MUHURAT

The astrological precepts on public affairs may be considered by ill-informed or half educated persons as ridiculous. But one who is a keen student of natural laws and who knows the importance of time and its manifestations cannot fail to notice that there is much sense underlying these precepts, for we are only asked to move in harmony with laws of nature. An intelligent man must question himself why, for instance a project launched at one hour proves fortunate investment, white another launched at a different hour proves most unluckly. Some ventures are doomed to failure from their very inception in spite of all the apparent favourable, circumstances. Consequently even those who make it a point to scoff at astrology cannot help speaking such as "illstarred affairs" although unaware of the meaning of this expression. Many nation-building activities have either proved abortive or resulted in failure simply because they were started in an unlucky moment.
Building and Launching Ships. - The constellations Jyeshta. Makha, Visakha, Aridra, Rohini, Bharani, Knttika and Aslesha should be avoided. The remaining ones are auspicious. Sunday, Thursday and Friday are good. Let the Lagna be a watery sign. Place the lord of Lagna in the 9th or 11th house. The lord of Janma Rasi should be in a watery sign. Avoid movable signs. Let there be no planet in 8th house. In building ships for war, strengthen the position of Mars; In building merchant and passenger ships, see that. Mercury is dignified or at least occupies an Upachaya sign free from affliction. Either Venus or Jupiter should be in a kendra or trikona. The conjunction of Mars and Moon and Mars and Lagna or Lagnadhipathi should be avoided.
Building Towns and Cities. - The foundation stone should be laid at an auspicious moment as per rules given in the chapter on House Building. The best asterisms for laying the foundation for building a town are Aswini, Chitta and Revati. The Lagna must be a fixed sign powerful ly aspected by Jupiter. This gives durability and continuance. Place Mercury in an auspicious position. This makes the city grow into a big trading centre. Confine Saturn to an Upachaya. Mars should have no connection with the Lagna. Have the construction begun when the Moon is increasing in light? Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday are good. Movable signs should be avoided. Benefic planets should be in Lagna, the 2nd and the 9th houses. Malefics should be in 3rd and 11th houses. The 8th should be vacant as also the 12th. But a benefic in the 12th is permissible.
Building Military Quarters. - The constellation of Uttarabhadra is the best for beginning the construction of military quarters or barracks.
Dairy Farms. - Let Taurus or Cancer be the rising sign. Aswini, Punarvasu, Pushya. dasta, Swati, Sravana, Dhanishta and Satabhisha are the best Nakshatras. The presence of the Moon in Lagna augurs prosperity. Monday is the best weekday.
Electing Head of the State. - The best constellations areAswinr. Rohini, Mrigasira, Punarvasu, Pushya. Uttara, Hasta, Anuradha. Uttarashadha, Sravana. Uttarabhadra and Revati. All odd lunar days (in the bright half) except the 9th are good. The 2nd and 10th lunar days are also favourable. The rising sign must be Aries. Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo, Sagittarius, Aquarius or Pisces.
Strengthen the Sun and the Moon. Fortify the Lagna and the 10th and their lords. Let the 8th house be vacant. Confine malefics to Upachayas. If possible, the Sun and the Moon should be placed in Cancer or Leo preferably subject to the aspect of Jupiter. As usual, the Tarabala, Chandrabala, Panchaka, etc., should be carefully looked into.
Coronation. - The foregoing rules apply to coronation also. If possible, let Lagna be Leo occupied by the Sun and aspected by Jupiter. In case of democratic rule, the new Government may begin at a time when Kumbha is rising with Saturn in Lagna or in Thula aspected in either case by Jupiter or Venus.
Installing a Deiiy. - Building temples and installing deities involve the consideration of very important astrological principies which an average student of astrology will be unable to understand thoroughly. Therefore, selection of an auspicious moment for such purposes may well be left to a specialist. There are complicated astronomical, astrological and religious rules given in original Works and the reader Will do well to refer to such works as Brihat Samhits, Kalamrita. etc., for greater details. Here I shall give just a few salient principles.
The installation of a deity should be done when the Sun is in the Northern course. The lunar month of Magha should be avoided. According to Kalaprakasika, the ceremony is to be done when Jupiter and Venus are dignified and devoid of adverse influences.
