Karana Names

[Sreenadh]

Dear All,
The following is a small article on Karana names.
==================================================
Karana Names
===========
Karana is half of a Tithi. Here we are interested in the 7 Karana
names and their meaning. This could be useful to some.
1. Bava
In south india this is also know as 'Simha karnam' (Lion). Anyway the
word Bava has nothing to do with Lion. This word originated from the
Sanskrit word 'Vapa', which means testacies, sperm, flush, creativity
and so on. So naturally as you could expect this karana is good for
all Chara deeds (such as journey, daily duties, business etc) and also
for Stira deeds (such as sawing seeds, sexual intercourse, for putting
foundation stone, worship, temple creation and so on).
2. Balava
In south india this is also known as 'Puli karanam' (Leopard). Anyway
the word Balava has nothing to do with leopard. This word originated
from the Sanskrit word 'Vadava', which means brahmin lady, female
horse (mare), slave girl, prostitute and so on. The major meaning
considered here is 'Brahmin lady'. That is why this karana is good for
Yajna, Homa (fire worship), study of Veda, for reading epic and
puranas etc. It is good for all kinds of Santi karma.
3. Kaulava
In south india this is also known as 'Panni karanam' (Pig/Swine).
Anyway the word Kaulava has nothing to do with Pig. This word
originated from the Sanskrit word Kulapa or Kudava. Kudava is a kind
of measurement vessel (also known as Nazhi in south india). 1 Kudava =
32 Tola. Kula means traditional family. so the word Kaula can refer
to anyone who follows a traditional path, or traditional job. For
example Kulala is the one who creates mud vessels, and Kaulalam is mud
vessel. Kaulika is weaver and is also another name for people who
follow the traditional Siva-Sakta tantric path of worship. Also
remember the word Kaul, popular especially among Kashmiri pundits -
essentially pointing to Kaulachara (Kaula system of siva-sakti
worship). Thus essentially Kaulava karana is related to family,
tradition and any thing worldly. Thus naturally it is good for all
Sthira karma (such as friendship, compromise, agreement or anything
which we want to stay for long).
4. Taitila
In south india this is also known as Kazhuta karnam (Donkey). Anyway
the word Taitila has nothing to do with Donkey. This word originated
from the Sanskrit word 'Titir', which means getting awards, rewards or
respect. Titir is a word with great history. Remember the sage Titir
based on whom the 'Taitireeya banch' of vedic knowledge got its name.
It could be because of the reverence to him that the word 'Titir' got
the meaning respect or reward. Titiksha means patience. There is one
very popular English word which originated from the same root word -
i.e. 'Title'. Apart from the meaning 'heading', the word 'Title' also
means 'entitling', giving a special name out of respect as a award,
reward. Remember the 'Sir' title awarded in medieval periods to many,
and also the titles 'Lord', 'Dr' etc. Thus naturally Taitila karana is
good for all activities related to king, authority, ornamentation,
ornamenting the idols and revered ones and so on. Of course, to be
near the kings or people in power and authority without losing head
demands a lot of patience as well. For pledge taking, receiving
position, charge taking etc usually Taitila karana is preferred.

5. Gara
In south india this is also known as Gaja karana (Elephant). Anyway
the word Taitila has nothing to do with Elephant. Here the root word
itself is 'Gara' meaning hard, difficult, demanding more effort and so
on. Remember the words Garima (proud beauty), Gurutva (essence
fullness), Garishta (most dense, most valuable), Gareeyan (most
revered, great). Actually this word has a better history. In the
ancient past the jobs that are considered difficult are cattle/horse/
elephant breading, agriculture and rural business of grains, vehicle
related and so on; they demand much effort from the villager. Hriha
is a word that points to any type of house. The jobs that comes under
the category of difficult jobs and the word 'gara' points to is cattle
shed, horse shed, elephant shed and so on. For example Aswa-gara
(horse shed). The vehicle of ancient period is horse, and the place to
land the vehicle is 'Garage' as per English language. Note that
English is also a language of Indo-European language family. The point
to note is that it is just due all this that - Gara karana is very
auspicious for any hard and difficult jobs, whether it be related to
vehicle, cattle, house, machinery, rural business and so on.
6. Vanija
In south india this karana is known as 'Surabhi karanam' (Cow).
Anyway the word Vanija has nothing to do with Cow. This word
originated from the Sanskrit word 'Panija' or Pani meaning Phoenician,
businessman or market. Remember the word Vanijya (business) which too
is a related word. The word 'Pani' or 'Pany' means Phoenician or
business (In the vedic past the Phoenicians did business with India).
Note the presence of this word in the modern day English word
'company' (com-pany) - thus company essentially means 'group
business'. Looking at the history of this word it is clear that
'Vanija' or 'Panija' is a word essentially related to business. Thus
naturally this Karana is good for starting a business, selling plot or
building or anything of the like and so on.
7. Vishti
In south india this karana is known with this self same name, and it
is assumed that the shape of Vishti is similar to a dog. Anyway the
word Vishti has nothing to do with dog. Here the root word itself is
'Vishti' meaning effort without benefit, work without payment; in
short 'wastage' of time, money and energy. Vishiti is Vi-Ishti. Ishti
is yaga or work. Vi-Ishti is useless Ishti or useless work; i.e. work
that got wasted. In short vishti means 'waste' - both words (vishti
and waste) originated from the same root. Thus naturally this karana
is not good for beneficial or good deeds and also for deeds for which
we expect some benefit (even punya) in return.
==================================================
Regards,
Sreenadh