⏳ Karana — The 11 Half-Tithis
A karana (करण) is half a tithi — the time the Moon takes to gain 6° on the Sun. Every tithi contains two karanas, so a lunar month has 60, drawn from 11 named karanas: 7 movable (chara) that repeat through the month and 4 fixed (sthira) that occur once each around the new moon.
The 7 Movable (Chara) Karanas
Bavaबवbenefic
Deity: Indra (इंद्र)
starting auspicious, lasting work; health, foundations
Balavaबालवbenefic
Deity: Brahma (ब्रह्मा)
religious rites, learning, charitable acts
Kaulavaकौलवbenefic
Deity: Mitra (मित्र)
friendships, relationships, forming alliances
Taitilaतैतिलbenefic
Deity: Aryaman (अर्यमा)
trade, ceremonies, buying and selling
Garajaगरजbenefic
Deity: Bhumi (भूमि)
agriculture, property, construction, long-term work
Vanijaवणिजbenefic
Deity: Lakshmi (लक्ष्मी)
commerce, financial dealings, negotiations
Vishtiविष्टिmalefic
Deity: Yama (यम)
AVOID new work — also called Bhadra; suited only to fierce or defensive acts
The 4 Fixed (Sthira) Karanas
Shakuniशकुनिmalefic
Deity: Kali (कलि)
mantra practice, medicine; avoid new beginnings
Chatushpadaचतुष्पदmixedTODAY
Deity: Vrishabha (वृषभ)
cattle, ancestral rites (shraddha)
Nagaनागmalefic
Deity: Sarpa (सर्प)
Naga worship; avoid auspicious starts
Kimstughnaकिंस्तुघ्नbenefic
Deity: Vayu (वायु)
auspicious beginnings, worship at the start of Shukla Pratipada