Monday, June 15, 2020

What to do during eclipse?

Courtesy:Sri.Bhupal

Brahmanas should be offered Vastra and fed."
That article refers to *Mahodayam* punya kaal, not grahanam. Had included 
it to emphasize on sat-patram and the items generally given as danam.
 
*Grahana Nirnaya* - *Source: 
https://www.kamakoti.org/kamakoti/dharmasindhu/bookview.php?chapnum=5*
 
As long as one could vision Chandra and Surya Grahanaas (Eclipses), one 
would reckon as the Punya Kaala or the auspicious time. Even if the Grahana 
were not visible due to the obstruction of clouds or so, even then on the 
basis of the information available as per the calculation of 
'Shastraas'about the 'Sparsha'( beginning) and Moksha (end), one should 
observe the required '*Snaana-Daanaas*'. 
 
Surya Grahana on Sundays and Chandra Grahana on Mondays are called 
'Chudaamani' and *'Daanaadi Karyaas'* bestow endless Punya. 
One should take bath for 'Baahyaantara Shuchi' or external and internal 
cleanliness as soon as the Grahana Sparsha or the First Touch; 
during the course of the Grahana, one should perform Homa-Devarchana-and 
Shraaddha. 
*When Grahana is receding, then Daanaas are required to be executed* 
and at the time of Moksha, one should take bath once again; 
the bath at the 'Sparsha Kaala' and Moksha Kaala are of distinct waters; 
the Mukti Snaana is defined as follows: 
Sheetamushnodakaat punyamapaarakyam parodakaat, Bhumishthamudhrataa punyam 
tata prasravanodakam/ Tatopisaara sampunyam tatah punyam Nadi jalam, 
Tatastirthanadi Gangaa Punyaa punyastombhudhi/ 
(Cold water bath is more propitious than with hot water; better bathe with 
one's own water; fresh water from the depths of Bhumi is better from well 
water exposed and stored; water from a flowing water is better than in a 
waterbody; Tirtha water like Ganga is better than that of a from a river; 
and bathing in Samudra water is by far better than even a river like 
Ganges!). Grahana Snaana should be with the same clothing as during the 
Grahana and then only the bath would be stated as Mukti Snaana; that bath 
need not be by reciting Mantras. 
 
'Suvasini Strees' or house wives who have their husbands alive could have 
neck-deep bath but those women who like to be purer to take head- bath do 
have the option to do so. Those women who are in the menstrual stage should 
keep her utensils seperated and should not sqeeze her wet clothes after the 
bath. Fasting three days before or atleast one day before would bestow 
'Maha Phala' but those Grihastis with sons and daughters need to take up 
the fast. But they should perform Deva-Pitru Tarpana. 
Persons of all the 'Chatur Varnaas' should wet the clothes after an Eclipse 
as they would be subject to the regulations of 'jaataadi sutaka' or 
'Ashuchi' / impurity of births and deaths as they would have been deemed as 
having visioned the Rahu Graha: Sarveshaametavarnaanaam sutakam Rahu 
Darshaney. 
 
*During the 'Grahana Kaala', Go-Bhu-Hiranyaadi Daanaas would accord 
far-reaching benefits.* 
It is stated: Sarvam Gangaa samam toyam, Sarvey Vyaasa samaah Dwijaah, 
Sarvam Bhumi samam daanam grahaney Chandra Suryayoh/ (On occasions like 
Lunar or Solar Eclipses, all kinds of waters are like Ganga water; all 
Brahmanas are like Vyasaacharya; and all kinds of charity are as good as 
Bhu daana). 
Describing the *effectiveness of Daana*, it is stated: 
Samanu -braahmaney daanam dwigunam Braahmanbruvey, Shrotriye shata 
saahasram paatrey chaanantya mashnutey/( Offering greetings / namaskaaraas 
to a Brahmana by birth might be misplaced but providing charity to a 
'Dwija' or twice-born who has the qualification of Samskaaraas like 
Upanayana or thread marriage and Gayatri Mantra secures better Punya; a 
Brahmana who has the Samskaaras but devoi d of Vedaadhyayana is called a 
Brahmanabruva but still charity to him would be worthy of hundred times 
more; charity to a well read Brahmana 'Srotriya' or he who follows the 
Brahmana Dharmaas in full spirit and practice would fetch Ananta Punya). 
 
