YOGA

YOGA

The Sanskrit word Yoga means "union", but in astronomical calculations it is used in the sense of "alignment". First one computes the angular distance along the ecliptic of each object, taking the ecliptic to start at Meṣa or Aries (Meṣādi, as defined above): this is called the longitude of that object. The longitude of the sun and the longitude of the moon are added, and normalized to a value ranging between 0° to 360° (if greater than 360, one subtracts 360). This sum is divided into 27 parts. Each part will now equal 800' (where ' is the symbol of the arc-minute which means 1/60 of a degree). These parts are called the yogas. They are labeled:

1. Viṣkambha

2. Prīti

3. Āyuśmān

4. Saubhāgya

5. Śobhana

6. Atigaṇḍa

7. Sukarma

8. Dhrti

9. Śūla

10. Gaṇḍa

11. Vṛddhi

12. Dhruva

13. Vyāghatā

14. Harṣaṇa

15. Vajra

16. Siddhi

17. Vyatipāta

18. Variyas

19. Parigha

20. Śiva

21. Siddha

22. Sādhya

23. Śubha

24. Śukla

25. Brahma

26. Māhendra

27. Vaidhṛti

Again, minor variations may exist. The yoga that is active during sunrise of a day is the prevailing yoga for the day.