Lunar Eclipse 2018 - Wednesday Jan 31st

Folks there is a partial  lunar eclipse visible on Wednesday January 31st from 6:48 AM to  7:10 AM in New Jersey. The total eclipse will be below the horizon (so not to worry). We are concerned with visible eclipse. Our vedic astrology asks us to protect ourselves during eclipse. Moon represent mind and it will be eclipsed during this time.


So what should you do?

1) Avoid selecting 3 days before and after for the beginning of anything ""New"".
2)  Please  throw away any left over food or cover with Tulasi
3)  If possible, please do not eat anything 12 hours before the eclipse.
4) Protect yourself

• Take bath before 6:30 AM
• Sit down and meditate from 6:48 AM to 7:10 AM
• Recite your mantra; or Om namaha  Shivay
• Do a sankalp for a danam
• Take bath again after 7:10 AM after the eclipse is over

Note: Rest is all details below. Any questions, please reach out to me.

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.
• This time very good to clear debts.Even if you cannot pay full amount , you can repay at least a small part of the  money taken.You will  certainly clear the debts very soon

Mantras to shield yourself from the Eclipses

• It is very auspicious time for doing spiritual practice.Those who have Mantropadesam, can do the chanting of the Mantra. Others can recite slokas or Strotra’s of their choice.Chanting slokas and mantras during grahan time will have great benefits.It is thousand times more powerful than doing on normal days.
• Maha mrityunjaya Mantra etc. is considered beneficial.Students can recite Saraswathi mantra or Ganapathi Mantra for good progress in studies.Woman can do Lalitha Sahasranama parayana , Mahalakshmi Ashtakam etc.Reciting Vishnu Sahasranama is good for one and all.

Partial Lunar Eclipse in New Jersey

Lunar Eclipse Starts - 06:48:27
Lunar Eclipse Ends (With Moonset) - 07:04:13

Moonset - 07:04:13
Local Eclipse Duration - 00 Hours 15 Mins 46 Secs

Sutak Begins - 17:16:56 on 30th, January
Sutak Ends - 07:04:13

Sutak for Kids, Old and Sick Begins - 00:11:23

Sutak for Kids, Old and Sick Ends - 07:04:13

Sun Sankranti 2018

Sankranti (Sanskrit: संक्रान्ति saṁkrānti) means transmigration of the Sun from one Rāshi  to the next. Hence, there are 12 Sankrantis in a year.

Each Sankranti is marked as the beginning of a month in the sidereal solar calendars 

These days are good for spiritual activity and not good for material prosperity. Hence any material pursuit should not be initiated. These dates should be blocked out from calendar for any muhurta.

So what should you do? Notice the time of Punya Kaala and Maha Punya Kaala in the table below.

The Vedic meaning of PunyaKala is said to be a Knot, a Confluence, and a Celebration. Based on the meanings, the time of confluence of two periods is called as Punya Kala. 

Spiritualize this moment

• Study Gita
• Meditation
• Do Japa
• Recite Adita Hridyam
• Do Seva
• Donate 
• Consider doing Tula daan on your birth sankranti month
• On Makar Sankranti do daan related to Saturn and Sun
• Donate Til, Donate Blankets
• Similarly on other Sankrant do daan related to that Rashi and Sun

Consistency of practice, and intention is very powerful. Ability to do your practice no matter what the circumstances are very powerful

Makar Sankranti marks the entry of sun in Northern direction (sidereal) and cancer Sankranti marks  the entry of sun in Southern direction.

All auspicious activities begin when Sun starts the northern journey.

