Hanumath Jayanthi - 2011

Dear Members:

Hanuman Jayanthi falls on December 24, 2011 per Tamil traditions . There are various versions for this observance - some follow it on Chaitra Pournami (this is followed in Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Maharashtra, and some parts of North India. In North Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, Hanumat Jayanthi is celebrated on Vaisakh Krishna dasami thithi. According to Tamil traditions, Hanumat Jayanthi is celebrated on the Amavasya thithi of the Tamil Month Maargazhi when Moola constellation rules. (for those of you who are from Siddha lineage of Sage Agasthya - there is another version which is not so popular as the other jayanthis! Agasthya Samhita gives Lord Hanuman's Birth details as Mesha lagna, Krishna chaturdasi thithi, Swaathi nakshatra, in the solar month of Karthigai)

The differences may pertain to different incarnations of Lord Hanumaan in different kalpas (the same Divine Events have occured in different kalpas with slight modifications and that is why you will find slight differences in version of some Divine Legends in various Puranas as they may refer to the events in different kalpas!). So, probably they are all correct in that they refer to His Jayanthi in different kalpas.

Another reason for the difference could be that each "Jayanthi" could refer to some significant "life-changing or rebirth sort of event" in Lord Hanuman's Incarnation.....like the first conception through Lord Vaayu's agency as a Rudraavataraa, His being revived by Divine Boons as a child (after He was struck by Vajraayudha when He tried to gobble the sun! thus it was a sort of second life for Him), His realizing His Divine Powers after Jaambhavaan alerts Him of the powers that He had forgotten due to the curse of rishis, His Incarnating as Panchamukha Hanumaan to tackle the challenges of Demons of the Netherworld, etc.

Generally for a devotee every day is of spiritual significance and so, these "special days" are just convenient Divine Excuses for showering additional devotion and for Divine Celebration with extra fervour! So, maybe, you can follow all those Jayanthis of the most Humble but Mighty Messenger of Lord Raam and celebrate His Incarnation thrice/ Four times a year!

In that spirit, even our brethen from North India, and other southern states may offer special worship to Lord Hanumaan on this day when their brother devotees from Tamil Nadu will be offering their respects and veneration to the Glorious Son of Vaayu.

Recital of Shri Hanumaan Chaalisaa, Sundara Kaandam chapters, AanjanEya sahasranaamam (reputed to be composed by Lord Raama Himself!), etc. are considered to be auspicious on this day.

Blessed be.
Pandit R.DAKSHINAMOORTHI
Astrological and Remedial consultant
dakshinastrologer@yahoo.co.in

Saphala Ekaadasi - December 20/ 21, 2011

Dear Members:

The auspicious Saphala Ekaadashi falls on December 20/ December 21, 2011. The observance of this fast for different places on the globe is as follows:

1) for USA, Canada, West Indies, and other countries in American Continent, U.K., Western European nations - December 20, 2011

2) For rest of the world, including India - December 21, 2011.

Glory of Saphala Ekaadashi

This is mentioned in Brahmaanda Purana. Fasting on Saphala Ekaadashi will help in cleansing all sins committed earlier, and also helps in attaining fame in this life.

Lumbaka - the son of a king was always questioning the authority of Lord Vishnu, and due to this irreverent attitude, he was exiled from the kingdom. He continued with his irreverential attitude, and added to that began plundering the wealth of poor villagers. He took his abode beneath a banyan tree, started killing animals, and began eating raw meat. (The legend purports to describe that the king's son had fallen into sinful ways that will add severely to karmic account).

Once, he fell ill on a particular day and hence could not partake his usual meals (of raw meat!); he also remained awake all night due to his sickness. As the day was Saphala Ekaadashi fast day, he had unknowingly followed the vrat! The next day he felt better and intuitively realized that this was all due to Grace of Lord Vishnu. He realized his mistake, returned to his father with a repentant attitude, and lived happily thereafter.

