Muhurat for starting a business

What this event is

Opening a shop, registering a company, signing the first client or starting a new job as a self-employed person is a fresh beginning. Many families mark such a start with a short puja to Ganesha, the remover of obstacles, and Lakshmi, the goddess of prosperity. This is the Hindu idea of the shubh arambh (auspicious start).

Auspicious timing in the classical guidance

The classical lists are drawn from the rules for beginning commerce and lasting undertakings. Families and priests follow differing lists, so ask yours.

Essential

• Avoid Rahu Kalam, Bhadra and eclipses.
• Avoid Pitru Paksha, Adhika masa, Kharmas, and the periods of Guru asta and Shukra asta. Jupiter is the planet of guidance and growth and Venus of trade and comfort.

Strongly preferred

• Nakshatra. Ashwini, Rohini, Mrigashira, Punarvasu, Pushya, Uttara Phalguni, Hasta, Chitra, Swati, Anuradha, Uttara Ashadha, Shravana, Dhanishta, Uttara Bhadrapada and Revati. Pushya is called the king of nakshatras and is especially praised for beginnings that are meant to grow. Avoid Bharani, Krittika, Ardra, Ashlesha, Jyeshtha and Moola.
• Tithi. The 2nd, 3rd, 5th, 7th, 10th, 11th and 13th, and Purnima. Avoid the rikta tithis (4th, 9th, 14th) and Amavasya. A notable exception is the Diwali Lakshmi puja, when traders open new account books on the new-moon night by long tradition.
• Paksha. Shukla paksha, the waxing Moon, is preferred for growth.

Ideal

• Yoga. Among the 27 yogas of the panchang, Siddhi and Vriddhi are considered favourable for success and growth. The combined weekday-nakshatra yogas called Sarvartha Siddhi and Amrita Siddhi are also much loved by priests.
• Abhijit muhurat. A window of about 48 minutes around local noon is considered favourable for starting almost anything, even on days when other timings are difficult. Some traditions set it aside on Wednesday. See the Abhijit muhurat page.
• Weekday. Wednesday (Mercury, trade), Thursday (Jupiter) and Friday (Venus) are the most favoured, with Monday also accepted. Tuesday and Saturday are avoided by many.
• Month. No month is excluded in this list.

Preparation and ritual outline

1. Clean the space, the shop or the home office, and decorate the entrance with a toran (garland).
2. Place pictures of Ganesha and Lakshmi (and your family deity) on a clean cloth, with a kalash of water.
3. Light a lamp. Offer flowers, rice, kumkum and sweets, and say the sankalp (statement of intention) for the venture.
4. Perform Ganesh puja and then Lakshmi puja. A priest may add a short Navagraha puja.
5. Begin the first act of business, such as writing the first entry, signing the first agreement, or making the first sale. In traditional trade, a swastika is drawn on the first page of the account book.
6. Share prasad with staff and family.

You may chant ॐ गं गणपतये नमः (Om Gam Ganapataye Namah) and ॐ श्रीं महालक्ष्म्यै नमः (Om Shreem Mahalakshmyai Namah). Ask a priest or elder to guide pronunciation.

Practical notes for the USA

In the USA the dates of incorporation, state and federal registration, lease signing and bank account opening are set by the offices involved and by your lawyer or accountant. Those dates take priority.

• Filing and registration. File on the practical date. If you have the freedom to choose, a favourable weekday helps, but it is not required.
• Small puja. Perform your puja at a good time on the day of the opening, or when you first open the door of the office or shop. A home office is fine.
• First act. Choose the first email, first invoice or first sale to coincide with the muhurat if you can.
• Online businesses. A website launch can be timed to a muhurat.
• Time zone. Use the sunrise-based times shown for your city.

This page is general guidance and not business, legal or financial advice. A personal muhurat is made from the family's own horoscopes by a qualified jyotishi.