Decoding the Ancient Secrets: The Truth Behind the Panchang (A Scientific and Cultural Calendar System)

There have been many misconceptions from the very beginning that stories or practices are either fictional or real. Is there any existence or scientific basis for them? In this context, there is an example of the gravitational force – an attractive force or force that pulls two objects or bodies towards each other, which is why the Earth also pulls a fruit falling from a tree or any other object towards its center. It was actually discovered by the Indian mathematician and astronomer Brahmagupta in 628 BCE. Later, Sir Isaac Newton explained it in the 17th century, which became famous. But it is worth considering whether the force of gravity did not work before 1687, or if many people still do not know about it, will it not work for them! Similarly, if we do not know an ancient science or mystery, it is an exaggeration to say that a practice does not exist or has no reason.

Various calculations in Indian culture are based entirely on geographical and geometric structures. Just on April 9th, the new year Pratipada will be celebrated according to Vikrami Samvat 2081, in line with the Hindu New Year in Indian culture. Vikrami Samvat is the traditional way of calculating time according to the Hindu calendar. Samvat means era, period or time and Panchang is the known calendar of the Hindu community, which follows traditional units of time measurement and presents important dates such as festivals, planetary positions, the axis of the Earth and Moon and their calculations in tabular form. Celebrated with family gatherings, exchange of greetings and participation in rituals to ensure good fortune in the coming year, this traditional New Year or Vikrami Samvat is one of many festivals in India, Nepal and other Hindu regions. It falls in March-April each year and coincides with the traditional New Year celebrated in Assam, Bengal, Burma, Cambodia, Kerala, Kashmir, Manipur, Orissa, Punjab, Sri Lanka, Tamil Nadu and Thailand. Vikram Samvat is also used as the official calendar of Nepal. In addition, the Vikrami Samvat calendar is also recognized in North and East India, and among Hindus in Gujarat. Unfortunately, it is celebrated among small communities in different states, but it has not been recognized as a national level social festival or New Year.

The Five Components of the Indian Calendar:

The Indian calendar, in its scientific form, is composed of five limbs or informational parts: lunar days (tithi), solar days (vara), constellations (nakshatra), planetary conjunctions (yoga), and astronomical periods (karana). These five components together form the panchang, which means “five limbs”. According to the Hindu panchang, the dates are sequentially called pratipada, dwitiya, and tritiya.

Comparison with Gregorian Calendar:

Just as the Gregorian English calendar began in 1 AD, which is widely used today with months like January, February, and so on, the Vikrami Samvat began in 57-58 BCE, with months like Chaitra, Vaishakha, and so on. The name ‘Vikram Samvat’ is named after King Vikramaditya, who was a contemporary of Kalidasa.

Development of the Panchang:

In the court of King Vikramaditya, there were nine gems (navaratna) who were experts in various fields: Dhanvantari, Kshapanaka, Amarsinh, Shankhu, Betal Bhatt, Ghatakharpar, Kalidasa, Varahamihira, and Vararuchi. The outline of the panchang was prepared during that period, and on the basis of this, even today, full moon, new moon, eclipse or other calculations are done without any scientific instruments. The prevalence of twelve months in a year and seven days in a week is a gift of Vikram Samvat.

The Scientific Basis of the Panchang:

You may reject the calendar, time, moment, date, week, month, or other calculations, but you cannot reject the geographical structure and motion of the sun, groups of stars, and the moon around you. The various structures formed by the stars are called constellations. According to ancient mythology, there are 27 defined constellations, and the names of the months are based on the presence of the full moon in the respective constellations.

The Vikrami Samvat Calendar:

The new year of the Vikrami Samvat calendar starts from Chaitra Shukla Pratipada. When the moon is in the Chitra constellation in the Chaitra month, in Vishakha in Vaishakha, in Jyestha in Jyestha, in Purvashadha and Uttarashadha in Ashadha, in Shravana in Shravana, in Purvabhadrapada and Uttarabhadrapada in Bhadrapada, in Ashwini in Ashwin, in Krittika in Kartik, in Mrigashira in Margashirsha, in Pushya in Paush, in Magha in Magha, and the full moon of Phalguna occurs when the moon is in the Purvafalguni and Uttarafalguni constellations.

