The Balalncing Act

“Well begun is half done”.As per rules of astrology, the time of the start of any new or important work is very important.But, the selection of auspicious time is not very easy for an astrologer.He has to combat many factors. Interestingly, these factors are highly conflicting.The real skills of an astrologer depends upon how he balances these factors.The factors which has to be taken into account are

1)Tithi(the lunar date)

2)Nakshatra

3)Vaar(weekday)

4)Karan

5)Yoga

6)Tara

7)Moon

8)Lagna

I have often seen many astrologers put too much importance to first 3 factors. But in reality, the last 3 factors hold the maximum points. If the last 3 factors are positive ,then the negativity of the first 3 or 4 factors can be ignored. The points to above factors should be given as follows

1) Tithi-1 points

2)Nakshatra-4 points

3)Vaar(weekday)-8 points

4)Karan-16 points

5)Yoga-32 points

6)Tara-64 points

7)Moon-100 points

8)Lagna-1000 points

Mythology of eclipse

In Hindu mythology there is a wonderful story that describes how the gods and the demons once formed an alliance to produce a nectar that could give them immortality. This is the story of the churning of the milk-ocean and the descent of Lord Visnu as the Kurma avatara, the divine tortoise. When the nectar that was churned from this ocean was being served to the gods, a demon, disguised as a god, sat between the Sun and the Moon in an attempt to procure the nectar. When he was detected by the Sun and the Moon, Lord Visnu immediately severed his head from his body. Unfortunately, it was not fast enough, for the demon had already tasted a small quantity of the nectar and had become immortal. Ever since, this demon is said to wreak vengeance on the Sun and Moon whenever they come near. The head of this great demon is known as Rahu and his tail is known as Ketu.Since then Rahu and ketu promised that they will going to trouble sun and moon from time to time to take the revenge.In Hindu astrology Rahu and Ketu are known as two invisible planets. They are enemies of the Sun and the Moon, who at certain times of the year (during conjunction or opposition) swallow the Sun or the Moon causing either a solar or a lunar eclipse.

The birth of Logic

The planet moon(Chandra) is considered very important in Indian system of astrology. This planet single handedly can create or destroy many Rajyogas in horoscope. Once he kidnapped the wife of devguru “Brihaspati(Jupiter)” called Tara. Despite intervention of Gods , Chandra was adamant and he did not release Tara. Eventually Lord Brahma came to rescue. With his request Chandra released Tara. But due to union between Chandra and Tara , a child named “Budha(mercury)” was produced. Since then Budh considerd Chandra as his enemy. This story is very important in understanding the relationship between Mind and logic because Chandra is representative of all the emotions i.e mind where mercury is representative of Logic. People having combinations of moon and mercury in their horoscope often found having flickering mind. The same concept can be applied in the world of spirituality. In other words, the Jupiter is the self of a person who is innocent, Moon is mind who is notorious where as Tara is material world. Every child is a innocent because he lives in self level. When he grows, his mind develops. His connection with self get disconnected. A new relation is established between his mind and the outer world(Like Tara and Moon in story). The depth of this relation produces awareness . With the birth of awareness(mercury), mind detatched from the world(sepration of Tara and Chandra). The reunion of Tara and Jupiter indicate the emergence of truth

Amrit Paan

In jyotish(astrology), the Sun is considered as the Soul and Moon as subtle mind. In our puraans moon is describe as a God riding a chariot with three wheels. This chariot is hauled by ten horses. During its entire journey, the Moon passes through all the twenty-seven Nakshatras of a zodiac. It is rays of the sun which causes moon to appear as bright. The sun not only causes the formation of day and night but also act as a source of nourishment for the celestial sphere. Sun lights up all the places in the entire world except Brahmaloka. Sun’s rays that reach Brahmaloka return back turn into ineffective by the glow of Brahma. One of the Sun’s rays named Sushumna nourishes the Moon during its brighter phase(Shukla Paksha) in the form of nectar. Then during the darker phase(Krishna Paksha), the Gods drink the phases of the Moon, which are actually , ambrosia accumulated during the shukla paksha. When two days are left for the completion of Krishna paksha i.e. Chaturdashi and Amavasya, Pitragana drink the remaining two phases of the Moon. At the begining of amavasya moon is 12.5 degrees away from the sun. This is a crucial phase of journey of moon towards sun. At this moment the stage is set for the moon to enter the surya-loka. That day, the Moon first enters the water then the plants and creepers and ultimately enters the Sun’s sphere. That is why, on this day anybody who cuts trees or even plucks a leaf commits crime equal to killing of Brahmin . On the day of Amavasya, Pitragana drink the nectar from the Moon . Pittraganas are the ruling diety for the amavasya tithi. It is very auspicious to do tarpan for the ancestors on amavasya tithi.