Such is the glory of the Saphala Ekaadashi - even a person who unknowingly kept that fast could gain Grace of Shri Vishnu. So, what to speak of the Holy and Pious persons who undertake this fast with full faith and with Divine Contemplation? Is it not obvious that Heavenly glory is open to those who undertake this auspicious Saphala Ekaadashi Fast?

Special austerities recommended in connection with this ekaadasi:

1) Offer Pomegranate, guava, variety of nuts, coconut, betel leaves, areca nuts, mangoes, and aromatic spices (like cloves, cardamom, etc.) in Honour of Lord Aadhi Naaraayana (The Original Viraat Roopa of Shriman Naaraayana - with His Consort Lakshmi on His Chest, mounted on Shri Garuda, and carrying His Divine Conch and Disc with Full Glory) on this day. You can partake these items as prasad on dwaadasi day if you are keeping a full fast; those who are only observing partial fast (just abstaining from whole-grains and beans) may partake these in lieu of regular diet.

2) Light a ghee lamp in Honour of Lord Naraayana and Goddess Lakshmi in your pooja place and recite the Holy Ashtaakshari (Om NamO Naaraayanaaya) as many times as possible. Recital of Naaraayana Sooktham and Purushasooktham can also be done by those who are intiated into these vedic hymns.

A full-night vigil is also recommended. Those who cannot maintain a full-night vigil may at least recite Shriman Naaraayana naama as many times as possible and sleep with Divine Thought.

May our members undertake this fast and feel Blessed by Divine Grace.

Blessed be.

Pandit R DAKSHINAMOORTHI

dakshinastrologer@yahoo.co.in

Dhanur month poojas begin on December 16/December 17, 2011

Dear Members:

Dhanur month pooja period begins from December 16, 11 for those in the United States, and other countries of American continents. For rest of the world, Dhanur month pooja period begins from December 17, 2011; Dhanur month ends on Jan 14, 2011.

It is auspicious to do early morning poojas daily during this Dhanur month. Especially powerful recitals are those of Tiruppaavai, Thiruvempaavai (Tamil Hymns), Vishnu Sahasranaamam, and Raamaayana/ Mahaabhaaratam. It is also traditional for those belonging to Bhajana sampradaayas to recite Divine Names in a musical tone during this month and walk around residential localities spreading Divine Vibes in the process.

Dhanur month is the dawn period by DEvamaana (1 human year is equivalent to 1 day for celestials; the Uttaraayana period is day for them and the six Dakshinaayana month period is night for them; this Dhanur month is the Brahma Muhurtha for Celestials and hence worships during this period are considered very auspicious).

This Dhanur month pooja beginning period is Shadsheethi punya kaalam - a spiritually potent period when all punya karmas give manifold positive returns. Shadsheethi punya kaalam is to be observed on December 16, 2011 throughout the world.

May our readers enjoy the best spiritual benefits of this auspicious period.

Blessed be.
Pandit R. DAKSHINAMOORTHI.

A query on "Astrology Vs Karma"?

Dear Panditji,

Had a question,though might not be directly relevant. A friend of mine asked me this question. Does astrology take an upper hand or Karma as in the case of twins, though their horoscopes are same (differnce of 2 minutes), still one is in US and flourishing and the other person is yet to find a job.

In such situations, he was asking as to what creates such a difference ?

Best Regards,
Sairaman

December 13, 2011 7:21 AM

Pandit R. DAKSHINA MOORTHI said...

Astrology can still give clues even in the case of twin births; though most common persons think the horoscopes are the same, the divisional charts can be different in some cases - there could be sign change in vargas like dasamsa or other minute divisions that could explain the change in circumstances. If the dasamsa chart - the divisional chart that shows career prospects is different, their professional prospects could also differ.

BUT, that said, the basic tendencies could still be identical to a great extent as shown by the basic rashi chart. Just that one of those twins would have manifested those tendencies more overtly while the other one could have not manifested them overtly. Also, as I always say, final outcomes in life do depend to a great extent upon how we react to situations in life. Horoscope shows the situations that might be encountered - and certain milestone points like strong triggers for career/ marriage; while one twin could have taken up those triggers aggressively the other one could have floundered there and missed those triggering points that could have propelled this other stranded twin also to success just as they propelled the other one to flourishing circumstances.

