MUHURTA 2

In Muhurtha, it is always advisable to strengthen the ascendant and its lord and the Moon. Each type of election requires fortification of some appropriate hoase and planet and these will be discussed in their proper places. Even when the ascendant is strong, certain parts of it which go under the name of Lagna tyajya should be rejected. Sometimes, only fixed signs are to be chosen; sometimes only movable signs are to be chosen. Hence, a reader has to very carefully understand these subtle distinctions.

In Aries, Taurus, Sagittarius and Virgo, the first three degrees should be avoided as it is supposed to be in the nature of a serpent (bhujanga) and hence destructive. In regard to Pisces, Capricorn, Cancer and Scorpio, the last (three degrees) has to be avoided as it is supposed to be presided over by the evil force of Rahu. The middle half ghati (13° 30' to 16° 30') should be rejected with regard to Gemini, Libra, Leo and Aquarius as it is ruled by an evil force termed Gridhra.

Tuesday and Saturday should be avoided for all good and-auspicious works.

The 4th, 8th, *12th and 14th lunar days both.in the bright and the dark halves are unsuitable for undertaking any auspicious work.

* In our experience, the 12th lunar day is quite auspicious; provided the other factors are strong, 12th lunar day can be employed for auspicious works.

Each constellation has its own tyajyakala or negative period which is to be invariably avoided. The negative periods commence at the times marked below against each constellation lasting for 4 ghatis (1 hour 36 minutes) from thence.

Aswini 50; Bharani 4; Krittika 30; Rohini 40; Mrigasira 14; Aridra 21; Punarvasu 30; Pushya 20; Aslesha 32; Makha 30; Pubba 20; Uttara 1; Hasta 21; Chitta 20; Swati 14; Visakha 14; Anuradha 10; Jyeshta 14; Moola 20; Poorvashadha 20; Uttarashadha 20; Sravana 10; Dhanishta 10; Satabhisha 18; Poorvabhadra 16; Uttarabhadra and Revati 30.

In the scheme that is followed, I have first of all dealt with the pre-natal and post-natal ceremonies which are designated as Shodasa Karmas which every Hindu is supposed to undergo in his life's journey from cradle to the grave. Some of these ceremonies such as baptising, first feeding, marriage, etc., are common to all communities so that non-Hindus can make use of them with equal benefit.

The Shodasa Karmas (sixteen kinds of ceremonies), which a Hindu is enjoined to undergo, seem to have been based upon certain critical psychological and physiological developments (climacterics) which occur in a man's life at certain definite intervals. It must be noted that the successive stage when the human infant assumes the upright posture, commences to speak and so on, occur at fixed times in normal development so much so that a child that does not begin to talk or walk at the proper time becomes a source of anxiety to his parents. The change of teeth also marks a transition. Permanent dentition sets in about 7 years after birth. Seven years after this another crisis is reached and that is puberty. A further change is noted about the age of 21. There are of course several other critical periods such as the menopause occurring at the age of 49 or 50 (7*7), another grand climacteric at 63 (7*9) often accompanied by death. In the human being, it is said that every cell of the body is renewed every seven years, although this is not quite correct for all tissues. Thus, the Shodasa Karmas are supposed to fortify the. human body and human mind at such critical phases. Perhaps a deeper study of the problem will reveal a more correct perspective of the rationale.

CHAPTER III
The Birth Star and the Birth Moon

In fixing auspicious times, apart from the special planetary combinations to be applied for specific purposes, there are three factors which are common to almost all elections and which require the astrologer's most careful attention. They are (a) Tarabala or strength of constellation, (b) Chandrabala or lunar strength, and (c) Panchaka or five-source energy. These three should be satisfactorily disposed. Otherwise an election chart will lose its significance.