Day	Month	Vaar	Sankranti Name	Sankranti Moment	Punya Kaal Muhurat	Maha Punya Kaal
14	January	(Sunday)	Pongal, Makar Sankranti	3:30	07:25 to 12:07	07:25 to 08:59
12	February	(Monday)	Kumbha Sankranti	16:31	10:08 to 16:31	16:07 to 16:31
14	March	(Wednesday)	Meena Sankranti	14:26	14:26 to 18:59	14:26 to 14:50
13	April	(Friday)	Solar New Year, Mesha Sankranti	22:57	12:59 to 19:31	17:20 to 19:31
14	May	(Monday)	Vrishabha Sankranti
15	June	(Friday)	Mithuna Sankranti
16	July	(Monday)	Karka Sankranti
16	August	(Thursday)	Simha Sankranti
16	September	(Sunday)	Kanya Sankranti, Vishwakarma Puja
17	October	(Wednesday)	Tula Sankranti
16	November	(Friday)	Vrischika Sankranti
15	December	(Saturday)	Dhanu Sankranti

Note: I will fill out the Punya Kaala/Maha Punya Kaala for remaining months later

Muhurta for starting Government job

Here is the criteria:

Vaar

• Monday,  Wednesday, Thursday, Friday
• * may choose Sun's Hora

Nakshtra

• Laghu Nakshatra, Mridu, Fixed, 
• Sharava and Dhanishata are permitted

Tithi

• Avoid Rikta Thithi (4/9/14)
• Avoid Amavasya
• Avoid Sun Sankranti

Tithi explanation

Nitya Yoga
Avoid inauspicious Yogas

Suksham Blackout

• Rahu Kalam
• Vristi karana

More Blackout

Amavasya Tithi 

Shukla Pratipada

Eclipse and Muhurta

Sun Sankranti

Planet placement

• Jupiter in 7th house
• Saturn in 6th house
• Sun and/or Mars in 3rd, 10th, or 11th
• Venus and/or Moon in the 4th house or Lagna

Chandra Shuddi

Tara Shuddhi

Nakshtra

Laghu Nakshtra

• Hasta - virgo
• Ashwaini - aries
• Pushya - cancer
• Abhijit

Mridhu Nakshtra

• Mrigshira - Ta/Gem
• Revati - Pisces
• Chitra - virgo
• Anuradha - scorpo

Fixed Nakshtra

• Uttarphalguni - leo/virgo
• Uttarashada - Sag/Cap
• Uttarbhadrapad - Pisces
• Rohini - Ta

Eclipse and Muhurta

Blackout for Eclipse (avoid visible eclipse)

• Eclipse is pure tamas energy, and you do not want to start something where there is darkness and delusion

Here is the criteria:

Avoid selecting time 3 days before  a (visible) eclipse if the eclipsed sun or moon are setting at the time of eclipse


Avoid electing a time 3 days after a (visible) eclipse if the eclipsed sun or moon are rising at the time of the eclipse


Avoid electing a time 3 days Before and 3 days After (visible) eclipse when the eclipsed sun or moon are neither rising or setting

Avoid for Six Months after an eclipse the Nakshtra that hosted visible solar or lunar eclipse

Avoid for 3 months an eclipse the Nakshtra that hosted a visible half solar or lunar eclipse

Avoid for one month after an eclipse the nakshtra that hosted a visible quarter solar or lunar eclipse


******But do not micromanage your life

Panchaang

PANCHANG (CALENDAR)

