What does these Karana names mean?
Are these words of Sanskrit origin? Does they provide some clues regarding the
result derivation? What is the meaning of the word Karana?
The word ‘Karana’ points to actions that can be done, i.e. ‘Karaneeya Karma’. That is, Karana is a pointer towards the work or actions that can be executed in that specified period of time; actions that would yield positive or beneficial results if done in that time.
Philosophical background
This clearly shows that - just like any other limb of time, Karana is also used to evaluate the ‘quality of time to do specific actions’. Note that evaluating the quality of time becomes important only when we accept the predictive astrology. The quality of time at which a work is started or an event took place determines its future; or better as per oriential belief, ‘quality of time’ (Muhurta) is one of the parameters which determines how the future will unfold. Naturally enough other parameters being - environment, own effort and so on. Astrology is not always fatalistic as is thought to be - it leaves plenty scope for environment and effort as well. Fate and Free-will are considered 2 wheels of the same chariot - without one the other is useless. With this basic understanding about the philosophical background of ‘influence of time’ and the ‘use of 5-limbs in selection of time for performing actions’ let us look into the details of Karana division and its use in predictive astrology.
There is a total of 11 Karanas - 7 Chara Karna and 4 Sthira Karana.
Chara means
moving and Sthira means fixed. Possibly Chara Karanas got that name because
they repeat cyclically, and Sthira Karanas got that name because they don’t
repeat.
Chara Karanas
1. Bava, 2. Balava 3. Kaulava, 4. Titila, 5. Gara, 6. Vanija, 7. Vishti
Sthira Karanas
1. Sakuni, 2. Chatushpat, 3. Naga, 4. Kimstukgna/ Koustubha.
1. Bava
In south india
this is also know as ‘Simha karnam’ (Lion). Anyway the word Bava has nothing to
do with Lion. This word originated from the Sanskrit word ‘Vapa’, which means
testacies, sperm, flush, creativity and so on. So naturally as you could expect
this karana is good for all Chara deeds (such as journey, daily duties,
business etc) and also for Stira deeds (such as sawing seeds, sexual
intercourse, for putting foundation stone, worship, temple creation and so on).
Auspicious,
Honourable, Business, Starting work, Health
2. Balava
In south india
this is also known as ‘Puli karanam’ (Leopard). Anyway the word Balava has
nothing to do with leopard. This word originated from the Sanskrit word
‘Vadava’, which means brahmin lady, female horse (mare), slave girl, prostitute
and so on. The major meaning considered here is ‘Brahmin lady’. That is why
this karana is good for Yajna, Homa (fire worship), study of Veda, for reading
epic and puranas etc. It is good for all kinds of Shanti karma. Honour, learning, respect, ceremony
3. Kaulava
In south india
this is also known as ‘Panni karanam’ (Pig/Swine). Anyway the word Kaulava has
nothing to do with Pig. This word originated from the Sanskrit word Kulapa or
Kudava. Kudava is a kind of measurement vessel (also known as Nazhi in south india).
1 Kudava = 32 Tola. Kula means traditional family. so the word Kaula can refer
to anyone who follows a traditional path, or traditional job. For example
Kulala is the one who creates mud vessels, and Kaulalam is mud vessel. Kaulika
is weaver and is also another name for people who follow the traditional
Siva-Sakta tantric path of worship. Also remember the word Kaul, popular especially
among Kashmiri pundits – essentially pointing to Kaulachara (Kaula system of
siva-sakti worship). Thus essentially Kaulava karana is related to family,
tradition and any thing worldly. Thus naturally it is good for all Sthira karma
(such as friendship, compromise, agreement or anything which we want to stay
for long). Social,
Spiritual, Relationships, Marriage.
