Birth Time Rectification & Verification Techniques

There are various birth time rectification and verification techniques available in Vedic astrology texts. In this post, I want to talk about a simple technique suggested by Kalidas in Uttar Kalamrit. In fact, there are three techniques suggested in Uttar Kalamrit as follows -

1. Nakshatra Shuddhi, for finding out the Nakshatra (constellation)
2. Man - Woman Janma Shuddhi, for finding out the sex
3. Lagna Shuddhi, for finding out the Lagna (ascendant)

I am planning to have one post for each technique. Here is the first technique -

1. Nakshatra Shuddhi
Multiply the Ghatikas and Vighatikas of the Ishta Kala by 4 and divide the product by 9. The reminder should be counted beginning with Ashwini, Magha or Moola in whatsoever Paryaya it falls. The 27 Nakshatras are distributed in 3 Paryayas consisting of 1st to 9th, 10th to 18th and 19th to 27th. This will give the Janma Nakshatra.

Example:
Suppose the native was born on 6.3.1980 at Ishta Ghatika 56.12,. Therefore,
54.12 X 4 /9 = 224.48 / 9 = 24 X 9 + 8.48.
As the reminder is 8.48, Nakshatra may be Ashlesha (9th Nakshatra), Jyeshtha (18th Nakshatra) or Revati (27th Nakshatra).

You might be wondering what is the Ishtakal and how to calculate it. Istakaal is the difference between sunrise and time of birth. Please note that the time of birth should be converted to local mean time before finding out the difference. If you use IST/ standard time, the result will be incorrect.

Thoough you need not to worry about LMT conversion and Ishtakal calulation etc. There are various software that can do it for you. The simplest is to use AstroSage.com. Once you will cast your chart using AstroSage.com, you will find Ishtakaal on Birth Details page. AstroSage.com will also give you the name of the Nakshatra for the supplied date and time. The Nakshatra table can be found here.