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Maharaj Said in Sikshapatri
During Eclpise:
Whenever an eclipse of the Sun or the Moon takes place, all my disciples shall immediately suspend all work and after purifying themselves shall chant the Mantra of Shree Krishna. Shloka 86
After Eclipse:
When the eclipse is over, they shall take a bath with clothes worn at that time. Householders shall give alms according to their means and ascetics shall worship God.
Shloka 87
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Chandra Grahan in Hindu Scriptures
Chandra Grahan, lunar eclipse, is widely mentioned in the Holy Scriptures of Hinduism. There is also an interesting myth regarding the occurrence of Chandra Grahan. It happened during the Samdura Manthan (churning of ocean) episode in the Puranas. Rahu (Demon) and Mohini, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu, are the main characters in the incident.
The Amrit (elixir) that was obtained from churning the ocean was cunningly stolen by Ausras (Demons). Lord Vishnu took the form of Mohini, a beautiful damsel, to win back the Amrit. She achieved her mission by enamoring the Asuras, they fell for her beauty and handed over the Amrit to her.
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Mohini returned to the Devas and started distributing it. Devas sat in a line and mohini gave a portion to each one of them. Rahu, an Asura, who found out that they were tricked took the form a Deva and sat in the line between Chandra (Moon God) and Surya (Sun God).
When Mohini approached Rahu, Chandra and Surya realized that Rahu was not one among them and soon identified him as an Asura. Mohini soon severed the head of Rahu which flew into the sky. Rahu’s, depicted in the form of a Snake head occasionally, continued to live and decided to avenge Surya and Chandra. |
Thus periodically Rahu engages in a war with Surya and Chandra. The Chandra Grahan (Lunar eclipse) and Surya Grahan (Solar eclipse) takes place when Rahu gobbles up Moon and Sun respectively. Surya and Chandra then fights to free themselves.
Chandra Grahan on 31st Dec.'09
Chandra Grahan, a partial lunar eclipse, will take place on the night of December 31, 2009 and will end during the early hours of January 1, 2010. The Chandra Grahan is a minor partial lunar eclipse and is visible in India, Nepal, Dubai, Oman, Qatar, Kuwait, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Malaysia and other places in Asia (eastern hemisphere).
Chandra Grahan (Lunar Eclipse) is a stage of Moon’s cycle, where the Earth comes between the Moon and the Sun. Lunar eclipse occurs at a moment when the Moon, Sun and Earth are absolutely aligned, or reach nearer, with the Earth in the middle of the three. Then the Moon comes across through some part of the Earth’s shadow and darkens the planet Moon. Usually, Lunar eclipse occurs on the Full Moon Day (Purnima).
Usually during a Chandra Grahan, a fast (Upvaas) is observed by certain communities in Hindu religion. The fast begins about 9 hours before the beginning of Chandra Grahan. People also take a bath in cold water and chant mantras dedicated to Lord. This is done whenever Surya and Chandra are under the influence of Rahu.
Grahan Timing for devotees
Start
Time: 12:22 AM on 31/12/2009
End Time
: 1:24 AM on 1/1/2010
The grahan vedh start from 3:30 pm on 31/12/2009 so devotees must stop eating after 3:30. |
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