4. Taitila
In south india
this is also known as Kazhuta karnam (Donkey). Anyway the word Taitila has
nothing to do with Donkey. This word originated from the Sanskrit word ‘Titir’,
which means getting awards, rewards or respect. Titir is a word with great
history. Remember the sage Titir based on whom the ‘Taitireeya banch’ of vedic
knowledge got its name. It could be because of the reverence to him that the
word ‘Titir’ got the meaning respect or reward. Titiksha means patience. There
is one very popular English word which originated from the same root word –
i.e. ‘Title’. Apart from the meaning ‘heading’, the word ‘Title’ also means
‘entitling’, giving a special name out of respect as a award, reward. Remember
the ‘Sir’ title awarded in medieval periods to many, and also the titles
‘Lord’, ‘Dr’ etc. Thus naturally Taitila karana is good for all activities
related to king, authority, ornamentation, ornamenting the idols and revered
ones and so on. Of course, to be near the kings or people in power and
authority without losing head demands a lot of patience as well. For pledge
taking, receiving position, charge taking etc usually Taitila karana is
preferred. Speech,
communication, promotion, construction.
5. Garane
In south india
this is also known as Gaja karana (Elephant). Anyway the word Taitila has
nothing to do with Elephant. Here the root word itself is ‘Gara’ meaning hard,
difficult, demanding more effort and so on. Remember the words Garima (proud
beauty), Gurutva (essence fullness), Garishta (most dense, most valuable),
Gareeyan (most revered, great). Actually this word has a better history. In the
ancient past the jobs that are considered difficult are cattle/horse/elephant
breading, agriculture and rural business of grains, vehicle related and so on;
they demand much effort from the villager. Hriha is a word that points to any
type of house. The jobs that comes under the category of difficult jobs and the
word ‘gara’ points to is cattle shed, horse shed, elephant shed and so on. For
example Aswa-gara (horse shed). The vehicle of ancient period is horse, and the
place to land the vehicle is ‘Garage’ as per English language. Note that English
is also a language of Indo-European language family. The point to note is that
it is just due all this that – Gara karana is very auspicious for any hard and
difficult jobs, whether it be related to vehicle, cattle, house, machinery,
rural business and so on. Hardworking, Agriculture, new undertakings.
6. Vanija
In south india
this karana is known as ‘Surabhi karanam’ (Cow). Anyway the word Vanija has
nothing to do with Cow. This word originated from the Sanskrit word ‘Panija’ or
Pani meaning Phoenician, businessman or market. Remember the word Vanijya
(business) which too is a related word. The word ‘Pani’ or ‘Pany’ means
Phoenician or business (In the vedic past the Phoenicians did business with India).
Note the presence of this word in the modern day English word ‘company’
(com-pany) – thus company essentially means ‘group business’. Looking at the
history of this word it is clear that ‘Vanija’ or ‘Panija’ is a word
essentially related to business. Thus naturally this Karana is good for
starting a business, selling plot or building or anything of the like and so
on. Wealth,
clever, business, relationships.
7. Bhadre / Vishti
In south india
this karana is known with this self same name, and it is assumed that the shape
of Vishti is similar to a dog. Anyway the word Vishti has nothing to do with
dog. Here the root word itself is ‘Vishti’ meaning effort without benefit, work
without payment; in short ‘wastage’ of time, money and energy. Vishiti is
Vi-Ishti. Ishti is yaga or work. Vi-Ishti is useless Ishti or useless work;
i.e. work that got wasted. In short vishti means ‘waste’ – both words (vishti
and waste) originated from the same root. Thus naturally this karana is not
good for beneficial or good deeds and also for deeds for which we expect some benefit
(even punya) in return. Self-reliant, only auspicious
for harsh activity, fighting.
8) Sakuni Sharp
mind; interested in speculation; clever; Politicians. Worship,
advising, psychic, intelligent, healing9) Chatushpad (Quadruped) Normal people; vehicle related jobs. Ancestors, Brahmin, government.
10) Naga Chance for deformed body at birth; Rebels; don’t value society accepted paths - but instead creates their own paths - or follow traditional tantiric paths not accepted by current society. Angry, destructive, able. Fire like. Cruel deeds, dangerous activities, Unstable.
