Story of Surya Grahan and Chandra Grahanam in Hindu Religion
Surya Grahan, solar eclipse, is widely mentioned in the Holy Scriptures of Hinduism. There is also an interesting myth regarding the occurrence of Surya 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.
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.
Dos and Don'ts of watching Solar Eclipse – Precautions while viewing Surya Grahan
The most important precaution to be taken during Solar Eclipse is not to watch the eclipse with naked eye. Watching the Eclipse with naked eye might cause permanent damage to the eye or blindness. The safest method of viewing a Total Solar Eclipse is by projection, in which a small opening is used to cast the image of the Sun on a screen beyond the opening.
Don'ts During Solar Eclipse
- Never watch the eclipse with a naked eye.
- Don't use Binoculars to view the eclipse.
- Don't use Telescope to view the eclipse.
- Don't use any cheap or easily available filters in Telescope or Binoculars to view the sun. Only specifically designed filters should be used with Telescope and Binoculars.
- Don't watch the eclipse using color film.
- Don't watch the eclipse with non-silver black and white film.
- Don't watch the eclipse with medical x-ray films with images on them.
- Don't use smoked glass to view the sun.
- All developed films lack a silver emulsion and therefore it should not be used to view the eclipse.
Do's During Solar Eclipse
- You should take the advice of an experienced person or a scientist before planning to view a Total Solar Eclipse
- Only use specifically designed spectacles designed with filters to view the eclipse.
- The safest method of viewing a Total Solar Eclipse is by projection, in which a small opening is used to cast the image of the Sun on a screen beyond the opening.
- It is safe to view the total phase of an eclipse (when the moon completely coves the sun) with naked eye. But one needs to know when to stop and start viewing the total phase. So this is bit risky.
Surya Grahan and Pregnant Women – What should Pregnant Women do during Suryagrahan in Hindu Religion?
There is lot of fear among many Hindus regarding Surya Grahan (Solar Eclipse) and Pregnancy. Most people want to know about precautions to be taken during Surya Grahanam. The only precaution that you should take is that you should never look at the Sun directly during the Grahan. As a clear cut solution, ancient seers in Hinduism recommend pregnant women remain indoors during Grahan. The mantra chanted during the period is the Santana Gopala Mantra.
Update: Next Surya Grahan is on January 15, 2010
Update: To all our friends and readers in USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, United Kingdom - the Grahan on January 15, 2010 is not visible in these areas. So you don't need to worry.
Astrological View Point
Now for those of you believe in astrology, there is a 'punya kala' when the Surya Grahan is visible. And people observe fasting during this period. If the Grahan is not visible in the particular region, there is no 'punya kala' and there are no restrictions.
There is no restriction in moving around if there is no Surya Grahan in your region.
Ayurvedic View Point
Some traditions in Hindu religion ask pregnant women to sit or lie down on a mat containing Darbha grass or Kusha Grass. It is also advised to keep some Kusha Grass with the pregnant woman.
Fasting during Grahan
Now there are several Hindu communities that fast (Upvaas) during Surya Grahan. A pregnant woman should take the advice of her doctor before fasting. If you are so particular about fasting, you can fast just during the Surya Grahan period and avoid a complete fast.
The Use of Metal or Sharp Objects
There is a popular belief that pregnant women should not use sharp metal objects like knife, pins etc during the Grahan period. In simple terms they should not cut anything during the period or should not wear pins etc. Some people suggest that it will be hard to stop the blood flow if there is a cut on the body during the period. But this has no proper scientific backing.
Mantra During Surya Grahan
The mantra that is chanted during Surya Grahan by pregnant women is the Santana Gopala Mantra.
Surya Grahan Mantra – Prayers and Mantras Chanted during Solar Eclipse
Mantras dedicated to Lord Surya including the Gayatri Mantra and Aditya Stotram are also chanted by Hindus
During Surya Grahan, devout Hindus perform several rituals and chant different prayers and mantras. Hindu Pregnant women chant Santana Gopala Mantra during the Suryagrahan.
Most devout Hindus chant the Ashtakshara Mantra dedicated to Shri Krishna or the Astakshari Mantra dedicated to Lord Vishnu.
- Ashtakshara mantra dedicated to Lord Krishna is 'Shri Krishna ha sharnam mama.'
- Astakshari Mantra dedicated to Lord Vishnu is 'Om Namoh Narayan Ya namah.'
Mahamrityunjay Mantra and Shiva Panchakshari Mantra dedicated to Lord Shiva are also chanted during the Surya Grahan period.
- Shiva Panchakshari Mantra is Om Namah Shivaya
- Mahamrityunjay Mantra is
Om Tryambhakam Yajamahe
Sugandhim Pushtivardhanam
Urvarukamiva Bandhanan
Mrityor Mukshiya Maamritat
The Santana Gopala Mantra chanted by pregnant women is
Om Devaki Sudha Govinda
Vasudeva Jagath Pathe
Dehimey Thanayam
Krishna Thwamaham
Saranam Kadhahaa
Deva Deva Jagannatha
Gothra Vridhi Karap Prabho
Dehimey Thanayam Sheegram
Ayushmandham Yashashreenam!
Mantras dedicated to Lord Surya including the Gayatri Mantra and Aditya Stotram are also chanted by Hindus.
