Solar Eclipse

The Sutak Kaal

The Sutak Kaal is a 12 hour long period that begins prior to an eclipse. It is believed to a very inopportune duration to kick off auspicious events and work. This believe has risen from a perception that deems a ‘Kaal’ period to be full of ominousness and ill-omens. This period is said to be comprising of negativity and unpeaceful energies. The Sutak comes to an end after the eclipse gets over and one has taken a bath to get rid of impurities and negative energy.

Precautions to be taken during the Sutak Kaal

A few points of caution are mentioned below to help keep the negativity and inauspiciousness at bay during a Sutak Kaal.

• Activities such as eating, drinking and using the loo are forbidden during a Sutak Kaal.
• Abstain from touching the idols of gods and holy plants such as Tulsi during a Sutak Kaal. Clean the idols of all the impurities once the eclipse is over.
• It is advised to light diyas and candles in holy places at in ones’ home and chant mantras to keep the vicinity clean and positive.
• Exercising during a Sutak Kaal is advisable.
• Chores such as knitting, sewing and use of knives and scissors should be avoided.
• It is suggested to exercise restrain from intimacy and sensual activities during an eclipse.
• Sprinkling of Holy water in and around the house and fresh food preparation must be done after the eclipse has passed.
• In case the food is to be prepared beforehand and needs to be stored, put a tulsi leaf in the food before storing it.
• During an eclipse. Food must be prepared freshly and should only be consumed after taking a bath.
• Pregnant women must exercise caution and not be exposed during an eclipse at all costs as the rays and energies present in the atmosphere during that period might harm the foetus.
• The effects of a Lunar Eclipse last for about 6 weeks and that of a Solar Eclipse last for almost 6 months.
• An eclipse is considered to be good time to practice spirituality and gain religious and spiritual knowledge.

Mantras to shield yourself from the Eclipses

Mantra for a Solar Eclipse:

Om Adityay Vidmahe Divakaraye Dheemahi Tanno Suryah Prachodayat ||

ॐ आदित्याय विद्महे दिवाकराय धीमहि तन्नो सूर्य: प्रचोदयात्॥

People should bathe before and after an eclipse. It is best for adults not to eat 12 hours before an eclipse and not to drink anything for 3 to 3.5 hours before am eclipse. That way, during the eclipse they can focus on their mantra. If you have no mantra, just chant OM. For pregnant women, children, the elderly, and those with medical issues, it is ok to use the bathroom during the eclipse, but we advise that if adults do not eat or drink, then they will not have to the bathroom often.” Chant your mantra during the eclipse. You can chant a mantra for the Sun and the nodes, especially Rahu.

All those impacted by the eclipse should set a sankalpa or an intention during the eclipse to donate to a local charity. After the eclipse, they may go and make the donation.” Since the Sun represents light you, you could donate to a charity which does eye surgeries or helps the visually impaired or the blind. Or, donate to a health organization, especially one which helps with heart disease. Vedamurti Vivekshakastri Godbole, a 15th generation Brahmin pandit in India had this to say regarding eclipses: “The eclipses affect our mind and and our physical body. The scriptures say eclipses create financial or physical problems and sometimes new diseases. There can also be natural disasters around the time of an eclipse. This is why people should not look at the eclipse. But, with our our advanced technology and astronomy, people don’t listen to this advice.” 

Copied from temple website

From PVR Narsimha

There is a total solar eclipse tomorrow, visible in some parts of US and western hemisphere. People in Boston can experience a partial solar eclipse from 1:27 pm to 4 pm. Overall, there will be a partial or complete solar eclipse somewhere or the other, during 3:46 pm GMT to 8:02 pm GMT on 2017 August 21. While lunar eclipses that are not visible where one lives are not effective, solar eclipses are effective times for sadhana irrespective of where one lives. After all, mind (Moon) has a limited range of impact, but soul (Sun) has infinite reach!

* * *

Sun is the supporter of life and giver of light. He represents individual soul within us, which creates and sustains duality. Moon is the waxing and waning reflector of Sun's light. He represents mind within us, which *experiences* the duality. Lagna (earth) represents the actor within us, who *acts* within duality.

Rahu and Ketu are the intersection points of earth's orbit around Sun and Moon's orbit around earth, i.e. actor's orbit around facilitator (soul) and experiencer's orbit around actor.

Within us, Rahu represents the spirit of breaking barriers and getting things somehow, while Ketu represents the spirit of detachment and freedom from wants.

* * *

When the facilitator, experiencer and actor are all aligned in the macrocosm, it promotes a similar alignment within us. After all, we are all microcosms of cosmos.

Thus, that time is conducive to (1) acting to ensure we get what deeply want and (2) being free from wants and being able to act and experience freely without any strings attached. Either is possible based on one's current spiritual momentum.

* * *

Thus, eclipse times are particularly favorable for kaamya sadhanas that fulfill deep desires and nishkaama sadhanas that enhance detachment.

Some scriptures teach that sadhanas done during an eclipse are 1,000 times more powerful than sadhanas done at other times.

Sadhanas of ugra devatas are particularly effective during eclipse times, though any sadhana can be done.

* * *

Some people ask about whether it is auspicious to watch an eclipse. It is not considered to be auspicious. But, more importantly, getting carried away with the physical phenomenon stops one from experiencing the corresponding internal phenomenon. This is really a time for sadhana.

* * *

As pointed out above, eclipse time when Rahu and Ketu over-power Sun and Moon are suitable for sadhanas for moksha (liberation - Ketu) or kaama (fulfilling desires - Rahu), but not regular dharma that is represented by Sun and Moon.

Sun and Moon are the keepers of dharma, i.e. regular balance and order in the world. The time when they are overpowered is not suitable for dharmik activities. That is why temples close during that time. After all, the purpose of temples is to maintain some religious order in society.

* * *

This is the last total solar eclipse before big changes kick in, in this world we live in. Hope you can benefit from this special occasion!

May Rahu be satiated and not bother us with too many deep desires. May Ketu steer us towards freedom. May mind and soul allow us to fulfill our dharma in this cosmos

Video for Tarpanam

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9eL2rLTi6TU&t=54s


Must watch

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LfOVIXb1Scc


Best daan to give daana during the middle of the eclipse, online daana.

From Srini

From Srini

Solar eclipse occurs today. Mostly seen in US, Canada areas.
Eclipse is an unusual celestial happening.
We have only one Sun in our Solar system and a Moon for Earth.

The Sun and Moon influences all the beings on the Earth.

When something goes unnatural to our nearest celestial body, since we are in a locations where we can't catch the sight of it, do you think there wont be effect?

Let me put an analogy- A man stood infront of his home, a thunder bolt stroke down on his backyard..
Since he did not see the thunder strike, does it mean he will not have an impact on him or someone living in his home.
Irrespective of whether it is visible or invisible almost the effects are the same.

BTW, eclipse is a fastfarward event of two pakshas in a matter of 2 or 3 hrs.. We may not realize certain energy moves but for sure the sutle areas goes for a toss.

That is why some spiritual practices are done during this time to align the energies.

Doing prayers, Dyana, homa, japa, tarpana, Snana, Dana etc..would benefit us exponentially.