avoid looking at the moon on the 18th September

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The following is from a book, "Navagrahas," in French, on the 9 planets by

Pandit Vishvanath Shastri. He does not give the shastric references, so if

someone knows the source, please let us know.

 

In the story of the Shyamantaka Jewel (Chapter 56 of Krishna Book) King

Shatrajit defamed Lord Krishna when he thought it was the Lord who stole the

Shyamantaka Jewel. In "Navagrahas" it is written that this happened on the

chaturti of the shukla paksha of the month of Bhadrapada, or the 4th tithi

of the light fortnight of Hrishikesh month, which falls on the 18th

September,2004, and that since this incidence of Lord Krishna being defamed

or wrongly accused, this day has become malefic. It induces false

accusations and slander.

 

In fact this day is also contaminated by an aparadha (offense), towards Lord

Brahma and Ganesh, as written in the "Navagrahas" as follows:-

Once there was a sankirtana festival on Mount Kailash, where all the gods

and rishis where joyfully assembled in the association of Lord Shiva. On

that occasion Narada Muni gave Lord Shiva a splendid fruit of divine origin

that had the appearance of being delicious and succulent. Lord Shiva was

hesitant with which of his two young sons, Ganesh or Karttikeya, he should

give the fruit too, so he simply put it down next to himself. Immediately

both sons started squabbling, demanding the fruit, so Lord Shiva asked Lord

Brahma, "Both my sons want this fruit. I have only one and they refuse to

share it. To whom should I give it?" Lord Brahma replied, "Karttikeya is the

youngest so he should get it."

 

Ganesh became highly displeased with Lord Brahma, and witnessing his fury,

all the guests of that divine assembly hastily took their leave, preferring

to rapidly return to their abodes. Upon returning to his abode, Lord Brahma

continued with his work of creating the different worlds. But at each

creative phase, Ganesh stubbornly put forward an obstacle. Previously always

jolly and charming, Ganesh was now ferociously fearful to behold. Seeing

Lord Brahma trembling from anxiety, Chandra the moon-god began laughing out

loud. He found the situation hilarious, and his irrepressible mirth induced

the other planets and nakshatras, (stars), to laugh with him.

 

The general laughter greatly increased Ganesh's anger. He cursed Chandra as

follows, "You have mocked me in a nasty and gross way. You will now reap the

fruit of your misdeed. Henceforth no one will be able to see you without

being touched by disgrace."

 

The moon immediately lost his splendid brilliance. He thought, "I have

offended the grandfather and creator of the universe Lord Brahma as well as

the dear son of Lord Shiva. How can I get out of this predicament?" So he

went to see his friend, the king of the gods, Indra, for advice. When he

entered Indra's Sudharmä assembly hall, all who were present looked down to

avoid looking at Chandra, so as not to be contaminated with disgrace. Also

averting his eyes, Lord Indra said, "O Chandra, what has happened? Tell me

truthfully,"

"O thousand eyed one, you who know everything, please tell me how I can

become free from Ganesh's curse and thus avoid the whole world becoming

contaminated by my sin?"

Indra replied, "You should consult Lord Brahma, as no one is as wise and

compassionate as he."

 

Thereafter Lord Brahma advised Chandra to take shelter of Ganesh. Chandra

then went to a temple and before a deity of Ganesh to worship him with

prayers full of humility and devotion. After some time, becoming pleased

with Chandra, Ganesh appeared before him. Falling at Ganesh's feet with

tears in his eyes, Chandra begged Ganesh, "O remover of obstacles, please

grant me your pardon and relieve me from my malediction. Allow the world to

again behold me without fear." Ganesh then diminished the effect of his

curse by saying, "My curse will henceforth be effective on only one day per

year. One who consciously or unconsciously raises one's eyes to behold the

moon in the sky on the day of the fourth tithi (lunar day), of the bright

fortnight of the month of Bhadrapada will become disgraced and in due course

reap much suffering."

 

At the end of Chapter 57 of Krishna Book Srila Prabhupada writes, "This

story of the Syamantaka jewel is very significant. In Srimad-Bhägavatam it

is said that anyone who hears the story of the Syamantaka jewel or describes

it or simply remembers it will be free from all kinds of defamation and the

reactions of all impious activities and thus will attain the highest

perfectional condition of peace."