चन्द्रमा को श्राप

 राजा दक्ष ने अपनी 27 पुत्रियों का विवाह चंद्रमा से किया  ।  लेकिन चन्द्रमा उन 27 पत्नियो में से केवल रोहिणी नाम की पत्नी को ही अत्यधिक स्नेह करते थे। इस बात से बाकी की 26 पत्नियाँ अपनी उपेक्षा होते देख उन्होंने ने अपनी सारी व्यथा अपने पिता राजा दक्ष को बताई। राजा दक्ष ने पहले तो चन्द्रमा को समझाया पर दक्ष के बार-बार समझाने पर भी चंद्रमा ने अपना व्यवहार नहीं सुधारा तो दक्ष ने चँद्रमा को  क्षयरोग होने का श्राप दे दिया।इस श्राप के कारण चन्द्रमा धीरे धीरे क्षीण होने लगा और मृत्यु  की और अग्रसर होने लगा। पूरे संसार माँ संतुलन बिगड़ने लगा।  । चन्द्रमा ने ब्रह्मा जी से इस श्राप से मुक्ति का उपाय पूछा तब इस श्राप के निवारण के लिए ब्रह्मा जी ने प्रभास क्षेत्र में तपस्या करने को कहा  . चन्द्रमा के पास मृत्यु टालने का अब कोई विकल्प नहीं बचा था।  चन्द्रमा ने महादेव की कठिन उपासना करि।  कालांतर में उनकी तपस्या से प्रसन्न हो कर महादेव ने दर्शन दिए।  चन्द्रमा ने महादेव से दक्ष के श्राप से मुक्ति मांगी  ।  महादेव ने बताय की दक्ष का श्राप पूरी तरह निरस्त नहीं  किया जा सकता परन्तु उसका प्रभाव काम अवश्य किया जा सकता है तब महादेव ने  वर दिया कि चंद्रमा की कला 15 दिन बढेगी और  15 दिन क्षीण हुआ करेगी। उनकी दृढ़ भक्ति को देखकर महादेव साकार स्वरुप  ज्योतिर्लिंग के रूप में प्रभास क्षेत्र में  स्थापित हुए। चंद्रमाँ का एक नाम सोम है अतः सोम से पूजित भगवान् शिव वहां सोमनाथ के नाम से प्रसिद्ध हुए। सोमनाथ ज्योतिर्लिंग ही सर्वप्रथम ज्योतिर्लिंग है। इस प्रकार भगवान् शिव ने चन्द्रमा के श्राप का निवारण किया जिसमे कृष्ण पक्ष में चन्द्रमा का क्षय होता है और अमावस्या के दिन चँद्रमा अपनी कलाओ से विहीन हो जाता है और शुक्ल पक्ष में चँद्रमा की कालाय बढ़ती जाती है और पूर्णिमा के दिन वो अपनी पूरी कलाओ के साथ उदित होता है।

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

Fears and phobias

The word “phobia” has a long list of its variations. In medical science there is no any specific cause is explain. But a careful examine of a chart yield sufficient information about the cause of psychological trouble. The whole analysis revolves around 3 key
Moon
Mercury
Jupiter
They are the significator of mind, nervous system and wisdom respectively. Any sort of afflictions by malefics cause psychological problem to a native. The nature of problem varies with the natural significance of planet which is being afflicted as well as the planet which causes affliction. In astrology there are many causes which yield to one result. To support the above analysis one has to take into account of other factors also. Here Lagna and 5th house plays very important role.Lagna is a representative of head where as 5th house shows mental inclination.Also Aries sign which represent “Head” in kaalpurush kundli, if afflicted by malefics then it also act as a supporting factor. Classics mention some of combinations of psychological disorders as follows-
kemdruma Yoga- It is formed when there is no planet in 2nd & 12th house from moon
Jupiter in lagna and Mars in 7th house or vice versa
Saturn in lagna and mars in trines or in 7th house from it
Rahu and moon in lagna and malefics in trines
Saturn and weak moon conjunct in 12th house.
Moon in 8th aspected by malefics
Saturn in lagna,sun in 12th with moon/mars in trines
Dual aspect of mars and Saturn on moon with moon occupying navamsha of malefic
Antardasha of enimical planet
Last but not least, role of upgrah of shani, Mandi should not be ignored.Wherever it sits in horoscope as well as whichever planet with it conjuncts , it causes disastrous results.

Astrology and Sports!