Calculating Months Based on Solar and Lunar Movements:

Months are calculated based on the movement of the sun and the moon. In this system, 2.25 nakshatras (constellations) form one zodiac sign, and twelve zodiac signs represent twelve solar months. When the sun enters a zodiac sign, the month changes. The exact length of a month is the time it takes for the sun to complete one full zodiac cycle, which is between 29 and 32 days. Therefore, in the English calendar, it is considered to be 30 and 31 in each alternating month. But according to the panchang, the exact time is calculated from 29 days and a few hours to 32 days, and there is a specific time it takes for the sun to complete its movement in a full zodiac cycle.

Defining Dates, Months, and Years:

The date is called tithi, the month is called maas, and the year is called ayan. Tithi is defined based on the longitudinal angle between the moon and the sun, which increases by 12 degrees. A tithi varies from 19 hours to 26 hours, depending on the geographical inclination of the sun and the moon. Fifteen tithis make up a paksha (fortnight), two pakshat make up a maas (month), two maas (months) make up a ritu (season), three ritus make up an ayan, and two ayans make up a year. There are two pakshat: Shukla paksha (bright fortnight), which is the period from the new moon (amavasya) to the full moon (poornima), and Krishna paksha (dark fortnight), which is the period from the full moon (poornima) to the new moon (amavasya).

Vikram Samvat Calendar:

According to the Vikram Samvat calendar, each year is 365 days, 6 hours, 12 minutes, and some seconds. Therefore, every fourth year in the English calendar (Gregorian months) is considered a leap year of 366 days to maintain the difference.

Days in the Panchang Calendar:

Like months, the panchang calendar has two measures of a day: a lunar day based on lunar motion called chandra divas, and a solar day called solar divas or nagrik divas (day), which is defined as the period from one sunrise to the next. The second lunar day or tithi can start at noon and end at the next noon. These two days do not directly correspond to mathematical measurements, but the panchang adjusts the mismatch between divas and tithi using the same method as the solar and lunar months. Tithi forms the basis of the timing of rituals and festivals, while the divas system is convenient for the general population and forms the basis of everyday use.

Applications of Panchang beyond Calendar:

While the panchang is primarily used for creating calendars and determining dates, it also has a wide range of applications in other fields, including astrology. The intricate calculations involved in its creation make it a powerful tool for understanding and predicting celestial events.

Mathematical Foundations and Practical Applications:

The actual construction of the panchang involves extensive mathematical work, drawing upon higher geometry and a deep understanding of astronomical phenomena, such as the constellation movements of celestial bodies. However, in practice, the task of creating tables is carried out based on short-cut formulations devised by ancient Vedic sages and scholars.

Predicting Planetary Positions:

For each day of a specific panchang year, a table can be generated that shows the positions of the sun, moon, and other planets at a given location (longitude, latitude) and time of day (24-hour format IST). Users can then calculate the remaining data using their relative difference from this fixed location and time.

Astrological Applications:

The panchang’s primary purpose is to determine various Hindu festivals and auspicious times (muhurta). Even the date and time of birth are believed to help in understanding the qualities, characteristics, and future of living beings and humans. It is believed that time, date, year of birth, and place of birth help in mapping the entire life structure of any living person, which is called a horoscope. In this context, the characteristics of the person and the good and bad phases of life can be determined, and these are actually proven.

Matchmaking and Life Predictions:

In the present era, birth charts are used for matching characteristics and qualities for the purpose of marriage. The panchang or Vikram Samvat is completely scientific and is also a divine tool for finding out the good and bad phases of life, which is also prevalent among Hindus.