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सङ्कष्टी
saṅkaṣṭī
'Distress-removing'; the 4th tithi of krishna-paksha (chaturthi after purnima, monthly). Vrat dedicated to Ganesha. Fast broken after moonrise.
सङ्कष्टी; गणेश-व्रत।
Hindu thought is built from a vocabulary of carefully-distinguished terms. Words like sankashti are not loose translations — each has a precise scriptural genealogy, a specific role in ritual or philosophy, and often a counterpart that completes its meaning. Many of the major Hindu darśanas (Sāṅkhya, Yoga, Vedānta, Mīmāṃsā, Nyāya, Vaiśeṣika) refined their vocabulary over centuries; the same Sanskrit term can carry different shades in different schools.
Sankashti sits within a cluster of related concepts — ganesha, vrat, chaturthi. Reading these together gives you the actual texture of the idea, rather than treating it as an isolated definition. Each Sanskrit term in this glossary is cross-linked to the others it presupposes.
Where useful we cite the primary scriptural source — the Upaniṣad, sūtra, or smṛti passage where the term is given its classical sense — alongside trusted modern dictionaries (Monier-Williams, V.S. Apte, Sanskrit Heritage). For practical questions about usage in pūjā or daily life, ask a paṇḍita in your tradition.
Elephant-headed Lord of obstacles; first-worshipped at the start of every puja. Son of Shiva and Parvati. Mooshika is his vahana. Ekadanta (one tusk), Lambodara (large belly), Vighneshvara (Lord of obstacles), Vinayaka.
A vow involving fasting and disciplined observances on a specific day or duration. Standard vrats: Ekadashi, Pradosh, Sankashti, Karva Chauth, Vat Savitri, Solah Somvar.
New-moon day; the last tithi of krishna-paksha. Sacred for shraddha (ancestor rites). Specific amavasyas: Mauni, Somvati, Bhaumvati, Mahalaya.
Eight 90-minute segments of the day (and night), each labelled Amrit, Shubh, Labh, Char (auspicious) or Rog, Kaal, Udveg (inauspicious). Quick guide for daily auspiciousness.
The 11th tithi of each paksha (i.e., 24/year). Most important Vaishnava vrat day — fast from grains, beans, certain vegetables. Each ekadashi has a name and katha.
Mahalaya amavasya — the last day of Pitru Paksha. Final shraddha for ancestors. In Bengal, marks the start of Devi Paksha and the chant of Mahishasura Mardini at dawn.
'Silent new-moon'; Magh amavasya, observed in silence (mauna-vrata). Snana at the Sangam (Prayagraj) is especially meritorious.
Auspicious time-window for an activity. Day is divided into 30 muhurtas of 48 minutes each. Choose by panchanga + activity-specific rules.
Lunar mansion; one of 27 (or 28 with Abhijit) constellations through which the moon passes in a lunar month. Each nakshatra is 13°20', has a ruling deity, gana, yoni, and pada (4 quarters of 3°20' each).
Five-limbed Hindu calendar: Tithi, Vara (weekday), Nakshatra, Yoga, Karana. The basis for muhurat, festival timing, and daily ritual.
Awaiting paṇḍita verification before final publication. If you spot an inaccuracy in the Sanskrit, IAST, or interpretation, please write to us.