from Mrigasira to Uttarabhadra = 22 constellations
Division: 22 ÷ 9 = 2 with remainder 4
Result: Remainder 4 = Kshema (prosperity)
Prediction: The business will be successful.
WHY THIS WORKS: Tara Bala recognizes that the same objective moment affects different individuals differently based on their birth constellation. This personalizes electional astrology.
4. Rahukala — Daily Evil Periods
Every day has a period of approximately 1.5 hours when evil influences operate. These must be avoided for starting any auspicious work. The periods are calculated from sunrise.
"Every day certain evil influences are supposed to be exercised on our planet at the following hours and they must be avoided for any good work."
| Day | Rahukala Period (if sunrise at 6 a.m.) |
|---|---|
| Monday | 7:30 a.m. - 9:00 a.m. |
| Tuesday | 3:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. |
| Wednesday | 12:00 noon - 1:30 p.m. |
| Thursday | 1:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. |
| Friday | 10:30 a.m. - 12:00 noon |
| Saturday | 9:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. |
| Sunday | 4:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. |
PRACTICAL APPLICATION: Rahukala is one of the most widely followed muhurtha considerations in India today. Even non-astrologers often check Rahukala before important activities. It's simple to calculate and provides an easy screening mechanism.
THE EXCEPTION: The most powerful auspicious moment is called Abhijin Muhurtha, occurring at 12 noon when the Sun is most powerful. This moment counteracts all evil influences, including Rahukala.
"The best time would be 12 noon when the Sun will be most powerful and this is called Abhijin Muhurtha. This moment counteracts all the evil influences."
5. Five Sources of Energy (Panchaka)
Panchaka tests whether all five sources of planetary, stellar, and zodiacal energy operate favorably at a chosen time. This is a comprehensive check that synthesizes multiple astrological factors.
"In this, five sources of planetary, stellar and zodiacal energies are concerned."
Procedure:
- Take the number of lunar days from the 1st of the lunar month
- Add the number of weekdays from Sunday (Sunday=1, Monday=2, etc.)
- Add the number of constellations from Aswini
- Add the number of zodiacal signs from Aries
- Add all four numbers together
- Divide the total by 9
- Check the remainder
Interpretation of remainder:
- 1 (Mrityu): Danger or death
- 2 (Vahni): Danger from fire
- 4 (Raja Panchaka): Very bad
- 6 (Chora Panchaka): Bad (danger from thieves)
- 8 (Roga Panchaka): Disease-bringing
- 3, 5, 7, or 0: Good
Scenario: Mr. X wants to start a new business on 17-9-1933, Sunday at sunrise. Constellation: Aslesha (rules until 9 a.m.). Lunar date: 13th of dark half of Bhadrapada. Rising sign: Virgo.
Calculation:
- Lunar days: 13
- Constellations from Aswini: 9 (Aslesha is the 9th)
- Signs from Aries: 6 (Virgo is the 6th)
- Weekday from Sunday: 1
- Total: 29
Division: 29 ÷ 9 = 3 remainder 2
Result: Remainder 2 = Vahni (danger from fire)
Conclusion: The time selected is not favorable. Choose another time.
6. Advanced Muhurtha Considerations
Raman notes that he has "dealt with this subject exhaustively" in his book Muhurtha or Electional Astrology, which students serious about this branch should consult. The rules given in this chapter are simplified for practical application but represent only the surface of this vast subject.
Key principles for serious students:
- Hierarchy of factors: Not all muhurtha rules have equal weight. Placement of malefics in the 8th house is more critical than selection of constellation.
- Context matters: A business muhurtha differs in emphasis from a marriage muhurtha. Learn which factors matter most for each activity type.
- Birth chart integration: The muhurtha chart should harmonize with the individual's birth chart. Check that the muhurtha planets don't activate malefic yogas in the natal chart.
- Practical limitations: Sometimes perfect muhurthas are impossible due to scheduling constraints. In such cases, choose the least afflicted time available and focus on the most critical factors (like empty 7th for marriage, benefics in quadrants, avoiding Rahukala).
- Prashna as verification: After selecting a muhurtha, cast a horary chart for the moment of decision. If that chart is inauspicious, reconsider the selected time.
COMMON MISTAKES:
- Ignoring the birth chart: Students select technically perfect muhurthas that clash with the individual's natal planets
- Excessive rigidity: Waiting months for the theoretically perfect moment while missing practical opportunities
- Neglecting Rahukala: This simple factor is often forgotten but carries significant weight
- Confusing lunar days: Counting from New Moon vs. Full Moon incorrectly
- Wrong rising sign: Not accounting for local latitude/longitude when determining which sign is rising
Key Takeaways
- Muhurtha = Election: The science of selecting the most auspicious moment to begin any undertaking—timing is an independent variable equal in importance to skill and resources.
- Time carries energy: Each moment has a unique planetary signature (Shubha/Ashubha Lagna) that can support or obstruct your efforts through invisible ethereal currents.
- 17 categories: Raman provides specific rules for medicine, buying/selling, agriculture, wells, entering houses, shaving, construction, marriage, nuptials, naming, feeding, Upanayana, travel, education, and more.
- Tara Bala: Personalizes muhurtha by counting from birth star to current star, dividing by 9—the remainder reveals the day's suitability for you personally.
- Rahukala: A 1.5-hour evil period occurs every day at different times—avoid starting important work during this time.
- Abhijin Muhurtha: 12 noon is the most powerful auspicious moment universally, counteracting all evil influences including Rahukala.
- Panchaka: Synthesizes five energy sources (lunar day, weekday, constellation, zodiac sign, rising sign) to verify comprehensive auspiciousness.
- Marriage protection: Even threatened widowhood yogas can potentially be averted by selecting a highly auspicious marriage muhurtha—this is the most critical muhurtha to get right.
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