Panchang means five organs to understand the Phalita. These five things are –  Tithi (Date) Nakshatra (Group of stars) Yoga (an auspicious moment) Karan (Half of the part of Tithi) Vaar (days of the week) TITHI  Tithi is considered as the first phase or portion (Kala) of the 16 phases of the Moon. The 15 days, commencing from Amavasya (the last day of the dark half of a lunar month) to Purnima (Full moon), are called the Tithis of the Shukla-Paksha (brighter phase) and the days commencing from Purnima to Amavasya are called Krishna Paksha (darker phase).  In Indian Astrology, the calculation of the Tithis starts from Pratipada (The first day in each half of the lunar month) of the Shukla-Paksha. They are: Pratipada. Dwitiya. Tritiya. Chaturthi. Panchami. Shashthi. Saptami. Ashtami. Navami. Dashami. Ekadasi. Dwadashi. Trayodashi. Chaturdashi. Purnima. Similarly, in the Krishna-Paksha, starting from Pratipada till Chaturdashi, all the dates are same; the only difference being the fifteenth day which is Amavasya (Moonless night)  These fifteen days have been given five names.  NANDA BHADRA JAYA RIKTA PURNA 1st day 2nd day 3rd day 4th day 5th day 6th day 7th day 8th day 9th day 10th day 11th day 12th day 13th day 14th day 15th-30th Friday Wednesday Tuesday Saturday Thursday If the above mentioned days falls on the given Tithis it is considered as auspicious and the work taken in hand in successfully accomplished. For example (if, 1st, 6th 11th falls on Friday, 2nd, 7th, 12th falls on Wednesday etc.)  In bright half the first triad (first five Tithis) is considered inauspecious (because Moon is weak), 2nd triad (next 5 tithis) is medium strength, third triad (next 5 tithis) is full strength. In dark half the first traid (1,2,3,4,5) is strong, 2nd medium and third week. INAUSPICIOUS DAYS – The following days (Tithis) are considered to be inauspicious, and there is a fear of hurdles, obstructing the accomplishment of the work. The names of these auspicious days have been given as follows:  DAGDHA VISHA HUTASHAN The dates are considered to be inauspicious if it falls on the following days  SUN. MON. TUE. WED. THUR. FRI. SAT. DAGDHA 12th 11th 5th 3rd 6th 8th 9th VISHA 4th 6th 7th 2nd 8th 9th 7th HUTASHAN 12th 6th 7th 8th 9th 10th 11th If 12th day and 4th day of the months falls on Sunday and 11th & 6th falls on Monday and 5th & 7th falls on Tuesday respectively, they are considered as inauspicious. NAKSHATRA (CONSTELLATION) – A group of stars is called Nakshatra. Just as the units used for measuring the distance is miles or kilometers in the same way the space (Akash Mandal) is measured in terms of Nakshatras (group of stars). The whole space has been divided into 27 parts and each part has been given the name of Nakshatra. They are as follows ASHWINI. BHARANI. KRITIKA. ROHINI. MRIGASHIRA. AARDRA. PUNARVASU. PUSHYA. AASLESHA. MAGHA. PURVA PHALGUNI. UTTARA PHALGUNI. HASTA. CHITRA. SWATI. VISHAKHA. ANURADHA. JYESHTHA. MOOLA. POORVAASHADHA. UTTARAASHADHA. SHRAVANI. DHANISTHA. SHATABHISHA. PURVA BHADRAPADA. UTTARA BHADRAPADA. REVATI. The Indian astrologers believe that the combination of the last 15 Ghati of 'Uttarashadha Nakshatra' and the first 4 Ghati of the Shravani Nakshatra i.e. 19 Ghatis in all, constitute the 'Abhijeet Nakshatra' and this particular Nakshatra is considered to be very auspicious to begin a good work. (One Ghatika is equal to 24 minutes)  PANCHAKA NAKSHATRA: The following group of five Nakshatras are considered as having five defects (Panchakadosha). They are Dhanistha, Shatabhisha, Purvabhadrapada, Uttarabhadrapada and Revati.  MOOLA NAKSHATRA: A child taking birth in this Nakshatra, which consists of Jyestha, Aashlesha, Revati, Mool, Magha and Ashwini Nakshatra are not considered as auspicious. Therefore, for the pacification of this 'Moola Nakshatra', some specific rites are performed 27th days after the birth when the same Nakshatra returns. Out of these six Nakshatras, which constitute Moola Nakshatra, Jyeshtha and Moola are called 'Gandant Moola' and Aashlesha is called as 'Sarpa Moola'.  