Skip to main content
Epistemic Lexicon & Terminology

Canonical Shastric Lexicon

37 Sanskrit, mathematical, astronomical and architectural terms from Vedic literature, the classical treatises, and the computational implementations that follow them.

Domain:
Showing 37 terms
अहोरात्र
Ahorātra
Complete Vedic Solar Day
Jyotiṣa

The fundamental unit of civil and sacred Vedic time, measured strictly from local apparent sunrise (Sūryodaya) to the subsequent sunrise.

Citation: Sūrya Siddhānta 1.12
अयनांश
Ayanāṁśa
Precession Angle
Jyotiṣa

The angular separation between the moving Tropical Vernal Equinox (Sayana 0° Aries) and the fixed Sidereal Zodiac (Nirayana 0° Mesha). Pūjāvāni implements the statutory Chitrapaksha / Lahiri standard (~24.23° in 2026).

Citation: Calendar Reform Committee (1955)
दृक्तुल्यता
Dṛk-tulyatā
Observational Concordance
Jyotiṣa

The classical astronomical imperative championed by Aryabhata and Bhaskara II asserting that theoretical calculations must strictly agree with empirical sky observations.

Citation: Siddhānta Śiromaṇi, Golādhyāya
तिथि
Tithi
Lunar Phase Day
Jyotiṣa

A period during which the celestial longitudinal elongation of the Moon from the Sun increases by exactly 12°. There are 30 Tithis in a synodic lunar month.

Citation: Sūrya Siddhānta 14.12
पक्ष
Pakṣa
Lunar Fortnight
Jyotiṣa

One half of the synodic lunar month: Śukla Pakṣa (waxing, from New Moon to Full Moon) and Kṛṣṇa Pakṣa (waning, from Full Moon to New Moon).

नक्षत्र
Nakṣatra
Lunar Mansion / Asterism
Jyotiṣa

The sidereal ecliptic divided into 27 equal 13°20′ arcs, each governed by a Vedic deity and characterized by fixed marker stars (Yogatārās).

Citation: Taittirīya Saṃhitā 4.4.10
पाद
Pāda
Quarter Arc / Navamsha Sub-division
Jyotiṣa

One quarter of a Nakshatra arc (3°20′). A 108-pada cycle completes the 12 signs of the D9 Navamsha chart.

योग
Yoga (Solilunar)
Combined Angular Longitude
Jyotiṣa

The 27 mathematical intervals defined by the sum of the Sun and Moon sidereal longitudes: (λ_Sun + λ_Moon) mod 360° / 13°20′.

करण
Karaṇa
Half-Tithi Arc
Jyotiṣa

Half of a Tithi (6° lunar elongation). There are 60 Karanas in a lunar month, comprising 7 repeating Chara (movable) and 4 Sthira (fixed) Karanas.

क्षय तिथि
Kṣaya Tithi
Omitted / Expired Tithi
Jyotiṣa

A Tithi that begins after sunrise and ends before the subsequent sunrise, thus not coinciding with any Suryodaya.

वृद्धि तिथि
Vṛddhi Tithi
Extended / Doubled Tithi
Jyotiṣa

A Tithi that is active during two consecutive sunrises due to slower lunar orbital velocity near apogee.

उदय लग्न
Udaya Lagna
Rising Sign / Ascendant
Jyotiṣa

The exact degree of the sidereal ecliptic intersecting the eastern horizon at a given geographical observer latitude and Local Sidereal Time.

सूतक काल
Sūtak Kāla
Eclipse Contamination Window
Jyotiṣa

Scriptural environmental restriction window preceding an eclipse: 12 hours (4 Praharas) before a solar eclipse and 9 hours (3 Praharas) before a lunar eclipse, valid only where visible.

Citation: Nirṇaya Sindhu
दृश्य नियम
Dṛśya Niyama
Principle of Horizon Visibility
Jyotiṣa

The canonical mandate that an astronomical eclipse or planetary conjunction carries ritual validity and dosha ONLY if physically visible above the local horizon.

Citation: Dharma Sindhu
नाभि / ब्रह्मबिन्दु
Nābhi / Brahma Bindu
Cosmic Geometric Centroid
Vāstu

The mathematical polygon centroid calculated via Shoelace integration around which the 16 cardinal and intercardinal directional zones radiate.

Citation: Mayamata Ch. 6 v. 12
ब्रह्मस्थान
Brahmasthāna
Sacred Energetic Core
Vāstu

The central 1/9th (11.11%) zone in an 81-pad Paramasayika mandala (or central 4 pads in a 64-pad Manduka). Must remain structurally open (Śūnyatā), free of load-bearing pillars, toilets, or heavy equipment.

Citation: Mānasāra Ch. 7
परमशायिक मण्डल
Paramasāyika Maṇḍala
81-Grid (9×9) Sacred Matrix
Vāstu

The canonical 9×9 spatial grid prescribed for residential homes, civic settlements, and educational campuses containing 45 deities.