In astrology there are various hidden rules which are yet to be tested and analysed in a prudent way in the modern context. During my Banaras visit I was searching for some books on astrology. I found an intresting material on “chakras”.The “chakras” is the nakshatra based system of prediction. I always found “Chakras” are the most mysterious and challenging . This is the reason I decided to do research on it. During world cup hockey 2010, I got a call from one person(who was also a well known astrologer) ,asked for the prediction of the outcome of the semi final match between Australia and Netherlands since he was banking upon Netherlands to win the match(even the media was favouring Netherlands). But I was not agreed with him. I am presenting excerpt (only a part is published here)of my research work. I took account of Rahu , the sun and the moon. It is important to note that 13 nakshatras which are yet to be traveled by Rahu is called “Mrit Paksha”(considered inauspicious) and the remaining 13 are called “Jeeva Paksha”(considered auspicious). In the analysis Moon is called “The attacker” and the sun is called “ the attacked”. Now it is the position of sun and moon during the match decides the outcome. If the moon is in Jeeva paksha then the attacker wins and if the sun is in the Jeeva Paksha then the defender wins.
Interpretation of Result
1)If Moon’s nakshatra is between 2nd and 14th from the Rahu’s nakshatra then the Attacker wins
2) If Sun’s nakshatra is between 2nd and 14th from the Rahu’s nakshatra then the defender wins.
3) If Moon’s nakshatra and Sun’s nakshatra is between 2nd and 14th from the Rahu’s nakshatra then the both wins.
4) The nakshatra from the 16th to 28th (including Abhijit) is the indicator of loss.
5) The 15th nakshatra from the rahu’s is the neutral point.
Example- If rahu is transiting in Rohini nakshatra and Moon is in Mrigshira and Sun is in Ashiwini nakshatra , then the team that begins the attack will win. In vice versa case, where Moon is in Ashwini nakshatra and Sun is in Mrigshira nakshatra then the team that begin attack will loose because at that time the sun is transiting in Jeev Paksha making the attacked party stronger.

Tara Chakra

n astrology, a very special place is allotted to planet Moon. A strong moon is capable of removing many doshas single handedly. Now the question is how to judge the strength of moon? For this we use the Tara Bal. The word “Tara” means star and the “Bal” means strength. This give fair idea that which “Nakshatra” is good or bad for a native. If Tara is favourable then it gives strength to Moon. As a result strong moon gives strength to Sun & strong sun gives strength to all planets in horoscope. The strong moon triggers the source of strength of all planets.
Concept
Step -1
Note down your Nakshatra Number and treat it as a Starting point or allot the number 1 to it. This will be your Janam Nakshatra.. For Example A native born in Swati Nakshatra, then “Swati” will be his Janam Nakshatra
Step-2
Begin the counting from your “Janam Nakshatra” and name the following nakshatras sequentially as follows Janam(Already stated in step1),Sampat,Vipat,Kshema,Pratyari,Sadhak,Vadha,Mitra,Adhi-Mitra.Since we have 27 nakshatras in all, therefore after allotting 9 types of names to them we will have 9 groups of 3 nakshatra each.
In an above example the naming will be as follows
Janam(Already stated in step1) – Swati, Shatbhisha, Ardra,
 Sampat-Vishakha,Porva Bhadrapad,Punarvasu
Vipat- Anuradha,U Bhadrapad,Pushya
Kshema- Jyestha,Revati,Ashlesha,
Pratyari- Moola ,Ashwini,Magha.
Sadhak- Porva. Ashada,Bharini,Porva Phaguni,
Vadha- U. Ashada ,Kritika,UPhaguni,
Mitra- Shravana ,Rohini,Hasta,
Adhi-Mitra- Dhanishtha,Mrigshira,Chitra

Rule-

1.From the Janam Nakshatra, the 3rd, 5th and 7th nakshatra is bad. So Vipat,Pratyari and Vadha are bad
2. 2nd,4th, 6th and 8th are best
3. 1st(Janam) and 9th are medium
In a following chart the dasha of saturn was not good because it is in U.Ashada nakshatra which is 7th from his janam nakshatra


Remedy

For Vipat tara- donate salt of 3 tolas(1 tola = 12g approx),raw sugar

For Pratyari tara-donate salt of 5 tola

For Vadha tara-donate salt of 7 tola,Gold,Til

For Janam Tara-donate vegetables

Deadly Duo

In Astrology the 6th and 8th house are among the list of dusthan(Bad houses). That is why 6/8 relation is considered harmful and it is frequently used in dasha analysis.Planets placed in 6th or 8th from the planet of running dasha generally diminishes the good effect of dasha.Here the same rule is applied while judging the strength of a house where two planets of different nature are placed.
Step1
Place all the 9 planets in order as follows
Sun
Moon
Mars
Mercury
Jupiter
Venus
Saturn
Rahu
Ketu
Step2
The planet 6th from itself is the shatru graha(enemical)
Step-3
We will have the following enemical combinations after applying step-2 in the step-1 list
Sun-Venus
Moon-Saturn
Mars-Rahu
Mercury-Ketu
Jupiter-Sun
Venus-Moon
Saturn-Mars
Rahu-Mercury
Ketu-Jupiter
Step-4
If the lord,Karka doesnot support the bhava, then the above combination placed in any bhava will harm the signification of that bhava.

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

Sankata Chaturthi

 In the month of Magh as per lunar calendar, the 4th tithi(date) of the dark half(Krishna paksha) is celebrated as “Sankata Chauth”. The ruler deity of the chaturthi(fourth) date is Lord Ganesha. So, Sankata Chauth festival is very auspicious to worship Lord Ganesha. This fast is for removal of obstacles in the life. Its importance was told by Lord Krishna to Yudhisthir.

Procedure

1)Wake up before sunrise and after bathing “sankalp” has to be done in front of Lord Ganesha’s idol.

