As per the Hindu calendar, a time cycle consists of 60 years (Samvatsara) and each of the Samvatsara's are associated with a specific name and the cycle keeps repeating every 60 years. The Samvatsara's by themselves are again divided into groups of 3 consisting of 20 Samvatsara's each with the trinity of Brahma (1 to 20), Vishnu (21 to 40) and Shiva (41 to 60) ruling a period of 20 years amidst these 60 years. The current time cycle beginning with Prabhava Samvatsara started in 1987-88 and will be completed with Akshaya Samvatsara in 2046-47 after which the cycle will once again reflect with Prabhava. The current operational year of 2023-24 happens to be the 37th and is titled 'Shobakrithu'.
The cycle of 60 is obtained from the relative positions of the two furthest planets in the sky as per Vedic Astrology namely Jupiter and Saturn which signify Dharma and Karma respectively. The orbital time taken by Jupiter to traverse the zodiac is approximately 12 years (1 year in each zodiac sign) and that of Saturn is 30 years (2.5 years in each zodiac sign). The least common multiple of 12 and 30 happens to be 60 and hence a time cycle consists of 60 years. It is also roughly the period in which both these planets will cross each other's part and hence the special significance with the number 60.
As per the Panchang, each year begins with the predictions of Sage 'Idaikadar' who delineates about what to expect in a particular year in the form of a verse. Some years from the Sanskrit names itself can be deduced to be good and certain years connote to be inauspicious for the world in general. For Sobhakritu year it is termed as a 'Mangalam' year that denotes prosperity and auspicious happenings taking place in general.
There is however some dissonance with respect to when exactly a year begins. As per the Lunar calendar which is largely adopted amongst Telugu and Kannada speaking population, it occurs during 'Yugadi' which takes place with the rise of Shukla Paksha Pratipada (Pratamai/Padyami) in Chaitra Masa. This normally takes place somewhere between the middle of March and April. However as per the Solar calendar which is mostly followed by Tamil and Malayalam speaking states, a year begins only with the ingress of Sun into the sign of Aries or Mesha Rasi known as 'Chithirai' ushering in the festival of Puthandu / Vishu which normally happens around 13/14/15th of April.
Speaking about the Panchang, there is an important concept called 'Nava Nayaka' which plays a vital role in determining various constituents and giving a breakdown on what to expect with respect to few important portfolios. Like how in politics we see different portfolios being occupied by ministerial candidates, in a similar vein we see different planets taking control of certain positions at the beginning of every Hindu year. The different portfolios which arise every year at the beginning of a Samvatsara happen to be:
- Raja : King (Overall Control)
- Mantri : Minister (Administration)
- Senadipati : Commander in Chief (Law and Order, Defence)
- Arghyadipati : Water (Water Levels, Prices of products, Finances)
- Meghadipati : Clouds (Rainfall, Kind of Weather)
- Sasyadipati : Agriculture (Agricultural Products, Underground Produce)
- Dhanyadipati : Grains (Food crops, Cereals)
- Rasadipati : Commodities (Essential Spices, Medicinal Drugs)
- Neerasadipati : Non Commodities (Metals, Gemstones)
The Raja is the top most person in the cabinet and most sought after leading the reigns. The Mantri is the next most important and adviser to the King in matters of general public health and lifestyle. The Senadipati is the leader of the army and able folly to the King with regard to law and weapons. Arghyadipati deals largely with the state of water levels but also controls the finance side of things such as the pricing of Agricultural produce. Meghadipati takes the portfolio of ascertaining the weather and estimating the amount of rainfalls expected to be prevalent. Sasyadipati details the prediction of the growth of crops and Dhanyadipathi is all about the production of grains. Rasadipati tackles the essential commodities sector and Neerasadipati manages metal produce including jewellery and precious stones.