*Grahana Shraadha* should be done with suitable Dakshina and possibly with 
Ghrita yukta bhojana followed by Mantra Punascharana; 
the relevant Mantra states: Chandra Suryoparaagey cha snaatwaa 
purvamuposhitah, Sparshaadi Moksha paryantam Japenmantram samaahitah, 
Japaadashaam shato homastathatha homaaccha tappanam, Homaashaktou 
japamkuryaatdhoma sankhyaa chaturgunam/ 
(One should discard bhojana well before the Grahana , take bath at the 
'Sparsha' or touch of the Grahana and its 'Moksha' or termination and 
perform 'Japa' althrough the Grahana Kaala. Out of the 'Japa Sankhya' 
(number) so performed, one tenth of the Sankhya should be the homa sankhya 
and one-tenth of the homa sankhya should be the Tarpana sankhya. In case, 
one cannot perform Homa and Tarpana, the Japa sankhya may be quadrupled. 
In case tarpana is performed then they should first recite the Mula (Root) 
Mantra and then recite :Amukaam Devataam tyarpayaami and offer palms-full 
of water and again sprinkle water on one's head reciting: Amukaam 
devataamahamabhishinchaami/ 
before the Tarpana at the rate of one tenth of the tarpana; this would be 
followed by Brahmana bhojana to the extent of one tenth of the Brahmanas 
engaged for the bhojana-daana-dakshinas. 
 
Thus the entire process of *Japa-Homa-Tarpana- Maarjana-Vipra bhojana* 
comprising the five components is called 'Punascharana' following Surya / 
Chandra Grahana Darshana. The Punascharana Mantra vidhana is as follows :- 
Before Grahana Sparsha, the Karta takes Snaana and Aasana and recites the 
Mantra : Amukagotromuka Sharmaaham Raahugrastey Divaakarey Nishaakarey vaa 
Amuka Devataayaa ; Amuka Mantra siddhi Kaamograasaadi mukti paryanta mamuka 
Mantrasya Japa Rupam purascharanam karishye/ (The Sankalpa states that I-of 
the gotra-naama solemnly resolve that the entire period during the Touch 
and Termination of the Solar/ Lunar Eclipse period will observe 
Mantra-Japa- Purascharana). The Mantra after Grahana Moksha and performing 
Snaanaadi nitya karmaas would resolve by reciting : Amuka Mantrasya 
kritaitadgrahana kaali Kaamukasankhyaaka Japa saangataa siddhyartham 
taddasaanga homa taddasaanga tarpana taddasaanga maarjana taddasaanga Vipra 
bhojanaani karishye/ After the Sankalpa, one might perform the seriatum of 
the Sankalpa failing which the Japaa to the extent of four times of the 
original Japa sankhya be recited. Those who are unable to perform the 
Purascharana as above might at least recite Ishta Devata Prayer and Gayatri 
Japa.
 
* Do's and Dont's at the Grahana Kaala:*
Sleeping during the time of Eclipse leads to illnesses. Passing urine ends 
up in poverty and bad luck. Easing the stomach (Stools) leads to the life 
of 'krimis' in the following birth. 'Maithuna' lands up as a pig in the 
next birth. Head bath during the Eclipse period leads a person to leprosy 
and Bhojana in the time paves way to naraka. Eating the remnants of bhojana 
cooked before or during the Grahana Kaala is prohibited as would lead to 
stomach and digestive problems and similarly drinking even water would tell 
upon the system. However,the carry forward storage of curd, milk, butter, 
ghee, unused oil and such other uncooked stocks might be consumed after the 
Grahana but should be duly covered by 'Dharbha Khandaas' as would be 
proteceted by the rays of Sun or Moon in grahana. 'Garbha Strees' women 
during conception ought to protect themselves from the fall of the rays as 
there had been several evidences of the babies born thereafter sufferng 
from physical deformities.
 