ADHOMUKHA NAKSHATRA: As the name of this Nakshatra implies, works like digging a well, or lying a foundation is considered as auspicious. This particular Nakshatra is itself constituted by Nakshatras. They are: Moola, Aashlesha, Vishakha, Kritika, Purvaphalguni, Purvashadha, Purvabhadrapada, Bharani and Magha  DAGDHA NAKSHATRA: For commencement of any work, this Nakshatra is considered as inauspicious. Therefore, commencing any work in this Nakshatra is prohibited if the days on which, this Nakshatra falls are as under-  Sunday - Bharani Monday - Chitra Tuesday - Uttarashadha Wednesday - Dhanishtha Thursday - Uttaraphalguni Friday - Jyeshtha Saturday - Revati YOGA (COMBINATIONS) There are 27 Yogas in all. They are as under  1) VISHAKUMBHA, 2) PREETI, 3) AAYUSHMAN, 4) SAUBHAGYA, 5) SHOBHANA, 6) ATIGANDA, 7) SUKARMA, 8) DHRITI, 9) SHOOLA, 10) GAND, 11) VRIDDHI, 12) DHRUVA, 13) VYAGHAATA, 14) HARSHANA, 15) VAJRA, 16) SIDDHI, 17) VYATIPAATA, 18) VARIYAANA, 19) PARIGHA, 20) SHIVA, 21) SIDDHA, 22) SADDHYA, 23) SHUBHA, 24) SHUKLA, 25) BRAHMA, 26) INDRA, 27) VAIDHRITI.  KARANA Half of the part of a Tithi is called a Karana i.e. There are two Karanas in a Tithi. There are 11 Karanas altogether. They are: 1) BALA, 2) BAALAVA, 3) KAULAVA, 4) TAITIL, 5) GARA, 6) VANIJA, 7) VISHTI, 8) SHAKUNI, 9) CHATUSHPADA, 10) NAAGA, 11) KINSTUGHNA The first 7 of these Karanas are movable (Chara) i.e. it cannot be predetermined as to on which dates, these are going to occur, but the last 4 Karanas are fixed (Sthira), and hence can be predetermined.  VISHTIKARANA is also called 'Bhadra' and commencing any work during this time is prohibited. Bhadra is marked very clearly in every panchanga.  VAAR (DAYS)  There are 7 days i.e. Sunday (Ravivaar), Monday (Somavaar), Tuesday (Mangalvaar), Wednesday (Budhvaar), Thursday (Brihaspativaar), Friday (Shukravaar) and Saturday (Shanivaar). The counting of days begins from the sunrise of the first day to the sunrise of the second day. In astrology, this system is known as 'AHORATRA', which means day and night taken together. Omitting the first letter 'A' and the last three letters 'T','R','A', the word 'HORA' is coined from which, the English word 'HOUR' originated. There are 24 HORAS in all.  Now the question arises, why is the day coming after Sunday is named Monday, Why not other day. To understand this, we will first have to understand the positions of the planets, in the space. In astrology, the respective position of the planets are given as under –  Saturn, Jupiter, Mars, Sun, Venus, Mercury and Moon.  Therefore, Saturn is the highest or the farthest planet. Below the Saturn is Jupiter, below Jupiter is Mars, below the Mars is Sun, below the Sun is Venus, below Venus is Mercury, and below Mercury is Moon. All the planets are revolving around the Sun in their respective orbits. Since there are 24 Horas in a day combined with night, therefore, each Hora consists of an hour. The ‘Lord’ of each Hora is a planet from the nearest lower orbit.  The Lord of the first HORA is the Sun. In the beginning of the creation, the Sun was visible first of all and for that very reason, it has been considered as the lord of the first Hora and also the first day has been named after it. The next Hora is named after 'Shukra' (Venus, which is the lord of the second HORA, and whose orbit is just below the Sun. The lord of the third Hora is 'Budha' (Mercury) whose orbit is just below that of Shukra (Venus). The lord of the fourth orbit is the Moon (Chandrama), whose orbit is below that of Venus and so on. In this way, the lord of the 24th HORA is again Mercury and the Moon (Chandrama). The following chart clearly shows the positions of the planets (horizontally) in order, and the days of the week (vertically) in order. From the Hora chart, it is quite clear that the Moon is the lord of the first Hora (Hour) of the second day(Monday), hence the next day after Sunday is called Monday. Similarly, the lord of the first Hora of the third day is Mars (Tuesday), the lord of the first Hora of the fourth day is Mercury (Wednesday), the lord of the first Hora of the fifth day is Jupiter (Thursday), the lord of the first Hora of the sixth day is Venus (Friday) and the lord of the first Hora of the Seventh day is Saturn (Saturday).  Therefore, the name of the days in order are Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday.  GENTLE DAYS: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday are considered as the 'gentle' days. These days are considered auspicious for commencing any good work.  CRUEL DAYS: Tuesday, Sunday and Saturday are considered as 'cruel' days. Saturday is considered an auspicious day for undergoing operation. Thursday is considered auspicious for starting education. Wednesday is considered auspicious to start any business.

