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.

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.

The Surya Namaskaar mantra

The method for salutaion to Lord Surya(Sun) involves 12 different postures,breathing pattern along with specific mantra associated with each posture. Following are the 12 mantra to be recited during salutations to Lord Surya. ‎


Om Mitraya namah (The friend of all)

Om Ravaye namah (Praised by all)

Om Suryaya namah (The guide of all)

Om Bhanave namah (The bestower of beauty)

Om Khagaya namah (Stimulator of the senses)

Om Pushne namah (The nourisher of all)

Om Hiranyagarbhaya namah (The creator)

Om Marichaye namah (Destroyer of disease)

Om Adityaya namah (The inspirer)

Om Savitre namah (The purifier)

Om Arkaya namah (The radiant)

Om Bhaskaraya namah (The illuminator)

Even recitation of above mantra at the time of sunrise brings good health

Akshay Navami

In the Kaartik month,shukla Paksha and Ashtmi tithi is considere best for charity.Many legends are associated with this day. It is believe that on this day
1) Surya Dev(the Sun God) worshiped goddess Durga to acquire its properties because of which he is lighting the whole world.
2) Bharat met Lord Rama after 14 years.
3) It is considered auspicious to eat food under the Amla tree.this ritual is associated with good health.
4) Satya yug also began on this day.
5) The amla fruit is considered as divine fruit of Lord Vishnu.This is the ripening time of this fruit.
6) Amla tree is manifistation of goddess Lakshmi.

Birth Of Shani

Suryadev(son of Brahma) was married to Sangya.Sangya was the daughter of Vishwakarma. Yama, the God of death and the river Yamuna and Vaiswat Manu are believed to be the childern of Sun & Sangya.Sangya finding it unbearable to live with the harsh glare of Surya's light, created her own replica and named her as chaya and asked her to behave as Surya's wife and perform all the duties and savour the privileges of a wife. She made her promise that under no condition would she reveal to Suryadev that she was not Sangya and promised to help her when needed.

Sangya went back to her father Daksha. When Daksha saw that his daughter coming back, he advised her that she better live with her husband only. The dejected Sangya did not follow her father's advise and instead transformed herself into a mare and resided in the Himalayas and started penance.

Chaya performed the role of dutiful wife. Shani was the son of Chaya & Sun. Surya did not have any doubts about Chaya. One day Sun observe that Chaya didnit treat the Yama & his siblings lovingly. This raises doubts in his mind.Chaya confessed that she was a 'shadow' of Sangya and that Sangya had gone to the Himalaya for penance. On listening he dejected chaya. This cause the enemosity between Sun & Saturn.
It is said that when he opened his eyes as a baby for the very first time, the sun went into an eclipse, which clearly denotes the impact of Shani on astrological charts (horoscope).