Om! Gam! Ganapathaye! Namaha!

Om! Sri Raghavendraya Namaha!

Om! Namo! Bhagavathe! Vasudevaya!
Om! Ham! Hanumathe Sri Rama Doothaya Namaha!

ECLIPSE – A CELESTIAL SPLENDOUR

Eclipse whether it is Solar or Lunar has gained lot of prominence and significance
across the world especially in India and Hindu religion. It is a spectacular natural
phenomenon, a celestial splendor, an astronomical wonder, a subject and topic of
research for scientists and astrologers, a mystery for medical science, an event of
caution that has got historical and mythological importance and above all a parvakala.
Of all the celestial events visible from Earth, eclipses are the most awesome.

ECLIPSE
Literally speaking the word Eclipse is a Latin/Greek word Eclipsis/Ekleipsis/Ekleipein
meaning abandonment, fail to appear, obscuring (covering) of one celestial body (star)
by another, a temporary or permanent dimming or cutting off of light, a disgraceful or
humiliating end or downfall, to overshadow or surpass, to hide from view, to block
passage of all or a part of one celestial body into the shadow of another. In Sanskrit it is
called Grahana meaning held forcibly or to seize or afflicted because of being captured.
It also means to absorb or swallow. (In general grahana means acceptance)

Scientifically it is the disappearance of the whole or a part of the Sun when the Moon
comes between it and the Earth or disappearance of the Moon when the Earth’s shadow
falls across it. It is said that during eclipse there is a down pouring of energy onto the
Earth from the Universe in the form of Eclipse. Eclipses are caused by the powerful
alignment of Sun, the Moon and Earth. Best known are the Lunar Eclipse when the
Earth blocks the Sun’s light from the Moon and Solar Eclipse when the Moon blocks the
Sun’s light from small portion of the Earth. (Lunar eclipse occurs on a full moon day
when the Moon is directly opposite the Sun)

SOLAR ECLIPSE
A Solar Eclipse can occur only when the Moon is in its new phase (on a new Moon day)
when Sun and Moon are in conjunction as seen from the Earth. In a solar eclipse Moon
is the eclipsing body, passing between Earth and Sun while casting a travelling shadow
across Earth’s lighted surface so that the Sun is wholly or partially obscured (covered).
There are four types of solar eclipses.

A total eclipse when Sun is completely obscured by the Moon. Total eclipses are rare
events though they occur. An Annular Eclipse when the Sun and Moon are exactly in
line, but size of the Moon is apparently smaller that that of the Sun. A Hybrid eclipse
that is intermediate between total and annular eclipse. A partial eclipse when the Sun
and Moon are not exactly in line and the Moon only partially obscures the Sun.
Mythological reference to eclipse:
Mythological references to eclipse are found in Maha Bhagavatha, Maha Bharatha, and
other Vishnu related puranas. In Hindu mythology it is believed that eclipses are
causedby Rahu and Kethu.

In Bhagavatha purana a sizeable reference as to why Rahu and Kethu are responsible
for solar and lunar eclipses is made in the context of churning of the sea, origin of the
pot of Amritam, and Lord Maha Vishnu taking the form of a Mohini to help the
devathas. During the course of distribution of Amritham by the Mohini one of the
demons called Rahu in the guise of a devatha drank the amritham distributed by
Mohini. Before he could swallow the nectar Sun and Moon detected the same and
informs Lord Maha Vishnu who in turn choppsoff the head of Rahu with his
Sudarshana Chakra.

Since, Rahu had already swallowed the divine nectar he became immortal in spite of his
being reduced to a trunk lessbody. Since then Rahu is trying to take revenge on Sun
and Moon. Every now and then he gobbles up Sun and Moon causing eclipse. The
headless trunk of the demon Rahu is known as Kethu. Since Rahu had swallowed the
divine nectar and became immortal he has been given a place in the universe along with
other planets and being recognized as a planet.

Reference to eclipse are said to be found in Maha Bharatha where a mention is made
about two eclipses falling within a gap 13 days during the course of Kurukshetra War.
Similarly there is also a reference of Solar Eclipse in Maha Bhagavatha where Lord Sri
Krishna participates along with his family and relatives commemorating the solar
eclipse.

It is said that in the original version of Valmiki Ramayana a description of total solar
eclipse is given and a mention of Rahu was made in the context of war between Lord Sri
Rama and Khara.

In the Navagraha Sthothram supposed to be composed by sage Vedavyasa the

description of Rahu is well suited to the reference of an eclipse. Rahu sloka is depicted
as follows

!Ardha Kayam Maha Veeram Chandraaditya Vimardhanam

Simhika Garbhasambhootham Tham Rahum Pranamamyaham!!

AstronomicallyRahu and Kethu denote two points of intersection of the paths of the
Sun and Moon as they move on the celestial sphere. They are called the north and
south lunar node (ascending and descending nodes). The fact that eclipses occur when
Sun and Moon are at one of these points gives rise to a myth of the swallowing of the
Sun/Moon. In the primitive form of astrology there was no place for Rahu and Kethu.
While in the astottari dasa system of astrology there are only eight planets including
Rahu, while the vimshottari dasa system refers to nine planets the ninth being Kethu.

