How Krishna Paksha and Shukla Paksha started
According to the Panchang, every month has thirty days and these months are calculated according to the movement of the Sun and the Moon. According to the more or less phases of the moon, the month is divided into two pakshas, which are called Krishna Paksha or Shukla Paksha. The days between full moon and new moon are called Krishna Paksha, while on the contrary, the time between new moon and full moon is called Shukla Paksha. There are also mythological stories related to how both sides started.
This is how Krishna Paksha started:—
According to mythological texts, Daksh Prajapati married his twenty-seven daughters to Chandrama. These twenty-seven daughters are twenty-seven female constellations and there is also a male constellation named Abhijeet. But Chandra loved only Rohini. In such a situation, the remaining female constellations complained to their father that Chandra did not perform the duties of a husband with them.
Even after scolding by Daksh Prajapati, Chandra did not leave Rohini and continued ignoring the other wives. Then, getting angry at Chandra, Daksh Prajapati cursed him with tuberculosis. Due to tuberculosis, the brightness of Soma or Moon gradually decreased. Krishna Paksha started from here.
Shuklapaksha started like this:—
It is said that Chandra’s end due to tuberculosis was nearing. He went to Brahma and asked for his help. Then Brahma and Indra asked Chandra to worship Lord Shiva. After worshiping Lord Shiva, Lord Shiva gave Chandra a place in his hair.
By doing this the moon’s glory started returning again. This led to the formation of Shukla Paksha. Since Daksh was ‘Prajapati’. Chandra could not be completely free from his curse. The curse could only bring about change. Therefore the Moon has to go to Krishna Paksha and Shukla Paksha alternately. Daksh created Krishna Paksha and Lord Shiva created Shukla Paksha.
Difference between Krishna Paksha and Shukla Paksha:—
When we understand the meaning of the Sanskrit words Shukla and Krishna, we can clearly differentiate between the two sides. Shukla expresses bright, while Krishna means dark.
As we already saw, Shukla Paksha is from Amavasya to Full Moon, and Krishna Paksha, unlike Shukla Paksha, starts from Full Moon to Amavasya.
Which side is auspicious??
According to religious belief, people consider Shukla Paksha as promising and Krishna Paksha as unfavorable. This idea is in relation to the life force and illumination of the Moon.
According to astrology, the period from Dashami of Shukla Paksha to the fifth tithi of Krishna Paksha is considered auspicious from astrological point of view. During this time the Moon’s energy is at maximum or almost maximum – which is considered important in astrology for determining auspicious and inauspicious times.