Eclipse

History of Eclipse

Once Indra – the King of Gods, while riding on an elephant(Airavat) came across sage Durvasa offered him a special garland. Indra accepted the garland but put it on the trunk of the elephant. The elephant was irritated by the smell and it threw the garland on the floor. This enraged the sage as the garland was a dwelling of Sri (fortune) and was to be treated with respect. Durvasa Muni cursed Indra and all devas to be bereft of all strength, energy, and fortune. Post this incident, devas lost all the battles to asuras and the asuras gained control of the universe.

Gods sought help from Lord Vishnu who told them that the only way to get back their power is through consuming holy nectar which lies under the ocean. The holy nectar can be brought out only by churning the ocean. Since devas were bereft of any power they approached the asuras to jointly churn the ocean for the nectar of immortality. Devas, however, already had an understanding with Lord Vishnu that the holy nectar will be handed over to them.

The churning of the milk – ocean was an elaborate process. Mount Mandara was used as churning rod and Vasuki, the King of Serpents, became the churning rope. Lord Vishnu himself had to intercede in so many ways to aid the process. But as the pole entered the water it kept sliding into depths of the ocean. To stop this, Vishnu took the form of a tortoise and placed the mountain on his back. This image of Vishnu as the tortoise was his second avatar called ‘Kurma.’ the pole was balanced, it was tied to the gigantic snake, Vasuki, and the gods and demons started pulling it from either side. All kinds of herbs were cast into the ocean and many creatures and objects were produced from the ocean which were then divided between asuras and devas.

During the Samudra Manthan, hala-hal, a pot of lethal poison also came out of the ocean. It was supposed to be so toxic that it could have wiped out the entire creation. Lord Shiva drank the poison to save others. Lord Shiva squeezed his neck so that the poison does not get into his stomach. Thus, it stayed in his throat neither moving up nor going down and Shiva remained unharmed. The poison was so potent that it changed the color of Lord Shiva’s neck to blue. For this reason, Lord Shiva is also called Neelakantha ‘Neela’ means blue and ‘Kantha’ means neck.

Towards the end of the churning Dhanvantri ( god of medicine) with the pot of holy nectar. Once the amruta was out, the demons forcefully took it away which was followed by a war between the devas and the asuras.

Lord Vishnu took the form of Mohini to get back the Amrit that was taken by the Asuras. Fooling the Asuras, she returned with the Amrit and began to offer the Amrit to all the Devas, as they sat in a line.

One Asura by the name of Rahu, realising that they had been fooled, sat in the line in the guise of a Deva, also to partake in the Amrit. As Mohini was about to approach Rahu, the Sun deity and the Moon deity, who were sat next to Rahu, revealed the true identity of Rahu and thus Mohini lifted her disc(Sudarshan Chakra) and severed Rahu's head. Hence becoming two 2 entities "Rahu & Ketu"

The head continued to live but swore that it would avenge the outburst of the Sun and the Moon. For this reason Rahu is periodically engaged in battle with the Sun and Moon. Hence the eclipse to Hindus is considered as the time when Rahu ‘gobbles up’ either the Sun or the Moon and the subsequent fight of the Sun or Moon to free themselves from Rahu's jaws. During such time various acts and duties have to be observed.

How to Observe Eclipse?

Shatanand Swami explains that just before the start of an eclipse (when the prohibition of touch is enforced - Sparsha Kala), one should suspend all work, purify themselves by bathing and begin to chant Shree Krishna's Astakshar Mantra or Naama Mantra. Shatanand says that one should not stay without bathing during such times, nor should they engage in any household duties.

Vashishta Muni ‘All caste members, when having sight of Rahu (eclipse) are affected by Sutaka (period of untouchability see Shloka 88). Therefore when an eclipse begins, one should bath and during the eclipse they shall chant Gods names, perform Homa (offerings) etc’. Purascharan Chandriko explains, ‘During the eclipse of the Sun or Moon, one should with pure mind, chant the Mantra of God, the Lord of the Universe’.

Markandeya Muni explains further about bathing water, ‘Bathing in cold water instead of warm water is better, deriving more Punya. One’s own water rather than somebody else’s, water from a small lake or pond (Tarav) rather than that from a well, running or flowing water rather than water from a Tarav, water from a large lake (Sarovar), water from a river (Nadi), water from the Ganges (Ghanga Jal) and the water from an Ocean or Sea (Samundra) are incrementally superior and Punya-Karak’.

Vashishta in Parashar Madhava that the Grahana or eclipse should be observed even if a person is observing Sutak (untouchability due to birth or death in the family). Brahmansiddhanta restricts viewing the eclipse, ‘One should look at an eclipse through a cloth or a reflection of it. A pregnant woman should never look directly at an eclipse’.

Gautama in Parashar Madhava the fasts to be observed, ‘All except the young, the old and the ill should stop eating four Prahars (12 hours) before a solar eclipse commences and three Prahars (9 hours) before a lunar eclipse commences. The young, the old and the ill should stop eating one Prahar (3 hours) before an eclipse.’

Nirnya Sindhu explains, ‘If the sun sets whilst the solar eclipse is still in progress then one should fast the whole of that day and the rest of the night. Similarly if the Moon disappears (day breaks) whilst the eclipse is still in progress, then one should not eat that night nor the rest of the following day.’

The eclipse Vrata should be observed if any part of the eclipse is visible from the country that you are residing in. During the eclipse all cooked food becomes impure and not fit to be eaten afterwards. Clothes which are unclean or have been worn or touched are impure and to be washed after the eclipse.

These restrictions are important and should be observed correctly if able. Loose attitudes in this regard will not yield the desired objectives of observing such a Vrata.

"- Shikshaptri Shlok 86"

Before Eclipse

1. Wash clothes used for puja and others, your house, temple should be cleaned.

2. Bed, Blankets, etc. are to be dusted or exposed to sunlight.

3. Food made by mixing flour and water should not be eaten, do not keep drinking water in a pot.

4. After Eclipse is over, do not touch clothes before taking bath. So, before eclipse begins, put aside clothes/towel etc. to be used after your bath.

5. Prepare the place for worship during eclipse, do not use cotton sheets to sit on, such sheets should be dusted and put away.

6. Do not eat during eclipse and vedh (9 hours before Lunar eclipse starts and 12 hours before Solar eclipse starts).

7. Put aside other activities and plan to spend time doing Dhun/Kirtan.

During Eclipse

1. Spend your time doing Dhun/Kirtan, reading/listening scriptures etc.

2. Pray to god to protect us from the vices like lust, and anger.

After Eclipse

1. Take bath/shower with all clothes and then only touch/wear clean clothes.

2. Grihasth (Householders) should donate for good causes, Tyagi (Saints) should do puja of God.

3. Prepare food for God, offer Him food and take the prasad.

4. After taking bath/shower only, one should touch God or do the normal activities.

-: The End :-