In some cases, the good karma of the family might have been already exhausted and support just one of those twins - and hence the flourishing of one and the floundering of the other.

There is another possibility also here...sometimes twins are people with strongly shared karmas where one's good luck may have to support the other....or Destiny might purposely test the "flourishing" twin to see whether he is able to generously share his good luck/ riches with the suffering twin (as is the duty of a good sibling).

I have seen very good souls suffering at death bed - and you would think that such good persons don't deserve such a suffering; but, the fact is that Universe is not "punishing" that good soul with the bed-ridden situation; RATHER, Universe is trying to give chance for the other family members to earn good karma by serving that flawless soul in that situation. The flawless soul who has been put into this trial of suffering at death-bed will be compensated for that when they reach Heaven:)

Fate is very kind and Destiny is certain.

PS: Astrology and Karma are not very different; Astrology only says things based on projections of karmic possibilities.

So, we can't answer whether astrology has upper hand or Fate has upper hand. Without karma there is no astrology:) Astrology is only a diagnostic tool to read karma and its implications.

A better way you could have asked this is - "whether Fate prevails or Free Will prevails?" I would have given a different answer for that; I will do a write-up on this sometime in the near future:)

December 13, 2011 8:19 AM

Dattatreya Jayanthi on December 9, 2011

Dear Members:

Dattatreya Jayanthi falls on December 9, 2011 year. (many spiritual groups intend to celebrate this on December 10, 2011; BUT, it is more correct to observe this on December 9, 2011 itself because Pournami and Rohini conjointly begin operating even from the evening of December 9, 2011, and it is more correct to observe Datta Jayanthi on December 9, 2011 since eclipse also falls on December 10, 2011 - if a nakshatra operates on two days, it is better to celebrate the nakshatra on the day when there is no eclipse).

Shri Guru DattaatrEya is an incarnation possessing the Divine attributes of the Trimurthis (Brahma, vishnu, and Shiva) with Sage Atri and the sage's Wife Anusuyaa Devi as His parents. He is an Aadi Guru of the avadhoota sampradaaya. He is a Divine Form who can be easily pleased by mere remembrance of Him ("smarana maatra santushtaaya!")

Anusuyaa Devi - the wife of Sage Atri was known for Her Piety and virtues. Sage Naarada was extolling Her virtues to Goddesses Saraswathy, Lakshmi, and Paarvathy. The Goddesses requested the Trimurthies to test her virtues. The trimurthis took the form of mendicants and went as athithis to the hermitage of Sage Atri when He was not there. Sagess Anusuya offered them the traditional respects due to athithis, and requested them to partake meals in the hermitage. The mendicants imposed the condition that they will partake meals only on one condition that Anusuyaa should serve them stark naked!

Anusuyaa Devi was in a moral fix....According to customs of those times in hermitages (even normal households for that matter!), an athithi was never to be turned away without feeding him. But, at the same time, as a pious and modest wife of a sage, she cannot even think of being nude in front of grown up strangers. She meditated on her husband, and sprinkled Holy Water from his kamandal (a sort of water container kept by sages) on the three mendicants. They got transformed into three infants by the power of her pious devotion to her husband. Obviously, there can be no reservation in being nude in front of infants! She fed them in that condition and thus satisfied the conditions of modesty as well as athithi bhojana (feeding guests). When Sage Atri returned to the hermitage, Anusuyaa Devi showed the three Divine Infants and explained the course of events. Sage Atri of course could Divine the events by His clairvoyance powers.

The three Devis visited the hermitage and beseeched the couple to return their husbands in their original Divine Forms. The couple agreed, but requested that they should have a Divine Child with the potency of the three murthis. Thus was born Shri DattatrEyaa - "Datta AatrEyaa - One who was given as Gift to Shri Atri maharishi and His wife."

