By Pt. Suvrat Sharma
Explore how your birth Tithi shapes personality, the meaning of lunar phases, Tithi types and their spiritual impact

Vedic astrology is not just a calculation of planetary combinations. It is a subtle science that connects every aspect of human life with the cosmic cycle of time. The Panchang, the five limbed time calendar, is its foundation. The five key limbs are weekday, tithi, nakshatra, yoga and karana.
Among these, the tithi, or lunar day, is considered highly significant. Tithi is useful not only for muhurta selection, but the birth tithi of a person has a deep impact on temperament, mental pattern, decision making and life direction. From a Vedic perspective, tithi is the subtle energy of birth that shapes mind and actions.
Tithi is formed by the angular distance between the Moon and the Sun. Every time the distance increases by 12 degrees, one tithi is completed. In this way, there are 30 tithis in the 360 degree zodiac.
These 30 tithis are divided into two pakshas
Shukla Paksha
From Amavasya to Purnima, when the Moon increases in brightness every day
Krishna Paksha
From Purnima to Amavasya, when the Moon decreases in brightness every day
Tithi has a direct connection with time, personality, mental tendencies, diseases, health, the nature of events and the ups and downs of life. In any birth chart, tithi is treated as a key indicator of mental framework and emotional structure.
| Paksha | Result |
|---|---|
| Shukla | Natives born in Shukla Paksha are radiant, attractive, religious, generous, respected in society and endowed with strong inner power. They are growth oriented, positive and intellectually strong. |
| Krishna | Natives born in Krishna Paksha are often deep thinkers, emotional, sensitive and inclined toward hidden aspects of life. With strong benefic yogas, they may become ascetics, researchers, seekers or renunciants. Their life usually brings more struggle, but ultimately they move toward inner growth. |
In Vedic tradition, tithis are grouped into five categories. This classification helps in understanding the nature of personality, karma and life experiences.
| Type | Tithis | Qualities |
|---|---|---|
| Nanda | 1, 6, 11 | Joy, happiness and suitability for auspicious work. Natives are gentle, loving and blessed with good fortune. |
| Bhadra | 2, 7, 12 | Enthusiasm, bravery and administrative ability. Natives are intelligent, logical and sometimes stern. |
| Jaya | 3, 8, 13 | War, struggle and victory. Natives are courageous, competitive and focused on achieving goals. |
| Rikta | 4, 9, 14 | Emptiness, waste and inauspiciousness. Natives may face inner conflict, instability or financial loss if other yogas do not support. |
| Poorna | 5, 10, 15 | Fulfilment, accomplishment and balance. These tithis are very auspicious. Natives tend to be prosperous, virtuous and balanced. |
Below are the general traits and life indications for natives born on each tithi. For precise results, these should be read with the full birth chart.