Rohini, Mrigasira. Punarvasu, Pushya, Uttara, Hasta, Swati, Uttarashadha and Uttarabhadra are good constellations for this purpose. All odd lunar days (except the 9th) including the 2nd, 6th and 10th are favourable. The Lagna must be a fixed sign. A common sign may be selected for a female Deity. Movable signs should always be rejected. The Lagna should not be conjoined by the luminaries or malefics or otherwise the town concerned will be destroyed. No malefic should occupy the 7th. There should be no planet in the 8th. The ceremony should be avoided at the end of an Ayana, the end of a year, of a lunar day and of an asterism; and on days on which halos round the Sun and the Moon are visible.
CHAPTER XVIIMiscellaneous Elections
In the foregoing chapters elections bearing upon almost all human activities have been clearly described. In this chapter I propose to deal with a few more important ones bearing upon sports, law-suits, prisoners and war.
Lotteries and Competitions. - Success in lotteries and competitions generally depends upon the strength of the birth horoscope in regard to the house of finance and the nature of the directional influences at the time concerned. Therefore, much reliance cannot be placed on the strength of election in. regard to chance-games.
Aswini, Bharani, Punarvasu, Pushya, Hasta, Chitta, Visakha, Poorvashadha and Revati are excellent for entering into competitions. The 2nd, 3rd, 5th, 6th, 11th and 13th lunar days are good. All weekdays are suitable except Tuesday and Saturday. Let the Lagna belong to a benefic planet. Fortify the Moon and the 5th and the 9th houses. Avoid the 11th lord in the 12th and Mars in the 8th. Saturn should cast no aspect either on the 2nd house or on the 2nd lord.
Horse Races. - Here again the birth chart is important. Horses are said to be governed by Aswini. This constellation therefore is fortunate for purchasing and training horse for race purposes. Krittika, Mrigasira, Punarvasu, Pushya, Uttarabhadra, Hasta, Swati, Visakha, Anuradha and Dhanishta are also good. Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday are favourable. If you want to run a horse for a race, place Sagittarius in Lagna and strengthen the 10th house.
Filing Law-suits. - Avoid the usual unfavourable lunar days. Aswini, Rohini, Mrigasira, Pushya, Uttara, Hasta, Chitta, Anuradha, Dhanishta and Revati are good. Tuesday and Saturday should be avoided. Strengthen the Lagna by placing Jupiter in a Trikona. Let there be no malefic in the 6th house. The lords of Lagna and the 6th should be as far apart as possible. The Lagna or at least the Navamsa must be Aries in order to assure success to the litigation. If benefics occupy kendras or occupying the male signs, have beneficial aspects, there will be peace between the parties.
Seeking Escaped Prisoners. - Saturday, Monday and Tuesday are favourable weekdays. Aswini, Rohini, Aridra, Aslesha, Pubba, Chitta, Visakha, Moola, Uttarashadha and Revati are auspicious. The Lagna must be in a movable sign aspected or occupied by Mercury or Moon. The 6th lord should occupy the 11th and be free from affliction. See that the Moon does not occupy the 12th in conjunction with any other planet. Make the Sun weak. If possible, let Rahu or Ketu be posited in Lagna. Parivarthana or exchange of house between lords of Lagna and the 7th is also desirable.
Buying Arms. - The most favourable constellations are Punarvasu, Pushya, Hasta, Chitta, Rohini, Mrigasira, Visakha, Anuradha, Jyeshta, Uttara, Uttarashadha, Uttarabhadra, Revati and Aswini. Avoid Riktha Tithis the 4th. 9th and 14th lunar days. Sunday, Thursday and Friday are auspicious. Some works recommend Tuesday also as favourable. A martian sign must be rising, or culminating and Mars must be in a dignified position.
Starting Wars. - Several standard works on Muhurtha do not specially mention the constellations, etc., suitable for starting wars. Planetary combinations for the defeat of the enemy are given. However, by a reference to relevant literature on the subject, we have been able to gather the following information. War must be started on a day ruled by Aswini, Bharani, Krittika, Aridra, Aslesha, Makha, Pubba, Chitta, Jyeshta, Satabhisha and Revati. Of the lunar days except the 4th, 9th and 14th the rest are said to be fortunate. Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday are supposed to ensure victory.