How to Offer water to Sun

I would like tell you as to how to offer water to sun god.

You need to have some easily available products to offer water to sun that will have miraculous effect on your health, wealth, knowledge, power and position etc.

These products are a copper pot, small pieces of jaggery, pinch of rice and Roli (Puja Sindur) and clean water.

Put all these sacred products in the water available in the pot. Then offer the water to sun god by chanting these mantra till the water gets finished.

1.      On Mitraya Namaha

2.      Om Ravaye Namaha

3.      Om Suryaya Namaha

4.      Om Bhanave Namaha

5.      Om Khagaya Namaha

6.      Om Pushne Namaha

7.      Om Hiranya Garbhaya Namaha

8.      Om Marichaye Namaha

9.      Om Adityaya Namaha

10.  Om Savitre Namaha

11.  Om Arkaya Namaha

12.  Om Bhaskaraya Namaha

The best time to offer water to the sun God is between 6 AM to 7 AM. Don’t be too late to offer water to sun god. At best you can offer water to this Supreme God till 8 AM.

Rules to follow for offering water to Sun

• Don’t see directly to the Lord Surya while offering water.
• See the rays and Sun in the flow of water that you are creating while reciting mantra.
• Once you have finished offering the water, pray the Lord to forgive you the mistakes you have done.
• Pray him to bless you with health, wealth and prosperity.
• Pray him to make your eyesight powerful.
• Pray him to make you glorified like him.

Sun Remedy for Getting Job Within 43 Days

Here is the video describing this
Sun Remedy for getting job within 43 days


Please see the link describing how to offer water to Sun

For this remedy, please also place a red flower in the  kalash
How to offer water to sun

Elemental Theory and Grah Relationship

Five Mahabhutas

Fire, air, water, earth, and Akash
These elements have affinity towards each other
No Rashi corresponding to Akasha (it shows up at the juncture point that is Gandanta)

Because of affinity, transition to another side is possible

But there is no affinity due to Gandanta

Elemental Theory

The elements relate to each other in productive and non productive ways

Productive:

• Fire and air support each other
• Air promotes fire and fire promotes air
• Earth and water support each other
• water on earth gives growth, earth gives shape to water

Non Productive

• Earth and Fire
• earth supports fire but gets scortched
• Air and water
• Agitation in the form of bubbles but not as bad as earthquakes
• Fire and water
• least compatible as they wipe each other out
• Air and earth
• least compatible
• when air travels through earth we get earth quakes

Integrating Relative position of Grahas and Elements

1/1 - same elements

7/7 - synergistic element

5/9 - Continuity due to same element

3/11 - Supportive element

4/10 - Non Synergistic Element

2/12 - Non Synergistic element involving dustana themes

6/8 - non Synergistic elements invoking double dustana theme

Notes:

Vasna misallignment are not an opportunity to see a fuller side of the self. It makes us a thinker

We realize that we don't need to impose our vasna on others or vice versa. We do not totally need to overlap.

We can operate in the common ground and acknowledge the differences.

