The author states his vow to compose this work in the Praharṣiṇī meter, beginning with the words "Shining with vermilion." He bows to Gajanana original: "Gajānana"; the elephant-faced Lord Ganesha, who is made beautiful and radiant by vermilion; to Mother original: "Ambā"; referring here to Saraswati, the goddess of learning; and to Lord Shri Vishnu. He further bows to the planets original: "viyaticarān"; literally "those who move in the sky" and to his Gurus teachers and spiritual preceptors who taught him the scriptures. I, Narayana, expand upon this book titled Muhurta Martanda original: "Muhūrta Mārtanda"; 'The Sun of Auspicious Moments'. For what purpose? For success in the accomplishment of tasks. And for what other reason? For the delight of the learned original: "vibudha-mude"; to bring joy to scholars. He describes the nature of this joy through the book's qualities: it is brief original: "laghu", being extremely concise. Lest one suspect that a short book lacks depth, he adds the qualifier: rich in meaning original: "bahvartham", containing a great deal of significance. To remove the doubt that a short but dense book might be difficult, he adds: easy to understand original: "sugamam". Now, intending to explain the auspicious moments of the half-years (ayanas), he first describes those times that should be avoided in auspicious ceremonies using three verses in the Śārdūlavikrīḍita meter, beginning with "half a watch." These periods include "half a watch" and others.

Having bowed to the elephant-faced one [Ganesha] shining with vermilion, to Mother [Saraswati], to Lord Shri Vishnu, to the planets moving in the sky, and to the preceptors; I compose this Muhurta Martanda—rich in meaning, easy to understand, and brief—for the joy of the learned.

One should avoid these times in auspicious works; this is the connection with the world. The Half-watch and Kulika specific segments of the day ruled by inauspicious forces will be defined later. Mid-day original: "dinārddha" refers to a situation where a lunar day (tithi) lasts for sixty ghatikas 24 hours from sunrise, and is seen again on the following day; that is "mid-day." The Lost Day original: "avama" is well-known in astrology. The First Half of Parigha refers to the first part of the Parigha yoga astrological alignment. Vishti refers to Bhadra a period considered unlucky for new ventures, which will be explained. Vaidhriti is a specific yoga, as is the Vyatipata descent. Transit original: "saṅkramaṇa" refers to the Sun and other planets moving from one zodiac sign to the next. The specific number of hours to be avoided during the transits of all planets will be mentioned later. Juncture original: "gaṇḍānta" is of three types and will be explained. Ekargala is an alignment that will be described. The Four Days of the Dark Moon original: "kṛṣṇānaṅgacaturdina" spans from the 13th of the dark fortnight to the 1st of the next month. This is avoided because the Moon is weak original: "kṣīṇatvāt". Some authorities avoid a period of five and a half days starting from the 12th. Among these options,

the middle path is accepted here, namely the "four days of the dark moon." This period marks the Equality of Declination original: "krāntisāmya" of the Sun and the Moon, which is determined through calculation. Nevertheless, regarding when this should be observed, he says: during the Hour of Malefics original: "khalāhorā"—the specific hour of a malefic planet—and at midday or midnight. It is stated in other texts that the Great Time fateful time resides in the "Great Night" midnight. Therefore, for two days, specifically ten palas units of time before and after, actions should be avoided. Day of Loss of the Parents original: "kṣayadināpittroḥ" refers to the death anniversary (shraddha) of the mother or father. Mother's Menstruation original: "jananyārtavaṃ" refers to the mother's monthly period. Birth-related times original: "māsādyaṃ" refers to the month of birth and the Birth Star original: "janisambhava-graha-nakṣatraṃ".

Half-watch, Kulika, Mid-day, the Lost Day, the first half of Parigha, Vishti, Vaidhriti, the transit of malefics, the Juncture, Ekargala, the four days of the dark moon, the equality of declination of Sun and Moon, the hour of malefics, the first day of fire, the death anniversary of parents, the mother's menstruation, and the month and star of one's birth.

The star in which a planet is situated during birth and the Eclipsed Star original: "grahaṇabhṃ" The lunar mansion where an eclipse occurs and the lunar mansion of birth. The terms Da, Su, Ya, Dhu Mnemonic syllables for astrological calculations will be explained later. Durmuhurta original: "duḥṣaṇo" is the "bad moment" to be explained. One should avoid the Month of the Eldest original: "jyeṣṭha" for the first-born child. Regarding afflicted stars, those joined by malefic planets original: "pāpagrahāḥ"—which will be listed—should be avoided, as well as the stars immediately preceding or following them. These are called the Pierced Stars original: "vidbha-nakṣatraṃ", whose characteristics will be defined. The Diminished and Additional Months original: "ūnarvyādhikamāsakau" refer to the Kshaya Masa and Adhika Masa intercalary months in the lunar calendar which will be explained.