Karana (Half-Tithi)
The most workable window for taking action can change within a single day. Set a start time for one concrete task, then check the active window again just before beginning.
In detail
Karana is half of a tithi. It becomes active when the Sun-Moon angular separation enters a half-tithi interval and ends at the next such boundary, with about two karanas typically occurring in a day. Their relative motion creates a shorter action window, so karana is used for the practical start and execution of a task. It differs from tithi because tithi covers the full lunar-day interval while karana covers only half.
FAQ
- How long does one Karana last?
- A karana does not have a fixed clock duration, although about two usually occur in a day. Each one covers half a tithi and ends when the Sun-Moon separation reaches the next boundary, so transitions need not fall on a round hour; check which interval contains the intended start time.
- What is Karana best used for?
- Karana is most useful for judging when to begin and carry out a specific task. Because it uses a shorter half-tithi window, it offers finer timing than a full lunar day, but it cannot guarantee the outcome on its own; choose the action first and then verify its active karana.
- How is Karana different from Tithi?
- Karana is half a tithi, so it provides a finer time division. Tithi describes the full lunar-day interval, while karana divides that interval into halves and about two karanas usually occur in a day; use tithi for the broader daily quality and karana for a concrete start time.