Strength of Constellation. - The constellation ruling at the time of birth is one's Janmanakshatra or birth star and the zodiacal sign in which the Moon is situated at the time of one's birth is one's Janma Rasi or Birth Moon. These are highly important. Count from the birth constellation to the one ruling on the particular day on which a new work is to be done or a journey undertaken and divide the number by 9 if divisible. Otherwise keep it as it is. If the remainder is 1 (janma) it indicates danger to body; if 2 (sampat) wealth and prosperity; if 3 (vipat) dangers, losses and accidents; if 4 (kshema) prosperity; if 5 (pratyak) obstacles; if 6 (sadhana) realisation of ambitions; if 7 (naidhana) dangers; if 8 (mitra) good; and if 9 (parama mitra) very favourable. There are certain exceptions to the favourable and unfavourable results ascribed above and they will be dealt with in the appropriate places.

Example: - A man born in Aswini elects to undertake a journey on a day ruled by Sravana. Counting from the man's Janma Nakshatra to the one ruling on the proposed day. the number will be 22. This divided by 9 leaves a remainder of 4. This goes under kshema or favourable and hence Tarabala is good.

When the day's nakshatra falls in the first Paryaya or cycle, that is-within the first nine stars, the evil suggested above, viz. 3rd star Vipat. 5th star Pratyak. etc., holds good in full.

In the Second Paryaya or cycle, e.g. Janma Nakshatra, etc., falling from the 10th to 18th, the evil is said to be only fifty per cent. In fact the evil is centred only in the first quarter of the 3rd (Vipat), the 4th quarter of the 5th (Pratyak) and the 3rd quarter of the 7th (Naidhana) of the second cycle.

In the third cycle or Paryaya, the Janma, Vipat, etc., falling from the 19th to 27th the evil is said to be almost negligible. Suppose the birth star is Rohini and the day's star is Satabhisha. The day's star counted from birth star comes to 21. or the 3rd in the third cycle. The 3rd is Vipat. But it is said to carry little or no evil.

In my humble experience, it is better to avoid Vipat and Naidhana stars for all important undertakings - long journeys, marriage, starting of an enterprise, etc., even if such a star happens to fall in the 3rd-cycle, unless there are other counteracting factors.

According to some classical writers, the 22nd and 27th stars are always inauspicious. But our experience is to the contrary. The 22nd is always sadhana and the 27th parama mftra and hence they could be considered as auspicious.

Chandrabala. - As we have already said above, the consideration of the Moon and his position are of much importance in Muhurtha. To be at its best, the Moon should not occupy in the election chart, a position that happens to represent the 6th, 8th or 12th from the person's Janma Rasi.

To take another example: a person born in Mrigasira (Janma Rasi being Taurus) wants to have his marriage on a day ruled by Bharani which means the Moon will be in Aries. There is neither Tarabala (as Bharani will be Naidhana to Mrigasira) nor Chandrabala (the Moon on the election day falls in Aries which would be the 12th from the subject's Janma Rasi). Hence, the day is most inauspicious. Certain constellations, apart from their being harmonious or otherwise disposed with reference to one's own Janma Nakshatra, should be avoided for certain specific purposes on account of their inherent evil natures. In fact, Bharani is condemned for all good work and it has to be scrupulously avoided for all good work.

Panchaka (Five-Source Energy). - For matters of ordinary importance such as interviewing superiors or going on short journeys, a favourable Tarabala will do and there is no need to consider the panchaka. But in regard to very important ceremonies such as marriage, nuptials, entry into new houses, etc., this should be carefully looked into. There are several methods by which panchaka is determined. I shall give the most common method. In the panchaka determination apparently, five sources of planetary, stellar and zodiacal energies are involved. Take the number of the lunar day (from the 1st of the month), the number of the weekday, Sunday I. etc.), the number of the constellation (from Aswini) and the number of the Lagna (from Aries). Add these together and divide the total by 9. If the remainder is 1 (mrityu panchakam), it indicates danger; if 2 (agni panchakam), risk from fire; if 4 (raja panchakam), bad results; if 6 (chora panchakam), evil happenings and if 8 (roga panchakam), disease. If the remainder is 3, 5, 7 or zero then it is good. As an example, let us assume that A wants to start a business on a day and time otherwise conforming to the requirement of Muhurtha-the constellation being Aslesha, the lunar day being the 13th, the rising sign being Virgo and the weekday Sunday. Calculating the panchaka, we get - 

        Number of the lunar day       13
        Number of constellation        9
        Number of weekday              1
        Number of zodiacal sign        6
                              --
                                      29

