Planetary Hours

The word 'Hora' originates from the Sanskrit word 'Ahoratra' (meaning Day and Night) by omitting the first and last syllables. It represents a planetary hour. In the timeless masterpiece Brihat Parasara Hora Shastra, Sage Parasara describes the precise calculation and application of Horas.

Unlike standard 60-minute hours, a Vedic Hora is proportional. The daytime (Sunrise to Sunset) is divided into 12 equal hours, and the nighttime (Sunset to next Sunrise) is divided into 12 equal hours. Since day and night lengths change with seasons, the duration of day and night Horas fluctuates accordingly.

The ruling planet of the first Hora of any day is the lord of the weekday (Vara) itself. The subsequent Hora lords are determined by counting backward every second planet in the Chaldean order of planetary speed (decreasing speed): Sun, Venus, Mercury, Moon, Saturn, Jupiter, Mars. Understanding and using these planetary hours provides a daily system of mini-muhurtas to ensure victory and peace in all worldly actions.