SPIRITUAL SANCTITY/PARVAKALA
Entire period of eclipse is said to be a parvakala. Hence during this period performing
prayer, punascharana (of upadesa mantra), pithru tarpana (thila), dana(charity) are
considered to be very sacred and celestial. It is said that bath at the time of beginning
of the eclipse, prayer, punascharana, (of upadesa mantra), tarpana during the mid time,
charity (dana) during the closing time and bath again after the eclipse are very sacred
and celestial and will have multiple effect. Chanting of Vedic manthras/sacred
Sthothram will ward off the negative energy that gets activated during eclipse and
protects from all negativity.

Some of the useful prayers that can be recited during the eclipse depending on the
length of eclipse are Gayathri manthra punascharana, Vishnu Sahasranama parayana,
Vishnu Panjara Sthothram, Aaditya Hridayam (Solar eclipse), Sri Krishna Ashtakam
(Lunar Eclipse), Raghavendra Sthothram, Sri Nrusimha Kavacham, Durga Kavacham,
Narayana Ashtakshari or Siva Panchakshari. It is said that Grahana time is the best
time/occasion for doing japa of upadesha manthra.

CURRENT SOLAR ECLIPSE

Current eclipse which is a solar eclipse is falling on 26th January 2009 (Monday). It is
an Annular eclipse visible in some parts of the world as a partial eclipse. In India it is
visible in southern and south eastern part of the country. For exact timings please refer
to the local calendars.

This eclipse falling on Monday the new Moon day has gained significance as it is a day
of Somavathi Amavasya. This new moon day is also called as Mouni Amavasya. It is
so called because on this day traditionally Sadhus keep a vow of Mouna (silence). Both
Sun and Moon will be in the same star constellation (Sravana) in Capricorn (Makara
Raasi). Eclipse on this day coinciding with the month of Magha Mela is considered
very sacred and celestial for taking bath in a sacred river or sea especially in Brahma
Sarovar at Kurukshetra, Ganges, Prayaga, Haridwar and Sethu (Indian Ocean)

CUSTOMS/BELIEFS/TRADITION ABOUT ECLLIPSE

The inauspicious period otherwise called Vedha begins about four praharas before solar
eclipse and three praharas before lunar eclipse. A prahara is a unit of time equivalent
to 1/8thof a day. That means the vedha commences about 12 hours before solar eclipse
and 9 hours before a lunar eclipse.
• Hindus generally observe fast during the period of Vedha, and they do not cook
food. Some exemptions in timings are given to pregnant women, children, old
people, and medically unfit.
• If the solar eclipse ends after the sun set then the people will fast during night and
consume food only next day morning after sun rise.
• Take bath as the eclipse begins and also after the eclipse is over.
• During the period of eclipse perform rituals like prayer, tarpana, sraddha, homa,
dana (charity)
• Many Hindus also take bath in sacred rivers and sea as bath during the period of an
eclipse is said to be very sacred and celestial.
• It is believed that going round a cow giving birth to a calf during this period is
equivalent to going round the earth (Bhoo Pradakshina)
• Dharbha (Kusa grass) is used as a remedy and kept on all the items like milk, curd,
pickles and stored water during eclipse.
• In case of death anniversary falling on the eclipse day, regular shraddha willbe
performed only after the eclipse is over.
• Pregnant women are not allowed to move out during the eclipse period and are
asked to stay indoors where no sun light enters the room. This is to avoid possible
congenital deformities in the fetus though the scientific rationale is yet to be
confirmed.
• Generally people are not allowed to watch the eclipse with naked eyes.
• Temples are closed during the eclipse time and opened after the eclipse is over after
performing special puja and rituals.
• People avoid sleeping and attending nature calls during eclipse

ASTROLOGICAL SIGNIFICANCE:
Partial Solar Eclipse called Annular Eclipse on 26th January 2009 is falling in Makara
Raasi under the star constellation of Sravana. Sun who is already in Makara Raasi by
virtue of a transit on the Makara Sankramana day will be entering into the Sravana Star
constellation on this day. Moon will be present in Makara Raasi and the day when
both Sun and Moon are conjoined that day will be a new Moon day (Amavasya). All
the three related planets Sun, Moon, and Rahu will be in the star constellation Sravana.
Rahu is an enemy of Sun and Moon.

Jupiter who is in Makara Raasi is in a debilitated condition – (Makara Raasi is houseof

debilitation to Jupiter). Jupiter conjoined with Rahu leads to Guru Chandala Yoga.
Within 48 hours Mars also is getting transited into Makara Raasi (Capricorn) his house
of exaltation. Literally there will be presence of powerful war planets in Makara Raasi
around this time (Rahu, Mars, and Sun) with debilitated Jupiter and Saturn also in the
star constellation of Sun (Uttara Phalguni). It is said that similar Eclipse occurred on
January 11th 1991.

Astrologically eclipse is not considered to be a good event and believes that it paves
ways for many calamities in the areas where it occurs. It is said that in Maha Bharatha
sage Vedavyasa alerts Dhritharastra about the onset of two eclipses successively, its
implications and advises him to stop the war.