The Nava Nayaka calculation occurs largely based on the position of Sun but the rulers of the respective 9 positions can be any of the 7 planets sans the nodes Rahu & Ketu. It is generally believed that natural malefic planets getting majority of the portfolios indicates administration being tough and strict during that particular year whereas presence of more beneficial planets ruling the reigns can designate more well being. The Nava Nayaka for all the 9 portfolios are calculated as below:
Raja:
Basis - Day of Tithi (Relationship between Sun and Moon based on angular distance)
Specific - Day Lord of Shukla Paksha Pratipada in Chaitra month
Mantri:
Basis - Day of Sun's entry in zodiac sign
Specific - Day Lord of Sun's entry in Aries (Mesha Rasi)
Senadipati:
Basis - Day of Sun's entry in zodiac sign
Specific - Day Lord of Sun's entry in Leo (Simha Rasi)
Arghyadipati:
Basis - Day of Sun's entry in zodiac sign
Specific - Day Lord of Sun's entry in Gemini (Mithuna Rasi)
Meghadipati:
Basis - Day of Sun's entry in Nakshatra
Specific - Day Lord of Sun's entry in Arudra Nakshatra (Tiruvadirai)
Sasyadipati:
Basis - Day of Sun's entry in zodiac sign
Specific - Day Lord of Sun's entry in Cancer (Karka Rasi)
Dhanyadipati:
Basis - Day of Sun's entry in zodiac sign
Specific - Day Lord of Sun's entry in Sagittarius (Dhanus Rasi)
Rasadipati:
Basis - Day of Sun's entry in zodiac sign
Specific - Day Lord of Sun's entry in Libra (Thula Rasi)
Neerasadipati:
Basis - Day of Sun's entry in zodiac sign
Specific - Day Lord of Sun's entry in Capricorn (Makara Rasi)
Thus in 7 of the 9 cases, Nava Nayaka is determined based on the day of Sun's entry into different zodiacs namely Aries, Gemini, Cancer, Leo, Libra, Sagittarius and Capricorn. For determining the 'Raja' it is based on the first Tithi of the brighter half that takes place when Sun is placed in Pisces Rasi and for obtaining 'Meghadipathi', it is the day when Sun enters Arudra Nakshatra.
There is also a concept of Pashunayaka which arises based on the planet that takes the reigns of the Raja position. Pashunayaka is decoded based on the following:
If Raja is Sun or Mars - Pashunayaka will be Yama
If Raja is Moon, Jupiter or Venus - Pashunayaka will be Sri Krishna
If Raja is Mercury or Saturn - Pashunayaka will be Balarama
Let's go about computing the Nava Nakaya planets of all the 9 portfolios for the current Samvatsara in operation which happens to be Shobakritu.
Raja:
Calculation: Day Lord of Shukla Paksha Pratipada Tithi during Sunrise in Chaitra month
Outcome: The Sun and Moon conjunct in Meena Rasi (Pisces) forming Shukla Paksha Pratipada Tithi which takes place on 21st March 2023 at 22:54 hours. This happens to be on a Tuesday. However since sunrise is not prevalent, we need to consider the day this Tithi occurs when sunrise is present which happens to be Wednesday, 22nd March 2023. Hence the Raja for the year is 'Mercury'
Result: Raja = Mercury
Mantri:
Calculation: Day Lord of Sun's entry in Aries (Mesha Rasi)
Outcome: The Sun transits into Mesha Rasi on 14th April 2023 at 14:27 hours. This happens to be a Friday. Day Lord for Friday is Venus. Hence Mantri for the year is Venus
Result: Mantri = Venus
Senadipati:
Calculation: Day Lord of Sun's entry in Leo (Simha Rasi)
Outcome: The Sun transits into Simha Rasi on 17th August 2023 at 13:01 hours. This happens to be a Thursday. Day Lord for Thursday is Jupiter. Hence Senadipati for the year is Jupiter
Result: Senadipati = Jupiter
Arghyadipati:
Calculation: Day Lord of Sun's entry in Gemini (Mithuna Rasi)
Outcome: The Sun transits into Mithuna Rasi on 15th June 2023 at 17:44 hours. This happens to be a Thursday. Day Lord for Thursday is Jupiter. Hence Arghyadipati for the year is Jupiter
