Every traditional panchang provides five daily elements. For a muhurta to be auspicious, ideally all five should be favourable – this is called Panchanga Shuddhi. In practice, achieving perfect shuddhi is rare, so texts prioritise: Nakshatra is the primary factor, followed by Tithi, then Yoga, Karana, and Vara.

Both Muhurta Chintamani and Dharmasindhu absolutely forbid marriage when Venus (Shukra) or Jupiter (Guru) is combust – that is, too close to the Sun to be visible. Venus governs conjugal happiness and Jupiter governs dharma and progeny. When either is "burnt" by proximity to the Sun, its beneficent influence is nullified. Venus combustion occurs roughly twice per year (each lasting 1-2 months), and Jupiter combustion occurs roughly once per year. This is the strongest hard prohibition in muhurta selection – no amount of favourable nakshatra or lagna can override it.

The Moon's nakshatra at the time of the ceremony is the single most important panchanga factor for marriage muhurta. Muhurta Chintamani Chapter 6 and B.V. Raman's Muhurtha both provide specific lists.

Muhurta Chintamani makes a remarkable statement: "Even where other favourable conditions are not present, a properly chosen lagna will remove the defects created by other components of muhurta." The lagna (ascendant sign rising on the eastern horizon) changes approximately every two hours, making it the finest-grained tool available to the muhurta astrologer.

Muhurta Chintamani Chapter 6 lists the auspicious tithis for marriage as: 2nd (Dwitiya), 3rd (Tritiya), 5th (Panchami), 6th (Shashthi), 7th (Saptami), 10th (Dashami), 11th (Ekadashi), 12th (Dwadashi), and 13th (Trayodashi). The 4th, 9th, and 14th tithis (called Rikta tithis) are forbidden. B.V. Raman additionally avoids the 8th (Ashtami), Purnima, and Amavasya.

No classical text explicitly forbids Krishna Paksha for marriage. Shukla Paksha (waxing Moon) is universally preferred because the growing Moon symbolises growth and prosperity for new beginnings. However, several traditions – particularly in South India – regularly use Krishna Paksha dates when the nakshatra and lagna are excellent. The practical rule: Shukla Paksha is the default, but Krishna Paksha with a strong nakshatra (like Rohini, Anuradha, or Swati) and a favourable lagna (Mithuna, Kanya, or Tula) is permissible.

Muhurta Chintamani Chapter 6 lists nine Nitya Yogas that are specifically forbidden for marriage, with vivid descriptions of their ill effects: Vishkambha, Atiganda, Shula, Ganda, Vyaghata, Vajra, Vyatipata, Parigha, and Vaidhriti. However, the text also notes that each inauspicious yoga contains a specific Visha Ghati (poison period) – some practitioners avoid only that narrow window rather than the entire yoga. Additionally, a well-chosen lagna with Venus or Jupiter in the ascendant "completely destroys all adverse influences," providing a classical antidote.

Muhurta Chintamani lists Sunday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday as auspicious for marriage. B.V. Raman replaces Sunday with Monday. Both exclude Tuesday (Mars' day – conflict) and Saturday (Saturn's day – delay). Interestingly, the same text states that weekdays are "given less importance" in the final Panchanga Shuddhi assessment for marriage – the prioritisation is Nakshatra first, then Tithi and Yoga, with Vara and Karana as supporting factors.

Vishti (also called Bhadra) is the most severely inauspicious karana – all classical sources forbid any auspicious activity during Vishti. The three other fixed (sthira) karanas – Shakuni, Chatushpada, and Naga – are also inauspicious. The seven movable (chara) karanas (Bava, Balava, Kaulava, Taitila, Gara, Vanija) are all acceptable, with Taitila specifically noted as "propitious for marriage" in classical texts.