Citation: Bṛhat Saṃhitā 53.42
मण्डूक मण्डल
Maṇḍūka Maṇḍala
64-Grid (8×8) Sacred Matrix
Vāstu

The canonical 8×8 grid prescribed for temples, industrial production facilities, and royal palaces.

Citation: Mayamata Ch. 7
कर्ण सूत्र
Karṇa Sūtra
Diagonal Axis Rays
Vāstu

The primary diagonal lines running from NE to SW (Vāyu-Nirṛti) and NW to SE (Agni-Iśāna) intersecting at the Brahma Bindu.

मर्म बिन्दु
Marma Bindu
Vulnerable Intersection Nodes
Vāstu

Sensitive energy intersections within the mandala. Maha Marmas occur at major diagonal intersections and require an exclusion envelope r = 1/18 min(W, L) free of columns and structural penetrations.

Citation: Viśvakarma Prakāśa 1.62
पदविन्यास
Padavinyāsa
Grid Modular Slicing
Vāstu

The systematic geometric division of a plot or floor plan into dedicated micro-cells or deity zones.

शून्यता
Śūnyatā
Volumetric Openness / Negative Space
Vāstu

The structural requirement for the Northeast (Iśāna) and Brahmasthana to maintain lower elevation, less mass, and maximum open volume.

आय
Āya
Income / Inflow Quotient
Āyādi

Modular formula: (Perimeter in Hasta × 8) mod 12. Represents prosperity and energetic accumulation.

Citation: Mānasāra Ch. 9 v. 14
व्यय
Vyaya
Expenditure / Outflow Quotient
Āyādi

Modular formula: (Perimeter in Hasta × 9) mod 10. Represents resource depletion. Crucial condition: Aya must exceed Vyaya.

Citation: Mayamata Ch. 9 v. 16
योनि
Yoni
Directional Archetype Energy
Āyādi

Modular formula: (Perimeter in Hasta × 3) mod 8. Remainder gives 1 of 8 animal archetypes (Dhvaja, Simha, Vrishabha, Gaja are auspicious).

वार
Vāra (Āyādi)
Solar Weekday Resonance
Āyādi

Modular formula: (Perimeter in Hasta × 9) mod 7. Associates the physical structure with a governing planetary energy.

आयु
Āyu (Āyādi)
Structural Longevity Span
Āyādi

Modular formula: (Perimeter in Hasta × 27) mod 100. Measures the projected longevity and energetic durability of the building.

हस्त
Hasta
Sacred Architectural Cubit
Āyādi

Standard canonical unit of measure equal to 24 Angulas (18 inches / 45.72 cm / 1.5 feet).

Citation: Kautilya Arthaśāstra 2.20
वृक्षायुर्वेद
Vṛkṣāyurveda
Science of Plant Life & Arboriculture
Ecology

Ancient Sanskrit science of tree care, soil diagnostics, organic fertilizers, and cardinal botanical placement.

Citation: Surapāla Vṛkṣāyurveda
पञ्चवटी
Pañcavaṭī
Five Sacred Grove Complex
Ecology

Micro-forest ecosystem comprising Aśvattha (East), Bilva (North), Vaṭa (West), Dhātrī (South), and Aśoka (South-East).

कुणप जल
Kuṇapa Jala
Fermented Bio-Nutrient Elixir
Ecology

Ancient botanical stimulant made from fermented organic animal proteins, sesame oil, and botanical matter rich in nitrogen and microbial life.

पशु शास्त्र
Paśu Śāstra
Bovine Ecology & Humane Animal Care
Ecology

Canonical prescriptions for cattle health, Goshala ventilation, non-slip flooring gradients, and zero-waste biogas/ark integration.

वराहमिहिर
Varāhamihira
Polymath Astronomer (505–587 CE)
Canon

Celebrated author of Pañcasiddhāntikā, Bṛhat Saṃhitā, and Bṛhat Jātaka from Ujjain.

आर्यभट
Āryabhaṭa
Astronomer & Mathematician (476–550 CE)
Canon

Pioneered diurnal rotation of Earth on its axis, epicyclic models, and sine tables in Āryabhaṭīya.

भास्कराचार्य
Bhāskarācārya (Bhaskara II)
Astronomer & Mathematician (1114–1185 CE)
Canon

Author of Siddhānta Śiromaṇi; developed differential calculus principles, cyclic solutions (Cakravala), and planetary velocities.

राजा भोज
Rājā Bhoja of Dhār
Polymath Monarch (11th c. CE)
Canon

Author of Samarāṅgaṇa Sūtradhāra, Yuktikalpataru; codified advanced civic town planning, mechanical robotics, and acoustics.

मेघनाद साहा
Prof. Meghnad Saha
Astrophysicist & Reformer (1893–1956)
Canon

Formulated the Saha Ionization Equation; Chairman of the Government of India Calendar Reform Committee (1952–1955).