Result: Arghyadipati = Jupiter
Meghadipati:
Calculation: Day Lord of Sun's entry in Arudra Nakshatra (Tiruvadirai)
Outcome: The Sun transits into Arudra Nakshatra on 22nd June 2023 at 17:17 hours. This happens to be a Thursday. Day Lord for Thursday is Jupiter. Hence Meghadipati for the year is Jupiter
Result: Meghadipati = Jupiter
Sasyadipati:
Calculation: Day Lord of Sun's entry in Cancer (Kataka Rasi)
Outcome: The Sun transits into Kataka Rasi on 17th July 2023 at 04:35 hours. This happens to be a Monday as per English Day but Sunday as per the Vedic Calendar since a Hindu Day begins from sunrise and ends during the next day Sunrise. However since the day is almost over, only Monday is considered for this portfolio with sunrise being prevalent. Day Lord for Monday is Moon. Hence Sasyadipati for the year is Moon
Result: Sasyadipati = Moon
Dhanyadipati:
Calculation: Day Lord of Sun's entry in Sagittarius (Dhanus Rasi)
Outcome: The Sun transits into Dhanus Rasi on 16th December 2023 at 15:28 hours. This happens to be a Saturday. Day Lord for Saturday is Saturn. Hence Dhanyadipati for the year is Saturn
Result: Dhanyadipati = Saturn
Rasadipati:
Calculation: Day Lord of Sun's entry in Libra (Thula Rasi)
Outcome: The Sun transits into Thula Rasi on 18th October 2023 at 00:59 hours. This happens to be a Tuesday as per English Day but Wednesday as per the Vedic Calendar since a Hindu Day begins from sunrise and ends during the next day Sunrise. However since the day is almost over, only Wednesday is considered for this portfolio with sunrise being prevalent. Day Lord for Wednesday is Mercury. Hence Rasadipati for the year is Mercury
Result: Rasadipati = Mercury
Neerasadipati:
Calculation: Day Lord of Sun's entry in Capricorn (Makara Rasi)
Outcome: The Sun transits into Makara Rasi on Saturday, 15th January 2024 at 02:13 hours. This happens to be a Monday as per English Day but Sunday as per the Vedic Calendar since a Hindu Day begins from sunrise and ends during the next day Sunrise. However since the day is almost over, only Monday is considered for this portfolio with sunrise being prevalent. Day Lord for Monday is Moon. Hence Neerasadipati for the year is Moon
Result: Neerasadipati = Moon
Note:
It is important to note that a Vedic Day begins only from Sunrise as opposed to a standard English Calendar day which starts at 12AM. Generally the mean sunrise adopted is 6AM as that is considered to be the approximate standard time in which Sun rises within most places in India. Thus, it can be roughly assimilated that 6AM is Sunrise time and 6PM is Sunset time. While calculating Navanayaka, if any of the planetary transits takes place after 6PM, as per Surya Siddhantha only the next day is considered into the equation though as per Drik Siddhantha which deals with observable placement in the skies, it could have taken place in the previous day. This needs to be carefully looked at while determining Navanayaka portfolio.
Ayanamsa used for the calculation of Navanayaka is Lahiri Chitra Paksha and the place considered is Chennai, India. There could be a change in planetary portfolio based on the Ayanamsa adopted. Also for all cases of Navanayaka, since only the day lord is considered into the equation and since the shadow planets Rahu and Ketu do not rule any of the days, they do not hold ground to become the Navanayaka's for any of the 9 portfolios in operation.
Listed below is the current operational Samvatsara cycle that runs from 1987-88 to 2046-47.
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