In our humble view if Tuesday is selected Mars must be rendered strong.
The enemy is said to retreat in confusion if the war is begun in a Chara Lagna when the Moon occupies a fixed sign. The enemy is also said to retreat early if the Lagna is Aries, Leo, Taurus and Sagittarius. There should be no conjunction of or aspect between Mars and Saturn if great mortality and bloodshed are to be avoided. Mars should be elevated preferably if the 7th house or the meridian unaspected by any other malefic. The Lagna must, as usual, be strong.
Destroying Strongholds. - Let a fiery sign be rising with Mars posited in or aspecting Lagna. A strong-hold besieged under the influence of Aries is bound to fall early. Similarly, Sagittarius ascending with Mars in it would render the collapse of any stronghold inevitable.
Making Peace. - This is an important item in the lives of nations. Peace must be under a strong influence of Jupiter. The ascending sign and amsa must be either Pisces or Taurus or Virgo. Benefics should be strongly placed. Saturn must be either in the 12th or in Upachaya. There should be no conjunction between Mars and Rahu or Mars and Saturn or Rahu and Saturn. The signatories to the Peace Treaty must themselves have their horoscopes harmoniously disposed. The constellations of Mrigasira, Chitta, Dhanishta, Aridra, Swati, Satabhisha, Anuradha and Uttarabhadra should be avoided, as also the 4th. 7th, 8th, 9th and 12th lunar days and New and Full Moon days. Peace made under the following combinations is said to last for a long time: -
(1) The Moon should be in the 10th house, Jupiter in the 4th and Mars and Saturn in the 11th (Mars and Saturn should not be in conjunction).
(2) Jupiter should be in Lagna, Mercury in the 7th, Saturn in the 3rd, the Sun in the 6th and Venus in the 4th.
(3) Jupiter should be in the 5th from Lagna (which should be Taurus). Sun in the 3rd and Mars in the 6th.
(4) Mercury in Lagna, Jupiter in the 7th and the Moon in the 10th.
(5) Jupiter in Lagna (which should be a fixed sign). Mercury in the 7th and the Moon in the 10th.
Will our statesmen pay heed to the astrological counsel and try these simple astrological rules and rid the world of perpetual threat to Peace?
The conceit of modern progress has no more respect for ancient ideas then for the forgotten civilizations of old, even though in many essentials they have anticipated or outstripped all that we boast of.
CHAPTER XVIIISummary
In the last seventeen chapters, we have been able to cover almost all the Important aspects of Muhurtha, a branch of astrology which is still very popular, amongst all sections of people not only in India but in other parts of the world too.
The rationale of Muhurtha consists in appreciating the importance of the time-factor in all human undertakings. It is an admitted fact that all source of life and terrestrial activities is the Sun. Forces emanating from thit glorious body vary in intensity and influence as a result of their contact with other celestial bodies. Man is himself a bundle of electrical currents and therefore there is always a sort of interaction between planetary forces and those incessantly radiated by man. By Muhurtha is meant that valuable moment when there is the greatest harmony or resonance between human and stellar radiations.
Horoscopy is diagnostic. Muhurtha is preventive on prescriptive. It sets at naught the theory of absolute determinism and gives scope for the display of volition within reasonable limits. Therefore even if afitictions exist in the birth horoscope they can be neutralised or at least lessened by recourse to Muhurtha.
Muhurtha takes into cognizance the importance of the radical Moon as he indicates the mind and alt our psychological inhibitions. Hence almost every election is to be so timed as to have reference to the birth star and consequently to the birth Moon. Janma Tara is the ruling constellation while Janma Rasi means the zodiacal sign occupied by the Moon at the time of one's birth.
In electional astrology, the Panchanga, made up as it is of five important astrological limbs, is of great significance. The Panchanga consists of (1) Tithi, (2) Vara, (3) Nakshatra, (4) Yoga and (5) Karana.
