Solar/Lunar Eclipse and Mantra Japa

This month we are set to see Lunar Eclipse or Chandra Grahan and it will occur on 8th November 2022 starting at 14:21 PM IST  and closing at 18:18 IST. with the peak at 16;29 PM IST. Readers requested to convert the IST (Indian Standard Time to their Local Standard Time).It will be visible in South Asia, East Asia, Australia, much of North America, South America, Pacific Ocean, Atlantic Ocean, Indian Ocean, and Antarctica.

Traditionally both Solar and Lunar Eclipses i.e. when the sun, moon and the earth fall in a line, are considered as inauspicious and in-general people avoid starting/doing of any major work, visit to religious places etc. and prefer to stay at home in silent prayer or inactivity. Even food and having liquid diets are avoided during this time, due to the inauspiciousness surrounding the cosmic event.

Conversely on the tantric side, the eclipses are favored as very powerful cosmic events, that can bestow immense benefit and enhance one’s prayers. Especially when mantra japa is done during eclipse, the effect of the mantra increases multi fold. Hence, it is beneficial to do mantra japa during the entire eclipse period. The benefit is said to be thousand fold or higher.

The Sun is the source of all energy to the entire solar system and all planets emanate from it and also revolve around it, due to the gravitational pull. It is viewed as a segment of the manifested Super-consciousness that also provides light for our vision to function and recognize objects around us. Sun is also the source of energy and heat that sustains the health of all beings (all Living Beings run on Solar Energy). Sun is seen as the Divine Father, who guides us in our karmic duties.

The Moon is viewed as the Divine Mother who cools the Earth and provides light that delights our minds and changes our moods. Therefore Moon is seen as the controller of mind and the various phases of the moon, have a direct impact on our psychic faculties.

The Earth, is a repository of the natural elements called pañcabhūta-s, namely ether, air, fire, water and earth. These five elements are present in all living beings and non-living objects and are subject to the gravitational influence of both the sun and moon, as well as all other heavenly objects around us, that have a significant impact on our karmic footprint.

When all the three heavenly objects are aligned in a perfect line during an eclipse, there is a high flow of energy from the sun and moon to us and this can be harnessed by deep meditation and mantra japa.

Lord Bhairava and Solar/Lunar Eclipse: From the Bhairava standpoint, we can see that during an eclipse, one of the heavenly bodies is covered up and appears to be under the influence of the other heavenly object and its force is weakened. Both the Sun and Moon are essential for life on Earth and we cannot function in the absence of either of these objects. Although the objects themselves have not disappeared during the eclipse, it does create a mirage of confusion. During this time, the protective force of Lord Śiva as Bhairava, comes into the full view. During this phase, Lord Bhairava takes full control of all the nine grahas or heavenly objects near to us, as well as the pañcabhūta-s and aṣṭadikpālakas (eight directional lords). Whenever Lord Bhairava is incharge, tasks/things are done at super speed and hence the same is related to sādhana that is performed during this time. Mantra japa during the eclipse interval, comes under the full lens of Lord Bhairava and results are also very fetching and quick. Same applies to meditation and any prayers performed during this time with utmost concentration.

From a Śrī Vidya standpoint, Moon is represented by the iḍa nāḍi (left spiritual channel flanking the spinal cord) and Sun is the piṅgala nāḍi. Śrī Mātaṅgi devi is the iḍa nāḍi, linked to the left nostril and right hemisphere of the brain, associated with creativity and Śrī Vārāhī devi is the piṅgala nāḍi, linked to the right nostril and the left hemisphere of the brain, associated with activity. The ātma or individual consciousness deposited in the pineal gland or the third-eye ājñā cakra, is linked to Śrī Bāla devi. Sun is represented as Śrī Kāmeśvara and the moon is the Divine Mother Mahāṣoḍaśi as Kuṇḍalini. When the breath is aligned to the mantra and both nostrils are active during inhalation and exhalation, the nāḍi-s are balanced and the rise of the Kuṇḍalini through the Suṣumna becomes possible. This alignment of the breath, is linked to the straight alignment of the cosmic bodies during the eclipse and their deep influence upon us. The individual consciousness along with the Kuṇḍalini, will rise up to the crown Sahasrāra cakra to merge into the Divine Father Śrī Kāmeśvara. For most of us, we will not see any spiritual awakening during the eclipse time period, but for those who are on the cusp of self-realization, the experience would be completely different.

On 5th June 02:29am UTC/GMT, The Candra grahana will be manifested. The following video describes some mantras and procedures that can be adopted during this time. Permission has been obtained by the content provider Sri Krishna Kumar of Medhayoga. We have provided a link to the video posted on youtube.

The Mantras described are -

1st pūjā –

2nd pūjā –

3rd pūjā -

4th pūjā -

5th pūjā -

rāhu pūja -

śrī rāhu gāyatrī -

oṃ nagadhvajāya vidmahe ।

padmahastāya dhīmahi ।

tanno rāhuḥ pracodayāt ॥

ॐ नगध्वजाय विद्महे ।

पद्महस्ताय धीमहि ।

तन्नो राहुः प्रचोदयात् ॥

oṃ bhṛguputrāya vidmahe ।

saiṃhikeyāya dhīmahi ।

tanno rāhuḥ pracodayāt ॥

ॐ भृगुपुत्राय विद्महे ।

सैंहिकेयाय धीमहि ।

तन्नो राहुः प्रचोदयात् ॥

oṃ rāhave namaḥ ।

ॐ राहवे नमः ।

candra pūja -

oṃ śrīmate namaḥ ।

ॐ श्रीमते नमः ।

oṃ padmadhvajāya vidmahe ।

hema rūpāya dhīmahi ।

tannaḥ somaḥ pracodayāt ॥

ॐ पद्मध्वजाय विद्महे ।

हेम रूपाय धीमहि ।

तन्नः सोमः प्रचोदयात् ॥

bhagamālinī pūja -

oṃ bhagamālinyai namaḥ ।

ॐ भगमालिन्यै नमः ।

rātridevi pūja -

oṃ rātri devyai namaḥ ।

ॐ रात्रि देव्यै नमः ।

gaṇeśa rāhu candrādi āvāhitābhyo devatābhyo namaḥ yathāsthānaṃ prathiṣṭhāpayāmi ॥

गणेश राहु चन्द्रादि आवाहिताभ्यो देवताभ्यो नमः यथास्थानं प्रथिष्ठापयामि ॥

This article is written by Krishna Reddy and can be contacted at Krishna@manblunder.com