 
*Grahana Vedhi Vichara: *
In the case of Surya Grahana, there would be a Vedha or time difference of 
four Yaama Kaalaas (each day or night has eight yaamaas or four praharas 
and each yaama has senven and half ghadis) and in respect of Chandra 
Grahana the Vedha would be three Yaamaas. Thus, if Surya grahana is in the 
early morning, then nothing should be consumed for four yaamas before. If 
the Surya Grahana is scheduled in the second yaama of the day, then any 
consumption before two yaamas is prohibited. Likewise if Chandra grahana is 
in the first yaama of a night, then bhojana is to be avoided during the 
day's last two yaamaas before the eclipse. Exceptions are provided however 
in respect of children or the Old persons and in their case, bhojana is 
allowed upto one yaama or 6-8 ghadis therebefore. A capable person who eats 
during the Vedha kaala should atone by keeping fast for three successive 
nights . Grahana kaalaa bhojana attracts 'Praajaapatya Kruccha 
Prayaschitta'. Again, if Surya and Chandra secure redemption only after 
their normal setting times or at the time of their day or night 
terminations respectively (Sunset or Moon Set), it is stated that they are 
in a stage of 'grasta' or dormancy; in that case one is required to take 
bath and purify to vision the full 'bimba'or globe on the next day and then 
only take food. 
 
 
*Janma raashi phalas of Grahanas and Daana Vidhis/regulations: *
The Janma Raashi impact of Grahanas on individuals is as follows:- Swajanma 
Raashestruteeya Shashthaikaadasha Dashama Raashisthitam Grahanam 
Shubhapradam, Dwiteeya Saptama Navama Panchama Sthaaneshu Madhyamam, Janma 
Chaturthaashthama Dwaadasha Raashi Sthitamanishthapradam/ (Grahanas 
coinciding with the third, sixth, tenth and eleventh Raashis bestow 
'Shubhapradam' or auspiciousness. If the Janma Raashi is in the Second, 
Seventh, Ninth and Fifth Places then the impact is medium. But if Grahanas 
fall on the fourth, eighth, and twelfth Raashis, then the effect is 
'Anishtha' or bad. [ Incidentally, the Raashi positions are as folows: 
Mesha (Aries), Vrishabha (Taurus), Mithuna (Gemini), Karkataka (Cancer), 
Simha (Leo), Kanya ( Virgo), Tula (Libra), Vrischika (Scorpio), Dhanush 
(Saggitarius), Makara (Capricon), Kumbha (Aquarius) and Meena (Pisces)]. 
 
As the impact of Grahanas on specified Janma Raashis and and Janma 
Nakshatras is adverse then Raashi-Graha-Nakshatra 'Shanti' ( pacification) 
would correct the possible effects as per the Instructions of 
Gargaachaarya; if the perscribed Shaanti is not within one's reach, atleast 
'Bimba Daana' may be performed. The procedure is to prepare Chandra Bimba 
(Globe-like Swarupa) or Surya Bimba in Silver as also Naaga Bimbaas in gold 
and place the two bimbas viz. Chandra or Surya and of Naaga representing 
Rahu graha in a Copper or Kaasya Paatraas (Vessels) filled with ghee and 
Tilas or Sesame seeds wrapped in Vastra (Cloth) and Dakshina (fees) and 
invoke Chandra or Surya as the case may be and Rahu graha stating: 
Mama Janma Raashi Janma Nakshatra sthitaamuka grahana suchita sarvaarishta 
shaanti purvakamekaadasha sthaana sthita grahana suchita Shubha phala 
praaptaye bimba daanam karishye/ 
*Thus giving away the Daana with the above'Sankalpa'to a well-read 
Brahmana, the following prayer be recited: *
Tamomaya Maha Bhima Soma Suryo vimardana, Hema Taara pradaanena mama Shanti 
prado bhava/ Vidhun tuda namastubhyam Simhikaanandanaachyuta, Daaney 
naanena Naagasya rakshamaam vedhajaadbhayaat/ 
(Andhakaaramaya! Maha Bhayankara! Rahu Deva! You have the ability of 
beating up even Surya and Chandra! You provide happiness to your mother 
Simhika Devi; Achyuta or the Undiminishable; as I make this obeisance by 
offering this Naga Bimba at the time of the Grahana, do relieve me of the 
Grahana Vedha and provide me security and destroy my fears).This procedure 
is valid for those affected by those born in the twelfth, eighth and fourth 
Raashis. Such persons affected by the Grahana should not vision the Chandra 
or Surya Bimba in any case. 
 