2) Observe nirjala fast(without water) from the sunrise till the appearance of moon in the evening,  , If the health doesnot permit then fruits and milk can be consumed. But no cereals has to be taken.

3)  Pooja of Lord Ganesha has to be performed by offering 21 Durvas(a kind of grass).

4) As a prasadam, Laddu has to be offered.

5) Offer water to the moon(argya) 3 times.If moon is not visible then its image can be drawn on the outer wall.

On this day Lord Ganesha blessed planet Mars(mangal). So if the horoscope has some malefic influence of Mars called Mangal dosham, then this day is the best day in a year to get rid of that ill effect by worshiping Lord Ganesha

  

The beauty of Karwa Chauth: Its Rituals

Every woman is a part of ‘ Shakti’, the goddess. Fasting(Vrat) is a kind of tapasya(deep meditation) through which the hidden powers are invoked. The Karwa Chauth vrat is one of the method of invoking the inner powers of woman. There are many rituals associated with this vrat. Following are the key rituals and some important points which should be kept in mind  –

1)The first Karwa Chauth should never be missed.

2)Never wakeup any other person

3)Not to use knife in kitchen.

4)Don’t put thread in the needle for sewing.

5)Donot make any agreement with annoyed person.

6)In a pre dawn meal(called sargi), 7 kinds of food has to be eaten.

7)A shape of crescent is drawn with Haldi(turmeric) on the wall (munder) and water is offered at the start of vrat.

8) Sargi(pre dawn meal) has to be prepared by mother in law.

9)The ‘sargi’ has to be consumed before sun rise.

10)The Evening pooja before the sun set is very significant

11)A thali(plate) consisting of sweets called “Baya” is prepared to be given to Mother in law.

12)Prepare a corner with the help of rangoli for pooja called “Chowk”

13)Place the deity in the centre of the chowk

.

14)Then the ‘shakti’ is invoked by mantras in the deity.

15)Place Karwa(a small pitcher of clay) filled with water with the ‘Thaali’

16)All the women sit around the image and exchange the ‘thaali’ seven times.

17)Then comes  the sensitive time when an old lady re narrates the story of Karwa chauth, which has to be listened very carefully.

18) The’Thaali(baya)’ is offered to mother in law to seek blessings. This process is called “mansana”

19) In a house where a daughter in law give ‘Baya’ to mother in law , it is prohibited for a spouse(of daughter in law),her children or other male children of younger age to eat the things given in ‘Baya’.

20)After the pooja, at the moon rise first ardhya(water offering) has to be given to moon through the sieve. It is important to note that the fast has to be broken only after offering water to the moon. (As all Chaturthi fast is linked with moon as per blessings of Lord Ganesha)

21) Parikrama(turn full circle standing at one place) has to be done while breaking the fast.

22)The woman has to touch the feet of the husband and husband inturns blessed her by offering water in karwa to drink.

23) It is custom to cook unbroken pulse(sabut daal) and it is auspicious to prepare any thing which requires Kadai(a kind of utencil) after the fast. Its a mark of "barkat"

This marks the completion of fast.

The Legend of Kumbh Mela

“Kumb mela “ is a holy fair which is one of the greatest festival in the life of a hindu.There is a legend behind the occurance of this fair. As per legend once Gods and demons churned the cosmic ocean for the search of amrit(the divine nectar for immortality). At the end of churning, the pot (kumbh,in hindi) of amrit emerges from the ocean. At that moment the fight broke between Gods and demons for the possession of the pot. The battle for the possession of pot continued for 12 days which are equivalent to 12 human years. During that battle few drops of amrit fell on 4 places- Prayag, Haridwar, Ujjain and Nashik. During the war, 3 planets Sun,Moon and Jupiter played significant role in protecting the pot from breaking. To commemorate this holy event Kumbh Mela is celebrated in every twelve years at the four sacred places where the drops from Kumbh were fallen. Since then it is believe that according to particular planetary position of Sun,Jupiter and moon respectively these places acquires special divine powers and bathing in these pilgrimage sites in the sacred river helps to ward off the sins. This fair,kumbh mela occurs four times every twelve years and rotates among four locations: Prayag, Haridwar, Ujjain and Nashik. Each twelve-year cycle includes one Maha Kumbh Mela(GreatKumbhMela).
Following are the planetary combinations for each site for Kumbh festial.
1) At Prayag, the Maha Kumbh Mela is held in the month of Magha (January/February in the Gregorian calendar). when Jupiter is in Taurus and both the Sun and Moon are in Capricorn.
2)At Haridwar, the Kumbh Mela is held in the months of Phalgun and Chaitra, when the Sun passes to Aries, the Moon is in Sagittarius and Jupiter is in Aquarius.
3)In Ujjain, it is held in the month of Vaishakha, the Sun and Moon are in Aries and Jupiter is in Leo.
4) At Nasik, the Kumbh Mela takes place in the month of Shravana, when the Sun and Moon are in Cancer and Jupiter is in Scorpio.It takes nearly one year for Jupiter to transit through one zodiac sign.Thus,for each site Kumbh Mela comes in every 12 years.

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.