Dividing this by 9, we get 29/9 = 3 2/9 - 2 as remainder. It indicates Vahni or fire and hence the time selected is not favourable. In dealing with this subject. Prof. B. Suryanarain Rao observes thus in bis famous book ASTROLOGICAL MIRROR: "There are many things as in medicine, so in astrology which when properly understood and followed would tend to minimise the chances of evil influences indicated by planets, lunar days, constellations and rising signs and in all these the idea seems to be to avert the evils which would arise as a matter of fact from the attraction or combination ot the subtle influences contained in Time and the chemical changes which arise from the conjunctions and repulsions of various forms of energies, some of which are visible, while many of which ars subtle and very mysterious in their nature."

The general rule of avoiding unfavourable panchaka has certain exceptions. When an election is to do with occupation, avoid Raja Panchaka. In elections bearing on house building avoid both Raja and Agni Panchakas. In regard to travel, Chora Panchaka should be rejected. In marriage and upanayanam, Roga and Mrityu Panchakas should be avoided. Conversely it also means that a panchaka declared unsuitable for a particular type of election could be used for a different kind of election. No astrological authority has specifically approved this step but by implication, we can assume that there is no objection if, for instance, we ignore raja panchaka for travelling or marriage or roga panchaka for house-building. As far as possible, it is advisable to avoid the evil of panchaka in general irrespective of its definite bearing on an election. But when a more auspicious day cannot be secured, we can resort to the lesser of the two evils.

As regards Tarabala referred to above, it is no doubt advisable to avoid a day that is ruled by the 1st, 3rd; 5th and 7th constellations. But when the day is otherwise favourable, only the negative parts of these unfavourable constellations may be avoided. Thus, in the Janma, Vipat, Pratyak and Naidhana constellations, the first 7, 3, 8 and 6 ghatis respectively may be considered evil and avoided. Thus, a man whose Janma Nakshatra is Pushyami can undertake a venture on a day ruled by Makha (Vipat) provided he avoids the first seven ghatis of the constellation. The stigma attached to the star being Vipat no longer holds good. Generally these exceptions are resorted to only under special circumstances when an election is to be urgently made and when the undertaking admits of no delay.

A day ruled by one's Janma Nakshatra is ordinarily held to be unfavourable for an election. But in regard to nuptials, sacrifices, first feeding, agriculture, upanayanam, coronation, buying lands, learning the alphabet, Janma Nakshatra is favourable without exception. But it is inauspicious for war, sexual union, shaving, taking medical treatment, travel and marriage. For a woman, Janma Nakshatra would be quite favourable for marriage.

There are several technicalities to be considered in the selection of auspicious times and in spite of the apparent inconsistencies to be found in the opinions expressed by different classical writers on this subject, I have endeavoured to give the easiest and what, in my humble opinion, are the most reliable principles bearing on this all-important subject.

CHAPTER IV
Influence of Constellations

The whole of Muhurtha or for that matter, the whole of Hindu astrology is based on the movements of planets in relation to the constellations. The wisdom of the ancient Indians in making predictive astrology, dependent upon the fixed zodiac, is being increasingly appreciated by students of the science. The question of zodiacal influences hinges on the fact whether the star-points or constellations with which the Sun comes into line from day-to-day derive their influences from that body or irrespective of the shifting position of the Sun, there is any special virtue attaching to these star-points. We have shown with incontrovertible evidence in several of our articles in THE ASTROLOGICAL MAGAZINE that the stars have a decided influence on all human affairs and we have several times disproved the absurd views displayed by the so-called scientists that because stars are removed millions and billions of miles away from us, there cannot be any connection between those gigantic masses and the living human beings. These electro-magnetic bodies are capable of discharging different kinds of energies manifesting themselves in different ways. When a constellation like Bharani (beta Arietis) is held to be constitutionally unfit for certain types of elections; it means that the vibrations emanating from it are destructive in character.

I do not propose to discuss here the astrological influences of the various constellations elaborately. I would give just the important ones, mainly based on BRIHAT SAMHITA and leave the reader to refer to more standard works on Muhurtha for further details.

