learn about ECLISPSE,MAHALAYA AMAVASYA

[Guest guest]

Jai Gurudev

 

Dear all,

This is useful material as to what should and should not be done

during eclipse and mahalaya amavasya(bit late) period.

The author tells that current human intellect cant reason higher

truths in a normal mode so he says that sages word should be taken

for granted and people try to learn and implement what can or cannot

be done.

hope it helps you...

 

 

THE ECLIPSE

 

 

WHEN THE gods and the demons churned the milky ocean in days of yore,

nectar came out

of it. Lord Vishnu assumed the form of Mohini, a charming lady,

deluded the demons and

distributed the nectar only among the gods. But Rahu had disguised

himself as a god. The sun and

the moon pointed this out to Mohini who immediately slashed off the

demon's head. Since the

nectar had by then already reached up to the neck, he did not die.

Thus the head came to be known as

Rahu and the body as Ketu. To avenge this betrayal, Rahu and Ketu

periodically eclipse the sun and

the moon.

Astronomically speaking, when the sun, the moon and the earth are all

in line, with the

moon or the earth at the centre, a solar or lunar eclipse takes place

respectively.

At the time of the eclipse, people bathe in the sacred rivers. They

do charitable acts. They

give cows, money and gold. The day after the eclipse they feed the

poor, the Brahmins and the

Sadhus. After the eclipse they clean their houses, vessels, etc., and

take a bath before they start

cooking.

One should not take food during the eclipse. When the eclipse begins

the food should by

then have been digested. One should take food only after seeing the

sun or the moon free from the

eclipse. When the clear sun or the moon is not seen before sunset or

sunrise, in the case of the solar

and lunar eclipse respectively, food can be taken only after the sun

or the moon is seen the next day.

Pregnant women should not see the sun or the moon during the time of

the eclipse. If they do

the child born may have some kind of defect. He may be born deaf,

dumb or blind. Householders

are forbidden from sexual intercourse on the day of the eclipse, for

the same reason.

At this time one should take great care in avoiding bleeding,

scorpion stings, etc. These have

disastrous results. Even an earthworm has a poisonous effect when it

bites one during an eclipse.

Those who do Japa at the time of the eclipse derive great benefits.

The effect of Japa and

Sankirtan during the eclipse contributes towards relieving the

suffering of humanity and also of the

planets. These people receive the blessings of the gods. They attain

perfection quickly. Those who

wish to tap the subtle force locked in the Mantra that will cure

scorpion stings should stand in water

and repeat the appropriate Mantra.

 

 

 

The little intellect cannot understand many things in this universe.

Hence, have faith in the

words of sages.

 

 

 

 

Ignorance has eclipsed Self-knowledge. However, this eclipse will

disappear. You will

shine in your own glory. This is the spiritual significance of the

eclipse.

 

 

 

MAHALAYA AMAVASYA

 

The dark fortnight of Aswayuja (September-October) is known as the

Mahalaya Paksha or

the fortnight specially sacred for offering oblations to the departed

ancestors. The last day of this

period, the new moon day, is considered as the most important day in

the year for performing

obsequies and rites.

The renowned hero of the Mahabharata, Karna, when he left the mortal

coil, ascended to

the higher worlds and the great charity he had done here was returned

to him hundredfold. But, it

was all gold and silver; there was no food, as he had not done any

food-charity! He prayed to the god

of death. So, he was sent back to earth for fourteen days, to make up

for this deficiency.

For fourteen days, he fed Brahmins and the poor, and offered

oblations of water. On his

return to the higher regions, he had food in plenty. It is these

fourteen days that are commemorated

in the Mahalaya Paksha. Due to the grace of the god of death, it has

been ordained that offerings

made during this period benefit all the departed souls, whether they

are connected to you or not.

Charity in the form of food is important during this observance. Life

depends upon food.

You cannot preach religion to empty stomachs. This human body is the

most important vehicle for

realising God. How precious must food be which keeps the body fit for

Yoga! The gift of food is the

greatest gift. Therefore, give food in plenty, not only during the

Mahalaya fortnight but all through

the year.

Om Tat Sat Brahmaparnamastu

 

 

love

Jai Gurudev