Prasna, Muhurta and Nimitta
Prasna, Muhurta and Nimitta tests three applied branches: horary judgment at the moment of a question, electional timing for an action, and omen reading. The exam expects branch-specific rules, not natal chart repetition.
Prasna
A prasna chart is cast for the question moment and place. Judge the lagna and its lord, the Moon and its lord, the kendra houses, the arudha lagna and the relevant bhava. KP prasna uses the sub-lord of the ascendant and the Moon. Ashtamangala and Panchapakshi are separate regional methods. A prasna answer should identify the significator and the decisive house before giving a yes or no.
Muhurta
Muhurta requires panchanga shuddhi, lagna shuddhi, chandra bala and tara bala. Avoid Rahu Kala, Yamaganda, Gulika, Vishti or Bhadra karana, eclipses and malefic lagna. For marriage, choose a strong Jupiter and Venus, a benefic lagna, and an unafflicted 7th house; Rohini, Uttara, Anuradha and similar nakshatras are commonly preferred.
Nimitta
Nimitta reads omens such as animal calls, bird movements, sounds and directions. It is context-dependent and should be recorded, not invented after the event.
Worked example
A marriage muhurta is proposed on a day when the Moon is waxing in Rohini but the running karana is Vishti. The answer should reject the time because Bhadra is present, then propose an alternative with a benefic lagna and no Rahu Kala. It should also check that the 7th house and Venus are not afflicted.
Traps
- Using natal dasha alone to answer a prasna.
- Treating Rahu Kala as a fixed clock time; it depends on sunrise and sunset.
- Confusing Bhadra with a tithi.
- Presenting nimitta as deterministic without context.
- Ignoring local time and daylight saving.