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FAQs - Eclipse - Grahanam
FAQs - Eclipse - Grahanam
Eclipse
FAQs Eclipse
Eclipse
1. Why should we follow the rituals during and after the eclipse and how should they be
followed?
2. How to remain pure during the eclipse?
3. Why should we take a bath after an eclipse?
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Q.1 Why should we follow the rituals during and after the eclipse and how should they
be followed?
A. There are two types of eclipses: solar and lunar eclipses. When an eclipse occurs, only
certain regions of the world are affected. The rule for following the eclipse ritual is as follows: if
the eclipse affects the region that you are living in, then you should follow the rituals as
prescribed by the scriptures. However, if the eclipse does not affect your region, then you
should not follow the rituals laid out for the eclipse.
In the Shikshãpatri, Bhagwan Swaminarayan says:
At the time of a solar or lunar eclipse, instantly stop all activities and chant the name of God in
a purified state. After the eclipse, householders should bathe with the clothes they are wearing
and then make donations according to their means. (Shik 86/87)
The Hindu scriptures, the Purãns (written by Ved Vyãs), narrate the story of how the eclipse
came into existence:
After the churning of the ocean by the devas (gods) and daityas (demons), amrut
immortalizing the nectar was produced. It so happened that the demons got the nectar first,
but the devas created an apsarã (a beautiful celestial woman) called Mohini. She tricked the
demons and took the nectar away from them. Once the devas received the amrut, they asked
God to distribute the amrut to all the gods equally. While God was serving everyone amrut, a
demon, named Rãhu, through yogic powers transformed himself into a deva and sat in line to
receive amrut and thus become immortal. He sat between the Sungod and the Moongod.
They both recognized the demon in the form of a deva. When God unknowlingly served amrut
to Rãhu, both the sun and the moon revealed that it was a demon. So God beheaded Rãhu
instantly with his sudarshan chakra. But by the time God beheaded Rãhu he had drunk the
amrut. The amrut had reached Rãhu’s throat, making his head immortal. Rãhu’s head thus
became a planet. Since the Sungod and the Moongod told God about Rãhu, Rãhu was deeply
disappointed and nursed a hatred for them. Therefore it is believed that during certain times of
the year Rãhu holds the sun and the moon by his mouth (grahan), hence the existence of the
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solar and lunar eclipses.
The Shikshãpatri states that one should instantly stop all activities and chant the name of God
at the time of an eclipse. The reason for doing so is to chant and pray to God for the release of
the sun or the moon from the grasp of Rãhu.
Be it a solar or lunar eclipse, the rules to follow before, during and after the eclipse are as
follows:
Before the eclipse:
One should not eat 12 hours before the solar eclipse begins. One can drink water.
One should not eat 9 hours before the lunar eclipse begins. One can drink water.
In addition, one should not offer meals to God during this preeclipse period. However,
one is allowed to perform arti, pray and sing devotional songs during this period.
There may be times when the solar eclipse occurs before sunrise. Therefore one may
see the eclipse only after the sun has risen. In this case, one should not eat after
sunset the previous night.
During the eclipse:
While the eclipse is taking place one should sit in one place, chant the name of God
and sing devotional songs.
One should observe a waterless fast while the actual eclipse is in progress.
After the eclipse:
One should take a bath with one’s clothes on immediately after the eclipse.
It is best to take a bath in cold water after the eclipse is over.
The Satsangijivan, written by Shatãnand Muni, states that after one purifies oneself,
one should offer donations according to one’s income. If donations are offered with love
and devotion, one will receive appropriate returns as stated in the scriptures. It is in the
joy of the Sun and/or Moongod being released from the clutches of Rãhu that the
devotees offer donations. Since sadhus have no money, they rejoice by performing
puja.
Q.2 How to remain pure during the eclipse?
A.
One should get rid of extra cooked food after the solar or lunar eclipse.
One should not touch anything such as clothes, food, personal items, etc. during the
eclipse.
After the eclipse is over, one should not touch anyone and take a bath with one’s
clothes on. If one has touched anything by mistake, it should be purified by washing or
by sprinkling water over it.
It is never safe to look at a partial or annular eclipse, or the partial phases of a total solar
eclipse, without the proper equipment and techniques.
For further guidance refer to http://eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov/SEhelp/safety2.html
Q.3 Why should we take a bath after an eclipse?
A. One should take a bath after an eclipse because it is believed that the earth is plunged into
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darkness during a lunar or solar eclipse. Darkness symbolizes impurity and therefore one has
to sit in one place and chant the name of God. Once the eclipse is over, light returns back to
the earth; and to rejoice, one has to cleanse the impurity that darkness brought, worship God
and offer donations to express one’s happiness.
In the same way, we are all engulfed by an eclipse in the form of mãyã. So, just as one does
for an eclipse, one should pray to God in order to overcome the force of mãyã.
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© 2003, Bochasanwasi Shri Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha, Swaminarayan Aksharpith
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