Lamp of the Determination of Lunar Days

Om. A period of exactly one watch Prahara: A period of approximately three hours; four such watches comprise the daylight period from sunrise to sunset. is called the forenoon original: "pūrvāhṇa". Following that, a period of exactly one watch is proclaimed as midday original: "madhyayānha". || 40 || The afternoon original: "aparāhṇa" follows that, and the evening original: "sāyānha" is likewise exactly one watch long. Thus, the sage Gobhila an ancient authority on domestic rituals has spoken regarding the characteristics of the fourfold division of the day. || 41 || Morning original: "prātaḥ", the gathering time Sangava: The second part of the morning, traditionally when cows are gathered for milking., midday, the afternoon, and the evening: these are the five time-periods declared by the wise scholars of the sun. || 42 ||

The morning consists of three muhurttas Muhurtta: A measurement of 48 minutes. In this system, the 12-hour day is divided into 15 muhurttas.; likewise, the gathering time consists of three muhurttas. Midday consists of three muhurttas, and the afternoon consists of three muhurttas. || 43 || The evening consists of three muhurttas; this is known by the strength of the solar teachings regarding the afternoon. One should understand the day as being divided into fifteen parts. || 44 || For religious injunctions and prohibitions proceed specifically based on this fivefold division; one should know each part as equal in this regard. || 45 || Specifically, the scholar Madhava referring to Madhavacharya, a prominent 14th-century philosopher and calendar expert clearly stated this for the purpose of determining the first lunar day original: "pratipad" and its ritual arrangement. || 46 || General...