Lunar Eclipse (Chandra Grahan)
This article is to explain about the Lunar Eclipse and its various time components. There are lots of DOs and DONTs during the Lunar or Solar Eclipse, as mentioned below .
What is Eclipse
Lunar Eclipse
When earth comes in between two celestial bodies Sun & Moon, and Moon is unable to receive sun-light and hence Earth is not able to receive moon light on it, then lunar eclipse happens.
Solar Eclipse
The same way when Moon comes in between Sun & Earth and stops sunlight on earth, Solar Eclipse happens.
What is Sutak
Sutak or Ashauch is the polluted environment due to Eclipse. Sutak is the time during which no auspicious activity should be done, as it is not a favorable time. Sutak time for Lunar eclipse is 3 Prahar (9 hours) early to Lunar Eclipse and for Solar Eclipse, it is 4 Prahar (12 hours) early to Solar Eclipse.
Mythological Reason
After Samudra Manthan, when divine nectar came out of the sea, the devil Rahu drank some of the divine nectar mischievously. Later Sun and the Moon recognized the devil Rahu and conveyed the same to Vishnu. But up till then, Rahu become immortal. Lord Vishnu beheaded him with his Sudarshan chakra. The head part is known as Rahu and his remaining body is Ketu. Later Rahu took a pledge to swallow the sun or the moon as revenge, which would result in eclipses. Thereafter, the sun or moon passes through the opening at the neck, resulting in an eclipse.
DOs and DONTs during Eclipse & Sutak
Precaution for Pregnant Ladies
Penumral Lunar Eclipse on 5 May 2023
Time (IST)
Sootak Starts - Not Applicable
Sootak Ends - Not Applicable
First Contact with the Penumbra - 08:45 PM
Maximum of Lunar Eclipse - 10:53 PM
Last Contact with the Penumbra - 01:00 AM, May 06
Duration - 04 Hours 15 Mins 34 Secs
Mantra
ॐ आदित्याय विद्महे दिवाकराय धीमहि तन्नो सूर्य: प्रचोदयात्॥
Or
ॐ क्षीरपुत्राय विद्महे अमृत तत्वाय धीमहि तन्नो चन्द्रः प्रचोदयात्॥
For Pregnant ladies (Read 108 times atleast)
Santana Gopal Mantra is as follows:
|| ॐ श्रीं ह्रीं क्लीं ग्लौं देवकीसुत गोविन्द वासुदेव जगत्पते देहि मे तनयं कृष्ण त्वामहं शरणं गतः ||
Know about Solar Eclipse