The Tithi is the lunar day. This can be known thus: Subtract the longitude of the Sun from that of the Moon in degrees at a given time. Divide the remainder by 12 and the quotient plus one will be the current tilhi. The remainder when subtracted from 12 and divided by the diurnal motion in degrees will give in day the time at which the lunar day will change. Vara is of course the usual weekday commencing from Sunday and ending with Saturday. The Nakshatra is the ruling constellation. This can be ascertained thus: - Reduce the position of the "Moon into minutes and divide it by 800. The quotient represents the past nakshatra and the remainder ait portion of trie next star. Then we have the Yoga which may be obtained thus: - Take the position of the Sun and the Moon and divide it by the sum of their motions. The quotient as usual represents the past yoga. Then we have the last limb, viz., Karana or haif a lunar day. There are 27 Nakshatras, 27 Yogas and 11 Karanas.
In Muhurtha, the pride of place is always given to Nakshatra. Vara and Tithi. The other two limbs whilst no doubt important in their own way are in actual practice of secondary value.
In selecting auspicious times, due notice must be taken of the purpose in view. Each human activity requires the strengthening of a particular house or signification or the presence of a particular type of combination.
Rasis and constellations have their negative periods also. Such periods, should be rejected in all good works. Tuesday and Saturday are invariably bad for all auspicious works. There are certain exceptions for this general rule. For instance, Tuesday is good for surgical operations.
The most important factors to be considered are the Tarabala or strength of constellation. Chandrabala: or lunar strength and the Panchaka or the strength of the sum-total of five kinds of energies called into play at a particular moment. In all these cases there are exceptions to be noted. Hence, in the election of a Muhurtha, one should be very careful. Each constellation has its own role to play as suitable for a certain type of activity. In fact, Pushyami is considered a constellation par excellence. It could be employed for all purposes but not for marriage.
There are twenty-one great evils (Mahadoshas) being the resultant of the operation of the various forces. As many of these doshas as possible must be avoided. Of these, Kujashtana and Bhrigushataka are definitely harmful for marriage while the others are equally evil in respect of other elections. One important consideration should weigh with the Astrologer, viz., that the force of good must supersede those of evil for an absolutely good Muhurtha is inconceivable. Several combinations and exceptions are given which would render the forces of evil either null and void or less harmful. For instance, do day of the week is blemished provided the lord thereof is strongly placed. A benefic exalted in Lagna should nullify all other adverse influences, if the kendras are fortified, sources of evil are considerably lessened.
A certain weekday coinciding with a certain lunar day and constellation constitutes a special Yoga capable of generating very good influences. For example, Thursday identical with the 4th lunar day and the constellation Makha gives rise to Siddha Yoga, a highly favourable combination. These special influences merit the attention of a student of Muhurtha.
Of the Shodasa Karmas (16 kinds of ceremonies) prescribed for the Hindu, excepting a few, the vest are common to persons of all castes; creeds and nationalities and they are therefore of universal application. Nishekam or the first sexual act is astrologically very significant for *"not only do the radiations from these stars exercise an influence on the animal and human embryo but, since all substance, living or inert, is constituted of elections which are materialised radiations, the formation of all organic beings on earth depends directly on the influence of these radiations on the human egg at the moment of conception".
* La Grand Problem by Lakhovsky
The ancients have also hinted at the possibility of change of sex by having the ceremony of Pumsavana done when the foetus has attained a certain age. Of the post-natal ceremonies. Upanayana is very important. Fixing a suitable time for this ceremony is indeed highly difficult. This should be left to be done by an expert until the student has gained sufficient experience which could enable him to do the work independently.
In regard to marriage, the following suggestions may be carefully noted: -
(1) Do not begin the comparison of horoscopes without testing the correctness of the castings submitted.
(2) Examine the longevity of the bridegroom and the bride. If short life is indicated either for the bride or for the bridegroom do not recommend the match unless there are neutralising influences in either of the horoscopes.
(3) The 7th and 8th houses should be carefully examined. When there are many afflictions, carefully find out if there are neutralising influences also. Otherwise reject the match.
(4) The first condition is the inherent strength of the horoscope. Next in importance comes the question of examining marriage adaptability.