Though Anusuyaa Devi wanted Dattatreya to live the life of a householder, He rejected those pleas and instead chose to live in the ways of a Avadhootaa (a complete renunciate - who transcends all sorts of differences and restrictions, and living in the High State of Spontaneous Living called "SwEchaachaaryaa"; saints who live that do what they feel like doing at that moment naturally...they do not follow any rigid rules or regulations in life - allowing Divinity to guide them each and every moment in the form of random thoughts that arise in their conscious!). Datta Gitaa is a philosophical work of wonderful metaphysical depth and beauty.

Many are the miracles of Shri DattatrEyaa right from His times to the current periods. The most famous devotees of Shri DattarEyaa are Sage Parasuraama (Shri DattatrEyaa helped Sage Parasuraamaa in performing the last rites of his father and ensured that the deceased sages attained PUnya Lokhaas), and Shri Kaartaveeryaarjunaa (The Mighty King with One thousand shoulders! who was an Incarnation of Sudarshana - the Holy Disc of Lord Vishnu). In fact, Shri Kaartaveeryaarjuna was born without limbs as an infant, and it was by the power of tapasya focussed on Shri DattatrEyaa that he got 1000 pairs of hands and a mighty physique. Additionally, Shri Datta blessed him with a treasury that will never become empty, and also a boon that whosoever remembers the King Kaartaveeryaarjunaa will be able to retrieve lost property and realise rightful properties snatched away from them by force. Kaartaveeryaarjuna also had a boon that he can be defeated and killed only by a disciple/ devotee of Shri DattatrEyaa. When King Kaartaveeryaarjuna started behaving in arrogant manner, and had a clash with Jamadagni rishi, he met his end in the hands of Sage Parasuraama - the Incarnation of Lord Vishnu, and a devotee of Shri DatttrEyaa as per the boon. The Most Highly Venerated Shridi Sai Baba is one example of a modern day avadhootaa of the Datta sampradaaya. There are other saints also of that tradition who have a wide following today.

THE DIVINE FORM OF LORD DATTATREYA

Lord Dattatreya is often meditated upon with a Cow (KaamadhEnu) at His back, and 4 dogs at His feet. The Cow - KaamadhEnu represents the truth that whatever legitimate wish you have will be bestowed upon you when you pray to Him. The 4 dogs represent the 4 vedaas. Lord DattatrEyaa - the Trimutrhi swaroopi has the characteristic Divine Weapons of the Trimurthis - in His hands and three heads representing the Trimurthis (also representing Satwaa, Rajas and Tamas gunaas!)

Yet another popular Divine Form that is usually venerated by followers of siddha/ Naath traditions is His Form with the 9 famous Nath saints.

Shri DattatrEya is easily pleased by mere Remembrance of Him. He may manifest in the form of an uninvited guest at noon, a mad beggar, a young child, or even ghostly forms (that is what His Moola mantra says ......." Baala Unmatta Pisaacha vEshaaya!"). Annadhaan (donation of food) to poor and needy is the charity that is closest to His Heart. Many devotees of Lord Datta have had Him visit their houses in the form of unknown guests at Noon. So, if possible, try to donate to charities specializing in feeding the poor on this day. As Dattatreya helped Sage Parasuraama in performance of rituals to ensure salvation of pitrus, He will help us also to get relieved from pitru doshas of all kinds. Also, yati saapaa (curse of saints/ sages/ mendicants) that might have arisen due to insult meted out to renunciates can be remedied by worship of Lord DattatrEyaa. Recital of DattrEya Vajra Kavacham will help in nullifying even most terrible planetary afflictions.

