Appendix 2 - The astronomical definition of Yoga

Note: This appendix is extracted from a note of Chapter 33 (the greatness of Śivarātri-vrata) of the Kedāra-khaṇḍa of the Māheśvara-khaṇḍa:

“ Among the Yogas (particular division of time; there are 27 such Yogas) Vyatīpāta; among stars Śravaṇa; among Tithis (Lunar days) Amāvāsyā (new-moon day) and Pūrṇimā (full-moon day) and Saṅkrāntis (i.e. when the sun passes from one zodiac to another)—these should be known as sacred ones for the rites of charitable gifts”

Yoga—Astronomically, Yoga corresponds to 13 degrees and 20 minutes—being the sum of the Longitudes of the Sun and the Moon. That is, it is the time during which the Sun and the Moon together cover 13 degrees and 20 minutes of space. But there is no direct astronomical phenomena corresponding to it. Yogas are 27 in number making together 360 degrees.

The following are the Yogas: [Name — Deity]

1. Viṣkambha — Viṣkambha
2. Prīti — Viṣṇu
3. Āyuṣmat — Candra
4. Saubhāgya — Brahmā
5. Śobhana — Bṛhaspati
6. Atigaṇḍa — Candra
7. Sukarman — Indra
8. Dhṛti — Āpaḥ
9. Śūla — Sarpa
10. Gaṇḍa — Agni
11. Vṛddhi — Sūrya
12. Dhruva — Pṛthvī
13. Vyāghāta — Pavana
14. Harṣaṇa — Rudra
15. Vajra — Varuṇa
16. Siddhi — Gaṇeśa
17. Vyatīpāta — Śiva
18. Varīyas — Kubera
19. Parigha — Viśvakarman
20. Śiva — Mitra
21. Siddha — Kārttikeya
22. Sādhya — Sāvitrī
23. Śubha — Kamalā
24. Śukla — Gaurī
25. Brahman — Aśvinau
26. Aindra — Pitṛs
27. Vaidhṛti — Aditi