(5) A girl belonging to Rakshasa Gana should not be married to a boy belonging to Manusha of Deva Gana. The reverse condition is recommended.
(6) In examining Graha Maitra which is the sins qua non of marriage stability, consideration should be had not only to the Janma Rasis of the couple but to the Janma Navamsa also. When Graha Maitra does not exist according to Janma Rasi, then the latter must be considered. Under certain conditions (p. 91) even want of Graha Maitra can be ignored. All these have to be carefully looked into before pronouncing an opinion. The common Janma Nakshatra factor presents many difficulties for a beginner in astrology. The subtle distinctions bearing on this consideration should be carefully grasped. Then there is, the question of Ku]a Dosha about which much fuss is being made in this part of India. No horoscope should be rejected unless it has been examined from all astrological angles.
(7) If the girl and the boy have their 5th houses considerably afflicted, then marriage between them Is not desirable. But much of the evil due to these radical dispositions can be ovecome by selecting a proper Muhurtha.
(8) *"In the beginning of your literary attempts in the astrological field do not be-over-confident or hasty in having properly understood the principles explained here. Refer your knowledge to some gentlemen who have much experience in these matters and whose opinions you ought to value and compare with your inferences and personal experiences".
* The Astrological Mirror by Prof. B. Suryanarain Rao
(9) In marriages, there should be no three or more Jyeshtas. The eldest son or daughter is called a Jyeshta. There is the lunar month of Jyeshta and the constellation of Jyeshta. Therefore the marriage of an eldest son or daughter should not be done in the constellation of Jyeshta and the lunar month of Jyeshta. Similarly if the bride and bridegroom happen to be Jyeshtas the marriage should not be celebrated either in the month of Jyeshta or in the constellation of Jyeshta.
(10) In fixing a Muhurtha for marriage, keep the 7th house clean, and 6th and 8th unoccupied by Venus and Mars respectively. Jupiter's presence in a kendra or trikona is very desirable.
(11) When birth data are not available. take the Nama Nakshatra (see Appendix) of the couple. The name of an individual's made up of letters or aksharas, by which is meant indestructible forms of sound vibrations, and when you consider a name, you are only measuring the energy content of the individual.
(12) Parents waste huge sums on Marriage Shows such as dinners, music, jewels and pandals but they are niggardly in paying proper remuneration to a deserving astrologer who could fix up a really auspicious moment. It astrological consultation is not to be a matter of formality but of serious importance, then the learned astrologer should be paid properly. A proper Muhurtha will ensure the future of the couple and anything expended towards this item is well spent. If without caring to consult an expert astrologer, the marriage is done and it proves a failure, then all the energy and finance spent would be a sheer waste. Hence it is very necessary that an expert astrologer is pressed into service.
General elections given in Chapter XIV comprehend very important human activity and as far as possible due attention must be paid to the astrological factors either in regard to going on a,journey or starting a business or for doing any important work. Auspicious times for day-to-day activities can be fixed by any amateur astrologer.
Astrology, in relation to house building is a very important subject, as it takes into account factors which the architect and the engineer generally ignore. Materials assembled for the construction of a building radiate different kinds of energies some good, some indifferent and some definitely harmful. Force of evil accruing from such sources can be tapped off by laying the foundation-stone and entering the new house at propitious moments. An amateur astrologer should not rake the responsibility of doing this job as it pre-supposes very intimate knowledge of Vastu Sastra.
In the matter of Travel or Yatra, Krittika, Bharani and the lunar days of Ashtami and Navami should be invariably avoided. Journeys are also prohibited towards different directions on different weekdays. There are exceptions for such rules in cases of emergency. In selecting a suitable day for travel, a good lunar day, a favourable constellation and a well-fortified Lagna merit one's foremost attention. For short journeys existence of Tarabala is enough. For going on pilgrimages or important errands, a very suitable day has to be fixed by taking due note of all the important astrological factors.