We are planning to conduct special chants on Datta Jayanthi day this year also. Shri DattatrEya Moola mantra Japam, Dattatreya vajra kavacham, sthothras, and Shri Kaartaveeryaarjuna Japam will be conducted at my residence at villivakkam on December 09, 2011 (We Honour Kaartaveeryaarjuna also today because He is a proof to the fact that Faith on Datta can transform lives even overcoming Fate; the limbless child - who was considered inauspicious by his own parents - became the mighty 1000 armed warrior whose name and mantras have proved auspicious to countless generations - all due to Datta's Grace) . Those sponsors who are in a position to attend the Japam might do so on this date. For the others, please note that the pooja parasadam will not be sent by post due to ritual purity concerns and logistic difficulties. Inclusion of your name, gothra, and star in the sankalpam will be deemed "in-absentia" participation. Those who are interested may avail the pooja service by clicking on the button below:

Apart from prayers for the benefit of the sponsors, prayers will also be raised for Universal Welfare. You may also attend poojas/ homams conducted by other pious persons near your place on this holy day.

Those who are not in a position to attend special on Datta jayanthi may still become recipients of His Grace by just repeating the mantra "Om Jai Guru Dattaa" or "Om Jai Satguru Shri DattatrEyaaya namah" as many times as possible on His Jayanthi day - whenever time permits - even in between your normal activities in life. This is a siddha mantra and needs no initiation; anyone without any distinction of class, creed, religion, and gender can recite this at ANYTIME. He is easily pleased and His worship is without unnecessary frills and procedures such that even a child can perform the pooja (because you may do it in any way you wish to do!)

Try to feed at least one poor person or sponsor annadhaan at any holy place as per your capacity - because Guru Dattatreya might come in any form and accept annadhaan, and performing annadhaan to needy persons is one of the easiest ways to become recipients of His Grace.

May our members become recipients of Lord DattatrEyaa's Grace by observing simple austerities in His Honour on His Jayanthi day as per their convenience and enjoy blissful lives.

Blessed be.

Pandit R.DAKSHINAMOORTHI
Astrological and Remedial consultant
dakshinastrologer@yahoo.co.in

Karthikai deepam in December 2011

Dear Members:

Tiruvannamalai Deepam is observed on December 8, 2011 and sarvaalaya Deepam is observed on December 10, 2011.


Those who wish to observe the Deepam on December 10, 2011 due to traditions associated with their family (i.e. instead of Tiruvannamalai Deepam) must light the lamps in the period between 5:45 p.m. and 6:15 p.m., IST i.e. before the beginning of lunar eclipse on December 10, 2011.

Lighting deepam praying for wisdom in our life, good fortune and prosperity in the family, and peace of souls is auspicious on this occasion - since it marks the day when our Lord appeared as a Huge Pillar of Light of a magnitude that even Lord Vishnu and Lord Brahma could not Fathom the extent of His Form completely. To commemorate that "Adi Mudi kaana perunthOtram" - The Form with Unfathomable Beginning and End- every year a grand jyothi is lit atop the Holy Arunaachala Hills.

Lord Muruga (also called Kartikeya, Skanda, etc.) is also to be venerated on this day since this day marks the day when His six Forms were united into a single body and six-heads by the Embrace of Goddess Shakti. This is symbolic of Focussing of our 5 indriyaas and the sixth faculty of Reasoning by God's Grace to make ourselves fit for accomplishment of tasks (just as Lord Muruga's six forms united into Shanmugha Form with which He annihilated demons - the purpose of His Genesis straight from Lord Shiva's Third Eye).

May the Light of Wisdom dawn on all of us by Divine Grace.


Pandit R.DAKSHINAMOORTHI
Astrological and Remedial consultant
dakshinastrologer@yahoo.co.in

Mokshadaa ekaadasi (Kaisika Ekaadasi) - December 5/ December 6, 2011

Dear members:

The auspicious Mokshadaa ekaadashi falls in the bright half of the month Margasira.

It is also known as Kaisika ekaadasi .

It is to be observed on December 5, 2011 by those living in U.S., Canada, and other countries of the American continents (both North and South).

For all other countries in rest of the world, the ekaadashi should be observed on December 6, 2011.

Glory of Mokshadaa ekaadashi


Mokshadaa ekaadashi - as the name implies has the potential to give Liberation from cycle of endless births and deaths for our soul. Its main goal is to help us in attaining Ever Lasting Bliss in the Lotus Feet of our Lord.

