Which planets govern trade
In Jyotish, Mercury (Budh) is the karaka of commerce, accounts, communication and negotiation, and Jupiter (Guru) of wealth, expansion and good counsel. That is why Wednesday and Thursday are the classic days to begin a business, and why a good muhurat checks that neither planet is combust or badly afflicted on the day.
Choosing the day
- Nakshatra: the kshipra (swift) nakshatras — Ashwini, Pushya, Hasta — are prized for trade, along with soft ones like Chitra, Anuradha and Revati, and movable ones like Shravana and Dhanishtha. For a factory or permanent office, fixed nakshatras such as Rohini and the three Uttaras also work well.
- Tithi: Dwitiya, Tritiya, Panchami, Saptami, Dashami, Ekadashi, Trayodashi and Purnima are commonly accepted; avoid rikta tithis and Amavasya (Diwali is the famous exception — see below).
- Day: Wednesday, Thursday and Friday are best; Monday is also fine. Tuesday and Saturday are generally avoided for openings.
- Avoid: Bhadra, Rahu Kaal, Kharmas and Pitru Paksha.
Choosing the hour
Trading communities in Gujarat, Rajasthan and Maharashtra traditionally fix the exact opening by choghadiya: Labh ("profit") is the obvious favourite, with Amrit and Shubh close behind. A stable lagna (Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, Aquarius) at the moment the shutter goes up is a refinement many astrologers add.
Traditional opening days
- Diwali — Chopda Pujan / Sharda Pujan: on Lakshmi Puja night, traders worship new account books (chopda or bahi-khata), writing "Shubh" and "Labh" and a swastika on the first page. In Gujarat the new financial year traditionally begins the next day. Here the Amavasya rule simply does not apply — Lakshmi's night overrides it. See Diwali.
- Akshaya Tritiya, Vijayadashami and Gudi Padwa — abujh muhurat days on which no separate calculation is needed.
- Guru Pushya and Ravi Pushya yoga — favoured for buying stock, gold and new equipment.
The opening puja
- Clean the premises and hang a toran at the door. Draw a swastika on the entrance with "Shubh" on the left and "Labh" on the right — the names of Ganesha's two sons in popular tradition.
- Perform Ganesh and Lakshmi puja with a kalash, and place their images where the cash is kept.
- Worship the account book, the cash box, the scales or the computer — the tools of the trade.
- Make the first sale (bohni) to a known, cheerful customer, and give the first earning to charity or the temple.
A grounded reminder
A muhurat is a good beginning, not a business plan. The traditions themselves pair Lakshmi with Ganesha — wisdom and the removal of obstacles — as if to say that wealth follows sound judgment, fair dealing and hard work.