Shubh Yaatra

In ancient times journey away from home was considered inauspicious as home was considered as the best asset the man has. In classics there are some methods which guides a person when to start for a journey in a particular direction to gain success.For this current position of moon is necessary to be known.Moon changes the zodiac sign in approximately in 2.5 days. Every sign is associated with a particular direction.

How to know Direction

When Moon is in

1)Aries,Leo, Saggitarius then it is said to be in East direction

2)Taurus,Virgo,Capricorn then it is said to be in South direction

3)Gemini,Libra,Aquarius then it is said to be in West direction

4)Cancer,Scorpio,Pisces then it is said to be in North direction

Rule

While traveling in a particular direction the moon in front or right side is auspicious and moon onback or left side is inauspicious

Result

If at the start of journey the moon is in a particular direction the following result will accrue

1) left-loss of money

2) back-troubles

3) front-success

4) right- gains

Adhik Maas- the month of spiritual importance

Hindu calender is based upon lunar movement which has 354 days where as Gregorian calender which is based upon movement of sun has 365 days(approx) . To accomodate this difference exactly after 32 months and 16 days (approx) an additional month is added in lunar calender which is called  Adhika  maas. The word 'adhik' means 'more' and 'maas' means 'month'. To put it another way,we know that the sun transit into next zodiac sign after 30 days (apprx). The lunar month in which no solar transit occur would be 'adhik maas'. It is considered very auspicious from the point of view of religious significance. This month is termed as "Purushottam Maas" or " Mal Maas". In hindu religion, every month has a ruling deity. The sages assigned the name "Mal Maas" to this extra month which means unclean month. Because of being an unclean month, naturally no festival would take place during this month.This was very disheartening for the 'Adhik Maas", so he reached Lord Vishnu.HE had pity on him and assigned Adhik Maas to Himself and it was named as Purushottam Maas. Lord Vishnu blessed him " Whosoever shall  worship me during the month of Purushottam, will be specially blessed " Adhik Maas got very happy to hear this and never got sad after that.
It is believed that the Adhik Maas Vrat is capable of excusing all the sins of the followers.Since then  fasting, recitation of mantra, readings of scriptures, Lakshmi-Narayan is worshipped with Sodashopachara puja and charity done in this month is considered as auspicious. Eating of other's food and taamsik food is forbidden. All the auspicious activities related to sanskaars as well as sale and purchase of new articles are suspended till the whole month is over. The first day of this month is more significantly important.

Curse to Moon

Twenty-seven of Daksha’s daughters were married to the moon-god Chandra. One of these wives was named Rohini and Chandra loved Rohini more than he loved the other wives. The other wives felt neglected and they complained to their father. Daksha repeatedly warned his son-in-law to devote himself equally to all twenty-seven wives. But Chandra was in no mood to listen. Daksha thereupon cursed Chandra that he would gradually fade away. Brahma told him that the only recourse was to pray to Shiva. Chandra went to Prabhasa tirtha and made a lingam on the banks of the river Sarasvati. He prayed to Shiva for six months. At the end of the tapasya Shiva appeared before Chandra and offered to grant him a boon. Lord Shiva said ,  "Daksha’s curse cannot be entirely ignored. During krishnapaksha you will wane. And during shuklapaksha (the bright part of the lunar fortnight) you will wax. That should satisfy everybody. "   Chandra was delighted. The lingam to which Chandra prayed is Somantha, the first of the Jyotirlingas.