Monday, June 13, 2011

Dos and Don’t s during the Surya Grahan and Chandra Grahan

Must Dos and Don’t s during the Surya Grahan and Chandra Grahan:

* It is advisable to avoid performing any important work or deal.
* After Grahan, many Hindus perform ritual bath. Take meal only after the ritual bath. Taking a holy dip in rivers or lakes is highly auspicious.
* Many Hindus observe fasting on the day of Surya or Chandra Grahan.
* Avoid outside food during Grahan and as well as the whole day.
* Perform ritual bath, Puja, Japam, havan and all other rituals only after Grahan Moksh Kaal (the time when grahan/eclipse is released).
* Avoid eating during the time of Grahana.
* Avoid eating the food which is cooked before Grahan. Take the food which is cooked after Grahan. People can eat the food that is prevented from ‘Soothak (Ashouch). To prevent food from Soothak, just spill some til seeds or keep grass blades (Durva grass) or Tulsi leaves on the food before grahan.
* During Surya Grahan, reciting Surya Stotras such as Aditya Hridayam; Maha Mritunjaya Mantram, Shiva Panchakshari and Vishnu Stotras is highly auspicious

Pregnant women are most delicate people to look after at the time of Surya or Chandra Grahan. Pregnant women should take some precautions to avoid bad effects of surya Grahana or Chandra Grahana.

* The first and foremost precaution that every pregnant woman has to take is to avoid seeing or looking at the Grahana. Even though, it is visible to naked eye, pregnant women should avoid watching grahana.
* Stay at home and do not go out side during the grahana.
* There is a strong belief in some Hindus that wearing or tightening saree clips, hair clips or any other pins or clips will be inauspicious. Avoid wearing or tightening clips.
* Avoid cutting vegetables or fruits or any other material.
* In some regions, pregnant women avoid sleeping during the Grahana.
* For normal and safe delivery, pregnant women recite Santana Gopala data Mantram and Surya Stotras like Aditya Hridayam and other Surya Mantras, Maha Mritunjaya Stotram.
* Santana Gopala Stotra (a mantra to chant during graham by pregnant women) keeps up the health of the pregnant woman as well as the child (Garbhastha Shishu).

The Santana Gopala Mantra:
Om Devaki Sudha Govinda
Vasudeva Jagath Pathe
Dehimey Thanayam
Krishna Thwamaham
Saranam Kadhahaa
Deva Deva Jagannatha
Gothra Vridhi Karap Prabho
Dehimey Thanayam Sheegram
Ayushmandham Yashashreenam!

Ayurveda indicates that pregnant women should sit or lie down on a mat containing Darbha grass or Kusha Grass during Grahan. It is also advised to keep some Kusha Grass with the pregnant woman. This is advised more during Surya Grahan or Lunar Eclipse.

Some devout Hindus fast (Fasting or Upvaas) on Grahan day but pregnant women should avoid fasting and should follow the usual routine prescribed by the doctor.

The most important thing that pregnant women should do is to avoid getting tensed with the fear of grahan. Eclipse is a natural phenomenon. If you are so concerned remain indoors.

Grass Blades & Tulsi

Grass blades (Durva or Garika or Darbha) are kept on stored water and food during the time Grahan. It is not a blind ritual. Its proven scientifically that Grass blades purify the water more than Tulsi (Ocimum) leaves can during Grahanam. Grass blades have immense purifying power. This is the main reason why grass blades are kept on stored water and food like pickles.

Tulsi (ocimum Basilicum) is treated as the abode of Vishnu- Lakshmi(husband and wife) and as Rahu and Ketu were decapitated by Lord Vishnu, placing Tulsi on eateables protects food from the malefic effects of the radiation caused during the eclipse.