Lunar Eclipse (Chandra Grahan)

This article is to explain about the Lunar Eclipse and its various time components. There are lots of DOs and DONTs during the Lunar or Solar Eclipse, as mentioned below .

What is Eclipse

Lunar Eclipse

When earth comes in between two celestial bodies Sun & Moon, and Moon is unable to receive sun-light and hence Earth is not able to receive moon light on it, then lunar eclipse happens.

Solar Eclipse

The same way when Moon comes in between Sun & Earth and stops sunlight on earth, Solar Eclipse happens.

What is Sutak

Sutak or Ashauch is the polluted environment due to Eclipse. Sutak is the time during which no auspicious activity should be done, as it is not a favorable time. Sutak time for Lunar eclipse is 3 Prahar (9 hours) early to Lunar Eclipse and for Solar Eclipse, it is 4 Prahar (12 hours) early to Solar Eclipse.

Mythological Reason

After Samudra manthan, when divine nectar came out of sea, the devil Rahu drank some of the divine nectar mischievously. Later Sun and the Moon recognized the devil Rahu and conveyed the same to Vishnu. But up till then Rahu become an immortal. Lord Vishnu beheaded him with his Sudarshan chakra. The head part is known as Rahu, and his remaining body as Ketu. Later Rahu took pledge to swallow the sun or the moon as revenge, which would result as eclipses. Thereafter, the sun or moon passes through the opening at the neck, resulting in eclipse.

DOs and DONTs during Eclipse & Sutak

• Temples don’t open during Eclipse (Grahan). Once eclipse gets over, deities are taken to holy bath and are cleaned from the inauspicious effects of Eclipse.
• We should avoid having eating, cutting, sleeping, sexual activity, combing, oiling & brushing.
• This is the best time to chant liturgy (Mantra) dedicated to the gods and goddesses as mentioned below.
• Take bath after eclipse.
• After Eclipse, Don’t eat the cooked food, prepare the fresh one. Offering could be done to a Brahmin.
• Sprinkle Holy water (Ganga) in home after Eclipse.

Precaution for Pregnant Ladies

• Please stay indoors and avoid eating during this time because this time might affect the child’s health and disabilities could occur. Probability of miscarriage is increased during this time.
• Don’t use knife, scissor or any other related equipment. Cutting fruits, vegetables etc during eclipse will lead to the birth of a child with disability.
• Avoid wearing any type of metallic thing (jewelry etc).
• Take bath before and after Eclipse if possible
• Don’t sleep
• Chanting the Santana Gopala Mantra will be good

Date                                             July 27, 2018

Time (IST)

Sootak Starts                       -             12:27:26

Actual Eclipse Starts            -             23:54:26

In mid                                   -             01:51:43

Eclipse Ends                        -             03:48:59

Mantra

ॐ आदित्याय विद्महे दिवाकराय धीमहि तन्नो सूर्य: प्रचोदयात्॥

Or

ॐ क्षीरपुत्राय विद्महे अमृत तत्वाय धीमहि तन्नो चन्द्रः प्रचोदयात्॥

For Pregnant ladies (Read 108 times atleast)

Santana Gopal Mantra is as follows:

|| ॐ श्रीं ह्रीं क्लीं ग्लौं देवकीसुत गोविन्द वासुदेव जगत्पते देहि मे तनयं कृष्ण त्वामहं शरणं गतः ||

Know about Solar Eclipse