Those having Sravana as their birth star and those born in the Moon sign of Makara
Raasi should avoid getting exposed to the Eclipse - do special prayers by reciting
Vishnu Sahasra Nama, Aaditya Hridayam, Durga Kavacham and resort to some
charity/dana related to Sun, Moon, Rahu (Rice, Wheat, Black Urad)

It is believed astrologically that if the eclipse is falling in the 1st 4th, 8th, 12thhouse from
the moon sign it will give negative results and those natives should take up remedial
measures as said above. Performing of Rudrabhishekam to lord Shiva before and after
the eclipse will minimize the negative effect.

DO YOU KNOW?

• Repetition of eclipse - It is said and believed that similar type of eclipses occurs
once in 18/19 years with similar configuration. It is believed that there will be
repetition of events during that time.
• Effect of Eclipse - It is said that the effect of the eclipse will persist corresponding to
the duration of the eclipse. Hours, minutes, and seconds correspond to the number
of years, months and days.
• Damage to the eye is predominantly caused by the invisible infra red energy from
the Sun’s rays.
• In spite of all the myths and beliefs the scientific phenomenon ofeclipse is not new to
India. More than 1500 years back Aryabhatta the celebrated Indian astronomer had
stated about the eclipse and its causes.
• People generally do no take food/cook food because it is said that during eclipse
most harmful rays can be seen and absorbed and the basic level of vulnerability is
high that affects the digestive process and the food gets contaminated.
• People use Dharbha (Kusa Grass) during eclipse time for protection of the water
and food items from getting contaminated. In a Telugu spiritual magazine titled
Kumudam Bhakti Special (August 2008 issue) it was mentioned that Vikram
Sarabhai Research Centre (Environmental Biology wing) found during the solar
eclipse of July 2008, that water stored during solar eclipse did not get contaminated
by usage of Dharbha (kusa grass).
• The longest possible duration of totality for a solar eclipse is 7 min and 40 sec near
the equator while the eclipse of June 20th 1955 lasted 7 min and 8 sec which was said
to be the longest duration of totality in 1,238 years and a similar eclipse occurred on
July 11th 1991 (for more details please refer to www.cc.columbia.edu/cu/cup)

SOLAR ECLIPSE – DOS AND DONTS (in a nut-shell)

DOS DONTS

• Watch Eclipse with proper protection • Avoid looking at Sun directly with
preferably a reflected image or naked eyes
projection of the Sun • Avoid eating /cooking food during
• Take bath at the beginning and end of eclipse
the Eclipse • Pregnant women avoid getting
• Keep Dharbha on all the stored items exposed to Eclipse
like Water, Pickles, Milk, Curd, etc., • Avoid sleeping during eclipse
• Do religious rituals like prayer, • Desist from sensual pleasures on the
Tharpana, Dana during Eclipse day of Eclipse
• Post pone all auspicious functions on • Don’t take any important decision on
this day this day Avoid performing auspicious
ceremonies and do not plan important
functions

DHARBHA (KUSA GRASS)

It is necessary to mention on this occasion about Dharbha(Kusa Grass). Generally we
observe usage of Dharbha in Hindu religious rituals while performing any Homa/Yaga
or PithruKarya. It is said that without this there is no sanctity for performing the
rituals. Brahmins always keep some in their houses and it is used for purification in all
kinds of ceremonies. The word Kusa is related to the Sanskrit Kushala meaning sharp in
the sense of keen intelligence (because of the sharp tips of the grass). It is also ground
up and the essence used for Kusha oil (to be used in Summer for it's cooling effects) and
Kusha flavored sarbat also drunk forit's cooling effects.

Stories concerning the origin of Darbha/Kusha:

Pouranicallyit is said that Kusa grass was formed when the hairs on the Kurma Avatar
of Lord Maha Vishnu got loosened during the churning of the ocean and got washed
away to the shore of the ocean to form Kusa Grass. Later, when the amrita [nectar of
immortality] was obtained as a result of the churning and distributed among the gods,
some drops fell on the grass which further sanctified it imbuing it with healing
properties. Therefore, in the traditional hair-cutting of Vaishnava toddlers, the hair is
touched with kusha before it is cut.
Darbha Grass is identified with Lord Vishnu and is believed to possess the power to
purify anything. It was used as a ritual seat as far back as the Vedas. Kusha, whose
name signifies sharp in the sense of acute, is the root for the Sanskrit word for "expert,"
kosala. That is because the edges of the long leaves that grow in pairs along the tall
stems are very sharp, so like the sword it is a symbol for discernment or "discriminating
wisdom."

It is an age old tradition in Hindu families to cover the food items with Dharbha during
eclipse to protect them from harmful ultra violet radiation. Usage of Dharbha (holy
grass) is very celestial, sacred and also acts as a protector.
(ref: www.khandro.net/nature_plants_kusha.htm)

Thus eclipses are fascinating not only because they have astronomical and spiritual
significance, but also because they give us insights into the culture, tradition and beliefs
of people belonging to different periods. Next total solar eclipse is happening on July
22nd 2009 and is visible in India which is a total eclipse.

Sri Krishnaarpanamasthu