The 28 constellations (including Abhijit which is generally ignored in everyday astrological consultations) are presided over by Aswini. Yama, Agni. Prajapati, the Moon, Rudra, Aditi, Jupiter, Serpent, Pitrus or manes, Bhaga, Aryaman, Savita, Swashta, Vayu.lndragni, Mitra, Indra, Niruti, Visvedewa, Brahman, Vishnu, Vasu, Varuna, Ajaikapat, Ahirbudhnya and Pushan respectively.

Rohini, Uttara, Uttarashadha and Uttarabhadra are supposed to be fixed constellations and they are favourable for coronations, laying the foundations of cities, sowing operations, planting trees and other permanent things.

Chitta, Anuradha, Mrigasira and Revati are soft constellations. They are good for wearing new apparel, learning dancing, music and fine arts, sexual union and performance of auspicious ceremonies.

Aswini, Pushya, Hasta and Abhijit are light constellations, and they can be selected for putting ornamentation, pleasures and sports, administering medicine, starting industries and undertaking travels.

Moola, Jyestha, Aridra and Aslesha are sharp in nature and they are favourable for incantations, invoking spirits, for imprisonment, murders, and separation of friends.

Saravana, Dhanishta, Satabhisha, Punarvasu and Swati are movable stars and they are auspicious fcr acquiring vehicles, for gardening and for going on procession.

Pubba, Poorvashadha and Poorvabhadra, Bharani and Makha are dreadful stars and they a re suitable for nefarious schemes, poisoning, deceit, imprisonment, setting fire and other evil deeds.

Krittika and Visakha are mixed constellations and during their influences, works of day-to-day importance can be undertaken.

Beginning from the third quarter of Dhanishta and ending with the last part of Revati, the time is held to be unsuitable for any kind of auspicious work. This period goes under the special name of Nakshatra Panchaka and when these stars are ruling, one should avoid journey towards the south, house repairing or renovation, collecting fuel and cattle fodder or acquiring cots and beds.

Of all the twenty-eight constellations, the pride of place appears to have been given to Pushya, the 8th star.

The constellation of Pushya is supposed to be the most favourable of all the 28 constellations. It is said to neutralise almost all doshas or flaws arising out of a number of adverse combinations. The Rishis go to the extent of saying that even if unfavourable combinations are present in the birth horoscope hampering ones success in life, and the ruling constellation and the position of the Moon are all adverse, Pushya has the power of neutralising these evil forces and asserting its benefic nature. In spite of all the benefic influences attributed to Pushya, it is held to be inauspicious for purposes of marriage. There may be an element of exaggeration In the assertion that Pushya is capable of modifying all the evil influences present in an election chart but there is no doubt whatsoever that it is a constellation par excellence that could be universally employed for all purposes, excepting of course marriage.

CHAPTER V
Special Adverse Yogas and their Neutralisation

The farmers of the astrological rules were not mere theoreticians. They were practical men and did not beleive in merely cataloguing their observations for academical purposes. Whilst it is always desirable to fix a Muhurtha that is auspicious by all standards of astrological rules, there would sometimes be practical difficulties and emergent occasions which admit of no delay. Therefore, emphasis is laid on what is called gunabahulya or excess of good and dosha swalpa or deficiency of evil. When one has to visit a friend or a relation, who is seriously ill in, a far-off place, we are asked not to attach any consideration to the astrological factors. Because at a moment's notice it is impossible to get a time which could be deemed to be propitious astrologically. But when one is to go on a pilgrimage or a business tour or for a marriage, one should see that he starts under influences that are harmoniously disposed towards him.