Traditional assessment of karamphala address the outcome side of the equation

• if the outcome does not look good but Vasnas are good, it can results in amicable parting when the time occurs
• Strength gives added maturity and skill (grah being swa or exalted)
• If the outcome and vasnas are both difficult - acrimony, bitterness etc.
• Weakness shows a tendency to move away from skillful tendencies, maturity etc (grah - week)
• The lord of the lagna is the creator of all perceived relationships, the locus from which everything will be established
• A strongly placed lagna lord is much better than a weekly placed lagna lord

Vasna Alignment

In working with these combinations, keep the following in mind

1) Do all your basic, so you know the environment of the chart

2) Examine carefully the strength of the Lagna & Lagna Lord

3) Examine carefully the condition of the grah in relationship. Is there a big disparity in condition? Are they exaggerated, afflicted or in Yoga?

We could do the same kind of analysis with Karaka as well

• karakas count 25%
• may be used for confluence

Vasna Allignment #1

1/1

same alignment (lives in the same house)

The key here is shared experience and view point and a sense of sameness

• This could be overwhelming to share the same space
• Even under friendly condition, it could be lack of challengeship
• Kind of complacent in the relationship

Vasna Alignment #2

7/7

Synergistic elements

• People have to come to terms with their differences
• Applies to all relationships including born relationship
• when there is a spouse relationship - live with envy
• there is a current of energy that flows, but it does not need the individual to worn out, it is more of a air/fire element
• Will the electricity overcome the polarity of the opposites?
• all of the kendra position needs to be completely analyzed
• Key to 7/7 is the fascination for other's differences and complementary; rocks in one head fits in hole of other

Vasna Alignment #3

5/9

Continuity due to the same element (water to water, air to air....)

• Punya combination; implies the merits of the past
• Cycle of grace, quality of good fortune
• Teaching, mentoring, supportive, counseling, very loving dynamics

Here there is also a sense of sameness. Since the elements are the same but since there is a distance, it is not quite like 1/1 or 7/7. The dynamic is along the line of desire to learn, teach and inspire.

Vasna Alignment #4

3/11

Supportive Element

• this is the least supportive of the supportive ones
• It invokes the sibling type relationship
• Tilt more towards sibling, as opposed to electricity of (7/7)
• it implies the more indirect support
• Depending on the local condiitons, support may erode

the key here is a more platonic relationship and invokes sibling,cousin, friend and often issues around partition of property

Vasna Alignment #5

The 2/12 relationship

Non synergetic

Elements invoking dusthana theme

(earth -air =;earthquake

air-water= Bubble

fire-earth =scorched)

resources, Loss, family, seclusion, speech, silence, food, fasting

12==seclusion/loss

2==== source of support

The one who is two gets the support

An example, if lagna lord is Lagna, and 5th lord is in 12th

          - Child somehow disappoints the parent

          - Source of expense (overarching vasna)

Lagna lord is in 5th house and 7th lord is in 6th house

earth quake>

His partner is separated and disappointed

secrets involved and Loss is in settlement, partner gains in settlement

Lord of 8th in 2nd aspecting 7th lord =====>partner gains alimony

7th lord is 12 away===> you can look at abuse

6th lord Venus goes 12th away and is debilitated

======> Poor routine, Poor habits

1st lord in 5th and Mars aspecting lagna - very flagrant

(Sidebar: Lagna lord in 6th bhava with malefics, person feels abused)

Nakshtra - Rudra

Symbolism - Tears

Today On January 1st, at 2:23 p.m. EST,  there will be a full moon in Ardra Nakshatra. 

Ardra is symbolized by a tear drop, so it is an emotional nakshatra.  It can signify tears of joy, tears of sadness, or tears of compassion.  It's your choice.  Personally, I'm going with the tears of joy.  

Emotional Stretch

This is a good year for addressing your emotional state and stretching it a little bit.  You can call, "Emotional Yoga".   Just like physical yoga, Emotional Yoga is the practice of stretching into your resistance.  Find the area that you are experiencing emotional limitation or fear, and then do something that confronts that fear.  Give someone a hug. Be kind to someone who makes you mad.  Take an emotional risk.  Drop your protective barrier and just be yourself!  The more you stretch, the better you feel. 

