Yoga explained — the 27 sun-moon combinations
The 27 yogas of the panchang, what each measures, and how to use them for new-work timing decisions
What a yoga is
A yoga (योग) is a Vedic measure of the angular relationship between the sun and the moon, added to the nakshatra measurement. Each yoga spans 13°20' (one nakshatra width). The sun-moon combination defines the yoga; for any given moment, the yoga can be computed by taking the sum of (sun longitude) + (moon longitude), and checking which 13°20' segment of the 360° that sum falls into. There are 27 yogas (Vishkumbha, Priti, Ayushman, Saubhagya, Shobhana, Atiganda, Sukarman, Dhriti, Shula, Ganda, Vriddhi, Dhruva, Vyaghata, Harshana, Vajra, Siddhi, Vyatipata, Variyan, Parigha, Shiva, Siddha, Sadhya, Shubha, Shukla, Brahma, Indra, Vaidhriti).
Auspicious yogas for new work
Of the 27 yogas, about 13 are considered auspicious (Shubha, Sukla, Siddha, Sadhya, Shobhana, Atiganda-when-mild, Vriddhi, Harshana, Parigha, Shiva, Priti, Ayushman, Saubhagya) and about 5 are considered inauspicious (Vyaghata, Vajra, Vyatipata, Vaidhriti, Shula). The classical rule: avoid inauspicious yogas for auspicious work, but inauspicious yogas have their uses too — Vyatipata is classical for penance and study; Vajra for hard-work; Vaidhriti for fast and separation. Live Panchang shows the active yoga + the next yoga's start time so users can plan.
Yoga vs tithi vs nakshatra vs karana
All four are panchang limbs. Tithi measures the moon-sun angular difference. Nakshatra measures the moon's absolute longitude. Yoga measures the moon-sun sum. Karana measures half a tithi (each karana = 6° of moon-sun angular difference). Each is computed independently and all four are typically shown on a panchang page. For an auspicious-work decision, all four are checked: if any one is strongly inauspicious, the work is typically postponed.
Frequently asked questions
Q: Why is Vyatipata sometimes auspicious for penance? A: Classical Jyotish texts treat Vyatipata as 'intense' — high-energy which can be channelled for self-discipline, study, fast, and prayer. It is not auspicious for marriage or business-launch but is auspicious for spiritual practices. Q: Can I do a new work during Atiganda? A: Atiganda is classically 'sharp' — depends on the day-lord. Most panchang-makers advise to be cautious during Atiganda. Q: Is Shiva yoga always auspicious? A: Shiva yoga is classically named for auspiciousness, but as with all yogas, the combined tithi + nakshatra + weekday + yoga must align. Live Panchang shows the prevailing yoga and the day-lord, so the user can judge for themselves.
Editorial process
Reviewed by Vaid-Pandit Kashmiri Lal Sharma (BVB Varanasi Shastri). Drafted against the Surya Siddhanta and Brihat Parashara Hora Shastra (the canonical Jyotish text). Last cross-check vs drikpanchang.com: exact-match. Reviewed annually.
Spoke pages — deep dives
Editorial + reviewer
Drafted by Sahil (livepanchang.in), reviewed by Vaid-Pandit Kashmiri Lal Sharma on 5 September 2026.