Mookambika Devi
An eclipse is an Astronomical event. It most often occurs when the moon crosses between the sun and earth in a solar eclipse or Surya Grahan. When the earth crosses between the sun and the moon is a lunar eclipse. It is an alignment of three celestial objects known as Syzygy means a darkening heavenly body. The mythological story dates back to the Solar and Lunar dynasties. Lord Moon is one of nine planets. Moon is born to Sage Atri and Sati Anasuya matha. Darvas and Dattatreya are his brothers. He married 27 stars daughters of Daksha Prajapati who is the father of Sati Devi wife of Lord Siva. Moon is a bright night planet that appears in the sky. He gave birth to another planet Budha and are enemies of each other. The Sage Kashyap Prajapati and his wife Aditi got a son Aditya who is famous as Lord Sun the first planet and God visible to all. Kashyap Prajapati and his other wife Diti got sons Hiranyaksh Hiranyakashyap. The Children of Aditi are Suras (Gods) and the children of Diti are Asuras (demons or Rakshas).
The demon’ always quarrel with Suras for their abode. The Guru of God is Brihaspati and the Guru of asuras is Shukracharya. The Asuras tried to occupy Sura’s place and asuras were killed by Suras. The Demons prayed to Shukracharya for help to save their lives from the powerful Gods as their lineage is slowly decreasing. Then Sukracharya performed Tapasya to appease Lord Brahma and save Asuras’ lives. Lord Brahma was blessed with the boon of Murtha Sanjeevani Vidya to Sukracharya. With Siddhi of this Vidya, one can be alive after death. Asuras came to know that their Guru Sukracharya was blessed with Murtha Sanjeevani Vidya and there is no death for them, without any fear they started a quarrel and occupied places of God’s. When they tried to kill Suras they prayed to Lord Vishnu to save them from Asuras. Lord Vishnu suggested getting nectar by churning Samudra. Suras started Samudra Manthan. Asuras came to know they are trying to take nectar from the ocean, then they demanded Suras share and helped them to take out the nectar. After taking nectar asuras wanted to drink it first. Lord Vishnu changed as Mohini an Apsara and ordered to sit in line with both Suras and Asuras. First Mohini served the nectar to the Gods. A Demon Avirbhuva sat in Suras line. When Mohini served nectar to the demon Avirbhuva, the Sun and Moon alerted Lord Vishnu that he is Asura. He swallowed the nectar a little, and immediately Mohini changed as Lord Vishnu cut the demon’s head with Sudarshan chakra. The head and body of Asura separated. The demons beg their Guru Sukracharya to save the life of Avirbhuva, then Lord Brahma is advised to fix the head of the snake to the body and tail to the head with Sanjeevani Vidya by Sukracharya. He made a Demon alive called a dragon head or Rahu and dragon tail or Ketu. Since then Rahu and Ketu become inimical towards Lord Sun and Moon.
In Astrology Rahu and Ketu are celestial bodies without physical appearance. They are shadow planets. Rahu is cruel by nature. Mythology reveals Rahu is the son of Viprachit and Simhika. Simhika is the daughter of Hirayankashap and the sister of Prahalad. Rahu is the paternal niece of Prahalad. His wife is Karala. Rahu is born in Pardhiva Nama year on Bhadrapada Shukla Purnima of Poorvabhadrapada Star. With blessings of Lord Brahma and Vishnu in the same year, he was confirmed and assigned as shadow planet on Magha Krishna Chaturdashi of Ashlesha Star, in Mithuna Rasi with a particular time as Rahu Kalam. It is one and half hours a week and the time varies each day. The time lasts from Sunrise to Sunset i.e. 6.00A M. to 6.00 P. M. and considered an inauspicious. Rahu is female in character and moves in an anticlockwise direction from Aries to Pisces back to Taurus. It is ruled by three stars Anuradha, Swathi, and Shathataraka. Rahu Mahardasa is 18 years. Its own house is Sagittarius. It is exalted in Taurus and debilitated in Scorpio. Lord Shani. Budha and Venus are bosom friends of Rahu. Rahu is cruel than Shani. Sun, Moon, and Mars are enemies of Rahu. It gives results in conjunction with other planets. When Rahu is with the sun or moon in the horoscope it is Grahan Dosh. The Lord of Rahu is Goddess Gauri, Maha Saraswati, Goddess Durga, and Lord Vishnu is Varaha Avatar.
In Devi, Puran Durga is said to be Chaya Rupena Samsthitha. Rahu is Chaya Graham. To get favorable results worship Durga Devi in Navaratri. Even though it is a cruel planet, favorable to Artists. Sun and Rahu are two different planets. Both are opposite to each other. Sun is a bright planet and Rahu is a Shadow planet. The Lord Sun has worshipped as Atma Karak and its position results relationship with their father. Rahu is a cruel planet it is worshipped to overcome evil effects. It represents a relationship with a brother. Rahu and Sun are enemies to each other and during Solar, Eclipse Rahu swallows the energy of the Sun and the lunar Eclipse swallows the energy of the moon.
The eclipse is four types 1. Total, 2. Annual, 3. Partial and 4. Hybrid depends on the apparent size of the Sun and moon. The time differs from continent to continent and from place to place. An eclipse occurs through Rahu and Ketu. Ketu is spiritual of all planets. It is a dragon tail and Shadow planet born on Parthiva Nama year on Phalguna Shukla Purnima on Wednesday in Ashlesha Nakshatra of Mithuna Rasi. His attire is multi-color. Chaitra Shukla Chaturthi is a favorable day. Ketu is said to be the planet of change and moves in an anti-clockwise direction like Rahu from Aries to Pisces to Taurus. Ketu rules Scorpio along with Mars and gives results of Mars. Ketu exalted in Sagittarius and debilitated in Gemini. Rahu and ketu are Sama Sapthami. They are placed in opposite places, Seven to Seven each other. Rahu is favorable when placed from Aries to Virgo. Ketu is favorable when placed from Libra to Pisces. Ketu Mahardasa is seven years. It is ascetic, detachment, Moksha, and spiritual upliftment in life. He rules Ashwin, Magha, and Moola stars. He represents the paternal grandfather (Mother’s father). Ketu is Matsya Avatar and worship of Chinnamastha and Panchamukha Ganapathi gives favorable results. Rahu and Ketu swallow the energy of the Sun and Moon during a solar or lunar eclipse.
The important rituals to be followed during the eclipse are first at least 12 hours before starting the eclipse, called Vedalu means trouble or suffering to Lord Sun or moon and from 12 hours before the eclipse, everyone shall undertake a fast. Secondly, at the time of begin of an eclipse take bath and perform spiritual rituals like Mantra, Homam, and Puja. Eating food or drinking during an eclipse is forbidden. Passing of urination or stool is also restricted. After completion of the eclipse take bath once again and continue routine work after Eclipse. For people who are suffering from skin diseases or Leukoderma to take bath in any holy water and applying its mud on the skin is effective and the disease is cured. These Rules exempted children, old age persons, and patients.
