Lamp of the Determination of Lunar Days

Determination of the Third Lunar Day

If the Third Lunar Day Tritiya original: "tṛtīyā"; the third day of either the waxing or waning moon lasts for less than three Muhurtas Muhurta a unit of time approximately 48 minutes long; three muhurtas total roughly 2 hours and 24 minutes, then the previous day is preferred. However, for the Rambha-Fast Rambha-vrata a ritual vow dedicated to the goddess or the apsara Rambha, usually for prosperity or beauty and other similar fasts, the later day should be taken if it extends into the afternoon. || 22 ||

In the case of other ritual vows and fasts, a Third Day that is "pierced" original: "viddhā"; a technical term for a lunar day that overlaps with the dawn of the preceding or succeeding solar day by the Second Day Dvitiya is treated differently. If the Third Day is pierced but extends for three muhurtas into the following day... || 23 ||

...even if it lasts for only two muhurtas, the previous day is considered superior by the wise. Otherwise, the rule of three muhurtas is the certain standard for determination here as well. || 24 ||

The preceding ones

Regarding the Gauri-Fast Gauri-vrata a vow dedicated to the goddess Gauri/Parvati, the later day is to be accepted even if it lasts for only one muhurta. The scholar Madhava likely Madhavacharya, a 14th-century authority on ritual law states that this same rule applies to the Mridvadi-Fast and similar observances of the Third Day. || 25 ||

In this same manner, the determination for Akshaya Tritiya original: "akṣayā-tṛtīyā"; one of the most auspicious days in the Hindu calendar, believed to bring "imperishable" merit is concluded. This follows the independent determination based on the various limbs of the calendar according to the traditional laws. || 26 ||

The scholar Hemadri original: "hemādri-sūri"; the famous 13th-century minister and author of the Chaturvarga Chintamani has rightly concluded that for the Rambha-Third, the later day is preferred, while for other fasts and vows, the rules vary as stated. || 27 ||

Concluding the Determination of the Third Day. Now, the Determination of the Fourth Day.

The general determination is whether the Fourth Lunar Day Chaturthi should be observed as a fast when it falls in the Bright Fortnight Sita the waxing moon or the Dark Fortnight Asita the waning moon on the following day. In rituals such as the vow to Gauri...