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Article (Muhurta) (Vijay Shrikrishna Jakatdar) (SaptRishi Astrology)
Article (Muhurta) (Vijay Shrikrishna Jakatdar) (SaptRishi Astrology)
I
One of the senior most authorities in
Maharashtrian Astrology. He hails from a
parampara family and has advocated
scientific temperament among his students.
Known for his out of the box thinking, he has
been an author of many works. Saptarishis
Astrology expects a lot from him in time to
come in this space. He is the President &
Director of Phal Jyotishya Abhyas Mandal
Sanstha, Pune.
Gradually the names of the Muhurtas got shuffled and in the period of
Varahamihira only the names of deities of 30 Muhurtas (of day and night). It
is specified in Brihatsamhita (98.3) that if we carry out / perform some work
on deity of particular nakshatra then success is assured. For example, if the
work is to be completed on Ardra nakshtara, then it is better if carried out on
the first Shivamuhurta of that day. This is because the deity of both nakshtra
and Muhurta is same i.e. Rudra.
On the contrary, there is the citation in Aatharvan Jyotisha (2.1.11 and
3.3.6). (There) It is decided that some of the Muhurtas in ahoratri (each of 2
ghatikas) are auspicious, giving rise to the new meaning of the word Muhurta.
That meaning is a proper period to perform / carry out an auspicious task.
And today, the word (Muhurta) is used in the same context.
In the same text (of Aatharvan Jyotisha, at 7.12 and 16) a general rule is
given. It states that the one should see whether the tithi, nakshatra, karan,
Muhurta are beneficial for carrying out particular work. And among all of
them, importance is to be given to the Muhurta. Further it gives the names
of 8 Muhurtas as:
1. Roudra-Sandyak
2. Swet-Sandyak
3. Maitra-Sandyak
4. Sarbhat-Sandyak
5. Saki-Sandyak
6. Bairaj-Sandyak
7. VishvaVasu-Sandyak
8. Abhijeet-Sandyak
In addition to them, there are other popular methods of reckoning
Muhurtas like Shivalikhit Tables, Chaughadiya Muhurtas, Mahedra-Sandyak
wela (times), Goraksha Gamanat Muhurta, Hora Tables, Rahu Kalam,
Yamaganda Kala, Gulika Kala, etc.
In old times, people gone crazy for performing different activities right
from Shmashru (removing hairs), wearing a new clothing to Marriage. Its to
our surprise that in Muhurta Muktavali (verse 42), auspicious Muhurta for
burglary is also specified, which is very comical.
Samartha Ramdas Swami was one of the great saints from maharashra. He was a great
devotee of Bhagawan Ram and famous for his teachings of Balopasana (exercise of body
for better health). http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samarth_Ramdas
2, 5, 7, 9, 11 Very Auspicious
1, 3, 6, 10 Moderate
4, 8, 6 Inauspicious
says that, if the country is ruled by other king, in the event of battle, or if
parents have the threat of life then adult unmarried (virgin) girl (kumarika)
should not wait for auspicious period (for her marriage). Even if it is not pure
(this implies period is not favourable), and power (bala) of moon and
ascendant (lagna) is not available, (her) marriage (ceremony) should be
carried out. (Reference: Dharmashastracha Itihas (History of Religionscience) by De. Kane, pg. no. 283). At the same place, next citation is from
Bhujbal (udvah-tatva, pg. no. 124) which says that, for all un-married girls up
to 10 years, planets, year, month etc should be considered (for events related to
them).
In short, this is a very complicated affair. Thus, the easy way Go-Dhuli
or Gorajas [Go means cow and Dhuli means dust thus it literally means dust
created by cows] was invented. When Sun is about to set, it appears like
saffron or red sandal wood paste. Due to (such) light, there are no stars
shining at that time and the sky is covered by clouds formed from the dust
raised by the grazing herd of cows while returning to their stables. Its a GoDhulika Muhurta. And its to be noted that, at such Muhurta any planet,
tithi, stars or nakshtra dont create any hindrance (Rajmartand pg. no. 34, 35
A). In some of the books (Muhurta Martand), its prescribed for shudras
though, its been accepted by upper caste people nowadays.
If we think of all facts comprehensively I feel, that the use of Muhurta is
to be considered just to make mind cheerful and not for altering (changing)
future. This is because mans effort is also important. Thats why Yadyavalka
(1, 349, 351) has said that,
yatha hyekena cakrea rathasya na gatirbhavet |
evam purua krea vin daiva na siddhyati |
This means, without human effort, luck cannot succeed. Luck is nothing but the
fructified human efforts of previous incarnation.
Giving few illustrations in this regards;
In political elections, two rivals submit their forms at good Muhurta, still
one of them is always defeated (while other wins).
Everybody gets married on good Muhurta, still we see divorces are
happening in our society. This is because marriages are beyond time while
divorces are results of human efforts.
Ancient and respected astrologer Bhaskaracharya had made use of good
Muhurta, in order to avoid widow combination (Vaidhavya Yoga) in his
daughters chart. In between, the flow in the ghatika-patra (an instrument
used to measure time) was obstructed a rice grain and the Muhurta has got
lapsed but not the Vaidhavya yoga.
As far as my opinion is concerned, I feel that Muhurta is the concept which
should be used (applied) by individual (native / subject) in his life, with his
own wisdom, discretion and intellect. Because, one of the initial researcher of
Astrology has mentioned in Brihad-Yoga Yatra has given an influential
statement:
If all auspicious-inauspicious signs, omens are on one side and purity of
mind is on other side, then purity of mind will have a victory and it will be
influential.