Nityayoga

In Indian astronomy, yoga (also called nityayoga) is a period of time, of varying lengths, during which the sum of the nirayana longitudes of the Sun and the Moon increases by an amount of 13 degrees 20 minutes (or, equivalently, 800 minutes).[1] While considering the sum, when the sum is 360 degrees or more, then the angle 360 degrees is subtracted from the sum to make the sum an angle between 0 degree and 360 minutes. Consider a moment T1 when the sum of the longitudes of the Sun and the Moon is 0 degree and let T2 be the next immediate moment when the sum of the longitudes of the Sun and the Moon is 13 degree 20 minutes. The duration of time between the moments T1 and T2 is the first yoga. Similarly, let the next immediate moment when the sum of the longitudes of the Sun and Moon is 26 degrees 40 minutes. The duration of time between the moments T2 and T3 is the second yoga. The third, fourth and higher yoga-s are defined in a similar way. Since 27 X 13 degrees 20 minutes = 360 degrees, at the end-moment of the 27th yoga, the sum of the nirayana longitudes of the Sun and Moon would be 0 degree. The numbering of the yoga-s then starts afresh from that point. It appears that the astronomical yoga-s are in no way related to any astronomical phenomena.[2] S. B. Dikshit in his Bhāratīya Jyotiṣ Śāstra observes: "It is not known what planetary position in the sky is indicated by yoga, and it is useful only in astrology."[3]

The astronomical yoga as defined above is not to be confused with the concept of yoga widely used in Indian astrological traditions. In Indian astrology, the term yoga has been used to indicate luni-solar distances and planetary situations, associations, and combinations. When one planet or house is related to another by placement, aspect or conjunction in a particular way then it is said that the planets and houses are in a particular yoga.

In the traditional Indian calendars or almanacs, that is in Pañcāṅg-s, Yoga or Nityayoga is one of the five elements or organs or limbs that constitute the Pañcāṅg-s, the "five organs" in the literary meaning of the term Pañcāṅg. The other four elements are Nakṣatra, Tithi, Vāra and Karaṇa.

  1. ^ S. Balachandra Rao (2000). Indian Astronomy: An Introduction. Hyderabad: Universities Press. p. 68. ISBN 81 7371 205 0. Retrieved 1 January 2024.
  2. ^ "The astronomical definition of Yoga". www.wisdomlib.org. Retrieved 1 January 2024.
  3. ^ Sankar Balakrishna Dikshit (1981). English translation of "Bharatiya Jyotish Shastra" (History of Indian Astronomy) Part II. Kolkota: India Metereological Department, Govt of India. p. 277 - 279. Retrieved 3 January 2024. (Translated by R. V. Vaidya from Marathi originally published in 1896.)