There are said to be 21 great evils (ekavimsati mahadoshas) which are to be avoided for any auspicious work. But when one finds it difficult to avoid them because of astrological impossibility or circumstantial inability, one can take advantage of the neutralising combinations which are generally supposed to act as antidotes. We may just make a passing reference to these 21 great evils for the information of the readers. They are: -

1. Panchanga Suddhi. - We have already said that a Panchanga consists of tithi, vara, nakshatra. yoga and karana. All these must be auspicious. In regard to lunar days, the 4th, 6th, 8th, 12th and 14th, full and new moon days should be avoided. In regard to vara, Thursday and Friday are held to be suitable for all works. Tuesday, is to be generally avoided except when it happens to be the 10th, 12th or 16th day of the child's birth when the child's Namakarana (baptising or giving name) may be performed. Of the several Nakshatras, Bharani and Krittika should be avoided for all auspicious works as these two are said to be presided over by the god of death (Yama) and the god of fire (Agni) respectively. In urgent cases if the Lagna could be fortified, the dosha due to nakshatra may get neutralised. The last parts of Aslesha, Jyeshta and Revati should also be avoided. Coming to the Yoga (vide page 12) the 6th (Atiganda). 9th (Soola). 10th (Ganda), 17th (Vyatipata) and 27th (Vydhruti) have deleterious effects upon events which are started or commenced under them. - The Karana chosen must be appropriate to the election in view. Thus Bava is auspicious for starting works of permanent importance while Thaithula is propitious for marriage. Bhadra is unfit for any good work but is eminently suitable for violent and cruel deeds. For getting initiation into kshudra mantras Sakuni Havana is propitious.

Therefore, Panchanga Suddhi means a good lunar day, a beneficial weekday, an auspicious constellation, a good yoga and a fertilising Karana.

2. Surya Sankramana. - The 2nd great evil is Surya Sankramana or the solar ingress into different zodiacal signs. When the Sun is about to leave one sign and enter another there seem to occur certain disturbances in the organisation of the solar forces and such times are not recommended for any good work. On the contrary, they are held to be propitious for meditation, initiation into secret mantras and performance of certain religious rites which are held to purify not only the bodily electrical discharges but also the mental currents. Sixteen ghatis (6 hours 24 minutes) both before and after the entry of the Sun into a new sign should be rejected for all new works.

3. Karthari Dosha. - Karthari means scissors. In an election, when two evil planets are placed on either side of the Lagna, the combination goes under the special name of Karthari Dosha and it should be rejected for good work particularly in regard to marriage.

4. Shashtashta Riphagatha Chandra Dosha. - The Moon should invariably be avoided in the 6th, 8th and 12th houses from the Lagna rising in an election chart.

5. Sagraha Chandra Dosha. - The Moon's association with any other planet, benefic or malefic, should be avoided. This injunction is specially applicable in case of marriage.

6. Udayasta Suddhi. - The Lagna and the seventh should be strong. The Lagna should be occupied by its own lord and the Navamsa Lagna by its own lord or vice versa or lord of Lagna should aspect Navamsa Lagna and vice versa. Similarly the seventh and the lord of the seventh Bhava should be favourably disposed. The strength of Lagna and the seventh is necessary in all elections but especially so in regard to marriage.

7. Durmuhurtha. - Muhurtha technically means 48 minutes or 2 ghatis in terms of time. A sidereal day consists of 30 muhurthas. The 1st fifteen diurnal muhurthas named are: (1) Rudra. (2) Ahi. (3) Mitra,, (4) Pitrii, (5) Vasu, (6) Vara. (7) Vishwedeva, (8) Vidhi, (9) Sathamukhi, (10) Puruhuta, (H)Vahini, (12) Naktanchara, (13) Varuna, (14) Aryama and (15) Bhaga. The nocturnal muhurthas are: (1) Girisa, (2) Ajipada, (3) Ahirbudhnya. (4) Pusha, (5) Aswi, (6) Yama, (7) Agni. (8) Vidhatru, (9) Chanda, (10) Aditi, (11) Jeeva, (12) Vishnu. (13) Yumigadyuti, (14) Thyasthur and (15) Samdram.

In regard to the diurnal muhurtha, the 1st, 2nd, 4th, 10th, 11th, 12th and 15th are inauspicious while in nocturnai muhurthas the 1st. 2nd, 6th and 7th are inauspicious.

In calculating the muhurtha, the exact length of day and night should be ascertained. Each muhurtha is said to last for 48 minutes (2 ghatis) on the assumption that the duration of day and night is of equal proportion, viz. 30 ghatis, or 12 hours. If the length of day is 28 ghatis, then each muhurtha extends for 1 ghati and 52 vighatis (20h 20s. 8).