The medical elections are intended to ensure speedy recovery from illness. There is a striking correspondence between the lunar movements and crises in certain types of disease and this gives a clue as to why a suitable time should be secured to commence treatment for long-standing diseases and surgical operations. Generally Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday coinciding with Hasta, Aswini. China and Punarvasu respectively would be highly favourable to begin treatment for recurrent fevers and chronic diseases. The time becomes specially propilious if in addition to the above the Moon, Mercury, Jupiter and Venus occupy their own vargas and a movable Rasi is ascending in Amsa.
Elections bearing on public matters are of dubious value in view of the current prejudicial official attitude entertained towards astrology. Vet, as in actual practice, astrologers are being consulted in private for official purposes, the rules bearing on elections pertaining to public affairs are bound to be of some value. It is hoped the day is not far off when astrology is given its due by the State and recognised as the science par excellence for the solution of national and international problems. This expectation on our part may induce a derisive laugh from "men of sobriety" whose habit of thinking is confined to a limited horizon. But we are bold enough to say that astrology when properly pressed into the service of the State would be far more useful in preventing national and international complications than all the paraphernalia now employed by the civilised Governments all over the world.
Concluding Remarks
Muhurtha is not the penance for all the ills afflicting a horoscope. Muhurtha or an auspicious moment can neutralise to a certain extent the afflictions existing in a birth chart as affecting the various events.
If marital harmony is completely absent in a birth chart, Muhurtha cannot confer on the native marital harmony. It reduces the sources of friction to a certain extent.
Of the different limbs of the panchanga, viz., tithi, vara, nakshatra, yoga and karana, the nakshatra is very important. If suppose for a marriage, the tithi is the 6th and the nakshatra is Sadhana, then the day can be selected. This is the view of sage Brihaspati and hence acceptable to the other sages. But even if other factors such as tithi, nakshatra. etc., are defective, a strong Lagna can neutralise such defects. This is the view of Narada and we concur with this view. But recourse should be had to this contingency only under special circumstances, e.g., when a Muhurtha is to be fixed, say for accommodating a bridegroom coming from a foreign country, who has to get back quickly.
According to Roua, Jupiter should be rendered strong for marriage; Venus for travel; Mercury for learning; Mars for war, fighting; the Sun for meeting with the rulers, government officers, etc., and the Moon in respect of all elections.
Abhijin Muhurtha (midday) could be fixed for all elections, in case a really auspicious time is not available. Add half duration of the day to sunrise and the Abhijin Muhurtha is obtained. Suppose sunrise is at 6-10 a.m. (IST) and sunset 6-45 p.m. The interval is 12 hours 30 minutes. Half this, viz., 6 hours 15 minutes added to time of sunrise, viz., 6-10 (1ST) gives the Abhijin Muhurtha as 6 hours 10 minutes + 6 hours 15 minutes = 12 hours 25 minutes.
According to Sage Bharadwaja a fully flawless Muhurtha is unthinkable for years. Therefore, fix up an auspicious time, with less doshas and more gunas. Even sage Narada says: Avoiding heavy afflictions (mahadoshas), and considering the ordinary gunas and doshas, fix an auspicious time with more gunas. That moment proves auspicious.
And always see that Jupiter or Venus is in conjunction with the ascendant or at least in a kendra or the trine so that all doshas are rendered infructuous.
The sages appear to have taken a very liberal view of things especially in regard to marriage. For instance they say that if the boy and the girl like each other in their first meeting, that should also receive first consideration - (...) And when doubts arise between views of different astrologers about the agreement of horoscopes, we are asked to have recourse to nimitta (omens) and clinch the issue.
The outstanding exponent of astrology in 20th century was my revered grandfather the late Prof. B. Suryanarain Rao, a great historian, savant, linguist and philosopher. Prof. Rao successfufly defended astrology against the attacks of ill-informed critlcs most of whom belonged to the so-called "educated" classes. I conclude this work with the following extract from the late Professor's The Astrological Mirror:
"To despise to hold a bright lamp in the darkness indicates stupidity, while to try to secure it at any cost and hold the same to shed light on our future path really shows consummate wisdom. Choose your own lot as you please, and either control the planets and stand a victor in the struggle for existence and comfort or yield to their evil influences without personal exertions on your part and be a miserable coward."
Om Tat Sat