What to do during Surya Grahan? – Surygrahan or Solar Eclipse in Hinduism
There are numerous recording of Surya Grahan, or Solar Eclipse, in Hindu scriptures. The most famous being the Suryagrahan during the famous Mahabharata war. Usually, Hindus do not perform any work during Surya Grahan and they purify themselves by taking a bath and by chanting mantras. A complete fast is undertaken by many Hindus during the period. In Hindu religion, taking a holy dip at sacred rivers and tirths on the Surya Grahan day is considered highly auspicious.
Update: The next Surya Grahan is on January 15, 2010.
Ancient sages and texts like Brahman Siddhanta restrict viewing the eclipse – one should look at an eclipse through a cloth or a reflection of it. A pregnant woman should never look directly at an eclipse.
Mantras Chanted during Surya Grahan
Some of the important mantras that are chanted during the Surya Grahan include:
Gayatri Mantra
Ashtakshara Mantra dedicated to Shri Krishna. Ashtakshara mantra is 'Shri Krishna ha sharnam mama.' Astakshari Mantra is also taken as 'Om Namoh Narayan Na Yah.'
Mahamrityunjay Mantra is also chanted during eclipse.
Other mantras chanted are Surya Kavach Strotra and Aditya Hridaya Strotram
It is important that one chants mantra, or remember god in any form, at this time to keep calm and the aura clean.
Hindu Temples Remain Closed
All Hindu Temples remain closed during Surya Grahan. Temples open only after proper rituals are performed to get rid of the ill effects of the Surya Grahan. However, some Lord Shiva temples remain open during Surya Grahan as Lord Shiva is considered as 'Layakara,' who Himself is an embodiment of darkness.
Fasting During Surya Grahan
Adult Hindus stop eating 12 hours before a solar eclipse. Children, old people and those who are ill stop eating 3 hours before the beginning of a solar eclipse. If the solar eclipse ends after sunset, then people fast during night and consume food only next day morning.
One should not take food at the time of Grahan because it is said that at this time the most harmful rays from the sun can be seen and absorbed.
Pregnant Woman and Surya Grahan
Normally at the time of Surya Grahan, pregnant women are supposed to not come out of the house, with no sunlight entering either by doors or windows. This is to avoid harmful raysSurya Grahan in India in January 2010 – Surya Grahanam India Time – partial Solar Eclipse
A partial solar eclipse, Surya Grahan, will be visible in India on January 15, 2010. According to NASA, the solar eclipse on 2010 January 15 is an Annular Eclipse. In India, it will be visible from 11:25 hrs to 15:15 hrs (Indian Standard Time) on January 15, 2010. The Surya grahanam will be visible in most of Africa, India, Dubai, Oman, Qatar, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia and parts of China. As per traditional Hindu calendar, January 15 is an Amavasi Day.
First images of Surya Grahan or Solar Eclipse at January 15, 2010
Surya or Sun at 11:19 AM on January 15 at Trivandrum, Kerala
Surya or Sun at 11:57 AM on January 15 at Trivandrum
Surya or Sun at 12:24 PM on January 15 at Trivandrum, Kerala
Surya at 12:50 PM at Trivandrum on January 15, 2010
Surya or Sun at 01:05 PM on January 15 at Trivandrum, Kerala
Surya or Sun at 01:13 PM at Trivandrum on January 15, 2010
Surya or Sun at 01:16 PM at Trivandrum on January 15, 2010
Surya or Sun at 01:24 PM at Trivandrum on January 15, 2010
An annular eclipse happens when the sun is visible like a ring of fire, with the moon darkening the center of the sun. In South India in Trivandrum, the capital of Kerala, the annular eclipse, or the ring of fire, will be for nearly 8 minutes – from 13:10:35 hrs to 13:18:08 hrs.
Longest Annular Eclipse of This Century
This will be the longest annular solar eclipse of the third millennium. There won't be an annular solar eclipse longer than this one till 3043. The last annular solar eclipse visible from India was in 1976.
In India, the grahan on January 15, 2010 passes between the southern tip of India and northern Sri Lanka. Both regions lie within the path where maximum annularity lasts for 10 minutes 15 seconds. Maximum grahan will be visible in Trivandrum and other regions in south Kerala and in Tirunellveli, Rameshwaram, Kannyakumari, Dhanushkodi, Nagercoil, Madurai, Thanjavur and Kumbakonam in Tamil Nadu.
The annular solar eclipse will be visible in places around world in the below map provided by NASA
click on the image for a larger view
All Hindu temples remain closed during Surya Grahan and will reopen only after the Grahan is over and after conducting special pujas and rituals. On the day, Hindus also take holy dip in holy rivers like Ganga and also at Brahma Sarovar in Kurukshetra.
Usually, religious Hindus do not perform any work during Surya Grahan and they purify themselves by taking a bath and chant the Ashtakshara Mantra dedicated to Shri Krishna and Mahamritunjaya mantra dedicated to Lord Shiva. Ashtakshara mantra is 'Shri Krishna ha sharnam mama.'
Caution: During Surya Grahan, there are some elements in society who take undue advantage of innocent Hindus in the name of astrology and various doshas on horoscope. Ancient Hindu saints only talk about the physical harm Surya Grahanam can create on human beings. Put the thinking cap and keep out unwanted elements who try to take undue advantage during such occasions. The only aim of such people is money.
With Love,
Ganesh Baba
http://kriyababa.blogspot.com/
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