Apart from the above general classification of good and bad muhurthas, the following should also be deemed as unpropitious on the different weekdays. Sunday coinciding with the 14th lunar day (Aryama); Monday the 8th (Vidhi) and the 12th (Naktanchara); Tuesday the 4th (Prtru) and the 11th (Vahni); Wednesday (Abhijit); Thursday the 12th (Naktanchara) and 13th (Varuna); Fflday'the 4th (Pitru) and the 8th (Vidhi) and Saturday the 1st (Rudra) and the 2nd (Ahi).

Particularly in marriages, the muhurthas declared above as inauspicious in regard to weekdays should not be considered.

8. Gandanthara. - The last 2 ghatis (48 minutes) of the 5th, 10th and 15th (Full Moon) and the first 2 ghatis of the 6th, 11th and 1st (dark half) lunar days go under tithigandanthara and they should be rejected for all new works. Similarly, the last 2 degrees of Cancer. Scorpio and Pisces and the first 2 degrees of Leo, Sagittarius and Aries are inauspicious. The last ghatis of Aslesha, Jyeshta, Moola, Revati and Aswini and the first four ghatis of Makha should be avoided as injurious for good work.

Papashadvargs. - Malefics should not be strong in shadvargas in an election chart.

10. Bhrigu Shatka. - The position of Venus in the 6th is injurious. This is especially so in regard to marriage. Even when Venus is exalted and associated with benefics, such a disposition is not approved.

11. Kujasthama: - Mars should be avoided in the 8th house, as it indicates destruction of the object in view. In a marriage election chart. Mars in the 8th is unthinkable. Even if Mars is otherwise powerful, he should not occupy the 8th house.

12. Ashtama Lagna Dosha. - In selecting a time for marriage, the Lagna ascending should not happen to be the 8th from the Janma Lagna of the bride and the bridegroom. Suppose the would be husband and wife are born in Aquarius and Capricorn respectively. At the time of marriage, the ascending Lagna should be a sign other than Virgo or Leo as these two happen to be the 8th from the bridegroom and bride's Janma Lagnas respectively.

13. Rasi Visha Ghatika. - Elsewhere has been given the negative periods of different Lagnas (Lagna Thyajya). They are to be rejected for all auspicious work.

14. Kunavamsa Dosha. - The Lagna selected for an auspicious work should not occupy the Navamsa of a malefic.

15. Varadosha. - This has already been explained on page 26. Certain weekdays are to be avoided for certain special activities.

16. Grahanothpatha Dosha. - The constellations in which the eclipses appear should be avoided, and in regard to marriage, such a constellation should be avoided for six months.

17. Ekargala Dosha. - This dosha is powerful only during the daytime. Affects matters started under certain yogas such as Vishkhambam. We need not go into details as it is not of much significance.

18. Krura Samyuta Dosha. - The constellation occupied by the Sun at a given moment, and the one immediately preceding and succeeding it have to be deemed unpropitious for all good work and they should be rejected for purposes of marriage.

19. Akalagharjitha Vrishti Dosha. - When there is rainfall and thunder, out of season, such days should be deemed unfit for all good work.

20. Mahapatha Dosha. - When the Sun and, the Moon are equally removed from the equator upon the same side of it, the aspect is known as Vyatipata, which indicates excess of evil. This is held to be unfavourable for all good work.

21. Vaidhruthi Dosha - This is also an evil aspect (yoga) and should be avoided in all favourable activities.

I have given above a fairly clear description of the 'evils', which are generally to be met with in all classical works on Muhurtha. The reader should not get scared away at the thought of these large number of doshas or planetary evils which are to be avoided if one is to elect a proper time for the fruition of an object in view. Man has to contend against a stupendous number of evil agencies or discordant vibrations released by the planetary bodies and each of these mahadoshas seems to express euphemestically the particular types of evil energies which would affect adversely particular types of human activities. There are several exceptions to these general doshas. One should always remember that in electing a suitable moment one should try to avoid the major doshas by fortifying the ascendant and taking advantage of the exceptions and ignoring the minor ones.

 

MATERIAL FOR BA PART 3 PAPER 5