Muhūrta is the Vedic science of electional astrology — choosing the most auspicious moment to begin an important activity (marriage, business opening, surgery, travel, etc.). A muhurta is technically a 48-minute time unit (1/30 of a day), but the word colloquially refers to any auspicious time window. Key factors: tithi, vara (weekday), nakshatra, yoga (the panchang combination), karana, lagna, and the avoidance of doshas (Rahu Kala, Yamaganda, Gulika, Durmuhurta). The panchang is the primary tool for muhurta selection.