Nakhstra Rulership - Rudra

Ardra is also ruled by Rudra, a form of Siva, the god  of destruction. In mythology, the story of Rudra's birth gives clues to the qualities of Ardra Nakshatra.  When Rudra was born, he cried.  His father, Lord Prajapati said, "Why are you crying?"  Rudra said, "Because I don't have a name."  His  father said, "Then I will call you Rudra,"  which means "to cry".  Then he gave Rudra several other names. This story highlights the search for identity which is characterized by Ardra Nakshatra.  Who am I? What hat should I wear?  What's my name?  What job should I do?

Nakshtra Shakti - Yatna (यत्न)

Ardra's shakti (fundamental energy) is the power to make an effort, which is called the Yatna Shakti.  

It is a fundamental and necessary quality to cultivate if you want to be happy.  And the willingness to make an effort in life can radically reduce the experience of suffering.  So this year might be a good time to make an effort in some way.  Take your pick;  diet, exercise, meditation, yoga, education, profession, learning a language, learning to cook, learning astrology, learning Vedanta, learning anything! 

Nakshtra Quality - Independent

Ardra Nakshatra is also a very independent nakshatra, since Siva, in mythology, was an outcast.  He meditated in graveyards, sitting on dead bodies.  He had serpents coiled around his neck, and was probably the original dreadlock guy.  No wonder his father-in-law, Dasha, rejected him.  Nevertheless, Siva didn't care, he just did his thing and didn't worry about what other people were thinking.  

That makes 2018 a great time to step out of the box that other people have put you in.  Speak your mind. Be yourself. Do what you want to do, and don't apologize for it. 

Nakshtra Desire - To gain lordship over the animals

Finally, Ardra's desire is  "to gain lordship over the animals".  That makes 2018 a good year for making any type of resolution related to pets. 

Spiritual Activity

Hanuman is an incarnation of Shiva. Hanuman avatar is considered as the supreme avatar of Shiva. Lord Shiva has taken this avatar during the time of Lord Rama to present a good example of the Lord and Bhakti (Love, Devotion, Loyalty) to his Master.


Chanting today the most powerful Rama Mantra will invoke Ram, Hanuman and Rudra’s grace.
“”Raamaaya Raamabhadraaya Raamachandraaya Vedasey
Raghunaathaaya Naathaaya Seethaayaah Pathaye Namaha!!””

Why is this the most powerful Rama Mantra?
This sloka consists of the various names of Lord Rama as addressed by the most near and dear personalities of Lord Rama in His lifetime.

Each name is laden with emotional intensity and content, revealing the adoration of all who were related to Lord Shri Rama.
1. Raamaa: As sage Viswamithra addressed Him.
2. Raamabhadraa: Lord Rama’s father, King Dasaratha addressed Him as Rama Bhadra.
3. Raamachandra: Lord Rama’s mother, Queen Kausalya called Her divine son as Ramachandra.
4. Vedasey: All the rishis and munis (monks and sages) in the forest addressed Him as Vedasey.
5. Raghunaathaa: The citizens of Ayodhya addressed Lord Rama as Raghunatha.
6. Naathaa: Lord Rama’s Divine Consort, Vaidehi addressed Him as ‘Nathaa’.
7. Seethapathi: Lord Rama was known as Seethapathi to the people of Mithila (His inlaws’ kingdom).
8. Namaha: I bow to Thee!



Each name is fragrant with love and adoration for Lord Rama! Chanting this sloka repeatedly endears the devotee to Lord Rama, while He is reminded of His Guru- Sage Viswamitra, His beloved father- King Dasaratha, His beloved mother- Queen Kausalya, the revered and pious sages of the forest, His dear most people of Ayodhya, His beloved wife-Sita, and His inlaws and citizens attached to them, all of whom were His well wishers !”