Fortnight?When the moon, while going around the earth, moves 12 degrees it is known as a tithi. On the new moon night (amavasya), the moon lies between the sun and the earth. This is called zero degree. When the moon moves 12 parts and is at a distance of 180 degrees from the sun, it is called full moon (Poornima). The fortnight from the first day after amavasya to poornima is called the shukla paksh and the fortnight from poornima to amavasya is called krishna paksh.
Month – For the purpose of calculations, 27 constellations (nakshatras) have been accepted:
1. Ashwini
2. Bharani
3. Krittika
4. Rohini
5. Mrigashira
6. Aardra
7. Punarvasu
8. Pushya
9. Ashlesha
10. Magha
11. Poorva Phalgun
12. Uttar Phalgun
13. Hast
14. Chitra
15. Swati
16. Vishakha
17. Anuradha
18. Jyeshtha
19. Mool
20. Poorvasharh
21. Uttarasharh
22. Shravana
23. Dhanishtha
24. Shatabhishak
25. Poorva Bhadrapad
26. Uttar Bhadrapad
27. Revati
Each of the 27 constellations were divided into 4 quadrants thus there is a total of 108 quadrants. According to the shapes of 9 of these quadrants, the 12 zodiac signs were given their names.
1. Aries
2. Taurus
3. Gemini
4. Cancer
5. Leo
6. Virgo
7. Libra
8. Scorpio
9. Sagittarius
10.Capricorn
11. Aquarius
12. Pisces
The lines of these signs on earth were determined. It was called kranti. The lines are believed to the 24? north and south of the equator. Hence, the name of the sign which the sun reaches during the rotation of the earth is given to that solar month. These months generally neither increase nor decrease.
Lunar Month? The months got their names from the star (nakshatra) that is visible throughout the month from evening to morning and in which the moon acquires completeness:
1. Chitra
2. Vishaakhaa
3. Jyeshtha
4. Ashaadhaa
5. Shravan
6. Bhaadrapad
7. Ashwini
8. Krittika
9. Mrigashira
10. Pushya
11. Magha
12. Phalguni
Hence, on this basis months were named Chaitra Vaishakha, Jyeshtha, Aashadha, Shraavan Bhaadrapad, Ashwini, Kartika, Maargasheersha, Paush, Maagh and Phalgun.
Summer solstice and winter solstice?The earth is tilted 23?? north-westward on its axis. Therefore, 23? ? north and south of the equator are the places, where the sun'srays fall vertically. This is called Sankranti. The line which is 23?? North is called the Tropic of Cancer or Kark rekha and 23?? South is called the Tropic of Capricorn or Makar rekha. The line with 0?( the equator) is called the vishuv vritt rekha. The Kark Sankranti is called uttaraayan or summer solstice and Makar Sankranti is called dakshinaayan or winter solstice.
Measure of Year?At a speed of about one lakh km per hour, the earth completes one revolution around the 966,000,000 kms path of the sun in 365? days. This period is considered to be one year.
Measure of an Age? In 432,000 years, all the seven planets leave their Longitude and Latitude and collect in one place. The time of this conjuncture is kaliyug. When two conjunctures take place it is dwaapar, when three take place, it is treta and when four conjunctures take place, it is called satyug. In the chaturyugi, all the seven planets, along with their Longitude and Latitude, lie in one direction only.
The present kaliyug, according to Indian calculations, started 3,102 years BC, on the 20th of February at 2 hours 27 minutes and 30 seconds. At that time, all the planets were under one zodiac sign. In this context, it is worth making a note of what Bally, the famous astronomer of Europe, has to say:
?According to the planetary calculations of the Hindus, the present age, that is kaliyug, started 3,102 years ago on the 20th of February at 2 hours 27 minutes and 30 seconds. As such, these calculations were made even to the second. The Hindus further say that all the planets were under the same zodiac sign at the time of kaliyug and their tables also say so. The calculations made by the Brahmins prove absolutely correct according to our astronomical tables. This is only because the results have been obtained by direct observation of the planets.?
(Theogony of Hindus by Bjornstjerna, page 32)
(This book is available with Ocean Books (P) Ltd, 4/19 Asaf Ali Road, New Delhi-110 002)