Lord Vishnu in His form of DAMODARA ( kindly refer shrimad Bhaagavatam to know more about these Divine Forms of Lord Vishnu, and how He manifests in His different Forms; generally you may meditate on Four handed form of Lord Vishnu) should be venerated on this Holy Day. A ghee lamp, incense, and tulsi buds should be offered respectfully along with prayers to Lord DamOdharaa on this most auspicious of days.

Legend of Mokshadaa ekaadashi


There is a legend explained in the Brahma vaivarta Puranaa extolling the glory of Mokshadaa ekaadashi as narrated by Lord Krishna to Yudhishtra. Listening to this legend is said to confer the merit equivalent to that obtained by AswamEdha yagna (Horse Sacrifice!). Lord Krishna further adds that the glory of this ekaadasi can give heavenly bliss to the souls of all deceased relatives of the person who observes this fast religiously.

There was a saintly King of yore by name Vaikhaanasa (it is not clear whether it is the same person who gave genesis to the Hallowed Vaikhaanasa aagama - one of the major aagamaas for Vaishnavites) who ruled over a kingdom called Champakanagaram. His kingdom was glorious in every way blessed as it was with a saintly and able king who treated his subjects as his own children, and also with knowledgeable and pious priestly class who were well learnt in all vedic sacrifices and rituals. One night, the king had a terrible dream in which he saw his father suffering torments in hellish regions. When he enquired about this to the Brahmins of his court, they directed him to Parvata Maharishi - a great tapasvi. When the king approached Parvata Maharishi, after formal exchange of pleasantaries, the king broached the topic of a recent torment that he has experiened. The sage, by His Divine Vision, understood the reason for the king's anxiety and also the cause for the torment of his father's soul in hell - the king's father, in his earlier life, had enjoyed his wife forcibly against her wishes during her monthly periods. That grievous sin against a righteous woman had given him the present hellish sufferings.


The king wanted a remedy to absolve the sins of his father and to get him liberated to Higher Planes. The Sage Parvata recommended performance of this Mokshadaa ekaadasi and to donate the merit acquired by this performance to his father's soul upon which the soul will get liberated from Hell. The king did accordingly along with his wife and all relatives, and by the power of this performance, the king's father was liberated from Hell and was taken by messengers of demi-gods to Celestial Planes.

On a different note, it was on this day that Bhagavat Gitaa was initiated to Shri Arjuna by Lord Krishna at Kurukshetra. So, this day is also observed as Gitaa Jayanthi. It is auspicious to gift copy of Bhagavat Gitaa to aspirants of vedantaa or do what you can to propogate the Shrimad Bhagavat Gita on this day. Recite at least one chapter, or at least one slokha from Shrimad Bhagavat Gita today understanding its meaning and applicability even in today's life. Those who can, may even perform the Bhagavat Gitaa Homam if it is feasible for them. The merits of this performance cannot be elaborated by normal human beings like me!


May our readers observe this ekaadashi with devotion and be recipients of God's Grace that will liberate them from endless cycles of transmigration of soul.

Blessed be.
Pandit R.DAKSHINAMOORTHI
Astrological and Remedial consultant
dakshinastrologer@yahoo.co.in
www.liveperson.com/pandit-dakshinamoorthi

Lunar eclipse on December 10, 2011

There is a total lunar eclipse on December 10, 2011 between 06-15 p.m. and 9-48 p.m. (IST). The eclipse will be visible in the region covering Africa, Europe, The Middle East, Asia, Australia, North America, Greenland, and Indian, Pacific, and Arctic Ocean. The eclipse is visible throughout India.

GENERAL SUGGESTIONS FOR EVERYONE LIVING IN REGIONS OF VISIBILITY OF THE ECLIPSE.

1) Avoid eating solid foods after 2:00 p.m. IST on 10th December 2011.

2) Fast during the duration of the eclipse and recite Divine Sthothras or do japas; the merit accrued by such recitals will be manifold. Spiritual people never let go an eclipse period without major occult performances – because the merits get multiplied many times and so attaining siddhis is easier during the eclipse duration.

