Calculations for the Birth of Krishna

If there is a connection with Midnight Nishitha: the eighth portion of the night, traditionally viewed as the moment of Krishna's birth, or even in its absence, the ritual is performed. The connection with the Rohini original: "Rohini-yoga"; the asterism or star constellation in which Krishna was born constellation is considered in four ways: if on the first day it is joined with the Eighth Lunar Day Ashtami: the eighth day of the waning moon at midnight, the earlier day is chosen; if it is joined on the following day, then the later day is chosen.

If it occurs on both days, the later day is preferred over the earlier. If the Eighth Lunar Day is joined with Rohini at midnight, that is certainly the time for the observance.

When the Eighth Lunar Day falls at midnight on the first day, but Rohini falls at midnight on the second day, then according to the opinion of Madhava Madhava Acharya, a 14th-century authority on ritual law, the later day is preferred. However, in the opinion of Hemadri a 13th-century scholar whose legal digests are foundational for Hindu ritual timing, the earlier day should be chosen. The text Kala-tattva-vivechana The "Discrimination of the Truth of Time," an influential treatise on festive timing also suggests the earlier day is preferred due to the principle of Total Pervasion Samvyapti: a technical term in ritual logic referring to the duration of a lunar day covering a specific ritual window. In such a case, for those performing the ritual,

this fast is twofold. When Rohini is present at midnight on the first day and the Eighth Lunar Day is present at midnight on the second day, then the later day is preferred. If both the Eighth Lunar Day and Rohini are impossible to find at midnight on either day, then according to all authorities, the later day is chosen.

Madhava notes that this observance is especially praised if it falls on a Wednesday or a Monday.

Regarding the Breaking of the Fast Parana: the ritual conclusion of a fast by eating, if it is possible, one should do so at the end of the lunar day or the asterism. This should be done when both have ended, or if the duration is excessive, within the lunar day itself. Furthermore, one may even break the fast at night. When the end of the asterism occurs after one and a half watches of the night, then the fast should be maintained even during the... The sentence continues onto the next page regarding the specific rules for breaking the fast under late-night conditions.