 
*[Narada Purana describes as to how Chandra-Surya Grahanaas take place; *
the Essence of the relevant Chapter on Grahanaas in brief is as follows: 
Chandra Grahana (Lunar Eclipse) takes place on a Pournami and Surya Grahana 
(Solar Eclipse) on Amavasya and these are called Parvas. As 'Grahas' rotate 
on their own axis and perform Pradakshina (circumambulation) around Bhumi, 
that path is known as the 'Kasksha'or region of that Graha. Prithvi is far 
away from the Sun path and Chandra is nearer and is in between Surya and 
Prithvi. In the direction in which Surya travels, the shadow of Prithvi 
falls in the opposite direction of Surya's path and the length of the 
rotating shadow is equal to that distance. As Prithi is round, the shadow 
of Chandra is also rounding, moving six 'Rashis' away from Surya. Chandra 
rotatating on its own axis moves along with Surya on the Southern Rekha 
(Line) and that time is known as Darshanta Kaala ie at the junction of the 
termination of Amavasya and the beginning of Shukla Pratipada; similarly, 
when Surya reaches six Rashis ahead that time is Pournima. Thus Surya is 
shadowed by Chandra and Chandra is shadowed by the shadow of Prithvi; that 
is why during Surya Grahana, Surya is known as Chhadya or the shadow maker 
and Chandra is Chhadak; again, in Chandra Grahana, Chandra is Chhadya, 
Earth's shadow or Bhubha is Chhadak or Grahana Karta. The 'Vilambana'or the 
delay of time between the 'Chhadya'and 'Chhedak' is known as 'Chhanna' or 
'graas'. Thus when Chandra is fully invisible, then the Lunar Eclipse is 
stated to be complete or 'Sarvagraas'. If Chandra grahana is a 'Khanda 
Grahana' or a partial eclipse, then Prithvi's shadow falls on Chandra to 
that extent. Surya Grahana (Solar Eclipse): When Chandra travels while in 
rotation between Surya and Prithvi and lies in the Southern direction under 
the level of Surya, that day when Sun rays fall on the top portion of 
Chandra, that night is called as Amavasya since Chandra's lower portion is 
invisible on Earth. It is on that Amavasya when Chandra comes in between 
Prithvi and Surya and Surya's 'bimba' disappears at a point of time, that 
particular Amavasya is stated to the time of Surya Grahana (Solar Eclipse). 
As in the case of Lunar Eclipse, there might be Sarva graas or Khanda Graas 
of Solar Eclipse too. On Amavasya, Chandra's Chhaya falls towards Prithvi 
and in that Chhaya Bhubhubhagh falls and Surya bimba disappears; the extent 
of disappearence denotes the full or partial Solar Eclipse. Maharshi 
Sanandana explained to Narada Muni the methodology of calculating the exact 
time and duration of the Eclipses as also the general impact on various 
other Grahas. The belief in Puranas that Rahu was responsible for the 
Eclipses as he was annoyed at the successful attempts made by Surya and 
Chandra to dismember him, although succeeded to secure 'Amrit' and as a 
result accomplished the status of Grahas, was not unfound; it is believed 
that Rahu was dismembered from one entity into two as Rahu and Ketu and 
Lord Brahma set up Rahu in the shadow of Chandra and Ketu in the shadow of 
Prithvi and appointed them as Grahas (Planets); while Rahu and Ketu were 
positioned as the shadows nearby to Surya and Chandra respectively and were 
thus stated to be responsible for the Eclipses. ] 
 
 

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