| Tithi | Nature And Impact |
|---|---|
| Pratipada (1) | Nanda. The native may show self centeredness, restless mind and stubbornness, but with benefic yogas can become a strong leader. |
| Dvitiya (2) | Bhadra. Behaviour may appear strict, with a desire to dominate in communication, but administrative ability and decision making are strong. |
| Tritiya (3) | Jaya. Brave, active and at times aggressive. Leadership traits are strong and they do not fear challenges. |
| Chaturthi (4) | Rikta. Sometimes faces unfortunate situations, mental confusions and disorder. Strong benefic yogas can bring balance. |
| Panchami (5) | Poorna. Pleasure loving, fond of art and beauty. Creativity and sense of aesthetics are key strengths. |
| Shashti (6) | Nanda. More travel, possibility of abdominal issues, but sweet speech and polite behaviour. |
| Saptami (7) | Bhadra. Proficient in learning, serious thinker and inclined toward religion. Stable interest in study and knowledge. |
| Ashtami (8) | Jaya. Inclined toward tantra, mantra and hidden subjects. Clever, strategic and mentally sharp. Patient in adversity. |
| Navami (9) | Rikta. Sacrificing, religious and charitable. Sometimes prone to extreme or rigid thinking. |
| Dashami (10) | Poorna. Fair, just and interested in rituals and sacrificial rites. Often play a balancing role in family and society. |
| Ekadashi (11) | Nanda. Inclined toward fasting, vows and liberation. Religious, disciplined and drawn toward simple living. |
| Dvadashi (12) | Bhadra. Frequent travel, business intelligence and practical outlook. Some tendency toward physical fatigue or weakness. |
| Trayodashi (13) | Jaya. Strong resolve, charitable nature and skill in religious acts. Able to stay committed to long term goals. |
| Chaturdashi (14) | Rikta. Extraordinary courage and bravery, yet more mental conflict and inner struggle. Needs extra focus on mental balance. |
| Purnima or Amavasya (15) | Poorna. Purnima natives are emotional, wealthy, artistic and intelligent. Amavasya natives are deep, quiet and at times self focused, yet have powerful potential for inner upliftment. |
To fully understand the effect of tithis, it is important to know their presiding deities or planetary lords. Every tithi has an adhishthata, a deity or planet that governs its energy and character. These lords help determine the nature of work suitable for that tithi, especially in matters of tithi shuddhi, vows, sacrifices, marriage and other rituals.
| Tithi | Lord / Deity |
|---|---|
| Pratipada | Agni Deva |
| Dvitiya | Brahma |
| Tritiya | Gauri (Parvati) |
| Chaturthi | Ganesha |
| Panchami | Naga Deities |
| Shashti | Kartikeya |
| Saptami | Surya Deva |
| Ashtami | Durga Mata |
| Navami | Dandini (Chamunda) |
| Dashami | Dharmaraja (Yama) |
| Ekadashi | Vishnu Bhagavan |
| Dvadashi | Hanuman or Narayana |
| Trayodashi | Kamadeva |
| Chaturdashi | Shiva |
| Purnima or Amavasya | Chandra or Pitru Deities |
Vedic astrology teaches that birth tithi is not a mere date on the calendar. It is the cosmic DNA of a person’s life. The nature of the tithi in which a person is born leaves a subtle imprint on their temperament, karma, destiny and spiritual journey.
If strong benefic yogas in the chart run contrary to the challenging traits of a tithi, they can neutralize and balance those flaws. For this reason, tithi must always be studied along with the complete birth chart, so that a holistic and accurate interpretation can emerge.
1.Can a person’s nature be judged only from birth tithi
Complete nature cannot be judged only from tithi. Lagna, planetary positions, nakshatra and yogas are equally important. Tithi is a key indicator, but it must be read together with other chart factors.
2.How important is the difference between birth in Shukla Paksha and Krishna Paksha
Birth in Shukla Paksha is usually associated with expansion, growth and outer progress, while Krishna Paksha birth is linked with depth, sensitivity and inner transformation. Both pakshas are necessary and bring balance to life.
3.Is it always inauspicious to be born on Rikta tithis
Rikta tithis do show challenges and emptiness, but with strong benefic planets and yogas, natives can rise above difficulties and achieve great success. No one is considered inauspicious solely due to tithi.
4.Can worship of the presiding deity of one’s tithi reduce birth defects
Traditional belief holds that regular worship, chanting or remembrance of the deity governing one’s birth tithi can strengthen mind and reduce negative effects. When done with faith and sincerity, this is seen as a helpful remedial measure.
5.How is tithi used in birth chart analysis
In chart analysis, tithi is studied along with Moon, nakshatra, yogas and house placements. It provides insight into emotional tendencies, mental reactions, direction of karma and inclination toward spiritual growth.
What does Nakshatra reveal about me?
My Nakshatra
Experience: 27
Consults About: Marriage, Career, Property
Clients In: Chhattisgarh, MP, Delhi, Odisha
Share this article with friends and family