Introduction
Many North Indian janam-patris record a child's pāya: svarṇa (gold), rajata (silver), tāmra (copper) or lauha (iron). Pāya literally means a foot or base. Families often ask which pāya their child has and whether anything needs to be done.
The plain answer: pāya is an old folk custom. There are two ways of finding it, and it does not decide any ceremony or puja.
Method one: by the birth nakshatra
This method reads the pāya from the birth nakshatra (the Moon's nakshatra). Tables that sort the 27 nakshatras into four groups are printed in panchangs and books.
But these tables do not agree with each other. For several nakshatras, such as Revati, Krittika to Mrigashira, and Dhanishtha to Purva Bhadrapada, different tables give different pāyas. So we do not print one table here as "the" correct one. ePandit shows a nakshatra-method answer only for the nakshatras on which the circulating tables agree; for the rest it says plainly that the tables differ. If your panchang gives a different pāya from another, this is why.
Method two: by the Moon's house from the lagna
This is the method most North Indian janam-patris print. Count from the lagna to the house holding the Moon:
| Moon's house from the lagna | Pāya |
|---|---|
| 1, 6, 11 | Svarṇa (gold) |
| 2, 5, 9 | Rajata (silver) |
| 3, 7, 10 | Tāmra (copper) |
| 4, 8, 12 | Lauha (iron) |
It needs the birth time, because the lagna depends on the time.
Two methods, two answers: both fine
For the same child the two methods often disagree, for example "gold" by nakshatra and "iron" by house. The difference lies in the method, not the child. If two pandits give different pāyas, each may be right by their own method. ePandit always shows the house-method answer, and the nakshatra-method answer only where the tables agree, each with its method named, so there is no confusion.
What the texts say, and do not say
- Both methods are folk custom. Pāya does not appear in Muhūrta-cintāmaṇi, Dharmasindhu, Bṛhat Parāśara Horā Śāstra or Phaladīpikā.
- No ceremony depends on pāya. For naming, Muhūrta-cintāmaṇi (Saṁskāra-prakaraṇa) and Dharmasindhu look at the tithi, weekday, nakshatra, lagna and time of day; never pāya. There is no need to delay naming or any later saṁskāra because of it.
- There is no shānti for pāya. No text prescribes one.
- Daan (folk belief, optional): many families give a little food or clothing out of their own faith. It is entirely your choice, and not to remove any "dosha".
- Pāya is not a sign of luck, good or bad, for the child or family. "Iron" is not a warning and "gold" is not a promise.