3) Do not perform abhisheka or other outer forms of poojas during eclipse; only japas and meditation should be performed during eclipse duration.

4) Any activity that requires intense focus of mind can be performed during eclipse and you will see the good results for yourself.

5) Ideally a bath should be taken both at the beginning of the eclipse and at the end of the eclipse duration. If taking two baths like that is not feasible, at least a purificatory bath should be done at the end of the eclipse.

6) Those who have lost parents should perform the tarpana and other rituals in Honour of ancestors at the beginning of the solar eclipse (it should be done at the end of the lunar eclipse; this is for your information and guidance regarding dharma shastraic rules of tarpans during eclipses).

7) If you happen to be living in the region of visibility of the eclipse, you should put tulsi leaves or dharbha grass in all stored food items like pickles, jams, buttermilk, etc. and take those away after the eclipse.

8) Avoid using bed materials during eclipse – because if you do use pillows, etc. made of cloth, you need to wash them after the eclipse; it may not be feasible. This rule does not apply to woolen materials, and resins.

9) The ideal way to spend the time of eclipse is in recital – especially by the side of Holy Rivers in the region – like Cauvery, Aarni, Bhavani, Vaigai, etc. or by the side of temple tanks. Mantras to control poisons, to control elemental forces and evils, etc. will give immediate results during eclipse duration. So, those living in regions of visibility of the eclipse should capitalize on this period to detox their lives by powerful chants. This is an ideal period for mantra-initialization processes.

10) Pregnant women should avoid walking out if the eclipse is visible in their area - this is as per traditional taboos. Though some say that this is a superstition, I guess it is better to be safe rather than being sorry later:)

11) Those who intend to celebrate Karthigai deepam on this day should complete lighting the lamps and the offerings before 6:10 p.m. (light the lamps and offer naivedya between 5:40 p.m. and 6:10 p.m. IST), and put some dharbha grass on the offerings. Those dharbha grass pieces can be removed at the end of the eclipse and then the naivedya can be consumed.

SPECIAL REMEDIAL PERFORMANCE FOR THOSE NATIVES BORN UNDER THE ABOVE STARS AND LIVING IN AREAS OF VISIBILITY OF THE ECLIPSE

As per dharma shastras, when eclipse falls in the natal star, its trines, or on stars near one’s natal star (the star before or after one’s natal star), eclipse remedies should be performed to counteract the possible negative impact of the eclipse on one’s prospects…. Those born under Krittika, Rohini, Mrigaseersha, Sravana, and Hasta vedic stars and living in regions of visibility of this eclipse should perform Grahana remedies to counteract the possible malefic influence of this eclipse on their charts.

There are specific hymns to be recited invoking the Grace of the Ashtadig baalakaas Indra, Agni, Yama, Nirruti, Varuna, Vaayu, Kubera, Ishaana, and also the Trimurthis – Brahma, Vishu, and Lord Shiva to remove the eclipse impact if one’s natal star belongs to the list of stars afflicted by the eclipse.

Some pandits who are not knowledgeable of the above hymns will alternatively perform a Sarpa sooktha recital or Mahanyaasa Rudra recital. That is also perfectly acceptable and these remedies also work well.

Try to get in touch with knowledgeable pandits in your area if your area of residence falls in the visibility zone of the eclipse. Or, you may contact us for the performance of the eclipse remedy on your behalf; we will do the needful taking the sankalpa in your name and reciting the appropriate hymns for your benefit. You need to give your name, your nakshatra, rashi, and gothra (if known; if the gothra is not known indicate whether you would like to be called as Vishnu gothra or Shiva gothra based on your preference of Lord Shiva or Lord Vishnu as Favourite God) for this. You may subscribe to that performance (please note that this is necessary only if the eclipse is visible in your region), by clicking the button below:

Enter name, nakshatra, gothra

Blessed be.

Pandit R. DAKSHINAMOORTHI.