HORĀ Jyotish

Ahorātra अहोरात्र

Ahorātra refers to the period of “one day and one night”. The word Horā is derived from this.

Bṛhat Parāśara Horā Śāstra by the great Rishi (ṛṣi) Parāśara is most valued scripture on horoscopes study or predictive astrology.

Ahorātra (अहोरात्र) refers to 1 (one) solar day, according to the Bṛhatsaṃhitā (chapter 2), an encyclopedic Sanskrit work written by Varāhamihira mainly focusing on the science of ancient Indian astronomy (Jyotiṣa).

Varāhamihira described knowledge of a yuga (43,20,000 Solar years), varṣa (a solar year), āyana (6 solar months), ṛtu (2 solar months), māsa (a solar month), pakṣa (15 solar days), ahorātra (a solar day), yama (one-eighth of a solar day), muhūrta (one-thirtieth of a solar day), nāḍī (one-sixtieth of a solar day or 24 minutes), vināḍi (one sixtieth of a nāḍī or 24 seconds), prāṇa (4 seconds) truṭi (further division of a second) and parts of a truṭi and other divisions of time and also of divisions of space”.

In Indian astrology, the concept of time is quite significant. Indian astrology follows the Vedic system, and it uses a combination of planetary positions, lunar phases, and other astrological factors to analyze and interpret events and the influence of celestial bodies on an individual’s life.

In Indian astrology, Horā is a divisional chart or sub-chart that divides the 12 zodiac signs into two halves. Each sign is ruled by a planet, and accordingly, the day is divided into 24 Horā, with each Horā having a duration of approximately one hour.

To determine the auspicious or inauspicious time for various activities, Indian astrology relies on the concept of “Hora.” Horā refers to the planetary hour, and each day is divided into 24 Horā, with each Horā ruled by a specific planet. The order of the planets ruling the Horā is as follows:

Surya Sidhannt sanskrit scipture has explained the horā.

The first Horā of the day is always ruled by the planet associated with the day of the week. For example, if it is Sunday, the first Horā of the day will be ruled by the Sun, and the cycle will continue.

Sunday – Sun (Surya)
Monday – Moon (Chandra)
Tuesday – Mars (Mangala)
Wednesday – Mercury (Budha)
Thursday – Jupiter (Guru)
Friday – Venus (Shukra)
Saturday – Saturn (Shani)

Each Horā is believed to carry the energy and qualities of the planet that rules it.

Horā Cycle

First Horā of a specific day is of the Day Lord e.g. on Sunday first horā of the day at sunrise is of Sun (Surya) The second horā is of 6th day ruling planet. From Sunday sixt day is Friday and ruling planet is Venus. So second horā of the day is of Venus.

Sun

Venus

Mercury

Moon

Saturn

Jupiter

Mars

Thereafter this cycle would continue till next day until next sunrise.

Example of Sunday Horā. The first horā of the day is Surya the ruling Deity of the Sunday.

So, on any Sunday the first hora timing is of Surya the Sun. Suppose Sunrise is at 06:05, then 06:05 to 07:04 (approximatly) is Surya (Sun) horā. Then from 07:05 to 08:04 Venus Horā and then Mercury, Moon, Saturn, Jupiter, Mars respectivly. There are 24 horā in a day so this cycle will repeate till next Sunrise.

Example Chart of Horā timing on Sunday 30th July 2023.

Significance

The Horā system is commonly used for selecting the best time for various activities such as starting a new project, performing a ceremony, making important decisions, or even mundane tasks like traveling or eating. Each Horā is believed to have a specific energy or influence of the planet, and choosing the appropriate Horā is thought to enhance the chances of success and positive outcomes.

It’s important to note that to determine the current Horā, is based on particular location and the local time. The exact timing of each Horā may vary depending geographic location and the time of the year. Various Ephemeris Panchānga applications, or astrological software can provide you with the current Horā.